Tempering machine for tempering confectionery mixtures with individually suspended mixing arms

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a tempering machine for tempering confectionery masses. The tempering machine can be used to set the respective confectionery mass to a specific temperature at the exit of the tempering machine. However, tempering the respective confectionery mass can also mean following a specific temperature-time profile in order to impart certain properties to the confectionery mass at the exit of the tempering machine that go beyond its temperature. In particular, the confectionery mass can be cocoa butter-containing masses, such as chocolate, where specific temperature-time profiles promote the formation of desired Form V fat crystals and suppress the formation of undesired Form IV fat crystals.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a tempering machine for tempering confectionery masses having the features of the preamble of independent patent claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] A tempering machine for tempering confectionery masses with the features of the preamble of independent patent claim 1 is known from EP 4 014 746 A1. The tempering machine has a first tempering medium chamber for the flow of a tempering medium and a second tempering medium chamber adjacent to the tempering machine in an axial direction for the flow of a tempering medium. A confectionery mass chamber for the flow of the confectionery mass is arranged in the axial direction between the first tempering medium chamber and the second tempering medium chamber. A mixing tool for mixing the confectionery mass is rotatably driven in the confectionery mass chamber. A separating disk is arranged in the confectionery mass chamber such that a first sub-chamber and a sub-chamber are formed.The separating disc has, in a radially outer region, closed-edge passage openings designed to allow the confectionery mass to flow from the first sub-chamber in the axial direction into the second sub-chamber. A first mixing tool is arranged in the first sub-chamber and a second mixing tool is arranged in the second sub-chamber. The mixing tools are mounted on the separating disc by means of a bearing device in such a way that a rotational movement relative to the separating disc is possible and a translational movement relative to the separating disc towards the separating disc is prevented or restricted. A shaft which extends in the axial direction of the tempering machine and defines this axial direction drives the mixing tools in rotation. The mixing tools each have a plurality of spaced-apart mixing arms, each with a plurality of mixing elements.The mixing arms of each mixing tool are arranged on a central body and, together with this central body, form the one-piece mixing tool. The bearing device for each mixing tool has a bearing ring that prevents or limits contact between the mixing tool and the separating disc. Different designs of the mixing tools differ in the number and arrangement of the mixing arms and the mixing elements arranged on them. To switch between the different designs of the mixing tools, the entire mixing tool must be replaced. Proper function and a long service life of the mixing tools require that they move within the sub-chambers of the confectionery mass chamber at a small distance from the tempering medium chambers and the separating disc.In order to maintain these small distances in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter, the mixing tools with the mixing arms must, on the one hand, be manufactured with great precision and, on the other hand, be guided very precisely by their respective bearing device.

[0004] A device known from EP 1 004 244 A1 for the continuous processing of cocoa butter-containing masses, in particular chocolate masses, has a tempering column comprising a plurality of chambers arranged one above the other to form a cylinder and connected to a circuit for a tempering medium. Between two adjacent chambers, a tempering chamber is formed, essentially delimited by the tempering surfaces of the two chambers and through which the mass flows. Arranged in the tempering chamber is a driven disk having recesses on its outer or inner circumference for the transfer of the mass from the underside of the disk to its upper side, and having scraper webs on both surfaces thereof which sweep along the tempering surfaces of the chambers without contact, thereby scraping mass from the tempering surfaces.A large number of mixing blades are provided as scraper webs. These blades have a smaller extension than the radius of the disk and are arranged on the top and bottom of the disk over the circumference of the disk without forming mutual channels. In this known device, the disk rotating in the temperature control chamber serves both as a separating disk that divides the temperature control chamber into two sub-chambers and, with its scraper webs designed as mixing blades, as a mixing tool. In order for the scraper webs of this mixing tool to scrape along the temperature control surfaces of the adjacent chambers at a small, defined distance without contact, the entire temperature control disk must be manufactured and mounted with great precision. When ensuring precise mounting, it must be taken into account that each disk must be supported on a vertically aligned shaft, which serves as the drive shaft for all of the rotationally driven disks in all of the temperature control chambers.Depending on its diameter, each disc can have a mass in the order of several tens of kg, meaning the shaft bearings typically have to support a total mass of several hundred kg. This requires considerable design effort. Changing the mixing tools is only possible by completely replacing the discs.

[0005] WO 97 / 25579 A discloses a heat exchanger for heat-treating a product using a heating or cooling medium. The heat exchanger has a first number of product chambers defined by annular spacers. The product chambers have inlets and outlets for the product to be heat-treated. Discs with wipers are provided in the product chambers and are arranged on a vertically oriented shaft. The heat exchanger also has a second number of chambers for the heating or cooling medium. These chambers have inlets and outlets for the heating / cooling medium and are sealed off from the product inlets and outlets. The vertical shaft extends through the heat exchanger and is rotatable. The discs are provided with hubs with an extension normal to the disc plane to seal off adjacent discs and the shaft. The discs are removably mounted on the shaft.The discs are provided with openings to facilitate the passage of the product through the heat exchanger. The openings are located on an outer periphery of the discs. The scrapers are arranged in radial slots in the discs and are designed to alternately scrape one or the other of two opposing heat exchange surfaces that define a product chamber. The scrapers, called "scrapers," are designed to bear directly against the heat exchange surfaces. The scrapers, the disc, and its hub must be rigidly connected to ensure the proper functioning of this well-known heat exchanger. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a tempering machine having the features of the preamble of independent patent claim 1, which can be particularly easily adapted to different confectionery masses with different viscosities with regard to its stirring arms rotating in the mass chambers.

[0007] For example, confectionery masses with different viscosities, which in the case of chocolate, for example, result from different fat contents, require different or fewer stirring arms in order to be able to circulate them in mass chambers filled with confectionery mass using an existing drive. SOLUTION

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by a tempering machine for tempering confectionery masses with the features of independent patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the tempering machine according to the invention are defined in the dependent patent claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A tempering machine according to the invention for tempering confectionery masses has a mass chamber which is divided into mass chambers along a main axis by dividing discs. Typically, the mass chamber has a cylindrical basic shape and is delimited on the outside by rings arranged between the dividing discs, which can be formed integrally with the dividing discs. The dividing discs extending transversely to and around the main axis have mass passage openings. At least some of the dividing discs are designed as tempering discs. At least one, and usually at least two, of the dividing discs are tempering discs. At most, all of the dividing discs are tempering discs. With a tempering disc, heat energy can be actively supplied to the confectionery mass from the outside, or heat energy can be actively dissipated from the confectionery mass to the outside.The active supply of heat energy from the outside means that either a heat transfer medium which has a higher temperature than the confectionery mass is supplied or another form of energy supplied from the outside is converted into heat energy in the tempering disc. For example, the tempering disc can be heated with electrical current. To actively dissipate heat energy from the confectionery mass to the outside, a heat transfer medium which then has a lower temperature than the confectionery mass can also be used. Electrical cooling by Peltier elements is also not excluded. However, in a tempering machine such as the subject matter of the present invention, the use of a tempering liquid, in particular water, which is passed through the tempering discs at a defined temperature in a large volume flow, has proven particularly successful.

[0010] A drive shaft of the tempering machine extends along the main axis through the separation discs and the mass chambers. Drive hubs are mounted on the drive shaft in the mass chambers for rotational stability; and stirring arms are mounted on the drive hubs, extending radially to the main axis within the mass chambers. To rotate the drive shaft with the drive hubs and stirring arms, the drive shaft must be connected to a rotary drive, such as an electric drive motor.

[0011] At least some of the stirring arms of the tempering machine according to the invention are individually suspended in their respective drive hubs, movable in the direction of the main axis. Other stirring arms can be formed integrally with their drive hubs or rigidly attached to their drive hubs. Preferably, however, all stirring arms are individually suspended in their respective drive hubs, movable in the direction of the main axis.

[0012] In the tempering machine according to the invention, the drive hubs and the agitator arms suspended in them do not form a fixed or even rigidly connected unit. The drive hubs are not manufactured in one piece with the suspended agitator arms. However, even in the assembled tempering machine, the drive hubs and the agitator arms suspended in them do not form a rigid or even monolithic unit. Rather, the suspended agitator arms are movable relative to their drive hub in the direction of the main axis and can therefore also be detached from their drive hub. This detachment can be used to remove or replace agitator arms.In addition, the mobility of the individual suspended stirring arms along the main axis allows the stirring arms to adjust their position along the main axis relative to their drive hub to the position of the mass chamber along the main axis. This adjustment is not just a one-time adjustment, but also occurs during each rotation of each suspended stirring arm around the main axis through the mass chamber. This allows the suspended stirring arms to adapt to deformations of the mass chamber or the separating discs that border it.

[0013] Specifically, the drive hubs can have undercut guide grooves running in the direction of the main axis, in which complementarily shaped suspension areas of the suspended stirring arms are guided with play. The guide grooves can run along the entire axial length of the respective drive hub and be open on both sides. In the assembled tempering machine, the suspended stirring arms and their suspension areas are nevertheless trapped in the guide grooves because separating discs adjacent to the respective mass chamber prevent the suspension areas from being pulled out of the guide grooves and also prevent any major movement of the suspension areas in the guide grooves. Alternatively, the guide grooves can be formed in the stirring arms. In this case, the drive hubs can have undercut guide rails running in the direction of the main axis, on which the complementarily shaped suspension areas of the suspended stirring arms are guided with play.The parts of the agitator arms or drive hubs that engage in the respective guide grooves can also be head bolts that are screwed into the main bodies of the respective agitator arms or drive hubs.

[0014] Complementary shapes of the drive hubs and the suspension areas of the suspended agitator arms can also be designed differently. For example, the agitator arms can be hooked into their drive hub with hook-shaped suspension areas or attached to their drive hub with eyelet-shaped suspension areas. In this case, it is always important to ensure that sufficiently large support surfaces are provided for the suspension areas on the drive hubs to reliably absorb the torques acting between the agitator arms and the drive hubs around the main axis.

[0015] The play with which the suspension areas of the suspended stirring arms are guided on the drive hubs must be selected to be large enough to ensure the mobility of the stirring arms in the direction of the main axis. Specifically, this play can be in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm on all sides transverse to the main axis, with a range of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm being preferred. Accordingly, the suspension area can move in a plane to which the main axis runs normal by + / - 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm in all directions, and preferably by + / - 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. This mobility also means that the respective suspended stirring arm can be slightly tilted out of this plane. The specified clearance of approximately + / -0.15 mm results in a tilt angle in radians of maximum + / - 0.3 mm / 15 mm = + / - 0.02, assuming a guide length of the suspension area of ​​the suspended stirring arms of 15 mm. This corresponds to a tilt angle of less than + / - 2.5° to the plane to which the main axis is perpendicular.

[0016] If the guide grooves have T-shaped basic shapes with rounded contours, large guide and support surfaces are created for the suspension areas of the stirring arms, and the guide grooves, as well as complementary guide rails, can be manufactured with high precision by milling.

[0017] The suspended stirring arms preferably have guide regions located close to their respective drive hub and main working regions adjoining them radially outwards and separated from at least one of the adjacent separating disks. The suspended stirring arms can align themselves with the adjacent separating disks via the guide regions. Due to the low relative speeds of the guide regions compared to the separating disks, any direct contact that occurs between the guide regions and the separating disks is less critical than direct contact between the main working regions of the stirring arms and the separating disks, which is prevented in the tempering machine according to the invention by separating these main working regions. The at least one adjacent separating disk, from which the respective main working region is separated, is the separating disk against which the guide region of the respective stirring arm rests and with which it aligns itself.In many cases, this is only the adjacent cutting disc, against which the drive hub, including the suspension areas of the suspended stirring arms, which are usually part of the guide areas, is pressed by the confectionery mass flowing through the tempering machine. If this is not the case, but also generally, the main working areas of the suspended stirring arms can be separated from both adjacent cutting discs.

[0018] The clearance of the main working areas can range from 0.05 to 1 mm, relative to the adjacent guide area. The main working areas therefore overlap the adjacent cutting discs at a maximum distance of 1 mm, preferably at a distance of a few to several tenths of a millimeter.

[0019] In the tempering machine according to the invention, the guide areas of the suspended stirring arms preferably have extensions along the main axis that are 0.1 to 1 mm, and even more preferably 0.2 to 0.6 mm, smaller than the distance between the separating discs adjacent to the respective mass chamber. The mobility of the suspended stirring arms in the direction of the main axis, limited by the adjacent separating discs, is thus a maximum of a few, and preferably a maximum of a few tenths of a millimeter.

[0020] The suspended stirring arms of the tempering machine according to the invention can be designed in different ways. The materials from which these stirring arms are made can also be different. Preferably, the material of the suspended stirring arms is matched to the material of the adjacent separating discs to create a favorable sliding pairing.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the suspended agitator arms have a main beam extending radially to the main axis with conveying elements projecting in one or both axial directions and comprising scraping edges. If conveying elements project from the main beam in only one axial direction, the main beam itself typically has scraping edges for scraping the adjacent cutting disc in the other axial direction.

[0022] If the conveying elements following in an axial direction are angled relative to their direction of rotation around the main axis and are preferably blade-shaped, they convey the confectionery mass in the respective mass chamber either away from the main axis or towards the main axis, depending on the sign of their angle of incidence. In this way, a flow of the confectionery mass through the mass chamber in a main direction can be specifically supported. Conversely, to achieve more thorough mixing of the mass, the flow of the confectionery mass through the mass chamber in the main direction can be specifically counteracted using the conveying elements. In any case, the stirring arms can be suspended in the drive hubs in two successive mass chambers in the direction of the main axis, with alternating orientations of the conveying elements.The conveying elements convey the confectionery mass outwards in one mass chamber and inwards in the next mass chamber, in each case in the direction or against the main direction of the flow of the confectionery mass through the mass chamber.

[0023] In principle, the mass passage openings in the separating discs of the tempering machine according to the invention can be provided at any location between the drive shaft and the outer circumference of the separating discs. However, in many embodiments of the tempering machine according to the invention, the separating discs arranged in succession in the direction of the main axis alternately have a mass passage opening extending annularly around the drive shaft and mass passage openings distributed along their outer circumference. Thus, the confectionery mass enters each of the mass chambers defined by these separating discs radially inward and exits radially outward, or radially inward and exits radially inward.

[0024] Adapted to the annular mass passage openings around the drive shaft, the drive hubs can have consecutive suspension points in the circumferential direction around the drive shaft and, in between, radially extending mass passage channels that are open to adjacent annular mass passage openings. The confectionery mass that passes through the respective annular mass passage opening is distributed among the mass passage channels and from there enters the mass chamber radially adjacent to the drive hub. The mass passage channels weaken the drive hubs in their axial height in the direction of the main axis. However, the suspension points of the drive hubs in the direction of the main axis that lie between them can extend over the full axial height of the drive hubs. Accordingly, a maximum guide length is available for the suspension areas of the suspended stirring arms.

[0025] As already indicated, closed channels for tempering liquid can run through the tempering discs of the tempering machine according to the invention. These channels are particularly closed to the mass chamber. The channels of the tempering discs arranged consecutively in the main direction can be connected in series, in parallel, or to sources of differently tempered tempering liquid, as is generally known from the prior art, in order to set a desired temperature-time profile as the respective confectionery mass passes through the tempering machine.

[0026] In the tempering machine according to the invention, the drive hubs can each independently have two to eight suspension positions for stirring arms. In particular, in a drive hub with at least three suspension positions, at least one of these suspension positions can be unoccupied; and with 4, 6, or 8 suspension positions, for example, half of the suspension positions can be unoccupied with stirring arms. In this way, the drive power required of a drive for the drive shaft can be reduced, so that a desired speed of the drive shaft and thus of the stirring arms in the mass chambers can be achieved even with limited drive power of the drive motor. Highly viscous confectionery masses, such as chocolate masses with a low fat content, may require such a reduction in the number of stirring arms. In the tempering machine according to the invention, this reduction can be achieved by simply detaching stirring arms from the drive hubs.Alternatively, other stirring arms with lower flow resistance can be used for high-viscosity confectionery masses, or other stirring arms with higher flow resistance can be used for low-viscosity confectionery masses.

[0027] Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0028] The advantages of features and combinations of several features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can be effective alternatively or cumulatively, without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention.

[0029] With regard to the disclosure content – ​​not the scope of protection – of the original application documents and the patent, the following applies: Further features can be found in the drawings – in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components to one another, as well as their relative arrangement and operative connection. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or features of different patent claims is also possible, deviating from the chosen references of the patent claims, and is hereby encouraged. This also applies to features that are illustrated in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different patent claims.Likewise, features listed in the patent claims may be omitted for further embodiments of the invention, but this does not apply to the independent patent claims of the granted patent.

[0030] The number of features mentioned in the claims and the description is to be understood as meaning that exactly this number or a greater number than the stated number is present, without the need for the explicit use of the adverb "at least." Thus, for example, if reference is made to one element, this is to be understood as meaning that exactly one element, two elements, or more elements are present. The features mentioned in the claims may be supplemented by further features or may be the only features present in the subject matter of the respective claim.

[0031] The reference signs contained in the patent claims do not represent a limitation of the scope of the subject-matter protected by the patent claims. They serve solely to make the patent claims easier to understand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0032] In the following, the invention is further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. 1 is a vertical section through two mass chambers and through the separating discs of a tempering machine according to the invention along a main axis of the tempering machine. Fig. 2 is an axial plan view from above of a drive hub with four suspended stirring arms, which are arranged in the upper mass chamber according to Fig. 1 are arranged. Fig. 3 is an axial top view of the drive hub according to Fig. 2with only two suspended stirring arms, which serve as an alternative to the four stirring arms in the upper mass chamber according to Fig. 1 can be arranged. Fig. 4 shows one of the stirring arms according to Fig. 2 and 3 in a side view. Fig. 5 shows a stirring arm in a Fig. 4 shorter embodiment in a first perspective view obliquely from above. Fig. 6 shows the stirring arm according to Fig. 5 in a perspective view obliquely from below. Fig. 7 shows a stirring arm with a differently shaped suspension area than in the Figures 2 to 6 and its mounting location on the drive hub in an axial plan view. Fig. 8 shows a stirring arm with a differently shaped suspension area and its suspension location on the drive hub in an axial plan view; and Fig. 9 shows the stirring arm and its attachment point on the drive hub according to Fig. 8 in a section along a Fig. 8drawn section line AA. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0033] Fig. 1shows part of a so-called tempering column 10 of a tempering machine 1. The tempering machine 1 encloses a mass space 2 of cylindrical basic shape. The mass space 2 is divided by separating disks 3 and 4 into mass chambers 5 and 6 arranged one above the other. The separating disks 3 and 4 are all designed as tempering disks 7 with internal, closed channels 8 and 9 for tempering liquid. The tempering liquid 9 is supplied to the tempering disks 7 via connections not shown here and is discharged from them again and circulates in the tempering disks 7 in order to keep them at a defined temperature and to actively dissipate heat energy from the confectionery mass 11 in the adjacent mass chambers 5 and 6 or to actively supply heat energy to the confectionery mass 11 in the adjacent mass chambers 5 and 6. Individual separating disks 3, 4 can alternatively be designed as pure separating disks without a tempering function.The confectionery mass 11 enters the lower mass chamber 5 from below through a mass passage opening 12 in the lower separating disk 3. The mass passage opening 12 is annular and is limited on the inside by a drive shaft 13. A key 14 is fastened to the drive shaft with screws 15. Arranged in the mass chamber 5 is a drive hub 16 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 13 by means of the key 14. In the drive hub 16 are - only in the following . Figures 2 and 3visible - mass passage channels 17 are formed, which are open towards the mass passage opening 12 and which run radially to a main axis 18. The main axis 18 is the axis about which the drive shaft 13 is driven by a rotary drive (not shown here). In suspension positions 19, which are arranged offset in the circumferential direction around the main axis relative to the mass passage channels 17, stirring arms 20 are suspended in the drive hub 16 so as to be movable in the direction of the main axis 18. The stirring arms 20, like the drive hub 16, are caught between the adjacent cutting disks 3 and 4, but are movable to a limited extent in their suspension positions relative to the drive hub 16, in particular in the direction of the main axis 18. In this way, the stirring arms 20 can align themselves relative to the adjacent cutting disks 3 and 4.From the lower mass chamber 5, the confectionery mass 11 flows into the upper mass chamber 6 through elongated hole-shaped mass passage openings 21 in the cutting disc 4, which are arranged along the outer circumference of the cutting disc 4. In the upper mass chamber 6, a further drive hub 16 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the drive shaft 13 via the key 14. Further stirring arms 20 are movably suspended in the direction of the main axis 18 in the suspension positions 19 of this drive hub 16. Mass passage channels 17, not visible here, run between the suspension positions 19 to a mass passage opening 12 in the upper cutting disc 3. The confectionery mass 11 flows upwards out of this mass passage opening 12. Further mass chambers 5, 6 with stirring arms 20 driven by the drive shaft 13 can be connected here.The mass chambers 5, 6 are delimited radially outwards by an outer ring 22 of the lower separating disc 3 and an outer ring 23 of the middle separating disc 4, respectively, and sealing rings 24 arranged therebetween. The sealing rings 24 formed by the . Fig. 1 The confectionery mass 11 flowing through the part of the tempering machine 1 shown flows over the upper side of the lower tempering disc 7 and the underside of the middle tempering disc 7 in the lower mass chamber 5, away from the main axis 18. Conversely, the confectionery mass 11 flows over the upper side of the middle tempering disc 7 and the underside of the upper tempering disc 7 in the mass chamber 6, toward the main axis 18. In both mass chambers 5 and 6, the confectionery mass 11 is stirred by the stirring arms 20.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the drive hub 16 in the upper mass chamber 6 according to Fig. 1with the suspended stirring arms 20 in a view from above. The drive hub 16 has four mass passage channels 17 and suspension locations 19 with suspended stirring arms 20, arranged alternately around the main axis 18, and a groove 25 for the engagement of the key 14 according to Fig. 1T-shaped suspension areas 26 of the stirring arms 20 are suspended in a complementary T-shaped guide groove 27 of the respective suspension location 19, which guide groove runs parallel to the main axis 18. The T-shaped basic shapes of the suspension areas 26 and the guide grooves 27 have rounded contours, and the suspension areas 26 have an all-round play of approximately one-tenth of a millimeter in the guide grooves 27. This play allows mobility of each of the stirring arms 20 relative to the drive hub 16 in the direction of the main axis 18 and also a certain angular mobility of a few degrees relative to the main axis 18. The stirring arms 20 can easily be individually replaced or removed in order to stir in one of the mass chambers 5, 6 with fewer than the four stirring arms shown here. Thus, Fig. 3 shown drive hub 16, which in Fig. 2 The stirring arms 20 pointing upwards and downwards are removed by unhooking them from their hanging positions 19.

[0035] As in Fig. 4 As shown, the stirring arms 20 each have a main beam 28 adjoining the suspension area 26 and aligned radially to the main axis, and conveying elements 29 projecting therefrom in both axial directions. The conveying elements 29 are blade-shaped, are adjusted relative to their direction of rotation around the main axis 18 and are thus able to convey the confectionery mass 11 either radially outwards or radially inwards, depending on its direction of rotation around the main axis 18. The adjustment direction of the conveying elements 29 of the Fig. 2 upwards and downwards pointing stirring arms 20 is the direction of adjustment of the conveying elements 29 of the Fig. 2to the left and right pointing agitator arms 20. Thus, while one pair of agitator arms 20 actually conveys the confectionery mass 11 in its main flow direction with its conveying elements 19 through the upper mass chamber 16, the conveying elements 29 of the other pair of agitator arms 20 exclusively bring about a better mixing of the confectionery mass 11 in the upper mass chamber 16. These different functions are achieved by hanging the same agitator arms 20 in different orientations in their hanging positions 19. Wiping edges 32 are formed on all conveying elements 29 in order to wipe the confectionery mass 11 from the adjacent surface of the respectively adjacent tempering disk 7 so that the confectionery mass 11 does not linger there and in particular does not build up. However, other embodiments of the agitator arms 20 are also possible.

[0036] The Fig. 5 and 6show in two perspective views a stirring arm 20 which is shorter than the stirring arms 20 according to the Fig. 2 to 4 . In addition, the conveying elements 29 protrude from the main beam 28 only in one axial direction. The suspension area 26 is part of a guide area 30 of the stirring arm 2, which is provided for guiding the separating discs 3, 4 adjacent to the respective mass chamber 5, 6 and in which the stirring arm 20 has its greatest height in the direction of the main axis 18 according to Fig. 1Radially outwardly adjoins a main working area 31 of the stirring arm 20, in which it is separated from the adjacent separating discs 3, 4 by a few tenths of a millimeter, thus reducing the height of the stirring arm 20 in the direction of the main axis 18 on both sides. The main working area 31 moves over greater distances compared to the adjacent separating discs 3, 4, so that in order to extend the service life of the tempering machine, it is particularly effective to prevent direct contact between the stirring arm 20 and the adjacent separating discs. In addition to the scraper edges 32 on the conveying elements 29, scraper edges 33 are also formed on the main beam 28 in order to scrape the confectionery mass from the adjacent surface of the respective separating disc 3, 4. Also in the case of the stirring arms 20 according to the Fig. 2 to 4A main working area 31 can be set free from the adjacent surfaces of the cutting discs 3, 4 relative to a guide area 30 in the direction of the main axis 18. This also applies to the further embodiments of the stirring arms 20 and their suspension in their drive hub 16, as explained with reference to the following figures.

[0037] At the Fig. 7 In the illustrated embodiment of the stirring arm 20, its suspension area 26 has a T-shaped guide groove 34. Accordingly, the associated suspension location 19 of the drive hub 16 has a complementary T-shaped guide rail 35.

[0038] The embodiment of the stirring arm 20 according to the Fig. 8 and 9 basically corresponds to that according to Fig. 7Instead of a guide rail 35, however, a head bolt 36 is screwed radially to the main axis 18 into the drive hub 16 in the corresponding mounting location 19. The head bolt 36 engages with play in the guide groove 34. The head bolt 36 in the guide groove 34 also allows the agitator arm 20 to rotate relative to its drive hub 16 about its main radial direction of extension. This is not necessarily a disadvantage, but can be a disadvantage, as is the risk that the head bolt 36 - unlike a one-piece mounting location 19 - will become detached from the drive hub 16, and how the smaller support surfaces on the head bolt 36 support torques between the agitator arm 20 and the drive hub 16 about the main axis 18. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0039] 1Tempering machine 2Mass chamber 3Separating disc 4Separating disc 5Mass chamber 6Mass chamber 7Tempering disc 8Channel 9Channel 10Tempering column 11Confectionery mass 12Mass passage opening 13Drive shaft 14Key 15Screw 16Drive hub 17Mass passage channel 18Main axis 19Hanging location 20Stirring arm 21Mass passage opening 22Outer ring 23Outer ring 24Sealing ring 25Groove 26Hanging area 27Guide groove 28Main beam 29Conveying element 30Guide area 31Main working area 32Scraper edge 33Scraper edge 34Guide groove 35Guide rail 36Head bolt

Claims

1. Tempering machine (1) for tempering confectionery masses (11) - having a mass space (2) which, in direction of a main axis (18), is subdivided into mass chambers (5, 6) by dividing discs (3, 4), - wherein the dividing discs (3, 4) extend crosswise to the main axis (18) and around the main axis (18), and comprise mass passage openings (12, 21), at least some of the dividing discs (3, 4) being configured as tempering discs (7) by which heat energy can actively be conveyed from an external source to the confectionery mass (11), or be conveyed away from the confectionery mass (11) to an external sink, - having a drive shaft (13) extending along the main axis (18) through the dividing discs (3, 4) and the mass chambers (5, 6), - having drive hubs (16) arranged, in the mass chambers (5, 6), on the drive shaft (13) in a rotationally fixed way, and - stirring arms (20) mounted to the drive hubs (16) in a rotationally fixed way and extending radially to the main axis (18) in the mass chambers (5, 6), characterised in that at least some of the stirring arms (20) are individually hooked in their respective drive hub (16) in such a way that they are movable in direction of the main axis (18).

2. Tempering machine (1) of claim 1, characterised in - that the drive hubs (16) comprise undercut guiding grooves (27) running in the direction of the main axis (18), in which hook-in regions (26) of the hooked-in stirring arms (20) are guided with play, or - that the drive hubs (16) comprise undercut guiding rails (35) running in direction of the main axis (18), on which hook-in regions (26) of the hooked-in stirring arms (20) are guided with play.

3. Tempering machine (1) of claim 2, characterised in that the play is 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm and preferably 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm in all directions.

4. Tempering machine (1) of claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the guiding grooves (27) or the guiding rails (35) comprise T-shaped basic shapes with rounded contours.

5. Tempering machine (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hooked-in stirring arms (20) comprise guiding regions (30) located close to their respective drive hub (16) and main working regions (31) following in outward direction and freed from at least one of the adjacent dividing discs (3, 4).

6. Tempering machine (1) of claim 5, characterised in that the main working region (31) is freed by 0.05 to 1 mm with regard to the guiding regions (30).

7. Tempering machine (1) of claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the guiding regions (30) have extensions along the main axis (18) which are by 0.1 to 1 mm and preferably by 0.2 to 0.6 mm smaller than a distance of the dividing discs (3, 4) being adjacent to the respective mass chamber (5, 6).

8. Tempering machine (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least some of the hooked-in stirring arms (20) comprise a main beam (28) running radially to the main axis (18) with conveying elements (29) protruding in one or both axial directions and including striking-off edges (32).

9. Tempering machine (1) of claim 8, characterised in that the conveying elements (29) are inclined with regard to their rotation direction around the main axis (18) and, preferably, shovel-shaped.

10. Tempering machine (1) of claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the stirring arms (20) are hooked in the drive hubs (16) with alternating orientations of their conveying elements in mass chambers (5, 6) following to one another in the direction of the main axis (18).

11. Tempering machine (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dividing discs (3, 4), in the direction of the main axis (18), alternatingly comprise a ring-shaped mass passage opening (12) around the drive shaft (13) and mass passage openings (21) distributed along their outer circumference.

12. Tempering machine (1) of claim 11, characterised in that each drive hub (16) comprises hook-in places (19) following to one another in circumferential direction around the drive shaft (13) and interjacent radially extending mass passage channels (17) which are open towards neighbouring ring-shaped mass passage openings (12).

13. Tempering machine (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that closed channels (8, 9) for tempering liquids run within the tempering discs (7).

14. Tempering machine (1) of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of the drive hubs (16) comprises two to eight hook-in places (19) for stirring arms (20).

15. Tempering machine (1) of claim 14, characterised in that, in at least one drive hub (16), at least one hook-in place (19), preferably half the hook-in places (19), is not occupied by stirring arms (20).