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).
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Patent number: 7767237Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Publication number: 20100129488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLCInventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Publication number: 20090162476Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
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Publication number: 20090162475Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CADBURY ADAMS USA LLCInventors: James A. Duggan, Jose Angel Amarista, George Albert Barrera, Joseph M. Bunkers, Arthur W. Upmann, Miles van Niekerk, Glenn Thompson Visscher
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Patent number: 7378116Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Patent number: 6838098Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA, LLCInventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Patent number: 6743453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Patent number: 6630182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Publication number: 20020192330Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Patent number: 6472001Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
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Publication number: 20020136796Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Richard Mark Warrington, Bharat Jani, George Albert Barrera, William M. Polak, Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan