MXPA96003869A - Machine and method for making ice products complementary elements meeting in a uni - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine for making frozen products solidified with complementary elements, which includes: at least two concentric groups of complementary molds, said groups including a group of first molds to create a solidified physical form that fits within the molds of a group of second molds, at least one solidification section through which each of said concentric groups of the first and second molds advance by rotation, a first filling unit for introducing a first product into said first molds, an inserter sticks to insert a stick into the molding of the first mold product, a first mechanism demolding and transfer to demolding the solidified product of said first mold and to transfer said unmolded product, essentially radically with respect to said concentric groups in said second molds, a second filling unit or to introduce a second product into said second molds to fill in the second molds the spaces that were not occupied by the first molded products contained therein, a second mechanism of demoulding and transfer to demold the frozen product of said second molds after the second product has solidified, and a driving mechanism for the rotary advance of the concentric groups of molds with a trajectory over the

Description

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING ICE-CREATED PRODUCTS WITH COMPLEMENTARY ELEMENTS REUNITED IN ONE UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to a machine and method for making frozen products with physically assembled complementary elements, which consist of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures. The elements have complementary forms that come together to form a final product. The units are frozen or solidified or scraped products that can be scraped with flavor, ice cream, frozen yogurt, snow, sorbets or similar generically known in the industry as "frozen products", "solidified products" or "scraped".

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this technique, machines are known with parallel rows on a chain conveyor, which have parallel rows of molds and machines with rotating table that have concentric groups of molds to make ice products. A machine with parallel rows on a chain conveyor has molds configured in parallel rows that advance linearly through a freezing tank, by means of a conveyor chain. In the Patent No. 4,759,197 of the United States an example of this type of machine is shown. The molding machine with rotating table and groups of molds to make ice products uses groups of molds with rotary advance through a freezing tank, by means of a circular mold table.

These known types of machines allow obtaining certain types of diverse products during a work cycle. It is possible to prepare scrapes of various flavors in the form of layers of scrapes of different flavors, which are obtained by filling the molds in successive steps with different products as the molds advance in a production cycle. These machines can also prepare products with "cover and core", in which the "core" is removed by suction before it solidifies, but after the "shell" has solidified. Subsequently another product is introduced into the resulting space inside the cover.

Patent No. 4,986,080 ("the 080 patent) of the United States discloses a machine with parallel rows on a chain conveyor having parallel rows of molds and a method for preparing double-flaked scrapes.The '080 patent is a special adaptation of the machine described in US Pat. No. 4,759,197 The 080 patent describes a machine in which the parallel rows of molds intermittently advance through a freezing section by means of a chain conveyor.The parallel rows of molds differ in the form of a row to the other, so that the cross sections of molds of some rows are "engraved" in the sections transverse of the molds of the other rows. The '080 patent includes units with measured filling, a unit for inserting sticks and devices for taking the product out of the molds, such as those known in the art.

In general, machines with parallel rows in chain conveyors have certain operational disadvantages. These include: inefficient mold utilization, which results in less than 50% of all molds being used at some point; inefficient use of the manufacturing plant, as a result of which the complete machine has a considerable length; poor ability to repeatedly position the molds, as a result of variations in the dimensions of the chain pitch caused by wear; and an incomplete sealing of the mold area in the freezing zone, as a result of the articulated construction inherent in the chain conveyors.

Rotating machines solve several of these difficulties. The molds are placed on a unified circular mold table that effectively seals the product against the cooling brine of the mold, which is a hygienic advantage. The machines with parallel rows in chain conveyor take the molds on an articulated conveyor that is difficult to seal to avoid that the brine refrigerante of the mold contaminate the product. Also, unlike the machine with rotary table, in the machine with parallel rows in chain conveyor it is necessary that the molds return to the "initial" position passing the inverted molds below the machine, which is usually done by means of a washing system that consumes a lot of water and energy . The way to return the molds to the initial position results in a mold utilization factor of less than 50%, while the mold utilization factor in the rotary table machines can be higher than 75%. The factor of use of the molds is important because they are expensive.

In the pending application of United States Patent No. 08 / 206,388 and in the pending application of United States Patent No. 08 / 226,494, both with the common assignee of this invention, and which are incorporated herein. memory by reference for any purposes, describes in its entirety an example of a rotating machine and a method for making frozen products with complementary elements gathered in a unit.

A machine and a method for making frozen products, efficiently, in a unit with complementary elements, which overcomes the problems of machines with parallel rows in chain conveyor, and brings together the advantages inherent to the rotating design is provided. In one embodiment, the invention consists of a rotating machine having at least two groups of complementary molds arranged concentrically on a turntable. The first group of molds concentric produces physical forms that join in a complementary manner with the whole or with a portion of the forms produced in the second group of concentric molds. The forms produced in the first group of molds are introduced into the molds of the second group, resulting in a two-part frozen product in a single unit. The first and second group of molds are aligned basically radially with respect to the rotary table. The resulting frozen products may have two or more complementary elements of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures; and in the unit of the frozen product the complementary elements may have different appearance or taste.

In another embodiment, the invention consists of a rotating machine having at least two groups of complementary molds disposed radially in the sectors of a rotating table. The first group of molds produces physical forms that are joined in a complementary manner to the whole or to a portion of the forms produced in the second group of molds. The forms produced in the first group of molds are introduced into the molds of the second group, obtaining as a result an ice cream product with two parts in a single unit. The first and second group of molds are aligned as a group consisting of pairs, basically radially with respect to the rotating table. The resulting frozen products may have two or more complementary elements of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures; and in the unit of the frozen product the elements Complementary foods may have different appearance or taste.

This invention includes at least one solidification section (i.e., solidification or freezing), through which each of the complementary mold groups advances by rotation. The molds can advance in a uniform configuration on the table by means of a drive mechanism so that the groups of molds advance two by two so as to rotate about an axis. The molds of the respective groups define the complementary forms that form the finished unit of the frozen product. A first filling unit is provided for introducing the first product into the first molds. The sticks are inserted into the product in the first molds. The size of the molded product of the first molds is adequate to fit inside the second molds.

A second filling unit is provided to introduce the second product in the second molds, said product being different from the first. A version of this invention allows the second molds to be filled with an amount of the second product before, during and / or after the first molded and solidified product is introduced into the second molds. The second molds are filled with an adequate amount of the second product to fill the volume of the second mold with a measured amount, which is determined approximately by the volume of the second mold minus the predetermined volume of the first mold. group. When the first molded product is introduced into the second molds containing the second fluid product, the first molded product displaces the second product to fill the spaces existing in the second molds.

In an embodiment of the invention, after the product solidifies in the first molds, a demolding and transfer mechanism releases the solidified product from the first molds and transfers the molded product in a basically radial manner towards the second molds. In another embodiment of the invention, after the product solidifies in the first molds, a demolding mechanism releases the solidified product from the first molds, waits until the second molds pass below the demolding mechanism and introduces the solidified product into the mold. the second adjacent molds of the group constituted by pairs. In still another embodiment of the invention, a demolding mechanism releases the solidified product from the first molds and transfers the molded product, with a forward or backward movement with respect to the movement of the table, towards the second molds of the pair.

Next, this second product solidifies as the second molds advance by rotating through the solidification section. Subsequently, a demolding unit detaches the frozen product units of several products from the second molds, and the frozen product goes to the next process, such as the coating, if desired, and the wrapping and packaging.

In a method of the invention, a first group of molds is provided in the first section of a unified table. A second group of molds, which have complementary shape to the first group of molds, receives the molded product of the first molds. The second group of molds is inside a second section of the turntable. The concentric groups of complementary molds advance by rotating through the solidification section. The group of the first molds is filled with a first product; Sticks are inserted in the first filled molds. The group of second molds is filled with a sufficient amount of a second product to fill the spaces of said second molds that were not occupied when the first solidified product of the first molds was inserted into said second molds. Once solid, the first molded and solidified products, with the stick inserted, are detached from the first molds and passed laterally or radially from the first molds to the second molds. The introduction of the first molded and solidified products into the second molds displaces the second liquid product to fill with the second liquid product the spaces between the inner wall of the second molds and the outer surface of the first products molded with the second product. liquid. Upon solidification, the multiple units resulting from the product are detached from the second molds.

In another method of the invention, there are molds in pairs within the sections of a unified turntable and aligned substantially radially with respect to the turntable. In the second pair, the second group of molds has a complementary shape to the first group of molds and receives in its interior the molded product of the first molds. The molds advance by rotating through the solidification section. The group of first molds is filled with a first product and the sticks are inserted into the first filled molds. The second mold group is filled with a sufficient amount of a second product to fill the spaces in said second molds that were not occupied when the first solidified product of the first molds was inserted into the second molds. Once solid, the first molded and solidified products, with the stick inserted, are detached from the first molds and pass laterally or radially from the first molds to the second molds. The introduction of the first molded and solidified products into the second molds displaces the second liquid product in order to fill with the second liquid product the spaces between the inner wall of the second molds and the outer surface of the first molded products. Once solidified, units of frozen product resulting from several products are detached from the second molds.

The invention may also include a unified table to rotationally advance the groups in pairs of complementary molds in the course of a production cycle. The first and second filling units that introduce the product into the molds can also carry out the filling of the respective molds with a quantity of the respective product during a time determined in advance (a "filling by time"), according to a volumetric measurement already determined (a "volumetric filling") or by means of a predetermined weight unit (a "filling by weight"). The complementary elements of the resulting frozen product can be formed by different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or different mixtures.

The resulting product is a unit of frozen product with different complementary elements, formed by different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or different mixtures, in which the separate physical forms are joined in a complementary way with the whole or with a part of the other physical forms.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when viewed using the accompanying drawings and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the machine for making units of iced product with complementary elements, according to the present invention.

Figure IA is a figurative representation showing the demolding of the molded product of the first molds and their transfer to the second molds from one side to another of the sections of the rotating table, by means of a demolding and transfer mechanism.

Figure IB shows a section of an alternative configuration of the table, with several sets of groups of molds in the sections of the turntable.

Figure 1C illustrates the operation of a demolding and transfer mechanism in a single unit, at the time of transferring the intermediate product to the second molds and transferring the finished molded products to a ramp or conveyor.

Figure 2 shows an example of a frozen product unit produced using the method and machine of this invention.

Figure 2A is a cross section of a unit of frozen product, taken along line 2A-2A of Figure 2, showing the shapes of the different elements.

Figure 2B shows an example of the solidified intermediates of the first molds, produced using the method and the machine of this invention.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the machine for making units of frozen product with complementary elements, according to the present invention.

Figure 3A shows a section of an alternative configuration of the table, with several sets of groups of molds aligned substantially radially with respect to the rotary table.

Figure 3B illustrates the operation of the first demolding mechanism at the time of transferring the solidified product from the first molds to the second.

Figure 4 shows an example of groups of molds "in pair", in which there are more than two ways to constitute a unit of frozen product.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the machine for making units of frozen product with complementary elements, according to the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the machine for making units of iced product with complementary elements, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S) The present invention includes several embodiments, which are described in the following examples: Example 1 With reference to the drawings, Figures 1 and 5 illustrate versions of the machine 1 of the present invention to make units of frozen product with complementary parts. Figures 2 and 2A show the unit of frozen product 20 made with the invention, which has a core 21 formed by a single mold in a first group of molds in the machine 1, and a second complementary form 22 formed by a single mold in a second group of molds in the machine 1. A stick inserted in the unit of frozen product is shown as 23. The stick 23 may be flat, round or of any other functional or decorative form, made of wood, polymer, paper or other material, as is known in the art. Figure 2B shows an example 25 of the intermediate product, or inner core 21, with a stick 23, after the product has been detached from a single mold in a first group of molds. In Figures 1 and 5, the machine 1 is a rotating machine that includes a solidification section 2 in which the complementary molds placed on or on the turntable 3, the concentric groups 11 and 12, lia and 12a, 11b and 12b, etc., move forward with a basically circular trajectory. The table is preferably oriented flat and horizontal. The individual molds of groups 11 and 12 are respectively indicated as 111, 112 and 113 and 121, 122 and 123. Preferably the individual molds of the two groups of molds are tapped to facilitate the demolding of the molded product. The groups of molds are in sections 4 and 5 of the rotary table and can have a radial alignment and can include a group of molds in a single line, as shown in Figures IA to 11 and 12, or in the adjacent groupings , as shown in Figure IB. In Figure IB, there are shown in 11c and 12c, respectively, six molds in each group of molds in the corresponding sections of the table. The solidification section 2 can be a brine bath, a spray system or another mechanism that provides a solidification or freezing environment, sufficient to harden an icy product as is known in the art.

The molds of the first group 11 differ from the molds of the second group 12 so that the solidified molded product of the individual molds of the first group of molds 11 fits within the individual molds of the second group of molds 12. It is possible to place groups of molds similar to those of groups 11 and 12, on or in the table 3 respectively in the inner section 4 or in the outer section 5 of the rotating table 3, as shown in lia and 12a, 11b and 12b, etc. In addition, you can also use more than two different groups of complementary concentric molds placed radially, to make frozen products with more than two different types of recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures.

With reference to Figures 1 and 5, the machine 1 includes a rotating table 3 with groups of two types of molds 11 and 12 arranged therein, which respectively produce an intermediate product (25 in Figure 2B) and a finished product (20). in Figure 2). The point A is the axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary table 3. Each of the groups of molds 11 and 12 are arranged relative to the respective filling units 7 and 18, and, after the molds are filled with the product, the filled molds pass through the solidification section 2. The product hardens in the molds. The stick is inserted in the middle of the rotation cycle of the groups of molds 11 with an inserter 10 of sticks, the cycle of rotation of the groups of molds 11 and 12 ends after passing through the respective warming sections 27 and 28 which "loosen" the solidified product of the molds to be able to remove it. The warming sections 27 and 28 can be combined into a single warming section.

In the preferred embodiment, the groups of molds are arranged on a circular, flat, horizontal and rotating table. A first filling unit 7, used to fill the first molds, is functionally arranged in the initial position, or close to it, of a cycle of rotation of the first molds. The first filling unit 7 introduces a liquid product into the first molds when these are placed below the first filling unit 7. Accurately arranged in relation to the first filling unit 7 is a pallet inserting unit 10, designed to put sticks 23 in the product in the first molds when the product begins to solidify during the rotation cycle.

When the second molds are placed behind the second filling unit 18, this second filling unit 18 introduces a sufficient quantity or volume of the second product to fill the volume of the second mold with an amount determined approximately by the volume of the second mold less the volume determined in advance of the mold of the first group. The second product must be liquid or fluid to fill the spaces of the second molds that were not occupied by the first molded products, when said first molded products are inserted therein. The introduction of the quantity of the second product can be done before, during and / or after the transfer of the solidified product from said first molds to said second molds, but the introduction of the second product must occur, preferably, before or after the transfer of the solidified product of said first molds to said second molds. The spaces that are filled can be spaces between the inner wall of the second molds and the molded product transferred from the first molds to the molds. second molds. The second filling unit 18 can fill the second molds with a quantity of the second product, according to a predetermined time filling, a volumetric filling or a filling by weight. The second product corresponds to a recipe, flavor, color, texture and / or mixture different from the first product introduced by the first filling unit 7.

This invention makes it possible to fill the second molds with an amount of a second product before, during and / or after introducing the first molded product solidified in the second molds. In a preferred embodiment, the second molds are filled with a quantity of second product before the first molded and solidified product is introduced to the second molds. This allows the filling unit to use normal filling nozzles to introduce the second product into the second molds. The second molds are filled with a sufficient amount of second product to fill the spaces of the second molds that were not filled with the first molded product, when the first molded product is introduced into the second molds. When the first molded product is introduced into the second molds containing the second fluid product, the first molded product displaces the second product to fill the spaces of the second molds.

The product of the first molds solidifies when the molds reach the demolding and transfer mechanism 13, which is located before the end of the rotation cycle of the first molds and approximately at the beginning of the rotation cycle of the second molds. At this point, both the group of first filled molds and the corresponding group of second molds are placed, at the same time, basically radially aligned with respect to the axis of the table and with the demolding and transfer mechanism 13. The location of the The demolding and transfer mechanism 13 may correspond, in general, with the start of a rotation cycle of the second molds.

In the demolding and transfer mechanism 13, as illustrated in Figure IA, the solidified products 25a, 25b and 25c of the first molds 11 are loosened, as a group of the molds after passing through the warming section. The product is taken out of the first molds 11 and transferred to the second molds 12, whose size is appropriate to receive inside the frozen product 25 of the first molds. To facilitate the demolding of the frozen product 25 from the first molds, the outer surfaces of the first molds are subjected to "warming" in the manner already known in the art, for example, with the help of the introduction of brine, air or other liquid at a given temperature, below the molds. In Figures 1 and 5 of 27 there is a section of brine spray to warm, through which the first molds advance.

In Figure IA the transfer of the group of the first molded product 11 25a, 25b and 25c to the second group 12 is carried out, holding the inserted sticks 23 and pulling the product 25 upwards and out of the first molds 11, and then moving radially the product through the surface of the upper table 3U to the position 25a, 25b and 25c on the second group of molds 12. Then the product is lowered, dropped or inserted into the second molds 12, basically following the sequence marked with arrows up, through and down, as shown in 13A, 13B and 13C. Then the mechanism is recycled for the next group of molds lia, etc.

If the demolding and transfer occurs when the rotating movement of the table is stopped, the transfer is carried out with a straight axial movement. When the table is stopped and before or during this transfer, the second filling unit 18 can introduce a second product into the second molds. However, if the transfer occurs when the table rotates, the movement of the transfer mechanism is coordinated with the rotation of the table so that the transfer operation is performed according to an alternative time and a placement sequence corresponding to the Table rotation and angular separation of the mold. When the table is rotating and before or during this transfer, the second filling unit introduces a second product in the second molds.

The demolding of the molded products from the group of first molds and the transfer of the first molded product to the group of second molds is carried out when most of the other groups of first and second complementary molds contain the product therein. In this embodiment, the transfer of the first molded product of the first molds to the corresponding second complementary molds is done by a basically radial transfer.

The size of the first molded products of the first molds is adequate to fit within the second molds and may or may not be in contact with the interior walls of the second molds. The product of the first molds may also or may not have shapes with cross sections that do not come into contact with the inner wall of the second molds, except at the bottom. In this situation it is possible to have mechanical supports by means of which the first molded products of the first molds are conserved upwards in the second molds. This allows the first molded product to be up in the second molds while the second liquid or fluid product in the second filling unit fills the space between the inner wall of the second molds and the first molded product of the first molds. molds After the second filling unit 18 fills the second molds and the first molded product is inserted into the second molds, the second filled molds advance by rotating through the solidification section 2 to solidify the second introduced fluid product. To facilitate the demolding of the solidified products with multiple parts resulting from the second molds, the second molds are "warm" using the aforementioned method, for example, by means of a dew or brine bath or another liquid directed by the part bottom of the molds in the warming section 28, through which the second molds advance. Subsequently, a second demolding unit 29 detaches the frozen products from the second molds. The structure and operation of the demolding and transfer mechanism 29 basically corresponds to an intermittent or continuous operation of the unit 13 described above.

The mechanism 29 can be combined with the unit 13, wherein the finished ice-cream product units 20a, 20b and 20c are removed from the molds 12 and deposited on a ramp or conveyor with an upward movement, through, and downwardly, as shown in points 13D, 13E and 13F of Figure 1C, basically simultaneously as the intermediate products 25a, 25b and 25c pass from the group of molds 11 to the group of molds 12 in the sequence shown with arrows in 13A , 13B and 13C of Figure 1C. The frozen products 20 are conveyed to a conventional wrapping and packing station, in the manner known in the art, for example with a ramp or a conveyor 30.

Example 2 With reference to the drawings, Figures 3 and 6 illustrate the embodiments of the machine 1 of the present invention for making units of frozen product with complementary elements. As in Example 1, an example of an iced product unit 20 made with the invention is shown in Figures 2 and 2A. Figure 2B shows an example 25 of the intermediate product, or inner core 21, with a stick 23, after removing the product from a single mold of a first group of molds.

In Figures 3, the machine 1 is a rotating machine that includes a solidification section 2 in which the complementary molds placed on or on the rotary table 3, the groups constituted in pairs 11 and 12, lia and 12a, etc., they advance by turning with a basically circular trajectory. The table is preferably oriented flat and horizontal. The individual molds of groups 11 and 12 are indicated respectively as 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116, and 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 and 126. Preferably, the individual molds of the two groups of molds have a conical shape to facilitate the demolding of the molded product. The groups of molds are in sections 4 and 5 of the rotating table 3, and are aligned in a basically radial manner. The groups of molds can be in a single line, as shown in Figures 3 and 6 in 11 and 12, or in adjacent groupings, as shown in Figure 3A. In the Figure 3A are shown in 11b and 12b, respectively, twelve molds in each group of molds in the corresponding sections of the table. The solidification section 2 can be a brine bath, a spray system or another mechanism that provides a solidification or freezing environment, sufficient to harden an icy product as is known in the art. Normally a temperature of -45 ° F to 50 ° F of the brine is sufficient to solidify the product in the molds.

The molds of the first group 11 differ from the molds of the second group 12, so that the solidified molded product of the individual molds of the first group of molds 11 fits within the individual molds of the second group of molds 12. It is possible to place groups of molds similar to groups 11 and 12, on or on the rotary table 3. In addition, more than two different groups of complementary molds placed radially can be used, to make frozen products with more than two recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or different mixtures.

With reference to Figures 3 and 6, the machine 1 includes a turntable 3 with groups arranged of two different types of molds 11 and 12, which produce, respectively, the intermediate product (25 in Figure 2B) and the finished product (20 in Figure 2). The point A is the axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary table 3. Each of the groups of molds 11 and 12 are arranged relative to the respective filling units 7 and 18, and after that the molds are filled with the product, the filled molds pass through the solidification section 2. The product hardens in the molds. The stick inserter 10 is in the middle of the rotation cycle of the mold groups 11. The rotation cycle of the mold groups 11 and 12 ends after passing through a heating section 27 which "loosens" the solidified product of the mold. the molds to be able to remove it.

In a preferred embodiment, the groups in pairs of molds are arranged on a circular, flat, horizontal and rotating table 3. A first filling unit 7, used to fill the first molds 11, is functionally arranged in the initial position of a cycle of rotation of the first molds or approximately in it. The first filling unit 7 introduces a liquid product into the first molds when the first molds are placed below the first filling unit 7. Arranged exactly in relation to the first filling unit 7, there is a unit for inserting the stick 10, designed to put the sticks 23 in the product in the first molds when the product is solidifying during the rotation cycle.

When the second molds are placed behind the second filling unit 18, this second filling unit 18 introduces a sufficient amount or volume of the second product to fill the volume of the second mold with a measurement determined approximately by the volume of the second mold less the volume determined in advance of the mold of the first group. The second product must be liquid or fluid to fill the spaces existing in the second molds that were not occupied by the first molded products, when said first molded products are inserted therein. The introduction of the quantity of the second product can be done before, during and / or after the transfer of the solidified product from said first molds to said second molds, but the introduction of the second product must occur, preferably, before or after the transfer of the solidified product of said first molds to said second molds. The spaces that are filled may be spaces between the inner wall of the second molds and the molded product transferred from the first molds to the second molds. The second filling unit 18 can fill the second molds with a quantity of the second product, according to a predetermined time filling, a volumetric filling or a filling by weight. The second product corresponds to a recipe, flavor, color, texture and / or mixture different from the first product introduced by the first filling unit 7.

The product in the first molds solidifies when the molds reach the demolding and transfer mechanism 13, which is located before the end of the rotation cycle of the first molds. The warming section 27"loosens" the solidified product of the first molds so that it can be removed by the demoulding mechanism and transfer 13, which is located after the warming section 27 in the rotation path and approximately at the beginning of the rotation cycle of the second molds. To facilitate the demolding of the frozen product from the first molds, the outer surfaces of the first molds are subjected to a "warm-up" in the manner known in the art, for example, with the help of the introduction of brine, air or another liquid at a given temperature, below the molds. In Figures 3 and 6 of 27, there is a section of brine spray to warm, through which the molds advance.

In the demolding and transfer mechanism 13, the product is taken out of the first molds 11 to be inserted in the second molds 12, whose size is such as to receive inside the frozen product 25 of the first molds. The transfer of the first molded products, as a group, from the first group of molds 11 to the second group of molds 12 is illustrated in Figure 3B. The mechanism 13 holds the inserted sticks 23 and pulls the product 25 upwards and out of the first ones. molds 11, and wait until the second molds 12, which contain the second fluid product, pass below the demolding and transfer mechanism 13 thanks to the rotation of the rotating table 3, and introduce the solidified product 25 into the second molds 12, lowering, dropping or inserting the solidified product 25 into the second molds 12, which in this way displace the second fluid product to fill the spaces between the surface inside of the second molds and the first molded product.

In another embodiment, the transfer of the first molded products, as a group, from the first group of molds 11 to the second group of molds 12 is carried out by holding the inserted sticks 23 and unmolding the product 25 upwards and out of the first mold 11, and then moving the product basically concentrically, either with forward or backward movement by the surface of the upper table 3U to a position on the second molds 12 containing the second fluid product. The product is then lowered, dropped or inserted into the second molds 12, thus displacing the second fluid product to fill the spaces between the interior surface of the second molds and the first molded product. Next, the mechanism starts the cycle again for the next group of molds lia, etc. In this last version, if the demolding and transfer occurs when the rotating movement of the table has stopped, the transfer is basically concentric. However, if the transfer occurs when the table rotates, the movement of the transfer mechanism is coordinated with the rotation of the table so that the transfer operation is carried out according to an alternative time and a sequence of placement corresponding to the Table rotation and angular separation of the mold.

The size of the molded products of the first molds is adequate to fit within the second molds and may or may not be in contact with the interior walls of the second molds 12. The product of the first molds may also have shapes with sections cross-sections that do not come into contact with the inner wall of the second molds. In this situation it is possible to have mechanical supports by means of which the molded products of the first molds are conserved upwards in the second molds. This allows the molded product to be up in the second molds while allowing the second liquid or fluid product of the second filling unit to fill by displacement the space that exists between the inner wall of the second molds and the molded product of the second mold. the first molds.

After the second filling unit 18 fills the second molds, the filled molds advance by rotating through the solidification section 2 to solidify the second introduced liquid product. To facilitate the demolding of the solidified frozen products with multiple parts resulting from the second molds, the second molds are "warm" in the aforementioned manner, for example, by means of a dew or brine bath or other liquid directed by the lower part of the molds in the warming section 27, through which the second molds advance. In another embodiment, a second warming section may be used, independent of the warming section 27, to warm the second molds Subsequently, a demolding mechanism 29 removes the frozen product 20 from the second molds. The structure and operation of the demolding mechanism 29 basically corresponds to an intermittent or continuous operation of the unit 13, which was previously described. The frozen products 20 are transported to a conventional wrapping and packaging station, in the manner known in the art; for example, with a ramp or a conveyor 30.

In the embodiment discussed in this specification, including those of the examples, after removing the product from the first molds, the first molds do not remain empty until the corresponding frozen product of the complementary parts is demolded from the second molds at the end of another rotation cycle. Instead, the first filling unit 7 or the filling unit 70 refills the first molds and the process continues as indicated above for the first molds, while the second molds with the first molded product and the second product there content is solidified and removed during the rotation cycle. Therefore, the groups of molds of the internal and external sections of the rotating machine are used with extreme efficiency throughout the rotation cycle. This is an improvement to the efficiency of parallel row machines with chain conveyors, in which more than half of the molds remain empty during a cycle of formation of product. In addition, the rotating machine performs a continuous cycle of cyclic rotation of the unified circular table. The characteristics of solidification and / or freezing of the product introduced in the molds determine the time, temperature and specific cycles of rotation, and can be determined by those persons who are familiar with the requirements of the recipe.

The resulting products of the machine 1, of the method described above and shown in Figures 2 and 2A, are frozen products with complementary elements, in which the complementary elements consist of shapes, recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures with different aspect or flavor. Many different variations of arbitrary shape configurations can be obtained, some of which appear in the '080 patent mentioned above. It is possible to form frozen products with various shapes in the complementary elements by varying the shapes of the first and second molds, and while the molded product of the first molds fits within the cross section of the corresponding second molds. The frozen products can be covered with chocolate and / or with some other cover, by spraying or submerging the units in a final bath of a given product, as is known in the art.

As used herein, "in par" refers to the respective transfer in sequence of a product from one mold to another successive mold. A "pair" is not limited to two ways in the production of a final product. Figure 4 shows, in cross section, an example in which three different forms 51, 52 and 53 are used to form the resulting frozen product of three products 56. The finished product 56 is formed by a first product in par 55 , which is itself a product formed in two ways, inserted into a third mold with form 53. The mold 53 is "in pair" with the first form in par 55, which is formed by the molds 51 and 52 in pair.

The example shown in Figure 4 may involve the colors red, white and blue, or the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors, corresponding to the respective forms 51, 52 and 53. In this hypothetical situation, the first product in par 55 consists of in a circular product 52 molded in a second group of molds around a product with triangular shape 51, formed in a first group of molds. The first product in par 55 (of the first group of molds of the second "pair") is inserted into a third mold with form 56 (the second group of molds of the second "pair") to form a finished product which, in accordance with the cross section, is constituted by a picture that surrounds a circle, which in turn surrounds a triangle.

Having described the invention in detail, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, given the information set forth in this patent, it is possible to modify the invention without departing from the essence of the inventive concept described herein. Therefore, the intention is not that the scope of the invention is limited to the specific and preferred embodiments illustrated and described. Instead, the intention is that the appended claims determine the scope of the invention.

Claims (33)

E IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A machine for making frozen solidified products with complementary elements, which includes: at least two groups of complementary molds included as a group in pair, and said group in pair includes a first group of molds to create a solidified physical form that fits within the molds of a second group of molds; at least one solidification section through which each of said groups advances in pair of the first and second molds; a first filling unit for introducing a first product into said first molds; an inserter of sticks to insert a stick inside the molded product of the first molds; a first demolding mechanism for releasing the solidified product from said first molds and for introducing said demoulded product into said second molds; a second filling unit for introducing a second product into said second molds to fill in the second molds the spaces that were not occupied by the first molded products contained therein; Y a second release mechanism to release the frozen product from said second molds after the second product has solidified.
2. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the groups of paired molds are radially positioned in a section of a circular table.
3. 3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the groups of paired molds are concentrically placed in a section of a circular table.
4. 4. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, further including a drive for the rotational advance of the groups of molds in torque with a trajectory on the axis.
5. 5. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, further including a unified flat table which is arranged horizontally for the rotational advance of said groups of molds in pairs on a central axis.
6. 6. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said first filling unit is functionally arranged at or near the initial position of a rotation cycle of said first molds.
7. 7. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said first filling unit fills said first molds with a quantity of the first product, in agreement with at least one of the means of the group consisting of a time determined in advance, a volumetric measurement determined in advance and a measure of weight determined in advance.
8. 8. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said second filling unit fills said second molds with a quantity of the second product, according to at least one of the means of the group consisting of a time determined in advance, a volumetric measure determined in advance and a measure of weight determined in advance.
9. 9. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said stick insert unit is located on the path of advancement of said first molds and is positioned, with respect to the mold's rotation path, so that the sticks are introduced to the molds before the first product solidifies.
10. 10. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said first demolding mechanism includes a first mechanism for demolding the solidified product from the first molds and a second mechanism for transferring the demoulded product to the second mold.
11. 11. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said first demoulding mechanism is located before the end of the rotation path of said first molds, approximately at the beginning of the rotation path of said second molds.
12. 12. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said first demolding mechanism includes means for holding the sticks inserted within the product of the first molds, lifting the product from the first molds and introducing the product into the molds. the second molds when the second molds are located below said first demolding mechanism.
13. 13. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said first demolding mechanism includes means for holding the sticks inserted within the product of the first molds, lifting the product from the first molds, transporting the product towards a place on the second molds and depositing the product inside them.
14. 14. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said second demolding mechanism is located before the end of the rotation path of said second molds.
15. 15. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said second filling unit introduces a product different from the first product introduced by the first filling unit.
16. 16. The machine of claim 15 wherein said second filling unit introduces a product different from the first product in at least one form of the group consisting of flavor, color, texture and mixture.
17. 17. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 which further includes a warming section positioned approximately at the end of the rotation cycle of said first molds.
18. 18. The machine of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 which further includes a warming section positioned approximately at the end of the rotation cycle of said second molds.
19. 19. The machine of claim 1 further including a warming section positioned approximately at the end of the rotation cycle of each of said second molds.
20. 20. The machine of claim 17 wherein said warming section includes at least one of the group consisting of a fluid bath and a fluid spray.
21. 21. The machine of claim 18 wherein said warming section includes at least one of the group consisting of a fluid bath and a fluid spray.
22. 22. The machine of claim 19 wherein said warming section includes at least one of the group consisting of a fluid bath and a fluid spray.
23. 23. A machine to make solidified ice cream product with complementary elements, which includes: a unified table which is arranged horizontally and is operatively connected to a drive mechanism for the rotary advance of said groups of molds in pairs on a central axis; at least two groups of complementary molds included as a group in a pair within a section of said unified table, said group in pair includes a group of first molds to create a physical form that is attached to all or a part of the created form by the molds of a group of second molds within which the shapes produced by the first molds fit, said first and second group of molds are positioned radially with respect to a central axis of said table; a drive to rotate the unified table; at least one solidification section through which each of the groups of the first and second molds advance by rotation; a first filling unit for introducing a first product into said first molds, said first filling unit being functionally arranged in or approximately one position that defines the beginning of a rotation cycle; a stick insert unit located on the path of advancement of said first molds, and positioned with respect to the rotation path of said first molds so that the sticks are introduced into the first molds during the solidification of the first product; a first demolding mechanism for demolding a solidified product of said first molds and for introducing said molded product already demoulded into said second molds; a second filling mechanism for introducing in the second molds a second product different from the first product to fill the space that was not occupied by the first molded product contained therein; Y a second release mechanism for unmolding a product of said second molds after the second product has solidified.
24. 24. The machine of claim 23, wherein said first demolding mechanism includes a first mechanism for demolding solidified product from said first molds and a mechanism for transferring the demoulded product to the second molds.
25. 25. A rotating machine for making units of frozen product with complementary parts consisting of different recipes, flavors, colors, textures and / or mixtures, including groups in pairs of complementary molds adjacent to each other in a rotary table or in sections of a rotating table , in which a group of first molds configured in a first section produce physical shapes that fit inside and join in a complementary manner to all or part of the physical forms elaborated in a group of second molds configured in a second section.
26. 26. A method for making frozen product solidified with complementary parts, which is formed by the following steps: include a first group of molds that have a previously determined volume within a first section of a unified table; include a second group of molds with a form complementary to the first molds and with a larger volume than the first molds, within which the molded product fits in the first group of molds within a second section of a unified table, said first and second groups of molds a group in pairs; causing said first and second groups of molds to advance by rotation through an environment in which the product introduced into the molds solidifies; fill the first group of molds with a first product; demolding the solidified product from said first molds and introducing said product into said second molds; filling the second group of molds with a volume of a second product to fill the volume of the second mold with a measure determined approximately by the volume of the second mold minus the volume determined in advance of the mold in the first group; Y demolding the molded product of said second molds when the molded product has already solidified.
27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of demolding solidified product from said first molds and introducing said product into said second molds involves holding the sticks inserted inside the product in the first molds, lifting the product from the first molds. molds and introduce the product in the second molds when the second molds are located below said first demolding mechanism.
28. 28. A method for making frozen product solidified with complementary parts, which is formed by the following steps: include a first group of molds having a volume determined in advance within a first annular section of a unified table; causing said first and second group of molds to advance by rotation through an environment in which the product introduced into the molds solidifies; fill the molds of the first group with a first product; demolding the solidified product of said first molds and transferring said product to said second molds; filling the second molds with a volume of a second product to fill the volume of the second mold with a measure determined approximately by the volume of the second mold minus the volume determined in advance of the mold in the first group; Y demolding the molded products of said second molds when the second product has solidified.
29. 29. The method of claim 26 or claim 28 further includes the step of filling said first molds with an amount of the first product using at least one of the following factors: time determined in advance, volumetric measurement determined in advance, and measurement of weight determined in advance.
30. 30. The method of claim 26 or claim 28 further includes the step of inserting a stick into the product in the first molds.
31. 31. The method of claim 26 or claim 28 further includes the step of warming the molds before the solidified product therein is demolded.
32. 32. The method of claim 26 or claim 28 wherein the filling of the second molds with a volume of the second product is performed either before, during or after the transfer of the solidified product from the first mold to the second mold.
33. 33. A method to make frozen solidified products with complementary elements, which is formed by the following steps: to rotate horizontally, by a central axis, a group of first molds within a first section of a unified table. to include a second group of molds with a form complementary to the first molds, within which the product molded in said first molds fits, within a second section of a unified table; advancing, turning, said first molds and second molds through an environment in which the product introduced in said molds is solidified; filling said first molds with a first product; filling said second molds with a sufficient quantity of a second product, so that the spaces existing within said second molds are occupied by a second product since at least a portion of said second product is displaced by the introduction of a first product solidified from said first molds towards said second molds. demolding the first solidified product of said first molds and transferring said first solidified product to said second molds before the second product solidifies in said second molds; Y demolding the molded products of said second molds when the second product has solidified. The undersigned Alejandro González Rossi, English-Spanish translator, declares under oath to say that he has full knowledge of both languages and that this is a true and correct translation of the document in English consisting of 32 useful sheets.