Frozen Confection Sauce Fat Composition for Sugar Bloom Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sugar bloom on frozen confection sauces is not effectively addressed by existing technologies, which often rely on protecting the surface from moisture, but this solution is inadequate when the product is exposed to ambient conditions and temperature fluctuations, leading to visible shrinkage and reduced consumer appeal.

Innovation Solution

A frozen confection sauce composition comprising 10-18% solid vegetable fat at 4°C, 24-32% liquid vegetable fat at 4°C, 5-10% nut paste, and 30-40% sugar, which reduces sugar bloom by minimizing exposure to moisture and maintaining desired viscosity for scoopability, while also preventing shrinkage from container sides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the frozen confection sauce is exposed to ambient conditions and temperature fluctuations, then the product becomes usable and accessible to consumers, but sugar bloom and shrinkage occur on the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability of frozen confectionVSAvoidsugar bloom and shrinkage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the fat composition ratios (solid vegetable fat 10-18%, liquid vegetable fat 24-32%, nut paste 5-10%) to achieve optimal viscosity and structural stability. This allows the sauce to maintain its physical integrity during temperature fluctuations while remaining scoopable at serving temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between usability and resistance to sugar bloom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite fat system combining solid vegetable fat, liquid vegetable fat, and nut paste in specific proportions. This composite material provides both the structural stability needed to prevent shrinkage and sugar bloom, and the appropriate viscosity for scoopability, allowing the product to function properly under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the sauce composition uses high sugar content to achieve desired texture, then the product becomes more appealing, but the susceptibility to sugar bloom increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetexture and appealVSAvoidsugar bloom susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the sugar content parameter within a controlled range (30-40%) and combines it with specific fat composition parameters. This parameter optimization allows the sauce to maintain desirable texture and consumer appeal while the accompanying fat structure prevents excessive sugar bloom by providing a stable matrix that limits moisture migration to the surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sauce is made with vegetable fats to prevent shrinkage, then the structural stability improves, but the viscosity may become unsuitable for scoopability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidscoopability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the viscosity parameter through optimized fat composition (solid vegetable fat 10-18%, liquid vegetable fat 24-32%, nut paste 5-10%). This parameter tuning ensures the sauce has sufficient structural stability to prevent shrinkage while maintaining appropriate viscosity for scoopability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite fat system combining solid vegetable fat for structural stability, liquid vegetable fat for fluidity and scoopability, and nut paste for texture enhancement. This composite material approach allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and operational ease that neither single-component fat could provide alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition significantly reduces sugar bloom and shrinkage, maintaining product appeal and scoopability even when subjected to temperature fluctuations and ambient moisture, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and consumer experience.

Implementation Method 1

comprising from 10 to 18 wt% vegetable fat that is solid at 4 °C, from 24 to 32 wt% vegetable fat that is liquid at 4 °C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

Sugar bloom is typically a result of exposure of the sugar in a chocolate-based product to moisture. When the sugar is exposed to moisture, it is dissolved, followed by crystallization of the sugar on the surface of the product.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallisation: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3570681B1Frozen confection product comprising a frozen confection sauce composition
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV
  • EP3570681B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3570681B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3570681B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A novel frozen confection sauce composition comprising from 10 to 18 wt% vegetable fat that is solid at 4 °C, from 24 to 32 wt% vegetable fat that is liquid at 4 °C, from 5 to 10 wt% nut paste and from 30 to 40 wt% sugar. A novel frozen confection sauce composition for the reduction of sugar bloom.