EP1169246A1 - Produits alimentaires en couches et procedes de fabrication associes - Google Patents

Produits alimentaires en couches et procedes de fabrication associes

Info

Publication number
EP1169246A1
EP1169246A1 EP00922087A EP00922087A EP1169246A1 EP 1169246 A1 EP1169246 A1 EP 1169246A1 EP 00922087 A EP00922087 A EP 00922087A EP 00922087 A EP00922087 A EP 00922087A EP 1169246 A1 EP1169246 A1 EP 1169246A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
food
strips
support
support material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00922087A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
David E. Babiarz
Ronald T. Cappadocia
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Van Melle USA Inc
Original Assignee
Van Melle USA Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Van Melle USA Inc filed Critical Van Melle USA Inc
Publication of EP1169246A1 publication Critical patent/EP1169246A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G3/00—Sweetmeats; Confectionery; Marzipan; Coated or filled products
    • A23G3/34—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof
    • A23G3/50—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof characterised by shape, structure or physical form, e.g. products with supported structure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G3/00—Sweetmeats; Confectionery; Marzipan; Coated or filled products
    • A23G3/34—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof
    • A23G3/50—Sweetmeats, confectionery or marzipan; Processes for the preparation thereof characterised by shape, structure or physical form, e.g. products with supported structure
    • A23G3/54—Composite products, e.g. layered, coated, filled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
    • A23G7/00—Other apparatus or process specially adapted for the chocolate or confectionery industry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23P—SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
    • A23P20/00—Coating of foodstuffs; Coatings therefor; Making laminated, multi-layered, stuffed or hollow foodstuffs
    • A23P20/20—Making of laminated, multi-layered, stuffed or hollow foodstuffs, e.g. by wrapping in preformed edible dough sheets or in edible food containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to food items and methods of fabricating, and in particular to the packaging of a food material strip in a manner appealing to consumers.
  • the merchandising of snack-type food products is a highly competitive business.
  • the novelty and play value are also important factors to consumers when deciding whether to purchase the product.
  • a fruit-based snack product such as FRUIT ROLL-UPS has found wide market acceptance.
  • This product comprises a dehydrated fruit-based strip of material that must be unrolled and pealed from the packaging.
  • dehydrated fruit-based snacks are not new, the process of unrolling and pealing a strip of candy from its packaging is appealing to children and some adults.
  • the present invention is a food item and a method of fabricating wherein the food item is packaged in a manner promoting marketability.
  • the food item includes a food material strip or belt having a predetermined length and two side surfaces.
  • a support surface adjoins at least a portion of the two side surfaces of the fruit- based strip.
  • the food item includes two material support strips, each strip having a predetermined length and width. The two support strips are fanfolded into multiple layers wherein all layers have generally the same length.
  • a food strip is sandwiched between the two support strips.
  • the food strip has a predetermined length and width.
  • the length of the food strip is generally equal to the length of the support material strips.
  • the width of the food strip is generally equal to, or less than, the width of the support strips. Wrapped around the longitudinal axis of the food item is a band of paper or the like.
  • the food item can be fabricated by depositing a strip of food onto a strip of support material. Another strip of support material is pressed onto the strip of food to form a multilayered strip wherein the food is sandwiched between the two strips of support material.
  • the multilayered strip is cut to a predetermined length and received by a guide assembly for fanfolding the strip while depositing it into a pocket.
  • the food item in another embodiment, includes a fruit-based food strip having an outer surface and a length defined by a leading end and a trailing end.
  • the strip is rolled around its leading end into a roll having multiple rotations to define two or more layers lying in contact and thus supporting each other.
  • Adhered to the outer surface of the food strip is a granular edible coating material.
  • a band is wrapped around the outer annular surface of the roll.
  • the food item includes a plurality of coplanar material support strips wherein each strip has a length, a width, and two side surfaces.
  • the length of each strip is defined by a leading cut end and a trailing cut end.
  • the width of each strip is defined by two parallel edges.
  • Adhered to at least one side surface of each support strip is a coplanar food strip having a predetermined length and width. The length of the food strips are generally equal to the length of the support material strips.
  • the width of the food strips are generally equal to, or less than, the width of the support strips.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a food item in accordance with the present invention that has been removed from a bag and includes a strip of food material sandwiched between two fanfolded layers of support material;
  • FIGURE 2 is a side view of the food item of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the food item of FIGURE 1 taken along plane 3-3;
  • FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another food item in accordance with the present invention that has been removed from a bag and includes two coplanar strips of food material sandwiched between two fanfolded transparent layers of support material;
  • FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of the food item of FIGURE 4 taken along plane 5-5;
  • FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of yet another food item in accordance with the present invention that has been removed from a bag and includes a plurality of food material strips interstitially placed between a plurality of spaced coplanar strips of support material;
  • FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of the food item of FIGURE 6 taken along plane 6-6;
  • FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of still yet another embodiment of a food item in accordance with the present invention that has been removed from a bag and includes a coiled strip of food material coated with sugar granules and wrapped with a labeling band;
  • FIGURE 9 is a side view of the food item of FIGURE 8;
  • FIGURE 10 is a top view of the food item of FIGURE 8;
  • FIGURE 1 1 is a schematic view of a device in accordance with the present invention for fabricating the food item of FIGURE 1 and having a plurality of folding stations; and
  • FIGURE 12 is an elevation view of one of the folding stations of FIGURE 1 1. Detailed Description
  • a food item 10 comprising a strip of food material 12 sandwiched between two strips of support material 14, 16.
  • the food strip 12 consists of candy or a like food substance such as a sweetened fruit-based material typically referred to as a fruit leather derived from fruit purees.
  • the food strip has two planar side surfaces 18,20, a leading end 22, an opposite trailing end 24, and two parallel edges 26,28 extending longitudinally.
  • the length of the food strip 12 extends from the strip's leading end 22 to its trailing end 24.
  • the width of the food strip 12 extends between the strip's parallel edges 26 and 28.
  • the strips of support material 14, 16 sandwiching the food strip 12 can be formed of any suitable material such as silicon parchment paper, a polyurethane film, or a polyethylene film for easily removal of the candy from the support strips.
  • Each support strip 14, 16 has a predetermined length and width. Preferably, the length of the support strips 14, 16 are equal to the length of the food strip 12. Moreover, the width of the support strips 14, 16 are equal to, or greater than, the width of the food strip 12.
  • the strips of support material 14, 16, with the food strip 12 sandwiched therebetween, are fanfolded to form several generally coplanar overlapping layers 30 of equal length. Each layer includes two generally coterminous portions of support material 14, 16 adjoining opposite planar sides 32,34 of a portion of the food strip 12.
  • the leading end 22 of the strip 12 defines the terminal end of the bottom layer and the trailing end of the strip defines the terminal end of the top layer
  • a label 36 consisting of a continuous band of paper or the like for preventing the food item from unfolding
  • the band 36 encircles the longitudinal axis of the folded food item
  • FIGURE 11 a schematic view is provided of a device in accordance with the present invention for fabricating the food item of FIGURE 1
  • the device 50 includes an extrusion head 52 for forming a plurality of spaced, parallel, narrow strips of food 12 having a thinness requiring external support The strips are extruded upon a continuous web or sheet of support mate ⁇ al 14 Accordingly, the extrusion head 52 receives a food material that is heated to an amorphous state allowing for even extrusion of the strips of food 12 onto the moving sheet of support material 14
  • the support material 14 can be formed of any suitable material having the necessary strength to support the food 12 without tearing and allowing for fanfolding the food between layers of the support material into a compact food piece that can be easily separated from the support mate ⁇ al for consumption
  • the support material 14 consists of polyurethane and is supplied in a roll
  • the support material 14 is pulled from the extrusion head 52 and through a cooling tunnel 54 by a conveyer 56
  • the support material is cut into strips by a cutting section
  • the cuts are made in the spacing between the strips of food 12 located on the sheet of support material 14 to form longitudinally extending continuous, multiple strips of support matenal with food placed thereon
  • the cutting preferably occurs only through the support material 14 and cutting food longitudinally does not occur.
  • the cutting is performed by a plurality of spaced, stationary water knives arranged parallel to each other and transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet of support material 14 moving past the knives.
  • support material strips having food placed thereon are passed through the cooling tunnel 54 by conveyor 56. The temperature of the food 12 is lowered as it passes through the cooling tunnel for converting the food from an amorphous state to a pliable solid.
  • the strips of support material 14 and food 12 are then passed onto an incline conveyor 60 for transporting the strips onto an elevated conveyor system 62 consisting of a plurality conveyors 64 separated from each other by a plurality of divides 66.
  • a plurality of folding stations 68 for fanfolding the strips as explained in detail further herein.
  • Each reel 70 corresponds to one of the plurality of support material strips 14 having food material 12 mounted thereon. Coiled onto each reel 70 is a length of support material 16 having substantially the same width and made of the same material as the support strip
  • the support material 16 from each reel 70 is received by a positive drive roller pair 72 mounted over the food 12 carried by one of the lower support strips 14.
  • Each drive roller pair 72 unrolls the support material 16 from reel 68 and feeds the support material to a pressure roller 74 mounted over the food 12 and adjacent to the elevated conveyor 64.
  • the pressure roller 74 presses the support material 16 onto the food 12 resulting in a multilayered strip 76 wherein the food 12 is sandwiched between the two support material strips 14,16.
  • the multilayered strip 76 is transferred from the elevated conveyor 64 onto an inclined chute 78.
  • the leading end 80 of the strip 76 is received between a pair of guides or drive assemblies 82,83 and the strip is cut by a knife 84 to define a trailing or cut end 86 of the strip
  • FIGURE 12 the outer perimeter of drive assemblies 82 and 83 are surrounded by endless belts 88 and 89, respectively, for advancing the multilayered strip through a pivoting guide member 93 and into a pocket 94
  • belt 88 is driven in a clockwise direction by shaft 91 (FIGURE 1 1)
  • belt 89 is driven in a counterclockwise direction by shaft 90 (FIGURE 11) for advancing the multilayered strip 76 between the belts
  • the multilayered strip 76 is received between the belts 88,89 of the drive assemblies 82,83 and advanced therefrom into a passage 95 through the guide member
  • the belts 88,89 are in pressing engagement with the multilayered strip 76 to prevent slippage of the strip as it is being advanced by the belts
  • a fixed planar support surface 97 abuts against belt 88, opposite the multilayered strip
  • a spring loaded compression plate 99 abuts against belt 89, also opposite the multilayered strip, for maintaining the belts in pressing engagement with the strip
  • the guide member 93 which receives the strip 76 from the drive assemblies 82,83 preferably includes a pivot end 73 and a free end 75 As shown in FIGURE 12, the end of a shaft 77 is attached proximate to the pivot end 73 of the guide member 93
  • the shaft 77 is operably connected to a drive means (not shown) for rotation of the shaft
  • the rotational direction of the shaft 77 is alternated to result in reciprocating movement of the free end 75 of the guide 93 about a semicircular path 92 Accordingly, the multilayered strip 76 is moved back and forth as the strip passes from the free end 75 of the guide 93
  • the leading end 80 of the multilayered strip 76 is deposited into a pocket 94 after passing through the guide 93 Further, as the strip 76 is continued to be moved back and forth by the guide 93, fanfolding of the strip occurs within the pocket 94 as the strip is being deposited into the pocket
  • a conveyor 96 is operated to empty the contents of the pocket
  • the fanfolded strip can be further processed, if desired, such as surrounding the folded strip with a band 36 (FIGURE 1) and then packaged into a bag by conventional means
  • the pocket 94 is defined by a portion of the surface o conveyor 96 and two end walls 79 proximate to the conveyor surface Each end wall 79 is operably connected to a respective pneumatic actuator 81 for extracted the walls away from the surface of the conveyor 96, thus allowing the fanfolded st ⁇ p to be removed from the pocket 94 by movement of the conveyor belt
  • one food strip is shown in the embodiment
  • the food strips 1 12a, 1 12b can have different colors and flavors Fo example, one strip can be red m color and have a strawberry flavor while the other stri can be orange in color and have an orange flavor Moreover, as shown in FIGURES and 5, the strips of support material 1 14, 1 16 sandwiching the food st ⁇ ps 1 12a, 1 12b ca be formed of a visually transparent plastic or the like
  • the food item 210 includes a pluralit of food material strips 212 interstitially placed between a plurality of spaced coplana strips of support mate ⁇ al 214
  • the food st ⁇ ps 212 have substantially the same size and consist of fruit-based material wherein each st ⁇ p has two planar side surfaces 218,220, a leadin end 222, an opposite trailing end, and two parallel edges 226,228 extending longitudinally
  • the food st ⁇ ps 212 have the same color and flavor
  • the food st ⁇ ps 212 can have different colors and flavors
  • the food strips 212 can be embossed with an artful or fanciful design
  • the strips of support material 214 are generally equally sized with each support strip having a predetermined length and width
  • the length of the support strips 214 are equal to the length of the food strips 212
  • the width of the support strips 214 are equal to, or greater than, the width of the food strips 212
  • FIGURES 8-9 another embodiment of a food item in accordance with the present invention is depicted having a coiled strip of food material coated with sugar granules and wrapped with a labeling band
  • the food strip 312 consists of a fruit leather and has two planar side surfaces 318,320, a leading end 322, an opposite trailing end 324, and two parallel longitudinal edges 326,328
  • the strip of food material 312 is coated on both side surfaces with sugar or the like
  • the st ⁇ p 312 is coiled multiple times around the leading end 322 of the strip to define a plurality of loops or layers in overlapping relationship Each loop or layer has a side surface in contact with, and thus supported by, another side surface of the strip of food material 312
  • Wrapped around the outer annular surface 340 of the coiled food item 310 is a label consisting of a band 336 of paper or the like to prevent uncoiling of the food item Moreover, the coiled food item 310 can be enclosed within a sealed plastic bag 338 or the like to preserve the freshness of the food strip.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)

Abstract

Un produit alimentaire et son procédé de fabrication sont décrits, ledit produit alimentaire étant emballé d'une manière qui favorise sa vendabilité. Le produit alimentaire (10) comprend une bande de matière alimentaire (12) d'une longueur prédéterminée et deux surfaces latérales (18, 20). Un support est contigu à au moins une partie des deux surfaces latérales de la bande de matière alimentaire.
EP00922087A 1999-04-12 2000-04-12 Produits alimentaires en couches et procedes de fabrication associes Withdrawn EP1169246A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12885699P 1999-04-12 1999-04-12
US128856P 1999-04-12
US54724800A 2000-04-11 2000-04-11
US547248 2000-04-11
PCT/US2000/009717 WO2000061462A1 (fr) 1999-04-12 2000-04-12 Produits alimentaires en couches et procedes de fabrication associes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1169246A1 true EP1169246A1 (fr) 2002-01-09

Family

ID=26827012

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00922087A Withdrawn EP1169246A1 (fr) 1999-04-12 2000-04-12 Produits alimentaires en couches et procedes de fabrication associes

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1169246A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU4232500A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000061462A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB399831A (en) * 1932-04-04 1933-10-04 Karl Hessel Process for preserving preliminarily dried fruits
US3955003A (en) * 1974-11-13 1976-05-04 Kraftco Corporation Packaging confectionery product
US4560562A (en) * 1984-11-07 1985-12-24 Schroeder John E Marshmallow sheet and packaging arrangement
GB8600779D0 (en) * 1986-01-14 1986-02-19 Adana Printing Machines Ltd Thermographic printing machine
US5205106A (en) * 1991-03-04 1993-04-27 General Mills, Inc. Rolled food item fabricating apparatus and methods
US5309824A (en) * 1992-02-10 1994-05-10 Dromgoole James A System for forming, storing, baking and vending fresh baked food products

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0061462A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000061462A1 (fr) 2000-10-19
AU4232500A (en) 2000-11-14

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