Apparatus and method for portioning a food mass into food portions

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for portioning a food mass The apparatus comprises a receiving chamber and a pair of rotatable portioning elements. Each portioning element comprises a tip portion, wherein the tip portion of one portioning element is configured to cooperate with the tip portion of the other portioning element for portioning the food mass into food portions. Each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part. The porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface. The porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface for passing the fluid to the outward facing surface for forming a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface.

Description

[0001] P143291PC00

[0002] Apparatus and method for portioning a food mass into food portions

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for portioning a food mass into food portions .

[0005] During an industrial manufacture of food products, food products are commonly prepared or mixed in larger batches . This larger food mass is subsequently portioned into a plurality of smaller, discrete food portions . For example, a dough mass may be portioned into dough portions for a production of bread, baguettes, rolls, buns, pizza bottoms, cookies, cakes, etc. Alternatively, the dough portions may, for example, be fed to a sheeting unit to form an elongated dough sheet which is subsequently processed further.

[0006] This portioning is often performed using an apparatus comprising a hopper and a pair of rotary portioning elements arranged below the hopper. The pair of portioning elements cooperate to, upon rotation, portion or separate the larger food mass received from the hopper into a plurality of separate food portions . During this process of portioning, many food products however tend to adhere to the contact surfaces of the apparatus, in particular to the contact surfaces of the pair of rotary portioning elements . This is especially prevalent for dough, which tends to be especially adhesive .

[0007] A way of dealing with the adhesive nature of food products such as dough, is by applying a layer of an edibleoil to surfaces of the portioning apparatus that contact the food mass, in particular contact surfaces of the rotary portioning elements . Here, the edible oil acts as a barrier on said surfaces to prevent the adhesion of the dough thereto .

[0008] EP 3603401 Al discloses a device for portioning a dough mass into dough portions . The device comprises a funnel-shaped receiving chamber provided with an inlet opening at a top and a discharge opening at a bottom of the receiving chamber for respectively receiving and discharging the dough mass . The device is further provided with a pair of opposing rotary cutters positioned directly below the discharge opening. Each rotary cutter comprises a set of blades, wherein the blades of the different rotary cutters rotate in mutually opposite directions around a rotation axis . The set of blades of one rotary cutter cooperate with the set of blades of the other rotary cutter to portion the dough mass into separate dough portions . The device further comprises one or more spray nozzles arranged beside and / or below the rotary cutters . The spray nozzles are configured for continuously spraying a j et of an edible oil onto the blades of the rotary cutters to prevent the dough from adhering to the blades .

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A disadvantage of the known devices and methods for portioning a food mass into food portions using a pair of cooperating rotary portioning elements is that an edible oil applied to prevent an adhesion of the food mass tends to contaminate other areas of the device and / or equipment arranged nearby or downstream. In particular, a portion of the edible oil applied by the spray nozzles of EP 3603401 Al tends to directly or indirectly contaminate surfaces other than the blades of the rotary cutters .

[0011] It is an object of the present invention toprovide an apparatus and a method for portioning a food mass into food portions using a pair of rotary portioning elements that substantially nullifies or at least lowers a contamination of the apparatus and / or equipment arranged nearby or further downstream by an edible oil .

[0012] According to a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for portioning a food mass into food portions, in particular a dough mass into dough portions, wherein the apparatus comprises :

[0013] a receiving chamber for holding the food mass, wherein the receiving chamber comprises a discharge opening for discharging the food mass,

[0014] a pair of portioning elements provided at the discharge opening of the receiving chamber, wherein the apparatus is configured to rotate each portioning element in an opposite direction around a respective rotation axis, wherein each portioning element comprises at least one tip portion, wherein the at least one tip portion of one portioning element is configured to cooperate with the at least one tip portion of the other portioning element for portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions,

[0015] wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part,

[0016] wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface for passing the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface for forming a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

[0017] In response to the rotation of the pair of portioning elements by the apparatus, the at least one tip portion of one portioning element cooperates with the tip portion of the other portioning element to separate thefood mass into food portions . In particular, during rotation of the pair of portioning elements, the tip portion of one portioning element moves closer to the tip portion of the other portioning element to separate, cut or pinch the food portion from the larger food mass . By supplying the fluid from the supply conduit via the porous part to the outward facing surface, a film or layer of the fluid is provided to or on the outward facing surface that substantially prevents or nullifies an adhesion of the food mass, or the food portions, to the tip portions of the portioning elements during portioning.

[0018] As the supply conduit and the porous part allows for providing the fluid to the outward facing surface from an inside of the portioning element, the fluid is solely applied to the outward facing surface . Accordingly, this provides for a more controlled and precise application of the fluid to those surfaces of the portioning elements which benefit the most from said fluid. Hence, if an edible liquid such as an edible oil is used as the fluid, a contamination of the apparatus and / or equipment arranged nearby or further downstream by said edible oil is substantially lowered, or even avoided.

[0019] Furthermore, the porous part of the present invention provides for an increase in a uniformity of the layer or film of the fluid formed on the outward facing surface . In contrast, applying a fluid such as an edible oil to the portioning elements by a wiping or spraying results in an uneven distribution of said liquid over the desired surfaces . As a result, in the known devices a relatively large volume needs to be supplied in order to ensure that sufficient layer of fluid is present over the entire surface . Accordingly, the present invention allows for a smaller amount of said fluid to be used.

[0020] A further advantage of the present invention is that the device provides for an improved quality of the resulting food portions . For example, when an edible oil is used in combination with dough, the excessively largevolume of edible oil applied by known devices tends to mix with the dough and subsequently degrade a quality of the resulting dough product . Accordingly, a lowering of the amount of edible oil needed by the present invention provides for an improved quality of the dough portions and thereby the resulting dough products .

[0021] It is noted that the wording 'porous' refers to a material that has a plurality of small holes, channels or pores to allow a fluid 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 material while providing passage to the fluid. Furthermore, the wording food mass, food portion, dough mass and dough portion refer to a material that is still to be further prepared by, for example, baking in a process further downstream to produce a bread.

[0022] In an embodiment, the fluid comprises or is a pressurized gas, a liquid or a mixture thereof . Preferably, the pressurized gas is a pressurized air, and / or the liquid is an edible oil .

[0023] In an embodiment, each tip portion further comprises an inner wall that is substantially impermeable to the fluid, wherein each tip portion further comprises a distribution chamber arranged between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the distribution chamber is fluid connected to the supply conduit and the porous part for distributing the fluid from the supply conduit to the porous part to form the film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface . The distribution chamber provides for the fluid to distributed more evenly across the porous part and hence to the outward facing surface . Accordingly, this provides for a formation of a more uniform film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface . The increased uniformity permits a further lowering of the volume of fluid required to ensure that the outward facing surface is sufficiently covered by the fluid for preventingthe food mass or food portions to adhere or stick to the outward facing surface .

[0024] In an embodiment, the distribution chamber extends substantially parallel to the outward facing surface .

[0025] In an embodiment, each tip portion further comprises one or more support elements that bridge or extend between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the one or more support elements extend through the distribution chamber, preferably wherein the support element comprise a porous material that allows the fluid to flow therethrough. This provides for an increased mechanical resilience of said tip portion of the portioning elements . Furthermore or additionally, this allows for the distribution chamber to extend for a larger portion, preferably extending substantially fully, underneath the outward facing surface . Thus providing for a more uniform flow of fluid over said portion of the outward facing surface .

[0026] In an embodiment, the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining.

[0027] 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 .

[0028] In an embodiment, the porous part comprises a plurality of pores for passing the fluid from the supply conduit to the outwards facing surface, wherein the pores of the plurality of pores are substantially not interconnected and / or not intercommunicating. Preferably wherein the pores of the plurality of pores are substantially unbranched.

[0029] In an embodiment, the pores of the plurality of pores extend from the distribution chamber to the outwardfacing surface .

[0030] In an embodiment, the pores of the plurality of pores are elongated pores . In an embodiment, each tip portion comprises a check valve fluid connected between the supply conduit and the porous part for controlling a flow of the fluid between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface . The check valve further decreases a tendency for the fluid to flow unintentionally from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface, in particular when the tip portion is substantially not in contact with the food mass or food portion.

[0031] In an embodiment, at least the porous part and the supply conduit of each tip portion is integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process, preferably using a metal three-dimensional printing process . Furthermore, if present, the distribution chamber and / or the at least one support element is integrally formed with the porous part and the supply conduit .

[0032] In an embodiment, at least the porous part and supply conduit, and if present the distribution chamber and / or the at least one support element is prepared from or comprises stainless steel, titanium or aluminium. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to these specific metal materials .

[0033] In an embodiment, each portioning element comprises a plurality of tip portions arranged around the rotation axis of the portioning element, wherein the outward facing surfaces of the plurality of tip portions of each portioning element together form an outer surface of said portioning element that substantially envelops the rotation axis of the portioning element . Accordingly, a pair of portioning elements are provided with an enveloping outer surface that substantially nullifies or at least partially prevents an adhesion or sticking of the food mass or food portion to said outer surface .

[0034] In an embodiment, the porous parts of the plurality of tip portions of each portioning elementtogether substantially envelop the rotation axis of the portioning element .

[0035] In an embodiment, the distribution chambers of the plurality of tip portions together substantially envelop said rotation axis .

[0036] In an embodiment, the distribution chambers of the plurality of tip portions are separate and / or distinct from each other .

[0037] In an embodiment, each tip portion comprises a base section arranged at a side of the tip portion facing towards the rotation axis, and an end section connected to the base section and arranged at a side of the tip portion facing away from the rotation axis, wherein each tip portion tapers or becomes more narrow from the base section towards the end section. Preferably, each tip portion particular substantially continuously and / or smoothly tapers or narrows from the base section towards the end section .

[0038] In an embodiment, each tip portion is elongated in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the portioning element .

[0039] In an embodiment, wherein the apparatus comprises a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of each portioning element, wherein a cross-sectional profile along said plane of the outward facing surface of each tip portion is at least partially substantially concave parabolic .

[0040] In an embodiment, the pair of portioning elements is a first pair of portioning elements, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second pair of portioning elements, wherein each portioning element of the second pair of portioning elements is adj acently arranged to one of the portioning elements of the first pair of portioning elements along the respective rotation axis of said portioning element of the first pair, wherein each one of the second pair of portioning elements abuts another of the first pair of portioning elements, wherein each portioningelement of the second pair comprises at least one tip portion, wherein the tip portion of one portioning element of the second pair is configured to cooperate with the tip portion of the other portioning element of the second pair for portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions, wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part, wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface to pass the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface to form a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

[0041] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises :

[0042] a drive unit or motor connected to each portioning element for driving the portioning elements in rotation,

[0043] a fluid supply device fluid connected to the supply conduit of each tip portion,

[0044] a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid supply device is configured to provide the fluid from the fluid reservoir to said supply conduits,

[0045] a control unit communicatively connected to the drive unit and the fluid supply device, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the method according to a second aspect of the invention or any one embodiment as described below.

[0046] In an embodiment, when each portioning element comprises the plurality of tip portions, the fluid supply device is configured to separately supply the fluid to each tip portion, wherein the control unit is configured to control the fluid supply device to selectively provide the fluid to a subset of the plurality of tip portions .

[0047] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a sheeting unit arranged for receiving the food portionsfrom the pair of portioning elements, wherein the sheeting unit is configured for processing multiple food portions into an elongated food sheet . Preferably, the sheeting unit is a dough sheeting unit configured for processing multiple dough portions received from the pair of portioning elements into an elongated dough sheet . Preferably, the sheeting unit is arranged at least partially below the pair of portioning elements .

[0048] In an embodiment, the outward facing surface is configured for contacting the food mass .

[0049] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a portioning element, preferably for use in an apparatus according the first aspect or any one embodiment thereof, wherein the portioning element comprises at least one tip portion, wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part, wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface to pass the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface to form a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface . The above portioning element provides substantially the same advantages as discussed above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. It is noted that the portioning element may further comprise the features of the portioning elements as described with respect to at least the first aspect or any one embodiment thereof .

[0050] In an embodiment, the portioning element is configured for cooperating with a further portioning element for portioning a food mass into food portions .

[0051] In an embodiment, the fluid comprises or is a pressurized gas, a liquid or a mixture thereof . Preferably, the pressurized gas is a pressurized air, and / or the liquid is an edible oil .In an embodiment, each tip portion further comprises an inner wall that is substantially impermeable to the fluid, wherein each tip portion further comprises a distribution chamber arranged between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the distribution chamber is fluid connected to the supply conduit and the porous part for distributing the fluid from the supply conduit to the porous part to form the film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

[0052] In an embodiment, the distribution chamber extends substantially parallel to the outward facing surface .

[0053] In an embodiment, each tip portion further comprises one or more support elements that bridge or extend between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the one or more support elements extend through the distribution chamber, preferably wherein the support element comprise a porous material that allows the fluid to flow therethrough.

[0054] In an embodiment, the porous part is substantially rigid or shape-retaining.

[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 .

[0056] In an embodiment, the porous part comprises a plurality of pores for passing the fluid from the supply conduit to the outwards facing surface, wherein the pores of the plurality of pores are substantially not interconnected and / or not intercommunicating. Preferably wherein the pores of the plurality of pores are substantially unbranched.

[0057] In an embodiment, the pores of the plurality of pores extend from the distribution chamber to the outwardsfacing surface, wherein each pore is configured for passing the fluid from the distribution chamber to the outwards facing surface . In an embodiment, each tip portion comprises a check valve fluid connected between the supply conduit and the porous part for controlling a flow of the fluid between the supply conduit and the outward facing surface .

[0058] In an embodiment, at least the porous part and the supply conduit of each tip portion is integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process, preferably using a metal three-dimensional printing process . Furthermore, if present, the distribution chamber and / or the at least one support element is integrally formed with the porous part and the supply conduit .

[0059] In an embodiment, at least the porous part and supply conduit, and if present the distribution chamber and / or the at least one support element is prepared from or comprises a stainless steel, titanium or aluminium.

[0060] In an embodiment, the portioning element comprises a plurality of tip portions arranged around the rotation axis of the portioning element, wherein the outward facing surfaces of the plurality of tip portions of each portioning element together form an outer surface of said portioning element that substantially envelops the rotation axis of the portioning element .

[0061] In an embodiment, the porous parts of the plurality of tip portions together substantially envelop the rotation axis of the portioning element .

[0062] In an embodiment, the distribution chambers of the plurality of tip portions together substantially envelop said rotation axis .

[0063] In an embodiment, the distribution chambers of the plurality of tip portions are separate and / or distinct from each other .

[0064] In an embodiment, each tip portion comprises a base section arranged at a side of the tip portion facing towards the rotation axis, and an end section connected to the base section and arranged at a side of the tip portionfacing away from the rotation axis, wherein each tip portion tapers or becomes more narrow from the base section towards the end section. Preferably, each tip portion substantially continuously and / or smoothly tapers or narrows from the base section towards the end section.

[0065] In an embodiment, each tip portion is elongated in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the portioning element .

[0066] In an embodiment, the portioning element comprises a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the portioning element, wherein a cross-sectional profile along said plane of the outward facing surface of each tip portion is at least partially substantially concave parabolic.

[0067] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method for portioning a food mass into food portions, in particular a dough mass into dough portions, wherein the method comprises the following steps :

[0068] providing an apparatus according to the first aspect or any one embodiment thereof,

[0069] providing the food mass to the receiving chamber of the apparatus,

[0070] portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions by rotating each of the pair of portioning elements in a mutually opposite direction along each respective rotation axis,

[0071] supplying the fluid to the outward facing surface of the porous part of the at least one tip portion of each portioning element via the respective supply conduits,

[0072] wherein the step of supplying the fluid is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of portioning the food mass . The above method provides substantially the same advantages as discussed above with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

[0073] In an embodiment, the fluid comprises or is a pressurized gas, a liquid or a mixture thereof . Preferablythe pressurized gas is a pressurized air.

[0074] In an embodiment, wherein the fluid is an edible oil .

[0075] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the following step:

[0076] cleaning the outward facing surface of the porous part of each tip portion of each portioning element by supplying a cleaning fluid to the outward facing surface of the porous part of the at least one tip portion of each portioning element via the respective supply conduits . This allows for a particularly convenient cleaning of the pair of portioning elements . Preferably the cleaning fluid comprises steam, water and / or a soap .

[0077] In an embodiment, the step of supplying the fluid to the outward facing surface is performed when the food mass and / or the food portion is arranged at or near the outward facing surface .

[0078] According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause an additive manufacturing apparatus, in particular a 3D printer, to print a portioning element according to the first aspect, the second aspect or any one embodiment thereof . This provides at least the substantially same advantages as discussed above with respect to the first aspect of the invention .

[0079] 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 .

[0080] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which :

[0081] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first example of an apparatus for portioning a food mass into food portions;

[0082] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a portioning element of the apparatus according to the first example ;

[0083] Figures 2B and 2C each show a cross-sectional view of the portioning element of figure 2A;

[0084] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a second example of a portioning element;

[0085] Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the portioning element of figure 3A;

[0086] Figure 4 shows a first example of an assembly comprising a pair of portioning assemblies;

[0087] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C respectively show a cross-sectional view of a third, fourth and fifth example of a portioning element;

[0088] Figure 6A shows a perspective view of a sixth example of a portioning element;

[0089] Figures 6B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the portioning element shown in figure 6A.

[0090] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0091] Figure 1 shows a first example of an apparatus 1 for portioning a dough mass 3 into dough portions or dough lumps 7. The apparatus 1 comprises a receiving chamber or hopper 2 for holding the dough mass 3. The receiving chamber 2 comprises an inlet opening 4 for receiving the dough mass 3 and a discharge opening 5 for discharging the dough mass 3.

[0092] The apparatus 1 further comprises a pair of portioning elements 6, 6' comprising a first portioning element 6 and a second portioning element 6' . The pair ofportioning elements 6, 6' are arranged below the discharge opening 5 of the receiving chamber 2 to portion or separate one or more dough portions 7 from the dough mass 4 received from the discharge opening 5. The apparatus 1 is configured for rotating the pair of portioning elements 6, 6' along a respective rotation axis R, R' in a mutually opposite rotation direction Rl, R2 . The pair of portioning elements 6, 6' are shown to each comprise a plurality of tip portions lOa-lOc, 10a' -10c' substantially evenly distributed around the respective rotation axis R, R' of said portioning elements 6, 6' . As a result of said rotation, each tip portion 10a - 10c of the first portioning element 6 cooperates with a corresponding tip portion 10a' - 10c' of the second portioning element 6' to separate, cut or pinch the dough portion 7 from the dough mass 3. In the example shown in figure 1, a first tip portion 10a of first portioning element 6 and a first tip portion 10a' of the second portioning element 6' are shown to have been rotated by the apparatus 1 towards a position wherein a distance between the two tip portions 10a, 10a' is at a minimum. This generally corresponds to a situation directly after the pair of portioning elements 6, 6' has portioned the dough portion 7 from the dough mass 3. The pair of portioning elements 6, 6' is spaced apart such that at a closest approach said two tip portions 10a, 10a' are arranged close together without directly contacting each other, preferably in the order of a millimetre .

[0093] The apparatus 1 is further shown to comprise a conveyor 8 arranged below the pair of portioning elements 6, 6' , wherein said portioning elements 6, 6' are arranged at least partially between the conveyor 8 and the receiving chamber 2. The conveyor 8 comprises a conveyor surface 9 configured for receiving dough portions 7 from the pair of portioning elements 6, 6' after portioning thereof and transporting said dough portions 7 along a transport direction T . The dough portions 7 may be transported by the conveyor 8 to a further area for additional shaping,proofing or baking in an oven to produce bread, baguettes, rolls, buns, pizza bottoms, cookies, cakes, etc .

[0094] Figure 2A shows an isolated perspective view of the first portioning element 6 of figure 1. The first portioning element 6 comprises a circumferential outer surface 11 that substantially envelops the first portioning element 6. During use, the outer surface 11 is intended to interact with the dough mass and dough portions, preferably with a layer of the fluid between the outer surface 11 and said dough. In the present example, the first portioning element 6 is integrally formed by a three-dimensional printing process .

[0095] Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the first portioning element 6 along plane IIB-IIB of figure 2A. Figure 2B shows that each tip portion 10a - 10c of the first portioning element 6 comprises a porous part 12a -12c with an outward facing surface 13a - 13c . The outward facing surfaces 13a - 13c together form the outer surface 11 of the first portioning element 6. Furthermore, each tip portion 10a - 10c is shown to comprise an inner wall 14a -14c that is substantially impermeable to the fluid. Each tip portion 10a - 10c further comprises a distribution chamber or distribution duct 15a - 15c arranged between the inner wall 14a - 14c and the porous part 12a - 12c . Furthermore, the distribution chamber 15a - 15c is fluid connected to the porous part 12a - 12c for supplying a fluid such as an edible oil to the porous part 12a - 12c . The distribution chambers 15a - 15c extend substantially parallel to the outward facing surfaces 13a - 13c and together substantially fully envelop the rotation axis R of the first portioning element 6. Furthermore, each porous part 12a - 12c provides a fluid connection between the distribution chamber 15a - 15c and the outward facing surface 13a - 13c to pass the fluid from the distribution chamber 15a - 15c to the outward facing surface 13a - 13c to form a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface 13a - 13c.As seen in figure 2A, the first portioning element 6 further comprises an elongated central passage or central opening 16 for mounting the first portioning element 6 to the apparatus 1. Each of the tip portions 10a - 10c further comprises a supply conduit 17b, 17c that debouches into the central opening 16.

[0096] Figure 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the first portioning element 6 along plane IIC-IIC of figure 2A. As shown in figure 2C, the supply conduit 17b, 17c of each tip portion 10a - 10c fluid connects the central opening 16 to each respective distribution chamber 15a -15c. Accordingly, the fluid can be provided to the outward facing surfaces 13a - 13c of each tip portion 10a - 10c by supplying the fluid to the central opening 16. Figure 2C further shows an exemplary flow path 20 of the fluid illustrating a distribution of the fluid by the distribution chamber 15c from the central opening 16 and the supply conduit 17c over an inner surface of the porous part 12c towards the outward facing surface 13c. As best seen in figures 2B and 2C, each tip portion 10a - 10c further comprises a plurality of support elements 21 that bridge or extend between the inner wall 14a - 14c and the porous part 12a - 12c. The support elements 21 extend through the distribution chambers 15a - 15c and comprise a porous material that allows the fluid to flow therethrough. Each tip portion 10a - 10c furthermore comprises a base section 23 arranged at a side of the tip portion 10a - 10c facing towards the rotation axis R. Each tip portion 10a -10c furthermore comprises an end section 22 connected to the base section 23 and arranged at a side of the tip portion 10a - 10c facing away from the rotation axis R1 . Each tip portion 20a - is shown to substantially continuously taper or become more narrow from the base section 23 towards the end section 22.

[0097] Each tip portion 10a - 10c is further shown to comprise a hollow cavity 24a - 24c for reducing a weight of the first portioning element 6. Furthermore, whenmanufactured using a three-dimensional printing process, the hollow cavities 24a- 24c provide for a reduced printing time and material cost . As best seen in figure 2A, the first portioning element 6 further comprises a first end portion 18a and a second end portion 18b facing away from the first end portion 18a, wherein the first and second end portions 18a, 18b each comprise an end surface 19. Each tip portion 10a - 10c is provided with a opening 25a - 25c connected to the respective hollow cavity 24a - 24c at the end surface 19. The openings 25a - 25c allow for unused or supporting material present in the hollow cavities 24a -24c to be removed from the first portioning element 6. For example, for removing non-melted metal powder used during a laser-based three-dimensional printing process .

[0098] It is to be understood that in the present example, the second portioning element 6' is substantially identical to the first portioning element 6. It is noted however that the second portioning element 6' may differ from the first portioning element 6.

[0099] Figures 3A and 3B show a second example of a portioning element 30 that is substantially similar to first portioning element shown in figure 2A. Accordingly, the same reference symbols are used to denote the same or similar features . In contrast to the first portioning element of figure 2A, each tip portion 10a - 10c of the portioning element 30 of figures 3A and 3B is shown to comprise an alternative supply conduit 31a - 31c. Said supply conduits 31a - 31c are fluid connected to the distribution chambers 15a of each corresponding tip portion 10a - 10c. In contrast to the supply conduit of the first portioning element shown in figure 2A, each supply conduit 31a - 31c debouches at at least one end surface 19 of the first end 18a or the second end 18b of the portioning element 30. Accordingly, the supply conduits 31a - 31c allow the fluid to be provided to the outward facing surfaces 13a, 13b of each tip portion 10a - 10c by supplying the fluid to the end surface 19 of the first end18a and / or the second end 18b. Figure 3b further shows an exemplary flow path 32 of the fluid introduced into the supply conduit 31a at the end surface 19, wherein the flow path 32 extends from the supply conduit 31a via the distribution chamber 15a and the porous part 12a to the outward facing surface 13a.

[0100] Figure 4 shows a first example of an assembly 40 comprising a pair of portioning assemblies 41, 42 for portioning a dough mass into dough portions . Each portioning assembly 41, 42 comprises a series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c. Each portioning element of each series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c abuts and is attached to a neighbouring portioning element of said series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c . Furthermore, the distribution chambers and / or supply conduits of each tip portion of each portioning element of each series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c are fluid connected to allow a fluid inserted at one side of the portioning assembly 41, 42 to pass through each portioning element in the series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c.

[0101] In the present example, each portioning element of the series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c is substantially similar to the first portioning element as shown in figure 2A. Alternatively, one, several or all of the portioning elements of the series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a - 44c may be a portioning element as shown in figure 3A. Furthermore, a series of portioning elements may be provided wherein each portioning element comprises a first end substantially similar to the first end of the first portioning element shown in figure 2A and a second end substantially similar to the first end of the portioning element shown in figure 3A.

[0102] The assembly 40 further comprises a drive unit or motor 48 connected via a pair of meshing gears 46, 47 to rotate each series of portioning elements 43a - 43c, 44a -44c along a respective rotation axis R, R' in a mutuallyopposite rotation direction Rl, R2 . The assembly 40 further comprises fluid supply device or pump 49, a fluid reservoir 50 fluid connected to the fluid supply device 49, a pair of fluid lines 51, 51' fluid connected to the fluid supply device 49, and a pair of connectors 52, 52' for fluid connecting each fluid line 51, 51' to one of the portioning assemblies 41, 42. The fluid supply device 49 is configured to provide the fluid from the fluid reservoir 50 via each fluid line 51, 51' to the supply conduit of a first portioning element 43a of one of the series of portioning elements 43a - 43c and the supply conduit of a second portioning element 44a of the other one of the series of portioning elements 44a - 44c. The assembly 40 is furthermore provides with a control unit 45 communicatively connected to the drive unit 48 and the fluid supply device 49.

[0103] Figure 5A shows a third example of a portioning element 60. The portioning element 60 is provided with three tip portions 61a - 61c substantially evenly distributed around a rotation axis R of the portioning element 60. Similar to the tip portions of the portioning element according to the first example, each tip portion 61a - 61c comprises a porous part 62 with an outward facing surface 63. Furthermore, each tip portion 61a - 61c again comprises an inner wall 64 that is substantially impermeable to the fluid. The inner walls 64 in this example however are substantially solid and are not provided with one or more hollow cavities . Each tip portion 61a - 61c again comprises a distribution chamber 65 arranged between the porous part 62 and the inner wall 64. In contrast to the first example, each tip portion 61a-61c is provided with several support elements 68 that are impermeable to the fluid and that bridge the distribution chamber 65. The portioning element 60 is furthermore provided with a central portion 66 substantially impermeable to the fluid and not provided with one or more hollow cavities . The central portion 66 comprises a non-porous outer surface 67 that is substantially impermeable to the fluid, wherein the non-porous outer surface 67 extends between the outward facing surfaces 63 of the tip portions 61a - 61c . Each tip portion 61a - 61c is shown to comprise an end section 69 and a base section 70. In the present example, the tip portions 61a - 61c do not taper from the base section 70 towards the end section 69. Instead, a cross-section of each outer surface of the tip portions 61a - 61c at least partially comprises or follows a substantially square or rectangular shape .

[0104] Figure 5B shows a fourth example of a portioning element 75 substantially similar to the third example of the portioning element . In contrast to the third example, the portioning element 75 is shown to comprise four tip portions 76a - 76d. It will be apparent that the portioning elements according to the present invention may be provided with a substantially arbitrary number of tip portions . Furthermore, the distribution chamber 77, porous part 78 and the outward facing surface 79 of each tip portion 76a -76d together substantially fully envelop a rotation axis R of the portioning element 75. Furthermore, a central portion 79 of the portioning element 75 is provided with several hollow cavities 80 for reducing a weight of the portioning element 70. Each of the support elements 81 of the portioning element 75, in contrast to the third example, is porous .

[0105] Figure 5C shows a fifth example of a portioning element 90 which is substantially similar to the portioning element according to the first example . In contrast to the first example, the outward facing surfaces 93a - 93c of the porous parts 92a - 92c of each tip portion 91a - 91c together comprise a substantially triangular cross-section. Furthermore, each tip portion 91a - 91c of the portioning element 90 is provided with one or more porous support elements 94 and one or more support elements 95 impervious to the fluid.

[0106] Figure 6A shows a perspective view of a sixthexample of a portioning element 100 and figure 6B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the portioning element 100 along plane VI B as shown in figure 6A. The portioning element 100 is provided a first tip portion 101a, a second tip portion 101b and a third tip portion 101c that are substantially evenly distributed around a rotation axis R of the portioning element 100. Each tip portion 101a - 101c comprises a porous part 104a, 104c with an outward facing surface 102a - 102c. The outward facing surfaces 102a -102c together form an outer surface 103 of the portioning element 100. The portioning element 100 further comprises a pair of end pieces 107a, 107b attached to opposite sides of a main body 115 of the portioning element 100. Each end piece 107a, 107b is provided with a plurality of supply conduits 106, 106' , 106' ' . Each supply conduit 106, 106' , 106' ’ is substantially distinct or separate, wherein a fluid does not flow directly between the different supply conduits 106, 106' , 106' ’ . Furthermore, each tip portion 101a - 101c of the portioning element 100 is provided with a plurality of distribution chambers or channels 105a, 105c corresponding to the plurality of supply conduits 106, 106' , 106' ’ . Furthermore, each tip portion 101a - 101c comprises an inner wall 114 that is substantially impermeable to the fluid.

[0107] As best seen in figure 6B, the plurality of supply conduits 106 of the first tip portion 101a comprises a first supply conduit 106' and the plurality of supply conduits 106 of the third tip portion 101c comprises a second supply conduit 106' ' . Furthermore, the plurality of distribution chambers of the first tip portion 101a comprises a first distribution chamber 105a and the plurality of distribution chambers of the third tip portion 101c comprises a second distribution chamber 105c. The first and second distribution chambers 105a, 105c are shown to be elongated and extending along an axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis R. Furthermore, the first and second distribution chambers 105a, 105c extendsubstantially parallel to the inner wall and the outward facing surface 102a, 102c .

[0108] Each porous part 104a - 104c in the example of figure 6A and 6B comprises a plurality of elongated pores 112 for supplying a fluid to the outward facing surface 102a - 102c. Each pore 112 is shown to be substantially not interconnected or intercommunicating. The pores 112 are further shown to be substantially elongated along a longitudinal axis 113. The plurality of pores 112 are further shown to extend along a transverse direction 114 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 113. It is to be understood that a width of the pores 112 along the transverse direction 114 is significantly smaller than a length of the pores along the longitudinal direction 113. In the present example, the transverse direction 114 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis R.

[0109] As can be seen in figure 6B, the first supply conduit 106' of the first tip portion 102a is fluid connected to the first distribution chamber 105a, which is in turn fluid connected to the plurality of pores 112. Accordingly, the first supply conduit 106' is configured to supply a fluid via the first distribution chamber 105a to the outwards facing surface 102a .

[0110] Each tip portion 101a - 101c further comprises a plurality of check valves 116, in particular ball check valves, each arranged between one of the supply conduits 106 and one of the plurality of distribution chambers 105a, 105c . The check valves 116 are configured for allowing a flow of fluid along a flow direction F and preventing a flow of the fluid along a direction opposite to the flow direction F. The flow direction F is shown to extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis R. Each check valve 116 comprises a ball 109 and a resilient element 110, in particular a spring, to urge to ball 109 towards a seat 111 .

[0111] In summary, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for portioning a food mass . The apparatuscomprises a receiving chamber and a pair of rotatable portioning elements . Each portioning element comprises a tip portion, wherein the tip portion of one portioning element is configured to cooperate with the tip portion of the other portioning element for portioning the food mass into food portions . Each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part . The porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface . The porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface for passing the fluid to the outward facing surface for forming a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

[0112] 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 be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

26C L A I M S1. An apparatus for portioning a food mass into food portions, in particular a dough mass into dough portions, wherein the apparatus comprises :a receiving chamber for holding the food mass, wherein the receiving chamber comprises a discharge opening for discharging the food mass,a pair of portioning elements provided at the discharge opening of the receiving chamber, wherein the apparatus is configured to rotate each portioning element in an opposite direction around a respective rotation axis, wherein each portioning element comprises at least one tip portion, wherein the at least one tip portion of one portioning element is configured to cooperate with the at least one tip portion of the other portioning element for portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions,wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part,wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface for passing the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface for forming a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each tip portion further comprises an inner wall that is substantially impermeable to the fluid,wherein each tip portion further comprises a distribution chamber arranged between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the distribution chamber is fluid connected to the supply conduit and the porous part for distributing the fluid from the supply conduit to theporous part to form the film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distribution chamber extends substantially parallel to the outward facing surface .

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each tip portion further comprises one or more support elements that bridge or extend between the inner wall and the porous part, wherein the one or more support elements extend through the distribution chamber,preferably wherein the support element comprise a porous material that allows the fluid to flow therethrough.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, 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 .

6. The apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the porous part comprises a plurality of pores for passing the fluid from the supply conduit to the outwards facing surface,wherein the pores of the plurality of pores are substantially not interconnected and / or not intercommunicating .

7. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least the porous part and the supply conduit of each tip portion is integrally formed using a three-dimensional printing process, preferably using a metal three-dimensional printing process .

8. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each portioning element comprises a plurality of tip portions arranged around the rotation axis of the portioning element,wherein the outward facing surfaces of the plurality of tip portions of each portioning element together form an outer surface of said portioning element that substantially envelops the rotation axis of said portioning element .

9. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein each tip portion comprises a base section arranged at a side of the tip portion facing towards the rotation axis, and an end section connected to the base section and arranged at a side of the tip portion facing away from the rotation axis, wherein each tip portion tapers or becomes more narrow from the base section towards the end section.

10. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the pair of portioning elements is a first pair of portioning elements, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second pair of portioning elements,wherein each portioning element of the second pair of portioning elements is adj acently arranged to one of the portioning elements of the first pair of portioning elements along the respective rotation axis of said portioning element of the first pair, wherein each one of the second pair of portioning elements abuts another of the first pair of portioning elements,wherein each portioning element of the second pair comprises at least one tip portion, wherein the tip portion of one portioning element of the second pair is configured to cooperate with the tip portion of the other portioning element of the second pair for portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions, wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part29and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part,wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface to pass the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface to form a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

11. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the porous part is substantially rigid or shape retaining.12 . A portioning element for use in an apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the portioning element comprises at least one tip portion,wherein each tip portion comprises a porous part and a supply conduit that is fluid connected to the porous part for supplying a fluid to the porous part,wherein the porous part of each tip portion comprises an outward facing surface, wherein the porous part provides a fluid connection between the supply conduit and outward facing surface to pass the fluid from the supply conduit to the outward facing surface to form a film or layer of the fluid on the outward facing surface .

13. A method for portioning a food mass into food portions, in particular a dough mass into dough portions, wherein the method comprises the following steps :providing an apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 11,providing the food mass to the receiving chamber of the apparatus,portioning the food mass received from the discharge opening into food portions by rotating each of the pair of portioning elements in a mutually opposite direction along each respective rotation axis, and30supplying the fluid to the outward facing surface of the porous part of the at least one tip portion of each portioning element via the respective supply conduits,wherein the step of supplying the fluid is performed at least partially during and / or before the step of portioning the food mass .

14. The method according to claim 13, the fluid comprises or is a pressurized gas, a liquid or a mixture thereof .

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the fluid is an edible oil .

16. The method according to any one of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the method further comprises the following step:cleaning at least the outward facing surface of the porous part of each tip portion of each portioning element by supplying a cleaning fluid to the outward facing surface of the porous part of the at least one tip portion of each portioning element via the respective supply conduits .

17. A computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause an additive manufacturing apparatus, in particular a 3D printer, to print a portioning element according to claim 12.-o-o-o- o- o-o-o- o—MVD / BP

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