GB666633A - Improvements in or relating to an apparatus for cutting candy - Google Patents

Abstract

666,633. Endless conveyers. MARS, Inc. May 10, 1948. [July 19, 1947] No. 12772/48. Class 78 (i). [Also in Group V] A cutting apparatus, described particularly with reference to the manufacture of chocolate-coated candy bars, has slitting discs 50, Fig. 2, which slit the candy sheet 51 into strips, adjacent strips 52, 53 then passing respectively to lower and upper slicing stations where they are severed into blocks by knives 54. The candy blocks are discharged from the slicing stations by conveyers moving at a higher speed than the candy strips so that the blocks are separated and are transferred at a single level to a conveyer 58 for a chocolate coating operation. The candy sheet is transferred from the conveyer 47, Figs. 2, 6 on to a roller table 80, the leading edge of the sheet being supported during transfer by a strip feeder 133, Fig. 9, which is provided with a rack whereby it may be moved into operative or inoperative position by a handle 132. The sheet is then cut into strips by knives coacting with a cutting drum 107 which is peripherally grooved throughout its length to form pulleys for two series of V-belts 130a, 136b, Fig. 6, the belts of the series 136a carrying alternate strips of candy to a lower roller table 183a and the belts of the series 136b carrying the interposed strips to an upper roller table 183b. The belts are tensioned by adjustable idler pulleys 149, 159 and are supported by pulleys 164, 162. Guide belts 166a, 166b disposed above the belts 136a, 136b are mounted between the slitting knives and are driven by the shaft 90 which carries the slitting knives. The chain drives for the shaft 90 and for the shaft 108 carrying the cutting drum 107 are independent so that the slitting knives may continue to rotate after the feed of the sheet has stopped, thereby preventing the knives from sticking. Specifications 646,503 and 666,635 are referred to.