DE102018110453A1 - Method for producing a food holding means and food holding means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a food holding device comprising the following method steps:
a. Providing a material in the form of a thermoplastic natural material;
b. Plasticizing the material by means of a plasticizing unit;
c. Providing an injection molding tool having a cavity;
d. Injecting a material into the cavity;
e. Cooling of the injected material while maintaining a reprinting, which forms the food holding means to be produced;
f. Removing the prepared foodstuff holding agent from the injection mold.

Description

The present invention in a first aspect relates to a method for producing a food holding means. In another aspect, the invention relates to a food holding means.

Such a food holding means may be, for example, an ice stick or ice sticks. On such ice stalks ice cream is arranged in frozen form. The user can grab the iced handle comfortably and thus consume the ice cream. So far, such stalks made of hardwood are usually made of beech wood. For this plates are made, from which then the stalks are punched out. Such a production process requires a certain amount of material. Beechwood is valuable timber that is used in many areas. Beech trees are also comparatively slow-growing trees. Accordingly, the demand for beech wood is large. The production of a disposable article from such a valuable natural raw material is therefore undesirable.

On the other hand, due to the endeavor to use natural resources, the use of mineral oil-based plastics is not desirable. Such plastics reduce on the one hand the already limited supply of mineral oil. In addition, the environment is polluted with non-biodegradable plastic waste.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for producing an alternative food holding means or an alternative food holding means which solve the problems mentioned above.

1. a. Bereitstellen eines Werkstoffs in Form von einem thermoplastischen Naturstoff;
2. b. Plastifizieren des Werkstoffs mittels einer Plastifiziereinheit;
3. c. Bereitstellen eines Spritzgusswerkzeugs, welches eine Kavität aufweist;
4. d. Einspritzen eines Werkstoffs in die Kavität;
5. e. Abkühlen des eingespritzten Werkstoffs unter Aufrechterhaltung eines Nachdrucks, wodurch sich das herzustellende Haltemittel für Lebensmittel ausbildet;
6. f. Entnahme des hergestellten Haltemittels für Lebensmittel mit aus dem Spritzgusswerkzeug.

The object is achieved in a first aspect of a method for producing a holding means for food comprising the following method steps:

1. a. Providing a material in the form of a thermoplastic natural material;
2. b. Plasticizing the material by means of a plasticizing unit;
3. c. Providing an injection molding tool having a cavity;
4. d. Injecting a material into the cavity;
5. e. Cooling of the injected material while maintaining a reprint, which forms the food holding means to be produced;
6. f. Removing the prepared foodstuff holding agent from the injection mold.

By thermoplastic natural material is meant a material having properties similar to a thermoplastic. Furthermore, such a material can be used in an injection molding machine.

A natural substance is a material that is produced mainly or exclusively from renewable raw materials. By dispensing with synthetic mineral oil-based plastics, a sustainable use of raw materials is guaranteed.

Further, a natural product is a preferably biodegradable or compostable material. Biodegradable means that the material is decomposable by living things (in particular saprobionts) or their enzymes. Ideally, this chemical metabolism goes all the way to mineralization, breaking down the organic compound down to inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, and ammonia, but it can also stop degradation-stable transformation products. Compostable means that the material is degraded in a biological process of nutrient cycling, in which easily exploitable organic material under the influence of atmospheric oxygen (aerobic) of bacteria and fungi (heterotrophic microorganisms). In addition to carbon dioxide and water-soluble minerals are released such as nitrates, ammonium salts, phosphates, potassium and magnesium compounds that act as fertilizer. Some of the intermediates resulting from this degradation are converted to humus.

As a rule, a food holding means according to the invention is a disposable product which is disposed of after the food has been consumed. However, no unnecessary non-degradable waste is produced by the holding means according to the invention. Accordingly, a holding means for food is provided by the production of a sustainable, gentle use of raw materials is ensured. Further, the food holding means as a disposable article does not pose a burden on the environment after use.

In the case of an embodiment of the holding means for foodstuffs as Eisstiele beech wood stocks are spared because no "real wood" is used. Nor are synthetic plastics based on petroleum used. The processor of the ice stalks can thus promote the protection of beech stands and the avoidance of the use of oil. Furthermore, the end customer has the assurance that he has purchased a disposable item that does not waste valuable raw materials such as beech wood or petroleum.

According to a preferred embodiment, the material in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance is a mixture of a natural resin and natural fibers. According to another embodiment, the thermoplastic natural product is a mixture of a natural resin, natural fibers and other natural additives. Such thermoplastic natural materials are also called thermoplastic fiber composites.

Preferably, the natural resin is a tree resin or thermoplastic starch. Such tree resins are, for example, lignin, shellac, gutta-percha, mastic, rosin or copal.

In particular, lignin is a particularly preferred natural resin. Lignin is a by-product of the pulp industry and accumulates around 50 million tonnes annually worldwide. So far, a large part of this increase in energy production is fired. Since the lignin is obtained anyway, this can be supplied without further effort the production of a food holding means. The wood or beech stands used so far can thus be spared.

The natural fibers are preferably selected from seed fibers, bast fibers, hard fibers and fruit fibers. Seed fibers are, for example, fibers of cotton, kapok or poplar fluff. Bast fibers are, for example, fibers from hemp, jute, linen, ramie, stinging nettle or bamboo. Hard fibers are, for example, fibers of wood, sisal or manilla. Fruit fibers are, for example, coconut fibers. Any combination of these fibers should be possible.

The other natural additives may be, for example, antioxidants, plasticizers or natural fillers, for example rice hulls or chitin.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is a thermoplastic fiber composite material which is marketed under the name ARBOFORM®. ARBOFORM® is a granulate that can be processed (injection-molded) like thermoplastic. The resin base for this material is lignin. Preferably, this lignin is mixed with natural fibers such as flax, hemp or other vegetable fibers and possibly other vegetable additives. ARBOFORM® thus consists of 100% renewable raw materials. ARBOFORM® is often referred to as "liquid wood".

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is a composition of renewable raw materials and plastics, which is sold under the name ARBOFILL®.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is a composition of different biopolymers, which is sold under the name ARBOBLEND®. Depending on the formulation, ARBOBLEND® materials consist of various biopolymers such as polylactide, polyhydroxybutyric acid, starch, cellulose, green PE, bio-PA, bio-PET, cellulose esters, lignin, natural resins, natural fatty acids, waxes and / or additives.

The thermoplastic natural product is preferably provided as granules. The particle shape can be spherical, flake or fibrous. The particle diameter can range from a few microns to a few millimeters.

According to a preferred idea of the invention, the material is dried in the form of a thermoplastic natural material before being plasticized in a dry air dryer and preheated. Preferably, this is dried for about 2 hours at 40 ° C and preheated.

Advantageously, the preheated material is plasticized in a plasticizing unit. Such a plasticizing unit comprises, inter alia, a feed zone, a plasticizing cylinder with a screw and heating elements. The plasticized material is then preferably fed via a runner to the corresponding cavity.

According to an advantageous idea of the invention, the material is injected in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance into the cavity via a hot runner. The leading from the plasticizing unit to the respective injector sprue system is thereby advantageously thermally insulated from the injection molding tool. In other Angusssystemen the plastic material solidifies in the Angusssystem. The so-called sprue must then be separated from the molding. This requires additional tools. Furthermore, the additional plastic material must be disposed of. When using a hot runner, the sprue system is kept at a correspondingly high temperature, so that the sprue does not solidify.

According to a further preferred idea of the invention, the injection molding tool comprises at least two mold halves, which are movable relative to each other. Preferably, on the one hand, both tool halves can be moved and, on the other hand, a tool half can be fixed and the other tool half can be moved.

The two tool halves have corresponding recesses, so that in a closed injection mold, ie the two tool halves are adjacent to each other, the cavity is formed. Advantageously, the shape of the cavity corresponds to the shape of the food-retaining agent to be produced. The injection nozzle can be placed arbitrarily, for example on a side wall of a mold half. Preferably, the injection nozzle is arranged centrally of a length of the cavity.

The material in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance is injected into the cavity via an injection nozzle. When using ARBOFORM®, the temperature of the material at the injection nozzle is preferably in a range between 110 ° C and 180 ° C, more preferably in a range between 150 ° C and 180 ° C, particularly preferably at about 165 ° C. Temperatures in excess of 180 ° C would be inappropriate because at such temperatures the natural fibers char. Temperatures below 110 ° C are also unsuitable because the lignin is only completely melted from this temperature.

The temperature of the material in the feed zone is preferably about 125 ° C. and in the plasticizing cylinder about 140 ° C.

Preferably, in the injection phase, the plasticized material is injected in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance via the injection nozzle under a high pressure in the cavity. The pressure is preferably between a value of about 20 MPa and about 200 MPa, more preferably in a range between 80 MPa and 150 MPa, particularly preferably at about 110 MPa.

The cavity-forming mold halves have a temperature of preferably between 30 ° C and 80 ° C, more preferably between 30 ° C and 50 ° C, more preferably about 40 ° C. Upon contact with the comparatively cold wall regions of the cavity, the plastic solidifies upon reaching the solidification point of the respective material. In order to ensure the most homogeneous possible distribution of the plastic material in the cavity, the plastic material must be correspondingly quickly introduced into the cavity. Accordingly, the material is preferably injected at about 110 MPa in about 1.6 s.

After injection, a holding pressure in a range between 10 MPa and 50 MPa, more preferably in a range between 20 MPa and 40 MPa, particularly preferably at about 30 MPa, is preferably maintained. The emphasis is used to compensate for the shrinkage, i. the thermally induced volume reduction of the injected molding.

The further residual cooling time is preferably in a range between 5 s and 40 s, more preferably in a range between 10 s and 30 s, particularly preferably at about 20 s. Due to the further volume shrinkage, some demolding already takes place from the cavity.

Preferably, the holding means for food after opening the tool halves is ejected by means of an ejector. Particularly preferred in this case a slide ejector is used. Such a slide ejector has the advantage that no Auswerfmarkierungen on the finished holding means for food are recognizable.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the holding means for food are supplied to a further sterilization process. By the injection molding process itself, the material is, as already described, heated to a maximum of 180 ° C. This already causes a certain sterilization. In particular, when dealing with food, however, a high sterility or sterility is often desired. Accordingly, the holding means for food after the injection molding process can still be subjected to a sterilization process. Preferably, the sterilization process is sterilization with ionizing radiation. This can be UV radiation, X-radiation, gamma radiation or electron bombardment (electron beam sterilization).

According to a further preferred embodiment, the material in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance, a colorant and / or pigments and / or effect particles is added prior to injection. This admixture can be done before or after the plasticization. Preferably, these colorants, pigments and / or effect particles are natural substances which are also biodegradable or compostable. Effect particles are, for example, colored, glittering particles which emerge correspondingly in the finished product.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a food holding means, which is produced by a method according to the previously described embodiments.

Accordingly, the advantages and features of the above-mentioned embodiment of the production method should also apply to the food holding means.

The holding means for food is made according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the material ARBOFORM®. In addition to the advantages already mentioned, the use of this material also offers the advantage of a visual impression that is very similar to that of wood. For the consumer, therefore, it is hardly distinguishable whether the holding means is made of real wood or of ARBOFORM®.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the holding means for food is a Ice stalk or ice sticks. Ice cream is placed in the frozen state on such an ice-cream stick. By means of the ice stick, the consumer can comfortably hold and consume the ice.

According to a further embodiment, the food retaining means is a skewer for stacking pieces of food, for example a shish kebab or a skewer for juicing pieces of vegetables or fruit.

According to another embodiment, the food holding means is a chopstick or cutlery. Chopsticks are a pair of equally long chopsticks, which are used in Asia as cutlery.

According to a further embodiment, decorative elements and / or lettering and / or patterns or symbols are formed on the holding means for food. In contrast to, for example, also beech wood panels punched holding means for food, especially ice stalks, the holding means for food according to the invention can be varied. Thus, the holding means for food, for example, with lettering manufacturer, pattern logos, etc. already be designed by the shape of the cavity. These mentioned elements can be designed protruding or as recesses.

Furthermore, the holding means for food can be designed with any decorative elements. The shape of these decorative elements is also determined by the shape of the cavity, or the mold halves.

According to a further embodiment further haptic element are formed on the holding means for food. Such a haptic element may be, for example, a surface corrugation. These haptic elements are given solely by the design of the cavity.

According to a further embodiment, the food holding means comprises a grip portion and a holding portion. Preferably, a projection is arranged between the handle portion and the holding portion. Such a projection can serve as drip protection. Accordingly, the projection could also be designed trough-like.

Further advantages, objects and characteristics of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of the enclosed figures. Similar components may have the same reference numerals in the various embodiments.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform eines Haltemittels für Lebensmittel;
• 2 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Haltemittels für Lebensmittel;
• 3 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Haltemittels für Lebensmittel;
• 4 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Haltemittels für Lebensmittel;
• 5 eine Ansicht eines Spritzgusswerkzeugs;
• 6 eine weitere Ansicht eines Spritzgusswerkzeugs.

In the figures show:

• 1 an embodiment of a food holding means;
• 2 another embodiment of a food holding means;
• 3 another embodiment of a food holding means;
• 4 another embodiment of a food holding means;
• 5 a view of an injection molding tool;
• 6 another view of an injection molding tool.

In the 1 to 4 various embodiments of a food holding means are shown. These holding means serve to hold ice cream. The holding means after the 1 and 2 has a constant width along its entire length and is rounded at the ends. The embodiments of the 2 and 4 have a waist in the middle of their total length. The width of the holding means is therefore smallest in the middle of the overall length and increases towards the ends continuously towards. The ends of the embodiment according to 4 are also rounded. In the embodiment according to 3 only one end is rounded. At the other end is a decorative element ( 7 ) arranged. Such a decorative element ( 7 ) can basically be configured arbitrarily and is dependent on the configuration of the cavity ( 5 ).

The holding means after 3 and 4 have a lettering ( 8th ) on. This lettering ( 8th ) can, depending on the configuration of the cavity ( 5 ) a prominent lettering ( 8th ) or designed as a recess.

The embodiments according to the 3 and 4 continue to have a handle portion ( 9 ) and a holding section ( 10 ) on. Between the handle section ( 9 ) and a holding section ( 10 ) is a lead ( 11 ), which serves as drip protection for the ice. This drip protection ( 11 ) may preferably also be configured trough-shaped.

1. a. Bereitstellen eines Werkstoffs (2) in Form von einem thermoplastischen Naturstoff:
2. b. Plastifizieren des Werkstoffs (2) mittels einer Plastifiziereinheit (3);
3. c. Bereitstellen eines Spritzgusswerkzeugs (4), welches eine Kavität (5) aufweist;
4. d. Einspritzen eines Werkstoffs (2) in die Kavität (5);
5. e. Abkühlen des eingespritzten Werkstoffs (2) unter Aufrechterhaltung eines Nachdrucks, wodurch sich das herzustellende Haltemittel für Lebensmittel (1) ausbildet;
6. f. Entnahme des hergestellten Haltemittels für Lebensmittel (1) mit aus dem Spritzgusswerkzeug (4).

The holding means for food ( 1 ) is made by a process comprising the steps of:

1. a. Providing a material ( 2 ) in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance:
2. b. Plasticizing the material ( 2 ) by means of a plasticizing unit ( 3 );
3. c. Provision of an injection molding tool ( 4 ), which is a cavity ( 5 ) having;
4. d. Injection of a material ( 2 ) into the cavity ( 5 );
5. e. Cooling the injected material ( 2 ) while maintaining an emphasis, whereby the foodstuff to be produced ( 1 ) trains;
6. f. Removal of the prepared food-retaining agent ( 1 ) with the injection molding tool ( 4 ).

The material ( 2 ) in the form of a thermoplastic natural product is a mixture of a natural resin, natural fibers and optionally further natural additives.

A corresponding device, by means of which the method can be carried out is in the 5 and 6 shown schematically. The size ratios of the injection molding tool ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) or the cavity ( 5 ) to the other elements, for example the plasticizing unit ( 4 ) is not shown to scale. In 5 is a plan view of a tool half ( 4a . 4b ). 5 shows a side section of the closed injection molding tool ( 4 ), so that a cavity ( 5 ) according to the height of the holding element for food ( 1 ) will be shown.

The material ( 2 ) in the form of a thermoplastic natural material is first in a dry air dryer ( 12 ) and preheated.

The preheated dried material ( 2 ) is in feed zone ( 13 ) of the plasticizing unit ( 3 ). Subsequently, the material in the plasticizing unit ( 3 ) plasticized. For this purpose, the material ( 2 ) by means of heating elements ( 14 ) until it melts until it melts. Through the plasticizing screw ( 13 ), a back pressure is built up, whereby the plasticized material ( 2 ) under pressure in the hot runner ( 6 ) entry.

The injection mold ( 4 ) comprises two mold halves ( 4a . 4b ), which are movable relative to each other. Preferably both mold halves ( 4a . 4b ) as well as a tool half ( 4a . 4b) stationary and the other tool half ( 4a . 4b ) be formed movable. The two tool halves ( 4a . 4b ) have corresponding recesses, so that in a closed injection molding tool ( 4 ), the cavity ( 5 ) is formed. The shape of the cavity ( 5 ) corresponds to the shape of the food-retaining agent ( 1 ). The injection nozzle ( 16 ) is on a side wall in the middle of a length of the cavity ( 5 ) of a tool half ( 4a . 4b ).

The removal of the prepared food-retaining agent ( 1 ) with the injection molding tool ( 4 ) by means of a gate ejector (not shown in the figures).

Subsequently, the holding means for food ( 1 ) are still supplied to a sterilization device.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Holding means for food

2

material

3

plasticizing

4

injection mold

4a

first tool half

4b

second tool half

5

cavity

6

hot runner

7

decorative element

8th

lettering

9

handle portion

10

holding section

11

head Start

12

Trockenlufttrockner

13

feed zone

14

heating elements

15

plasticizing

16

injection

Claims (10)

Method for producing a holding means for foodstuffs (1) comprising the following method steps: a. Providing a material (2) in the form of a thermoplastic natural material; b. Plasticizing the material (2) by means of a plasticizing unit (3); c. Providing an injection molding tool (4) having a cavity (5); d. Injecting a material (2) into the cavity (5); e. Cooling the injected material (2) while maintaining a reprint, which forms the food holding means (1) to be produced; f. Removal of the prepared holding means for food (1) with from the injection molding tool (4). Method for producing a holding means for food (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the material (2) in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance is a mixture of a natural resin, natural fibers and optionally further natural additives. Method for producing a holding means for food (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the natural resin is a tree resin or thermoplastic starch, wherein the natural fibers are selected from seed fibers, bast fibers, hard fibers and fruit fibers. Method for producing a foodstuff holding means (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material (2) is dried and preheated in the form of a thermoplastic natural material before being plasticized in a dry air dryer (12), the material being in the form of is injected from a thermoplastic natural material in the cavity (5) via a hot runner (6), wherein the removal of the prepared food holding means (1) with the injection molding tool (4) by means of a gate ejector. Method for producing a food holding means (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food holding means (1) is supplied to a sterilization process, the sterilization process being sterilization with ionizing radiation. Method for producing a holding means for food (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material (2) in the form of a thermoplastic natural substance, a colorant and / or pigments and / or effect particles is added prior to injection. Holding means for food (1) prepared according to one of the preceding claims. Holding means for food (1), characterized in that the holding means for food (1), an ice stick, a skewer for juxtaposing pieces of food, a chopstick or a cutlery. Holding means for food (1), characterized in that on the holding means for food (1) decorative elements and / or logos and / or patterns and / or haptic elements are formed. Holding means for food (), characterized in that the food holding means comprises a handle portion (9) and a holding portion (10), wherein between the handle portion and the holding portion, a projection (11) is arranged.

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