Patent ID: 8790729
Filing Date: 2014-07-29
Classification: A21C,A22C,A23L,A23P

Abstract:
1. A method for forming molded products from a mass of foodstuff suitable for human consumption using a molding device comprising: a drum rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein: a drum drive adapted to rotate the drum along a path about the axis of rotation; a mass-feed component for feeding the mass of foodstuff into the mold cavities, wherein the mass-feed component is positioned at a filling position along the path of the drum, wherein the mass-feed component comprises fixed walls that define a chamber for holding foodstuff and that delimit an opening of the chamber proximate the outer surface of the drum, and wherein the walls of the chamber have an edge provided with sealing means that contacts the drum to prevent leakage of foodstuff out of the chamber; a pump device coupled to the mass-feed component; a closure component positioned along the path of the drum downstream the mass-feed component; and a conveyor extending beneath the drum, the method comprising: a. rotating the drum via the drum drive along the path at a substantially constant rotational speed; b. supplying the mass of foodstuff under pressure to the chamber of the mass-feed component with the pump device; c. continuously filling mold cavities via the opening of the chamber of the mass-feed component with a portion of the mass of foodstuff in filling operations without a time gap between successive filling operations; d. temporarily closing with the closure component the cavity openings of the mold cavities over at least part of the path of the drum between the mass-feed component and a downstream discharge position; and e. discharging as a molded product the mass of foodstuff from each mold cavity onto the conveyor.