Tool, apparatus and method for shaping dough portions

Abstract

The invention relates to a shaping tool, apparatus and method for shaping dough portions. The shaping tool comprising a main body and a shaping member connected to the main body. The shaping member comprises a shaping edge at a side of the shaping member facing away from the main body. The shaping edge comprises a pervious part and is configured for, in use, insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member for providing an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion. The shaping member comprises a supply conduit for supplying a liquid to the pervious part. The pervious part is configured to pass said liquid from the supply conduit to an outward facing surface of the shaping edge, preferably to provide and maintain a film of said liquid to the outward facing surface.

Description

[0001] Tool , apparatus and method for shaping dough portions

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to a shaping tool , apparatus and method for shaping dough portions , in particular dough comprising a leavening agent .

[0004] Traditional dough products , such as braided bread, braided bread rolls , braided brioche, knotted rolls , Kaiser rolls , etc..., are commonly prepared by braiding, twisting, rolling up, or combining smaller dough pieces or strands of dough together . Performing the traditional preparation methods for such dough product are relatively complicated for a machine , and are unsuitable for an industrial , high-volume bakery production environment .

[0005] Instead of using the traditional braiding of dough for manufacturing such traditional dough products , in industrial production environment often only the outward appearance of such traditional dough products is replicated using a suitable shaping tool or stamp on a piece of dough .

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A disadvantage of such a shaping process is that often the dough product does not retain the applied pattern satisfactorily after subsequent proofing and / or baking steps . In particular, the finished dough product may suffer from a loss in the definition or resolution of the pattern previously generated in the dough product by the shaping tool or stamp .

[0008] This disadvantage is especially prevalent when cuts or incisions are made by the shaping tool in dough products made from a dough that comprises a leavening agent or proofing agent, and which dough product are subj ected to a proofing or leavening process between the shaping and baking process . Here, the expansion during the proofing or leavening process acts to promote the rej oining or flowing together of the cuts or incisions in the dough surfaces .

[0009] It is an obj ect of the present invention to at least partially solve the above identified disadvantage and / or to provide an alternative shaping tool and method for shaping dough .

[0010] According to a first aspect , the present invention provides a shaping tool for shaping dough portions , wherein the shaping tool comprising a main body and a shaping member, wherein the shaping member is connected to the main body, and wherein the shaping member comprises a shaping side which is configured for in use facing a dough portion, wherein the shaping member comprises a shaping edge at the shaping side of the shaping member, wherein the shaping edge comprises a pervious part and wherein the shaping edge is configured for, in use, inserting at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member for providing an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, wherein the shaping tool comprises a supply conduit configured for supplying a liquid to the pervious part , wherein the pervious part is configured to pass said liquid from the supply conduit to an outward facing surface of at least the shaping edge of the shaping member .

[0011] The shaping tool according to the invention has a shaping member with a shaping edge comprising a pervious part which is in fluid connection with said supply conduit . The liquid supplied via said supply conduit can move through the pervious part to an outward facing surface of the pervious part, which liquid may form a layer of said liquid at the outward surface of at least the shaping edge of the shaping member . When the shaping tool is inserted, at least the pervious part thereof , in an opening or incision in the dough portion or when the shaping member is used for providing an opening or incision into a surface of a dough portion, at least a part of said liquid provided via the pervious part of the shaping edge remains on the internal walls of the incision inside the dough portion, said liquid provides a barrier between opposing sides of said incision, and substantially prevents that these opposing sides of the incision rej oin . Accordingly, due to the shaping tool of the present invention, a rej oining of the opposing sides of an incision can at least partially be prevented, and the loss in definition or resolution of the pattern previously generated in the dough portion by the shaping tool is substantially prevented .

[0012] It is noted that pervious part provides an arrangement of openings for delivering the liquid, in particular in case the liquid is an oil , preferably an edible oil , to the outward facing surface of the pervious part , and when at least partially inserted in a dough portion, to the surface of the dough facing the pervious parts . As such, the pervious part of the shaping member of the present invention, provides a dispensing member for the liquid .

[0013] It is further noted that in an alternative way of providing a liquid inside the incision is , to dip the shaping tool in a liquid prior to the shaping of the dough piece . Although this may also prevent the loss in definition or resolution of the pattern generated in the dough portion, this alternative has at least four disadvantages with respect to the present invention :

[0014] 1 . The shaping tool must be moved to a container filed with said liquid and dipped inside said liquid in between each shaping step . Such movements take time and in essence limit the throughput of a shaping apparatus .

[0015] 2 . When moving the shaping tool , after it has been dipped in the liquid, back to the dough portion, drops of liquid may fall from the shaping tool onto the shaping apparatus , and thereby may pollute the shaping apparatus and / or products on the shaping apparatus .

[0016] 3 . When pushing the shaping tool into the dough, the liquid film is wiped of f from the shaping tool , most of the liquid remains at the top part of the incision, and less or no liquid will be provided inside the incision, in particular at or near the bottom of the incision .

[0017] 4 . The repeatedly dipping of the shaping tool in the liquid may cause contamination of the liquid with residues of dough which may stick to the shaping tool .

[0018] The shaping tool according to the present invention solves all these disadvantages due to the measure that the liquid is supplied directly to the pervious part of at least the shaping edge of the shaping member . Accordingly, the shaping tool of the present inventions does not have to be moved to a container with liquid and does not have to be dipped in said container to provide the layer of liquid at the outside surface of at least the shaping edge of the shaping member .

[0019] In addition, because the liquid can be provided via the supply conduit inside of the shaping tool , the wiping of f of the liquid from the shaping member is counteracted by supplying liquid to the pervious part when the shaping member is at least partially inserted into the dough portion and / or when the shaping member is removed out of the incision in the dough portion . The shaping tool of the present invention thus allows to supply the liquid when the shaping member is inserted into the dough portion and thereby to provide a desired amount of the liquid to the side walls of said incision adj acent to the shaping member .

[0020] It is noted, that term ' shaping edge ' according to the present invention relates to a structure which enable to make an opening or incision in a surface of a portion of dough, in particular a dough comprising a leavening agent before or after a leavening or proofing step . Accordingly, the shaping edge does not need to be highly sharp, inter alia because dough, in particular dough for the preparation of bread products , is substantially a viscoelastic material in which it is possible to produce an opening or incision with a blunt, unsharp or even rounded tool .

[0021] It is further noted that in this application, the word 'pervious ' means ' giving passage' or 'admitting the passage of a fluid' . As such, the pervious part of the shaping tool of the invention is configured for admitting the passage of the liquid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface of the pervious part . The pervious part preferably comprises an arrangement of passages which are in fluid communication with the supply conduit and which debouch in openings at the outward facing surface of the pervious part . The arrangement of openings in the pervious part may be a regular arrangement, for example in rows and / or columns . The openings are preferably configured to at least substantially prevent that dough enters said openings . Preferably a diameter of said openings is smaller than 1 mm, more preferably smaller than 0 , 3 mm .

[0022] In an embodiment, the pervious part comprises a pervious porous material , preferably comprising one or more of a ceramic with a porous structure of intercommunicating pores , a sintered material comprising a porous structure of intercommunicating pores , such as sintered metal powder, a three-dimensional printed material comprising a porous structure of intercommunicating pores , for example manufactured using metal powder bed printing as , for example, described in more detail in WO 2019 / 066659 of the same applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference . The pervious porous material comprises a material with intercommunicating pores which allow a fluid to flow form one side of the material to an opposite second side of the material . When using a pervious porous material for the pervious part, the arrangement of openings in the pervious part is usually an irregular arrangement having openings with irregular diameters and / or shapes , and the voids in the porous material and / or the porosity should be large enough to allow the liquid to flow through the porous material from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface of the pervious part .

[0023] In an embodiment , the supply conduit is arranged at least partially inside said shaping tool , preferably wherein at least a part of the supply conduit is integrally formed with the shaping member and / or the shaping tool . Accordingly, the supply conduit does not interfere with the external shape of the shaping tool and thereby this embodiment provides more freedom in designing and obtaining a desired shape of the forming tool for shaping a dough portion to correspond to an external shape of a traditional dough product . It is noted that such integral design of a shaping member with pervious parts and an internal supply conduit for supplying said liquid to the pervious parts is preferably manufactured using a three-dimensional printing method .

[0024] In an embodiment , the pervious part is a first pervious part and the supply conduit is a first supply conduit, wherein the shaping member comprises a second pervious part and a second supply conduit configured for supplying a fluid to the second pervious part, wherein the second pervious part is configured to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member . Preferably, the first pervious part is separate and / or distinct from the second pervious part and the first supply conduit is separate and / or distinct from the second supply conduit . In this embodiment, the second pervious part is arranged at other parts of the shaping member than the first pervious part, on which other parts no liquid layer is desired . Accordingly, it is preferred that the fluid is di fferent from the liquid provided to the first pervious part .

[0025] Preferably the fluid comprises a gas , preferably the fluid comprises a compressed gas or compressed air . When using a compressed gas or compressed air, said compressed gas or air can also be used to provide a driving force for pushing the dough out of the shaping tool after the dough portion has been provided with the desired shape with one or more openings or incisions at desired position in the surface of said dough portion . In a preferred embodiment, the first pervious part is arranged at or near a distal end of the shaping tool , and wherein the second pervious part is arranged at a side of the shaping tool facing away from said distal end of the shaping tool .

[0026] In an embodiment, said second pervious part is arranged in between the shaping edge and the main body . Preferably, the second pervious part is predominantly arranged adj acent to the main body . This part of the shaping tool is to a lesser extend or not at all pushed in an opening or incision in the dough portion . Accordingly, the problem of the rej oining or flowing together of the dough applies here to a lesser extend or even not at all . Furthermore, when pushing the shaping member into the surface of dough portion and / or removing the shaping member out of the dough portion, the shaping edge obviously passes also through the part of the dough which may end up adj acent to the shaping side of the main body, and the first pervious parts at the shaping edge can provide said liquid to these parts of the dough, i f necessary, when passing said parts of the dough portion .

[0027] In an embodiment, the second supply conduit is arranged at least partially inside said shaping member, and wherein the second supply conduit is separate from the first supply conduit . Accordingly, the second supply conduit does not interfere with the external shape of the shaping tool and thereby this embodiment provides more freedom in designing and obtaining a desired shape of the forming tool for shaping a dough portion to correspond to an external shape of a traditional dough product . Again, it is noted that such integral design of a shaping member with pervious parts and an internal supply conduit for supplying said liquid to the pervious parts is preferably manufactured using a three- dimensional printing method .

[0028] In an embodiment, the main body comprises a main body pervious part at a shaping side of the main body and a main body supply conduit configured for supplying a fluid to the main body pervious part , wherein the main body pervious part is configured to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping side . The shaping side of the main body is a side which in use is facing towards a dough portion . This part of the shaping tool is to a lesser extend or not at all pushed in the dough portion . Accordingly, the problem of the rej oining or flowing together of the dough applies here not at all . However, in order to reduce a risk that dough adheres or sticks to this part of the shaping tool , this part of the shaping tool in this embodiment is advantageously provided with a non-stick surface .

[0029] In an embodiment , the main body supply conduit is in fluid connection with the second supply conduit . Accordingly, both the second pervious part of the shaping member and the main body pervious part can be supplied via a single fluid supply device .

[0030] In an embodiment , at least said shaping member is integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process , preferably wherein the main body and the shaping member are integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process . Such a printing process is , for example , described in more detail in WO 2019 / 066659 of the same applicant , which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for shaping dough portions , wherein the apparatus comprises : a support surface for supporting a dough portion or wherein the apparatus is configured for receiving a product carrier with a support surface for supporting a dough portion, a tool carrier which is configured for holding a shaping tool or an embodiment thereof as described above, wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the shaping tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface during a shaping step which is configured to insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to provide an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, and a liquid supply device , wherein the liquid supply device is configured to connect to the supply conduit of the shaping member of the shaping tool , wherein the liquid supply device comprises a metering device for providing a desired amount of said liquid to said pervious part of the shaping edge during the shaping step .

[0032] It is noted that the apparatus of the present invention and the embodiments thereof as described below, solves the same problems and provides the same advantages as the shaping tool as described above .

[0033] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a positioning unit which is operable to detect at least a position of the dough portion, and wherein the tool carrier is configured to position the shaping tool at a desired position above the dough portion, at least prior to the shaping step . Accordingly, the apparatus comprises means to ensure a correct position of the shaping tool with respect to the to be shaped dough portion, and thereby can ensure the correct position of the shaped feature ( s ) on or in the dough portion .

[0034] In an embodiment , the support surface is configured for supporting multiple dough portions or wherein the product carrier comprises a support surface for supporting multiple dough portions , wherein the tool carrier is configured for holding multiple shaping tools , and wherein the liquid supply device is configured to connect to the supply conduits of the shaping members of said multiple shaping tools . Accordingly, this embodiment allows to shape multiple dough portions at the same time .

[0035] In an embodiment, the liquid supply device is configured to supply edible oil to the pervious part of the shaping edge , for providing, in use, a layer of said edible oil at a surface of the pervious part facing outward of the shaping edge .

[0036] In an embodiment wherein the shaping member comprises a second pervious part and a second supply conduit and / or wherein the main body comprise a main body pervious part and a main body supply conduit, the apparatus further comprising a fluid supply device , wherein the fluid supply device is configured to connect to the second supply conduit and / or the main body supply conduit of the shaping tool , wherein the fluid supply device is configured to supply fluid to the second pervious part of the shaping member and / or to the main body pervious part in order to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member and / or the shaping side of the main body .

[0037] In an embodiment, the fluid supply device is configured to supply a compressed gas or compressed air to the second pervious part and / or the main body pervious part .

[0038] In an embodiment, said apparatus for shaping dough portion comprises a control device, wherein the control device is connected to the liquid supply device and is configured for activating a supply of liquid to the pervious part when the shaping member is at least partially inserted in the dough portion . In an embodiment, the control member which is further configured to activate the fluid supply device , to control the pressure of the pressurized fluid, and / or to control the movement of the tool carrier, preferably based on dough portion position information from the positioning unit .

[0039] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for shaping dough portions comprising the steps of : providing a dough portion on a support surface, or providing a product carrier with dough portion on a support surface of the product carrier, arranging a shaping tool or an embodiment thereof as described above, at a side of the dough portion facing away from the support surface, moving the shaping tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface during a shaping step wherein a travel of said shaping tool is configured to insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to provide an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, wherein during said shaping step a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to said pervious part of the shaping edge via the supply conduit of the shaping tool . Preferably wherein during said shaping step the predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to said pervious part of the shaping edge via the supply conduit of the shaping tool to dispense said liquid in the opening or incision in the dough portion for providing a barrier that prevents a rej oining or flowing together of said opening or incision .

[0040] It is noted that the method of the present invention and the embodiments thereof as described below, solves the same problems and provides the same advantages as the shaping tool as described above .

[0041] In an embodiment, the predetermined amount of liquid comprises a predetermined amount of edible oil which is configured to provide a layer of said edible oil at a surface of the dough portion adj acent to the pervious part of the shaping edge .

[0042] In an embodiment, wherein the shaping member comprises a second pervious part and a second supply conduit and / or wherein the main body comprise a main body pervious part and a main body supply conduit, wherein at least during the shaping step fluid is supplied to the second pervious part of the shaping member and / or to the main body pervious part in order to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member and / or the shaping side . In an embodiment, the pressuri zed fluid is provided at the start of a movement of the shaping tool in the direction away from the support surface or during the movement of the shaping tool in the direction away from the support surface .

[0043] In an embodiment, prior to the shaping step, the method further comprises the step of detecting at least a position of the dough portion using a positioning unit , positioning the shaping tool at a desired position above the dough portion .

[0044] In an embodiment, the fluid comprises a compressed gas or compressed air .

[0045] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible . These individual aspects , in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims , can be made subj ect of divisional patent applications .

[0046] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings , in which :

[0048] Figure 1 schematically shows several examples of traditional braided bread rolls ;

[0049] Figure 2A - 2D schematically show several examples , both in a top view and a cross-section, of dough portion provided with incisions suitable for replicating the outward appearance of traditional dough products ;

[0050] Figure 3A and 3B schematically show a cross-section of a first example of a shaping tool according to the invention;

[0051] Figure 4A and 4B schematically show an alternative example of a shaping tool according to the invention, and the dough product produced with this shaping tool ;

[0052] Figures 5A and 5B schematically show a second example of a shaping tool according to the invention;

[0053] Figures 6A and 6B schematically show a third example of a shaping tool according to the invention;

[0054] Figure 7A and 7B schematically shows an example of a fourth example of shaping tool according to the invention, arranged on a work surface of a three-dimensional printing apparatus ; Figure 8 schematically shows an example of an apparatus for shaping dough portions comprising a shaping tool according to the present invention; and

[0055] Figure 9 schematically shows a flow chart of an example of a method for shaping dough portion using a shaping tool according to the present invention .

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] Figure 1 schematically shows some example of traditional bread products 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , in particular braided bread rolls or knotted dinner rolls , which are commonly prepared by braiding, twisting, rolling or combining smaller dough pieces or strands of dough together . This braiding is performed manually by an artisan and the result is appealing and good-looking bread or bread roll .

[0058] The manually braiding of dough portions for the production of traditional braided bread products is timeconsuming an usually not suitable for mass-production . Accordingly, in industrial production environment , often only the outward appearance of such traditional dough products is replicated using an appropriate shaping tool or stamp . Such a shaping tool is configured to provide one or more incisions in the upper surface of an unbaked dough piece in order to mimic the braided structure of the traditional braided bread products . Furthermore, the shaping tool can be configured to shape the upper surface and / or the circumferential shape of the piece of dough to at least partially correspond to the external shape of the traditional braided bread product .

[0059] Figure 2A - 2D schematically show several simple examples , both in a top view and a cross-section, of dough portion provided with incisions suitable for replicating the outward appearance of traditional dough products . As schematically shown in the cross-sections , the incisions 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 in the dough portions are relatively deep and narrow . Accordingly, there is a risk that opposing walls 25, 26, 27 , 28 of the incisions 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 at least partially re-join and the finished bread product may suffer from a loss in the definition or resolution of the pattern previously generated in the dough piece by the shaping tool or stamp. This re-joining is in particular prevalent when the cuts or incisions are made in dough pieces that comprise a leavening agent or proofing agent, and which dough pieces are subjected to a proofing or leavening process between the shaping and baking process. Here, the expansion of the dough during the proofing or leavening process acts to promote the re-joining or flowing together of the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28 of the incisions 21, 22, 23, 24 in the dough pieces.

[0060] In order to substantially prevent the re-joining of the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28 of the incisions 21, 22, 23, 24 in the dough pieces, the present invention proposes to provide a film of a liquid, in particular an film of oil, preferably edible oil, on at least one of the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28 of the incisions 21, 22, 23, 24, wherein the liquid is selected to substantially keep the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28 separate and / or to substantially prevent a rejoining the dough of the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28.

[0061] In order to provide this liquid film on said at least one of the opposing walls 25, 26, 27, 28 of the incisions 21, 22, 23, 24, the present invention provides a specially designed shaping tool, of which several different examples are described in more detail below.

[0062] Figures 3A and 3B schematically show a crosssection of a first example of a shaping tool 30 according to the invention. The shaping tool 30 comprising a main body 31 and a shaping member 32.

[0063] The main body 31 comprises a shaping side 311 which is configured for in use facing a dough portion. Furthermore, the main body 31 is preferably configured for mounting said shaping tool 30 onto a tool carrier (not shown) in an apparatus for shaping dough.

[0064] The shaping member 32 is connected to the shaping side 311 of the main body 31 and extends in a direction away from the shaping side 311 . The shaping member 32 comprises a shaping edge 321 at a side facing away from the shaping side 311 . The shaping edge 321 is configured to be inserted in an opening or incision of a dough portion or for in use providing the opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion . In this example the shaping edge 321 is substantially circular in shape as schematically shown in figure 3B, in order to provide a circular incision 22 in a dough piece as for example schematically shown in the example of figure 2B .

[0065] According to the present invention, the shaping edge 321 comprises a pervious part 322 and the shaping member comprises a supply conduit 323 , 324 configured for supplying a liquid to the pervious part 322 of the shaping edge 321 . The pervious part 322 is configured to provide a fluid connection between the supply conduit 323 , 324 and an outward facing surface 325 , 326 of the pervious part 322 , to provide said liquid to said outward facing surface 325 , 326 of the pervious part 322 in order to provide and maintain a layer of said liquid on the outward surface 325, 326 of the pervious part 322 of the shaping edge 321 .

[0066] In use, when the shaping member 32 is pushed into a piece of dough and / or when the shaping member 32 is moved out of the piece of dough, at least part of the liquid on the outward surface 325 , 325 is transferred to the opposing walls 26 of the incision 22 in the dough piece , due to a rubbing of the dough against the outward surfaces 325 , 326. Since the pervious part 322 is arranged at the shaping edge 321 , in particular at a side of the shaping member 32 facing away from the main body 31 , the liquid can be provided deep inside the incision 22 and substantially prevents that the opposing sides 26 of the incision 22 rej oin .

[0067] As schematically shown in figure 3A, the shaping member 32 comprises a first supply conduit 323 which is arranged in the shaping edge 321 , which first supply conduit is demarcated by the pervious walls 322 of the shaping edge 321 at a side facing away from the main body 31 , and an impervious wall 327 at a side facing said main body 31 . In addition, the first supply conduit 323 is connected to a liquid inlet 313 in the main body 31 , via a further conduit 324 with substantially impervious walls . In use , the liquid inlet 313 is connected to a liquid supply device (not shown) for providing that a desired amount of said liquid at a desired moment in time, for example j ust before and / or during the insertion of at least the pervious part 322 in a dough portion, passes through the pervious parts 322 of the shaping edge 321 . As schematically shown in figure 3A, both the first and further supply conduits 323 , 324 are arranged inside said shaping member 32 .

[0068] It is noted that the walls 317 , 328 , 329 of the shaping member 32 above the impervious walls 327 of the first supply conduit 324 , may be impervious walls . As shown in an alternative example of the shaping tool 30 ' of figures 4A and 4B, the walls 317 ' , 329' comprise impervious walls , and the first conduit 323 ' extends up to the main body, where it connects to the liquid inlet 313 in the main body 31 . In addition, the impervious wall 327 ' between the first conduit 323 ' and the second conduit 330 ' also extends up to the main body 31 and connects to the fluid inlet 314 .

[0069] However, in the example presented in figures 3A and 3B, the pervious part 322 at the shaping edge 321 is a first pervious part, and the walls 328 , 329 of the shaping member 32 comprises a second pervious part , wherein the second pervious part, when provided with a fluid, is configured to provide the outward facing surfaces of the walls 328 , 329 with a non-stick properties . It is noted that the walls 328 , 329 with said second pervious part are arranged in between the shaping edge 321 and the shaping side 311 of the main body 31 . It is further noted that an element comprising a layer of a pervious material , wherein the pervious material is configured to allow a fluid to flow there through, and wherein an outer surface of said layer provides the non-stick surface, is described in WO2019 / 066659 of the same applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0070] The inner space between the walls 328 , 329 provides a second conduit 330 , which second conduit 330 is in fluid connection with a fluid inlet 314 in said main body 31 . In use , the fluid inlet 314 is connected to a fluid supply device (not shown) for supplying said fluid to the pervious walls 328 , 329 in order to provide a non-stick outward facing surface .

[0071] It is further noted that the wall at the shaping side 311 of the main body 31 , may be a impervious wall as schematically shown in the alternative example of figure 4A. However, in the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 3A, the main body 31 comprises a main body pervious part 317 at the shaping side 311 and a main body supply conduit 316 configured for supplying a fluid to the main body pervious part 317 . The main body pervious part 317 is configured to provide a nonstick surface facing outward of the shaping side 311 . This part of the shaping tool 30 is to a lesser extend or not at all pushed in the dough portion . Accordingly, the problem of the rej oining or a flowing together of the dough applies here not at all . However, the shaping side 311 may be configured and designed to provide a desired shape of the upper side of the dough portion; with other words , the shaping side 311 may be shaped to provide a template for the desired shape of the upper side of the dough portion . In order to reduce a risk that dough adheres or sticks to this shaping side 311 of the shaping tool 30 , this part of the shaping tool in this embodiment is advantageously provided with a non-stick surface .

[0072] The shaping tool 30 of this example is configured for using edible oil as the liquid to be supplied to the shaping edge 321 of the shaping member 32 , and for using compressed gas , in particular compressed air, as the fluid to be supplied to the pervious walls 328 , 329 of the shaping member 32 and the main body pervious part 317 of the main body 31 .

[0073] It is noted that the shaping tool 30 of the example in figure 3A is provided with a fluid supply into an inner space 315 of the main body 31 . This may be a dedicated fluid supply conduit (not shown) or a fluid supply via a connection 316 with the fluid inlet 314 . When providing a compressed gas or compressed air into said inner space 315, said compressed gas or air can also be used to provide a driving force for pushing the dough out of the shaping tool 30 after the dough portion has been provided with the desired shape with one or more openings or incisions at desired position in the surface of said dough portion .

[0074] It is furthermore noted, that figures 3A and 3B are schematic drawings and are not to scale . For example, the width of shaping member 32 between the pervious walls 328 , 329 is lager with respect to other parts of the shaping tool 30 , in order to more clearly shown the internal structure of the shaping member 32 .

[0075] Figures 5A schematically shows a second example of a shaping tool 40 according to the invention, and figure 5B schematically shows a cross-section along the line V-V in figure 5A. It is noted that the dough product that can be produced with the shaping tool 40 substantially corresponds to the example previously presented with reference to figure 2C, for example for manufacturing Kaiser rolls .

[0076] The shaping tool 40 according to this second example, again comprises a main body 42 and a shaping member 43 which connected to said main body 42 . The main body 42 is provided with a radially extending flange 421 with mounting holes 422 for mounting the shaping tool 40 on a tool carrier of a shaping device (not shown) .

[0077] The shaping member 43 is connected to the shaping side 421 of the main body 42 . The shaping member 43 comprises a shaping edge 431 , which is configured for in use providing an opening or incision 411 into a surface of a dough portion . In this example, the shaping tool 40 comprises three curved shaping edges 431 , which come together in the center 432 of the shaping member 43 in order to provide the incision pattern in a dough piece as for example schematically shown in the example of figure 2C . It is noted that the traditional Kaiser roll comprise five curved incisions , and accordingly the shaping tool may be provided with five curved shaping edges .

[0078] As schematically shown in the cross-section view of figure 5B, the shaping edge 431 comprises a pervious part

[0079] 433 and the shaping member comprises a first supply conduit

[0080] 434 configured for supplying a liquid to the pervious part 433 of the shaping edge 431 . The pervious part 433 is configured to provide a layer of said liquid at least one of the outward surfaces 435 , 436 of the pervious part 433 of the shaping edge 431 . In particular, the pervious part 433 is configured so that the liquid can pass through said pervious part from the supply conduit 434 to said outward surfaces 435 , 436 .

[0081] In use, for making the desired incisions in said piece of dough, when the shaping member 43 is pushed into a piece of dough 41 and / or when the shaping member 43 is moved out of the piece of dough 41 , at least part of the liquid on the outward surfaces 435 , 436 is transferred to the opposing walls 27 of the incision 23 in the dough piece as shown in figure 2C, due to a rubbing of the dough against the outward surfaces 435, 436. Since the pervious part 433 is arranged at the shaping edge 431 , in particular at a side of the shaping member 43 facing away from the main body 42 , the liquid can be provided deep inside the incision 23 and substantially prevents that the opposing sides 27 of the incision 23 rej oin .

[0082] In the exemplary embodiment shown in figures 5A and 5B, the main body 42 comprises a shaping side 423 , which is configured and designed to comprise a substantially concave shape to provide a template for the desired convex shape of the upper side of the dough portion after shaping . In addition, the shaping tool 40 comprises a circumferential edge 424 which is configured to provide the desired shape of the circumference 412 of the dough portion after shaping .

[0083] It is noted, that the main body 42 , in particular the shaping side 423 , the circumferential edge 424 and the radially extending flange 421 , can be made from substantially impervious material . However, preferably at least the shaping side 423 is made out of porous material forming a main body pervious part which is arranged in fluid connection with a main body supply conduit 425 which is configured for supplying a fluid, preferably a gas , more preferably compressed air, to the main body pervious part to provide a non-stick surface at an outward facing surface of the shaping side 423 . In particular, since the outward facing surface of the shaping side 423 of this example is used to shape the surface of the dough portion, and thus comes in contact with the dough portion, an outward facing surface of the shaping side 423 with non-stick properties is advantageous .

[0084] Figures 6A and 6B schematically show a third example of a shaping tool 50 according to the invention, for making a cross-shaped incision in a dough portion for example for the manufacturing of cross buns . The shaping tool 50 comprising a main body 51 and a shaping member 52 . The main body comprises a shaping side 511 which is configured for in use facing a dough portion . The shaping member 52 is connected to the shaping side 511 , and comprises a shaping edge 521 , which is configured for in use providing a cross-shaped incision into a surface of said dough portion .

[0085] The shaping edge 521 comprises a pervious or porous part . The shaping edge 521 is substantially hollow from the inside , as schematically shown in figure 6B, which hollow inside provides a first supply conduit 523 is in fluid connection with a liquid input 512 at the main body 51 via a further conduit 524 that is arranged inside the shaping member 52 and main body 51 . Accordingly, by supplying a liquid to the porous part of the shaping edge 521 , said liquid can be provided at the outer surface 525 of the porous part of the shaping edge 521 . In use , the liquid may form a liquid layer on the outer surface 525 of the porous part, in particular comparable to a layer of perspiration on a person' s skin .

[0086] In the example of figures 6A and 6B, also the part 522 of the shaping member 52 between the shaping edge 521 and the main body 51 , is made from porous material which is arranged in fluid connection with a second supply conduit 526 . Accordingly, substantially the whole shaping member 52 is made from porous material . In this example, the second supply conduit 526 is also arranged in fluid connection with the liquid input 512 . Accordingly, also the outer surface 527 of the part 522 of the shaping member 52 between the shaping edge 521 and the main body 51 , can be provided with liquid at the outer surface 527 .

[0087] Figure 7A schematically shows a fourth example of a shaping tool 60 according to the invention, which is arranged on a work surface 70 of a three-dimensional printing apparatus . Figure 7B schematically shows a cross-section of a part of the shaping tool 60 of figure 7A.

[0088] The shaping tool 60 provides a fourth example of a shaping tool according to the invention, which is very similar to the shaping tool 50 for making a cross-shaped incision in a dough portion as described above with reference to figure 6. The shaping tool 60 comprising a main body 61 and a shaping member 62 . The main body comprises a shaping side 611 which is configured for in use facing a dough portion . The shaping member 62 is connected to the shaping side 611 , and comprises a shaping edge 621 , which is configured for in use providing an incision into a surface of said dough portion .

[0089] The shaping edge 621 comprises a pervious part . In this example substantially the whole shaping edge 62 is made from pervious material . The shaping member 62 is substantially hollow to form a first supply conduit 622 , which first supply conduit 622 is in fluid connection with a liquid input (not shown) arranged at a side of the main body 61 which faces the work surface 70 . Accordingly, by supplying a liquid to the first supply conduit 622 , the liquid can pass through the pervious part of the shaping edge 622 , in particular to form and maintain a thin layer of said liquid at the outer surface 623 of the pervious part of the shaping edge 62 .

[0090] It is noted that in this example the part 624 of the shaping member 62 between the shaping edge 622 and the main body 61 is made from impervious material .

[0091] Recent developments in additive manufacturing processes , such as three-dimensional printing, have made it possible to produce elements with structures and designs which could not be produced in a conventional way . In particular when using a powder bed fusion process , an energy source , such as a laser beam, is used to melt parts of a layer of powder material arranged on the work surface 70 , which subsequently solidifies to form the desired part layer . Subsequently, a new layer of powdered material is then spread over the powder bed including the formerly solidi fied part , and again a part of this new layer is melted by the energy source to the previous layer to build a desired part geometry . By repeating these steps , the desired part is built layer upon layer, in particular in a direction substantially perpendicular to the work surface 70 .

[0092] By selecting appropriate processing parameters during the selective melting of the metal granular material in a thin layer of said metal granular material by a laser beam, pervious and / or impervious parts can be produced which can be arranged adj acent in the layer of metal granular material . By changing the process parameters between the processing of subsequent layers of metal granular material , pervious and / or impervious parts can be produced which are arranged ad acent in a direction substantially perpendicular to the layers of metal granular material . By combining these processes , a three-dimensional metallic element can be manufactured comprising three-dimensional structures or volumes with a pervious part and an impervious part which are integrally formed, as for example described in more detail in WO 2019 / 066659 of the same applicant .

[0093] Figure 8 schematically shows an example of an apparatus 80 for shaping dough portions 81 into shaped dough portions 81 ' . The apparatus 80 comprises a support surface 82 , in this example the support surface 82 comprises a conveyor belt of a belt conveyor 83 , for supporting the dough portions 81 . Alternatively, the dough portions 81 can be arranged of a product carrier, for example a baking tray (not shown) , wherein the belt conveyor 83 is configured for receiving the product carrier with the dough portions .

[0094] The apparatus 80 comprises a tool carrier 84 which is configured for holding one or more shaping tools or an embodiment thereof as described above, at a side of the tool carrier 84 facing the support surface 82 . The tool carrier 84 is connected to an actuator, in this example a robot arm 85, wherein the robot arm 85 is configured to move the tool carrier 84 with the one or more shaping tools , relative to the support surface 82 in at least a direction S towards and away from the support surface 82 , to provide an opening or incision 81" into the upper surface of said dough portions 81 ' .

[0095] In the example of figure 8 , the robot arm 85 is preferably configured to move along with the support surface 82 , at least during a shaping step . This allows to shape the dough portions 81 on the belt conveyor 83 , while the dough portions 81 are moving along a transport direction T .

[0096] As schematically indicated in figure 8 , the apparatus 80 comprises a liquid supply device 86, comprising a liquid reservoir 87 for holding the liquid, in particular an edible oil , a pump 88 connected to the liquid reservoir 87 and a hose 89, wherein the hose 89 of the liquid supply device 86 is arranged along the robot arm 85 and connects to the tool carrier 84 , and inside the tool carrier 84 to the supply conduit of the shaping members of the shaping tools (not shown in detail ) . The pump 88 of the liquid supply device 86 provides a metering device for providing a desired amount of said liquid from the liquid reservoir 87 to the pervious parts of the shaping edges of the shaping tools on the tool carrier 84 , at least during a shaping step .

[0097] The apparatus 80 further comprises a control device 90 which is at least connected to the belt conveyor 83 , the robot arm 85 and the liquid supply device 86 to control the apparatus 80 for shaping the dough portions 81 . In particular, the control device 90 is configured for activating the pump 88 to supply liquid to the pervious parts of the shaping tools on the tool carrier 84 , prior to and / or during an insertion of the shaping edges of the shaping tools on the tool carrier 84 into dough portions 81 on the support surface 82 , provided by the movement of the robot arm 85 .

[0098] Figure 9 schematically shows a flow chart of an example of a method for shaping dough portion using a shaping tool according to the present invention . The method comprising the steps of :

[0099] 91 . providing a to be shaped dough portion on a support surface, or providing a product carrier with a to be shaped dough portion on a support surface of the product carrier at a shaping position of a shaping apparatus ,

[0100] 92 . arranging a shaping tool according to the invention at a side of the dough portion facing away from the support surface,

[0101] 93 . moving the shaping tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface during a shaping step wherein a travel of said shaping tool is configured to insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to provide an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, wherein during said shaping step a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to said pervious part of the shaping edge via the supply conduit of the shaping member, and

[0102] 94 . conveying the shaped dough portion away from the shaping position .

[0103] After the last step 94 , the shaping position is ready to receive a next to be shaped dough portion and the method may be repeated 95.

[0104] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention . From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .

[0105] It is noted that the shaping tool , apparatus and / or method is particularly suitable for shaping bread dough, cookie dough, pi zza dough, and the like .

[0106] In summary, the invention relates to a shaping tool , an apparatus and a method for shaping dough portions . The shaping tool comprising a main body and a shaping member connected to the main body . The shaping member comprises a shaping edge at a side of the shaping member facing away from the main body . The shaping edge comprises a pervious part and is configured for, in use, insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to providing an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion . The shaping member comprises a supply conduit for supplying a liquid to the pervious part . The pervious part is configured to pass said liquid from the supply conduit to an outward facing surface of the shaping edge, preferably to provide and maintain a film of said liquid to the outward facing surface .

Claims

C L A I M S1 . A shaping tool for shaping dough portions , wherein the shaping tool comprising a main body and a shaping member, wherein the shaping member is connected to the main body, and wherein the shaping member comprises a shaping side which is configured for in use facing a dough portion, wherein the shaping member comprises a shaping edge at the shaping side of the shaping member, wherein the shaping edge comprises a pervious part and wherein the shaping edge is configured for, in use, inserting at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member for providing an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, wherein the shaping tool comprises a supply conduit configured for supplying a liquid to the pervious part to dispense said liquid in the opening or incision in the dough portion for providing a barrier that prevents a rej oining or flowing together of said opening or incision, wherein the pervious part is configured to pass said liquid from the supply conduit to an outward facing surface of at least the shaping edge of the shaping member .2 . The shaping tool according to claim 1 , wherein the pervious part comprises a porous material , preferably comprising one or more of a ceramic comprising a porous structure of intercommunicating pores , a sintered material comprising a porous structure of intercommunicating pores , such as sintered metal powder, a rigid or shape-retaining porous material , and a three-dimensional printed metal material comprising a porous structure of intercommunicating pores .3 . The shaping tool according to claim 1 or 2 ,wherein the pervious part is a first pervious part and the supply conduit is a first supply conduit , wherein the shaping member comprises a second pervious part and a second supply conduit configured for supplying a fluid to the second pervious part, wherein the second pervious part is configured to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member, preferably wherein the first pervious part is separate and / or distinct from the second pervious part , and / or the first supply conduit is separate and / or distinct from the second supply conduit .4 . The shaping tool according to claim 3 , wherein said second pervious part is arranged in between the shaping edge and the main body .

5. The shaping tool according to any one of the claims 1 - 4 , wherein the main body comprises a main body pervious part at a shaping side of the main body and a main body supply conduit configured for supplying a fluid to the main body pervious part, wherein the main body pervious part is configured to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping side .

6. The shaping tool according to claim 5, when dependent on claim 3 , wherein the main body supply conduit is in fluid connection with the second supply conduit .7 . The shaping tool according to any one of the claims 1 - 6 , wherein at least said shaping member is integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process , preferably wherein the main body and the shaping member are integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process .8 . An apparatus for shaping dough portions , wherein the apparatus comprises : a support surface for supporting a dough portionor wherein the apparatus is configured for receiving a product carrier with a support surface for supporting a dough portion, a tool carrier which is configured for holding a shaping tool according to any one of the claims 1 - 7 , wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the shaping tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface during a shaping step which is configured to insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to provide an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, and a liquid supply device , wherein the liquid supply device is configured to connect to the supply conduit of the shaping member of the shaping tool , wherein the liquid supply device comprises a metering device for providing a desired amount of said liquid to said pervious part of the shaping edge during the shaping step .

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a positioning unit which is operable to detect at least a position of the dough portion, and wherein the tool carrier is configured to position the shaping tool at a desired position above the dough portion, at least prior to the shaping step .10 . The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the liquid supply device is configured to supply edible oil to the pervious part of the shaping edge , for providing, in use, a layer of said edible oil at a surface of the pervious part facing outward of the shaping edge .11 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , 9 or 10 , when configured for holding a shaping tool according to claim 3 or any one of the claims 4 - 7 when dependent on claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprising a fluid supply device, wherein the fluid supply device is configured to connect to the second supply conduit and / or the main bodysupply conduit of the shaping tool , wherein the fluid supply device is configured to supply fluid to the second pervious part of the shaping member and / or to the main body pervious part in order to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member and / or the shaping side of the main body, preferably wherein the fluid supply device is configured to supply a compressed gas or compressed air to the second pervious part and / or the main body pervious part .12 . The apparatus according to any one of the claims 8 - 11 , wherein said apparatus comprises a control device , wherein the control device is connected to the liquid supply device and is configured for activating a supply of liquid to the pervious part when the shaping member is at least partially inserted in the dough portion .13 . A method for shaping dough portions comprising the steps of : providing a dough portion on a support surface, or providing a product carrier with dough portion on a support surface of the product carrier, arranging a shaping tool according to any one of the claims 1 - 7 at a side of the dough portion facing away from the support surface , moving the shaping tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface during a shaping step wherein a travel of said shaping tool is configured to insert at least the pervious part in an opening or incision in the dough portion or to use the shaping member to provide an opening or incision into a surface of said dough portion, wherein during said shaping step a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to said pervious part of the shaping edge via the supply conduit of the shaping member .14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined amount of liquid comprises a predeterminedamount of edible oil which is configured to provide a layer of said edible oil at a surface of the dough portion adj acent to the pervious part facing outward of the shaping edge .

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14 , when using a shaping tool according to claim 3 or any one of the claims 4 - 7 when dependent on claim 3 , wherein at least during the shaping step fluid is supplied to the second pervious part of the shaping member and / or to the main body pervious part in order to provide a non-stick surface facing outward of the shaping member and / or the shaping side , preferably, wherein the fluid comprises a compressed gas or compressed air .-o- o-o-o-o- o-o-o-MVD / BP

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