Method and apparatus for rotary molding
First Claim
1. A rotary mold system for molding food products, the rotary mold system comprising:
- a cylindrical mold shell defining mold shapes therein and configured to rotate, wherein the cylindrical mold shell has an inner surface and an outer surface; and
a fill plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the fill plate includes a plurality of perforations and faces the outer surface of the cylindrical mold shell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.
41 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A rotary mold system for molding food products, the rotary mold system comprising:
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a cylindrical mold shell defining mold shapes therein and configured to rotate, wherein the cylindrical mold shell has an inner surface and an outer surface; and a fill plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the fill plate includes a plurality of perforations and faces the outer surface of the cylindrical mold shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification