Tony R Puri

US Patent:

6375448, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

May 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/075498

Inventors:

James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Kevin R. Tebrinke - Fort Madison IA
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

B29C 3906

US Classification:

425 89, 62381, 249112, 425404, 425453

Abstract:

A system for automatically cooling and further processing chewing gum base materials is disclosed. The hot molten chewing gum base material is deposited in lined or coated pans, the pans are picked up by an industrial robot and placed into a pair of spiral cooling towers where the molten material is cooled and solidified. The same or a second industrial robot picks up the pans of cooled gum base material and transports them to a final staging and processing area. The pans of cooled gum base material are placed on a conveyor system or on pallets for further handling and processing.

US Patent:

6601708, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Jul 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/624729

Inventors:

Marc Degady - Morris Plains NJ
Kevin R. Tebrinke - Fort Madison IA
James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Susan B. Filardo - Tuxedo NY
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

B07B 900

US Classification:

209234, 209238, 209283, 209925, 426 3, 426 5, 426516

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter connects the side feeder to the main extruder which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

US Patent:

57561338, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725408

Inventors:

James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Kevin R. Tebrinke - Fort Madison IA
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

A23G 330

US Classification:

426 3

Abstract:

A system for automatically cooling and further processing chewing gum base materials is disclosed. The hot molten chewing gum base material is deposited in lined or coated pans, the pans are picked up by an industrial robot and placed into a pair of spiral cooling towers where the molten material is cooled and solidified. The same or a second industrial robot picks up the pans of cooled gum base material and transports them to a final staging and processing area. The pans of cooled gum base material are placed on a conveyor system or on pallets for further handling and processing.

US Patent:

60564296, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Oct 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/173999

Inventors:

James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Bharat K. Jani - East Brunswick NJ
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Susan B. Filardo - Tuxedo NY
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4710
B01F 1506
B01F 1502

US Classification:

366 761

Abstract:

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 which includes sets of heated plate members arranged in fan-type groupings. Heated diverter members are positioned beneath the sets of fan-type plates. A heated angled conduit section is positioned below the housing section and a heated storage section 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.

US Patent:

58532439, Dec 29, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725406

Inventors:

James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Bharat K. Jani - East Brunswick NJ
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Susan B. Filardo - Tuxedo NY
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

B29B 760

US Classification:

366 769

Abstract:

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 which includes sets of heated plate members arranged in fan-type groupings. Heated diverter members are positioned beneath the sets of fan-type plates. A heated angled conduit section is positioned below the housing section and a heated storage section 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.

US Patent:

6168306, Jan 2, 2001

Filed:

Nov 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/185787

Inventors:

Marc Degady - Morris Plains NJ
Kevin R. Tebrinke - Fort Madison IA
James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Susan B. Filardo - Tuxedo NY
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4766

US Classification:

366 761

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter with a curved outer end shape connects the side feeder to the main extruder internal bone which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.

US Patent:

58373020, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725359

Inventors:

Marc Degady - Morris Plains NJ
Kevin R. Tebrinke - Fort Madison IA
James A. Duggan - Machesney Park IL
Susan B. Filardo - Tuxedo NY
Tony R. Puri - Sparta NJ
Arthur W. Upmann - Rockton IL

Assignee:

Warner-Lambert Company - Morris Plains NJ

International Classification:

A23G 330

US Classification:

426 3

Abstract:

A process for processing polyvinylacetate and other similar ingredients of a gum base or chewing gum product are disclosed. The ingredient materials are separated into individual pieces by a lump breaker and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system to a cyclone receiver and holding bin. A volumetric feeder feeds the material into a side feeder which in turn introduces and feeds the material to the main continuous extruder used for making the final gum base or gum product. A unique adapter connects the side feeder to the main extruder which allows repair and/or modification of the side feeder without separating it from the main extruder.