Device and method for producing mixtures

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for use in the production of food masses, having a container (1), preferably a cylindrical container, the first terminal cross-sectional opening of which is covered by a base wall (3) with an outlet opening (4) that can be closed by a closure piece (10) and the opposite second terminal cross-sectional opening of which is covered by a releasable cover (6). The container is forcibly guided along a path so as to move back and forth. The device according to the invention also comprises a piston (11), which can be moved along the container, said piston preferably being formed from the cover, and preferably a cooling nozzle, which can be connected to the outlet opening when the closure piece is absent.

Description

[0001] TARUTTIS

[0002] TARUTTIS - Aegidientorplatz 2b - D-30159 Hanover

[0003] Dr. rer. nat. Stefan Taruttis

[0004] European Patent Office Graduate Engineer

[0005] patent attorney

[0006] European Patent Attorney

[0007] 80298 MUNICH European Trademark Attorney

[0008] D-30159 Hannover, Aegidientorplatz 2b

[0009] GATEHOUSE AT THE AEGI

[0010] Phone: ++49 511 123 32 670

[0011] Fax: ++49 511 123 32 678 www.taruttis.com info@taruttis.com in cooperation with

[0012] Dr. rer. medic Dirk Vollmer

[0013] Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney

[0014] D-74523 Schwäbisch Hall, Hilde-Domin-Str. 8

[0015] Our

[0016] Character: Character.: H1046PCT 10 March 2023

[0017] New international patent application Device and method for producing -hs-tumbler GmbH

[0018] Device and method for producing mixtures

[0019] The present invention relates to a device and a method which can preferably be carried out using the device for producing mixtures, e.g. food masses, e.g. chocolate, starchy dough, mixtures with flour, fat, optionally cheese, or food mass as a meat substitute, which preferably comprises or consists of ingredients of non-animal origin, optionally egg, preferably vegetable ingredients, water, table salt, spice and optionally coloring. The mixture produced by the method, in particular food mass, is preferably solid, optionally with a fibrous or meat-like structure, and can form a food which can be used, for example, as a meat substitute. Optionally, the mixture can be a plastic-containing mixture, e.g. with a content of synthetic and / or natural polymers or polymerizable monomers.

[0020] The device and the method are characterized in that a mixture, e.g. food mass, is mixed from ingredients in exactly one container and can be discharged from the container with little or no dead volume. The container does not have any mixing elements that are movable relative to the container, e.g. no

[0021] Stirrer like a stirred tank and no screw like an extruder.

[0022] EP 3 099 178 B1 describes a container for the production of meat products which is driven to move back and forth along two axes of movement at different frequencies over a distance of at least 5 mm at a frequency of at least 1 Hz.

[0023] EP 3 620 067 A1 describes a mixing and kneading process involving the back and forth movement of a container along two axes of movement at different frequencies.

[0024] WO 2019 / 129744A1 describes a cooling nozzle that can be connected to an extruder from which food mass emerges.

[0025] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative device and a method that can be carried out therewith for producing food masses that preferably have a smaller dead volume than extruders.

[0026] The invention solves the problem with the features of the claims and in particular with a device for use in the production of mixtures, in particular food masses, wherein the device comprises a container, preferably a cylindrical container, the first terminal cross-sectional opening of which is covered by a bottom wall having an outlet opening closable by means of a closure piece, and the opposite second terminal cross-sectional opening of which is covered by a detachable lid, wherein the container is positively guided for a reciprocating movement along a trajectory curve, with a piston which is displaceable along the container up to the bottom wall, in particular up to adjacent to the bottom wall, wherein the piston is preferably formed by the lid, and preferably with a cooling nozzle which is connectable to the outlet opening in the absence of the closure piece,The cooling nozzle is preferably connected directly to the outlet opening or to a nozzle at the outlet opening. Therefore, the device preferably comprises a cooling nozzle and a closure piece that are interchangeable, one of which is connected to the outlet opening.

[0027] Optionally, the container can be vacuum-packed, preferably by means of a valve attached to the lid or the base wall. The device can be configured to vacuum the container, particularly after the reciprocating movement, in order to allow a coherent, preferably compact mass, which particularly preferably has a constant cross-section, to emerge from the outlet opening, optionally from a cooling nozzle connected thereto, as the piston moves through the container. Preferably, the valve is flush with the lid or the base wall on the side facing the interior of the container. Further preferably, the valve has a closure element that covers or fills the opening of the valve to the container flush with the side of the lid or the base wall facing the interior of the container. Such a closure element can be a plunger whose end face matches the opening into which the valve opens on the interior of the container.The closure element is preferably a plunger, e.g. cylindrical, which is displaceable in a channel of the valve, wherein the end face of the plunger, in a closed position of the valve, is flush with the side of the lid or base wall facing the interior of the container and completely covers the channel, and optionally the peripheral surface of the plunger closes an inlet and outlet connection of the valve connected to the channel. In the open position of the valve, the plunger can be moved away from the container into the channel to expose the opening through which the valve opens into the container, wherein the peripheral surface of the plunger preferably exposes an inlet and outlet connection connected to the channel.

[0028] In general, the container can have a solid container wall or a double wall filled with a temperature control medium, which can be tempered before the reciprocating movement, e.g. can be cooled to -10 °C or below, preferably -20 °C or below, or can be heated to e.g. at least 80 °C, preferably at least 100 or at least 120 °C.

[0029] For vacuuming, the container can be heated, and the valve can be a vent valve that closes when the container temperature reaches the boiling point of water, in particular 98 to 105 °C, especially when water vapor, in particular only water vapor, escapes from the valve. The escape of water vapor, in particular only water vapor, indicates that the air has been expelled from the container, so that during subsequent cooling and / or movement of the piston through the container, the vapor is condensed and / or compressed.In general, the device can be configured to heat the container, optionally before or after reciprocating movement along a trajectory curve, to a temperature above the boiling point of water while the valve is closed or open, preferably to close the valve, to discharge the mass from the outlet opening by moving the piston through the container and to move it into a cooling nozzle connected thereto, which is cooled to a temperature below the boiling point.

[0030] The device has the advantage that the same container is used for mixing the added ingredients and for discharging the resulting mixture, generally referred to here as the mass. Discharge occurs by moving the piston through the container via the outlet opening, and the mass is optionally formed using the connected cooling nozzle. Consequently, the device has a significantly smaller dead volume than, for example, an extruder.

[0031] The bottom wall can be flat and parallel to the cross-section of the container, or it can taper toward the outlet opening in a funnel shape. The outlet opening is preferably located centrally in the bottom wall. Optionally, a nozzle is attached to the outlet opening, into which a closure piece can be inserted and / or which is enclosed by a closure piece. Preferably, a closure piece can be inserted into the nozzle. This closure piece is flush with the bottom wall when it closes the outlet opening, e.g., it is located in the nozzle, or it protrudes beyond the bottom wall into the container.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the piston is formed by the lid, wherein the lid can be arranged to cover the second cross-sectional opening of the container within the terminal cross-section of the container, wherein the lid is preferably locked to the container, e.g. by means of a thread running around the lid which engages with an internal thread of the container, by means of a bayonet lock, or by means of a releasable locking device which engages in suitably aligned recesses in the container and the lid. Optionally, the lid can have a circumferential lid seal on its peripheral edge which bears against the inner wall of the container, wherein a lid seal can optionally additionally encompass an end face of the container and bear against the terminal outer wall of the container.

[0033] Preferably, the container is cylindrical on the inside, and the piston has a matching round peripheral edge. Optionally, a seal can be arranged between the cylindrical inner wall of the container and the round peripheral edge of the piston. This seal encompasses the peripheral edge of the piston and is displaceable along the container wall. Preferably, a seal encompassing the peripheral edge of the piston is arranged in a groove surrounding the piston. The end face of the piston facing the interior of the container can be flat or have a shape that matches the shape of the base wall, e.g., conical with a funnel-shaped base wall.

[0034] The container may have an at least triangular cross-section, e.g., a square, pentagonal, or hexagonal cross-section, or a star-shaped cross-section with at least four, at least five, or at least six protrusions extending from a longitudinal central axis. In these embodiments, the piston also has a shape matching the cross-section of the container and is preferably formed by the lid.

[0035] Optionally, the piston has an extension piece projecting toward the interior of the container, which fits the outlet opening and which more preferably has a length equal to the length of a nozzle attached to the bottom wall, optionally equal to 30 to 100%, e.g., 50 to 80%, of the length of a nozzle attached to the bottom wall with a cooling nozzle connected thereto. Optionally, the cooling nozzle has the same shape and size as the outlet opening.

[0036] The cooling nozzle can preferably be connected to the outlet opening or a nozzle forming the outlet opening by means of a snap-in connection, e.g. by means of a bayonet lock or a thread.

[0037] The cooling nozzle can have an annular cross-section or a cross-section that does not include a cavity, e.g., a rectangular, round, or oval cross-section. Preferably, the device has a press as a drive for the piston, which is configured to drive the piston through the container to the bottom wall.

[0038] The press can be a screw press, whose spindle nut can be attached to the container with a stand or frame, so that the spindle can drive the piston into the container by rotating against the spindle nut. The end of the spindle that is loaded against the piston can be rotatable relative to the piston, e.g., guided in a bearing shell on the piston, or it can be rigidly connected to the piston, so that the piston rotates into the container as the spindle rotates.

[0039] Alternatively, the press may be a lever press, in particular a toggle press, the lever of which is hinged to a rack or frame on which the container is arranged and held against the pressure of the lever press.

[0040] Alternatively, the press can be a hydraulic press, which uses, for example, water or air as a pressure medium and is operated by a motor or by means of a hand pump.

[0041] The optional cooling nozzle, which can be connected to the outlet opening, e.g., formed by a nozzle, can be a double-walled pipe through which a temperature control medium, such as water, can flow for cooling. The pipe can have a round or rectangular cross-section, for example; with a rectangular cross-section, the double-walled pipe is optionally formed only on the wide walls and not on the narrow walls.

[0042] The mixing of the ingredients for producing the food mass is carried out according to the invention by moving the container in a back and forth movement along a trajectory with a frequency of at least 1 Hz along two axes, each with a different frequency, over a path along each axis of preferably at least 2.5 mm, at least 1 cm, at least 2 cm or at least 3 cm or at least 10 cm, e.g. up to 50 cm, up to 30 cm, up to 20 or, for shorter paths, up to 10 cm.

[0043] The back and forth movement of the container can, for example, extend over a distance of at least 1.5 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm, more preferably at least 1 cm, more preferably at least 2 cm or at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm, e.g. up to 50 cm, up to 30 cm or up to 20 cm. The back and forth movement of the container is further preferred along a trajectory curve. The back and forth movement of the container is non-linear and can be sinusoidal, loop-shaped or arc-shaped, preferably along a trajectory curve that preferably lies in the plane or is two-dimensional. In general, a non-linear axis of movement, preferably a back and forth movement along a trajectory curve, which can be a Lissajous figure or hypocycloid, promotes uniform and intensive mixing, even with components of the composition that have a similar or the same specific gravity.Each axis of motion can be linear, so that the non-linear movement of the container is generated by the superposition of the movements along two axes. Optionally, the back-and-forth movement can also extend into a third dimension, perpendicular to the plane spanned by the first and second axes.

[0044] The container is driven to reciprocate along at least one trajectory curve, which can be generated by superimposing the reciprocation along at least two axes that are at an angle to each other, wherein preferably two of the axes lie in the plane of the cross-section of the container, wherein the reciprocation along each axis occurs at different frequencies and / or with a phase offset.The trajectory curve can be generated by superimposing the reciprocating motion along two or three axes at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift, and comprises a sequence of trajectory segments, of which at least one, preferably each, comprises or consists of exactly one complete reciprocating motion along the axis along which the reciprocating motion occurs at the lower frequency, wherein the superimposed reciprocating motions at the higher frequency or the same frequency, each optionally with a phase shift, are included along the other axis or axes. The lower frequency of the complete reciprocating motion forms the frequency of the sequence of trajectory segments.For each track segment, a frequency ratio of the reciprocating movement along two axes of a maximum of 1:20 or a maximum of 1:15 or a maximum of 1:10, a maximum of 1:4 or a maximum of 1:3 is preferred, more preferably between 1:1 and 1:2, even more preferably greater than 1:1 and 1:2 or up to 1:1.5, e.g. with a frequency ratio of 1:1.001 and 1:2 or up to 1:1.5.

[0045] In the case of a trajectory that can be generated by superimposing the back and forth movement along two axes at different frequencies and / or with a phase shift, the axes preferably lie in the plane of the cross-section of the container. In the case of a trajectory that is formed by superimposing the back and forth movement along three axes, two of the axes preferably lie in the cross-sectional plane of the container and the third axis is at an angle to this cross-sectional plane. Generally speaking, the linear movement axes are preferably at right angles to one another. In general, the trajectory does not include any rotation of the container about its own axis, which could be, for example, the longitudinal center axis of the container, which runs perpendicular to the end cross-sectional openings.

[0046] Generally, the device is configured to drive the container along a trajectory formed by the superimposition of the reciprocating motion of at least two superimposed linear axes arranged at an angle to one another, wherein the reciprocating motion along the linear axes occurs at different frequencies and / or with a phase offset. The linear axes, along which the superimposed reciprocating motions occur at different frequencies and / or with a phase offset, form the trajectory along which the reciprocating motion of the container occurs, for which the device is configured.

[0047] By moving the container along the trajectory curve, the device is designed to accelerate the mixture relative to the container, so that ingredients contained in the container, which may be solids and / or liquids, are sheared against the container wall by the acceleration and by the movement along or against the container wall and are thereby intensively mixed.

[0048] Because the trajectory can be adjusted or predetermined by the different frequencies and / or the phase shift of the superimposed movements along the linear axes, the device is designed for the reciprocating movement of the container along the trajectory and for the relative movement of the ingredients and the mass mixed therefrom with respect to the container.

[0049] Generally speaking, the container is preferably not rotationally driven and more preferably not or not fully rotatable, e.g., guided to rotate by a maximum of 30°, a maximum of 20°, or 10° about its central axis. Generally speaking, the container is driven exclusively for a reciprocating movement along a trajectory curve. The trajectory curve, which can be set or predetermined by the different frequencies and / or the phase offset of the superimposed movements along at least two linear axes, accelerates solids and / or liquids and the mixture thereof relative to the container. The reciprocating movement of the container drives the ingredients and the mass produced therefrom to move against the inner wall of the container.

[0050] The trajectory allows the angle of incidence and reflection of the ingredients and the mass produced from them against the container wall to be determined. Furthermore, the device is optionally configured to move the container along the trajectory at an adjustable or predetermined acceleration and speed. Because the device is configured for an adjustable or predetermined trajectory and / or an adjustable or predetermined acceleration and / or an adjustable or predetermined speed along the trajectory of the reciprocating movement of the container, the ingredients and the mass produced from them are driven relative to the container at an adjustable or predetermined acceleration and / or speed, allowing a predetermined or continuous adaptation of the process to the ingredients and the mass produced from them.

[0051] In general, a trajectory can be formed by at least two superimposed individual oscillations. Preferably, a trajectory resembles the trajectory generated by superimposing reciprocating movements along at least two linear axes of motion, each at different frequencies and / or by a phase shift. A reciprocating movement along a trajectory that resembles a reciprocating movement along two superimposed linear axes of motion exhibits different frequencies and / or a phase shift. Therefore, in general, a trajectory is optionally not a circular path.

[0052] The difference in frequencies can be, for example, at least 0.01 Hz and / or 0.01% to 900%. The phase offset of the back and forth movements along the linear axes can be, for example, from 0.01° to 180°, preferably 1 to 179° of 360°, which corresponds to a complete back and forth movement. 0.01 to 180° of a complete back and forth movement of 360° is equal to 0.0028% to 50% of a complete back and forth movement, and 1 to 179° of 360° is equal to 0.28% to 49.7% of a complete back and forth movement. The linear movement axes are, for example, perpendicular or at another angle, e.g. 5° to 85° to one another, in particular in the plane of the cross-section of the container and / or perpendicular to a central axis of the container. Optionally, the trajectory contains at least one straight section, the end of which is, for example, a vertex of the trajectory at which the solids and / or liquids and the mixture thereof are separated from the container wall or the container surface.accelerated against the container wall.

[0053] To set different frequencies and / or a phase shift of the superimposed reciprocating movements along at least two linear axes of motion, these reciprocating movements can be coupled to one another by a gear or a guide rail and driven by a motor. A motor-driven gear that adjusts the reciprocating movement along the trajectory curve can have a fixed gear ratio between the superimposed movements along each axis, or an adjustable gear ratio, e.g., a continuously or stepwise shiftable gear. Optionally, the gear can be subject to slip, e.g., have a belt drive or a friction gear, or consist of one of these.

[0054] The output speed of the gear that drives the reciprocating movement of the container is preferably at least 1 Hz, more preferably at least 2.5 Hz, more preferably at least 5 Hz, more preferably at least 7 Hz. For example, up to 50 Hz, up to 40 Hz, up to 30 Hz, up to 20 Hz or up to 10 Hz. The output speed of the gear is equal to the frequency of the reciprocating movement.

[0055] Alternatively, the reciprocating motion along each of the linear motion axes can be driven by a separate motor, with the lower output speed being the frequency of the reciprocating motion and constituting the frequency of the sequence of path segments. In either embodiment, the speed of each drive motor can be controlled, fixed, or variable over the duration of the process.

[0056] The device allows the trajectory to accelerate the solids and / or liquids and the mixture in a defined direction toward a specific location on the inner wall of the container. The geometry of the container and its inner wall, in conjunction with the trajectory, can support the mixing process, allowing the trajectory to be adjusted cross-sectionally depending on the shape and size of the container.

[0057] Optionally, the device is configured to change the trajectory of the reciprocating movement and / or the acceleration and / or speed of the reciprocating movement during the method, e.g., in a first phase, to set the reciprocating movement along a first trajectory and with a first acceleration and speed, and to set the reciprocating movement in a subsequent second phase along a changed trajectory and / or changed acceleration and / or speed.

[0058] Another option is for the reciprocating movement to be a linear reciprocating movement in a first phase and a reciprocating movement along merging trajectories in a second phase. The trajectory can be determined, for example, by a gear that drives the movement of the container.

[0059] By adjusting the trajectory and acceleration of the reciprocating movement of the container, the device allows a predetermined or dynamically variable and directed acceleration of the ingredients as process material relative to the container.

[0060] In an embodiment in which the container can be driven in a controlled manner to a linear reciprocating movement in a first phase, the device is designed to move solids and / or liquids and the mixture thereof with a controllable acceleration perpendicular to the container wall, which is significantly greater than the acceleration due to gravity and therefore essentially independent of the acceleration due to gravity, e.g. with an acceleration maximum of at least 15 m / s 2 , preferably 25 m / s 2 , preferably at least 50 m / s 2 or at least 100 m / s 2 or at least 200 m / s 2 or at least 350 m / s 2 e.g. up to 500 m / s 2 .

[0061] In general, the device can be designed to accelerate the container with a maximum acceleration of at least 20 m / s 2 or at least 100 m / s 2 , e.g. at least 200 m / s 2 , preferably up to 1000 m / s 2or up to 300 m / s 2 along the track segments, e.g., at a vertex of the track segments. The container is preferably designed for a back-and-forth movement with a maximum acceleration of at least 0.5 m / s 2 or at least 1 m / s 2 or at least 2 m / s 2 at least 3.5 m / s 2 , preferably at least 60 m / s 2 , preferably at least 100 m / s 2 , at least 150 m / s 2 , at least 160 m / s 2 , at least 200 m / s 2 , e.g. up to 300 m / s each 2 or 450 m / s 2 , up to 260 m / s 2 or up to 250 m / s 2driven along each of two axes. Generally, the container is preferably driven along one of the axes, preferably along each axis, in combination with the acceleration to an average speed of at least 0.5 m / s, preferably at least 2 m / s, more preferably at least 3.5 m / s, e.g., up to 10 m / s or up to 20 m / s or up to 6 m / s, e.g., 3 to 4 m / s. The path of movement along at least one axis, preferably along each axis, is, e.g., 0.1 cm to 24 cm.

[0062] The container can, for example, be driven to move back and forth over a distance of at least 1 mm or at least 2.5 mm, at least 1 cm, more preferably at least 2 cm or at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm, e.g. up to 100 cm, up to 50 cm, up to 30 cm or up to 20 cm, along each axis. More preferably, the moving back and forth movement of the container is harmonic. The moving back and forth movement of the container can be linear in a first phase; in general, the trajectory is non-linear and can, for example, be sinusoidal, loop-shaped or arc-shaped, preferably along a so-called Lissajous figure or hypocycloid, which preferably lies in the plane or is two-dimensional, optionally three-dimensional.Preferably, the reciprocating movement is linear in a first phase and, in a second phase, is formed into a trajectory curve along at least two merging, non-linear path segments, each containing at least one vertex. This is because, in general, a non-linear path curve, e.g., a movement along a trajectory curve whose path segments each have at least one vertex, promotes the impact of solids and / or liquids and their mixing, e.g., perpendicular to the container wall, as well as a movement along the container wall.

[0063] The reciprocating movement preferably comprises the reciprocating movement along a trajectory curve comprising at least two, preferably at least three, more preferably at least four different trajectory segments, each of which has at least one vertex and preferably merges into one another in a temporal sequence, preferably in a program-controlled manner. Each of the movement axes along which the movements overlap to form a trajectory curve can be linear or arcuate, so that the non-linear movement of the container along a sequence of trajectory segments is generated from the superposition of the movements along two movement axes. The vertices and intermediate sections of a trajectory segment are determined by the frequency difference and / or the phase position of the superimposed reciprocating movements along at least two axes.In general, the device can be configured to change the frequency difference and / or the phase position during the reciprocating movement.

[0064] Generally, the container wall is preferably the circumferentially closed wall of the container, which extends around a central axis and between opposing end cross-sections or lids attached thereto. The container has an optionally circular cross-section that extends around a central axis and is spanned by the container wall. Generally, the end cross-sectional openings of the container are each covered by a lid, of which at least one optionally has a through-opening.

[0065] In general, it is preferred that at least one path segment has a vertex at which the direction of the path segment changes by at least 90°, more preferably by at least 120°, even more preferably by at least 180°, e.g., within a maximum of 24.5%, a maximum of 24%, a maximum of 23%, a maximum of 22%, a maximum of 21%, a maximum of 20%, a maximum of 15%, or a maximum of 10%, more preferably a maximum of 5%, a maximum of 3%, a maximum of 2%, or a maximum of 1% of the length of a path segment. This is because a vertex of the path segment leads to a strong relative acceleration of the solids and / or liquids and their mixing against the container.

[0066] The control of the drive of the container is optionally controlled depending on the signal from a sensor, preferably an acoustic sensor, which records vibrations, in particular noises of the container during the back and forth movement, in particular during the first and / or during the second phase. The acoustic sensor can, for example, be attached to the outer surface of the container or fixed at a distance from the container in a position past which the back and forth movement of the container passes. Preferably, the acoustic sensor is fixed at a short distance, e.g. 0.5 to 5 cm, from the apex of the back and forth movement, e.g. fixed to a rack or frame relative to which the container is moved along the trajectory. The acoustic sensor can be a vibration sensor, e.g. a microphone.In this embodiment, the control of the reciprocating movement can be set up, when the signal emitted by the acoustic sensor changes by a predetermined deviation within a predetermined time of the reciprocating movement, and / or when a predetermined signal emitted by the acoustic sensor is reached, to allow the reciprocating movement to run at a changed speed and / or with a changed phase offset and / or to control from a linear movement to a trajectory curve, in particular to control from a first phase to a second phase of the reciprocating movement, and / or to end the reciprocating movement.

[0067] The mass, which is produced by mixing the ingredients in the container and is optionally then pressed through a cooling nozzle, can contain a total of 100 wt.%, e.g. 27-80 wt.% water, 20-40 wt.% protein, preferably vegetable protein, 2-20 wt.%, preferably 5-10 wt.% starch, optionally e.g. 1-10 wt.% fat, e.g. fat that is liquid or solid at room temperature, and additives such as spices and table salt, flavorings and colorings. Vegetable protein and vegetable starch can, for example, come from soybeans, cereals, beans, peas, pumpkin, in each case as flour, as starch and / or as protein isolate. Optionally, foodstuffs with a solid structure, in particular parts of plants, e.g. fruit, whole or in pieces, can be filled into the container as an ingredient, e.g. olives, vegetables, fruit.

[0068] Optionally, the ingredients without fat are first filled into the container as a separate ingredient and mixed into a preliminary mass by reciprocating along a curved path. The separate fat is then added to the container and mixed into the complete mass by a further phase of reciprocating along a curved path. The device is preferably configured so that the further phase of reciprocating along an at least partially curved or circular path, which is optionally repeated in a suspended manner, creates a kneading effect in which the fat is introduced into the preliminary mass in individual layers and, for example, is not distributed homogeneously.

[0069] In general, the mass in the container can be heated by heating the container and / or by the reciprocating movement, or by the reciprocating movement alone, e.g., to 90-180°C, preferably 100-155°C, more preferably 115-120°C. A cooling nozzle is preferably arranged and flowed through by a tempering medium in order to cool the mass to a temperature of 40-110°C, e.g., 55-90°C, more preferably 70-85°C, in each case measured directly after exiting the cooling nozzle.

[0070] Optionally, the lid and base wall of the container are designed as electrodes, and the container wall 2 extending therebetween can be made of insulating material, in particular of electrically non-conductive plastic or ceramic. The electrodes can be connected to contacts of opposite polarity of a voltage source which is designed, for example, to apply electrical current to the electrodes for ohmic heating of a mixture which contacts both electrodes, or to apply electrical voltage pulses in order to generate pulsed electric fields in the mixture. The electrodes can be connected to the voltage source and applied with electrical current preferably during and optionally after completion of the reciprocating movement or only after completion of the reciprocating movement, generally preferably before movement of the piston towards the base wall.In general, after the reciprocating movement, the lid can be moved along the container until the lid and the bottom wall contact the mixture and optionally press it between them until the interior space enclosed between the lid and the bottom wall is completely filled with the mixture, and then the first electrode formed by the lid and the second electrode formed by the bottom wall can be subjected to electrical voltage of opposite polarity, in particular for heating the mixture to 68 to 100 °C.

[0071] The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the figures which are shown schematically in

[0072] - Fig. 1 a closed container in section,

[0073] Fig. 2 the container of Fig. 1 with piston moving therein, Fig. 3 A an embodiment of a hydraulic press with container,

[0074] - Fig. 3B an embodiment of a screw press with container,

[0075] - Fig. 4 an embodiment of a lever press with container, Fig. 5 a container in section,

[0076] - Fig. 6 a view of a lever press with cooling nozzle,

[0077] - Fig. 7 shows a section through a preferred ventilation valve in the open position,

[0078] - Fig. 8 shows in section the valve of Fig. 7 in closed position and

[0079] - Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the container with the lid and bottom wall serving as electrodes. In general, like reference numerals designate functionally equivalent elements.

[0080] Fig. 1 shows a container 1 with a cylindrical shape, which in the embodiment shown here is formed by a cylindrical container wall 2 in the form of a double wall through which a temperature control medium can flow in order to cool or heat the container 1. The container wall 2 of the container 1, designed as a cylinder, can alternatively be solid, so that it itself forms a heat reservoir that can be cooled or heated before the reciprocating movement. The first terminal cross-sectional opening is covered by a bottom wall 3, which tapers in a funnel shape to an outlet opening 4. A nozzle 5 is attached to the bottom wall 3 at the outlet opening 4. The outlet opening 4 can be closed, e.g., by a closure piece 10 arranged in the nozzle.Opposite the bottom wall 3, the second cross-sectional opening is closed by a lid 6, which can be locked to the container 1 by a clamp 8 engaging along a groove 7 in the lid 6, which clamp is guided in a groove 9 in the container 1. The groove 9, which is formed here at the end of the container, preferably extends into at least two opposite regions of the container, so that a clamp 8 can engage in opposite regions of the circumference of the lid 6 and lock the lid 6 to the container 1. The lid 6 has a peripheral edge, along which it can be displaced through the container 1 along its longitudinal axis, so that the lid 6 forms a piston 11 that can be displaced through the container 1.As is generally preferred, the end face 12 of the piston 11 facing the interior of the container has a shape that matches the bottom wall 3, so that in a position of the piston 11 in which it contacts the bottom wall, it rests at a small distance or fits snugly. Optionally, the end face 12 of the piston 11 facing the interior of the container 1 has a convex shape with a flatter angle than the angle of the concave inner side of the bottom wall 3, so that when the piston 11 moves away from the bottom wall 3 from a position in which it rests against the concave inner side of the bottom wall 3, the contact surface can be continuously reduced. This facilitates the retraction of the piston 11 away from the bottom wall 3, particularly in the presence of mass between the bottom wall 3 and the end face 12.

[0081] The cover 6, which forms the piston 11, has a connection 13 for a press opposite its end face 12.

[0082] The container 1 can be vacuumed by means of a valve 40 attached to the lid 6. Fig. 2 shows the container 1 in which the lid 6 is pushed into the container 1 as a piston 11, after the locking of the lid 6 to the container has been released by removing the clamp 8. A seal can be arranged in the groove 7 surrounding the peripheral edge of the lid 6. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the valve 40 in the base wall 3 as an alternative to the arrangement of the valve 40 in the lid, which forms the piston 11.

[0083] Fig. 3A shows the container 1 with a cooling nozzle 20 connected to the nozzle 5 by means of its inlet opening 26. The piston 11 is loaded against the container 1 by a hydraulic press 30, schematically shown as a hydraulic cylinder 32 with a hydraulic piston 33 moving therein, whose bottom wall 3 rests against a frame 31, with the press 30 being supported against the frame 31 opposite the bottom wall 3. The cooling nozzle 20 has an open internal cross-section 21 in order to form a product with a solid cross-section from the mass. The cooling nozzle 20 has a constant internal cross-section 21 over its entire length and an outlet opening 22 with the same internal cross-section 21. The cooling nozzle 20 has a double jacket 23 for the flow of tempering medium, which can flow in and out through connecting nozzles 24, 25.

[0084] Fig. 3B shows a screw press having a spindle 34 which is displaced against the piston 11 by means of a spindle nut 35 supported against a frame 31. The frame 31 holds the container, as also described for Fig. 3A. Alternatively, a spindle guide 36 with an internal thread can be attached to the frame 31, wherein the spindle 34 forms a screw drive with the spindle guide 36 which, upon rotation of the spindle 34, leads to a movement of the spindle 34 along its longitudinal extent, in particular to the movement of the piston 11 through the container 1, wherein the piston 11 rotates with the spindle 34.

[0085] Fig. 4 shows a container 1, the lid 6 of which is loaded against the container 1 as a piston 11 by a press 30, which is designed as a toggle-joint press. The bottom wall 3 of the container 1 is supported against a frame 31 to which the press 30 is hinged. Attached to the outlet opening 4 is a nozzle 5 to which a cooling nozzle 20 is connected.

[0086] Fig. 5 shows a container 1 in cross section, which can be arranged between the press 30 and the frame 31 after the container 1 has been moved back and forth along the trajectory curve in order to produce a mass from the filled contents, which mass can be pressed through the outlet opening 4. Fig. 6 shows, in a side view rotated by 90° compared to Fig. 4, that the cooling nozzle 20 can have a constant rectangular internal cross-section 21 over its length up to and including the outlet opening 22.

[0087] Fig. 7 shows a valve 40 having a channel 41 enclosed by a wall 43. The channel 41 opens into an opening 42 in the container, wherein the wall 43 is flush with the inside of the lid 6 or the base wall 3 facing the interior of the container 1. In the open position shown here, the plunger forming the closure element 44 is retracted from the opening 42 into the channel 41 and releases the opening 42. As preferred, the peripheral surface 45 of the closure element 44 in the open position releases a nozzle 46 of the valve 40 connected to the channel 41, which forms an inlet or outlet.

[0088] Fig. 8 shows the valve 40 in the closed position, in which the closure element 44, designed as a plunger, covers and fills the opening 42 of the valve to the container flush with the side of the lid 6 or the base wall 3 facing the interior of the container. The end face 47 of the closure element 44 is in the plane of the opening 42 and in a common plane or is flush with the lid 6 or the base wall 3. As preferred, in the closed position, the peripheral surface 45 of the closure element 40 closes an inlet and outlet connection 46, which is connected to the channel 41.

[0089] Fig. 9 shows a container 1, the lid 6 of which is made of electrically conductive material and has a first electrode 50, e.g. made of metal, latched to the container 1 by means of a clamp 8 that is guided through a groove 9 in the container 1 and engages in a groove 7 in the lid 6. The first electrode 50 can be connected to a terminal of a voltage source, and the second electrode 51, which can be connected to a terminal of opposite polarity of the voltage source, is formed by the bottom wall 3 of electrically conductive material. The bottom wall 3 is latched to the container 1 by means of a further clamp 8 that is guided through a groove 9 in the container 1 and engages in a groove 7 in the lid 6. The valve 40 is mounted in the cover 6 and, in the closed position, contains a bolt which, as a closure element 44, fills the valve channel 41 and, by means of its end face 47, flush covers the opening 42 of the valve channel.Container 1 here has a cylindrical container wall 2, representative of other cross-sections. Example: Production of food mass based on plant protein.

[0090] Pea protein, wheat flour, gluten, water, table salt, and spices were weighed into a container as shown in Fig. 1, resulting in 20–35 wt% protein, 5–10 wt% starch, and 100% water. The container was closed and moved along a curved path for 90 s at 10 Hz, preferably then evacuated, and emptied through the outlet opening by pressing the lid as a piston. Optionally, a cooling nozzle, whose double jacket was cooled with tap water, was connected to the outlet opening. The resulting food mass had a solid structure.

[0091] Reference symbol:

[0092] 1 container 26 inlet opening of the cooling nozzle

[0093] 2 container wall 30 press

[0094] 3 floor wall 31 frame

[0095] 4 outlet opening 32 hydraulic cylinders

[0096] 5 nozzles 33 hydraulic pistons

[0097] 6 cover 34 spindle

[0098] 7 Groove in the cover or in the base wall 35 Spindle nut

[0099] 8 clamp 36 spindle guide

[0100] 9 Groove of the container 40 Valve

[0101] 10 Closure piece 41 Valve channel

[0102] 11 Piston 42 Opening

[0103] 12 End face of the piston 43 Wall

[0104] 13 Connection for a press 44 Closing element of the valve

[0105] 20 Cooling nozzle 45 Circumferential surface of the closure element

[0106] 21 internal cross-section 46 nozzles

[0107] 22 Outlet opening 47 Front face

[0108] 23 Double jacket of the cooling nozzle 50 first electrode

[0109] 24 connecting piece 51 second electrode

[0110] 25 connecting pieces

Claims

Claims: A device for use in the production of mixtures, comprising a cylindrical container (1) whose first end opening is covered by a bottom wall (3) having an outlet opening (4) that can be closed by means of a closure piece (10), and whose opposite second end opening is covered by a removable lid (6) adapted to be moved as a piston (11) through the container to the bottom wall (3), with a valve (40) attached to the lid (6) or to the bottom wall (3), and with a press (30) configured to drive the piston (11) to move against the bottom wall (3). The device according to claim 1 is characterized by a cooling nozzle (20) connected to a nozzle (5) attached to the outlet opening (4).A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (6) is detachably connected to the container (1) by the lid (6) having a groove (7) into which a clamp (8) engages, the clamp being guided in a groove (9) of the container (1). A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure piece (10) is arranged to close flush with the bottom wall of the container (1) when the outlet opening (4) is closed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (40) has a channel (41) encompassed by a wall (43) which opens into an opening (42) to the interior of the container (1), with a closure element (44) which is slidable in the channel (41) into a closed position in which the end face (47) of the closure element (44) covers the opening (42) and is flush with the lid (6) or the bottom wall (3).Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a press (30) as a drive for the piston (11), which is configured to drive the piston (11) through the container (1) to the bottom wall (3), wherein the press (30) is a screw press, the screw nut (35) of which is connected to a frame (31) on the. The device (1) is attachable such that the spindle (34), when rotated against the spindle nut (35), drives the piston (11) into the container, and wherein the end of the spindle (34) bearing the load against the piston (11) is rotatable relative to the piston (11) or fixedly connected to the piston (11), so that the piston (11) is moved rotatingly into the container (1) when the spindle (34) is rotated. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is characterized in that it has a press (30) as a drive for the piston, which is configured to drive the piston (11) through the container (1) to the bottom wall (3), wherein the press (30) is a toggle press whose lever is articulated to a frame (31) on which the container (1) is arranged and held against the pressure of the lever press.A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a press (30) as a drive for the piston (11), the press being a hydraulic press that uses water or air as a pressure medium and is operated by a motor or by means of a hand pump. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) has a double wall through which the temperature control medium flows. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (6) forms a first electrode (50), the bottom wall (3) forms a second electrode (51), the container wall (2) extending between the lid (6) and the bottom wall (3) is made of electrically non-conductive material, and the first electrode (50) and the second electrode (51) can be connected to electrical terminals of opposite polarity of a voltage source.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to drive the container (1) to a back-and-forth movement along a trajectory curve, wherein the trajectory curve comprises a sequence of trajectory segments that can be generated by superimposing the back-and-forth movement along at least two axes with different frequencies and / or with phase shift and which each comprise exactly one complete back-and-forth movement along the axis along which the back-and-forth movement with the lower frequency takes place and each have at least one vertex in which the The direction changes by at least 90° within a maximum of 24.5% of the length of a track segment. The device according to claim 11 is characterized by a control of the container's drive dependent on the signal of a sensor, wherein the sensor is an acoustic sensor that detects vibrations of the container during the reciprocating movement.A method for producing a mixture comprising the steps of filling ingredients into a container of a device according to one of the preceding claims, covering the second terminal cross-sectional opening of the container with a lid, moving the container back and forth along a path comprising a sequence of path segments that can be generated by superimposing the back-and-forth movement along at least two axes with different frequencies and / or with phase shift, each comprising exactly one complete back-and-forth movement along the axis along which the back-and-forth movement with the lower frequency takes place, and each having at least one vertex in which the direction changes by at least 90° within a maximum of 24.5% of the length of a path segment, driving the lid as a piston through the container against the bottom wall by means of a press, and dispensing a mixture from the outlet opening.A method according to claim 13, characterized in that, after the reciprocating movement of the container, a cooling nozzle is connected to its outlet opening and the mixture, preferably a food mass, is forced through the inner cross-section of the cooling nozzle, while the double jacket of the cooling nozzle is permeated by a temperature control medium. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that, after or before the reciprocating movement, the container is vacuum-sealed by extracting gas through a valve located on the lid or on the bottom wall and closing the valve. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, during the actuation of the lid as a piston, the piston is rotated through the container until it reaches the bottom wall by means of the press. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the container has a solid wall and is cooled or heated before or during the reciprocating motion. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the container has a double wall and is tempered to a temperature of 90 to 180 °C by introducing a tempering medium before or during the reciprocating motion. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the ingredients comprise protein, fat and / or starch, optionally water, and the mixture is a food mass.A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the mixture is subjected to an electrical voltage during and / or after the back-and-forth movement, the voltage being applied between a first electrode (50) formed by the lid (6) and a second electrode (51) formed by the bottom wall (3). A method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that after the back-and-forth movement, the lid (6) is moved along the container (1) until the lid (6) and the bottom wall (3) contact the mixture, and then the first electrode (50) formed by the lid (6) and the second electrode (51) formed by the bottom wall (3) are subjected to an electrical voltage of opposite polarity.

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