Device and method for controlling the condensate and/or frost formation in chocolate shell production

1. A device for controlling condensate or frost formation during chocolate shell production comprising:

a mould ( 2 ) provided with a plurality of recesses ( 3 ) for holding liquefied or softened chocolate ( 4 );

a die ( 5 ), cooled by cooling means ( 7 ) and including a plurality of protrusions ( 6 ), each protrusion fit to be inserted into a respective chocolate containing recess ( 3 ) of the mould to form a chocolate shell, when the cooled die is moved into a maximum approach condition (A) between the die ( 5 ) and the mould ( 2 );

at least one supply means ( 8 ) having an outlet ( 9 ) for delivering dehumidified air directly into an environment located between the die and the mould, the outlet orientated in a direction facing the protrusions ( 6 );

dehumidification means ( 10 ) for feeding the supply means ( 8 ) with dehumidified air ( 50 );

the supply means ( 8 ) being sized to deliver a flow of the dehumidified air ( 50 ) nearly at ambient pressure, to the environment created when the mould and the die are in a detached condition (D).

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the outlet ( 9 ) of the supply means ( 8 ) has an elongated shape and is approximately positioned parallel to a side of die ( 5 ).

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the outlet ( 9 ) is aligned to or below the die ( 5 ) and is inclined toward the die.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the outlet ( 9 ) has a length approximately equal to a length of a side of die ( 5 ).

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of supply means ( 8 ) for facing each side of the die ( 5 ).

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the supply means ( 8 ) has an approximately bent delta shape, a side of the supply means having the outlet ( 9 ), an opposed vertex of the supply means having a connection ( 11 ) for pneumatically connecting a duct ( 12 ) to the dehumidification means ( 10 ).

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the supply means ( 8 ) is fixed to the die ( 5 ) and the mould ( 2 ) is located below the die, the mould being vertically driven by lifting means between the maximum approach condition (A) and the detached condition (D).

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the dehumidification means ( 10 ) include a radiator exchanger ( 14 ), ambient air passing by the radiator exchanger to obtain dehumidified air ( 50 ), blown in the duct ( 12 ) by blowing means ( 15 ); the radiator exchanger ( 14 ) being cooled by a cooling fluid, refrigerated by a refrigerating machine ( 13 ), the cooling fluid being fed to the die by the cooling means ( 7 ).

9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the dehumidification means ( 10 ) include a drier ( 16 ) with rotating disks provided with hygroscopic material in order to dehumidify the air ( 50 ).

10. The device according to claims 8 or 9 wherein the dehumidification means ( 10 ) are located downstream from a radiator exchanger ( 14 ).

11. The device according to claim 6 wherein the duct ( 12 ) includes filter means ( 17 ) for filtering the dehumidified air ( 50 ).