System and method for conveying confection molds

A confection mold conveying system, the system comprising:

• one or more confection mold trays each having a top surface delimited by a first edge and having at least one mold cavity formed therein, a bottom surface, and a first tab protruding from the first edge;
• a first conveyor segment comprising a first pusher bar and a series of spaced apart first pusher fingers extending from the first pusher bar, wherein the first pusher fingers are each oriented to engage the one or more confection mold trays while the first pusher bar is translated in a first direction, wherein the first pusher fingers are each oriented to avoid engagement with the one or more confection mold trays while the first pusher bar is translated in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• and
• a second conveyor segment, aligned in the first direction with the first conveyor segment, positioned to receive the one or more confection mold trays from the first conveyor segment, the second conveyor segment including a first rotatable shaft with a first helical channel formed therein that is sized and configured to receive the first tab of at least one of the one or more confection mold trays, wherein rotation of the first rotatable shaft is configured to continuously advance the one or more confection mold trays in the first direction.