Nestec S.a.

Jean-Michel Martin

Marcel E Buhler

Shaped articles of agglomerated particulate material are prepared by conveying plates having apertures therethrough on a surface for forming, by reason of the plate apertures and the forming surface, article shaping cells. Particulate material to be formed into the shaped articles is fed into the cells, and then while the plates remain on the forming surface, the particulate material in the cells first is tamped, and then while the plates ascend from the forming surface, the tamped material is ejected from the cells onto the forming surface in a form of shaped articles.

Preparation of shaped agglomerated particulate material

An endless conveyor transporting a plurality of juxtaposed shaping plates containing apertures therethrough is positioned such that a lower horizontal run of the shaping plates is positioned above and in alignment with a portion of an upper horizontal run of a belt conveyor and such that a lower surface of the plates abut the upper run of the belt conveyor for forming, by reason of the plate apertures and belt conveyor surface, article shaping cells. Means are provided for filling the cells with material to be formed into individual articles. The plates containing material in the cells are transported to a movable ejector unit having pistons which correspond in number, arrangement and shape with the number, arrangement and shape of the apertures of the plates. Upon engagement of a plate with the ejector unit, the plate and ejector unit move downstream together while the pistons of the ejector unit descend and tamp material in the apertures, and as the plates, which are adapted to ascend from the belt conveyor, ascend, the pistons maintain the material on the belt conveyor and eject it from the apertures. The ejector unit is disengaged from the plates and returns to its original position.

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Valeyres/Rances, Switzerland

Jean-Michel Martin