Patent ID: 6743453
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: A23G

Abstract:
A method of continuously producing a chewing gum material by a continuous extrusion process which has substantially the same properties as the same chewing gum material produced by a batch process, said properties including one or more of the group comprising texture, flavor, flavor profile, sweetness, sourness, toughness, graininess, and bubble blowing, said method comprising the steps of:producing a control sample of the chewing gum material by a batch process, said material comprising pre-specified ingredients; producing a plurality of test samples of said chewing gum material by a continuous extrusion process, said material comprising said pre-specified ingredients, said test samples differing from one another based on a variable utilized in said continuous extrusion process, said variables including at least one of the group comprising the relative amount of the sugar ingredient, the timing of the addition of sugar, the location of the addition of sugar, the amount of the flavor ingredient, the timing of the addition of the flavor ingredient, the location of the addition of the flavor ingredient, and the speed of the continuous extrusion process; evaluating said plurality of test samples; comparing said evaluations of said plurality of test sample with the properties of said control samples; and selecting one or more of the test samples.