GB971758A - Apparatus for decorating filled chocolates,pastry,and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

971,758. Coating confectionery. BAKER PERKINS Ltd. Dec. 12, 1961 [Dec. 16, 1960], No. 44380/61. Heading A2A. Chocolates, pastry, &c. are decorated by material ejected through inter-changeable nozzles 2 screwed into a supply tube 1 suspended by rods 21, 22, 23, 24 for decorating movements in a generally horizontal plane. The decorating material is fed into tube 1 under pressure through flexible pipe 14 and excess material passes out through flexible pipe 15 to be reheated and recirculated. Items to be decorated may be on a stationary table or on a conveyer belt. The nozzle apertures are opened and closed if desired during actual ejection, by needles 3 arranged as shown in Fig 1 or as in Fig. 3. In the first case flanges 5 on the needles are engaged by forked levers 7 on a shaft 13 which is turned to lift the needles against springs 6 by pulling on a Bowden cable 9 attached to an external arm 8, the upper ends of the needles 3 sliding into recess guides formed by caps 4 over apertures in the tube walls. In Fig 3 the needles are shorter and have enlarged upper ends 45 nestling in recesses 46 in a bar 49 along a shaft 47 which is turned similarly to shaft 13 (Fig. 1) against a spring 50. The nozzle actuating mechanism may be controlled mannually or automatically, and movements of the nozzle assembly may be similarly controlled. An automatic control of the nozzle assembly is shown in plan in Fig. 7 and elevation in Fig. 9. Movements of the nozzle supply tube 1 are restricted by a parallel linkage 27 so that is always remains parallel to itself. The supply tube 1 is suspended by four ball-ended rods 21-24. Electric motor 28 drives crank arm 31 whereby connecting rod 32, universally pivoted at 34, describes a conical motion. This motion is imparted to bearing 35, which may be held fast by clamping screw 40 in which case the nozzle tube assembly describes a circular translatory movement in a horizontal plane. If the clamping screw 40 is slackened, the circular movement becomes a reciprocating translatory movement. Further variations may be obtained by clamping the end of lever 38 in various positions in segment 39, and by raising or lowering the bearing point 24 on connecting rod 32, for which purpose the bearing is slidable on rod 32 and is carried by bush 37 which may be screwed up or down on bush 36 as shown by arrow A.