Rapid prototyping and fabrication method for 3-D food objects
US6280785A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23P2020/253
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A freeform fabrication method for making a three-dimensional food object from a design created on a computer, including: (a) providing a support member by which the object is supported while being constructed; (b) operating a material dispensing head for dispensing a continuous or intermittent strand of food composition in a fluent state; this food composition including a liquid ingredient and a primary body-building food material and the dispensed food composition having a rigidity and strength sufficient for permitting the food composition to be built up layer by layer into a three-dimensional shape in a non-solid state; and (c) operating control devices for generating control signals in response to coordinates of the object design and controlling the position of the dispensing head relative to the support member in response to the control signals to control dispensing of the food composition to construct a 3-D shape of this object. The method optionally includes an additional step of applying a heat treatment to the 3-D shape after this 3-D shape is constructed. This method can be used to form an intricate shape of a cake mix, which is then baked in an oven. It can also be used …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.