EP4672973A1

EP4672973A1 - Confectionery products

Info

Publication number: EP4672973A1
Application number: EP24714252.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo DE REGIBUS; Alice VAILATI; Luis Bordera; Esteve VALLS; Lukasz IDASZAK; David JUANIAS
Original assignee: Perfetti Van Melle SpA
Current assignee: Perfetti Van Melle SpA
Priority date: 2023-03-01
Filing date: 2024-02-29
Publication date: 2026-01-07
Also published as: JP2026510306A; CN120813254A; IT202300003645A1; WO2024180509A1

Abstract

A description is given of a confectionery product consisting of an edible portion mounted on a support in the form of a stick of paper material characterised by an increased retaining/fixing capacity of the edible portion thanks to slits formed in said support.

Description

CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

The invention relates to a confectionery product consisting of an edible portion mounted on a support in the form of a stick characterised by the presence of slits on said stick which act as a retaining/fixing element capable of ensuring improved anchorage of the stick to the edible portion.

STATE OF THE ART

Sticks in a plastic material with retaining means are known for confectionery products known as lollipops or lollies.

For example, ES 1010870U describes a stick of substantially cylindrical shape in a plastic material chosen from polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene in which there is at least one recess.

Sticks made of paper material are also known, as for example illustrated in US 2022/0314570 or in US 2218525 which describe a method of making sticks of rolled paper (or similar material) suitable for confectionery products and having the required degree of flexibility and breaking strength.

The combination of the documents shows that the paper material is sufficient to guarantee the best anchorage of the edible portion by virtue of the porosity of the paper.

Tests conducted on the finished confectionery product clearly show that the adhesion of the stick to the edible portion is perfect and even more effective with respect to that of the plastic stick with recesses, as shown in the table below where the plastic stick is made according to the teachings of ES 1010870U and the paper stick is made according to the teachings of US 2022/0314570.

Table 1

However, it has been observed that, during the production phase, the lollipops made with a paper stick, in a certain percentage, show detachment of the edible portion when the anchorage of the same is assessed at a stage immediately following the formation of the product and the edible mass is still warm. This occurs irrespective of the type of paper selected.

In fact, a constant batch-to-batch variation of the initial hold is observed in the first minutes after forming. Also the average adhesion is often < 90N (value taken from the reference standard on toys for children under 3 years). In these cases, even where there is no detachment of the stick from the edible mass, even a small movement leads to a dimensional variation of the overall product (edible with stick) that makes it unsuitable for the subsequent phases of wrapping and positioning on the displays, which take place using specific machines.

This translates into a potential increased amount of 'waste', i.e. product that does not conform to expected quality standards.

To solve this problem, it has been proposed to coat the stick with a substance capable of increasing adhesion of the stick to the edible part: RU 2248719 describes the application, under certain temperature conditions, of a layer of molten coating material, such as savylene, so as to form a rough outer surface. This technique, however, is not applicable to paper sticks in that its compostability properties would be compromised. Furthermore, the stick could no longer be defined as paper.

Tubular plastic sticks with one or more retaining elements have therefore been proposed, as in the above-mentioned ES 1010870U. However, the forming of a hole in the stick used to receive part of the edible mass and to act as a means of anchoring of the same to the stick is not applicable to paper sticks which, unlike plastic tubular sticks, are not hollow.

Thus there remains the need to make paper sticks that can be even more effective in retaining the edible portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to find a solution to the realisation of paper sticks with additional systems of retention of the edible part, a series of tests were therefore carried out which have shown that the realisation of one or more slits (otherwise definable as grooves, recesses, incisions, cuts) on the surface of the stick, localised in the end intended to be in contact with the edible mass, provided an advantageous solution to the technical problem faced.

The slit can be made on the outer surface of the stick with any sharp or pointed instrument (e.g. milling cutter, laser, engraving tips, etc.).

Given the characteristics of paper, it is not possible to engrave the material in depth. In fact, should the slit formed be too deep, a line of weakness and possible fracture would form in the stick, which would obviously compromise the characteristics of the product.

Nor may the slit or incision be too superficial, otherwise the effect of increased anchoring of the edible portion would be impaired.

The invention therefore relates to a confectionery product consisting of an edible portion mounted on a stick of paper material, said stick having at least one slit in the end in contact with the edible portion.

The slit may be of any shape, for example circular, square, rectangular or wedge-shaped, with a depth of between 0.27 mm and 2 mm and a width from 0.33 mm to 2.5 mm.

The depth of the slit can also be comprised between 0.27 mm and 2.50 mm, with a width comprised between 0.33 mm and 2.50 mm.

Considering that there are different types of stick on the market with different sizes, usually proportional to the amount of edible product attached to them, the ratios between the diameter and length of the stick functional to the best anchorage of the edible part were identified.

Referring to Figure 1, which shows a side view of a stick with a slit, the preferred size ratios are: between the diameter of the stick and the width (a) of the slit the preferred ratio is from 1 :0.09 to 1 :0.65 and preferably from 1 :0.13 to 1 :0.20; between the diameter of the stick and the depth (c) of the slit the preferred ratio is 1 :0.07 to 1 :0.55 and preferably from 1:0.13 to 1 :0.30; between the length of the stick and the distance (b) of the first slit from the tip that is inserted in the mass of edible portion the ratio is from 1 :0.04 to 1 :0.15.

In an equally preferred embodiment of the invention, again with reference to Figure 1, the size ratios can be: between the diameter of the stick and the width (a) of the slit the preferred ratio is from 1 :0.082 to 1 :0.625; between the diameter of the stick and the depth (c) of the slit the preferred ratio is from 1 :0.067 to 1 :0.625; between the length of the stick and the distance (b) of the first slit from the end that is inserted in the mass of edible portion the ratio is from 1 :0.0625 to 1 :0.137.

This solution has been identified as effective in ensuring a firm adhesion to the stick also at the product consumption stage and in resisting the stresses that a consumer accustomed to products with plastic supports might apply to the product made with a support of a more fragile material such as paper.

More than one slit can be made with the condition that the number and distance between them must be such that it is in any case possible to cover them completely with the mass of confectionery product.

The slit advantageously has a distance (b) between the end of the stick on which the mass of edible portion is inserted and the slit itself comprised between 5 and 11 mm, preferably comprised between 8 and 9 mm.

The slit preferably has a wedge shape.

As illustrated in Figure la, the slit can be obtained from two cuts made on two incident cutting planes. The two cutting walls s, t, defined by the cutting planes, are tilted with respect to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick. A first cutting wall s is preferably tilted in such a way as to be substantially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick, while a second cutting wall t is tilted with respect to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick in such a way as to intersect with the first cutting wall s. Alternatively, both cutting walls s, t can be tilted at angles other than 90°, with respect to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick. At least one cutting wall t is preferably tilted with respect to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick by an angle comprised between 30° and 60°, preferably comprised between 40° and 50° and more preferably equal to about 45°. In the case of a cutting wall s perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis r of the stick, this perpendicular cutting wall s can be the one closest to the end of the stick on which the mass of edible portion is inserted, or the one least close to this end.

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the invention, tests have been carried out to evaluate the intensity of the force required to detach the edible portion from the paper stick.

The evaluation is carried out on finished products, in which the edible portion is a hard candy made according to prior arts and the stick is made according to the invention, in particular the products, after the stick has been inserted into the candy part, are inserted in a cooling tunnel. At their exit they are analysed within 6 minutes (hot adhesion test, in that the core of the confectionery product is still hot) using a vertical dynamometer in traction mode with a 500 N load cell and a test rate of 500 mm/min.

Two types of paper sticks with a slit 0.5 mm wide and 0.5 mm deep (stick 1) or 0.5 mm wide and 1 mm deep (stick 2) were evaluated.

Both variants were evaluated as follows:

1) Place the edible part on the lower part of the dynamometer with specially moulded jaws to accommodate the edible part and attach the paper stick to the upper part (standard jaws used for traction tests) ensuring that it does not slip when pulling the stick.

2) Carry out the traction test until breaking.

3) Record the maximum force required for detachment.

4) Repeat the same operation for the rest of the samples.

A third type of paper stick (stick 3) with slit with width of 2.0 mm and depth of 2.0 mm was evaluated according to points 1) - 4) above. Given that all three stick types have a stick diameter of 4.0 mm, it follows that for stick 1, the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the width of the slit is 1 :0.125; the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the depth of the slit is 1 :0.125; for stick 2, the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the width of the slit is 1 :0.125; the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the depth of the slit is 1 :0.25; for stick 3, the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the width of the slit is 1 :0.5; the ratio between the diameter of the stick and the depth of the slit is 1 :0.5.

The result of the adhesion force is the value of force obtained to detach the edible part from the paper stick.

As already mentioned, the hot adhesion force must be greater than 90N, at least 10 samples must be tested and the result is the average of all the measurements.

The instrument and the abovementioned parameters were also used to obtain the results in Table 1 referring to the paper sticks without slit.

From the comparison of the results shown in Figures 2 (adherence in N of lollipops with edible part of hard candy and paper stick according to the prior art, measured hot) and 3 (adherence in N of lollipops with edible part of hard candy and paper stick according to the invention, measured while hot), it is evident that the creation of at least one retention point (slit) considerably improves the adhesion between paper stick and edible part while maintaining the intensity of the force required to detach the edible portion significantly above 90N.

It should also be emphasised how the dimensions of the slit is critical in that a greater depth does not, unexpectedly, correspond to a better result in terms of adherence, as can be seen from the data in Table 2 and Figure 3.

Table 2 The products of the invention can be prepared according to a novel method that uses suitably adapted conventional production systems. Figure 4 illustrates a side view of an accumulator of sticks formed by a tilted ramp (1) that terminates in a grooved roller (2) that feeds the conveyor belt that directs the sticks to the station for insertion of the edible mass in a constant manner and at the predetermined pitch (distance between grooves and/or machine speed). There is also a curved plate (3) that allows the passage of a single stick through each of the grooves (4). Figure 5 shows frontally the roller (2) that collects the sticks (6) from the accumulator (7) and the curved plate (3).

This curved plate (3) is provided with at least one pointed metal section (5), shown in Figure 4 and Figure 6, positioned at one of the ends and having the function of incising the stick, thus simultaneously creating one or more slits, without the formation of paper dust.

Figure 7 illustrates more clearly the mechanism of the plate (3) which is composed of a series of standard components to which is added the pointed metal section not found in conventional systems.

The parts that compose it are the following: central pin (12) lubricated bushings (13) pick-up rollers (14) pointed metal section (5) forks (15) screws (16)

The lubricated bushings (13) inserted inside the pick-up rollers (14) and the pointed metal section (5) are mounted on the central pivot (12) leaving fixed spaces between them.

These spaces allow the insertion of the forks (15) which thus surround the free part of the central pin, fixing it on the back of the plate thanks to screws (16) visible from the front part. The part of the curved plate that contains at least one pointed metal section (5) can be easily replaced in order to customise the engraving measurements both in depth and according to the required distance from the end of the paper stick.

This allows the machine to be easily adapted on the basis of the dimensions of the paper sticks, thus handling different diameters and lengths without difficulty.

In this embodiment, the pointed metal section (5) rotates in the opposite direction with respect to the roller (2) and the stick portion that protrudes from the grooves (4) is incised by pressure, but not by rubbing.

The metal section can also have different shapes and sizes in such a way as to allow engravings that can be customised on the basis of needs and that can be combined with each other. Some examples are shown in Figure 8.

In an alternative embodiment, the pointed metal section (5) is locked or made according to a simplified model without the bushings (13) and with a shortened pin (12), and therefore does not rotate with respect to the roller (2). The sticks driven by the roller (2) and present in the grooves (4) are engraved by the profiles illustrated in Figure 8 by means of pressure and rubbing on the part of stick that protrudes from the groove (4).

While a grooved roller is shown in Figure 4, the same system of transport of the sticks can be made with other forms, such as a grooved conveyor belt, in which the engraving takes place during transport on a plane, or by means of conveyor grippers.

Once engraved, the stick continues its travel on the standard lollipop production line.

The method of manufacture of the invention that uses the equipment described in Figures 4-6 operates continuously, generating sticks with one or more slits already oriented towards the edible part, into which they are immediately inserted. The use of this method thus avoids the need to generate intermediate storage containers with sticks with one or more slits that could become partially misaligned in movement, losing the correct orientation of most of them and subsequently generating edible products without the correct hot adhesion.

This method, in the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, has the advantage of making minimal changes to the already existing standard production lines with low costs and with excellent efficiency from the point of view of retention of the product on the stick. In fact, these lines provide the inserting of the already engraved stick directly into the mass of edible material almost simultaneously to the formation of the engraving on the paper stick.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of a roller (2) that can be directly flanked by a set of dies fed from a ribbon of edible material (8), which, passing through feed wheels (9), is pushed towards the moulds to then be cut and formed thanks to the assistance of 'spoilers' (10). The single portion of edible mass is thus pushed by a piston (11) towards the stick, which is inserted in its already cut interior according to the method described previously.

The edible mass is preferably in the melted or semi-melted state. In particular, this state can be characterised by means of a rheometer, such as the Anton Paar Rheo Compass rheometer - model MCR302. The mass preferably has a viscoelasticity parameter expressed as "complex viscosity (complex viscosity q*)" measured at 120°C in the range from 15 to 1500 Pa*s and/or, when measured at 60°C, in the range from 10⁴ to 5*10⁵ Pa*s.

Here below the characterisation is given in terms of complex viscosity of four samples of semi-melted candy masses measured by means of an Anton Paar Rheo Compass rheometer - model MCR302 - at 120°C and at 60°C:

Sample 1 : Melted candy mass moulded with sugar (residual moisture = 2.97%)

Sample 2: Melted candy mass moulded without sugar (residual moisture = 2.25%)

Sample 3: Melted candy mass deposited with sugar (cream and strawberry flavour recipe) (residual moisture = 2.69%)

Sample 4: Melted candy mass deposited with sugar (caramel flavour recipe) (residual moisture = 2.70%).

A further method of realisation of the invention and apparatus for implementing this method are described here below. In particular, two variants of a method for producing the stick in paper material with relative slit are described, as well as two variants of an apparatus for implementing this method and realisation of the slit in the stick.

Figure 10 shows schematically an apparatus 100 for the processing of a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product according to a first variant.

Figures 11 to 15 show perspective views, some partially sectioned, of the apparatus 100 of Figure 10, and of the relative components. In particular, Figure 11 presents a perspective view of the apparatus 100, according to the invention, while Figures 12 to 15 present various sectioned perspective views of the apparatus 100, and specifically of some of its parts, oriented along the axes shown in the relative drawings. More particularly, Figure 12 shows a side sectioned perspective view of the apparatus 100, and, with a similar orientation, Figures 13 and 14 show sectioned perspective views of the cutting station 151 of the apparatus 100, according to the invention. Figure 15 shows sectioned perspective views of the cutting station 151 of the apparatus 100, according to the invention, but with a different orientation of the X and Y axes, with respect to the previous drawings.

Figure 16 schematically shows an apparatus 100' for the processing of a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product according to a second variant. Figures 17 to 22 show perspective views and views of some details of the apparatus 100' of Figure 16.

The apparatus 100, 100' generally comprises a feeding station 101 of sticks of paper material, a cutting station 151, 151', in which a slit is made in the sticks, in their end intended to come into contact with the edible portion, and a collection station 191 of the sticks provided with this slit.

The cutting station 151, 151' comprises at least one cutting disc 110, 111, 153 configured to make a slit at the end of the sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

Preferably, the cutting station 151, 151' comprises adjusting means 11 for adjusting the relative position of the at least one cutting disc 110, 111, 153 with respect to the stick, and in particular with respect to the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

These adjusting means 11, as described here below with specific reference to the two variants of apparatus 100, 100', are in fact adapted to move either the at least one cutting disc 110, 111, 153 with respect to the stick, or the stick with respect to the at least one cutting disc

110, 111, 153 in order to vary the relative position between the at least one cutting disc 110,

111, 153 and the stick, so as to appropriately vary the position of the slit on the stick and/or the configuration of the slit in terms of width and depth.

The cutting station 151, 151' preferably comprises a conveyor belt 106, 131 comprising a plurality of grooves 107, 132 distributed along the direction of transport X of the conveyor belt 106, 131, where each of the grooves 107, 132 is configured to accommodate a respective stick, and preferably has a shape substantially complementary to that of the sticks, or at least a flared shape such as to accommodate the stick stably in its interior.

The method for the processing of a stick in paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product comprises the steps of:

- feeding, by means of a conveyor belt 106, 131, to a cutting station 151, 151', a plurality of sticks of paper material, where the cutting station 151, 151' comprises at least one cutting disc 110, 111, 153;

- making, by means of said at least one cutting disc 110, 111, 153, at least one slit in each of said sticks at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product;

- sending said sticks provided with said at least one slit to a collection station 191. Here below a description is given of the first variant of the apparatus 100 for the processing of a stick, and more particularly for the making of the respective slit, as illustrated in Figures 10 to 15, as well as the respective method.

The cutting station 151 is suitable for making in the sticks of paper material a slit in the end intended to come into contact with the edible portion, and comprises a pair of cutting discs 110, 111. A first cutting disc 110 is configured to make a first cut of the stick on a first cutting plane, while a second cutting disc 111 is configured to make a second cut of the same stick on a second cutting plane. The first cutting plane and the second cutting plane are incident. The first cut and the second cut in this way form a slit at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

The fact that the first cutting plane and the second cutting plane are incident makes it possible to realise a wedge-shaped slit, i.e. a slit which, in a cross-sectional view of the stick, presents a triangular profile, such as those shown in Figure la.

As mentioned above, the cutting station 151 preferably comprises a conveyor belt 106 comprising a plurality of grooves 107 distributed in the direction of transport X of the conveyor belt 106.

Each of the grooves 107 is configured to accommodate a respective stick, and preferably has a shape substantially complementary to that of the sticks, or at least a flared shape such as to accommodate the stick stably in its interior.

The grooves 107 are distributed in the direction of transport X preferably in an equidistant manner.

The presence of the grooves 107 on the conveyor belt 106 in the cutting station 151 makes it possible to separate the various sticks and to transport a single stick at a time in the direction of transport, identified by the X axis, within the cutting station 151, making the cuts at the end of a single stick at a time in the cutting station.

The conveyor belt 106 transports the sticks in the direction of transport X. The first cutting disc 110 and the second cutting disc 111 are positioned in series in this direction of transport X in such a way as to make in series, in sequence, the first cut and the second cut.

The adjusting means 11 for adjusting the relative position of the cutting discs 110, 111 with respect to the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product preferably comprise at least one movement system 112, 113 adapted to move the at least one cutting disc 110, 111 of the pair of cutting discs 110, 111 along at least one adjustment axis Y, Z perpendicular to the direction of transport X.

The at least one movement system 112, 113 is preferably adapted to move the at least one cutting disc 110, 111 along a first adjustment axis Y and along a second adjustment axis Z independently one to the other. The first adjustment axis Y and the second adjustment axis Z are perpendicular one to the other and further perpendicular to the direction of transport X.

In other words, having defined an orthogonal reference system in which the X axis lies parallel to the direction of transport X, the at least one movement system 112, 113 is capable of adjusting the position of at least one cutting disc 110, 111 at least in a direction parallel to one of the two further axes Y, Z of the orthogonal reference system, and preferably independently in directions parallel to both the Y axis and the Z axis.

The at least one movement system 112, 113 is preferably capable of moving the at least one cutting disc 110, 111 along a first adjustment axis Y parallel to the longitudinal axis r of the stick present on the conveyor belt 106, and along a second adjustment axis Z, moving away from, or closer to, the stick, for example in a vertical direction, i.e. in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis r of the stick.

It is in fact preferable that the sticks are arranged on the conveyor belt 106 in such a way that their longitudinal axis r is orthogonal to the direction of transport X.

However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the sticks are arranged on the conveyor belt 106 in such a way that their longitudinal axis r is angled at an angle 0 (not shown in the drawing) with respect to the direction of transport X, where preferably 90>9>30.

The apparatus 100 preferably comprises two movement systems 112, 113 adapted to move the first cutting disc 110 and the second cutting disc 111, respectively.

One of the two cutting planes on which one of the cutting discs 110, 111 works is preferably a plane orthogonal to the direction of development of the stick, i.e. it is a plane parallel to the plane defined by the X and Z axes, while the other cutting plane, on which the other cutting disc 111 works, is a plane tilted, for example by 45°, with respect to the other cutting plane.

This configuration of the cutting planes generates, in a stick, a wedge-shaped slit having cutting walls s, t such as those illustrated in Figure la.

The plane can preferably be tilted at an angle comprised between 30° and 60°, preferably comprised between 40° and 60°, and more preferably about 45°.

Advantageously, by adjusting the position of one or both of the cutting discs 110, 111 along the Y and Z axes, it is possible to adjust the width (a) of the slit, the depth (c) of the slit, in its deepest point, and the distance (b) from the slit to the end of the stick, for example according to the ratios described in the initial part of the description.

As illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, each movement system 112, 113 comprises a first adjustment screw 112a, 113a, adapted to adjust the position of the respective cutting disc 110, 111 along the Z axis, and a second adjustment screw 112b, 113b adapted to adjust the position of the respective cutting disc 110, 111 along the Y axis.

The adjustment screws 112a, 113a, 112b and 113b can be manually adjusted, or can be associated with an automated robotic adjustment system.

The feeding station 101 of the apparatus 100 comprises a chute 103 along which the sticks of paper material slide, until they reach the cutting station 151, where they are loaded, one by one, into the grooves 107 of the conveyor belt 106.

For example, the sticks may arrive at the apparatus 100 in cardboard containers, which are tipped over and emptied on the chute 103.

Alternatively, the apparatus 100 can also be placed in line with a machine for producing the sticks in paper material, which in fact constitutes the feeding station 101 that continuously feeds the sticks to the apparatus 100 for processing the same.

Advantageously, the cutting station 151 may also comprise a retaining belt 109 facing the conveyor belt 106 and in synchronised motion with it, configured to retain the sticks inside the grooves 107, during transport into the cutting station 151 and during the cutting operations, thus avoiding slippage and/or jerks and/or spillage of the sticks from the conveyor belt 106. This retaining belt is dimensioned in such a way as not to impede the cutting operations by the cutting discs 110, 111.

After having made the required cut, the conveyor belt 106 carries the sticks, now provided with a slit, towards the collection station 191.

Advantageously, at the exit of the cutting station 151, the collection station 191 comprises a chute 117 suitable for conveying the sticks into a collection area wherein there is a grid 116 through which the waste paper material, produced during the cutting of the stick, falls.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the collection station 191 comprises a box element 115 for collecting the sticks, in which at least the bottom is formed by the grid 116. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the side wall of the box body 115 turned towards the cutting station 151 is also preferably made up of a grid 116.

In this way it is guaranteed that the paper material waste is immediately ejected from the apparatus 100.

Advantageously, the collection station 191 can be integrated in a plant for the subsequent processing of the confectionery product, in such a way that from the apparatus 100 the stick provided with slit is sent directly to the machine for application of the edible portion.

In other words, although the apparatus 100 is preferably configured to operate ‘offline’ with respect to both the paper stick production line and with respect to the finished confectionery product production line, the apparatus 100 may also be placed in-line with one, with the other or with both.

In the case of in-line operation of the apparatus 100, means are also preferably provided for synchronising the operations that take place upstream or downstream of the apparatus 100 itself, as well as further means for ensuring that the stick with slit reaches the finished confectionery product production line in the appropriate conditions.

By way of example, mention is made, for example, of the possibility of providing the apparatus 100 with systems for regulating the rate of production of the sticks with slit, optionally by providing automated feedback systems to couple the operating speed of the various lines, and/or compensation bags to accommodate sticks produced in excess upstream or downstream of the apparatus 100. It is likewise possible to provide the apparatus 100 with systems, not shown in the drawings, for continuously capturing and removing paper waste, for example comprising mechanical (such as belts, augers or the like) or pneumatic (such as suction, blowers or the like) conveying systems. The purpose of these systems is to ensure that the residues of the sticks obtained from cutting operations, any scraps or dust are not carried into the candy mass of the finished product. Moreover, continuous control systems (such as scales, cameras, X-rays) can be adopted to detect any defective sticks. Such control systems can be coupled to mechanical or pneumatic systems for removing defective sticks to waste containers.

The present invention also relates to a method for processing a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product comprising the steps of

- feeding to a cutting station 151, by means of a feeding station 101, a plurality of sticks of paper material, where the cutting station 151 comprises a pair of cutting discs 110, 111;

- making in each of the sticks, at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, a first cut on a first cutting plane, by means of a first cutting disc 110 of said pair of cutting discs 110, 111

- making in each of the sticks, at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, a second cut on a second cutting plane, by means of a second cutting disc 111 of said pair of cutting discs 110, 111.

This first cutting plane and this second cutting plane are incident, and consequently the first cut and the second cut make a slit, at the end of the sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

The sticks thus obtained can be used for packaging a confectionery product as described above.

The above method for producing a stick of paper material is preferably suitable to be performed by means of the apparatus 100 described above.

The apparatus and relative method described hereinabove enable a stick for a confectionery product as described above to be obtained.

Here below the second variant of the apparatus 100' is described for processing a stick 6, and in particular for making the relative slit, as illustrated in Figures 16 to 22.

The apparatus 100' comprises a feeding station 101 of sticks of paper material, at least one first conveyor belt 131, a cutting station 151' and a collection station 191.

The feeding station 101 is shown in Figures 17 and 18, the cutting station 151' and the relative components are shown in Figures 19 to 21. The collection station 191 is shown schematically in Figure 22.

The first conveyor belt 131 is suitable for transporting the sticks 6 of paper material from the feeding station 101 to the cutting station 151'.

The cutting station 151' comprises a cutting disc 153 suitable for making a slit in the stick 6 at the end of the same intended to receive the edible portion of the confectionery product.

The sticks 6 with slit are then transferred from the cutting station 151' to the collection station 191, for example by means of a second conveyor belt 171.

The first conveyor belt 131 and the second conveyor belt 171 can also be part of a same conveyor belt.

The cutting station 151' further comprises an alignment plate 152 comprising a bottom surface 154 on which the first conveyor belt 131 bearing the sticks 6 runs, and a pair of opposing side walls 155, 156 configured to abut the ends of the sticks 6 and to align them with respect to the cutting disc 153.

The first conveyor belt 131 preferably comprises a plurality of transverse grooves 132, distributed in the direction of main development of the belt 131 itself, preferably equally spaced, each configured to accommodate a respective stick 6, and having a shape substantially complementary to that of the sticks 6, or at least a flared shape such as to accommodate the stick 6 stably in its interior.

In this way, the conveyor belt 131 directs the sticks 6 to the cutting station 151' in a constant manner and with a predetermined specific pitch.

The feeding station 101 of the sticks 6 can be made up of an accumulator of sticks formed by a tilted ramp 1 that ends in a grooved roller 2, such as that illustrated in Figure 4.

As illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, the grooved roller 2 is preferably positioned above the first conveyor belt 131 in such a way that the sticks 6 carried by this grooved roller 2 fall through gravity from the transverse grooves 102 present in the grooved roller 2 into a corresponding transverse groove 132 present in the first conveyor belt 131. The shape and pitch of the grooves 132 of the first conveyor belt 131, as well as the speed of movement of the first conveyor belt 131, are defined in such a way as to ensure that the sticks 6 coming from the grooved roller 2 fill, one by one, all the grooves 132 of the conveyor belt 131.

The first conveyor belt 131 is preferably made in a material compatible with the transport of food products.

The synchronism between the movement of the grooves 132 of the conveyor belt 131 and the movement of the grooves 102 of the grooved roller 2 can preferably be adjusted by means of gears with conical hub, preferably during the phase of assembly of the apparatus 100'.

Downstream of the grooved roller 2 of the feeding station 101 and upstream of the cutting station 151 there can preferably be a guide plate 133 that faces, from above, the first conveyor belt 131. This guide plate 133 is configured in such a way as to ensure that the sticks 6, that fall through gravity into the grooves 132 of the first conveyor belt 131, remain there at least until they reach the cutting station 151'.

The cutting disc 153 preferably has a transverse thickness substantially equal to the width of the slit to be made on the stick 6. The cutting disc 153 advantageously has a blade configured to remove a portion of the stick 6 in order to create the aforesaid slit. For example, the blade of the cutting disc 153 can have a plurality of material removal teeth.

The blade of the cutting disc 153 can comprise a plurality of teeth that protrude in a direction opposite to the direction of advancement of the sticks 6. In this way, the cutting disc

153 makes, on the sticks 6, a slit by substantially tearing the paper material in which the stick 6 is made.

The alignment plate 152 is preferably made in aluminium, with anodised finish.

The adjusting means 11 for adjusting the relative position of the cutting disc 153 with respect to the end of the sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product preferably comprise height adjusting means 157 for adjusting the height of the bottom surface

154 of the plate 152 itself, configured to bring the portion of the conveyor belt 131 that runs on the bottom surface 154 closer to the cutting disc 153 or to move it away, in this way bringing the sticks 6 carried by the conveyor belt 131 closer to or further away from the cutting disc 153. Adjustment of the height of the bottom surface 154 ultimately allows adjustment of the depth of the cut to be made on the stick 6, by means of the cutting disc 153, to make the slit.

The height adjusting means 157 for adjusting the height of the bottom surface 154 can preferably comprise one or more regulation screws, not illustrated, passing through one or more corresponding threaded holes 158.

As illustrated in Figures 19 to 21, for example, the alignment plate 152 can comprise a pair of protruding side bodies 159 that have respective threaded holes 158 and that face respective fixed abutment elements 160 associated with the framework of the apparatus 100'. Screwing and unscrewing screws passing through the abovementioned threaded holes 158 makes possible to raise and lower the alignment plate 152 itself, and consequently the respective bottom surface 154 on which the first conveyor belt 131 runs.

In this way, the height adjustment of the alignment plate 152 is carried out by working on the lateral regulation screws which can allow a required depth of cut to be fixed, and consequently can allow the depth of the slot to be fixed (preferably in the order of 2 mm).

Once the required height of the alignment plate 152, and in particular of the bottom surface 154, has been adjusted, the position of the plate 152 can preferably be locked by fixing additional end screws.

The two opposing side walls 155, 156, configured to abut the ends of the sticks 6 and to align them with respect to the cutting disc 153, preferably define at least one pilot zone formed by tilted portions 161 of the walls 155, 156 themselves, that narrow as they approach the central zone of the alignment plate 152 at which the cutting disc 153 is located.

In this way, the alignment plate 152 allows the alignment of the sticks 6 thanks to the fact that, when the first conveyor belt 131 transports the sticks 6 in the advancement direction, they will meet, at one of their ends, a tilted plane defined by one of the two tilted portions 161 of the side walls 155, 156. This tilted plane will exert on the stick 6 a transverse thrust force with respect to the direction of advancement of the belt 131 and will centre the stick 6 in such a way that, when the latter reaches the central zone of the alignment plate 152 where the cutting disc 153 is located, the cutting disc 153 will always operate in the same point with respect to the successive sticks 6. Advantageously, in fact, at the central zone of the alignment plate 152 where the cutting disc 153 is located, the opposing side walls 155, 156 are distant one from the other by a distance slightly greater than the length of the stick 6.

The cutting disc 153 can preferably be translated in a direction parallel to its axis by means of screws (not shown) and locked by suitable means (for example bolts) in order to adjust the distance of the cut from the tip of the stick.

The alignment plate 152 preferably comprises, at its axial ends, a pair of tilted planes 162 configured to facilitate sliding of the first conveyor belt 131 in the area of entry into, and out of, the alignment plate 152 itself. In this way, even when the height of the alignment plate 152 varies, it is ensured that below the conveyor belt 131 itself there are no differences in height that could make the sliding of the belt 131 not smooth.

Advantageously, in fact, the raising or lowering of the alignment plate 152 has consequences only on the tension of the conveyor belt 131, which, however, being preferably realised in the form of an elastic grooved belt, can elastically absorb variations of the working position of ±1 mm without particular consequences.

The apparatus 100' preferably comprises, at the cutting disc 153, a suction station 200 configured to evacuate the paper dust generated by the cutting disc 153 when the slit is made in the stick 6.

Downstream of the cutting station 151 a second conveyor belt 171 can be present, configured to transport the sticks 6 provided with slit to the collection station 191.

The collection station 191 can, for example, comprise an idler roller 192 for the second conveyor belt 171 that is responsible for finalising the transport of the sticks 6 to an exit ramp 193 that conveys the sticks into a box 194.

Advantageously, thanks to the presence of the alignment plate 152, it is possible to avoid complex adjustments of the cutting disc 153, which would involve continuous calibrations of the alignment of the axes of movement of the moving components of the apparatus 100'. Consequently the onset of vibrations resulting from any unwanted misalignments of the moving components of the apparatus 100' is also prevented.

As illustrated in Figure 20, the conveyor belt 131 can be divided into two parallel portions.

Advantageously, the apparatus 100' can comprise two or more cutting discs 153 suitable for making two or more slits in the sticks 6, at the end intended to receive the edible portion of the confectionery product.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product comprising the steps of:

- feeding to a cutting station 151', by means of at least one first conveyor belt 131, a plurality of sticks 6 of paper material;

- in the cutting station 151', aligning the sticks 6 with respect to at least one cutting disc 153, by means of an alignment plate 152 comprising a bottom surface 154 on which the aforesaid first conveyor belt 131, bearing said sticks 6, runs and a pair of opposing side walls 155, 156 configured to abut the ends of the sticks 6;

- making, by means of the cutting disc 153, at least one slit in each of the sticks 6 at the end of the stick 6 intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product; - sending the sticks 6 provided with slit to a collection station 191.

The sticks 6 thus obtained can be used for packaging a confectionery product as described above.

The abovementioned method for producing a stick of paper material is preferably suitable for being performed by means of the apparatus 100' described above.

The apparatus and relative method described hereinabove enable a stick for a confectionery product to be obtained as described in the initial part of the description.

The feeding station 101 and the collection station 191 described with reference to the second variant of the apparatus 100' can likewise be integrated in the first variant of the apparatus 100.

Claims

1. Confectionery product consisting of an edible portion mounted on a stick of paper material, said stick having at least one slit in the end in contact with the edible portion.

2. Confectionery product according to claim 1 wherein the slit is circular, square, rectangular or wedge-shaped.

3. Confectionery product according to the preceding claims wherein the ratio of the diameter of the stick to the width of the slit varies from 1 :0.09 to 1 :0.65, preferably from 1 :0.13 to 1 :0.20.

4. Confectionery product according to the preceding claims wherein the ratio of stick diameter to slit depth varies from 1 :0.07 to 1 :0.55, preferably from 1 :0.13 to 1 :0.30.

5. Confectionery product according to the preceding claims wherein the ratio of the length of the stick to the distance of the first slit from the end being inserted in the edible portion mass ranges from 1 :0.04 to 1 :0.15.

6. Confectionery product according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the slit has a depth from 0.27 mm to 2 mm and a width from 0.33 mm to 2.5 mm.

7. Confectionery product according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the stick to the width (a) of the slit varies from 1 :0.082 to 1 :0.625.

8. Confectionery product according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the stick to the depth (c) of the slit varies from 1 :0.067 to 1 :0.625.

9. Confectionery product according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ratio of the length of the stick to the distance (b) of the first slit from the end that is inserted in the edible portion mass varies from 1 :0.0625 to 1 :0.137.

10. Confectionery product according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the slit has a depth from 0.27 mm to 2.50 mm and a width from 0.33 mm to 2.50 mm.

11. Confectionery product according to one or more of the preceding claims wherein the slit has a wedge shape obtained from two cuts of said stick made on two incident cutting planes.

12. Confectionery product according to the preceding claims characterised by a hot adhesion force >90N.

13. Method for the production of confectionery products of claims 1-12 that comprises the simultaneous forming of one or more slits at one end on a paper stick by means of a curved plate (3) provided with at least one pointed metal section (5) and the subsequent covering of the engraved portion with the edible mass in a melted or semi-melted state within a continuous process.

14. Method according to claim 13 wherein said pointed metal section (5) rotates in the opposite direction to a roller (2) with grooves (4) from which part of the sticks protrude.

15. Method according to claim 13 wherein said pointed metal section (5) does not rotate with respect to a roller (2) with grooves (4) from which part of the sticks protrude.

16. Apparatus (100) for processing a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, comprising a feeding station (101) of sticks of paper material, a cutting station (151, 151') of said sticks of paper material, suitable for making in said sticks of paper material a slit in the end intended to come into contact with the edible portion, and a collection station (191) of said sticks of paper material provided with said slit, wherein said cutting station (151, 151') comprises at least one cutting disc (110, 111, 153) configured to make said slit at the end of said sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

17. Apparatus (100) according to claim 16, wherein said cutting station (151, 151') comprises a conveyor belt (106, 131) comprising a plurality of grooves (107, 132) distributed in the direction of transport (X) of said conveyor belt (106, 131), each of said grooves (107, 132) being configured to receive a respective stick, said conveyor belt (106, 131) conveying said sticks in said direction of transport (X).

18. Apparatus (100) according to claim 16 or 17 wherein said cutting station (151, 151') comprises adjusting means (11) for adjusting the relative position of said at least one cutting disc (110, 111, 153) with respect to said end of said sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

19. Apparatus (100) according to claim 16 or 17 or 18 wherein said cutting station (151) comprises a pair of cutting discs (110, 111), a first cutting disc (110) being configured to perform a first cut of said sticks on a first cutting plane, a second cutting disc (111) being configured to make a second cut of said sticks on a second cutting plane, said first cutting plane and said second cutting plane being incident, said first cut and said second cut making said slit at the end of said sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

20. Apparatus (100) according to claims 17 and 19 wherein said first cutting disc (110) and said second cutting disc (111) are positioned in series in said direction of transport (X) in such a way as to realise in series said first cut and said second cut.

21. Apparatus (100) according to claim 19 or 20 when dependent on claim 17 wherein said adjusting means (11) comprise at least one movement system (112, 113) capable of moving at least one cutting disc (110, 111) of said pair of cutting discs (110, 111) along at least one adjustment axis (Y, Z) perpendicular to said direction of transport (X).

22. Apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim wherein said at least one movement system (112, 113) is adapted to move said at least one cutting disc (110, 111) along a first adjustment axis (Y) and along a second adjustment axis (Z) independently one from the other, said first adjustment axis (Y) and said second adjustment axis (Z) being perpendicular one to the other and further perpendicular with respect to said direction of transport (X).

23. Apparatus (100) according to claim 21 or 22 wherein said at least one movement system (112, 113) is adapted to move said at least one cutting disc (110, 111) along a first adjustment axis (Y) parallel to the longitudinal axis of said stick and along a second adjustment axis (Z) moving away from, or approaching, said stick.

24. Apparatus (100) according to one of claims 21 to 23 comprising two movement systems (112, 113) adapted to move, respectively, said first cutting disc (110) and said second cutting disc (111).

25. Apparatus (100') according to claim 17 wherein said cutting station (151') comprises a cutting disc (153) adapted to make a slit at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, said cutting station (151) further comprising an alignment plate (152) comprising a bottom surface (154) on which said conveyor belt (131) bearing said sticks runs, and a pair of opposing side walls (155, 156) configured to abut the ends of said sticks and to align said sticks with respect to said cutting disc (153).

26. Apparatus (100') according to claims 18 and 25 wherein said adjusting means (11) for adjusting the relative position of said at least one cutting disc with respect to said end of said sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product comprise height adjusting means (157) for adjusting the height of said bottom surface (154) of said alignment plate (152), configured to bring the portion of said conveyor belt (131) that runs on said bottom surface (154) closer to said cutting disc (153) or to move said portion of said conveyor belt (131) that runs on said bottom surface (154) away from said cutting disc (153), in this way bringing said sticks, carried by said conveyor belt (131), closer to or further away from said cutting disc (153).

27. Apparatus (100') according to claim 26, wherein said height adjusting means (157) for adjusting the height of said bottom surface (154) comprise one or more adjusting screws passing through one or more corresponding threaded holes (158).

28. Apparatus (100') according to claim 25 or 26 or 27, wherein said opposing side walls (155, 156) define at least one pilot zone made up of tilted portions (161) of said side walls (155, 156) which narrow when approaching the zone of said alignment plate (152) at which said cutting disc (153) is located.

29. Apparatus (100') according to one or more of claims 25 to 28, wherein said alignment plate (152) comprises, at its axial ends, a pair of tilted planes (162) configured to facilitate sliding of said conveyor belt (131) in the zone of entry into, and exit from, the alignment plate (152).

30. Method for processing a stick of paper material intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, comprising the steps of

- feeding, by means of a conveyor belt (106, 131), to a cutting station (151, 151'), a plurality of sticks of paper material, said cutting station (151, 151') comprising at least one cutting disc (110, 111, 153);

- making, by means of said at least one cutting disc (110, 111, 153), at least one slit in each of said sticks at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product;

- sending said sticks provided with said at least one slit to a collection station (191).

31. Method according to claim 30, wherein said cutting station (151) comprises a pair of cutting discs (110, 111); said method comprising the steps of making in each of said sticks at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, a first cut on a first cutting plane, by means of a first cutting disc (110) of said pair of cutting discs (110, 111); making in each of said sticks, at the end of the stick intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product, a second cut on a second cutting plane, by means of a second cutting disc (111) of said pair of cutting discs (110, 111), said first cutting plane and said second cutting plane being incident, said first cut and said second cut making a slit at the end of said sticks intended to receive the edible portion of a confectionery product.

32. Method according to claim 30, comprising the step of aligning, in said cutting station (151'), said sticks with respect to said at least one cutting disc (153), by means of an alignment plate (152) comprising a bottom surface (154) on which said conveyor belt (131) bearing said sticks runs and a pair of opposing side walls (155, 156) configured to abut the ends of said sticks.

33. Method according to claim 32, comprising the step of adjusting the height of said bottom surface (154) of said alignment plate (152) to bring the portion of said conveyor belt (131) that runs on said bottom surface (154) closer to said at least one cutting disc (153) or to move said portion of said conveyor belt (131) that runs on said bottom surface

(154) away from said at least one cutting disc (153), in this way bringing said sticks, carried by said conveyor belt (131) closer to or away from said cutting disc (153).