US 9,848,618 B2 · Method and machine for producing a confectionary product

Abstract

A method for producing a confectionary product (1), comprises the steps of extruding a confectionary substance to form a confectionary string, shearing an end portion (5) from a remaining part (7) of the confectionary string (2), resting the end portion (5) on a conveying surface (8) already before the separation of the end portion (5) and completing the separation of the end portion (5) from the remaining part (7) of the confectionary string (2) while the end portion (5) is resting on the conveying surface (8).

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims6

Dependent claims

Method for producing a confectionary product, comprising the steps of:

forming a confectionary string by extruding a confectionary substance through an extruder nozzle in an extrusion direction, and wherein the confectionary substance has a lower surface facing vertically downward while the confectionary substance is extruded through the extruder nozzle,
forming the confectionary product by moving cutting means in a cutting direction transverse to the extrusion direction from a rest position outside the confectionary string to a cutting position inside the confectionary string in such a way as to separate by cutting an end portion from a remaining part of the confectionary string, such that the lower surface of the confectionary substance becomes a lower surface of the end portion,
moving the confectionary product away from the extruder nozzle, by resting the lower surface of the end portion separated from the confectionary string on a conveying surface and moving the conveying surface in a transport direction transverse to the extrusion direction,
resting the lower surface of the end portion on the conveying surface already before the separation of the end portion from the remaining part of the confectionary string and completing the separation of the end portion from the remaining part of the confectionary string while the lower surface of the end portion is resting on the conveying surface, wherein the end portion of the confectionary string is rigidly fixed to the conveying surface by freezing the lower surface of the end portion in a zone of contact between the lower surface of the end portion and the conveying surface before starting the cut,
the extrusion direction is substantially vertical and the extrusion way is downwards, the conveying surface is substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the extrusion direction and extending below the extruder nozzle,
at least in the zone where the forming and cutting of the confectionary string are carried out, the transport direction is substantially horizontal, and
the cutting direction is substantially perpendicular to the extrusion direction and parallel to the conveying surface in the zone of forming and cutting the confectionary string.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,856 words

Summary1,025 words

#The object of the present invention is a method for producing a confectionary product by extrusion through an extruder nozzle, in which cutting means are moved in a direction transverse to the extrusion direction to separate the end portion from the remaining part of the extruded confectionary (the so-called “confectionary string”) and thus form the confectionary product.

#The invention also relates to a machine for producing a confectionary product by extrusion, which machine comprises an extruder nozzle with a nozzle orifice, cutting means movable in a direction transverse to the extrusion direction to separate the end portion from the remaining part of the extruded confectionary and thus form the confectionary product.

#The invention relates in particular to the production of confectionary products in the form of ice cream, but it is also usable for the production of other continuous string extruded products, irrespective of whether they are or are not provided with a stick, such as lollipops. However, the problems at the basis of the invention and the advantages achieved through the invention will be described with specific reference to the production of ice cream products.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#To better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, some exemplary non-limiting embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

#FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a machine for producing a confectionary product according to an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a sequence of steps of a method for producing a confectionary product according to an embodiment, implemented by the machine in FIG. 1;

Detailed description2,658 words

#To facilitate understanding of the following description, a scheme is included below which defines the terms used to describe the movements of some functional entities both for the method and for the machine object of the invention.

#Conveying Surface 8:

#conveying movement 20 in a transport direction 9.

Facts

Application

14/416,372Filed 24 Jul 2013

Priority

IT MI2012A130926 Jul 2012

Published

US 2015/0257408 A117 Sep 2015

Granted

26 Dec 2017

Term ends

1 Jan 2034

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 161 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification10 codes

A23G 3/0021
Shaping of liquid, paste, powder; Manufacture of moulded articles, e.g. modelling, moulding, calendering: processes in which the material is…
A23G 3/0023
Processes in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally the associated cutting:…
A23G 3/021
Manufacture or treatment of liquids, pastes, creams, granules, shred or powder: weighing, portioning apparatus
A23G 3/0247
Apparatus in which the material is shaped at least partially by a die; Extrusion of cross-sections or plates, optionally the associated cutting…

Timeline

26 Jul 2012Priority claimedIT MI2012A1309
24 Jul 2013Application filedUS 14/416,372
22 Jan 2015Assigned to Tekno-Ice S.R.L.assignment of assignor's interest
17 Sep 2015PublishedUS 2015/0257408 A1
26 Dec 2017GrantedUS 9,848,618 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
1 Jan 2034Term endsEstimated, includes 161 days of adjustment

Method and machine for producing a confectionary product

Life of this patent

Method and machine for producing a confectionary product

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims6

Description3,856 words

Drawings

Classification10 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,856 words