A - Human Necessities – 23 – L
Patent
A - Human Necessities
23
L
A23L 1/18 (2006.01) A23G 3/20 (2006.01) A23P 1/14 (2006.01)
Patent
CA 2164280
An apparatus (10) for forming popcorn bars utilizing methods according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is disclosed where popcorn popped in an air popper (12) and coated with a molten binder in the form of a caramel syrup in an auger mixer (20) is compressed into a sheet by a device (32). In the sheeting device (32), the coated popped popcorn is drawn into and passes between an input conveyor (30) and a compressing conveyor (34) arranged at a non-parallel angle thereto. The flexible plastic, continuous belting (36) of the input and compressing conveyors (30, 34) has a textured surface in the form of cubes arranged along a diagonal pattern and is supported in the input conveyor (30) between the end rollers (38) by a plate (40) over which the belting (36) slides. An air manifold (37) directs cooled air to the upper surface of the compressing conveyor (34) to cool the belting (36) thereof, with the cooled air being deflected to cool a spreader box (28) which receives the coated popcorn from the auger mixer (20) and distributes it on the input conveyor (30). The coated popcorn is cooled while being transported by a transport conveyor (44) including belting in the form of a mesh by a multiplicity of fans (46) located above and below the transport conveyor (44) and mounted on a movable support. The sheet is cut into strips by parallel, spaced, rotating slitter knives (50) which can then be separated by a spreader (52) and cut into the desired lengths by a guillotine knife (54). A confectionery coating such as milk-chocolate or caramel flavoring is drizzled in a zig-zag pattern on the laterally separated bars by a drizzling device (56). After cooling in a cooling tunnel (58), the bars can be individually wrapped and packaged for sale.
Ganesan Ganesh S.
Gusek Todd W.
Helser Michael A.
Uecker Myron M.
Fetherstonhaugh & Co.
General Mills Inc.
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