HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT ELASTOMER PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR CHEWING GUM

摘要

A process and apparatus for melting and processing a high molecular weight elastomeric material for a gum base or chewing gum product is disclosed. The solid elastomeric material, which preferably is polyisobutylene, is heated and melted into a liquid material which is then transported to an extruder. The apparatus has a heated housing section (14) which includes sets (26) of heated plate members arranged in fan-type groupings. Heated diverter members (32A, 32B, 32C) are positioned beneath the sets of fan-type plates. A heated angled conduit section (16) is positioned below the housing section and a heated storage section (18) is attached to the angled conveyance section. A valve and pump system is used to discharge the liquid elastomeric material from the holding section to the gum base or chewing gum extruder. Accurate metering and feeding of the liquified elastomeric material to a continuous extrusion process is achieved.