Nahrungsmittel-Formpreßvorrichtung und Verfahren zur Herstellung von Nahrungsmittelerzeugnissen

摘要

Apparatus for molding formable materials, comprises supply manifold(s) (44) for receiving formable material; plungers (52) for applying pressure to the material within the manifold; a mold plate (24) having at least one mold cavity (26) and driven between fill and discharge positions, the mold cavities being selectively exposed to the supply manifold when in the fill position; a clamp member (204) positioned adjacent the mold plate (24) in the fill position, and apply pressure on the clamp member to clamp the mold plate against the supply manifold compensating for deflection of the structural members to maintain the mold plate in firm clamping relation to the supply manifold. The arrangement eliminates the need for a thick or heavy clamp plate and a mold plate and clamp member of relatively thin section is utilized, to allow a machine having significantly increased width to be realized. The increased width of the machine increases capacity, and allows compatibility with other processing equipment. A mold plate knife assembly (35) cuts the formable material adjacent the mold cavities after filling to facilitate formation of precise portions of the formable material, and also functions to seal off the supply manifold prior to movement of the mold plate.