FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to a gum processing system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for forming and cooling gum.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 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 48 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] Accordingly, a system for forming and cooling gum in a manner that reduces conditioning time and powder usage would be desirable.

SUMMARY

[0005] Disclosed is a system for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include a substantially uniform thickness between about 0.3 mm to 10 mm, 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. [0006] 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.

[0007] Additionally disclosed is a system 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.

[0008] Further disclosed is a system for forming and cooling gum, the system including a forming system configured to size the gum to include a substantially uniform thickness between about 0.3 mm to 10 mm, 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.

[0009] Still further disclosed is a system 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.

[0010] 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] 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:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic and perspective illustration of a system for forming and cooling gum according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0013] Figure 1A is a partial schematic and perspective illustration of the system of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure IB is a partial schematic and perspective illustration of the system of a system for forming and cooling gum according to a first exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic and perspective illustration of a system for forming and cooling gum according to another exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 is a partial schematic illustration of a system for forming and cooling gum according to yet another exemplary embodiment; and

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic and perspective illustration of a system for forming and cooling gum according to still another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 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. [0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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 U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0166449, International Publication No. WO 2011/044373, and International Publication No. WO 2010/092480 the teachings and disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 1, a system 10 for forming and cooling gum is illustrated. The system includes a forming apparatus or system portion 12 that forms/sizes a gum mass 15 (which is mixed to include desirable ingredients in a gum mixer 14) into a gum slab 16 including a desirable thickness, such as a substantially uniform thickness between about, lmm to 60mm, and more particularly .3mm to 10mm over the whole slab 16 or at least a portion of the slab 16, and a desirable width, such as a substantially uniform width that is greater than 50cm over the whole slab 16 or at least a portion of the slab 16, between 5mm and 2000mm over the whole slab 16 or at least a portion of the slab 16, or between 225mm and 450mm over the whole slab 16 or at least a portion of the slab 16. The system 10 also includes a cooling device 18 (such as cooling housing 18 shown in the Figures without a front wall) that is disposed in-line with the forming apparatus 12 and configured to continuously receive the gum slab 16 from the forming apparatus 12 at an entry point 20 of the cooling housing 18. The cooling housing 18 includes a multi-pass conveying apparatus or system portion 21 that continuously transports the gum slab 16 from the entry point 20 to an exit point 22, thereby cooling the gum slab 16 to a point of being in condition for stacking (without sticking) upon exiting the cooling housing 18. These various components of the system 10, and the manner in which they operate to form and cool the gum, will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the gum mass 15 is prepared for forming and cooling within the system 10 via gum mixer 14. The gum mixer 14 mixes the gum to include desirable ingredients and a desirable consistency. The resulting gum mass 15 is then transported to the forming apparatus 12 of the gum system 10. The gum mixer 14 may be disposed in line with the gum system 10, such that the gum system 10 continuously receives the gum mass 15 from the mixer 14 via a device such as a conveyor belt.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the gum mass 15 is transported from the mixer 14 to a pre-extruding device 24, which extrudes the mass as a gum slab 15a. However, it should be appreciated that this pre-extruder 24 may be removed from the system 10, and the gum mass 15 may simply be transported directly to collection area 25 (which may include a collection device such as the hopper 27 shown in Figure 2) disposed immediately upstream of a gap between rollers 26 and 28. The pre-extruded slab 15a may also collect at the collection area

25 disposed immediately upstream of a gap between rollers 26 and 28, as shown in Figure 1.

[0025] As the gum mass 15 or collected slab 15a passes through the gap between the rollers

26 and 28, it is deformed to include a desirable thickness, such as a substantially uniform thickness (over at least a portion thereof) between about 0.3 mm to 10 mm. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, oil is applied to the lower roller 28, and therefore the gum, via oil applicator 30. However, it should be appreciated that oil may also be applied via applicator to the upper roller 26, and/or directly to the gum slab 16, slab 15a, or mass 15. In addition, it should be noted that the forming apparatus 12 may include multiple sets of rollers 26 and 28 (three sets in an exemplary embodiment) that each receive a gum mass 15 or pre-extruded slab 15a and deform the gum mass or pre-extruded slab into multiple slabs 16 of a desirable thickness (three slabs in an exemplary embodiment) that are stacked one on top of the other to form a multi-layer slab of gum to be transported to downstream areas of the system 10.

[0026] Upon being pulled through and exiting the gap between the counter rotating rollers 26 and 28 (the counter rotation of the roller pulling the gum through the gap), the gum slab 16 is transported along a relative back of the lower roller 28 down to a conveyor 29. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the conveyor 29 transports the gum slab 16 to an optional smoothing roller 32, which smoothes and removes irregularities from an upper surface of the slab 16. The now desirably sized slab 16 (desirably sized with regards to at least width and thickness) is then ready for continuous transport to the cooling housing 18.

[0027] As is shown in Figure 1, the cooling housing 18 is positioned in line with the forming apparatus 12 so as to continuously receive the gum slab 16 from the forming apparatus 12 via a conveyor belt 34. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the gum slab 16 is continually transported via conveyor 34 to the entry point 20, which is an opening to the housing disposed at a relatively upper portion thereof. This conveyor 34 transports the slab 16 to the multi-pass conveying system 21 disposed within the cooling housing 18, and does so continuously in that the slab is transported from the forming apparatus 12 to the cooling housing 18 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.

[0028] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the area of the conveyor 34, which is between the forming apparatus 12 (ending at the forming roller 32) and the cooling housing 18, may be absent any gum processing equipment beyond merely transporting equipment such as the conveyor 34. However, this area of the conveyor 34 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.

[0029] Turning now to the multi-pass conveying system 21 disposed in the housing 18, the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 shows a system 21 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 21. While the conveying system 21 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 16. In addition, though the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 shows the entry point 20 to be at a level of belt 36a and the exit point 22 to be at a level of belt 36k, it should be appreciated that the housing 18 may include entry and exit openings (that are closable via doors) at levels of each belt 36a-k.

[0030] As the gum slab 16 enters the housing 18 it is disposed upon conveyor belt 36a. Belt 36a transports the gum slab 16 from the entry point 20 to an end of belt 36a disposed opposite of the entry point 20. Upon reaching the end of the belt 36a, the gum slab 16 falls to a lower belt moving in an opposing direction to belt 36a. In Figure 1, 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 16 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 36h-k) can be beneficial to the system in that allows the gum slab 16 to have a larger turn radius that is less likely to damage the integrity of the gum slab 16. The bypassing 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 16 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 Figure 1.

[0031] Regardless of whether each belt in the multi-pass system 21 is used, or whether certain belts are by-passed to increase turn radius and maintain slab integrity, the gum slab 16 will include enough passes (i.e. be transported by enough belts) along the multi-pass system 21 and residence time within the cooling housing 18 to cool the slab to a desirable temperature. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, this cooling is imparted to the slab via convective and conductive cooling, and cools the gum slab 16 from a temperature at or above 40°C upon entry at the entry point 20 to a temperature at or below 25°C upon exit at the exit point 22. In a further exemplary embodiment, the gum slab is cooled to 0-20°C, more specifically 10°C-20°C, and even more specifically 15°C at the exit point 22. It is notable that, in an exemplary embodiment of the system 10, temperature change decreases with each subsequent pass through the housing 18. 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 18 include more than two passes). Further, an exemplary embodiment of the system 10 employs a residence time of approximately 6 minutes in order to cool the gum slab 16 (particularly a gum slab including a thickness of about 5.5mm) to a temperature at or below 25°C.

[0032] Turning now to a manner by which the cooling housing 18 and multi-pass system 21 cool the gum slab 16, it should be noted that the slab 16 includes two surfaces available for cooling (i.e. the upper and lower surfaces of the slab 16 relative to the belt carrying the slab). As such, a housing and multi-pass system able to cool the slab 16 at these two surfaces would be desirable and efficient relative to a system that could only cool at one of the surfaces. Referring to Figure 1A, exemplary embodiments of the housing 18 and multi-pass system 21, as capable of cooling the slab 16 at both surfaces of the slab, are illustrated.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1A, convective currents 35 circulating within the housing and around/between the belts 36a-k may cool the upper or exposed surfaces 33 of the slab 16 via convection. In an exemplary embodiment, these currents 35 are cross flow currents that run horizontally perpendicular to gum flow (despite the more vertical direction of the arrows demonstrating current flow 35 as shown in Figure 1A). The currents 35 (along with any cooling created by the cooled belts) may create an internal housing air temperature of 5° to 10°C. These convective currents 35 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 16.

[0034] In addition to the convective cooling via currents 35, the lower surfaces 37 of the slab 16 (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 Figure 1 A, the belts 36a- k may be cooled in any desirable manner, such as but not limited to a fluid circulation system 39 as shown by way of example in belt 36a (shown in cross-section). In this exemplary

embodiment, the system 39 includes a fluid channel 41 with fluid nozzles 43 configured to spray a chilled fluid onto a thermally conductive support 45 (just beneath a relative upper surface of the belt 36a). The cooled support 45 (which may be stainless steel) imparts a conductive cooling to the belt 36a, which thereby imparts conductive cooling to the slab 16.

[0035] Of course, it should also be appreciated that the slab 16 may be cooled at one surface (via either of the convective or conductive cooling discussed above), with the slab 16 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 21 may include upper belts 42 configured to contact the upper surface 33 of the slab 16 at the same time the lower belts (i.e. 36a-d in this example) contact the lower surface 37 of the slab 16. The upper belts 42 are adjustably spaced from the lower belts 36a-d so as to create a gap 44 that is substantially equal to a thickness of the slab flowing therebetween. Like the cooled belt discussed above, each of the belts 40 and 36a-k (36a-d in the example shown in Figure IB) may be cooled via a fluid circulation system 39. However, the belts 40 will include systems 39 that are vertically reversed relative to that which is shown in belt 36a of Figure IB. That is, the fluid channel 41 is disposed in a relatively upper portion of the belts 40, and the conductive support 45 is disposed in a relatively lower portion, so as to impart conductive cooling to the upper surface 33 of the slab 16. The belts 40 and 36a-k rotate in opposite directions, thereby pulling the slab through the gap 44. This pulling of the slab through the gap 44 will cause little to no deformation or compression of the slab 16

[0036] Turning back now to Figure 1, upon reaching the exit point 22 the gum slab 16 has been cooled via the above discussed cooling to a point where it is in condition for stacking. This means that the slab 16 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 16 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 38 and cutting rollers 40 disposed in proximity to the exit point 22. These scoring and cutting rollers 38 and 40 may be optionally cooled (via any desirable means for cooling rollers) so as to help maintain the cut pieces of the exiting slab 16 at a desirably cooled temperature.

[0037] 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 18 (and thus the rest of the gum system 10), such that the packaging system will eventually and continuously receive the gum from the cooling tunnel 18 via a device such as a conveyor belt. In this manner, the system 10 may allow for in line, continuous processing of the gum from mixing to packaging.

[0038] Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, cooling of the gum may also occur via cooling housing 50 and multi-pass conveying system 52 as shown. It should be appreciated that the description and discussion above for the forming apparatus 12 and overall system 10 (including the conductive and convective cooling in the cooling housing) are also applicable in the below described embodiments as shown in Figures 2-4.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the gum slab 16 is scored and cut into desirably shaped and sized gum pieces 54 via scoring rollers 38 and cutting rollers 40 disposed along or midstream of a flow path of the multi-pass conveying system 52 (as opposed to downstream of the exit point 22 thereof as shown in Figure 1). Similarly to Figure 1, in this exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 the gum slab 16 enters the cooling housing at entry point 20, and is disposed on conveyor belt 36a. Belt 36a then transports the gum slab 16 from the entry point 20 to an end of belt 36a disposed opposite of the entry point 20. Upon reaching the end of the belt 36a, the gum slab 16 falls to belt 36b, which is moving in an opposite direction of belt 36a. The gum slab 16 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 Figures 1 and 2 is shown.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, belt 36c transports the gum slab to a mid-stream opening 56 in the housing 50. Though this opening 56 is shown in Figure 3 to be disposed at level of belts 36c and 36d, it should be appreciated that the opening 56 may be disposed at either side of the housing 18 and at any desirable level of any of the belts 36a-k via the openings and doors discussed with reference to Figure 1 above. These mid-stream openings, such as opening 56 allow the flow path of the multi-pass conveying system 52 to extend to a scoring and cutting area 58 disposed outside of the housing 50. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2, the gum slab 16 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 38, 40. This horizontal belt, which runs back towards the housing 18, then transports that slab 16 to the scoring and cutting rollers 38, 40, which pull the slab 16 through the gap therebetween. The scoring and cutting rollers 38, 40 score and cut the slab 16 into sheets 54, and deposit the sheets 54 onto return belt 60. The return belt 60 is illustrated on an upward angle, so as to compensate for the downwardly vertical distance the slab 16 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 60 then returns the scored sheets 54 to the multi-pass conveying system 52 and cooling housing 50 by transporting the sheets 54 to belt 36d. [0041] In another embodiment however, the belt 36c may extend from the mid-stream opening 56 to a point above the scoring and cutting rollers 38, 40. In such an embodiment, the slab 16 may turn downwards towards the rollers 38, 40 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 16 while in a pre-turn portion of the scoring and cutting area 58.

[0042] It yet another embodiment, the scoring and cutting may occur at an end of extended belt 36c or separate belt outside of the housing 18 supporting the slab 16 (i.e. in a relatively upper portion of the scoring and cutting area 58). The scored and cut sheets 54 in such an embodiment may then drop to an extended belt 36d or return belt 60 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 16 is scored and cut into pellets 54, it is important to note that the scoring and cutting simply takes place within the flow path of the multi-pass conveying system 52.

[0043] It should be appreciated that the scoring in the above discussed embodiments results in pellet shaped scores in the sheet 54. This scoring should occur at or above a temperature of 35°C.

[0044] Once the sheets 54 are back within the housing 18 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 54 may then cascade down the reaming belts 36f-36k of the conveying system 52, assisted, as discussed above, by the horizontal staggering or offset of the belts. Guide shields may also be used to ensure that the pellets 54 fall from a belt to the belt vertically adjacent (i.e. immediately below) thereto. Similarly to the discussions of Figure 1, the pellets are cooled during their multi-pass residence time via convective and conductive cooling from a temperature at or above 40°C upon entry at the entry point 20 to a temperature at or below 25 °C upon exit at the exit point 22. In a further exemplary embodiment, the sheets 54 cooled to 10- 20°C, and more specifically 15°C at the exit point 22. The sheets 54 are thereby cooled to a point where they are in condition for stacking.

[0045] It should be noted however, that as the sheets 54 cool within the housing 18, the sheets may break into pellets along the pellet shaped scores created by the scoring roller 38. The cooling of the sheets 54 along with falls from one belt to another in the housing 18 will facilitate this breaking if it is to occur. In this manner, either the sheets 54 or the pellets that the sheets break into will be collected in condition for stacking (i.e. not sticking) in bin 62 (where sheets 54 may also break into pellets). However, due to full or partial sheet breakage into pellets, the accumulation of gum in the bin 62 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 18.

[0046] Referring now to Figure 3, it should be appreciated that the cooling housing 18 and conveying system 21 of Figure 1 may be replaced with a cooling roller system 100 including a series of cooling rollers 102a-c configured to continuously receive the gum slab 16 from the forming apparatus 12. This system 100 may include any number of rollers necessary to cool the gum slab 16 from a temperature at or above 40°C upon contact with the first roller 102a to a temperature at or below 25°C (more specifically 0-20°C, 10-20°C, or 15°C) upon release from the last roller in the series (roller 102c in Figure 3). In an exemplary embodiment, 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 100), the slab 16 may be cooled to a point where it is in condition for stacking.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4, 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 200. As shown in Figure 4, the cooling unit 200 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 Figure 1) disposed in line with each other such that the gum slab flows continuously

therebetween. Housing 18a continuously receives the gum slab 16 from the forming apparatus 12, and the slab 16 is continuously transported to exit point 22b of housing 18b. The unit 200 cools the gum slab 16 from a temperature at or above 40°C upon entry at the entry point 20a to a temperature at or below 25 °C upon exit at the exit point 22b. In a further exemplary

embodiment, the gum slab is cooled to 10-20°C, and more specifically 15°C at the exit point 22b. It should be appreciated that scoring and cutting rollers 38 and 40 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 50 of Figure 2, a more conventional housing including a single pass, different airflow mechanisms, and/or different temperature ranges as desired. [0048] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4, 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.

[0049] 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 16 of less than 1% between entry and exit of the housings and system. In the system 10 of Figure 1, such an exit is located at exit 22, while the exit in the system 10 of Figure 2 may be opening 56 or exit 22, the exit in the system 200 of Figure 4 may be exit 22a or 22b, and the exit in Figure 3 is the area immediately downstream of the last roller 102c.

[0050] It should be noted that though the above discussed forming apparatus 12 was described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the

forming/sizing rollers 26 and 28 may be replaced with any form of moving walls (such as but not limited to a roller and a conveyor belt) configured to size the gum mass 15 into a slab 16 including a desirable thickness, such as a substantially uniform thickness between about 0.3 mm to 10 mm. In addition, the forming apparatus 12 of Figures 1 and 2 may be replaced with extruder(s) and sizing rollers from a traditional rolling and scoring system. The forming system 12 may also include multiple forming apparatuses disposed in a series, such as that disclosed in U.S. Application No. 61/451805, the teachings and disclosures of which being hereby

incorporated by reference in their entireties to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

[0051] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0052] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non- claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0053] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.