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

Abstract

The invention relates to a discharge device (3) for texturing a food composition (Z), comprising a housing (G) which has at least two housing components (g11, g12, g21, g22). The at least two housing components (g11, g12, g21, g22) delimit a receiving space (A). At least one housing insert (E1, E2) is arranged in the receiving space (A). A flow channel (20) for texturing the food composition (Z) is formed in the at least one housing insert (E1, E2). The at least one housing insert (E1, E2) can be easily and flexibly exchanged, as a result of which the flow channel (20) can be easily and flexibly changed. As a result, food compositions (Z) with different recipes and / or textures and / or throughputs can be reliably and economically produced.

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 207 736.1, 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] DE 10 2020 007 892 A1 discloses an extruder cooling nozzle for producing plant protein-based meat analogues. The extruder cooling nozzle comprises a housing in which an extruder nozzle slotted channel is formed, which is defined by flow channel walls. Cut metal cylinders are rotatably mounted in the flow channel walls, allowing the cross-section of the slotted channel to be varied. This allows the texture of the meat analogues to be influenced.

[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. The dispensing device is intended to be usable, in particular, for laboratory purposes to dispense or produce food compositions with different recipes and / or different textures and / or different throughputs.

[0006] This object is achieved by a dispensing device having the features of claim 1. Because the at least one housing insert is arranged in the receiving space, which is delimited by at least two housing components, the at least one housing insert can be replaced in a simple and flexible manner. Due to the simple and flexible replacement of the at least one housing insert, housing inserts can be used in which different flow channels are formed. Thus, by replacing the at least one housing insert, the flow channel can be changed as desired, which in turn influences the texture and / or throughput of the food composition to be dispensed depending on its recipe.Because the at least one housing insert can be easily and quickly replaced, the desired recipe and / or texture and / or throughput can be quickly and efficiently adjusted. Furthermore, the discharge device enables reliable reproducibility of recipes and / or textures and / or throughputs by reinserting the corresponding at least one housing insert into the receiving space. The discharge device thus enables simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition.

[0007] The at least two housing components are arranged, in particular, next to one another and / or one after the other to delimit the receiving space. Preferably, at least two housing components are arranged next to one another around a longitudinal axis of the flow channel to delimit the receiving space in a radial direction. The radial direction runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. For example, two housing components are arranged next to one another around the longitudinal axis to delimit the receiving space in the radial direction. The two housing components are designed, for example, as housing halves and / or as housing half-shells. The housing half-shells have a U-shaped cross-section.

[0008] The receiving space can be delimited in the direction of the longitudinal axis or in a longitudinal direction by a plurality of at least two housing components arranged one after the other. The longitudinal direction runs parallel to the longitudinal axis. For example, at least two first housing components can form a first housing section and delimit the receiving space in the first housing section in the radial direction, and at least two second housing components can form a second housing section and delimit the receiving space in the second housing section in the radial direction. The second housing section is arranged in particular after the first housing section in the longitudinal direction. The at least two housing components are detachably connected to one another for opening and closing the receiving space. The at least two housing components are in particular displaceable relative to one another, preferably pivotable and / or linearly displaceable relative to one another.By detaching the at least two housing components that are connected to each other, the receiving space can be opened easily and quickly to replace the at least one housing insert and / or to clean it. For example, a first housing insert with a first flow channel is replaced by a second housing insert with a second flow channel that is designed differently from the first flow channel. By subsequently closing the receiving space and connecting the at least two housing components, the at least one housing insert can be secured in the receiving space.

[0009] The receiving space allows the arrangement of a single housing insert and / or several housing inserts one after the other. If exactly one housing insert is arranged in the receiving space, it can be changed easily, quickly and flexibly. This is advantageous, for example, if the flow channel is short. If several housing inserts are arranged one after the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the receiving space, a flow channel with a long length can be formed in a simple and flexible manner. The several housing inserts can be of identical and / or different design. In particular, the several housing inserts can form sections of the flow channel with identical and / or different designs. In this way, the texturing of the food composition along the flow channel can be specifically influenced, in particular through the use of different housing inserts.

[0010] The respective housing insert delimits the flow channel, in particular completely, in a radial direction. The flow channel is therefore completely surrounded by the respective housing insert in a circumferential direction. The flow channel is thus integrated into the at least one housing insert. The flow channel can have any cross-sectional shape; for example, the flow channel can have a polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape is in particular designed with rounded corners. Preferably, the discharge device comprises at least one cutting tool. The at least one cutting tool is arranged, in particular, inside the flow channel and / or outside the flow channel. The at least one cutting tool is preferably arranged downstream of the discharge opening in the longitudinal direction. The at least one cutting tool cuts the food composition discharged through the discharge opening into pieces.The pieces are easier to handle. Preferably, the at least one cutting tool is arranged between the discharge opening and a conveyor unit, so that the pieces obtained from the food composition can be transported away for further processing by means of the conveyor unit.

[0011] The discharge device preferably comprises a conveyor unit. 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. 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.

[0012] The dispensing device comprises at least one measuring sensor. The at least one measuring sensor is arranged, for example, on the housing and / or on the at least one housing insert and / or an inlet line. Preferably, the at least one measuring sensor serves to measure a temperature and / or a pressure and / or a color or a color change of the food composition. By measuring the color or the color change, the residence time of the food composition in the dispensing device can be determined, in particular.

[0013] The discharge device preferably comprises at least one addition opening. The at least one addition opening is formed in particular in the housing and / or in the at least one housing insert and / or in 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.

[0014] A dispensing device according to claim 2 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The at least one hinge enables easy opening and closing of the receiving space for replacing the at least one housing insert. The at least one hinge allows the receiving space to be opened by folding open the at least two housing components for replacing the at least one housing insert. Preferably, two housing components, in particular two housing halves, are pivotally connected to one another by at least one hinge.

[0015] The at least one hinge allows the at least two housing components to be pivoted relative to one another, in particular up to an opening angle of at least 60°, in particular of at least 90°, and in particular of at least 120°. The opening angle of the at least two housing components is preferably at most 300°, in particular at most 240°, and in particular at most 180°. For pivoting the at least two housing components, the discharge device preferably comprises at least one handle. The at least one handle is arranged, for example, on one of the at least two housing components.

[0016] Preferably, the at least two housing components are pivotally connected to one another by a plurality of hinges arranged along the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the hinges are arranged on a single side of the at least two housing components.

[0017] Between the at least two housing components, in particular at least one piston

[0018] A cylinder unit is arranged which supports the pivoting of the at least two housing components to open the receiving space. A dispensing device according to claim 3 ensures simple, flexible, reliable and economical texturizing of a food composition. The at least one clamping unit is arranged in particular on the at least two housing components. The at least two housing components are detachably connected to one another by the at least one clamping unit. In the connected state, the at least two housing components are pressed against one another. This seals the receiving space. In the pressed-together state, in particular the at least one housing insert is fixed between the at least two housing components in the receiving space. If the at least one housing insert has at least two housing insert components, the at least two housing insert components are pressed against one another and the flow channel is sealed.

[0019] The at least one or the respective clamping unit comprises, for example, a threaded bolt with an associated nut. The threaded bolt is arranged, for example, pivotably on a first housing component and can be positioned in a U-shaped groove formed in the associated second housing component. The nut arranged on the threaded bolt bears against the second housing component, so that the housing components can be clamped together by means of the nut.

[0020] Preferably, a plurality of clamping units are arranged along the longitudinal direction. Preferably, a plurality of clamping units are arranged on both sides of the at least two housing components.

[0021] A dispensing device according to claim 4 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The end wall is arranged at a feed-side end of the housing. A bore is formed in the end wall, which is connected to the inlet line. The inlet line and the bore form an inlet channel that opens into the receiving space. The end wall is preferably connected to at least one housing component, in particular as one piece. The inlet line is preferably connected as one piece to the end wall. In particular, a flange is arranged on the inlet line, which serves for connection to a processing device. When the housing is opened, the end wall with the inlet line attached thereto can remain on a stationary housing component, and only one housing component that is not connected to the inlet line can be pivoted.

[0022] The receiving space is sealed, in particular, by the end wall. Preferably, the end wall and / or the end wall and the housing form a seal. The seal is formed, in particular, by inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces are pressed and / or wedged together, for example, when the receiving space is closed and when the at least two housing components are pressed together.

[0023] The end wall comprises, in particular, a first end wall section and a second end wall section. The end wall preferably comprises an end wall insert which is replaceably arranged on the first end wall section and / or the second end wall section. In particular, a bore is formed in the first end wall section and / or in the second end wall section and / or in the end wall insert, which bore, together with the inlet line, forms an inlet channel which opens into the receiving space. At least one texturing tool can be arranged in the inlet channel. The at least one texturing tool is, for example, arranged in the inlet line and / or formed by the inlet line. Preferably, the at least one texturing tool is arranged in the bore. The at least one texturing tool is, for example, arranged on the first end wall section and / or on the second end wall section and / or on the end wall insert.Preferably, the at least one texturing tool is arranged on the end wall insert. This allows the at least one texturing tool to be easily replaced by replacing the end wall insert.

[0024] The second end wall section is, for example, connected to the inlet line and a stationary housing component, whereas the first end wall section is connected to a displaceable housing component and is not connected to the inlet line. Alternatively, for example, the first end wall section is connected to the inlet line and a displaceable housing component, whereas the second end wall section is connected to a stationary housing component and is not connected to the inlet line. The end wall insert is fixed in particular between the first end wall section and the second end wall section and a housing insert. The inclined surfaces are, for example, formed on the first end wall section and the second end wall section or formed on the first end wall section and the end wall insert or formed on the second end wall section and the end wall insert.

[0025] The inlet channel opens into the feed opening when the at least two housing components close off the receiving space. Because the inlet line is connected to only one of the at least two housing components, the at least one housing insert can be replaced in a simple, quick and flexible manner. For replacement, for example, a housing component that is not connected to the inlet line is moved so that the receiving space is opened without the inlet line having to be dismantled. Alternatively, for replacement, for example, the inlet line is dismantled from the displaceable housing component and the housing component is then moved so that the receiving space is opened. After replacement of the at least one housing insert, the receiving space is closed again in the reverse manner. By connecting orBy clamping the at least two housing components together, the inclined surfaces are wedged together, forming the seal and sealing the receiving space. By connecting or clamping the at least two housing components together, the end wall insert is also fixed between the first end wall section and the second end wall section.

[0026] A dispensing device according to claim 5 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturizing of a food composition. The end wall is in particular connected to at least one housing component and an inlet line. The end wall preferably comprises at least one end wall section on which the end wall insert is replaceably arranged or fastened. The end wall preferably comprises at least two end wall sections between which the end wall insert is replaceably arranged or fixed. The end wall forms a bore that connects the inlet line to the receiving space. The bore is in particular formed in the end wall insert. The bore can additionally also be formed in the at least one end wall section. At least one texturizing tool is preferably arranged in the bore. The at least one texturizing tool is, for example, fastened to the end wall insert.By replacing the end wall insert, the geometric dimensions of the bore can be easily and flexibly changed and / or at least one texturizing tool can be arranged in the bore. This influences, in particular, the flow direction and / or flow distribution of the food composition, which in turn influences its texture.

[0027] A discharge device according to claim 6 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. Due to the slot-shaped design of the flow channel, the food composition is discharged in a single layer. This makes the discharged food composition easy to handle. The discharged food composition can, for example, be cut into pieces using at least one cutting tool and / or transported away using a conveyor unit.

[0028] The slot-shaped design of the flow channel can be constant and / or vary in the longitudinal direction. The geometric dimensions of the flow channel allow the shear and / or flow resistance to be influenced easily and flexibly, which in turn influences the texture and / or throughput. The flow channel is, in particular, flat. The flow channel is preferably in the shape of a quadrilateral, in particular a rectangle and / or trapezoid, and preferably has rounded corners. The flow channel is, in particular, in the shape of an oval and / or an ellipse. The flow channel can be straight and / or curved and / or corrugated. The flow channel is, in particular, designed such that the discharged food composition does not have a closed cross-sectional shape.

[0029] A discharge device according to claim 7 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The width B of the flow channel is defined in a transverse direction. The texture of the food composition can be influenced by the width B. The width B enables, in particular, discharge of the textured food composition as a ribbon. The width of the flow channel can be constant and / or vary in the longitudinal direction. A discharge device according to claim 8 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The height H is defined in a vertical direction. The texture of the food composition can be influenced by the height H. In particular, the height H ensures that the textured food composition is discharged flat, in particular as a flat ribbon.The height H of the flow channel can be constant and / or vary in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] A discharge device according to claim 9 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The length L is defined in the longitudinal direction. The texture of the food composition can be influenced, in particular, by the length L. The flow channel or its length can be formed in the longitudinal direction by a single housing insert and / or by several consecutively arranged housing inserts. For a number Ni of housing inserts, the following applies in particular: 1 < Ni < 7, in particular 2 < Ni < 6, in particular 3 < Ni < 5, preferably: 1 < Ni < 3.

[0031] A dispensing device according to claim 10 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The at least one or the respective housing insert comprises at least two housing insert components. The at least two housing insert components delimit the flow channel in a radial direction. Preferably, the respective housing insert comprises exactly two housing insert components. The two housing insert components are designed in particular as housing insert halves. Preferably, the housing insert halves are U-shaped in cross-section and form housing insert half-shells. Preferably, the at least two housing insert components can be adjusted to one another by adjusting elements. This ensures a uniform flow channel.Because each housing insert comprises at least two housing insert components, the housing insert components are easy to disassemble, clean, and / or replace. By replacing a housing insert component, the flow channel can be modified as desired, thereby influencing the texture and / or throughput of the food composition. If the discharge device comprises multiple housing inserts, exactly one housing insert, multiple housing inserts, or all housing inserts can comprise at least two housing insert components.

[0032] A discharge device according to claim 11 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The at least one texturing tool is arranged in particular in the flow channel and / or in an inlet channel, preferably in a bore in the end wall. Preferably, the at least one texturing tool is arranged on an end wall insert. In the flow channel, the at least one texturing tool is arranged in particular in a region beginning with the end of the end wall and ending at a length L / 2, in particular L / 3, in particular L / 4, in particular L / 5, and in particular L / 6. The at least one texturing tool serves to influence the texturing of the food composition in the flow channel and / or in the inlet channel.The at least one texturing tool influences, in particular, the swirl and / or the flow direction and / or the flow distribution of the food composition. The at least one texturing tool is designed, in particular, as a pin, aperture, web, flow divider, flow distributor, and / or flow influencer. The respective pin has a cross-section that is, for example, round, oval, and / or polygonal.

[0033] A dispensing device according to claim 12 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 in the flow channel. The at least one tempering unit is arranged in particular on the housing and / or on the at least one housing insert. The dispensing device comprises in particular at least one measuring sensor for controlling the at least one tempering unit. The at least one measuring sensor serves in particular to adjust a tempering output and / or a tempering profile. Preferably, the respective tempering unit comprises a fluid channel formed in the housing and / or in the at least one housing insert. A tempering fluid is used in particular for tempering.The temperature control fluid is, for example, water, oil, gas, in particular air, and / or a water-glycol mixture. The temperature control fluid flows, in particular, through the fluid channel of the respective temperature control unit. The respective temperature control unit preferably comprises a temperature control unit for heating and / or cooling the food composition. The temperature control unit serves, in particular, to heat and / or cool the temperature control fluid.

[0034] The respective temperature control unit generates a temperature TT, whereby the following applies 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 Tri is in particular an outlet temperature of a temperature control fluid from the temperature control unit.

[0035] The respective temperature control unit forms a temperature control zone. The respective temperature control zone extends in a circumferential direction around the flow channel and / or in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel. The discharge device comprises at least one temperature control zone, preferably a plurality of temperature control zones. The temperature control zones are formed in particular one after the other in the longitudinal direction along the flow channel. The temperature control units or the associated temperature control zones can be operated independently of one another and / or in the same way. Preferably, a temperature control zone is assigned to at least one housing section, preferably each housing section, and / or at least one housing insert, preferably each housing insert. A length LT of a temperature control zone in the longitudinal direction corresponds in particular to a length LA of a housing section and / or a length LE of a housing insert and / or a multiple of the length LA and / or a multiple of the length LE.Preferably, a temperature control zone is formed by exactly one housing section and / or by exactly one housing insert. Preferably, at least one fluid channel is formed in each housing component. Fluid channels of housing components that collectively surround the flow channel in the circumferential direction preferably form a temperature control zone and are collectively connected to an associated temperature control unit.

[0036] A dispensing device according to claim 13 ensures simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition. The dispensing device enables a modular design of the flow channel. For this purpose, the housing comprises at least two housing sections, which are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction and are connected to one another. Each housing section comprises at least two housing components that delimit a section of the receiving space in the radial direction. Each housing section is assigned at least one housing insert, preferably exactly one housing insert, which is arranged in the section of the receiving space. A length LE of the respective housing insert thus corresponds to a length LA of the housing section. The lengths LA of the housing sections can be identical and / or different. Accordingly, the lengths LE of the housing inserts can be identical and / or different.The housing inserts, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction, can be identical and / or different in design. This allows the texture and / or throughput of the food composition to be influenced as desired.

[0037] 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.

[0038] This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 14. 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.

[0039] 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 rotatable or rotationally drivable, in particular, in the same directions of rotation. The multi-shaft screw extruder is designed, in particular, as a two-shaft screw extruder, preferably with treatment element shafts rotating in the same direction.

[0040] Preferably, the processing device is connected to an inlet line of the discharge device. The inlet line forms an inlet channel that is connected to an outlet opening of the processing device. The inlet channel defines an inlet direction that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction. The geometric dimensions of the inlet channel influence the texturing of the food composition.

[0041] 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. In particular, the method is intended to enable the dispensing or production of food compositions with different recipes and / or textures and / or throughputs in a simple, flexible, reliable, and economical manner.

[0042] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 15. The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the already described advantages of the discharge device according to the invention for texturizing a food composition and of the system according to the invention 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 discharge device according to the invention and / or the system according to the invention. Accordingly, the discharge device according to the invention and / or the system according to the invention can be further developed by at least one feature that is described in connection with the method according to the invention. The discharge device preferably comprises at least one first housing insert that forms a first flow channel and at least one second housing insert that forms a second flow channel.The first flow channel and the second flow channel are, in particular, designed differently. Because the housing comprises at least two housing components that are detachably connected to one another, the at least one first housing insert can be removed from the receiving space and replaced by the at least one second housing insert. This allows the shear force acting in the flow channel and / or the flow resistance of the flow channel to be easily influenced. This enables food compositions with different recipes and / or different textures and / or different throughputs to be produced easily, flexibly, reliably, and economically.In particular, a suitable flow channel can be determined and reproduced in a simple, flexible, reliable and economical manner for a desired food composition with a specific recipe and / or a specific texture and / or a specific throughput.

[0043] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plant for producing a food composition, comprising a processing device for continuously processing the food composition and a discharge device for texturizing the food composition according to a first embodiment,

[0045] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the system in Fig. 1,

[0046] Fig. 3 is a front view of the system in Fig. 1 at a discharge end,

[0047] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the system along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3,

[0048] Fig. 5 is a side view of the system in Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the system along the section line VI-VI in Fig. 5,

[0049] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the system in Fig. 1, wherein a housing of the discharge device is in an open state,

[0050] Fig. 8 is a side view of the system in Fig. 7,

[0051] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the system along the section line IX-IX in Fig. 8,

[0052] Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4 of a discharge device according to a second embodiment in the region of an end wall,

[0053] Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the discharge device along the section line XI-XI in Fig. 10,

[0054] Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to Fig. 4 of a discharge device according to a third embodiment in the region of an end wall, and

[0055] Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the discharge device along the section line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12.

[0056] A first embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. A plant 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. 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 and processed together in the multi-shaft screw machine 4.

[0057] 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 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.

[0058] The discharge device 3 serves to texturize the meat substitute composition Z. The discharge device 3 comprises a housing G, which is modularly constructed from two housing sections Gi and G2. The housing sections Gi and G2 are arranged one after the other in a longitudinal direction x and are connected to one another. For connection, the housing sections Gi and G2 are screwed together at flanges. The housing sections Gi and G2 define a longitudinal axis X that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction x.

[0059] The housing section Gi comprises two housing components gn and gn. The housing components gn and gn are designed as housing halves or housing half-shells. The housing components gn and gn have a U-shaped cross-section. The housing components gn and gn together delimit a section Ai of a receiving space A in a radial direction R. The radial direction R runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The housing components gn and gn are connected to one another on a first side by hinges 11. The hinges 11 form a pivot axis 12 which runs parallel to the longitudinal direction x. On the first side and a second side opposite in a transverse direction y, the housing components gn and gn each have a plurality of U-shaped grooves 13. The grooves 13 of the housing components gn and gn run in a vertical direction z and are aligned with one another in pairs.The longitudinal direction x, the transverse direction y and the vertical direction z run perpendicular to each other in pairs and form a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0060] To fasten the housing components gn and gn to one another, the discharge device 3 comprises a plurality of clamping units 14, each of which is assigned to a pair of grooves 13. The respective clamping unit 14 comprises a threaded bolt 15, which is pivotably fastened in a respective groove 13 of the lower housing component gn. The respective clamping unit 14 further comprises a nut 16, which is arranged on the respectively associated threaded bolt 15. When the housing components gn and gn are connected, the respective threaded bolt 15 is guided through the groove 13 of the upper housing component gn and the associated nut 16 is screwed against a stop 17, which is formed by the housing component gn.

[0061] For manually pivoting the housing components gn and gn relative to each other about the pivot axis 12, the discharge device 3 comprises handles 18 arranged on the upper housing component gn. The handles 18 are arranged on the second side, i.e., opposite the hinges 11.

[0062] The housing section G2 is designed correspondingly to the housing section Gi. The housing section G2 comprises two housing components g2i and g22, which together delimit a section A2 of the receiving space A in the radial direction R. The statements regarding the housing section Gi and the housing components gn and gn apply accordingly to the housing section G2 and the housing components g2i and g22. The housing sections Gi and G2 are detachably connected to one another via the flanges. A housing insert Ei is arranged in the receiving space Ai. The housing insert Ei is thus arranged between the housing components gn and gn. The housing insert Ei comprises two housing insert components en and en. The housing insert components en and en are designed as housing insert halves or housing insert half-shells. The housing insert components en and en have a U-shaped cross-section.The housing insert component en is connected to the housing component gn, whereas the housing insert component en is connected to the housing component gn. The housing components gn and gn are connected to the corresponding housing insert components en and en using screws 19.

[0063] Accordingly, a housing insert E2 is arranged in section A2 of the receiving space A. The housing insert E2 is thus arranged between the housing components g2i and g22. The housing insert E2 comprises two housing insert components 621 and 622. The housing insert components 621 and 622 are designed as housing insert halves or housing insert half-shells. The housing insert components 621 and 622 have a U-shaped cross-section. The housing insert component 621 is connected to the housing component g2i, whereas the housing insert component 622 is connected to the housing component g22. Screws 19 are again used for connection.

[0064] The housing insert components en and ei2 as well as the housing insert components 621 and 622 delimit a flow channel 20 in pairs. The flow channel 20 extends in the longitudinal direction x from a feed opening 21 to a discharge opening 22. The feed opening 21 is formed by the housing insert components en and ei2, whereas the discharge opening 22 is formed by the housing insert components 621 and 622.

[0065] When the housing sections Gi and G2 are closed, the housing inserts Ei and E2 abut each other in the longitudinal direction x. The housing sections Gi and G2 have a length LA in the longitudinal direction x. Accordingly, the housing inserts Ei and E2 have a length LE in the longitudinal direction x. The following applies: LA = LE.

[0066] The flow channel 20 has a slit-shaped cross-section. The flow channel

[0067] 20 has a rectangular basic shape. The corners of the rectangular basic shape are rounded. The flow channel 20 has a length L in the longitudinal direction x, a width B in the transverse direction y, and a height H in the vertical direction z.

[0068] In particular:

[0069] 200 mm < L < 5000 mm, in particular 300 mm < L < 4000 mm, in particular 400 mm < L < 3000 mm, in particular 500 mm < L < 2500 mm, in particular 600 mm < L < 2000 mm, and in particular 700 mm < L < 1500 mm, and / or

[0070] 10 mm < B < 1000 mm, in particular 20 mm < B < 750 mm, in particular 50 mm < B < 500 mm, and in particular 100 mm < B < 250 mm, and / or

[0071] 2 mm < H < 50 mm, in particular 3 mm < H < 25 mm, and in particular 4 mm < H < 10 mm.

[0072] The discharge device 3 comprises a tempering unit Ti for tempering the housing section Gi and a tempering unit T2 for tempering the housing section G2. The tempering units Ti and T2 temper the corresponding housing sections Gi and G2, and thus the meat substitute composition Z located in the flow channel 20.

[0073] The temperature control unit Ti comprises a temperature control unit 23, a supply line 24, fluid channels tu and tn, and a discharge line 25. The temperature control unit 23 is connected to the supply line 24, which in turn is connected to the fluid channels tu and ti2. The fluid channel tu is formed in the housing component gn, whereas the fluid channel ti2 is formed in the housing component gn. To connect the fluid channels tu and tn, the supply line 24 is Y-shaped. The fluid channels tu and t are further connected to the discharge line 25, which in turn is connected to the temperature control unit 23. For this purpose, the discharge line 25 is Y-shaped. The supply line 24 is connected in the longitudinal direction x to a first end of the housing section Gi, whereas the discharge line 25 is connected to a second end of the housing section Gi. As a result, the entire housing section Gi and / or the entire housing insert Ei forms a tempering zone.The tempering zone has a length LT in the longitudinal direction x. The following applies: LT = LA.

[0074] The temperature control unit T2 comprises a temperature control unit 26, a supply line 27, fluid channels t2i and t22, and a discharge line 28. The temperature control unit 26 is connected to the supply line 27, which in turn is connected to the fluid channels t2i and t22. The fluid channel t2i is formed in the housing component g2i, whereas the fluid channel t22 is formed in the housing component g22. To connect the fluid channels t2i and t22, the supply line 27 is Y-shaped. The fluid channels t2i and t22 are further connected to the discharge line 28, which in turn is connected to the temperature control unit 26. For this purpose, the discharge line 28 is Y-shaped. The supply line 27 is connected in the longitudinal direction x to a first end of the housing section G2, whereas the discharge line 28 is connected to a second end of the housing section G2. As a result, the entire housing section G2 and / or the entire housing insert E2 forms a tempering zone.The tempering zone has a length LT in the longitudinal direction x. The following applies: LT = L. A .

[0075] The tempering units Ti and T2 are illustrated in Fig. 4, with the tempering units 23, 26 being shown only schematically. The respective tempering unit 23, 26 serves to temper a tempering fluid F and to convey the tempering fluid F through the supply line 24, the fluid channels tu, ti2, and the discharge line 25, or the supply line 27, the fluid channels t2i, t22, and the discharge line 28. A temperature TT of the respective tempering fluid F can be adjusted by means of the respective tempering unit 23, 26, so that the meat substitute composition Z can be heated and / or cooled as required in the respective tempering zone, independently of the other tempering zone. The temperature TT is an outlet temperature of the respective tempering fluid F from the respective tempering unit 23, 26.

[0076] 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 in the respective tempering zone.

[0077] The discharge device 3 further comprises a flange 29, an inlet line 30, and an end wall 31. The inlet line 30 is connected to the multi-shaft screw extruder 4 via the flange 29 and to the housing section Gi via the end wall 31. The flange 29, the inlet line 30, and the end wall 31 form an inlet channel 32 that connects the outlet opening 10 to the feed opening 21. A measuring sensor 33 is arranged on the inlet line 30 and measures a temperature of the meat substitute composition Z in the inlet channel 32.

[0078] The end wall 31 is formed in two parts and comprises a first end wall section 34 and a second end wall section 35. The first end wall section 34 is connected to the housing component gi i, whereas the second end wall section 35 is connected to the second housing component gn. The second end wall section 35 is connected to the inlet line 30 and comprises a bore 36 that forms part of the inlet channel 32.

[0079] The first end wall section 34 forms a first inclined surface 37 on a side facing the second end wall section 35. Correspondingly, the second end wall section 35 forms a second inclined surface 38 on a side facing the first end wall section 34. The inclined surfaces 37, 38 abut one another when the housing section Gi is closed and form a seal. The first end wall section 34, together with the housing component gn, can be pivoted about the pivot axis 12, whereas the second end wall section 35, together with the housing part gn, remains stationary when the housing section Gi is opened. Several texturing tools 39 are arranged in the flow channel 20 to influence the texture of the meat substitute composition Z. The respective texturing tool 39 is designed, for example, as a pin, web, or aperture. The texturing tools 39 are attached to the housing components gn, gn, g2i, g22.

[0080] The discharge device 3 further comprises a cutting tool 40. The cutting tool 40 is arranged downstream of the housing section G2 in the longitudinal direction x. The cutting tool 40 comprises a discharge plate 41 on which a linear guide 42 is formed. A cutting blade 43 is arranged on the linear guide 42 and is displaceable along the linear guide 42 in the transverse direction y. For manual operation, a handle 44 is connected to the cutting blade 43. The cutting tool 40 can be operated, for example, manually and / or automatically by means of a drive.

[0081] The discharge device 3 comprises a support frame 45 and rollers 46 arranged on the support frame 45. The support frame 45 is connected to the housing component gn. Accordingly, the discharge device 3 comprises a support frame 47 and rollers 48 connected to the support frame 47. The support frame 47 is connected to the housing component g22.

[0082] To support the pivoting of the housing components gn and g2i, the discharge device 3 comprises several piston-cylinder units 49, which are hinged to the support frames 45, 47 and connected to a respective hinge 11 via a lever 50.

[0083] For control purposes, the system 1 comprises a control unit 51. The control unit 51 controls the processing device 2 and / or the discharge device 3. For this purpose, the control unit 51 is in signal connection with the processing device 2 and / or the discharge device 3.

[0084] The functionality of Annex 1 is described below:

[0085] The operating state of system 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. The discharge device 3 is connected to the processing device 2. The housing sections Gi and Ö2 are closed and pressed against each other by means of the clamping units 14. The housing inserts Ei and E2 are arranged in the sections Ai and A2 of the receiving space A. The housing insert components en and ei2 as well as the housing insert components 621 and 622 are pressed against each other and sealed by means of the clamping units 14. The pressed and wedged inclined surfaces 37, 38 of the end wall sections 34, 35 seal the flow channel 20 at the feed opening 21.

[0086] 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 150°C.

[0087] 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.

[0088] For this purpose, the meat substitute composition Z flows from the outlet opening 10 through the inlet channel 32 to the feed opening 21. In the inlet channel 32, the temperature of the meat substitute composition Z is measured by means of the measuring sensor 33, so that a tempering performance, in particular a cooling performance, and a tempering profile, in particular a cooling profile, can be set in the longitudinal direction x as desired.

[0089] The meat substitute composition Z flows through the feed opening 21 into the flow channel 20. Due to the conveying action of the multi-shaft screw extruder 4, the meat substitute composition Z is pressed in the longitudinal direction x through the flow channel 20. The shear acting in the flow channel 20 influences the texture of the meat substitute composition Z. The shear and the resulting texture depend on the geometric dimensions of the flow channel 20 and / or the texturizing tools 39 and / or the recipe of the meat substitute composition Z and / or the tempering performance, in particular the cooling performance, and / or the tempering profile, in particular the cooling profile, in the tempering zones. In the flow channel 20, the meat substitute composition Z is tempered, in particular cooled, by means of the tempering units Ti and T2. The tempering units Ti, T2 can be operated uniformly and / or differently.The texturing tools 39 additionally influence the texturing of the meat substitute composition Z in the flow channel 20.

[0090] The cooled and textured meat substitute composition Z is discharged from the flow channel 20 through the discharge opening 22. Using the cutting tool 40, the meat substitute composition Z can be cut into pieces of a desired length. For this purpose, the cutting blade 43 is manually displaced along the transverse direction y using the handle 44. The strip-shaped meat substitute composition Z is thereby severed by the cutting blade 43. The resulting pieces can be transported away by a conveyor unit for further processing and / or packaging.

[0091] In Figs. 7 to 9, the housing G is shown in an open state. The open state can be used to clean the housing inserts Ei and E2 and / or to replace them with other housing inserts Ef and E2'.

[0092] To open, the nuts 16 of the clamping units 14 are loosened and the threaded bolts 15 are moved out of the grooves 13 of the housing components gn and g2i. The housing components gn and g2i can then be pivoted about the pivot axis 12 using the handles 18. This pivoting creates an opening angle a. For example, if a > 60°, the pivoting is supported by the piston-cylinder units 49. By pivoting the housing component gn, the first end wall section 34 is also pivoted, so that the receiving space A is opened and accessible.

[0093] The first housing inserts Ei, E2 can now be replaced by second housing inserts Ef, E2', which are designed differently than the housing inserts Ei, E2. To do this, the first housing insert components en, ei2, 621, 622 are first detached from the associated housing components gn, gn, g2i, g22 and removed from the receiving space A. Subsequently, second housing insert components en', en', e2i', e22' are fastened to the associated housing components gn, gi2, g2i, g22 and arranged in the receiving space A. The housing insert Ei' with the housing insert components en' and en' and the housing insert E2' with the housing insert components e2i' and e22' are illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9. The housing inserts Ei' and E2' form a second flow channel 20', which is different from the first flow channel 20.

[0094] In contrast to the first housing inserts Ei and E2, the second housing inserts Ei' and E2', for example, do not have texturing tools and / or form a flow channel 20' with different geometric dimensions.

[0095] The receiving space A is then closed again. To do this, the housing components gn and g2i are pivoted again about the pivot axis 12 using the handles 18. The weight of the housing components gn and g2i supports the pivoting. The housing components gn, gn and the housing components g2i, g22 are pressed against one another in the closed state using the clamping units 14. To do this, the threaded bolts 15 are arranged in the corresponding grooves 13 of the housing components gn and g2i and the nuts 16 are tightened against the respective stop 17. By closing and pressing the housing components gn and gn against one another, the inclined surfaces 37, 38 are pressed against one another and wedged, so that the flow channel 20' at the feed opening 21 is sealed again.

[0096] The discharge device 3 is now in an operating state again. Because the first housing inserts Ei and E2 have been replaced by second housing inserts Ei' and E2', the first flow channel 20 formed in the housing inserts Ei, E2 has been replaced by the second flow channel 20' formed in the housing inserts Ei', E2'. The second flow channel 20' produces a different texture than the first flow channel 20.

[0097] Because the flow channel 20 can be easily, quickly, and flexibly modified, food compositions, in particular meat substitute compositions Z, with different recipes and / or different textures and / or different flow rates can be dispensed. Dispensing is particularly reproducible, so that the dispensing device 3 enables simple, flexible, reliable, and economical texturing of a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition Z. The dispensing device 3 can be used in particular for laboratory purposes.

[0098] In particular, a flow resistance of the discharge device 3 can be adjusted through the flow channel 20. This can, on the one hand, influence the shear and / or the fiber orientation of the food composition in the flow channel 20 and, on the other hand, influence the pressure of the food composition in the region of the feed opening 21 and / or in the region of an outlet opening 10 of the processing device 2. The higher the pressure of the food composition in the feed opening 21 and / or the outlet opening 10 of the processing device 2, the longer the residence time in the processing device 2. The pressure can therefore influence the residence time and / or the processing quality of the food composition in the processing device 2.

[0099] A second exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the end wall 31 comprises, in addition to the first end wall section 34 and the second end wall section 35, an end wall insert 52. The end wall insert 52 is arranged in a recess 53 of the first end wall section 34 and, when the housing components gn and gn are closed, is fixed between the first end wall section 34 and the second end wall section 35. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the first inclined surface 37 is formed on the end wall insert 52. In the closed state of the housing components gn and gn, the first inclined surface 37 bears against the second inclined surface 38, which is formed on the second end wall section 35.

[0100] The inlet line 30 is attached to the first end wall section 34. The bore 36 of the end wall 31 is formed in the first end wall section 34 and in the end wall insert 52. The inlet line 30, the first end wall section 34, and the end wall insert 52 thus form the inlet channel 32. The end wall insert 52 is replaceably arranged in the recess 53. The bore 36 in the end wall insert 52 has an oval shape in cross-section. The bore 36 in the end wall insert 52 extends conically in the longitudinal direction x. The geometric dimensions of the bore 36 are thus reduced in the longitudinal direction x. This can influence the shear acting on the meat substitute composition Z and thus its texture. With regard to the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0101] A third embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. In contrast to the second embodiment, several texturing tools 39 are arranged in the bore 36 of the end wall insert 52. The texturing tools 39 are designed as wedge-shaped webs that run parallel to the vertical direction z. The texturing tools 39 influence the flow direction and / or the flow distribution of the meat substitute composition Z. This, in turn, influences the texture. Regarding the further structure and further functioning of the system 1, reference is made to the preceding embodiments.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Discharge device for texturing a food composition, in particular a meat substitute composition, comprising - a housing (G), - a flow channel (20) for texturing the food composition (Z), - a feed opening (21) for feeding the food composition (Z) into the flow channel (20), and - a discharge opening (22) for discharging the food composition (Z) from the flow channel (20), characterized in that the housing (G) has at least two housing components (gn, gn, g2i, g22) which delimit a receiving space (A), that at least one housing insert (Ei, E2) is arranged in the receiving space (A), and that the flow channel (20) is formed in the at least one housing insert (Ei, E2).

2. Discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two housing components (gn, gn, g2i, g22) are pivotally connected to one another by at least one hinge (11).

3. Discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (G) comprises at least one clamping unit (14) for pressing the at least two housing components (gn, gn, g2i, g22).

4. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end wall (31) is arranged on one of the at least two housing components (gn), which is connected to an inlet line (30).

5. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by an end wall (31) for connecting the housing (G) to an inlet line (30), wherein the end wall (31) comprises an end wall insert (52).

6. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow channel (20) is slot-shaped.

7. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow channel (20) has a width B, where: 10 mm < B < 1000 mm, in particular 20 mm < B < 750 mm, in particular 50 mm < B < 500 mm, and in particular 100 mm < B < 250 mm.

8. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow channel (20) has a height H, where: 2 mm < H < 50 mm, in particular 3 mm < H < 25 mm, and in particular 4 mm < H < 10 mm.

9. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow channel (20) has a length L, where: 200 mm < L < 5000 mm, in particular 300 mm < L < 4000 mm, in particular 400 mm < L < 3000 mm, in particular 500 mm < L < 2500 mm, in particular 600 mm < L < 2000 mm, and in particular 700 mm < L < 1500 mm.

10. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one housing insert (Ei, E2) comprises at least two housing insert components (en, en, 621, 622).

11. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one texturing tool (39) is arranged on the at least one housing insert (Ei, E2) and / or on an end wall (31).

12. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one tempering unit (Ti, T2) for tempering the food composition (Z) in the flow channel (20).

13. Discharge device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (G) comprises at least two housing sections (Gi, G2) which are connected to one another, that the respective housing section (Gi, G2) comprises at least two housing components (gn, gn, g2i, g22) which delimit a section (Ai, A2) of the receiving space (A), and that at least one housing insert (Ei, E2) is assigned to the respective housing section (Gi, G2) and is arranged in the section (Ai, A2) of the receiving space (A).

14. 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.

15. 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), comprising — a housing (G) with at least two housing components (gn, gn, g2i, g22) which delimit a receiving space (A), — at least one first housing insert (Ei, E2) arranged in the receiving space (A), — a first flow channel (20) for texturing the food composition (Z), which is formed in the at least one first housing insert (Ei, E2), — a feed opening (21) for feeding the food composition (Z) into the first flow channel (20), and — a discharge opening (22) for discharging the food composition (Z) from the first flow channel (20), - texturing the food composition (Z) in the first flow channel (20), - removing at least one first housing insert (Ei, E2) from the receiving space (A), - arranging at least one second housing insert (Ei', E2') in the receiving space (A), wherein a second flow channel (20') is formed in the at least one second housing insert (Ei', E2'), and - Texturing the food composition (Z) in the second flow channel (20').

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