Abstract: Modular conveying plant for elements or containers, comprises at least a conveyor (2, 3) provided with respective upper transport lines (4, 5) separated in two portions by an interchangeable intermediate module (30, 50, 70) where this intermediate module includes at least one among the continuation intermediate module (30), the intermediate module of lateral deviation (50), the intermediate module of bi-directional lateral exchange (70).

Abstract: A device for controlling the condensate or frost formation in chocolate shell production has a mould (2), provided with a plurality of recesses (3) for liquefied of softened chocolate (4) and a die (5) cooled by cooling means (7) and including a plurality of protrusions (6), each fit to be inserted into a respective below recess (3) to mould a chocolate shell, in cooperation therewith, in a maximum approach condition (A) between the die (5) and the mould (2). The device (1) further includes: at least one supply means (8) whose outlet (9) flows directly into the environment and it is orientated in the direction of protrusions (6); dehumidification means (10) to feed the at least one supply means (8) with dehumidified air (50). The supply means (8) is fit to blow dehumidified air (50) nearly at ambient pressure, at least in mutual detachment conditions (D) of mould (2) and die (5), toward the protrusions (6) so preventing the formation thereon of water condensate or frost.

Abstract: Chocolate-filled molds are conveyed to a workstation for releasing the chocolate from the molds, and the empty molds are simultaneously conveyed away from the workstation, by an arrangement which includes a pair of up and down elevators which convey filled and empty molds to a transfer device displaceable up and down in synchronism with the movement ofthe elevators. The transfer device transfers the filled and empty molds only when the transfer device is in a rest position.

Abstract: An arrangement for refining a confectionery material includes a series of cylinders for pressing and stretching the confectionery material particles, driving devices for driving the cylinders, and heat removal devices for removing the refining heat. Between the freely swinging first cylinder and the second cylinder, a position transducer for measuring the spacing between the first two cylinders is arranged. The first cylinder is pressed against the second cylinder and a spreading-apart force transducer measures the force between the two cylinders. Temperature transducers for measuring the temperature near the confectionery material refined by the first two cylinders are moreover provided. The transducers are operatively coupled to a control device which provides a reference signal for the cylinder feedback driving device.

Abstract: A desired consistency for particulate confectionery material is obtained by adjusting the spacing of a nip between two rotary milling cylinders in dependence upon a measured force exerted by the confectionery material on the cylinders during passage of the confectionery material through the nip.

Abstract: The closing of the end edges of the wrapper (5) which is wrapped around the product in a shape made tubular in a known manner, is performed by folders, some of which are dynamic (15, 15' and 17, 17' ), located in different stations, and some static (8, 8' and 18, 18'). The first pair of dynamic folders (15, 15}') is mounted on the same dynamic folder (14) that folds the first lateral edge (505) of the wrapper. A possible option is to replace the last pair of dynamic folders (17, 17') with a pair of static folders (25, 25'). Before the final rolling stage, the wrapped product passes through a shaped channel (19) that keeps the end folds of the wrapper correctly arranged. The last pair of static folders (18, 18') may be incorporated in this channel. The end edges of the wrapper may be folded in three or in four consecutive portions laid over each other.

Abstract: A demolding apparatus removes chocolates from molds. The apparatus includes upper and lower conveyor systems and an inverting unit. Full molds filled with chocolate are carried by the lower conveyor to the inverting unit which inverts the full molds and transfers the inverted full molds to the upper conveyor. The chocolates are emptied from the inverted full molds and conveyed away from the apparatus. The empty molds are carried by the upper conveyor to the inverting unit which inverts and transfers the empty molds to the lower conveyor.

Abstract: The levers (8, 9) supporting the lifting member (4) and the counter-lifting member (5) are associated with respective quadrilaterals (8, 12, 18, 122 and 9, 13, 19, 122) that are articulated on horizontal spindles (10, 16, 14, 20 and 11, 17, 15, 21) which are mutually parallel and orthogonal to the tangent of the peripheral portion of the disc (1) on which the lifting means operate cyclically. One side of each articulated quadrilateral is supported laterally by a box (22) which is fixed to the base of the wrapping machine, into which box passes one of the fixed spindles (14, 15) of each quadrilateral, in order to receive, via levers and cams (23, 24, 27, 28), the necessary oscillatory motion from a shaft (29) that rotates continuously and in step with the other members of the wrapping machine.

Abstract: A mold conveying arrangement includes a mold having at least one well for receiving chocolate to be conveyed through molding workstations. The mold extends along a longitudinal direction between opposite end regions, and also extends along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The mold has projections generally extending in a downward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions. A movable conveyor extends along the transverse direction below the mold. The conveyor engages the projections and moves the mold along the transverse direction.

Abstract: A molding plant for conveying molds, preferably molds for chocolates or similar products. A drive shaft, which includes conveying screws mounted on a shaft, conveys the molds along a processing path through stations in the plant. The underside of each mold has downwardly projecting studs or projections that engage between threads of the conveying screws. The studs are arranged such that the molds can be conveyed along at least two different, transverse processing paths. Preferably, the studs are positioned such that the engagement between the studs and the screws is along a midline of the molds.

Abstract: Continuously-operating chilling cabinet for treating a mass contained in molds, for example a chocolate mass or the like, such that after the entrance of the chilling cabinet is a device for lifting the molds as they are fed in and stacked and, in an adjacent position, before the exit from the chilling cabinet is a device for lowering the stacked molds. Above the lifting and the lowering device is a mechanism for holding and releasing the lowest mold of the corresponding stack. Above the stacks, the chilling cabinet houses a horizontal carrier that conveys the molds contained in the top row of the ascending column towards the top of the column made up of descending molds.

Abstract: Method of pouring a liquid mass of chocolate into an elongated mold by depositing greater quantities of the mass at both shorter end regions of the mold, and by depositing a lesser quantity of the mass at a longer central region of the mold.

Abstract: The outputs (17-18) of a pair of intermittence devices (16) operated in phase with a clutch driving shaft (6), clutch however, generate equal movements, however in a 180.degree. out-of-phase relation with each other. With the interposition of respective electromagnetic friction clutches (27-28), these outputs are connected to the driven disc of the clutch. The two clutch discs are normally interconnected by at least one respective dog (9-10). A control logic (22) connected to a generator of clock signals (K1-K2) in phase with the uniform motion and rest times of the outputs from the intermittence devices, commands the clutch to be opened and closed, when the friction clutch at the selected output is closed, and when the said output travels at the same speed as the input into the intermittence devices.

Abstract: A filter plate for use in a press for separating cocoa butter from cocoa paste includes a plate body having an inlet surface facing the paste, and an outlet surface in which a spiral collection channel is formed. A plurality of holes extends through the body between the inlet and outlet surfaces. The holes communicate with, and are spaced along, the spiral collection channel.

Abstract: A chocolate feeding device for chocolate refiners which has a chocolate feeding conveyor provided with movable pick-up blades feeding the chocolate to several points in an adjacent refiner feeding hopper which cooperates with an electric cell, the output of which is representative of the chocolate quantity in said feeding hopper. The feeding hopper is provided with an oscillable shield-like bottom wall the movements of which are controlled by a pneumatic cylinder/piston unit connected to it and controlled in turn by an actuator having a circuit controlled by an oscillable front wall of a chocolate-receiving chamber of the chocolate refiner.

Abstract: A refining roll drive for chocolate refining machines, wherein motion is transmitted by means of straight-cog pulleys and cogged drive belts. Two drive motors are provided, one on each side of the machine. One motor drives the odd-located rolls, and the other motor drives the even-located rolls. Any oscillable rolls provided would be carried on a common holder also carrying their respective drive motor.

Abstract: An autoclave for processing cocoa liquor, wherein for the effectuation of all the processing steps of a cocoa liquor involved, additionally to inlet (5) and discharge ports for the product, heater means, stirrer means, and level and temperature (7) gages, there are provided an intake port (11a) for the infeed of water, treated roasting hot air, steam or process solution, in conjunction with a neutral gas intake port (11), a suction port (11b) for vacuum forming, a thermal treatment means (9) selectively associable with a source of a heated fluid or with a source of a cooling fluid, means (16,34) of conveying and centrifuging the mixture of product plus water or infeed solution, means (22) of dispersing the product in the form of a free-falling umbrella-like layer, and means (32,28,33) of displacing the product in opposite directions.

Abstract: A lateral end upright for the feeding roll pair in chocolate refining machines is formed by two half-uprights in mutual abutment relationship and individually mounted to one of the feeding rolls. The abutment sides of the half-uprights have a thickness dimension which is selected to ensure continuity thereof even with the feeding roll axles tilted to their full oscillated positions. A flexible insert may be interposed to the upright halves.Offsetting play due to wear can be taken up, as can differences in the working lengths of the feeding rolls.

Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure applied on the roll bearings of chocolate refining machines comprises, in addition to a linked multi-pressure control circuit, an additional circuit for applying linked single-pressure control, a selector valve enabling switching of one or the other of the operating modes.The dual-function system imparts refining machines with universal operation capabilities.

Abstract: A refiner for mixtures and suspensions having a non-Newtonian rheological characteristic, such as chocolate, which comprises a plurality of power driven refining rollers, and a means of changing the pressure thereof on the respective supports, wherein a means is also provided which is effective to change the actual crowning of the rollers, or the effect of an equivalent crowning, as well as a means of changing the speed of said refining rollers. The crown change is achieved by having the individual rollers supported on an oscillating support adapted to oscillate its respective roller relatively to the associated roller by rotation about an orthogonal midaxis with respect to the roller longitudinal axes, thereby a contact point is established at the roller middle area or circumference while their ends are offset. The speed of the refining rollers is changed through independent and individually operated controls, such as a DC motor.