Abstract: The invention is a multi-phase, sheeted chewing gum product, a method and an apparatus for making such a product. The product includes a first mass of a chewing gum formed in a generally flat sheet and a second mass of a confectionery product having a different color than the first mass. The second mass is smaller than the first mass and is embedded in the first mass so as to be visible with the first mass from the top surface of the chewing gum. The method includes the steps of forming the first mass into a slab with a generally flat surface. The second mass is formed into at least one piece which is brought into contact with the flat surface. The slab and the piece are pressed to produce a generally flat sheet which is cut into segments of a desired width, length and shape.

Abstract: A sugar-sweetened chewing gum is provided having enhanced long-term sweetness intensity during chewing, which is provided by the sugar. The sugar included in the chewing gum is at least 60% as sweet as sucrose. Water is provided in a sufficient quantity to dissolve and/or mix with at least some of the sugar. A mildly hydrophilic polymer attractor is provided which attracts the water mixed with sugar and temporarily delays the release of the water mixed with sugar during chewing. Surprisingly, the gum of the invention has enhanced long term flavor release provided by the sugar, without compromising the pleasing initial burst of sweetness, which is also provided by the sugar.

Abstract: An improved castable refractory composition having excellent resistance to attack from slag can be efficiently transported to a destination, such as a mold, using a pump. The castable refractory composition includes about 36-92% by weight silicon carbide, about 8-20% by weight of a colloidal silica binder, and a balance substantially of other refractory materials which can include alumina, microsilica, graphite, and a setting agent. The composition of the invention can be used alone or in addition to a conventional refractory casting material to form a refractory lining. When used together, the conventional refractory composition is used to construct a lower layer in the refractory lining, and the composition of the invention is used to construct an upper refractory layer above the lower layer.

Abstract: A method of stunning an animal for slaughter includes the steps of providing the animal for slaughter; conveying the animal using conveying means; while conveying, causing a first current pulse having a maximum duration of 10 seconds to flow through the head and/or neck region of the animal to stun the animal; and, while conveying, causing a second current pulse to flow through the body of the animal to cause a cardiac arrest. The first and second current pulses may be applied successively or may be overlapping or partly overlapping.

Abstract: An adjustable form used for forming or repairing a refractory lining includes an adjustable frame constructed from a plurality of intersecting beams, at least some of which are adjustable, and a form connected to the adjustable frame. The frame can be adjusted in at least one direction and, preferably, in more than one direction. By properly adjusting the frame, the adjustable form can be used to form a refractory lining in different metal containment devices varying in dimensions, and can also be used to repair existing refractory linings. The adjustable form is inserted into a metal containment device at a distance from the floor and walls of the metal containment device, and refractory material is poured into the space between the adjustable form and the metal containment device.

Abstract: A wax-free abhesive chewing gum is provided which uses a gum base devoid or substantially free of wax and elastomer plasticizer. The gum base includes about 20 to about 75 weight percent synthetic elastomer, about 4 to about 45 weight percent, filler, about 5 to about 55 weight percent gum base softener, and optional minor amounts of miscellaneous ingredients such as colors, antioxidants, etc. The abhesive wax-free chewing gum further comprises at least one flavoring agent, at least one bulk sweetener; and at least one controlled release sweetener. The controlled release sweetener is a sweetener whose release rate has been modified, preferably to provide a sweetness release profile similar to the release profile of at least one flavoring agent present in the abhesive chewing gum.

Abstract: A coin security system is provided which electronically monitors coins passing into a portable coin collection security bag in order to discourage pilferage of coins stored in the collection bag. A memory chip associated with the bag, or with a mounting member connected to the bag, is in communication with the central data processor in the vending machine circuit when the collection bag is mounted and is receiving coins. When the portable collection bag is disconnected, the memory chip becomes disconnected from the circuit and breaks the circuit, causing the vending machine to shut down. This automatic shutdown feature reduces another kind of pilferage by discouraging the depositing of coins into the vending machine when the coin collection security bag is not in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for making steel alloys directly in a tundish. Base steel enters the tundish from a ladle. An alloying chamber having a plurality of inlets is positioned above a tundish drain. An alloying material (for example, a wire including one or more alloying ingredients) is fed into the alloying chamber through a feed pipe originating above the liquid level in the tundish. Molten base steel enters the alloying chamber through the inlets and is mixed with the alloying material to make a steel alloy, which exits through the drain. The method and apparatus are especially suitable for making small order quantities of alloy steel of less than one ladle volume.

Abstract: A burner for pulsating combustion includes an explosion chamber which on the inlet side connects on to a supply tube for combustion air and a supply tube for fuel. On the outlet side is connected one or more discharge tubes for the combustion gases. The invention provides a burner for pulsating combustion which produces considerably less noise than the known devices. This is achieved by providing the explosion chamber with a widening on the outlet side and connecting the discharge tube(s) to this widening at or close to the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A wax-free chewing gum is provided which has improved processing and chewing properties, similar to a wax-containing chewing gum, and which does not exhibit short texture. The improvement is effected by adding an incremental amount of an extender to the chewing gum. A method is also provided for making a wax-free chewing gum which has processing and chewing properties similar to a wax-containing chewing gum.

Abstract: A wax-free chewing gum is provided which uses a gum base which is devoid or substantially free of wax. The gum base includes about 20 to about 60 weight percent synthetic elastomer, 0 to about 30 weight percent natural elastomer, about 5 to about 55 weight percent elastomer plasticizer, about 4 to about 40 weight percent filler, about 5 to about 40 weight percent softener, and optional minor amounts of miscellaneous ingredients such as colors, antioxidants, etc. Wax-free chewing gum compositions which contain the wax-free gum base are also provided, which chewing gums further comprise flavoring agents and water-soluble bulk portions. The bulk portions contain controlled release sweeteners at least one of which provides a similar release profile to the release profile of at least one flavoring agent present in the chewing gums.

Abstract: A wax-free chewing gum is provided, which chewing gum includes a gum base comprising about 20 to about 60 weight percent of a blend of at least two synthetic elastomers, 0 to about 30 weight percent of at least one natural elastomer, about 5 to about 55 weight percent of at least one elastomer plasticizer, about 4 to about 40 weight percent of at least one filler, about 5 to about 40 weight percent of at least one softener, and optional minor amounts of miscellaneous ingredients such as colors, antioxidants, etc. The chewing gum compositions containing the wax-free gum base above also have an initial soft bite, as measured by Taber Stiffness and Instron yields. Taber Stiffness and Instron yields are preferably at least 5 percent lower than those for a comparable wax containing gum.The wax-free chewing gums may be produced and wrapped at about from 10 percent to about 60 percent of the time required for comparable wax containing chewing gums.

Abstract: A wax-free, low moisture chewing gum is provided which is devoid or substantially free of wax. The chewing gum also contains less than 2.0 weight percent water and comprises a wax-free gum base which includes about 20 to about 60 weight percent synthetic elastomer, 0 to about 30 weight percent natural elastomer, about 5 to about 55 weight percent elastomer plasticizer, about 4 to about 40 weight percent filler, about 5 to about 40 weight percent softener, and optional minor amounts of miscellaneous ingredients such as colors, antioxidants, etc. Low moisture chewing gum compositions which contain the wax-free gum base are also provided.

Abstract: A method of rapidly producing a final wax-free chewing gum product is disclosed. The chewing gum is made using a chewing gum base which is devoid or substantially free of wax. The gum base includes about 20 to about 60 weight percent synthetic elastomer, 0 to about 30 weight percent natural elastomer, about 5 to about 55 weight percent elastomer plasticizer, about 4 to about 40 weight percent filler, about 5 to about 40 weight percent softener, and optional minor amounts of miscellaneous ingredients such as colors, antioxidants, etc. Chewing gum compositions are provided which compositions temper rapidly in production and which chewing gums provide an initial soft bite, but still are produced more efficiently than comparable wax containing chewing gums.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a gum base which enhances the long-term flavor intensity of a free fruit-flavored chewing gum. A water-insoluble restrainer is added to the gum base in an amount sufficient to constitute at least 7% by weight of the chewing gum or four times the weight percentage of the free fruit flavor ingredient in the chewing gum to which the gum base will be added. The properly selected restrainer will have a solubility parameter within .+-.2.0[J/M.sup.3 ].sup.1/2 .times.10.sup.-3 of the Solubility Parameter of the free fruit flavoring agent whose flavor is being enhanced, preferably within .+-.1.0[J/M.sup.3 ].sup.1/2 .times.10.sup.-3 of the Solubility Parameter of the free fruit flavoring agent.

Abstract: A continuous checker column is molded and formed in situ inside a regenerative chamber, thereby eliminating the need for large numbers of individual, preformed checker bricks. A plurality of rigid molding rods or flexible cable rods are passed through, or hang from, a template installed in or above the empty checker chamber portion of a regenerative chamber. The molding rods are sized, shaped, and spaced to correspond substantially to the size, shape and spacing of the openings desired in the checker column. Then, a refractory material is injected into the checker column and allowed to harden. The molding rods are at least partially retracted, leaving the desired openings in the hardened refractory material. The injection and retraction steps can be repeated, as necessary, until the entire checker column has been formed.

Abstract: A granular castable refractory composition is provided which has excellent insulating properties as well as high strength and resistance to oxidation, corrosion or erosion. The refractory insulating composition can be easily transported using a pump, and avoids the potential hazards associated with asbestos and ceramic fibers. The refractory insulating composition is prepared by mixing a low density expanded granular refractory insulating material having a density of 7-50 lb/ft.sup.3 with a conventional high density refractory material having a density of at least 150 lb/ft.sup.3 to form a dry component, and by mixing the dry component with aqueous colloidal silica to provide excellent flow properties for pumping and, ultimately, excellent binding properties.

Abstract: A method of continuously making chewing gum base employs low pressure, adequate residence time, and the flexibility of selectively feeding different ingredients at different locations on the mixer. The method involves the use of a paddle mixer, characterized by a plurality of paddles mounted on a longitudinal rotating shaft, preferably mounted on two parallel co-rotating shafts. The paddles cover at least about 40 percent of the active length of the shafts. This configuration provides for significant residence time in the mixer and low pressure gum base manufacture.

Abstract: A pelletizable gunning composition is provided which exhibits excellent flow characteristics, minimal release of dust, and excellent adhesion and resistance to slag. The gunning composition includes high density magnesium oxide as the primary component, and lesser quantities of powdered metal, refractory clay, binder and, preferably, graphite. The dry components are mixed together, and the binder is added and mixed, resulting in a composition that can be pelletized. After pelletizing, the composition can be coated with a dusting material to facilitate pellet flow and prevent pellet agglomeration.

Abstract: A free fruit-flavored chewing gum is provided with enhanced long-term flavor intensity without compromising the initial flavor burst and without necessarily relying on encapsulation as a means of flavor enhancement. The free fruit flavor is enhanced by including, in the chewing gum, a sufficient quantity of a restrainer having a Solubility Parameter within .+-.2.0 [J/m.sup.3 ].sup.1/2 .times.10.sup.-3 of the Solubility Parameter of the free fruit flavoring agent whose flavor is being enhanced. The free fruit flavoring agent is attracted to, and/or attaches to, the water insoluble restrainer to provide a controlled, yet highly efficient, release of flavor during chewing.