Structured Food Extrusion With Segmented Multi-Channel Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coextrusion devices are unable to produce precisely defined, especially fine structures in food products, and lack flexibility in adapting structures for diverse food products.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a housing with a structuring system that includes sections with openings and channels to create base and additional mass strands, allowing for the formation of complex structures by adjusting the positions and flow rates of these strands, and optionally combining them in an extrusion guide to achieve desired shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional coextrusion devices are used, then production of food products is possible, but precisely defined structures especially fine structures cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the extrusion process into multiple independent sections: a first section with at least one opening for base mass flow, and a second section with multiple channels for additional mass flows. This segmentation allows each section to be independently controlled and configured, enabling precise definition of fine structures while maintaining flexibility for different product requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable flow rates for both base mass and additional mass, allowing dynamic control over the extrusion process. The flow rates can be adapted based on viscosity differences between materials, enabling precise structure definition while providing versatility for different food products and conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional coextrusion devices are used, then specific products with defined media can be produced, but flexible adaptation of structures is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a universal system that can produce various structured food products by combining base mass and additional mass in different configurations. The multiple channels in the second section can be selectively used to create different structures, allowing one device to serve multiple product types while maintaining precise structure definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changing parameters such as flow rates of base mass and additional mass, channel configurations, and opening sizes to adapt to different product requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the device can precisely define structures for various food products without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mass flows are combined in housing, then complex structures can be created, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct sections with clear functional separation. The first section handles base mass flow through at least one opening, while the second section manages additional mass flows through multiple channels. This segmentation simplifies the overall device design by organizing complexity into manageable, independent modules that can be理解和 controlled separately.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for producing structured foodstuffs, in particular meat products and/or meat substitutes, wherein the device comprises a housing with an inlet for a base mass flow and an outlet for the structured foodstuff and with a structuring device for generating a defined structure of an additional mass in the base mass, wherein the structuring device comprises: a first section, with at least one opening for the base mass flow for generating at least one base mass strand, a second section with a plurality of channels that are connected to inlets for respective additional mass flows, which are in particular distributed around the circumference of the housing and guide the additional mass flow to a respective predetermined position of the housing cross-section and a third section with a plurality of outlet openings that are connected to respective channels,to create multiple additional mass strands.