Composition Comprising Chewing Gum, Method for Producing the Same And Use Thereof

Abstract

A composition comprising used chewing gum and a filler is provided, together with a method of preparing the same. In a preferred method, the chewing gum is subjected to a pre-treatment with an oil or water before being combined with the filler. In an alternative method, the chewing gum is used alone with the filler. A composition comprising used chewing gum, a filler and a polymer is also provided, together with a method of its preparation, in which a pre-mixture of the gum and filler is first prepared, before being combined with the polymer, preferably in a moulding process. Articles prepared from a composition of used chewing gum, a filler and a polymer are also disclosed.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A method for preparing a chewing gum composition, the method comprising the step of:
 combining the chewing gum with a filler.   
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the filler is a mineral. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of a clay or a silica, a carbonate, a sulphate, an oxide, a hydroxide, a silicate, talc, plaster, chalk or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the composition comprises filler in an amount of up to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the filler is present in an amount of from 10 to 70% by weight. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the chewing gum and filler are combined under the action of heat. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the chewing gum is subjected to a pretreatment with an oil. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein the pretreatment comprises the steps of:
 mixing the chewing hum with an oil;   allowing the resulting mixture to separate into a chewing gum phase and an oil chase; and   separating the chewing gum phase from the oil phase;   wherein the filler is combined with the chewing gum phase.   
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the composition is prepared as a finely divided form. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the composition is combined with a polymer prior to being formed into the finely divided form. 
     
     
         55 . A composition comprising chewing gum and a filler. 
     
     
         56 . The composition according to  claim 55 , wherein the filler is a mineral. 
     
     
         57 . The composition according to  claim 56 , wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of a clay or a silica, a carbonate, a sulphate, an oxide, a hydroxide, a silicate, talc, plaster, chalk or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The composition according to  claim 55 , wherein the composition comprises filler in an amount of up to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         59 . The composition according to  claim 58 , wherein the filler is present in an amount of from 10 to 70% by weight. 
     
     
         60 . The composition according to  claim 55 , wherein the composition is in a finely divided form. 
     
     
         61 . The composition according to  claim 60 , wherein the composition further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         62 . The composition according to  claim 61 , wherein the polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         63 . The composition according to  claim 62 , wherein the polymer is polyethylene. 
     
     
         64 . A method of forming a chewing gum/polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 combining the chewing gum with a filler to form a pre-mixture; and   combining the pre-mixture thus formed with a polymer.   
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the pre-mixture and the polymer are combined by being fed to a process for preparing a finished article from the composition. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 64 , further comprising combining the pre-mixture, the polymer or the composition with one or more additives. 
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the pre-mixture and polymer are combined in a weight ratio of pre-mixture to polymer of from 0.01 to 0.25.