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US3958018A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process for manufacturing confections

Assignee: Magic Chocolate Inc
•
Filing: 1974-12-09
•
Granted: 1976-05-18
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Expires: 1994-12-09
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for manufacturing confections includes a moving endless belt defining a surface onto which a hardenable, liquid confectionary material, such as molten sugar, is distributed. The molten sugar is first dispensed in strands extending longitudinally of the moving belt by a device that includes a hopper with a plurality of distribution openings formed in its bottom. A second, similar dispensing device dispenses molten sugar onto the moving belt in strands that extend transversely of the belt. Together the longitudinal and transverse strands cool to form a continuous, self-supporting matrix or core having a random openwork pattern. The sugar matrix is cut and then transferred, on a short transfer conveyor, for example, from the first endless belt to a second endless belt that has a mesh surface. The mesh belt transports the sugar matrix underneath a trough extending transversely of the belt and disposed above the belt. The trough distributes a second hardenable, liquid confectionary material, such as molten chocolate, over the sugar on the belt to coat the sugar. Thereafter, the sugar passes underneath a plenum chamber that leads from a blower and directs a flow of air downwardly over the coated sugar. The flow of air removes molten chocolate from and reopens most of the interstices of the openwork pattern formed by the distributed sugar. The distributed sugar and the chocolate coating are then allowed to cool and harden into a finished confection having a delicate, lace-like appearance.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eugenia Tay

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 19:27
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/02; A23G3/20; A23G3/2007; A23G3/2015; A23G3/22

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 130 words
A continuous process for manufacturing confections comprising: a. distributing a first hardenable liquid confectionary material onto a surface in an openwork pattern having a plurality of interstices; b. hardening said first liquid confectionary material, at least partially, in said openwork pattern; c. distributing a second hardenable, liquid confectionary material over the hardened distributed first material, while the distributed first material is supported on a surface, so as to coat the distributed first material; d. removing the distributed second material from at least some of the interstices defined by the distributed first material so as to reopen, at least partially, said at least some of the interstices, while maintaining a coating of the second material on the distributed first material; and e. allowing the distributed first and second materials to harden.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 130 words
A continuous process for manufacturing confections comprising: a. distributing a first hardenable liquid confectionary material onto a surface in an openwork pattern having a plurality of interstices; b. hardening said first liquid confectionary material, at least partially, in said openwork pattern; c. distributing a second hardenable, liquid confectionary material over the hardened distributed first material, while the distributed first material is supported on a surface, so as to coat the distributed first material; d. removing the distributed second material from at least some of the interstices defined by the distributed first material so as to reopen, at least partially, said at least some of the interstices, while maintaining a coating of the second material on the distributed first material; and e. allowing the distributed first and second materials to harden.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the distributed second material is removed from said at least some of the interstices by supporting the distributed first material on a mesh surface and blowing air downwardly over the distributed first and second materials toward the mesh surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the distributed first material is placed on the mesh surface prior to distributing the second material over the distributed first material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
A process according to claim 1, also comprising cutting the at least partially hardened first material into distinct pieces before distributing the second material over the distributed first material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 146 words
A continuous process for manufacturing confections comprising: a. distributing a molten sugar material onto a surface in an openwork pattern having a plurality of interstices; b. cooling the distributed sugar material so as to harden it, at least partially; c. placing the at least partially hardened, distributed sugar material on a mesh supporting surface; d. distributing a molten chocolate material over the distributed sugar material on the mesh supporting surface so as to coat the distributed sugar material; e. blowing air downwardly over the distributed sugar material and the distributed chocolate material toward the mesh supporting surface to remove the distributed chocolate material from and reopen, at least partially, at least some of the interstices in the distributed sugar material, while maintaining a coating of chocolate material on the distributed sugar material; and f. allowing the sugar material and the chocolate material to harden more completely.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 146 words
A continuous process for manufacturing confections comprising: a. distributing a molten sugar material onto a surface in an openwork pattern having a plurality of interstices; b. cooling the distributed sugar material so as to harden it, at least partially; c. placing the at least partially hardened, distributed sugar material on a mesh supporting surface; d. distributing a molten chocolate material over the distributed sugar material on the mesh supporting surface so as to coat the distributed sugar material; e. blowing air downwardly over the distributed sugar material and the distributed chocolate material toward the mesh supporting surface to remove the distributed chocolate material from and reopen, at least partially, at least some of the interstices in the distributed sugar material, while maintaining a coating of chocolate material on the distributed sugar material; and f. allowing the sugar material and the chocolate material to harden more completely.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
A process according to claim 5, also comprising cutting the at least partially hardened sugar material into distinct pieces before distributing the chocolate material over the distributed sugar material.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1725608A Cited
US1414528A Cited
US1473289A Cited
US1524636A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-05-18 1979-11-17 1980-05-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-05-18 1983-11-17 1984-05-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-05-18 1987-11-17 1988-05-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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