Confectionery having arbitrary photo image drawn on surface and method for drawing arbitrary photo image on surface of confectionery

Abstract

To provide confectionery having an arbitrary photo image drawn on the surface with high resolution, and to provide a method for drawing an arbitrary photo image on the surface of the confectionery with high resolution easily and at low cost.SOLUTION: A photo image is drawn on the surface of confectionery by irradiating the surface with a diode laser beam having a wavelength of 455 nm and an output of 10 W, on the basis of data of the photo image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to confectionery having an arbitrary photographic image painted on its surface and a method for painting an arbitrary photographic image on the surface of confectionery. [Background technology]

[0002] Drawing designs on the surface of sweets such as manju and castella cakes has been a traditional method. Traditionally, a method of drawing designs on the surface of a sweet involves pressing a hot iron with an engraved design onto the surface of the sweet. However, this method makes it difficult to draw precise images such as photographs of architecture or landscapes. Furthermore, drawing a customer's requested photograph or other design on a small number of sweets is not practical, as it requires the creation of a separate iron with the desired design for each customer.

[0003] Several methods for printing designs on the surface of confectionery have been proposed. The method described in Patent Document 1 comprises a relief surface creation process A, in which a relief surface such as letters or designs according to a customer's order is formed on an embossing plate member; a recess formation process B, in which the relief surface of the embossing plate member is embossed into the surface of the confectionery dough before baking to form recesses for the letters or designs W; an application process C, in which a colorant solution is poured into the recesses formed on the surface of the confectionery dough; and a baking process D, in which the confectionery dough after application process C is baked. Relief surface creation process A involves forming the relief surface of the letters or designs by using a drill in a cutting and grinding device to remove the surface of an embossing plate member made of chemical wood, ABS resin, acrylic resin, etc., leaving only the letters or designs. This is a complex process, and it is thought that it is impossible to create high-resolution photographic images using this process.

[0004] The method described in Patent Document 2 involves drawing letters or figures on the surface of a chocolate confectionery, by creating a relief or intaglio plate by photomechanical processing using synthetic resin or the like, and pressing or rolling it onto the surface of the solid chocolate to create a three-dimensional representation of the letters or figures. This method is applicable to confectionery with plastic physical properties, such as chocolate confectionery, but is not thought to be applicable to confectionery with physical properties, such as castella cakes or manju. Furthermore, the need to create a relief or intaglio plate is cumbersome.

[0005] If it were possible to print high-resolution photographs of buildings, people, landscapes, etc. on the surface of sweets, they would be ideal items for commemorating the completion of a newly constructed building, as wedding favors for newlyweds, or as souvenirs from tourist spots, and it is expected that this will lead to increased sales of sweets. However, because there is no technology to print high-resolution photographic images on the surface of sweets, such sweets have not been available until now. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2003-210112 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 10-179035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a confectionery product having an arbitrary photographic image painted on its surface at high resolution, and to provide a method for painting an arbitrary photographic image on the surface of the confectionery product at high resolution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] After extensive research, the inventors of the present invention have come up with the idea that it is possible to draw any photographic image on the surface of confectionery using a recently developed laser marking machine. There are various types of laser marking machines, but they have found that using a diode laser makes it possible to draw highly detailed images on the surface of confectionery.

[0009] In particular, recently developed laser marking machines have the ability to imprint an image of a photograph taken with a smartphone or digital camera onto an object based on the input data. Therefore, by using this machine, any photographic image can be easily and quickly drawn at high resolution on the surface of a confectionery product.

[0010] A suitable laser beam is a diode-based laser beam with a wavelength of 455 nm and an output of 10 W.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of the process for using a laser marking machine to draw any photographic image on the surface of a confectionery product. First, image data of the photograph you want to draw on the confectionery product is obtained. Image data of photographs taken with a smartphone or digital camera can also be used. Next, the obtained image data is input into the laser marking machine. The confectionery product is then placed in the laser marking machine. The laser marking machine starts irradiating the laser light, and the laser light is irradiated onto the confectionery product in accordance with the image data. Once irradiation is complete, the confectionery product with the photographic image drawn on its surface is complete.

[0012] The first invention is a confectionery characterized in that an image of a photograph is drawn on the surface by irradiating a laser beam based on image data of the photograph.

[0013] The second invention is the confectionery according to the first invention, characterized in that the laser light is emitted by a diode, has a wavelength of 455 nm, and has an output of 10 W.

[0014] The third invention is a method for drawing an image of a photograph on the surface of a confectionery by irradiating the surface with laser light based on image data of the photograph.

[0015] A fourth invention is the method according to the third invention, characterized in that the laser light is a diode light having a wavelength of 455 nm and an output of 10 W. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, any photographic image can be easily drawn on the surface of a confectionery product in a short time at low cost, and confectionery products with photographs desired by customers drawn on the surface can be quickly provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart of a process for applying a photographic image to a confectionery. [Figure 2] 10 is a photograph of a castella cake with a photo of a castle painted on the surface according to Example 1. [Figure 3] 10 is a photograph of a castella cake with a photo image of a building painted on the surface thereof according to Example 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a photograph of a castella cake with a photo of a car drawn on the surface thereof according to Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described, but it goes without saying that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0019] Figure 2 shows a photograph of a castella cake according to Example 1, on whose surface a photograph of a castle was painted. The image of the photograph of the castle was painted using a laser marking machine (Laserworks Co., Ltd., portable laser marker xTool F1). Image data of the photograph of the castle was input into the laser marking machine, which then irradiated the surface of the castella with laser light based on the image data, and the area irradiated with the laser light was charred by heat, resulting in the image of the photograph of the castle being painted on the surface of the castella. [Example]

[0020] Figure 3 shows a photograph of a castella cake with a photo image of a building painted on its surface according to Example 2. The only difference from Example 1 is that the photo is of a building rather than a castle, and the method for painting the photo image on the surface of the castella cake is the same as in Example 1. [Example]

[0021] Figure 4 shows a photograph of a castella cake with a photo image of a car painted on its surface according to Example 3. The only difference from Example 1 is that the photo is a photo of a car instead of a castle, and the method for painting the photo image on the surface of the castella cake is the same as in Example 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0022] In the examples, photographic images are mainly drawn on the surface of castella cakes, but the method according to the present invention can be applied to many kinds of confectionery, such as manju, dorayaki, cakes, etc., in addition to castella cakes.

Claims

1. A confectionery characterized in that an image of a photograph is drawn on the surface by irradiating the surface with laser light based on image data of the photograph.

2. 2. The confectionery according to claim 1, wherein the laser light is a diode light having a wavelength of 455 nm and an output of 10 W.

3. A method for drawing an image of a photograph on the surface of a confectionery by irradiating the surface with laser light based on image data of the photograph.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said laser light is a diode laser having a wavelength of 455 nm and an output power of 10 W.

Images