Abstract: A method is provided for making a center-filled confection. The confection is made by preparing an extrudable confectionery shell material, preparing a center-fill composition which is capable of forming a pumpable liquid when heated, heating the center-fill composition to a temperature sufficient to convert it into a pumpable liquid, and holding it at a temperature sufficient to maintain it in a liquid state, coextruding the confectionery shell material and the center-fill composition as a liquid-filled rope, forming the filled rope into individual confectionery pieces, and allowing the confectionery pieces to cool to less than 26° C. to form a confectionery piece. After a period of time, the center-filling undergoes a phase change to become a fine crystalline filling.

Abstract: A process for making a confection, including the steps of mixing a confection mass containing at least 80 wt. % sweetener; melting the confection mass; crystallizing the confection mass; and forming that confection mass, wherein the resulting confection contains at least 60 wt. % of the sweetener in crystal form. A confection containing at least one crystallized mass that was produced by this process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for thermally sealing a filled chewing gum product. The fill material of the chewing gum product is heated to a temperature greater than about 40° C. which correspondingly heats the inner portion of the chewing gum material to an elevated temperature. The method further includes sealing the heated inner portion of the chewing gum material to form a sealed, filled chewing gum product. The present disclosure advantageously increases the bond strength of the sealed ends of the sealed and filled chewing gum product and reduces the amount of unacceptable product or leakers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides center-filled confectionery products and apparatuses and methods for producing the center-filled confectionery products. The apparatuses include a forming device with cooperatively engaging first and second forming members. The center-filled confectionery products may be released from the forming device with or without the use of an ejection device. The ejection device may comprise plunger members that contact the center-filled confectionery or may comprise a non-contact ejection device. The apparatuses further include an extruder having a housing. The housing has an inlet for receiving a material, at least one extrusion screw within the interior of the housing, and at least device in cooperative communication with the inlet and the extrusion screw. The extruder provides a process that allows for improved blending of chewing gum ingredients and improved processability of the chewing gum product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for thermally sealing a filled chewing gum product. The fill material of the chewing gum product is heated to a temperature greater than about 40° C. which correspondingly heats the inner portion of the chewing gum material to an elevated temperature. The method further includes sealing the heated inner portion of the chewing gum material to form a sealed, filled chewing gum product. The present disclosure advantageously increases the bond strength of the sealed ends of the sealed and filled chewing gum product and reduces the amount of unacceptable product or leakers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for the production of center-filled confectionery pieces. The apparatus includes an extruder, a feedback system, and a forming device. The feedback system ensures that a strand of center-filled confectionery produced by the extruder has a substantially uniform size when the strand enters the forming device. The forming device forms the strand into center-filled confectionery pieces having 15%-25% by weight of a center-fill material without producing leakers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides center-filled confectionery products and apparatuses and methods for producing the center-filled confectionery products. The apparatuses include a forming device with cooperatively engaging first and second forming members. The center-filled confectionery products may be released from the forming device with or without the use of an ejection device. The ejection device may comprise plunger members that contact the center-filled confectionery or may comprise a non-contact ejection device. The apparatuses further include an extruder having a housing. The housing has an inlet for receiving a material, at least one extrusion screw within the interior of the housing, and at least device in cooperative communication with the inlet and the extrusion screw. The extruder provides a process that allows for improved blending of chewing gum ingredients and improved processability of the chewing gum product.