Abstract: The device is intended for the manufacture of food products made by joining together first and second wafers, in which at least the first wafer includes a substantially flat core portion with a region having a distinct perimeter in which cell parts are provided for receiving a filling. The device comprises a peripheral frame having an end edge for supporting the wafer provided with cell parts in correspondence with said distinct perimeter. A plurality of clamping members associated with the peripheral frame are able to pivot relative to the frame between a closed position in which they extend at least partially to cover the end edge and can clamp the first wafer and/or the two joined wafers on the device, and an open position, in which it allows wafers to be inserted into and removed from the device itself.

Abstract: A pick-up device for automatic lifting and conveying apparatus has a plurality of pick-up members (5), preferably of the suction type, each of which is intended to take hold of a respective article in an array of rows arranged in at least one direction. The device includes a plurality of generally elongate and mutually parallel support members (4) which are intended to be oriented in the direction of the rows of articles in use. Each support member (4) carries an associated respective row of pick-up members (5) extending longitudinally of the member itself. A drive (9) enables the distance between adjacent support members (4) to be varied so as to allow them to be adapted selectively to the spacing between the rows of articles. More particularly, this distance may be varied while the device is transferring the articles supported by the pick-up members (5) to a package so as to adapt the separation between the rows of articles to the dimensions of the package itself.

Abstract: A dough mixture for baking is divided into individual drops, or knubs, which are deposited on a baking sheet so as to form a flat array in which each knub is spaced a short distance from the other knubs surrounding it. During baking, as a result of leavening, each knub becomes fused to the adjacent knubs so as to form a "slab" of baked product with a cellular (or alveolar) structure in which each cell includes a soft inner portion and a relatively firm outer portion welded at least around its periphery to the outer portions of the adjacent cells.

Abstract: The mass to be extruded is forced into an extrusion duct (die) (1) so as to make it emerge in the extruded state from the outlet end (3) of the duct in a direction (2) generally-axial of the duct itself. An annular flow of fluid is generated around the outlet end (3) of the extrusion duct (1), oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct (1), and surrounds the extruded mass, preventing it from bending accidentally. The extruded mass is divided into pieces by a cutting operation (9) carried out within (7) the zone in which the annular flow of fluid acts.

Abstract: A first reservoir is provided for receiving a filling of the substance to be delivered, having a second reservoir superimposed thereon for receiving a filling of a lubricating substance. The reservoirs are traversed by tubular elements communicating at their upper ends with the second reservoir, each having apertures in an intermediate part for putting its interior into communication with the first reservoir and a dropper nozzle at its lower end. A plurality of pistons, each of which is slidable in a respective tubular element with a tolerance such as to achieve sealing without the need for washers, are movable between an upper position, allowing the substance to be delivered to flow into the tubular element, and a lower position causing the lower ends of the pistons to close to the dropper nozzle.

Abstract: In order to cut out half-shells formed in a wafer sheet in which the half-shells are interconnected by a substantially flat web, the wafer sheet is advanced against an array of disc saws the discs of which lie in a single plane parallel to the general plane of the wafer sheet and the centers of which are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance of the wafer sheet itself.

Abstract: Ice cream confection normally in liquid state which is an oil-in-water emulsion containing fats, milk proteins, sweetness and water. The water is made physically and chemically stable by means of a stabilizing and thickening composition of an alginate, a disodium phosphate and a modified starch. The product is made by preparing the emulsion, sterilizing and homogenizing to obtain a product having a viscosity of not greater than 1200 cps. Even without the product has a homogeneously microcrystalline structure after freezing.

Abstract: The dragee has a core and a shell adhering to the core, based on sorbitol with an additive of the methyl ester of L-aspartyl-L-phenyl-alanine (aspartame) in the proportion of not more than 0.5% by weight. Also described is a tumbling method of making the shell.

Abstract: A container for food products, which can be used as a money box after consumption of the products, comprises a hollow casing constituted by two trough-shaped bodies which can be joined together releasably at their complementary free edges. One of the free edges has a notch which defines a slot with other free edge when the bodies are joined together. The two bodies have shaped appendages which give the container an animal-like appearance, and some of the appendages serve to support the container with the slot facing upwardly.

Abstract: A package for a rigid or semi-rigid food product has a wrapper sheet which encloses the product and which can be torn along a transverse rupture line, and a take-up member which at least partly surrounds the portion of the wrapper sheet between one end of the product and the rupture line and by means of which the product may be held for consumption.

Abstract: A package for food products comprises a first container and a second container, which are filled respectively with a solid or solidifiable food product and a food product which can be used as a garnishing for the solid or solidifiable product.The first container is generally dish-shaped and has a rim with at least one straight side, and a straight edge located adjacent the bottom of the container and parallel to the straight side of the rim. The straight side and edge together define a flat side face of the first container.The second container is generally flat and has dimensions such as to allow it to be applied against the flat side face of the first container. The second container is at least partly compressible in order to expel the garnishing product contained therein.

Abstract: A small flip-top container which can be opened and shut using one hand is closed at one end by a stopper having a skirt which grips the inside of the container resiliently and a rectangular end wall with an aperture which extends for a certain distance from one of the minor sides. The aperture is closeable by a flap which is hinged integrally to the end wall at the inner end of the aperture and is held shut by the snap-engagement of a transverse heel formed on a projection from the free end of the internal surface of the flap in a complementary transverse groove from in the minor wall of the skirt immediately below the outer end of the aperture. In order that the flap can be snapped open and shut without excessive force, the frontal edge of the minor wall of the skirt defining the top of the groove has a central part which projects outwardly relative to its lateral parts, over which the heel must pass.

Abstract: The object to be wrapped is deposited on thin aluminium foil which extends over the mouth of a forming device comprising an annulus and a plurality of resilient blades each fixed at one end to the annulus and converging at their other, free ends towards a first half mould having a hemispherical cavity coaxial with the annulus. A push rod is advanced axially of the preforming device to push the object and the aluminium foil between the resilient blades, making the foil adhere to the leading surface of the object and effecting a first moulding of the aluminium foil around the trailing surface of the object. The partially wrapped object is expelled from the forming device the blades of which close to effect a second moulding of the aluminium foil over the trailing surface of the object, forming a rear projection in the form of a tail constituted by that part of the aluminium foil which does not adhere to the object.