Abstract: A three-phase center-filled candy product. A candy material for the outer layer or shell is extruded from a first extruder and a second material which could be a chewy material, such as gum or bubble gum, is extruded as an inner layer from a second extruder. A semi-liquid center-fill material is inserted into the inner layer. The three-phase rope of material is formed into individual pieces or tablets of candy in a forming machine. Sticks can be added to form lollipops in one embodiment. The formed 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 candy product. A candy material for the outer layer or shell is extruded from a first extruder and a second material which could be a chewy material, such as gum or bubble gum, is extruded as an inner layer from a second extruder. A semi-liquid center-fill material is inserted into the inner layer. The three-phase rope of material is formed into individual pieces or tablets of candy in a forming machine. Sticks can be added to form lollipops in one embodiment. The formed products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.

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 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 method, system and apparatus for continuously producing coated tablets or pellets of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filled gum material is formed, sized, and separated into individual pellets of liquid-filled gum material. A tablet-forming mechanism having pairs of chain mechanisms with open mating die groove members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces and form it into individual pellets. The open die groove members have curved non-flat configurations such that the die cavities form pellets of liquid-filled gum material with curved non-flat configurations. The formed pellets of gum material are cooled in a cooling mechanism, conditioned at an appropriate low humidity, low temperature environment, and then coated with a hard sugar or sugarless shell.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production, processing and packaging of a final chewing gum product. The product is extruded as a continuous tape or ribbon of material, the material is flattened into a approximate final cross-sectional size and shape, and then inserted into a final sizing apparatus. The sizing apparatus maintains the gum product in its final cross-sectional size and shape. Thereafter, the continuous strip of final chewing gum product is scored, cut into individual pieces, and individually wrapped by a standard packaging machine. The individually wrapped pieces of gum can then be assembled into sets and packaged into packs of gum.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production, processing and packaging of a final chewing gum product. The product is extruded as a continuous tape or ribbon of material, the material is flattened into a approximate final cross-sectional size and shape, and then inserted into a final sizing apparatus. The sizing apparatus maintains the gum product in its final cross-sectional size and shape. Thereafter, the continuous strip of final chewing gum product is scored, cut into individual pieces, and individually wrapped by a standard packaging machine. The individually wrapped pieces of gum can then be assembled into sets and packaged into packs of gum.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter with a curved outer end shape connects the side feeder to the main extruder internal bone which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production, processing and packaging of a final chewing gum product. The product is extruded as a continuous tape or ribbon of material, the material is flattened into a approximate final cross-sectional size and shape, and then inserted into a final sizing apparatus. The sizing apparatus maintains the gum product in its final cross-sectional size and shape. Thereafter, the continuous strip of final chewing gum product is scored, cut into individual pieces, and individually wrapped by a standard packaging machine. The individually wrapped pieces of gum can then be assembled into sets and packaged into packs of gum.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for processing the elastomeric component of a gum base or chewing gum product. Bulk blocks or slabs of elastomeric materials are conveyed to a housing with a rotary cutting mechanism. A feeding and metering mechanism controls the introduction of the blocks or slabs to the cutting mechanism. A lubricant feeding mechanism controls the introduction of lubricant to the housing for coating and lubricating the elastomeric materials. A cooling mechanism maintains the temperature of the housing and materials within a prespecified range. A screen or filtering mechanism controls the size of the ground-up pieces of material which are removed from the housing. Vacuum-conveyer systems convey the ground-up pieces of material to a storage hopper where excess lubricant is removed and then to a metering mechanism for selective introduction of the pieces of material to an extruder mechanism and/or gum or gum base manufacturing process.

Abstract: A process for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter connects the side feeder to the main extruder which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for processing the elastomeric component of a gum base or chewing gum product is disclosed. Slabs of elastomeric material are metered into a rotary cutting mechanism together with a powdered lubricant and the elastomer is ground up into small flakes and particles which are coated with the powder. A vacuum-conveyor system transports the elastomeric particles through a cyclone receiver, blender and sifter where excess powder is removed. The elastomeric particles are then transported through another receiver and fed into an extruder by a metered feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A process for cooling, grinding, and packaging an ingredient material, such as an encapsulated sweetener or acid, for a chewing gum product is disclosed. The material is extruded from an extruding machine directly onto a conveyor. The conveyor transports the liquid material, preferably in elongated strings, through a chamber cooled by circulation of cooled air. The solidified material exiting the cooling chamber is cut into small pieces by a rotating cutter and conveyed by a vacuum conveyor system to a grinder. The material is further broken up (ground) into a powder and transported to a holding bin. Thereafter, the powder is deposited in boxes or other containers for storage.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for preparing a confection from a sugar or sugarless bulking agent which comprises, in the downstream direction of conveyance, the continuous sequence of steps of:a) introducing the bulking agent into the barrel of a twin screw extruder equipped with multiple heating zones;b) extrusion mixing the bulking agent in a first series of heating zones to melt the bulking agent, wherein the first series of heating zones is configured to include a minimum time for melting the bulking agent;c) extrusion mixing the melted bulking agent from the first series of heating zones to an orifice plug, wherein the orifice plug is configured to include a minimum time for melting the bulking agent;d) extrusion mixing the melted bulking agent from the orifice plug to a heating zone having a pressure control valve, wherein the pressure control valve is configured to include a minimum time for melting the bulking agent;e) extrusion mixing the melted bulking agent from the heating zone having

Abstract: A digestible, biodegradable chewing gum comprising wheat gluten and a texturizing agent such as calcium carbonate, rice flour or ascorbic acid. The chewing gum can be swallowed and digested, or it can be discarded in ordinary compost waste facilities.

Abstract: A method for the continuous preparation of a chewing gum mass is disclosed which includes reducing the agglomerations of the solid ingredients contained in the gum mass in minimum time. The method includes introducing powdered chewing gum ingredients and a first portion of a liquid gum base into an extruder and forming a premix and thereafter combining the premix with a second portion of gum base. The premix and second portion of gum base are then extruded over a distance and in a unidirectional flow to provide a substantially homogeneous chewing gum mass having minimal agglomerations of powdered chewing gum ingredients. In a preferred embodiment, the chewing gum mass is cooled during the unidirectional flow to the exit port to allow rolling, scoring and wrapping of the exiting chewing gum without requiring a separate cooling step.

Abstract: A method for continuous production of a chewing gum slab in the absence of separate cooling is disclosed. The method includes introducing chewing gum ingredients and gum base into an extruder and extrusion mixing the ingredients with the gum base over a distance to provide a substantially homogeneous chewing gum mass. The mass is also cooled over the distance so that the chewing gum slab is provided which is suitable for rolling and scoring is extruding into a rope without a separate cooling step.