Baker Perkins ServoForm lollipop depositing technology

Baker Perkins has extended its range with ServoForm depositing technology for shaped and embossed lollipops.

The depositor applies shapes such as flowers and hearts, as well as colours and patterns in the candy, on deposited flat lollipops. For round or shaped lollipops, the depositor can emboss the surface of the candy.

The company claims the depositor will allow character merchandising from film, television, music and video games to be applied directly onto the product rather than only on the packaging, as can seasonal themes such as Christmas, Halloween and Valentine’s Day.

The characters or designs can be either recessed into the lollipop or applied on the surface. Different products of the same outline can be produced without affecting the packaging operation. The company claims this makes short runs more economic.

The depositor handles up to four components, including clear products with hard- or soft-centre fills; two-, three- and four-colour lollipops with stripes and swirls; side-by-side and layered products. A range of flavour profiles is also available.

The company claims the depositing process allows complete control throughout the system, giving shape and weight accuracy with low scrap rates.

The depositor features automatic start-up and cleaning cycles. Essential functions such as priming the pumps at start-up and cleaning the pumps and hopper after each production run are controlled with a button. The depositor head is raised and lowered, with purging and washout trays placed and withdrawn automatically. The company claims the cycles are preprogrammed and require no operator intervention.