Abstract: A conveyor line system for carrying frozen comestibles in which the conveyor line support rail is formed of an elongated aluminum extrusion having incorporated within it a fluid passage extending along its length with radially and longitudinally spaced orifices for washing the conveyor line assembly during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A tiered ice cream product tray for attaching to a conveyor includes a sheet member with a mounting region for affixing the sheet to the conveyor, and a support region extending therefrom and including vertically offset horizontal portion support tables. At least one region of the sheet member extends transversely between an upper end thereof at a first product support table, and a lower end thereof at an adjacent product support table. An ice cream product fabrication system includes a conveyor oriented along a direction of conveyor motion and having a plurality of such trays attached thereto. The vertical regions of the tray are aligned parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A preferred embodiment of the system fabricates ice cream portion having a thickness t, and the vertical faces have a height at least (t/2). The system includes a stick inserting work station for inserting a stick into ice cream portions along a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of motion.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming comestible shapes includes a mold block having an open ended cavity formed therein, the cavity having an axis of symmetry generally transverse to a plane of its open end, and movable means for closing the open end during molding to retain the comestible within the cavity. A scraper pivotally mounts at just one point on the mold block for rotation about the axis of symmetry within the cavity, and a conduit valve provides a flow of comestible in a plastic state into the mold cavity. Control means controls the flow of comestible into the cavity, the rotation of the scraper, and the opening and closing of the movable means to permit shaping of the comestible within the mold cavity and release of the shaped comestible from the mold cavity by operation of the valve, the movable means, and the scraper. In one embodiment, a conduit houses a displacement valve controlled to provide a negative flow pressure after filling of the mold.