Abstract: In a closed loop system for making ice confections having a holding stick embedded therein, there are provided: dies for the ice confections, rigid plates each supporting plural rows of dies, guide means for moving the plates along a closed loop path coplanar with the plates, the path including two straight, side-by-side main sections and two minor sections disposed between the main sections and extending at least partway along a semicircular arc, filling and shake-out stations, and chilling means acting on the dies, the minor sections of the flat die travel path defining areas of intervention on the dies and being engaged by at least the shake-out station.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of commercial plants for the production of icecreams, and in particular to a plant for producing popsicles and icecreams incorporating a holding stick.A plant (1) is provided, according to the invention, which has dies or molds (2) moving along a closed path with two superimposed main sections (4,5) which fit predominantly within a thermally insulated casing (10), and refrigerating members (18,22) including a plurality of cooler sets (18) fitting into said casing (10) and each having at least one fan (20a,20b) operative to circulate cool air along both main sections (4,5) of the path. The plant (1) also comprises a hot air thaw station (9) located at one end of said casing (10).

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the technical field of food article processing, and in particular relates to a method for shaping ice creams and articles of creamy consistency.The technical problem to be solved was that of quickly and accurately shaping articles of a creamy type with the same already provided with volume and consistency features which substantially approximate the final ones.The solution to the problem is provided by a method comprising at least one shaping step carried out by applying to said articles at least one air-pervious die and simultaneously blowing in air through said die.

Abstract: A device for shaping ice cream into shaped articles, comprising extruder members (2) to deliver an ice-cream blank (3), cutter members (10) to subdivide the blank into a plurality of slugs (13) and conveyor for transporting the slugs (13) while being carried by trays (9) to a molding device (1). The molding device (1), which shapes the slugs of ice cream on the trays, comprises operative members (22, 23) to supply compressed air and at least one forming unit (15). The forming unit (15) includes an air pervious contoured die (16), formed by a porous material with a substantially uniform thickness, drive elements (19) for moving the die (16) toward the slugs of ice cream to be shaped, and walls defining an internal chamber (18) supplied by compressed air by the operative members (22, 23) and in communication with the die (16), to realize a uniform distribution of compressed air and a thin gap of air between the total surface of the shaped article and the surface of the die (16) facing the shaped article.