Historical Evolution of the Ice Pop: From Brine to the Disruptive Era
The trajectory of ice pop industrialization evolved from artisanal freezing in manual molds to highly automated systems. Discover the milestones that shaped this market:
1. The Industrial Revolution: Rotary, Inversion, and Oval Tracks (1950 – 1980)
- 1950 | Hoyer (Denmark): Launched the HOYER ROLLO, the first industrial rotary machine with a continuous circular table (10,000 to 30,000 popsicles/h).
- 1958 | FMC Corporation (USA): Patented the VITALINE, pioneering the linear system with a vertical mold inversion loop for continuous automatic sanitation.
- 1960s | Gram Equipment (Denmark): Introduced the GRAM RIA line, establishing the global high-capacity standard for multinationals (>40,000 popsicles/h).
- 1970s | Glacier Industries (USA): Introduced continuous extrusion with wire-cut stainless steel and forced-air freezing tunnel.
- 1980s | LAIEF (Italy): Created the 'oval track' rotary machine (technology expanded by Teknoice in the RO line), eliminating the central blind spot and facilitating multi-filling dosing.
2. Mold Standardization and Semi-Industrial Automation (1990 – 2010)
- Commercial Mold Standardization: Adoption of standardized stainless steel molds (8, 16, 22, or 28 cavities) paired with stick aligners.
- Built-in Defrost Tanks: Integration of a compact 'water bath' within the frame to release popsicles in seconds.
- High-Performance Thermal Fluids: Replacement of traditional brine with food-grade high-efficiency fluids (such as Finamac's FINAFLUID), ensuring freezing in under 10 to 12 minutes at -40 °C without equipment corrosion.