Baker Perkins has expanded its portfolio of equipment for lollipop production with the introduction of the flat lollipop stick placer.
This is the latest in a series of developments which have grown the family of lollipop products based on cooking and starchless depositing technology. The new system accurately places, positions and secures the sticks in the moulds prior to candy being deposited. It guarantees that the sticks are consistently positioned perpendicular to the lollipop in both planes for a consistent, high-quality appearance.
A servo controlled stick feeder places the stick in the moulds; an alignment mechanism then ensures they are all correctly positioned before being pressed into clips that hold them in position while the candy syrup is deposited and cooled around them.
Flat lollipops are ideal carriers of character merchandising linked to television, films and video games. Depositing provides a very clear image on high-quality candy, allowing premium positioning.
As well as flat lollipops, Baker Perkins supply high-capacity ServoForm™ systems for 3-Dimensional, ball and double ball lollipops in a variety of shapes. Varying the colours, flavours, patterns, fillings and textures gives the potential for an almost unlimited product variety, and offers greater production flexibility compared to die forming processes.
The ServoForm™ lollipop depositor can produce lollipops in up to four colours, with a multi-component capability providing solid, layered and striped options. All products can be produced in sugar-free varieties, and there is also the ability to add medicinal or nutraceutical elements.
As well as the ServoForm™ depositor, Baker Perkins’ lollipop systems include automatic weighing, feeding, dissolving, and colour / flavour / acid addition, plus the Microfilm™ cooker – the industry standard for sugar and sugar-free high boiled lollipops and candies.
Superior appearance, high clarity and rapid flavour release with a smooth ‘mouth feel’ are key quality advantages of depositing. The nature of the process creates complete control throughout the system, leading to extremely high dimensional, shape and weight accuracy, negligible scrap rates and efficient wrapping, plus maximum hygiene with low maintenance.
Baker Perkins supplies complete, automated confectionery cooking and depositing plants, used extensively for hard candies, lollipops, toffees, caramels, fudge and fondant. High output and high efficiency with greater quality and production flexibility, low production costs and hygienic operation are the main benefits that depositing brings to these sectors compared to conventional methods such as die forming, starch mogul or cut-and-wrap.
