REFINING DEVICE

Abstract: Chocolate is refined by so-called conching. This is carried out in a device whereby the mass is spread out in a thin film and exposed to the air. Among other things, the viscosity is reduced as a result. By subjecting the chocolate mass directly prior to the spreading in a thin film to high shear stresses, a further reduction in viscosity takes place. The invention provides a device wherein, directly preceding the spreading out in a film, the mass is subjected to high shear stresses by means of arranging radially directed pins (9) on a drive shaft (2).

Description: The invention relates to a device as specified in the heading of claim 1. Such a device is known from US-A-2348473 and serves to improve the quality of a chocolate mass for processing. In the refining device the chocolate mass is spread out in a thin film and the film is exposed to air. As a result moisture and amino acid are taken from the chocolate mass, which results among other things in a lower viscosity. As a consequence, a lesser addition of fat to the mass is necessary. The invention has for its object to further lower the viscosity of the chocolate mass and therefore improve the refining process. This is achieved according to the invention with the means as described in the characterizing part of claim 1. Through the subjecting of the chocolate mass to high shear stresses a reduction in viscosity takes place prior to the reduction of the viscosity the mass undergoes during spreading out in a thin film, whereby shear forces likewise occur. It is remarked that it is per se known to subject chocolate mass to relatively high shear stresses in a device intended for that purpose in order to lower the viscosity. The effect thereof is however limited since the process is partially reversible. During transport to the refining device an increase in viscosity therefore takes place. According to the current invention however, both treatments are integrated. In the case of a device whereby the means for spreading consists of a rotary driven disc the steps as described in the characterizing part of claim 2 can be fruitfully applied. The invention is now elucidated with reference to a sectional view of a device according to the invention. Mounted in housing 1 is a shaft 2 driven for rotation and bearing on the underside a disc 3. Shaft 2 is driven by a motor 4 and transmission 5 at a speed of approximately 2000 revolutions per minute. Chocolate mass is fed in via the inlet 6 and subjected in the space 7 that is concentric to the shaft 2 to high shear stresses as a result of the coaction of the stationary rings 8 and the pins 9 rotating with shaft 2. As a consequence of gravity the mass moves to the rotating disc 3 where the mass is spread out in a thin film and is thereby also subjected to shear stresses. Air is introduced via the inlet 10 and supplied through the narrow annular gap 11 to the thin film of chocolate mass on disc 3. As a result of this aeration moisture and amino acid escape, leading to an improvement in the quality of the mass. The spreading into a thin film and aerating is a continuous process. After a time the mass moves off the disc 3 and is discharged from the device for further processing.

Claims: Device for refining chocolate mass, consisting of a housing (1), an inlet (6) for chocolate mass, means (2, 3) for spreading said chocolate mass out in a film consisting of a rotary driven disc (3), means (10, 11) for supplying air to the spread chocolate mass, and an outlet for the refined chocolate mass, characterized by means provided between said inlet (6) and said means (2, 3) for spreading out said chocolate mass for subjecting said chocolate mass to high shear stresses, said means being formed by radially directed pins (9) on the drive shaft (2) of said disc and rings (8) directed radially to said drive shaft (2) and arranged in said housing (1) disposed concentrically to said drive shaft (2). Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the rings (8) and the pins (9) overlap each other in axial direction.

Inventors: TADEMA, JAN CORNELIS
Applicants: WIENER & CO. APPARATENBOUW B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A23G1
IPC codes: A23G1