Abstract: A conching apparatus having: a container, which forms an accommodating space for a product mass, a shaft, which is accommodated, at least in part, in the container and is designed to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and at least one conching tool, which is coupled to the shaft for joint rotation therewith, the conching tool therefore, during conching operation of the conching apparatus, moving in a first direction of circulation along a circulatory path. The conching tool here includes an operative surface, which is directed towards the inner wall of the container and is designed such that a radial gap between the inner wall of the container and the operative surface decreases, at least in part, counter to the first direction of circulation. The invention also relates to a method for conching a product mass.

Abstract: A method for the production of a product mass, in particular a chocolate mass, as a basic mass for foodstuffs, with a plurality of ingredients and a recipe total fat content, using a conching device with a conching container, which can be opened and closed hermetically sealed. The method includes filling of the conching container with a low-fat partial mass, which includes at least a part of the plurality of ingredients and has a fat content which is smaller than the recipe total fat content. Furthermore, the method includes a first conching of the low-fat partial mass with a closed conching container and second conching of the low-fat partial mass with an opened conching container with simultaneous active drying of the low-fat partial mass. Before the second conching, the method includes an addition of a further part of the plurality of ingredients to the low-fat partial mass until a fat content is reached in the range from approximately 11% to approximately 17%.

Abstract: A method and crushing device for coarse-grained material. The crushing device includes one first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and a second grinding mechanism which is fixed with respect to the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism. The second grinding mechanism accommodates the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and is in operative connection with the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism for the purpose of crushing the coarse-grained material. The axially rotatable grinding mechanism has one transport channel for the respective material to be crushed. The transport channel includes a first section extending axially and a second section which adjoins the first section at an angle and passes through an outer lateral surface of the axially rotatable grinding mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for producing and/or preparing confectionery compounds from at least one liquid raw material and granular and/or powder raw materials. The system includes at least one first mixing container and at least one other product-processing device. The first mixing container has at least one raw material inlet, a product outlet, and a mixing device for mixing the raw materials in an at least largely homogenous manner. According to the invention, at least the mixing container includes at least one spray device in an upper container region for introducing the at least one liquid raw material, wherein at least one exit cone of the spray device is oriented in the direction of an inner wall surface of the first mixing container at least in some regions. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a system for producing and/or preparing confectionery compounds.

Abstract: A method for the production of a product mass, in particular a chocolate mass, as a basic mass for foodstuffs, with a plurality of ingredients and a recipe total fat content, using a conching device with a conching container, which can be opened and closed hermetically sealed. The method includes filling of the conching container with a low-fat partial mass, which includes at least a part of the plurality of ingredients and has a fat content which is smaller than the recipe total fat content. Furthermore, the method includes a first conching of the low-fat partial mass with a closed conching container and second conching of the low-fat partial mass with an opened conching container with simultaneous active drying of the low-fat partial mass. Before the second conching, the method includes an addition of a further part of the plurality of ingredients to the low-fat partial mass until a fat content is reached in the range from approximately 11% to approximately 17%.

Abstract: A conching apparatus having: a container, which forms an accommodating space for a product mass, a shaft, which is accommodated, at least in part, in the container and is designed to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and at least one conching tool, which is coupled to the shaft for joint rotation therewith, the conching tool therefore, during conching operation of the conching apparatus, moving in a first direction of circulation along a circulatory path. The conching tool here includes an operative surface, which is directed towards the inner wall of the container and is designed such that a radial gap between the inner wall of the container and the operative surface decreases, at least in part, counter to the first direction of circulation. The invention also relates to a method for conching a product mass.

Abstract: A preliminary size reduction device for a ball mill or agitator ball mill and a ball mill with a preliminary size reduction device, wherein the preliminary size reduction device is disposed between a grinding stock inlet of the ball mill or agitator ball mill and a grinding chamber and includes a first size reduction mechanism constituted stationary and a second, rotationally mobile size reduction mechanism, between which a size reduction gap is formed. The first size reduction mechanism constituted stationary is a size reduction ring disposed in the grinding container.

Abstract: An installation and method for producing and/or processing confectionery masses which are made from at least one liquid raw material and granular and/or powdery raw materials. The installation includes at least a first mixing container and at least one further product-processing device. The first mixing container has at least one raw-material inlet and a product outlet and a mixing device for mixing the raw materials at least largely homogeneously. At least the mixing container includes at least one spraying device in an upper container region, which at least one spraying device serves to feed the at least one liquid raw material, wherein at least one outlet cone of the spraying device is directed, at least in some regions, toward an inner wall surface of the first mixing container.

Abstract: A method and crushing device for coarse-grained material. The crushing device includes one first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and a second grinding mechanism which is fixed with respect to the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism. The second grinding mechanism accommodates the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism and is in operative connection with the first axially rotatable grinding mechanism for the purpose of crushing the coarse-grained material. The axially rotatable grinding mechanism has one transport channel for the respective material to be crushed. The transport channel includes a first section extending axially and a second section which adjoins the first section at an angle and passes through an outer lateral surface of the axially rotatable grinding mechanism.

Abstract: An installation and method for producing and/or processing confectionery masses which are made from at least one liquid raw material and granular and/or powdery raw materials. The installation includes at least a first mixing container and at least one further product-processing device. The first mixing container has at least one raw-material inlet and a product outlet and a mixing device for mixing the raw materials at least largely homogeneously. At least the mixing container includes at least one spraying device in an upper container region, which at least one spraying device serves to feed the at least one liquid raw material, wherein at least one outlet cone of the spraying device is directed, at least in some regions, toward an inner wall surface of the first mixing container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for producing and/or preparing confectionery compounds from at least one liquid raw material and granular and/or powder raw materials. The system includes at least one first mixing container and at least one other product-processing device. The first mixing container has at least one raw material inlet, a product outlet, and a mixing device for mixing the raw materials in an at least largely homogenous manner. According to the invention, at least the mixing container includes at least one spray device in an upper container region for introducing the at least one liquid raw material, wherein at least one exit cone of the spray device is oriented in the direction of an inner wall surface of the first mixing container at least in some regions. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a system for producing and/or preparing confectionery compounds.

Abstract: A preliminary size reduction device for a ball mill or agitator ball mill and a ball mill with a preliminary size reduction device, wherein the preliminary size reduction device is disposed between a grinding stock inlet of the ball mill or agitator ball mill and a grinding chamber and includes a first size reduction mechanism constituted stationary and a second, rotationally mobile size reduction mechanism, between which a size reduction gap is formed. The first size reduction mechanism constituted stationary is a size reduction ring disposed in the grinding container.

Abstract: A process for the production of natural stimulants based on fat-containing masses. To produce the fat-containing mass, the raw materials are fed into an apparatus first. These raw materials are mixed in the apparatus and the required processing temperature and consistency are set. Then the mixed raw materials are liquefied in the apparatus by adding at least one fat and/or at least one oil. Finally, the fat-containing mass produced is pulverized through circulation between the apparatus and a grinding mill. The grinding mill may include two grinding zones. In the first grinding zone, the coarse components are pre-ground. In the subsequent main grinding zone, the pre-ground components are pulverized.

Abstract: An agitating ball mill includes a comminution vessel surrounding an agitating shaft which is provided with a product inlet and a product outlet, wherein the comminution media located within the comminution vessel is activated through the rotation of the agitating shaft and held back in the comminution chamber by a separating and/or pre-classifying device. For optimum energy and space utilization a pre-crushing device is arranged upstream of the comminution chamber. The pre-crushing device includes either a static or dynamic gap guard.

Abstract: An agitating ball mill includes a comminution vessel surrounding an agitating shaft which is provided with a product inlet and a product outlet, wherein the comminution media located within the comminution vessel is activated through the rotation of the agitating shaft and held back in the comminution chamber by a separating and/or pre-classifying device. For optimum energy and space utilisation a pre-crushing device is arranged upstream of the comminution chamber. The pre-crushing device includes either a static or dynamic gap guard.