Toffee Gum Comprising Chocolate

Abstract

The invention relates to toffee gum comprising a polymer system, and at least 1% by weight of chocolate, said polymer system constituting at least 10% by weight of said toffee gum, at least 70% by weight of said polymer system comprising polyvinyl acetate, said polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C., and said chocolate constituting at the most 90% by weight of said toffee gum.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Toffee gum comprising a polymer system, and at least 1% by weight of chocolate,
 said polymer system constituting at least 10% by weight of said toffee gum, at least 70% by weight of said polymer system comprising polyvinyl acetate,   said polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C., and   said chocolate constituting at the most 90% by weight of said toffee gum,   wherein said chocolate is comprised in at least one of a coating and a center-filling.   
     
     
         2 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said glass transition temperature (T g ) of said polyvinyl acetate is in the range of 18 to 55° C. 
     
     
         3 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises at least one flavor and at least one sweetener. 
     
     
         4 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system constitutes at least 12% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         5 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system constitutes in the range of 15% to 95% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         6 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer system is formed by polyvinyl acetate(s) alone. 
     
     
         7 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polyvinyl acetate has a molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 1000 to 250000 g/mol. 
     
     
         8 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer system comprises at least one low-molecular weight polyvinyl acetate having a molecular weight (Mw) of about 2000 to 40000 g/mol, and at least one high-molecular weight PVAc having a molecular weight (Mw) of 40001 to 200000 g/mol. 
     
     
         9 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer system comprises at least one low-molecular weight (Mw) polyvinyl acetate having a molecular weight of about 9000 to 30000 g/mol. 
     
     
         10 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the toffee gum comprises at least one low-molecular weight polyvinyl acetate having a molecular weight (Mw) of about 2000 to 40000 g/mol in an amount of at least 70% by weight of the polymer system. 
     
     
         11 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the toffee gum comprises at least one high-molecular weight polyvinyl acetate having a molecular weight (Mw) of 40000 to 100000 in an amount from about 0.5 to 10% by weight of the polymer system. 
     
     
         12 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 70% by weight of said polymer system is polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C. 
     
     
         13 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein at the most 30% by weight of said polymer system is polyvinyl acetate having a molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 40001-200000 g/mol. 
     
     
         14 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system comprises less than 4% by weight of polymers having a molecular weight (Mw) from about 50000 to 99999 g/mol. 
     
     
         15 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system comprises less than 2% by weight of polymers having a molecular weight (Mw) from about 100000 to 199999 g/mol. 
     
     
         16 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system comprises less than 1% by weight of polymers having a molecular weight (Mw) from about 200000 to 399999 g/mol. 
     
     
         17 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system comprises less than 0.5% by weight of polymers having a molecular weight (Mw) from about 399000 to 800000 g/mol. 
     
     
         18 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system is substantially free of elastomers. 
     
     
         19 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is characterised by having a storage modulus G′ in the range of 100 Pa to 150000 Pa as measured at a frequency within the range of 0.1 to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         20 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is characterised by having a loss modulus G″ in the range of 1000 Pa to 200000 Pa as measured at a frequency within the range of 0.1 to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         21 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is characterised by having a ratio of loss modulus G″ to storage modulus G′ in the range of 1 to 5 as measured at a frequency within the range of 0.1 to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         22 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is characterised by having a storage modulus G′ which is lower than the loss modulus G″ as measured at a frequency within the range of 0.1 to 10 Hz. 
     
     
         23 . Toffee gum according to  claim 22 , wherein said storage modulus G′ is lower than said loss modulus G″ as measured at a frequency of about 1 Hz. 
     
     
         24 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is characterised by having a loss modulus G″ and a storage modulus G′ which are both lower than about 10000 Pa as measured at a frequency of about 0.1 Hz. 
     
     
         25 . Toffee gum according to  claim 20 , wherein said loss modulus G″ is higher than about 10000 Pa as measured at a frequency of about 1 Hz. 
     
     
         26 . Toffee gum according to  claim 19 , wherein said storage modulus G′ is lower than about 40000 Pa as measured at a frequency of about 1 Hz. 
     
     
         27 . Toffee gum according to  claim 19 , wherein said storage modulus G′ decreases during at least a part of a chewing process. 
     
     
         28 . Toffee gum according to  claim 19 , wherein said storage modulus G′ decreases in the chewing process during the first 1 to 3 minutes. 
     
     
         29 . Toffee gum according to  claim 20 , wherein said loss modulus G″ decreases during at least a part of the chewing process. 
     
     
         30 . Toffee gum according to  claim 20 , wherein said loss modulus G″ decreases in the chewing process during the first 1 to 3 minutes. 
     
     
         31 . Toffee gum according to  claim 27 , wherein said chewing process involves a chewing frequency at about 1 Hz. 
     
     
         32 . Toffee gum according to  claim 19 , wherein said storage modulus G′ and said loss modulus G″ are measured at an oscillation torque of about 8 to 12 μN·m. 
     
     
         33 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises a toffee gum substance being formed from a mixture of said polymer system with at least one sweetener and at least one flavor. 
     
     
         34 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises toffee or caramel in an amount in the range of 1% to 85% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         35 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of said chocolate is forming or comprised in at least one chocolate module of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         36 . Toffee gum according to  claim 35 , wherein said at least one chocolate module comprises further ingredients. 
     
     
         37 . Toffee gum according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of said at least one chocolate module is forming an outer coating of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         38 . Toffee gum according to  claim 35 , wherein said toffee gum substance is forming a core and at least one of said at least one chocolate module is situated in said core. 
     
     
         39 . Toffee gum according to  claim 38 , wherein said core comprises several of said at least one chocolate module. 
     
     
         40 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is applied in an amount in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         41 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate contains sugar. 
     
     
         42 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is substantially sugar-free. 
     
     
         43 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate comprises vegetable fat or oil in an amount of 15% to 90% by weight of said chocolate. 
     
     
         44 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is selected from the group consisting of dark chocolate, milk, white chocolate, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is selected from the group consisting of unsweetened chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, semisweet chocolate, sweet chocolate, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         46 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is chocolate couverture. 
     
     
         47 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is a compound chocolate. 
     
     
         48 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is selected from the group consisting of liquid chocolate, solid chocolate, powdered chocolate, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         49 . Toffee gum according to  claim 37 , wherein said chocolate module forming an outer coating has been applied by a coating method selected from the group consisting of spray coating, pan coating, curtain coating, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         50 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said chocolate is substituted by a chocolate substitute. 
     
     
         51 . Toffee gum according to  claim 37 , wherein said toffee gum comprises a precoat below said outer coating. 
     
     
         52 . Toffee gum according to  claim 37 , wherein said outer coating is supplied with a polishing. 
     
     
         53 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is combined with further ingredients selected from the group consisting of coconut, rice, maize, nougat, marzipan, macaroon, almonds, fruits, berries, caramel, liquor, nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, liqourice, wine gum, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         54 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises at least one softener in an amount in the range of 0.5% to 25% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         55 . Toffee gum according to  claim 54 , wherein said at least one softener is selected from the group consisting of triacetin, lecithin, acetylated glycerides, mono- and di-glycerides, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         56 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises at least one syrup of a polyol in an amount of 1% to 25% by weight of said toffee gum. 
     
     
         57 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymer system comprises plasticizer(s). 
     
     
         58 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the toffee gum comprises less than 6% by weight of filler. 
     
     
         59 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein the toffee gum is substantially free of filler. 
     
     
         60 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum comprises at least one flavor in an amount of about 0.001% to 30% by weight, and at least one sweetener in an amount of about 5% to 80% by weight. 
     
     
         61 . Toffee gum according to  claim 33 , wherein said flavor is a caramel flavor comprising an amount in the range of 1% to 30% by weight of said toffee gum substance. 
     
     
         62 . Toffee gum according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one flavor is oil-based and/or hydrophilic. 
     
     
         63 . Toffee gum according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one sweetener comprises sugar. 
     
     
         64 . Toffee gum according to  claim 63 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of mono-, di-, or polysaccharides and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         65 . Toffee gum according to  claim 63 , wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, dextrose, maltose, dextrins, trehalose, tagatose, dried invert sugar, fructose, levulose, galactose, corn syrup solids, polydextrosell, polydextrose ultra, inuline, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         66 . Toffee gum according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one sweetener is an artificial sweetener. 
     
     
         67 . Toffee gum according to  claim 66 , wherein said artificial sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol, lactitol, isomalt, derivatives of isomalt, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         68 . Toffee gum according to  claim 66 , wherein said artificial sweetener is a high-intensity artificial sweetener selected from the group consisting of aspartame, salts of acesulfame, alitame, neotame, twinsweet, saccharin and its salts, cyclamic acid and its salts, glycyrrhizin, dihydrochalcones, thaumatin, monellin, stevioside, sucralose, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         69 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum further comprises active ingredients. 
     
     
         70 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum forms a tablet comprising a chewable polymer system. 
     
     
         71 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is formed into cores, ellipsoid, balls, cylinders, squares, rectangular, hexagonal, strips, paraboloid, donut formed, ring formed, teddy bear formed and/or multi-modular. 
     
     
         72 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum weighs from about ¼ gram to about 10 grams. 
     
     
         73 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum weighs from about ½ gram to about 5 grams. 
     
     
         74 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is provided with an outer coating. 
     
     
         75 . Toffee gum according to  claim 74 , wherein said outer coating is selected from the group consisting of hard coating, soft coating and edible film-coating. 
     
     
         76 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is center-filled. 
     
     
         77 . Toffee gum according to  claim 1 , wherein said toffee gum is compressed. 
     
     
         78 . Method of manufacturing a toffee gum comprising
 manufacturing a toffee gum by a batch process;   wherein the toffee gum comprises   a polymer system, and at least 1% by weight of chocolate,   said polymer system constituting at least 10% by weight of said toffee gum, at least 70% by weight of said polymer system comprising polyvinyl acetate, said polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C., and   said chocolate constituting at the most 90% by weight of said toffee gum;   wherein said chocolate is comprised in at least one of a coating and a center-filling.   
     
     
         79 . Method of manufacturing a toffee gum comprising
 manufacturing a toffee gum by an extruder process;   wherein the toffee gum comprises   a polymer system, and at least 1% by weight of chocolate,   said polymer system constituting at least 10% by weight of said toffee gum, at least 70% by weight of said polymer system comprising polyvinyl acetate, said polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C., and   said chocolate constituting at the most 90% by weight of said toffee gum;   wherein said chocolate is comprised in at least one of a coating and a center-filling.   
     
     
         80 . Method of coating a toffee gum with chocolate comprising:
 applying chocolate in liquid form to the surface of a toffee gum core and subjecting the chocolate coated toffee gum to a temperature, which causes the liquid chocolate to harden;   wherein the toffee gum comprises   a polymer system, and at least 1% by weight of chocolate,   said polymer system constituting at least 10% by weight of said toffee gum, at least 70% by weight of said polymer system comprising polyvinyl acetate, said polyvinyl acetate having a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of 0 to 60° C., and   said chocolate constituting at the most 90% by weight of said toffee gum;   wherein said chocolate is comprised in at least one of a coating and a center-filling.   
     
     
         81 . Toffee gum according to  claim 43  wherein at least some amount of the vegetable fat or oil comprises cocoa butter. 
     
     
         82 . Toffee gum according to  claim 81  wherein substantially all of the vegetable fat or oil comprises cocoa butter.