System for continuously forming center filled gum

【0001】

[Technical field]

The present invention relates to methods, systems and devices for continuously producing centrally filled gums, in particular methods, systems and devices for continuously producing individual sealed pieces of liquid filled gum from continuous ropes or strands.

【0002】

Background of the Invention

Today, there is strong demand for liquid-filled or center-filled gums and other confectionery products. These products have a hard or solid outer portion or outer shell and a soft or liquid center. The outer portion can be of any type of chewing gum or bubble gum, while the liquid central portion can usually be a seasoned material with a syrup-like viscous tone.

【0003】

Today, there are numerous known mechanisms and systems for producing liquid-filled gums and other confectionery products. One of these systems is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,857,963 to Graff et al. Many of these known mechanisms and processes work satisfactorily and produce acceptable results, but there are a number of mechanical and machining problems that require improvement. In particular, there is a need for faster, higher volume systems and more efficient, easier to operate and less mechanical failures.

【0004】

One of the drawbacks of gum manufacturing technology is that gum products are sticky and tend to stick to or stick to molds and operating machines. For this reason, it is understood that the gum manufacturing mechanism must be operated at low temperatures such as -73.33 ° C (-100 ° F). However, at such a low temperature, the operating cost increases and the operation of the machine becomes more difficult. For example, oils and greases can condense into the solid before filling, which can reduce the lubrication capacity of the material and increase the friction of moving parts. This also adds additional heat load to the moving parts and reduces the high speed operating efficiency.

【0005】

It is also necessary for some known low temperature gum manufacturing processes to cool almost any machine, including all rotating parts. This is especially true for systems that utilize single-manufacturing rotating drum members, where the product contacts the drum member over almost the entire circumference of the drum. In these systems, cooling is typically done by supercooled air or gas to provide the required low temperature. However, cooling all parts of the device creates significant additional costs and also creates additional mechanical and frictional difficulties when the machine is in operation.

【0006】

It also ensures that the rotating gum making equipment effectively supplies the ropes or strands of gum material into the rotating machine and that all manufactured pieces of gum material are removed or stripped from the rotating machine. It is known that doing so is also a problem. It is also known that rotating drum making machines often "shave" or strip off individual pieces of gum as they are made. This wastes material unnecessarily, and if the material has liquid parts, it can cause machine outages and / or failures, and can result in undesired final products "leakage". Will be caused.

【0007】

[Summary of Invention]

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism and system for producing a center-filled gum product. Also, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for continuously producing centrally filled gum pieces from continuous gum material ropes or strands.

【0008】

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary gum manufacturing mechanism and system that prevents undesired removal of small portions of gum products when they are manufactured.

【0009】

Yet another object of the present invention is a continuous gum that does not require cooling all of the various components of the machine and, in fact, can heat a portion of the machine to improve performance. To provide a manufacturing mechanism and system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gum production mechanism and system for producing a center-filled gum product more quickly and more efficiently.

【0010】

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous gum production mechanism and system in which gum material ropes or strands are fed more quickly and more efficiently within the system. A further object of the present invention is to provide a continuous gum production mechanism and a mechanism that guarantees the removal and / or stripping of the produced gum material from the system.

【0011】

The above and other objectives are fulfilled by the original and inventive gum production mechanisms and systems according to the present invention. The system comprises an extrusion and gum production mechanism with a rotating drum member that produces centrally filled gum pieces more quickly, more efficiently and at lower cost.

【0012】

The gum manufacturing mechanism includes a fixed diameter and a transport table for transporting the fixed diameter gum material rope to the rotary drum mechanism. The rotary drum mechanism comprises a rotary die ring and a rotary cutter ring, both of which have a combined die half body that together forms a complete mold or die that separates, shapes and manufactures pieces of gum. There is. A series of cam-actuated plunger members are arranged within the drum mechanism on both sides of the die member to assist in shaping and manufacturing individual gum pieces.

【0013】

The die half member in the rotary cutter ring forms gum pieces in the die to which the plunger member fits and prevents a small portion of the gum piece from being sliced or scraped when transported to the matrix ring. It has a slope, that is, a slope. Further, an air-assisted supply chute that utilizes a pressurized air flow for transporting the gum rope from a table having a fixed diameter to a rotating drum member is provided. When the manufactured gum product is ejected from the die and matrix ring, a stripper mechanism is arranged to ensure the removal of the manufactured gum product.

【0014】

The gum making mechanism and parts of the system are selectively heated or cooled to improve the efficiency and performance of the machine and system. The constant diameter rollers and gum production dies are cooled using cold gas. The mechanism that rotates the drum member and activates the cam and plunger members can be heated (or at least not cooled) to improve efficiency and performance.

【0015】

According to the present invention, liquid filled pieces of gum are produced faster and more efficiently than known processes and systems.

【0016】

[The best mode for carrying out the invention]

FIG. 1 shows an extrusion molding machine 20 and a gum manufacturing mechanism 22. The extrusion molding machine 20 can be of any conventional type and includes a liquid filling mechanism 24. The liquid filling mechanism is utilized to insert a stream of liquid material into the center of the gum as the gum 25 is manufactured and extruded by an extrusion molding machine. The mechanism for filling the center of gum and other confectionery products is known in the art and does not need to be further described here.

【0017】

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the gum material 25 is extruded from a continuous rope or strand having a nearly circular cross section. The gum material 25 has an outer core or outer shell 26 of the chewing gum or bubble gum material and an inner core 28 of the liquid or soft material. In this regard, the core of the liquid-filled gum product is flavored and usually has a liquid or syrup-like viscous tone.

【0018】

The gum material rope 25 is transported to the gum production mechanism 22 by any standard method. If the extrusion molding machine 20 and the manufacturing mechanism 22 are arranged immediately adjacent to each other, the strands of the rope 25 can be easily and directly inserted into the manufacturing mechanism 22 (as shown). It is also possible to use a conventional conveyor mechanism (not shown).

【0019】

Once the pieces of gum material 50 formed have been manufactured by the manufacturing mechanism 22, these pieces of gum are transported by the conveyor mechanism 28 to the cooling tunnel or mechanism 30. The manufactured and cooled material product exiting the cooling mechanism 30 can then be processed by any conventional method. For example, the product can be supplied directly to a packaging mechanism or system, in which the piece of material is wrapped and placed in a shipping box or container. Alternatively, the product can be transported to a cooling chamber or consolidating area for further cooling or storage prior to packaging.

【0020】

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gum manufacturing mechanism 22 includes a gum transporting portion 32 as well as a product manufacturing portion 34 consisting of a rotating drum mechanism 40 that continuously manufactures pieces of the liquid-filled gum 50.

【0021】

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the gum conveying portion 32 has a table member 36 and a control panel 38. The table member 36 has a supply mechanism 42 arranged at one end and a series of pairs of roller members 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E arranged along the surface of the table. Once the process is fully operational, the gum material rope 25 is first placed on the table 36 by the roller members 44A-44E, then by the feed chute member 60 (described below), and then by the rotating drum mechanism 40. Gently pull along. Multiple sets or pairs of roller members 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D assist in sizing and transporting the gum rope 25 along the top of the table member 36. The final assembly of roller members 44E at the ends of the portion 32 is used to guide the gum material rope into the feed chute member 60 and the individual product manufacturing portion 34.

【0022】

The feed mechanism 42 is a cone that reduces the size of the rope from a few inches when the rope 25 exits the extruder 20 to a smaller diameter, depending on the material as it enters the table member 36 and the constant diameter portion. It is equipped with a shaped molding die 43. The molding die 43 can be slightly heated by the heater mechanism 39 to keep the gum material at an appropriate temperature so that the gum material can be squeezed and at the same time allow the gum material to easily pass through the die.

【0023】

The rope thickness sensor 41 is placed above the table member 36 and is oriented so that when the gum material rope 25 exits the shrinking die 43, the dimensions (diameter) of the rope can be measured. The sensor may be of any conventional type, but is preferably an ultrasonic sensor. The measurements obtained by the sensor 41 are fed into the control panel 38 so that the moving speed of the rope 25 on the table member 36 can adjust the size, diameter and amount of gum material entering the molding die accordingly. Be adjusted. The gum material rope is reduced in size (diameter) in the range of about 50-75% from the time the rope is extruded from the extruder 20 to the time the rope enters the manufacturing part 34 of the product. For example, it is typically reduced from 11.43 cm (4.5 inches) to 3.81 cm (1.5 inches).

【0024】

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gum material rope is preferably not stretched tightly along the top of the table member 36. Instead, the gum material rope is carried along the transport portion 32 at a constant speed and also has a slack portion 25 ́ before entering the product manufacturing portion 34.

【0025】

The slack portion of the rope material 25 ́ is placed on the angled platform 33 and is constantly measured by the sensor arm 37. The angled platform ensures that the curved portion of the slack portion 25 ́ is oriented in a particular direction (with the help of gravity). The sensor arm 37 has a plurality of sensor members that display the direction thereof and the degree of bending of the gum rope 25, that is, the degree of slack portion 25 ́. The data read by the sensor is supplied to the control panel 38. If the slack of the gum rope is too much or too little, the moving speed of the gum rope in the table member is adjusted accordingly.

【0026】

Preferably, the main transport portion of the portion 32 is kept at a low temperature so that the gum material can be prevented from adhering to the roller member. For this purpose, cold air or gas is directed toward the roller member from the tubular member 47 connected to the cold air source 49. The tubular member is arranged along both sides of the roller member. The individual nozzles 47A direct the cold air directly to the surface of each roller to keep the surface at a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the roller members 44A to 44E in the table member 36 is usually kept below -67.78 ° C (-90 ° F), but the actual temperature varies depending on the material and production rate. To control manufacturing costs, this temperature should be just low enough to support manufacturing. If desired, a housing member (not shown) can be placed above the roller member to help keep the overall temperature of the roller at a predetermined temperature.

【0027】

The gum making mechanism 22 is placed on a series of supports and / or leg members such as member 27, and for both driver safety and maintaining a particular operating temperature of the gum making mechanism. Also provided is a cover or housing member 48 that slides over and surrounds the rotating drum mechanism 40. The window portion 52 of the cover member 48 can be provided to allow the operator to visually inspect the molding process of the product.

【0028】

The rotary drum mechanism 40 has a rotary drum member 60 arranged in a pair of stationary drum housings 62, 64 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The housing member 62 is attached to the gum manufacturing mechanism 22 and surrounds a first portion of the rotating drum member 60. The housing member 64 is attached to the end of a stationary shaft member 68 located at the center of the inside of the drum member 60. The housing member 64 surrounds a second portion of the rotating drum member. A gap 66 is formed between the two housing portions 62, 64. A rotating spindle member (not shown) actuated by the gum manufacturing mechanism 22 is arranged around the stationary shaft member and connected to the drum member 60 to rotate the drum member with respect to housing portions 62, 64.

【0029】

A heater member 70, such as a cartridge heater, is stationary to extend the life of the bearing and other parts of the rotating spindle member relative to the stationary member and to allow the drum member 60 to rotate freely without unwanted friction. It is located inside the spindle member 68 (see Fig. 2). In order to monitor the temperature of the cartridge heater 70, a thermocouple 72 or the like is arranged inside the stationary spindle member 68. For this purpose, an elongated channel or passage is formed in the spindle member 68 in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the cartridge heater member 70 and the thermocouple 72. The heater member 70 makes it possible to keep the bearings, rotating components and their lubricants for the drum member 60 at an appropriate operating temperature and prevent excessive cooling that can adversely affect efficiency and production performance. Also, as a result of keeping the working member at normal operating temperature, failures and repairs of rotating and moving mechanisms are reduced. The components also have increased durability and life, resulting in reduced processing, maintenance and repair costs.

【0030】

The drum member 60 includes a first plurality of cam-operated plunger members 80 and a second plurality of cam-operated plunger members 82 (see FIG. 6). Plunger members are arranged on both sides of a die ring 83 having a plurality of die halves 84 around its outer circumference. The cam actuated plunger members 80, 82 and the diling 83, along with the drum member 60 with respect to the central shaft member 68, share a common center.

【0031】

The cutter ring member 90 is located outside the die ring 83 so that it can rotate in the same direction. The cutter ring member 90 is supported by three guide rollers 91, 92, 93 and has a plurality of mating die half members 95 around its inner circumference. One or more guide roller members (eg, roller member 92) are strained to hold the cutter ring member in the required position and rotate it with the die ring member 82 and the drum member 60. Once the gum manufacturing system is activated and the gum material rope is pulled and rotated around the rotating die member 60 and the die ring member 82, the cutting ring rotates with them and at the same speed.

【0032】

The die half body member 84 in the die ring member 83 and the die half body member 95 in the cutter ring member 90 are combined with each other to form a plurality of dies or dies for producing individual gum pieces. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gum material rope 25 is inserted into the convergent gap 96 between the die ring and the cutter ring and the two semi-circular die groove members that fit together are connected together to form a circular die. It is cut into individual pieces at a region or portion 98 that is a location. The cut pieces of gum material 50 are then held in required positions and compressed by cam actuated plunger members 80, 82 as the individual pieces continue to rotate around the diling member, as described below. It continues until the gum pieces are stripped or removed and dropped into the conveyor member 28 and transported to the cooling mechanism 30.

【0033】

As illustrated in the drawings, the die halves can be provided with semi-circular grooves, resulting in the formation of circular (cylindrical) die dies for products of similar shape. However, it will be appreciated that the die halves can have any shape depending on the desired shape of the final product.

【0034】

The outer ends or tips of the semi-circular die half members 84, 95 provide an effective mechanism for joining or contacting to cut and separate the gum material rope into individual pieces. The ends can provide minimal or thin line contact between the die members and can be tapered to facilitate cutting of the gum material.

【0035】

A schematic diagram of the plunger members 80, 82, die members and cam mechanism used to actuate the plunger members and form the individual pieces of gum material is illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the operating state of these mechanisms in a plan view for easy reference.

【0036】

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the series of plunger members 82 includes an individual rod member 100 and a punch head portion 102. The rod members are arranged in the corresponding holes, ie openings 103, 104 of the support rings 105, 106, respectively. The lidar member 108 ensures that the plunger member moves longitudinally only within a certain travel length range. The rider member is fixed to the rod member 100.

【0037】

The plunger member 82 is moved in the longitudinal direction by a tension mechanism 110 such as an air bladder arranged along the outer surface of the drum member 60 (see FIG. 3). The air pressure in the member 110 can be adjusted as desired to allow the plunger member to move and function. In this regard, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the tension mechanism 110 moves the plunger member 82 in the longitudinal direction as the cam member 112 rides along the outside of the member 110 in the order shown.

【0038】

The operation, movement and structure of the plunger member 80 are similar to those of the plunger member 82, but a conventional pressure roller mechanism is used to actuate the longitudinal movement of the plunger member 80. The pressure roller mechanism is schematically illustrated and designated by reference numeral 114. Each of the plunger members 80 includes an elongated rod member 116 and a punching head portion 118. The rod member 116 is arranged and guided through openings 119, 120 of the support ring members 121, 122. Each of the plunger members 80 is provided with a cam driven member 124 at its outer end. The cam driven member is located in the slot 126 formed by the outer cam 270 and the inner cam 271 and operates with the pressure roller 114. In this case as well, as in the case of the plunger member 82, the plunger member 80 moves in the longitudinal direction in the order shown in FIG.

【0039】

With reference to both FIGS. 5 and 6, a state in which individual gum pieces 50 are sequentially formed from the gum rope 25 is illustrated. When the gum rope 25 enters the cutting portion 98 where the cam members 84 and 95 meet together, the plunger members 80 and 82 are arranged so that the punch head portions 102 and 118 do not come into contact with the die ring, cutter ring member or gum material. .. As the gum material moves along the outer perimeter or circumference of the diling member, thus moving from right to left in FIG. 6 (counterclockwise in FIG. 5), the plunger member 80 is moved by the outer cam member 270. Actuated and acted to move pieces of gum material from the die member into the opening of the matrix ring 130. The matrix ring 130 is attached to the drum member 60 and is arranged at a position immediately aligned with the die ring member. The matrix ring 130 has a series of die holes or openings 132 having substantially the same shape as the punch head portion and the finally formed gum product. This structure and process sequence are also illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

【0040】

The front surfaces 102A and 118A of the punching head portions 102 and 118 each have a product shape such as the concave curved shape shown in the drawing and form an outer surface of the gum material piece 50. Many shapes are available, and logos can be added if desired by changing the shape of the surfaces 102A, 118A.

【0041】

The half body die member 95 of the cutter ring member 90 has a sloped surface 95A in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the die half body. This state is illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A, 7 and 8. The sloped surface 95A of the die member allows the punch head portion 118 of the plunger member 80 to easily and efficiently enter and completely penetrate the die groove member 95 (as shown in FIG. 8) and also individually. Gum material piece 50 is moved into the opening 132 of the matrix ring 130. Gradient surfaces also allow such steps to be performed at a higher rate and without unwanted removal of the edges / corners of the gum pieces (chips or slices). In this regard, during the process of forming the pieces, both the die ring member 83 and the cutter ring member 90 rotate and fit together with the die groove members 84, 95 to hold and cut the rope material into individual gums. Fragment, then separate or deflect (as better illustrated in Figure 5). The sloped surface 95A of the die groove of the cutter ring member 90 prevents the edges or corners of the gum material pieces forming the material debris or "chips" from being pinched. The formation of chips produces wasteful gum material and also produces debris of gum material that can often cause problems with subsequent machine operation and / or the formation of acceptable final products. It will be.

【0042】

Eliminating the slightest chips from pieces of gum material also reduces wasted material by 10-15%, ie material savings. Also, in the case of a center-filled gum product, holding and scraping should be a product with a thin wall, and when the gum material pieces are compressed together by the two plunger members that form the final shape of the product, the center of the liquid. Material 28 will leak or be squeezed out of the gum material piece. Leaking gum pieces (referred to as "leakage") are undesirable, as the leaked liquid material can cause mechanical operational problems and further transport and packaging problems with the gum pieces. Because there is. Leaking formed gum products are usually unacceptable for use as commercial products. It is clear that consumers will become dirty and inconvenient when handling leaking centrally filled gum pieces.

【0043】

Further referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the two sets of plunger members 80, 82 fit together within the opening 132 of the matrix ring to form the final dimensions and width of the gum piece 50. This portion and position is shown in FIG. 6 with reference number 140 and is also illustrated in FIG. The combination of the pressure from the plunger member and the cooling temperature due to the circulation of cold air (described below) will cure the gum material piece and keep it in its final shape. At this point, the gum material piece 50 is centered within the opening 132 of the matrix ring member 130. After that, the plunger member 82 is pulled out from the opening 132 and returned to the resting position indicated by the reference number 142. At the same time, the plunger member 80 is further extended in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) so that the gum material piece 50 on which the plunger, that is, the punching head portion 118 is formed, is completely extruded from the opening 132 of the matrix ring 130. .. This state is illustrated in the region indicated by reference numeral 144 in FIGS. 5 and 6. At this point, the gum material piece 50 falls on the conveyor 28 along the support 150 and is conveyed to the cooling mechanism 30. In addition, the gum material piece formed at that location is removed from the diling member 83 and therefore does not rotate with the diling member and does not cause any problems in forming a new gum piece from the gum rope 25. A stripper mechanism 160 (described in more detail below) is also provided at this location to ensure that this is the case.

【0044】

In a preferred embodiment, 35-80 pairs of plunger members are provided. Each of the die members has a pair of plunger members associated with the die member, one on each side thereof and axially aligned with the sides (and thus each other). The plunger member is usually biased to the retracted position. The eccentric force can be supplied to the elongated shaft member by the spring member 99, but other equivalent eccentric mechanisms can also be utilized. As shown in FIG. 6, the spring member is arranged between the support member and the rider member.

【0045】

The stripper member 160 is illustrated in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The stripper member 160 has a stripper finger-like body 162 attached to a curved body member 164, preferably made of a plastic material, while the curved body member is attached to a base member or plate member 166. The curvature of the body member allows the stripper member to be placed close to the drum member 60. The body member 164 is preferably hollow and has a plurality of openings 168 to supply cold air to the die member. Cold air is supplied through inlet 170 and travels into a chamber (not shown) of body 164, in which cold air can exit through opening 168. The cold air expelled from the opening 168 is directed against the two sets of die members 84, 95, keeping their surfaces at a low temperature and preventing the gum material from adhering.

【0046】

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the stripper member 160 is so arranged, i.e., the pointed end 163 of the finger body 162 of the stripper is the opening 132 of the corresponding die member of the matrix ring 130 and the die ring 83. It is arranged so that it is very close to the outside of. The stripper finger body 162 is physically removed before all of the formed gum material pieces 50 that do not fall from the rotating drum member 60 due to gravity interfere with the formation of additional material pieces from the gum rope 25. Guarantee that.

【0047】

The base member or plate member 166 of the stripper member 160 is attached to the die forming mechanism 22 by one or more support bracket members 169 (see FIG. 4). For convenience in showing the stripper member 160 in FIG. 10, the supply chute member 60 is only partially illustrated (similarly, in FIG. 13, the stripper member 160 sees the entire supply chute member 60. Only part of it is shown to be acceptable).

【0048】

One alternative embodiment of the stripper member 160 ́ is illustrated in FIG. In this embodiment, the stripper member comprises a stripper finger-like body 162 and a tubular member 172, which tubular member has a plurality of openings 174 that expel cold air. The stripper member 160 ́ can be attached to the die forming member 22 by any conventional method.

【0049】

The supply chute member 60 is partially illustrated in FIGS. 13-16. FIG. 13 shows the installation positions of the supply chute members with respect to the rotary diling and cutter ring members, while FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 show side views, top views, and bottom views of the preferred supply chute members, respectively. Is.

【0050】

The feed chute member 60 allows the gum material rope 25 to be transported from the molded and constant diameter table portion 36 to the individual product molded portion of the drum member 60 in the system. If the feed chute member 60 is not present, transport the end of the extruded rope member 25 and insert the end at the required position between the deflection die half member and the cutter ring member on the die ring. It will be difficult and time consuming to do. The supply chute member 60 includes an elongated housing member 182, a bending polarizing plate 150, and a pair of bending guide members 183 and 184. The supply chute member 60 is arranged with respect to the diling member 82 and the cutter ring member 90 as shown in FIG. The housing member 182 is attached to the fixed diameter and support table 36 by a conventional bracket member 186 or the like. The support plate 188 supports the curved deflector plate member 150 and securely holds the plate member 150 to the housing member 182 of the supply chute member 60.

【0051】

The gum material rope 25 is pulled and assisted by a "jet" or pressurized air stream through the feed chute member 60. In this regard, pressurized air is introduced into the opposing inner walls of the housing member 182 through the openings 190, 191 and the housing member acts to pull the gum material rope 25 through the housing member 182. An additional air stream or jet is directed through the conduit 192 along the bottom or underside of the gum material rope. Pressurized air from the conduit 192 "lifts" and supports the gum material rope as it exits the housing member 182 and is transported between the plurality of sets of die members to the cutting region 98. ..

【0052】

In order to prevent the gum material from adhering to the die surface, cold air is blown into the gap 66 between the two parts, the housing members 62, 64, so that the die members 84, 95 can be kept at a cooled temperature. Introduce and point to the part. For this purpose, a pair of plate members 200, 202 are attached to a cover or housing member 48 (see FIG. 4). These plate members are substantially parallel to each other and form a chamber or cavity 201 between them, the chamber or cavity opening along the diling cutter ring member. The cavity 201 between the plate members 200, 202 is filled with cold air from the conduit 204. The plate member has a curved profile adjacent to the drum member 60, accurately aligns with the drum member, directs and guides the cold air to the die member, and allows the cold air to escape and the drum member and actuation mechanism. Prevents other parts or parts from cooling. The cold air in the chamber 201 is directed to the die ring member 82, the cutter ring member 90 and their respective die members.

【0053】

Cold air is preferably supplied at a temperature of -6.2.22 ° C (-80 ° F) or less. Air can be supplied by a conventional two-stage cooling compressed air mechanism, but other systems, including a cooling gas system, can also be utilized.

【0054】

While the components that cut, shape and form the gum of the rotating drum member are cooled, the other parts and components of the system and mechanism are heated, i.e. kept at a higher temperature, which adversely affects their efficiency and performance. Avoid receiving. These components include, in particular, a plunger member and a cam mechanism, as well as the movable components involved. For this purpose, the drum housing portions 62 and 64 are provided with inlets 210 and 220, respectively. Inlets 210, 220 allow ambient air or warm air to be drawn into, ie introduced into, housing portions 62, 64. Air is exhausted through outlets 240 and 242. If desired, a compressor 230 can be used to aid in air circulation. The warm air supplied to or formed over the two drum housing parts 62, 64 helps keep the cam followers and airbags at normal temperatures.

【0055】

The basic platform used with the extrusion molding machine mechanism 20 and the gum forming mechanism 22 is a typical candy production manufactured by Bosch, Hansella, Executive, Euromec, etc. It can be a machine. The extrusion molding machine 20 can be of any conventional model. In the extrusion molding machine, the previously processed gum material is charged into the hopper 21 and then into a single or pair of rotating screw members, the screw member rubbing the gum material and the gum material from the gum material rope. It is extruded through a die in the form.

【0056】

According to the present invention, the speed of the gum making machine is increased, which results in an increase in the production of gum material. As mentioned above, the preferred cooling material for use with the present invention is simply cold air. However, according to the present invention, the amount of cold air or gas required to cool the gum making machine and parts of the components is likely to be reduced by as much as 50% compared to conventional rotary gum and candy making systems. .. This is a result of exposing only a portion of the gum-making components to the cooling process while keeping the temperature of the other components close to their normal operating temperature.

【0057】

According to the present invention, the plunger members 80 and 82 can be easily lubricated. The operating temperature of the plunger member is not kept as low as in known processes, and therefore is associated with the difficulties experienced with the hardening or gelation of the plunger lubricant (and thus with the accumulation of heat and frictional forces formed). Problem) is not remarkable. For example, it is not necessary to heat the oil or other fluid used to lubricate the operation of the plunger member. All the oil provided to the mechanism at room temperature is sufficient. By lubricating the plunger member and other actuating mechanisms in greater quantities and more effectively, the mechanisms and systems of the present invention will be more durable and will have a longer life.

【0058】

The present invention provides a system for more efficiently and continuously producing liquid-filled gums, i.e. center-filled gums. Liquid-filled gum material pieces are produced in a faster and more efficient process than known processes. In this regard, the capabilities of the system of the present invention are expected to be approximately twice that of known systems and available at no additional labor cost.

【0059】

The improved efficiencies of the present invention are, in part, easier to start the process, less waste of gum material, less failure and clogging and easier to repair, gum material with metal and moving members. This is due to minimal contact and a significant reduction in cooling costs.

【0060】

Also, according to the present invention, the gum material seals around the center of the liquid in a better way. This will provide better quality products with less leaking gum products. As a result, manufacturing outages are reduced and maintenance is reduced.

【0061】

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, a number of modifications and alternative embodiments will be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is intended to be limited only by the terms described in the claims.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is the schematic which shows the continuous production system of the central filling gum by this invention. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the central filling gum material illustrated in FIG. 1 along line 1A-1A of FIG.

[Figure 2]

It is a figure of the gum production mechanism by this invention.

[Fig. 3]

It is an enlarged view of a part of the gum production mechanism by this invention.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure of another part of the gum production mechanism by this invention.

[Fig. 5]

It is the schematic of the rotary die ring and the cutter ring by this invention.

[Fig. 6]

It is an enlarged view of the die groove member and the cam actuating type plunger member which manufactures the product of the gum material by this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing state of the gum product by this invention. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7A-7A of FIG.

[Fig. 8]

It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing state of the gum product by this invention.

[Fig. 9]

It is a perspective view of a part of a cutter ring which shows the die half body which has a sloped wall surface. 9A is an end view of one of the cutter ring grooves illustrated in FIG.

[Fig. 10]

Another schematic showing a rotary die ring and a cutter ring, along with a stripper mechanism.

[Fig. 11]

It is a figure of the stripper mechanism by this invention.

[Fig. 12]

It is a figure of one alternative stripper mechanism by this invention.

[Fig. 13]

It is another schematic showing a rotary die ring and a cutter ring together with a feed chute.

[Fig. 14]

It is a side view of the supply chute according to this invention.

[Fig. 15]

It is a top view of the supply chute according to the present invention.

[Fig. 16]

It is a bottom view of the supply chute according to the present invention.