Abstract: A chocolate feeding device for chocolate refiners which has a chocolate feeding conveyor provided with movable pick-up blades feeding the chocolate to several points in an adjacent refiner feeding hopper which cooperates with an electric cell, the output of which is representative of the chocolate quantity in said feeding hopper. The feeding hopper is provided with an oscillable shield-like bottom wall the movements of which are controlled by a pneumatic cylinder/piston unit connected to it and controlled in turn by an actuator having a circuit controlled by an oscillable front wall of a chocolate-receiving chamber of the chocolate refiner.

Abstract: A refining roll drive for chocolate refining machines, wherein motion is transmitted by means of straight-cog pulleys and cogged drive belts. Two drive motors are provided, one on each side of the machine. One motor drives the odd-located rolls, and the other motor drives the even-located rolls. Any oscillable rolls provided would be carried on a common holder also carrying their respective drive motor.

Abstract: A lateral end upright for the feeding roll pair in chocolate refining machines is formed by two half-uprights in mutual abutment relationship and individually mounted to one of the feeding rolls. The abutment sides of the half-uprights have a thickness dimension which is selected to ensure continuity thereof even with the feeding roll axles tilted to their full oscillated positions. A flexible insert may be interposed to the upright halves.Offsetting play due to wear can be taken up, as can differences in the working lengths of the feeding rolls.

Abstract: A system for controlling the pressure applied on the roll bearings of chocolate refining machines comprises, in addition to a linked multi-pressure control circuit, an additional circuit for applying linked single-pressure control, a selector valve enabling switching of one or the other of the operating modes.The dual-function system imparts refining machines with universal operation capabilities.

Abstract: A refiner for mixtures and suspensions having a non-Newtonian rheological characteristic, such as chocolate, which comprises a plurality of power driven refining rollers, and a means of changing the pressure thereof on the respective supports, wherein a means is also provided which is effective to change the actual crowning of the rollers, or the effect of an equivalent crowning, as well as a means of changing the speed of said refining rollers. The crown change is achieved by having the individual rollers supported on an oscillating support adapted to oscillate its respective roller relatively to the associated roller by rotation about an orthogonal midaxis with respect to the roller longitudinal axes, thereby a contact point is established at the roller middle area or circumference while their ends are offset. The speed of the refining rollers is changed through independent and individually operated controls, such as a DC motor.

Abstract: A device for controlling and monitoring the thickness of a chocolate film delivered by chocolate refiners. The chocolate film thickness is controlled by operation of a roller bearing pressure adjustment system of the refiner by way of cut-in signals from an indirect measurement of the instantaneous chocolate film thickness effected by processing representative colorimetric signals for a given mass of chocolate stock of corresponding thickness values emitted by a readout head. The readout head is arranged to reciprocate to measure the film across its entire width. The readout head also enables the integrity of the chocolate film being delivered to be monitored, that is to detect the appearance on the output roller of dry band areas.In the presence of potential causes of refiner roller seizure, the device, after a presettable time delay, will automatically stop the machine.

Abstract: A device for controlling and regulating the amount of product to be poured into the moulds of forming machines for chocolate and similar products, in which the conveyor belt carrying the filled moulds is fitted with a balance for weighing each single filled mould and for comparing the effective weight of the filled mould with a preset rated weight, the said balance being connected with a regulation mechanism for increasing or decreasing the quantity of chocolate or similar to be poured.