CA2010712C

CA2010712C - Confection filled with gasified caramel and process for obtaining the same

Info

Publication number: CA2010712C
Application number: CA002010712A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ramon Escola Gallart; Ramon Bayes Turull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-20
Filing date: 1990-02-22
Publication date: 1996-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-22
Also published as: GB9002176D0; IT9019704A1; AU4922290A; FR2644327B1; IT1239450B; DE4005250C2; JPH02255044A; GB2229347A; IT9019704A0; JP2937382B2; FR2644327A1; GB2229347B; DE4005250A1; AU630412B2; ES2010460A6; CA2010712A1

Abstract

A process for obtaining a confection filled with gasified caramel in which the initial caramel mass is at a temperature between about 90 and 150C and at a degree of moisture below equilibrium moisture of the resulting gasified caramel. After adding essences and/or colorants and depositing the mass in molds, cavities of a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml are punched in the two parts of the caramel mass disposed in the molds. The molds are then cooled to a temperature below 50C, with chips of gasified caramel alone or mixed with chewing gum being placed into the cavities formed in the molds. Before the two complementary molds are joined, an adhesive is applied to the parts of the caramel mass disposed in the molds. The caramel is then removed from the molds. The caramel which has been filled with gasified caramel either alone or mixed with chewing gum, may be provided with a stick. The gasified caramel is protected from moisture, thereby simplifying the wrapping thereof.

Description

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The present invention relates to a confection or caramel filled, in turn, with gasified caramel, and also to a process for obtaining such a confection or caramel thus-filled with gasified caramel.
Numerous patents have been published on production of caramels, chewing gum, and chocolates in which an inert gas has been introduced during the liquid or pasty state thereof, whereby products of lower density and therefore with a lower cost per volume or with different sensations, are obtained. However, in none of these patents is the gas retained inside the mass, which is the point of distinction of a "pop" caramel.
The first patent which appeared on introduction of a gas in a mixture of melted sugars, which gas when left to cool would remain occluded therein and would pop when released, was U.S. patent no. 3,012,83, filed January 6, 1959. In May 21, 1979 the same inventors of the present application cited for the first time the importance of diameter of bubbles of occluded gas (Spanish Patent No.
Z0 480,775)-A gasified caramel is a mixture of various sugars in which in a semi-liquid or pasty state, an inert gas under pressure has been incorporated. The chips of caramel are highly hygroscopic, so that the mere contact thereof with surrounding atmosphere causes the caramel to absorb moisture and to break down, because the caramel is compressed and the moisture absorbed is sufficient to-release the occluded gas.
This is why the caramels must have an absolute barrier against moisture when packed.
By means of the patents on gasified caramel noted above, a product with a very varied granulation is obtained, ranging from about 0.01 mm to 10 mm or even larger pieces.
This product thus-obtained is screened to make use of the pieces between 0.5 and 4.5 mm. Presently, this product is - 1 - ~

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packed in unit envelopes containing 4 to 10 grams per bag.
A child's sensation is very short, as a child consumes the contents of a bag in a very short time and discards the same. This is one of the shortcomings of the product, as its packing is an aluminum foil of 8 or 9 microns in thickness and a thermo-weldable layer to obtain an absolute barrier to moisture. This makes the end product more expensive without any benefit for a child consuming the product who must pay a high price for the wrapper that this product requires.
At present, caramels are found on the market which are provided with sticks, are filled with various liquid products, solids, effervescent powders, etc. The manner of adding these products is by way of a pressure pump which introduces the product to be filled into a strip of caramel before passing through a sizer and a stamping press. By this method, it is impossible to introduce chips of gasified caramel, since the pressure at which the pump operates causes the chips of gasified chemical to break because of their great fragility, thus converting the chips to powder.
Thus, the chips loose their "popping" sensation when placed in the mouth, since the pieces smaller than 1 mm give a weak "hissing sensation" but not one of popping.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve over the drawbacks described above, in preparing a confection provided with gasified caramel, notably in the interior thereof.
This and other objects of the present invention which will become apparent herein, are attained by the present invention which is directed to a process comprising the steps of:
- preparing an initial caramel mass;
- including in said mass at least one additive which is an essence or colorant;

~ 2Q~712 - proportioning two parts of said caramel mass and depositing said two parts in complementary hollow molds;
- joining said two complementary molds together, to produce union of said two parts of said caramel mass; and - removing a thus-obtained caramel from said molds;
- in which the improvement comprises;
- said initial caramel mass being at a temperature between about 90 and 150C and at a degree of moisture lower than e~uilibrium moisture of said gasified caramel;
- after including said at least one additive and depositing said mass in said molds, punching cavities of a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml in said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said complementary molds;
- cooling said molds to a temperature below about 50C, ~ placing chips of gasified caramel alone or mixed wit~Q~-07 12 chewing gum and with a grain size between about 0.2 and 10 mm and in a quantity of about 0.2 to lS grams in said cavities punched in said two parts; and before joining said two complementary molds, applying an adhesive to said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said molds The present invention is directed to molding of hollow forms of a conventional caramel mass obtained by the process described above, and into which chips of gasified caramel or gasified caramel mixture with chewing gum, are deposited. More specifically, the present invention relates to preparation of a caramel with or without a stick, in hollow form and filled with chips of caramel or caramel mixed with chewing gum, in a manner such that the caramel or confection suffers no damage and preserves all of the characteristics of "popping" during the manufacturing process, and furthermore which is stable without need to use a special packing.
The process of the present invention is constituted by preparing a caramel mass according to the "conventional" methods described above, but with preference being given to a mass whose dropping point is as low as possible, in order to thus cool the mass as quickly as possible, resulting in increased production and savings of energy. This caramel mass has a temperature of about 135-C and a moisture of approximately 2% (KF).
After the caramel mass has been obtained, sticks are introduced into the mold automatically. The caramel mass is proportioned over molds by means of a system which, in the confection industry, is known as "depositing". These molds are constituted by two hollow parts, into one of which a stick may be inserted. The two pieces can be filled with different colors and flavors.

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These now-molded and punched pieces must be cooled to a temperature of about 30 to 38-C by passage of the mold chain through a cold tunnel. For this reason, it is desirable that the initial mass for making the deposit of the caramel has a temperature as low as possible. Final temperatures higher than 38 C would break down the gasified caramel. Mixtures of sugars whose deposition temperature is low can be used, allowing the molded pieces of caramel to be cooled faster and therefore increasing the production.
Once the pieces are molded and at a temperature of 30 to 38 C, the chips of gasified caramel, either alone or mixed with chewing gum, are added inside the cavity of the thus-molded piece.
Thereafter, the two pieces are ~oined, whereby the gasified caramel remains inside the confection and is well-protected from the surrounding moisture, since there is a layer of caramel which insulates the same.
The place of union or joint of the two molded pieces is sealed by a mass of molten caramel or a product suitable for consumption, and which fulfills conditions of providing a moisture barrier and is stable over time, such as, e.g., waxes, sorbitol, laquers, etc. To better insure hermeticity, it is desirable to form a ring of caramel at the weld point. To finish the process, at the end the conveyor belt reverses, the molds open, and the caramels are caused to fall onto another conveyor belt.
With the present invention, three important advantages are achieved:
(1) The use of aluminum foil wrapping which is expensive, is avoided, and as the caramel mass itself with the characteristics which will be set forth in greater detail below provides a sufficient barrier to moisture for the chips of gasified caramel that are situated inside the piece, so that the end product can be wrapped in and paper; ~ 7~Z
(2) A new product has been obtained which is presently unknown, e.g. to a child, since a child is only presently aware of a gasified caramel containing only small chips of caramel with "pops"
inside a small sack; and (3) A transparent caramel can be obtained, so that an individual can actually see chips of gasified caramel inside the confection.
In the process of the present invention, the initial caramel mass preferably has a dropping point between about 40 and 150-C, while the degree of moisture of the caramel mass is preferably between about 0.5 and 6%, most preferably between about 1.5 and 3.5%.
The two complementary molds~may be alike, or they may be different from one another. Furthermore, the essences and colorants which are added to the caramel mass in the two different parts disposed in the complementary molds may be alike, or alternatively different essences and colorants may be added in each individual part of the caramel mass from the other part. The temperature to which the molds are cooled after the caramel mass has been deposited, is preferably between about 30 and 38-C, while the volume of the cavities punched in each mold is preferably between about l.S and 4.0 ml.
Grain size of the molten caramel placed in the thus-punched cavity is preferably between about 0.5 and 4.5 mm, while quantity of this caramel that is~ placed inside the cav~ties is preferably about 1 to 3 grams. Furthermore, walls of the outer caramel mass in which the cavities have been punched are preferably between about 2 and 4 mm thick. In particular, the walls of the outer caramel are thicker in the part where a stick might be inserted.

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For better understanding of what has been set forth herein, reference will be made to the accompanying drawinys in which, schematically and by way of non-limiting examples, practical cases of the present invention are represented. It is not at all intended to limit the scope of the present invention herein to the specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings. More specifically, in the drawings;
Fig. 1 is a shcematic diagram of a process for preparing a confection or caramel mass of a conventional type;
Fig. 2 is a shcematic diagram of the process of the present invention herein;
Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a caramel prepared in accordance with the present invention;
Figs. 4 and 5 are graphs illustrating intensity of sound in decibels along ordinates thereof of the "pops" in two variance of underwater transmission and transmission in air respectively, of caramels or confection prepared in accordance with the present invention herein.
The caramel mass of the present invention may be prepared according to the conventional method illustrated in Fig. 1. More specifically, the preparation is essentially constituted by mixing sugars and water in a reactor 1 with slight heating; making a predissolution in a reactor 2 by heating and agitation; heating to a high temperature in a boiling chamber 3 provided with a coil 4; making a pre-vacuum by means of rotors 5, with water being extracted and the caramel becoming more concentrated; and drying the caramel mass to approximately 2% moisture in a vacuum chamber 6.
Finally, the proportioning is accomplished by adding at 7 essences and colorants, with the mass being agitated at 8, followed by passing to the molding on a first 2~3~C i7~.~

conveyor belt 9, upon which removal from the mold is carried out at 10, and the caramel removed from the mold is passed to another conveyor belt 11.
Automatic placing of sticks 12, 13 in the molds 14, 15 can be seen in Fig. 2. The caramel mass is proportioned 16 over the molds by a system which, at the confectionery industry, is known as "depositing".
Thereafter, the cavities are punched in the caramel at 17.
These now-molded and punched pieces of caramel must be cooled to a temperature of about 30 to 38C by passage of the mold chain 18 through a cold tunnel. After the pieces are molded and at a temperature of about 30 to 38C, the chips of gasified caramel, either alone or mixed with chewing gum, are added into the cavity of the molded piece.
Then, an adhesive is applied at 19 to the two parts of the caramel mass in the molds 14 and 15.
Later, the two pieces are joined at 20, so that the gasified caramel remains inside the confection and is well-protected from the surrounding moisture, since there is a layer of caramel which insulates the same. The place of union or joint of the two pieces is sealed with a mass of molten caramel or a product suitable for consumption, and which fulfills the conditions of providing a moisture barrier. To finish, at the end the belt reverses at 21, the molds open at 22, and the thus-molded caramels are caused to fall onto a conveyor belt 22a.
Fig. 3 illustrates a caramel 23 provided with a stick 24 and with an inner cavity 25 in accordance with the present invention. Gasified caramel is present in the inner cavity 25, of the confection or caramels illustrated in Fig.
3 herein.
The present invention will be described in greater detail by way of the following examples:

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In a "Caramix" installation with "Triple Rotocooker" o the TER BRAAK Company, a saccharose:glucose mixture was prepared in a proportion of 70:30, obtaining a caramel syrup with a final moisture of 2% and a final temperature of 135C. Essence and colorant were added. The resulting product was deposited by the method which, in the conectionery industry, is termed "pouring" or "depositing"
on a suitably-cooled belt which contains molds with two hemispherical and hollow parts, and in one of which a stick has been introduced previously if desired, as illustrated in the process of Fig. 2 in the present case. The introduction of the stick as well as the geometrical form of the mold are entirely discretional.
The caramel was then punched inside the mold, to leave a hollow part of a capacity of about 3.8 ml. The caramel mass was then cooled to a temperature of approximately 38C by passage of the conveyor chain through a cooling tunnel. Then, two grams of caramel chips were added. The two caramel parts were joined and strapped together with a mixture of molten fructose:sorbitol in a proportion of 90:10, and with the very same mixture forming a ring around the resulting joint. There was a mechanism for stripping the piece at the end of the chain, said stripped piece passing to another conveyor belt (see Fig.
2).

Initially, a reactor was prepared with molten sorbitol at a temperature of 110C, with the remaining preparation steps being g f~lowed as outlined in Example 1. ~Q~07 ~ ~ A ~ P L E 3 A mixture of fructose:sorbitol in a proportion of 90:10 was initially prepared, with the steps then being followed in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1 above.
AN~LY8I8 OF "POPPI~G" 8B~8ATIO~
The "popping" sensation of a single lot of gasified caramels differs from person to person, and for this reason an analytical system has been perfected for checking the quality and intensity of the pops. Thus, the testing of the gasified caramel is simplifled and improved, with the results being objective, simple, and reliable.
\ The "pop" is produced by the breaking of the caramel film caused by the pressure of the occluded gas, giving a "sound", the - term "sound" meaning whatever might produce sensations inherent in the sense of hearing. The origin of these sensations may be described as a succession of variations of the atmospheric pressure which propagate through the air and which, upon reaching the tympanum of the ear, cause the tympanum to vibrate. The vibrations of the tympanum are transmitted, transformed, and processed by the ear until they reach the cortex, in which the sound sensation occurs in the form of bioelectric energy.
The improvement of the analytical system of the "pops" of the gasified caramel, has been accomplished by adapting the analytical system to the reality of the human consumption, since it is not equivalent to "hear" the pops of a gasified caramel that is put in a glass of water, and to "hear" the pops of a gasified caramel that is placed in the mouth of an individual, because the medium of transmission in the latter case is much more direct, since the "pop"
produced to the mouth (which acts as a resonator) is transmitted directly from the mouth to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube 2~0~

wh~ çh connects the throat with the middle ear; in other words, the person does not "hear" the pop through the outer ear in the latter case. However, persons standing before an individual consuming the gasified caramel, on the contrary, do "hear" the pop through their outer ears.
For this reason, an analytical system has been developed to be arranged as close as possible to the intensity and quantity of pops which one and the same person consuming the caramel would "hear"
when the gasified caramel is placed in that individual's mouth. On the other hand, this improved testing system allows recording of pops graphically both as to quantity and as to intensity, which has been found to be fundamental for the research study.
The main characteristics of this testing system are as follows:

Power Supply Model ZG 0254, supplied by BRUEL K~AER;
Hydrophone, Model 8103, supplied by BRUEL KJAER;
Precision Sonometer Model 2235, supplied by BRUE~ KJAER;
Magnetic Agitator Model A-06, Brand SBS, supplied by SELECTA;
Recorder Model OMNISCRIBE Serial D-500, Brand BAUSCH and LOMB, supplied ~y CRISON, S.A.;
Precipitation vessel of 400 cc.;
Water temperature = l5-C.
M E T H O D:
The quantifying of quantity and intensity of the pops produced by a determined and constant quantity of gasified caramel is involved in the present method. A teflon-coated magnet is placed in a vessel and the hydrophone is submerged. The magnetic agitator is set is motion (setting at 1 on a speed scale from 0 to 10), thus ~ 2~ 7~.~

obtaining a sufficient agitation which is not detected by the hydrophone. The hydrophone is connected to the sonometer by a cable. The sonometer always measures under the same conditions.
The pops of the gasified caramel that are produced in the container of water are detected by the hydrophone, which sends the detected pops to the sonometer, and then to a recorder, whereby a graph of the pops both as to quantity and as to intensity is obtained (please see Figs. 4 and 5).
In Figs. 4 and 5, the absicissas denote time in minutes and the ordinates denote two scales in dB, scales A
and C representing underwater transmission and referred to 20 uP (micropascals) and scales B and D representing transmission in air. The speed of the recorder is 5 cm/min or 2.5 cm/min. It is desirable to calibrate the equipment daily, so as to eliminate possible distortions of the results.
RESULTS
Graphs have been obtained with different pops which can be graduated in underwater transmission and in transmission in air. Different results are seen where each pop of gasified caramel is represented by a peak, and the intensity being represented by the height (Figs. 4 and 5).
These graphs represent the sensation of popping that a consumer of the caramel or confection filled with the gasified caramel, will have. At first, the popping sensation is practically nil, since only the outer part of the caramel or confection dissolves which corresponds to a conventional caramel structure, this outer part having only a protective function. After this outer part has dissolved, the pops begin, which become ever greater until the chips of gasified caramel are fully consumed or depleted. All this has permitted a more detailed study of each of the different elements that can affect the quantity of the end product.

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The preceding description of the present invention is merely exemplary, and is not intended to limit the scope thereof in any way.

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Claims

1. In a method for obtaining a confection filled with gasified caramel, comprising the steps of preparing an initial caramel mass, including in said mass at least one additive which is an essence or colorant, proportioning two parts of said caramel mass and depositing said two parts (16) in complementary hollow molds (14, 15), joining (20) said two complementary molds together, to produce union of said two parts of said caramel mass, and removing (22) a thus-obtained caramel from said molds, said improvement comprising said initial caramel mass being at a temperature between about 90 and 150°C and at a degree of moisture lower than equilibrium moisture of said gasified caramel;
after including said at least one additive and depositing said mass in said molds (14, 15), punching (17) cavities of a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml in said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said complementary molds;
cooling said molds to a temperature below about 50°C;
placing chips of gasified caramel alone or mixed with chewing gum and with a grain size between about 0.2 and 10 mm and in a quantity of about 0.2 to 15 grams in said cavities punched in said two parts; and before joining (20) said two complementary molds, applying an adhesive (19) to said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said molds.

2. The process of claim 1, comprising the additional step of inserting a stick (12, 13) in one of said two parts of said caramel mass when the same are deposited in said complementary hollow mold (14, 15).

3. The process of claim 1, comprising the additional step of after said confection comprising said thus-gasified caramel is removed from said molds, sealing a zone of union of said two parts by means of a mass of molten caramel or a product suitable for consumption.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said caramel mass is transparent.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said initial caramel mass has a dropping point between about 40 and 150°C.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein said degree of moisture of said caramel mass is between about 0.5 and 6%.

7. The process according to claim 6, wherein said degree of moisture of said caramel mass is between about 1.5 and 3.5%.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein said two complementary molds are alike.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein said two complementary molds are shaped differently from one another.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of adding the essences and colorants to said two parts disposed in said complementary molds.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of adding different essences and colorants to said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said complementary molds.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said temperature to which said molds are cooled after said caramel mass has been deposited therewithin, is between about 30 and 38°C.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said volume of said cavities punched in each mold is between about 1.5 and 4.0 ml.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said grain size of said molten caramel placed in said thus-punched cavities is between about 0.5 and 4.5 mm.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein quantity of the caramel that is placed in said cavities is about 1 to 3 grams.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein walls of an outer caramel mass after said cavities have been punched therewithin are between about 2 and 4 mm thick.

17. The method according to claim 2, wherein walls of an outer caramel mass after said cavities have been punched therewithin are thicker in a part where said stick is inserted.

18. Confection filled with gasified caramel, obtained in a method comprising the steps of preparing an initial caramel mass, including in said mass at least one additive which is an essence or colorant, proportioning two parts of said caramel mass and depositing said two parts (16) in complementary hollow molds (14, 15), joining (20) said two complementary molds together, to produce union of said two parts of said caramel mass, and removing (22) a thus-obtained caramel from said molds, said improvement comprising said initial caramel mass being at a temperature between about 90 and 150°C and at a degree of moisture lower than equilibrium moisture of said gasified caramel;
after including said at least one additive and depositing said mass in said molds (14, 15), punching (17) cavities of a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml in said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said complementary molds;
cooling said molds to a temperature below about 50°C;
placing chips of gasified caramel alone or mixed with chewing gum and with a grain size between about 0.2 and 10 mm and in a quantity of about 0.2 to 15 grams in said cavities punched in said two parts; and before joining (20) said two complimentary molds, applying an adhesive (19) to said two parts of said caramel mass disposed in said molds.

19. The confection of claim 18, wherein one of said two parts of said caramel mass is provided with a stick (24).