CONTINUOUS FORMATION OF CENTER-FILLED GUM

• US 20070286926A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duggan, James, Bunkers, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,767,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/4
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/0247 Devices for cutting, modelling of sections or plates; Embossing, punching, e.g. stamping tools
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/0289 Compression moulding of paste, e.g. in the form of a ball or rope or other preforms, or of a powder or granules
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/06 Batch-rolling, rope-forming, or sizing machines
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/12 Apparatus for moulding candy in the plastic state
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/2015 the material being shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of filled or multi-layered cross-sections or plates, optionally with the associated cutting device
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/2061 Compression moulding of paste, e.g. in the form of a ball or rope or other preforms, or of powder or granules
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/025 for coating or surface-finishing
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/043 for composite chewing gum coating A23G4/025
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/205 Hollow products, e.g. with inedible or edible filling, fixed or movable within the cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 7/02 Cooling or drying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/08 co-operating with moulds carried by a turntable
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 11/20 Roller-and-ring machines, i.e. with roller disposed within a ring and co-operating with the inner surface of the ring
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/34 Heating or cooling presses or parts thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material, including applying an anti-sticking agent to the rope of liquid-filled gum material before it is individually cut into pieces. The invention further provides for a liquid-filled chewing gum including a liquid-fill composition, and a gum region surrounding the liquid-fill composition, where the gum region includes an anti-sticking agent that reduces the tendency of the gum region to stick to the molds and operating machinery during gum manufacturing.

Claims

1. A liquid-tilled chewing gum composition comprising:

(a) a liquid-fill composition; and

(b) a gum region surrounding said liquid fill composition, said gum region comprising a gum base;

wherein said gum region further comprises a food grade oil or oil-based material thereon that reduces the tendency of the gum region to stick or adhere to molds and operating machinery during gum manufacturing.

2. A liquid-filled chewing gum composition comprising:

(a) a liquid-fill composition; and

(b) a gum region surrounding said liquid fill composition, said gum region comprising a gum base;

wherein said gum region further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of food grade oils, oil-based materials, edible lubricants, and combinations thereof thereon, which reduces the tendency of the gum region to stick or adhere to molds and operating machinery during gum manufacturing.

3. A method of preparing a chewing gum composition, the method comprising:

(a) continuously extruding a rope of liquid-filled chewing gum

(b) applying a material to the rope, said material being selected from the group consisting of food grade oils, oil-based materials, edible lubricants, and combinations thereof; and

(c) contacting the rope of liquid-filled gum with a gum forming mechanism.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the gum forming mechanism continuously forms and cuts individual chewing gum pieces from said rope.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of applying a material comprises applying said material directly to the surface of the rope of liquid-filled gum.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of applying a material comprises applying said material directly to the front gum-engaging faces or surfaces of the gum forming mechanism.