Abstract: Tempered xylitol coatings and methods for applying the same are disclosed. A gum coating device coats a gum core with a first syrup to form a first coating, wherein the first syrup comprises xylitol, a first coating impurity, and a binder. The first syrup does not include a coloring agent and the first coating impurity is selected to slow the crystallization of xylitol. The gum coating device coats an outer surface of the first coating with a second syrup to form a second coating. The second syrup comprises xylitol, a second coating impurity, a binder, and a coloring agent. The second coating impurity is selected to slow the crystallization of xylitol. The gum coating device tempers the gum core after at least a first layer of the first coating is applied and before a last layer of the second coating is applied.

Abstract: A product storage column for a dispensing machine includes a first member having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The first member includes a first side wall opposing a second side wall, and both side walls extend from a back wall toward a front plane opposite the back wall. The side walls, the back wall, and the front plane cooperate to define a product space therewithin. The product storage column also includes a second member rotatably coupled to the first side wall and selectively positionable relative to the first member between an opened position and a closed position. The first member is sized to receive a product through the front plane into the product space when the second member is in the opened position, and the second member is sized to prevent movement of the product through the front plane when the second member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A shelving display system including a first shelf with left and right end portions is disclosed. The left and right end portions engage with left and right endcaps, each including a support structure for the left and right end portions of the shelf. The support structures may include slot recesses, each including a first and second slanted portion one of which engages an end portion of the shelf. The endcaps may include complementary protrusions and grooves configured for slideable engagement with one another such that the endcaps form a stacked configuration. The protrusions may include first and second tongues constructed and dimensioned such that during an assembly step when the protrusions are advanced through the complementary grooves, the first and second tongues deflect from a resting configuration to an assembled configuration. The endcaps may include an interlocking mechanism. The endcaps may have an alignment system including rails and depressions.

Abstract: Breath freshening formulations comprising licorice extract and menthol are provided. The breath freshening formulations can provide breath freshening in a confectionary product, through the synergy between licorice extract and menthol. Methods of reducing sulfurous compounds over time via a chewy confectionary product are also provided.

Abstract: A container includes a cartridge containing a plurality of products therein. The cartridge defines a dispensing opening. The container also includes an outer shell configured to receive the cartridge therein. The outer shell includes a dispensing end and a receiving end. The receiving end is configured to receive the cartridge therethrough. The container further includes a dispensing mechanism coupled to the outer shell dispensing end. The dispensing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position. The dispensing mechanism in the first position obstructs the dispensing opening such that the products are retained in the container, and the dispensing mechanism in the second position enables the products to be dispensed from the container.

Abstract: A chewing gum sheet is formed without substantial use of a powdered non-stick agent by extruding a slab having a tacky surface of heated chewing gum composition onto a moving conveyor; cooling the slab on the conveyor sufficiently to cool the surface of the slab; and passing the slab from the conveyor through at least one cooled roller to form a chewing gum sheet with predetermined dimensions.

Abstract: Tempered xylitol coatings and methods for applying the same are disclosed. A gum coating device coats a gum core with a first syrup to form a first coating, wherein the first syrup comprises xylitol, a first coating impurity, and a binder. The first syrup does not include a coloring agent and the first coating impurity is selected to slow the crystallization of xylitol. The gum coating device coats an outer surface of the first coating with a second syrup to form a second coating. The second syrup comprises xylitol, a second coating impurity, a binder, and a coloring agent. The second coating impurity is selected to slow the crystallization of xylitol. The gum coating device tempers the gum core after at least a first layer of the first coating is applied and before a last layer of the second coating is applied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displays are disclosed. The display includes a tray, a stand, and a biasing member. The tray comprises a plurality of walls configured to house a plurality of consumer products. The stand is coupled to the tray and comprises an interior wall disengaging an interior face of a stand edge in a first configuration in which the stand is collapsed and engaging the stand edge in a second configuration in which the stand is erect. The biasing member is coupled to the stand and biases the stand to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: Dried fruit powders are used as a replacement for current bulking agents used in chewing gum, such as polyols or sucrose, thereby providing healthier chewing gum options to consumers with real fruit taste.

Abstract: A low sugar, low cariogenic, low-laxation gelled confection having acceptable texture, stability, clarity, and flavor delivery, that contains a doctoring agent comprising sucromalt, inulin, brown rice syrup, or combinations thereof; erythritol as the bulking sweetener agent; and a gelling agent comprising gelatin, pectin, starch, dextrin, hydrocolloid, milk proteins, or combinations thereof; wherein the doctoring agent to erythritol ratio is 90:10 to 70:30 wt % solids and the gelled confection has consumer acceptable texture, stability, clarity, and flavor delivery.

Abstract: A multi-piece dispenser for confectionary products including a housing defining an inner chamber for storing a multi-piece package of confectionary product including a slot for receiving an end portion of the multi-piece package for dispensing the confectionary product and a retention member for retaining the end portion of the package within the slot for further dispensing.

Abstract: Combinations of a zinc salt and an isothiocyanate are provided, and more particularly to a consumer acceptable oral composition containing such combination which is effective in the reduction of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs).

Abstract: A chewing gum base comprises food acceptable polyfarnesene wherein the polyfarnesene has a weight average molecular weight above 100,000 daltons. A chewing gum composition comprises about 5% to about 95% chewing gum base comprising food acceptable polyfarnesene wherein the polyfarnesene has a weight average molecular weight above 100,000 daltons; about 5% to about 95% bulking and sweetening agent; and about 0.1 to about 10% flavoring agent.