GB1600464A

GB1600464A - Shaping confectionery compositions

Info

Publication number: GB1600464A
Application number: GB1689278A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-04-28
Filing date: 1978-04-28
Publication date: 1981-10-14

Description

(54) SHAPING CONFECTIONERY COMPOSITIONS (71) I, HELMUTH SOLLICH, a German subject of Siemensstrasse 4, 4902 Bad Salzuflen, West Germany do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an apparatus for shaping compositions, used in the manufacture of confectionery, into strands of material, which apparatus is particularly suitable for processing all compositions which are plastic in the cold or hot state, such as marzipan, fondant, nut compositions, fruit compositions, fudge, caramel, aerated nougat, French nougat, and coconut compositions.German Patent Specifications 709 087 and 630 900 have already disclosed apparatuses for shaping pieces of confectionery, in which, in each case, a rotating pair of rollers forming the bottom of a material feed hopper is used, one roller being equipped with moulding recesses whilst the roller resting against it merely serves to force the composition into these moulding recesses.

However, devices of this type are unsuitable for the production of strands of material because only very supple and soft compositions can be forced, without a break, from one side into the moulding recesses of one roller, whilst the subsequent release of the strands from the recesses is difficult in the case of numerous compositions, especially sugar compositions, and leads to a deformation of the strand profiles.

On rhe other hand, extruder presses with, as a rule, knurled pressure rollers are known, by means of which the compositions are forced into a small pressure chamber located underneath the rollers and are shaped into strands by being released from there through a die nozzle. In these presses, the disadvantages found are that the required high pressures cause fat to exude from the compositions, change the structure of the composition and compress aerated compositions.

Since the pressure cannot be distributed uniformly over the working width, unequal strands, and fluctuations in weight, result.

Furthermore, only a limited effect on the temperature of the compositions is feasible, and the machine is difficult to clean, resulting in losses of material.

It is the object of the invention to eliminate these shortcomings and to provide an apparatus which makes it possible, in an extremely simple and clean manner, to form strands from a diversity of compositions and composition mixtures, which strands can subsequently be subdivided into individual pieces or bars and can be processed further. It has now been found that this may be achieved by an arrangement wherein a gap is left between the two rollers which form the bottom of the material feed hopper, in which gap is inserted a strandforming insert which matches the periphery of both rollers.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for shaping confectionery compositions into strands comprising a rotating pair of rollers forming the bottom of a material feed hopper supplying said composition, each of said rollers having a smooth periphery and there being a gap left therebetween, and an insert provided in the gap, said insert matching the periphery of both rollers and being provided with grooves which run in the direction of the circumference of at least one of the rollers and which shape said composition into strands. Preferably, the insert is a comb-like insert extending into the gap and which rests, by its lateral delimiting surfaces, against the cylinder jacket surfaces of the two rollers and possesses grooves in the surface thereof facing the intake roller.

More preferably, the insert includes points, prongs or teeth which bridge the gap, or project thereinto, and which transfer the compposition into the grooves. Conveniently, the strand-forming insert is replaceable by a similar device which produces different strand crosssections, thus making it possible to produce a great diversity of shapes of material strands on the same apparatus merely by exchanging the strand-forming insert. In addition, it is possible for both the rollers and the strand-forming msert to be heatable or coolable, so that the apparatus can thereby be matched to the nature of the particular composition being processed, and also so that shaping of the compositions and release of the strands of material can be assisted and facilitated.A further advantage of the present invention results if the material feed hopper is sub-divided by a material divider, e.g. a partition which extends into the gap, since this makes it possible to process different compositions simultaneously and combine them into a common strand of material. Furthermore, both the rollers and the strand-forming device can consist of a material, such as Teflon (Registered Trade Mark) or metal, to which the confectionery composition cannot adhere to thus facilitate the slippage and shaping thereof.

Further details of the invention are explained in the description which now follows. The in ventive concept permits a great diversity of possible embodiments. One of these is des cribed below with the aid of the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, in side view, of an apparatus for shaping material strands; Figure 2 shows a portion of a plan view onto the two cooperating rollers, viewed from the hopper; Figure 3 shows a partial section along lines a-b through Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a partial section along lines c-d through Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a view of a part of the insert located between the rollers, viewed from the side of the smaller roller; Figure 6 shows a similar view to Figure 5, from the side of the large roller;; Figure 7 shows a section along lines e-f through Figure 1 and Figure 8 shows a similar section to Figure 7, when using a different insert.

The rollers 4 and 5 are mounted on axles 2 and 3, respectively, below a material feed hopper 1 and form the bottom of the hopper 1; the roller 4. acting as a so-called intake roller, has a larger diameter than the roller 5.

Normally, both rollers have a smooth periphery.

They counter-rotate in the direction of the arrows shown in the drawing, so that the com position is drawn out of the hopper 1 and is conveyed through between the rollers 4 and 5. On the other hand it is also possible to allow the rollers to rotate at identical or different speeds of revolution. Equally, the direction of rotation of one or other roller can be varied should the process of manufacture make this necessary.

In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in the drawing, a gap 6 has been left between the two rollers 4 and 5, and this gap is filled, over the entire length of the rollers, by comblike insert 7. This insert 7 in effect constitutes a strand-forming device and has contact sur faces 8 and 9 corresponding to the diameter of the rollers 4 and 5. The insert 7 completely bridges the gap between the two rollers 4 and 5. The arrangement is such that the surface 9 coming into contact with the roller 5 is smooth, whilst the contact surface 8, which faces the larger roller 4, is interrupted by longitudinal grooves 10 which leave, between them, comblike portions 11 which terminate, at the top end of the insert 7, in points 12.

The strand-forming device 7 is of course interchangeable and its shape matches the shape of the particular rollers. It is inserted between the rollers from below but can, if necessary, also be inserted at the top of the rollers, that is to say from the direction of the hopper 1, provided this arrangement is taken into account by appropriate design of the insert and of the comb-like bars or points.

Furthermore, a so-called material divider 20 can be provided in the hopper 1, which divider makes it possible to feed a different composition to each roller, so that strands of material comprising several compositions can be formed.

As will be seen from the drawing, the insert 7 forms grooves 10 which run parallel to one another and along the periphery of the roller 4, so that the composition to be processed is forced through these grooves and is shaped into strands of material 13 which lie parallel to one another. These strands initially adhere to the periphery of the larger roller 4 and can be detached from there by a stripper 14 and transferred onto a shute 15 and subsequently, if apropriate, onto a conveyor belt 16.

The shape of cross-section of the grooves provided in the comb-like insert 7 determines the cross-section of the particular material strands produced. In this way it is possible, by interchanging the strand-forming device, to form a great diversity of strand cross-section 13 or 13'. Of course it is also possible simultaneously to produce strands of material of different cross-section by using a suitable strand-forming device 7.

Finally it is also possible to subject the composition to a suitable temperature treatment on passing through the apparatus, by equipping the rollers 4 and 5 with means cf heating or cooling accommodated in the interior. Furthermore, it is advantageous always to have one roller of substantially larger diameter cooperating with a smaller roller, with the grooves provided in the strand-forming device always facing the larger roller. In addition it is however also possible to heat or to cool the strandforming device in order thereby to control the passage of material.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus for shaping confectionery compositions into strands comprising a rotating pair of rollers forming the bottom of a material feed hopper supplying said composition, each of said rollers having a smooth periphery and there being a gap left therebetween, and an

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

of the particular composition being processed, and also so that shaping of the compositions and release of the strands of material can be assisted and facilitated. A further advantage of the present invention results if the material feed hopper is sub-divided by a material divider, e.g. a partition which extends into the gap, since this makes it possible to process different compositions simultaneously and combine them into a common strand of material. Furthermore, both the rollers and the strand-forming device can consist of a material, such as Teflon (Registered Trade Mark) or metal, to which the confectionery composition cannot adhere to thus facilitate the slippage and shaping thereof.

Further details of the invention are explained in the description which now follows. The in ventive concept permits a great diversity of possible embodiments. One of these is des cribed below with the aid of the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, in side view, of an apparatus for shaping material strands; Figure 2 shows a portion of a plan view onto the two cooperating rollers, viewed from the hopper; Figure 3 shows a partial section along lines a-b through Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a partial section along lines c-d through Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a view of a part of the insert located between the rollers, viewed from the side of the smaller roller; Figure 6 shows a similar view to Figure 5, from the side of the large roller;; Figure 7 shows a section along lines e-f through Figure 1 and Figure 8 shows a similar section to Figure 7, when using a different insert.

The rollers 4 and 5 are mounted on axles

2 and 3, respectively, below a material feed hopper 1 and form the bottom of the hopper 1; the roller 4. acting as a so-called intake roller, has a larger diameter than the roller 5.

Normally, both rollers have a smooth periphery.

They counter-rotate in the direction of the arrows shown in the drawing, so that the com position is drawn out of the hopper 1 and is conveyed through between the rollers 4 and 5. On the other hand it is also possible to allow the rollers to rotate at identical or different speeds of revolution. Equally, the direction of rotation of one or other roller can be varied should the process of manufacture make this necessary.

In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in the drawing, a gap 6 has been left between the two rollers 4 and 5, and this gap is filled, over the entire length of the rollers, by comblike insert 7. This insert 7 in effect constitutes a strand-forming device and has contact sur faces 8 and 9 corresponding to the diameter of the rollers 4 and 5. The insert 7 completely bridges the gap between the two rollers 4 and 5. The arrangement is such that the surface 9 coming into contact with the roller 5 is smooth, whilst the contact surface 8, which faces the larger roller 4, is interrupted by longitudinal grooves 10 which leave, between them, comblike portions 11 which terminate, at the top end of the insert 7, in points 12.

The strand-forming device 7 is of course interchangeable and its shape matches the shape of the particular rollers. It is inserted between the rollers from below but can, if necessary, also be inserted at the top of the rollers, that is to say from the direction of the hopper 1, provided this arrangement is taken into account by appropriate design of the insert and of the comb-like bars or points.

Furthermore, a so-called material divider 20 can be provided in the hopper 1, which divider makes it possible to feed a different composition to each roller, so that strands of material comprising several compositions can be formed.

As will be seen from the drawing, the insert 7 forms grooves 10 which run parallel to one another and along the periphery of the roller 4, so that the composition to be processed is forced through these grooves and is shaped into strands of material 13 which lie parallel to one another. These strands initially adhere to the periphery of the larger roller 4 and can be detached from there by a stripper 14 and transferred onto a shute 15 and subsequently, if apropriate, onto a conveyor belt 16.

The shape of cross-section of the grooves provided in the comb-like insert 7 determines the cross-section of the particular material strands produced. In this way it is possible, by interchanging the strand-forming device, to form a great diversity of strand cross-section 13 or 13'. Of course it is also possible simultaneously to produce strands of material of different cross-section by using a suitable strand-forming device 7.

Finally it is also possible to subject the composition to a suitable temperature treatment on passing through the apparatus, by equipping the rollers 4 and 5 with means cf heating or cooling accommodated in the interior. Furthermore, it is advantageous always to have one roller of substantially larger diameter cooperating with a smaller roller, with the grooves provided in the strand-forming device always facing the larger roller. In addition it is however also possible to heat or to cool the strandforming device in order thereby to control the passage of material.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. An apparatus for shaping confectionery compositions into strands comprising a rotating pair of rollers forming the bottom of a material feed hopper supplying said composition, each of said rollers having a smooth periphery and there being a gap left therebetween, and an

insert provided in the gap, said insert matching the periphery of both rollers and being provided with grooves which run in the direction of the circumference of at least one of the rollers and which shape said composition into strands.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the insert is a comb-like insert extending into the gap and which rests, by its lateral delimiting surfaces, against the cylinder jacket surfaces of the two rollers and possesses grooves in the surface thereof facing the intake roller.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the insert includes points, prongs or teeth which bridge the gap, or project thereinto, and which transfer the composition into the grooves.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the insert is replaceable by another having a different strand profile crosssection.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the insert consists of a material which facilitates the slippage and shaping of the composition.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the rollers and/or insert can be heated or cooled and are enclosed in a heating or cooling system.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein a material divider which extends as far as the gap is provided within the feed hopper.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 wherein one roller, acting as the intake roller, has a larger diameter than the other roller.
9. An apparatus for shaping confectionery compositions as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.