GB635755A - A method and apparatus for cleaning chocolate moulds - Google Patents

Abstract

635,755. Cleaning chocolate moulds. STEENBERG, A. C. Jan. 8, 1946, No. 670. Convention date, July 22, 1939. [Class 87 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXIII and XXX] Chocolate moulds are cleaned of fatty and sticky matter by. subjecting the surfaces of the moulds to jets of dry or superheated steam, in a confined space, and simultaneously removing the steam by suction. The moulds are put into a steam chamber 12, in a casing 10, along guides on a bracket 34, and then they are carried vertically between conveyers 26, 28. Steam under pressure is projected through a series of nozzles fitted to pipes 56. The steam is removed downwardly, by an exhauster 80, from the chamber 12 through a gap 14 into a lower chamber 16. This arrangement prevents dirty steam contacting cleaned or partly cleaned moulds. The pressure in the chamber 12 is kept about atmospheric. The last nozzles of the series are situated near the point of removal of the moulds to prevent steam condensing on the moulds. The upper conveyer is vertically adjustable, through mechanism operated by a hand wheel 52 to accommodate various sizes of moulds. The nozzles are also vertically adjustable by an associated mechanism which provides that the nozzles are situated halfway between the conveyers. The nozzles are oscillated, to project the steam from the upper to the lower edges of the moulds, through mechanism connected to driving gear 22. This mechanism is so arranged that the amplitude of the oscillations is dependent on the distance between the conveyers. A sludge container 18 is provided. Specification 635,819, [Group XXX], is referred to. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the application of the invention to articles other than chocolate moulds. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.