Method for continuous gum base manufacturing

Abstract

A process for continuously producing a chewing gum base comprising the steps of compounding the ingredients in a single extruder. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of continuously adding an elastomer, a filler, and a plasticizer into a continuous mixer, subjecting the elastomer, filler, and plasticizer to a highly distributive mixing operation and continuously discharging the resulting chewing gum base from the mixer while the adding and mixing steps are in progress.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A process for making chewing gum wherein all necessary addition and compounding steps are performed using a single continuous mixing apparatus consisting essentially of: 
 adding to a single continuous mixing apparatus all of a group of components necessary to make a chewing gum base including an elastomer and a plasticizer, wherein the elastomer is added to the single continuous mixing apparatus separate and apart from the plasticizer;    providing at least two mixing zones in the mixing apparatus;    producing gum base from the mixing apparatus; and    mixing the gum base with other ingredients to produce chewing gum.    
   
   
       22 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the at least two mixing zones include a distributive mixing zone and a dispersive mixing zone.  
   
   
       23 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein an elastomer and a filler are fed into the mixing apparatus before other components of the chewing gum base.  
   
   
       24 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the mixing apparatus includes a first dispersive mixing zone.  
   
   
       25 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the mixing apparatus is a high efficiency mixer.  
   
   
       26 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the mixing apparatus includes a blade-and-pin mixer.  
   
   
       27 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the process is carried out in a counter-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder.  
   
   
       28 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the mixing apparatus includes a plurality of toothed elements counter-rotating with respect to adjacent toothed elements.  
   
   
       29 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the gum base components are added to the mixing apparatus at least two spatially separated points.  
   
   
       30 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein a portion of the chewing gum base components are subjected to a highly dispersive mixing operation prior to a highly distributive mixing operation.  
   
   
       31 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein the adding and mixing steps are controlled to operate at a steady state.  
   
   
       32 . The continuous process of  claim 21  wherein at least some of the components are added to the mixing apparatus at different locations in an order that approximately corresponds to a decreasing order of viscosity.  
   
   
       33 . A process for producing chewing gum wherein all necessary addition and compounding steps are performed using a single continuous mixing apparatus consisting essentially of: 
 adding to a single extruder all of a group of components necessary to make a gum base including an elastomer and a plasticizer, wherein the elastomer is added to the extruder separate and apart from the plasticizer;    mixing the components in the single extruder;    producing the gum base using the single extruder; and    adding the gum base to other ingredients to make chewing gum.    
   
   
       34 . The continuous process of  claim 33  wherein an elastomer and a filler are fed into the extruder before other components of the gum base.  
   
   
       35 . The continuous process of  claim 33  wherein the extruder includes a first dispersive mixing zone.  
   
   
       36 . The continuous process of  claim 33  wherein the extruder is a high efficiency mixer.  
   
   
       37 . The continuous process of  claim 33  wherein the extruder includes a blade-and-pin mixer.  
   
   
       38 . The continuous process of  claim 33  wherein the process is carried out in a counter-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder.  
   
   
       39 . A process for making chewing gum in a continuous chewing gum production line wherein all necessary addition and compounding steps are performed using a single continuous mixing apparatus consisting essentially of: 
 adding to a single extruder components necessary to make a gum base the components including an elastomer and a plasticizer, wherein the elastomer is added to the single continuous mixing apparatus separate and apart from the plasticizer;    producing gum base from the single extruder;    adding the gum base to water-soluble ingredients; and    mixing the chewing gum base and water-soluble ingredients to produce chewing gum.    
   
   
       40 . The continuous process of  claim 39  wherein an elastomer and a filler are fed into the extruder before other components of the gum base.