Process control system and method for automated continuous production of chewinggum

• Main Authors: RONALD F. ONUSAITIS, KARL B. BUCHOLZ, RONALD A. BRIX, JOSEPH D. RANCICH, GEORGE W. LORENZ, CARL S. PETERSON, DENNIS K. MORIARTY, ANTHONY R. BANASIAK
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.04.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CHEWING GUM; COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; CONFECTIONERY; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; ICE-CREAM; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A method is provided for automatically and continuously producing chewing gum base. A system controller (316) receives inputs of parameters necessary for production. Ingredients are automatically and continuously fed and mixed to form a desired end product. The system is continuously monitored with the appropriate sensing devices (344,352,358,362,342,331,335). Signals indicative of the sensed conditions are sent to the controller (316), and the system (301) automatically adjusts to produce a consistent end product. An alarm (336) is activated upon sensing of a predetermined condition.