Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a frozen confection product comprising the steps of: a. rotating a receptacle about a substantially vertical axis and depositing a continuous stream of one or more frozen confections into the receptacle; b. depositing into the receptacle a batch of solid inclusions independently from the continuous stream of frozen confection of step a.; and c. cooling the product of step b. to ?5° C. or lower; wherein, the duration of steps a. to b. is 2.0 seconds or less.

Abstract: A variegator and a process for using it. The variegator permits the manufacturer to obtain desirable patterns of distribution of sauce and chunks in frozen confections while at the same time permitting fast cleaning-in-place times to minimize factory downtime. The variegator comprises a) one or more conduits, each suitable for feeding a base frozen confection to a first opening or set of openings into a chamber, b) one or more conduits suitable for feeding a fluid variegating material such as a sauce through a second openings or set of openings at a level below the first set into the chamber below the base frozen confection opening, and c) a static mixer below the variegating material opening, the static mixer comprising at least two baffles.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for separating a cone sleeve (4) from a nested stack of cone sleeves (1) the apparatus comprising a chamber (2) having an upper (7) and a lower (8) surface connected by a wall or walls (6), the upper surface (7) having an upper circular opening (3) and the lower surface (8) having a lower circular opening (5) characterized in that the upper circular opening (3) has a circumference of from 100-135% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), the lower circular opening (5) has a circumference of from 95-99.5% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), and the chamber (2) has inlets (9) connectable to a pressurized gas supply.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for separating a cone sleeve (4) from a nested stack of cone sleeves (1) the apparatus comprising a chamber (2) having an upper (7) and a lower (8) surface connected by a wall or walls (6), the upper surface (7) having an upper circular opening (3) and the lower surface (8) having a lower circular opening (5) characterized in that the upper circular opening (3) has a circumference of from 100-135% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), the lower circular opening (5) has a circumference of from 95-99.5% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), and the chamber (2) has inlets (9) connectable to a pressurized gas supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of frozen confections comprising: a forming element (1) having one or more open cavities (2) on its surface; a nozzle (3) for filling said cavities with a frozen aerated material; and means for moving the forming element (1) relative to the nozzle (3) so that the end of the nozzle shears the frozen confection and thereby cuts it; characterised in that the internal surface (5) of the nozzle (3) facing into the direction of movement of the forming element relative to the nozzle is at an angle of at most 55° relative to the surface of the forming element (1) is provided. A process for the manufacture of frozen confections comprising inclusions, the process comprising: extruding a frozen confection containing inclusions from a nozzle into a cavity (2) of a forming element (1); moving the cavity (2) relative to the nozzle (3) so that the end of the nozzle shears the frozen confection and thereby cuts it; and then removing the frozen confection from the cavity.