Abstract:
Device for manufacturing lollipops, including a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the drum is disposed on a hollow shaft and wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, which defines an annular space with the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a first passage and a second passage, each forming a fluid connection between the cavity in the hollow shaft and the annular space, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a fluid supply and a fluid discharge, which fluid supply is in fluid connection with a pressure source for cooling air, wherein the lollipop moulds comprise lower moulds that are fixed to the casing and the casing with the lollipop moulds forms a detachable part of the device and can be slid on the hollow shaft when being placed or removed.

Description:
This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/NL2004/000768, International Filing Date, Nov. 3, 2004, which designated the United States of America, and which international application was published under PCT Article 21(2) as WO Publication No. WO 2005/041679 A2and which claims priority from The Netherlands Application No. 1024700, filed Nov. 4, 2003. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates to a device for manufacturing lollipops. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   It is known to make lollipops using a lollipop machine that is provided with a drum rotating about a horizontal shaft, which drum is provided with a series of moulds at its circumference. The moulds are each built up from a lower mould that is fixed to the drum and an upper mould that can be folded up into an open position, in which the leading end of a strand of confectionery can be inserted onto the lower mould, and be folded into a closed position, in which between the upper mould and the lower mould a piece of confectionery has been accommodated. From a direction parallel to the drum axis a stick is then inserted in the mould, and from the opposite direction a pressure piston reduces the mould cavity, in order to shape the lollipop on the stick. 
   After opening the moulds again by folding up the upper moulds the lollipops are sequentially removed from the lower moulds and transferred by means of a transfer device to a conveyor usually provided with a series of clamps in order to be transported to a next processing station, such as a packaging station. 
   The moulds including the drum are then rotated further to the point where the strand reaches the moulds in order to be filled again with confectionery. The confectionery is placed in the moulds at a temperature of over 60 degrees C. The confectionery may stick to the steel surfaces of the moulds. In order to prevent this the moulds are passed through a cooling path prior to the lollipops being removed from the moulds. However, this requires time, which adversely affects the capacity. The length of the cooling path can be increased by increasing the diameter of the drum, but this increases the mass of the drum, as a result of which more energy is needed for bringing and keeping the drum in motion and an optional change of drum is difficult. 
   In case a drum is used having replaceable mould blocks that have the shape of a segment of a circle, in which blocks lower moulds are provided, it is known to provide the fixed drum casing with an annular channel for cooling liquid, wherein a fixed discharge line and a fixed supply line extend radially from the annular chamber to an axis of rotation, and then through the shaft to fixed connections while rotational couplings are placed in between. The radial distance between the annular chamber and the moulds is rather large here, as a result of which the cooling is less efficient. Furthermore replacing the moulds is laborious. 
   It is furthermore known to cool the moulds on a drum using cooling air, which enters at an end of a stationary hollow shaft, is stopped by a transverse partition in the hollow shaft, then escapes through radial apertures to a stationary chamber, in order to flow out through radial apertures in a wall having the shape of a segment of a circle and situated near the inner surface of the drum for cooling the drum. The cooling air subsequently flows through a slit-shaped space over a circular wall and then to a hollow space of the drum situated within there in order to flow into the hollow shaft again via apertures situated at the other side of the transverse partition and finally exit at the other end of the hollow shaft. The drum is provided with series of lower moulds extending in axial direction and circumferential direction, which lower moulds each can be moved upwards by means of plungers that extend radially outwards from the slit-shaped space. Said known device and cooling system accommodated therein is complex. Replacing the drum is only possible at high costs and involves great effort. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a first object of the invention to improve on this. 
   From one aspect the invention to that end provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the drum is disposed on a hollow shaft and wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, which defines an annular space with the hollow shaft, wherein the lollipop moulds for instance comprise lower moulds that are solid with the casing and upper moulds that are hinged to the lower moulds, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a first passage and a second passage, each forming a fluid connection between the cavity in the hollow shaft and the annular space, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a fluid supply and a fluid discharge, which fluid supply is in fluid connection with a pressure source for cooling air, wherein the casing with the lollipop moulds forms a detachable part of the device and can be slid on the hollow shaft when being placed or removed. 
   The casing with lollipop moulds can be replaced as a unity by placing and guiding onto the hollow shaft. The casing as a unity with the hollow shaft defines a simple annular chamber for the cooling fluid, so that connections and sealings can be simple and limited in number. Due to the large cooling efficiency the diameter of the drum can be kept limited. 
   Preferably the casing is rotatable about the hollow shaft. The thus stationary hollow shaft forms a supply for cooling fluid which in a stationary sealing manner can be connected to further lines that are fixed to the device. 
   Preferably the hollow shaft is provided with a longitudinal partition which separates the supply from the discharge, so that its connections can be situated at the same shaft end. 
   For enhancing the cooling the inner surface of the casing may be provided with cooling ribs. 
   From one aspect the invention provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a frame and a drum disposed thereon, which drum is provided with a casing having thereon a circulating series of lower moulds and a series of upper moulds that are movable between an open position, for receiving lollipop material or discharge of a lollipop, and a closed position for forming a mould cavity, wherein the casing as a whole is detachably coupled/connected to the frame. Preferably the casing is disposed on a hollow shaft, that is stationary and on which bearings for the casing are provided, wherein the casing is detachable from the hollow shaft and the hollow shaft is attached on the frame. 
   In known lollipop forming machines the moulds are defined by a lower mould, a movable upper mould and a piston or stamp that is movable in between them. It may happen that more confectionery is present in the mould cavity than wanted, for instance because residues of the previous operation session were left behind. The upper mould and/or the stamp are then impeded in reaching their end position, in which the mould cavity has minimum dimensions. As a result the upper moulds on the one hand may be subjected to large deformation forces, and the stamps on the other hand may be subjected to large pressure forces. This may result in permanent deformation or rupture of those parts, which may a necessitate standstill of the machine for repair. 
   It is a further object of the invention to improve on this. 
   From one aspect the invention to that end provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, wherein the lollipop moulds are bounded by mould members (or mould parts) of which at least one is movable from a free position to a wanted mould position while exerting pressure on the lollipop mass in the lollipop mould, wherein the device is furthermore provided with means for stopping the motion of the mould member to the wanted mould position before reaching the wanted mould position in case of a deviation in said motion detected by detection means. 
   As a result too large a pressure build-up on the part in question is prevented, in case the mould contains more material than intended, for instance due to residues of material that have been left behind. 
   In an embodiment the detection means in question are adapted for detecting an impediment in the movement of the part in question. A movement or distance sensor may be used to that end, which movement or distance sensor controls the motion of the part in order to stop it in case of an impediment. 
   In another embodiment the detection means in question are adapted for detecting a certain pressure build-up. When a certain pressure on the part is reached the motion may thus be stopped. 
   The part in question may be an upper mould known per se, which is hinged to the drum and movable between an open position for access of lollipop material or removal of the lollipop formed, to or from, respectively, the lollipop mould in question. 
   Use can be made of a body having the shape of a segment of a circle, which is movable in radial direction with respect to the drum. The body having the shape of a segment of a circle may be provided with a carrier and an insert piece of hard material for exerting press-on forces on the upper moulds, wherein the insert piece is detachably attached to the carrier. The insert piece can be adjustably tiltable with respect to the carrier in order to be suited to a drum of an altered diameter. 
   The part in question may alternatively or additionally be a pressure/mould piston movable in drum-axial direction, wherein the device is furthermore provided with means for pressing the mould piston in the mould cavity. 
   Preferably the means for pressing the mould piston in the mould cavity comprise a piston rod connected to the mould piston and a cam track for axial movement of the end of the piston rod that is opposite the mould piston. 
   In an embodiment the detection means are adapted for detecting a movement of the cam track or the construction parts connected thereto. 
   The detection means may be adapted for operation by medium/fluid pressure, particularly gas pressure (and then be pneumatically active), between a fixed part and a movable part. A bellows may be used. 
   For limiting the length of the way the lollipop material has to traverse before being discharged to a conveyor for transport to a next station, such as cooling, and thus the diameter of the drum, it is advantageous when the mould/press path is kept short. To that end it is suggested according to the invention to provide the said cam track, in general, with an inclined run-in portion and a post-pressing portion, where the pressure is substantially preserved for a certain track length. The post-pressing portion preferably is substantially straight and preferably runs according to a line in a radial plane, that is transverse to the drum axis. 
   Due to having the post-pressing take place for some time it is also ensured that even the smallest parts of the mould cavity get filled with confectionery. This may also apply to small holes in the insertion ends of the lollipop sticks, due to which a better grip of lollipop stick on the lollipop head is achieved. 
   Preferably the piston rods are provided with a roller for engaging the cam track, due to which friction is minimised, particularly at the location of the lengthened post-pressing track. 
   From one aspect the invention provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, wherein the lollipop moulds each comprise a first mould, such as a lower mould that is fixed to the casing and a second mould, such as an upper mould that is hinged to the casing, which are movable with respect to each other between an open position, for access of lollipop material or removal of a formed lollipop, to or from, respectively, the lollipop mould in question and a position closed by first press-on means, in which the lollipop can be formed under pressure, wherein the device is furthermore provided with means for limiting the pressure to a certain wanted value. Preferred embodiments are described in the attached claims, the contents of which are deemed included in here. 
   From a further aspect the invention provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, wherein the device is furthermore provided with means for bringing a lollipop stick into the lollipop mould, oriented in a direction parallel to the drum axis, wherein the lollipop heads preferably are situated at the side of the sticks facing the device, wherein the device comprises means for taking the lollipops out of the lollipop moulds and transporting them, with the lollipop sticks parallel to the drum axis, in a first orientation with the head proximal to the device, wherein the device is furthermore provided with means for converting the orientation to a second orientation, wherein the discharge is adapted for discharging the lollipops in the second orientation. In this way the orientation of the lollipops can be adjusted within the device, so compactly, to the conveyor transporting the lollipops to the next station and to the orientation of said next station. 
   Preferably the conversion means are adapted for a conversion in an orientation of 180 degrees. 
   The conversion means may comprise a number of cooperating transport disks, preferably two, of which the axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other. 
   From one aspect the invention provides a device for transferring lollipops provided with sticks from a location of receipt to a location of discharge, comprising a rotatingly driven disk and a series of stick clamps fixedly attached thereto. The stick clamps, comprising two clamping members or clamping jaws, are movable and preferably biassed to a—stable—closed position, in which they are able to clamp a stick, particularly parallel to the disk axis. By means of fixedly positioned operation means, such as a cam engaging on an operation arm of one of the clamping members, the clamping members can be urged apart to an open position, in which a stick can be received or taken out, respectively, wherein preferably one of the clamping members is immovably attached on the disk and the other clamping member is biassed towards thereto and is temporarily movable away from the immovably attached clamping member, against the biassing force, by the operation means. Due to cooperation of (rigid) disk and (rigid) clamp the position of the stick may be positively known, due to which failure is reduced. Such a disk can be deployed at various locations, such as in a train of such disks, when receiving lollipops from a distribution disk, etcetera. 
   From one aspect the invention provides a device for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a frame and a drum disposed thereon, which is provided having a casing with a circulating series of lower moulds thereon and a series of upper moulds that are movable between an open position, for receipt of lollipop material or discharge of a lollipop, and a closed position for forming a mould cavity, wherein the upper moulds are provided with an accommodation space for slidingly accommodating a guide that is fixed to the frame for said motion of the upper moulds. As a result the motion of the upper moulds is positively guided and the orientation of the upper moulds can always be controlled. 
   Preferably the guide is formed like a unity, such as a formed piece, for instance a moulded piece such as a bent plate, or a (bent) rod. 
   The guide may define a guiding edge, wherein the accommodation space may surround the guiding edge for more than 180 degrees, which enhances the controlling of the upper moulds. 
   Preferably the accommodation space is oriented axially away from the frame when in the closed position of the upper moulds. 
   The guide may have a path length corresponding to the length of the path of the casing between the point of receipt and the point of discharge. 
   The upper moulds may be hinged to the drum, wherein the hinge is situated closer to the frame than the free end of the upper moulds, preferably approximately halfway the upper moulds. 
   The invention will be elucidated on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 1A  shows a view of an insert piece in the device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2A  shows a longitudinal section of a drum in the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2B  shows a cross-section of a hollow shaft in the drum of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 2C  shows a cross-section of the drum of  FIG. 2A ; 
       FIG. 3A  shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for limiting the pressure exerted on the upper moulds of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3B  shows a side view of the device of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4A  shows a schematic top view of a device for limiting the pressure exerted on pressure pistons for the mould cavities of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4B  shows a front view of the device of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4C  shows a side view of the device of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
       FIG. 5A  shows an example of a means for closing the upper moulds in the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5B  shows a view of the closing means of  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 5C  shows the closing means of  FIG. 5A  in cross-section, as a detail of  FIG. 2A ; and 
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C and  6 D show a front view, a side view in cross-section and a view according to arrow VIC, respectively, of a device for converting the orientation of sticks of lollipops manufactured with the device of  FIG. 1  and a picture of a clamp used therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  schematically shows device  1  for manufacturing lollipops, comprising a frame  2  on which, in manner known per se, a drum  3  has been placed, which is rotatable in the direction A. The device  1  is provided with an operation panel  4  for operating the device  1  and programming its operation unit that is not further shown, as well as with a supply  5  for lollipop strand material and a stock  90  of lollipop sticks. The drum  3  is made of steel and is hollow having a drum wall  10 , which in the circumferential surface is provided with a series of circumferential grooves  8  that serve for cooperation with a tool for lifting a manufactured lollipop out of the mould and a series of longitudinal grooves  9  that are transverse thereto. Longitudinal grooves  9  serve to guide the sticks. At the side of the frame  2  the drum  3  is provided with a circumferential series of upper moulds  40 , which are hinged to the drum  3 . 
   In  FIG. 2A  the lower moulds  41  are also shown, as well as the mould cavity  42  defined by both. Towards the frame  2  the mould cavity is bounded by a piston  91 , which is attached to a press-on pin  90 , also shown in  FIG. 4A  and which can move in the directions M. 
   As schematically shown in  FIG. 5A , the upper moulds  40  may also fold downward about hinges  43  ( FIG. 5C ). The upper moulds  40  together with the lower moulds  41  that are fixed to the drum wall thus define a mould cavity  42  for confectionery that is not further shown. Said confectionery is supplied to the drum in a manner known per se, at the location of the closing track for the moulds.  FIG. 5A  shows an example of a guide  50  that is fixed to the frame  2 , which guide urges the open upper moulds  40  into a closed position, by means of a guiding edge  51 . Said guide is further shown in  FIG. 5B . It regards a rigid moulded piece provided with a flange  52  with which the guide can be statically attached to the machine  1 , by means of screws with handles  53 . At the shown run-out end, the guiding edge  51  has been converted into an axial orientation, towards the machine  1 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2A and 5C  the guiding edge engages snugly into a slit  45  which is formed between two protrusions  46   a, b  on elevation  44  of upper mould  40 . In the situation shown in  FIG. 5C  the upper mould has almost been brought in the closed position, yet it is not yet pressed-on. Due to the engagement of the guiding edge  51  into the slit  45 , the multi-sided engagement (more than 180 degrees), the upper moulds are held fully controlled when being moved from a fully opened position to the closed position, as a result of which faults in said motion are prevented. The moulded piece furthermore offers the possibility to exactly and ideally select the course of the guiding edge between the location where the upper moulds are open and the closed position, so that an optimal, friction-poor motion of the upper moulds can be realised, so that deformation of the upper moulds is prevented. In  FIG. 5B  the guide  51  is contiguous to guide  56 , which has a guiding edge  57  with which the upper moulds are kept open. Upstream thereof guide  54  is present, of which the guiding edge  55  starts in an orientation for a closed position and in accordance with a selected course smoothly changes into an orientation for an open position of the upper moulds, at the location of the transition to guide  56 . The guides  54 ,  56  and  50  thus form a positive guide and retaining means for the upper moulds in a circulating path that is only interrupted where the press-on means for the upper moulds are situated. The position of the upper moulds thus is fully controlled at all times. 
   The location of engagement of guiding edges  51  etc. on the upper moulds  40  lies closer to the hinge  43  than to the free end of the upper moulds  40 . As a result moments exerted on the upper moulds are kept limited. 
   In the closed position shown the accommodation space  45  is oriented axially away from the frame, as a result of which the upper moulds are also kept confined in axial direction. 
   At the side facing away from the frame  2 , the drum  3  is provided with a plate  4  and spaced apart from it with a further plate  6  attached to the casing  10  of the drum  3  (see  FIG. 2A ). Along guides  5  extending between the plates  5  and  6 , plungers  61  may be reciprocally moved in axial direction M ( FIG. 2A ). Said plungers  61  serve to axially move the lollipop sticks in the longitudinal slits  9  in the outer surface of the drum  3 . The part  4 ,  5 ,  6  is attached in a rotation-fixed manner to the drum wall  10 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2A  a hood  58  is also shown, on which a stock of sticks and a supply that are not further shown may be disposed. 
   By means of bearings  18 ,  18   b , the drum  3  is rotatably bearing-mounted on a hollow shaft  12 , which is fixed to frame  2 . Between the hollow shaft  12  and the casing  10  a continuously circulating annular chamber  20  is defined, of which the radial outer wall  19  is provided with cooling ribs  21  in the area adjacent to the lower moulds  41 . 
   The hollow shaft  12  is provided with two diagonally opposite passages  16  and  17 , as is also shown in  FIG. 2C . This figure also shows that the inside of the hollow shaft  12  is divided in longitudinal direction by a partition  13 , that is attached to a continuous stationary shaft or long bolt  7  shown in  FIG. 2A , which shaft is attached by a thread  7   a  in a nut  2   c  provided on the frame  2 . The bolt  7  has an end  7   b  that can be engaged by a tool for fastening or loosening the bolt  7 . Due to partition  13 , two longitudinal spaces  14  and  15  have been formed, wherein the longitudinal space  15  serves for supply in the direction B of cooling air flowing through opening  17  (direction C), subsequently through the annular chamber  20  (direction D), in close cooling contact with the ribs  21 , and subsequently through opening  16  flowing out again (direction E) in longitudinal space  14  in order to be discharged (direction F) to for instance a free drain. The cooling air in direction B is supplied from a pressure source of cool air that is not further shown. 
   The diameter of the drum  3  may be kept relatively small here, for instance 400 mm. The drum  3  shown in  FIG. 2A , due to its relatively small diameter is limited as to weight, so that is may be placed or replaced without hoisting tools if necessary. The unity shown in  FIG. 2A  may be replaced by loosening the attachment end  59  of the frame  2  of the machine  1 . Alternatively it is possible to leave the shaft  12  on the frame  2  of the machine and only to replace the other parts of the drum  3 , again as a unity. The hollow shaft  12  here remains fixed to the frame  2 . The bearings  18   a ,  18   b  are then replaced along. 
   In the  FIGS. 3A and 3B  a mechanism is shown with which the press-on force to be exerted by the upper moulds  40  can be limited. The mechanism  60  comprises a plate assembly  22 ,  24  that is attached fixedly to the frame  2  by means of bolts  23 , wherein the plate  24  is provided with smooth passages  25  through which upright rods  26  extend. At a lower end the rods  26  are fixedly attached to an elongated, horizontal block  29 , which at a circular lower side is provided with a curved plate  30 , on which a pressure lining  31  is attached. The plate  30  is attached to the block  29  by means of bolts  34 . Optionally the lining  31  may be hinged to the block  29  about a horizontal axis, parallel to the drum axis, for adjusting the location of the lining with respect to the drum  3 . An insert piece  35  guides the upper moulds during the transition from the guide  50  to the lining  31 . 
   The block  29  is freely suspended from the rods  26 , for vertical motion in the direction G, yet in horizontal direction from and towards the frame  2  it is confined by a holder  33  fixed to the frame  2  and a holder  32  fixed to the frame  2 . At the upper end the rods  26  are shielded by means of hood  36 . Said hood is fixedly attached to the upper ends of the rods  26 , and is within the operation range of a line sensor  65  that is fixedly disposed on the plate  22 , in order to be able to establish the vertical position of the hood  36  and thus the rods  26  and thus the block  29  and thus the pressure lining  31 . 
   There is a bellows structure between the plate  24  and the block  29 , comprising a flexible bellows  28  and two attachment plates  27   a ,  27   b  for attachment to block  29  and plate  24 , respectively. The inside of the bellows  28  is in fluid connection with a source of pressurised air via nozzle  38  and line  37 , which source is regulated by a control device to which the sensor  65  as well delivers a number of data. 
   Due to the regulation of the air pressure the bellows  28  may be expanded to a larger or lesser extent, as a result of which the press-on force of the lining  31  may also be regulated. 
   In the control unit a wanted signal for the line sensor  65  is set, related to a wanted position of the lining  31  that presses on the upper moulds  40 . When after closing the upper moulds  40  the lining  31 , due to supply of pressurised air into the bellows  28 , cannot move in accordance with the position set for the line or distance sensor  65 , this is a sign that the upper mould  40  does not close properly. In that case the control unit will drain off pressure from the bellows  28 . The control unit then signals the operator, wherein the machine is automatically stopped. 
   For the other movable component of the mould cavities, the piston  91 , such a bellows mechanism  70 , shown in the  FIGS. 4A-C , has also been provided.  FIG. 4A  shows a press-on pin  90 , at one end of which a pressure piston  91  has been attached. The other end forms an operation end  92  provided with a U-shaped holder  93  with a freely rotatable roller  94 . In order to move the piston  91  in the direction M in the mould cavity, the end  92  runs past an inclined guiding edge  72  of, as can be seen in  FIG. 4B , a plate  71  bent in the vertical plane. The curvature of the plate  71  follows the path of the press-on pins  90  connected to the drum  3 . The press-on pins  90  are adjustable in the direction M in longitudinal grooves in the surface of the drum  3  which grooves are not further shown. 
   The guiding edge  72  changes into a slightly recessed guiding edge  74  via a protrusion  73 , and then ends in a protrusion  75 . The roller  94  runs past the edge  72  as a result of which the piston  91  is gradually moved into the mould cavity. Ended up at the protrusion  73 , the confectionery is pressed on in a pre-pressing in order to fill the mould cavity. Subsequently the roller  94  moves along the path  74 , slightly back, due to which the pressure is slightly reduced, in order to facilitate the pressing in of the lollipop stick at the other side of the mould cavity. In drum axis direction, the protrusion  75  extends slightly further than the protrusion  73  and has a running length for the roller  94 , in this case a plane perpendicular to the drum axis. In this track (no point) a full post-pressing takes place. The post-pressing path is relatively long, as a result of which also in complex moulds, such as moulds for figurines, the mould cavity will be filled through and through and the manufactured lollipops will be firm and intact. 
   The rollers  94  make a friction-free motion along the edges  72 - 75  possible. The path length of the recess  74  is for instance 15 mm and the post-pressing protrusion is  75  is 25 mm. The recess  74  may be recessed 3 mm back with respect to the protrusion  73  and 6 mm with respect to portion  75 . 
   The L-shaped plate  71  is fixedly attached to a rigid horizontal plate  83 , which at the location of hinges  85  is hinged to hinge rod  81  and  82 . At an end at the location of hinges  84 , the hinge rods  81  and  82  are hinged to the frame  2 , so that as a result a kind of parallelogram structure is formed. The arm  81  is extended by a portion  81   a , at the end of which a ball-shaped end  86  of an adjusting rod  87  is rotatably accommodated, and slidable in longitudinal direction of the rod. In longitudinal direction the position of the adjustment rod  87  can be altered with respect to the frame  2  by means of a hand wheel  88 , with which the rod  87  can be adjusted due to threaded engagement at the location of  89 . The position of the ball-shaped end  86  is stored in the control device/unit. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 4B , the arm  82  is constructed relatively high, as a result of which it is ensured that the plate  71  will reliably swing in the horizontal plane. The hinge point  85  is in line with the line of force. The attachment of the plate  71  to the plate  83  is such that the resultants of the forces as a result of engagement on the press-on pins coincides with the plate  83 , so that torsion/friction is prevented as much as possible. 
   At the rear end the mechanism  70  is provided with a bellows structure, this time consisting of two bellows  78   a ,  78   b , having a fixed plate  79  in between them and attachment plates  77  and  80  at their ends, for attachment to a fixed structure part  76  and the plate  83 , respectively. Near the end of the arm  81 ,  81   a  a fixedly positioned line or distance sensor  66  is situated, with which line or distance sensor the control device is able to define the position of the arm end with respect to the ball end  86 . This may take place rather accurately, as the arm end of the mechanism  70  will go through the largest movement. 
   When by means of the sensor  66  it is established that the guide plate  71  is pressed back, which is caused by a press-on pin  90  not being able to slide sufficiently far into the mould cavity, the control device drains off/vents pressure in the bellows structure  78   a, b . This prevents that in continued movement of the drum in the direction A, the pressure tension in the press-on pin  90  becomes too high, due to which it would otherwise break. 
   When the lollipops have been formed, they can be taken out of the drum  3 , after the guide  54  with guiding edge  55  has opened the upper moulds  40  again. In a manner known per se this takes place by means of a transfer wheel, designed double, such as transfer wheel  101  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , provided with recesses  102  in the circumferential edge for accommodation of the lollipop sticks. This takes place in the upper path of rotation in the direction J of the transfer wheel  101 . In case of continued transport by this wheel  101  the lollipop sticks are kept radially confined by means of curved guide members  103 . 
   The transfer mechanism  100  in the  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C is first of all characterised in the presence of a second transfer wheel  110  having a vertical axis of rotation. The wheel  110  is provided with a circumferential edge  111 , on which two rings  111   a, b  provided with saw teeth  113 , with short edges at the downstream side thereof and defining a slit  112  in between them. In the lowest point of rotation of the disks  101 , the lollipops are released (the curved guide members  103  end there) to two series of recesses  113  and are taken along in them in the direction K to a position preferably diametrically opposite. At that location there is for instance a conveyor of for instance a cooling machine having a conveyor chain on which stick clamps have been disposed. Special in this example is that the stick clamps—that are known per se—have been disposed on a rotating disk  120 , and convey the lollipops from a lowermost position to for instance an uppermost position, where they can be transferred to another conveyance means, for instance a next disk provided with stick clamps (for instance in a train of a number of such disks). Such a set-up can also be used for transporting lollipops from a distribution disk—that is known per se—, on which they are singled from bulk, to a packaging machine. Advantageously the disk is rigid and the position of the stick clamps is positively defined, due to which the position of the sticks and the location of engagement is determined and known. The stick clamps  12  (vide  FIG. 6D ) comprise a first clamping member  123  and a second clamping member  124 , said second clamping member  124  being fixedly and non-rotatably secured to the wheel  101 . The clamping members  123  and  124  are provided with clamping jaws  127   a, b . The first clamping member  123  is rotatable with respect to the second clamping member  124  and to the wheel  101  about axis  128  and is provided with an operation arm  123   a . A pressure spring  126  is placed between both clamping members, said spring  126  biassing the first clamping member  123  with clamping jaw  127   a  towards the clamping jaw  127   b.    
   The disk  120  is rotated in the direction L. At the take-in point, where the stick clamps may reach into the slit  112 , a cam  122  is fixedly positioned, against/along which the operation arm  123   a  of the first clamping member  123  of the stick clamps  121  runs in order to move the clamping jaw  127   a  away from the relatively fixed clamping jaw  127   b  and thus to shortly open the clamping jaws of the stick clamps  121  for engaging and then clamping a stick. At the top of disk  120  a same cam can be provided for discharging the sticks at that location.