METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF MULTI-FLAVORED AND MULTI-COLORED CHEWING-GUM

摘要

A method and an apparatus for producing chewing gum comprising atleast one substantially homogeneous base portion having opposing cut ends comprising different veins of injected liquid additives which provide a swirled or marbleized pattern in the cut ends. The injected liquid additives may include flavors, dyes, lakes, high intensity sweeteners, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents, and mixtures thereof. The injection may be performed while the gum composition is being conveyed in one or more extruder head barrels and at a plurality of radial and/or circumferential positions in the barrel. The substantially straight longitudinal veins of color are then partially mixed to partially displace the colored veins in a direction transverse to the direction of extrusion so as to create veined, multi-colored patterns substantially throughout a cross section of the product in a manner so that the multi-colored patterns in the cross-section differ along the length of the extrudate. Surface veins may also be produced by injection of liquid colorant/flavorant compositions onto the substantially homogeneous gum base composition as it passes through the extrusion head barrel. The surface veins may be disrupted or displaced independently of the interior veins by means of a rotatable sleeve or gum rope twisting device.