Patent ID: 6375448
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A23G

Abstract:
A processing and cooling system for chewing gum base materials comprising:a continuous extruding machine; a pair of spiral cooling towers positioned adjacent said extruding machine for accepting and cooling containers of liquid gum base material extruded from said extruding machine; a feeding mechanism positioned adjacent said continuous extruding machine for placing protective lining materials in said containers in which the liquid gum base material is poured prior to being introduced into said cooling towers; conveying means for conveying said containers filled with liquid gum base material into said spiral cooling towers; said pair of cooling towers comprising a first cooling tower with a first conveying mechanism which transports full containers of gum base material in an upward spiral path while said containers and material therein are being subjected to cooling air, a second cooling tower with a second conveying mechanism which transports said full containers of gum base material in a downward spiral path while said containers and material therein are being subjected to cooling air and means for transporting said full containers of gum base material from said first conveying mechanism to said second conveying mechanism; and a robotic member for transporting said fill containers of gum base material from said second cooling tower to a subsequent staging station.