WO2019052836A1

WO2019052836A1 - Food cartridge with an integrated mixing element

Info

Publication number: WO2019052836A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/073441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisa Machata; Lucia SCHUSTER
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2018-08-31
Publication date: 2019-03-21
Also published as: DE102017216326A1

Abstract

A cartridge (102) for a food printer (100) is described. The cartridge (102) comprises a cartridge wall (221), which encloses a cylindrical cavity for receiving a printing mass or extrusion mass (108). The cartridge (102) moreover comprises a cap (222), which is arranged on a control side (231) of the cartridge (102) and which can be moved along an axis of the cylindrical cavity in order to extrude printing mass or extrusion mass (108) from the cartridge (102) at an extrusion side (232) directed away from the control side (231). The cartridge (102) further comprises a mixing element (410), which is configured to mix printing mass or extrusion mass (108) arranged in the cavity of the cartridge (102).

Description

Food cartridge with an integrated mixing element

The invention relates to a food printer. More particularly, the invention relates to a food cartridge that can be used in a print head of a food printer to print a food product.

Food printers allow a user to customize a variety of different foods. For example, different baked goods can be customized by a food printer and made on demand.

For different foods different printing or extrusion masses are used, which are printed by a food printer or extruded and cooked if necessary. The different printing or extrusion masses can be provided in different food cartridges (also referred to as capsule). A food printer may extrude extrusion material from the different cartridges to produce a foodstuff.

The pressure or extrusion mass contained in a food cartridge typically has a limited shelf life. As a result, food cartridges typically need to be provided and consumed at short notice.

The present document addresses the technical problem of increasing the shelf life of food cartridges. In this context, in particular a cost-efficient integration of a mixing function within a cartridge is to be made possible. Further, the present document addresses the problem of providing a reliable food cartridge, the appearance of which differs from that of a medical syringe, in order to increase user acceptance for the use of food cartridges.

The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are particularly in the dependent claims defined in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

According to one aspect of the invention, a cartridge (also referred to as a capsule) for a food printer is described. The cartridge may be designed such that the cartridge (in particular in an unused basic state) can be inserted into a food printer and (in particular in a used state) can be removed again from the foodstuff printer. The food printer may be configured to receive in its holder a plurality (e.g., two, three, or more) cartridges. The different cartridges may contain at least partially different printing or extrusion compositions. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more additional cartridges may each comprise foodstuffs which are extruded onto the printing or extrusion mass from the first cartridge. A cartridge comprises a cartridge wall which encloses a cavity for receiving a mass of pressure or extrusion. The cavity may in particular be cylindrical. Further, the cartridge includes a cap disposed on a control side of the cartridge which can be moved along a (longitudinal) axis of the cavity to extrude extrudate from the cartridge at an extrusion side remote from the control side. The cap can touch the cartridge wall (in particular in a central region of the cartridge) in a gastight manner. In this case, a sealing element can be arranged between the cap and the inside of the cartridge wall. Furthermore, the cartridge on the extrusion side can have a nozzle through which the printing or extrusion mass can be pressed or extruded out of the cartridge.

The cartridge can have several different areas. In particular, the cartridge may have a central region in which (at least partially) the cavity for receiving printing or extrusion compound is arranged. Furthermore, between the central area and the extrusion side, the cartridge can have a nozzle area in which a nozzle is arranged for bundling the expelled printing or extrusion mass. In addition, the cartridge between the control side and the central region may have a filling area, which allows liquid to Production of a pressure or extrusion mass to lead from the outside into the cavity of the cartridge.

If necessary, the liquid can be guided into the cartridge via one or more pumps and / or valves. In order to reduce the cleaning effort and / or the volume during the printing process, however, it is preferable to dispense with the use of compressor-based pumps and valves. Liquid may preferably be transported from a (possibly manually fillable) water container to the cartridge by means of one or more linear and / or rotary peristaltic pumps. In this case, the control of the required amount of liquid, for example, depending on a mechanical sensor, an electrical sensor and / or a time sensor.

The cartridge further comprises a (movable) mixing element which is adapted to mix in the cavity of the cartridge arranged pressure or extrusion mass. In particular, the mixing element can be used to remove a contained in the cartridge, e.g. mixing powdered, extruding mass component with a liquid supplied to the cartridge at a later time to produce an edible extrusion mass for a food printer.

There is thus provided a (possibly only once usable or disposable) cartridge for a food printer, which has a mixing element, through which possibly only shortly before a printing or extrusion process, a printing or extrusion mass for printing or for Extrusion of a food can be produced. If necessary, the cartridge can contain only one (relatively long-lasting) printing or extrusion compound component for storage. It is thus described a cartridge that allows extended durability.

The cavity for receiving the printing or extrusion mass can be formed at least partially through an intermediate wall towards the extrusion side. For example, the cavity for receiving the printing or extrusion compound may be enclosed by the cartridge wall forming a hollow cylinder, by the cap and by the intermediate wall. The intermediate wall can separate the central region of the cartridge from the nozzle region of the cartridge. The provision of an intermediate wall allows the use of a nozzle which is separable with the cartridge connected is. The intermediate wall may be inclined downwards (ie towards the extrusion side) in order to ensure that as little pressure or extrusion compound as possible settles in the corners of the cavity of the cartridge and thus not for the printing or the extrusion process can be used. The mixing element can be movably attached to the intermediate wall. In particular, the mixing element may comprise a bearing, with which the mixing element is movable, in particular rotatable, attached to the intermediate wall. For example, the bearing may be arranged in an opening of the intermediate wall and be positively connected to the intermediate wall. The arrangement of the mixing element, in particular of the bearing of the mixing element, on the intermediate wall, enables efficient drive of the mixing element. Furthermore, as a result of a movement of at least one part of the mixing element, an opening in the intermediate wall can be created in an efficient manner, by means of which the pressure or extrusion mass can be forced out of the cavity out of the cartridge.

The mixing element may be designed to be moved from an outer side of the intermediate wall in order to mix pressure or extrusion mass arranged in the cavity of the cartridge. The outer side of the intermediate wall is typically facing the extrusion side of the cartridge. In particular, the mixing element may have a coupling element, via which a corresponding coupling element of a mixing actuator (for example an electric motor) can be connected from the outside of the intermediate wall in order to move the mixing element. Thus, an efficient (electric) drive of the mixing element from the extrusion side of the cartridge is made possible. In particular, a mixing process within a cartridge is thus made possible without adversely affecting the extrusion of printing or extrusion mass controlled by the control side. In this case, the nozzle is preferably separated from the cartridge for the mixing process in order to provide unhindered access to the mixing element. The cartridge may be configured such that the mixing element can be pushed through the cap to the extrusion side to release an opening for extrusion mass in the intermediate wall. The mixing element may have a mixing arm, which from the intermediate wall into the cavity of the cartridge protrudes. The mixing arm can be firmly connected to the bearing of the mixing element. The cap may then act on the mixing arm, which in turn acts on the bearing of the mixing element to create an opening in the partition. The movement of the cap typically occurs during a printing or extrusion process. With the movement of the cap can thus be created in an efficient way, especially at the beginning of the printing or extrusion process, an opening in the intermediate wall through which then the printing or extrusion mass for printing or for extruding a food can be extruded.

The cartridge may comprise on the outside of the intermediate wall a closure part (eg in the form of a flap) which covers the opening for the mass of extrusion or extrusion material in the intermediate wall. The mixing element can be configured to press the closure part at least partially away from the outside of the intermediate wall, so that the opening in the intermediate wall is released. Alternatively or additionally, the cartridge may be configured such that the bearing of the mixing element can be pressed out of the intermediate wall so that the opening in the intermediate wall is released (since the diameter of the mixing arm of the mixing element is smaller). It is thus possible to efficiently create an opening in the intermediate wall of the cartridge. As already stated above, the mixing element may comprise a movable mixing arm, which protrudes from the extrusion side of the cartridge into the cavity (and with which the extrusion mass can be mixed). The cartridge may be configured such that the mixing arm is at least partially compacted within the cavity of the cartridge and / or that the mixing arm is at least partially moved in the direction of the extrusion side of the cartridge (out of the cavity and / or the intermediate area), when the cap presses from the control side in the direction of the extrusion side on the mixing arm. Thus, by applying a sufficiently large force to the cap, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the mixing element along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge within the cavity for receiving extrusion mass. Thus, it can be ensured that the pressure or extrusion mass contained in the cavity can be extruded as completely as possible out of the cartridge. In particular, in order to reduce the claimed space, the mixing arm can have at least one desired compaction point (eg a predetermined breaking point) at which the mixing arm breaks or folds when the cap is moved from the control side in the direction of the extrusion side with a force exceeding a minimum force press on the mixing arm. The required minimum force depends on the design of the target compaction site. Preferably, the cartridge is designed such that the axis of rotation of the mixing element (about which the mixing arm can be rotated during a mixing operation) is inclined when the cap presses from the control side in the direction of the extrusion side of the mixing arm. By an inclination of the mixing element, the leverage of a force acting on the mixing arm force can be increased, so that the mixing arm can be compacted with increased reliability and / or reduced power.

The geometry of the mixing arm and / or the height of the one or more desired Kompaktierungsstellen (eg fractures) are preferably adapted to the diameter and the inclination of the (typically oblique) intermediate wall to minimize compacting after the compaction within the cartridge between the cap and provide the intermediate wall, in which after the extrusion pressure resp. Extrusion mass may remain. After the printing or extrusion process, the compacted mixing element is thus preferably below the horizontal of the cartridge, up to which the cap of the cartridge passes. The inclined partition typically begins directly at this horizontal of the cartridge. The remaining cavity for pressure resp. Extrusion mass between this horizontal and the intermediate wall is thereby 20%, 10%, 5% or less of the total cavity between the horizontal and the intermediate wall. In other words, the mixing arm is preferably designed such that the compacted mixing arm fills 80%, 90%, 95% or more of the entire cavity between the horizontal and the intermediate wall. The mixing arm can at least partially have a helical and / or spiral course. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing arm may comprise a plurality of partial arms which extend at least partially away from the axis of rotation of the mixing element into the cavity of the cartridge. So the mixing effect of the mixing arm can be increased become. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing arm may comprise at least one mixing surface which extends radially or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mixing element into the cavity of the cartridge. In this case, the mixing surface can have one or more recesses. The one or more recesses may be used to efficiently define one or more desired compaction sites.

As stated above, the cartridge typically includes a nozzle disposed on the extrusion side of the cartridge such that extrusion mass, which is forced from the cap through an opening in the intermediate wall, enters the nozzle. The nozzle may be configured to concentrate the extruded from the cartridge pressure or extrusion mass. In this case, the nozzle is preferably curved inwards in order to allow the lowest possible resistance at the extrusion or nozzle opening of the nozzle and to reduce the adhesion of pressure or extrusion mass to the nozzle inner wall. For this purpose, a coating on the nozzle (or on the cartridge) inner wall can be used. Furthermore, material can be inserted into the upper corners of the nozzle to prevent Druckbzw. Extrusion mass penetrates there. By providing a nozzle, the print quality of a food printer can thus be increased.

The nozzle may be configured to be separated from the cartridge and reconnected to the cartridge. For example, the nozzle may be formed to be screwed onto a thread of the cartridge (eg, on the bulkhead or on the cartridge wall). For example, the nozzle may be connected to the cartridge in a (unused) ground state. For a mixing process for producing a printing or extrusion mass within the cartridge, the nozzle can then be separated from the cartridge. On the other hand, the nozzle for a subsequent Druckbzw. Extrusion process can be reconnected to the cartridge. The provision of a flexibly separable / connectable nozzle thus supports the timely production of a printing or extrusion compound within a cartridge (to increase the durability of the cartridge). The nozzle may already have an extrusion opening in an (unused) ground state of the cartridge. Alternatively, when inserting the cartridge (including the nozzle) into the holder of the food printer, an extrusion orifice may be formed in the nozzle. As already stated above, the bearing can be pushed out of the intermediate wall in order to produce an opening for pressure or extrusion mass in the intermediate wall. In this case, the pushed-out bearing may have a cross section which differs from the cross section of the inner space, which is formed by the inner wall of the nozzle. For example, the bearing may have a circular cross section and the interior of the nozzle may have an oval cross section. Thus, it can be reliably avoided that the pushed-out mixing element (in particular the bearing of the mixing element) clogs the nozzle opening of the nozzle. In other words, even when using a cartridge-internal mixing element, a reliable extrusion of printing or extrusion mass can be made possible.

The cavity formed by the cartridge wall may have a cross section in the filling area arranged on the control side of the cartridge which differs from the cross section of the cap. The cross sections may in particular differ in such a way that there is a gap in the filling area of the cartridge between the inside of the cartridge wall and the edge of the cap, through which fluid (in particular water) from the control side can be filled into the cavity of the cartridge. It is thus possible to efficiently supply a supply of liquid. On the other hand, the cavity formed by the cartridge wall in the central region of the cartridge preferably has a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the cap, so that there is substantially no gap permeable to printing or extrusion mass between the cap and the cartridge wall. Thus, in the (subsequent to the mixing process) printing and extrusion process a reliable extrusion of printing or extrusion mass is possible. Furthermore, the extrusion mass is prevented from leaking upward through the cap toward the control side and contaminating other components of the food printer such as the actuator (particularly, the stepping motor) for moving the piston. The central region of the cartridge typically extends beyond the filling level of the extrusion mass (with a certain distance) towards the control side of the cartridge, so that in particular during mixing, ie when the mass of the printing or extrusion on the cartridge wall is radially inward above (ie to the control side) is pressed reliably prevents the pressure or extrusion mass passes into the filling of the cartridge.

The cartridge may have on the control side a cover film which encloses at least partially (preferably completely) the cavity for receiving pressure or extrusion mass. The cap can be fixed at least in an unused ground state of the cartridge to the cavity facing the inside of the cover. Thus, it can be ensured that the space for supplying the liquid is not closed by the cap. Furthermore, the cover film may be formed, at least in regions, to be pierced with a mandrel and / or a needle in order to guide liquid from the outside into the cavity of the cartridge.

In another aspect, a food printer for making food is described. The food printer includes a holder adapted to receive at least one cartridge (e.g., two, three or more cartridges) described in this document. In addition, the food printer comprises at least one means (in particular a print head) which is adapted to print and / or extrude a foodstuff on the basis of a printing or extrusion mass component contained in the cartridge.

In another aspect, a method of making a food by means of a food printer is described. The method comprises feeding a liquid into a cavity of a cartridge inserted in the food printer. In addition, the method includes driving a mixing element of the cartridge to mix the liquid with a printing or extrusion mass component contained in the cartridge so as to produce an extrusion mass for the food. The method further includes moving a cap of the cartridge to extrude the extrusion mass from the cartridge to produce the foodstuff.

It should be noted that any aspects of the cartridge described in this document, the system described, and / or the method described in US Pat various ways can be combined. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

Furthermore, the invention will be described with reference to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Show

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for producing a food;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary printhead of a

Food printer with an inserted cartridge;

FIG. 3 a shows an exemplary cartridge in a side view;

FIG. 3b shows an exemplary cartridge in a view from the piston of a print head; Figures 4a to 4c show a cartridge with a mixing element in different states in the production of a food;

Figures 5a to 7 cartridges with exemplary mixing elements in different

Operating conditions; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of producing a food from a food cartridge.

As set forth above, the present document is directed to the provision of a food cartridge for a food printer that enables storage of extruded mass with increased durability. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary food printer 100. The food printer 100 includes a printhead 120 that may be positioned at different locations over a print surface 104 by movement means 106 (e.g., along a rail). The printhead 120 may be driven by a control unit 107 of the printer 100.

The control unit 107 may determine a 3D model of a food 105 to be printed (eg as recipe data). Further, the control unit 107 may drive the print head 120 and the moving means 106 in response to the 3D model to print a food 105 on the tray 104 having a shape corresponding to the 3D model. For this purpose, the movement means 106 may be arranged to move the printhead 120 in parallel over the deposition surface 104 (ie, in the X and Y directions and / or in another coordinate system, such as a polar coordinate system having a radial direction and an angular direction). , Of Further, the moving means 106 may be arranged to change the distance between the printhead 120 and the tray 104 (ie, move the printhead 120 in the Z-direction).

The shelf 104 may be disposed in a cooking space 103 (e.g., in an oven). The control unit 107 may be configured to control a cooking process of the food 105 in the cooking space 103. In particular, a temperature of the cooking chamber 103 may be controlled, e.g. to bake a food 105 and / or to cool a food 105. The print head 120 makes it possible to receive a cartridge 102 (also referred to as a capsule) with printing or extrusion compound 108. The printing or extrusion mass 108 can be extruded and / or pushed out of the cartridge 102 by means of an actuator 110 of the print head 120 via a nozzle 101. The nozzle 101 may be part of the cartridge 102. In this case, the cartridge 102 can already be provided with a printing or extrusion compound component for producing the printing or extrusion compound 108 (for example commercially available). The foodstuff printer 100 may be configured to prepare the extrusion mass 108 based on the extrusion mass component (e.g., alone if necessary, by supplying and mixing with a liquid, especially water).

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary printhead 120 with a cartridge 102. The cartridge 102 may be attached to a printhead 120 support (not shown) on the printhead 120. In this case, the print head 120 is preferably designed such that cartridges 102 can be exchanged flexibly and conveniently, e.g. to extrude different types of printing or extrusion mass 108 from different cartridges.

Cartridge 102 includes a, typically cylindrical, cartridge wall 221 that encloses a cavity for receiving pressurized or extruded mass 108. At a lower end of the cartridge 102, a nozzle 101 may be arranged. This end of the cartridge 102 is referred to in this document as the extrusion side 332 of a cartridge 102. On the other hand, the cavity may be closed at the top with a cap 222. The upper end of the cartridge 102 is in this Document referred to as the control page 331. The cap 222 may be configured such that the cap 222 can be moved along the cartridge wall 221 in the direction of movement 212 (ie, the longitudinal axis of the cavity) shown in FIG. 2 to eject the extrusion mass 108 via the nozzle 101 to push the cartridge 102 or to withdraw (at least slightly) pressure or extrusion mass 108 at the nozzle 101. The retraction of the extrusion 108 may be used to quickly stop the extrusion of the extrusion 108. Thus, the accuracy of the pressure of a food 105 can be increased. To seal the contact point between the cap 222 and the inside of the cartridge wall 221, a sealing element 205 (eg, an O-ring) may be arranged at the contact point.

The printhead 120 has means for moving the cap 222 of an inserted cartridge 102 to cause extrusion of the extrusion mass 108 by movement of the cap 222 toward the nozzle 101, and / or by movement the cap 222 away from the nozzle 101, the extrusion of Druckbzw. Extrusion mass 108 without substantial delay, i. essentially immediately, to finish.

In particular, the print head 120 may have a piston 202 which can be brought to the cap 222 on the control side 331 of the cavity formed by the cartridge wall 221 facing away from the nozzle 101. The piston 202 is connected to the actuator 110 (e.g., an electric motor) via a piston rod 201. The actuator 110 is configured to move the piston rod 201 and thus the piston 202 along the direction of movement 212. The piston rod 201 may be guided via a flange 206 fixed to the upper control side 331 of the cartridge 102. The flange 206 may be part of a holder for the cartridge 102.

The control unit 107 of the printer 100 may be configured to drive the actuator 110 to move the piston rod 201 toward the nozzle 101. The piston 202 then presses on the cap 222 of the cartridge 102. The cap 222 moves in response to the nozzle 101, so that via the nozzle 101, extrusion mass 108 is pushed out of the cartridge 102. A food cartridge 102 may be provided with an extrusion mass 108 which may be used directly for the pressure of a food 105. However, a finished extrusion material 108 typically has a relatively low durability. The durability can be extended by not storing the finished printing or extrusion compound 108 but a (typically solid and / or powdery) printing or extrusion mass component in the cartridge 102, wherein the printing or extrusion mass component has a relatively high durability. The actual printing or extrusion compound 108 can then be produced by mixing the printing or extrusion compound component with a liquid (in particular exclusively with water). FIG. 3 a shows an exemplary cartridge 102, in the cavity of which a pressure or extrusion mass component 308 is mounted. Prior to the actual printing operation, liquid may be introduced into the cavity of the cartridge 102 to produce the extrusion mass 108. The cartridge 102 may, as shown in Fig. 3a, three different areas 301, 302, 303 have. In the central region 302, the cartridge wall 221 may have a profile corresponding to the profile or cross section of the cap 222. In particular, the cartridge wall 221 in the central area 302 may form a circular cylinder. By using equal cross sections, it is possible to ensure that the cap 222 seals tightly with the inside of the cartridge wall 221 in order to extrude extrusion compound 108 from the cartridge 102 on the extrusion side 232.

Furthermore, the cartridge 102 on the extrusion side 232 typically has a nozzle region 303 that includes the nozzle 101 of the cartridge 102. In the nozzle area 303, the profile of the cartridge wall tapers to compress the extrusion mass 108 at a defined point, i. at the nozzle opening to extrude from the cartridge 102. This can increase the print quality of a food printer. The nozzle 101 and / or the nozzle portion 303 may optionally be separably connected (e.g., via a threaded connection) to the remainder of the cartridge 102.

The central area 402 and the nozzle area 303 may be separated from each other by an intermediate wall. The partition can thereby the cavity for receiving of extrusion material 108 and separate from the nozzle 101 in the nozzle area 303. The intermediate wall may be formed as a lowered bottom of the cavity for receiving pressure or extrusion mass 108. By using a depressed baffle, the amount of mass 108 remaining in the cavity of the cartridge 102 can be reduced. Furthermore, a mixing element of the cartridge 102 can be received in the lowered area. In this case, the geometry of a mixing element and the lowered region can be coordinated with one another in order to reduce the amount of remaining mass 108 and / or to provide a cartridge 102 which is as compact as possible.

In addition, the cartridge 102 may have a filling area 301 on the extrusion side 231. In the fill region 301, the cartridge wall 221 typically has a profile or cross-section that deviates from the profile or cross-section of the cap 222. In particular, the profile of the cartridge wall 221 in the filling area may be greater than the profile of the cap 222, so that in the filling area 301, a space is created between the cap 222 and the inside of the cartridge wall 221, above the liquid (especially water) of the Extrusion side 231 forth in the cavity of the cartridge 102 can be filled. For example, as shown in FIG. 3b, the cartridge wall 321 may have an oval-shaped cross section in the filling area 301, while the cap 222 (just like the cartridge wall 221 in the central area 302) has a circular cross section. Thus, in the filling region 301 of the cartridge 102, there is a gap 322 between the cap 222 and the cartridge wall 321, via which liquid 318 can enter the cavity of the cartridge 102. This liquid 318 may then be mixed with the pressure or extrusion mass component 308 in the cartridge 102 to form the pressure to be extruded. To produce extrusion mass 108.

In an unused ground state, the cartridge 102 may be covered with a cover 305 (eg, a cover film). The cap 222 may be affixed (eg, bonded) to the inside of the film 305 such that the cap 222 is in the priming state of the cartridge 102 in the filling area 301, thus reliably providing the space 312 for supplying liquid 318. The food printer 100, eg, the lid or housing above the support of a printhead 120, may include opening means 130 (eg, one or more Hollow needles and / or mandrels), with which the cover 305 can be opened locally to promote through an opening in the cover 305, the liquid 308 in the cartridge 102. After supplying the liquid 318 and, if appropriate, after production of a printing or extrusion compound 108, the cover 305 can then be substantially completely opened (eg torn) by means of the piston 202 of the print head 120, around the cap 222 in the direction of the extrusion side 232 of the capsule 102 to press.

The provision of a cartridge 102 with a filling region 301 in which the cartridge 102 has a cross section deviating from the cap 222 and / or the central region 302 of the cartridge 102 enables the reliable and efficient supply of liquid 318 to produce a printing or extrusion compound 108. The supply of liquid 318 just prior to use of a cartridge 102 makes it possible to increase the durability of a cartridge 102. After inserting a cartridge 102 into the holder of a print head 120, liquid 318 can thus be guided into the cavity of the cartridge 102 in a first step (based on the opening and / or filling means 130 of a food printer 100). For this purpose, the cartridge 102 may be moved (e.g., by means of the movement means 106) into a region of the food printer 100 where the opening and / or filling means 130 are located.

The liquid 318 supplied to a cartridge 102 can then be mixed with the printing or extrusion compound component 308 already contained in the cartridge 102 in order to produce the printing or extrusion compound 108 to be extruded. The cartridge 102 can have a mechanical mixing element for mixing, wherein the mixing element is designed to mix the (solid and / or pulverulent) extrusion or mass component 308 with the liquid 318 in order to obtain as homogeneous a mass of pressure or extrusion as possible 108 to produce. 4a shows a cartridge 102 with an exemplary mixing element 410. The mixing element 410 in this case comprises a helical mixing arm 412, which is fixed on a bearing 41 1 movably on an intermediate wall 401 of the cartridge 102. The intermediate wall 410 may be formed, the central region 302 of the cartridge 102 to separate from the nozzle portion 303 of the cartridge 102. The nozzle 101 of the cartridge 102 may then be removable. For example, the nozzle 101 can be screwed or plugged onto the cartridge 102. The cavity of the cartridge 102 for receiving the printing or extrusion mass 108 can thus be closed on the extrusion side 232 by the intermediate wall 410 (and possibly the bearing 41 1 of the mixing element 410).

The mixing arm 412 of the mixing element 410 projects from the intermediate wall 401 into the cavity of the cartridge 102. The bearing 41 1 of the mixing element 410 may be fixed to the intermediate wall 401 such that the bearing 41 1 can be externally connected from the extrusion side 232 to a drive shaft 421 of a mixing actuator 420 (in particular an electric motor) when the nozzle 101 of FIG the cartridge 102 has been decoupled (see Fig. 4b). A food printer 100, in particular a printhead 120, may thus be adapted to remove (e.g., unscrew) the nozzle 101 of a cartridge 102 (inserted into the printhead 120) from the cartridge 102. Furthermore, the food printer 100, in particular the print head 120, can be set up to couple the drive shaft 421 of a mixing actuator 420 with the bearing 41 1 of the mixing element 410. For this purpose, the bearing 41 1 and the drive shaft 421 corresponding coupling element (not shown). The mixing actuator 420 may then move the mixing arm 412 of the mixing element 410 such that the liquid 318 and the extrusion mass component 308 in the cavity of the cartridge 102 are mixed to form an extrusion mass 108. The food printer 100, in particular the printhead 120, may further be configured to reconnect (e.g., re-screw) the nozzle 101 to the cartridge 102 after making the extrusion mass 108.

The cartridge 102 has after the mixing process described above, a (possibly homogeneous) printing or extrusion mass 108, which can be extruded in the context of a printing operation to print a food 105. The extrusion of Druckbzw. Extrusion mass 108 is illustrated in FIG. 4c. The piston 202 of the print head 102 can be pressed by means of the piston actuator 1 10 via the piston rod 204 from the control side 231 of the cartridge 102 to the extrusion side 232 of the cartridge 102. The piston 202 presses on the cap 222 of the cartridge 102, so that the movable cap 222 is pressed toward the extrusion side 232. It can the Cap 222 on the mixing element 410, in particular on the mixing arm 412, while pressing the mixing element 410, in particular the bearing 41 1, from an opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 of the cartridge 102 in the nozzle portion 303 of the cartridge 102 inside. The mixing arm 412 of the mixing element 410 preferably has a smaller cross-section (radial to a rotation axis of the mixing element 410) than the bearing 41 1 and the opening 431 for receiving the bearing 41 1. As a result, by pressing out the bearing 41 1 an effective Opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 of the cartridge 102 can be pressed by the extrusion or extrusion mass 108 from the central region 302 of the cartridge 102 into the nozzle region 303 of the cartridge 102. The printing or extrusion mass 108 can then be guided (in particular pressed) through a suitable configuration of the nozzle 101 to a nozzle opening 441 in order to extrude printing or extrusion compound 108 out of the cartridge 102.

As shown in FIG. 4c, the mixing element 410 can thus be pressed at least partially (possibly completely) out of the central region 302 of a cartridge 102 into the nozzle region 303 of the cartridge 102 during a printing operation. Thus, it can be achieved that the cap 222 can be moved as close as possible to the intermediate wall 401 in order to extrude the printing or extrusion compound 108 as completely as possible from the central region 302 and / or out of the entire cartridge 102. Furthermore, the nozzle 101 (in particular an inner wall of the nozzle 101) may have a cross section or profile (perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mixing element 410) that extends from a cross section or profile (perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mixing element 410) of the bearing 41 1 of the mixing element 410 differs. For example, the bearing 41 1 may have a circular cross section, while the nozzle 101 has an oval cross section. It can thus be ensured that the pressure or extrusion mass 108 on the bearing 41 1 can pass from the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 to the nozzle opening 441.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a cartridge 102 with another exemplary mixing element 410. The mixing element shown in FIG. 5a in this case comprises a mixing arm 412 with a plurality of partial arms 51 1, which extend away from the rotation axis 510 of the mixing element 410 and, if necessary, again toward the rotation axis 510. By using a plurality of partial arms 51 1, the quality of the mixing process can be increased. The partial arms 51 1 each have in the example shown in Fig. 5a or a plurality of target compaction points 512, at which the sub-arms 51 1 each break and / or bend when a force acts on the sub-arms 51 1 through the cap 222 of the cartridge 102. By providing desired compaction points 512, compaction or compression of the mixing arm 410 can be effected during a printing operation in order to be able to extrude the printing or extrusion mass 108 as completely as possible from the central region 302 of the cartridge 102.

The cartridge 102 shown in Fig. 5a further comprises a closure member 501 (e.g., in the form of a flap) for closing the opening 431 on the intermediate wall 401 in a base condition of the cartridge 102. The closure member 501 may be e.g. Cover the bearing 41 1 of the mixing element 410. The mixing actuator 420 and / or the drive shaft 421 can be configured to drive the mixing element 410 indirectly via the closure part 501. For example, the closure part 501 may be formed such that the closure part 501 can be moved together with the mixing element 410.

Fig. 5b shows the cartridge 102 of Fig. 5a during a printing operation. In particular, Figure 5b illustrates how the mixing element 410 can be pushed through the cap 222 of the cartridge 102 toward the extrusion side 232. In this case, in a first step, the closure part 501 can be opened to release the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401. The bearing 410 of the mixing element 410 and the intermediate wall 401 can be designed such that when the closure part 501 is open an opening 431 for the pressure or extrusion mass 108 is formed (eg in a cavity of the (hollow) bearing 41 1), so that Pressure or extrusion mass 108 can be pressed from the central region 302 in the nozzle area 303.

The mixing arm 410 may, in the example shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, at least partly remain in the central region 302 of the cartridge 102 during a printing operation. Thus, the degrees of freedom in the configuration of the nozzle 101 of a cartridge 102 can be increased. On the other hand, the mixing arm 410 can be designed such that the mixing arm 410 can be compacted and / or compressed within the central region 302, so that the pressure or extrusion mass 108 can be extruded as completely as possible from the central region 302 and / or from the cartridge 102 , As can be seen from FIG. 5 a, a partial arm 51 1 has an upper strut which extends from the desired compaction point 512 to the control side 231, and a lower strut which extends from the desired compaction point 512 to the Extrusion side 232 extends. The upper struts of the partial arms 51 1 can be brought together at a contact point. The lower struts of the partial arms 51 1 can converge on the axis 510 of the mixing element 410. The length of a lower strut is preferably adapted to dimensions, in particular the diameter, of the intermediate wall 401. The length of an upper strut is typically a little less than the length of a lower strut of the same part arm 51 1, to ensure that the upper strut of a partial arm 51 1 after the fracture / kinking process horizontally on the lower strut of the partial arm 51 1 sets. Thus, the cap 222 may be allowed to be fully depressed to the lower horizontal of the intermediate portion 302 (ie, to the beginning of the intermediate wall 401). Furthermore, it can thus be ensured that only a small amount of pressure or extrusion compound 108 remains in the intermediate region 302.

The nozzle length can be adapted to the course of the intermediate wall 501. In this case, the inner wall of the nozzle 101 preferably has a bulge inward in order to reduce the amount of pressure or extrusion compound 108 (in particular dough) within the nozzle 101.

Figures 6a and 6b show another exemplary cartridge 102 with a trained as a sail 61 1 mixing arm 410. The sail 61 1 is formed as a surface which extends radially or perpendicular to the axis of rotation 510 of the mixing arm 410 to a reliable mixing to enable. The mixing arm 410 may include at least one desired compaction point 512 at which the mixing arm 410 may be compacted in response to a force caused by the cap 222. The target compaction site 512 may be formed as a region of reduced thickness of the sail 61 1.

As shown in Fig. 6b, the bearing 41 1 may be connected to the intermediate wall 401 of the cartridge 102 such that the bearing 41 1 can be pushed out of the intermediate wall 401 via the cap 222 to an opening 431 in the Release partition 401. The desired compaction point 512 of the mixing arm 410 may be designed such that a compaction of the mixing arm 410 essentially takes place only after an opening has been produced in the intermediate wall 401. The mixing arm 410 can thus be at least partially pushed out of the intermediate region 302 of the cartridge 102 in the example illustrated in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b during a printing operation. Furthermore, during a printing operation, the mixing arm 410 can be at least partially compacted or compressed within the intermediate region 302 of the cartridge 102.

The width of the lower part of the mixing element 410 (in particular of the sail 61 1), the surface of the sail 61 1 (eg, rounded off and / or adapted to the smallest diameter of the central area 302), which corresponds to the target compaction point 512, and / or the position (In particular along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 102) of the target Kompaktierungsstelle 512 are preferably designed such that the remaining in the intermediate region 302 of the mixing element 410 can be placed as compact as possible on the lowered partition 401. Furthermore, a relatively large opening 431 of the intermediate wall 401 (eg, compared to the opening 431 of the cartridge 102 of FIG. 4a) may be used so that the vertical axis 510 of the mixing element 410 may lie diagonally in the opening 431 during the printing process and still provide pressure or extrusion compound 108 can pass through the opening 431 into the nozzle region 303.

FIG. 7 shows a cartridge 102 with another exemplary mixing element 410. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mixing arm 412 is designed as a surface 71 1 with one or more recesses 712. The surface 71 1 and / or the one or more recesses 712 can be designed such that the mixing arm 412 can be compacted or compressed during a printing operation. Further, the mixing arm 412 may be configured to open, at the beginning of a printing operation, a shutter portion 501 of the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 (for example, as described in connection with Fig. 5b).

A food printer 100 may thus be configured to receive a cartridge 102 in a holder of the food printer 100. One or more holes may then be created in a cover sheet 305 of the cartridge 102 (eg, through one or more (hollow) needles or mandrels 130) to guide liquid 318 into the central region 302 of the cartridge 102. For this purpose, the cartridge 102 can be moved to a specific area of the food printer 100 on which the opening and filling means 130 of the printer 100 are arranged (see cartridge 102 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1).

For the subsequent mixing operation, the cartridge 102 can be conveyed into a mixing area of the foodstuff printer 100 (see cartridge 102 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1), on which the mixing actuator 420 is also located. In this case, the nozzle 101 can be removed from the cartridge 102 in order to be able to drive the mixing element 410.

For a subsequent printing operation, the cartridge 102 (including the nozzle 101) can be conveyed to a printing area of the food printer 100 (in particular above a storage area 104 for a foodstuff 105 to be printed) (see FIG. 1). In this case, the cartridge 102 can be held by a holder during the printing process (in particular within a print head 120). By a piston 202, the cap 222 of the cartridge (as well as a part of the cover film 305) can be pressed from the control side 231 of the cartridge 102 toward the extrusion side 232 of the cartridge 102. In this case, the mixing element 410 can be broken, folded, compressed and / or pushed out of the central region 302 of the cartridge 102. It can then as long pressure or extrusion mass 108 are pushed out of the cartridge 102 until the cap 222 has reached the horizontal before the beginning of the (possibly gradually lowered) intermediate wall 401. In this case, the intermediate wall 401 may have a (slight) incline toward the opening 431 in order to assist reliable extrusion of the printing or extrusion compound 108 and to prevent residues of the printing or extrusion compound remaining in the lateral corners of the central region 302 ,

The one or more components 130 of a food printer 100 used to deliver liquid 318, particularly water, to a cartridge 102 may be heated after use to cause the liquid 318 remaining in the one or more components 130 to evaporate. Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the one or more components 130 may include a Microstructure (eg to provide a lotus effect) provided and / or have a hydrophobic coating. Thus, it can be ensured that the food printer 100 can be reliably used for a variety of printing operations. The nozzle 101 of a cartridge 102 preferably has an inner wall, by means of which the amount of pressure or extrusion mass 108 remaining in the nozzle 101 is reduced after a printing operation. In other words, the cavity within the nozzle 101 between the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 and the nozzle opening 441 preferably has the smallest possible volume. Here, for example, material can be introduced into an upper corner of the nozzle 101 in order to provide as narrow as possible a channel from the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 to the nozzle opening 441.

The mixing arm 412 of a mixing element 410 and the intermediate wall 401 are preferably matched to one another so that the mixing arm 412 can be pressed onto the intermediate wall 401 during a printing operation. In this case, the volume occupied by the compressed mixing arm 412 should be as small as possible. Alternatively or additionally, a region between the compressed mixing arm 412 and the intermediate wall 401, in which the pressure or extrusion mass 108 could be enclosed, should be as small as possible. For example, the intermediate wall 401 may have a pitch for this purpose, so that an oblique area is formed within the central area 302 of the cartridge 102 into which the cap 222 can not be pressed, but in which (at least partially) the mixing arm 412 can be accommodated , As already stated above, the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401 may be closed by a closure part 501. The closure member 501 may be fixed to the outside of the intermediate wall 401 with a band (not shown). The closure member 501 may then be tilted sideways when opened to expose the opening 431 in the intermediate wall 401. The attachment of the closure part 501 can reliably prevent the closure part 501 from blocking the nozzle opening 441. When the cap 222 and the mixing element 410 are pressed down, the mixing element 410, in particular the mixing arm 412, can be caused to assume an inclined position (relative to the axis of rotation 510) (for example in the mixing element 410 shown in FIG. 6a). Thus, the leverage of the cap 222 can be increased to a target compaction point 512 of the mixing element 410 to reliably compact the mixing element 410.

8 shows a flow chart of an example method 800 for producing a food 105 by means of a food printer 100. The method 800 may be performed by a food printer 100 (specifically, by the control unit 107 of a food printer 100).

The method 800 includes feeding 801 a liquid 318 (particularly water) into a cavity of a cartridge 102 inserted into the food printer 100. The cartridge 102 may be formed as described in this document. For feeding 801 of liquid 318, one or more holes can be produced in a covering film 305 of the cartridge 102 via one or more mandrels or (hollow) needles.

In addition, the method 800 includes driving 802 a mixing element 410 of the cartridge 102 to mix the liquid 318 with an extrusion compound component 308 already contained in the cartridge 102 to form a food or extrusion mass 108 for the food 105 produce. The cartridge 102 may already contain the printing or extrusion compound component 308 in the closed state of the cartridge 102. The printing or extrusion mass component 308 may be powdered. For example, different cartridges 102 may be commercially sold with different cartridge components 308 for different printing or extrusion masses 108. A user of a food printer 100 can thus in a comfortable way different Druckbzw. Acquire extrusion masses 108 for different foods 100 and provide them in a food printer 100.

The method 800 further comprises moving 803 a movable cap 222 of the cartridge 102 in order for the production of the food 105, the pressure or Extrusion mass 108 from the cartridge 102 to extrude. For example, the cap 222 may be urged toward the extrusion side 232 of the cartridge 102 by a plunger 202 of the food printer 100 to extrude extrusion compound 108 via a nozzle 101 of the cartridge 102 onto a food surface 105 to be printed.

The measures described in this document enable reliable production of a mass of extrusion material 108 directly within a cartridge 102. Thus, the durability of cartridges 102 can be substantially increased. Furthermore, such a comfortable and cost-effective production of a food 105 based on (disposable) cartridges 102 with specific pressure or extrusion mass components 308 for different ingredients for the food 105 is made possible.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed cartridge, the proposed system and / or the proposed method.

Claims

Cartridge (102) for a food printer (100), the cartridge (102) comprising

a cartridge wall (221) enclosing a preferably cylindrical cavity for receiving an extrusion mass (108);

a cap (222) which is arranged on a control side (231) of the cartridge (102) and which can be moved along an axis of the cavity in order to remove extrusion compound (108) from the cartridge (232) on an extrusion side (232) facing away from the control side (231). 102) to extrude; and

a mixing element (410) arranged to mix extrusion compound (108) arranged in the cavity of the cartridge (102).

A cartridge (102) according to claim 1, wherein

the cavity for receiving the extrusion mass (108) to the extrusion side (232) is at least partially formed by an intermediate wall (401); and the mixing element (410) comprises a bearing (41 1) with which the mixing element (410) is movably, in particular rotatably, fixed to the intermediate wall (401).

A cartridge (102) according to claim 2, wherein

the mixing element (410) is adapted to be moved from an outer side of the intermediate wall (401) in order to mix extrusion compound (108) arranged in the cavity of the cartridge (102); and or

the mixing element (410) has a coupling element via which a corresponding coupling element of a mixing actuator (420) can be connected from the outside of the intermediate wall (401) in order to move the mixing element (410).

A cartridge (102) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the cartridge (102) is formed such that the mixing element (410) through the cap (222) to the Extrusion side (232) can be pressed down to release an opening (431) for extrusion mass (108) in the intermediate wall (401).

5. A cartridge (102) according to claim 4, wherein

- The cartridge (102) on an outer side of the intermediate wall (401) comprises a closure part (501) which covers the opening (431) for extrusion mass (108) in the intermediate wall (401); and

- The mixing element (410) is adapted to at least partially push the closure part (501) from the outside of the intermediate wall (401), so that the opening (431) in the intermediate wall (401) is released.

6. A cartridge (102) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the cartridge (102) is formed such that the bearing (41 1) of the mixing element (410) from the intermediate wall (41 1) can be pushed out, so that the opening (431) in the intermediate wall (401) is released.

7. A cartridge (102) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein

- The cartridge (102) comprises a nozzle (101) which is arranged on the extrusion side (232) of the cartridge (102) that extrusion mass (108) from the cap (222) through an opening (431) in the Intermediate wall (401) is pressed, enters the nozzle (101);

- The nozzle (101) is adapted to bundle the extrusion of the cartridge (102) extruded mass (108); and

- The nozzle (101) is adapted to be separated from the cartridge (102) and to be reconnected to the cartridge (102).

A cartridge (102) according to claim 7, wherein the bearing (1 1 1) has a cross section which is different from a cross section of a space formed by an inner wall of the nozzle (101).

A cartridge (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing element (410) comprises a movable mixing arm (412) projecting into the cavity from the extrusion side (232) of the cartridge (102).

10. A cartridge (102) according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge (102) is formed such that the mixing arm (412),

- At least partially within the cavity of the cartridge (102) is compacted; and or

is moved at least partially in the direction of the extrusion side (232) of the cartridge (102),

when the cap (222) presses from the control side (231) in the direction of the extrusion side (232) on the mixing arm (412).

1 1. A cartridge (102) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the mixing arm (412) has at least one target compaction point (512) at which the mixing arm (412) breaks or folds when the cap (222) is from the control side (4). 231) in the direction of the extrusion side (232) with a force exceeding a minimum force on the mixing arm (412) presses.

The cartridge (102) according to claim 1 1, wherein the cartridge (102) is formed so as to incline an axis of rotation (510) of the mixing element (410) when the cap (222) moves in the direction from the control side (231) the extrusion side (232) presses on the mixing arm (412).

13. A cartridge (102) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the mixing arm (412)

- Has at least partially a helical and / or spiral course; and or

- Includes a plurality of sub-arms (51 1) extending at least partially from an axis of rotation (510) of the mixing element (410) in the cavity of the cartridge (102); and or

- a mixing surface (61 1, 71 1) extending radially to the axis of rotation (510) of the mixing element (410) in the cavity of the cartridge (102); wherein the mixing surface (61 1, 71 1) in particular one or more recesses (712).

14. Cartridge (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

the cavity formed by the cartridge wall (221) in a filling region (301) arranged on the control side (231) of the cartridge (102) Cross-section which differs from a cross-section of the cap (222), so that in the filling region (301) between an inside of the cartridge wall (221) and an edge of the cap (222) there is a gap (322) through which the control side (231) can be filled liquid (318) into the cavity of the cartridge (102); and or

the cavity formed by the cartridge wall (221) in a central area

(302) has a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the cap (222) so that there is substantially no gap permeable to the extrusion mass (108) between the cap (222) and the cartridge wall (221). 15. A cartridge (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The cartridge (102) on the control side (231) has a cover sheet (305) which at least partially surrounds the cavity for receiving extrusion mass (108);

- The cap (222) is fixed at least in an unused ground state of the cartridge (102) on a cavity facing the inside of the cover (305); and or

- The cover sheet (305) is at least partially formed to be pierced with a mandrel and / or a needle to lead liquid (318) from the outside into the cavity of the cartridge (102).

16. A food printer (100) for producing a food (105), the food printer (100) comprising

- A holder which is adapted to receive at least one cartridge (102) according to one of the preceding claims; and

at least one means (130, 420) arranged on the basis of one of

Cartridge (102) contained extruded mass component (308) to print a food (105).

17. A method (800) for producing a food (105) by means of a food printer (100), the method comprising (800)

- feeding (801) a liquid (318) into a cavity of a cartridge (102) inserted in the food printer (100); Driving (802) a mixing element (410) of the cartridge (102) to mix the liquid (318) with an extrusion mass component (308) contained in the cartridge (102) to form an extrusion mass (108) for the food ( 105); and

Moving (803) a cap (222) of the cartridge (102) to extrude the extrusion mass (108) from the cartridge (102) to produce the food (105).