Abstract: A chocolate coating for frozen desserts or the like containing no tropical oils but including a mixture of first and second oils having a different degree of hydrogenation and different melting temperatures and other compatible ingredients.

Abstract: A freezer having its walls constructed of spaced inner and outer stainless steel skins connected together by non-metallic, thermally non-conductive structural members having a configuration which greatly reduces the transfer of temperature extremes and thermal stresses between the skins. The structural members are preferably constructed of glass fibre and possess structural, thermal conduction, and thermal expansion properties which substantially reduce the transfer of heat and thermal stresses between the inner and outer skins as the freezer is subjected to temperature variations between normal processing temperatures of about -50.degree. F. and heat sterilization temperatures up to 170.degree. F. In addition, a novel expansion joint assembly includes a flexible resilient cover strip covering the joint areas of adjacent skins.

Abstract: A sugar free chocolate coating for a frozen dairy dessert comprising aspartame, mannitol and polydextrose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enrobing confections with an enrobing material by conveying the confections along a conveying path over which two transversely extending curtains of enrobing material are directed. Between the respective curtains a first downwardly directed air curtain is provided for smoothing a first layer of enrobing material, and downstream of the enrobing device a second air curtain is provided for smoothing a second layer of the enrobing material and to remove excess enrobing material from the confections. A bottom coating station is provided wherein the confections are guided through an enrobing material containing pan to provide substantially complete coverage of enrobing material over the surfaces of the confections.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of frozen confections includes an endless conveyor, a freezing chamber, means for moving the conveyor along a fixed path externally of the freezing chamber and then through the freezing chamber, a downwardly facing extruder nozzle of established cross sectional shape located above the fixed path, an apparatus for dispensing a lowermost cookie from the bottom of a stack of cookies onto a location along the fixed path including a frame, a substantially horizontal block supported by the frame having a vertical aperture therein, means connected to the block for holding the stack of cookies in vertical alignment with the aperture, a horizontal plate means under the block supported by a first moving means mounted on the frame operable to move the plate means between an obstructing position in which the plate obstructs the aperture to a cleared position in which the plate does not obstruct the aperture, a horizontal finger means above the horizontal plate means supported by a second