Patent ID: 8778434

Claim:
A method of preparing a granulated confectionary product, for making firm cores or pastilles, comprising a centrifugal grinding unit and a centrifugal granulating unit, grinding and granulating units being distinct and independent units arranged in cascade formation, which are similar to each other and each comprise an elongated cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis; an inlet for products to be processed in said shell; a processed-product outlet; and a powered rotary shaft housed in said shell, coaxially with said axis, and fitted with a coiled row of identical radial pegs each of which has a constant cross section along its whole length and a straight generatrix connected releasably with respect to said shaft and arranged between said inlet and said outlet; a distance of the free ends of the pegs of the granulating unit from the respective shell being greater then a distance of the free ends of the pegs of the grinding unit from the respective shell; the method comprising the steps of loading said centrifugal grinding unit with at least some of the ingredients of the granulated product; grinding the ingredients by rotating said shaft at a first speed to spin said ingredients onto an inner surface of said shell, and form a tubular layer of material of a first thickness; taking said ingredients out of said centrifugal grinding unit; feeding said ingredients into the centrifugal granulating unit; moistening said ingredients by feeding at least a water solution into said centrifugal granulating unit to form a moist mixture; and granulating said moist mixture by heating the shell of said centrifugal granulating unit, rotating the shaft of said centrifugal granulating unit at a second speed, and spinning the moist mixture onto the inner surface of said centrifugal granulating unit to form a tubular layer of granulating material of a second thickness greater than said first thickness.