Continuous gum base manufacture using sequential mixers
First Claim
1. A method of making chewing gum base on a continuous basis, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first continuous mixer and a second continuous mixer arranged in series;
continuously feeding about 5-95% elastomer to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base;
continuously feeding about 0-75% elastomer plasticizer to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base;
continuously feeding about 1-65% fillers to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base;
continuously mixing the elastomer, elastomer plasticizer and filler together in the first continuous mixer to form a blend which continuously exits from the first continuous mixer;
continuously feeding the blend from the first continuous mixer to the second continuous mixer;
continuously feeding about 0.5-40% softener/emulsifier to the second continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base; and
continuously blending the ingredients together in the second continuous mixer until a homogeneous gum base is obtained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A continuous method of making chewing gum base is provided wherein two continuous mixers are arranged in series. A higher viscosity portion including elastomer, filler, and elastomer plasticizer is continuously added and mixed in the first continuous mixer to form a blend. The blend is ventilated after leaving the first continuous mixer. The blend from the first continuous mixer is continuously added to the second continuous mixer. A lower viscosity portion including softener/emulsifier and, optionally, wax and additional elastomer plasticizer, is also continuously fed to the second continuous mixer and mixed therein with the blend from the first continuous mixer to form chewing gum base.
95 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of making chewing gum base on a continuous basis, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first continuous mixer and a second continuous mixer arranged in series; continuously feeding about 5-95% elastomer to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base; continuously feeding about 0-75% elastomer plasticizer to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base; continuously feeding about 1-65% fillers to the first continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base; continuously mixing the elastomer, elastomer plasticizer and filler together in the first continuous mixer to form a blend which continuously exits from the first continuous mixer; continuously feeding the blend from the first continuous mixer to the second continuous mixer; continuously feeding about 0.5-40% softener/emulsifier to the second continuous mixer, based on the weight of the gum base; and continuously blending the ingredients together in the second continuous mixer until a homogeneous gum base is obtained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making chewing gum base on a continuous basis, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first continuous mixer and a second continuous mixer arranged in series; continuously feeding a higher viscosity portion to the first continuous mixer; continuously mixing the higher viscosity portion in the first continuous mixer to form a blend which continuously exits the first continuous mixer; continuously feeding the blend from the first continuous mixer to the second continuous mixer; continuously feeding a lower viscosity portion to the second continuous mixer; and continuously blending the ingredients together in the second continuous mixer to continuously produce a chewing gum base. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of making chewing gum base on a continuous basis, comprising the steps of:
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continuously mixing a higher viscosity portion including 5-95% elastomer, 0-75% elastomer plasticizer, and 1-65% by weight filler, by weight of the gum base, in a first continuous mixer, to form a blend; ventilating the blend from the first continuous mixer; and continuously mixing the blend from the first continuous mixer with 0.5-40% softener/emulsifier by weight of the gum base, in a second continuous mixer, to form a chewing gum base. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification