US4010284A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming nut cluster confections and the like
Assignee: Smith W C and Sons Inc
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Filing: 1975-08-28
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1995-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for automatically and continuously making solid filled confections, such as chocolate nut clusters, which have an irregular homemade appearance. The illustrated machine includes a plurality of extrusion tubes each having a screw type auger, a supply for separate streams of nuts and hot fluid chocolate into each extrusion tube, elements for rotating and oscillating the auger to thoroughly mix the fluid chocolate and nuts that are introduced into the tube and transfer the mixture to an extrusion orifice, and reciprocatable cutting blades located adjacent the extrusion orifice of each extrusion tube for successively cutting the extruded mixture into discrete pieces of predetermined size which thereupon drop onto a moving conveyor surface below.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Bellew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:36
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/34; A23G3/36; A23G3/48; A23G3/02; A23G3/20; A23G3/2007; A23G3/2023; A23G3/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of making confections of the type having solids held in an irregular free formed cluster by a fluid binder that sets upon cooling comprising the steps of continuously feeding a controlled quantity of said solids into a mixing zone, continuously feeding a separate controlled quantity of said fluid binder into said mixing zone, mixing said fluid binder and solids in said mixing zone while simultaneously moving said mixture through mixing zone and extruding it out an outlet thereof, successively cutting said extruded mixture into predetermined sized pieces as said mixture is extruded, moving a run out conveyor in spaced relation below said mixing zone outlet, and successively dropping said cut pieces of said extruded mixture onto said moving run out conveyor so that the pieces assume an irregular free formed shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of making confections of the type having solids held in an irregular free formed cluster by a fluid binder that sets upon cooling comprising the steps of continuously feeding a controlled quantity of said solids into a mixing zone, continuously feeding a separate controlled quantity of said fluid binder into said mixing zone, mixing said fluid binder and solids in said mixing zone while simultaneously moving said mixture through mixing zone and extruding it out an outlet thereof, successively cutting said extruded mixture into predetermined sized pieces as said mixture is extruded, moving a run out conveyor in spaced relation below said mixing zone outlet, and successively dropping said cut pieces of said extruded mixture onto said moving run out conveyor so that the pieces assume an irregular free formed shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method of claim 1 including controlling the temperature of the fluid binder within said mixing zone so that the binder of said extruded mixture is caused to partially set prior to cutting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 including storing a supply of said solids, automatically drawing solids from said supply and feeding said solids into said mixing zone, storing a supply of said fluid binder at a predetermined relatively high temperature, automatically drawing fluid binder from said supply and feeding it into said mixing zone, and cooling said fluid binder when within said mixing zone to a temperature that partially sets the binder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 including the set of imparting lateral movement to said cut extrusion pieces in the direction of movement of said run out surface during cutting of said pieces.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of using a confection producing apparatus having a tubular extrusion tube, a screw type auger disposed therein, and a movable conveyor located in spaced relation below an outlet of said tube comprising the steps of continuously feeding a controlled quantity of solids into said extrusion table, continuously supplying into said extrusion tube a separate controlled quantity of a fluid binder which sets when cooled, rotating said auger and simultaneously reciprocating said auger in a longitudinal direction relative to said tube to mix said fluid binder and solids and to extrude said mixture from said tube outlet, successively cutting said extruded mixture into predetermined size pieces and dropping said pieces onto said conveyor so that they assume an irregular free formed shape, and moving said conveyor to transport said formed pieces away from said tube as said extrusion is being cut.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of using a confection producing apparatus having a tubular extrusion tube, a screw type auger disposed therein, and a movable conveyor located in spaced relation below an outlet of said tube comprising the steps of continuously feeding a controlled quantity of solids into said extrusion table, continuously supplying into said extrusion tube a separate controlled quantity of a fluid binder which sets when cooled, rotating said auger and simultaneously reciprocating said auger in a longitudinal direction relative to said tube to mix said fluid binder and solids and to extrude said mixture from said tube outlet, successively cutting said extruded mixture into predetermined size pieces and dropping said pieces onto said conveyor so that they assume an irregular free formed shape, and moving said conveyor to transport said formed pieces away from said tube as said extrusion is being cut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
Method of claim 5 including feeding said solids into an upper end of said tube and feeding said fluid binder to the side of said tube at a point below the entry of said solids, and controlling the temperature of said fluid binder within said tube so as to cause partial setting of said binder prior to extrusion of said mixture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |