Device for dispensing heated confectionery mass onto a conveyor belt or onto objects conveyed thereon

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to devices for dispensing heated confectionery mass onto a conveyor belt or onto objects conveyed thereon. In particular, the present invention relates to devices having the identical preambles of independent patent claims 1 and 7.

[0002] The devices may, in particular, be so-called enrobing machines, which are designed to coat objects, such as pastries, with a confectionery mass, in particular chocolate. However, the devices may also be machines with which the dispensed confectionery mass is formed into a product, so that the product essentially consists of the confectionery mass. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] A known device with the features of the corresponding preambles of patent claims 1 and 7 is the applicant's ENROMAT M6 enrobing machine, see: https: / / www.sollich.com / technologie / ueberziehen / enromat / enromat-m6, where ENROMAT is a registered trademark of the applicant. In this known enrobing machine, the confectionery mass in the form of chocolate is dispensed from a veil box onto a conveyor belt to coat objects lying on the conveyor belt with the chocolate. To form the coating, the enrobing machine has various product forming devices.These include a bottom dipping device, which also coats the bottom of the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt with chocolate, a blow-off device that uses air to blow excess chocolate off the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt, a mechanical vibrating device that shakes excess chocolate mass off the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt, and a de-tailing device that removes excess confectionery mass carried along by the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt. To optimize the function of this product forming device, its spatial arrangement relative to the conveyor belt in the form of a mesh belt or relative to a guide device for the mesh belt, which are mounted on a machine frame of the enrobing machine, is adjustable.Mechanical adjustment devices with adjustment elements that can be manually rotated around axes relative to the machine frame are provided for adjusting the individual product forming devices. The product forming devices are typically adjusted by a machine operator using the adjustment elements and visually inspecting the product quality of the coated objects. Optimal adjustment of the product forming devices requires considerable experience on the part of the machine operator. Furthermore, the optimal settings of the product forming devices can change during operation of the enrobing machine, for example, depending on the composition of the chocolate, the temperature of the objects to be coated, and the ambient temperature.Other devices of the known enrobing machine, such as drive devices for the conveyor belt and drive and mass flow adjustment devices for the chocolate, are controlled by an electronic control system depending on the specifications of a confectionery production program.

[0004] Another program-controlled confectionery machine is known from WO96 / 23415.

[0005] There are also enrobing machines in which the mechanical adjustment devices with manually adjustable adjustment elements for the product forming devices are replaced by electromotive adjustment devices, which are also controlled by the enrobing machine's electronic control system depending on the specifications of the confectionery production program. The integration of the product forming devices into the electronically controlled parts of the enrobing machine is complex because the electromotive adjustment devices of a food processing machine must meet specific requirements. Furthermore, optimal product quality is often not achieved with fixed specifications for their adjustment, but only through sensitive optimization under visual product inspection. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is based on the object of demonstrating devices having the features of the corresponding preambles of the independent patent claims 1 and 7, in which a rapid adjustment of the product forming devices into proven positions with good product quality is achieved with little equipment expenditure and, at the same time, a fine adjustment under visual product control is easily possible. SOLUTION

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by devices having the features of independent claims 1 and 7. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the devices according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The devices according to the invention for dispensing a heated confectionery mass each comprise a machine frame, a conveyor belt, guide devices mounted on the machine frame and drive devices for the conveyor belt, a dispensing device mounted on the machine frame which dispenses the confectionery mass towards the conveyor belt, temperature and mass flow adjustment devices for the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device, an electronic control system designed to control the drive, temperature and mass flow adjustment devices depending on specifications of a confectionery production program, a first product forming device mounted on the machine frame, which is designed and arranged to act on the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device,and a first mechanical adjusting device mounted on the machine frame with a first adjusting element that can be manually rotated relative to the machine frame about a first axis of rotation. The first mechanical adjusting device is designed to adjust a first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device relative to the guide devices for the conveyor belt and thus relative to the conveyor belt. The first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device is adjustable to modify the effect of the first product forming device on the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device and, in particular, to optimize it with regard to product quality. The decisive and therefore also variable parameter of the first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device relative to the conveyor belt can be, in particular, a distance or an angle.

[0009] Furthermore, a first position sensor mounted on the machine frame is connected to the electronic control system and arranged and configured to detect a first position, which can be a first rotational position of the first actuating element relative to the machine frame or the resulting first spatial arrangement of the first product-forming device. The first spatial arrangement is detected, for example, in the form of an angle, a distance, or a path between the first product-forming device and the guide devices for the conveyor belt, which changes with the first rotational position of the first actuating element.Instead of detecting the rotational position or the first spatial arrangement with high resolution and thus quasi-continuously, which is generally preferred, the position sensor can detect which of at least two, three, or four different discrete positions the first product forming device is currently in. The electronic control system is configured to compare the first position detected by the position sensor and transmitted to it with a first position specification from the confectionery production program.

[0010] In the device according to claim 1, a first display device, which is arranged in the position element or adjacent to the first position element on the machine frame, is then connected to the control, and the control and the first display device are designed to display whether the first position corresponds to or deviates from the first position specification.

[0011] In the device according to claim 7, however, a display device is connected to the controller, and the controller and the display device are designed to display a virtual first display in a view or an image of the device in front of or next to the first actuating element and to indicate by means of the virtual first display whether the first position detected by the position sensor and transmitted to the controller corresponds to or deviates from the first position specification. The display device can be, for example, augmented reality glasses that display the virtual first display when their wearer looks at the first actuating element. The display device can also be virtual reality glasses that display the first virtual display for their wearer in an image of the device. This image can be an identical representation of the device or a form that differs from the identical representation.

[0012] In both embodiments of the device according to the invention as defined in patent claims 1 and 7, the observer is shown whether the first position, i.e., either the first rotational position of the first actuating element relative to the machine frame or the resulting first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device, corresponds to the associated first position specification from the confectionery production program. To provide this information to the observer, the respective first position must be detected. This can be done with relatively simple position sensors and / or contactlessly, so that the effort required for the use of position sensors on a food production machine remains limited.The display indicating whether the current first position matches the first position specified in the confectionery production program allows for very quick alignment with the specified position by manually operating the control element, because the alignment of the first position with the specified position is indicated precisely at that point. Based on this, fine adjustment of the respective product forming device can be performed while visually observing the resulting product quality.

[0013] The devices according to the invention can thus be adjusted very quickly, even by an inexperienced machine operator, to the position specifications specified by the confectionery production program. Furthermore, they enable simple fine adjustment of the product forming devices while the experienced machine operator can visually monitor the product. Furthermore, a quick visual check is possible to determine whether the respective product forming device is in the position stored in the production program. It is in the position specified when the first position is displayed as matching the first position specification; it is not in the position specified when the first position is displayed as not matching the first position specification.

[0014] Preferably, the controller and the first indicator device or the display device are designed to indicate how the first position deviates from the first specified position in terms of direction and / or amount. This indicates in which direction and how much or by how much the current first position would have to be changed in order to bring it into line with the specified position. This both accelerates the initial adjustment of the device according to the invention and enables more detailed visual monitoring of the device. For example, the machine operator can accept a displayed small deviation as acceptable if the product quality is good, while in the case of a larger deviation they can attempt to improve the product quality under visual control by bringing the detected position closer to the specified position.

[0015] Specifically, the first display device can have a plurality of first light sources arranged around the first axis of rotation. These first light sources can, for example, be controlled in pulses of different frequencies and / or to form a running light with a different running direction and / or speed and / or to output a final signal for successful adjustment in accordance with the specified position. For example, the position of a controlled light source can indicate the direction of a deviation and the frequency of the pulses can indicate the amount of the deviation. The running direction of a running light can point in the direction in which the position of the adjusting element would have to be changed in order to meet the specified position. The speed of the running light can indicate how far the current position is from the specified position. The plurality of light sources can be identical, single-color light sources.Alternatively, the indicator device can have one or more multicolored lamps, which illuminate in different colors to indicate the correspondence of the detected position with the specified position or the deviation of the detected position from the specified position in terms of magnitude and direction. Any lamps of the indicator device can be integrated into the actuator or arranged next to the actuator on the machine frame.

[0016] Preferably, the position sensor, which detects the rotational position of the adjusting element relative to the machine frame or the resulting spatial arrangement of the product forming device, is located outside of a confectionery mass contact area where it could come into contact with the confectionery mass. If such contact with the confectionery mass were possible, the position sensor would have to be encapsulated, which would be complex, both to protect its function and for food hygiene reasons. This effort can be avoided by locating the position sensor outside the confectionery mass contact area.

[0017] The position sensor can be connected to the controller via a wired or wireless signal transmission path. This means that a cable can run between the position sensor and the controller, but it does not have to. The position sensor can, for example, be designed using RFID technology and enable the position it detects to be queried without the need for an energy storage device to power the position sensor. Alternatively, a power source in the form of a battery or accumulator can be assigned to the position sensor to supply electrical energy to its interface to a wireless signal transmission path. Furthermore, even if a wireless signal transmission path is provided between the position sensor and the controller, the position sensor can be connected to a central power supply of the device according to the invention via a power supply cable.In one embodiment of the devices according to the invention, the position sensor is integrated into the actuating element, whose rotational position it detects. In another embodiment, the position sensor detects the spatial arrangement of the product forming device without contact, so that it can be arranged outside the confectionery mass contact area.

[0018] The control system of the devices according to the invention can be designed to document operation of the devices with respect to set and / or detected operating parameters, wherein the first position is documented by the control system as a detected operating parameter. The devices according to the invention thus allow production monitoring also with respect to the first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device. The control system can further be designed to incorporate the current first position as a new first position specification into the confectionery production program upon operator input. The confectionery production program can thus be improved during operation of the devices according to the invention, in particular by repeatedly incorporating optimized positions that deviate from the original position specifications into the confectionery production program as improved position specifications.

[0019] The dispensing device of the devices according to the invention can comprise a veil box for dispensing liquid confectionery mass for coating objects conveyed on the conveyor belt. The first product forming device can then be configured to calibrate coatings of the objects with the confectionery mass in order to achieve a desired uniform thickness of these coatings.

[0020] The product forming device can specifically be a bottom dipping device with a counter-rotating dipping roller that defines a bottom ridge beneath the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt, with the help of which the undersides of the conveyed objects are coated with the confectionery mass. The counter-rotating dipping roller rotates about its roller axis such that its upper side, facing the conveyor belt, moves in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The product forming device can also be a leaking shaft that defines a bottom gap beneath the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt, which removes excess confectionery mass from the bottoms of the objects. The product forming device can also be a blow-off device or a mechanical vibrating device that blows or vibrates excess confectionery mass from the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt using air.Furthermore, the product forming device can be a de-tailing device that removes excess confectionery mass carried along by the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt. The first product forming device can also be any other device that has a shaping effect on the product produced with the aid of the respective device, and that has a particular effect on the product insofar as it consists of the confectionery mass dispensed from the device.

[0021] It is understood that the inventive concept cannot be implemented for just a single product forming device of the device according to the invention. Thus, the devices according to the invention can have at least one further mechanical adjusting device mounted on the machine frame with a further adjusting element that can be manually rotated relative to the machine frame about a further rotational axis for setting a further spatial arrangement of a further product forming device mounted on the machine frame relative to the guide devices. A further position sensor mounted on the machine frame is then connected to the controller and arranged and designed to detect a further position, which is a further rotational position of the further adjusting element relative to the machine frame or the resulting further spatial arrangement of the further product forming device.The controller is then configured to compare the further position with a further position specification from the confectionery production program. Finally, a further display device, which is arranged in the further actuating element and / or adjacent to the further actuating element on the machine frame, is connected to the controller to indicate whether the further position corresponds to or deviates from the further position specification.

[0022] It is understood that the controller and the further display device can also be configured to display the magnitude and direction of any deviation of the further position from the further position specification. The other embodiments of the controller and the first display device explained above for the first product forming device can also be implemented as embodiments of the controller and the further display device for the further product forming device.

[0023] Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0024] The advantages of features and combinations of several features mentioned in the description are merely exemplary and can be used alternatively or cumulatively without the advantages necessarily having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention.

[0025] 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 selected references of the patent claims, and is hereby suggested. 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.

[0026] The number of features mentioned in the patent 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 a position sensor, this is to be understood as meaning that exactly one position sensor, two position sensors, or more position sensors are present. The features mentioned in the patent claims may be supplemented by further features or may be the only features present in the subject matter of the respective patent claim.

[0027] 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 only the purpose of making the patent claims easier to understand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0028] In the following, the invention is further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures. Fig. 1 shows a coating machine as an embodiment of a device according to the invention in a first side view. Fig. 2 shows the enrobing machine according to Fig. 1 in a second side view; and Fig. 3 shows the control and a display device of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0029] The Fig. 1 and 2The enrobing machine 2 shown as an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is used for enrobing objects, such as baked goods, which are conveyed through the enrobing machine 2 lying on a conveyor belt 3. The conveyor belt 3 is designed as a mesh belt 30 and is guided relative to a machine frame 5 of the enrobing machine 2 via guide devices 4 and drive devices, which are only partially and schematically shown in the figures, and is driven to rotate within the machine frame. The machine frame 5 has a lower part 6 standing on the floor and an upper part 8 supported on the lower part 6 via support columns 7. A veil box 10 is mounted on the upper part 8 of the machine frame 5 as a discharge device 9 for confectionery mass, from which liquid chocolate emerges onto the conveyor belt 3.For the dispensed confectionery mass, that is, in this specific case, the chocolate, temperature and mass flow adjustment devices (not shown in the figures) are provided in a generally known manner, which in particular adjust the temperature of the liquid chocolate emerging from the curtain box 10 and its mass flow. The temperature and mass flow devices are controlled by a control unit (not shown). Fig. 1 The device 1 is controlled by a schematically illustrated electronic controller 11 depending on the specifications of a confectionery production program. A touchscreen 21 is assigned to the controller 11 for operating the device 1, provided that the latter is controlled by the controller 11. For example, the respective confectionery production program can be selected using the touchscreen 21.

[0030] Furthermore, various product shaping devices 12 to 18 are mounted on the machine frame 5. The product shaping devices each act on the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device 9. In the enrobing machine 2, they serve in particular to calibrate a coating that the liquid chocolate emerging from the veil box 10 forms on the objects that are conveyed through the enrobing machine 2 lying on the conveyor belt 3. The relative position of the dispensing device 9 with respect to the conveyor belt 3 also affects the shape of the dispensed confectionery mass. The height of the dispensing device 9 above the conveyor belt 3 and the position of the dispensing device in the running direction of the conveyor belt 3 can be adjusted using mechanical adjusting devices 19 and 20. Manually rotatable adjusting elements 31 for the height and 39 for the horizontal position are provided for adjustment.The product forming device 12 is a bottom dipping device 13 with a dipping roller 22 arranged below the mesh belt 30 and a scraper 23 that scrapes chocolate from the dipping roller 22. The distance between the dipping roller 22 and the mesh belt 30 is adjustable by means of a mechanical adjusting device actuated via an adjusting element 32 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5. The distance between the scraper 23 and the dipping roller 22 is adjustable by means of a mechanical adjusting device actuated via an adjusting element 33 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5. The product forming device 14 is a leak shaft 24 defining a bottom gap beneath the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt. The bottom gap is adjustable by means of a mechanical adjusting device actuated via an adjusting element 34 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5.The product forming device 15 is a blower device 25 that blows excess chocolate off the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt 3 with air. The blower device's height above the conveyor belt is adjustable by means of a mechanical adjusting device actuated via an adjusting element 35 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5. The product forming devices 16 and 17 are vibrating devices 26 and 27 for vibrating excess chocolate off the objects and the mesh belt 30. The stroke of the vibrating devices 26 and 27 transmitted to the conveyor belt 3 is adjustable by means of mechanical adjusting devices actuated via adjusting elements 36 and 37 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5. The product forming device 18 is a further leakage shaft 28 that defines a further floor gap beneath the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt.The further base gap can be adjusted using a mechanical adjusting device actuated via an adjusting element 38 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 5. Each of the adjusting elements 31 to 39 is assigned both a position sensor mounted on the machine frame 5, but not shown separately in the figures, and a display device 41 to 49. The position sensors, like the display devices 41 to 49, are connected to the controller 11. The position sensors each detect a position, which is the rotational position of the associated adjusting element 31 to 39 or a spatial arrangement of the dispensing device 9 or the respective product forming device 12 to 18 resulting from this rotational position. The controller 11 compares the respective detected position with a position specification from the confectionery production program and controls the associated display device 41 to 49 depending on the result of this comparison.The control is implemented in such a way that the display device indicates whether and, if so, how the detected position deviates in direction and amount from the respective position specification. For this purpose, each display device 41 to 44 has a plurality of illuminating means arranged around the rotational axis of the associated actuating element 31 to 39, which are controlled by the controller 11 in pulses of different frequencies, in particular to form a running light with different running directions and speeds. The display devices 41 to 49 can thus be used to quickly adjust the dispensing device 9 and the product forming devices 12 to 18 to the position specifications from the confectionery production program.The display devices 41 to 49 can also be used to quickly visually check the extent to which the settings of the dispensing device 9 and the product forming devices 12 to 18 continue to correspond to these specified positions after fine adjustment has been made based on a visual inspection of the achieved product quality. If one or more of the display devices 41 to 49 indicates a deviation from the respective specified position, but very good product quality is achieved, in particular even better product quality than when adhering to the specified position, the respective currently detected position can be adopted as the new specified position in the confectionery production program. This can be initiated by entering a corresponding command via the touchscreen 21. Any deviations of the actual positions from the specified positions can also be displayed on the touchscreen 21.Furthermore, in the device 1, individual adjusting elements 31 to 39 can be combined with electric motor drives. However, at least one, typically most or even all, of the product forming devices 12 to 18 are not motor-driven, but only manually adjustable.

[0031] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which a display device 40, here in the form of augmented reality glasses 50, is connected to the controller 11 via a wireless communication connection 29. The controller 11 controls the display device in such a way that when viewing the enrobing machine 2 according to the Fig. 1 and 2in the area of the actuating elements 31 and 39, virtual displays are displayed which look like the controlled display devices 41 to 49, but without the display devices 41 to 49 actually being present in the further embodiment of the device according to the invention. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0032] 1 Device 2 Enrober 3 Conveyor belt 4 Guide device 5 Machine frame 6 Lower part of the machine frame 7 Support column 8 Upper part of the machine frame 9 Output device 10 Shutter box 11 Control system 12 Product forming device 13 Bottom dipping device 14 Product forming device 15 Product forming device 16 Product forming device 17 Product forming device 18 Product forming device 19 Adjusting device 20 Adjusting device 21 Touch screen 22 Dipping roller 23 Scraper 24 Leakage shaft 25 Blow-off device 26 Vibration device 27 Vibration device 28 Additional leakage shaft 29 Wireless communication connection 30 Grid belt 31 Adjusting element 32 Adjusting element 33 Adjusting element 34 Adjusting element 35 Adjusting element 36 Adjusting element 37 Adjusting element 38 Adjusting element 39 Adjusting element 40 Display device 41 Display device 42Display device 43Display device 44Display device 45Display device 46Display device 47Display device 48Display device 49Display device 50Augmented Reality glasses

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for dispensing a heated confectionery mass, the apparatus (1) comprising - a machine frame (5), - a conveyor belt (3), - guiding devices (4) and driving devices for the conveyor belt (3) mounted to the machine frame (5), - a dispensing device (9) mounted to the machine frame (5), which dispenses the confectionery mass in direction towards the conveyor belt (3), - temperature and mass flow adjusting devices for the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device (9), - an electronic controller (11) configured to control the driving, the temperature and the mass flow adjusting devices (4) in accordance with the specifications of a confectionery production program, - a first product forming device (12-18) mounted to the machine frame (5), which is configured and arranged to act on the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device (9), and - a first mechanical setting device mounted to the machine frame (5) and having a first setting element (32-38) which can be rotated manually relative to the machine frame (5) about a first axis of rotation and which is configured to set a first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device (12-18) relative to the guiding devices (4), characterized in - that a first position sensor mounted to the machine frame (5) is connected to the controller (11) and is arranged and configured to detect a first position, which is a first rotational position of the first setting element (32-38) relative to the machine frame (5) or the resulting first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device (12-18), - that the controller (11) is configured to compare the first position with a first position specification from the confectionery production program, - that a first indicator (42-48), which is arranged in the first setting element (32-38) and / or adjacent to the first setting element (32-38) on the machine frame (5), is connected to the controller (11), and - that the controller (11) and the first indicator (42-48) are configured to indicate whether the first position corresponds to or deviates from the first position specification.

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (11) and the first indicator (42-48) are configured to indicate how the first position deviates in terms of direction and / or amount from the first position specification.

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first indicator (42-48) comprises a plurality of first illuminants arranged around the first axis of rotation.

4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the controller (11) operates the plurality of first illuminants in pulses. - of different frequencies and / or - to form a running light of different running directions and / or speeds, and / or - to output a final signal for a successful setting according to the first position specification.

5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in - that at least one further mechanical setting device mounted to the machine frame (5) is provided with a further setting element (32-38), which can be manually rotated about a further axis of rotation relative to the machine frame (5), for setting a further spatial arrangement of a further product forming device (12-18) mounted to the machine frame (5) relative to the guiding devices (4), - that at least one further position sensor mounted to the machine frame (5) is connected to the controller (11) and is arranged and configured to detect a further position, which is a further rotational position of the further setting element (32-38) relative to the machine frame (5) or the resulting further spatial arrangement of the further product forming device (12-18), - that the controller (11) is configured to compare the further position with a further position specification from the confectionery production program, and - that a further indicator (42-48), which is arranged in the further setting element (32-38) and / or adjacent to the further setting element (32-38) on the machine frame (5), is connected to the controller (11) in order to indicate whether the further position corresponds to or deviates from the further position specification.

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in - that the controller (11) and the further indicator (42-48) are configured to indicate how the further rotational position deviates in terms of direction and / or amount from the further rotational position specification, and / or - that the further indicator (42-48) comprises a plurality of further illuminants arranged around the first axis of rotation, wherein the controller (11) optionally operates the further illuminants in pulses.

7. Apparatus (1) for dispensing a heated confectionery mass, the apparatus (1) comprising - a machine frame (5), - a conveyor belt (3), - guiding devices (4) and driving devices for the conveyor belt (3) mounted to the machine frame (5), - a dispensing device (9) mounted to the machine frame (5), which outputs the confectionery mass in direction towards the conveyor belt (3), - temperature and mass flow adjusting devices for the confectionery mass dispensed by the dispensing device (9), - an electronic controller (11) configured to control the driving, temperature and mass flow adjusting devices in accordance with the specifications of a confectionery production program, - a first product forming device (12-18) mounted to the machine frame (5) and configured to act on the confectionery mass output by the dispensing device (9), and - a first mechanical setting device mounted to the machine frame (5) and having a first setting element (32-38) which can be rotated manually relative to the machine frame (5) about a first axis of rotation and which is configured to set a first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device (12-18) relative to the guiding devices (4), characterized in - that a first position sensor mounted to the machine frame (5) is connected to the controller (11) and is arranged and configured to detect a first position, which is a first rotational position of the first setting element (32-38) relative to the machine frame (5) or the resulting first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device (12-18), - that the controller (11) is configured to compare the first position with a first position specification from the confectionery production program, - that a display is connected to the controller (11) and - that the controller (11) and the display (40) are configured to superimpose a first virtual display in a view or an image of the apparatus (1) in front of and / or next to the first setting element (32-38) and to indicate by means of the first virtual display whether the first position corresponds to the first position specification or deviates therefrom.

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the controller (11) and the display (40) are configured to indicate, by means of the virtual first display, how the first position deviates from the first position specification in terms of direction and / or amount.

9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, - that at least one further mechanical setting device mounted to the machine frame (5) is provided with a further setting element (32-38), which can be manually rotated about a further axis of rotation relative to the machine frame (5), for setting a further spatial arrangement of a further product forming device (12-18) mounted to the machine frame (5) relative to the guiding devices (4), - that at least one further position sensor mounted to the machine frame (5) is connected to the controller (11) and is arranged and configured to detect a further position, which is a further rotational position of the further setting element (32-38) relative to the machine frame (5) or the resulting further spatial arrangement of the further product forming device (12-18), - that the controller (11) is configured to compare the further position with a further position specification from the confectionery production program, and - that the controller (11) and the display (40) are configured to display a further virtual display in the view or image of the apparatus (1) in front of and / or next to the further setting element (32-38) and to indicate by means of the further virtual display whether the further position corresponds to the further position specification or deviates therefrom.

10. Apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the controller (11) and the display (40) are configured to indicate, by means of the further virtual display, how the further rotational position deviates from the further rotational position specification in terms of direction and / or amount.

11. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first position sensor is arranged outside a confectionery mass contact area and is connected to the controller (11) via a wired or wireless signal transmission path, wherein the first position sensor is optionally integrated into the first setting element (32-38) or detects the first spatial arrangement of the first product forming device (12-18) without contact.

12. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (11) is configured to document an operation of the apparatus (1) with respect to set and / or detected operating parameters, wherein the first position is documented as a detected operating parameter.

13. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (11) is configured to adopt the current first position as a new first position specification in the confectionery production program in response to an operator input.

14. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, - in that the dispensing device (9) comprises a curtain forming device (10) for dispensing liquid confectionery mass for coating objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3) with the confectionery mass, - wherein the first product forming device (12-18) is configured to calibrate coatings of the objects with the confectionery mass.

15. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in in that the first product forming device (12-18) is - a bottom dipping device with a counter-rotating dipping roller (22) defining a bottom wall under the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3), or - a licking shaft (24) defining a bottom gap under the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3), or - a blow-off device (25) blowing off excess confectionery mass from the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3) with air, or - a mechanical shaking device (23) shaking off excess confectionery mass from the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3), or - a tails removing device (28) removing excess confectionery mass taken along by the objects conveyed on the conveyor belt (3).