Method, a marking tool and an assembly for forming a marking on a food product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, marking tool and assembly for forming a marking on a food product. The method comprises the following steps : providing the food product on a support surface, providing a marking tool comprising a main body and a rigid or shape-retaining porous part with an outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the marking, wherein the main body comprises a supply conduit connected to the main body that is fluid connected to the porous part, supplying a predetermined amount of a colorant to the outward facing surface via the supply conduit, and transferring the colorant from the outward facing surface to the outer surface by arranging the outward facing surface at or near the outer surface, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring.

Description

[0001] P143155PC00

[0002] Method, a marking tool and an assembly for forming a marking on a food product.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] The invention relates to a method, a marking tool and an assembly for forming a marking on a food product.

[0005] It is often considered desirable to provide an outer surface of a food product with one or more decorative, informative or distinguishing markings, such as a logo or lettering. These markings can for example act to inform consumers or to differentiate the marked food product from other food products.

[0006] US10888106B2 discloses a system for simultaneously providing a physical impression and a marking in the form of an edible colorant onto a food product, in particular an edible ink on a sandwich. The system comprises a bottom portion provided with a tray carrying the edible ink or an ink pad provided with the edible ink. The system further comprises a top portion configured to receive an interchangeable insert with raised letters corresponding to the intended physical impression and marking on the food product.

[0007] During use of the system, edible ink is picked up by an outward facing surface of the raised letters of the top portion by bringing the raised letters into contact with the ink or inkpad of the bottom portion. The ink-covered outward facing surface of the raised letters is then brought into contact with the food product to leave an impression corresponding to the raised letters and to deposit the edible ink in the formed impression. This two-step process is subsequently repeated in order to provide a further impression and marking on a further food product.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A disadvantage of the known methods and marking tools for marking a food product, in particular in an industrial setting, is that a throughput of the marking process is reduced by a time spend moving the marking tool towards a reservoir or pad filled with a colorant and back again.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a marking tool for marking food products that increases a throughput of providing a plurality of food products with a marking.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method for forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0012] providing the food product on a support surface, providing a marking tool comprising a main body and a porous part connected to the main body, wherein the porous part comprises an outward facing surface that substantially defines at least part of a shape of the marking,

[0013] wherein the main body further comprises a supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the outward facing surface,

[0014] wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface of the porous part,

[0015] supplying a predetermined amount of a colorant to the outward facing surface of the porous part via the supply conduit, andtransferring the colorant from the outward facing surface of the porous part to the outer surface of the food product by arranging the outward facing surface of the porous part at or near the outer surface of the food product, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring the colorant.

[0016] By supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant from the supply conduit through the porous part to the outward facing surface, a marking at least partially corresponding to a shape of the outward facing surface of the porous part is formed upon contact with the outer surface of the food product. As a result of supplying the colorant in this manner, the marking can be repeatedly applied to a series of food products, or the same food product, without an intermediate step of moving the marking tool towards an ink reservoir or pad, or alternatively the ink reservoir or pad towards the marking tool. Accordingly, the present invention provides for an increased throughput of the marking process by substantially eliminating said step of moving the marking tool towards the ink reservoir or pad and vice versa.

[0017] A further advantage of the present invention is that a contamination of nearby equipment, food products and / or operators with the colorant is substantially avoided by eliminating an opportunity for droplets of the colorant to fall from the marking tool during a moving of the marking device towards the colorant-containing reservoir or pad and vice versa. Furthermore, the porous part tends to retain the colorant when no further colorant is applied via the supply conduit, which acts to further lessen an occurrence of spilling the colorant from the marking tool. Additionally, a contamination of the colorant reservoir or pad by food product residues that may have adhered to the marking tool is substantially avoided, as no repeated dipping or contacting of themarking tool and the reservoir or pad takes place.

[0018] A further advantage of the present invention is that by supplying the colorant via the supply conduit, the supply conduit can be fluid connected to an arbitrarily large reservoir and / or said reservoir can be refilled without interruption to the marking process. As a result, the throughput of the marking process is not limited by a need to periodically (manually) replenish or replace the reservoir or pad containing the colorant.

[0019] A further advantage of the present invention is an improved quality and consistency of the marking applied to the outer surface of the food products. In particular, as the colorant-containing pad of the known marking tools and methods is gradually depleted due to repeated interaction with the marking tool, a volume and / or uniformity of the colorant transferred to the outward facing surface of the marking tool correspondingly decreases. Accordingly, a quality of the marking applied on a series of the food products decreases over time and / or between replenishments of the pad with fresh colorant. This problem is substantially nullified by the present invention as an amount of colorant applied to the outward facing surface of the marking tool is substantially independent on a number of uses of the marking tool since a replenishment or replacement has occurred of the colorant-containing pad.

[0020] It is noted that a colorant within the present application refers to any ink, dye, pigment or other substance, optionally combined with or dissolved in a liquid carrier, that imparts color, tint, shade or tone when added to a food product, either giving color, tint, shade or tone directly upon application to the food product or, for example, after subsequent preparation of the food product. Furthermore, it is to be understood that providing a colored, tinted, shaded or toned marking on the food product refers to a marking with a color, tint, shade or tone that differs from a background formed by asurface of the food product adjacent to the applied marking. It is noted that the colored, tinted, shaded or toned marking may be accompanied by a corresponding change in texture or hardness of the marking relative to the surrounding portions of the outer surface of the food product. Furthermore, the wording 'porous' refers to a material that has a plurality of small holes, channels or pores to allow a fluid, such as the colorant, to pass through. Preferably, a cross-section or dimensions of the holes, channels or pores are chosen to be sufficiently small to, at normal process conditions, substantially exclude a passage of the food product while providing passage to the colorant. It is noted that the wording 'arranging the outward facing surface of the porous part at or near the outer surface of the food product' refers to the outward facing surface contacting the outer surface and / or the outward facing surface being sufficiently spaced apart from the outer surface such that the colorant when present on, or supplied to, the outward facing surface contacts and transfers to the outer surface of the food product.

[0021] In an embodiment, the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining. Accordingly, the porous part does not significantly deform and substantially retains its shape upon contact with, for example, the food product. Furthermore, or alternatively, the porous part comprises a metal or a ceramic.

[0022] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of providing a colorant supply device that is fluid connected to the supply conduit, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant comprises causing the colorant supply device to supply a predetermined amount of a pressurized colorant to the supply conduit. The colorant supply device, preferably comprising a pump, allows for a particularly controlled application of the colorant via the porous part to outward facing surface. Furthermore, if the porous part isconfigured to tend to retain the colorant when substantially no or little pressure is applied, use of the colorant supply device provides for a decrease in the incidence of colorant spillage. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may further comprise a step of causing the colorant supply device to withdraw a second predetermined amount of the colorant from the supply conduit after the step of applying the marking on the outer surface of the food product in order to further reduce an incidence of the colorant leaking from the outward facing surface of the porous part.

[0023] In an embodiment, the colorant comprises an edible dye or pigment preferably dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, more preferably wherein the liquid carrier comprises water or an edible oil. Examples of such an edible dye are grape juice, beetroot juice, or food coloring from red cabbage. By transferring the edible dye or pigment to the outer surface of the food product, a corresponding edible marking is formed on the food product.

[0024] In an embodiment, the colorant comprises a reactive colorant, preferably an aqueous base, more preferably an aqueous base comprising an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide. Further examples of such a reactive colorant are acetic acid or hydrochloric acid. The reactive colorant applied to the outer surface of the food product reacts with the food product to impart a color, tint, shade or tone to the outer surface of the food product. Accordingly, the reactive colorant provides a marking to the food product that become more visible or more pronounced over time, and / or upon subsequent preparation of the food product. For example, the reactive colorant can provide a marking in the form of a localized browning or bleaching of the outer surface of the food product such as a bread dough product after baking.

[0025] A further advantage of applying the reactive colorant via the marking device according to the presentinvention is that it provides for an improved safety, in particular with respect to operators or technicians present nearby or further downstream. As the present invention substantially dispenses with a need for an open container filled with the reactive colorant in which the marking tool is repeatedly dipped, which represents a safety hazard by, for example, exposing nearby workers to accidental spillage or splashing. Furthermore, since the porous part tends to retain the reactive colorant when no further colorant is applied to the porous part, a dripping of the reactive colorant is reduced. These safety hazards are especially prevalent when a strongly basic or acidic colorant is used, such as a lye solution. Accordingly, the present invention allows for a use of reactive colorants in environments or production locations which would otherwise not be feasible due to the safety concerns with many of said reactive colorants.

[0026] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of developing the transferred colorant on the outer surface of the food product by causing the colorant to react with the surface of food product, in particular by heating or baking the food product in an oven. The term 'developing' refers to a color, tint, shade or tone of the applied marking changing, becoming stronger and / or becoming more pronounced after preparation in particular heating. For example, the color, tint, shade or tone of the applied marking may become darker, such as a further browning of an outer surface of a bread product.

[0027] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the following step performed after the step of applying the marking on the outer surface of the food product:

[0028] providing a food preparation unit, in particular an oven, and preparing the food product in the food preparation unit.

[0029] In an embodiment, the outward facing surface of the porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol, such as a logo, a number and / or a letter.In an embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps, performed before the step of transferring the colorant:

[0030] determining a position of the surface of the food product relative to at least the outward facing surface of the marking tool, and

[0031] based on the determined position, arranging the outward facing surface of the marking tool at a desired position with respect to the outer surface of food product. This helps ensure a correct positioning of at least the outward facing surface of the marking tool with respect to the surface of the food product. This is particularly advantageous when the support surface is formed by a transport surface of a conveyor. In particular, this allows to compensate for a deviation between an actual location of the food product on the support surface and an expected location due to placement inconsistencies generated by production processes further upstream from the marking tool.

[0032] In an embodiment, the porous part comprises a porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores, preferably wherein the porous part comprises a ceramic, a sintered material, in particular sintered metal powder, or a three-dimensional printed material in particular a three-dimensional printed metal material. As a result of capillary action, the porous structure substantially retains the colorant when a pressure of the colorant supplied to the porous part by the supply conduit does not exceed a threshold pressure. Accordingly, this further reduces an unintended a dripping of the colorant from the outward facing surface.

[0033] Furthermore, the porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores tends to saturate the porous structure substantially homogenously with the colorant. This results in a more uniform layer of the colorant being discharged through the outward facing surface during the step of supplying the predeterminedamount of the colorant the outward facing surface. This is turn provides for an increased quality and consistency in the marking formed on the outer surface of the food product. It is noted that the desired capillary action can be readily modified by, for example, changing a crosssection of the pores or a surface energy of the material from which the porous structure is formed.

[0034] In an embodiment, the main body is substantially impervious to at least the colorant, and / or wherein the main body substantially envelops the supply conduit and / or the porous part.

[0035] In an embodiment, the outward facing surface is substantially flat or planar.

[0036] In an embodiment, the marking tool further comprises a porous shaping part connected to the main body, wherein the porous shaping part comprises a shaping surface that at least partially defines a final shape of the outer surface of the food product, wherein the shaping surface is distinct and / or spaced apart from the outward facing surface, wherein the main body further comprises a shaping supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the shaping surface, wherein the porous shaping part provides a fluid connection between the shaping supply conduit and the shaping surface of the porous shaping part, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

[0037] shaping the food product by pressing the outer surface of the food product against the shaping surface, wherein the step of shaping the food product is at least initiated before the step of applying the marking the food product, and

[0038] supplying a pressurized fluid, in particular compressed air, to the shaping surface of the porous shaping part via the shaping supply conduit. The marking tool according to this embodiment can be used to shape the food product and simultaneously or directly subsequently provide the food product with the marking. This providesfor a further increased throughput of a food product production process, as this eliminates a need for a separate shaping step and a marking step to be performed at a different locations and / or with different tooling.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the step of supplying the pressurized fluid substantially nullifies an adhesion between the shaping surface and the outer surface of the food product. Accordingly, an adhesion of the food product against the marking tool, in particular the shaping surface, is substantially prevented. This both improves a quality and consistency of the shaped food product by preventing tearing of the food product caused by only a partial release from the marking tool and reducing a contamination of the marking tool by food product residues.

[0040] In an embodiment, the porous part, the outward facing surface, the supply conduit and the colorant are respectively a first porous part, a first outward facing surface, a first supply conduit and a first colorant, wherein the marking comprises a first marking portion and a second marking portion, wherein the first outward facing surface substantially defines the shape of the first portion of the marking,

[0041] wherein the marking tool further comprises a second porous part connected to the main body, wherein the second porous part is distinct and / or spaced apart from the first porous part, wherein the second porous part comprises a second outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the second marking portion,

[0042] wherein the main body further comprises a second supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the second outward facing surface,

[0043] wherein the second porous part provides a fluid connection between the second supply conduit and the second outward facing surface of the second porous part,

[0044] wherein the method further comprises the following steps:supplying a predetermined amount of a second colorant to the second outward facing surface via the second supply conduit, and

[0045] transferring the second colorant from the second outward facing surface of the second porous part to the outer surface of the food product by arranging the second outward facing surface of the second porous at or near the outer surface of the food product, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the second colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring the second colorant. Preferably, the step of transferring the second colorant is performed substantially simultaneously or directly subsequent to the step of transferring the first colorant. This provides for a marking tool that can provide a more complex marking that comprises two separate marking portions to the same food product in a substantially single production step or location. For example, the marking may be a symbol formed by a letter that is surrounded by a ring formed respectively by the first and second outward facing surfaces.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the second colorant is substantially the same as the first colorant, and / or the first outward facing surface of the first porous part is substantially coplanar to the second outward facing surface of the second porous part.

[0047] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the following step, performed before the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant to the outward facing surface of the porous part via the supply conduit:

[0048] substantially fully removing a gas, in particular air, from the supply conduit and / or porous part by filling the supply conduit and / or porous part with the colorant. As a result, an amount of the colorant supplied to the supply conduit will correspond more fully to the amount of colorant supplied to the outward facing surface of the porous part. In particular this avoids any gaspresent in the supply conduit and / or porous part from being compressed by the colorant and causing a discrepancy between the amount of colorant supplied to the marking tool and the amount supplied to the outward facing surface of the porous part.

[0049] In an embodiment, the food product or the dough product is substantially fully edible by a human, in particular after preparation of said food product or dough product in an oven.

[0050] In an embodiment, the dough product is a bakery dough product.

[0051] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a marking tool for forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the marking tool comprises a main body and a porous part connected to the main body,

[0052] wherein the porous part comprises an outward facing surface for, in use, transferring a colorant to the outer surface of the food product,

[0053] wherein the main body further comprises a supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the outward facing surface, and that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying the colorant to the porous part, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface of the porous part to pass the colorant from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface, and wherein the outward facing surface of the porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol. The marking tool provides substantially the same advantages as discussed above with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

[0054] In an embodiment, the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining. Accordingly, the porous part does not significantly deform and substantiallyretains its shape upon contact with, for example, the food product. Furthermore, or alternatively, the porous part comprises a metal or a ceramic.

[0055] In an embodiment, the porous part comprises a porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores, preferably wherein the porous part comprises a ceramic, a sintered material, in particular sintered metal powder, or a three-dimensional printed material, in particular a three-dimensional printed metal material. As a result of capillary action, the porous structure substantially retains the colorant when a pressure of the colorant supplied to the porous part by the supply conduit does not exceed a threshold pressure. Accordingly, this further reduces an unintended dripping of the colorant from the outward facing surface. Furthermore, the porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores tends to saturate the porous structure substantially homogenously with the colorant. This results in a more uniform layer of the colorant being discharged through the outward facing surface during the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant the outward facing surface. This in turn provides for an increased quality and consistency in the marking formed on the outer surface of the food product. It is noted that the desired capillary action can be readily modified by, for example, changing a cross-section of the pores or a surface energy of the material from which the porous structure is formed.

[0056] In an embodiment, the main body, the porous part and / or supply conduit are integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process.

[0057] In an embodiment, the marking tool further comprises a porous shaping part connected to the main body, wherein the porous shaping part comprises a shaping surface configured to be brought into contact with the food product, for, in use, at least partially defining a final shape of the food product, wherein the shaping surface isdistinct and / or spaced apart from the outward facing surface, wherein the main body further comprises a shaping supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the shaping surface, and that is fluid connected to the porous shaping part for supplying a pressurized fluid to the porous shaping part, wherein the porous shaping part is configured to pass the pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized air, from the shaping supply conduit to the shaping surface. This provides for a further increased throughput of a food product production process, as this eliminates a need for a separate shaping step and a marking step to be performed at a different locations and / or with different tooling.

[0058] In an embodiment, the porous shaping part is configured to provide a non-stick surface at the shaping surface. Accordingly, an adhesion of the food product against the marking tool, in particular the shaping surface, is substantially prevented or nullified. This both improves a quality and consistency of the shaped food product by preventing tearing of the food product caused by only a partial release from the marking tool and reducing a contamination of the marking tool by food product residues.

[0059] In an embodiment, the main body comprises or is formed from a material that is substantially impervious to at least the colorant and / or wherein the main body substantially envelops the supply conduit and / or the porous part.

[0060] In an embodiment, the porous part, the outward facing surface, the supply conduit and the colorant are respectively a first porous part, a first outward facing surface, a first supply conduit and a first colorant, wherein the marking tool further comprises a second porous part connected to the main body, wherein the second porous part is distinct and / or spaced apart from the first porous part, wherein the second porous part comprises a second outward facing surface for, in use, transferring a secondcolorant to the outer surface of the food product, wherein the main body further comprises a second supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the second outward facing surface, and that is fluid connected to the second porous part for supplying the second colorant to the second porous part, wherein the second porous part provides a fluid connection between second supply conduit and the second outward facing surface of the second porous part to pass the second colorant from the second supply conduit to the second outward facing surface, and wherein the second outward facing surface of the second porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol. This provides for a marking tool that can provide a more complex marking to the same food product in a substantially single production step or location. For example, the marking may be a symbol formed by a letter that is surrounded by a ring formed respectively by the first and second outward facing surfaces.

[0061] According to a third aspect, the invention provides an assembly for forming a marking an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the assembly comprises:

[0062] a support surface for supporting the food product,

[0063] a tool carrier which is configured for holding a marking tool according to the second aspect of the invention or any one embodiment thereof, wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the marking tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface for transferring a colorant to the outer surface of the food product, and

[0064] a colorant supply device that is fluid connected to the supply conduit of the marking tool for providing a predetermined amount of the colorant, in particular a pressurized colorant, to the porous part of the markingtool. The assembly provides substantially the same advantages as discussed above with respect to the first and second aspects of the invention. The colorant supply device, preferably comprising a pump, allows for a particularly controlled application of the colorant via the porous part to outward facing surface. Furthermore, if the porous part is configured to tend to retain the colorant when substantially no or little pressure is applied, use of the colorant supply device provides for a decrease in the incidence of colorant spillage. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly may be configured to cause the colorant supply device to withdraw a second predetermined amount of the colorant from the supply conduit after applying the marking on the outer surface of the food product in order to further reduce an incidence of the colorant leaking from the outward facing surface of the porous part.

[0065] In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a marking tool according to the second aspect of the invention or any one embodiment thereof, wherein the tool carrier holds the marking tool.

[0066] In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a positioning unit which is operable to detect at least a position of the food product, and wherein the tool carrier is configured to arrange the outward facing surface of the marking tool at a desired position with respect to the food product prior to transferring the colorant to the outer surface of the food product. This helps ensure a correct positioning of at least the outward facing surface of the marking tool with respect to the surface of the food product. This is particularly advantageous when the support surface is formed by a transport surface of a conveyor. In particular, this allows to compensate for a deviation between an actual location of the food product on the support surface and an expected location due to placement inconsistencies generated by production processes further upstream from the marking tool.In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a control unit configured to cause the assembly to perform the method according to the first aspect or any one embodiment thereof.

[0067] In an embodiment, the colorant supply device further comprises a colorant container, wherein the assembly further comprises the colorant arranged in said colorant container,

[0068] wherein the colorant comprises an edible dye or pigment preferably dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, more preferably wherein the liquid carrier comprises water or an edible oil, or

[0069] wherein the colorant comprises a reactive colorant, preferably an aqueous base, more preferably an aqueous base comprising an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide.

[0070] In an embodiment, the tool carrier comprises an outer section that is rotatable around a rotation axis substantially parallel to the support surface, wherein the outer section is configured for holding a plurality of marking tools according to the second aspect or any one embodiment thereof, wherein the outward facing surface of the porous part of each marking tool faces away from the rotation axis of the outer section, wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the plurality of marking tools towards and away from the support surface by rotating the outer section around the rotation axis, and wherein the colorant supply device is configured for providing the predetermined amount of colorant to the porous parts of each marking tool. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of marking tools according to the second aspect or any one embodiment thereof, and wherein the outer section holds said plurality of marking tools.

[0071] According to fourth aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause an additivemanufacturing apparatus, in particular a 3D printer, to print a marking tool according to the second aspect or any one embodiment thereof.

[0072] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

[0073] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0075] Figures 1A and 1B show a first example of a marking tool, wherein figure 1B shows a cross-section of the marking tool shown in figure 1A;

[0076] Figures 2A and 2B respectively illustrate a food product before and after being provided with a marking using the marking tool according to the first example;

[0077] Figures 20 and 2D respectively illustrate an elongated food product before and after being provided with an alternative marking using an alternative marking tool;

[0078] Figure 3 shows a first example of an assembly comprising a tool carrier provided with one or more marking tools according to the first example;

[0079] Figures 4A and 4B show a second example of an assembly comprising an alternative tool carrier with a plurality of marking tools according to the first example, wherein figure 4B shows a cross-section of figure 4A;

[0080] Figures 5A and 5B show a second example of a marking tool for both shaping and forming a marking on a food product, wherein figure 5B shows a partial crosssection of figure 5A;

[0081] Figure 6 schematically shows an example of a foodproduct that has been shaped and provided with a marking by the marking tool according to the second example; and Figure 7 schematically shows a flowchart of a method for forming a marking on a food product using a marking device or assembly according to the present invention.

[0082] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] Figures 1A and 1B show a first example of a marking tool 20 for forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product. The marking tool 20 comprises a circumferential main body 21 and a first porous part 22 connected to the main body 21. The first porous part 22 comprises a first outward facing surface 24 for transferring a colorant to the outer surface of the food product. The marking tool 20 further comprises a second porous part 23 connected to the main body 21. The second porous part 23 further comprise a second outward facing surface 25 for transferring the colorant to the outer surface of the food product. In the present example, the first and second outward facing surfaces 24, 25 are substantially flat and coplanar.

[0084] As best seen in figure 1B, the marking tool 20 further comprises a threaded portion 26 for mounting and fluid connecting the marking tool 21 to, for example, a tool carrier and / or a colorant supply device as further described below with regards to figure 3. The marking tool 20 further comprises a common supply conduit 27 connected to the main body 21. The common supply conduit 27 branches into a first supply conduit 28 and a second supply conduit 29. The first supply conduit 28 is arranged at a side of the main body 21 facing away from the first outward facing surface 24, and is fluid connected to both the common supply conduit 27 and the first porous part 22 for supplying the colorant to the first porous part 22. The first porous part 22 in turn is configured to provide afluid connection between the first supply conduit 28 and the first outward facing surface 24 of the first porous part 22 to pass the colorant from the first supply conduit 28 to the first outward facing surface 24. The first outward facing surface 24 of the first porous part 22 comprises a shape that substantially corresponds to a symbol, in the present example having a ring or ring-like shape.

[0085] The second supply conduit 29 is shown to be arranged at a side of the main body 21 facing away from the second outward facing surface 25, and is fluid connected to both the common supply conduit 27 and the second porous part 23 for supplying the colorant to the second porous part 23. The second porous part 23 in turn is configured to provide a fluid connection between the second supply conduit 29 and the second outward facing surface 25 of the second porous part 23 to pass the colorant from the second supply conduit 29 to the second outward facing surface 25. The second outward facing surface 25 of the second porous part 23 comprises a shape that substantially correspond to a symbol, in the present example having a shape corresponding to a letter 'L'. Furthermore, the second supply conduit 29, the second porous part 23 and the second outward facing surface 25 are shown to be substantially enveloped or surrounded by the first supply conduit 29, the first porous part 22 and the first outward facing surface 24.

[0086] Figure 2A shows a food product 1, in particular a bread dough product prior to a baking thereof, with an outer surface 8 prior to being provided with a marking. Figure 2B shows a substantially similar food product 2, however in contrast to the food product 1 of figure 2A, the outer surface 8 of the food product 2 has been provided with a marking 43 using the marking tool 20 according the first example. The marking 43 comprises a first marking portion 3 and a second marking portion 4 formed by a transfer of the colorant from respectively the first andsecond outward facing surface of the marking tool according to the first example. The shape of the first and second marking portions 3, 4 respectively substantially correspond to the shape of the first and second outward facing surfaces of the marking tool.

[0087] Figure 2C shows a substantially elongated food product 5, in particular an unprepared dough product, with an outer surface 9 without a marking. Figure 2D shows a food product 6, which in contrast to the food product of figure 2C, has been provided with a plurality of substantially identical markings 7. Each of the markings 7 has a substantially diamond shape, and was obtained by an alternative marking tool which, in contrast to the marking tool according to the first example, comprises a single substantially diamond-shaped outward facing surface.

[0088] Figure 3 shows a first example of an assembly 30 for forming a marking 43 on an outer surface of a food product 1, 2. The assembly 30 comprises a conveyor 32 with a support surface 31, wherein the conveyor 32 is configured to transport the support surface 31 in a transport direction T. The support surface 31 is shown to be provided with both unmarked food products 1 and food products 2 provided with the marking 43 by the assembly 30. Alternatively, the support surface 31 may be provided by a product carrier (not shown), wherein the conveyor 32 is configured to transporting the product carrier holding the food products 1, 2 in the transport direction T.

[0089] The assembly 30 further comprises a tool carrier 33 which is configured for holding one or more marking tools according to the first example at a side of the tool carrier 33 facing towards the support surface 31. The tool carrier 33 is connected to an actuator, in the present example a robot arm 34. The robot arm 34 is configured to move the tool carrier 33, provided with the one or more marking tools, relative to the support surface 31 in at least a direction S towards and away from the support surface 31 to form the marking 43 on the outer surface, oran upper surface, of the food products 1. In the example of figure 3, the robot arm 34 is preferably configured to move along with the support surface 31 during a step of transferring the colorant from the outward facing surface to the outer surface of the food product to form the marking 43. This allows for providing the food products 1 with the marking 43 while the food products 1 are moving substantially continuously along the transport direction T.

[0090] The assembly 30 further comprises a colorant supply device 39 for supplying the colorant to the one or more marking tools attached to the tool carrier 33. The colorant suppler device 39 comprises a colorant container 35 for holding the colorant, in particular a reactive colorant such as a lye solution or a edible dye, a pump 36 fluid connected to the colorant container 35 and a hose 37 fluid connected to the pump 36 and the one or marking tools. The pump 36 is configured to supply and / or withdraw a predetermined amount of a pressurized colorant to each supply conduit of the one or more marking tools connected to the tool carrier 33. The assembly 30 further comprises a control device 38 which is at least communicatively connected to the conveyor 32, the robot arm 34 and the colorant supply device 39 for controlling the assembly 30 to form the marking 43 on the food products 1.

[0091] Figures 4A and 4B show a second example of an assembly 40 for forming a marking 43 on an outer surface 48 of a food product 41, 42. The assembly 40 comprises a conveyor 46 with a support surface 45 for supporting and conveying the unmarked food products 41 and marked food products 42 in a transport direction T. The assembly 40 further comprises a tool carrier comprising or formed as a carrier drum 50. The carrier drum 50 comprises an outer section 51 with a circumferential outer surface 49. The outer section 51 of the carrier drum 50 is rotatable around a rotation axis R which is substantially parallel to the support surface 45 and substantially perpendicular to the transport direction T. As best seen in figure 4B, the outersection 51 of the tool carrier 50 comprises a plurality of female thread portions 52 for receiving a male thread portion of each marking tool 20. As a result, the outer section 51 is configured for holding a plurality of marking tools 20, wherein the porous parts and outward facing surfaces 24, 25 of each marking tool 20 face away from the rotation axis R and the circumferential outer surface 49. The carrier drum 50 further comprises a substantially stationary non-rotating inner section 54 with a cavity 53 for selectively supplying the colorant to the marking tools 20. The outer section 51 is configured to rotate in a rotation direction A around the rotation axis R relative to the inner section 54 to move the plurality of marking tools 20 towards and away from the support surface 45 during a step of transferring the colorant from the outward facing surfaces 24, 25 to the outer surface 48 of the food product 41. In particular, the assembly 40 is configured to form the marking 43 on an upper side of the unmarked food products 41 facing away from the support surface 45.

[0092] As best seen in figure 4A, the tool carrier 50 is mounted on a base 47. The base 47 holds a colorant supply device (not shown) that is fluid connectable to the marking tools 20 attached to the outer section 51 of the tool carrier 50, via the cavity 53. The assembly 40 is configured to selectively supply the colorant via the cavity 53 to one or more marking tools 20 when the outward facing surfaces 24, 25 of the marking tools 20 are arranged adjacent to the unmarked food product 41. Furthermore, the base 47 is provided with a control unit which is at least communicatively connected to the conveyor 46, the tool carrier 50 and the colorant supply device for controlling the assembly 40 to form the marking 43 on the food products 1.

[0093] Figures 5A and 5B show a second example of a marking tool 60 which is configured for both forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product and for shaping the food product. The marking tool 60 comprises amain body 61 provided with a porous shaping part 62 connected to the main body 61. The porous shaping part 62 comprises a shaping surface 63 configured to be brought into contact with a food product, for, in use, at least partially defining or forming a final shape or outward appearance of the food product. The marking tool 60 further comprises a shaping supply conduit 64 that is connected to the main body 61 and arranged at a side of the main body 61 facing away from the shaping surface 63. The porous shaping part 62 provides a fluid connection between the shaping supply conduit 64 and the shaping surface 63 of the porous shaping part 62. The marking tool 60 is configured to supply a pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized air, from the shaping supply conduit 64 to the shaping surface 63 to provide a non-stick surface which substantially nullifies an adhesion between the food product and the shaping surface 63. In the present example, the marking tool 60 comprises three curved shaping edges 72 which come together in a center 73 of the marking tool 60 in order to provide an incision pattern in a food product, such as a bread dough portion, that is reminiscent of a Kaiser roll. Furthermore, the shaping surface 63 of the porous shaping part 62 is at least partially subdivided by the curved shaping edges 72 to form several shaping cavities 72. The shaping cavities 72 have a substantially concave shape for providing the food product with a corresponding convex shape after shaping.

[0094] The marking tool 60 furthermore comprises a first, second and third porous part 68, 69 respectively provided with a first, second and third outward facing surface 65 - 67. The first, second and third outward facing surfaces comprises a shape respectively corresponding to the letters 'X', 'Y' and 'Z'. The marking tool 60 is further provided with a three supply conduits 70, 71 for supplying a colorant to each of the outward facing surfaces 65 - 67 via the corresponding porous parts 68, 69. It is noted that the shaping supply conduit 64 is separate ordistinct from each of supply conduits 70, 71 to allow the shaping supply conduit 64 to supply a fluid that differs from the colorant such as compressed air.

[0095] The marking tool 60 is further provided with a radially extending flange 74 with mounting holes 75 for mounting the marking tool 60 to, for example, a tool carrier of the first and second example of the assembly as described above with reference to figures 3, 4A and 4B. It is to be understood that the marking tool 60 can for example be attached to the tool carrier of the first and second example of the assembly.

[0096] Figure 6 shows a food product, in particular a bread dough product, provided with a marking 82 comprising the spaced apart letters 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' and shaped to be reminiscent of a Kaiser roll with three curved incisions formed by the marking tool according to the second example as shown in figures 5A and 5B.

[0097] Figure 7 schematically shows a flow chart of an example of a method for marking an outer surface of a food product. Figure 7 shows that the method comprises the following steps:

[0098] 701. providing the food product on a support surface, 702. providing a marking tool comprising a main body and a porous part connected to the main body, wherein the porous part comprises an outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the marking, wherein the main body further comprises a supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface of the porous part,

[0099] 703. supplying a predetermined amount of a colorant to the outward facing surface of the porous part via the supply conduit, and

[0100] 704. transferring the colorant from the outward facing surface of the porous part to the outer surface of the foodproduct by arranging the outward facing surface of the porous part at or near the outer surface of the food product, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring the colorant,

[0101] 705. after the last step 704, a further food product may be provided and the method repeated to form a further marking on the further food product, and optionally

[0102] 706. developing the transferred colorant on the outer surface of each food product by causing the colorant to react with the surface of food product, in particular by heating or baking the food product in an oven.

[0103] In summary, the invention relates to a method, marking tool and assembly for forming a marking on a food product. The method comprises the following steps:

[0104] providing the food product on a support surface, providing a marking tool comprising a main body and a porous part with an outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the marking, wherein the main body comprises a supply conduit connected to the main body that is fluid connected to the porous part,

[0105] supplying a predetermined amount of a colorant to the outward facing surface via the supply conduit, and transferring the colorant from the outward facing surface to the outer surface by arranging the outward facing surface at or near the outer surface, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring.

[0106] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet beencompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

C L A I M S1. A method for forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the method comprises the following steps:providing the food product on a support surface, providing a marking tool comprising a main body and a porous part connected to the main body, wherein the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining, wherein the porous part comprises an outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the marking,wherein the main body further comprises a supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the outward facing surface,wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface of the porous part,supplying a predetermined amount of a colorant to the outward facing surface of the porous part via the supply conduit, andtransferring the colorant from the outward facing surface of the porous part to the outer surface of the food product by arranging the outward facing surface of the porous part at or near the outer surface of the food product, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring the colorant.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises a step of providing a colorant supply device that is fluid connected to the supply conduit, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the colorant comprises causing the colorant supply device to supply a predetermined amount ofa pressurized colorant to the supply conduit.

3. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the colorant comprises an edible dye or pigment preferably dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, more preferably wherein the liquid carrier comprises water or an edible oil.

4. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the colorant comprises a reactive colorant, preferably an aqueous base, more preferably an aqueous base comprising an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide.

5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises a step of developing the transferred colorant on the outer surface of the food product by causing the colorant to react with the surface of food product, in particular by heating or baking the food product in an oven.

6. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the outward facing surface of the porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol, such as a logo, a number and / or a letter.

7. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the method further comprises the following steps, performed before the step of transferring the colorant:determining a position of the surface of the food product relative to at least the outward facing surface of the marking tool, andbased on the determined position, arranging the outward facing surface of the marking tool at a desired position with respect to the outer surface of food product.

8. The method according to any one of the previous claims, the porous part comprises a porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores, preferably wherein the porous part comprises a ceramic, a sintered material, in particular sintered metal powder, or a three-dimensional printed material in particular a three-dimensional printed metal material.

9. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the marking tool further comprises a porous shaping part connected to the main body, wherein the porous shaping part comprises a shaping surface that at least partially defines a final shape of the outer surface of the food product, wherein the shaping surface is distinct and / or spaced apart from the outward facing surface, wherein the main body further comprises a shaping supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the shaping surface, wherein the porous shaping part provides a fluid connection between the shaping supply conduit and the shaping surface of the porous shaping part, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:shaping the food product by pressing the outer surface of the food product against the shaping surface, wherein the step of shaping the food product is at least initiated before the step of applying the marking the food product, andsupplying a pressurized fluid, in particular compressed air, to the shaping surface of the porous shaping part via the shaping supply conduit.

10. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the porous part, the outward facing surface, the supply conduit and the colorant are respectively a first porous part, a first outward facing surface, a first supply conduit and a first colorant, wherein the marking comprises a first marking portion and asecond marking portion, wherein the first outward facing surface substantially defines the shape of the first portion of the marking,wherein the marking tool further comprises a second porous part connected to the main body, wherein the second porous part is distinct and / or spaced apart from the first porous part, wherein the second porous part comprises a second outward facing surface that substantially defines a shape of the second marking portion,wherein the main body further comprises a second supply conduit that is connected to the main body and arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the second outward facing surface,wherein the second porous part provides a fluid connection between the second supply conduit and the second outward facing surface of the second porous part,wherein the method further comprises the following steps:supplying a predetermined amount of a second colorant to the second outward facing surface via the second supply conduit, andtransferring the second colorant from the second outward facing surface of the second porous part to the outer surface of the food product by arranging the second outward facing surface of the second porous at or near the outer surface of the food product, and wherein the step of supplying the predetermined amount of the second colorant is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of transferring the second colorant.

11. A marking tool for forming a marking on an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the marking tool comprises a main body and a porous part connected to the main body, wherein the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining,wherein the porous part comprises an outward facing surface for, in use, transferring a colorant to theouter surface of the food product,wherein the main body further comprises a supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the outward facing surface, and that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying the colorant to the porous part, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface of the porous part to pass the colorant from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface, and wherein the outward facing surface of the porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol.

12. The marking tool according to claim 11, wherein the porous part comprises a porous structure of intercommunicating and / or interconnected pores, preferably wherein the porous part comprises a ceramic, a sintered material, in particular sintered metal powder, or a three-dimensional printed material, in particular a three-dimensional printed metal material.

13. The marking tool according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the main body, the porous part and / or supply conduit are integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process.

14. The marking tool according to any one of the claims 11 - 13, wherein the marking tool further comprises a porous shaping part connected to the main body, wherein the porous shaping part comprises a shaping surface configured to be brought into contact with the food product, for, in use, at least partially defining a final shape of the food product, wherein the shaping surface is distinct and / or spaced apart from the outward facing surface, wherein the main body further comprises a shaping supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from theshaping surface, and that is fluid connected to the porous shaping part for supplying a pressurized fluid to the porous shaping part, wherein the porous shaping part is configured to pass the pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized air, from the shaping supply conduit to the shaping surface.

15. The marking tool according to any one of the claims 11 - 14, wherein the porous part, the outward facing surface, the supply conduit and the colorant are respectively a first porous part, a first outward facing surface, a first supply conduit and a first colorant, wherein the marking tool further comprises a second porous part connected to the main body, wherein the second porous part is distinct and / or spaced apart from the first porous part, wherein the second porous part comprises a second outward facing surface for, in use, transferring a second colorant to the outer surface of the food product, wherein the main body further comprises a second supply conduit that is connected to the main body, that is arranged at a side of the main body facing away from the second outward facing surface, and that is fluid connected to the second porous part for supplying the second colorant to the second porous part, wherein the second porous part provides a fluid connection between second supply conduit and the second outward facing surface of the second porous part to pass the second colorant from the second supply conduit to the second outward facing surface, and wherein the second outward facing surface of the second porous part comprises a shape corresponding to a symbol.

16. An assembly for forming a marking an outer surface of a food product, in particular a dough product, wherein the assembly comprisesa support surface for supporting the food product,a tool carrier which is configured for holding amarking tool according to any one of the claims 11 - 15, wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the marking tool relative to the support surface in at least a direction towards and away from the support surface to transfer a colorant to the outer surface of the food product, anda colorant supply device that is fluid connected to the supply conduit of the marking tool for providing a predetermined amount of the colorant, in particular a pressurized colorant, to the porous part of the marking tool.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the assembly further comprises a positioning unit which is operable to detect at least a position of the food product, and wherein the tool carrier is configured to arrange the outward facing surface of the marking tool at a desired position with respect to the food product prior to transferring the colorant to the outer surface of the food product.

18. The assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the tool carrier comprises an outer section that is rotatable around a rotation axis substantially parallel to the support surface, wherein the outer section is configured for holding a plurality of marking tools according to the second aspect or any one embodiment thereof, wherein the outward facing surface of the porous part of each marking tool faces away from the rotation axis of the outer section, wherein the tool carrier is configured to move the plurality of marking tools towards and away from the support surface by rotating the outer section around the rotation axis, and wherein the colorant supply device is configured for providing the predetermined amount of colorant to the porous parts of each marking tool.

19. The assembly according to claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the assembly further comprises a control unit configured to cause the assembly to perform a method according to any one of the claims 1 - 10.

20. A computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause an additive manufacturing apparatus, in particular a 3D printer, to print a marking tool according to any one of the claims 11 - 15.-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-MVD / HZ

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