Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing of ice cream confections, having constant-velocity confection pick-up function which is uninterrupted by pausing confection-drop function. A confection conveyor system having two cooperating conveyor sections has a constant-velocity confection-receiving station on the first conveyor section and a pausing confection-drop station on the second conveyor section. A serial stream of confections is obtained from a constant-velocity serial stream of confections on the first conveyor section at an intermediate transfer station between the two conveyor sections. At the confection-drop station located in the second conveyor section one confection is dropped on each lane of several parallel lanes on an off-line confection wrapper. The confections are dropped substantially without horizontal motion as received by the wrapper.

Abstract: A reconstituted banana product, which is formed primarily of banana puree with the addition of ice cream ingredients, is extruded by a horizontal extruder. As the extrudate stream is deposited on a moving product plate of a conveyor, which moves in the same direction as the extrudate stream, the extruder is moved transversely of the direction of movement of the extrudate stream and conveyor. After a product of the desired length is deposited on a product plate, a hot wire cutoff device slices the extrudate stream into separate products which, by virtue of the transverse movement, are arcuate. In order to simulate the appearance of banana seeds, an auxilliary nozzle tube, within and centered in the main nozzle of the extruder, extrudes an extrudate of a darker color. The auxilliary nozzle tube has a closed end and slots extending from the closed end. Baffles at the base of the slots deflect the extrudate from the main extruder as the extrudate of darker color is extruded.

Abstract: A conveyor line system for carrying frozen comestibles in which the conveyor line support rail is formed of an elongated aluminum extrusion having incorporated within it a fluid passage extending along its length with radially and longitudinally spaced orifices for washing the conveyor line assembly during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A reconstituted banana product, which is formed primarily of banana puree with the addition of ice cream ingredients, is extruded by a horizontal extruder. As the extrudate stream is deposited on a moving product plate of a conveyor, which moves in the same direction as the extrudate stream, the extruder is moved transversely of the direction of movement of the extrudate stream and conveyor. After a product of the desired length is deposited on a product plate, a hot wire cutoff device slices the extrudate stream into separate products which by virtue of the transverse movement, are arcuate. In order to simulate the appearance of banana seeds, an auxiliary nozzle tube, within and centered in the main nozzle of the extruder, extrudes an extrudate of a darker color. The auxiliary nozzle tube has a closed end and slots extending from the closed end. Baffles at the base of the slots deflect the extrucate from the main extruder as the extrudate of darker color is extruded.

Abstract: A tiered ice cream product tray for attaching to a conveyor includes a sheet member with a mounting region for affixing the sheet to the conveyor, and a support region extending therefrom and including vertically offset horizontal portion support tables. At least one region of the sheet member extends transversely between an upper end thereof at a first product support table, and a lower end thereof at an adjacent product support table. An ice cream product fabrication system includes a conveyor oriented along a direction of conveyor motion and having a plurality of such trays attached thereto. The vertical regions of the tray are aligned parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A preferred embodiment of the system fabricates ice cream portion having a thickness t, and the vertical faces have a height at least (t/2). The system includes a stick inserting work station for inserting a stick into ice cream portions along a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of motion.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming comestible shapes includes a mold block having an open ended cavity formed therein, the cavity having an axis of symmetry generally transverse to a plane of its open end, and movable means for closing the open end during molding to retain the comestible within the cavity. A scraper pivotally mounts at just one point on the mold block for rotation about the axis of symmetry within the cavity, and a conduit valve provides a flow of comestible in a plastic state into the mold cavity. Control means controls the flow of comestible into the cavity, the rotation of the scraper, and the opening and closing of the movable means to permit shaping of the comestible within the mold cavity and release of the shaped comestible from the mold cavity by operation of the valve, the movable means, and the scraper. In one embodiment, a conduit houses a displacement valve controlled to provide a negative flow pressure after filling of the mold.