FOOD PRODUCT FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS

• US 20110151082A1
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFS Bakel BV (GEA Group AG)
• Original Assignee: CFS Bakel BV (GEA Group AG)
• Inventors: Van Der Laak, Jacobus Johannes Maria, Van Gerwen, Hendrikus Petrus Gerardus
• Granted Patent: US 8,741,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/389
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 7/0038 Demoulding means
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 1/28 Apparatus for removing chocolate from the moulds
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/0284 Removing articles from the mould; Associated manipulation
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 3/2053 Removing articles from the mould; Associated manipulation
• CPC Class Codes: A23P 30/10 Moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0003 Discharging moulded articles from the mould constructions for removing the articles B29C33/44

Abstract

The present invention is related to a food product-forming apparatus, with a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body, whereas the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, through which a fluid-medium can be ejected and whereas, during the knock-out movement, a fluid-medium cushion is created, at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom. The present invention furthermore comprises a process for the production of food products.

Claims

1. A food product-forming apparatus comprising:

a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and

a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body,

wherein the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, through which a fluid-medium can be ejected,

wherein during the knockout movement a fluid-medium-cushion is created at least temporary beneath the permeable bottom.

2. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permeable bottom has a 2D or 3D shape.

3. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knock-out cup comprises a sidewall with an anti adhesive coating.

4. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knock-out cup comprises an at least partially permeable sidewall.

5. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one cleaning medium is ejected through the permeable bottom and/or the permeable sidewall.

6. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the food product-forming apparatus comprises a means to release vapor in the vicinity of the knock-out-cup.

16. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 1, the permeable bottom and/or sidewall is a sintered material.

7. A food product-forming apparatus comprising:

a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed; and

a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body;

wherein the knock out cup comprises a reservoir with compressed fluid, that is essentially air.

8. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the food product-forming apparatus comprises a sealing means for the reservoir.

9. The food product-forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, the permeable bottom and/or sidewall is a porous material.

17. The process according to claim 9, further comprising providing the fluid-medium-cushion before the knock out cup hits the food product.

10. A process to form food products comprising:

forming a food product with a food product-forming apparatus comprising;

a movable form-body, and

a knock out cup;

removing the food product from the movable form body with the knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body,

ejecting a fluid-medium via the bottom of the knock out cup, and

wherein during the knockout movement a fluid-medium-cushion is created at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom.

11. The process according to claim 10, providing the fluid-medium-cushion before the knock out cup comes in the vicinity of the food product.

12. The process according to claim 10, wherein after the knock-out of the food product, at least one cleaning medium is ejected out of the knock-out cup.

13. The process according to claim 11, further comprising ejecting the cleaning fluid through the bottom and/or a sidewall of the knock out cup.

14. The process according to claim 10, further comprising ejecting at least one cleaning through the permeable bottom and/or another one through the permeable sidewall.

15. The process according to one claim 10, wherein the food product forming apparatus comprises a means to release vapor and/or mist in the vicinity of the knock-out-cup.