Patent EA-002248-B1 (EA)
Title: Continuous gum base processing system with cooling towers
Inventor: DUGGAN JAMES A
IPC: A23G4/00
Filed: 1998-03-13
Abstract: 1. A method for processing chewing gum base materials comprising the steps of: producing said gum base material 14 in liquid form by a continuous extrusion processor 12; depositing said liquid gum base material 14 into a plurality of containers 30; placing said containers 30 into a cooling mechanism 44,46 for a time and temperature sufficient to cool and solidify said gum base material, said cooling mechanism having a pair of adjacent spiral conveying devices in cooperative operative relationship with each other, a first conveying device 44 transporting said containers in an upward spiral path while being subjected to cooling air and a second conveying device 46 transporting said containers in a downward spiral path while also being subjected to cooling air; and moving said containers with cooled gum base material from said cooling apparatus to a staging area E,F. 2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containers are placed into said cooling mechanism by a robotic mechanism 40. 3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containers 30 with cooled gum base material are moved from said cooling mechanism to said staging area by a robotic mechanism 70. 4. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of placing said containers with cooled gum base material on pallets 80 in said staging area. 5. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of placing said containers with cooled gum base material on a conveying mechanism 60,82 in said staging area. 6. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a protective lining member 142',144' in said containers prior to depositing therein of said liquid gum base material. 7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said protective lining material is supplied automatically by at least a feeding mechanism 140 for supplying sheets of plastic material. 8. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of removing said cooled gum base material from said containers by a robotic mechanism 70. 9. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containers 30 comprise metal pans and are lined with a plastic sheet material 142,144. 10. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cooled gum base material is removed by vacuum suction from said containers. 11. A processing and cooling system for chewing gum base materials comprising: a continuous extruding machine 12; a pair of spiral cooling towers 44,46 positioned adjacent said extruding machine for accepting and cooling containers of liquid gum base material 14 extruded from said extruding machine; a feeding mechanism 140 positioned adjacent said extruding machine and continuous extruding machine for placing protective lining materials 142',144' in containers 30 in which the liquid gum base material is positioned prior to being introduced into said cooling towers; said pair of cooling towers comprising a first cooling tower 44 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, and a second cooling tower 46 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 robotic means 70 for transporting said full container 30 of gum base material from said second cooling tower to a subsequent staging station. 12. The system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said robotic means 70 keeps said containers in their normal upright position and removes said gum base material from said containers by vacuum suction.