Abstract: A method of and apparatus for, the manufacture of chocolate products formed from chocolate of at least two colours, where mould assemblies arranged with mould cavities in columns and rows are advanced under a filling head which fills the mould cavities in a row, advances the mould assemblies and vibrates the mould assemblies to release any air trapped in the mould cavities. The mould cavities are provided in mould plates formed from acrylic sheet material, enabling chocolates of a wide range of shapes/sizes to be manufactured, where the chocolates may have sharp edges for added aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: A mould plate former (10) is produced where former shapes (13) are located on a former plate (10a) by a template (20). A mould plate (60) with recesses (61) aligned with engraved images (17) on a graphics plate, is produced by placing a mixed solution (34) of a silicone compound (30) and hardener (33) in the former (10) after any air bubbles in the solution (34) have been removed under vacuum. The mould plate (60) is allowed to initially cure, is trimmed and then post-cured (e.g., in a curing oven (80)). The mould plate (60) is used to manufacture chocolates of two (or more) colours with a thin design or at least one colour on a chocolate of another colour.