One-Pass Chewing Gum Cooling With Separate Cooling Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for chewing gum require multiple passes, which can cause the gum to break or rupture due to turning or bending, especially for friable compositions.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a one-pass design that utilizes a conveying device to move gum through separate upper and lower cooling environments, combining conductive and convective cooling methods, and includes humidity control to prevent damage and ensure effective temperature reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems use multiple passes to cool chewing gum, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the chewing gum may break or rupture due to turning or bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-dimension cooling approach (multiple passes through the same cooling zone) to a two-dimensional approach by dividing the cooling housing into upper and lower cooling environments. The conveying device passes through both environments in a single continuous motion, allowing cooling to occur simultaneously from both above and below the gum without requiring the gum to turn or bend.
2Temperature
If multiple cooling passes are used, then the temperature reduction is improved, but the process time increases due to multiple turns and bends
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct upper and lower cooling environments, each with its own cooling systems. This segmentation allows the gum to be cooled simultaneously from both environments during a single pass, eliminating the need for multiple sequential passes and reducing total process time.
3Temperature
If humidity is not controlled during cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but moisture absorption occurs when humidity exceeds dew point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a humidity control system with sensors and feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the humidity levels within the cooling housing. When humidity approaches the dew point, the system automatically activates dehumidification or heating elements to maintain humidity below the dew point, preventing moisture condensation on the cooled gum.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively cools friable chewing gum without breaking it, achieving uniform temperature distribution and reducing process time, while maintaining humidity levels below the gum's dew point to prevent moisture absorption.
Implementation Method 1
combining conductive and convective cooling methods
Implementation Method 2
combining conductive and convective cooling methods
Implementation Method 3
maintaining humidity levels below the gum's dew point to prevent moisture absorption
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for cooling chewing gum, the system including a cooling housing including a relatively upper cooling environment and a relatively lower cooling environment, a conveying device configured to convey the chewing gum from an entry point to an exit point of the cooling housing, the conveying device at least partially delimiting the relatively upper cooling environment from the relatively lower cooling environment, a first cooling system configured to provide cooling output to the relatively upper cooling environment, and second cooling system configured to provide cooling output to the relatively lower cooling environment, wherein the relatively upper cooling environment and the relatively lower cooling environment are disposed in fluid separation from each other.