Elastomer processing apparatus and system for chewing gum
US5944266A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23G4/02
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.