Rotary mold system for molding food products
First Claim
1. A mold system for molding three dimensional food products, the mold system comprising:
- a mold shell defining mold shapes therein;
a knock out mechanism for knocking food products from the mold shapes;
a first identification system for storing and retrieving information pertaining to the mold shell;
a second identification system for storing and retrieving information pertaining to the knock out mechanism; and
a processing unit for comparing information retrieved from the first and second identification systems.
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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
16 Claims
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1. A mold system for molding three dimensional food products, the mold system comprising:
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a mold shell defining mold shapes therein; a knock out mechanism for knocking food products from the mold shapes; a first identification system for storing and retrieving information pertaining to the mold shell; a second identification system for storing and retrieving information pertaining to the knock out mechanism; and a processing unit for comparing information retrieved from the first and second identification systems. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mold system for molding three dimensional food products, the mold system comprising:
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a first mold shell including first mold shapes and a first tag; a second mold shell including second mold shapes and a second tag, wherein the first and second mold shells are interchangeably positioned in the mold system to form food products; a first knock out bar including a third tag, wherein the first knock bar is compatible with the first mold shell; a second knock out bar including a fourth tag, wherein the second knock out bar is compatible with the second mold shell, wherein the first and second knock out bars are interchangeably positioned in the mold system to knock out food products from respective first and second mold shells; a first sensor for reading the first tag and the second tag when the first and second mold shells are positioned in the mold system; a second sensor for reading the third tag and the fourth tag when the first and second knock out bars are positioned in the mold system; and a processing unit configured to receive information from the first and second sensors associated with the first, second, third and fourth tags; wherein the mold system allows operation only when a compatible mold shell and knock out bar are positioned in the mold system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification