US 5,657,687 AGranted

Device for conching chocolate compound

AssigneeCallebaut N.V.

InventorsFrans Callebaut, Rudy Bruyland

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Abstract

A conche for producing chocolate compound consists of a conche container (10) with a main chamber (12) and subsidiary chambers (13, 14). Mixing vanes (22, 23 and 30, 31) are disposed therein on central shafts (19, 20, 21) in order to intimately mix the components fed in from above. In order to improve the mixing effect, additional mixing tools in the form of mixing worms (37, 38) are disposed in the lower part of the conche container (10), in particular in the main chamber (12). Stripping means (24, 25) moved along a cylindrical container wall (15) are supported solely in the region of a central transverse plane on a main shaft (19) in the main chamber (12). The main shaft (19) is provided with a clear cross-sectional thickening (28) which at the same time fills a dead space in the conche container (10).

Claims17

Dependent claims

A device for mixing conching components for the production of chocolate compound, said device comprising:

a) a substantially cylindrical conche container (10) containing a driven central main shaft (19) which is rotatable about a horizontal axis in a central main chamber of the conche container (10);
b) a plurality of mixing tools (22, 23), disposed on the main shaft (19), for mixing the components in a first area of movement revolving near the main shaft (19);
c) stripping means (24, 25), rotatably arranged in the conche container (10), (24, 25) which revolve along an inner cylindrical surface of the conche container (10) and thus take effect in a peripheral area of movement near said cylindrical surface;
and
d) in the conche container (10), additional mixing means (37, 38) having a second area of movement which is located between said first area of movement of said mixing tools (22, 23) and the peripheral area of movement of the stripping means (24, 25), and having a separate drive.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.