Patent ID: 7597549
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: A21C,A22C,A23L,A23P

Abstract:
1. A molding device for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff which is suitable for human consumption comprising: a. a single drum having an outer circumferential surface and being rotatable about an axis of rotation, the outer circumferential surface having one or more ring portions each provided with at least one cavity, having a cavity opening on the outer circumferential surface of the drum; b. an elastically deformable belt and a mass-feed component, wherein the belt engages the outer circumferential surface of the drum and wherein the mass-feed component is arranged along the belt, wherein the belt covers at least one ring portion of the drum from an engagement position that is located upstream of the mass-feed component to an ejection position that is located downstream of the mass-feed component, and wherein the belt is elastically deformed from an original state into a deformed state generally corresponding to the shape of the cavity of the drum in order to form a mold cavity, and wherein the mass-feed component is adapted to feed a mass of foodstuff into the mold cavity while exerting a filling pressure on the mass; c. a closure component arranged along the belt downstream of the mass-feed component and upstream of the ejection position, wherein the closure component closes the mold cavity to keep the mass in the mold cavity to form a molded product; d. a discharge conveyor mechanism adapted to receive the ejected molded products, wherein the ejected molded products are removed from the cavity of the drum by removing the deformable belt from the cavity of the drum at the ejection position, and wherein the deformable belt returns to its original shape upon removal from the cavity of the drum.