Filling injector for the production of filled biscuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling injector (10) for biscuit production comprising an elongated body (13), a channel (16) conveying a fluid or semi-fluid edible filling (1 ) through the elongated body (13), a filling aperture (14) provided on the elongated body (13) so as to allow the outlet of the edible filling (1 ) in connection with the channel (16), and a piercer element (11 ) provided at the end of the elongated body (13), characterised in that an apex angle (a) of the piercer element (11 ) provided for breaking a hard outer crust (20) surrounding a filling chamber (22) of a baked biscuit is configured to be less than 40 degrees.

Description

[0001] FILLING INJECTOR FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILLED BISCUIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a filling injector designed for a baked biscuit which is edible and filled with filling.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] The filling process in a baked biscuit is realized with the help of a nozzle or injector in the production lines. The nozzle fills the filling of one or more products in the production line and increases the production speed, however, problems causing production losses such as flowing out of the edible filling used in the production line occur.

[0006] Publication GB 2.538.703 A describes a nozzle for injecting a confectionery substance, e.g. chocolate, with an outlet at a first end having a closure mechanism enabling the extruding of the confectionery substance from the nozzle as well as opening and closing the nozzle, and an inlet at a second end for injecting the confectionery substance. The inlet and outlet are axially positioned at opposite ends of the nozzle so that multiple nozzles can be arranged in an array. The nozzle comprises a first part having a conical valve seat, a second part having a conical valve portion and a ring seal. The fluid flows downwards through the channel into the passage and is discharged from the nozzle through the side ports and through the outlet. The first and second parts can be fixed by means of a screw thread, so that rotation of the second part relative to the first one causes relative axial movement of the parts to open or close the nozzle. The first part may comprise a pinion gear which may be driven by a rack.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a filling injector for filling an edible filling into a biscuit.

[0009] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the invention relates to a filling injector for biscuit production comprising an elongated body, a channel conveying a fluid or semi-fluid edible filling through the elongated body, a filling aperture provided on the elongated body so as to allow the outlet of the edible filling in connection with the channel, and a piercer element provided at the end of the elongated body. By the filling injector an apex angle of the piercer element provided for breaking a hard outer crust surrounding a filling chamber of a baked biscuit is configured to be less than 40 degrees. In this way, the baked biscuit is filled with edible filling by a filling injector. In addition, the apex angle of less than 40 degrees facilitates the breaking of the outer crust with the filling injector and accelerates the process of completely filling the filling chamber of the biscuit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apex angle of the piercer element is in the range of 20 to 30 degrees. In this way, the pressure force required to break the outer crust of the biscuit is reduced.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apex angle of the piercer element is in the range of 23 to 27 degrees. Thus, only the space required for the injection of the outer crust is broken and the edible filling in the filling injector is prevented from scattering around, thus preventing waste.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piercer element extends directly perpendicular to the crust. This makes it easier for the piercer element to break the crust.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piercer element has a structure tapering from the proximal end to the distal end. Thus, it is easier for the piercer element to reach into the filling chamber through the crust.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piercer element is made of a metal material. Thus, the strength of the piercer element is increased reducing its deformation after the crust crushing process and ensuring a longer product life.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a casing enclosing the channel and connected to the elongated body is provided. In this way, it is ensured that the edible filling and the filling channel are not affected by the external environment.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a neck is provided between the casing and the elongated body. In this way, a compact structure is obtained by ensuring the static stability of the filling injector.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the edible filling is a semi-fluid chocolate.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the injector comprises an inlet port for supplying edible filling into the injector. In this way, the edible filling is supplied into the injector by a depositor.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process steps include aligning the crust with the injector, immersing the piercer element of the injector so that it remains in the crust, and supplying the edible filling contained the injector into the crust through the filling aperture. Thus, a product with edible filling is obtained covered with a biscuit on the outside.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Figure 1 shows the filling injector of the invention from the side.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view A-A of the filling injector of the invention.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the filling injector of the invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view B-B of an alternative embodiment of the filling injector of the invention.

[0023] Figure 5 shows schematically the production line in which the filling injector of the invention is used.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In this detailed description, the inventive development is described with reference to examples only to better explain the subject matter without any limitation.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a filling injector (10) of the invention from the side. The filling injector (10) comprises a piercer element (11 ). The piercer element (11 ) has a triangular shape and is made of a metal material. The piercer element (11 ) has a structure tapering from a proximal end (114) to a distal end (112). The piercer element (11 ) is configured to have a predetermined apex angle (a) at the distal end (112). In the preferred embodiment the apex angle (a) is 20 to 30 degrees, more preferably 23 to 27 degrees, in the most preferred embodiment most preferably 24 degrees. The piercer element (11 ) is hold fast on an elongated body (13) at a proximal end (114). The elongated body (13) has a cylindrical shape extending on the same central axis as the piercer element (11 ).

[0027] The elongated body (11 ) has a filling aperture (14) provided on the elongated body (11 ) so as to be closer to the proximal end (114) of the piercer element (11 ). The elongated body (13) is connected to a casing (19) by means of a neck (15) at its face other than the face facing the proximal end (114). The neck (15) has a shape which is enlarged from the elongated body (13) towards the casing (19). The casing (19) has a cylindrical shape and is larger in diameter than the elongated body (13). An inlet opening (17) is provided on the opposite side of the face of the casing (19) facing the neck (15). The inlet opening (17) extends on the same central axis as the casing (19) and the elongated body (13).

[0028] Figure 2 shows a cross-section A-A of the filling injector (10) of the invention. A filling channel (16) is provided, extending on the central axis of the filling injector (10). The filling channel (16) has a cylindrical shape and extends linearly from the inlet portion (17) into the piercer element (11 ). The filling channel (16) is hermetically sealed by the surrounding casing (19) and the elongated body (13).

[0029] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the filling injector of the invention. The filling injector (10) comprises a piercer element (11 ) wherein the piercer element (11 ) is made of a metal material and has a triangular-like shape. The piercer element (11 ) tapers unidirectionally from the proximal end (114) to the distal end (112). The piercer element (11 ) is configured to have a predetermined apex angle (a) at the distal end (112). In the preferred embodiment the apex angle is in the range of 20 to 30 degrees, more preferably 23 to 27 degrees and in the most preferred embodiment most preferably 24 degrees. The piercer element (11 ) is hold fast on the elongated body (13) at its proximal end (114). The elongated body (13) has a cylindrical shape extending on the same central axis as the piercer element (11 ). The elongated body (11 ) has a filling aperture (14) provided on the elongated body (11 ) so as to be closer to the proximal end (114) of the piercer element (11 ). The elongated body (13) is connected to a casing (19) by means of a neck (15) at its face other than the face facing the proximal end (114). The neck (15) has a shape which is enlarged from the elongated body (13) towards the casing (19). The casing (19) has a cylindrical shape and is larger in diameter than the elongated body (13). An inlet opening (17) is provided on the opposite side of the face of the casing (19) facing the neck (15). The inlet opening (17) extends on the same central axis as the casing (19) and the elongated body (13).

[0030] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view B-B of an alternative embodiment of the filling injector (10) of the invention. In the alternative embodiment of the filling injector (10), there is a filling channel (16) extending on the central axis. The filling channel (16) has a cylindrical shape and extends linearly from the inlet portion (17) into the piercer element (11 ). The concave filling aperture (14) is provided in the filling channel (16) close to the proximal end (114) of the piercer element (11 ).

[0031] Figure 5 shows schematically the production line in which the filling injector (10) of the invention is used. In the production method used in the production line, the filling injector (10) is connected to a depositor (2). An edible filling (1 ) in the depositor (2) passes through the inlet portion (17) of the filling injector (10) and fills the filling injector (10). After the filling process, a crust (20) of a baked biscuit is aligned with the filling injector (10). After the alignment is completed, the piercer element (11 ) of the filling injector (10) perpendicularly contacts an upper wall (24) of the crust (20) and breaks the crust (10) and the entire piercer element (11 ) is immersed into the crust (20) through the broken portion. After immersion, an edible filling (1 ) contained in the filling injector (10) is supplied into the crust (20) through the filling aperture (14) and completely fills a filling chamber (22) in the crust (20). In the preferred embodiment, a semi-fluid chocolate is preferred as edible filling (1 ). The chocolate is viscous and has a viscosity value in the range of 10000 to 100000 mPas at 35 degrees centigrade. The chocolate contains 19% cocoa mass, 37% sugar, 16% milk powder, 28% cocoa butter and 5% emulsifier.

[0032] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0033] 1 Edible Filling 11 Piercer element

[0034] 2 Depositor 112 Distal end

[0035] 10 Filling Injector 114 Proximal end Elongated Body 19 Casing Filling Aperture 20 Crust Neck 22 Filling chamber Filling channel 24 Top wall inlet port, portion, opening a Apex angle

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) A filling injector (10) for biscuit production comprising an elongated body (13), a channel (16) conveying a fluid or semi-fluid edible filling (1 ) through the elongated body (13), a filling aperture (14) provided on the elongated body (13) so as to allow the outlet of the edible filling (1 ) in connection with the channel (16), and a piercer element (11 ) provided at the end of the elongated body (13), characterised in that an apex angle (a) of the piercer element (11 ) provided for breaking a hard outer crust (20) surrounding a filling chamber (22) of a baked biscuit is configured to be less than 40 degrees.2) A filling injector according to claim 1 , characterised in that the apex angle (a) of the piercer element (11 ) is in the range of 20 to 30 degrees.3) A filling injector according to claim 2, characterised in that the apex angle (a) of the piercer element (11 ) is in the range of 23 to 27 degrees.4) A filling injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the piercer element (11 ) extends directly perpendicular to the crust (20).5) A filling injector according to claim 4, characterised in that the piercer element (11 ) has a structure tapering from the proximal end (114) to the distal end (112).6) A filling injector according to claim 4 to 5, characterised in that the piercer element (11 ) is made of a metal material.7) A filling injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a casing (16) surrounding the channel (16) and connected to the elongated body (13).8) A filling injector according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a neck (18) provided between the casing (16) and the elongated body (13).9) A filling injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edible filling (1 ) is a semi-fluid chocolate.10) A filling injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an inlet port (17) for supplying the edible filling (1 ) into the injector (10).11 ) Method of application for a filling injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises the steps of aligning the crust (20) with the injector (10), immersing the piercer element (11 ) of the injector (10) so that it remains in the crust (10), supplying the edible filling (1 ) contained in the injector (10) into the crust (20) through the filling aperture (14).

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