Food product forming apparatus and process

• US 8,741,367 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• 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 Gerwen, Hendrikus Petrus Gerardus, Van Der Laak, Jacobus Johannes Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Becker, Drew E
• Application Number:
  US13/001,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20110151082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,800 Days
• Field of Search: 426/389, 426/312, 426/646, 426510-513, 426/520, 425/225, 425/227, 425/229, 425/231, 425/279, 425/282, 425/285, 425/351, 425/437, 425/444
• 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 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 by executing a knock-out-movement, that reciprocates the knock-out cup so that the knock-out cup removes the food product from the form-body,

ejecting a fluid-medium via a bottom of the knock-out cup before the knock-out cup comes in a vicinity of the food product,

wherein during the knock-out-movement a fluid-medium-cushion is created at least temporary beneath a permeable bottom of the knock-out cup, and

wherein the fluid cushion has a higher pressure than ambient pressure around the knock-out cup.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein after the knock-out of the food product, at least one cleaning medium is ejected out of the knock-out cup.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the knock-out cup comprises a sidewall with an anti adhesive coating.

4. The process according to claim 1, further comprising ejecting a cleaning fluid through the bottom and/or a sidewall of the knock-out cup.

5. The process according to claim 1, further comprising ejecting at least one cleaning medium through the permeable bottom and/or through a permeable sidewall.

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

7. The process according to claim 6, wherein the means is an ultrasonic sound means to provide the vapor and/or mist in the vicinity of the knock-cup.

8. The process according to claim 1, further comprising providing the fluid-medium-cushion before the knockout-cup hits the food product.

9. The process according to claim 8, wherein the permeable bottom has a 2D or 3D shape.

10. The process according to claim 8, wherein the knock-out cup does not move within a housing.

11. The process of claim 9, wherein ejecting the fluid medium continues until the knock-out-movement of the knock out cup has reached an end-point.

12. The process according to claim 1, wherein the knock-cup comprises a reservoir with a compressed fluid.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein during upward movement of the knock-out cup, flow of the fluid medium is maintained so that the permeable bottom of the knock-out cup is cleaned.

14. The process according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-medium-cushion exists while the knock-out cup touches the food product so that the fluid-medium-cushion prevents the food product from sticking to a surface of the knock-out cup.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the fluid medium has a temperature between 40°

C. and 90°

C., and the fluid medium is ejected over an extended period of time.

16. The process of claim 1, wherein no water is included in the fluid medium.

17. 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-cup having;

a permeable bottom,

a sidewall; and

a reservoir;

removing the food product from the movable form-body with the knock-out cup by executing a knock-out-movement, that reciprocates the knock-out cup so that the knock-out cup hits the food product and removes the food product from the form-body;

ejecting a fluid-medium, over an extended period of time, via a bottom of the knock out cup before the knock-out cup hits the food product and continuing until the knock-out-movement of the knock out cup has reached an end-point;

creating a fluid-medium-cushion, during the knock-out-movement, so that the fluid medium is at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom of the knock-out cup;

filling the reservoir during motion of the knock-out cup from a knock out position to a start position; and

wherein the fluid cushion has a higher pressure than an ambient pressure around the knock-out cup, and the fluid medium has a temperature above an ambient temperature.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the fluid medium has a temperature between 40°

C. and 90°

C.

19. The process of claim 17, wherein no water is used to knock the food products out of the movable form body.