Wrigley Patents Metal Salt Chewing Gum
Zinc and copper salts can reduce bad breath by bonding to volatile sulfur compounds associated with halitosis. However, in the past there have been problems with using the salts.
28/08/06 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved the Wrigley Company's application for a patent on a chewing gum that uses metal salts to provide against bad breath.
Zinc and copper salts can reduce bad breath by bonding to volatile sulfur compounds associated with halitosis. However, in the past there have been problems with using the salts -- they are easily washed away with saliva or drinks, and they have an unpleasant metallic taste.
The patent was awarded for an improved chewing gum that used enough metal salts in the gum center, coating, or both, to be "therepeutically effective" against bad breath. A variety of salts are possible, and the coating may include a surfactant and an edible oil.
The inventors named on the patent are Gordon N. McGrew, James R. Maxwell, Henry T. Tyrpin, Michael J. Greenberg, and David W. Record.
