Abstract: A method for producing dispersions with a defined particle size includes following steps: A) Preparation of a mixed dispersion in a predispersion process, B) introduction of the mixed dispersion into at least one continuously operating separating device, C) separation of the mixed dispersion in the separating device into coarse particles of a coarse-part dispersion and into fine particles of a fine-part dispersion, D) discharging the fine particle dispersion from the separating device into at least one storage tank, E) discharging the coarse particle dispersion from the separating device into at least one disperser, F) grinding the coarse particles of the coarse particle dispersion in the disperser into a dispersed particle mixture and returning the dispersed particle mixture to the mixing tank in the predispersion process, and G) mixing the dispersed particle mixture returned to the predispersion process with the mixing dispersion produced in the predispersion process in the mixing tank.

Abstract: Method for producing dispersions of a defined particle size, a liquid mixture dispersion (Dm) being continuously separated into a coarse fraction dispersion (Dg) and a fine fraction dispersion (Df), comprising the following steps: A) continuously or discontinuously producing the mixed dispersion (Dm) in a pre-dispersion process, in which a particle mixture (Pm) of a disperse phase is mixed with a continuous liquid phase to form the mixed dispersion (Dm) and is intermediately stored in at least one mixing tank (Tm), B) introducing the mixed dispersion (Dm) from the pre-dispersion process into at least one continuously operating separating device (VT), C) separating the particle mixture (Pm) of the mixed dispersion (Dm) in the at least one separating device (VT) into coarse particles (Pg) of the coarse fraction dispersion (Dg) and into fine particles (Pf) of the fine fraction dispersion (Df) in accordance with a threshold value for the particle size, D) discharging the fine fraction dispersion (Df) from the at

Abstract: An edible product is made from a castable mass such as chocolate in a casting device that includes a container for receiving the castable mass and a metering unit. The metering unit has a nozzle block having nozzles facing away from the container and a valve block facing the container. The volume of a metering chamber between the nozzle block and the valve block can be changed by moving the nozzle block relative to the valve block. The casting method comprises steps of a) filling the mass container with the castable mass; b) drawing the mass into the metering chamber by enlarging the metering chamber volume by a first relative motion between the nozzle block and the valve block, and c) discharging the mass from the metering chamber by reducing the metering chamber volume by a second relative motion between the nozzle block and valve block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material, in particular a fat material such as chocolate, for example, having a heatable material container for receiving the castable material; at least one nozzle which is in fluid connection with the material container interior, and a pressure source for generating an overpressure in the material container interior. According to the invention, the nozzle has a nozzle orifice or a nozzle constriction, the open cross section or flow cross section of which is flexible. A process according to the invention for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material has the following steps: providing a heated castable material in a material container; generating an overpressure in the material container interior; forcing the material through a nozzle in fluid connection with the material container with simultaneous changing of the flow and/or open cross section of the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine valve (32, 42; 50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 100; 110; 120; 130), a pressure generating means (3, 4, 5, 6, 32, 42) for installation in a casting machine (1), and a casting machine (1) for casting a flowable mass, particularly a liquid mass having suspended solid particles, such as chocolate, wherein cocoa particles and sugar particles are typically suspended in a melted fat mass containing cocoa butter and more or less milk fat. The valve (50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 100; 110; 120) comprises a valve body (51; 61; 71; 81; 91; 101; 111; 121; 131) having a valve opening and at least one valve cap (53; 64; 76; 83; 94; 105; 115; 128; 133) that is associated with the valve opening, is hinged on the valve body, and closes the valve opening in the unpressurized state without preloading.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine (1) for casting a flowable mass (M), in particular a flowable mass with suspended solid particles. Said casting machine comprises a mass container (2) for receiving the flowable mass and at least one valve (32, 42; 50; 60; 70; 80; 90; 100; 110; 120) that is fluidically connected to the inner area of the mass container. When the pressure changes in the direction of the valve along the valve passage, said valve is in the open state and in the absence of a pressure change in the direction of the valve passage, said valve is in the closed state. The casting machine also comprises pressure generating means (3, 4, 5, 6, 32, 42) for generating a change in the pressure in the direction of the valve passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die assembly(1) for forming extrudates of viscoelastic masses, e.g. polymers, dough masses etc, comprising several similar parallel die channels (2), each extending through the die assembly (1) in the axial transport direction (F) of the mass. According to the invention, a respective partition (5), which runs parallel with the axial transport direction (F) and is equipped with a cutting edge (5a) on its upstream end, is provided on the upstream end of the die body (1) between two adjacent inlet openings (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1; 1?) and a method for casting an edible product from a castable mass (M), particularly a fat mass such as chocolate. The casting device (1; 1?) comprises a mass container (2; 2?) for receiving the castable mass (M) and a metering unit (3, 4; 3?, 4?) having nozzles (32; 32?) in a fluid connection with the interior of the mass container. The metering unit (3, 4; 3?, 4?) has a nozzle block (3; 3) having nozzles (32; 32?) on the side facing away from the mass container (2; 2?) and a valve block (4; 4?) having at least one valve (42; 42?) on the side facing the mass container (2; 2?), a metering chamber (7; 7?) being delimited between the nozzle block (3; 3?) and the valve block (4; 4?) and having a metering chamber volume (V) that can be changed by a relative motion between the nozzle block (3; 3) and the valve block (4; 4?).

Abstract: A screening device is disclosed for a pulverulent or granular material, such as a control screen for milled products including, but not limited to, flour, middlings or semolina. The device has an inlet for material to be screened, an outlet for rejections and an outlet for undersize Furthermore, the screening device can include a screen frame with a screen fastened thereto and a base framework. The screen frame can be mounted such that it can move relative to the base framework of the screening device and be coupled to a vibrating source by which the screen frame can be made to move with vibrating movements relative to the base framework of the screening device. During operation, the screen frame can be made to move with vibrating movements whose frequency is in the range from, for example, 15 Hz to 100 Hz and whose amplitude is in the range from, for example, 0.1 mm to 6 mm.

Abstract: A machine for treating or processing a conveyable material, particularly a free-flowing or pasty material or a bulk material comprises at least one passage section having at least one passage through which the conveyable material, which is to be treated or processed, can be conveyed along a direction of conveyance. The at least one passage section forms at least one partial area of a channel of the machine and is mounted so that it can move in relation to this channel. This at least one passage section is coupled to at least one source, which is provided for effecting oscillations and by means of which the passage section can be set in mechanical oscillatory motion with regard to the channel of the machine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for extruding viscoelastic matter, in particular pastas. This device has a filling area for introducing matter or constituents of the matter into the device, a conveying area for conveying and processing the flow of matter conveyed through the device, a distributor area for deforming and distributing the flow of matter to a plurality of partial flows of matter, and a die area with a plurality of dies for forming a strand or sheet from the respective partial flows of matter. According to the invention, the inner walls of the distributor area are formed from a viscoelastic material at least in some areas or have a viscoelastic material in these areas.

Abstract: The active ingredient depot, in one embodiment, is a closed double-walled tube having at least one pressure-sensitive outlet at one end in the form of one of a membrane, a diaphragm and a valve; and an active substance embedded therein. In another embodiment, the active ingredient depot, is an encapsulation, such as an ice cube, having a outer surrounding wall and an inner dissolvable wall defining a cavity in which an active substance is disposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting machine for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material, in particular a fat material such as chocolate, for example, having a heatable material container for receiving the castable material; at least one nozzle which is in fluid connection with the material container interior, and a pressure source for generating an overpressure in the material container interior. According to the invention, the nozzle has a nozzle orifice or a nozzle constriction, the open cross section or flow cross section of which is flexible. A process according to the invention for producing a product intended for human consumption from a castable material has the following steps: providing a heated castable material in a material container; generating an overpressure in the material container interior, forcing the material through a nozzle in fluid connection with the material container with simultaneous changing of the flow and/or open cross section of the nozzle.

Abstract: The inventive method uses the ultrasound Doppler method (UVP) in order to determine a local velocity profile perpendicular to a line for a fluid which flows through said line, carrying suspended or emulsified particles. The wall shear stress of said fluid is measured locally within the range of said local velocity profile. Specific rheological parameters of the flowing fluid thus examined, e.g. viscosity function (shear viscosity), flow limit etc., can be determined from the local velocity profile and the local wall shear stress associated therewith. A suitable model is adapted by iteratively adapting a model-based theoretic velocity profile to a measured velocity profile.

Abstract: A machine for treating or processing a conveyable material, particularly a free-flowing or pasty material or a bulk material comprises at least one passage section having at least one passage through which the conveyable material, which is to be treated or processed, can be conveyed along a direction of conveyance. The at least one passage section forms at least one partial area of a channel of the machine and is mounted so that it can move in relation to this channel. This at least one passage section is coupled to at least one source, which is provided for effecting oscillations and by means of which the passage section can be set in mechanical oscillatory motion with regard to the channel of the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die assembly (1) for forming extrudates of viscoelastic masses, e.g. polymers, dough masses etc, comprising several similar parallel die channels (2), each extending through the die assembly (1) in the axial transport direction (F) of the mass. According to the invention, a respective partition (5), which runs parallel with the axial transport direction (F) and is equipped with a cutting edge (5a) on its upstream end, is provided on the upstream end of the die body (1) between two adjacent inlet openings (3).

Abstract: A system for influencing the rheological properties of a transportable material, especially a free-flowing, pasty or bulk product is associated, or can be associated, with a machine for processing or treating the transportable material in which the transportable material is transported in a transport direction. The system includes at least one controllable operative system for producing mechanical oscillations and applying the same to the material in at least one processing section of the machine, and at least one detection system for detecting the rheological properties of the material. The detected rheological properties are used as a basis for controlling the operative system for producing the mechanical oscillations and applying the same.

Abstract: The inventive method uses the ultrasound Doppler method (UVP) in order to determine a local velocity profile perpendicular to a line for a fluid which flows through said line, carrying suspended or emulsified particles. The wall shear stress of said fluid is measured locally within the range of said local velocity profile. Specific rheological parameters of the flowing fluid thus examined, e.g. viscosity function (shear viscosity), flow limit etc., can be determined from the local velocity profile and the local wall shear stress associated therewith. A suitable model is adapted by iteratively adapting a model-based theoretic velocity profile to a measured velocity profile.

Abstract: A system for influencing the rheological properties of a transportable material, especially a free-flowing, pasty or bulk product is associated, or can be associated, with a machine for processing or treating the transportable material in which the transportable material is transported in a transport direction. The system includes at least one controllable operative system for producing mechanical oscillations and applying the same to the material in at least one processing section of the machine, and at least one detection system for detecting the rheological properties of the material. The detected rheological properties are used as a basis for controlling the operative system for producing the mechanical oscillations and applying the same.