Discharge device and method for texturing a food composition, in particular a meat-replacement composition

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge device (3) for texturing a food composition (Z), comprising an inner core (23) and an outer casing (21) surrounding the inner core (23). A flow channel (59) for texturing the food composition (Z) is formed between the inner core (23) and the outer casing (21). The inner core (23) and the outer casing (21) can be rotatably driven relative to one another about a longitudinal axis (X) by means of a drive (25). This ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of the food composition (Z).

Description

[0001] Discharge device and method for texturing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition

[0002] This patent application claims priority from German patent application DE 10 2023 206 980.6, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a dispensing device and a method for texturizing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition. The food composition, in particular the meat substitute composition, serves as food for humans and / or animals. The meat substitute composition is in particular HMMA (HMMA: High Moisture Meat Analogues).

[0004] EP 3 524 059 A1 (corresponding to US 2021 / 0046690 A1) discloses a discharge device, referred to as a cooling tool, for discharging and texturizing food from an extruder. The cooling tool comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, between which an annular flow channel is formed. The food extrudate conveyed from the extruder enters the flow channel at an inlet end and exits the flow channel at an outlet end. The food extrudate is cooled in the flow channel. For this purpose, the cooling tool has at least one coolant flow channel, which serves, for example, to cool the inner wall. The outer wall is formed from two segments that are mechanically connected to one another and can be disassembled for cleaning purposes.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a dispensing device that enables simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The food composition is, in particular, a meat substitute composition.

[0006] This object is achieved by a discharge device having the features of claim 1. The drive enables rotation of the inner core and the outer shell relative to one another about the longitudinal axis, whereby the shear acting on the food composition in the flow channel and thus its texture can be influenced. Preferably, the drive enables rotation of the inner core. The outer shell is preferably stationary, i.e. not rotatable by the drive. The texture can be influenced in particular as a function of a rotational speed or a rotational speed of the inner core and the outer shell relative to one another. The drive is preferably arranged at the discharge-side end of the inner core. An axis of rotation of the drive runs in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the drive is congruent with the longitudinal axis.Rotating the inner core relative to the outer shell reduces adhesion of the food composition to the inner core and / or the outer shell. This allows the food composition to be cooled at a low temperature in the flow channel, enabling the discharge device to achieve high cooling performance.

[0007] Furthermore, depending on the rotational speed or the rotational speed of the inner core and the outer shell relative to one another, the pressure of the food composition in the region of the feed opening and / or in the region of an outlet opening of a processing device can be influenced. By rotating the inner core relative to the outer shell, adhesion of the food composition to the inner core and / or the outer shell is reduced, whereby the processing device can press the food composition more easily through the flow channel due to its conveying effect. Thus, the pressure of the food composition in the feed opening and / or the outlet opening of the processing device is lower, the lower the adhesion. The pressure, in turn, can influence the residence time and / or the processing quality of the food composition in the processing device.

[0008] The drive is designed, in particular, as an electric drive motor. The discharge device preferably has exactly one drive. The drive is, in particular, directly connected to the inner core.

[0009] The flow channel is preferably ring-shaped and / or preferably has a closed shape. The flow channel has a length L in the direction of the longitudinal axis, where in particular: 500 mm < L < 5,000 mm, in particular 750 mm < L < 4,000 mm, and in particular 1,000 mm < L < 3,000 mm. The longitudinal axis defines a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is directed in particular from the feed opening to the discharge opening.

[0010] The flow channel has a height H between the inner core and the outer shell, where, in particular, 4 mm < H < 30 mm, in particular 6 mm < H < 24 mm, and in particular 8 mm < H < 18 mm apply. The height H is defined in particular in a radial direction. The radial direction runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The inner core forms, in particular, an inner wall that delimits the flow channel at an inner diameter d. The inner diameter d is thus delimited by the inner core. The outer shell forms, in particular, an outer wall that delimits the flow channel at an outer diameter D. The outer diameter D is thus delimited by the outer shell. The flow channel thus has the outer diameter D, where, in particular, 100 mm < D < 800 mm, in particular 120 mm < D < 600 mm, and in particular 140 mm < D < 400 mm. The inner diameter d of the flow channel is: d = D - 2 H.

[0012] The inner core can be formed from one piece or several parts. The multi-part inner core preferably comprises a shaft and at least one inner core sleeve which is fastened to the shaft. The at least one inner core sleeve can be fastened to the shaft detachably and / or permanently. A detachable fastening makes the at least one inner core sleeve replaceable. With a non-detachable fastening, the at least one inner core sleeve is firmly or inseparably connected to the shaft, in particular by means of a joining process. For example, the at least one inner core sleeve is welded to the shaft. The inner core preferably has a shaft and exactly one inner core sleeve which is detachably or permanently fastened to the shaft.By permanently securing the at least one inner core sleeve, at least one fluid channel for controlling the temperature of the inner core can be easily formed in the inner core, while also ensuring reliable fastening of the at least one inner core sleeve. With a one-piece design of the inner core, production takes place, for example, using an additive manufacturing process. The additive manufacturing process also allows, in particular, the integration of at least one fluid channel for controlling the temperature of the inner core.

[0013] The drive is particularly designed such that the inner core and the outer shell can be driven in rotation relative to one another about the longitudinal axis in a first direction of rotation and / or in an opposite second direction of rotation. The first direction of rotation runs, for example, clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The drive is particularly designed such that the inner core and the outer shell can be driven in rotation relative to one another about the longitudinal axis at a speed n, wherein in particular the following applies: 1 rpm < n < 40 rpm, in particular 2 rpm < n < 40 rpm and in particular 3 rpm < n < 20 rpm. The drive is preferably designed such that the inner core can be driven in rotation at the speed n in the first direction of rotation and / or in the second direction of rotation.

[0014] The discharge device defines an inlet direction. The inlet direction runs, in particular, perpendicular to a surface defined by an inlet opening. The inlet direction runs parallel and / or transverse to the longitudinal axis. This allows for axial feeding, radial feeding, and / or tangential feeding of the food composition into the discharge device.

[0015] The discharge device preferably comprises at least one cutting tool. The at least one cutting tool is preferably arranged longitudinally downstream of the discharge opening. The at least one cutting tool cuts the food composition discharged through the discharge opening, in particular into pieces. The pieces are easier to handle. The at least one cutting tool is preferably arranged between the discharge opening and a conveyor unit, so that the pieces obtained from the food composition can be transported away by the conveyor unit for further processing.

[0016] The dispensing device comprises, in particular, at least one measuring sensor. The at least one measuring sensor serves to control and / or monitor the dispensing device or the dispensing of the food composition. The at least one measuring sensor is arranged, for example, on the inner core and / or the outer shell and / or an inlet unit. Preferably, the at least one measuring sensor serves to measure a temperature and / or a pressure and / or a color or color change of the food composition. By measuring the color or color change, a residence time of the food composition in the dispensing device can be determined, in particular, based on the addition of a colorant or color tracer.

[0017] The discharge device preferably comprises at least one addition opening. The at least one addition opening is formed in particular in the outer casing and / or in an inlet unit, for example in a distributor and / or an inlet line. The at least one addition opening serves to add at least one medium, for example a viscous medium and / or a pore-forming medium. For example, grease and / or oil and / or at least one color can be added as the viscous medium. A gas, for example, can be added as the pore-forming medium. The addition preferably takes place into the flow channel.

[0018] By rotating the inner core and outer shell relative to each other around their longitudinal axis using the drive, the texturing and quality of the food composition can be easily and flexibly influenced. Furthermore, the rotation reduces sticking, enabling high cooling performance and improved texturing. The discharge device thus enables reliable and economical texturing and / or cooling of the food composition.

[0019] A dispensing device according to claim 2 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The at least one inner core sleeve can be detachably and / or permanently attached to the shaft. In the case of a permanently attached connection, the at least one inner core sleeve is, for example, welded to the shaft. Preferably, the at least one inner core sleeve is detachably attached to the shaft. Because the inner core comprises a shaft and at least one inner core sleeve attached thereto, the at least one inner core sleeve is easily and flexibly replaceable. The inner core thus has a modular design. As a result, the texture can be specifically influenced by using different inner core sleeves, depending on the food composition to be produced. The at least one inner core sleeve is, in particular, detachably attached to the shaft.For fastening, for example, a profile connection formed between the shaft and the at least one inner core sleeve serves. The at least one inner core sleeve can be clamped onto the shaft, for example, with a tip detachably attached to the shaft. The inner core preferably comprises a number Ni of inner core sleeves. The following applies in particular to the number Ni: 1 < Ni < 20, in particular 2 < Ni < 15, and in particular 3 < Ni < 10.

[0020] If the inner core has multiple inner core sleeves, these are releasably attached to the shaft one after the other in the longitudinal direction. Multiple inner core sleeves can be identical and / or different in design. Each inner core sleeve thus forms a segment or section of the inner core and defines the flow channel in this segment or section.

[0021] The respective inner core sleeve has a length Li in the longitudinal direction. The following applies in particular to the length Li: 10 mm < Li < 5,000 mm, in particular 25 mm < Li < 4,000 mm, in particular 50 mm < Li < 3,000 mm, in particular 100 mm < Li < 1,000 mm, in particular 150 mm < Li < 800 mm, in particular 200 mm < Li < 600 mm, and in particular 250 mm < Li < 400 mm. If there are multiple inner core sleeves, the respective lengths Li can be the same and / or different.

[0022] For an inner core sleeve designed for tempering and / or texturing and / or conveying, the following applies in particular: 50 mm < Li < 1,000 mm, in particular 75 mm < Li < 800 mm, and in particular 100 mm < Li < 600 mm.

[0023] For an inner core sleeve designed for storage and / or measurement and / or feeding and / or texturing and / or conveying, the following applies in particular: 10 mm < Li < 400 mm, in particular 25 mm < Li < 300 mm and in particular 50 mm < Li < 200 mm. The outer jacket comprises in particular at least one outer jacket section. Preferably, the outer jacket comprises a plurality of outer jacket sections arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction and connected to one another. Preferably, the outer jacket comprises a number NA of outer jacket sections, wherein in particular the following applies: 1 < NA < 20, in particular 2 < NA < 15 and in particular 3 < NA < 10.

[0024] The respective outer sheath section has a length LA in the longitudinal direction. Multiple outer sheath sections can be identical and / or different. The following applies in particular to the respective length LA: 10 mm < LA < 1,000 mm, in particular 25 mm < LA < 800 mm, in particular 50 mm < LA < 600 mm, in particular 100 mm < LA < 400 mm and 150 mm < LA < 200 mm. The length LA of an outer sheath section preferably corresponds to a length Li of an associated inner core sleeve.

[0025] A dispensing device according to claim 3 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The exact one inner core sleeve can be detachably or permanently attached to the shaft. Because the inner core comprises a shaft and exactly one detachably attached inner core sleeve, the exact one inner core sleeve can be easily and flexibly replaced. The inner core thus has a modular design. As a result, depending on the food composition to be produced, the texture can be specifically influenced by using different inner core sleeves. For attachment, for example, a profile connection formed between the shaft and the exact one inner core sleeve serves. The exact one inner core sleeve can be clamped onto the shaft, for example with a tip detachably attached to the shaft.Because the inner core comprises a shaft and precisely one inner core sleeve permanently attached to it, the inner core is easy to manufacture and robust. In particular, at least one fluid channel can be formed, at least in sections, between the shaft and the precisely one inner core sleeve. The precisely one inner core sleeve can be welded to the shaft, for example. A tip can be permanently connected to the shaft and / or the precisely one inner core sleeve, for example by welding.

[0026] The exact one inner core sleeve has a length Li in the longitudinal direction. The length Li is, in particular, 500 mm < Li < 5000 mm, in particular 750 mm < Li < 4000 mm, and in particular 1000 mm < Li < 3000 mm. Preferably, the length Li of the exact one inner core sleeve is equal to the length L of the flow channel.

[0027] A dispensing device according to claim 4 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The at least one web enables the outer shell or an outer wall formed by the outer shell and defining the flow channel to be stripped off. This stripping prevents the food composition from adhering to the outer shell. This allows, in particular, the outer shell to be cooled with high cooling performance. The at least one web can divide the food composition before dispensing, making it easier to handle.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one web or the respective web runs parallel to the longitudinal axis. The at least one web or the respective web thus has a pitch of infinite.

[0029] Preferably, the flow channel has a length L in the direction of the longitudinal axis and the at least one web has a pitch P. The following applies in particular to a ratio of the pitch P to the length L: 0.02 < P / L < 10, in particular 0.05 < P / L < 8, in particular 0.1 < P / L < 6, in particular 0.15 < P / L < 4, in particular 0.2 < P / L < 2, and in particular 0.4 < P / L < 1. Preferably, several webs run parallel to one another and have the same P / L ratio.

[0030] The inner core preferably comprises a plurality of webs that are distributed around the circumference of the inner wall of the inner core. The webs are preferably arranged at equal angular intervals around the longitudinal axis. For a number Ns of webs, the following applies in particular: 1 < Ns < 18, in particular 2 < Ns < 12, and in particular 3 < Ns < 6. Preferably, the following applies:

[0031] 1 < Ns < 3. The number Ns of lands is also referred to as the number of flights. If multiple lands are arranged on the inner wall, they preferably run parallel to each other. Each land has a length Ls and defines a land area along the longitudinal axis with a length LB. Depending on the pitch of the respective land, the following applies: LB < Ls. If the pitch of the respective land is infinite, the following applies: LB = Ls.

[0032] The following applies in particular to a ratio of the length LB of the web region to a length L of the flow channel in the direction of the longitudinal axis: 0.6 < LB / L < 1, in particular 0.2 < LB / L < 0.9 and in particular 0.3 < LB / L < 0.8. Preferably, the web region of the respective web extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the coordinate 0 to the coordinate L, in particular from the coordinate 0.1 L to the coordinate 0.8 L, and in particular from the coordinate 0.2 L to the coordinate 0.6 L. The coordinate 0 denotes the beginning of the flow channel, whereas the coordinate L denotes the end of the flow channel.

[0033] Preferably, at least one web is formed at least in sections on at least one inner core sleeve. Preferably, at least one web is formed at least in sections on exactly one inner core sleeve, or on several inner core sleeves, or on all inner core sleeves, or on the one-piece inner core. For example, at least one web is formed at least in sections on a first inner core sleeve on the feed side, whereas no web is arranged on a last inner core sleeve on the discharge side, i.e., the last inner core sleeve is formed without webs or is smooth.

[0034] A discharge device according to claim 5 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The ratio of the flight height P to the length L influences a conveying effect and / or a conveying direction of the food composition. The conveying effect and / or the conveying direction influences the shear acting on the food composition and the texturizing of the food composition and / or reduces, preferably prevents, adhesion of the food composition to the inner core and / or the outer shell. In particular, the food composition cannot adhere in the flow channel even at extremely high cooling capacities. The conveying effect makes it possible to adjust the pressure of the food composition in the feed opening and / or an outlet opening of a processing device.The pressure is adjustable in particular by the pitch P and / or the rotational speed n and / or a direction of rotation. Preferably, the inner core comprises precisely one web with the ratio P / L. The ratio P / L or the pitch P is in particular constant. Preferably, the precisely one web is formed on at least one inner core sleeve. Preferably, the inner core comprises precisely one inner core sleeve on which the precisely one web is formed. If the inner core has multiple webs, the multiple webs preferably run parallel to one another and have the same P / L ratio.

[0035] The at least one web, in particular the exact one web, has, for example, a pitch P between 100 mm and 2800 mm. For a flow channel length L of 1400 mm, the ratio P / L is thus 0.07 < P / L < 2.

[0036] A discharge device according to claim 6 ensures simple, flexible, reliable and economical texturizing of a food composition. The ratio LB / L can be used to adjust the length of the flow channel and / or the area or areas of the flow channel over which the food composition is scraped off and / or a conveying effect is exerted on the food composition. The web region of the respective web preferably extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis from coordinate 0 to coordinate L, in particular from coordinate 0.1 • L to coordinate 0.8 • L, and in particular from coordinate 0.2 • L to coordinate 0.6 • L. Coordinate 0 here designates the start of the flow channel, whereas coordinate L designates the end of the flow channel.The web region preferably begins between the coordinates 0 and 0.2 • L, in particular between the coordinates 0.05 • L and 0.15 • L. The web region preferably ends between the coordinates 0.7 • L and L, in particular between the coordinates 0.75 • L and 0.95 • L, and in particular between the coordinates 0.8 • L and 0.9 • L. The web region is preferably continuous, i.e., uninterrupted. Preferably, the following applies: 0.6 < L. B / L < 1.

[0037] A discharge device according to claim 7 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The pitch P influences a conveying effect and / or a conveying direction of the food composition. The conveying effect and / or the conveying direction influences the shear acting on the food composition and the texturizing of the food composition and / or reduces, preferably prevents, adhesion of the food composition to the inner core and / or the outer shell. In particular, the food composition cannot adhere in the flow channel even at extremely high cooling capacities. The conveying effect makes it possible to adjust the pressure of the food composition in the feed opening and / or an outlet opening of a processing device.The pressure can be adjusted in particular by the pitch P and / or by the speed n and / or a direction of rotation.

[0038] If the inner core has multiple webs, these preferably have the same pitch P and run parallel. The pitch P of at least one web can be constant and / or variable along the longitudinal axis. For example, at least one web can be formed on at least two inner core sleeves, and each respective at least one web can have a different pitch P than the respective other web.

[0039] The pitch P of the respective web can be constant and / or variable along the longitudinal axis. For a given direction of rotation, the pitch P can be designed to convey forwards and / or backwards. Forwards means that the conveying direction has at least one component in the longitudinal direction x, whereas backwards means that the conveying direction has at least one component opposite to the longitudinal direction x. A backwards conveying pitch P can increase the residence time of the food composition in the discharge device and / or accumulate the food composition. If, for example, a web extends over several inner core sleeves, the web on one inner core sleeve can have a backwards conveying pitch P, whereas the web on the other inner core sleeve can have a forwards conveying pitch P.This allows the conveying action and / or the conveying direction of the food composition in the flow channel to be specifically influenced. In particular, an axial component and / or a radial component of the conveying direction can be influenced. The conveying action and / or the conveying direction can influence the residence time and / or the shear, and thus the texture and / or the product quality of the food composition.

[0040] A discharge device according to claim 8 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The gap dimension S ensures, on the one hand, effective stripping of the food composition from the outer shell and / or effective conveying of the food composition in the flow channel. On the other hand, the gap dimension S prevents excessive wear on the outer shell and / or the at least one web. The gap dimension S is defined in particular in the radial direction.

[0041] A discharge device according to claim 9 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The support frame enables easy assembly and disassembly of the outer shell and / or the inner core. The inner core is attached to the support frame, in particular via the drive, so that the inner core can be arranged in the outer shell to form the flow channel. Rollers for moving the discharge device are preferably arranged on the support frame. This allows the discharge device to be easily mounted on a processing device or disassembled from the processing device.

[0042] A dispensing device according to claim 10 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The inner core guide enables easy cleaning of the inner core and the outer shell. The inner core guide is designed in particular as a linear guide that runs in the longitudinal direction. This allows the inner core, in particular with the drive attached thereto, to be displaced longitudinally relative to the outer shell. In a first cleaning state, the inner core is displaced longitudinally from the outer shell and is thus exposed, so that the inner core is easily cleaned. Furthermore, the outer shell is accessible at the discharge-side end, so that in the first cleaning state, the outer shell can be cleaned inside. The dispensing device preferably comprises a cleaning unit for cleaning the inner core and / or the outer shell.The cleaning unit comprises, in particular, a cleaning tool and a cleaning tool drive. The cleaning tool drive is, in particular, designed such that the cleaning tool can be driven in rotation and / or pivoted and / or linearly displaced. For example, the cleaning tool drive is designed as a handling robot that displaces the cleaning tool in the desired manner and / or drives it in rotation about a cleaning tool rotation axis. The cleaning tool is designed, for example, as a cleaning brush.

[0043] The outer shell guide enables easy disassembly of the outer shell from a processing device, so that the processing device can be easily cleaned. The processing device comprises, for example, a multi-shaft screw extruder to which the discharge device is connected. The outer shell guide allows the disassembled outer shell to be displaced such that the at least two treatment element shafts of the multi-shaft screw extruder are accessible. The at least two treatment element shafts can, for example, be removed from a housing of the multi-shaft screw extruder and cleaned. In this second cleaning state of the discharge device, the outer shell is displaced, in particular transversely to the longitudinal axis, by means of the outer shell guide. In the second cleaning state, the outer shell is thus arranged laterally of the inner core.The outer casing guide serves in particular for linear displacement and / or pivoting of the outer casing, preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0044] Due to the inner core guide and / or the outer jacket guide, the discharge device has a CIP function (CIP: Clean-in-Place) and / or a WIP function (WIP: Wash-in-Place).

[0045] Preferably, at least one web is formed on the inner core, at least in sections. This allows the flow channel to be emptied and / or the outer shell to be stripped before cleaning. Simplified cleaning ensures shorter downtimes for the processing device and the discharge device, for example, when a different food composition is to be produced.

[0046] A discharge device according to claim 11 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. Because rollers are arranged on the support frame, the discharge device can be moved in a simple manner and can be mounted on a processing device or dismounted from the processing device. The rollers are designed in particular as guide rollers, which enable guided movement of the discharge device. The guide rollers are arranged, for example, on rails and / or in channels. Preferably, the guide rollers are not steerable, i.e., rigidly, on the support frame. The rollers or guide rollers are rotatable about respective axes of rotation. The axes of rotation run in particular parallel to one another. Preferably, between three and ten, in particular between four and nine, and in particular between five and eight rollers or guide rollers are arranged on the support frame.

[0047] A method for moving the discharge device is particularly advantageous when the discharge device is connected to a processing device comprising a multi-shaft screw extruder for continuously processing the food composition. To clean the multi-shaft screw extruder, it is necessary to remove the at least two treatment element shafts from the at least two associated housing bores in the housing. For this purpose, the connection between the processing device and the discharge device is released. The discharge device is then moved by means of the rollers so that the at least two treatment element shafts can be removed from the at least two associated housing bores.

[0048] A dispensing device according to claim 12 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The bearing prevents undesired bending of the inner core during operation of the dispensing device. This prevents wear on the outer shell and / or the inner core due to contact caused by the bending. Preferably, the feed-side end of the inner core is mounted on the outer shell and / or the distributor. For this purpose, at least one bearing element is arranged between the inner core and the outer shell and / or between the inner core and the distributor, which supports the feed-side end of the inner core. The distributor is arranged in the longitudinal direction between a processing device and the outer shell and distributes the food composition discharged from the processing device in the circumferential direction in the flow channel.The distributor is in particular assigned a temperature control unit so that the distributor can be temperature controlled. By temperature controlling the distributor, the texture of the food composition can be influenced immediately after it leaves a processing device. Preferably, a baffle can be arranged between the inner core and the outer shell and / or between the inner core and the distributor, which baffle also serves to support the inner core. The inner core preferably comprises a tip which forms the feed-side end of the inner core and extends into the distributor. The inner core is mounted on the distributor and / or on the outer shell, in particular in the region of the tip. The drive is connected to the inner core, in particular at the discharge-side end. The drive mounts the inner core at the discharge-side end.

[0049] For example, an inlet unit comprises a plurality of bearing elements arranged distributed around the longitudinal axis. The bearing elements are preferably arranged at equal angular intervals around the longitudinal axis. The bearing elements are preferably arranged on a distributor of the inlet unit. The bearing elements serve to support or mount the inner core, in particular a tip of the inner core.

[0050] A dispensing device according to claim 13 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The at least one tempering unit enables tempering, i.e., heating and / or cooling, of the food composition. The tempering of the food composition preferably takes place in a distributor and / or in the flow channel. The at least one tempering unit is arranged in particular on the distributor and / or on the inner core and / or on the outer shell. Preferably, the respective tempering unit comprises a fluid channel formed in the inner core and / or in the outer shell. A tempering fluid is used, in particular, for tempering. The tempering fluid is, for example, water, oil, gas, in particular air, and / or a water-glycol mixture. The tempering fluid flows in particular through the fluid channel of the respective tempering unit.Preferably, the respective temperature control unit comprises a temperature control unit for heating and / or cooling the food composition. The temperature control unit serves in particular for heating and / or cooling the temperature control fluid.

[0051] The temperature control unit generates a temperature TT, where in particular: -20°C < TT < 140°C, in particular -10°C < TT < 110°C, in particular 0°C < TT < 100°C, and in particular 5°C < TT < 95°C. The temperature TT is in particular an outlet temperature of a temperature control fluid from the temperature control unit.

[0052] The respective tempering unit forms a tempering zone. The respective tempering zone extends in the circumferential direction and / or in the longitudinal direction around the food composition. The respective tempering zone can extend in particular in the circumferential direction around the flow channel and / or in the longitudinal direction along the flow channel. The discharge device comprises at least one tempering zone, preferably a plurality of tempering zones. The tempering zones are formed in particular one after the other in the longitudinal direction, preferably along the flow channel. The tempering units or the associated tempering zones can be operated independently of one another and / or jointly in the same way. Preferably, a tempering zone is assigned to at least one outer shell section, preferably each outer shell section, and / or to at least one inner core sleeve, preferably each inner core sleeve.A length LT of a tempering zone in the longitudinal direction thus corresponds to a length LA of an outer jacket section and / or a length Li of an inner core sleeve and / or a multiple of the length LA and / or a multiple of the length Li. Preferably, a tempering zone is formed by exactly one outer jacket section and / or by exactly one inner core sleeve and / or by the distributor.

[0053] A dispensing device according to claim 14 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The food composition prepared in the processing device is fed to the dispensing device through an inlet opening. The inlet unit comprises, in particular, an inlet line and / or a distributor. The inlet opening is formed, in particular, by the inlet line and / or the distributor. The inlet opening serves to connect to an outlet opening of the processing device. The inlet direction is defined, in particular, by the inlet opening. The inlet direction runs, in particular, perpendicular to a surface of the inlet opening. Because the inlet direction runs transversely to the longitudinal axis, a radial and / or tangential feed of the food composition into the dispensing device, in particular into the flow channel, is enabled.This allows the food composition to be built up in multiple layers within the flow channel. The food composition impinges radially and / or tangentially on the rotating inner core, creating a multi-layered texture within the food composition. The multi-layered texture structure depends particularly on the rotational speed of the inner core. This increases the flexibility in texturing the food composition. Furthermore, the installation space of the discharge device is reduced compared to axial feeding through the inlet opening.

[0054] The inlet direction extends, in particular, at an angle a to the longitudinal direction. The angle a is defined, in particular, in a plane spanned by the inlet direction and the longitudinal direction. The following applies, in particular, to the angle a: 60° < a < 120°, in particular 70° < a < 110°, and in particular 80° < a < 100°. Preferably, a = 90°.

[0055] A discharge device according to claim 15 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The at least one texturing tool serves to influence the texturing of the food composition in the flow channel. Preferably, the at least one texturing tool is arranged on the inner core, in particular on at least one inner core sleeve, and / or on the outer shell, in particular on at least one outer shell section. The at least one texturing tool influences in particular the swirl and / or the flow direction of the food composition in the flow channel. The at least one texturing tool is designed in particular as a pin, flow divider, flow distributor, and / or flow influencer. A respective pin is, for example, round, oval, and / or polygonal in cross-section. The at least one texturing tool is in particular a web.

[0056] A dispensing device according to claim 16 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The at least one diaphragm influences, in particular, the texturizing of the food composition in the dispensing device. The at least one diaphragm is, for example, annular and / or circular. Each diaphragm has a plurality of diaphragm openings through which the food composition flows. Preferably, the at least one diaphragm is arranged in an inlet unit and / or in the flow channel. The at least one diaphragm is arranged, for example, in an inlet line and / or in a distributor of the inlet unit and / or between the inner core and the outer casing in the flow channel. The at least one diaphragm can serve, in particular, to support a feed-side end of the inner core.For example, a diaphragm is arranged between the inner core and the outer shell and / or between the distributor and the inner core, in particular a tip of the inner core. This supports the inner core against the outer shell and / or the distributor.

[0057] The discharge device preferably has at least two baffles. A first baffle serves, for example, to support a feed-side end of the inner core, whereas a second baffle serves to support the inner core between the feed opening and the discharge opening. This allows the inner core to be supported easily and reliably, especially when the flow channel has a large length L.

[0058] A discharge device according to claim 17 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The conveyor unit is arranged downstream of the discharge opening, preferably below the discharge opening, so that the discharged food composition reaches the conveyor unit by gravity. Preferably, at least one cutting tool is arranged between the discharge opening and the conveyor unit, which cuts the discharged food composition into pieces. Preferably, at least one web is formed on the inner core, so that the discharged food composition does not have a closed shape and can be transported away from the conveyor unit in a flat or single-layered manner. The conveyor unit comprises, in particular, a conveyor belt. The discharged food composition is transported away by means of the conveyor unit, in particular for further processing and / or packaging.

[0059] The invention is further based on the object of creating a plant which enables a simple, flexible, reliable and economical production of a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition.

[0060] This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 18. The processing device processes the food composition, which is then textured and discharged by the discharge device. For this purpose, the processing device is connected to the discharge device.

[0061] The processing device preferably comprises a multi-shaft screw extruder for continuously processing the food composition. The multi-shaft screw extruder comprises a housing in which at least two mutually penetrating housing bores are formed. A respective treatment element shaft is arranged in the at least two housing bores. The multi-shaft screw extruder thus has at least two treatment element shafts. The at least two treatment element shafts are, in particular, rotatable or rotationally drivable in the same directions.

[0062] Preferably, the processing device is connected to an inlet unit of the discharge device. The inlet unit comprises, in particular, an inlet line and / or a distributor. The inlet unit forms an inlet opening that is connected to an outlet opening of the processing device. The inlet opening defines an inlet direction that runs parallel or transversely, in particular radially and / or tangentially, to the longitudinal direction. The inlet unit forms an inlet channel. The geometric dimensions of the inlet channel influence the texturing of the food composition. The invention is further based on the object of creating a method that enables simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition.

[0063] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 19. The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the already described advantages of the inventive discharge device for texturizing a food composition and the inventive system for producing a food composition. The method according to the invention can be further developed with at least one feature that is described in connection with the inventive discharge device and / or the inventive system. Accordingly, the inventive discharge device and / or the inventive system can be further developed with at least one feature that is described in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0064] A method according to claim 20 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The cooling of the food composition takes place in particular by means of at least one tempering unit. Preferably, the food composition is cooled in a distributor and / or in the flow channel. Preferably, the discharge device comprises at least one web to reduce, in particular to prevent, adhesion of the food composition. The at least one web is formed in particular on the inner core. The at least one web in particular wipes off the outer shell.

[0065] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0066] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plant for producing a food composition according to a first embodiment, comprising a processing device for continuously processing the food composition and a discharge device for texturizing the food composition, Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the plant in Fig. 1,

[0067] Fig. 3 a side view of the system in Fig. 1,

[0068] Fig. 4 is a front view of the system in Fig. 1,

[0069] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the system along the section line VV in Fig. 4,

[0070] Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail VI of a feed-side end of the discharge device in Fig. 5,

[0071] Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail VII of a discharge end of the discharge device in Fig. 5,

[0072] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the system in Fig. 1 in a first cleaning state of the discharge device,

[0073] Fig. 9 is a side view of the system in Fig. 8,

[0074] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the system in Fig. 1 in a second cleaning state of the discharge device,

[0075] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a plant for producing a food composition according to a second embodiment,

[0076] Fig. 12 is a front view of the system in Fig. 11,

[0077] Fig. 13 a sectional view through the system along the section line XIII-XIII in Fig.

[0078] 12, Fig. 14 an enlarged detail XIV of the discharge device in Fig. 13 in the area of ​​a flow channel,

[0079] Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a plant for producing a food composition according to a third embodiment,

[0080] Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail XVI of a discharge end of a discharge device of the plant in Fig. 15,

[0081] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a plant for producing a food composition according to a fourth embodiment,

[0082] Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a plant for producing a food composition according to a fifth embodiment, and

[0083] Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail XIX of an inner core of a discharge device of the plant in Fig. 18.

[0084] A first embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. A system 1 for producing a food composition comprises a processing device 2 and a discharge device 3. The food composition serves as food for humans and / or animals. The food composition is designed as a meat substitute composition Z. The meat substitute composition Z comprises, for example, no animal components, in particular no animal fats and no animal proteins. The meat substitute composition Z comprises, in particular, vegetable proteins and vegetable fats. The meat substitute composition Z is, for example, HMMA.

[0085] The processing device 2 serves for the continuous processing of the meat substitute composition Z. The processing device 2 comprises a multi-shaft screw machine 4. Various recipe components of the meat substitute composition Z are fed into the multi-shaft screw machine 4 and mixed together and processed in the multi-shaft screw machine 4.

[0086] The multi-shaft screw extruder 4 is designed as a co-rotating twin-shaft screw extruder. The multi-shaft screw extruder 4 comprises a housing 5 in which two mutually penetrating housing bores 6, 6' are formed. The multi-shaft screw extruder 4 has two treatment element shafts 7, 7' arranged in the corresponding housing bores 6, 6'. The treatment element shafts 7, 7' can be rotated or driven in rotation in the same directions of rotation in the housing bores 6, 6'. The housing 5 is constructed from successively arranged and interconnected housing sections 8. The last housing section 8 is closed off by an outlet plate 9. The outlet plate 9 serves to discharge the processed meat substitute composition Z from the multi-shaft screw extruder 4. For this purpose, the outlet plate 9 has an outlet opening 10.

[0087] The discharge device 3 serves to texturize the meat substitute composition Z. The discharge device 3 comprises a support frame 11 comprising two first cross beams 12, 13 and two second cross beams 14, 15. The cross beams 12, 13, 14, 15 are arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction x and extend in a transverse direction y, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x. The second cross beams 14, 15 are higher in a vertical direction z than the first cross beams 12, 13. The vertical direction z runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicular to the transverse direction y. The longitudinal direction x, the transverse direction y, and the vertical direction z form a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0088] The support frame 11 further comprises two first longitudinal beams 16, 17 and two second longitudinal beams 18, 19. The first longitudinal beams 16, 17 extend in the longitudinal direction x and connect the first cross beams 12, 13 and the second cross beams 14, 15 on both sides. The second longitudinal beams 18, 19 also extend in the longitudinal direction x, but only connect the second cross beams 14, 15 on both sides. The discharge device 3 further comprises an inlet unit 20, an outer shell 21, an outer shell guide 22, an inner core 23, an inner core guide 24, and a drive 25.

[0089] The discharge device 3 is connected to the outlet plate 9 of the multi-shaft screw extruder 4. For this purpose, the inlet unit 20 is connected to the outlet plate 9 and to the outer shell 21. The outer shell 21 is arranged on the first cross members 12, 13 by means of the outer shell guide 22. The outer shell guide 22 comprises a carriage 26 and guide rails 27. The guide rails 27 are arranged on the first cross members 12, 13 and run in the transverse direction y. The carriage 26 is arranged on the guide rails 27 and is displaceable in the transverse direction y. The outer shell 21 is fastened to the carriage 26 and can be displaced with the carriage 26 when disassembled from the inlet unit 20 or the multi-shaft screw extruder 4.

[0090] The outer shell 21 forms a supply-side end 28 and a discharge-side end 29. The supply-side end 28 is connected to the inlet unit 20. The outer shell 21 defines a receiving space 30, which forms a receiving opening 31 at the discharge-side end 29.

[0091] The inner core 23 is guided through the receiving opening 31 into the receiving space 30 and mounted on the inner core guide 24 by means of the drive 25. The inner core guide 24 comprises guides 32 and a guide rail 33. The guides 32 are suspended from the second cross members 14, 15. The guide rail 33 extends in the longitudinal direction x and is guided displaceably in the longitudinal direction x in the guides 32. The guide rail 33 extends approximately from the feed-side end 28 of the outer shell 21 to the second cross member 15.

[0092] The drive 25 is attached to the guide rail 33. The drive 25 comprises an electric drive motor 34 and a bearing unit 35. The electric drive motor 34 is connected to the inner core 23 and mounted in the bearing unit 35, so that the inner core 23 can be rotated about a longitudinal axis X by means of the electric drive motor 34. The longitudinal axis X runs parallel to the longitudinal direction x. For rotation, the electric drive motor 34 and the inner core 23 are mounted in the bearing unit 35. The bearing unit 35 is connected to the guide rail 33, so that the electric drive motor 34, the bearing unit 35 and the inner core 23 can be displaced together with the guide rail 33 in the longitudinal direction x.

[0093] The outer jacket 21 comprises a plurality of outer jacket sections 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, which are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction x and connected to one another. The first outer jacket section 36 and the last outer jacket section 40 have a length LAI in the longitudinal direction x, whereas the outer jacket sections 37, 38, 39 have a length LA2 in the longitudinal direction x. The following generally applies to the number NA of the outer jacket sections: 1 < NA < 20, in particular 2 < NA < 15, and in particular 3 < NA < 10. In this case, NA = 5.

[0094] The outer shell sections 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 form an outer wall 51 that delimits the receiving space 30 in a radial direction R. The radial direction R runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The outer wall 51 is cylindrical. The outer wall 51 has an outer diameter D. The following generally applies: 100 mm < D < 800 mm, in particular 120 mm < D < 600 mm, and in particular 140 mm < D < 400 mm.

[0095] The outer jacket sections 36, 40 serve to measure the temperature of the meat substitute composition Z. Accordingly, temperature sensors 41, 42 are arranged on the outer jacket sections 36, 40. The following applies in particular: 10 mm < LAI < 400 mm, in particular 25 mm < LAI < 300 mm, and in particular 50 mm < LAI < 200 mm.

[0096] In contrast, the outer shell sections 37, 38, 40 serve to form respective tempering zones. For this purpose, each outer shell section 37, 38, 40 is assigned a tempering unit 43, 44, 45. The following applies in particular: 50 mm < LA2 < 1,000 mm, in particular 75 mm < LA2 < 800 mm, and in particular 100 mm < LA2 < 600 mm.

[0097] The respective temperature control unit 43, 44, 45 comprises a fluid channel 46 integrated into the respective outer casing section 37, 38, 39, fluid channel connections 47, 48, a temperature control unit 49, and a fluid line 50. The temperature control unit 49 serves to temperature control a temperature control fluid F and to convey the temperature control fluid F via the fluid line 50 and the fluid channel connections 47, 48 through the fluid channel 46. The respective temperature control zone has a length LT in the longitudinal direction x, where LT = LA2. The length LT of the respective temperature control zone thus corresponds to the length LA2 of the respective outer casing section 37, 38, 39.

[0098] A temperature TT of the tempering fluid F can be adjusted by means of the tempering unit 49, so that the meat substitute composition Z can be heated and / or cooled as needed in the respective tempering zone, independently of the other tempering zones. The temperature TT is an outlet temperature of the tempering fluid F from the respective tempering unit 49.

[0099] The following generally applies: -20°C < TT < 140°C, in particular -10°C < TT < 110°C, in particular 0°C < TT < 100°C, and in particular 5°C < TT < 95°C. The temperature TT can be the same and / or different for the respective temperature control zones. The temperature control unit 49 and the fluid line 50 are shown in Fig. 1 only for the outer casing section 37.

[0100] The inner core 23 is arranged in the receiving space 30 so that the outer shell 21 surrounds the inner core 23. The inner core 23 comprises a shaft 52 and inner core sleeves 53, 54,

[0101] 55, 56, 57. The inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 are detachably fastened to the shaft 52 one after the other in the longitudinal direction x. The inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 are thus interchangeable. For example, a spacer is provided between the shaft 52 and the inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55,

[0102] 56, 57, a profile connection is formed. The shaft 52 is connected to the electric drive motor 34 and mounted in the bearing unit 35. For a number Ni of the inner core sleeves, the following generally applies: 1 < Ni < 20, in particular 2 < Ni < 15 and in particular

[0103] 3 < Ni < 10. In this case: Ni = 5.

[0104] The inner core sleeves 53, 57 have a length Lu in the longitudinal direction x, whereas the inner core sleeves 54, 55, 56 have a length L12 in the longitudinal direction. The following applies to the length Lu: Lu = LAI. Similarly, the following applies to the length L12: L12 = LA2. The inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 form an inner wall 58 in the radial direction R. The inner wall 58 is cylindrical. The inner wall 58 defines an inner diameter d.

[0105] The inner wall 58 and the outer wall 51 define a flow channel 59 for the meat substitute composition Z between them in the radial direction R. The flow channel 59 is essentially annular. The following generally applies to a height H of the flow channel 59: 4 mm < H < 30 mm, in particular 6 mm < H < 24 mm, and in particular 8 mm < H < 18 mm. The following applies to the inner diameter d of the flow channel: d = D - 2 H.

[0106] The flow channel 59 has a feed opening 60 at the feed-side end 28. At the discharge-side end 29, the flow channel 59 has a discharge opening 61. The feed opening 60 and the discharge opening 61 are essentially annular. The flow channel 59 is thus formed between the inner core 23 and the outer shell 21. The feed opening 60 serves to feed the meat substitute composition Z into the flow channel 59, whereas the discharge opening 61 serves to discharge the meat substitute composition Z from the flow channel 59. The flow channel 59 has a length L between the feed opening 60 and the discharge opening 61 in the longitudinal direction x. The following generally applies: 500 mm < L < 5,000 mm, in particular 750 mm < L < 4,000 mm, and in particular 1,000 mm < L < 3,000 mm.

[0107] The inner core 23 comprises a spirally extending web 62. The web 62 is arranged on the inner wall 58. The web 62 is thus arranged on the inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and runs spirally along the inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. For a number Ns of webs, the following generally applies: 1 < Ns < 18, in particular 2 < Ns < 12, and in particular 3 < Ns < 6. Preferably, the following applies: 1 < Ns < 3. In the present case, the following applies: Ns = 1. The number Ns of webs is also referred to as the number of threads. The inner core 23 is thus designed to be single-threaded.

[0108] The web 62, together with the outer wall 51 of the outer shell 21, defines a radial gap 63 with a gap dimension S in the radial direction R. The following generally applies: 0.1 mm < S < 2.5 mm, in particular 0.5 mm < S < 2 mm, and in particular 1 mm < S < 1.5 mm. The web 62 has a pitch P in the longitudinal direction x. The pitch P influences a conveying effect of the inner core 23 in the longitudinal direction x. The following generally applies: 20 mm < P < 500 mm, in particular 100 mm < P < 300 mm, and in particular 150 mm < P < 250 mm. The following generally applies to a ratio of the pitch P to the length L: 0.02 < P / L < 10, in particular 0.05 < P / L < 8, in particular 0.1 < P / L < 6, in particular 0.15 < P / L < 4, in particular 0.2 < P / L < 2, and in particular 0.4 < P / L < 1.

[0109] The web 62 has a web length Ls along its spiral course and defines a web region in the longitudinal direction x that has a length LB. Depending on a pitch P of the web 62, the following generally applies: LB < Ls. In this case, the following applies: LB < Ls and LB = L. The web 62 thus extends spirally from the feed opening 60 to the discharge opening 61, so that the web region extends from the feed opening 60 to the discharge opening 61.

[0110] The web 62 influences the texturing of the meat substitute composition Z and thus acts as a texturing tool. The inner core sleeve 54 comprises additional texturing tools 64, which are designed as pins and / or tenons. The texturing tools 64 are arranged on the inner wall 58 and extend into the flow channel 59.

[0111] The inner core 23 forms a temperature control zone. For this purpose, the discharge device 3 comprises a temperature control unit 65 assigned to the inner core 23. The temperature control unit 65 comprises a fluid channel 66, fluid channel connections 67, 68, a temperature control unit 69, and a fluid line 70. The fluid channel 66 is formed in the shaft 52 and the bearing unit 35. The fluid channel 66 extends essentially in the longitudinal direction x and forms annular sections 71 outside the outer shell 21 in the region of the bearing unit 35, to which the fluid channel connections 67, 68 are connected. The temperature control unit 65 serves to control the temperature of a temperature control fluid F. The temperature control unit 69 controls the temperature of the temperature control fluid F as desired and feeds the temperature control fluid F to and from the fluid channel 66 via the fluid line 70 and the fluid channel connections 67, 68. The inner core 23 thus forms a temperature control zone. For a length LT of this temperature control zone, the following applies: LT = L.The fluid channel connection 67 can be used to supply and / or discharge the temperature control fluid F. If the temperature control fluid F is supplied to the fluid channel 66 via the fluid channel connection 67, the temperature control fluid F is discharged from the fluid channel 66 again via the fluid channel connection 68. If, on the other hand, the temperature control fluid F is discharged from the fluid channel 66 via the fluid channel connection 67, the temperature control fluid F is supplied to the fluid channel 66 via the fluid channel connection 68. Since the section of the fluid channel 66 that lies on the outside in the radial direction R has a stronger temperature control effect, the supply or discharge of the cooling fluid F influences whether the inner core 23 is temperature-controlled to a greater extent at the supply-side end 28 or at the discharge-side end 29.

[0112] The inner core 23 includes a tip 72, which is releasably attached to the shaft 52 in the longitudinal direction x, opposite the drive 25. The tip 72 serves to clamp the inner core sleeves 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 on the shaft 52.

[0113] The inlet unit 20 comprises an inlet line 73 and a distributor 74. The inlet line 73 is connected to the outlet plate 9 of the multi-shaft screw extruder 4. The inlet line 73 defines an inlet opening 75, which is in communication with the outlet opening 10. The inlet line 73 and the distributor 74 are arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis X.

[0114] The inlet opening 75 defines an inlet direction E. The inlet direction E runs perpendicular to the area bounded by the inlet opening 75. The inlet direction E runs parallel to the longitudinal direction x. For an angle α between the inlet direction E and the longitudinal axis X, the following applies: α = 0°.

[0115] The distributor 74 is connected to the inlet line 73 and the outer casing section 36. This is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The distributor 74 comprises a distributor space 76 which widens in cross-section in the longitudinal direction x. The tip 72 of the inner core 23 extends into the distributor space 76, so that an expanding annular distributor channel 77 is formed which opens into the feed opening 60 of the flow channel 59. Bearing elements 78 are arranged in the distributor channel 77 and are fastened to the distributor 74 and bear against the tip 72. The bearing elements 78 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the longitudinal axis X. For example, three bearing elements 78 are fastened to the distributor 74. As a result, the inner core 23 is mounted on the tip 72.

[0116] The discharge device 3 further comprises a diaphragm 79. The diaphragm 79 is arranged in the distribution channel 77 between the distributor 74 and the tip 72. The diaphragm 79 has a plurality of diaphragm openings 80 through which the meat substitute composition Z flows into the flow channel 59. The diaphragm 79 serves to influence the texturing of the meat substitute composition Z. In addition, the diaphragm 79 supports the inner core 23 on the distributor 74 and the outer shell 21. The diaphragm 79 is clamped between the distributor 74 and the outer shell section 36.

[0117] The discharge device 3 further comprises a conveyor unit 81. The conveyor unit 81 serves to transport the discharged meat substitute composition Z. The conveyor unit 81 is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt. The conveyor unit 81 is arranged below the storage unit 35 on the longitudinal beams 16, 17. The conveyor unit 81 conveys the discharged meat substitute composition Z in the transverse direction y away from the discharge device 3 for further processing. For this purpose, the storage unit 35 forms a drop opening 82, which is formed between the outer casing 21 and the electric drive motor 34. The drop opening 82 is connected to the discharge opening 61.

[0118] For separating the discharged meat substitute composition Z, the discharge device 3 comprises a cutting tool 83. The cutting tool 83 is arranged in the region of the drop opening 82 on the storage unit 35. The cutting tool 83 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction x.

[0119] For control purposes, the system 1 comprises a control unit 84. The control unit 84 controls the processing device 2 and / or the discharge device 3. For this purpose, the control unit 84 is in signal connection with the processing device 2 and / or the discharge device 3. The operation of the system 1 is described below:

[0120] The operating state of system 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7. The discharge device 3 is connected to the processing device 2 by means of the inlet unit 20. The outer shell 21 is connected to the inlet unit 20, and the inner core 23 is arranged in the receiving space 30 of the outer shell 21.

[0121] The recipe components of the meat substitute composition Z are fed to the multi-shaft screw conveyor 4. The recipe components are mixed and homogenized in the housing bores 6, 6' by means of the treatment element shafts 7, 7'. The prepared meat substitute composition Z is then conveyed through the outlet opening 10. At the outlet opening 10, the prepared meat substitute composition Z has a temperature of, for example, between 120°C and 160°C.

[0122] In the discharge device 3, the meat substitute composition Z is tempered, in particular cooled, and textured so that when discharged from the discharge device 3, it has a texture, appearance and taste similar to meat.

[0123] The inner core 23 is driven in rotation about the longitudinal axis X at a speed n by the electric drive motor 34. The following generally applies: 1 rpm < n < 40 rpm, in particular 2 rpm < n < 40 rpm, and in particular 3 rpm < n < 20 rpm. The drive 25 is designed such that the inner core 23 can be driven in rotation at the speed n in a first direction of rotation and / or in an opposite second direction of rotation. The inner core 23 is mounted at its tip 72 against the distributor 74 and the outer casing 21 via the bearing elements 78 and the aperture 79.

[0124] The meat substitute composition Z flows from the outlet opening 10 through the inlet opening 75 into the inlet line 73 and the distributor 74. The inlet direction E runs parallel to the longitudinal axis X, such that the meat substitute composition Z is fed axially into the discharge device 3. The meat substitute composition Z is distributed in the distribution channel 77 and flows through the aperture openings 80 and the feed opening 60 into the flow channel 59. The aperture 79 influences the flow profile and / or the texture and / or the structure of the meat substitute composition Z depending on the aperture openings 80. In the distribution channel 77 and / or at the beginning of the flow channel 59, the meat substitute composition Z is still melt-like and / or elastic and / or deformable, such that influencing the flow profile and / or the texture and / or the structure is easily possible.

[0125] In the flow channel 59, the meat substitute composition Z is conveyed due to the rotation of the inner core 23 about the longitudinal axis X and due to the web 62 in the longitudinal direction x. The conveying effect and / or the conveying direction depends on the rotational speed n and the pitch P. The conveying effect and / or the conveying direction can, on the one hand, influence the shear acting on the meat substitute composition Z in the flow channel 59, which in turn influences the texture. On the other hand, the conveying effect can influence the pressure of the meat substitute composition Z in the outlet opening 10, which in turn influences the residence time of the meat substitute composition Z in the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 and the processing.

[0126] In the flow channel 59, the meat substitute composition Z is tempered, in particular cooled, by means of the tempering units 43, 44, 45, 65. The rotation of the inner core 23 prevents the meat substitute composition Z from adhering to the inner core 23 and the outer shell 21, so that a high cooling power PT can be introduced into the meat substitute composition Z by means of the tempering units 43, 44, 45, 65. The web 62 particularly wipes the outer wall 51 so that the meat substitute composition Z does not adhere to the outer shell 21. The tempering units 43, 44, 45, 65 can be operated uniformly and / or differently. The texturizing tools 64 additionally influence the texturing of the meat substitute composition Z in the flow channel 59.

[0127] By means of the temperature sensors 41, 42, the temperature of the meat substitute composition Z is measured at the feed-side end 28 and at the discharge-side end 29, so that the cooling capacity PT and a tempering profile along the longitudinal axis X can be adjusted as desired. The cooled and textured meat substitute composition Z is discharged from the flow channel 59 through the discharge opening 61 and falls, due to gravity, through the drop opening 82 onto the conveyor unit 81. The web 62 gives the textured meat substitute composition Z a strip-shaped configuration. By means of the cutting tool 83, the meat substitute composition Z can be cut into pieces of a desired length. For this purpose, the cutting tool 83 is moved along the longitudinal direction x to the drop opening 82 and the strip-shaped meat substitute composition Z is severed. The pieces thus obtained have the shape of a parallelogram.The resulting pieces are transported away for further processing by means of the conveyor unit 81.

[0128] The meat substitute composition Z is discharged at a throughput Q. The following applies in particular to a specific cooling capacity: 0.02 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.2 kWh / kg, in particular 0.04 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.12 kWh / kg, and in particular 0.05 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.08 kWh / kg.

[0129] The meat substitute composition Z is cooled in the discharge device 3 to a temperature below 120°C, in particular 110°C, and in particular 100°C. The throughput of the discharge device 3 is 200 kg / h to 2,000 kg / h.

[0130] By rotating the inner core 23, the web 62 for adjusting the conveying effect, and the tempering units 43, 44, 45, 65, various meat substitute compositions Z with different textures can be produced in a simple and flexible manner, for example, to imitate different types of meat. Cleaning may be necessary when changing the recipe. Figs. 8 and 9 show a first cleaning state of system 1, whereas Fig. 10 shows a second cleaning state of system 1.

[0131] Before cleaning, the processing device 2 and the discharge device 3 are emptied and stopped. The web 62 allows the discharge device 3 to be emptied even when the multi-shaft screw machine 4 is no longer conveying meat substitute composition Z into the discharge device 3. To transfer the discharge device 3 from the operating state to the first cleaning state, the electric drive motor 34 is stopped so that the inner core 23 no longer rotates about the longitudinal axis X. The drive 25 is then detached from the outer casing 21 and the inner core 23, together with the drive 25, is displaced in the longitudinal direction x out of the receiving space 30 of the outer casing 21 by means of the inner core guide 24. The inner core 23 is now exposed and the receiving opening 31 of the outer casing 21 is freely accessible. The outer wall 51 of the outer shell 21 and the inner wall 58 of the inner core 23 can now be cleaned in a simple manner.The first cleaning state is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

[0132] To transfer the discharge device 3 from the first cleaning state to a second cleaning state, the inlet unit 20 is detached from the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 and the outer casing 21 and removed. Additionally, the outer casing 21 is displaced in the y-direction by means of the outer casing guide 22, so that the housing bores 6, 6' of the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 are freely accessible. The treatment element shafts 7, 7' can now be removed from the housing bores 6, 6'. Furthermore, the inlet unit 20 can be easily cleaned. The second cleaning state is illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0133] After cleaning, the discharge device 3 is transferred from the second cleaning state back to the first cleaning state and from there back to the operating state. This occurs in the reverse manner to that described above.

[0134] A second embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figs. 11 to 14. In contrast to the first embodiment, the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 is arranged at an angle of 90° to the discharge device 3. The tip 72 of the inner core 23 is mounted only by means of the aperture 79. The inlet direction E runs at an angle a = 90° to the longitudinal axis X. The meat substitute composition Z is thus fed to the discharge device 3 radially to the longitudinal axis X. As a result, the meat substitute composition Z has a multi-layer structure in the flow channel 59, resulting in a multi-layer texture. With regard to the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the previous embodiment.

[0135] A third exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figs. 15 and 16. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the inner core 23 comprises precisely one inner core sleeve 53, which is fastened to the shaft 52. A spiral-shaped web 62 is formed on the inner core sleeve 53. The web 62 has a pitch P that is approximately twice the length L of the flow channel 59. Thus, P / L ~ 2 applies. The web 62 extends, including its web width, over the entire length L of the flow channel 59. For example, L = LB = Li applies.

[0136] The inner core sleeve 53 can be detachably or permanently attached to the shaft 52. In a detachable connection, the inner core sleeve 53 is, for example, detachably attached to the shaft 52 and clamped to the shaft 52 by means of the tip 72. In contrast, in a non-detachable connection, the inner core sleeve 53 is, for example, welded to the shaft 52 and the tip 72.

[0137] The cutting tool 83 for cutting the meat substitute composition Z into pieces is arranged on the outer casing 21 adjacent to the discharge opening 61. Regarding the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the preceding embodiments.

[0138] A fourth embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Fig. 17. In contrast to the previous embodiments, rollers 85 are attached to the support frame 11 of the discharge device 3. Two rollers 85 are attached to each of the cross members 12, 13, 14, 15, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction y. The rollers 85 each have associated axes of rotation 86, which run parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal direction x.

[0139] The rollers 85 are designed as guide rollers. For this purpose, the rollers 85 form a guide groove 87 that runs around the respective rotational axis 86. The discharge device 3 is arranged with the rollers 85 on guide rails 88 that run parallel to the transverse direction y.

[0140] To clean the processing device 2, the discharge device 3 is detached from the processing device 2. The discharge device 3 is then moved by means of the rollers 85 on the guide rails 88 in the transverse direction y until the housing bores 6, 6' of the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 are freely accessible. In this state, the treatment element shafts 7, 7' can be removed from the housing bores 6, 6', so that the housing bores 6, 6' and / or the treatment element shafts 7, 7' can be easily cleaned. Regarding the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the preceding embodiments.

[0141] A fifth embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figs. 18 and 19. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the inner core 23 is formed as a single piece. The production of the single-piece inner core 23 is carried out, for example, by an additive manufacturing process. A fluid channel 66 is integrated into the inner core 23, through which a tempering fluid F can flow to temper the inner core 23. Due to the single-piece design, the inner core 23 has a high thermal conductivity, so that rapid heat transfer occurs between the meat substitute composition Z and the tempering fluid F.

[0142] Furthermore, the rollers 85 are attached at least to the crossbeams 12 and 15 via fastening elements 89. The fastening elements 89 are height-adjustable. In an operating state, the discharge device 3 thus stands on the crossbeams 12 to 15. This is illustrated in Fig. 18. To move the discharge device 3, the rollers 85 are height-adjusted using the fastening elements 89, so that the discharge device 3 stands exclusively on the rollers 85 and is movable. For height adjustment, the fastening elements 89 each comprise, for example, an adjusting spindle. The rollers 85 can be moved on a surface without guide rails. The rollers 85 are rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation 90 of the fastening elements 89, so that the discharge device 3 is steerable during movement. Regarding the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments. In general, the following applies:

[0143] The inner core 23 can be formed in one piece or in multiple parts. The inner core 23 can have, at least in sections, a smooth inner wall and / or an inner wall with at least one web. The inner core 23 can have at least one inner core sleeve, preferably precisely one inner core sleeve. The at least one inner core sleeve can be detachably and / or non-detachably fastened to a shaft. The inner core 23 can comprise at least one inner core sleeve with a smooth inner wall, i.e., which does not have a web. For example, a first inner core sleeve can be formed with at least one web, whereas a last inner core sleeve can be smooth. Intermediate inner core sleeves can be formed with at least one web and / or be smooth.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Discharge device for texturizing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition, comprising an inner core (23), an outer shell (21) surrounding the inner core (23), a flow channel (59) for texturizing the food composition (Z), which is formed between the inner core (23) and the outer shell (21), a feed opening (60) for feeding the food composition (Z) into the flow channel (59), and a discharge opening (61) for discharging the food composition (Z) from the flow channel (59), characterized by a drive (25) for rotating the inner core (23) and the outer shell (21) relative to one another about a longitudinal axis (X).

2. Discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner core (23) comprises a shaft (52) and at least one inner core sleeve (53 to 57) which is fastened on the shaft (52).

3. Discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner core (23) comprises a shaft (52) and exactly one inner core sleeve (53) which is fastened on the shaft (52).

4. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner core (23) comprises at least one web (62) at least in sections.

5. Discharge device according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow channel (59) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) has a length L and the at least one web (62) has a pitch P, wherein the ratio of the pitch P to the length L is: 0.02 < P / L < 10, in particular 0.05 < P / L < 8, in particular 0.1 < P / L < 6, in particular 0.15 < P / L < 4, in particular 0.2 < P / L < 2, and especially 0.4 < P / L < 1.

6. Discharge device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one web (62) defines a web region in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) which has a length LB, and the flow channel (59) has a length L in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the following applies to a ratio of the length LB TO the length L: 0.1 < LB / L < 1, in particular 0.2 < LB / L < 0.9, and in particular 0.3 < LB / L < 0.

8.

7. Discharge device according to at least one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the at least one web (62) has a pitch P, where: 20 mm < P < 20000 mm, in particular 100 mm < P < 10000 mm, in particular 150 mm < P < 5000 mm, in particular 250 mm < P < 4000 mm, in particular 500 mm < P < 3000 mm, in particular 750 mm < P < 2500 mm, and in particular 1000 mm < P < 2000 mm.

8. Discharge device according to at least one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the at least one web (62) and the outer casing (21) delimit a radial gap (63) with a gap dimension S, where: 0.1 mm < S < 2.5 mm, in particular 0.5 mm < S < 2 mm, and in particular 1 mm < S < 1.5 mm.

9. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a support frame (11) for supporting the inner core (23) and / or the outer shell (21).

10. Discharge device according to claim 9, characterized in that the support frame (11) comprises an inner core guide (24) for displacing the inner core (23) and / or an outer shell guide (22) for displacing the outer shell (21).

11. Discharge device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that rollers (85) for moving the discharge device (3) are arranged on the support frame (11).

12. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner core (23) is mounted on the outer casing (21) and / or a distributor (74).

13. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one tempering unit (43, 44, 45, 65) for tempering the food composition (Z).

14. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by an inlet unit (20) for connecting the discharge device (3) to a processing device (2), wherein the inlet unit (20) defines an inlet direction (E) which runs transversely to the longitudinal axis (X).

15. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one texturing tool (64) is arranged in the flow channel (59).

16. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one aperture (79) for influencing the food composition (Z).

17. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a conveyor unit (81) for transporting away the food composition (Z) discharged through the discharge opening (61).

18. Plant for producing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition, comprising - a processing device (2) for continuously processing the food composition (Z), and - a discharge device (3) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

19. A method for texturizing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition, comprising the following steps: - Providing a discharge device (3) for texturing the food composition (Z) according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, - feeding the food composition (Z) into the flow channel (59), - texturing the food composition (Z) in the flow channel (59) during rotation of the inner core (23) and the outer shell (21) relative to each other about the longitudinal axis (X), and - Discharge of the food composition (Z) from the flow channel (59).

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the food composition (Z) is cooled in the discharge device (3) with a cooling capacity PT and discharged with a throughput Q, wherein the following applies to a specific cooling capacity PT / Q: 0.02 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.2 kWh / kg, in particular 0.04 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.12 kWh / kg, and in particular 0.05 kWh / kg < PT / Q < 0.08 kWh / kg.

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