# US 9,649,789 B2 · Device and method for producing a shaped consumable item > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,649,789 B2 - Document ID: US9649789B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/116,626 - Filed: 2012-05-11 - Published: 2014-03-13 - Granted: 2017-05-16 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-11 - Assignees: Buhler AG - Applicants: Frank Huperz; David Marcinkowski; Tanja Pack; Michael Paul - Inventors: Frank Huperz; David Marcinkowski; Tanja Pack; Michael Paul - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9649789B2 ## CPC - B29C 39/42: Casting under special conditions, e.g. vacuum - A23G 1/0076: {Processes for moulding hollow products, open shells or other articles having cavities, e.g. open cavities} - A23G 1/21: Apparatus for moulding hollow products, open shells or other articles having cavities, e.g. open cavities - A23G 3/0029: {Moulding processes for hollow products, e.g. opened shell} - A23G 3/0263: {Moulding apparatus for hollow products, e.g. opened shell} - B08B 1/165: {Scrapers} - B08B 3/08: the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract The invention relates to a device (1) for producing shaped consumable items from a fat mass, in particular a fat mass containing cocoa or a chocolate-like fat mass, comprising a housing (2) and at least one stamping plate (10) having at least one temperature-controllable stamp (13). The stamping plate (10) can be moved out of the housing (2) in order to clean or replace the stamping plate. The invention further relates to methods for cleaning and for replacing stamping plates (10) having at least one temperature-controlled stamp (13). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for producing shaped consumable items from a fatty substance, the apparatus comprising: a housing, a closable space being defined outside the housing, at least one stamping plate having at least one temperature-controllable stamp, a pair of rails facilitating movement of the stamping plate between a working position and a moved-out position located in the closable space, wherein the stamping plate is capable of being moved to the working position, in which the at least one temperature-controllable stamp is capable of being Introduced into at least one pouring mold located inside the housing, and the stamping plate is capable of being moved to the moved-out position located in the closable space and, when the at least one stamping plate is in the moved-out position, dried air is blown at the at least one stamp by way of at least one drying air feed line, and the closable space being subjected to the dried air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space is delimited by at least one wall in which at least one ventilation grille is provided for feeding in the dried air. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stamping plate is fitted to telescopic rails. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has a closable opening, and the stamping plate is formed and is capable of being moved out of the opening in such a manner that the stamping plate which has been moved out closes the opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the moved-out position, the stamping plate is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction in which the stamping plate is moved out. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a maintenance apparatus, which is located outside the housing, and wherein a receptacle for the stamping plate and the drying air feed line for the dried air are arranged in said maintenance apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the maintenance apparatus is closed partially or entirely by at least one wall, so that no or only a small air exchange takes place with ambient air outside the maintenance apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises a drying air system, which supplies the housing interior and the drying air feed line of the maintenance apparatus with the dried air. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a maintenance apparatus, the maintenance apparatus has the drying air feed line for the dried air and also a receptacle for a stamping plate, and is capable of being positioned in such a manner that the stamping plate located in the receptacle is not located above a pouring mold or a conveying apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the maintenance apparatus is closed partially or entirely by at least one wall, so that no or only a small air exchange takes place with ambient air outside the maintenance apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the maintenance apparatus has a connection for a coolant which is capable of being coupled to the stamping plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the maintenance apparatus additionally has a rolling cart for receiving the stamping plate. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for producing shaped consumable items from a fatty substance, the apparatus comprising: a housing and at least one stamping plate having at least one temperature-controllable stamp, a pair of rails facilitating movement of the stamping plate between a working position and a moved-out position located in a closable space, wherein the stamping plate is capable of being moved from the working position, in which the at least one temperature-controllable stamp is capable of being introduced into at least one pouring mold inside the housing, the stamping plate is also capable of being moved completely out of the housing into the moved-out position located in the closable space, and the closable space being provided outside the housing, and being delimited by at least one wall, into which closable space the at least one stamping plate can be moved out and which closable space being subjected to dried air.