Flexible Mold Demolding with Agitators for Jelly Candy Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing demolding processes for confectionaries, particularly jelly candies from silicone molds, are labor-intensive and inefficient, requiring significant manual labor and custom mold negatives.

Innovation Solution

A demolding device and process utilizing an angled carriage frame with idle rollers, support gussets, a drive roller, and agitators with finger extensions to facilitate continuous and efficient removal of confectionaries from flexible molds, allowing for adjustable pressure and spin directions to accommodate various mold shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual demolding processes are used, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator controlVSAvoiddemolding throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The demolding device enables the mold to demold itself through automated mechanisms. The flexible mold is fed through the device, and agitators automatically contact and vibrate the cavities to release confectionaries without requiring manual intervention for each cavity, thus achieving self-service demolding that increases productivity while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The demolding device divides the demolding action into segmented components: multiple agitators with finger extensions that can independently contact different cavities, a segmented feed mechanism with rollers, and a modular frame structure. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple cavities simultaneously, increasing throughput while keeping each component simple and easy to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If custom mold negatives are used for complex shapes, then demolding accuracy is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemolding accuracyVSAvoidmold negative requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The demolding device uses a universal feed mechanism with idle rollers and support gussets that can accommodate various mold shapes and sizes without requiring custom mold negatives. The same basic structure handles different cavity configurations, making the device multi-functional and eliminating the need for complex custom components for each mold type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device adjusts demolding parameters such as agitation intensity, finger extension depth, and feed speed to accommodate different cavity shapes and sizes. By changing these operational parameters rather than the physical structure, the device achieves accurate demolding for complex shapes without requiring custom mold negatives or structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If pin-type compression demolding is used, then confectionary removal force is increased, but mold damage and confectionary deformation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemolding forceVSAvoidmold and confectionary damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces static pin-type compression with dynamic mechanical vibration through rotating agitators with finger extensions. These agitators vibrate and slap against the cavities, creating oscillating forces that progressively work the confectionary loose from the mold walls. This vibrational approach delivers sufficient demolding force while distributing stress over time and area, preventing concentrated damage to both mold and confectionary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The demolding mechanism transitions from static compression to dynamic action. The agitators rotate and continuously adjust their contact points with the cavities, creating dynamic force application that adapts to the confectionary's release needs. This dynamic approach applies force more evenly and allows the mold and confectionary to move slightly during demolding, reducing the risk of damage compared to rigid pin compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If angled mold positioning is implemented, then agitator access to cavities is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagitator accessVSAvoidframe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates an asymmetric frame structure with a tilted carriage that positions the mold at an optimized angle for agitator access. This asymmetric design allows the agitators to approach the cavities from the best angle for effective contact while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The asymmetry is localized to the carriage positioning rather than the entire device, minimizing structural complexity while maximizing operational effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12610963B2Confectionary demolding device and process

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 SCHENCK PROCESS LLC

AI summary

A demolding device and process are provided for continuously removing confectionaries, such as jelly candies, from a flexible mold. The demolding device contains a drive roller for applying pressure to the mold, a plurality of angled gussets for positioning the mold during confectionary extraction, and a plurality of agitators for removing the confectionaries from the mold cavities. The resulting device and process can facilitate the efficient and safe removal of confectionaries from flexible elastomeric molds.