System and method for producing a food product

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for producing a food product comprising a filling. At least one filling station comprising an iris shutter is provided, which holds a portion of a first food material during filling with a second food material. The system comprises an injector device. The portion of the first food material is deposited in the filling station with the aid of a clamping member, either manually or in an automated manner, so as to be able to clamp the portion of the first food material by means of the iris shutter. In this state, the portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris shutter and is ready to receive the filling by means of the injector device. Upon completion of the injection of the filling, the iris shutter is fully closed, thereby completely enclosing the portion of the first food material around the filling, and thereby obtaining a final product, which is thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris shutter, so that the final product falls freely over a receiving member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to systems and methods for producing food products, and more particularly to systems and methods for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first food material containing a filler made of a second food material. Background Technology

[0002] A system for producing food products is known, for example, from document JP2012-024102 A. Such a system includes a filling station in which a portion of a first food material is filled with a second food material. The filling station includes a clamping device configured to hold a portion of the first food material during filling with the second food material. The clamping device includes an iris-shaped baffle comprising an annular plate supporting a circumferential array of engaging members capable of simultaneous displacement to define a central aperture of controllable amplitude between them. Furthermore, the system includes a syringe device configured to introduce a metered amount of the second food material into a portion of the first food material, while that portion of the first food material is held within the central aperture by the engaging members of the iris-shaped baffle. The syringe device is movable between an operating position above the iris-shaped baffle and a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris-shaped baffle.

[0003] A system conceptually similar to the one described above is also described in Italian patent IT102019000020823 and the corresponding international application WO 2021 / 094839 A1.

[0004] The embodiments described in document JP2012-024102 A relate to the production of food products made from flour dough and containing fillers, while document WO 2021 / 094839 A1 and the corresponding Italian patent specifically relate to systems for producing a product comprising a portion of fresh cheese (“mozzarella”) including fillers containing fresh cheese and cream (“stracciatella”). However, such different applications do not involve any difference in the structure of the system or the principles of its operation.

[0005] Such known solutions all envision supplying a portion of the first food material to the filling station via a conveyor line comprising one or more conveyor belts, with the portion of the first food material held on a support surface defined by the conveyor belts during the filling operation. Such options are unsatisfactory in terms of protection against product contamination during the production process, as the product itself is exposed, at least partially, to a non-negligible period of time along the path toward the filling station. In subsequent filling steps, the volume of the portion of the first food material increases due to the introduction of filler. Therefore, both known solutions envision mutual vertical movement between the clamping device holding the portion of the first food material and the support surface defined by the conveyor belts on which the portion rests. In the solution in the Japanese literature, the iris-type baffle remains stationary, and the conveyor belt on which the portion of the first food material rests descends, while in the case of document WO 2021 / 094839A1, the conveyor belt on which the portion of the first food material rests is held in a fixed vertical position, while the iris-type baffle is raised. In both cases, such options involve relative complexity of the system and its operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for producing food products containing fillers, which overcomes the disadvantages of the known solutions discussed above.

[0007] Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for producing food products containing fillers, which ensures maximum safety from the risk of product contamination during the production process.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to achieve such objectives by means of a simple and reliable system.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system with relatively high productivity as described above.

[0010] Finally, another objective of the present invention is to achieve a system with relatively low cost as described above.

[0011] To achieve one or more of the aforementioned objectives, the present invention relates to a system for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first food material containing a filler made of a second food material.

[0012] The system includes one or more filling stations in which a second food material is introduced into the portion of the first food material.

[0013] Each filling station includes:

[0014] - A clamping device configured to hold said portion of the first food material during filling with a second food material, said clamping device comprising an iris-type baffle including an annular plate supporting a circumferential array of engaging members capable of simultaneous displacement by means of an actuator device to define a central hole of controllable amplitude between them; and

[0015] - A syringe device configured to introduce a metered amount of a second food material into said portion of a first food material, while said portion is held within said central hole by an engaging member of an iris-type baffle.

[0016] - The syringe device is movable by means of one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris-shaped baffle and an operating position above the iris-shaped baffle, in which the dispensing nozzle of the syringe device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food material held by the iris-shaped baffle, and

[0017] - An electronic controller for controlling the actuator device associated with the clamping device and the syringe device.

[0018] The system is characterized in that it includes a clamping member configured to clamp the portion of the first food material and is movable manually or automatically to bring the portion into the filling station by lowering the portion from above into the central hole of the iris-type baffle, thereby allowing the portion to be clamped by the iris-type baffle.

[0019] Such that when the portion of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle, and the portion is ready to receive filler through the syringe device, the portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris-type baffle.

[0020] The electronic controller is configured to perform the following operations:

[0021] - After the portion of the first food material has been lowered from above into the central hole of the iris-type baffle by means of the clamping member, the clamping of the portion of the first food material is actuated by the iris-type baffle.

[0022] - After the portion of the first food material has been clamped within the iris-type baffle, the actuating syringe device moves to its operating position above the iris-type baffle and controls the subsequent injection of a metered amount of filler within the portion.

[0023] - When the filler injection is completed, the syringe device is moved away from its operating position and the iris baffle is controlled to completely close, thereby completely enclosing a portion of the first food material around the filler and obtaining the final product, which is thus separated from the waste portion retained above the iris baffle, allowing the final product to fall freely over the receiving member placed below the iris baffle.

[0024] As can be seen, when a portion of the first food material is clamped in the central hole of the iris-type baffle, said portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris-type baffle, rather than being located on the support surface as in known solutions, which greatly simplifies the structure and control of the system.

[0025] In one embodiment, the receiving member for the final product is cup-shaped and movable by means of an actuator device between an operated position and a downward tilting position arranged below an iris-type baffle, the operated position for receiving the final product discharged from the iris-type baffle, and the downward tilting position for discharging the final product into a collection container.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the clamping member includes a suction cup device, a conduit for connecting the suction cup device to a vacuum source, and means for controlling the connection to activate and deactivate the suction cup device.

[0027] The suction cup device can be provided with a handle for manual use by the operator, or the suction cup device can be carried by a programmable manipulator robot to automate the operation of loading a portion of the first food material onto the iris-type baffle.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the iris-type baffle includes a support plate having the central hole, a circumferential array of engaging members pivotally mounted around a corresponding axis on the support plate, and another annular plate rotatably mounted on the support plate and operably coupled to the engaging members, so as to cause movement of the engaging members due to rotation of the rotatable plate relative to the support plate. In one example, an actuator cylinder is positioned between a fixed structure and a peripheral lug of the rotatable plate to control the rotation of the rotatable plate relative to the support plate.

[0029] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the syringe device is supported by an arm that cantilevered from a support column. The arm is vertically displaced relative to the support column by means of a first actuator. The support column is also capable of rotating about its vertical axis by means of a second actuator, allowing the syringe device to move vertically upwards and away from its operating position by means of lateral displacement obtained through the rotation of the support column.

[0030] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first food material containing a filler made of a second food material, for example, for producing a "burrata" product comprising a portion of a fresh cheese (e.g., "mozzarella") containing a filler of soft fresh cheese and cream ("Scachetra cheese").

[0031] The method includes the operation of filling said portion of the first food material with a second food material.

[0032] The filling operation is performed by holding the portion of the first food material in place by means of a clamping device during the filling process with the second food material.

[0033] The clamping device includes an iris-type baffle, which comprises an annular plate supporting a circumferential array of engaging members. These engaging members are simultaneously displaced by means of an actuator to define a central hole of controllable amplitude between them.

[0034] The filling operation is performed by means of a syringe device by introducing a metered amount of second food material into the portion of the first food material, while the portion is held within the central hole by an engaging member of an iris-type baffle.

[0035] The syringe device is movable by means of an actuator between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris-type baffle and an operating position above the iris-type baffle, in which the dispensing nozzle of the syringe device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food material held by the iris-type baffle.

[0036] The method is characterized by including the following operations:

[0037] - The portion of the first food material is held by means of a clamping member, and the portion is lowered from above into the central hole of the iris-type baffle.

[0038] - By means of the iris-type baffle, the portion of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle.

[0039] Such that when the portion of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle, and in a state where the portion is ready to receive filler from the syringe device, the portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris-type baffle.

[0040] - After the portion of the first food material has been clamped within the iris-type baffle, the actuating syringe device is moved to its operating position above the iris-type baffle.

[0041] - Controlling the subsequent injection of a metered amount of filler within the portion of the first food material.

[0042] - When the filler is injected, the syringe device is moved away from its operating position, actuating the complete closure of the iris baffle, thereby completely enclosing a portion of the first food material around the filler and thus obtaining the final product, which is thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris baffle, allowing the final product to fall freely over the receiving member placed below the iris baffle.

[0043] As is evident from the description provided above, the system and method according to the invention do not involve conveying said portion of the first food material to the filling station by means of a conveyor belt, thus preventing the risk of product exposure to contamination.

[0044] Furthermore, during the filling operation, the portion of the first food material is not located on the support surface defined by the conveyor belt, which greatly simplifies the structure and operation of the production system. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example only, and wherein:

[0046] - Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

[0047] - Figure 2-4 It is shown as Figure 1 A plan view of the internal structure of the iris-type baffle, a part of the system, in three different operating states.

[0048] - Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the clamping member used in the system according to the present invention.

[0049] - Figure 6 This is a block diagram schematically illustrating the control device of the system according to the present invention.

[0050] - Figure 7-14 This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0051] exist Figure 1In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a machine for producing a type of food that includes a portion of a first food material containing a filler containing a second food material. Machine 1 is particularly suitable for producing products such as "burata," which includes a portion of fresh cheese (e.g., "mozzarella") containing a filler of soft fresh cheese and cream (so-called "schachertrale cheese").

[0052] As is obvious, although this description is provided with reference to such a specific application, the teachings of the present invention can generally be applied to other food products containing fillers.

[0053] In the currently shown embodiment, machine 1 includes two filling stations 2, wherein portion M of the first food material (see Figure 5 Each of the two food materials is filled with a second food material to obtain the final product P, which is discharged into a collection container 3 filled with water and arranged below the machine.

[0054] In the example shown, each part M is manually introduced into the filling station 2 by the operator using a clamping member 4, which includes a suction cup device 5 that can be activated by vacuum and is provided with a handle 6.

[0055] The construction details of the suction cup device 5 are not described or shown herein, as they can be implemented in any known manner. According to known technology, the suction cup device 5 is associated with a conduit 7 for connection to a vacuum source (not shown). Furthermore, the handle 6 is associated with a control button 8, which allows the operator to enable connection to the vacuum source when the clamping member 4 must be used to clamp part M, and to disable connection to the vacuum source when the clamping member 4 must be used to release part M from the filling station 2.

[0056] Still referencing Figure 1 as well as Figure 2-4 Each filling station 2 includes a clamping device 9 to hold part M during filling with "Schachertrale cheese".

[0057] The clamping device 9 includes an iris-type baffle D, the internal structure of which is... Figure 2-4 As can be seen in the example shown, the iris-type baffle has a pair of spaced-apart annular support plates 90A and 90B, which are cantilevered in a horizontal position by means of a bracket 91 and supported by the machine's fixed structure 100. The two support plates 90A and 90B are rigidly connected to each other by means of a circumferential array of spacer pins 92. Above the lower support plate 90A, a rotatable plate 93 is rotatably mounted, which has a series of circumferential grooves 94 (see...). Figure 2-4This series of circumferential grooves allows the rotatable plate 93 to rotate relative to the fixed annular support plates 90A, 90B without interfering with the spacer pin 92. The iris-type baffle D includes a circumferential array of engaging members 95, which define a central hole of controllable amplitude between them. Each engaging member 95 has a flat and elongated body with a groove 96 that engages with a pin 97 supported by the rotatable plate 93. On the other hand, the radially outer end of each engaging member 95 is rotatably mounted on a corresponding retaining pin.

[0058] Due to the arrangement described above, the rotation of the rotatable plate 93 relative to the fixed annular support plates 90A and 90B causes each engaging member 95 to swing around the corresponding fixed pin due to the displacement of the corresponding pin 97 (which follows the rotatable plate 93 in rotating about the central axis of the device) in the groove 96.

[0059] Figure 2 The iris-type baffle D is shown in its maximum open configuration. Figure 3 An iris-type baffle in a partially closed configuration is shown, and Figure 4 An iris-type baffle in a fully closed configuration is shown. Each engaging member 95 has a pointed tip at its radially inner end, such that... Figure 4 In the fully closed configuration shown, the iris baffle also acts as a cutting component, separating the product portion located below the iris baffle from the waste portion remaining above the iris baffle.

[0060] Of course, the specific configuration of the iris-type baffle D described above and shown in the accompanying drawings is provided only by way of non-limiting example. The system according to the invention can be implemented by using any other known configuration of the iris-type baffle D.

[0061] Referring again to the example shown in the figure, the rotation of the rotatable plate 93 of the iris-type baffle D is actuated by the rod 10 of the actuator cylinder 11. The body of the actuator cylinder 11 is rigidly connected to the fixed structure 100 of the machine, while the rod 10 is connected to the lug 93A of the rotatable plate 93.

[0062] During operation, mozzarella cheese portions M are inserted one at a time into the clamping device 9 of each filling station 2.

[0063] In the illustrated example described above, as previously stated, such operations are performed by the operator in... Figure 5 The action is performed manually with the help of the clamping member 4 shown.

[0064] The operator uses clamping member 4 to pick up portion M from a container (not shown), wherein portion M from the production line is submerged in water. The operator activates the suction cup device 5 of clamping member 4 to clamp portion M ( Figure 5), and bring it into the upper feed hole 12 of the iris device D, one of the filling stations ( Figure 1 In this way, the portion M supported by the clamping member 4 is arranged in the iris device (which is in this step) Figure 2 (as shown in the open state). In this state, the operator actuates the iris baffle D to partially close, so as to engage the upper part of part M and hold it in a fixed position within the filling station; subsequently, the operator can deactivate the suction cup member and remove the clamping member 4 from the filling station 2, thereby holding part M within the filling station by means of the iris baffle D.

[0065] The filling operation is performed by means of a syringe device 13. In this example, the machine includes a syringe device 13 for each filling station 2. The syringe device 13 can be implemented according to any known technology, the purpose of which is to introduce a metered amount of material into a portion M held by an iris-type baffle D within the filling station 2. The syringe device 13 has a dispensing nozzle 13A, which is configured to be introduced into the portion M of the first food material (“mozzarella cheese”) in order to fill it with a second food material (“scachella cheese”). For this purpose, each syringe device 13 is supported by an arm 14 projecting cantileveredly from a support post 15. The arm 14 is vertically displaceable relative to the post 15, which has a guide groove 16 through which the end portion of the arm 14 is arranged, such end portion being connected to a first actuator device 14A arranged within the post 15 (which is located in…). Figure 6 (Only schematically shown). Subsequently, column 15 can be activated by means of a second actuator device 14B (in Figure 6 (Shown only schematically) It rotates about its vertical axis to laterally displace the syringe device 13 relative to the filling station 2. Actuator devices 14A and 14B are not described in detail, both because such actuator devices can be implemented in any known manner and for the sake of simplicity. Furthermore, the figure does not show devices configured to control the metered amount of material supplied by the syringe device 13. Such devices can also be implemented using any known technique.

[0066] Figure 6 The electronic controller E of the machine is schematically shown. Such a controller is configured and programmed to control the actuator devices 14A, 14B for the movement of the actuator devices of the syringe device 13 and the iris baffle D in each filling station 2.

[0067] Due to the arrangement described above, each syringe device 13 is able to move between a non-operating position and an operating position. In the non-operating position, the syringe device is raised and laterally displaced relative to the vertical axis of the filling station 2. In the operating position, the axis of the syringe device 13 is aligned with the axis of the filling station 2 and the axis of the corresponding iris baffle D. In the operating position, the syringe device 13 is lowered to introduce the dispensing nozzle 13A into the portion M of material held by the iris device D.

[0068] As can be seen, when part M of the material is inserted into the filling station 2 and held in place by means of the partial closure of the iris baffle D, part M of the material is simply held suspended from the iris baffle.

[0069] During operation, when the filling operation of portion M is completed with filler, the syringe device 13 is moved to its non-operating position (lifted and moved laterally relative to the corresponding filling station 2), and the iris-type baffle D is completely closed to seal the channel formed in portion M by the dispensing nozzle 13A of the syringe device, thereby obtaining the final product P, wherein portion M of the first food material completely surrounds the filler. In fact, the food material constituting portion M allows the portions of the material surrounding the channel to bond together with each other by means of simple pressure.

[0070] The complete closure of the iris-type baffle results in the final product P and the waste portion S ( Figure 11 The waste portion is separated from the iris-type baffle D, allowing the final product P to fall freely.

[0071] As in Figure 7-14 As can be better seen in the image, below the iris-shaped baffle D of each filling station 2, a receiving member 18 for the final product is arranged; in this example, such a receiving member is cup-shaped and is supported by an arm 19, which can be positioned around axis 20 by means of a corresponding actuator device (not shown) at a position for receiving the final product P within the receiving member 18 (see image). Figure 11 ) and a rotating position for discharging the final product P into a water-filled collection container 3. Figure 12 Rotate between ).

[0072] Figure 7 A step is shown in which the syringe device 13 is in its non-operating position and the clamping member 4 moves above the iris baffle D to deposit a portion M of material into the iris baffle D.

[0073] Figure 8 A step is shown in which part M is clamped within the iris baffle D while clamping member 4 moves away from the filling station.

[0074] Figure 9 The following step is shown, in which the syringe device 13 moves to its operating position, aligns with the central axis of the iris baffle D, and descends, in such a way that the dispensing nozzle 13A is introduced into the portion M held by the iris baffle D.

[0075] Figure 10 A step is shown in which part M is filled with filler introduced by means of syringe device 13.

[0076] Figure 11 The following step is illustrated, in which the syringe device 13 is moved to its non-operating position, which is raised and laterally displaced relative to the iris-type baffle D, while portion M remains held by the iris-type baffle D.

[0077] Figure 12 The following step is shown, in which the iris-type baffle is completely closed, thereby completely separating the waste portion S located above the iris-type baffle D from the final product P, which then falls into the receiving member 18 by gravity.

[0078] Figure 13 A step is shown in which a tray 22 is positioned below the iris baffle D, sliding outside the machine structure, and protruding cantilevered from such a structure in this step to collect waste S when the iris baffle D is open.

[0079] Figure 14 The final step is shown, in which the tray 22 is pulled out, causing the waste S to be forced by the support 23 onto the conveyor belt 21, while the arm 19 supporting the receiving member 18 rotates about axis 20 to discharge the final product P into the collection container 3.

[0080] As is evident from the description provided above, the system and method according to the invention exhibit substantial improvements over known solutions, both in terms of safety in preventing the risk of product contamination (due to the absence of a conveyor line with a conveyor belt to transport the material portion receiving the filler to the filling station) and, for the same reason, in terms of significant simplification of machine components and controls.

[0081] In a particularly preferred modification, the operation of introducing the material portion M of the receiving filler into the iris-type baffle of the filling station by using a clamping member supported by a programmable manipulator robot is performed automatically.

[0082] Of course, construction details and embodiments may vary considerably with respect to what has been described and shown without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, without prejudice to the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for producing a food product, said food product being of the type comprising a portion (M) of a first food material containing a filler of a second food material. in, The system includes one or more filling stations (2), in which the second food material is introduced into the portion (M) of the first food material. Each filling station includes: - A clamping device configured to hold said portion (M) of the first food material during filling with the second food material, the clamping device comprising an iris-shaped baffle (D) comprising an annular support plate (90A, 90B) supporting a circumferential array of engaging members (95) capable of simultaneous displacement by means of an actuator device to define a central hole of controllable amplitude between them; and - A syringe device (13) configured to introduce a metered amount of a second food material into the portion (M) of the first food material, while the portion (M) is held within the central hole of the iris-type baffle (D) by a connecting member (95). - The syringe device (13) is movable by means of one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris baffle (D) and an operating position above the iris baffle (D), in which the dispensing nozzle (13A) of the syringe device (13) is introduced from above into the portion (M) of the first food material held by the iris baffle (D), and - An electronic controller for controlling the actuator devices associated with the clamping device (9) and the syringe device (13), The system is characterized in that it includes a clamping member (4) configured to clamp the portion (M) of the first food material and is movable manually or automatically to bring the portion (M) into the filling station (2) by lowering the portion from above into the central hole of the iris baffle (D), thereby allowing the portion to be clamped by the iris baffle (D). Such that when the portion (M) of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle (D), the portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris-type baffle (D), in a state where the portion (M) is ready to receive filler through the syringe device (13). The electronic controller is configured to perform the following operations: - After the portion (M) has been lowered from above into the central hole of the iris baffle (D) by means of the clamping member (4), the clamping of the portion (M) of the first food material is actuated by the iris baffle (D). - After the portion (M) of the first food material has been clamped within the iris baffle (D) by means of the iris baffle (D), the syringe device (13) is actuated to move to its operating position above the iris baffle (D), and the subsequent injection of a metered amount of filler within the portion (M) is controlled by means of the syringe device (13). - Upon completion of the injection of the filler, the syringe device (13) is moved away from its operating position and the iris baffle (D) is controlled to be completely closed, thereby completely enclosing a portion (M) of the first food material around the filler and obtaining the final product (P), which is thus separated from the waste portion (S) remaining above the iris baffle (D), so that the final product (P) falls freely above the receiving member (18) placed below the iris baffle (D).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving member (18) for receiving the final product (P) is cup-shaped and is movable between a horizontal operating position and a downward tilting position arranged below the iris baffle (D) by means of a corresponding actuator device. The horizontal operating position is for receiving the final product (P) discharged from the iris baffle (D), and the downward tilting position is for discharging the final product (P) into the collection container (3).

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping member (4) includes a suction cup device (5), a conduit (7) for connecting the suction cup device (5) to a vacuum source, and a control member (8) for controlling the connection to activate and deactivate the suction cup device (5).

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The suction cup device (5) is equipped with a handle (6) for manual use by the operator.

5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cup-suction device (5) is carried by a programmable manipulator robot.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The iris-type baffle (D) includes the support plate (90A, 90B) and an annular rotatable plate (93), which is rotatably mounted on the support plate (90A, 90B) and operably connected to the connecting member (95), such that the connecting member (95) moves due to the rotation of the rotatable plate (93) relative to the support plate (90A, 90B).

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The iris-type baffle (D) is provided with an actuator cylinder (11) operably located between the fixed structure (100) and the peripheral lug (93A) of the rotatable plate (93) to control the rotation of the rotatable plate (93) relative to the support plate (90A, 90B).

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The syringe device (13) is supported by an arm (14) that cantilevered out of a support column (15), the arm (14) being vertically displaced relative to the support column (15) by means of a first actuator, and the support column (15) being able to rotate about its vertical axis by means of a second actuator, such that the syringe device (13) is able to move away from its operating position by means of vertical lifting movement and by means of lateral displacement obtained by rotation of the support column (15).

9. A method for producing a food product, said food product being of the type comprising a portion (M) of a first food material containing a filler of a second food material, the method being used to produce a blata-type product comprising a portion (M) of fresh cheese containing a filler of soft fresh cheese and cream. The method includes the operation of filling said portion (M) of the first food material with the second food material. in, The filling operation is performed by holding the portion (M) of the first food material in place by means of a clamping device (9) during filling with the second food material. The clamping device (9) includes an iris-type baffle (D) comprising an annular support plate (90A, 90B) supporting a circumferential array of engaging members (95) which are simultaneously displaced by means of an actuator device to define a central hole with a controllable amplitude between them. The filling operation is performed by means of a syringe device (13) by introducing a measured amount of the second food material into the portion of the first food material, while the portion (M) is held within the central hole by the engaging member (95) of the iris-type baffle (D). The syringe device (13) is moved by means of one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris-type baffle (D) and an operating position above the iris-type baffle (D), in which the dispensing nozzle (13A) of the syringe device (13) is introduced from above into a portion (M) of the first food material held by the iris-type baffle (D), and The method is characterized in that it includes the following operations - The portion (M) of the first food material is held by means of the clamping member (4), and the portion (M) is lowered from above into the central hole of the iris baffle (D). - By means of the iris-type baffle (D), the portion (M) of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle (D). Such that when the portion (M) of the first food material is clamped within the central hole of the iris-type baffle (D), the portion of the first food material remains suspended from the iris-type baffle (D), in a state where the portion (M) is ready to receive filler from the syringe device (13). - After the portion (M) of the first food material has been clamped within the iris-type baffle (D), the syringe device is actuated to move to its operating position above the iris-type baffle (D). - The subsequent injection of a metered amount of filler within the portion (M) is controlled by means of the syringe device (13). Once the injection of the filler has been completed, the syringe device (13) is moved away from its operating position, actuating the complete closure of the iris baffle (D), thereby completely enclosing a portion (M) of the first food material around the filler and obtaining the final product (P), which is thus separated from the waste portion (S) remaining above the iris baffle (D), allowing the final product (P) to fall freely above the receiving member (18) placed below the iris baffle (D).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The receiving member (18) for receiving the final product is configured as a cup and is movable between a horizontal operating position arranged below the iris baffle (D) to receive the product discharged from the iris baffle (D) and a downward tilting position to discharge the received product (P) into the collection container (3).

Images