Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one ingredient feed opening that is enlarged.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which includes at least one conveyor element that is not located under a feed port.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a blade and pin extruder that includes one or more hollow pins located at a distance from the shaft of the extruder that is at least 2.7% of the diameter of the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated chewing gum product. The product comprises a gum center that includes a water-soluble portion and a water-insoluble portion. The water-insoluble portion comprises at least 50% by weight of the gum center. The gum center includes less than 5% by weight of bulk sweeteners. A coating substantially surrounds the gum center.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one large feed port that is not adjacent a conveyor element. By integrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: A method of producing chewing gum with a controlled flavor release comprises the steps of continuously adding chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixer, the chewing gum ingredients comprising one or more flavoring agents, the continuous mixer comprising a plurality of spatially separated feed inlets through which the chewing gum ingredients are added to the mixer, and the one or more flavoring agents being added to the mixer simultaneously at two or more feed inlets; subjecting the chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixing operation within the mixer, thereby forming a chewing gum composition; and continuously discharging the chewing gum composition from the mixer while chewing gum ingredients continue to be introduced and mixed within the mixer. The locations at which the flavor components are added controls the flavor characteristics of the chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a chewing gum composition comprises the steps of continuously adding fresh chewing gum ingredients into a continuous mixer; subjecting the fresh chewing gum ingredients to a continuous mixing operating within the mixer, thereby forming a chewing gum composition; continuously discharging the chewing gum composition from the continuous mixer while fresh chewing gum ingredients continue to be introduced and mixed within the mixer; and adding a portion of a previously produced chewing gum composition to the mixer and mixing the portion of previously produced chewing gum with the fresh chewing gum ingredients being continuously added to the mixer and mixed to form the chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configure for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. By intergrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. Pursuant to the method, glycerin is added at an early point in the mixer.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing chewing gum with improved flavor perception comprises the steps of adding at least an elastomer and filler into a high-efficiency continuous mixer, and mixing the elastomer and filler together in the continuous mixer; adding a least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of fats, oils, waxes and elastomer plasticizers into the continuous mixer, and mixing said ingredient with the elastomer and filler in the continuous mixer; and adding at least one sweetener and-at least one flavor into the continuous mixer, and mixing said sweetener and flavor with the remaining ingredients to form a chewing gum composition. These steps are performed using a single high-efficiency continuous mixer and wherein the flavor is added at a level lower than that used to make the same chewing gum composition in a batch mixer but the flavor intensity in the chewing gum product is comparable to that of said same chewing gum composition made in a batch mixer.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products. By integrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: A method for providing single units of sugarless chewing gum and compositions so packaged. Individual pieces of chewing gum are provided which units will have a sufficiently long shelf life in order to allow the units to be sold and carried by a consumer even in environments that are detrimental to the stability of chewing gum, e.g., high temperature and humidity. To this end, a piece of chewing gum is provided that is substantially sugar free and that is surrounded by a wrapper, with at least a first portion of the wrapper being sealed to a second portion of the wrapper to create a sealed environment that houses the piece of chewing gum. The wrapper has a moisture vapor permeation rate of less than 0.10 g/100 in.sup.2 /24 hr at 100.degree. F., 90% RH as measured by ASTM method F1249-90. In an embodiment, the wrapper has an oxygen permeability that is less than 0.10 cc/100 in.sup.2 /24 hr at 1 ATM as measured by ASTM method D3985-81.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a chewing gum with a delayed release sucralose sweetener, as well as the chewing gum so produced. The delayed release sucralose sweetener is obtained by physically modifying sucralose's properties by coating and drying. Sucralose sweetener is dissolved in a solvent and coated onto a cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl cellulose by agglomerating the cellulose derivative with the sucralose solution. The agglomerated material preferably includes an absorption material such as silica. The agglomerated sweetener is then dried and preferably particle sized to produce a release-modified sucralose high-intensity sweetener. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to enhance the shelf stability of the sweetener and/or produce a delayed release when the gum is chewed.