Abstract: A method and system for making a low-water activity filling, such as crème type fillings, is provided. The fillings advantageously can be used with rotary sandwiching machines without the need for a cooling tunnel downstream of the scraped-surface heat exchanger in the production line. The fillings produced herein comprise a fat component and sugar source, and the fat in the filling has the desired crystalinity. The process and system described herein unexpectedly achieve both a desired nucleation and crystallization rate and crystal structure, as well as the resulting increased filling firmness, in the fillings produced therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing confectionary product, the system includes a collecting device disposed in line with at least one upstream confectionary production station disposed upstream of the collecting device and at least one downstream confectionary production station disposed downstream of the collecting device. At least one conveying device is configured to convey the confectionary product from the at least one upstream confectionary production station to the collecting device, receive the confectionary product from the collecting device, and convey the confectionary product to the at least one downstream confectionary production station. The collecting device is configured to collect confectionary product from the conveying device while the at least one upstream confectionary station is operational and the at least one downstream confectionary production station is non-operational.

Abstract: A method and system for making a low-water activity filling, such as créme type fillings, is provided. The fillings advantageously can be used with rotary sandwiching machines without the need for a cooling tunnel downstream of the scraped-surface heat exchanger in the production line. The fillings produced herein comprise a fat component and sugar source, and the fat in the filling has the desired crystalinity. The process and system described herein unexpectedly achieve both a desired nucleation and crystallization rate and crystal structure, as well as the resulting increased filling firmness, in the fillings produced therewith.

Abstract: A method of forming a comestible is provided including transporting the comestible to a dusting apparatus having an enclosed chamber. A dusting agent within the enclosed chamber is directed onto one or more surfaces of the comestible as the comestible passes through the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing confectionary product, the system including a collecting device disposed in line with at least one upstream confectionary production station disposed upstream of said collecting device and at least one downstream confectionary production station disposed downstream of said collecting device; and at least one conveying device configured to convey the confectionary product from said at least one upstream confectionary production station to said collecting device and to receive the confectionary product from said collecting device, and convey the confectionary product to said at least one downstream confectionary production station, wherein said collecting device is configured to collect confectionary product from said conveying device while said at least one upstream confectionary station is operational and said at least one downstream confectionary production station is non-operational.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preparing multi-layered confectionery compositions. The multi-layered confectionery compositions are formed using a co-extrusion process of at least two different confectionery compositions that have at least one visual or sensorial distinction. The tolerances of the resulting pieces of the multi-layered confectionery composition are maintained such that the pieces can be packaged in rigid packaging. The processing parameters of processing of the plurality of confectionery compositions prior to the step of cutting and wrapping the pieces can be altered so as to maintain the average piece size within a predetermined tolerance level.

Abstract: A method for applying print to at least one chewing gum surface, the method including forming a chewing gum composition into at least one chewing gum sheet having at least one printable surface, the chewing gum sheet having a desirable thickness, providing a print roller, transporting the at least one chewing gum sheet towards the print roller via a transporting surface, providing a gap between the print roller and the transporting surface, the thickness of the at least one chewing gum sheet being greater than a height of the gap, moving the at least one chewing gum sheet through the gap, printing indicia on the chewing gum sheet via the print roller during the moving of the at least one chewing gum sheet through the gap, and compressing the at least one chewing gum sheet during the moving of the at least one chewing gum sheet through the gap, the compressing occurring simultaneously with the printing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for preparing multi-layered confectionery compositions. The multi-layered confectionery compositions are formed using a co-extrusion process of at least two different confectionery compositions that have at least one visual or sensorial distinction. The tolerances of the resulting pieces of the multi-layered confectionery composition are maintained such that the pieces can be packaged in rigid packaging. The processing parameters of processing of the plurality of confectionery compositions prior to the step of cutting and wrapping the pieces can be altered so as to maintain the average piece size within a predetermined tolerance level.

Abstract: A continuous coating process for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material are introduced into inclined rotating drums in solution material plurality cores or rotating requisite which heated air is circulated and a coating is applied (liquid or powder). The coating is dried on the pieces of material, and a of thin layers are formed on each of the small pieces of material. A series of drums can be provided to provide the number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.

Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.

Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A gum packaging design having a plastic sheet formed to create a purality of cavities that each contain a single liquid-filled gum pellet. The gum pellets are sealed and retained within each cavity by a foil layer, having a thickness of 18 microns or less. Each gum pellet can be dispensed from the package by pressing the liquid-filled gum pellet through the relatively-thin foil layer, which breaks under less force than would a thicker foil layer and significantly reduces the likelihood of cracking of the liquid-filled gum pellet.

Abstract: A continuous coating process for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material are introduced into inclined rotating drums in solution material plurality cores or rotating requisite which heated air is circulated and a coating is applied (liquid or powder). The coating is dried on the pieces of material, and a of thin layers are formed on each of the small pieces of material. A series of drums can be provided to provide the number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A continuous coating process for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material are introduced into inclined rotating drums in which heated air is circulated and a coating solution is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.

Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.

Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.

Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.