Apparatus and method for coating products with seasoning
阅读说明:本技术 用于以调味品涂覆产品的设备和方法 (Apparatus and method for coating products with seasoning ) 是由 L·瓦因 于 2018-05-02 设计创作,主要内容包括:提供一种用于以调味品涂覆产品的调味设备。所述设备包括调味容器,所述调味容器被配置为用于接收产品部分和一份剂量的调味品。所述调味容器包括:打开的第一端,其被配置成在使用中接收产品部分;圆周侧壁,其至少部分地限定从所述调味容器的第一端延伸的调味体积,所述调味体积用于接收所述产品部分和所述剂量的调味品;以及推出构件,所述推出构件相对于所述圆周侧壁能够穿过所述调味体积朝着第一端移动,以用于通过所述调味容器的第一端将调味的产品部分从所述调味体积推出。所述设备包括驱动系统,所述驱动系统被配置成至少使所述调味容器的圆周侧壁旋转,从而导致所述产品部分和所述剂量的调味品在所述调味体积中的混合。在使用中,所述调味容器被布置成使得,在圆周侧壁旋转期间所述产品部分和所述剂量的调味品保留在所述调味体积中。还提供一种以调味品涂覆产品的对应的方法。(A seasoning apparatus for coating a product with a seasoning is provided. The apparatus includes a seasoning container configured to receive a product portion and a dose of seasoning. The seasoning container includes: an open first end configured to receive a product portion in use; a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a flavoring volume extending from a first end of the flavoring container, the flavoring volume for receiving the product portion and the dose of flavoring; and an ejection member movable through the flavouring volume towards the first end with respect to the circumferential side wall for ejecting a flavoured product portion from the flavouring volume through the first end of the flavouring container. The apparatus includes a drive system configured to rotate at least a circumferential sidewall of the seasoning container, thereby causing mixing of the product portion and the dose of seasoning in the seasoning volume. In use, the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall. A corresponding method of coating a product with a seasoning is also provided.)
1. A seasoning apparatus for coating a product with seasoning, the seasoning apparatus comprising:
a seasoning container configured to receive a product portion and a serving of seasoning, the seasoning container comprising:
an open first end configured to receive, in use, the product portion,
a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a flavoring volume extending from a first end of the flavoring container, the flavoring volume for receiving the product portion and the dose of flavoring; and
an ejection member movable through the flavoring volume toward the first end relative to the circumferential sidewall for ejecting a flavored product portion from the flavoring volume through the first end of the flavoring container; and
a drive system configured to rotate at least the circumferential sidewall of the flavoring container, thereby causing mixing of the product portion and the dose of flavoring in the flavoring volume; wherein, in use, the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall.
2. Seasoning apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of seasoning containers configured for receiving respective product portions and respective doses of seasoning, wherein the drive system is configured to rotate at least a circumferential side wall of each seasoning container, thereby causing mixing of the respective product portions and respective doses of seasoning, and in use the product portions and the doses of seasoning remain in the seasoning volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall.
3. The seasoning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a transport system configured to sequentially move each of the plurality of seasoning containers to a product delivery location for receiving product portions.
4. Seasoning apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 further comprising a transport system configured to sequentially move each of the plurality of seasoning containers to a product ejection position at which a seasoned product portion is ejected.
5. The seasoning apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein said transport system is configured to move each of said plurality of seasoning containers along a path defining a closed loop.
6. Seasoning apparatus according to at least claim 3, wherein the plurality of seasoning containers form a first group of seasoning containers and the seasoning apparatus further comprises a second group of seasoning containers, wherein the transport system is configured to sequentially move each of the second group of seasoning containers to a second product delivery position for receiving product portions.
7. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each seasoning container further comprises a base with the circumferential side wall extending between the first end and the base thereby defining the seasoning volume.
8. A flavouring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the or each flavouring container is mounted such that, in use, a first end of the flavouring container is disposed above and laterally offset from the base.
9. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circumferential side wall of the or each seasoning container defines a seasoning volume having a substantially constant cross-section.
10. Seasoning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the ejection member of the or each seasoning container has a shape which substantially matches the cross-section of the seasoning volume.
11. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circumferential side wall of the or each seasoning container is substantially cylindrical thereby defining a substantially cylindrical seasoning volume.
12. Seasoning apparatus according to at least claim 7, wherein the ejection member of the or each seasoning container forms at least a part of the base.
13. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a seasoning reservoir for holding seasoning in use, wherein the or each seasoning container comprises a seasoning aperture arranged in one of the circumferential side wall and the base, wherein movement of the ejector member relative to the circumferential side wall is performed by: moving the circumferential sidewall between a first position and a second position, and if a base is provided, moving the circumferential sidewall and base between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is assumed during mixing of product and condiment and in the second position the ejector member is proximate the first end of the condiment container, and in the second position the circumferential sidewall or the base is at least partially received in the condiment reservoir such that condiment passes through the condiment aperture and into the condiment volume.
14. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circumferential side wall of the or each seasoning container comprises at least one protruding member protruding into the seasoning volume for agitating the product portion and the dose of seasoning during mixing by rotation of the circumferential side wall of the seasoning container.
15. Seasoning apparatus according to at least claim 8, wherein the or each seasoning container is mounted such that, in use, an axis passing through the centre of the first end and the centre of the base forms an angle of no more than 45 ° with respect to the horizontal, preferably no more than 30 ° with respect to the horizontal, such that product and seasoning in the seasoning volume is supported by the circumferential side wall during mixing.
16. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circumferential side wall of the or each seasoning container is shaped such that, in use, the circumferential side wall is inclined at an angle of generally no more than 45 ° to the horizontal, preferably no more than 30 ° to the horizontal, such that product and seasoning in the seasoning volume is supported by the circumferential side wall during mixing.
17. Seasoning apparatus according to at least claim 7, wherein the drive system is configured to rotate at least the circumferential side wall of the or each seasoning container about an axis passing through the first end of the seasoning container and the base, preferably about an axis passing substantially through the centre of the first end of the seasoning container and the centre of the base.
18. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an actuation system arranged to actuate the ejection member of the or each seasoning container.
19. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control system configured to control one or more of the drive system, the transport system and the actuation system.
20. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each ejecting member is configured to move in a reciprocating manner from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position is assumed during mixing of product and seasoning and the second position is proximate to the first end of the seasoning container for ejecting the seasoned product.
21. Seasoning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a seasoning dispenser arranged to dispense measured doses of seasoning at least at one seasoning delivery location for receipt in the or each seasoning container via the first end thereof.
22. System for preparing a flavoured product portion, the system comprising a flavouring apparatus according to any of claims 1-21, and further comprising:
a product batching device arranged to receive products in batches and to discharge measured product portions at least at one product delivery position for reception in the or each flavouring container.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a packaging device arranged to receive and individually package each flavored product portion ejected at the product ejection location.
24. A method of coating a product with a seasoning, comprising:
providing a product portion to a seasoning container, the seasoning container comprising an open first end arranged to receive the product portion in use and a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a seasoning volume extending from the first end of the seasoning container, the seasoning volume for receiving the product portion and a dose of seasoning;
providing a serving of condiment to the condiment container;
rotating at least the circumferential sidewall of the flavouring container, thereby causing mixing of the product portion and the dose of flavouring in the flavouring container; and
pushing the flavored product out through the first end of the flavoring container by moving a pushing member through the flavoring volume toward the first end;
wherein the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for coating products with flavouring (flavouring). In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for coating a solid food product, such as meat or potato crisps, with a seasoning, which may include a liquid seasoning, such as a marinade or sauce, or a particulate seasoning, such as a powder or salt.
Background
Depending on the region of sale of the product, the seasoned product is typically divided into retail segments that must meet stringent standards for actual weight and advertising weight for the segment. To ensure that these weight requirements are met, it is often the case that the product is coated in bulk with seasoning and then transferred to packaging equipment where the seasoned product is weighed, divided into portions of desired weight and packaged. Handling in this manner means that the conveying and weighing equipment will be coated with seasoning. A significant problem associated with this is that when the type of seasoning used is to be changed, all parts of the equipment that have come into contact with the seasoning must be removed and cleaned, which is very time consuming and expensive. To overcome this problem, attempts have been made to coat the product with seasoning performed after measuring the individual product portions and individual doses of seasoning, respectively.
The process of coating the individual product portions with seasoning must face a major problem in that, from the point of introduction to the point of packaging, the entire portion of the product and as much seasoning as possible must be reliably held together to ensure that the weight criteria for the seasoned portion of the packaging are met.
Examples of coating apparatuses known in the art can be found in WO02/41715A2 and EP1424284A 2. The former discloses an apparatus for coating a product with seasoning in which the product and seasoning are introduced into a rotatable drum that is rotated to coat the product with seasoning. This coating apparatus relies on gravity to empty the seasoning containers, which may result in the viscous product (such as meat) not being properly discharged, resulting in an insufficient weight of one batch and an excessive weight of a subsequent batch. The latter discloses an apparatus for coating a product with seasoning, in which the product is moved along a conveyor by a helical blade and seasoning is introduced at a location along the conveyor. The amount of seasoning that is ultimately applied to the product can vary greatly as the helical blade moves the product along the trough to be coated with seasoning. In particular, the length of the condiment application slots from different batches makes it difficult to control the total amount of condiment applied to the product. In addition, if the product is stuck to one of the blades, it may be transferred to the upstream section, again resulting in one part of the product being under-weighted and one part being over-weighted.
It would be desirable to provide an apparatus for coating portioned-sized batches with seasoning that consistently meets criteria such as target weight and that efficiently uses the seasoning by reliably retaining a single serving of seasoning to a corresponding portion of the product.
Disclosure of Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seasoning apparatus for coating a product with a seasoning, the seasoning apparatus comprising: a seasoning container configured to receive a portion of product (a portion of product) and a dose of seasoning (a dose of flavoring), the seasoning container comprising: an open first end configured to receive a product portion in use; a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a flavoring volume extending from a first end of the flavoring container, the flavoring volume for receiving the product portion and the dose of flavoring; and an ejecting member (ejecting member) movable through the flavouring volume towards the first end with respect to the circumferential side wall for ejecting a flavoured product portion from the flavouring volume through the first end of the flavouring container; and a drive system configured to rotate at least a circumferential sidewall of the seasoning container, thereby causing mixing of the product portion and the dose of seasoning in the seasoning volume; wherein, in use, the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall.
The apparatus according to the present invention provides a reliable and efficient means of quantitatively mixing (i.e., separately measuring and then mixing) a known quantity of product and a known quantity of condiment. The seasoning container may be configured to receive a quantity of product and a quantity of seasoning, the total weight of which, for example, meets a weight criterion for the target seasoned product. The forced ejection device of the present invention ensures that all of the product is reliably ejected and that the amount of seasoning lost (e.g., seasoning remaining in the seasoning container) is minimized. Thus, multiple batches of flavoured products may be produced that reliably meet the criteria (such as target weight).
The term "product" is intended to encompass any part of a food product consisting of one or more discrete pieces, in particular food pieces such as meat, fish or poultry parts, potato crisps (or potato chips) or corn crisps. The term "seasoning" is intended to encompass any material suitable for use in coating a product. In particular, the term encompasses solid particulate condiments, such as salt or powder condiments, as well as liquid condiments, such as sauces or marinades.
The circumferential side wall of the flavouring container at least partially defines the flavouring volume, which means that the side wall defines the flavouring volume, either alone or in combination with one or more other surfaces of the flavouring container, as will be described below.
In use, the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall. Typically, this will be achieved by setting: the first end is arranged to be above the flavoring volume and laterally offset from the flavoring volume throughout the rotation such that the product and flavoring are retained in the flavoring volume by gravity. In other cases, the sidewall can be shaped to retain product and seasoning; for example, the first end may be disposed at substantially the same height of the seasoning volume, while the sidewall may be curved outwardly such that product and seasoning are retained due to the shape of the sidewall.
After weighing or otherwise determining the amount of product and seasoning, performing coating of the product with seasoning can be a time consuming process, especially where the batch is small compared to the total amount of product being processed. In order to maintain a high yield of products and condiments, it is preferred that the apparatus comprises a plurality of flavouring containers configured for receiving respective product portions and respective doses of condiment, each flavouring container being identically constituted to the first flavouring container, that is to say, each flavouring container comprises: an open first end configured to receive a product portion in use; a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a flavoring volume extending from a first end of the flavoring container, the flavoring volume for receiving the product portion and the dose of flavoring; and an ejection member movable through the flavouring volume towards the first end relative to the circumferential side wall for ejecting a flavoured product portion from the flavouring volume through the first end of the flavouring container; and a drive system configured to rotate at least the circumferential side wall of each said flavouring container, thereby causing mixing of the respective product portion and the respective dose of flavouring, and in use said product portion and said dose of flavouring remain in said flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall. Such a system maintains the inherent reliability and efficiency of a system comprising flavouring containers dedicated to a single batch of product with a forced ejection device, but allows the system to be scaled to accommodate any high throughput requirements.
While it is possible that the apparatus described above could be used in a system that delivers multiple product portions to each of the flavoring containers at their respective locations, in many cases the apparatus would need to be integrated into a system having existing weighing devices and product delivery devices that in some cases would deliver the product to a single, fixed product delivery location. Thus, preferably, the apparatus further comprises a transport system configured to sequentially move each of the plurality of flavouring containers to a product delivery position for receiving the product portions. Such a system provides the above-described advantages resulting from multiple individual flavoring containers while maintaining good ability to integrate with existing product dispensing and delivery equipment.
Although a removable seasoning container is preferred, the apparatus may alternatively be provided with, for example, an integrated product dispensing system configured to receive a product portion at a product delivery location and transport the product portion to one of a plurality of seasoning container locations for delivery into each seasoning container.
It may also be desirable to integrate the apparatus into a system having existing downstream processing equipment, such as a packaging machine, and such systems are typically configured to receive the flavored product at a single, fixed location. Thus, preferably, the apparatus further comprises a transport system configured to sequentially move each of the plurality of flavouring containers to a product ejection position at which the flavoured product portions are ejected. Such a system provides the above-described advantages resulting from multiple individual seasoning containers while maintaining good ability to integrate with existing downstream processing equipment. Typically, the apparatus moves each of the plurality of flavoring containers sequentially from a product delivery position to a product ejection position. In these cases, it is preferred to provide a single transport system that sequentially moves multiple seasoning containers between these locations.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transport system is configured to move each of the plurality of flavoring containers along a path defining a closed loop. Providing for the flavouring containers to move along a path defining a closed loop is a particularly efficient way of ensuring a repeatable sequence in which each flavouring container is moved in turn to a product delivery position. This may also simplify the construction of the transport system, especially if the closed loop path is, for example, a circular path, or if the flavouring containers are additionally rotated about a common axis. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transport system and the drive system are provided by a planetary gear train. For example, the flavouring container may be mounted on a planet gear of a planetary gear train and moved around a closed loop by translational movement of the planet gear and rotated by rotational movement of the planet gear.
Where the apparatus also transports the flavouring container to a product ejection position, the product delivery position may be at a first position along the closed loop and the product ejection position at a second position along the closed loop. The seasoning time per individual batch can be increased by increasing the proportion of the entire cycle of the closed loop between the product delivery location (or seasoning delivery location if later) and the product ejection location. For example, the product push-out location (or seasoning delivery location) may be separated from the product delivery location by at least 50% and more preferably at least 75% of the duration and/or distance of the entire cycle of the closed loop path.
In some embodiments, the transport system is configured to move the plurality of flavoring containers continuously about a closed loop path, meaning that the plurality of flavoring containers are continuously moving, e.g., at a constant speed, during operation. Alternatively, however, the transport system may be configured to move a plurality of flavouring containers in an indexing motion, i.e. wherein the flavouring containers are momentarily stopped at a number of predetermined positions, which may include a product delivery position and a product ejection position. Continuous motion is particularly preferred because the combined mass of the multiple rollers and product portions can produce high inertia, and continuous motion maximizes the ability of the system to handle such inertia. In contrast, heavy loads such as indexing require high torque and large transport systems, and will place greater strain on the mechanical components of the system. Further preferably, the drive system is configured to rotate at least the sidewall of the flavor container substantially continuously. In particular, when the transport system and the drive system are provided by a planetary gear train, continuous motion and continuous rotation can be achieved.
Preferably, the rotation of at least the side wall of the flavouring container is performed at no more than 100rpm, preferably no more than 75rpm, further preferably no more than 50 rpm. The high rotational speed means that the viscous product, such as meat, can be held on the side walls of the flavouring container by centrifugal force. With the use of a planetary gear train, the continuous movement of the flavouring container maximises yield and efficiency, as the system can always run at this maximum rotational speed.
Providing additional seasoning containers only increases throughput until the time it takes to deliver product portions to each seasoning container is greater than the mixing time required to adequately coat a serving of product with seasoning. Adding additional flavoring containers beyond this point would only increase the available flavoring time or result in increased down time for each flavoring container between product push out and subsequent product delivery. Furthermore, in some cases, the time taken to deliver a portion of product to each of the flavoring containers may be limited by the maximum speed at which the flavoring containers can be moved to the product delivery location, which may mean that the full throughput of the product delivery system is not utilized. To further improve throughput, preferably a plurality of flavouring containers form a first group of flavouring containers, and the apparatus further comprises a second group of flavouring containers, wherein the transport system is configured to sequentially move each of the second group of flavouring containers to a second product delivery position for receiving a product portion. Such an embodiment advantageously allows for a further increase in yield. It will be appreciated that each of the second set of flavouring receptacles will generally be configured the same as the flavouring receptacles described above, i.e. comprising a circumferential side wall and an ejection member, and arranged such that, in use, product and flavouring are retained during mixing. It should also be understood that the various preferred features described above with respect to the first group of flavoring containers and their transport system are equally applicable to the second group of flavoring containers.
These embodiments may entail configuring any associated product serving and delivery systems to deliver products to first and second product delivery locations, respectively, or the seasoning apparatus itself may include an integrated product dispensing system configured to receive a plurality of product portions at a first upstream delivery location and dispense those product portions to the first and second product delivery locations. Alternatively, in some cases, the apparatus may be configured such that a first group of flavoring containers receives products from an associated first product serving and delivery system, while a second group of flavoring containers receives products from an associated second product serving and delivery system.
Embodiments including a second set of flavoring containers have advantages over, for example, running multiple apparatuses in parallel, because the first set of containers and the second set of containers may, for example, share a transport system, drive system, or control system to reduce manufacturing and operating costs.
As already mentioned above, the side wall may only partially define the flavouring volume. In some cases, the or each flavouring container further comprises a base (preferably a substantially closed base), wherein the circumferential side wall extends between the first end and the base, thereby defining a flavouring volume. In these cases, it is preferred that the or each flavouring container is mounted such that, in use, the first end of the flavouring container is disposed above and laterally offset from the base.
For simplified construction, it is preferred that the circumferential side wall of the or each flavouring container defines a flavouring volume having a substantially constant cross-section. In addition, in order to ensure that substantially all of the product and seasoning in the seasoning container is pushed out, it is preferred that the pushing out member has a shape that substantially matches the cross-section of the seasoning volume. In this way, the ejection member sweeps substantially the entire seasoning volume during the ejection process. In particular, this may be helpful when a viscous product (such as meat) is seasoned in a seasoning container, which may stick to the side walls rather than collect at the bottom of the seasoning volume. On the other hand, when a non-stick product (such as a dry food product comprising potato crisps) is seasoned, sufficient product ejection can be achieved by the ejection member sweeping only over the lower region of the seasoning volume.
In some embodiments, the ejection member of the or each flavouring container forms at least part of the base. It is particularly preferred that the ejection member forms substantially all of the base, thereby providing a removable base for the flavouring container. These embodiments may have a simplified construction, and this may result in a reduction in the overall surface area of the seasoning container, which reduces the time and labor required to clean the seasoning container, for example, between product and/or condiment changes.
Preferably, the circumferential side wall of the or each flavouring container is substantially cylindrical, thereby defining a substantially cylindrical flavouring volume. These embodiments may define a drum-shaped flavouring receptacle, which is a particularly preferred configuration of the flavouring receptacle, as it results in a particularly efficient mixing movement of the contents of the flavouring receptacle. While cylindrical sidewalls are preferred, alternatively shaped sidewalls are envisioned, such as those defining a flavoring volume having a pentagonal or hexagonal cross-section or other high-order regular polygonal cross-section.
In some embodiments, a flavouring reservoir is provided for holding flavouring in use, wherein the or each flavouring receptacle comprises a flavouring aperture arranged in one of a circumferential side wall and a base, wherein movement of the ejection member relative to the circumferential side wall is performed by: moving the circumferential sidewall between a first position and a second position, and if a base is provided, moving the circumferential sidewall and base between the first position and the second position, wherein the first position is assumed during mixing of the product and the condiment, e.g., proximate the base of the condiment container, and in the second position the ejection member is proximate the first end of the condiment container, and in the second position the circumferential sidewall or the base is at least partially received in the condiment reservoir such that the condiment passes through the condiment aperture and into the condiment volume. These embodiments do not require active flavor delivery devices and can reduce the cost of the apparatus. In addition, these embodiments advantageously utilize the relative motion of the ejection member and the side wall to simultaneously eject a first batch of flavored product and receive a new dose of flavoring, which can help speed up the cycle of the apparatus and increase throughput.
A preferred embodiment is provided with a seasoning dispenser arranged to dispense a measured dose of seasoning at least at one seasoning delivery location for receipt in the or each seasoning container via a first end thereof. These embodiments provide very precise control of the amount of seasoning introduced into the seasoning container and each product portion and do not require complex injection devices for introducing seasoning at another location of the seasoning container. In embodiments including multiple seasoning containers that are movable to a product delivery location, the seasoning delivery location may be substantially the same as the product delivery location such that the product and seasoning are introduced simultaneously. Alternatively, the transport system may move each of the seasoning containers to one location and then to another location. For example, in a closed-loop embodiment, one location may be located upstream of another location such that the product and seasoning are introduced into the seasoning container sequentially.
Although rotation of the side wall of the seasoning container will typically cause thorough mixing of the product and seasoning as the product tumbles within the rotating seasoning container, further agitation of the product and seasoning within the seasoning container may be required to promote better coating of the product. Preferably, therefore, the circumferential side wall of the or each flavouring container comprises at least one protruding member protruding into the flavouring volume for agitating the product portion and the dose of flavouring during mixing by rotation of the circumferential side wall of the flavouring container. The protruding member may be, for example, a rib extending between the first end of the flavouring container and the base; however, other protruding members are contemplated. Typically, a plurality of projecting members will be provided around the inner surface of the circumferential side wall such that a full rotation of the side wall agitates the product portions a plurality of times.
Preferably, the flavouring receptacle of the apparatus is arranged, in use, such that the first end is above and laterally offset from the base and such that the circumferential side wall is generally inclined to the horizontal. Here, there is a balance between: on the one hand, having the first end above the base allows the product and condiment to remain in the condiment container during mixing, and on the other hand, results in improved mixing of the product more in contact with the rotating side wall than, for example, the rear wall of the condiment container. Preferably, the or each flavouring container is mounted such that, in use, an axis passing through the centre of the first end and the centre of the base forms an angle of no more than 45 ° with respect to the horizontal, preferably an angle of no more than 30 ° with respect to the horizontal, such that the product and flavouring in the flavouring volume is supported by the circumferential side wall during mixing. This has been found to result in particularly good mixing whilst ensuring that the product remains in the flavouring receptacle. Alternatively, the circumferential side wall of the or each flavouring container is shaped such that, in use, the circumferential side wall is inclined at an angle of typically no more than 45 ° to the horizontal, preferably no more than 30 ° to the horizontal, such that the product and flavouring in the flavouring volume is supported by the circumferential side wall during mixing.
Preferably, the drive system is configured to rotate at least the circumferential side wall of the or each flavouring container about an axis passing through the first end of the flavouring container and the base, preferably about an axis passing substantially through the centre of the first end of the flavouring container and the centre of the base. Preferably, the drive system may be configured such that the rotation of the circumferential sidewall is performed substantially without any translational movement of the first end of the flavouring container and the base. Preferably, for any type of rotation, the first end of the flavor container remains above the base of the flavor container for the entire rotation cycle.
In various embodiments, the or each ejecting member is configured to move in a reciprocating manner from a first position to a second position, the first position being adopted during mixing of the product and the condiment, the second position being proximate to the first end of the flavouring container for ejecting the flavoured product. A reciprocating motion is a particularly preferred way of carrying out the push-out action, since its simplified construction allows, for example, the use of a simple actuator for actuating the push-out member.
Preferably, the flavouring apparatus automatically moves the ejection member to cause ejection of the flavoured product portions, and therefore preferably the apparatus further comprises an actuation system arranged to actuate the ejection member of the or each flavouring container. For example, the actuation system may comprise a fixed pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, and the actuator may be arranged to cooperate with an ejection member of the flavouring container in the ejection position. Alternatively, the actuation system may comprise a fixed pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for each flavouring container, which actuators move with the flavouring container. Such automation can reduce operating costs and increase throughput. Although an actuation system is preferred, it is also envisioned that movement of the ejection member may be performed manually.
Preferably, the flavouring apparatus further comprises a control system configured to control one or more of the drive system, the transport system and the actuation system. A control system including a controller for controlling one or more functions of the device may advantageously increase operating speed and reduce operating costs. In case the device is integrated into a system for preparing a flavoured product portion, the control system may also control the functions of a broader system. For example, the control system may control the dispensing of product portions by the associated product serving and delivery system, or may control the dispensing of a serving dose of flavoring.
The flavouring apparatus will generally be used as part of a larger system for preparing flavoured product portions, and therefore, preferably, there is provided a system for preparing flavoured product portions, the system comprising the flavouring apparatus described above, and further comprising: a product batching device arranged to receive products in batches and to discharge measured product portions at least at one product delivery position for reception in the or each flavouring container. The product portioning device may be, for example, a weighing device for preparing portions of the product that meet certain weight criteria. Alternatively, the product portioning device can be a so-called volumetric portioning device for preparing product portions that meet the standards with respect to volume.
The system will preferably also package those flavoured product portions, and therefore preferably the system further comprises a packaging device arranged to receive and individually package each flavoured product portion ejected at the product ejection position. The packaging apparatus need not receive the flavored product directly at the product ejection location, and in embodiments, one or more timing funnels are provided between the flavoring apparatus and the packaging apparatus to control the supply of the flavored product to the packaging apparatus.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of coating a product with a seasoning, comprising the steps of: providing a product portion to a seasoning container, the seasoning container comprising an open first end arranged to receive, in use, the product portion and a circumferential sidewall at least partially defining a seasoning volume extending from the first end of the seasoning container, the seasoning volume for receiving the product portion and a dose of seasoning; providing a serving of condiment to the condiment container; rotating at least the circumferential side wall of the flavouring container, thereby causing mixing of the product portion and the dose of flavouring in the flavouring container; and pushing the flavored product out through the first end of the flavor container by moving a push member through the flavoring volume toward the first end; wherein the flavouring container is arranged such that the product portion and the dose of flavouring remain in the flavouring volume during rotation of the circumferential side wall.
The method of coating a product with a seasoning is suitable for being carried out using the seasoning apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. This method provides the same advantages as the flavouring apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, each of the preferred features discussed above in relation to the flavouring apparatus may be implemented as part of an equivalent embodiment of the method according to the second aspect.
Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
fig. 1A to 1D show a system for preparing a flavoured product portion, comprising a flavouring apparatus according to a first embodiment, in a first perspective view and a second perspective view, a front view and an enlarged cross-sectional view, respectively;
fig. 2A and 2B show a part of a flavouring apparatus according to a first embodiment in a first perspective view and a second perspective view, respectively;
fig. 3A to 3D show a seasoning container of a seasoning apparatus according to a first embodiment in a first perspective view, a second perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively;
fig. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating the operation of the seasoning apparatus according to the first embodiment; and
fig. 5A to 5C schematically show cross-sections of a flavouring apparatus according to a second embodiment in a first and second configuration and a front view, respectively.
Detailed Description
A system for preparing a flavored product portion is shown in fig. 1A-1C. This system comprises a product portioning apparatus 1 in the form of a computer-combined weigher (CCW) arranged to receive product in batches and to discharge measured portions of the product. The product portioning apparatus enters a
Referring in more detail to the interaction between the product portioning apparatus 1 and the
Once the product is coated with seasoning, the product is discharged at the product push-out position. Specifically, each of the first set of
The structure of the seasoning apparatus will now be described with reference to fig. 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A and 2B show only a part of the seasoning apparatus; in particular, these figures illustrate a
The
A large
Six
The flavouring container will now be described in more detail with reference to figures 3A to 3D and figure 2B.
As already described above, each flavouring container is substantially cylindrical in shape, defined by a substantially
The
The flavoring container also includes an actuator 118. Actuator 118 includes an
Within the
At the rear end of each pneumatic actuator 118b, a
In use, the ejector plate is initially disposed at the
Since the shape of the
The pneumatic arrangement associated with the pneumatic actuator 118b will now be described. As shown in fig. 2B, the rear of the
The
The operation of the flavouring apparatus of figures 1A to 3D will now be described in more detail with further reference to figure 4.
First, in step S100, a dose of condiment is discharged through the condiment dispenser into the condiment container via the
Next, in step S200, the product portion is discharged from the product portioning apparatus 1 via the
In step S400, the product portion is received in a seasoning container located at a product delivery location.
Although step S100 is described as occurring before steps S200-S400, it should be understood that this step may occur before any of those other steps, and may occur simultaneously with one or more of those steps. However, it is preferred that the seasoning be received in the seasoning container before the product, as this allows the seasoning to be close to the rear of the product portion.
In step S500, the seasoning container is moved from the product delivery position to the product push-out position. As already described above, the geared connection between the
It should be noted herein that although the movement of the seasoning container is described as a step separate from step S100 to step S400, in practice the seasoning container may be continuously moved and rotated during operation. Thus, steps S100 through S400 typically occur relatively quickly such that the product and seasoning are discharged and received without significant movement of the seasoning container.
In this embodiment, the product delivery position is located at approximately the 3 o 'clock or 9 o' clock position, depending on whether the seasoning container is part of the left side or part of the right side of the seasoning apparatus. The product ejection position is approximately at the 6 o' clock position on both sides of the
In step S600, the product and condiment are pushed out of the condiment container by the actuator 118. Specifically, pneumatic actuator 118b is actuated by
Finally, in step S700, the seasoning container is again moved to the product delivery position, ready to receive a subsequent product portion and a dose of seasoning, and the process is repeated.
The above description has focused on the circulation of a single flavouring container on one half of the flavouring apparatus, but it will be appreciated that this process will be carried out simultaneously with one phase offset for each
An alternative embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 5A to 5C. Fig. 5A and 5B show a
In this embodiment, the
Initially, the
When the product is sufficiently coated with seasoning, the seasoning
Moving the
Once the product is ejected and a new dose of seasoning is received in the
Fig. 5C shows an arrangement of a plurality of
Instead of using a condiment reservoir, this embodiment may be adapted to have a condiment dispenser located above the first end of each of the condiment containers that receives the product and condiment via the first ends of the condiment containers when in the forward position. Alternatively, a condiment dispenser may be provided that moves between various condiment containers to provide condiments.
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