Multi-veined chewing gum is produced by injecting a plurality of different liquid flavor/dye compositions into a substantially homogeneous gum base composition or into a laminated or coextruded gum composition. The injection may be performed while the gum composition is being conveyed in one or more extruder head barrels, the injection being at a plurality of radial and/or circumferential positions in the barrel. In embodiments of the invention 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. The extrudate is cut to obtain gum pieces having different veins of injected liquid additives which provide a swirled or marbleized pattern in the opposing cut ends. The injected liquid additive compositions may include flavors, dyes, lakes, high intensity sweeteners, therapeutic agents, breath freshening agents, and mixtures thereof. 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 using a rotatable sleeve or gum rope twisting device.
Dissolvable oral tablets and mini-bars which contain healthful ingredients. The products contain a multitude of discrete, extruded sections containing different healthful ingredients. A wide variety of active ingredients includes oxygen enhancers, vitamins, enzymes, dehydrated foods, pycnogenols, food supplements, soy proteins, herbs, roots, and mints. The tablets and mini-bars may be prepared by extruding discrete sections and matrix, all containing active ingredients, cutting the resulting shape for the tablet and mini-bar, and coating with dehydrated food. The tablets and mini-bars may supply needed active ingredients following natural disasters or prior to surgery or may be taken for general use. The products may be contained in a thermal insulating wrapper having an inner piece, an outer piece, and a corrugated piece between the inner and outer pieces. The products may be stored in a thermally insulating luminous canteen container having a primary container having a removable cover and a plurality of secondary containers affixed to the outer wall of the primary container, which containers have removable attached covers. The container may be constructed of hypoallergenic thermoplastic rubber, and may contain a compass and a signaling mirror. These containers also hold water and first aid supplies. The canteen containers may be supplied to survivors of natural disasters or used for general utility.
An extruded article having elongated variegations is described. The variegated extruded article has a plurality of elongated variegations that are substantially parallel to the direction of extrusion of the article. The number of elongated variegations in the article and the widths of the variegations can be adjusted by modifying processing conditions.
A confectionery product having improved shelf life comprises one or more sensation producing ingredients having relatively high moisture absorbing characteristics; and confectionery having relatively low moisture absorbing properties; wherein the one or more sensation producing ingredients is at least substantially encased in the confectionery such that the confectionery serves as a moisture barrier to improve the shelf life of the confectionery product.
A confectionery product comprising chocolate or a fat-containing confectionery material together with a chewy sweet component having a base of a continuous syrup comprising a solution of sugars, sugar substitutes and/or glucose syrups in water characterised in that the confectionery product comprises a chocolate matrix having veins or strands of chewy sweet dispersed throughout.
A new chewing gum with teeth whitener for helping whiten and brighten teeth while helping freshen the breath. The inventive device includes an elongate gum member having a central bore extending along its longitudinal axis. Extending through the central bore to substantially fill the central bore is a whitening gel which includes a whitening agent for whitening teeth while chewing the gum. The elongate gum member is divided along its length into a plurality of separable chewing portions such that each chewing portion includes portion of the gum member and a portion of the whitening gel member.