Graft copolymers of polyhydroxy compounds and method of use

Abstract

A composition comprised of graft copolymers of polyhydroxy compounds. The resulting high molecular weight grafted polyhydroxyl polymer can be used for applications taking advantage of the improved physical properties. The composition comprises monomeric and polymeric hydroxyl-substituted compounds, and grafting segments as selected from the group of α-hydroxyalkanoic acids, β-hydroxyalkanoic acids, and other polyesters. The composition provides an effective method to create an environmentally acceptable chewing gum comprising the steps of creating a chewing gum base that includes a sufficient amount of grafted polyhydroxy copolymer to create a resultant chewing gum that is more environmentally acceptable than a chewing gum without the graft copolymers of polyhydroxy compounds, and adding to the chewing gum base components known in the principles of the art of creating resultant chewing gum products from otherwise standard elastomers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.