WO1994002027A1

WO1994002027A1 - Nozzle and process for extruding foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: WO1994002027A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/001905
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Norman Binley
Original assignee: Unilever NV
Current assignee: Unilever NV
Priority date: 1992-07-22
Filing date: 1993-07-17
Publication date: 1994-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1995-01-22
Also published as: AU4700393A

Abstract

A foodstuff is extruded through a nozzle having at least one tube (1) defining a flow path leading to a dispensing outlet (2), and a plurality of valves to permit or obstruct outflow from the nozzle, at least one valve (5) being operable to permit flow while at least one other valve remains closed to obstruct flow, the outlet cross sections controlled by the valves overlapping each other or lying one within the other. The foodstuff product, especially ice cream, can be prepared in special shapes with one type of ice cream (21) enclosed within another (23).

Description

NOZZLE AND PROCESS FOR EXTRUDING FOODSTUFFS.

This invention relates to nozzles and processes for dispensing extrudable foodstuffs, particularly including ice cream.

Ice cream is a peculiar kind of food because it is about 50% air. This affects its flow properties, and for this reason, dispensing mechanisms known for other substances, including foods such as liquid chocolate, are not applicable for dispensing ice cream. The invention is particularly applicable to aerated ice confections having an overrun of at least 10%.

The present invention p ovides a nozzle which facilitates production of ice crea-.,- and some other foodstuffs with special shapes. Positioning of ice cream of one flavour or coir r within different ice cream is enabled with no tailing of thr roduct. Amongst other things, embodiments of the nozzle --.-ay be used to produce rings, cups or hollow dome shapes for filling with some other material, such as fruit or chocolate sauce.

Broadly, the present invention provides a nozzle for dispensing an extrudable foodstuff, having at least one tube defining a flow path leading to a dispensing outlet, and a plurality of valves to permit or obstruct outflow from the nozzle, at least one valve being operable to permit flow while at least one other valve remains closed to obstruct flow, the outlet cross-sections controlled by the valves overlapping each other or lying one within another.

Preferably the wo valves are arranged so that both can be open, both closed or at least one open while the other remains closed. Preferably the valves are located at the outlet(s) of the flow path(s) .

The valves may be utilised to control flow via a plurality of separate flow paths defined by respective tubes, or may be used to change the cross section for outflow from the nozzle, or a combination of these functions.

In one form of this invention there is provided nozzle for dispensing an extrudable foodstuff, having a first tube defining a flow path leading to a dispensing outlet, and a second tube surrounding the first so as to define a flow path around the first tube and also leading to a dispensing outlet, the nozzle having valves to open and close the flow paths along the tubes, the valves being operable to open both flow paths, close both flow paths or open one flow path while the other is closed.

Preferably then the valve means are located at the dispensing outlets of respective tubes.

In one arrangement the first tube is movable within the second tube to act as valve means to open and close the flow path defined by the second tube. There may or may not be additional valve means to permit flow from the second tube independently of the position of the first tube.

The outlet from the second tube may be the same size as the outlet of the first tube and aligned with it so that the outlet cross-sections are substantially the same. It is then possible to change instantly from a first foodstuff delivered along one flow path to a second foodstuff delivered along the other.

In another form of this invention the valves are located one within another so as to permit or obstruct flow through separate areas of a flow cross section. Notably then an outer valve may permit or obstruct flow through an annular cross section around a central valve.

The invention is not restricted to two valves. Thus a first annular valve may be surrounded by another, and so on. Where there are separate flow paths there may be more than two, for example with a third tube surrounding a second tube and so on.

The invention also provides a process for dispensing at least one extrudable foodstuff, comprising supplying the foodstuff to a nozzle as defined above along at least one said flow path, and operating the valves to dispense the foodstuff.

In particular such a process may comprise the steps of:

(i) opening a valve to permit extrusion of a foodstuff from the interior space of a said second tube through its outlet to the exterior of the nozzle;

(ii) opening another valve to permit simultaneous extrusion of another foodstuff from the interior space of a said first tube through its outlet to the exterior of the nozzle;

(iii) closing the valves in reverse order, thereby forming a product portion wherein foodstuff from the first tube is surrounded by foodstuff from the second tube.

Where a nozzle has central and surrounding valves, a cup shape may be produced by using the nozzle in a process which comprises the steps of:

(i) opening a surrounding valve to permit extrusion of foodstuff from a said second tube; (ii) opening a central valve to permit flow from a said first tube and delivering gas through the first tube while continuing to extrude foodstuff from the second tube;

(iϋ) closing both valves;

thereby forming a foodstuff product in the shape of a cup.

The drawings show nozzles according to various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross section through a nozzle according to one embodiment of the invention. The nozzle is shown is use at various stages of a process forming an ice cream product wherein one flavour of ice cream is surrounded by ice cream of a different flavour. (Figures 1A, B, C, D, E) .

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section through a nozzle according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a nozzle according to a third embodiment of the invention. The nozzle is shown in use in various stages of a process to form a cup of ice cream. (Figures 3A, B, C, D, E) .

Figure 4 shows a nozzle which is a fourth embodiment of the invention. The nozzle here has a plurality of annular valves. This nozzle is shown in schematic cross section with the valves in various different positions. (Figures 4A, B, C, D) .

Figure 5 shows a variation in the nozzle of Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment with an additional tube. In Figure 1 the nozzle shown has a first inner tube 1 leading to an outlet 2. This inner tube 1 is within an outer tube 3 which has an outlet 4 coaxial with the outlet 2. The dispensing ends of the tubes are tapered. The outer valve for control of fluid flow from the outer tube

3 through its outlet 4 is provided by the inner tube 1 which is movable axially within the outer tube 3 between a closed position (Figure 1A) and an open condition (Figure IB) wherein fluid flow from the outer tube 3 through its outlet 4 is respectively prevented and permitted. The end of the inner tube 1 is tapered to match the outlet of the outer tube 5. The inner valve comprises a plunger 5 which is tapered to match the outlet 2 of the inner tube 1. The plunger 5 is movable axially within the inner tube l between a closed condition as shown in Figures 1A and IB and a second condition as hown in Figure 1C.

Operating the valve means of the nozzle in the sequence shown in Figures 1A to E, with extrusion of ice cream, results in a product wherein ice cream from the inner tube is surrounded by ice cream from the outer tube.

Figure 1A shows the nozzle with the valves closed, flow from both tubes being prevented. The inner tube 1 is first raised axially within the outer tube away from the outlet

4 of the outer tube 3 to an open condition as shown in Figure IB. Ice cream then flows through the outlet 4 of the outer tube 3. The plunger 5 is then raised axially within the inner tube l away from the outlet 2 of the inner tube 1 to allow ice cream to flow simultaneously from both tubes, as shown in Figure 1C. Returning the plunger 5 to the closed position as shown in Figure ID, while keeping the outer valve open, and subsequently closing the outer valve by returning the inner tube to the closed position as shown in Figure IE results in a product as shown in Figure IE wherein ice cream 21 from the inner tube is enclosed within ice cream 23 from the outer tube. The product may then be rolled to produce a spherical object if desired.

Figure 2 shows a nozzle according to a second embodiment of the invention. Here, the outlets 2' and 4' of the two tubes 1 and 3 are coaxial and have the same diameter. If one, other or both of the valves is opened the nozzle will discharge a rod of ice cream of constant cross section. If the valves are operated, while maintaining at least one valve open, the proportions of ice cream from each tube 1 and 3 can be varied, giving a change in the flavour or mixture which is being extruded without an interruption in flow. If one valve is closed as the other is opened, the extruded rod will show sharp changes from one ice cream to another.

In Figure 3 another embodiment of the invention is shown. In Figure 3, the nozzle shown has an additional valve 6 in the outer tube 3. This valve 6 can be opened to permit flow from the tube 3 when the axially moveable inner tube 1 is in any position within the outer tube 3. Figure 3A shows the nozzle in the condition wherein fluid flow from both tubes is prevented. The valves are closed.

Operating the valves of this nozzle in the sequence shown in Figures 3A to 3E results in a product which is a "cup" made of ice cream, as shown. First the inner tube 1 is raised axially to a condition wherein ice cream flow from the outer tube 3 is permitted through an outlet 7 encircled by the valve 6, as shown in Figure 3B. Opening valve 6 increases the diameter of flow to the full outlet cross- section of tube 3, as shown in Figure 3C. To produce a cup made of ice cream, the inner tube 1 is them moved back towards the outlet to close the central outlet cross- section 7 while flow continues because the annular valve 6 is open. The inner valve is also opened by moving the plunger 5 away from the outlet 2 of the inner tube 1 and gas is blown from the inner tube 1. This coridition is shown in Figure 3D. Closing all the valves then results in a cup made of ice cream 23, as shown in Figure 3E.

A reverse sequence can be used to form a hollow dome.

It will be appreciated that in this embodiment the valve 6 functioned to change the size of cross section of discharge from the nozzle.

Another form of the invention is shown in Figure 4. There are three annular valves 17, 18 and 19 located one within another around a central valve 20. The valves permit or obstruct flow through separate areas of the flow cross section of the nozzle. Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D shows some of the various possible conditions of the valves. With this versatile nozzle, the diameter of flow is adjustable and there may be annular or central extrusion through the outlet.

Figure 5 illustrates a nozzle which is similar to that shown in Figure 3, but has two concentric annular valves 11, 12 around the central tube l. Raising the inner valve 11 permits flow through an annular cross-section around the tube 1. Raising the valve 12 enlarges this cross-section. Thus more progressive changes in the flow diameter are possible.

Figure 6 illustrates a nozzle with three tubes. There is an axially moveable central tube 1 closed by a valve 5, as in Figures 1 and 3. This is surrounded by a tube 13 closed by valve 14. In turn, tube 13 is surrounded by tube 15 closed by valve 16. This nozzle can be used to extrude cup or hollow dome shapes, like the nozzles of Figures 3 and 5. However, by using the tube 13, a second flavour of ice cream can be delivered to line the interior of the cup or hollow dome. It is apparent that nozzles may be constructed with as many tubes as are wanted. Multi-layer ice cream portions could be produced from such nozzles with ice cream of one flavour or colour surrounded or followed in sequence by layers of different ice cream. In such cases each outer tube may be moveable axially in the manner of a plunger within the tube which surrounds it, to open and close the flow path of that surrounding tube, analogous to the arrangement in Figures 1 and 2.

The invention is not confined to the extrusion of ice cream, although it is particularly suited to this. It can also be used for other foodstuffs, such as mashed potato, and sauces to go with mashed potato or ice cream. Thus the nozzle of Figure 1 could be used to form a portion of mashed potato with a sauce wholly enclosed within it.

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing an extrudable foodstuff, having at least one tube defining a flow path leading to a dispensing outlet, and a plurality of valves to permit or obstruct outflow from the nozzle, at least one valve being operable to permit flow while at least one other valve remains closed to obstruct flow, the outlet cross-sections controlled by the valves overlapping each other or lying one within another.

2. A nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the two valves are arranged so that both can be open, both closed or at least one open while the other remains closed.

3. A nozzle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the valves both permit flow through the same outlet cross- sections.

4. A nozzle according to claim l or claim 2 wherein the valves permit flow through outlet cross-sections which are contained one within another.

5. A nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims having first and second tubes one within the other leading to the dispensing outlet and the said valves serving to open and close the flow paths along the tubes.

6. A nozzle according to claim 5 wherein the inner tube is movable within the outer tube to act as a said valve opening and closing the flow path along the outer tube.

7. A process for dispensing at least one extrudable foodstuff comprising supplying the foodstuff(s) to a nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims and operating the valves thereof to dispense the foodstuff(s) .

8. A process according to claim 7 which comprises:

9. A process according to claim 8 wherein the nozzle has a central valve and at least one valve surrounding it, the process comprising:

(i) opening a surrounding valve to permit extrusion of foodstuff from a said second tube;

(ii) opening a central valve to permit flow from a said first tube and delivering gas through the first tube while continuing to extrude foodstuff from the second tube;

(iii) closing both valves;

thereby forming a foodstuff product in the shape of a cup.

10. A process according to claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the foodstuff(s) comprise ice cream.