System and method for producing food containing a filling

Abstract

To provide a system and method for producing food products of a type having a portion of a first food material including a filling comprising a second food material.SOLUTION: The system is provided with at least one filling station including an iris diaphragm D, which retains a portion M of a first food material during filling with the second food material. The system further includes an injector device 13, configured to introduce a metered amount of the second material within the portion M of the first material retained by the iris diaphragm D. The portion M of the first material is deposited in the filling station either manually or automatically with a gripping member 4 so as to make it possible to clamp the portion M of the first material by the iris diaphragm D. In such a condition, the portion M of the first material remains suspended from the iris diaphragm D and is ready to receive the filling by the injector device 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , ,

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first foodstuff enclosing a filling composed of a second foodstuff.

Background Art

[0002] A system having the features defined within the preamble of appended claim 1 is known, for example, from document JP2012-024102A. Such a system comprises a filling station where a portion of a first foodstuff is filled with a second foodstuff. The filling station comprises a clamping device configured to hold the portion of the first foodstuff while the second foodstuff is being filled. The clamping device comprises an iris diaphragm including an annular plate supporting an annular array of said engaging members which are simultaneously displaceable so as to define a centrally located aperture of controllable size between the engaging members. The system further comprises an injector device configured to introduce a measured amount of the second material into the portion of the first material while the portion of the first material is held within said central aperture by the engaging members of the iris diaphragm. The injector device is movable between an operating position above the iris diaphragm and a non-operating position spaced from the iris diaphragm.

[0003] A system conceptually similar to that described above is also described in Italian patent IT102019000020823 and in the corresponding international application WO2021 / 094839A1. <00​​The embodiment described in document JP2012-024102A relates to the production of a food product consisting of wheat flour dough and containing a filling, while document WO2021 / 094839A1 and the corresponding Italian patent specifically refer to a system for the production of a product containing a portion of fresh cheese ("mozzarella") containing a filling of fresh cheese and cream ("stracciatella"). However, these different applications do not involve any differences in the structure and operating principles of the system.

[0005] Both of these known solutions assume that a portion of the first material is supplied to a filling station by a transport line including one or more conveyor belts, and that the portion of the first material remains positioned on a support surface defined by the conveyor belts during the filling operation. Such a choice is unsatisfactory in terms of protecting the product from contamination during the production process, as the product itself is exposed, at least partially, for a considerable amount of time along its path to the filling station. In the subsequent filling stage, the portion of the first material increases in volume due to the introduction of the filler. Consequently, both known solutions assume vertical movement between a clamping device that holds the portion of the first material and a support surface defined by the conveyor belt on which the portion is positioned. In the solution in the Japanese literature, the iris press remains stationary while the conveyor belt on which the portion of the first material is positioned lowers, whereas in the case of literature WO2021 / 094839A1, the conveyor belt on which the portion of the first material is positioned remains in a vertically fixed position while the iris press is lifted. In both cases, such choices involve a relative complexity to the system and its operation.

[0006] [Purpose of the present invention] The object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for producing food products containing a filling, which overcomes the shortcomings of the known solutions discussed above.

[0007] Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for producing food products containing a filling that ensures maximum safety against the risk of product contamination during the production process.

[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to achieve these goals with a simple and reliable system.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to achieve a system like the one outlined above that has relatively high productivity.

[0010] Finally, a further objective of the present invention is to achieve a system like those outlined above, which has a relatively low cost. [Overview of the project]

[0011] To achieve one or more of these objectives, the present invention provides a system for producing a food product of a type comprising a portion of a first ingredient containing a filling made of a second ingredient, The system comprises one or more filling stations into which the second ingredient is introduced into the portion of the first ingredient. Each filling station is - A clamping device configured to hold the portion of the first ingredient while filling the second ingredient, the clamping device including an iris slit including an annular plate supporting an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central aperture of a controllable size between the engaging members; and An injector device configured to introduce a measured amount of the second material into the portion of the first material, while the portion is held within the central aperture by the engaging member of the iris aperture. The injector device is movable by one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, in which the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture, and • Electronic controller for controlling the actuator device associated with the clamp device and the injector device It has, The system comprises a gripping member configured to grip the portion of the first material, the gripping member being manually or automatically movable such that it can transport the portion to the filling station by lowering it from above into the central aperture of the iris canopy, thereby allowing it to be clamped by the iris canopy. As a result, when the portion of the first material is clamped within the central aperture of the iris aperture, it remains suspended from the iris aperture, ready to receive the filler by the injector device. The aforementioned electronic controller performs the following operations: - After the portion is lowered from above into the central aperture of the iris aperture by the grip member, the iris aperture engages in clamping the portion of the first material. - After the portion of the first material is clamped within the iris choke, the displacement of the injector device to its operating position, which is above the iris choke, and the subsequent injection of a metered amount of filler into the portion, - Once the injection of the filler is complete, move the injector device away from its operating position and control the complete closure of the iris stop, thereby completely closing the portion of the first food material around the filler material and obtaining a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris stop, so that the finished product can fall onto a receiving member located below the iris stop. It is configured to execute This relates to a system characterized by the following features.

[0012] As can be understood, when a portion of the first material is clamped within the central aperture of the iris aperture, it remains suspended from the iris aperture without being positioned on a support surface, as in known solutions, which dramatically simplifies the structure and control of the system.

[0013] In one embodiment, the receiving member for the finished product is cup-shaped and is movable by an actuator device between an operating position located below the iris nozzle for receiving the finished product released from the iris nozzle and a downward-tilted position for releasing the finished product into a collection container.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the grip member includes a suction cup device, a conduit for connecting the suction cup device to a vacuum source, and a device for controlling the connection to activate and deactivate the suction cup device.

[0015] The suction cup device may be provided with a handle for manual use by an operator, or the suction cup device may be supported by a programmable manipulator robot, thereby automating the operation of loading a portion of the first material onto the iris.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the iris aperture comprises the support plate having the central aperture, the annular array of engaging members mounted on the support plate to vibrate around each of the axes, and a further annular plate rotatably mounted on the support plate and operably coupled to the engaging members to cause the movement of the engaging members as a result of the rotation of the rotatable plate relative to the support plate. In one example, an actuator cylinder is inserted between a stationary structure and the peripheral lugs of the rotatable plate to control the rotation of the rotatable plate relative to the support plate.

[0017] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the injector device is supported by an arm projecting from a column in a cantilever manner. The arm is displaceable vertically relative to the column by a first actuator device. Furthermore, the column is rotatable around its vertical axis by a second actuator device, and as a result, the injector device can be moved away from its operating position by vertical lifting and by lateral displacement resulting from the rotation of the column.

[0018] More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first ingredient containing a filling made of a second ingredient, for example, a "burrata" product comprising a portion of fresh cheese (e.g., "mozzarella") containing a filling of soft fresh cheese and cream ("stracciatella"), the method comprising the step of filling the portion of the first ingredient with the second ingredient, The filling operation is performed by holding the portion of the first ingredient with a clamping device while filling the second ingredient, The clamping device includes an iris diaphragm that includes an annular plate supporting an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central aperture of a controllable size between the engaging members, The filling operation is performed by an injector device by introducing a measured amount of the second material into the portion of the first material, while the portion is held within the central aperture by the engaging member of the iris aperture. The injector device is moved by an actuator device between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, where the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture. The method described above - The steps of gripping the portion of the first material with the gripping member, and lowering the portion from above into the central aperture of the iris diaphragm, The iris aperture clamps the portion of the first material within the central aperture of the iris aperture. As a result, when the portion of the first material is clamped within the central aperture of the iris aperture, it remains suspended from the iris aperture while ready to receive the filler from the injector device. The step of displacing the injector device to its operating position, which is above the iris aperture, after the portion of the first material has been clamped within the iris aperture, - A step of controlling the subsequent injection of a measured amount of filler into the portion of the first material, · When the injection of the filling is completed, move the injector device away from its operating position and activate the complete closure of the iris diaphragm, as a result, completely closing the portion of the first material around the filling material, and as a result, obtaining a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris diaphragm, so that the finished product can fall onto a receiving member disposed below the iris diaphragm A method characterized by comprising such an operation.

[0019] As is clear from the description provided above, the system and method according to the present invention do not involve transporting a portion of the first material to the filling station by means of a conveyor belt line, thereby preventing the product from being exposed to the risk of contamination.

[0020] Furthermore, during the filling operation, the portion of the first material is not located on the support surface defined by the conveyor belt, thereby enabling a dramatic simplification of the structure and operation of the production system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when referring to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting examples only: [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of one embodiment of the system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of an iris diaphragm, which is part of the system of FIG. 1, in three different operating states. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of an iris diaphragm, which is part of the system of FIG. 1, in three different operating states. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of an iris diaphragm, which is part of the system of FIG. 1, in three different operating states. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a grip member used within the system according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram schematically showing the control means of the system according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a schematic front view illustrating the main steps of the method according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a machine for producing a type of food product that includes a portion of a first ingredient containing a filling of a second ingredient. Machine 1 is specifically adapted to produce a product like "burrata" that includes a portion of fresh cheese (e.g., "mozzarella") containing a filling of soft fresh cheese and cream (so-called "stracciatella").

[0023] As is evident, this description is provided with reference to such specific applications, but the teachings of the present invention can generally be applied to other types of food products that contain fillings.

[0024] In the currently shown embodiment, the machine 1 comprises two filling stations 2, where a portion M of the first ingredient (see Figure 5) is each filled with a second ingredient to obtain a finished product P which is discharged into a water-filled recovery container 3 located below the machine.

[0025] In the example shown, each part M is manually introduced into the filling station 2 by an operator via a grip member 4 equipped with a suction cup device 5 that is activatable by vacuum and has a handle 6.

[0026] The structural details of the suction cup device 5 are neither described nor illustrated herein, as they can be implemented in any known form. Following a technique known to itself, the suction cup device 5 is associated with a conduit 7 for connection to a vacuum source (not shown). Furthermore, the handle 6 is associated with a control button 8, which allows the operator to enable the connection to the vacuum source when the grip member 4 must be used to grip the portion M, and to deactivate the connection to the vacuum source when the grip member 4 must release the portion M into the filling station 2.

[0027] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 and 2-4, each filling station 2 is equipped with a clamping device 9 for holding portion M during filling of "stracciatella".

[0028] The clamping device 9 includes an iris aperture D, the internal structure of which is visible in Figures 2 to 4. In the illustrated example, the iris aperture has a pair of spaced-apart annular support plates 90A, 90B, which are cantilevered in a horizontal position by the machine's stationary structure 100 using brackets 91. Both support plates 90A, 90B are firmly connected to each other by an annular array of spacer pins 92. Above the lower support plate 90A, a plate 93 is rotatably mounted having a series of annular slots 94 (see Figures 2 to 4), which allow the plate 93 to rotate relative to the stationary plates 90A, 90B without interfering with the spacer pins 92. The iris aperture D includes an annular array of engaging members 95 that define a central aperture of controllable size between the engaging members 95. Each engaging member 95 has a flat, elongated body, and its slot 96 engages with a pin 97 supported by a rotatable plate 93. Meanwhile, the radially outer end of each engaging member 95 is rotatably mounted on its respective stationary pin 92.

[0029] As a result of the arrangement described above, the rotation of the rotatable plate 93 relative to the stationary plates 90A and 90B causes vibration of each engaging member 95 around each stationary pin 92 as a result of the displacement of each pin 97 within the slot 96 (according to the rotatable plate 93 rotating around the central axis of the device).

[0030] Figure 2 shows the iris aperture D in the maximum opening configuration, Figure 3 shows the iris aperture in the partially closed configuration, and Figure 4 shows the iris aperture in the fully closed configuration. The radially inward ends of each engaging member 95 have a pointed shape, and therefore, in the fully closed configuration shown in Figure 4, the iris aperture also functions as a cutting member, separating the product portion located below the iris aperture from the waste portion remaining above the iris aperture.

[0031] Of course, the specific configuration of the iris aperture D described above and shown in the accompanying drawings is provided only as a non-limiting example. The system according to the present invention can be implemented using any other known configuration for the iris aperture D.

[0032] Referring further to the illustrated example, the rotation of the rotatable plate 93 of the iris aperture D is actuated by the rod 10 of the actuator cylinder 11. The body of the actuator cylinder 11 is firmly connected to the stationary structure 100 of the machine, while the rod 10 is connected to the lug 93A of the rotatable plate 93.

[0033] During operation, mozzarella portions M are inserted one at a time into the clamping device 9 at each filling station 2.

[0034] In the illustrated example described above, such an operation is performed manually by the operator using the grip member 4 shown in Figure 5, as previously mentioned.

[0035] The operator uses a grip member 4 to pick up part M from a container (not shown), in which part M coming from the production line is submerged in water. The operator activates the suction cup device 5 of the grip member 4 to grip part M (Figure 5) and moves it to the upper feed hole 12 (Figure 1) of one of the filling stations, an iris device D. In this way, part M, supported by the grip member 4, is placed inside the iris device (in the open state shown in Figure 2 at this stage). In this state, the operator activates the partial closure of the iris choke D to engage with the upper portion of part M and hold it in a fixed position within the filling station; subsequently, the operator may deactivate the suction cup member and move the grip member 4 away from the filling station 2, so that part M is held inside the filling station by the iris choke D.

[0036] The filling operation is performed by an injector device 13. In this example, the machine has one injector device 13 for each filling station 2. The injector device 13 can be implemented according to any known technique for the purpose of introducing a metered amount of material into a portion M held by an iris choke D in the filling station 2. The injector device 13 has a dispensing nozzle 13A configured to introduce a second ingredient ("stracciatella") into a portion M of the first ingredient ("mozzarella") in order to fill the first ingredient with it. For this purpose, each injector device 13 is supported by an arm 14 projecting in a cantilever manner from a column 15. The arm 14 is displaceable vertically relative to the column 15, which has a guide slot 16 through which the end of the arm 14 is positioned, and such end is connected to a first actuator device 14A located within the column 15 (shown schematically only in Figure 6). Furthermore, the support column 15 can be rotated around its own vertical axis by a second actuator device 14B (shown schematically only in Figure 6) to displace the injector device 13 laterally relative to the filling station 2. Actuator devices 14A and 14B are not described in detail, both because such actuator devices can be implemented in any known manner and for the sake of simplicity of illustration. Also, the figure does not show means configured to control the metered amount of material supplied by the injector device 13. Such means can also be implemented in any known technique.

[0037] Figure 6 schematically shows the machine's electronic controller E, such a controller is configured and programmed to control actuator devices 14A, 14B for the movement of the injector device 13 and the actuator device 11 of the iris aperture D for each filling station 2.

[0038] Thanks to the arrangement described above, each injector device 13 is movable between a non-operating position where it is lifted and displaced laterally with respect to the vertical axis of the filling station 2, and an operating position where the axis of the injector device 13 is aligned with the axis of the filling station 2 and the axis of each iris aperture D, and the injector device 13 is lowered to introduce the dispensing nozzle 13A into the portion of material M held by the iris device D.

[0039] As can be understood, when a portion of material M is inserted into the filling station 2 and held in the correct position by the partial closure of the iris stopper D, the portion of material M simply remains suspended from the iris stopper.

[0040] During operation, once the filling of the filler material into portion M is complete, the injector device 13 is moved to its non-operating position (lifted and displaced laterally relative to each filling station 2), and the iris choke D is completely closed to close the path created in portion M by the dispensing nozzle 13A of the injector device, resulting in a finished product P in which portion M of the first material completely encloses the filler material. In fact, the material constituting portion M is such that simple pressure allows the portions of material surrounding the path to adhere to each other.

[0041] Complete closure of the iris aperture results in the separation of the finished product P obtained in this manner from the waste portion S (Figure 11), which remains above the iris aperture D, and as a result the finished product P can fall.

[0042] As can be better understood in Figures 7 to 14, a receiving member 18 for the finished product is located below the iris spout D of each filling station 2; in this example, such a receiving member is cup-shaped and is supported by an arm 19 that can rotate around an axis 20 by its respective actuator device (not shown) between a position for receiving the finished product P in the receiving member 18 (see Figure 11) and a rotated position for discharging the finished product P into the lower container 3 filled with water (Figure 12).

[0043] Figure 7 shows the stage where the injector device 13 is in its non-operating position and the grip member 4 has been moved above the iris aperture D to place a portion of the material M into the iris aperture D.

[0044] Figure 8 shows the step in which part M is clamped within the iris aperture D, while the grip member 4 is moved away from the filling station.

[0045] Figure 9 shows the next step, in which the injector device 13 is moved to an operating position in which it is aligned with the central axis of the iris aperture D and lowered so as to introduce the dispensing nozzle 13A into the portion M held by the iris aperture D.

[0046] Figure 10 shows the stage in which the filler material introduced by the injector device 13 is filled into section M.

[0047] Figure 11 shows the next step, in which the injector device 13 is lifted and moved to its non-operating position, displaced laterally relative to the iris aperture D, while portion M is still held by the iris aperture D.

[0048] Figure 12 shows the next step, in which the iris aperture is completely closed so that the waste portion S located above the iris aperture D is completely separated from the finished product P, and thus falls by gravity into the receiving member 18.

[0049] Figure 13 shows the step of positioning a tray 22 below the iris aperture D, which slides outwards from the machine structure and, at this stage, protrudes from the structure in a cantilever manner to collect waste S when the iris aperture D is open.

[0050] Figure 14 shows the final stage, in which the tray 22 is lowered, causing the waste S to fall onto the conveyor belt 21 by the contact part 23, while the arm 19 supporting the receiving member 18 rotates around the axis 20 to release the finished product P into the container 3.

[0051] As is evident from the description provided above, the system and method according to the present invention offer significant improvements over known solutions, both in terms of safety against the risk of product contamination resulting from the absence of a transport line having a conveyor belt that carries portions of material to a filling station to receive the filling material, and in terms of a dramatic simplification of machine components and controls for the same reasons.

[0052] In a particularly favorable modification, the operation of introducing the portion of material M that will receive the filling material into the iris of the filling station is performed automatically by using a gripping member supported by a programmable manipulator robot.

[0053] Of course, without impairing the principles of the present invention, the structural details and embodiments may be modified sufficiently from those described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 。 [Item 1] A system for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first ingredient that contains a filling of a second ingredient, The system comprises one or more filling stations into which the second ingredient is introduced into the portion of the first ingredient. Each filling station is - A clamping device configured to hold the portion of the first ingredient while filling the second ingredient, the clamping device including an iris clamp including an annular support plate that supports an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central opening of a controllable size between the engaging members, and An injector device configured such that the portion is held within the central aperture of the iris aperture by the engaging member of the iris aperture, while a measured amount of the second ingredient is introduced into the portion of the first ingredient. The injector device is movable by one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, in which the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture, and • Electronic controller for controlling the actuator device associated with the clamp device and the injector device It has, The system comprises a gripping member configured to grip the portion of the first food ingredient, the gripping member being manually or automatically movable so as to allow the portion to be clamped by the iris squeeze as it is transported to the filling station by lowering the portion from above into the central aperture of the iris squeeze, When the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the central aperture of the iris opening, the portion remains suspended from the iris opening, ready to receive the filler by the injector device. The aforementioned electronic controller performs the following operations: - After the aforementioned portion is lowered from above into the central aperture of the iris constrictor by the gripping member, the iris constrictor activates clamping of the aforementioned portion of the first food ingredient. - After the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the iris clamp by the iris clamp, the displacement of the injector device to an operating position of the injector device which is above the iris clamp, and the subsequent injection of a measured amount of filler into the portion by the injector device. - Once the injection of the filler is complete, the injector device is moved away from its operating position, and the complete closure of the iris is controlled, thereby completely closing the portion of the first food around the filler material and obtaining a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris, so that the finished product can fall onto a receiving member located below the iris. It is configured to execute system. [Item 2] The system according to item 1, wherein the receiving member for receiving the finished product is cup-shaped and is movable by an operating device between an operating position located below the iris nozzle for receiving the finished product released from the iris nozzle and a downward-tilted position for releasing the finished product into a collection container. [Item 3] The system according to item 1, wherein the grip member comprises a suction cup device, a conduit for connecting the suction cup device to a vacuum source, and a control member for controlling the connection to activate and deactivate the suction cup device. [Item 4] The suction cup device is provided with a handle for manual use by an operator, as described in item 3. [Item 5] The suction cup device is supported by a programmable manipulator robot, as described in item 3. [Item 6] The system according to item 1, wherein the iris aperture has a support plate and an annular plate rotatably mounted on the support plate and operably connected to the engaging member such that the movement of the engaging member results from the rotation of the rotatable annular plate relative to the support plate. [Item 7] The system according to item 6, wherein the iris aperture is provided with an actuator cylinder operably inserted between a stationary structure and the peripheral lugs of the rotatable annular plate to control the rotation of the turntable relative to the support plate. [Item 8] The system according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the injector device is supported by an arm projecting from a column in a cantilever manner, the arm being displaceable vertically relative to the column by a first actuator device, the column being rotatable about its vertical axis by a second actuation device, and as a result the injector device is being moved away from the operating position by vertical lifting and by lateral displacement resulting from the rotation of the column. [Item 9] A method for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first ingredient containing a filling of a second ingredient, for example, a burrata-type product comprising a portion of fresh cheese containing a filling of soft fresh cheese and cream, wherein the process comprises the action of filling the portion of the first ingredient with the second ingredient. The filling operation is performed by holding the portion of the first ingredient with a clamping device while filling the second ingredient, The clamping device includes an iris clamp that includes an annular support plate supporting an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central opening of a controllable size between the engaging members, The filling operation is performed by an injector device by introducing a single dose of the second ingredient into the portion of the first ingredient while the portion is held within the central opening by the engaging member of the iris nozzle. The injector device is moved by one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, in which the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture. The method described above - The steps of gripping the portion of the first food item with the gripping member, and lowering the portion from above into the central opening of the iris constrictor, • As a result of clamping the portion of the first food ingredient into the central opening of the iris constrictor, When the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the central aperture of the iris opening, the portion remains suspended from the iris opening, ready to receive the filler by the injector device. After the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the iris slit, the step of controlling the displacement of the injector device to the operating position of the injector device which is above the iris slit, The injector device controls the subsequent injection of a measured amount of filler into the portion. Once the injection of the filler is complete, the injector device is moved away from its operating position, thereby activating the complete closure of the iris choke, which completely seals off the portion of the first food material surrounding the filler material, resulting in a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris choke, which can then be dropped onto a receiving member located below the iris choke. A method to implement the following action. [Item 10] The method according to item 9, wherein the receiving member for receiving the finished product is configured as a cup and is movable between a horizontal operating position located below the iris spout for receiving the product released from the iris spout, and a downward-tilted position for releasing the received product into a collection container.

Claims

1. A system for producing a type of food comprising a portion of a first ingredient that contains a filling of a second ingredient, The system comprises one or more filling stations into which the second food ingredient is introduced into the portion of the first food ingredient. Each filling station is - A clamping device configured to hold the portion of the first ingredient while filling the second ingredient, the clamping device including an iris clamp including an annular support plate supporting an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central opening of a controllable size between the engaging members, and - An injector device configured such that the portion is held within the central aperture of the iris aperture by the engaging member of the iris aperture, while introducing a measured amount of the second food ingredient into the portion of the first food ingredient. - The injector device is movable by one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, in which the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture, and - Electronic controller for controlling the actuator device associated with the clamp device and the injector device. It has, The system comprises a gripping member configured to grip the portion of the first food ingredient, the gripping member being manually or automatically movable so as to allow the portion to be clamped by the iris squeeze as it is transported to the filling station by lowering the portion from above into the central aperture of the iris squeeze, When the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the central aperture of the iris opening, the portion remains suspended from the iris opening, ready to receive the filler by the injector device. The aforementioned electronic controller performs the following operations: - After the aforementioned portion is lowered from above into the central aperture of the iris constrictor by the grip member, the iris constrictor activates the clamping of the aforementioned portion of the first food ingredient. - After the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the iris clamp by the iris clamp, the displacement of the injector device to an operating position of the injector device which is above the iris clamp, and the subsequent injection of a measured amount of filler into the portion by the injector device. - Once the injection of the filler is complete, the injector device is moved away from its operating position, and the complete closure of the iris is controlled, thereby completely closing the portion of the first food material around the filler material and obtaining a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris, so that the finished product can fall onto a receiving member located below the iris. It is configured to execute system.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising the receiving member.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the receiving member for receiving the finished product is cup-shaped and is movable by an operating device between an operating position located below the iris nozzle for receiving the finished product released from the iris nozzle and a downward-tilted position for releasing the finished product into a collection container.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the grip member comprises a suction cup device, a conduit for connecting the suction cup device to a vacuum source, and a control member for controlling the connection to activate and deactivate the suction cup device.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the suction cup device is provided with a handle for manual use by an operator.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the suction cup device is supported by a programmable manipulator robot.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the iris aperture has a support plate and an annular plate rotatably mounted on the support plate and operably connected to the engaging member such that the movement of the engaging member results from the rotation of the rotatable annular plate relative to the support plate.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the iris aperture is provided with an actuator cylinder operably inserted between a stationary structure and the peripheral lugs of the rotatable annular plate to control the rotation of the turntable relative to the support plate.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the injector device is supported by an arm projecting from a column in a cantilever manner, the arm being displaceable vertically relative to the column by a first actuator device, the column being rotatable about its vertical axis by a second actuation device, and as a result, the injector device is being moved away from the operating position by vertical lifting and by lateral displacement resulting from the rotation of the column.

10. A method for producing a food product of the type comprising a portion of a first food ingredient containing a filling of a second food ingredient, wherein the process comprises the operation of filling the portion of the first food ingredient with the second food ingredient. The filling operation is performed by holding the portion of the first ingredient with a clamping device while filling the second ingredient. The clamping device includes an iris clamp that includes an annular support plate supporting an annular array of engaging members which can be simultaneously displaced by an actuator device to define a central opening of a controllable size between the engaging members, The filling operation is performed by an injector device by introducing a single amount of the second ingredient into the portion of the first ingredient while the portion is held within the central opening by the engaging member of the iris nozzle. The injector device is moved by one or more actuator devices between a non-operating position spaced apart from the iris aperture and an operating position above the iris aperture, where the dispensing nozzle of the injector device is introduced from above into the portion of the first food held by the iris aperture. The method described above - The steps of gripping the portion of the first food item with the gripping member, and lowering the portion from above into the central opening of the iris constrictor, - As a result of clamping the portion of the first food ingredient into the central opening of the iris constrictor, When the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the central aperture of the iris slit, the portion remains suspended from the iris slit, ready to receive the filler by the injector device. After the portion of the first food ingredient is clamped within the iris slit, the step of controlling the displacement of the injector device to the operating position of the injector device which is above the iris slit, The injector device controls the subsequent injection of a measured amount of filler into the portion. Once the injection of the filler is complete, the injector device is moved away from its operating position, thereby activating the complete closure of the iris stopper, which completely seals off the portion of the first food material surrounding the filler material, and as a result obtains a finished product thus separated from the waste portion remaining above the iris stopper, the finished product is then able to fall onto a receiving member located below the iris stopper. A method to implement the following action.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising a portion of fresh cheese containing a filling of fresh cheese and cream.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the receiving member for receiving the finished product is configured as a cup and is movable between a horizontal operating position located below the iris nozzle for receiving the product released from the iris nozzle and a downward-tilted position for releasing the received product into a collection container.

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