Patent ID: 6210728
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A21C,A23G,A23P

Abstract:
A method of forming a plurality of individual confectionery products each having a desired three dimensional shape and desired surface finish, said method includingproviding a pair of opposed ultrasonic product forming tools each having a product forming cavity in its end face, each of said cavities having an interior with a desired shape and surface finish and each being defined in part by margins forming at least one cutting edge portion,positioning said pair of forming tools with said cavities in opposed facing relation and spaced apart by a predetermined distance,continually advancing a confectionery feedstock from a supply source and over a support surface along a given feed path at a predetermined continuous feedstock advancing rate,periodically lengthening said feed path by moving said support surface in a direction opposite the direction of said advancing feedstock at a rate equal to said feedstock advancing rate, thereby rendering said feedstock immobile for a given duration, andduring said given duration, contacting a portion of said feedstock with said at least one cutting edge portion and said cavity interiors to cut and form a finished piece, andsubsequently withdrawing said tools from each other and moving said support surface in the direction of said feedstock advance so as to shorten said feed path by an amount equal to the amount said feed path was previously lengthened; andrepeating the above steps to form a plurality of individual confectionery products.