Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Bunkers

Joseph M. Bunkers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7767237
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material, including applying an anti-sticking agent to the rope of liquid-filled gum material before it is individually cut into pieces. The invention further provides for a liquid-filled chewing gum including a liquid-fill composition, and a gum region surrounding the liquid-fill composition, where the gum region includes an anti-sticking agent that reduces the tendency of the gum region to stick to the molds and operating machinery during gum manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Publication number: 20100129488
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material, including applying an anti-sticking agent to the rope of liquid-filled gum material before it is individually cut into pieces. The invention further provides for a liquid-filled chewing gum including a liquid-fill composition, and a gum region surrounding the liquid-fill composition, where the gum region includes an anti-sticking agent that reduces the tendency of the gum region to stick to the molds and operating machinery during gum manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Publication number: 20090162476
    Abstract: A system and method for mixing and forming gum structures is provided. The system may include combinations of continuous and batch mixers arranged generally in parallel and/or series for mixing gum base ingredients with subsequent gum ingredients. In one embodiment, the system and method first forms a gum structure that is not a gum base and then adds a subsequent gum ingredient such that the gum structure is less than a gum base in combination with a subsequent gum ingredient. In other embodiments, the system and method includes forming a gum base in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients that are not quite finished gum. Further, in other embodiments, the system and method may perform some of the mixing of the ingredients at a first location while mixing of further ingredients is performed at a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLC
    Inventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
  • Publication number: 20090162475
    Abstract: A system and method for mixing and forming gum structures is provided. The system may include combinations of continuous and batch mixers arranged generally in series for mixing gum base ingredients with subsequent gum ingredients. In one embodiment, the system and method first forms a gum structure that is not a gum base and then adds a subsequent gum ingredient such that the gum structure is less than a gum base in combination with a subsequent gum ingredient. In other embodiments, the system and method includes forming a gum base in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients that are not quite finished gum. Further, in other embodiments, the system and method may perform some of the mixing of the ingredients at a first location while mixing of further ingredients is performed at a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLC
    Inventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
  • Patent number: 7378116
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. Guide pin members are positioned between rider members on the plunger members. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism can be selective heated and cooled, or not cooled at all. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 6838098
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. Guide pin members are positioned between rider members on the plunger members. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism can be selective heated and cooled, or not cooled at all. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 6743453
    Abstract: An improved process for continuously producing chewing gum products. A continuous extrusion machine is utilized preferably with a rotating twin-screw mixing mechanism. The timing and location of entry and the apportioned amounts of the flavor and sugar ingredients are adjusted according to preestablished data in order to provide a product with desired flavor and texture profiles. The temperature and pressure of the product are also kept within prespecified ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 6630182
    Abstract: An improved process for continuously producing chewing gum products. A continuous extrusion machine is utilized preferably with a rotating twin-screw mixing mechanism. The timing and location of entry and the apportioned amounts of the flavor and sugar ingredients are adjusted according to preestablished data in order to provide a product with desired flavor and texture profiles. The temperature and pressure of the product are also kept within prespecified ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Publication number: 20020192330
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. Guide pin members are positioned between rider members on the plunger members. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism can be selective heated and cooled, or not cooled at all. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 6472001
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism are selective heated and cooled. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Publication number: 20020136796
    Abstract: An improved process for continuously producing chewing gum products. A continuous extrusion machine is utilized preferably with a rotating twins screw mixing mechanism. The timing and location of entry and the apportioned amounts of the flavor and sugar ingredients are adjusted according to preestablished data in order to provide a product with desired flavor and texture profiles. The temperature and pressure of the product are also kept within prespecified ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan