Apparatus for suctioning liquid during manufacture of frozen confectionary articles

In an apparatus for suctioning liquid from a mold during molding of an article wherein apparatus for suctioning the liquid is coupled with a vacuum pump, the apparatus improvements comprising:

• a valve coupled with the vacuum pump and configured for passage of a liquid into, through and out of the valve wherein the valve comprises (i) a reciprocative sleeve having opposing ends which define sleeve openings for passage of liquid from a first sleeve open end to a second sleeve open end and (ii) a valve sleeve base seat configured and positioned so that upon reciprocation of the sleeve to and from the valve sleeve base seat, the valve is opened and closed to flow of liquid through the valve;
• and
• a connecting piece connected to the valve for suctioning a liquid and passage of a suctioned liquid to the valve for passage through the valve wherein the connecting piece comprises (i) structure which defines a passage connected with the valve for passage of liquid from the connecting piece into the valve and (ii) a plate body which extends lengthwise and widthwise and which has a thickness and which is configured to provide plurality of passages for passage of liquid, wherein the passage pass through the plate body thickness from a length/width surface positioned opposite a length/width surface adjacent the valve and through the plate body structure passage to the valve.