The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 29, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 03, 1996
James A Duggan, Machesney Park, IL (US);
Bharat K Jani, East Brunswick, NJ (US);
Tony R Puri, Sparta, NJ (US);
Susan B Filardo, Tuxedo, NY (US);
Arthur W Upmann, Rockton, IL (US);
Warner-Lambert Company, Morris Plains, NJ (US);
Abstract
A process and apparatus for melting and processing a high molecular weight elastomeric material for a gum base or chewing gum product is disclosed. The solid elastomeric material, which preferably is polyisobutylene, is heated and melted into a liquid material which is then transported to an extruder. The apparatus has a heated housing section which includes sets of heated plate members arranged in fan-type groupings. Heated diverter members are positioned beneath the sets of fan-type plates. A heated angled conduit section is positioned below the housing section and a heated storage section is attached to the angled conveyance section. A valve and pump system is used to discharge the liquid elastomeric material from the holding section to the gum base or chewing gum extruder. Accurate metering and feeding of the liquified elastomeric material to a continuous extrusion process is achieved.