WO1990011934A2

WO1990011934A2 - Process for making portions of ice cream packaged in strips, packages filled with said portions, and device for dispensing them

Info

Publication number: WO1990011934A2
Application number: PCT/CH1990/000091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinrich Stauffacher; Peter Tschopp
Original assignee: Heinrich Stauffacher; Peter Tschopp
Priority date: 1989-04-07
Filing date: 1990-04-05
Publication date: 1990-10-18
Also published as: AU5331490A; EP0426781B1; EP0426781A1; WO1990011934A3

Abstract

A base film (1b) and a sealing film (1s) have domes (M, K) with non-undercut concave inner sides arranged in a row on the film at a distance apart. The sealing film (1s) is placed over the base film (1b), forming cavities (H) in which portions of ice cream (4) are packaged. The sealing film (1s) is bonded to the base film (1b), but can be easily detached to allow the ice cream (4) to be removed intact from the packaging. The strip-like packaging passes through a freezing region (6) and is then introduced into a magazine (7) in which it can be stored in either roll or zigzag form. A device for dispensing the portions of ice cream comprises a cooling container (8) with at least one magazine (7), a dispensing mechanism with means (10) for stepwise removal of the packagings (1), means (10, 11) for tearing open and disposing of the packagings (1), and a dispensing opening (13) through which the portions of ice cream (4) can be dispersed, without being touched, into a bowl (14). The disposal means can be flattening means (11) or coiling means (12) or can include means for shredding and collecting the used films (1b, 1s).

Description

Process for the production of portions of ice cream packed in strips, packaging filled therewith, and device for dispensing them

The present invention relates to a process for the production of pre-packed portions of ice cream suitable for purchase from dispensing refrigerators or from cooling buffets for self-service.

The present invention also relates to finished packagings of portions of ice cream which are produced by the method according to the invention and which are suitable for being obtained from serving refrigerators or from cooling buffets for self-service.

Finally, the present invention relates to a device for covering finished packs of such portions of ice cream.

In gastronomy, ice cream in open form is fundamentally drawn from containers by the operating personnel, which are supplied by the ice cream manufacturer and then arranged in freezers or open cooling buffets. From a food-technological and hygienic point of view, this dispensing form has always been questionable; it is particularly unsuitable for the purchase of ice cream by self-service. Ready-made ice cream products offered for self-service (ice cream cornets, ice cream cones etc.) can be used for other purposes on the other hand, neither presented in an appealing manner as a dessert, nor even arranged or made into "coupes". The provision of even simple ice cream desserts in open form, not to mention seductively designed coupes, is also very labor-intensive, so that any relief in this regard is of great benefit.

The invention has for its object to enable the purchase of open portions of ice cream for open desserts, in particular in self-service, in the simplest and most hygienic way possible. A wide range of ice cream flavors is said to be permanently available and to be offered in a food-safe manner. Depending on the operation and area of use, the customer himself or the operating personnel should obtain the desired ice cream units from the dispenser and thus be able to put together complete ice cream desserts. Through the provision of various ingredients, even anyone can easily compose their own, individual "coupe", which, in addition to relieving the strain on staff and the company, also results in a sales-boosting pleasure for consumers based on their own creativity.

To achieve this object, a method for the manufacture of pre-packaged portions of ice cream suitable for purchase from dispensing cooling apparatuses or from cooling buffets for self-service is characterized in that two strip-shaped foils are provided, one of which is used for Formation of a base film and the other is intended and designed to form a closing film, the base film and the closing film having respective formations, the inside of which forms a concave shape without an undercut and which are in the longitudinal direction of the film in question in a row at a distance from one another and are arranged thereon from the edges of the film, and wherein the closing film is designed and designed to be placed on the base film and connected to it in a strip-shaped packaging, in which packaging the inside of the formations of the base film and the closing film correspond to each other so that they form a closed cavity in pairs for receiving a portion of ice cream, the sealing film is applied to the base film to form the respective cavities, wherein a portion of ice cream is packed in a cavity formed in this way, the sealing film with the base film to form a strip Shaped packaging of portions of ice cream, this u - closing, is connected, this connection of the sealing film with the base film is so easy to separate that after the connection has been broken, each portion of ice cream can be removed from its packaging in an undamaged manner, and the strip-shaped packaging of portions of ice cream passes through a freezer zone and is subsequently introduced into a magazine.

A portion of ice cream can first be poured into a molding of the base film and then the closing film can be applied to the base film to form the respective cavities, or the moldings of the base film and / or the closing film can have pouring funnels, then the sealing film is first applied to the base film to form the respective cavities, then an unfrozen mass of ice cream is poured into the respective cavities, and finally the mass of ice cream as a whole is frozen.

The inner sides of the formations of the base film and the closing film can be hemispherical or have the shape of a half of a tetrahedron, together they then form a cavity for receiving a spherical or tetrahedral portion of ice cream.

The strip-shaped packaging of portions of ice cream can be stored in a roll or zigzag form and is suitable for use in output refrigerators. The consumer can then place a dessert bowl under the opening of the desired aroma and then press the corresponding reference button. The packaging is removed by a repeat and at the same time redirected and torn open so that the content falls directly into the underlying bowl. When the consumer has obtained the desired ice cream flavors, he can go on to the dessert buffet and, for example, supplement his ice cream with ingredients of his choice (fruits, berries, biscuits, cream, etc.).

Thanks to the presentation form of ice cream according to the invention, the popular fresh ice cream desserts can be made available in a versatile, hygienic and consumer-friendly manner practically anywhere and at any time for immediate purchase without the need for operators to be on standby or otherwise stressed. The reloading can be carried out by unskilled assistants, hygiene problems do not arise during this process either, and the maintenance and cleaning effort on the output mechanism are limited to a minimum.

A device for obtaining finished packagings of portions of ice cream produced by the method according to the invention, which are suitable for dispensing from output cooling apparatuses or from cooling buffets for self-service, is characterized by a cooling container with at least one magazine for strip-shaped packagings of Portions of ice cream, an output mechanism with means for the gradual removal of the strip-shaped packaging from the magazine, means for tearing open the strip-shaped packaging for the purpose of removing a portion of ice cream from its packaging, means for disposing of the used base film resulting from the opening Closing film, and an output opening for the contact-free delivery of the removed portions of ice cream in a provided bowl.

The means for disposal can include means for flat pressing the used base film and sealing film resulting from the tearing open and means for winding up the flat pressed used base film and closing film. In another variant, the means for disposal can include means for chopping the used base film and sealing film resulting from the tearing open and means for collecting the chopped used base film and sealing film.

The cooling container can be a commercially available freezer, on or to which the dispensing mechanism with the dispensing opening is mounted as a superstructure or stem unit.

The dispensing mechanism can be coupled to an automatic cash dispenser for blocking or releasing the dispensing of portions of ice cream.

The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention explained in more detail using schematic drawings. It shows:

1 shows a schematic illustration of an example of a packaging device for the purpose of explaining the method according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of a closing mechanism in the packaging device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of part of a packaging strip according to the invention, FIG 4 shows a schematic side view of a packaging strip according to the invention, part of the packaging strip being kinked, FIG. 5 shows a schematic detailed view of a desired kinking point of the packaging strip of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 shows a schematic detailed view of a closing point of a cavity of the packaging strip 4, FIG. 7 shows a schematic sagittal section of an example of a dispensing cooling apparatus according to the invention with a packaging of portions of ice cream according to the invention arranged therein, and FIG. 8 shows a schematic detailed view of a dispensing mechanism in the dispensing cooler The apparatus of FIG. 7. An example of a packaging device is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. This packaging device serves to pack and provide portions of ice cream in a form which is suitable for purchase from dispensing cooling apparatuses or from cooling buffets for self-service. An example of such a finished packaging is shown in FIG. 3.

A strip-shaped base film 1b is provided on a supply roll 2b and a strip-shaped closing film ls is provided on a supply roll 2s. The base film 1b has trough-like shapes M and the closing film 1s cap-like shapes K. The base film 1b is designed and designed to hold a portion of ice cream 4, and the closing film 1s is designed and designed for this. to cover this portion of ice cream 4 when the closing foil is placed on the base foil 1b and connected to it to form a strip-shaped packaging 1. For this purpose, the respective inner sides of the formations M or K of the base film 1b or the closing film 1s form a concave shape without an undercut, and they correspond to one another in such a way that they each form a closed cavity H for receiving a portion of ice cream 4 in pairs .

The formations M and K are arranged in rows in the longitudinal direction of the film 1b or ls in question at a distance from one another and from the edges R ', R "of the film thereon.

The base film 1b and the closing film 1s are both gripped and conveyed by a closing device 5. This closing device 5 essentially consists of two press rollers with recesses corresponding to the formations M and K, the interaction of the recesses of the press rollers with the formations of the foils being approximately comparable to an interaction of the gearwheel and the rack.

The base film 1b runs essentially horizontally and the closing film 1s runs essentially vertically from its relevant supply roll 2b or 2s to the closing device 5. Between the supply roll 2b and the closing device 5, the base film 1b runs past a filling device 3, where one portion each Ice cream 4 is poured into a trough-like shape M. The cap-like shape K of the closing foil ls then lies on this portion of ice cream 4 in the closing device 5, so that the portion of ice cream 4 is packed there in the cavity H thus formed. In the closing device 5, the closing foil 1s is connected to the base foil 1b, with which a strip-shaped packaging 1 of portions of ice cream is formed. The connection of the closing foil 1s with the base foil 1b encloses the portions of ice cream and thus protects them. However, this connection of the closing film 1s with the base film 1b is so easy to separate that each portion of ice cream 4 is undamaged from its packaging 1 later, when the connection is broken. is acceptable.

The strip-shaped packaging 1 of portions of ice cream 4 thus formed passes through a freezer zone 6, and is subsequently introduced into a magazine 7. In the magazine 7, the strip-shaped packaging 1 of portions of ice cream 4 can, as shown, be zigzag-shaped or, for example, in the form of a roll.

In the described method and in the illustrated embodiment of the packaging device, a portion of ice cream 4 is first each poured into a formation M of the base film 1b and then the closing film 1s is applied to the base film 1b to form the respective cavities H.

In another variant, not shown, of the method and design of the packaging device, the formations of the base film and / or the closing film can have pouring funnels. First, the sealing film is applied to the base film to form the respective cavities, then an unfrozen mass of ice cream is poured into the respective cavities and the mass of ice cream as a whole is frozen, and finally the pouring funnel is closed.

The inner sides of the formations M or K of the base film 1b or the closing film 1s can be hemispherical or have the shape of a half of a tetrahedron. These inner sides then together form a spherical or tetrahedral cavity H for receiving a spherical or tetrahedral portion of ice cream 4, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows a section of a strip-shaped packaging 1 for typical ice cream balls 4. Part of this packaging 1 for two portions of ice cream is shown, one of the portions being shown in a slightly opened form. The hemispherical shape M of the base film 1b and the corresponding, also hemispherical shape K of the sealing film 1s together form a spherical cavity H which is closed by the connection of the base film 1b with the sealing film 1s and thus encloses the portion of ice cream 4. For this purpose, the formations K _? M arranged in the longitudinal direction of the foils ls, lb in question in a row at a distance from one another and from the edges R ', R "of the foil, so that the foils ls, lb, for example, are weakly welded to one another and bonded otherwise easily separable Ice cream ball 4 can lie packed in cavity H.

Other shapes (not shown in the drawing) of the formations K and M or of the cavity H are possible, for example to form a cavity in the shape of a tetrahedron by joining shapes in the respective shape of one half of a tetrahedron. For problem-free removal of the ice cream from the cavity, it is only necessary to note that the inside of the formations forms a concave shape without an undercut.

4 also shows a section of a strip-shaped packaging 1 for typical ice cream balls. Here a left part of this packaging strip lies in a straight line, to the right a part is bent. In the rectilinear part, a desired kink is visible between the two cavities, which is shown enlarged in FIG. 5. At this predetermined kink, the base film 1b or the closing film 1s do not lie against one another and are not connected to one another, so that a type of bellows forms where the strip-shaped packaging 1 is less rigid than at its other places.

In the example of a strip-shaped packaging 1 shown in FIG. 4, the connection of the base film 1b to the closing film 1s is accomplished with the aid of the respective snap-on moldings of the base film 1b and the closing film 1s, which are shown enlarged in FIG. 6 .

7 shows a sagittal section of an example of a dispensing cooling apparatus according to the invention with finished packs of portions of ice cream arranged therein, as a possible embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 shows one 7 shows a schematic detailed view of the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing cooling apparatus of FIG. 7.

In a compartment or magazine 7 of the cooling container 8 there is a packaging 1 equipped with portions of ice cream 4. In the example shown, this packaging 1 is stored in a zigzag shape in the magazine 7, in a variant it could be stored in the magazine 7 as a roll.

The consumer places a dessert bowl 14 under the opening 13, which for example corresponds to a desired ice cream aroma, and then actuates a reference button (not shown). The packaging 1 is then pulled off by a repeat by means of the discharge mechanism 9 and in particular by pulling the demoulding rollers 10 in order to gradually remove the strip-shaped packaging 1 from the magazine 7. The dispensing mechanism 9 essentially consists of two demolding rolls 10 with recesses corresponding to the formations M and K, the interaction of the recesses of the demolding rolls 10 with the formations of the foils being roughly comparable to a cooperation of gearwheel and rack .

The strip-shaped packaging 1 is torn open in order to remove a portion of ice cream 4 by deflecting the strip-shaped packaging parts 1b and 1s around the demoulding rollers 10 and by pulling disposal rollers 11 in such a way that the portion of ice cream 4 directly into the one below ¬ lying dessert bowl 14 arrives. The used base film 1b and closing film 1s resulting from the tearing are then pressed flat by the disposal rollers 11 and wound onto the collecting rollers 12.

In another variant, not shown, the disposal rollers 11 can be provided with blades for chopping the used base film 1b and closing film 1s resulting from the tearing open. Connections are provided for collecting the chopped used base film 1b and closing film 1s, for example exchangeable waste containers into which the chopped film parts to be caught.

In a further variant, not shown, the dispensing mechanism can be coupled to an automated teller machine. The automatic cash dispenser blocks the dispensing of portions of ice cream or releases them after a coin has been inserted.

Otherwise, the dispensing mechanism can be provided with or without an automatic cash dispenser so that it can be operated manually, or it can also be operated by an electric motor by means of a pushbutton control.

Claims

1. Process for the production of pre-packaged portions of ice cream suitable for purchase from dispensing refrigerators or from cooling buffets for self-service, characterized in that

two strip-shaped foils are provided, one of which is intended and designed to form a base foil (lb) and the other to form a closure foil (ls), the base foil (lb) and the closure foil (ls) each having respective shapes ( M, K), the inside of which forms a concave shape without an undercut and which are arranged in rows in the longitudinal direction of the film in question at a distance from one another and from the edges (R ', R ") of the film, and the closing film (ls ) is intended and designed to be placed on the base film (Ib) and connected to it to form a strip-shaped packaging (1), in which packaging the inner sides of the formations (M, K) of the base film (Ib ) and the closing film (ls) correspond to one another in such a way that they form a closed cavity (H) in pairs for receiving a portion of ice cream (4),

the closing film (ls) is applied to the base film (lb) to form the respective cavities (H), a portion of ice cream (4) being packaged in a cavity (H) thus formed,

- The closing film (ls) is connected to the base film (lb) to form a strip-shaped packaging (1) of portions of ice cream, enclosing them, this connection of the closing film (ls) to the base film (lb) being so easily separable that after disconnecting the connection allows each portion of ice cream (4) to be removed from its packaging (1) undamaged, and - the strip-shaped packaging (1) of portions of ice cream (4) passes through a freezer zone (6) and is subsequently introduced into a magazine (7).

2. ~ Method according to claim 1, characterized in that first a portion of ice cream (4) is poured into a formation (M) of the base film (lb) and then the closing film (ls) on the base film (lb) to form the respective cavities (H) is applied.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the formations of the base film and / or the closing film have pouring funnels, and that first the Schliessfo¬ lie applied to the base film to form the respective cavities, then poured an unfrozen mass of ice cream into the respective cavities , and finally the mass of ice cream as a whole is frozen and the pouring funnel is closed.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sides of the formations (M, K) of the base film (lb) and the closing film (ls) are hemispherical or have the shape of a half of a tetrahedron and together have a spherical or tetrahedral cavity ( H) to hold a spherical or tetrahedral portion of ice cream (4).

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip-shaped packaging (1) of portions of ice cream (4) is rolled or zigzag magazine.

6. Finished packs of portions of ice cream produced according to the method according to claim 1, which are suitable for purchase from dispensing cooling apparatuses or from cooling buffets for self-service.

7. Device for the purchase of finished packs of portions of ice cream according to claim 6, characterized by:

- a cooling container (8) with at least one magazine (7) for strip-shaped packaging (1) of portions of ice cream (4),

- An output mechanism (9) with

Means (10) for the gradual removal of the strip-shaped packaging (1) from the magazine (7),

Means (10, 11) for tearing open the strip-shaped packages (1) in order to remove a portion of ice cream (4) from their packaging,

Means (11) for disposing of the used base film (lb) and closing film (ls) resulting from the tearing, and

- A dispensing opening (13) for the non-contact dispensing of the removed portions of ice cream (4) into a provided bowl (14).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for disposal means (11) for pressing the used base film (lb) and sealing film (ls) resulting from the tearing open and means (12) for reeling the flat-pressed used base film (lb) and include closing film (ls).

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for disposal comprise means for chopping the used base film (lb) and sealing film (ls) resulting from the tearing and means for collecting the chopped used base film (lb) and sealing film (ls) .

10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the cooling container (8) is a commercially available freezer, on or ah the dispensing mechanism (9) with the dispensing opening (13) is mounted as a body or stem unit.

11. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the dispensing mechanism is coupled to an automatic cash dispenser for blocking or releasing the dispensing of portions of ice cream.