Warner-lambert Company

Other

Kevin R Tebrinke

James A Duggan

Arthur W Upmann

Marc Degady

Tony R Puri

Susan B Filardo

Joseph M Bunkers

A process and apparatus for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter connects the side feeder to the main extruder which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

Apparatus for processing PVA

A system for automatically cooling and further processing chewing gum base materials is disclosed. The hot molten chewing gum base material is deposited in lined or coated pans, the pans are picked up by an industrial robot and placed into a pair of spiral cooling towers where the molten material is cooled and solidified. The same or a second industrial robot picks up the pans of cooled gum base material and transports them to a final staging and processing area. The pans of cooled gum base material are placed on a conveyor system or on pallets for further handling and processing.

Automated system for continuously producing, cooling, and processing chewing gum base materials

A process and apparatus for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter with a curved outer end shape connects the side feeder to the main extruder internal bone which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

Adapter member for connecting extruders

An apparatus and system for processing the elastomeric component of a gum base or chewing gum product. Bulk blocks or slabs of elastomeric materials are conveyed to a housing with a rotary cutting mechanism. A feeding and metering mechanism controls the introduction of the blocks or slabs to the cutting mechanism. A lubricant feeding mechanism controls the introduction of lubricant to the housing for coating and lubricating the elastomeric materials. A cooling mechanism maintains the temperature of the housing and materials within a prespecified range. A screen or filtering mechanism controls the size of the ground-up pieces of material which are removed from the housing. Vacuum-conveyer systems convey the ground-up pieces of material to a storage hopper where excess lubricant is removed and then to a metering mechanism for selective introduction of the pieces of material to an extruder mechanism and/or gum or gum base manufacturing process.

Elastomer processing apparatus and system for chewing gum

A process for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter connects the side feeder to the main extruder which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

Polyvinyl acetate process for chewing gum

A process and apparatus for processing the elastomeric component of a gum base or chewing gum product is disclosed. Slabs of elastomeric material are metered into a rotary cutting mechanism together with a powdered lubricant and the elastomer is ground up into small flakes and particles which are coated with the powder. A vacuum-conveyor system transports the elastomeric particles through a cyclone receiver, blender and sifter where excess powder is removed. The elastomeric particles are then transported through another receiver and fed into an extruder by a metered feeding mechanism.

Elastomer processing system for chewing gum

A process for cooling, grinding, and packaging an ingredient material, such as an encapsulated sweetener or acid, for a chewing gum product is disclosed. The material is extruded from an extruding machine directly onto a conveyor. The conveyor transports the liquid material, preferably in elongated strings, through a chamber cooled by circulation of cooled air. The solidified material exiting the cooling chamber is cut into small pieces by a rotating cutter and conveyed by a vacuum conveyor system to a grinder. The material is further broken up (ground) into a powder and transported to a holding bin. Thereafter, the powder is deposited in boxes or other containers for storage.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Madison, IA, United States of America

Kevin R Tebrinke