ZA200207232B - Stain removing chewing gum and confectionery compositions, and methods of making and using the same. - Google Patents

Description

STAIN REMOVING CHEWING GUM AND CONFECTIONERY

COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

Related Application;

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Serial No. 60/188,554 filed on March 10, 2000.

Field Of The Invention;

The present invention is generally directed to chewing gum and confectionery compositions containing an effective amount of a stain removing component selected from anionic and non-ionic surfactants and to processes of making the compositions in a manner which facilitates the release of the stain removing component.

Background Of The Invention;

Tooth whitening or stain removing components are known to be added to dentifrice compositions suchas toothpastes, mouthwashes, and the like. Such compositions include dicalcium phosphates, peroxides, percarbonates and the like such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,256,402; and 5,824,291.

The employment of surfactants including non-ionic surfactants is known for laundry detergent compositions. Such surfactants are disclosed, for example, in international Publication Nos. WO 92/06160 and WO 85/33034. The use of non- ionic surfactants in laundry detergent compositions is known to improve the : U.S. Patent No. 5,645,821 discloses an oral hygiene composition to clean. and whiten teeth which includes water, gelling agent, anionic surfactant and a mixture of alkaline earth metal hydroxides and carbonates. WO 88/00463 discloses an oral composition for removing and/or preventing plaque and for removing stains which includes an oily compatible surfactant and at least one ) weight percent of a benzoic acid salt. The composition is also stated to contain a biocide such as chlorhexidine or derivative thereof. An exemplified surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate and the composition is also stated to contain plasticizers including polyethylene glycol, glycerin and the like. The reference states that the composition may be used in the form of dentifrices, lozenges or chewing gum.

Other chewing gum compositions and the active ingredient for removing stains disclosed therein include WO 99/43294 (chlorite ion); WO 99/27798 (a water-soluble product including sodium bicarbonate and encapsulated aspartame);

Chinese Patent Document No. 1196235 (hydrogen peroxide); U.S. Patent No. 5,824,291 (alkaline metal carbonate peroxyhydrates); WO 98/29088 (cysteine proteinase); WO 98/18339 (bone minerals, calcium triphosphate and/or hydroxyapatite); and U.S. Patent No. 5,629,035 (alkaline metal bicarbonates).

U.S. Patent No. 4,952,407 discloses a gum composition containing a dental plague removing agent in the form of glycerol monolaurate. The composition typically includes a high filler content wherein the filler is an inorganic material such as calcium carbonate, talc, sodium bicarbonate dicaicium phosphate and mixtures thereof.

For coated chewing gum compositions, it is known to provide an active agent such as a medicament in the chewing gum coating and optionally in the core such as disclosed in WO 00/35296 and WO 00/35298.

Unlike toothpaste, mouthwash and other dentifrice compositions, gum ' compositions present unique problems in delivering agents. Chewing gum compositions typically comprise a water-insoluble gum base which provides the bulk to the gum composition but which invariably traps agents having compatibility with the gum base. Adding additional amounts of an agent is problematical because the same can have an adverse effect on the integrity, sensory and/or taste properties of the gum composition. ’ It would therefore be a significant advance in the art of providing a stain removing agent for the cleaning of dental material including teeth if such stain removing agent could be effectively incorporated into a chewing gum composition and released therefrom during the chewing process in a manner which provides an effective amount of the stain removing agent. The chewing gum composition would then not only provide chewing satisfaction to the user, but would also provide a beneficial dental effect.

Confectionery compositions are well known in the art. Such compositions include, for example, hard boiled candies, nougats, panning goods, gel confections, centerfill confections, fondants, and the like. Unlike chewing gum compositions which often remain in the mouth for several minutes and often quite longer, confectionery compositions tend to have a short life in the mouth because they dissolve relatively quickly upon chewing. Nonetheless, it would be of great benefit to provide confectionery compositions with an effective amount of a stain removing agent to provide such products to render them capable of providing a beneficial dental effect.

Summary Of The Invention;

The present. invention is generally directed to stain-removing chewing gum and confectionery compositions in which a stain removing material has been effectively incorporated therein so that a sufficient amount is available for a stain removing effect. ‘ In a particular aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stain- removing composition selected from a chewing gum composition and a ’ confectionery composition comprising a stain removing effective amount of at least one stain removing agent selected from the group consisting of anionic and non- ionic surfactants, said stain removing agent being present in a manner which enables an effective amount of the stain removing agent to be released from the composition.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a . stain-removing chewing gum composition comprising a core and a coating comprised of at least one layer with at least one of the core and coating comprising ] a stain removing effective amount of at least one stain removing agent selected from the group consisting of anionic and non-ionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

A method of removing stains by employing the chewing gum composition of the present invention is also disclosed.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a chewing gum composition in which the stain removing agent is added at a time in the process of making the same which enhances release of the stain removing agent during the chewing operation.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a stain removing confectionery composition comprising a stain removing effective amount of at least one stain removing agent selected from the group consisting of anionic and non-ionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. A method of removing stains by employing the confectionery compositions of the present invention is also disclosed.

In a preferred form of the invention, the surfactants for both the gum and confectionery compositions are selected from the group consisting of medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts, most preferably containing 14-20 carbon atoms, and especially sodium stearate and sodium palmitate and mixtures thereof, as well as a mixture of citric acid esters of mono and diglycerides.

Detailed Description Of The Invention;

Applicants have determined that an effective stain removing chewing gum ’ and confectionery compositions can be prepared by a suitable selection of stain- removing agents and the formulation of the gum and confectionery compositions and the manner in which the stain-removing agents are added to the compositions which enables the release of the stain-removing agent in an effective amount so that it may come into contact with dental surfaces including tooth surfaces while maintaining the organoleptic properties commonly associated with such products.

The chewing gum compositions of the present invention, may be coated or ) uncoated and be in the form or slabs, sticks, pellets, balls and the like. The composition of the different forms of the chewing gum compositions will be similar but may vary with regard to the ratio of the ingredients. For example, coated gum compositions may contain a lower percentage of softeners. Pellets and balls have a small chewing gum core, which is then coated with either a sugar solution or a sugarless solution to create a hard shell. Slabs and sticks are usually formulated to be softer in texture than the chewing gum core. For practice of the present invention however, in order to overcome any detrimental softening effect the surfactant active may have on the gum base, it is preferred to formulate a slab or stick gum having a firmer texture (i.e. with less softener than is typically employed).

Centerfilled gum is another common gum form. The gum portion has a similar composition and mode of manufacture to that described above. However, the centerfill is typically an aqueous solution or gel, which is injected into the center of the gum during processing. The stain removing agent could optionally be incorporated into the centerfill during manufacture of the fill or into the chewing gum. The centerfill gum may also be optionally coated and may be prepared in various forms such as in the form of a lollipop.

For practice of the present invention it is preferred to use a coated gum wherein the stain removing agent is in at least one of the core and the coating.

Most preferred for removing stains is a coated gum wherein the stain removing agent is at least in the coating.

The chewing gum composition of the present invention includes gum base and most of the other typical chewing gum composition components such as sweeteners, softeners, flavorants and the like. At least one stain removing agent is employed in the present invention which is selected from anionic and non-ionic surfactants. The chewing gum composition may contain a reduced amount of softening agents such as lecithin or glycerin or may eliminate softeners. In addition, the chewing gum composition may contain a larger amount of sugar ) alcohols than conventional chewing gum compositions to facilitate delivery of the stain removing agent employed in the present invention to the tooth surfaces.

In accordance with one aspect of the chewing gum composition of the present invention, the stain removing agent is added during the manufacture of the chewing gum composition, that is, with the sweeteners, flavorants and the like. In another aspect of the present invention, the stain removing agent is added as one of the last steps, preferably the last step in the formation of the chewing gum composition. Applicants have determined that this process modification incorporates the stain removing agent into the gum composition without materially binding the stain-removing agent therein such as may occur if the stain removing agent is mixed directly with the gum base. Thus, the stain-removing, while only loosely contained within the gum composition can be more effectively released therefrom during a typical chewing operation. Thus a material portion of the stain removing agent is free of the gum base.

In a further aspect of the invention, the insoluble gum base generally comprises elastomers, elastomer plasticizers, waxes, fats, oils, emulsifiers, fillers, texturizers and may include a desirable stain-removing agent as hereinafter described.

Elastomers constitute from about 5 to 95% by weight of the base, preferably 10 to 70% by weight and most preferably 15 to 45% by weight.

Examples of elastomers includes synthetic elastomers such as polyisobutyiene, polybutylene, isobutylene-isoprene co-polymers, styrene-butadiene co-polymers, polyvinylacetate and the like. Elastomers may also include natural elastomers such as natural rubber as well as natural gums such as jelutong, lechi caspi, perillo, massaranduba balata, chicle, gutta hang kang or mixtures thereof. Other elastomers are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Elastomer plasticizers modify the finished gum firmness this when used in the gum base. Elastomer plasticizers are typically present in an amount of from about 0 to 75% by weight of the gum base, preferably from about 5 to 45% by ) weight and most preferably from about 10 to 30% by weight. Examples of elastomer plasticizers include natural rosin esters such as glycerol ester of partially hydrogenated rosin, glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, pentaerythritol esters of partially hydrogenated rosin, methyl and partially hydrogenated methyl esters of rosin, and the like. Synthetic elastomer plasticizers such as terpene resins may also be employed in gum base composition

Waxes include synthetic and naturally occurring waxes such as polyethylene, bees wax, camauba and the like. Petroleum waxes such a paraffin may also be used. The waxes may be present in the amount of from about 0 to 30% by weight of the gum base. Waxes aid in the curing of the finished gum and help improve the release of flavor and may extend the shelf life of the product.

Fillers modify the texture of the gum base and aid processing. Examples of such fillers include magnesium and aluminum silicates, clay, alumina, talc, titanium oxide, cellulose polymers, and the like. Fillers are typically present in an amount of from 1 to 60% by weight.

Examples of softeners used in gum base include hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, glycerol monostearate, glycerol triacetate, di and tri glycerides, fatty acids such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and the like.

The gum base constitutes between 5 and 95% by weight of the chewing gum composition, more typically 10 to 50% by weight, and most preferably 25 to 35% by weight of the chewing gum. A higher amount of gum base is preferred.

Other ingredients used in chewing gum compositions include sweeteners, both natural and artificial and both sugar and sugarless. Sweeteners are typically present in the chewing gum compositions in amounts of from about 20 to 80% by weight, preferably from about 30 to 60% by weight. Sugarless sweeteners include, but are not limited sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, hydrogenated : starch hydrolysates, maltitol and the like may also be present. High intensity sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, salts of acesulfame, and the like. -High intensity sweeteners are typically present from about 0 to 1.0% by weight.

Flavoring agents which can vary over a wide range may be selected in amounts from about 0.1 to 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.5 to 5.0% by weight. Flavoring agents for use in chewing gum compositions are well known and include citrus oils, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, oil of wintergreen, menthol and the like.

Softeners may be present to modify the texture of the chewing gum composition. Unlike typical gum compositions, softeners in the compositions of the present invention are typically present in reduced amounts of from about 0.5 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum.

Other materials which may be present in the gum composition of the present invention include antioxidants (e.g. butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, beta-carotenes, tocopherols, colorants, flavorants and the like.

Coating techniques for applying a coating for a chewing gum composition such as pan and spray coating are well known. Preferred in the practice of the present invention is coating with solutions adapted to build a hard candy layer.

Both sugar and sugar alcohols may be used for this purpose together with high intensity sweeteners, colorants, flavorants and binders. When the stain removing agent is provided in the coating of a chewing gum composition, a solution of the stain removing agent is preferably, alternately, applied with the flavorant.

The sweetener may be present in an amount of from about 30% to about 80% by weight of the coating syrup. The binder may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the coating syrup. Minor amounts of the optional additives may also be present. The sweeteners suitable for use in the coating syrup comprise sugarless sweeteners such as the polyhydric aicohols, e.g., xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, and mixtures, thereof; as well as maltitol, isomaltitol, : hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, and hydrogenated glucose syrups. Mono, di- and polysaccharide may also be included. For example, sugars such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, galatose and maltose may also be employed as a sweetener.

Other sweeteners suitable for use in the coating syrup include, but are not limited to free saccharin acid, water soluble salts of saccharin, cyclamate salts, palatinit dihydrochalcones, glycyrrhizin, L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, amino acid based sweeteners, talin, steviosides, dihydrochalcone compounds, acesulfame salts and mixtures thereof.

Other components may be added in minor amounts to the coating syrup and include moisture absorbing compounds, anti-adherent compounds, dispersing agents and film forming agents. The moisture absorbing compounds suitable for use in the coating syrups include mannitol or dicalcium phosphate. Examples of useful anti-adherent compounds, which may also function as a filler, include talc, magnesium trisilicate and calcium carbonate. These ingredients may be employed in amounts of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the syrup. Examples of dispersing agents which may be employed in the coating syrup include titanium dioxide, talc or other anti-adherent compounds as set forth above.

The coating syrup is usually heated and a portion thereof deposited on the cores. Usually a single deposition of the coating syrup is not sufficient to provide the desired amount or thickness of coating and it usually will be necessary to apply second, third or more coats of the coating syrup in order to build up the weight and thickness of the coating to desired levels with layers allowed to dry in-between coats.

A preferred aspect of the chewing gum composition invention adds a stain removing agent to the coat. The stain removing agent is preferably applied subsequent to the syrup coating. It is preferred to then apply a coat of high intensity sweetener prior to coating with the stain removing agent. Application of the stain removing agent is preferably done alternatively to application of a flavorant solution. In the practice of the present invention the stain removing agent may be applied as a solution or may be applied as a dry charge or, where : applicable, melted and applied. For fatty acid salts a dry charge may be preferred.

In coating a chewing gum composition, the applications of coating syrup are continued until the average gum piece weight reaches the required coating weight, preferably until the coat comprises 20-30% by weight of the final pellet weight.

The present invention also encompasses confectionery compositions containing a suitable selection of stain-removing agents. Confectionery compositions include compressed tablets such as mints, hard boiled candies, nougats, gels, centerfill confections, fondants, panning goods and other compositions falling within the generally accepted definition of confectionery compositions.

Confectionery compositions in the form of pressed tablets such as mints may generally be made by combining finely sifted sugar or sugar substitute, flavoring agent (e.g. peppermint flavor) bulking agent such as gum arabic, and an optional coloring agent. The flavoring agent, bulking agent are combined and then gradually the sugar or sugar substitute are added along with a coloring agent if needed.

The product is then granulated by passing through a seize of desired mesh size (e.g. 12 mesh) and then dried at typically 55 to 60=C. The resulting powder is fed into a tableting machine fitted with a large size punch and the resulting pellets are broken into granules and then pressed. : glucose, water, flavoring agent and optional coloring agent. The sugar is dissolved in the water and glucose is then added. The mixture is brought to a boil. The resulting liquid to which may previously have been added a coloring agent is poured onto an oiled slab and cooled. The flavoring agent are then added and kneaded into the cooled mass. The resulting mixture is then fed to a drop roller assembly known in the art to form the final hard candy shape. : A nougat composition typically includes two principal components, a high boiled candy and a frappe. By way of example, egg albumen or substitute ) thereof is combined with water and whisked to form a light foam. Sugar and glucose are added to water and boiled typically at about 130-140=C and the resulting boiled product is poured into a mixing machine and beat until creamy.

The beaten albumen and flavoring agent are combined with the creamy product and the combination is thereafter thoroughly mixed.

Further details regarding the preparation of confectionery compositions can be found in Skuse’s Complete Confectioner (13" Edition) (1957) including pp. 41-71, 133-144, and 255-262; and Sugar Confectionery Manufacture 2" Edition) (1995), E.B. Jackson, Editor, pp. 129-168, 169-188, 189-216, 218-234, and 236-258 each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the present invention, a stain-removing effective amount of an anionic and/or non-ionic surfactant is employed as a stain-removing agent for chewing gum and confectionery compositions. Typical examples of the stain removing agents which may be employed in the present invention include sulfated butyl oleate, medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts in particular the sodium and potassium salts of the stearate and palmitate, and methyl and ethyl esters thereof, sodium oleate, salts of fumaric acid, potassium glomate, organic acid esters of mono and diglycerides such as stearyl monoglyceridyl citrate, succistearin, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, glycerol tristearate, lecithin, : succinyiated monogilycerides, monoglyceride citrate, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, sorbitan monostearate, caicium stearyl-2-factytate, sodium stearyl lactylate, lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycerol, glycerol lactoesters of C14-C20 fatty acids, polyglycerol esters of C14-C20 fatty acids, propylene glycol alginate, sucrose C14-C20 fatty acid esters, diacetyl tartaric or citric acid esters of mono and diglycerides, triacetin and the like and mixtures thereof. : The preferred surfactants for use in chewing gum compositions of the present invention are sodium stearate, usually available as an approximate 50/50 mixture with sodium palmitate, and, a mixture of at least one citric acid ester of mono and/or diglycerides. A suitable example of a commercial stain removing agent in the latter class is IMWITOR 370% sold by Condea Vista Company. The amount of the stain-removing agent for chewing gum compositions is typically from about 0.2 to 2.0% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum composition. The preferred amount of the stain-removing agent is from about 0.4 to 1.2% by weight. The amount of the stain removing agent will vary depending upon the particular individual or combination of stain-removing agents employed.

For example, a preferred amount of sodium stearate is about 0.5% by weight, while a preferred amount of a mixture of citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (IMWITOR 370%) is about 1% by weight.

The preferred stain removing agents for use in the confectionery compositions of the present invention are sodium stearate, sodium palmitate and mixtures thereof. As indicated in connection with the chewing gum compositions, sodium stearate is usually available as an approximately evenly divided mixture with sodium palmitate.

The amount of the stain removing agent which may be employed in the confectionery compositions of the present invention will vary over a range depending on, for example, the type of confectionery composition and the particular individual or combination of stain removing agents which are employed. Generally, the amount of stain removing agent used in the confectionery compositions of the : present invention will exceed the amount of the stain removing agent employed for the chewing gum composition for a particular stain removing agent.

Typically, the stain removing agent for confectionery compositions will be present in an amount of from about 0.2 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the confectionery composition. The preferred amount of the stain removing agent is from about 3 to 15% by weight. : EXAMPLES

The following examples are submitted for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the application as fully covered by the specification and claims.

EXAMPLE 1: PREPARATION OF GUM PRODUCTS;

A. SLAB GUMS

TABLE 1

Ingredient Sample 1 | Sample 2

Atomite (Filler) 4.2500 4.2500

Sorbitol 49.9868 49.4868

High Intensity sweetener* 1.3632 1.3632

Soft sare Joso0 |= 156 *Aspartame, Ace K mixtures **Sodium stearate/sodium palmitate @50/50

Samples 1 and 2 of the chewing gum compositions identified in Table 1 ] were prepared by conventional methods. The gum base was heated to sufficiently soften the base without adversely affecting the physical and chemical make up of the base. The molten gum base and the filler were then added to a mixing kettle.

The sugar alcohols, glycerin, flavor, high intensity sweetener and stain removing agent were added with mixing to obtain a homogenous mixture, with the stain removing agent added last. The mixture was then discharged from the mixing kettle and rolled and scored into a desired piece size by conventional techniques.

B. COATED GUMS - STAIN REMOVING AGENT IN COAT

TABLE 2

Ingredient | Sample3 [Sample4 [Samples orem

Mannitol [7800 [7800 [7500

Coat | |] {vv ar—

LS J

CondellaWax [00% [00s oe

I Ca LJ Ee CN

WWTORS | [1 [= lS Cu Ee LI *Aspartame, Ace K mixtures **Sadium stearate/palmitate @50/50

Gum cores were prepared by the same conventional methods as in part A herein. The molten gum base and the filler were added to the mixing kettle and mixing was commenced. The sugar alcohols, glycerin, flavors, and high intensity : sweetener mixture, were added in portions with mixing to obtain a homogenous mixture. The mixture was then discharged from the mixing kettle and formed into ) cores by conventional techniques.

The cores were placed into a coating pan and broken into individual pieces as necessary. A sugarless solution containing 70% by weight of mailtitol, as well as titanium dioxide, gum arabic and water was heated to between 70° and 80°C. The solution was sprayed onto the gum core pieces in layers and allowed to dry between sprays while the coating pan was continually rotating to ensure a smooth even coat of the gum cores.

The coating was built up to about 8% by weight of the final pellet weight. Ace-K was then added and then covered with another layer of the above- mentioned coating solution and then allowed to dry.

A 20% solution of the stain removing agent identified in Table 2 was prepared by heating water to between 65° and 75°C and then slowly adding the stain removing agent. The solution was mixed under low agitation to avoid foaming until a clear solution was obtained. The solution was maintained at the same temperature for the entire coating procedure.

After the high intensity sweetener layer was dried, the solution containing the stain removing agent and a flavorant were added in alternating layers until all of the respective materials were added with each layer being allowed to dry before the next layer was applied. The coating process continued with the coating solution until the coat comprised 24% by weight of the final pellet weight.

The coating was then topped with a conventional finishing solution until a shell weight of 25% by weight was obtained. The pellets were then polished in a polishing pan with candelilla wax in a convention manner.

C. COATED GUMS - STAIN REMOVING AGENT IN CORE

TABLE 3

CoreGum aL EL I

Sob me

High Intensity 0.7875 oe

Cost ~~

We meme *Aspartame, Ace K mixtures **Sodium stearate/palmitate @50/50

Gum cores were prepared by the same conventional methods as the slab gum in part A herein with the stain removing agent being added last. The mixture was then discharged from the mixing kettle and formed into cores by conventional techniques.

The cores were placed into a coating pan and coated as in Part B herein with the exception that the application of a stain removing agent-containing layer was eliminated from the process.

EXAMPLE 2: EFFICACY TESTS OF GUM PRODUCTS

A. MECHANICAL CHEW TEST

Chewing gum Sample 6, as prepared as in Example 1, was tested in an in-vitro mechanical chewing model. A commercial whitening pellet-type gum containing sodium bicarbonate was used as a control. The gum samples were: masticated by the chewing machine, which contained stained bovine teeth on the chewing surfaces to simulate the top and bottom teeth in a human mouth. The samples were chewed for five minutes. The bovine tooth samples were read with a

Chrom-A-Meter before they were placed in the machine and after a simulated one week of chewing (28 doses). The color change is then determined by calculating the DE value. All of the stain is then removed from the bovine tooth samples and read again with the Chrom-A-Meter. The percent stain reduction is then calculated.

The results are presented in Table 4.

TABLE 4 - Stain Reduction [como | saws % Stain 11.9% 34.1% rn

The test shows that Sample 6 provided a reduction in the occurrence of staining after the test period when compared to a commercial tooth whitening gum.

B. CLINICAL TESTS ’ Test |. Sixty individuals were divided into 4 groups of 15 individuals each. Group | received no treatment. Group Il received the chewing gum composition of Sample 3, and Group Ill received the chewing gum composition of

Claims (1)

1. TH EARNER eermiEive zunurs; T62r518183078; 4 OkT'Ct 11:21; Job 38E;Seite fIsg Printed:26-10:2004.. © CLMSPAMD 'EP01913274.5- PCTUS 01.06816 BART ES Sy TA EAL Se eS : SET er cane FU Li ligany te : Our Ref: A0000056-07-LAV CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

   1. A stain removing chewing gum composition comprising a core and an > ‘optional coating having at least one layer, at least one of said core and coating ’ comprising a stain removing effective amount of at least one stain removing agent selected from the group consisting of anionic and non-lonic surfactants, sald stain removing agent being present in a manner which enables an effective amount of the stain removing agent to be released from the composition.

   2. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the stain remaving agent is selected from the group consisting of medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts.

   3. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 2 wherein the medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salis contain 14-20 carbon atoms.

   4. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the stain removing agent is a mixture of organic acid esters of mono and digiycerides.

   5. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the stain remaving agent is selected from the group consisting of sulfated butyl oleate, medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts in particular the sodium and potassium salts of the stearats and palmitate, and methyl and ethyl esters thereof, yo sodium oleste, salts of fumaric acid, potassium glomate, organic acid esters of 26 mono and diglycerides such as stearyl monogiyceridyl citrate, succistearin, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, glycarol tristearate, lecithin, hydroxylated lecithin, sodium lauryl sulfate, acetylated monoglycerides, succinylated monoglycerides, monoglyceride citrate, ethoxylated mone- and diglycerides, sorbitan monostearate, calcium stearyl-2-lactylate, sodium stearyi lactyiale, lactylated fatty acid esters of 0 glycerol and propylene giycarol, giycarol-iactoesters of C14-C20 fatty acids, poiyglycerol estars of C14-C20 fatty acids, propyiane glycol aiginaie, sucrose C14- C20 fatty ack esters, diacetyl tartaric or citric ack] esters of mono and digiycerides, . and triacetin and midures thereof. "AMENDED SHEET if] | A {EEE TR, + Amended claims SEE o0et] EMPFANGSZEIT 4. OKT. 10:08 AUCRDIFKQICIT 4 AFT +n <n oH WHER Lr =o STL T4S76121E307E; < Okt ' 01 11 ar Joo 3EZ:seiva Tee Printed: 26-10-2001. | (CLMSPAMD... £R01913274.5-PCTUS01-06816 SoS ott -

   6. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim § wherein the stain removing apent is selected from sodium stearate, sodium palmitate and ¥ mixtures thereof.

   7. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the chewing pum composition is in the farm of a slab or stick, said chewing gum composition having a reduced amount of a softener.

   8. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 7 wherein the j stain removing agent is an anionic surfactant.

   9. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim B whers the stain removing agent is selectad from the group consisting of sodium stearate, sodium palmitate and mixtures thereof.

   10. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the chewing gum composition is a centerfill chewing gum compasition having a centerfill and a gum portion, said stain removing agent bsing present in the centerfill, the gum portion or both.

   17. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 in the form of a coated chewing gum composition wherein the stain removing agent is present in ) the coating, the core or both the coating and the core.

   12. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 11 wherein the stain removing agent is present in the coating.

   13. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the amount of the stain removing agent is from abot 0.2 to 2.0% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum composiion. LJ AMENDED SHEET > Amended claims [10200

   TE eralENg zunurz T4878131E307¢; £ OKT'0Y 1121: dob 38G:ssite 170 Frinted:26-10:2001, ~~ [CLMSPAMD... [EP01913274,5 - PCTUS 0106816

   14. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 13 wherein the amount of the stain removing agent is from about 0.4 to 1.2% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum composition.

   18. The stain removing chewing gum composition of claim 13 wherein the stain removing agent is a 50/50 mixure of sodium stearate and sodium palmitate and the amount of the stain removing agent is about 0.5% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum composition.

   16. The stain removing chewing gum composition of ciaim 13 wherein the stain removing agent is a mixture of organic acid esters of mona and diglycerides and the amount of the stain removing agent is about 1.0% by weight based on the total weight of the chewing gum composition. ] a

   17. A method of producing the stain-removing chewing gum composition of claim 1 comprising adding the stain removing agent in ons of the last steps of forming the chewing gum composition to enabie the stain removing agent to be loosely contained with the chewing gum composition whereby the stain removing agent can be effectively released upon chewing. } 18. A stain removing confectionery composition comprising a stain removing effective amount of at least one stain removing agent selected from the group consisting of anionic and non-ionle surfactants. said stain removing agent being present in a manner which enables an effective amount of the stain removing agent to be released from the composition. ao 19. Tha stain removing confectionery composition of ciaim18 wherein the . =tam removing agent is selacied from the group consisting of medium and long chain falty acid esters and eaits, L J AMEN #1; EREET Amended claims EMPFANGSZEIT 4. OKT. 10:05 AIGRRUAKETEIT 4 Avr ca na LES

   20, The stain removing confectionery composition of claim 19 wherein the medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts contain 14-20 carbon atoms. : 21. The stain removing confectionery composition of claim 18 wherein the stain removing agent is a mixture of organic acid esters of mono and diglycerides. . © 22. The stain removing confectionery chewing gum composition of claim 18 wherein the stain removing agent is selected from the group consisting of sulfated butyl oleate, medium and long chain fatty acid esters and salts in particular the sodium and potassium salts of the stearate and paimitats, and methyl and ethyi esters thereof, sodium oleate, salts of fumaric acid, potassium glomate, organic acid esters of mono and diglycerides such as stearyl monoglyceridyl citrate, succistearin, dioctyl sodium suffosuccinate, glycerol tristearate, lecithin, hydroxylated lecithin, sodium lauryl suffate, acetylated monogiycerides, succinylatad monoglycerides, monoglyceride citrate, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, sorbitan monostearate, calcium stearyl-2-actylate, sodium stearyl lactylate, lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycerol, glycerol- lactoesters of C14-C20 fatty acids, polyglycerol esters of C14-C20 fatty acids, propylene glycol alginate, sucrose C14-C20 fatty acid esters, diacetyl tartaric or citric acid esters of mone and digiycerides, and triacetin and mixdures thereof.

   23. The stain remaving confectionery composition of claim22 wherein the stain removing agent is selected farm sodium stearate, sodium palmitate and mixtures thereof.

   24. The stain removing confectionery composition of claim 18 whersin the amount of the stain removing agent is from about 0.2 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the confectionery composition. : 0 25. The stain removing confectionery composition of claim24 wherein the amount of the stain removing agent is from about 3 fo 15% by weight basad on the \} total weight of the confectionery composiion.

   Rr . MERE ad i EMPFANGSZE Amended claims 10:09 [GEIooehk

   ® LER a ad Tas/oIBI BAVC; C& OKT'OT LK 21 Job 383;Segite 18/7 Printec:26-10-2001 © CLMSPAMD [EP01913274.5 - PCTUS 01.068" 3

   26 . The stain removing composition of claim! 8 whersin the confectionery v composition is selected from the group consisting of hard boiled candies, nougats, gel confections, centerfill confections, panning goods, and fondants. - L

   Ee . I SRESEGE Td cnc Rod) ! 5: Amended claims [04-10:2000. # EMPFANGSZEIT 4, OKT. 10:05 AUSORUCKSTEIT 4 oT snopo omer