Patent Description:
In conventional gum processing lines, gum that is formed and sized into desirable dimensions (slab, sheet, pellets, etc.) must be cooled and then conditioned for up to <NUM> hours before the folded slabs, sheets, or pellets can be stacked on top of each other or collected together without sticking. Furthermore, a powder or particulate material is typically added to the gum at some point during the processing, so as to further prevent the gum from sticking to various components of the gum processing line, as well as sticking to other gum pieces during stacking. <CIT> describes a method for forming and cooling chewing-gum according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> describes a method for forming and cooling chewing-gum in the form of an extruded chewing-gum rope with a central filling.

Gum conditioning that lasts for extended periods of time can cause an undesirable interruption in the processing and eventual packaging of gum pieces. In addition, application of powder (and the removal thereof) can increase energy consumption of the overall system, and have an undesirable effect on the final product if the powder is not effectively removed.

Accordingly, a system for forming and cooling gum in a manner that reduces conditioning time and powder usage would be desirable.

Disclosed is a system, not according to the invention, for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include a substantially uniform thickness between about <NUM> to <NUM>, a cooling device that is disposed in-line with the forming system and configured to continuously receive the gum from the forming system at an entry point of the cooling device, and a multi-pass conveying system configured to continuously transport the gum from the entry point to an exit point of the cooling device, the forming system and the cooling device being configured to form and cool the gum to be in a condition for stacking or collecting upon exiting the exit point of the cooling device.

Also disclosed is a method for forming and cooling gum, the method including forming the gum to include desirable dimensions; continuously transporting the gum to an entry point of a cooling device, and continuously transporting the gum from the entry point to an exit point of the cooling device via a multi-pass conveying apparatus; wherein the gum exits the cooling device in a condition for stacking or collecting.

Additionally disclosed is a system, not according to the invention, for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include desirable dimensions, and a set of cooling rollers disposed in-line with the forming system and configured to continuously receive the gum from the forming system, the forming system and the set of cooling rollers being configured to form and cool the gum to be in a condition for stacking or collecting upon exiting the exit point of the cooling device.

Further disclosed is a system, not according to the invention, for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include a substantially uniform thickness between about <NUM> to <NUM>, a cooling unit including multiple cooling devices, the cooling unit being disposed in-line with the forming system and configured to continuously receive the gum from the forming system at an entry point of the cooling unit, and a multi-pass conveying system configured to continuously transport the gum from the entry point to an exit point of the cooling unit, the forming system and the cooling unit being configured to form and cool the gum to be in a condition for stacking or collecting upon exiting the exit point of the cooling unit.

Still further disclosed is a system, not according to the invention, for cooling gum including a cooling device including an entry point and an exit point, and a multi-pass conveying system configured to continuously transport the gum from the entry point to the exit point of the cooling device, the multi-pass conveying system being configured to simultaneously impart conductive cooling to the gum at vertically opposing surfaces of the gum.

Additionally disclosed is a method for processing gum, the method including mixing the gum via a mixing device, continuously transporting the gum from the mixing device to a forming system; forming the gum to include desirable dimensions via the forming system, continuously transporting the gum from the forming system to an entry point of a cooling unit including at least one cooling device, continuously transporting the gum from the entry point to an exit point of the cooling unit via a multi-pass conveying apparatus, wherein the gum exits the cooling unit in a condition for stacking or collecting, continuously transporting the gum from the cooling unit to a packaging system, and packaging the gum.

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:.

Before turning in greater detail to the systems and methods discussed below, some general compositional information about gum will be provided. Chewing gum comprises in large part of components that are usually never swallowed, gum base, which is the rubber-like chewing component. Chewing gum also comprises a consumed portion including sweeteners, flavors and the like, and may also include other candy or food product integrated therewith in layers or as ingredients. The gum base is relatively unique in food processing in that it introduces the material with a resiliency and elasticity relative to processing and also provides a relatively non-conductive or insulating material that does not transfer heat very well. This provides unique processing difficulties. Relative to processing, the temperature of the processed gum product greatly affects viscosity as well as other processing characteristics such as elasticity and resiliency.

Further, different types of gum recipes will also alter processing considerations, and there generally is a desire to run different gum recipes on the same equipment or lines. Some of the ingredients handle processing quite well. Other ingredients such as flavors may be subject to flash off due to heat, thereby diminishing the amount of flavor in the final consumable product. Other ingredients such as encapsulated sweeteners, are sensitive to shear forces (e.g. due to substantial pressure, intense mixing, processing force and the like) and thus can be damaged during processing. These factors all provide different challenges relative to sizing the gum to a small bit size portion and conditioning of the gum for packaging in gum packaging. For purpose of understanding, some lexicography and typical gum composition components will be discussed below.

As used herein, any recited gum may include, but not be limited to, compositions ranging from and inclusive of compounded elastomer to finished gum, which may include compounded elastomer in addition to some compounding aids, master batch gum base, compounded elastomer in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients, compounded elastomer in addition to some gum base ingredients and some subsequent gum ingredients, gum base, gum base in addition to some subsequent gum ingredients, master batch finished gum, and finished gum.

In addition to the various chewing gums mentioned above, it should be appreciated that the below discussed systems and methods may be used to form and size confectionary or candy, combinations of gum ingredients with confectionary or candy ingredients, and combinations of gum with confectionary or candy, as disclosed in <CIT>, International Publication No. <CIT>, and International Publication No. <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a system <NUM> for forming and cooling gum is illustrated. The system includes a forming apparatus or system portion <NUM> that forms/sizes a gum mass <NUM> (which is mixed to include desirable ingredients in a gum mixer <NUM>) into a gum slab <NUM> including a desirable thickness, such as a substantially uniform thickness between about. <NUM> to <NUM>, and more particularly, <NUM> to <NUM> over the whole slab <NUM> or at least a portion of the slab <NUM>, and a desirable width, such as a substantially uniform width that is greater than <NUM> over the whole slab <NUM> or at least a portion of the slab <NUM>, between <NUM> and <NUM> over the whole slab <NUM> or at least a portion of the slab <NUM>, or between <NUM> and <NUM> over the whole slab <NUM> or at least a portion of the slab <NUM>. The system <NUM> also includes a cooling device <NUM> (such as cooling housing <NUM> shown in the Figures without a front wall) that is disposed in-line with the forming apparatus <NUM> and configured to continuously receive the gum slab <NUM> from the forming apparatus <NUM> at an entry point <NUM> of the cooling housing <NUM>. The cooling housing <NUM> includes a multi-pass conveying apparatus or system portion <NUM> that continuously transports the gum slab <NUM> from the entry point <NUM> to an exit point <NUM>, thereby cooling the gum slab <NUM> to a point of being in condition for stacking (without sticking) upon exiting the cooling housing <NUM>. These various components of the system <NUM>, and the manner in which they operate to form and cool the gum, will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

As shown in <FIG>, the gum mass <NUM> is prepared for forming and cooling within the system <NUM> via gum mixer <NUM>. The gum mixer <NUM> mixes the gum to include desirable ingredients and a desirable consistency. The resulting gum mass <NUM> is then transported to the forming apparatus <NUM> of the gum system <NUM>. The gum mixer <NUM> may be disposed in line with the gum system <NUM>, such that the gum system <NUM> continuously receives the gum mass <NUM> from the mixer <NUM> via a device such as a conveyor belt.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the gum mass <NUM> is transported from the mixer <NUM> to a pre-extruding device <NUM>, which extrudes the mass as a gum slab 15a. However, it should be appreciated that this pre-extruder <NUM> may be removed from the system <NUM>, and the gum mass <NUM> may simply be transported directly to collection area <NUM> (which may include a collection device such as the hopper <NUM> shown in <FIG>) disposed immediately upstream of a gap between rollers <NUM> and <NUM>. The pre-extruded slab 15a may also collect at the collection area <NUM> disposed immediately upstream of a gap between rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As the gum mass <NUM> or collected slab 15a passes through the gap between the rollers <NUM> and <NUM>, it is deformed to include a desirable thickness, such as a substantially uniform thickness (over at least a portion thereof) between about <NUM> to <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, oil is applied to the lower roller <NUM>, and therefore the gum, via oil applicator <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that oil may also be applied via applicator to the upper roller <NUM>, and/or directly to the gum slab <NUM>, slab 15a, or mass <NUM>. In addition, it should be noted that the forming apparatus <NUM> may include multiple sets of rollers <NUM> and <NUM> (three sets in an exemplary embodiment) that each receive a gum mass <NUM> or pre-extruded slab 15a and deform the gum mass or pre-extruded slab into multiple slabs <NUM> of a desirable thickness (three slabs in an exemplary embodiment) that are stacked one on top of the other to form a multilayer slab of gum to be transported to downstream areas of the system <NUM>.

Upon being pulled through and exiting the gap between the counter rotating rollers <NUM> and <NUM> (the counter rotation of the roller pulling the gum through the gap), the gum slab <NUM> is transported along a relative back of the lower roller <NUM> down to a conveyor <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the conveyor <NUM> transports the gum slab <NUM> to an optional smoothing roller <NUM>, which smoothes and removes irregularities from an upper surface of the slab <NUM>. The now desirably sized slab <NUM> (desirably sized with regards to at least width and thickness) is then ready for continuous transport to the cooling housing <NUM>.

As is shown in <FIG>, the cooling housing <NUM> is positioned in line with the forming apparatus <NUM> so as to continuously receive the gum slab <NUM> from the forming apparatus <NUM> via a conveyor belt <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the gum slab <NUM> is continually transported via conveyor <NUM> to the entry point <NUM>, which is an opening to the housing disposed at a relatively upper portion thereof. This conveyor <NUM> transports the slab <NUM> to the multi-pass conveying system <NUM> disposed within the cooling housing <NUM>, and does so continuously in that the slab is transported from the forming apparatus <NUM> to the cooling housing <NUM> without having to place the gum in holding area (such as an area for conditioning). In general, continuous transporting or receiving may be defined as transporting or receiving with necessitating placement in a holding area.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the area of the conveyor <NUM>, which is between the forming apparatus <NUM> (ending at the forming roller <NUM>) and the cooling housing <NUM>, may be absent any gum processing equipment beyond merely transporting equipment such as the conveyor <NUM>. However, this area of the conveyor <NUM> may optionally include processing equipment such as but not limited to gum drying equipment, a particulate adding equipment, printing equipment, spraying equipment, and rollers configured to at least one form, smooth, cut, and score.

Turning now to the multi-pass conveying system <NUM> disposed in the housing <NUM>, the exemplary embodiment of <FIG> shows a system <NUM> that includes a series of vertically displaced conveyor belts 36a-k. The vertically displaced belts 36a-k allow for the multiple passes of the multi-pass conveying system <NUM>. While the conveying system <NUM> of this embodiment shows eleven belts 36a-k, it should be appreciated that any number of belts may be used to impart a desirable amount of cooling to the gum slab <NUM>. In addition, though the exemplary embodiment of <FIG> shows the entry point <NUM> to be at a level of belt 36a and the exit point <NUM> to be at a level of belt <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the housing <NUM> may include entry and exit openings (that are closable via doors) at levels of each belt 36a-k.

As the gum slab <NUM> enters the housing <NUM> it is disposed upon conveyor belt 36a. Belt 36a transports the gum slab <NUM> from the entry point <NUM> to an end of belt 36a disposed opposite of the entry point <NUM>. Upon reaching the end of the belt 36a, the gum slab <NUM> falls to a lower belt moving in an opposing direction to belt 36a. In <FIG>, this belt is 36b. However, it should be appreciated that the gum slab may fall to any lower belt moving in an opposing direction. For example, when the gum slab <NUM> reaches an end of belt 36b, it falls to directionally opposite belt 36e, thereby by-passing belts 36c-d. This by-passing of belts (which is also shown with regards to belts 36e-h and belts <NUM>-k) can be beneficial to the system in that allows the gum slab <NUM> to have a larger turn radius that is less likely to damage the integrity of the gum slab <NUM>. The by-passing of various belts may be assisted by guide shields disposed between vertically adjacent belts (such as belt 36b and belt 36c). In addition, transportation of the gum slab <NUM> between vertically adjacent belts (such as belt 36a and 36b) is assisted via the horizontal staggering or offset of each vertically adjacent belt as shown in <FIG>.

Regardless of whether each belt in the multi-pass system <NUM> is used, or whether certain belts are by-passed to increase turn radius and maintain slab integrity, the gum slab <NUM> will include enough passes (i.e. be transported by enough belts) along the multi-pass system <NUM> and residence time within the cooling housing <NUM> to cool the slab to a desirable temperature. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, this cooling is imparted to the slab via convective and conductive cooling, and cools the gum slab <NUM> from a temperature at or above <NUM> upon entry at the entry point <NUM> to a temperature at or below <NUM> upon exit at the exit point <NUM>. In a further exemplary embodiment, the gum slab is cooled to <NUM>-<NUM>, more specifically <NUM>-<NUM>, and even more specifically <NUM> at the exit point <NUM>. It is notable that, in an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM>, temperature change decreases with each subsequent pass through the housing <NUM>. That is, temperature change in the first pass will be greater than temperature change in the second pass, and even greater than temperature change in the last pass (should the housing <NUM> include more than two passes). Further, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> employs a residence time of approximately <NUM> minutes in order to cool the gum slab <NUM> (particularly a gum slab including a thickness of about <NUM>) to a temperature at or below <NUM>.

Turning now to a manner by which the cooling housing <NUM> and multi-pass system <NUM> cool the gum slab <NUM>, it should be noted that the slab <NUM> includes two surfaces available for cooling (i.e. the upper and lower surfaces of the slab <NUM> relative to the belt carrying the slab). As such, a housing and multi-pass system able to cool the slab <NUM> at these two surfaces would be desirable and efficient relative to a system that could only cool at one of the surfaces. Referring to <FIG>, exemplary embodiments of the housing <NUM> and multi-pass system <NUM>, as capable of cooling the slab <NUM> at both surfaces of the slab, are illustrated.

As shown in <FIG>, convective currents <NUM> circulating within the housing and around/between the belts 36a-k may cool the upper or exposed surfaces <NUM> of the slab <NUM> via convection. In an exemplary embodiment, these currents <NUM> are cross flow currents that run horizontally perpendicular to gum flow (despite the more vertical direction of the arrows demonstrating current flow <NUM> as shown in <FIG>). The currents <NUM> (along with any cooling created by the cooled belts) may create an internal housing air temperature of <NUM>° to <NUM>. These convective currents <NUM> may be achieved via any known means for forcing air within a cooling housing, such as but not limited to cross flow forced convection achieved via slot fans or other fans, which has the effect of removing heat from the gum slab <NUM>.

In addition to the convective cooling via currents <NUM>, the lower surfaces <NUM> of the slab <NUM> (i.e. the surfaces that will contact the belts) may also be cooled via conductive cooling imparted from the cooled belts 36a-k. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the belts 36a-k may be cooled in any desirable manner, such as but not limited to a fluid circulation system <NUM> as shown by way of example in belt 36a (shown in cross-section). In this exemplary embodiment, the system <NUM> includes a fluid channel <NUM> with fluid nozzles <NUM> configured to spray a chilled fluid onto a thermally conductive support <NUM> (just beneath a relative upper surface of the belt 36a). The cooled support <NUM> (which may be stainless steel) imparts a conductive cooling to the belt 36a, which thereby imparts conductive cooling to the slab <NUM>.

Of course, it should also be appreciated that the slab <NUM> may be cooled at one surface (via either of the convective or conductive cooling discussed above), with the slab <NUM> requiring more residence time within the housing (via slower belts, more passes/belts, etc.) to compensate for the less efficient cooling. In addition, and as shown in Figure IB, the multi-pass system <NUM> may include upper belts <NUM> configured to contact the upper surface <NUM> of the slab <NUM> at the same time the lower belts (i.e. 36a-d in this example) contact the lower surface <NUM> of the slab <NUM>. The upper belts <NUM> are adjustably spaced from the lower belts 36a-d so as to create a gap <NUM> that is substantially equal to a thickness of the slab flowing therebetween. Like the cooled belt discussed above, each of the belts <NUM> and 36a-k (36a-d in the example shown in <FIG>) may be cooled via a fluid circulation system <NUM>. However, the belts <NUM> will include systems <NUM> that are vertically reversed relative to that which is shown in belt 36a of <FIG>. That is, the fluid channel <NUM> is disposed in a relatively upper portion of the belts <NUM>, and the conductive support <NUM> is disposed in a relatively lower portion, so as to impart conductive cooling to the upper surface <NUM> of the slab <NUM>. The belts <NUM> and 36a-k rotate in opposite directions, thereby pulling the slab through the gap <NUM>. This pulling of the slab through the gap <NUM> will cause little to no deformation or compression of the slab <NUM>.

Turning back now to <FIG>, upon reaching the exit point <NUM> the gum slab <NUM> has been cooled via the above discussed cooling to a point where it is in condition for stacking. This means that the slab <NUM> has been cooled to a point where it may be folded and stacked (one fold in direct contact with another) without sticking to each other. In addition, the slab <NUM> may be scored and cut into desirably sized and shaped sheets (the scoring being in a longitudinal direction of movement on the belts), and these sheets may be stacked in direct contact with each other without sticking to each other. Such scoring and cutting may occur via scoring rollers <NUM> and cutting rollers <NUM> disposed in proximity to the exit point <NUM>. These scoring and cutting rollers <NUM> and <NUM> may be optionally cooled (via any desirable means for cooling rollers) so as to help maintain the cut pieces of the exiting slab <NUM> at a desirably cooled temperature.

After being scored and cut into stackable sheets, the pieces may then be transported to further processing and packaging systems. These systems (not shown in the Figures) may be disposed in line with the cooling housing <NUM> (and thus the rest of the gum system <NUM>), such that the packaging system will eventually and continuously receive the gum from the cooling tunnel <NUM> via a device such as a conveyor belt. In this manner, the system <NUM> may allow for in line, continuous processing of the gum from mixing to packaging.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, according to the invention, cooling of the gum occurs via cooling housing <NUM> and multi-pass conveying system <NUM> as shown. It should be appreciated that the description and discussion above for the forming apparatus <NUM> and overall system <NUM> (including the conductive and convective cooling in the cooling housing) are also applicable in the below described embodiments as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the gum slab <NUM> is scored and cut into desirably shaped and sized gum pieces <NUM> via scoring rollers <NUM> and cutting rollers <NUM> disposed along or midstream of a flow path of the multi-pass conveying system <NUM> (as opposed to downstream of the exit point <NUM> thereof as shown in <FIG>). Similarly to <FIG>, in this exemplary embodiment of <FIG> the gum slab <NUM> enters the cooling housing at entry point <NUM>, and is disposed on conveyor belt 36a. Belt 36a then transports the gum slab <NUM> from the entry point <NUM> to an end of belt 36a disposed opposite of the entry point <NUM>. Upon reaching the end of the belt 36a, the gum slab <NUM> falls to belt 36b, which is moving in an opposite direction of belt 36a. The gum slab <NUM> is then transported in an opposite end of belt 36b, and falls to belt 36c, which is moving in an opposite direction of belt 36b. It is at belt 36c where a substantial difference between the exemplary embodiments of <FIG> is shown.

As shown in <FIG>, belt 36c transports the gum slab to a mid-stream opening <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. Though this opening <NUM> is shown in <FIG> to be disposed at level of belts 36c and 36d, it should be appreciated that the opening <NUM> may be disposed at either side of the housing <NUM> and at any desirable level of any of the belts 36a-k via the openings and doors discussed with reference to <FIG> above. These mid-stream openings, such as opening <NUM> allow the flow path of the multi-pass conveying system <NUM> to extend to a scoring and cutting area <NUM> disposed outside of the housing <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the gum slab <NUM> travels away from the housing on a downwardly angled conveyor belt (not shown) to a horizontal conveyor belt (not shown) extending below and beyond an extent of the angled belt, in plane with a gap between the scoring and cutting rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. This horizontal belt, which runs back towards the housing <NUM>, then transports that slab <NUM> to the scoring and cutting rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, which pull the slab <NUM> through the gap therebetween. The scoring and cutting rollers <NUM>, <NUM> score and cut the slab <NUM> into sheets <NUM>, and deposit the sheets <NUM> onto return belt <NUM>. The return belt <NUM> is illustrated on an upward angle, so as to compensate for the downwardly vertical distance the slab <NUM> traveled on the downwardly angled belt (which may travel down to almost floor level in order to reach the horizontal belt). In this embodiment, the return belt <NUM> then returns the scored sheets <NUM> to the multi-pass conveying system <NUM> and cooling housing <NUM> by transporting the sheets <NUM> to belt 36d.

In another embodiment however, the belt 36c may extend from the mid-stream opening <NUM> to a point above the scoring and cutting rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the slab <NUM> may turn downwards towards the rollers <NUM>, <NUM> around the belt 36c in a manner similar to the slab turn shown at belt 36a. In this manner, the extended belt 36c would support the gum slab <NUM> while in a pre-turn portion of the scoring and cutting area <NUM>.

It yet another embodiment, the scoring and cutting may occur at an end of extended belt 36c or separate belt outside of the housing <NUM> supporting the slab <NUM> (i.e. in a relatively upper portion of the scoring and cutting area <NUM>). The scored and cut sheets <NUM> in such an embodiment may then drop to an extended belt 36d or return belt <NUM> that may be inclined on a plane more parallel to belts 36c and 36d, and extend beyond an extent of belt 36c. However, regardless of the equipment configurations by which the slab <NUM> is scored and cut into pellets <NUM>, it is important to note that the scoring and cutting simply takes place within the flow path of the multi-pass conveying system <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the scoring in the above discussed embodiments results in pellet shaped scores in the sheet <NUM>. This scoring should occur at or above a temperature of <NUM>.

Once the sheets <NUM> are back within the housing <NUM> on belt 36d, they are transported to an opposite end thereof, and fall to belt 36e, which runs in a direction opposite of belt 36d. In this manner, the pellets <NUM> may then cascade down the reaming belts 36f-<NUM> of the conveying system <NUM>, assisted, as discussed above, by the horizontal staggering or offset of the belts. Guide shields may also be used to ensure that the pellets <NUM> fall from a belt to the belt vertically adjacent (i.e. immediately below) thereto. Similarly to the discussions of <FIG>, the pellets are cooled during their multi-pass residence time via convective and conductive cooling from a temperature at or above <NUM> upon entry at the entry point <NUM> to a temperature at or below <NUM> upon exit at the exit point <NUM>. In a further exemplary embodiment, the sheets <NUM> cooled to <NUM>-<NUM>, and more specifically <NUM> at the exit point <NUM>. The sheets <NUM> are thereby cooled to a point where they are in condition for stacking.

It should be noted however, that as the sheets <NUM> cool within the housing <NUM>, the sheets may break into pellets along the pellet shaped scores created by the scoring roller <NUM>. The cooling of the sheets <NUM> along with falls from one belt to another in the housing <NUM> will facilitate this breaking if it is to occur. In this manner, either the sheets <NUM> or the pellets that the sheets break into will be collected in condition for stacking (i.e. not sticking) in bin <NUM> (where sheets <NUM> may also break into pellets). However, due to full or partial sheet breakage into pellets, the accumulation of gum in the bin <NUM> will be more irregular collecting than that which might be considered "stacking. " In any event, the collected or stacked gum will have been cooled to a point that the sheets or pellets will not stick to each other after leaving the cooling housing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, not according to the invention, it should be appreciated that the cooling housing <NUM> and conveying system <NUM> of <FIG> may be replaced with a cooling roller system <NUM> including a series of cooling rollers 102a-c configured to continuously receive the gum slab <NUM> from the forming apparatus <NUM>. This system <NUM> may include any number of rollers necessary to cool the gum slab <NUM> from a temperature at or above <NUM> upon contact with the first roller 102a to a temperature at or below <NUM> (more specifically <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, or <NUM>) upon release from the last roller in the series (roller 102c in <FIG>). In an exemplary embodiment, not according to the invention, such cooling of the gum surface may also be enhanced via addition of cooled air impinging against the outer gum surface, with the cooled air being supplied by slot fans or other kinds of fans. Via a system including these rollers 102a-c (such as system <NUM>), the slab <NUM> may be cooled to a point where it is in condition for stacking.

Referring to <FIG>, cooling of the gum slab or pellets to a point where the slab or pellets are in a condition for stacking may also take place in a cooling unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cooling unit <NUM> includes two or more cooling housings 18a and 18b (each housing being substantially the same in structure and cooling methods and capabilities as that shown in <FIG>) disposed in line with each other such that the gum slab flows continuously therebetween. Housing 18a continuously receives the gum slab <NUM> from the forming apparatus <NUM>, and the slab <NUM> is continuously transported to exit point 22b of housing 18b. The unit <NUM> cools the gum slab <NUM> from a temperature at or above <NUM> upon entry at the entry point 20a to a temperature at or below <NUM> upon exit at the exit point 22b. In a further exemplary embodiment, the gum slab is cooled to <NUM>-<NUM>, and more specifically <NUM> at the exit point 22b. It should be appreciated that scoring and cutting rollers <NUM> and <NUM> may also be disposed between the housings 18a and 18b, with slab being transported through housing 18a and pellets being transported through housing 18b. In addition housings 18a or 18b may be replaced with housing <NUM> of <FIG>, a more conventional housing including a single pass, different airflow mechanisms, and/or different temperature ranges as desired.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the area of the conveyor between the housings 18a and 18b may also be absent any gum processing equipment beyond merely transporting equipment such as the conveyor as shown. However, this area of the conveyor may optionally include processing equipment such as but not limited to gum drying equipment, a particulate adding equipment, printing equipment, spraying equipment, and rollers configured to at least one form, smooth, cut, and score.

It should be noted that a relatively limited change in average gum thickness is caused by exemplary embodiments of the above discussed cooling housings and the above discussed cooling roller system. In fact, exemplary embodiments of the above housings and above roller system will create a thickness variation in the gum slab <NUM> of less than <NUM>% between entry and exit of the housings and system. In the system <NUM> of <FIG>, such an exit is located at exit <NUM>, while the exit in the system <NUM> of <FIG> may be opening <NUM> or exit <NUM>, the exit in the system <NUM> of <FIG> may be exit 22a or 22b, and the exit in <FIG> is the area immediately downstream of the last roller 102c.

Claim 1:
A method for forming and cooling chewing-gum, the method comprising:
forming a chewing-gum mass (<NUM>) into a chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) to include desirable dimensions via a forming system (<NUM>);
continuously transporting the chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) from said forming system (<NUM>) to an entry point of a cooling device; and
continuously transporting the chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) from said entry point to an exit point of said cooling device via a multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>), wherein said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>) includes multiple vertically displaced conveyor belts (36a-k); and
scoring and cutting the chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) into chewing-gum pieces or sheets (<NUM>) as the chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) is continuously transported along a flow path defined by said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>) extending between said entry point and said exit point of said cooling device, said scoring and cutting occurring at an intermediate pass of said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>),
wherein the chewing-gum pieces or sheets (<NUM>) exit said cooling device in a condition for stacking and collecting,
said cooling device comprises a cooling housing (<NUM>), said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>) being disposed within the cooling housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that said method comprises:
- a first conveyor belt (36c) of said multiple vertically displaced conveyor belts (36a-k), transporting said chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) to a mid-stream opening (<NUM>) in said cooling housing (<NUM>),
- said mid-stream opening (<NUM>) allowing said flow path defined by said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>) to extend to a scoring and cutting area (<NUM>) disposed outside of said cooling housing (<NUM>) where scoring and cutting rollers (<NUM>, <NUM>) score and cut the chewing-gum slab (<NUM>) into chewing-gum pieces or sheets (<NUM>),
- said chewing-gum pieces or sheets (<NUM>) returning to said multi-pass conveying apparatus (<NUM>) disposed within the cooling housing (<NUM>), to a second conveyor belt (36d) of said multiple vertically displaced conveyor belts (36a-k).