| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides methods and apparatus for both cutting and forming individual confectionary products from strips or ropes. The apparatus includes an input conveyor (26) secured to a frame (22) and having upper and lower run portions, an ouput conveyor (28) secured to the frame and having an upper run, the output conveyor being positioned adjacent and downstream of the input conveyor to receive products formed on a downstream end portion of the upper run of the input conveyor, an ultrasonic stack (44) having an energy converter (66) for changing electrical energy into ultrasonic vibration, a booster (68) for increasing the amplitude of the vibration and an ultrasonic horn (70) having surfaces defining a cutting edge (126) and a forming cavity (74) with a predetermined interior shape and surface finish, at least one motor (54) and control for moving the stack generally parallel to the downstream end portion of the upper run of the input conveyor, and a mechanism for plunging the stack from a raised initial position to a lowered position adjacent the upper run of the input conveyor.</p> |
