U.S. patent application number 13/124338 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for method of co-filling a dairy product and co-filled composite dairy product.
This patent application is currently assigned to NESTEC S.A.. Invention is credited to Jean-Marie Delattre, Jean Moreau, Francois Swertvaegher.
Application Number | 20110200718 13/124338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40429847 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110200718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swertvaegher; Francois ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
METHOD OF CO-FILLING A DAIRY PRODUCT AND CO-FILLED COMPOSITE DAIRY
PRODUCT
Abstract
The present invention concerns a method for producing a
composite dairy product by co-filling viscous components and
obtaining a spiral or spiral-like product aspect. Advantageously,
the method does not require rotational movements of filling nozzles
for obtaining the product aspect and thus provides a reduction in
the overall complexity of the filling equipment. The composite
dairy product comprises a container comprising at least one
transparent portion, and wherein a viscous component is visible as
a substantially discontinuous stretch on said transparent portion
of the container.
Inventors: |
Swertvaegher; Francois;
(Courtonne La Meurdrac, FR) ; Delattre; Jean-Marie;
(Beuvillers, FR) ; Moreau; Jean; (Manerbe,
FR) |
Assignee: |
NESTEC S.A.
Vevey
CH
|
Family ID: |
40429847 |
Appl. No.: |
13/124338 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/062645 |
371 Date: |
April 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/130 ;
141/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23G 9/283 20130101;
A23G 3/203 20130101; A23C 9/00 20130101; B65B 3/326 20130101; B65B
2039/009 20130101; A23G 3/54 20130101; A23G 3/2015 20130101; A23G
9/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/130 ;
141/1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/78 20060101
B65D085/78; B65B 3/04 20060101 B65B003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 14, 2008 |
EP |
08166595.2 |
Claims
1. A method for continuously filling containers with a dairy
product, the method comprising the steps of: providing a line of
containers to be filled; providing a nozzle, the nozzle comprises
at least two openings so as to allow for co-filling of at least two
different viscous components into a container; guiding a container
in a vicinity of the nozzle; co-filling at least two different
components through the at least two openings of the nozzle into the
container; and, during co-filling, at least one relative movement
between the container and the nozzle is performed, the at least one
relative movement comprising: a vertical component of movement, the
vertical component of movement being obtained by a movement
starting from a first position where the nozzle is in a more
proximal position with respect to a bottom of the container and
ending in a second position where the nozzle is in a more distant
position above the bottom of the container; and a horizontal
component of movement, the horizontal component of movement being
obtained by a movement wherein the relative position of an axis z
of the nozzle with respect to an axis c of the container is changed
by displacement of at least one of the axis.
2. A method for continuously filling containers with a product,
wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing rows and lines
of containers to be filled; providing a row of side-by-side
arranged nozzles, wherein each nozzle comprises at least two
openings so as to allow for co-filling of two different viscous
components into an individual container; guiding a row of
containers in a vicinity of a row of the side-by-side arranged
nozzles; co-filling at least two different viscous components
through the at least two openings of each nozzle into each
container of a row; and during co-filling, at least one relative
movement between each container and the respective nozzle is
performed, the at least one relative movement comprising: a
vertical component of movement, the vertical component of movement
being obtained by a movement starting from a first position where
each nozzle is in a more proximal position with respect to a bottom
of the respective container and ending in a second position where
each nozzle is in a more distant position above the bottom of the
respective container; and a horizontal component of movement, the
horizontal component of movement being obtained by a movement
wherein the relative position of an axis z of each nozzle with
respect to an axis c of each respective container is changed by
displacement of at least one of the axis.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the horizontal component of
movement during co-filling is selected from the group consisting of
a forward, a backward, a lateral component of movement and
combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, is a movement
in at least one direction on the plane x, z.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, defines at
least one curve.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, designs defines
a closed shape.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement of the nozzle by the
parallel displacement of the axis z, when projected into a plane x,
y perpendicular to the axis z, is such that the nozzle is
repetitively moved, during the step of co-filling, in a vicinity of
a lateral wall of the container and away from the lateral wall of
the container.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two viscous
components have different colors and wherein the container has at
least one transparent wall portion, and in the step of co-filling,
the at least two viscous components are co-filled such that at
least one of the two viscous components becomes visible, on the
transparent wall portion, as an interrupted stretch of the viscous
component at least partially surrounded by the at least one other
viscous component.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two viscous
components comprise one dairy viscous component and one non-dairy
viscous component.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises three
openings, a central opening for co-filling a dairy viscous
component into the container, and two lateral openings for
co-filling a non-dairy viscous component into the container.
11. A composite dairy product comprising at least a first and a
second viscous component, the first and second viscous component
having different colors, wherein the first viscous component is a
dairy viscous component and the second viscous component is
selected from the group consisting of dairy viscous components and
a non-dairy viscous component, the composite dairy product
comprises a container comprising at least one transparent portion,
and the second viscous component is visible as a substantially
discontinuous stretch on the transparent portion of the
container.
12. The composite dairy product of claim 11, wherein the second
component is visible as a plurality of substantially discontinuous
stretches on the transparent portion of the container, at least two
of the plurality of discontinuous stretches are located one above
the other.
13. The dairy product of claim 11, wherein two groups of two or
more substantially discontinuous stretches of the second viscous
component are located on opposed sides at the wall of the
container.
14. The dairy product of claim 11, wherein the discontinuous
stretches visible on a transparent portion of the container have an
irregular form on the transparent portion.
15. The dairy product of 11, wherein the second viscous component
is provided in the container as a least one continuous stretch of
the component, which extends from a central position in the
container towards a lateral wall of the container and again towards
the central position, thereby forming on the visible transparent
portion of the container the substantially discontinuous
stretch.
16. The dairy product of claim 15, wherein the second viscous
component further extends substantially from the bottom to the top
of the container together with the first viscous component.
17. An apparatus for co-filling two edible viscous components into
a container for providing a composite dairy product, wherein the
apparatus comprises at least one nozzle comprising at least two
openings for simultaneously co-filling the two viscous components
through the nozzle into said container, the apparatus comprising a
line for guiding a line of containers to be filled in a filling
relationship with respect to the nozzle, the apparatus is arranged
so as to perform at least one relative movement between the
container and the nozzle during co-filling of the two viscous
components, the at least one relative movement comprising: a
vertical component of movement, the vertical component of movement
being obtained by a movement starting from a first position where
the nozzle is in a more proximal position with respect to a bottom
of the container and the movement ending in a second position where
the nozzle is in a more distant position above the bottom of the
container; and a horizontal component of movement, the horizontal
component of movement being obtained by a movement wherein the
relative position of an axis z of the nozzle with respect to an
axis of the container is changed by substantially parallel
displacement.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising a plurality of n,
side-by-side arranged nozzles, wherein n is an integer equal to or
greater than 2, the apparatus comprising side-by-side arranged
holders for holding a row of containers in a filling relationship
with respect to the nozzles.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, comprising a connecting structure to
which the nozzles are attached, wherein the connection structure
performs the horizontal component of movement by displacing in
parallel the axis z of each nozzle.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein all movements of the nozzles
relative to the respective container filled by the nozzle during
the co-filling is mediated by corresponding movement of the
connecting structure.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the nozzles are rigidly
connected to the connecting structure during operation of the
apparatus.
22. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising a single motor that
coordinates all parallel displacement movements of the nozzle.
23. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the nozzle
comprises one central and at least two lateral openings, wherein a
first viscous component can be filled through the central opening
and a second viscous component can be filled through the lateral
openings in the nozzle.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the displacement of at least one
of the axis is a parallel displacement of the axis.
25. The method of claim 2, wherein the horizontal component of
movement during co-filling is selected from the group consisting of
a forward, a backward, a lateral component of movement and
combinations thereof.
26. The method of claim 2, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, is a movement
in at least one direction on the plane x, z.
27. The method of claim 2, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, defines at
least one curve.
28. The method of claim 2, wherein the horizontal component of
movement, when projected into a horizontal plane x, defines a
closed shape.
29. The method of claim 2, wherein the movement of the nozzle by
the parallel displacement of the axis z, when projected into a
plane x, y perpendicular to the axis z, is such that the nozzle is
repetitively moved, during the step of co-filling, in a vicinity of
a lateral wall of the container and away from the lateral wall of
the container.
30. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least two viscous
components have different colors and wherein the container has at
least one transparent wall portion, and wherein in the step of
co-filling, the at least two viscous components are co-filled such
that at least one of the two viscous components becomes visible, on
the transparent wall portion, as an interrupted stretch of the
viscous component at least partially surrounded by the at least one
other viscous component.
31. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least two viscous
components comprise one dairy viscous component and one non-dairy
viscous component.
32. The method of claim 2, wherein the nozzle comprises three
openings, a central opening for co-filling a dairy viscous
component into the container, and two lateral openings for
co-filling a non-dairy viscous component into the container.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a dairy product, to a
method of filling a container to obtain a dairy product, to a dairy
product obtained by the method and to a filling apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the alimentary industry, and in particular in the field
of viscous dairy products including ice-creams, consumers generally
appreciate multi-component servings. For example, chilled desserts
having two differently flavoured masses, for example a white and a
black chocolate mousse, are appreciated. In yoghurts, it has become
common to add a dairy component, the natural yoghurt, separately
from a non-dairy component providing a specific flavour, for
example, a fruit compote or a flavoured sauce, into the same pot.
It is then up to the consumer to either completely mix the
components with a spoon or to consume the components partly
separately.
[0003] The production of composite dairy products necessitates
specific filling equipment allowing for co-filling. FR 2708563
discloses a filling unit enabling the co-filling of different
viscous components into the same container, wherein the different
components are kept and filled separately but simultaneously into
the pot. In generally, the different components are filled through
a nozzle comprising separate filling channels leading to separate
openings, through which the different components can be co-filled
into a container.
[0004] It has been noted that consumers further appreciate to have
a visual impression of the contents of a dairy product before they
buy it. In particular in the field of co-filled, composite dairy
products, this has led to the production of products with at least
a portion of the serving container being transparent, so as to
allow for visual inspection. In these cases, the co-filling is
accomplished in a way that the consumer can recognise different
components of a composite dairy product through the transparent
part of the serving container. It is thus important that both
components are arranged in a visually appealing manner in the
container. To this end, sophisticated co-filling processes were
developed, as for example shown in EP 1348340, where a dairy
product in a transparent pot is disclosed, with a central
component, generally a dairy component providing the bulk of the
product, and with a lateral component, which may be a fruit puree,
forming lateral stripes visible on the transparent container. In
this way, the colour of the lateral component, for example red in
case of a fruit puree, informs the consumer of the flavouring of
the dairy product and at the same time provides an appetizing
product aspect.
[0005] EP 1348340 concerns so-called vertical co-filling. Further
appealing product dispositions were obtained by arranging two
components of a composite product in the form of spirals. Such
products are disclosed, for example, in EP 0615692 and are obtained
by a rotative co-filling nozzle. Accordingly, during filling, the
nozzle performs a vertical raising movement from the bottom to the
top of the container, and, at the same time, rotates around its
axis.
[0006] The rotation of the co-filling nozzle entails a number of
technical disadvantages and/or problems. Complex mechanical
assemblies comprising several motors, countershafts, clutches,
rotative sealing joints are known, which suffer high abrasion and
frequent failure malfunction. All in all, the use of rotating
co-filling nozzles results in low production efficiency in
continuous filling processes. Furthermore, in continuous filling
lines, where a production line contains rows of side-by-side
arranged containers and rows of side-by-side arranged nozzles
corresponding to the number of lines of containers, the equipment
necessary for rotating the nozzle needs to be accommodated in
relatively little available space. More particularly, the space of
each nozzle is limited by the presence of lateral neighbouring
nozzles. In addition, the accumulation of many technical elements
above the container to be filled requires further efforts for
assuring high standard of hygiene. The elements need to be cleaned
frequently.
[0007] In some co-filling processes, the container situated below
the nozzle is rotated instead of the nozzle, as disclosed, for
example, in EP 1602579. However, the problems above apply to a
large extent also this solution. In particular, for each nozzle of
a filling apparatus, a rotating mechanism for rotating a container
during co-filling needs to be provided. In typical continuous
filling apparatus suitable to transport rows and lines of
containers to a row of side-by-side arranged nozzles, a separate
rotating mechanisms for each container is necessary.
[0008] While products providing a spiral-like aspect of the
different components through a transparent part of the serving
container were appreciated, it is also found that the aspect of
such products looks too regular, giving an impression of an
industrial product.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses the problems set out above.
In particular, it is an objective to provide a method for producing
an appealing composite dairy product.
[0010] It is an objective to provide a process of co-filling
avoiding the technical complexity of rotating nozzles or
cup-holders.
[0011] It is further an objective of the present invention to
provide composite dairy products providing a visible product aspect
of different viscous components across a transparent portion of the
container. Preferably, a new aspect for a composite dairy product
as a whole is obtained.
[0012] In particular, it is a further objective to provide
composite products giving a spiral, spiral-like or similar visual
impression through said transparent portion of the container with
the viscous ingredients visibly being provided not only in layers,
but preferably in a raising manner and preferably in the form of
discontinuous stretches within the container of the composite
product.
[0013] It is also an objective to provide a composite dairy product
comprising different viscous ingredients, wherein one viscous
ingredient is visible through said transparent portion of the
serving container as an interrupted stretch and preferably as an
up-ward winding stretch.
[0014] It is in general an objective to provide a continuous spiral
or spiral-like co-filling of the different viscous ingredients
while avoiding the use of rotating nozzles or cup-holders.
[0015] It is also an objective of the invention to provide a
composite product that has at least a partially irregular and/or
imperfect product aspect through the transparent portion of the
serving container, in which, for example, one component does not
form a perfect spiral from the bottom to the top of the product.
Accordingly, it is an objective to provide a composite dairy
product wherein, when several products are provided in the shelf of
a supermarket, said products look slightly different one from the
other.
[0016] More particularly, it is an objective to provide an aspect
of viscous ingredients of a composite product that looks as if
filled in a hand-made manner, as if a person had moved a piping
bags with viscous components manually.
[0017] The objectives above are addressed by providing a method of
producing a composite dairy product, by an apparatus for co-filling
different viscous components into a container, and by a dairy
product as disclosed herein.
[0018] Surprisingly, the inventors of the present invention provide
a method of providing composite dairy products including
ice-creams, wherein different viscous components are co-filled into
containers while conducting a relative movement between the nozzle
and the container, said relative movement comprising a horizontal
component of movement. When the horizontal component of movement is
circular and/or elliptical or otherwise a closed movement
comprising curves, a spiral-type filling is obtained even in the
absence of a rotating movement.
[0019] Accordingly, the present invention provides, in a first
aspect, a method for producing a dairy product, in particular a
method for continuously filling containers with a dairy component,
the method comprising the steps of: [0020] providing a line of
containers to be filled; [0021] providing a nozzle, wherein said
nozzle comprises at least two openings so as to allow for
co-filling of at least two different viscous components into a
container; [0022] guiding a container in vicinity of the nozzle;
[0023] co-filling at least two different components through said at
least two openings of said nozzle into the container; wherein,
during co-filling, at least one relative movement between the
container and the nozzle is conducted, said at least one relative
movement comprising: [0024] a vertical component of movement, said
vertical component of movement being obtained by a movement
starting from a first position where said nozzle is in a more
proximal position with respect to a bottom of said container and
ending in a second position where the nozzle is in a more distant
position above the bottom of the container; [0025] a horizontal
component of movement, said horizontal component of movement being
obtained by a movement wherein the relative position of an axis z
of the nozzle with respect to an axis c of the container is changed
by displacement of at least one of said axis.
[0026] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method
comprises the steps of: [0027] providing rows and lines of
containers to be filled; [0028] providing a row of side-by-side
arranged nozzles, wherein each nozzle comprises at least two
openings so as to allow for co-filling of two different viscous
components into an individual container; [0029] guiding a row of
containers in vicinity of a row of said side-by-side arranged
nozzles; [0030] co-filling at least two different viscous
components through said at least two openings of each nozzle into
each container of a row; wherein, during co-filling, at least one
relative movement between each container and the respective nozzle
is conducted, said at least one relative movement comprising:
[0031] a vertical component of movement, said vertical component of
movement being obtained by a movement starting from a first
position where each nozzle is in a more proximal position with
respect to a bottom of said respective container and ending in a
second position where each nozzle is in a more distant position
above the bottom of the respective container; [0032] a horizontal
component of movement, said horizontal component of movement being
obtained by a movement wherein the relative position of an axis z
of each nozzle with respect to an axis c of each respective
container is changed by displacement of at least one of said
axis.
[0033] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a
composite dairy product comprising at least a first and a second
viscous component, said first and second viscous components having
different colours, wherein said first viscous component is a dairy
viscous component and said second viscous component is selected
from a dairy viscous component and a non-dairy viscous component,
wherein said composed dairy product comprises a container
comprising at least one transparent portion, and wherein said
second viscous component is visible as a substantially
discontinuous stretch on said transparent portion of the
container.
[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an
apparatus for co-filling two edible viscous components into a
container for providing a composite dairy product, wherein said
apparatus comprises at least one nozzle comprising at least two
openings for simultaneously co-filling said two viscous components
through said nozzle into said container, said apparatus further
comprising a line for guiding a line of containers to be filled in
a filling relationship with respect to said nozzle, wherein said
apparatus is arranged so as to perform at least one relative
movement between the container and the nozzle during co-filling of
said two viscous components, said at least one relative movement
comprising: [0035] a vertical component of movement, said vertical
component of movement being obtained by a movement starting from a
first position where said nozzle is in a more proximal position
with respect to a bottom of said container and said movement ending
in a second position where the nozzle is in a more distant position
above the bottom of the container; [0036] a horizontal component of
movement, said horizontal component of movement being obtained by a
movement wherein the relative position of an axis z of the nozzle
with respect to an axis of the container is changed by
displacement.
[0037] In a further aspect, the present invention provides
composite products obtained by any one of the methods of the
present invention.
[0038] The present invention addresses the objectives and problems
discussed above. In particular, it is surprising that composite
products with a spiral form or spiral-like aspect can be obtained
with a co-filling nozzle having multiple openings, the nozzle being
used in a fixed manner but configured to move in a plane of two
axis y, z, in addition to a movement in the vertical direction. The
present invention provides an important simplicity in the
implementation and maintenance of industrial filling equipment and
methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] In the figures,
[0040] FIG. 1 shows composite dairy products according to the
present invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing an industrial,
continuous co-filling apparatus according to the invention from
above.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a nozzle suitable for co-filling in the method
and apparatus according to the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective illustration of a nozzle
and a serving container during co-filling according to the present
invention.
[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic top views for illustrating a
horizontal component of movement of the nozzle in the method and
apparatus of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a photograph of a group of four composite dairy
products produced by the same industrial method. The products, all
prepared with the same ingredients and the same quantities, all
look slightly differently.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] The present invention concerns a composite dairy product. A
"composite dairy product", for the purpose of the present
invention, is a product comprising at least two different viscous
components, wherein at least one of said viscous components is a
dairy component.
[0047] A "viscous dairy component", for the purpose of the present
invention, is a viscous, edible matter having, as a substantial
ingredient, one or more milk and/or milk derived ingredients and in
particular milk fat and/or milk protein. In particular, a "viscous
dairy component" preferably comprises one or more selected from
milk fat, casein, and whey protein. In order to be a dairy product,
the milk and/or milk derived ingredient provides at least 20%,
preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40% and most
preferably at least 50% by weight of the viscous dairy
component.
[0048] The viscous dairy component may be a fermented milk product,
for example a yoghurt or a fresh cheese. It may also be a flan
base, a cream, a mousse, for example. Preferably, the composite
dairy product of the invention is a chilled dairy product, that is,
a product stored at a chilled temperature, for example 8.degree. C.
or lower, preferably 6.degree. C. or lower, for example at 5 or
4.degree. C. or lower. Of course, if the composite dairy product is
an ice-cream, it is stored at 0.degree. C. or lower. These storage
temperatures relate to the storage of the product before being
commercially obtained by an end consumer. Generally, the end
consumer is advised to store the product under the same chilled
conditions until consumption, for example in a refrigerator.
[0049] The viscous dairy component may have a white or whitish,
beige or generally a fair and/or bright colour. The whitish colour,
which preferably can be perceived through a transparent portion of
the serving container, allows association of this component of the
composite product with milk and hence, with a dairy product.
Furthermore, the use of a whitish viscous component allows for a
clear contrast with a further viscous component, for example a
coloured dairy component and/or a coloured non-dairy component.
[0050] A "viscous non-dairy component", which may be used in the
context of the present invention may be free of any dairy
ingredient or may contain milk or a milk-derived ingredient to a
minor content only. For the purpose of the present invention, the
term non-dairy component encompasses, for example, a sauce, like
for example chocolate or caramel sauce, and a fruit containing
ingredient, such as fruit puree, a compote, fruit pulp, fruit
syrup, fruit flavoured liquid, semi-liquid or jelly. A non-dairy
component, if present, may be selected from the group of the
above-mentioned ingredients including mixtures of two or more of
these. In general, the non-dairy component is coloured, wherein the
colour allows association with the nature of the component. For
example, the non-dairy component may be a brown chocolate sauce, a
red strawberry or raspberry puree, a yellow apricot puree or
compote, and so on.
[0051] The non-dairy component, as well as the dairy component may
comprise individual pieces, such as fruits, chocolate, coconut
and/or caramel pieces, broken M&Ms, and so forth.
[0052] A common feature of all components is that they need to have
a certain viscosity, which is why these components are referred to
herein as "viscous components". In the case of the viscous dairy
component, the viscosity is in the range of 8,000 to 100,000 cPs,
more preferably 9,000 to 90,000 cPs, even more preferably 10,000 to
85,000 cPs, and most preferably, 20,000 to 80,000 cPs.
[0053] For example, typical stirred yoghurt has a viscosity of
about 40,000, a thick vanilla dessert cream has a viscosity of
about 80,000, and a fresh cheese preparation has a viscosity of
about 70,000-80,000.
[0054] The viscous non-dairy component may have, for example, a
viscosity in the range of 4,000 cPs to 20,000 cPs, preferably 4,500
to 15,000 cPs, more preferably 4,000 to 10,000 cPs, and most
preferably 4,500 to 8,000 cPs.
[0055] Viscosities are determined with a Brookfield viscosimeter,
spindle 06 (b), and 5 rpm at 8.degree. C. Following filling of a
sample component (not co-filled for the purpose of viscosity
measurement), the component is stored for 24 hours at 8.degree. C.
before viscosity is determined.
[0056] The consistency of the dairy base at 20.degree. C. measured
according to Bostwick for 1 minute may be in the range of 3 to 9,
preferably 4 to 7, and for an optional non-dairy component in the
range of 5 to 15, preferably 9 to 11.
[0057] Accordingly, the composite product comprises two or more,
for example three, four, five or more viscous components, with at
least two but possibly each one different from the other. According
to an embodiment, the composite product comprises two different
viscous components.
[0058] The present invention thus encompasses a large variety of
composite dairy products including ice-creams. For example, the
composite dairy product may comprise two, for example a first and a
second, co-filled viscous components, both being either dairy
components or one being a dairy component and the other being a
non-dairy component as defined above. Of course, the composite
dairy product may comprise more than two co-filled components, for
example three dairy components, or two dairy components and a
non-dairy component, or one dairy component and two non-dairy
components. According to another embodiment, the composite dairy
product of the invention has four co-filled components, for example
one dairy and three non-dairy, two dairy and three non-dairy, three
dairy and one non-dairy component, or four dairy components. Of
course, composite dairy products with five, six, seven, eight,
nine, ten or more co-filled may be produced in accordance with the
invention.
[0059] The composite dairy product may also comprise further
components that are not co-filled but are, for example, filled
before and/or after a co-filling step, and, therefore, are not
specifically detailed herein. Such further components may be dairy
or non-dairy. Such further components are not required to be
viscous, although they may be. Further components can be, for
example, particulate. An example for a further component is a thin
layer of solid chocolate provided on top of the composite product
of the invention.
[0060] The composite dairy product of the invention comprises at
least two co-filled components, wherein "co-filled" or "co-filling"
means that at least part, preferably at least 50 wt. %, preferably
at least 70 wt % of each of the co-filled components are filled at
the same time, that is, simultaneously, into the pot. Another, not
co-filled component may provide a bottom or a topping on the
composite product of the invention, for example, a layer of a
chocolate sauce or of a biscuit layer on the bottom or on the top,
for example. Preferably, a nozzle is used for achieving the
co-filling as will described further below, having separate
channels and openings for the different components to be
co-filled.
[0061] Preferably, the composite product is a bottom-up filled
product. The principle of bottom-up filling is detailed further
below.
[0062] Preferably, the composite dairy product of the invention
comprises a container comprising at least one transparent portion.
The transparent portion in said container may be obtained, for
example, by using a container having a portion of glass or
transparent plastic. The transparent portion is preferably located
in a lateral wall of the container, but may, of course, also be
provided in bottom wall portions and/or in the lid. The transparent
portion is preferably sufficiently large so as to enable a visual
inspection of the dairy product and, more particularly, of the at
least two, but, if applicable, of the more than two of the
different components of the composite product.
[0063] The present invention is not restricted with respect to the
shape of the container. The container may have an ashlar, cuboid,
cylindrical or slightly conical shape, for example. For example,
the container may have the form of a truncated cone. Preferably,
the container comprises a lid on top, which may be transparent, but
does not need to be and generally is not. Preferably, the
transparent portion is located on a lateral and/or sidewall of the
container. In this way, the consumer can see the product components
when the containers are stacked one above the other in a shelf. Of
course, several transparent portions may be provided, such as two,
three, four, five, six or more separate transparent portion.
According to an embodiment, the container is made of a transparent
glass or plastic container containing a lid, wherein the lateral
sides of the container are only partially covered by a product
label containing a communication to the consumer, for example
photographs, a drawing and/or product information.
[0064] An example of a composite dairy product of the invention is
shown for the purpose of illustration in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1,
reference numbers 1 and 1' indicates two composite dairy products,
each provided in a transparent plastic pot 2, 2', and sealed with
an aluminium lid 3, 3'. The two composite products have identical
ingredients and components and are provided in identical
containers, which is why the singular will be used herein also when
referring to both composite products 1 and 1'. The plastic pot 2,
2' is transparent and thus discovers to a consumer the composite
content of the dairy product. In particular, a first component 5,
5' can be seen at the lateral surface of each container. Due to its
white colour, a consumer can identify components 5, 5' as a dairy
component. It can also be seen that component 5, 5' is the most
voluminous component of all components. From a rough estimation, a
consumer would say that the dairy component provides 50% or more of
the filled volume of the container.
[0065] A second component 6, 6' can be seen through the transparent
wall of the containers of the two composite dairy products 1, 1'.
The second component 6, 6' has a different colour than the first
component 5, 5', and therefore forms an entity optically
contrasting from the first component. The second component is
coloured, that is, has a yellow colour. From the yellow colour, a
consumer can say that the second component is a fruit component,
for example an apricot puree or apricot compote. Accordingly, in
the example shown in FIG. 1, the second component 6, 6' is a
non-dairy component.
[0066] The second component appears and/or is seen on the surface
of the transparent portion of the container as a plurality of
discontinuous stretches, indicated with reference numbers 6.1, 6.2
and 6.3 and 6.1', 6.2' and 6.3' with respect to the two products 1,
1', respectively. While the present invention also encompasses a
composite dairy product comprising only one discontinuous stretch,
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a plurality of such
discontinuous stretches.
[0067] It is also apparent that the stretches of the second
component are irregular. In particular, the different stretches
6.1-6.3 and 6.1'-6.3' all have different contours on the
transparent portion of the surface of the container. Furthermore,
the contours of each stretch on the transparent surface of the
container are irregular, snatchy as such. The stretches cannot
easily be attributed to a standard geometrical form. For this
reason, the product as a whole does not give the impression of
being industrially produced, but one could think that a
confectioner had filled the components by hand, as if the
confectioner had moved a piping bag with the viscous components
manually. Since some consumers consider many prior art composite
dairy products as too industrial, the irregular and/or snatchy
appearance of one or more of the components on the outer surface of
transparent wall portion is considered an advantage.
[0068] The expression "substantially discontinuous" does not
exclude the situation where individual stretches, when seen on the
surface of the transparent containers are in contact with each
other, for example touch each other slightly, that is, are not
entirely separated by another component, for example the first
component. Contacts between the stretches arise from the fact that
the stretches are irregular. For example, in FIG. 1, it can be seen
that stretches 6.1' and 6.2' of the product 1' touch or nearly
touch each other. Similarly the stretches 6.1 and 6.2 of the
composite dairy product 1 in FIG. 1 are at some point on the
surface of the transparent container 1 only separated by a very
thin separation of the other component, the dairy component. A
continuity created by contacts of the irregular shape of otherwise
distinct stretches is also encompassed within the terms
"discontinuous stretch" and "substantially discontinuous stretch".
Accordingly, discontinuous stretches are stretches that are
considered, when regarded by a consumer as individual pockets of
the respective component within one or more other components, for
example within a main component, the main component being the
component that provides more volume than any other component.
Preferably, a "discontinuous stretch" for the purpose of the
present invention, is in contact with another, neighbouring
discontinuous stretch on less than 30%, less than 20%, preferably
less than 10% and most preferably less than 5% of the circumference
of the discontinuous stretch on the surface of the transparent
container.
[0069] Although the stretches 6.1-6.3 and 6.1'-6.3' have irregular
contours on the surface of the transparent container 2, 2', they
seem to be inclined. When considering each stretch from left to
right, an up-ward direction can be recognised. In other words, the
stretches are not horizontally arranged. Stretch 6.2 in the product
1 can be overseen entirely in FIG. 1, and a starting point 8
constituted by the left end of the stretch can be identified, as
well as a right end point 9, constituted by the right end of the
stretch 6.2. The starting and end points 8 and 9, respectively, are
not only horizontally offset, but also vertically displaced, in
that end point 9 is at a higher position from the bottom of the
container than starting point 8. The orientation of the stretches
as visible on the surface of the transparent container is a
consequence of a spiral-like filling method. For this reason, the
composite dairy product shown in FIG. 1 is considered as a
spiral-filled composite product, or a product belonging to the
spiral or spiral-like type.
[0070] According to an embodiment, at least one, but preferably two
or more, for example all co-filled viscous components extend
substantially from the bottom to the top of the container. For
example, a first and a second co-filled component extend together
from the bottom to the top of the container, preferably in a
spiral-like manner as described above.
[0071] The composite dairy product of the present invention may
contain one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten
or more discontinuous stretches on the surface of the container.
Preferably, the composite dairy product has at least two,
preferably at least three, even more preferably at least four
discontinuous stretches. Preferably, some or all of these stretches
are visible on the surface of the transparent container. For
example, some of the discontinuous stretches, and, if applicable, a
continuous main component, are visible on a transparent portion of
the container.
[0072] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention, the composite dairy product of the invention, two,
preferably at least three, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more of
said plurality of discontinuous stretches visible on the surface of
the transparent container are situated one above the other. In FIG.
1, stretches 6.1-6.3 and 6.1'-6.3' are substantially vertically one
above the other, in a substantially parallel vertically displaced
manner.
[0073] According to another embodiment, two groups of two or more
substantially discontinuous stretches are situated on opposite side
at the wall on the transparent surface of the container. In FIG. 1
it is not directly recognizable that for each group of
discontinuous stretches 6.1-6.3 and 6.1'-6.3' situated one
vertically above the other as visible on one side of the
transparent container, there is a further group on the opposed side
of the container. The composite dairy product 1' in FIG. 1 is,
however, rotated to some extent with respect to product 1, and, as
a consequence, towards the left side of the surface of the
transparent container 2', the end points (for example end point 9')
of stretches on the side opposed to the side of stretches 6.1'-6.3'
can be seen.
[0074] According to another embodiment, three groups of one, two or
more discontinuous stretches are situated at angles of 120.degree.
with respect to the central, vertical axis of the container,
resulting in a rotational symmetrical aspect of the components on
the transparent surface of the container, having three axis of
symmetry. Rotational symmetry with four, five or more axis of
symmetry are also encompassed by the present invention. Of course,
the symmetry referred to herein is not perfect, due to the
irregular, snatchy aspect of the different components on the
surface of the transparent portion of the container. Still, the
respective symmetry can be recognized, for example by the skilled
person.
[0075] According to an embodiment of the composite product of the
present invention, said at least two viscous components have
different colours and wherein said container has at least one
transparent wall portion, and wherein in said step of co-filling,
said at least two viscous components are co-filled such that at
least one of said two viscous components becomes visible, on said
transparent wall portion, as an interrupted stretch of said viscous
component at least partially surrounded by the at least one other
viscous component. Accordingly, although at least one component,
for example a second component and/or for example a non-dairy
component, may be visible as a discontinuous, interrupted stretch,
said component is actually continuously filled into the container
but the continuity is not visible through the transparent
container. This effect may be obtained by a movement of the nozzle
during filling, said movement having a horizontal component of
movement. Further detail on the movement necessary to obtain the
product aspect as described above will be provided further below,
with respect to the method of preparing and/or co-filling a
composite dairy product.
[0076] The composite dairy product of the invention can be obtained
by the method of preparing a composite dairy product of the
invention and/or by the method of filling continuously containers
with a dairy product. Preferably, the method of filling
continuously containers is an industrial method, where filling is
accomplished in an automated process by a filling station or a
filling apparatus. The filling station is preferably programmable
and/or programmed to perform the filling in a predetermined
manner.
[0077] The method comprises the step of providing a line of
containers to be filled. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a
production line, where reference numbers 21-26 relate to lines of
containers to be filled. In each line 21-26, containers 27 are
stabilized and transported by holders 28 one behind (or in front
of) the other in the direction indicated by arrow 40. According to
an embodiment, the production line comprises a plurality of lanes
of containers. In FIG. 2, for example, six such lanes, 21-26, are
provided. In this ways, rows 30 are formed, each row comprising
side-by-side arranged containers of the lanes of containers. All
containers of a row are generally transported together. They are
thus generally at the same relative position with respect to the
filling station 33. A row of containers is transported in a
direction (arrow 40) that is generally substantially perpendicular
with respect to the direction of the row, while the direction of
transportation coincides with the direction of a lane of
containers. A production line may comprise 1-24 lanes, that is,
1-24 side-by-side disposed holders for holding and transporting
containers, for example, which means rows of 1-24 cup-holders. For
example, a production line may comprise 2-20, 4-16, 6-12 transport
lanes. Generally, a production line contains an even number of
lanes.
[0078] The number of lanes corresponds to the number of holders
and/or containers of a row. Generally, the containers of 1-5,
preferably 1-4, for example two consecutive rows are all filled
simultaneously. They generally are at the same point in the
production process. Therefore, the number of lanes of a production
line also corresponds to the number of nozzles.
[0079] The method of the present invention provides the step of
providing a nozzle, wherein said nozzle comprises at least two
openings so as to allow for co-filling of at least two different
viscous components into a container. A typical nozzle for
co-filling is shown for the purpose of illustration in FIG. 3. The
nozzle has at least two inlet and outlet openings. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle 50 is shown in a length
trans-sectional view, thereby showing, at the top, three inlet
openings 51, 52 and 53, one of which being a main inlet opening 51
having a central position, and two secondary inlet openings 52 and
53 arranged laterally at the top of the nozzle 50. The inlets 51-53
continue as substantially vertical channels 55-57 inside the
nozzle, and led to outlet openings 61-63. It can be seen that the
central channel 55 and opening 61 are larger than any one of the
two lateral channels and openings, respectively, reflecting the
fact that through the larger channel, generally more of a viscous
component can be injected into a container, when operating with the
same flow speed. The nozzle 50 of FIG. 3 is an example of a nozzle
suitable for co-filling at least two, but possibly three different
viscous components through the three separate channels and openings
into a container.
[0080] The present invention further comprises the step of guiding
a container in a filling relationship of a nozzle and/or of guiding
a container into vicinity of a container. Generally, a container is
guided vertically below a nozzle. Furthermore, the nozzle itself is
generally oriented substantially vertically. In this way, when a
viscous component pushed by way of a forced product flow, for
example by the aid of a piston pump system, for example with servo
drive motion, through an opening of the nozzle, it is generally
guided by gravitational force into the container.
[0081] In FIG. 4, a nozzle 70 and a container 2 are schematically
shown for illustration during the filling process, with the nozzle
being situated vertically above the container. The nozzle 70 of
FIG. 4 differs from the nozzle 50 of FIG. 3 in that nozzle 70 only
has two inlets 71, 72 for two different viscous components, but
also three outlet openings 81-83. Actually, inlet 72 leads into a
branching channel, with each of the two branches guiding vertically
down to openings 82 and 82. As with nozzle 50 of FIG. 3, nozzle 70
has two lateral openings, 82, 83, situated at opposed lateral
positions with respect to a central opening 81.
[0082] In FIG. 4, a component having a clear, whitish colour is a
viscous dairy component 5, injected through the central opening 81
of nozzle 70, and a second component 6 has a darker colour
illustrating a coloured dairy or a non-dairy component, for example
a fruit base, injected through two lateral openings 82 and 83 into
the container.
[0083] The methods of the present invention comprise the step of
co-filling at least two different components through said at least
two openings of said nozzle into the container; wherein, during
co-filling, at least one relative movement between the container
and the nozzle is conducted. The step of co-filling is illustrated
in FIG. 4, where a first component 5 and a second component 6 are
co-filled into the container 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the
first component is injected through the central opening 81, whereas
the second component 6 is injected through the two lateral openings
82 and 83. During co-filling, that is, at the same time while
filling at least one relative movement between the container and
the nozzle is conducted.
[0084] The nature of these relative movements is further discussed
below. Before that, however, it is noted that the relative movement
may be brought about by moving the nozzle while keeping the
container unmoved, or by moving the container and leaving the
container un-moved, or by moving both, the container and the
nozzle. Since the relative movement has at least two components of
movements when seen in a three-dimensional space, it is in
particular possible to have one movement performed by the container
and another movement being performed by moving the nozzle.
[0085] Accordingly, the relative movement has a vertical component
of movement, said vertical component of movement being obtained by
a movement starting from a first position where said nozzle is in a
more proximal position with respect to a bottom of said container
and ending in a second position where the nozzle is in a more
distant position above the bottom of the container. This component
of movement relates to the typical bottom-up filling of viscous
components in dairy products as mentioned above. It can be achieved
by raising the nozzle or by lowering the container during filling,
or by doing both. In FIG. 4, the vertical component of movement can
be seen as a movement relative to the vertical axis z, axis z being
the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 70. This component of movement
may be a linear movement, meaning that the movement, if projected
into a vertical plane, has, a constant speed when only the vertical
direction is considered. Of course, it is also possible that the
filling apparatus may be programmed so as to apply a non-linear
vertical speed.
[0086] The at least one relative movement between the nozzle and
the container according to the method of the invention also has a
horizontal component of movement, said horizontal component of
movement being obtained by a movement wherein the relative position
of the nozzle with respect to the container is changed by
displacement of the nozzle and/or the container.
[0087] Preferably, the relative position of an axis z of the nozzle
with respect to an axis c of the container is changed by
displacement of the nozzle.
[0088] Preferably, the relative position of the nozzle with respect
to the container is changed by substantially parallel displacement
of the nozzle and/or the container.
[0089] Even more preferably, the relative position of an axis z of
the nozzle with respect to an axis c of the container is changed by
substantially parallel displacement of the axis z of the nozzle
and/or of the axis c of the container. Preferably, the position of
the nozzle is changed in a horizontal plane defined by
perpendicular axis x and y as defined further below.
[0090] In other words, there is a movement of the nozzle relative
to the container during co-filling, wherein the position of the
nozzle as a whole moves in a horizontal direction with respect to
the container as a whole.
[0091] It is important to differentiate this kind of movement from
a rotational movement of the nozzle or of the container, wherein
the nozzle or the container rotate around their central axis. The
present invention does preferably not concern such a rotational
movement. This does not mean that such a rotational movement, which
is known from the state of the art, is excluded from the scope of
the present invention, it just means that the movement the present
inventors specifically describe here is not a rotational movement.
It is also important to note that the horizontal movement referred
to herein is a relative simple displacement movement, which is
technically easier, that is, less complex, to achieve in co-filling
nozzles than a rotational movement. According to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle cannot perform a
rotational movement around its own axis.
[0092] The horizontal component of movement according to the
invention is a movement that has at least one movement component
selected from a forward, backward and lateral movement of the
nozzle relative to the container being filled. Forward, for the
purpose of the present invention, relates to the direction
advancement of the containers to be filled on the production line,
and is indicated by arrow 40 in FIG. 2. Backward is the opposite
direction and lateral is a movement to the right or left with
respect to forward. The horizontal component of movement preferably
is a combination of lateral, forward and backward relative
movements.
[0093] The horizontal component of movement is a movement that is
registered on a horizontal plane. In FIG. 4, the horizontal plane
with perpendicular axis x and y is shown. The horizontal component
of movement is a movement that changes the x and/or y value of the
moving object, that is, the nozzle or the container. In FIG. 4,
axis z is the vertical axis of an x, y, z coordinate system, and z
coincides (is co-axial with) the vertical axis of the nozzle as
shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, axis z is
considered to be the axis of the nozzle and can thus move (and/or
the container can be moved) so that the values of the x, y
coordinates change, assuming that the axis x and y remain fixed in
space.
[0094] With respect to the horizontal component of movement, the
axis z of the nozzle or the axis c of the container can be used as
reference points. In the x, y plane these axis appear as points
(see FIGS. 5 and 6 below). Accordingly, during co-filling, either
the position of the axis z of the nozzle, or of the axis c of the
container changes in the x, y coordinate system. It is also
possible that the position of both change, but not in a way that
the relative position of axis z and axis c (points z and c) remains
unchanged. The relative position has to change.
[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, said
horizontal component of movement, when projected into a horizontal
plane x, y preferably perpendicular to said axis z, designs at
least one curve.
[0096] According to an embodiment of the present invention, said
horizontal component of movement, when projected into a horizontal
plane x, y preferably perpendicular to said axis z, designs a
closed shape, for example a circular shape and/or the shape of an
"8". For example when projected into a horizontal plane, said
closed shape is a circle or an ellipse.
[0097] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
said movement of said nozzle by said parallel displacement of said
axis z, when projected into a plane x, y perpendicular to said axis
z, is such that the nozzle is repetitively moved, during the step
of co-filling, in vicinity of a lateral wall of said container and
away from said lateral wall of said container.
[0098] The horizontal component of movement between the container
and the nozzle can best be illustrated in a horizontal plane, with
y and x being the two axis of said horizontal plane. FIGS. 5 and 6
are cross-sections made at the position z=0 in the coordinate
system shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 5 and 6 thus show the nozzle 70 in a
cross-section, with outlet openings 81-83 and the container 2 seen
from above. In these cross-sections, the central longitudinal axis
of the nozzle (axis z) and of the container (axis c) appear as
points z and c, respectively. During filling, the relative position
between these axis changes.
[0099] In FIG. 5, the dairy component 5, and the non-dairy
component 6 are shown, the non-dairy component appearing as a
curved stretch 6 within the dairy component 5. It can be seen that
the non-dairy component has a portion (stretch) in vicinity of the
lateral container wall and then moves in a curve inwardly, towards
the centre of the container, following the movement of the
nozzle.
[0100] In FIG. 6, the viscous components are omitted, but arrows
indicate the movement of the nozzle with respect to the container.
It can be seen that the nozzle moves in a closed movement
reminding, when seen in the plane x, y, of an ellipse.
[0101] Preferably, during the horizontal component of movement of
the relative movement between the nozzle and the container, the
nozzles is approaching the wall on a first side of the container
and then moves away from the wall towards the wall on a second side
of the container. Of course, the movement can be made with two,
three, four or more sides of the container, with the nozzle moving
close to the wall and away from it thereby moving to one side after
the other. The movement to the wall and away from the wall inside
the container results in the discontinuous stretches of one of the
components, for example of a second component, when seen on an
outer surface of the transparent container. In combination with the
vertical relative movement of the bottom-up filling process, this
provides the spiral or spiral-like aspect as described above.
[0102] Accordingly, in an embodiment of the methods of the present
invention, said at least two viscous components have different
colours and wherein said container has at least one transparent
wall portion, and wherein in said step of co-filling, said at least
two viscous components are co-filled such that at least one of said
two viscous components becomes visible, on said transparent wall
portion, as an interrupted stretch of said viscous component at
least partially surrounded by the at least one other viscous
component.
[0103] An apparatus for performing the methods of the present
invention is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The apparatus
preferably comprises a plurality of n, side-by-side arranged
nozzles, wherein n is 2 or an integer >2, said apparatus further
comprising side-by-side arranged holders for holding a row of
containers in a filling relationship with respect to said nozzles.
Nozzles useful for the apparatus are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The
apparatus shown in FIG. 2, six side-by side arranged nozzles are
provided, which are not visible in further detail because they are
hidden, in the top-down view of FIG. 2, by a connection structure
4, to which said nozzles are detachably fixed. Actually, the
connection structure 4 carries twelve nozzles, whereby two rows of
six nozzles are provided one after the other below connection
structure 4.
[0104] According to an embodiment, the apparatus according to
invention comprises one central and at least two lateral openings,
wherein said first component is filled into the container through
said central opening and wherein said second component is co-filled
through said at least one of said lateral openings.
[0105] According to an embodiment, the apparatus of the invention
comprises a connecting structure to which said nozzles are
attached, wherein said connection structure performs said
horizontal component of movement by displacing in parallel said
axis z of each nozzle. This is again illustrated in FIG. 2, where
axis x and y have the same meaning as above and wherein the
connection structure as a whole is moved in the plane x,y, thereby
displacing the vertical axis z of the nozzles. Of course, it would
as well be possible to displace the containers of rows 31 and 32 in
the horizontal plane x, y, and keeping the nozzles fix with the
same result.
[0106] According to an embodiment of the apparatus, all relative
movements of the nozzles relative to the respective container
filled by the nozzle during the co-filling are mediated by
corresponding movement of said connecting structure. In other
words, all movements which are brought about by movement of the
nozzles and not of the container is provided by movement of the
connection structure, thus moving all nozzle simultaneously and
preferably synchronously in a corresponding relative movement.
[0107] According to an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention
said nozzles are rigidly connected to said connecting structure
during operation of said apparatus.
[0108] According to an embodiment, the apparatus of the invention
comprises a motor, for example a single motor that coordinates all
parallel displacement movements of said nozzle, that is the
horizontal component of movement.
[0109] According to an embodiment, said horizontal component of
movement is obtained by a motor connected to an eccentric. For
example, the eccentric is then connected to a connecting structure
as the connection structure 4 in FIG. 2 discussed above. The same
motor or another motor can be connected to a further eccentric
having an axis that is situated at an angle of 90.degree. with
respect to the axis of the first eccentric mentioned above. By
using two eccentrics, a circular movement of the nozzle, or, if
applicable, of a connecting structure may be obtained, thereby
moving a plurality of nozzles in a row.
[0110] According to an embodiment, the nozzle comprises one central
and at least two lateral openings, wherein a first viscous
component can be filled through said central opening and a second
viscous component can be filled through said lateral openings in
said nozzle.
[0111] The filling apparatus as described hereinabove has the
advantage of technical simplicity in comparison while achieving a
spiral or spiral-like arrangement of different viscous components
in a composite dairy product. This entails further advantages
linked to product hygiene, reduced maintenance efforts, better
filling efficiency because of less interruptions due to failures,
and so forth. Furthermore, surprisingly, a non-industrially-looking
product aspect is obtained, as can be seen in FIG. 7, where four
different products are juxtaposed, all of them having a different
across the transparent container, with discontinuous stretches of
irregular, different shape.
* * * * *