Device and method for producing marbled food products
The device with nozzles and mixers facilitates continuous production of marbled food products by injecting additional mass flows, addressing the limitations of existing methods with improved flexibility and efficiency in creating realistic marbling structures.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/057292
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-19
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for producing marbled meat substitutes are discontinuous, complex, costly, and limited in flexibility, with challenges in creating realistic marbling structures and adjusting mass distribution and volume ratios.
A device with multiple nozzles and mixers that allow continuous production of marbled food products by injecting additional mass flows into a base mass flow, enabling adjustable marbling patterns through nozzle positioning, depth, and flow control, using static or dynamic mixing to create lifelike structures.
Enables continuous, flexible, and cost-effective production of marbled food products with realistic marbling, allowing for customer-specific adjustments and easy cleaning, while maintaining product integrity.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025057292_25092025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Apparatus and method for producing marbled food
[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for producing marbled food products according to the preambles of claims 1 and 14.
[0003] Meat substitutes, especially vegan meat alternatives, are becoming increasingly important. In the production of such meat substitutes, pasty, plant-based masses, often containing fiber, are formed either manually or mechanically, and appropriate marbling structures are introduced. These products are modeled as realistically as possible on an animal-derived product in both their external geometry and their cross-sectional appearance. These animal-derived products exhibit not only clearly visible fat structures between the individual muscle fibers, but also fine, irregular marbling structures within the muscle meat.
[0004] These fatty structures are known as intramuscular fat marbling. These structures are essential for realistically reproducing animal products. Depending on the animal species and breed, these fine fatty structures can be present in small or very large quantities. The fatty structures are distributed across the entire product cross-section.
[0005] It is already known from WO 2022 / 157584 A2 to incorporate a secondary mass into a previously produced fibrous base mass. The base mass here represents the meat substitute mass. This is produced in an upstream process. Rolling, loosening, and marinating create a realistic-looking mass. The rolled product ensures that this mass is presented as a flat mat. A secondary mass, i.e., the fat substitute mass, is applied to this flat, rolled-out base mass. By subsequently rolling up the flat product and allowing the secondary mass to penetrate the interstices of the fibers, a patterned product image is created. This cross-sectional image resembles, for example, a real beef fillet with a marbling structure.
[0006] This well-known manufacturing process for producing vegan meat alternatives does not allow for continuous production, as manual work steps are necessary. Overall, the manufacturing process is complex and cost-intensive. Because it is a discontinuous process, the hourly output is very low, which in turn leads to high costs for the end consumer. Furthermore, the range of usable masses is very limited. A process-reliable adjustment of the distribution of the secondary mass across the product cross-section is only possible to a limited extent. The same applies to adjusting the volume ratios between the base mass and the secondary mass. Overall, the process is complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, so-called coextrusion nozzles already exist in the state of the art, through which an inner and an outer mass are extruded simultaneously, for example to produce sausage products with cheese filling.However, the known coextrusion nozzles do not allow a marbling structure.
[0007] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of providing an improved device and an improved method which enable the production of marbled foods, in particular meat substitutes, in a simple, continuous and flexible manner.
[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 14.
[0009] The device according to the invention for producing marbled foodstuffs, in particular meat products, comprises a housing with an inlet for a base mass flow, one or more nozzles for injecting a plurality of additional mass flows into the base mass flow and an outlet for the marbled foodstuff, which has a marbled structure of the pasty additional mass in the base mass.
[0010] The device according to the invention enables the continuous production of a marbled food product in that several additional mass flows can be metered into the generated base mass flow during the manufacturing process, thus enabling continuous production. The base mass is, for example, the meat substitute mass. The additional mass flows can be fed continuously or in pulsed manner. In this way, several individual strands of the additional mass can be encapsulated in the base mass flow, so that a marbled pattern, i.e. a marbled structure of the pasty additional mass in the base mass, is created in a simple manner. The movement of the base mass and the additional mass in the housing also causes a deflection of the individual strands (relative to the main flow direction from inlet to outlet), which leads to an attractive, lifelike marbled structure in the cross-section of the food product.
[0011] To generate the base mass flow or the additional mass flows, the inlet and outlet of the housing can be connected to appropriate filling machines or pumps, etc. Because the housing has multiple nozzles, the device offers a high degree of flexibility, hygiene, and simplicity. The device according to the invention can be quickly and easily mounted on appropriate filling machines or pumping devices. The components used also meet the demanding hygiene requirements of food technology and enable easy cleaning while remaining robust. The initial injection of the additional mass flow into the base mass flow results in only minimal mechanical stress on the products to create the marbling structure.
[0012] In principle, the present invention is suitable for base mass and additional mass in the form of meat substitute mass or non-animal mass, but also for hybrid foods which contain partly non-animal mass and partly animal mass.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the nozzle or nozzles protrude laterally into the housing. The housing thus has a front side where the base mass is supplied and a rear side where the marbled base mass exits the housing. Between these two sections is the housing section where the nozzle or nozzles protrude laterally into the housing or housing wall. This makes it possible for the additional mass to be introduced or applied into the already generated base mass flow.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the nozzles extend into the housing in such a way that the additional mass flows can be introduced into the base mass flow at different locations, with the nozzles, in particular, extending into the housing at different depths and / or from different sides of the housing. Thus, the additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow at different locations, viewed in cross-section. This allows desired marbling patterns to be created. The base mass flow preferably flows around the nozzles, leading to swirling of the base mass flow and the additional mass flow.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing can have a base body and an inlet line, with the nozzle or nozzles being arranged either in the base body wall and / or in the inlet line wall. A inlet line branching off from the base body, which runs, for example, at an angle to the flow direction of the base mass flow in the base body, can be advantageous for space reasons, for example, if space for a drive shaft or shaft feedthrough is required in the rear region of the housing to drive a dynamic mixer, as described in more detail below. However, it is also possible for the device to have only one base body.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the device has one or more static and / or one or more dynamic mixers, which are preferably arranged downstream of the nozzle or nozzles in the flow direction T of the base mass flow in order to swirl the additional mass flows. This swirling of the previously injected additional mass flows creates an irregular, finely divided structure that is swirled evenly across the entire product cross-section. In this case, high swirling can be generated with only slight mechanical stress, i.e. with a low mixer speed. Alternatively or additionally, a static mixer can be used, which is implemented, for example, via baffles or is designed, for example, as a swirl tube, etc. It is essential that additional swirling is implemented. Static mixers are simpler and more cost-effective to implement.Dynamic mixers have the advantage that the appearance of the marbled structure can be specifically influenced by adjusting the speed.
[0017] Advantageously, the speed of the dynamic mixer can be varied to optimize the desired marbled structure. Furthermore, by adjusting the speed, the load on the base and additive mass can be adjusted. Furthermore, it can prevent a mass-specific speed from being exceeded for certain products, at which the product phases would emulsify.
[0018] With a suitable nozzle arrangement and geometry, a mixer can be dispensed with entirely, depending on the product and its requirements. Pulsed feeding of the additive mass is also possible, which also creates turbulence.
[0019] For pulsed feeding and / or swirling, only one nozzle can be used.
[0020] Advantageously, the nozzles are arranged interchangeably in nozzle receptacles of the housing, with the nozzle receptacles being closable, in particular, with plugs. This means that, for example, several nozzle receptacles are arranged at different locations, and depending on the structure to be manufactured, specific positions can be selected into which nozzles can then be inserted, for example, screwed or clipped in, particularly without tools. This allows for great production flexibility and freedom.
[0021] Advantageously, the depth position of the nozzles, i.e. how deep the respective nozzle protrudes into the housing, is adjustable, which leads to even greater process freedom and exact adaptation of the generated marbled structure to a real product.
[0022] The customer can then adjust the position and / or depth of the point at which the additional mass flow is introduced without having to purchase another device.
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one device for supplying the additional mass flows, which preferably comprises at least one fill flow divider that divides an additional mass flow into several additional mass flows in corresponding sub-lines, wherein the sub-lines are connected to the nozzles. The use of a fill flow divider enables the additional mass flows to each have the same volume flow, regardless of where the nozzle is arranged on the housing. The device can also comprise several devices for supplying different additional masses to different nozzles, thereby enabling even more complex patterns to be created.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, an attachment is arranged at the outlet of the device, which has a larger or smaller cross-sectional area than the housing, in order to expand or compress the marbled food, depending on the food to be produced. The attachment can preferably be removable or replaceable or permanently connected to the housing.
[0025] Preferably, there are 2 to 24 nozzles. If nozzle receptacles are provided, 2 to 24 nozzle receptacles can be provided. The nozzles preferably have an outlet area of 0.2-25 mm. 2 so that even very fine structures can be created. The nozzles can have either the same or different outlet areas.
[0026] A filling machine according to the invention comprises a device for producing marbled food products according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the filling machine comprises a hopper for the base mass, a conveyor, and an outlet connected to the inlet of the device. Thus, a conventional filling machine, such as that used for producing sausages, can be used for producing meat substitutes.
[0027] Advantageously, the shaft of the dynamic mixer can then be driven via a filling machine drive, so that no additional drive is necessary, which simplifies the device overall.
[0028] In a method according to the invention for producing marbled food products, in particular using a filling machine according to claim 12 or 13, a base mass flow is generated in a housing, for example, by connecting the inlet of the housing to a filling machine or another conveying device. One or more additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow via respective nozzles, so that a marbled structure can be created.
[0029] Advantageously, the respective additional mass flows are injected at different locations in the housing, preferably at different locations in the flow direction and / or in the depth direction, i.e., toward the center of the housing. Advantageously, the additional mass flows are swirled in the base mass flow by at least one mixer, for example, a static or dynamic mixer.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the locations at which the additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow are variable, with the number and / or position in the flow direction and / or depth position of the nozzles being adjusted in particular. This means that there are several possible receptacles for nozzles in the housing, from which a specific number can be selected, and the position can also be selected. The depth position of the nozzles can also be adjusted, with the nozzles, for example, being able to be moved further into the housing in the receptacles, e.g., by screwing them in, or moved outwards. This allows for individual adjustment of different patterns.
[0031] Advantageously, the volume flow of the additional mass flows is adjustable, particularly via a flow divider or via throttles at the nozzle inlets. Preferably, the volume flow in all nozzles is essentially constant (which can be easily achieved with a flow divider). The volume flow of all nozzles does not have to be the same. With appropriately dimensioned nozzles and their inlets, a flow divider can be dispensed with entirely.
[0032] Advantageously, the ratio of the base mass flow to the respective additional mass flows is adjustable, which allows the strength of the marbling to be adjusted and the production process to be adapted to different food masses.
[0033] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
[0034] Figure 1 shows a roughly schematic cross section through an embodiment according to the present invention.
[0035] Figure 2 shows schematically a plan view of another embodiment according to the present invention.
[0036] Figure 3 shows schematically a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention.
[0037] Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. The device for producing a marbled food 2 has a housing 3, which here, for example, has a base body 9 and a feed line 7. This is, however, only an example. The housing 3 has an inlet 4 for a base mass flow 5 of a pasty food. A corresponding food can, for example, be a pasty mass, in particular a meat substitute mass. This inlet 4 can be connected to a feed device for the base mass flow. Advantageously, the inlet 4 is connected to an outlet 19 of a filling machine 100, as also shown in Figure 2.Such a filling machine is used, for example, for sausage production and has, for example, a hopper 17 for the base mass and a conveyor 18, for example a vane pump or a screw pump, wherein the conveyor 18 conveys the base mass flow 5 via the inlet 4 into the housing 3, as shown by the arrow in Figure 1.
[0038] As can further be seen in Figure 1, the housing 3 also has an outlet 8 for the marbled food 2, wherein the food 2 either leaves the housing at the outlet 8 or an attachment 20 is arranged at the outlet 8, which attachment has a smaller or, shown in dashed lines, larger cross-sectional area than the housing 3 in order to expand or compress the marbled food, wherein the food then leaves the housing 3 at the outlet 8'. The attachment 20 can be removable or firmly connected to the rest of the housing 3. The housing 3 has a plurality of nozzles 7a, 7b, 7c, which in this embodiment are arranged in the region of the inlet line 10 of the housing 3. The nozzles serve to supply a plurality of additional mass flows 6a, 6b, 6c. Such an additional mass can, for example, be a pasty mass, in particular a fat substitute mass.
[0039] Three nozzles are shown here as an example; preferably, there are 2-24 nozzles. However, one nozzle is also possible. The nozzles 7a, 7b, 7c protrude laterally into the base mass flow 5 and are flowed around by the base mass flow 5. The nozzles 7a, 7b, and 7c protrude into the base mass flow 5 at different depths and from different sides. This means that the additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow 5 at different points Pa, Pb, Pc in the flow direction and in the depth direction. Thus, several individual strands of the additional mass are encapsulated in the base mass flow 5. The injected additional mass then moves together with the base mass flow 5 towards the outlet 8, 8'.
[0040] As also indicated in Figure 1, the additional mass flows do not move in a precisely straight line, but are deflected from the main flow direction by flow resistances and by the ratio of the volume flow of the respective additional mass flow to the volume flow of the base mass flow 5, so that a lively structure results. This can already be sufficient to create a marbled structure, e.g., for a meat substitute product. If an even greater structuring is desired, it is possible to provide a static and / or dynamic mixer 11 in the base mass flow 5. The additional mass can also be supplied in a clocked or pulsed manner, i.e., interrupted additional mass flows 6a, 6b, 6c are produced.
[0041] Figure 1, for example, shows a dynamic mixer 11 with a mixer shaft 22, on the front of which a mixing device, e.g., with blades, is arranged. For this purpose, the housing can have a shaft feedthrough. The mixer shaft 22 can be driven, e.g., via a filling machine drive 21 (see Figure 2). By rotating the mixer, a targeted swirling of the additional mass flows 6a, 6b, 6c occurs, creating an irregular, finely divided structure 24 that resembles the fat structure of meat. This structure is present in the entire product cross-section due to the swirling. The speed of the mixer must be kept low enough to prevent emulsification of the two product phases. For example, the mixer speed must not exceed a mass-specific speed. One or more mixers can be arranged in series. The dynamic mixer can run a specific speed profile depending on requirements - i.e.operated at discontinuous speeds. Alternatively or in addition to the dynamic mixer 11, a static mixer can also be used, whereby the dynamic mixer can also function as a static mixer when not driven. As a static mixer, appropriate flow breakers can be provided in the housing 3, or the housing 3 can be designed, for example, as a swirl tube. If only static mixing elements are used, the device is considerably simplified.
[0042] Advantageously, nozzle receptacles 12a, 12b, 12c are provided in the housing wall, i.e. either in the wall of the base body 9 or here, for example, in the wall of the inlet line 10, into which nozzles 7 can be arranged interchangeably, e.g. by screwing them in. The nozzle receptacles can also be closed off with plugs if no additional mass flow is to be injected via a corresponding nozzle at this point. This means that the positions and number of nozzles 7 used can be adjusted. The depth position of the nozzles, i.e. how deeply the respective nozzle projects into the housing, can also be adjusted, for example by screwing the nozzle in. As can be seen in particular from Figure 1, the nozzles 7a, 7b, 7c project into the housing to different depths and here also from different sides, so that additional mass flows that are spaced apart from one another are generated.The position of the injection nozzles and their depth position can be used to adjust the distribution of the additional mass across the cross-section of the product. This allows for a high degree of process freedom. The customer can adapt the structuring as desired without having to purchase additional parts or a new device. The marbled food product 2 can then be transferred, for example, to a conveyor belt 23 (see Figure 2) or to a filling device for sausage casings, e.g. artificial casings, i.e. pushed from the housing 3 into a filling tube via which an artificial casing is filled. The marbled food product can also be transferred to a portioning system. Manual portioning and removal is also possible. The food strand produced can, for example, also be cut into slices using a cutting device (not shown).
[0043] Figure 2 shows a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, wherein a device 13 for supplying the additional mass flows 6a, 6b, 6c is shown here. As already explained above, here, for example, the base mass flow 5 is conveyed via the filling machine 100 to the inlet 4 of the device 1. The mixer shaft 22 is also driven, for example, via a drive 21 of the filling machine 100. In principle, however, it would also be possible for the drive to be via a separate drive, e.g. in the housing 3, 9. Since here the drive is via the filling machine drive 21 and the shaft 22 extends straight from the machine housing, e.g. in the direction T, the inlet line 10 of the housing 3 runs at an angle α to the direction or to the longitudinal axis of the housing T. However, this is only an example.
[0044] Figure 2 now also shows the device 13, which here also comprises a second filling machine 200, which also has a hopper 25, a conveyor 26, and a corresponding outlet 27. This is only an example. A different conveyor device could also be provided here. Following the outlet 27, a filling flow divider 14 is provided, which divides the additional mass flow from the filling machine 200 into several additional mass flows 6a, 6b, 6c in corresponding partial lines 15a to 15n. Corresponding filling flow dividers are known from the prior art and have respective metering elements 28a to 28n that generate a predetermined volume flow. Advantageously, the metering devices 28a to 28n generate a volume flow that is the same in all partial lines 15a to 15n. The supply lines 15a to 15n are connected to corresponding nozzles 7a to 7n. As also shown in Figure 2, the nozzles protrude into the housing 3 to different depths.The flow divider 14 ensures that the volume flow in all nozzles is constant, regardless of the position of the nozzles. As an alternative to the flow divider 14, throttles (not shown) can be arranged at the inlets of the nozzles 7 to adjust the volume flow, in particular to keep it constant across all nozzles. The throttles serve to finely adjust the flow resistances and velocities at the inlets of the nozzles. It is also possible for the device to have several devices 13 for supplying different additional masses to different nozzles, wherein the different additional masses then have, for example, different colors or different consistencies.
[0045] In this embodiment, the nozzles 7 are located in the base body 9 of the housing 3. This is only an example.
[0046] The volume flow of the base mass 5 can be adjusted via the conveyor 18 of the filling machine 100. The volume flow of the additional mass flows 6a to 6n can be adjusted via the feed device 13, in particular the conveyor 26 of the filling machine and the filling flow divider 14, so that the ratio of the base mass flow to the respective additional mass flows can be adjusted. This ratio also affects the structure.
[0047] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment with several nozzles 7 in the inlet line wall 10a and a mixer shaft 22 driven by a motor M. It can be clearly seen that the nozzles extend to different depths into the housing 3. In this embodiment, the base mass flow 5, into which several additional flows 6 have been injected, flows from the inlet line 10 into the base body 9 and is swirled there via the dynamic mixer 11.
[0048] An embodiment of a method according to the invention is explained in more detail below.
[0049] First, a specific number and position of the nozzles is selected depending on the desired marbled structure and the base mass 5 and additional mass 6 used. A specific depth position P, i.e. the point at which the additional mass flow is injected, is also determined or optionally changed. Furthermore, a desired volume flow of the base mass 5, for example in the filling machine 100, and a volume flow of the respective additional mass flows, for example in the filling machine 200 and the filling flow divider 14, are determined. Alternatively, the corresponding aforementioned parameters can already be determined in advance and the parameters stored in a controller, for example the machine controller of the filling machine. The filling machine 200 can also be controlled by the filling machine 100 via a communication interface, so that the dosing of the additional mass flows takes place depending on the base mass flow.
[0050] To produce the food, a base mass flow 6 is generated, which is conveyed, for example, by a filling machine 100 into the inlet 4 of the housing 3 of the device 1 according to the invention. The additional mass flow 6 is then injected into the base mass flow 6 via the selected nozzles 7, as previously described. Optionally, the base mass flow is swirled with the additional mass flows in the housing 3 via a dynamic mixer and / or a static mixer. The mixer speed is adjusted, in particular continuously, to produce a desired structure.
[0051] The marbled food 2 is then optionally formed into a specific desired shape at the end of the housing 4 via an attachment 20—either compressed or expanded—and then transported, for example, for further processing and packaging. The cross-sectional area can be circular or free-form.
[0052] According to a further preferred embodiment, the position of the nozzles is automatically adjusted, for example, by means of controllable valves, i.e., the valves can be opened or closed. According to a preferred embodiment, the depth position of the nozzles can also be automatically adjusted, for example, via a controllable adjustment mechanism.
[0053] The mixer speed can also be automatically adjusted depending on the volume flow and / or the resulting product image. For this purpose, an image recognition device can be provided that detects the marbled structure of a cross-section of the food 2. The speed of the dynamic mixer can then be changed until a desired structure is achieved. For this purpose, for example, the detected image can be compared with such an image and / or the speed can be adjusted using a control unit.
[0054] The previously described tool-free insertion of the nozzles 7 into the corresponding nozzle receptacles 12 can be carried out, for example, using the following mechanisms: bayonet lock, clamp connection, etc.
[0055] In summary, the above-described embodiments of the invention enable the following advantages:
[0056] - An automated continuous extrusion process for producing the marbled food 2.
[0057] - Customer-specific marbling structures can be introduced via the nozzle position, number, depth position and geometry - The forced guidance of the additional mass (with filling flow divider) or the adjustment of the flow resistances (without filling flow divider), e.g. via appropriate throttles, leads to a uniform discharge of the additional mass from the individual nozzles 7 and thus to uniform individual strands.
[0058] - Initial, fine injection of the additional mass 6 - thus only low mechanical stress on the products is necessary to produce the marbling structure.
[0059] - Easy attachment of the nozzles 7 to nozzle holders located on the circumference of the housing 3.
[0060] - Flexible system and associated great process freedom.
[0061] - Use of pumpable, pasty, flowable, but also viscous masses possible.
[0062] - The ratio of base mass and additional mass can be adjusted using the filling machines 100, 200.
[0063] - The speed of the dynamic mixer 11 can be adjusted to adjust the fineness of the marbling. Alternatively, additional or standalone static mixers 3 can be installed in the housing.
[0064] - Hygienic components that allow easy cleaning.
[0065] - Robustness of the individual parts.
[0066] The previously shown embodiments feature multiple nozzles, which allows for considerable design freedom. It is also possible to implement the previously shown embodiments with just one nozzle, particularly by using at least one mixer, since this also allows for the creation of a marbled structure.
Claims
Claims 1. Device (1) for producing marbled foodstuffs (2), in particular meat substitute products, comprising: a housing (3) with an inlet (4) for a base mass flow (5), one or more nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) for injecting one or more additional mass flows into the base mass flow (6) and an outlet (8) for the marbled foodstuff (2), which has a marbled structure of the pasty additional mass in the base mass.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle or nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) protrude laterally into the housing (3) and preferably a plurality of nozzles protrude laterally into the housing in such a way that the additional mass flows (6) can be introduced into the base mass flow at different points, wherein the nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) protrude into the housing (3) in particular at different depths and / or from different sides of the housing and are flowed around by the base mass flow.
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (3) has a base body (9) and a supply line (10), wherein the nozzle or nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) are arranged either in the base body wall (9a) and / or in the supply line wall (10a).
4. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the device has one or more static and / or one or more dynamic mixers (11), which are preferably arranged downstream of the nozzle(s) (7a, 7b, 7c) in order to swirl the additional mass flow(s) (5).
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the mixer speed of the dynamic mixer (11) is variable.
6. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) are arranged interchangeably in nozzle receptacles (12a, 12b, 12c) of the housing (3), wherein the nozzle receptacles (12a, 12b, 12c) are closable, in particular by plugs.
7. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the depth position of the nozzle(s), ie how deep the respective nozzle projects into the housing (3), is adjustable.
8. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the device (1) comprises at least one device (13) for supplying the additional mass flows (6), which preferably has at least one filling flow divider (14) which divides an additional mass flow into a plurality of additional mass flows in corresponding partial lines (15a, 15b, 15n), wherein the partial lines (15a, 15b, 15n) are connected to the nozzles (7a, 7b, 7n).
9. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the device (1) has several devices (13) for supplying different additional masses (6) to different nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c).
10. Device (1) according to at least one of claims 1-9, characterized in that an attachment (20) is arranged on the outlet (8), which attachment has a larger or smaller cross-sectional area compared to the housing (3) in order to expand or compress the marbled food.
11. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are 2-24 nozzles, in particular 2-24 nozzle receptacles and / or the outlet area of the individual nozzles in a range of 0.2-25mm 2 lies.
12. Filling machine (100) with a device (1) for producing marbled food (2) according to at least one of claims 1-11, wherein the filling machine has a hopper (17), a conveyor (18) and an outlet (19) connected to the inlet (4) of the device (1).
13. Filling machine (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the shaft of the dynamic mixer (11) is driven via a filling machine drive (21).
14. A method for producing marbled foodstuffs, in particular with a filling machine (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a base mass flow is generated in a housing (3) and one or more additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow via respective nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the respective additional mass flows are injected at different locations (P) of the housing.
16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the additional mass flow(s) are swirled in the base mass flow by at least one mixer (11).
17. Method according to at least one of claims 14-16, characterized in that the locations at which the additional mass flows are injected into the base mass flow are variable and in particular the number and / or position in the flow direction of the base mass and / or depth position of the nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) are adapted, in particular automatically.
18. Method according to at least one of claims 14-17, characterized in that the volume flow of the additional mass flows is adjustable, in particular via at least one filling flow divider (14) or via throttles at the inlets of the nozzles (7a, 7b, 7c) and preferably the volume flow in all nozzles is substantially constant.
19. Filling machine according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the ratio of the base mass flow to the respective additional mass flow(s) is adjustable.
Citation Information
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