Solid Homogeneous Polymer Blend for Chewing Gum Base Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymers used in chewing gum bases are obtained as tough, elastic blocks, making them difficult and costly to process in conventional batch kneaders or extruders, requiring comminution which is inconvenient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A solid, homogeneous blend of polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer is developed, allowing for metered addition during processing, replacing the need for separate elastomers and polymer resins, and providing a ready-to-use, particulate form for easier processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymers are used as chewing gum base, then elastomeric properties are improved, but processing difficulty increases due to tough elastic blocks requiring comminution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer from solid blocks to solution form. By dissolving the copolymer in a solvent, the material transitions from a tough, elastic solid that requires comminution to a fluid solution that can be easily pumped and processed, thereby resolving the processing difficulty while maintaining elastomeric properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a solvent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer and the processing equipment. The solvent allows the copolymer to be transported and processed in solution form, eliminating the need for comminution of solid blocks while enabling the copolymer to be incorporated into chewing gum base
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate elastomers and polymer resins are used in chewing gum base, then formulation flexibility is improved, but process complexity increases due to multiple metered addition steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate elastomers and polymer resins into a single integrated solution containing vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate metered addition steps for different components, simplifying the processing equipment and steps while maintaining the functional benefits of having both elastomeric and resin components in the formulation
3Ease of operation
If vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymers are processed as melts, then ready-to-process form is achieved, but additional processing steps and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal melting process with a solution-based approach. Instead of heating and melting the copolymer to make it processable, the copolymer is dissolved in a solvent at lower temperatures, creating a processable solution that requires less energy input while achieving the same ready-to-process state
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and convenient production of chewing gum base by eliminating the need for costly comminution steps, reducing processing time and improving handling of the polymer resin and elastomer content, resulting in a more straightforward and cost-effective production process.
Implementation Method 1
copolymers of two different vinyl esters
Implementation Method 2
polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a chewing gum base containing a homogeneous composition in solid form comprisinga) from 50 to 90% by weight of polyvinyl acetate andb) from 10 to 50% by weight of vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer, the weight percentage based on the total weight of the composition.