NL2020148B1

NL2020148B1 - Dispensing unit for a viscous food mass

Info

Publication number: NL2020148B1
Application number: NL2020148A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Antonius Coenraad Spall Bernardus; Sybrandus Van Balen Marco
Original assignee: Smilde Foods B V
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2017-12-21
Publication date: 2019-07-01

Abstract

Packaged viscous food masses, such as prepared salads, are often provided to consumers in a container with a lid. The shape of the food mass inside the container is not only of aesthetic importance, but also allows the addition of additional toppings on the food mass. A dispensing unit is provided to place the food mass in a first shape in the container. However, the dispensing unit is not capable of providing the food mass in the desired shape. Therefore, a moulding module is provided to shape the viscous food mass into the desired shape. After the food mass has been moulded, the optional toppings can be added and the lid can be placed on the container.

Description

Title: DISPENSING UNIT FOR A VISCOUS FOOD MASS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects and embodiments thereof relate to the field of packaging viscous food masses in containers. Embodiments relate to dispensing and packaging of potato based salad or similar food substance.

BACKGROUND

When filling a cup with a viscous food mass, the food mass is required to fit within a volume constrained by the cup. Furthermore, when placing a lid on the cup, the food mass’s dimensions should be within dimensions constrained by the cup and the lid.

In order to supply the food mass in a pre-determined volume to the container, a dispensing unit is required that can dispense the predetermined volume of food mass. NL8401177 discloses a device for dispensing a viscous food mass into a container using a pressurised gas actuated piston.

SUMMARY

Dispensing units for filling a container with a viscous food mass can be adapted to provide a certain volume to the container. However, these devices can only provide the food mass in a certain shape. More in particular, such masses are dispensed by means of one or more nozzles having a small and substantially circular opening. Use of such nozzle or nozzles results in the dispensed mass in the container having one or more tufts at the top. A consumer will directly recognise such food mass as having been prepared in an industrial environment, rather than as an artisanal hand-made product. A first aspect provides a device for the filling of a container with a viscous food mass. The device comprises a dispensing unit, arranged to place a pre-determined volume of viscous food mass in to the container in a first shape and a moulding module, comprising a mould with at a first side a negative of a second shape, wherein the moulding module is arranged to mould the viscous mass into the second shape by placing the mould on the viscous mass.

By applying the mould on the dispensed mass, the tufts are levelled, preferably such that the second shape has a substantially smooth top surface. Such surface may be curved and preferably has a double curvature.

In an embodiment, the mould is at least at the first side provided with a protection module, wherein the protection module is arranged to prevent the viscous food mass from sticking to the mould.

If the food mass were to stick to the mould, the desired shape will be damaged when lifting the mould of the food mass. A protection module, optionally comprising a protective film may be provided to prevent direct contact between the mould and the food mass, herewith preventing the food mass from sticking to the mould.

In another embodiment, the protection module comprises a film, wherein at least part of the film is arranged to move flexibly relative to the mould. Preferably, a middle part of the film is arranged to move flexibly relative to the mould. In this way, that after the forming of the viscous mass by the mould, the mould may move away from the viscous mass at least a first distance while leaving at least part of the film on the food mass. This embodiment prevents substantial parts of the food mass being stuck in the mould due to a vacuum between the food mass and the inside of the mould.

In a further embodiment, the film is attached to an edge of the mould, and the film is not attached to at least part of the negative of the second shape of the mould. If the mould is applied from above, in one piece, the film at the edges of the mould moves along with the mould. Towards the middle, the film may still rest on the food mass or even stick to the food mass. As the mould is lifted further, the film is gently peeled off from the food mass. It is preferred in this embodiment that the space between the film and the first side of the mould is in fluid communication with the environment outside the mould, for example by means of holes. This prevents creation of a sub-atmospheric pressure or vacuum between the film and the first side of the mould.

In another embodiment, the dispensing module is substantially elongated and comprises an inlet opening for receiving a main volume of viscous food mass, and an outlet opening; and a cutting device, arranged to separate the pre-determined volume from the main volume of viscous food mass by cutting through the viscous food mass substantially at the height of the outlet opening.

By providing an elongate opening and preferably one single elongate opening, the food mass may be dispensed in an elongate fashion with one tuft in the middle an having a hill-like shape, rather than multiple tufts distributed over a substantially cuboid shape. This is for example preferred, as such shape is closer to that of the shape a common artisanal Russian salad or potato based salad. By using a cutting device, the dispensed volume can be controlled more precisely compared to only controlling dispensing by means of a pressure source applying pressure to the main food mass in the dispensing module.

In an embodiment, the cutting device further comprising a cutting device outlet. In this way, the dispensing module is arranged to when the cutting device is at a first angle in the dispensing unit, align with the outlet opening, such that the viscous mass can exit the dispensing module via the outlet opening and the cutting device outlet. The dispensing module according to this embodiment is further arranged to, when the cutting devices rotates from the first angle to a second angle, cut through the main volume, wherein when the cutting device is at the second angle, the outlet opening and the cutting device outlet are substantially not aligned.

This embodiment provides a fast and efficiently operating for precisely controlling the amount of dispensed food mass.

Another embodiment further comprises a transport module, arranged to transport the container from a first location to a second location, wherein the first location lies in a working area of the dispensing module, and wherein the second location lies in a working area of the moulding module. Such embodiment allows for efficient throughput of containers. A second aspect provides a method for filling a container with a viscous food mass, comprising, using the device according to first aspect, placing a pre-determined volume of viscous food mass in a first shape in the container and forming the viscous food mass from the first shape into a second shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and various embodiments thereof will now be elucidated in further detail in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings,

Fig. 1: shows a device for filling a container with a viscous food mass.

Fig. 2A: shows a dispensing unit.

Fig. 2B: shows a section view of the dispensing unit.

Fig. 2C: shows another embodiment of the dispensing unit.

Fig. 2D: shows another embodiment of the dispensing unit.

Fig. 2E: shows another embodiment of the dispensing unit.

Fig. 3A: shows an embodiment of a moulding module.

Fig. 3B: shows an embodiment of the moulding module.

Fig. 3C: shows the moulding module comprising a protective element.

Fig. 3D: shows the moulding module moving away from the viscous food mass.

Fig. 4A: shows the device for filling a container with a viscous food mass further comprising a transport module.

Fig. 4B: shows another embodiment of the device for filling a container with a viscous food mass.

Fig. 4C: shows yet another embodiment of the device for filling a container with a viscous food mass comprising a lid module.

Fig. 5: shows the container comprising a lid.

Fig. 6: shows an embodiment of the mould.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a device 100 for filling a container 110 with a viscous food mass 111, comprising a dispensing unit 200, and a moulding module 300. The viscous food mass 111 may be a sauce, foie gras, prepared salad or any other viscous food mass. The viscous food mass 111 optionally comprises solid particles, such as potatoes, onions, carrots, bits of meat, any other solid or any combination thereof.

The container 110 preferably predominantly comprises a plastic, such as nylon, PET, PC, ABS, PP, PU, LDPE, HDPE, any other plastic, aluminium, any other metal, or any combination thereof, and may optionally be at least partially transparent. The container 110 provides a surface for the viscous food mass 111 to be placed on. Said surface may be shaped as an oval, rectangle, circle, or any other shape.

The dispensing unit 200 is arranged to provide a pre-determined volume of viscous food mass to the container 110. The dispensing unit 200 is further arranged to provide said pre-determined volume of viscous food mass in a first shape 111. The first shape 111 and the pre-determined volume are chosen such that the first shape 111 can be moulded by the mould 131 into the second shape 112.

The moulding module 300 comprises a mould 131 with at a first side a negative 132 of at least part of the second shape, and a mould actuator 133 arranged to move the mould 131. The moulding module 300 is arranged to mould the first shape 111 of the viscous food mass into the second shape 112. The moulding is performed by subsequently pressing the mould 131 on top of the food mass 111 and removing the mould 131 from the food mass 112.

The pressure applied to the food mass 112 should be sufficiently high that the food mass 112 is moulded into the second shape, but not excessively high that the solid particles comprised by the food mass 112 or the container 110 become damaged. To control the pressure, a pressure sensor may be provided with the mould actuator 133.

Fig. 2A shows an embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, comprising an inlet opening 201 and an outlet opening 202. The inlet opening 201 is arranged to receive a main volume of viscous food mass, and the outlet opening 202 is arranged to conduct the pre-determined volume of viscous food mass out of the dispensing unit 200. To separate the predetermined volume from the main volume of viscous food mass, a cutting device 230 is provided in the dispensing unit 200. Preferably, the cutting device 230 is arranged to cut the main body of viscous food mass at the outlet opening 202.

The cutting device 230 may be arranged as a knife, wherein the cutting device 230 is arranged to translate parallel to the axis 240 inside the dispensing unit 200. When translating inside the dispensing unit 200, the cutting device 230 cuts through the main volume of viscous food mass, separating the pre-determined volume from the main volume of viscous food mass. The speed of translation of the cutting device 230 may be used to control the volume that is separated from the main volume of viscous food mass.

In an embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, the dispensing unit 200 comprises a cylindrical part 211 provided with the outlet opening 202. The cylindrical part 211 is arranged substantially axisymmetric around the axis 240. In an additional embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, the part of the dispensing unit 200 which comprises the inlet opening 201 is a tapered part 212, tapered towards the cylindrical part 211. Fig. 2B shows a section view of an embodiment of the dispensing unit 200.

Fig. 2C shows another embodiment of the dispensing unit 200 in a section view, comprising the cutting device 230. In this embodiment, the cutting device 230 is executed as at least part of a cylinder. The cutting device 230 is arranged to rotate inside the cylindrical part around the axis 240 of the dispensing unit 200. The cutting device 230 comprises a cutting device inlet 231, a cutting device outlet 232, and a cutting element 235.

By rotating the cutting device 230, the cutting element 235 slices through the main volume of the food mass, separating the pre-determined volume from the main volume of the food mass. The rotation of the cutting device 230 may be a full 360 degrees, or a limited amount of degrees around an equilibrium position. With the rotational speed of the cutting device 230, the pre-determined volume of the viscous food mass that is to be cut off may be controlled.

In another embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, the dispensing unit 200 comprises a plurality of cutting devices 230. In such an embodiment, the plurality of cutting devices 230 may be arranged to translate towards each other, and abut substantially above the outlet opening 202, thus cutting through the main volume of the food mass from multiple directions.

The viscous food mass may flow through the dispensing unit 200 by gravity, or an additional pressure device may be provided, wherein said pressure device is arranged to pressurize the main volume of the food mass. The pressure device may be provided with an actuator that pushes on the main volume of the food mass, or may use a pressurized liquid or gas to pressurise the main volume of food mass. The pressure may be applied intermittently or constantly, and may be linked to at least one of the speed and the position of the cutting device 230.

In Fig. 2C, the cutting device 230 is shown at a first angle, wherein the cutting element 235 is provided such, that it blocks neither the inlet opening 201 nor the outlet opening 202, thus providing a flow path for the viscous food mass consecutively through the inlet opening 201, the cutting device inlet 231, the cutting device outlet 232, and the outlet opening 202.

Fig. 2D shows the dispensing unit 200 with the cutting device 230 rotated to a second angle around the axis 240 of the dispensing unit 200. Provided in the second angle, the cutting element 235 substantially blocks the outlet opening 202 of the dispensing unit 200, thus preventing the viscous food mass from leaving the dispensing unit 200. In an alternative embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, a separate valve is provided, wherein the valve is arranged to substantially seal the outlet opening 202 of the dispensing unit 200.

Fig. 2E shows yet another embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, with the cutting device 230 rotated at an angle in-between the first angle and the second angle. In this embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, the cutting element 235 comprises a sharp tip 236, arranged for cutting through the viscous food mass. In yet another embodiment of the dispensing unit 200, the cutting element 235 comprises a serrated edge, arranged to cut through the main volume of the viscous food mass. The serrated edge optionally is arranged to translate parallel to the axis 240 in a sawing motion while cutting through the main volume of the viscous food mass.

Fig. 3A shows an embodiment of the moulding module 300, comprising the mould 131, the mould actuator 133 and a film 310. The mould actuator 133 is arranged to position the mould 131 on the volume of food mass in the first shape, and to subsequently remove the mould 131 from the food mass again once it is moulded into the second shape.

The film 310 as a protective element or part thereof of the moulding module 300 is arranged to prevent the food mass from sticking to the mould 131, and thus to prevent the food mass from leaving the container with the mould 131 when the mould 131 is removed from the food mass.

The negative 132 of at least part of the second shape is formed by the mould 131. The negative 132 may be milled into the mould 131, or the mould 131 may be a moulded part itself. Preferably, the negative 132 has a substantially smooth surface to ensure a smooth top surface of the food mass 121 after it has been moulded into the second shape.

Fig. 3B shows an embodiment of the moulding module 300, wherein the film 310 is provided at least at the first side of the mould 131 where the negative 132 of the second shape is provided. In a further embodiment, the film 310 is attached to the mould 131 at the sides of the mould 131. The film 310 is not attached to at least the centre of the negative 132 of the second shape. During moulding, the film 310 is arranged to be present between the negative 132 of the second shape and the food mass 111.

The film 310 may comprise a plastic, such as PVC, LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE, any other plastic comprising an organic polymer, another flexible non-adhesive film, or any combination thereof. The film may comprise a non-stick coating to prevent or reduce adhesion of a food substance to the film 310. The film 310 is attached to the mould 131 such that, at least at the middle of the mould 131, the film 310 can move independently from the mould 131.

Fig. 3C shows the moulding module 300 comprising the film 310, wherein the mould 131 is positioned on top of the viscous food mass 112. The film 310 is provided between the negative 132 of the second shape and the food mass 112, as to prevent direct contact between the food mass 112 and the mould 131.

Fig. 3D shows the moulding module 300, with the mould 131 moving away from the viscous mass 112. In an embodiment the film 310 will, starting from the sides, be peeled of the viscous mass 112. The last point of contact between the film 310 and the viscous mass 112 will be substantially at the centre of the viscous mass 112. This arrangement prevents a vacuum occurring between the viscous mass 112 and the mould 131, or between the viscous mass 112 and the film 310. Such a vacuum would cause the viscous mass 112 to stick to respectively the mould 131 and the film 310, and would alter the desired second shape of the viscous mass 112.

To prevent a vacuum from occurring between the mould 131 and the film 310 when the mould 131 is being removed from the viscous food mass 112, the mould 131 may be provided with one or more through holes. The through holes provide a fluid connection between a volume constrained by the mould 131 and the film 130, and a second volume, for example the ambient air.

In another embodiment, the film 310 is attached to the mould 131 such that one or more openings are provided between the film 310 and the mould 131. Air is allowed to pass through the openings, which prevents a vacuum occurring between the mould 131 and the film 310.Fig. 4A shows the device 100 for filling the container 110 with the viscous food mass 111, further comprising a transport module 400, which is arranged to move the container 110 from a first location 401 to a second location 402. The first location 401 denotes a working area of the dispensing unit 200, i.e. the area in which the dispensing unit 200 can provide the pre-determined volume of viscous food mass 111 to the container 110. The second location 402 denotes a working area of the moulding module 300, i.e. the area in which the mould 131 can be provided on the viscous food mass 111 in the container 110.

The transport module 400 may be arranged as a conveyor system, comprising in an embodiment a transport medium in an endless loop spanned around multiple pulleys. Alternatively, the conveyor system may be arranged as a roller conveyor, comprising multiple rollers, or as a flexible conveyor, comprising multiple chained elements. To actuate the transport module 400, a stepper motor, servo motor, hydraulics, or any other driving means may be used. In a further embodiment, the transport module 400 may be arranged as a robotic arm.

The transport module 400 may furthermore be provided with an inlet area and an outlet area for containers 110, wherein the inlet area is arranged to receive empty containers 110 and the outlet area is arranged to output containers 110 comprising the pre-determined volume of viscous food mass 112 moulded into the second shape.

Fig. 4B shows another embodiment of the device 100 for filling the container 110 with the viscous food mass 111, wherein the transport module 400 comprises multiple holders 410 arranged to temporarily attach the container 110 to the transport module 400. The holders 410 may be arranged as suction cups, wherein a vacuum is created between the container 110 and the suction cups to temporarily attach the container 110 to the transport module 400.

Fig. 4C shows yet another embodiment of the device 100 for filling the container 110 with the viscous food mass 111, further comprising a lid module 500. The lid module 500 is arranged to provide the container 110 filled with the viscous food mass 112 with a lid 150. The lid 150 is arranged to seal the container 110, and thus to substantially prevent any matter moving in or out of the container 110. The lid module 500 is arranged to provide the lid 150 to the container 110 in a third working area 403. In this embodiment, the transport module 400 is arranged to transport the container 110 to this third working area 403, before optionally transporting the container 110 to the output area.

The lid module 500 may comprise an actuator, arranged to press the lid 150 on the container 110. When pressed on the container 110, the lid 150 may temporarily lock into place, only to be removed again after breaking of part of the lid 150. Before the lid 150 is placed on the container 110, the top of the container may be sealed by a plastic film, optionally comprising small perforations, wherein the film is arranged to substantially seal the volume of the container.

In yet another embodiment of the device 100, in-between the mould module 300 and the lid module 500 one or more additional dispensers are provided. The dispensers are arranged to provide the container 110 with additional food products, such as sauces, condiments, vegetables, fruits, eggs, any other food product or any combination thereof. The additional food products may be directly dispensed on the viscous food mass 112, or may be provided in their own package, such as a cup or a sachet. Furthermore, a dispenser may be provided that provides the container with one or more cutlery items, such as a fork or a spoon.

Fig. 5 shows the container 110 comprising the viscous food mass 112 moulded into the second shape, further comprising the lid 150. The shape of the container 110 and the lid 150 are such that a minimal distance x is always provided between a top surface of the food mass 112 and a bottom surface of the lid 150 when the viscous food mass 112 is moulded into the second shape. The minimal distance x preferably is 2 cm.

The lid 150 may be shaped with a substantially horizontal top surface. In a different embodiment of the lid 150, the top surface corresponds substantially to the second shape of the viscous food mass 112.

The lid 150 predominantly comprises a plastic, such as nylon, PET, PC, ABS, PP, PU, LDPE, HOPE, any other plastic or any combination thereof, and may be at least partially transparent. Furthermore, the lid 150 may be provided with information on the food mass 112, such as a hst of ingredients, nutritional information, best before date, date of production, brand, name of the manufacturer, any other information or any combination thereof. This information may be printed directly on the lid 150, or may be provided on a sticker. In another embodiment of the container 110, said information is provided on an outer surface of the container 110.

In any of the abovementioned embodiments, the container 110 may be shaped as an oval, rectangle, circle, or any other shape. Subsequently, the second shape of the food mass 112 may correspond to the shape of the container 110. Furthermore, the second shape may have a substantially horizontal top surface, or a curved top surface. Finally, the second shape may comprise one or more indentations, which are arranged to receive any of the abovementioned additional food products or cutlery items.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the mould 131 comprising the negative 132 of at least part of the second shape.

In an embodiment of the mould 131, the mould comprises an indentation 134 arranged to receive part of the film 310. The film 310 may be attached to the mould 131 by for example gluing the film 310 to the indentation 134. In another embodiment, a rubber band and/or another resilient element may be used which when surrounding the film 310 and the indentation 134 clamps the film 310 to the mould 131. As a resilient element, also a metal and in particular steel band may be used, preferably provided with a clasp. Such embodiment wherein the film 310 is fastened to the mould 130 is preferred as it enables quick and efficient exchange of the film 310 upon change of composition of the food mass, for example from Russian salad to potato salad or beef salad.

Any shapes for the mould 131 and the negative 132 may envisioned in additional to the elliptical shape shown by Figure 6. Such shape may be circular, oval, pyramidal, square or otherwise cuboid, other, or a combination thereof. The mould 131 may be manufactured using milling, 3D printing, any other manufacturing method or any combination thereof.

In summary, packaged viscous food masses, such as prepared salads, are often provided to consumers in a container with a lid. The shape of the food mass inside the container is not only of aesthetic importance, but also allows the addition of additional toppings on the food mass. A dispensing unit is provided to place the food mass in a first shape in the container. However, the dispensing unit is not capable of providing the food mass in the desired shape. Therefore, a moulding module is provided to shape the viscous food mass into the desired shape. After the food mass has been moulded, the optional toppings can be added and the lid can be placed on the container.

At least part of the various aspects and embodiments thereof may be summarised as follows: 1. Device for the filling of a container with a viscous food mass, comprising: a dispensing module, arranged to place a pre-determined volume of viscous food mass in to the container in a first shape; a moulding module, comprising a mould with at a first side a negative of a second shape, wherein the moulding module is arranged to mould the viscous mass into the second shape by placing the mould on the viscous mass. 2. Device according to embodiment 1, wherein the mould is at least at the first side provided with a protection module, wherein the protection module is arranged to prevent the viscous food mass from sticking to the mould. 3. Device according to embodiment 2, wherein the protection module comprises a film, wherein at least part of the film is arranged to move flexibly relative to the mould, such that after the forming of the viscous mass by the mould, the mould is arranged to move away from the viscous mass at least a first distance while leaving at least part of the film on the food mass. 4. Device according to embodiment 3, wherein the film is attached to an edge of the mould, and the film is not attached to at least part of the negative of the second shape of the mould. 5. Device according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the dispensing module is substantially elongated, the dispensing module comprising: an inlet opening for receiving a main volume of viscous food mass, and an outlet opening; and a cutting device, arranged to separate the pre-determined volume from the main volume of viscous food mass by cutting through the viscous food mass substantially at the height of the outlet opening. 6. Device according to embodiment 5, wherein the cutting device is arranged as at least part of a cylinder, and the cutting device is arranged to rotate within the dispensing module around a rotation axis parallel to the elongated orientation of the dispensing unit. 7. Device according to embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the cutting device furthermore is arranged to temporarily closes the outlet opening. 8. Device according to any of the embodiments 5-7, wherein the cutting device further comprising a cutting device outlet, arranged to: when the cutting device is at a first angle in the dispensing unit, align with the outlet opening, such that the viscous mass can exit the dispensing module via the outlet opening and the cutting device outlet; and when the cutting devices rotates from the first angle to a second angle, cut through the main volume, wherein when the cutting device is at the second angle, the outlet opening and the cutting device outlet are substantially not aligned. 9. Device according to any of the embodiments 5-8, wherein the dispensing module further comprises a pressure unit, arranged to apply a pressure on the viscous food mass in the dispensing module when the outlet opening and the cutting device outlet are aligned. 10. Device according to any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a transport module, arranged to transport the container from a first location to a second location, wherein the first location lies in a working area of the dispensing module, and wherein the second location lies in a working area of the moulding module. 11. Device according to embodiment 10, wherein the transport module comprises one or more vacuum modules, arranged to temperately affix the container to the transport module. 12. Device according to any of the embodiments 10-11, wherein the transport module comprises a stepper motor for the transportation of the container. 13. Device according to any of the previous embodiments, further comprising a lid module, arranged to provide the container with a lid. 14. Device according to embodiment 13, wherein the lid and the second shape are shaped such, that when the lid is placed on the container, between a top side of a substantial part of the viscous food mass and a bottom side of the lid a minimal distance is provided. 15. Device according to embodiment 14, wherein the minimal distance is 2 cm. 16. Device according to any of the previous embodiments, wherein the container comprises a substantially oval surface, arranged to receive the viscous food mass. 17. Method for filling a container with a viscous food mass, comprising, using the device according to any of the previous embodiments: placing a pre-determined volume of viscous food mass in a first shape in the container; and forming the viscous food mass from the first shape into a second shape. 18. Method according to embodiment 17, the forming of the viscous food mass comprising applying a mould to the food mass, the mould having at a first side a negative of a second shape. 19. Method according to any of the embodiments 17-18, wherein the pre-determined volume of the viscous mass is smaller than the volume that is enclosed by the container and the lid.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality. A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.

Claims

An apparatus for filling a container with a viscous feed mass, comprising: a dispensing module, arranged to place a predetermined volume of viscous feed mass in a first form in the container, a mold module, comprising a mold with a negative on a first side of a second form, wherein the mold module is adapted to form the viscous mass in the second form by placing the mold on the viscous mass.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mold is provided on at least the first side with a protection module, wherein the protection module is adapted to prevent the viscous mass from adhering to the mold.

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protection module comprises a film, wherein at least a portion of the film can move flexibly relative to the mold, such that after forming the viscous mass through the mold, the mold can move away from the viscous mass without moving at least a portion of the film.

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the film is attached to an edge of the mold, and the film is not attached to at least a portion of the negative of the second shape of the mold.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery module is substantially elongated, the delivery module comprising: an inlet port for a main volume of viscous feedstock and an outlet port; a cutting module adapted to separate the predetermined volume from the main volume of viscous feed mass by cutting through the viscous feed mass mainly at the outlet opening.

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cutting module is configured as at least a part of a cylinder; and the cutting module is adapted to rotate within the delivery module about a rotation axis parallel to the elongated direction of the delivery module.

An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cutting module is further adapted to temporarily close the outlet opening.

Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5-7, wherein the cutting module further comprises a cutting module outlet adapted to align with the discharge opening when the cutting module is at a first angle in the delivery module such that the viscous mass of the delivery module can leave the outlet through the outlet opening and the cutting module; and when the cutting module rotates from the first corner to a second corner, cutting through the main volume, wherein when the cutting module is below the second corner, the outlet opening and the cutting module outlet are substantially unaligned.

The apparatus of any one of claims 5-8, wherein the delivery module further comprises a pressure module adapted to exert a pressure on the viscous feedstock in the delivery module when the outlet opening and the cutting module outlet are aligned.

An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a transport module, arranged to transport the container from a first location to a second location, wherein the first location is in a working area of the spray head, and wherein the second location is in a working area of the mold module

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transport module comprises one or more vacuum modules, adapted to temporarily secure the container to the transport module.

Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10-11, wherein the transport module comprises a stepper motor for transporting the container.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a lid module, adapted to provide the container with a lid.

An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lid and the second mold are shaped such that when the lid is placed on the container, there is a minimum distance between a top of a substantially part of the viscous feedstock and the bottom of the lid .

The device of claim 14, wherein the minimum distance is 2 centimeters.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a substantially oval surface adapted to receive the viscous food mass.

A method for filling a container with a viscous mass, comprising, using the device according to any of the preceding claims: placing a predetermined volume of viscous mass in a first form in the container, forming the viscous mass of the first form in a second form.

The method of claim 17, further comprising placing a lid on the container.

A method according to any of claims 17-18, wherein the predetermined volume of the viscous mass is smaller than the volume enclosed by the container and the lid.