Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one ingredient feed opening that is enlarged.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the active agent, such as a nutraceutical or nutritional supplement, by coating and drying. The active agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated active agent is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified active agent for use in chewing gum. The active agent may also be used in a coating on a chewing gum product, as part of a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product, or as a part of the liquid in a liquid-center chewing gum product.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which includes at least one conveyor element that is not located under a feed port.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis. The method uses a blade and pin extruder that includes one or more hollow pins located at a distance from the shaft of the extruder that is at least 2.7% of the diameter of the barrel.

Abstract: Chewing gum formulations including sodium pyrophosphate and encapsulated aspartame are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing chewing gum are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making antacid coated chewing gum products comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener and a neutralizing antacid suspended in the coating syrup, the coating syrup containing from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the solids in the syrup of a neutralizing antacid, selected from the group consisting of aluminum salts, bismuth salts, magnesium salts, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, sodium potassium tartrate, tricalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof, and applying the coating syrup to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores. Methods of use of the product to provide relief in the gastrointestinal tract are also included.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with an improved release of active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by adding an active agent to a chewing gum coating. The active agent is added to the coating in a coating solution or premixed with a flavor or solvent. The coating solution may contain sweetener or other transdermal enhancing agents to obtain increased transmucosal absorption. An active agent may also be used in the gum core.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of a bitterness inhibitor, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the bitterness inhibitor by coating and drying. The bitterness inhibitor is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated bitterness inhibitor is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified bitterness inhibitor for use in chewing gum. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed. The preferred bitterness inhibitor is sodium gluconate.

Abstract: A method for producing a coated chewing gum with a controlled release of an active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying an active agent's properties by coating and drying. An active agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated active agent is then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified active agent. When incorporated into a chewing gum coating, these particles release into the mouth but mask bitter and other off-tastes in the mouth, and are readily ingested.

Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products containing an antigas agent comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating comprising a bulk sweetener; providing an antigas agent; and applying the antigas agent and coating syrup to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores.

Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a first coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener; providing a second coating syrup separate from the first coating syrup and comprising a high-intensity sweetener; and applying the first and second coating syrups to the cores and drying the syrups to produce a coating on the cores. Calcium carbonate or another antacid may be incorporated in the coating by being mixed into the first coating syrup.

Abstract: A method of making antacid coated chewing gum products comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener and calcium carbonate having a median particle size of greater than about 3 microns and being suspended in the coating syrup; and applying the coating syrup to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores, the coating containing from about 25% to about 60% calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products containing an acid blocker comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener, providing an acid blocker, applying the coating syrup and acid blocker to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores, the coating containing the acid blocker.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of a bitterness inhibitor, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the bitterness inhibitor by coating and drying. The bitterness inhibitor is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated bitterness inhibitor is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified bitterness inhibitor for use in chewing gum. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed. The preferred bitterness inhibitor is sodium gluconate.

Abstract: Chewing gum formulations including sodium pyrophosphate and encapsulated aspartame are disclosed. Methods of manufacturing chewing gum are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products containing an antigas agent comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating comprising a bulk sweetener; providing an antigas agent; and applying the antigas agent and coating syrup to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores.

Abstract: A method is provided for the total manufacture of chewing gum on a continuous basis without requiring the separate manufacture of chewing gum base. The method uses a continuous high efficiency mixer which is configured for the total manufacture of a wide variety of chewing gum products and includes at least one large feed port that is not adjacent a conveyor element. By integrating the manufacture of chewing gum into a single operation, the method of the invention can save time and labor, and improve product consistency.

Abstract: A method of making coated chewing gum products containing an acid blocker comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener, providing an acid blocker, applying the coating syrup and acid blocker to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores, the coating containing the acid blocker.

Abstract: A method of making antacid coated chewing gum products comprises the steps of providing chewing gum cores; providing a coating syrup comprising a bulk sweetener and a neutralizing antacid suspended in the coating syrup, the coating syrup containing from about 25% to about 50% by weight of the solids in the syrup of a neutralizing antacid, selected from the group consisting of aluminum salts, bismuth salts, magnesium salts, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, sodium potassium tartrate, tricalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof, and applying the coating syrup to the cores and drying the syrup to produce a coating on the cores. Methods of use of the product to provide relief in the gastrointestinal tract are also included.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of caffeine, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying caffeine's properties by coating and drying. Caffeine is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated caffeine is then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified caffeine. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed.