Patent Description:
Hygiene is an important issue in the food processing industry. It is therefore important that machine parts, which are in contact with a food product, are cleaned regularly. Particularly, when using a drum with cavities with a porous structure for producing formed food products, the drum must be cleaned regularly and as soon as possible after the mould drum has been removed from the forming apparatus. If this is not done, for example dry meat will result in blocking of the pores of the porous cavity and will make it very difficult to clean these cavities.

From <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> a mould drum is known, which can be cleaned. However, the cleaning of this mould drum is not sufficient. Furthermore, from this patent application, a cleaning apparatus is known, which is however rather complicated and results in an insufficient cleaning.

It was therefore the objective of the present invention to provide, a cleaning apparatus and a process which do not have the deficiencies according to the state of the art.

This problem is attained with a cleaning apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a mould drum for moulding products from a mass of food starting material. Particularly, the present invention relates to a mould drum for forming meat, for example into two- or three dimensional patties. The mould drum comprises one, preferably more cavities, which are arranged on the surface of the drum. These cavities are preferably arranged around the entire circumference of the mould drum and a multitude of cavities are arranged in parallel; i.e. in rows. During the production, one row of cavities is filled and emptied simultaneously. During production, the drum rotates. Such a drum with porous cavities is and the respective food product forming device is for example disclosed in <CIT> or in <CIT>. These references are herewith incorporated by reference and their disclosure is therefore part of the disclosure of the present patent application.

According to the present invention, each mould cavity has a cavity wall; i.e. sidewall and/or a bottom, which is at least partially porous so that the cavity wall is permeable for gas and/or a cleaning fluid. The porous structure is for example a sintered structure. The porous structure has a multitude of channels, which extend from one surface of the structure to the other surface of the structure. Preferably, the channels are interconnected. The drum can comprise one cylindrical element which is entirely made from a porous material. Alternatively, the drum comprises porous inlays. Preferably, only the bottom is made at least partially from a porous material.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, each cavity is connected to a passage, to vent the cavity during filling, provide pressurized gas in order to remove the product from the cavity and/or to supply a cleaning fluid to the cavity. Preferably, all cavities in one row are interconnected to each other by the passage. According to the present invention, this passage now extends from the first front end to the second front end of the mould drum, i.e. a cleaning fluid introduced at one front end can leave the drum at the other front end without being forced through the porous structure. This embodiment has the advantage that particularly during cleaning, the passage can be rinsed and food particles in the passage can be easily discharged from the passage.

One front end comprises distribution means, preferably a ring, for distributing a cleaning- and/or drying fluid to all passages. This distribution means interconnects all passages so that the cleaning- and/or drying fluid only has to be provided to the mould drum once; i.e. to the distributor, which distributes the cleaning- and/or drying-fluid to all passages.

According to another preferred embodiment, the front end of the mould drum comprises form fit means to rotate the mould drum particularly during the production of the formed products. This form fit means can be for example a multitude of pins which are distributed equidistantly around the circumference of the front end.

In another preferred embodiment, the mould drum comprises an axis of rotation that extends from both ends of the mould drum. This extension can be utilized to bear the mould drum for example in the forming- and/or cleaning apparatus. Furthermore, these extensions can be utilized to transport the mould drum for example from the production apparatus to the cleaning apparatus and vice versa. The axis of rotation can be part of the front end of the mould drum, can be fixed to the front end of the mould drum and/or can extend through the entire center axis of the mould drum.

In another or a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mould drum comprises a hollow axis of rotation and/or a hollow journal. This hollow axis of rotation and/or a hollow journal can be, for example, utilized to transport the mould drum, for example from the forming apparatus to a cleaning apparatus and vice versa.

Preferably, the mould drum comprises recognition means, preferably an RFID, with a read only- or a read- and write-function. The use of recognition means is advantageously in both, the forming apparatus and the cleaning apparatus to cleans the drum. It gives the opportunity to work with pre-programmed menus in both the forming apparatus and/or cleaning apparatus which results in quality assurance and faster changeovers. This program can be stored on the recognition means and/or on a control system which is part of the forming apparatus and/or the cleaning apparatus.

When a mould drum will be placed in the forming apparatus the system will recognize it and preferably process parameters, for example: filling pressure for the food mass, rotational speed of the drum, set points to control the fluid to the product cavities to remove the formed products, movement of the belt which remove the formed product from the drum, will be activated. Additionally, also the production history, for example at what time and date the mould drum has been used, standstill periods, temperature of the mass, operating times versus produced capacity, etc, of that particular mould drum in the forming apparatus can be monitored and stored. This information can be for example used to forecast production capacity and/or to proactively initiate service for the mould drum and/or the cleaning- or molding apparatus.

When the mould drum will be placed in the cleaning apparatus, the drum will be recognized and the individual cleaning process for the particular drum will activated. The cleaning program can consist settings like the amount of detergents which are needed, time period of each cleaning step within the cleaning process. Also the cleaning history of the drum can be monitored. This is especially important due to the hygienic demands for food forming processes.

In case a mould drum with cavities made from porous material is used, it is advantageous, to clean the mould drum shortly after the production period, to prevent that the openings within the material get clogged. By storing one or more of the above mentioned data into a memory of the forming apparatus and cleaning apparatus and/or in centrally organized memory, it is, for example, afterwards possible to analyze if a problem with a mould drum is related to for example a failed cleaning process.

Preferably, the drum is stored in a storage unit. This storage unit can also be provided with recognition means to control the logistics with respect to mould drums. The forming apparatus, cleaning apparatus and storage unit can be coupled together for a centralized control of the handling of the mould drums. In a preferred embodiment with more tracking- and tracing technology, it will be known which drum is in the forming apparatus, which drum is in the cleaning apparatus, which drums are in the storage unit and even the settings wherewith the forming apparatus and cleaning apparatus are working can be monitored and eventually from a central point be changed. The history of the mould drum with respect to the cleaning apparatus and forming apparatus is also available. A secured central control over the configuration of the production line can be achieved by coupling all used machines together.

Identification means in the mould drum can for example be milled grooves which grooves comprise a code which can be recognized by recognition means, for example, machine readable holes forming an unique number, a barcode, a transponder (electronic tag, radio tag, RFID chip) or other identification means are also possible.

The recognition means connected to the forming apparatus and/or cleaning apparatus is a read- and/or write means which is capable to read the identification means which is part of each mould drum and/or write information on the recognition means of the mould drum.

The used technique recognition means must withstand the circumstances during the forming process, during the cleaning process, during storage and/or during further handling of the mould drum. Especially the cleaning process where the drum is accommodated within the housing of a cleaning apparatus, the drum will be exposed to detergents, acids, high pressure washing and/or high temperature. To prevent that the identification means placed at/in the mould drum and the recognition means placed at the forming apparatus, cleaning apparatus and/or eventually storage unit will be damaged, they are preferably placed in a protected place and/or integrated in plastic parts.

According to the invention, the cleaning apparatus comprises cover- and fastening means, which fastens the mould drum to the supporting means and covers one or both front ends of the mould drum.

This embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a mould drum from the inside; i.e. particularly the passage and/or the cavity and/or from the outside.

According to the present invention, the apparatus comprises supporting means for supporting the axis of the drum, which preferably does not rotate during the cleaning process and preferably rotates during the production process. Preferably, the axis of the drum fits on and/or in the supporting means and is at least partially secured in its position. For example, the supporting means can be utilized by a segment of a cylindrical sidewall of a tube.

Furthermore, the apparatus comprises cover and fastening means, which fasten the mould drum to the supporting means and/or cover the front end of the mould drum, at least partially. By covering one front end of a mould drum, one end of the passage can be closed and/or two passages can be fluid-wise interconnected by the cover. Additionally or alternatively, the cover can be connected to an fluid to eject the formed product, a cleaning- and/or drying fluid source to introduce a cleaning- and/or drying-fluid via the front end into the passage of the mould drum and force the cleaning- and/or drying-fluid through the porous structure and thus clean and/or dry it. Preferably, the cover- and the fastening means comprise sealing means to avoid that particularly ejection-, cleaning- and/or dry-fluid leaks unintentionally from one of the front ends.

In another preferred embodiment, the cover and fastening means comprise drive means to move them from a fastening into a remote position and vice versa and preferably secure it in at least one of its respective position. These drive means can be operated by a motor and/or manually. This preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the mould drum can be placed on the support means of the apparatus. Subsequently, first one and then the second cover and/or fastening means can be automatically placed against the front end of the mould drum in order to secure the mould drum in its position and/or in order to clean the passages and/or the cavities.

In another preferred embodiment, one cover and fastening means comprise an ejection-, cleaning- and/or drying-fluid connection to provide an ejection-, a cleaning- and/or drying-fluid to the passage and/or the cavity. Via the cover, the cavity can also be vented during filling of the cavity.

Additionally, the cleaning apparatus comprises a nozzle that rotates around the drum in order to clean the circumference and/or the front end of the drum. The nozzle can be motor driven and/or driven by the emerging cleaning fluid jet.

According to a preferred or another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises means to move, preferably lower and/or lift the mold drum relative to the frame of the apparatus. This means can be utilized to press the drum against a seal in the vicinity of the filling area of a mass feed member. Furthermore, this means can be utilized to remove the mould drum from a movable unit and/or place it into the apparatus. Additionally, this means can be used to change the vertical and/or horizontal position of the mould drum during cleaning and/or to remove the remove the means, on which the mould drum rests, from the drum.

Preferably, the mould drum comprises a read/write unit which communicates with the recognition means of the mould drum.

Another subject matter of the present invention is a process according to claim <NUM>.

The disclosure regarding the mould drum and/or the cleaning apparatus also applies to the inventive process and vice versa.

According to a preferred or another embodiment of the inventive process for cleaning a mould drum is moved, preferably lowered and/or lifted prior, during and/or after cleaning and/or that support means (<NUM>, <NUM>) are removed from the drum during cleaning and vice versa.

According to the present invention, the passages are rinsed from the first front end to the second front end. This embodiment of the inventive process has the advantage that food particles, which are inside the passage, are removed from the passage and not forced into the porous structure of the cavities.

In a preferred embodiment, the cavities are rinsed with a cleaning fluid after the passage has been cleaned. Particularly after the passage has been cleaned, the opening of the passage in one front end will be closed so that the fluid introduced into the passage has to flow through the porous structure of the cavity and thereby cleans the porous structure.

In another preferred embodiment, the passage and/or the cavity is dried after cleaning. This is preferably utilized by introducing air into the passage, which preferably firstly removes water from the passage and then dries the cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, the outside of the drum is cleaned by a rotating nozzle. This embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the drum stands still during the cleaning process. In another preferred embodiment, the front ends are cleaned before the passage and/or the cavity is rinsed. This preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the front ends are already cleaned before they are covered by a cover.

The present invention is now explained according to <FIG>. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection. The explanation applies to all embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

<FIG> shows a mould drum1 with a first front end <NUM> and a second front end <NUM>. This mould drum <NUM> comprises on its surface a multitude of cavities <NUM>, which are arranged around the entire circumference and which are open towards the surface. These cavities are utilized to form a food mass, preferably a meat mass into a desired 2D- or 3D-form, for example a patty. Additionally, along its axial extension, the mould drum comprises a multitude of cavities which are arranged in parallel. In the present case, one row of cavities comprises five cavities <NUM>, which are filled simultaneously and emptied simultaneously. During production, each cavity is filled with a food starting material, particularly with meat. Subsequently, this 2D- or 3D-formed product is removed from the cavity. During the production, the drum rotates. Each cavity comprises at least partially a porous structure; i.e. a at least partially porous bottom and/or a at least partially porous sidewall. This porous structure can be utilized to vent the cavity during filling, to apply pressurized air to the cavity to remove the product from the cavity and /or to clean the porous structure. All cavities <NUM> are connected to a passage <NUM>, through which the cavities are vented and/or air or cleaning fluid is supplied. According to the present invention, this passage extends from the first front end <NUM> of the drum to the second front end <NUM> of the drum. On one front side, here on the left front side <NUM>, the inventive mould drum further comprises a distributor <NUM>, here a ring-shaped groove, in order to supply a cleaning fluid to all passages <NUM> simultaneously, which are fluid-wise connected to the distributor. Furthermore, form fit means <NUM>, here embodied as pins, are arranged on the circumference of the front end <NUM> which are utilized to rotate the drum particularly during production. From the first front end <NUM> and the second front end <NUM> an axis of rotation <NUM> extends, respectively, which is used to bear the mould drum during its rotation in the production device and/or to bear the drum during its cleaning and/or to transport the drum. If needed, bearings <NUM> are fixed to the axis of rotation <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of the mould drum <NUM>. The mould drum has in a preferred embodiment a stainless steel base with fixedly placed inserts which inserts are partly or completely made from material with a porous structure. The mould drum is provided with a multitude of product cavities <NUM> which are arranged around the entire circumference of the mould drum and which form a row of cavities in longitudinal direction of the drum and which are open towards the surface and are utilized to form a food mass into a product, for example a patty. The mould drum has a first axial front end <NUM> and a second axial front end <NUM>. Every row of product is provided with at least one passage <NUM> through which the cavities are vented and/or cleaning fluid is supplied. Each passage preferably extends from the first axial front end <NUM> to the second front end <NUM>. A distributor <NUM> for a pressurized fluid is preferably integrated in first frond end <NUM>. The mould drum has a relatively large internal opening <NUM>. Further form-fit means <NUM> are provided to drive the drum in the forming apparatus. Here the form-fit-means are located within the opening <NUM>, so that they are protected and cannot be, for example, contaminated by the food mass.

<FIG> shows a preferred location for identification means <NUM> at mould drum <NUM>. Preferably the identification means <NUM> at the drum should be provided in first front end <NUM>. The drum can be provided with more than one identification means <NUM> to prevent that the forming apparatus or cleaning apparatus can recognized the mould drum only by means of one identification means <NUM> and/or to prevent that there is only one pre-determined position wherein the drum will be recognized by the forming apparatus or cleaning apparatus.

Via a mass supply system (not depicted), a food mass will be transported to a mass feed member provided with a fill opening adjacent to the mould drum <NUM>. When a row of cavities in the drum is at least partially congruent with the fill opening, the mass, which is pressurized with relatively low pressure, will flow into the open cavities. During filling the air within the cavities preferably escapes via the porous structure of the bottom <NUM> and when applied, the porous structure of the sidewalls <NUM>. The air will escape out of the drum via passages <NUM>. During further rotation of the drum a seal will preferably keep the formed products within the cavities till the row of formed products is approaching for example the lowest position of the drum. This is the moment that the formed products have to be removed from the cavities by using a fluid, preferably air, under excess pressure. Removing of the products can be done in several ways. When the product cavities are provided with a porous bottom <NUM> and side wall <NUM> has a closed structure, fluid only has to be provided in a passage <NUM> which is directed to the porous bottom <NUM>. When the product cavities are provided with a porous bottom <NUM> and a porous sidewall <NUM>, fluid can to be provided to both the bottom wall and/or sidewall. When using one passage <NUM> per row of cavities the porous cavities can be designed such that the fluid flow exits the porous structure of the bottom <NUM> and sidewall <NUM> at the same time.

<FIG> shows an example of a cross view of a mould drum, wherein <NUM> passages will be used, one separate passage 8a for the bottom and one separate passage 8b for the sidewall. Several options how to provide a pressurized fluid to the bottom and/or the sidewall are preferred. Fluid can exit the porous structure of the bottom and sidewall essentially at the same time, by directing the fluid to both passages 8a, 8b simultaneously. Fluid can be directed first to a passage 8b, which is connected to the porous structure of the sidewall and at least partially afterwards fluid can be directed to a passage 8a, which is connected to the porous structure of the bottom. Alternatively, fluid can be directed first to a passage 8a, which is connected to the porous structure of the bottom, and at least partially afterwards, the fluid is directed to a passage 8b which is connected to the porous structure of the sidewall.

When using large products even more than two passages per row of product cavities can be used to improve the control of removing the formed products out of the product cavities.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of the cleaning apparatus <NUM>. This cleaning apparatus comprises a support frame <NUM>, which is embodied in the present case as a partial segment of a cylindrical tube. Into this support frame, the axis of rotation <NUM> of the mould drum (please compare <FIG>) is placed. On each side, the inventive cleaning apparatus comprises cover- and fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> which are axially movable. After the drum has been placed into the support frames, the cover- and fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> are moved towards the drum, until they are in contact with the respective front end. Drive means <NUM>, <NUM>, preferably motor drive means can be utilized for this movement particularly in order to automatize the cleaning process. The person skilled in the art understands, however, that the means <NUM>, <NUM> can also be moved manually. Preferably, the means <NUM>, <NUM> are moved one after the other, which will be described in more detail according to <FIG>. At their contact side with the drum, each cover- and/or fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> comprises sealing means <NUM>, <NUM> in order to avoid undesired leakage particularly cleaning- and/or drying-fluid leakage between the drum and the cover <NUM>, <NUM>. During cleaning, the mould drum is stationary and a distributor, here a spray bar <NUM>, with a multitude of nuzzles <NUM>, rotates around the drum. The distributor <NUM> can be motor driven and/or can be rotated by the impulse of the jet that emerges each nozzle <NUM>. The cleaning fluid sprayed on the outside of the drum cleans the surface of the drum and the surface of the cavity. Furthermore, the cover- and fastening means <NUM> comprises a cleaning fluid connection <NUM>. Through this cleaning fluid connection <NUM>, a cleaning fluid is introduced into the cover and flows from there to the distribution groove <NUM>, which is connected to all passages <NUM> of the mould drum. Thus, the passages <NUM> and/or the porous structure of the cavity can be cleaned which will be explained in further detail later on. <FIG> shows the inventive cleaning apparatus <NUM> in its entirety. In the present case, a hood can be opened, which extends essentially over the entire length of the cleaning apparatus in order to place the mould drum into the support frame <NUM>.

<FIG> shows further details of the inventive cleaning apparatus according to <FIG>. As can be particularly seen from <FIG>, in the present case, the cleaning apparatus comprises drive means <NUM>, <NUM> in order to rotate the spraying means <NUM>, <NUM>. At the end of a rotating axis <NUM>, a pinion <NUM> is arranged, which drives form-fit-means, here pins associated with the spray bar structure <NUM> to rotate the spray bar structure <NUM>. Besides the cleaning fluid connection <NUM>, also an air source connection <NUM> is provided in the cover <NUM>, which forces air into the distributor and thus into the passages and the cavities in order to dry the passages and the cavities. As can be particularly seen from <FIG> and <FIG>, the mould drum can also be loaded into the cleaning unit from one of the front ends of the cleaning device <NUM>. For the loading of the mould drum into the cleaning device, a movable unit is used, which comprises a fork <NUM>, which is height adjustable and on which the drum is placed so that the circumference of the drum sits on the fork <NUM>. The fork <NUM> together with the drum is inserted into the cleaning unit <NUM> after the cleaning unit has been opened and then the fork <NUM> is lowered and the mould drum is placed on the support frame <NUM>. Subsequently, the movable unit <NUM> is removed from the cleaning unit and the hood can be closed. The cleaning process can be inspected via a window <NUM>.

There can be separate tanks for cleaning agents,- descaler and disinfectant, pumps for spray nozzles and/or for internal cleaning drum filters. The valves for controlling the cleaning fluid can be operated by a PLC.

In <FIG> and <FIG> an alternative loading process is depicted. In the present case, the mould drum is loaded from the front side. In the present case, the axis of rotation <NUM> sits on the fork <NUM> and is then lowered into the support frame <NUM>. Subsequently, the movable unit <NUM> is removed from the cleaning unit, the hood is closed and the cleaning process can start.

Since, in all applications the drum is not gripped by the movable unit, but sits on a fork, the movable unit is produced and operated easily. The drum is not damaged during transportation and/or insertion of the drum into the cleaning apparatus and/or into the cleaning apparatus.

<FIG> show an alternative embodiment of the inventive cleaning unit. As can be particularly seen from <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is rotatable for example by motor means <NUM> or manually. Other than that, reference is made to the description of the other figures. As can be particularly seen from <FIG>, the drum is loaded in the present case by a movable unit, which comprises a spindle <NUM>, which can be inserted into the axis of rotation <NUM> of mould drum. After the mould drum has been placed on the support frame <NUM>, the movable unit and thus the spindle is removed from the drum. The person skilled in the art understands that in the present case also a fork can be used to place the mould drum into the cleaning unit.

The person skilled in the art understands that the cover- and/or fastening means can also be operated manually. The person skilled in the art further understands that all cleaning devices comprise collection means in order to collect the cleaning fluid and preferably recycle it into the cleaning process.

<FIG> shows the inventive cleaning process. After the mould drum has been placed into the cleaning unit (please compare <FIG>), preferably first the front ends <NUM>, <NUM> are cleaned by a nozzle <NUM>. Subsequently, the cover- and fastening means <NUM> are brought into contact with the first front end <NUM>. It should be noted that the cover- and/or fastening means <NUM> is still in its remote position. Subsequently, the cleaning fluid is introduced into the cover <NUM> and flows from there through the passages <NUM>. Since the cover- and/or fastening means <NUM> is still in its remote position, the passages <NUM> are open at the second front end <NUM> of the mould drum <NUM> and the fluid introduced into the passage via cover <NUM> can escape from front end <NUM>. Thus, the passages <NUM> are rinsed and food particles in the passage can be removed. This process step is depicted in <FIG>. Subsequently, as depicted in <FIG>, the cover- and fastening means <NUM> is moved from its remote position to the contact position with the mould drum. Now, the passages <NUM> are closed at the second front end <NUM> and a cleaning- and/or drying-fluid forced into the passage, must leave the mould drum via the porous cavities <NUM> so that the porous structure of the cavities are cleaned during this stage of the cleaning process. After the cleaning of the porous structure is finalized, if desired, air can be forced through the passages. This can be done by either first bringing the cover <NUM> in its remote position again so that first the passages are dried and afterwards, after the cover <NUM> is in contact with the front end of the mould drum again, the porous structure of the cavities is dried. The cleaning fluid can be water and if needed water with a cleaning agent. The water can be heated, however, in a first step always cold water should be used in order to avoid denaturalization of the protein structure of the meat.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of the forming apparatus, which utilizes the inventive mould drum as depicted and described in <FIG> to produce formed products, for example patties. The mould drum <NUM> is supported in a support frame <NUM> of the forming apparatus, which is for example part of the main frame of the forming apparatus. The support frame <NUM> is preferably engineered as described above. Bearings <NUM> are provided on both ends of the axis of rotation <NUM> to bear the rotating drum relative to the forming apparatus. The bearing can be a self-lubricating bearing but preferably the bearing is provided as a roll bearing, preferably as a stainless steel roll bearing. The bearing can be also of any other material, for example plastic, preferably high performance plastic. The bearing must be resistant against the forces, which occur during the formation of formed products. Furthermore, the bearing must be resistant against the temperature and the cleaning agent in the cleaning apparatus as described above. Instead of the bearing on the journals of the drum, it is also possible to make the bearing part of the forming apparatus. The drum assembly <NUM> will be placed in or on the support frame by a movable unit which has been described above or which is described according to the subsequent figures. During filling of the cavity, it is desirable that the cavities are vented via the porous structure and the passage <NUM> in the mould drum. During discharge of the formed food product from the cavity, air under pressure will be fed to the front end of the drum and flows from there through the passages <NUM> and the porous structure to the cavity of the mould drum <NUM>. To achieve this, one front end <NUM>, <NUM> of the mould drum is provided with a cover <NUM> with fluid connection points. When the movable unit <NUM> has put the mould drum in/on the support frame <NUM>, cover <NUM> will be moved by associated drive means such that the cover <NUM> is in contact with one of the front ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the mould drum <NUM>. This drive means can be motor or manual drive means. Once the cover is in contact with the front end of the drum, it will be secured in this position manually or automatically. The cover <NUM> which also secures the drum relative to the support frame is preferably provided with sealing means <NUM>, for example of a labyrinth, lip seal or an O-ring seal to prevent a leakage between the cover <NUM> and the front end <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. During production, the mould drum <NUM> is rotated while the cover <NUM> is preferably in a stationary position. As soon as one row of cavities has reached the filling position, one connection point in cover <NUM> is connected with the ambient and/or preferably with a vacuum so that air can escape from the cavities during their filling. While or after the row of cavities has been filled with food starting material, the mould drum <NUM> continues its rotation and when it has reached its discharge position, one connection point in the cover <NUM> will be connected with a pressurized fluid source, for example an air source, for discharging the formed food product from the cavity <NUM>. The fluid will flow from the fluid source via the cover <NUM> into the passage <NUM> and from there through the porous structure of one or more cavities, which are aligned in one row. It is also possible to provide the cover <NUM> with slots so that one or more passages <NUM> and/or one or more rows of cavities are provided with air in the discharge position. It may be also desirable that even after discharge of the product, the fluid flow, for example the air flow, is maintained in order to clean the porous structure of the cavity. The cover <NUM> is therefore preferably an exchangeable piece, which can be adapted dependent on the product to be formed. The other front end <NUM>, in the present case on the right hand side, is also provided with a cover <NUM> mainly to close the opening of the passages <NUM>. After the movable unit <NUM> has put the mould drum <NUM> in the support frame of the forming apparatus <NUM>, the cover <NUM> will be moved manually or automatically by associated drive means <NUM>, which move the cover <NUM> from a remote position into a position where the cover <NUM> is in contact with the front end <NUM> of the mould drum <NUM>. Preferably, the cover <NUM> is provided with sealing means <NUM>, preferably embodied as described above, in order to prevent fluid-, preferably air-, leakage between this front end <NUM> of the mould drum and the cover <NUM>. This cover can be either in a stand still position or can rotate together with the drum.

<FIG> shows the movable unit <NUM> in three different embodiments. In all cases the movable unit comprises a fork <NUM> with two arms which is adjustable in its height. The mould drum <NUM> is beared on the fork <NUM> of the movable unit <NUM>. In the embodiment according to <FIG>, the axis of rotation <NUM>, which extends from both ends of the mould drum <NUM>, lies on the fork <NUM>. In the embodiment according to <FIG>, a segment of the circumference of the drum lies on the fork <NUM>. In both cases, the front end of the fork comprises securing means, here indentations, in order to avoid that the drum rolls off the fork. In the embodiment according to <FIG>, the mould drum lies with its entire length on the fork.

The forming apparatus preferably comprises guiding means (not depicted) to secure the movable unit <NUM> always in a defined position relative to the forming apparatus, in order to assure that the drum is placed on the support frame in the correct position. For placing the mould drum <NUM> in/on the support frame <NUM>, the fork <NUM> is lowered until the axis of rotation of the mould drum is fully supported by the support frame <NUM> of the forming apparatus. The lowering of the mould drum <NUM> can be carried out manually or automatically. When utilizing the solution according to <FIG>, the outfeed belt for the formed products must be shifted in a remote position. This is not the case in the embodiment according to <FIG>, as can be seen from <FIG>. In this case, the movable unit <NUM> carries drum <NUM> from underneath. Advantageous in this embodiment is that the drum can be placed and removed from the side of the forming apparatus. The outfeed belt need not be replaced in this embodiment according to the present invention.

<FIG> shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the support frame <NUM> at the front end <NUM> is designed differently. Here, the cover <NUM> is not shifted linearly as in the preceding examples but is rotated into the locking position. This movement can be carried out manually or automatically. Preferably, cover <NUM> comprises sealing means <NUM>. Other than that reference is made to the description of <FIG>. Different in comparison to the other examples is also the drive means <NUM> of the cover <NUM>. In the present case, this cover is operated manually. A leaver <NUM> also locks cover <NUM> once it is in contact with the front end <NUM> of the mould drum <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the loading of the drum into the forming apparatus. Essentially, reference can be made to the disclosure made regarding <FIG>. However, the shifting and locking mechanisms of the covers <NUM>, <NUM> is as described according to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows another loading mechanism of the mould drum <NUM>. In the present case, the mould drum comprises a hollow shaft or a hollow journal into which a spindle, which is part of the movable unit <NUM> is inserted. After the mould drum has been placed on support <NUM>, the spindle is drawn out of the mould drum while removing the removable unit <NUM> from the forming apparatus.

<FIG> shows several embodiment of a movable unit <NUM>. In a first embodiment (<FIG>), the unit is provided with a shaft/spindel <NUM>. This shaft/spindle can be inserted into a drum opening <NUM> of mould drum <NUM>. In a second embodiment (<FIG> and c) a fork <NUM> is used which is holding the drum from underneath. The shaft/spindle but especially the fork can be provided with elastic for example plactic parts to prevent that the, preferably partly porous, surface of the mould drum will be damaged. Preferably the elastic parts are carrying the first frond end <NUM> and second front end <NUM>. In factories the floors are often gently sloped. This can cause problems with transferring the drum from the movable unit to the cleaning apparatus and/or the forming apparatus or vice versa. This problem is solved by providing the movable unit with an align mechanism <NUM>. This mechanism can be used for the embodiment with fork as shown in <FIG> but can also be used for the embodiment with spindle. The aligning mechanism aligns the fork or the shaft/spindle to the slope of the forming- and/or cleaning-apparatus. In the embodiment in <FIG>, mechanism <NUM> consist of a turning knob <NUM>, pressure piece <NUM> and hinge pin <NUM> which allows the shaft/spindle or fork to rotate perpendicular to the floor. Other align mechanism designs are possible too.

The movable unit can be equipped with a sensor that detects the angle of the drum or lifting / support means for the drum in the cleaning apparatus or forming apparatus. The movable unit could even be fitted with a motor and a battery and, depends on what the sensor measures, automatically adjust the angle of fork <NUM> or spindle <NUM> with the angle of the lifting / supporting means of the drum in the cleaning apparatus or forming apparatus.

<FIG> shows the cleaning apparatus <NUM> which is here provided with a hood which can be opened to place / remove the mould drum. The cleaning apparatus including the hood can be provided with window(s) <NUM> to inspect the cleaning process.

Both the cleaning apparatus and forming apparatus are preferably provided with a positioning means <NUM> to assure a trouble free placement and removal of the mould drum, particularly to fix and/or bring the movable unit into a clearly defined position relative to the cleaning apparatus and forming apparatus. Preferably the movable unit is provided with for example a magnet and both the cleaning apparatus and forming apparatus with a sensor to detect the presence of the movable unit. The control unit detects the movable unit and when, for example one or more preset, conditions are full-filled, only then lifting means can be operated.

During cleaning the mould drum <NUM> is stationary and a distributor, here a spray bar <NUM>, with here a multitude of nozzles <NUM>, rotates via drive means <NUM> (not shown) around the drum and is connected to a cleaning fluid connection <NUM>. On both outer ends of the drum cover and/or fastening means <NUM> with sealing means <NUM> are provided, which are moved towards the drum by drive means <NUM>. Cover means <NUM> is provided with cleaning fluid connection <NUM> and air source connection <NUM>.

In case the movable unit <NUM> doesn't have lifting means, in both, the cleaning apparatus and/or forming apparatus, at least one, preferably two lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> is/are provided, to place the mould drum from the movable unit to the cleaning apparatus and/or forming apparatus and vice versa. This lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> can also be used to lower and/or lift the mould drum during cleaning and/or to alternate the support during the cleaning of the mould drum, in case the drum is not rotated, respectively. This assures that the areas where the drum is supported by the lifiting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> is cleaned as well.

The lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> can be designed in several ways; with <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more supporting means as long as the drum support is stable enough. In the examples according to <FIG> and <FIG>, the lifting means <NUM> and <NUM> are moving linearly and driven, for example by pneumatic cylinders. This invention is not limited to these designs. Other lifting means with linkages, transmissions and other drive units like electro motors, particularly servomotors, AC-motors or the like are also possible.

<FIG> shows the placement of the drum in the cleaning apparatus. In <FIG>, the hood is open and lifting means <NUM> in cleaning position and lifting means <NUM> in remote position or vice versa. Now the movable unit <NUM> with the mould drum on the fork is placed against the positioning means <NUM> of the cleaning apparatus. In <FIG> the first lifting means <NUM> are in the drum transfer position. During the movement from the cleaning position to the transfer position, the lifting means <NUM> lifts the drum from the shaft/spindle or fork of the movable unit. In <FIG> the movable unit is removed. In <FIG> the drum is moved back from the transfer position to the cleaning position. The person skilled in the art understands that the cleaning position and the transfer position can be identical. <FIG> shows the start of the cleaning process. The hood of the cleaning apparatus is preferably closed and cover means <NUM> is positioned against each axial end of the mould drum <NUM>. Cleaning of the mould drum now takes place as, for example, described above. <FIG> depicts the next step in the cleaning process with cover <NUM> against the outer end of the drum. During the cleaning process lifting means <NUM> will move from remote position to cleaning position. Then lifting means <NUM> moves from cleaning position to rest position. Now the area where lifting means <NUM> was supporting the drum can be cleaned by nozzles <NUM>. When the cleaning process is finished the drum can be lifted to the transfer position by lifting means <NUM> and lifting means <NUM> moves back to the remote position. The person skilled in the art understands, that it is also possible to operate the cleaning device only with one lifting means <NUM>, <NUM>. In this case, before or during the cleaning process, the lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> are, at least temporarily, removed, preferably lowered and the mould drum is only supported at the axial front ends <NUM>, <NUM>. During this removal of the lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM>, the area at which the lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> where in contact with the drum can also be cleaned. Subsequently, the lifting/supporting means <NUM>, <NUM> is lifted again until it is in touch with the mould drum again.

Removal of the drum is executed reciprocally.

<FIG> shows a lift/support means <NUM>, with levers and a roller at the end of each lever, to lift/support the drum. Beside a roll a part, for example a plastic part that moves gently along the circumference of the drum is possible too. In <FIG> the movable unit has brought the drum into the cleaning apparatus and lifting means <NUM>, consisting here of drive means <NUM>, <NUM>, is now in the transfer position (drum is supported by the rollers). In <FIG> the rollers are moved to the cleaning position by moving the levers apart and the cleaning process can be started. To clean the area were the rollers support the drum, the rollers can move to a different position. If needed, the support and/or cover of the axial end has to be removed prior to moving the rollers into a different position, because this will result in a different vertical position of the mould drum. However, alternatively, the mould drum can, at least temporarily, be supported at the front ends <NUM>, <NUM> during cleaning of the mould drum. In this case, the rollers are, during cleaning, at least temporarily removed from the drum to clean the area, which was in touch with the rollers.

<FIG> shows the first preferred embodiment of the positioning of cover <NUM> at one or both front ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The cover is connected to link mechanism <NUM> which is used for automate the cleaning process, and driven by driving means <NUM> like a pneumatic cylinder or a motor. Link mechanism <NUM> allows a short movement of cover <NUM> in axial direction of the drum. The length of the shaft/spindle <NUM> or fork <NUM> of the movable unit can be reduced due to this short movement.

<FIG> shows a second preferred embodiment of the mechanism of the positioning of cover <NUM> at one or both front ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The cover is, for example manually, connected via a bayonet connection to a corresponding front end <NUM>, <NUM> of drum <NUM>. Thus, the length of the spindle <NUM> or fork <NUM> of the movable unit can be reduced. An automated design of the rotating cover is depicted in <FIG>. Here, the cover <NUM> is connected to a driving rod <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the position of the cover <NUM> in the beginning of the cleaning process where passages <NUM> must be cleaned. Cleaning liquid can flow free from the passages via the opening in cover <NUM> to the inside of the cleaning apparatus. <FIG> depicts the situation further in the cleaning process where the cover closes the passages <NUM> and the porous cavities can be cleaned.

<FIG> shows that the cover <NUM> is preferably provided with fluid apertures and an internal fluid channel which ends in a discharge opening <NUM> which will be provided with a valve.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which depict the forming apparatus <NUM>. The forming apparatus <NUM> is preferably provided with a positioning part <NUM> to assure a trouble free placement and/or removal of the mould drum from/to the movable unit <NUM>. lifting/support means of forming apparatus are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows that lifting means <NUM> are moved to the transfer position to take over the drum from the movable unit. When the mould drum sits on lifting means <NUM>, the movable unit can be removed. Then the lifting means <NUM> move to the remote position and during this movement the drum will be taken over by supporting means <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. Now the drum is in the production position. During production of food products, the mould drum is preferably solely supported by the rollers <NUM>. Removal of the drum from the forming machine to the movable unit goes vice versa. <FIG> shows another embodiment wherein combined lifting / support means <NUM> is used to place, remove and support the drum.

This invention is not limited to these designs. Other lifting means for example <NUM> in <FIG>or with linkages, transmissions and drive units as cylinders and (servo) motors are also possible. During production the drum not necessarily needs to run on rollers, supporting means for the rotating drum <NUM> and lifting / supporting means <NUM> can be designed differently, for example as a shoe shaped part.

Mould drum comprises form fit means to rotate the mould drum during the production of formed products. The form fit means can be for example cams integrated in front end <NUM> but other embodiments are possible too. The drum will be rotated by drive means <NUM> which will be coupled to the form fit means of the drum when the drum is placed in the forming apparatus. The centre line of drive means <NUM> is in <FIG> and <FIG> collinear with the centre line of the drum. It is also possible to drive the drum with the centre line of the drive means not in line with the centre line of the drum. <FIG> shows the forming apparatus assembled for production with a seal <NUM> around the drum and a connection point to a mass supply system <NUM>. In <FIG> the seal with the mass supply connection point is turned away to create space to clean all parts of the forming apparatus and/or to remove the drum.

<FIG> shows a different embodiment based on seal <NUM> and mass supply connection point <NUM> both fixed to frame <NUM> of forming apparatus <NUM>. In <FIG> positioning, here lifting means <NUM> is moving the mould drum from a remote position (here lowest position) to the transfer position to take over the drum from the movable unit <NUM> till the drum supports on lifting means <NUM>. In <FIG> lifting means <NUM> are in a transfer position and the movable unit is removed. In <FIG> is depicted that cover means / fastening means <NUM> and eventually sealing means <NUM> are be placed in the transfer position of the drum on the second front end <NUM> of the mould drum to close passages <NUM>. Depending on their size, the cover- and sealing means <NUM>, <NUM> can be placed on the drum in the production position too. <FIG> shows the production position. Unlike the previously described embodiments were first the drum is placed in the forming apparatus and later on the seal <NUM> is placed over the drum, now the drum is pushed with the combined lifting and pressure means <NUM> against the stationary positioned seal <NUM>.

While, in the present case, the seal <NUM> surrounds the drum by almost <NUM>° and the seal <NUM> is placed around the drum at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, the movement to the lifting and pressure means <NUM> is not linear, but a rotational movement. This movement assures that the drum will move freely to and into the stationary placed sealing. Other lifting means and pressure means are possible too.

In another embodiment the vertical moving lifting means described in <FIG> can be used when the seal <NUM> is not totally fixed to the frame <NUM> but is rotatable around an axis of rotation. When cleaning the forming apparatus this is advantageously to also clean the internal surface of the seal <NUM>. After cleaning the seal <NUM> can be rotated in such a position that the drum can be moved until the surface of the drum contacts the internal surface of the seal. Then the seal <NUM> can be rotated to its production position and the lifting means can put pressure to the drum to assure a leak free operation.

<FIG> shows a cleaning apparatus without lifting means and <FIG> shows a forming apparatus without lifting means wherein the drum is supported by support means <NUM>. Both the cleaning apparatus and forming apparatus will be used together with a movable unit with lifting means for the shaft/spindle and fork (not shown). In the forming machine these support means are preferably rollers with integrated bearings. In the cleaning apparatus these support means can be rollers but while the drum is in stand still position during the cleaning process, the rollers do not have to rotate and do not need bearings. Other designs, for example a shoe shaped part, are also possible for both de forming apparatus and the cleaning apparatus.

<FIG> shows a possible location of recognition means <NUM> in the cleaning apparatus and <FIG> shows a possible location of recognition means in the forming apparatus.

Claim 1:
Process for the cleaning of a mould drum (<NUM>) for moulding products from a mass of food starting material with a cleaning apparatus (<NUM>) for the mould drum with supporting means (<NUM>,<NUM>) for supporting an axis (<NUM>) of the drum,
wherein the mould drum comprises one or more cavities (<NUM>) with a mould cavity wall having at least partially a porous structure, whereas each cavity is connected to a passage (<NUM>),
wherein the mould drum comprises passages, wherein each passage extends from a first front end (<NUM>) to a second front end (<NUM>) of the mould drum,
wherein the first front end comprises distribution means (<NUM>), preferably a ring, for distributing a cleaning- and/or drying fluid to all passages, wherein the passages are rinsed from the first front end to the second front end,
characterized in, that
wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises cover- and fastening means (<NUM>), which fasten the mould drum to the supporting means and/or cover one or both of the first and second front ends of the mould drum,
wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises a nozzle (<NUM>) that rotates around the drum in order to clean the circumference of the drum.