초록 ▼

Multi-veined chewing gum is produced by injecting a plurality of different liquid flavor/dye compositions into a substantially homogeneous gum base composition or into a laminated or coextruded gum composition. The injection may be performed while the gum composition is being conveyed in one or more

Multi-veined chewing gum is produced by injecting a plurality of different liquid flavor/dye compositions into a substantially homogeneous gum base composition or into a laminated or coextruded gum composition. The injection may be performed while the gum composition is being conveyed in one or more extruder head barrels, the injection being at a plurality of radial and/or circumferential positions in the barrel. In embodiments of the invention substantially straight longitudinal veins of color are then partially mixed to partially displace the colored veins in a direction transverse to the direction of extrusion so as to create veined, multi-colored patterns substantially throughout a cross section of the product in a manner so that the multi-colored patterns in the cross-section differ along the length of the extrudate. The extrudate is cut to obtain gum pieces having different veins of injected liquid additives which provide a swirled or marbleized pattern in the opposing cut ends. The injected liquid additive compositions may include flavors, dyes, lakes, high intensity sweeteners, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents, and mixtures thereof. Surface veins may also be produced by injection of liquid colorant/flavorant compositions onto the substantially homogeneous gum base composition as it passes through the extrusion head barrel. The surface veins may be disrupted or displaced independently of the interior veins using a rotatable sleeve or gum rope twisting device.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for the production of chewing gum comprising:a) an extrusion head for receiving a substantially homogeneous mixture of chewing gum ingredients, said extrusion head comprising at least one barrel for passing the homogeneous mixture downstream to an extrusion die

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for the production of chewing gum comprising:a) an extrusion head for receiving a substantially homogeneous mixture of chewing gum ingredients, said extrusion head comprising at least one barrel for passing the homogeneous mixture downstream to an extrusion die orifice,b) a plurality of injectors for injecting a plurality of liquid compositions into each barrel of said extrusion head, so as to form a plurality of veins of said liquid compositions in the homogeneous mixture passing through each barrel,c) mixing means extending into each of the extrusion head barrels downstream of said plurality of injectors for partially mixing the homogeneous mixture so as to only partially distribute at least one of said veins in said homogeneous mixture,d) an extrusion die having an orifice for shaping the homogeneous mixture into an extrudate rope as the mixture exits from each extrusion head barrel, ande) means for cutting each extrudate rope into pieces,wherein said injectors each comprise a nozzle and a plurality of the nozzles extend different distances into each barrel so as to inject liquid compositions at different radial positions within the barrel to form a plurality of said veins.