Patents by Inventor R. Ray Estes

R. Ray Estes 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).

  • Patent number: 4405647
    Abstract: A tacky substance such as a chewing gum base is formed into a compact body. The tacky substance is first comminuted within a bed consisting of a powdered solid, such as a bulking agent, turbulently suspended within a gaseous medium at room temperature. The tacky substance is subjected to repeated mechanical impact within the powdered solid to pulverize it into particles which are then immediately coated by the powdered solid in order to prevent cohesion between the particles. The coated particles are classified to identify those suitable for tableting and the suitable particles are then fed into a tablet press to form a compact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: E. Eugene Fisher, R. Ray Estes, Orrin D. Lokken, Elmer G. Paguette
  • Patent number: 4370350
    Abstract: In the manufacture of chewing grum, the viscosity of a chewing gum base is first reduced by heating. Thereafter, a major portion of a bulking agent, such as a carbohydrate, is added to the gum base while homogeneously mixing the ingredients. The mixture is cooled in order to increase its viscosity and to form granules thereof. The balance of the bulking agent is then added, preferably in increments, to form layers around the granules. The overall effect of the resultant chewing gum product is an improved initial taste impact due to the superficially positioned, typically sweet, bulking agent and a subsequent, long-lasting taste development due to the internal mixture of the bulking agent with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: E. Eugene Fisher, R. Ray Estes, Orvin D. Lokken, Elmer G. Paquette