Systems and methods for efficient pellet manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for separating a trimmed segment from a main body of a food structure, the method comprising: forming a trimmed score line in the main body of the food structure to define the trimmed segment in the main body of the food structure; and actively applying force to the trimmed segment via a force generating device to separate the trimmed segment from the main body of the food structure along the trimmed score line.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 62 / 880,467, filed on July 30, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to food manufacturing methods and systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems for separating at least a portion of a food structure after scoring and / or cutting the food structure. Background Art

[0004] Typically, the method for making and packaging food such as confectionery or chewing gum is very time-consuming and involves a large amount of mechanical equipment. For example, the method for making and packaging gum products may include mixing and producing finished gum as uneven output, extruding finished gum and forming into bars, conditioning the bars of finished gum, extruding bars into the continuous thin sheet of finished gum, rolling the continuous sheet over a series of rollers to a uniform reduced thickness, scoring the sheet and dividing it into each scored sheet, conditioning each sheet in the conditioning room, dividing the sheet into gum pieces and packaging gum pieces. Such methods for making and packaging gum products are disclosed in the U.S. Patent No. 6,254,373 of the former interest person assigned to the assignee and the U.S. Patent No. 12 / 352,110 assigned to the assignee; the teaching and disclosure of the patent and patent application, as long as it is not contradictory to the present disclosure, are incorporated herein by reference as a whole.

[0005] During the manufacturing process, the lateral edge of gum is removed usually so that the outermost piece formed in gum has the edge of expectation. The material trimmed or removed from the edge of gum can be circulated back to the upstream part of manufacturing system to reduce waste. This material trimming carried out in existing manufacturing system is usually included in the gum and forms one or more notches to limit the part to be pruned of gum. Gum through notch is such as supported by sliding surface or slide plate. However, the width of gum through notch is greater than the width of sliding surface so that the part to be pruned of gum is not directly supported by sliding surface. Therefore, the gravity acting on the part to be pruned of gum causes these parts at the outermost edge of gum to separate with the remainder of gum along the score line.

[0006] While this method of separating the trimmed portion of gum via gravity is suitable when the edge of the formed piece has a planar configuration, this method may not be suitable for trimming material along a score having a non-linear configuration. This may be due to the increased length (measured in a vertical plane) that the trimmed material must be separated from the remainder and / or because the gravity acting on the trimmed portion is only partially applied in the direction of separation. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one embodiment, a method for separating a trimmed segment from a body of a food structure includes: forming a trim score line in the body of the food structure to define the trimmed segment in the body of the food structure; and actively applying force to the trimmed segment via a force generating device to separate the trimmed segment from the body of the food structure along the trim score line.

[0008] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, actively applying a force to the trimming segment via the force generating device includes applying tension to the trimming segment.

[0009] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the force generating device includes a roller.

[0010] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, actively applying a force to the trimming segment via the force generating device includes applying a shear force to the trimming segment.

[0011] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the force generating device includes at least one compressed air delivery unit.

[0012] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the force is applied to the trimming segment at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0014] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, a component of the force applied to the trimming segment is arranged in the fracture direction.

[0015] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the trim score line has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the main body of the food structure.

[0016] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, forming the trim score line in the body of the food structure further comprises forming a plurality of scores to define a plurality of portions in the body of the food structure.

[0017] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the plurality of portions are blocks.

[0018] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the plurality of portions are pellets.

[0019] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, includes forming the food mass into the body of the food structure via a forming system.

[0020] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the operation of forming the food mass into a body of a food structure occurs upstream of the operation of forming the trim score line.

[0021] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the operation of forming the food mass into the body of the food structure occurs substantially simultaneously with the operation of forming the trim score line.

[0022] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, include positioning the trimming segment relative to the force generating device.

[0023] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in another embodiment, the trimming score line is formed via a scoring device or a cutting device, and positioning the trimming segment relative to the force generating device also includes applying force to the trimming segment via a feature formed in the scoring device or the cutting device.

[0024] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the trim score line has a non-linear configuration.

[0025] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the trim score line has a zigzag configuration.

[0026] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments the food structure comprises chewing gum.

[0027] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the food structure comprises a confectionery.

[0028] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the actively applied force is a mechanical driving force.

[0029] According to another embodiment, a food manufacturing system includes a scoring device or a cutting device operable to form a trim score line in a food structure. A trim separation system is disposed downstream of the scoring device or the cutting device. The trim separation system includes at least one force generating device operable to apply a force to a trim segment defined by the trim score line to separate the trim segment from the food structure along the trim score line.

[0030] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the force applied by the at least one force generating device applies tension to the trimming segment.

[0031] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one force generating device is a roller.

[0032] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one force generating device is operable to apply a shear force to the trimming segment.

[0033] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one force generating device is a compressed air delivery unit.

[0034] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one force generating device is arranged at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the food structure.

[0035] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0036] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, a component of the force applied to the trimming segment by the at least one force generating device is arranged in the fracture direction.

[0037] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the trim score line has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the food structure.

[0038] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, a forming system is included for forming and sizing the food mass into the food structure.

[0039] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the forming system is arranged upstream of the scoring device or the cutting device.

[0040] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the scoring device or cutting device is integrated into the forming system.

[0041] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the scoring or cutting device includes a feature operable to engage the trimming segment to position the trimming segment relative to the at least one force generating device.

[0042] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the feature comprises a helical protrusion aligned with the trimming segment.

[0043] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments the food structure comprises chewing gum.

[0044] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the food product comprises a confectionery.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment, a method for separating a trimmed segment from a main body of a food structure along a trim score line includes continuously applying a force to a web of material at the trim score line via a mechanical drive. The force is applied in a plane parallel to a surface of the food structure. The web is ruptured via the force to separate the trimmed segment from the main body of the food structure.

[0046] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the force applied to the web includes a first component and a second component, and the first component extends in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

[0047] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the first component of the force is less than the second component of the force.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the second component of the force extends in the direction of travel of the food structure.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the second component of the force extends perpendicular to the direction of travel of the food structure.

[0050] In addition or alternatively to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, continuously applying a force to the web at the trim score line via a mechanical drive further comprises contacting a trim segment with the mechanical drive.

[0051] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments the mechanical drive comprises a roller.

[0052] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments the mechanical drive device comprises at least one compressed air delivery unit.

[0053] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, further embodiments further include forming a trim score line in the body of the food structure to define a trim segment.

[0054] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, forming the trim score line in the body of the food structure further comprises forming a plurality of scores to define a plurality of portions in the body of the food structure.

[0055] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the plurality of portions are blocks.

[0056] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the plurality of portions are pellets.

[0057] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, includes forming the food mass into the body of the food structure via a forming system.

[0058] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the operation of forming the food mass into a body of a food structure occurs upstream of the operation of forming the trim score line.

[0059] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments the food structure comprises chewing gum.

[0060] In addition or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the food structure comprises a confectionery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embody several aspects of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0062] Figure 1A is a plan view of a gum structure having a plurality of score lines formed therein according to one embodiment;

[0063] Figure 1B According to an implementation scheme Figure 1A A side view of a portion of an engraved gum structure;

[0064] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a gum manufacturing system;

[0065] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of another gum manufacturing system;

[0066] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a trimming and separation system of a gum manufacturing system according to one embodiment;

[0067] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a trim separation system according to one embodiment;

[0068] Figure 6 According to an implementation scheme Figure 5 A detailed perspective view of a portion of a trim separation system;

[0069] Figure 7 According to an implementation scheme Figure 6 A detailed perspective view of a portion of a trim separation system;

[0070] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a trimming and separation system of a gum manufacturing system according to one embodiment; and

[0071] Fig. 9 According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional view is taken in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the gum structure. Figure 8 Cross section of the trimmed segment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The following disclosure will detail specific embodiments that provide improvements for separating waste fractions generated during food manufacturing. Foods may include any type of edible product, including, but not limited to, for example, chewing gum (at any stage, including elastomers, semi-finished bases, finished chewing gum bases, and finished chewing gum), confectionery (which may be synonymous with chewing gum, candy, or a combination of chewing gum and candy), sweet and savory biscuits, cakes, nuts, and cereals, etc. In one embodiment, a food may include any edible product formed into a sheet during manufacturing.

[0073] For ease of description, in the remainder of the specification, food will be referred to as chewing gum herein. It should also be understood that some compositions of chewing gum may have inhomogeneous texture and / or multilayer composition. Chewing gum as herein described is referred to as "chewing gum" or "gum" and includes but is not limited to the composition (including composite elastomer and finished gum) from composite elastomer to finished gum, the composition may include composite elastomer plus some composite adjuvants, gum base masterbatch, composite elastomer plus some subsequent gum ingredients, composite elastomer plus some gum base ingredients and some subsequent gum ingredients, gum base, gum base plus some subsequent gum ingredients, finished gum masterbatch and finished gum.

[0074] During the chewing gum manufacturing process, one or more segments of a gum structure may be removed to form a portion of a gum structure having a desired configuration or profile. The removed segments of the gum structure are referred to herein as "trimmed segments".

[0075] An example of a gum structure 20 having one or more trim segments 22 is shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B 20 is a kind of gum sheet material with a main body, and this main body comprises a plurality of parts 24 formed therein.In the non-limiting embodiment of exemplification, a plurality of parts 24 are single pieces, and are balls in some embodiments.Gum balls have inhomogeneous thickness usually, such as hexagonal, pillow or spherical shapes, and are usually coated with one or more coating materials to form finished confectionery.However, it should be understood that the embodiment that wherein gum structure 20 has another kind of shape and the embodiment that wherein the part 24 of gum structure 20 has different configurations such as slab or piece with rod-like configuration (generally rectangular shape) are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] Adjacent portions or pieces 24 formed in the gum structure 20 are typically defined by one or more score lines 26 (also referred to herein as "scores"). For purposes of this disclosure, a "score" may be defined as a cut that extends through the gum structure 20 to a depth that is less than the entire height of the gum structure 20, such that completely separated portions of the gum structure 20 are not created. Thus, for example, a thin web 27 (in the example of FIG. 1 ) having a thickness of less than 30% of the height of the gum structure 20 may be formed. Figure 1B 26 will extend between adjacent portions or pieces 24 of the gum structure 20. When the gum structure 20 is scored or cut through to a depth that is less than the entire height of the gum structure 20, forward movement of the gum structure 20 will transfer each of the portions 24 of the gum structure 20 defined by the scores 26 into a single (continuous or non-continuous) structure. Thus, when the scores 26 do not extend through the entire height or thickness of the gum structure 20, the gum structure 20 may move as a single unit.

[0077] The one or more trim segments 22 of the gum structure 20 are generally located at the outer perimeter of the gum structure 20. However, trim segments 22 located at another location relative to the gum structure 20 are also contemplated herein. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, a first trim segment 22 is defined at a first lateral edge 28 of the gum structure 20 and extends to an outermost edge 30 of an adjacent portion 24 (specifically, a block formed in the gum structure 20). Similarly, a second trim segment 22 is located at a second lateral edge 32 opposite the first lateral edge 28 and extends to an outermost edge 30 of an adjacent portion 24 formed in the gum structure 20. The score defining the outermost edge 30 of the portion 24 and the trim segment 22 may be referred to herein as a trim score or trim score line 36. Thus, the trim score line 36 may have a configuration that is complementary to the contour of the portion 24 formed in the gum structure 20. In Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the trim score line 36 has a non-linear configuration. For example, the entire trim score line 36 extending the length of the food structure (measured along the direction of travel of the food structure) is not arranged in a single vertical plane. More specifically, the trim score line 36 is shown as having a zigzag configuration that is complementary to the profile of the pill 24. It should be understood that a trim score line 36 having another configuration is also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0078] In one embodiment, the trim score lines 36 defining one or more trim segments 22 may be formed simultaneously with the scores 26 defining portions or pieces 24 in the gum structure 20. In other embodiments, the trim score lines 36 defining the trim segments 22 may be formed after or downstream of the formation of the scores 26 defining the plurality of portions or pieces 24, or alternatively, may be formed before or upstream of the formation of the scores 26 defining the plurality of portions or pieces 24 in the gum structure 20.

[0079] Before forming the trim scores 36 therein, the gum structure 20 is formed into a desired shape and size. Figure 2 As best shown in FIG. 4 , within a gum manufacturing system 40, a gum mass 42 may be formed into a gum structure 20 via a forming station schematically shown at 44. Although the gum mass 42 is shown as being generally unformed or non-uniform in the figures, it should be understood that embodiments are also contemplated herein in which the gum mass 42 has a uniform cross-section over its length, such as an embodiment resulting from extrusion through a die located upstream of the forming station 44. The forming station 44 may include any mechanism or assembly capable of forming and / or sizing the gum mass 42 into a gum structure 20 having a desired thickness, such as between .3 mm and 10 mm. Prior to forming the trim score 36, the gum structure 20 may be sized by the forming station 44 into a sheet having generally flat upper and lower surfaces and a substantially uniform thickness. In one embodiment, the forming station 44 includes two forming rollers, as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 522,767 filed on November 16, 2102. Alternatively or in addition, the forming station 44 may include an extrusion device and / or one or more rolling devices. Although the gum structure 20 is shown as being output from the forming station 44 as a continuous sheet, embodiments in which the gum structure 20 has another shape are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] Continue to refer Figure 2 In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the continuous gum structure 20 output from the forming station 44 is transported downstream by a transport device 46 (such as a conveyor) to at least one scoring device or cutting device 48. The scoring device or cutting device 48 is shown in the figure as being located directly downstream of the forming station 44. However, one or more additional system components (not shown) may be disposed between the forming station 44 and the at least one scoring device or cutting device 48.

[0081] In one embodiment, the at least one scoring device or cutting device 48 includes two scoring rollers 48 disposed on opposite sides of the gum structure 20, i.e., above and below the gum structure 20, such as Figure 2 However, any configuration of one or more scoring devices or cutting devices 48 is contemplated herein. Figure 3 In another embodiment best shown in FIG. 1 , at least one scoring or cutting device 48 may include a first scoring roller 48 configured to score the gum structure 20 in a first direction, such as parallel to the direction of travel of the gum structure, and a second roller 48 located downstream of the first scoring roller 48 and configured to score the gum structure 20 in a second direction, such as perpendicular to the direction of travel of the gum structure 20. The scoring or cutting device 48 defines not only a plurality of portions 24, such as slabs or pieces, in a continuous gum structure 20, but also trimmed segments 22 of the gum structure 20. However, embodiments are also contemplated herein that include a scoring or cutting device 48 that is configured to form trim scores 36 that define one or more trim segments 22, but does not form scores 26 that define a plurality of portions 24 in the gum structure 20.

[0082] At least one scoring device or cutting device 48 is shown as being separate from and downstream of the forming station 44. In an alternative embodiment, the functionality of one or more of the scoring device or cutting device 48 can be integrated into the forming station 44, so that the forming station is not only operable to determine the size of the gum mass, but also operable to form the trim scores 36 and / or scores 26. For example, in one embodiment, the forming station 44 includes a pair of rollers having one or more surfaces that form the individual portions 24 in the gum mass as the gum mass 42 passes through a gap defined between the pair of rollers. In such embodiments, the gum mass 42 is simultaneously formed into a desired size and shape and scored to form a plurality of portions or pieces 24.

[0083] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the gum manufacturing system 40 may further include a trim separation system 60 operable to separate one or more trim segments 22 from the gum structure 20 by actively applying a mechanical driving force, such as a force other than gravity, to the trim segments 22. The trim separation system 60 may be located generally downstream of one or more components (such as the forming station 44 and / or the scoring or cutting device 48) that form the trim scores 36 in the gum structure 20. Thus, in some embodiments, the trim separation system 60 is located downstream of all of the scoring or cutting devices 48, or alternatively, downstream of only a portion of the scoring or cutting devices 48. Once the one or more trim segments 22 are removed from the gum structure 20, the gum structure 20 may be provided to a downstream component or system of the gum manufacturing system, such as a device operable to separate the plurality of portions 24.

[0084] An example of a trim separation system 60 is shown in more detail at Figures 4 to 7As shown, the trimming separation system 60 is directly located downstream of at least one scoring device or cutting device 48, and includes at least one mechanical drive device, also referred to herein as a force generating device 62, which is operable to apply force to the corresponding trimming segment 22 of the gum structure 20. As shown, the movable surface of the force generating device is operable to directly engage the trimming segment 22. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the force generating device 62 includes a roller driven around the rotation axis X. However, embodiments in which the force generating device 62 includes a conveyor, any other suitable device, or a combination of multiple devices such as a conveyor and a roller are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0085] The force generating device 62 may be positioned near the edge 28 or 32 of the gum structure 20, e.g., vertically aligned with at least a portion of the trim segment 22. Thus, a portion of the force generating device 62 is configured to contact the trim segment 22. Although the force generating device 62 is shown as being vertically located above the trim segment 22, in other embodiments, the force generating device 62 may be disposed below the trim segment 22 or adjacent to a side of the trim segment 22. In one embodiment, the force generating device 62 does not extend inwardly beyond the trim score line 36, and therefore does not overlap or contact any portion of the remainder of the gum structure 20.

[0086] As shown, the force generating device 62 is mounted at an outwardly extending angle (shown as θ) relative to the direction of travel of the gum structure 20. In one embodiment, the angle θ is greater than 0° and less than about 90°. For example, the angle θ may be between about 5° and about 60°, between about 5° and about 45°, and between about 5° and 30°. In embodiments where the trimming and separation system 60 includes both rollers and a conveyor (see Figure 6 ), the rollers and the conveyor are generally parallel to each other. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the trim separation system 60 includes a first force generating device 62 disposed adjacent to the first edge 28 of the gum structure 20 and a second force generating device 62 disposed adjacent to the second opposing edge 32 of the gum structure 20, such that the trim segments 22 can be removed from the gum structure 20 substantially simultaneously. In such embodiments, the force generating devices 62 can be mounted at equal but opposite angles relative to the direction of travel. However, embodiments in which the force generating devices 62 are mounted at different angles are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0087] By orienting one or more force generating devices 62 at an outward angle relative to the direction of travel of the gum structure 20, at least one component of the force applied by the force generating device 62 to the trimming segment 22 is applied in a breaking direction that extends generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the gum structure.

[0088] When the gum structure 20 passes through the trimming separation system 60, one or more force generating devices 62 engage the corresponding trimming segments 22. As a result of this engagement, the force generating devices 62 exert a force on the trimming segments 22 that is generally away from the trimming score 36. The force applied to the trimming segments 22 by the rollers 62 along the breaking direction causes the trimming segments 22 to separate from the gum structure 20 along the trimming score 36 via the application of tension or tension. In one embodiment, the drive device 62 can move at a speed different from the speed of the gum structure 20 along the direction of travel. This speed difference can further increase the force applied by the drive device 62 to the gum structure 20.

[0089] Reference now Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In another embodiment, the force generating device 62 of the trim separation system 60 includes one or more compressed air delivery units to facilitate separating the trim segment 22 from one or more edges of the gum structure 20. The compressed air delivery unit 62 may be operated in conjunction with or independently of the one or more force generating devices 62 previously described herein to help separate the trim segment 22 from the gum structure 20 along the trim score 36.

[0090] When the gum structure 20 is output from the one or more scoring devices or cutting devices 48, compressed air from at least one compressed air delivery unit 62 is applied to the surface of the trimmed segments 22. As shown, the compressed air delivery unit can be located near each trimmed segment of the trimmed segments 22. The compressed air discharged by the compressed air delivery unit 62 is used to fully separate or at least partially separate the trimmed segments 22 from the gum structure 20 along the trimming score 36. Fig. 9 As best shown, the compressed air applied to the trim segment 22 may flow in a generally vertical direction, such as vertically downward. In such embodiments, the compressed air is applied to the upper surface 23 of the trim segment 22, and the resultant force generated by applying the compressed air thereto causes the trim segment 22 to separate from the gum structure 20 via shearing along the trim score 36. In other embodiments, the direction of the compressed air may be oriented such that a component of the force applied by the compressed air to the surface 23 of the trim segment 22 is applied in the fracture direction.

[0091] Regardless of the configuration of the trimming and separation system 60, in one embodiment, at least one scoring device or cutting device 48 located directly upstream of the trimming and separation system 60 includes a feature 70 operable to apply a force to the trimming segment in a breaking direction. In one embodiment, the force applied to the trimming segment by the feature is used to move the trimming segment 22 into a desired position relative to the adjacent force generating device 62. The feature 70 is generally located at a position at the cutting and scoring device 48 that is aligned with the corresponding trimming segment 22. Figure 7As best shown, the feature 70 is positioned adjacent to the end 72 of the scoring or cutting device 48 and is configured to contact the trimming segment 22 when the gum structure 20 traverses the scoring or cutting device 48. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the feature 70 includes a protrusion having a spiral configuration. However, other suitable features are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0092] As the scoring or cutting device 48 rotates about its axis of rotation, the starting point 74 of the feature 70 engages a portion of the trim segment 22, such as near the trim score line 36. As the scoring or cutting device 48 continues to rotate, the trim segment 22 remains in contact with the feature 70. Thus, as the scoring or cutting device 48 rotates about its axis of rotation, each progressive wrap of the feature 70 gradually moves the trim segment 22 laterally outward in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the gum structure 20. The configuration of the feature 70 is selected based on the consistency of the gum and the total distance of the trim segment to be moved.

[0093] It should be understood that the trimming separation system 60 shown and described herein can be a part of a continuous and / or online gum manufacturing system, and can be arranged in line with a scoring device or a cutting device 48. Comprise that the trimming separation system 60 allows continuous and rapid gum production. Actively apply force to the trimming segments 22 to separate the trimming segments 22 from the remainder of the gum structure 20 by using the trimming separation system 60, the trimming segments 22 are more easily removed than existing systems. In addition, via applying force thereto, the trimming segments 22 can be cut off more cleanly from the gum structure 20, thereby limiting the deformation of the gum structure 20, which is particularly advantageous during the formation of a piece or pill 24 with an irregularly formed edge.

[0094] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0095] In the case of describing the present invention (especially in the case of the attached claims), unless otherwise specified herein or the context clearly contradicts, the use of the terms "one", "a", "said" and similar indicators should be understood to cover both singular and plural meanings. Unless otherwise specified, the terms "comprising", "having", "including" and "containing" should be interpreted as open terms (i.e., meaning "including but not limited to"). Unless otherwise specified herein, the description of the numerical range herein is intended only as a shorthand method for individually referring to each individual numerical value falling within the range, and each individual numerical value is incorporated into this specification as if it is individually described herein. Unless otherwise specified herein or the context clearly contradicts, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order. Unless otherwise stated, the use of any and all examples or exemplary languages ​​(e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended only to better illustrate the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of the present invention. No language in this specification should be interpreted as indicating that any non-claimed element is necessary for the implementation of the present invention.

[0096] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode of implementing the present invention known to the inventor. To those skilled in the art, after reading the foregoing description, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent. The inventor expects that those skilled in the art will appropriately adopt these variations, and the inventor intends that the present invention be implemented in other ways except the specific ways described herein. Accordingly, subject to the applicable legal permission, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter stated in the attached claims. In addition, unless otherwise specified herein or the context clearly contradicts, the present invention encompasses any combination of all possible variations of the elements described above.

Claims

1. A method for separating a trimmed segment from a main body of a food structure, the method comprising: forming a trim score line in the body of the food structure to define the trim segment in the body of the food structure, wherein the trim segment is disposed laterally between the trim score line and an outer perimeter of the food structure; as well as actively applying a force to the trim segment via a force generating device to separate the trim segment from the main body of the food structure along the trim score line; the force is applied to the trim segment at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the main body of the food structure; the angle is greater than 0° and less than 90°; and wherein the force applied to the trimming segment includes a component extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a body of the food structure. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein actively applying a force to the trimming segment via the force generating device comprises applying tension to the trimming segment. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the force generating device comprises at least one of a roller and at least one compressed air delivery unit. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein actively applying a force to the trimming segment via the force generating device comprises applying a shear force to the trimming segment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is a first component and the force comprises a second component, the second component of the force extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a food mass into the body of the food structure via a forming system upstream of the operation of forming the trim score line.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the operation of forming the food mass into the body of the food structure and the operation of forming the trim score line occur substantially simultaneously.

8. A food manufacturing system, comprising: a scoring device or cutting device operable to form a trim score line in the food structure; as well as A trim separation system, the trim separation system being arranged downstream of the scoring device or the cutting device, the trim separation system comprising at least one force generating device operable to apply a force to a trim segment laterally defined between the trim score line and the outer periphery of the food structure to separate the trim segment from the food structure along the trim score line; the at least one force generating device being arranged at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the food structure; the angle being greater than 0° and less than 90°, wherein the force applied to the trim segment includes a component extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one force generating device is at least one of a roller and a compressed air delivery unit.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the component is a first component and the force includes a second component, the second component of the force extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

11. The system of claim 8, said food manufacturing system further comprising a forming system for forming and sizing a food mass into said food structure.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the forming system is arranged upstream of the scoring device or the cutting device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the scoring device or cutting device is integrated into the forming system.

14. A method for separating a trim segment from a main body of a food structure along a trim score line, the method comprising: continuously applying a force to the web of the trim score lines via a mechanical drive, the force being applied in a plane parallel to the surface of the food structure at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure; the angle being greater than 0° and less than 90°; and rupturing the web via the force to separate the trim segment from the body of the food structure, wherein the trim segment is disposed laterally between the trim score line and an outer perimeter of the food structure; and wherein the force applied to the web includes a component extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the component is a first component and the force includes a second component, the first component of the force being less than the second component of the force.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the component is a first component and the force includes a second component, the second component of the force extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the food structure.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the mechanical drive device comprises at least one of a roller and at least one compressed air delivery unit.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming the trim score line in the body of the food structure to define the trim segment.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming a food mass into the body of the food structure via a forming system upstream of the trim score line.

20. A method for separating a trimmed segment from a main body of a food structure, the method comprising: forming a trim score line in the body of the food structure to define the trim segment in the body of the food structure, the trim segment being disposed between the trim score line and an outer perimeter of the body of the food structure; as well as actively applying force via a force generating device only to the trim segment to separate the trim segment from the main body of the food structure along the trim score line; wherein the force applied to the trimming segment includes a component extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

21. A food manufacturing system, comprising: a scoring device or cutting device operable to form a trim score line in the food structure; as well as a trim separation system disposed downstream of the scoring device or the cutting device, the trim separation system comprising at least one force generating device operable to apply a force only to a trim segment defined between the trim score line and an outer perimeter of the food structure to separate the trim segment from the food structure along the trim score line; wherein the force applied to the trimming segment includes a component extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

22. A method for separating a trim segment from a main body of a food structure along a trim score line, the method comprising: continuously applying a force via a mechanical drive only to the web at the trim score line, the force being applied in a plane parallel to the surface of the food structure; as well as rupturing the web via the force to separate the trim segment from the body of the food structure, the trim segment being defined between the trim score line and an outer perimeter of the body of the food structure; wherein the force applied to the trimming segment includes a component extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the body of the food structure.

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