Abstract: A method for the continuous preparation of a chewing gum mass is disclosed which includes reducing the agglomerations of the solid ingredients contained in the gum mass in minimum time. The method includes introducing powdered chewing gum ingredients and a first portion of a liquid gum base into an extruder and forming a premix and thereafter combining the premix with a second portion of gum base. The premix and second portion of gum base are then extruded over a distance and in a unidirectional flow to provide a substantially homogeneous chewing gum mass having minimal agglomerations of powdered chewing gum ingredients. In a preferred embodiment, the chewing gum mass is cooled during the unidirectional flow to the exit port to allow rolling, scoring and wrapping of the exiting chewing gum without requiring a separate cooling step.

Abstract: A method for continuous production of a chewing gum slab in the absence of separate cooling is disclosed. The method includes introducing chewing gum ingredients and gum base into an extruder and extrusion mixing the ingredients with the gum base over a distance to provide a substantially homogeneous chewing gum mass. The mass is also cooled over the distance so that the chewing gum slab is provided which is suitable for rolling and scoring is extruding into a rope without a separate cooling step.