Method and apparatus for molding confectionary products

In a method for use in the manufacture of confectionary products and the like, in which a hardenable liquid medium of higher temperature is deposited into contact with the outer surface of a fluid-cooled rotatable roll at a lower temperature, for cooling and hardening of the hardenable liquid medium during contact with the rotatable roll, wherein a generally cylindrical roll is carried by the shaft for rotation of the roll;

• wherein cooling fluid is supplied to the interior of the roll after cooling the outer surface of the roll to solidify confectionary medium thereon;
• wherein cooling fluid interior of the roll is brought into contact with the inner surface of the roll, the improvement comprising:
• separating the cooling fluid within the roll to distinct cooling zones at the interior surface of the roll and directing and dispersing the cooling fluid supplied to the roll, into the separate cooling zones, wherein the step of directing cooling fluid includes providing a plurality of inner, generally cylindrical shell, rotatably carried for rotation with and inside the roll;
• the shells generally having outer peripheries of less peripheral dimensions than, and spaced apart inwardly of the inner periphery of the interior surface means of the roll, and having opposite ends.

In an apparatus for use in the manufacture of solidified products from a liquid medium, in which a hardenable liquid medium of higher temperature is deposited into contact with the outer surface of a fluid-cooled rotatable roll at a lower temperature, for cooling and hardening of the hardenable liquid medium during contact with the rotatable roll, wherein the apparatus includes:

• (a) a shaft;
• (b) a generally cylindrical roll carried by the shaft for rotation of the roll;
• (c) the roll having an outer generally cylindrical surface and inner surface means;
• (d) means supplying cooling fluid to the interior of the roll;
• (e) means receiving cooling fluid from the interior of the roll;
• (f) means disposed interior of the roll for directing cooling fluid interior of the roll into contact with inner surface means of said roll;
• the improvement comprising:
• (g) means creating separate cooling zones at the interior surface means of said roll;
• and
• (h) means for directing and dispersing cooling fluid supplied to the roll, into said separate cooling zones, wherein the means for directing cooling fluid include a plurality of inner, generally cylindrical shells, rotatably carried for rotation with and inside the roll;
• the shells generally having outer peripheries of lesser peripheral dimensions than, and spaced apart inwardly of the inner periphery of the interior surface means of the roll, and having opposite ends.

In a method for use in the manufacture of solidified products from a liquid medium, in which a hardenable liquid medium of higher temperature is deposited into contact with the outer surface of a fluid-cooled rotatable roll at a lower temperature, for cooling and hardening of the hardenable liquid medium during contact with the rotatable roll, wherein a generally cylindrical roll is carried by the shaft for rotation of the roll;

• wherein cooling fluid is supplied to the interior of the roll;
• wherein cooling fluid is withdrawn from the interior of the roll after cooling the outer surface of the roll to solidify confectionary medium thereon;
• wherein cooling fluid interior of the roll is brought into contact with the inner surface of the roll, the improvement comprising:
• separating the cooling fluid within the roll to distinct cooling zones at the interior surface of the roll and directing and dispersing the cooling fluid supplied to the roll, into the separate cooling zones, wherein the step of directing cooling fluid includes providing a plurality of inner, generally cylindrical shells, rotatably carried for rotation with and inside the roll;
• the shells generally having outer peripheries of less peripheral dimensions than, and spaced apart inwardly of the inner periphery of the interior surface means of the roll, and having opposite ends.