Methods for conveying confection molds

A method comprising:

• translating, in a first direction, a pusher bar having a series of spaced apart pusher fingers extending therefrom, wherein the pusher fingers are each oriented to engage one or more confection mold trays while the pusher bar is translated in the first direction;
• translating, in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, the pusher bar, wherein the pusher fingers are each oriented to avoid engagement with the one or more confection mold trays while the pusher bar is translated in the second direction, and wherein the pusher bar is translated in the first direction and the second direction within a first conveyor segment of a confection mold conveyor;
• and
• while the pusher bar is translated in the first direction and the second direction, rotating a rotatable shaft with a helical channel formed therein that is sized and configured to move the one or more confection mold trays, wherein the rotatable shaft is included within a second conveyor segment of the confection mold conveyor and is positioned to receive the one or more confection mold trays from the first conveyor segment.

A method comprising:

• conveying, by intermittent movement, one or more confection mold trays in a first direction along a first conveyor segment of a confection mold conveyor;
• transitioning the one or more confection mold trays from the first conveyor segment to a second conveyor segment of the confection mold conveyor, the second conveyor segment aligned with the first conveyor segment;
• and
• conveying, by continuous movement, the one or more confection mold trays along the second 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 at least a portion of the one or more confection mold trays, and wherein rotation of the first rotatable shaft is configured to continuously advance the one or more confection mold trays in the first direction.