CN101453904A - Non-contact printed comestible products and apparatus and method for producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods for non-contact printing on comestible products. The comestible products include an edible ink-indicia non-contact printed on a surface of an edible substrate. The comestible products may also include an organoleptic component dispensed on the edible substrate surface. The edible ink-indicia and the organoleptic component increase the consumer appeal for the product.

Description

The consumable products of off-contact printing and production equipment thereof and method

Background of invention

Generally speaking, the disclosure relates to confectionary product.More particularly, the disclosure relates to the confectionary product and the production method thereof of off-contact printing.

There are the confectionary product or the composition of many types to be printed on edible ink thereon.Such confectionary product can comprise for example chewing gum or candy.Edible ink is printed onto on the confectionary product is widely known by the people, and the confectionary product that visual appearance is begged for happiness can cause that the sales force to the consumer increases.

Brief summary of the invention

The disclosure provides system, equipment and the method that is used to produce consumable products.Specifically, utilize the edible material of off-contact printing on edible matrix, consumable products has been produced enhancing on the multiple sense organ.This makes the consumer increase the interest of consumable products of the present invention.Consumable products of the present invention provides the product that visual attraction is arranged, for the consumption of product has brought additional stimulation and joyful.

In embodiments, provide the equipment of producing the consumable products of printing.This equipment comprises and is used for edible matrix is squeezed into the extruder of tablet and edible ink is printed on off-contact printing device on the tablet.Printing equipment can be an ink-jet printing apparatus.This equipment can also comprise dusting device, sizing roller (sizing roller), cutter sweep, cooling device, curing room (curingcharmber), coating device, packing device and combination thereof.

The off-contact printing device can be arranged in any position of device.Printing equipment can be positioned on the position in downstream of the upstream of the downstream of upstream, cooling device of the downstream of upstream, cutter sweep of the downstream of upstream, sizing roller of the downstream of upstream, dusting device of the downstream of extruder and dusting device and sizing roller and cutter sweep and cooling device and curing room and coating device.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be the material group of any eatable material that can squeeze out.For example, edible matrix can be any starch prepared material and/or confectionery material.In embodiments, edible matrix can be a for example chewing gum of confectionery material.

In embodiments, equipment can comprise a plurality of printing equipments.First printing equipment can be positioned at first side of tablet, and second printing equipment can be positioned at second side of tablet.First and second printing equipments can print edible ink at the opposing face of tablet.First and second printing equipments can print on tablet simultaneously.Perhaps, first and second printing equipments can print on tablet in succession.

In embodiments, printing equipment with edible ink-label print on tablet.Edible ink-mark can be the product from the edible composition for ink of printing equipment distribution.The edible composition for ink that forms edible ink-mark can be absorbability ink, solvent-based inks, wax-based inks, and combination.In one embodiment, the composition of edible ink can be adjusted with respect to the position of other assembly of equipment according to printing equipment.In one embodiment, edible composition for ink can comprise the sense organ composition.

In embodiments, printing equipment can be printed on edible ink on one or more surfaces of tablet equably.Perhaps, printing equipment can be printed on edible ink on the select location of tablet.

In embodiments, device comprises the cutter sweep that tablet is cut into single-piece.Printing equipment can be printed on edible ink on the single-piece then.In one embodiment, single-piece can be the chewing gum of bar, sheet or ball ball form, and can dressing or dressing not.In another embodiment, single-piece can be the dressing or the bag heart chewing gum of dressing not.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing the consumable products of printing.This method comprises the tablet that squeezes out edible matrix, and uses printing equipment with under the situation that printing equipment contacts edible ink not to be printed on the tablet on the surface of tablet.This method can also be included in distributes the sense organ composition on the tablet.The sense organ composition can be the composition of edible ink.Perhaps, the sense organ composition can separate with edible ink, and can distribute by the distributor outside the printing equipment.

In one embodiment, this method comprises tablet is cut into the single-piece confectionery, and edible ink is printed on the single-piece.Single-piece can be chewing gum (bar, ball ball, sheet) and/or filled chewing gum.This method is carried out dressing to the single-piece confectionery before can also being included in and being printed on edible ink on the single-piece confectionery.This method can comprise single-piece is placed in the packing, makes that seeing through packing can see edible ink.Packing can be blister package, and single-piece can be placed on and make in the bubble-cap that seeing through bubble-cap can see edible ink.

In embodiments, method comprises edible ink is printed on a plurality of of tablet.Edible ink can be printed on first face and opposite second face of tablet.

In embodiments, method can comprise edible ink ink jet printing on tablet.

In embodiments, method can be included in mobile tablet in the printing process.Perhaps, when edible ink was printed on the surface of tablet, tablet can be static.In embodiments, printing equipment is movably with respect to tablet.

In embodiments, provide the method that produces the consumable products of printing.This method comprises and squeezes out filled confectionery material strips rope and print edible ink on the bar rope.Method can comprise the filled confectionery material of bar rope formation single-piece and print edible ink on single-piece.Method can also comprise that the single-piece with the filled confectionery material is placed in the packing, makes that seeing through packing can see edible ink.Packing can be blister package, and single-piece can be placed in the bubble-cap and to make that can see through bubble-cap see edible ink.

In embodiments, provide edible product.Edible product comprises edible matrix and the edible ink-mark that is printed on the edible matrix.Edible ink-mark has feature.Edible product comprises the sense organ composition corresponding to edible ink-marker characteristic.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be confectionery.Confectionery can be the filled chewing gums of coated confectionary, chewing gum, coated chewing gum, filled chewing gum or dressing.

In embodiments, edible ink-mark can be shape, symbol, sign, figure or the advertising sign of word, image, color, symbol, object, letter-numeral, letter, text, shape, the imagination.Edible ink-label print is on one or more surfaces of edible matrix.

In embodiments, the sense organ composition can be flavouring agent, coolant agent, the agent of heat flavor, taste agent, the agent of fiber crops flavor, gas generating agent, sweetener, acid, bitters, brightener for tooth, implication cleaning agent, anti-caries agent or sounding agent.On edible matrix, can there be one or more sense organ compositions.

In embodiments, feature can be the characteristic of ink-mark.Sensation, the ink-mark that feature can be the color of key element, the ink-mark of ink-mark, meaning that ink-mark is passed on, ink-mark produced and see the notion that exchanges between the people of ink-mark.For example, edible ink-mark can comprise word.Feature can be the meaning of word, and the sense organ composition can be corresponding to the meaning of word.

In embodiments, edible ink-mark is the ink-jet mark.Edible ink-mark can be the ink-mark and/or the high-resolution ink-mark of multiple color.

Other edible product is provided in embodiments.Edible product comprises edible matrix and the edible ink-mark that is printed on the edible matrix.Edible matrix comprises feature.Edible product comprises the sense organ composition corresponding to the feature of edible matrix.Feature can be the character of edible matrix, for example the hardness of the surface texturisation of the composition of the composition of the structure of edible matrix, edible matrix, edible matrix, edible matrix or edible matrix.

In embodiments, edible matrix is a chewing gum, and feature is the sandwich of chewing gum.The sense organ composition is corresponding to sandwich.

In embodiments, provide edible product.Edible product comprises the edible matrix with opposite first and second face.First edible ink-mark is now on first face, second edible ink-mark on present second face.The part of first edible ink-mark contacts with the part of second edible ink-mark.First is in contact with one another with one or more edges of second edible ink-mark along edible matrix.First and second edible ink-mark are the ink-jet marks.On edible matrix, also can there be the sense organ composition.

In embodiments, first has covered the whole of edible matrix or whole basically periphery or outer surface region with second edible ink-mark.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing edible product.This method comprises edible ink-mark is printed on the edible matrix non-contactly.Method also is included in the sense organ composition of placing on the edible matrix corresponding to edible ink-marker characteristic.

In embodiments, method comprises word is printed on the edible matrix non-contactly, and distributes the sense organ composition corresponding to the meaning of a word.

In embodiments, method comprises high-resolution image is printed on the edible matrix non-contactly.

The method of another kind of production edible product is provided in embodiments.This method comprises edible ink-mark is printed on the edible matrix non-contactly, and distribute the sense organ composition corresponding to edible matrix characteristics on edible matrix.Method also is included on the edible matrix and forms surface texturisation, and this surface texturisation is a feature.To be distributed on the edible matrix corresponding to the sense organ composition of surface texturisation then.

In embodiments, provide the another kind of method for preparing edible product.Method comprises edible ink-mark is printed on the edible matrix non-contactly, and distribute the sense organ composition of accurate dosage on edible matrix.Dosage can distribute by the mode of ink jet printing accurately.Method can also comprise that the edible matrix of weighing is to determine dosage accurately.

The edible product of packing is provided in embodiments.Product comprises and is equipped with edible AD tagged edible matrix in its surface.Product also comprises transparent packing material.The edible AD tagged packing material that can see through is seen.AD tagged can be high-definition picture.AD tagged also can be the ink-jet mark.

In embodiments, AD tagged can be coextensive substantially with the surf zone of edible matrix surface.In embodiments, AD tagged or all exposed surfaces that can cover edible matrix is to cover all surface zone of edible matrix basically.

In embodiments, the sense organ composition can be arranged on the surface of edible matrix.In another embodiment, the sense organ composition can be corresponding to AD tagged feature.

The edible product of another kind of packing is provided in embodiments.The edible product of packing comprises edible matrix that has edible ink-mark on its surface and the packing material that centers on edible matrix.Packing material comprises the packing material mark on the surface of its exposure.The mark of packing material and edible ink-mark are complementary.The packing material mark can be consistent with edible ink-mark.Provide the packing material mark of coupling to make and give edible product, even if after edible product is removed packing material still as packaged outward appearance.

The method of packing edible product is provided in embodiments.This method is included in edible AD tagged of printing on the surface of edible matrix, and with the edible matrix of transparent wrapper packaged.The AD tagged packing material that can see through is seen.Method can comprise on the AD tagged all basically surf zones that are printed on edible matrix.Printing can be off-contact printing, high-resolution printing and/or ink jet printing.Printing can also comprise on AD tagged first surface and opposite second surface that is printed on edible matrix.

In embodiments, method can comprise with transparent packing material and replaces opaque packing material.

In embodiments, provide the method for selling edible product.This method comprises the incident product is distributed to the consumer.The incident product comprises edible ink-mark relevant with incident on the edible matrix.Incident can be current events, sport event, holiday, religion incident, political event, seasonal incident, cultural incident, individual incident and combination thereof.

Distribution can occur in before the incident of being selected from, during the incident, after the incident and the time durations of combination.When in embodiments, distribution can occur in incident.Distribute in about 24 hours that also can occur in incident.

In embodiments, method can comprise the result of waiting event, and the result is printed on the edible product.The result can printing in about 1 second to about 24 hours after the result takes place.In embodiments, the distribution of incident product will take place to take place in back about 1 minute to about 24 hours in incident and/or result.

The method of advertisement is provided in embodiments.This method comprises to consumer's Distribution Events product advertising.The incident product advertising is included in the edible matrix that has the edible ink-mark relevant with incident on the edible matrix.Edible AD tagged also being positioned on the edible matrix.Incident can be any above-mentioned incident.The distribution of incident product advertising can take place as mentioned above.Edible ink-mark and edible AD tagged can be the ink-jet mark.The incident product advertising can comprise the three-dimensional body relevant with incident.

In embodiments, provide the equipment of producing edible product.This equipment comprises distributor, and the rubber-based composition that is used for melting is sprayed onto edible matrix.Distributor can with the source of the rubber-based composition that melts with the fluid communication channel, the source maintains rubber-based composition melts or the state of liquefaction.Distributor can be the distributor of noncontact, for example ink-jet printing apparatus or valve-injector (valve-jet) flusher.Equipment also can comprise conveyer, is used for edible matrix is shifted near distributor.In embodiments, device can comprise the controller that is communicated with the distributor operability.Controller can be controlled the sprinkling parameter of the rubber-based composition of sprinkling process and thawing.

In embodiments, equipment can comprise printing equipment.Printing equipment can be with edible ink-label print to the rubber-based composition of edible matrix and/or thawing.Printing equipment can be the printing equipment of noncontact.

In embodiments, provide confectionary product.Confectionary product comprises edible matrix and sticks to the rubber-based composition of the thawing on the edible matrix.Edible matrix can be chewing gum, the filled chewing gum of confectionery, coated confectionery, chewing gum, dressing, the filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of dressing.The rubber-based composition that melts can be elastomer, resin, softening agent, wax and combination thereof.The rubber-based composition that melts can comprise one or more sense organ compositions.

In embodiments, edible ink-mark can be positioned on the rubber-based composition and/or edible matrix of thawing.Edible ink-mark can be the edible ink-mark of ink-jet.Edible ink-mark can comprise feature.Feature can be corresponding with the character of the character of the rubber-based composition that melts and/or edible matrix.

In embodiments, confectionary product can comprise the rubber-based composition of first thawing in the edible matrix first and the rubber-based composition of second thawing on the edible matrix second portion.The rubber-based composition of first thawing can contain one or more compositions different with the rubber-based composition of second thawing.

In embodiments, the rubber-based composition of thawing has formed object on the surface of edible matrix.Object can be the three-dimensional body on the edible matrix surface.

In embodiments, provide other confectionary product.This confectionary product can comprise the edible matrix of ground floor and stick to the rubber-based composition that the second layer on the ground floor melts.Ground floor can be coextensive substantially with the second layer.Confectionary product can contain the rubber-based composition of the 3rd melting layer.The 3rd layer can adhere on the second layer or the edible matrix.

In embodiments, the second layer can contain about 30% to the rubber-based composition of the thawing of about 100 weight % and from one or more sense organ compositions of about 0% to about 70 weight %.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing confectionary product.This method comprises that the particle of the rubber-based composition that will melt is sprayed onto on the surface of edible matrix and forms heterogeneous confectionary product.The rubber-based composition that melts can form layer on one or more surfaces of edible matrix.In addition, can on the initial layers of the rubber-based composition that melts, form the second layer of the rubber-based composition that melts.

In embodiments, method comprises that the rubber-based composition that will melt forms object on edible matrix surface.Object can be a three-dimensional body.

In embodiments, method is included in the composition that changes the rubber-based composition that melts in the sprinkling process.Method can also be included in distributes the sense organ composition on the edible matrix.When the rubber-based composition that melts was sprayed on the edible matrix, the composition of sense organ composition also can change.

In embodiments, method comprises that the rubber-based composition with first thawing is sprayed onto in the first of edible matrix, and the rubber-based composition of second thawing is sprayed onto on the second portion of edible matrix.One or more compositions of the rubber-based composition of first thawing can be different with the composition of the rubber-based composition of second thawing.

In embodiments, method can be included in and distribute the sense organ composition on the chewing gum base composition of thawing and/or the edible matrix.

In embodiments, method can comprise edible ink-label print on rubber-based composition that melts and/or edible matrix.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing chewing gum product.The gum base that provides thickness to be less than predetermined thickness is provided method, and the chewing gum base composition sprayed of a melting layer is formed the chewing gum product with predetermined thickness to gum base.In order to obtain preset thickness, can repeat to spray step.Preset thickness can be the thickness of chewing gum bar, the thickness of chewing gum tablet or the thickness of chewing gum ball ball.

In embodiments, provide confectionary product.Confectionary product comprises edible matrix with surface and the edible ink that is printed on the edible matrix.Edible ink can covering surfaces about at least 5%.Perhaps, edible ink can covering surfaces about at least 75%.Similarly, edible ink can covering surfaces about 100%.Edible ink can be multiple color.In addition, only a kind of edible ink of color can appear on any part of edible matrix surface.Edible ink can be an ink-jet ink.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be the chewing gum of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing, sandwich chewing gum or its combination.In addition, edible matrix can comprise chewing gum leftover pieces (trim).Edible ink can be covered any inconsistency that the existence owing to leftover pieces in the edible matrix causes.

In another embodiment, edible matrix has first surface and second opposite surface, and edible ink only is printed on first surface.Edible ink can cover about at least 5% of first surface of edible matrix.Similarly, edible ink can be printed on each of edible matrix first and second surface.Perhaps, edible ink can cover about at least 50% of edible matrix first and second surface.In addition, edible ink can cover about at least 75% of edible matrix first and second surface.Similarly, edible ink can cover edible matrix first and second surface about 100%.

In embodiments, provide confectionary product.Confectionary product comprises edible matrix, and edible matrix has main body and is positioned at first and second surfaces of the opposite face of edible matrix.Product also comprises the edible ink that is printed on the edible matrix, and wherein edible ink has covered the about at least 5% of first surface, and does not extend entire body, therefore second of edible matrix outwardly less than.Perhaps, edible ink can cover the about at least 50% of first surface, and does not extend entire body.In addition, edible ink can cover the about at least 75% of first surface, and does not extend entire body.

In embodiments, edible ink can cover edible matrix first and/or second surface about 100%.Cover one of edible matrix or these two surfaces fully and give the outward appearance that confectionary product extrudes product altogether.Edible ink covers one or two surface fully the corner material is attached in the edible matrix, because can cover or cover any inconsistency of corner material.In addition, in embodiments, the corner material can produce first kind of color of edible matrix.The color of edible ink can be chosen to the color same with edible matrix, and ink has the color depth higher than edible matrix.The edible matrix that for example contains leftover pieces can be light red (or pink), and the edible ink that is applied on the edible matrix can be wine-colored.

In another embodiment, edible ink is printed on second surface of edible matrix.Edible ink can be an ink-jet ink.Edible ink can be printed on the edible matrix to the dot density of about 36,400 points per square inch with about 3600 points per square inch.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be the chewing gum of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing, sandwich chewing gum or its combination.In addition, edible matrix can be included in and be recycled the corner material of getting back in the main body blender in the chewing gum production process.

In another embodiment, provide the method for producing confectionary product.This method comprises edible ink off-contact printing to the surface of edible matrix, covers its surface of about at least 5%.Method can comprise the surface with edible ink covering about at least 50%.Method can also comprise the surface with edible ink covering about at least 75%.Method can also comprise the surface with edible ink covering about at least 100%.Edible ink can be an ink-jet ink.

In embodiments, method comprises the edible ink of the multiple color of off-contact printing.

In embodiments, method comprises with about 3600 points per square inch and applies edible ink to the dot density of about 36,400 points per square inch.Method can also comprise passes printing equipment at least once with edible matrix.

In embodiments, method comprises makes edible ink partially absorb the entire body that sees through edible matrix, so that the common extrusion outward appearance of edible matrix to be provided.

In another embodiment, provide equipment.Equipment comprises the removal device of removing the up-and-down sizing material of at least a portion (compound) from confectionery material, and on confectionery material the printing equipment of the edible ink-mark of off-contact printing.

In embodiments, equipment has also comprised the conveyer of the confectionery material under the mobile printing device.

In embodiments, printing equipment can be a flusher.Perhaps, printing equipment can be an ink-jet printing apparatus.

In embodiments, removal device can be vacuum system, brush device, sponge device and combination thereof.

In embodiments, equipment can also comprise the checkout gear that is communicated with the printing equipment operability.In the present embodiment, when checkout gear after preposition detects confectionery material, printing equipment with edible ink off-contact printing on confectionery material.Checkout gear can comprise at least one photographic film (photoeye).

In embodiments, confectionery material can be the chewing gum of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing, sandwich chewing gum and combination thereof.

In another embodiment, provide equipment.Equipment comprises confectionery material is moved to the conveyer in precalculated position, the checkout gear that detects the existence of confectionery material on the precalculated position and the printing equipment that is communicated with the checkout gear operability.In the present embodiment, when checkout gear after preposition detects confectionery material, printing equipment with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

In embodiments, device can also comprise the removal device of removing the up-and-down sizing material of at least a portion from confectionery material.

In another embodiment, provide the method for producing confectionary product.Method comprises removes up-and-down sizing material from confectionery material, and with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.Method also comprises removes about 80% to about 99% up-and-down compound from confectionery material.

In embodiments, removal is such action, and for example up-and-down sizing material is removed in the vacuum suction from confectionery material, brush falls up-and-down material, wipes up-and-down sizing material with sponge from confectionery material from confectionery material, and combination.

In embodiments, method can also comprise when edible ink-when being marked on the precalculated position with this ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

In another embodiment, provide the method for producing confectionary product.Method comprises confectionery material moved to preposition, detects the existence of confectionery material on the precalculated position, and with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

In embodiments, method is removed up-and-down sizing material before being included in untouchable printing from confectionery material.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing chewing gum product.This method comprises to the consumer provides the ability of selecting the sense organ composition, and selects the back to produce the chewing gum product with this sense organ composition the consumer.Method also comprises chewing gum product is delivered to the consumer.Internet website can provide the list of sense organ composition for the consumer.Chewing gum product can be delivered to the consumer by mailing or similarly fast delivery system.

In embodiments, method is included in and distributes the sense organ composition on the surface of chewing gum product.

In embodiments, method comprises the ability that selected marker is provided to the consumer, and produces the chewing gum with this mark.Mark can be printed on the surface of chewing gum product with edible ink.

In embodiments, method can be included in the list that produces the sense organ composition in the computer-readable medium, the data that receive at least a sense organ composition of selection, produce director data and send director data to distributor from the data that receive.Distributor can distribute the sense organ composition according to director data on the surface of edible matrix then.

In embodiments, the data that receive can comprise flag data, and director data can comprise the flag data print order.Method can also comprise the flag data print order is sent to printing equipment.Printing equipment prints edible ink-mark according to the flag data print order on the surface of edible matrix then.

In embodiments, provide the method that produces income.Method comprises the chewing gum that allows the consumer to customize by the generation of selection sense organ composition, and produces the chewing gum product of the sense organ composition with selection.Method can also comprise permission consumer selected marker, and produces the chewing gum product with this mark.Method can also comprise by the consumer pays, and expense is based on the quantity and the combination thereof of the quantity of the quantity of sense organ composition, mark, required chewing gum product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the improved method of making chewing gum.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided improved chewing gum.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the device that is used for printing on edible product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the equipment of producing the consumable products of printing, and wherein printing equipment can be positioned at any position on this equipment and/or the production line.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided edible ink, and its composition can be adjusted with respect to the position of other assembly of equipment according to printing equipment.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the equipment that can print on a plurality of surfaces of edible matrix.

Advantage of the present disclosure is to produce the consumable products of the printing that consumer's attraction is improved with simple and the worthwhile mode of cost benefit.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the consumable products that transmits multiple sensory experience when consumption.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the consumable products of printing, and feeling of experiencing when content that it will print on edible product and product are consumed links together.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the consumable products of the printing of the consumer's attraction with increase.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the improved advertisement to edible product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the product by new occasion distribution.

Advantage of the present disclosure is to be distributed in the edible product that directly is printed on time sensitivity information on the product to the consumer.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the confectionary product with improved taste, CF.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the chewing gum product of the normal size that contains less chewing gum.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the ability that changes the composition of chewing gum product in process of production immediately.

Advantage of the present disclosure is to add the sense organ composition that can not add in the extrusion technique process of chewing gum production in chewing gum product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided heterogeneous confectionary product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the multilayer confectionary product.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the confectionary product of the confectionary product outward appearance with common extrusion.

Advantage of the present disclosure has provided the confectionary product with edible ink printing, the impermeable product of wherein edible ink.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided aesthetic attractive confectionary product.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided multilayer or has extruded the confectionary product of outward appearance altogether.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided the confectionary product that contains the corner material in edible matrix.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided the flat basically chewing gum bar that is printed on edible ink on it.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided edible ink with the equipment of improved adhesiveness off-contact printing on confectionary product.

Another advantage of the present disclosure has provided the improved method and apparatus that detects defective in the confectionary product.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is by removing up-and-down sizing material before off-contact printing edible ink-mark, high-quality edible ink-mark is provided from confectionery material.

Advantage of the present disclosure is the method for producing the chewing gum product of customization.

Other feature and advantage have also been described herein, from following specify with figure, they will become obvious.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of equipment of the present disclosure.

Figure 1A is the perspective view of printing equipment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 A is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of edible product of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is the perspective view of the edible product that prints in the packing of the present disclosure.

Figure 10 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Figure 11 is the perspective view of edible product of the present disclosure and packing.

Figure 12 is the perspective view of the printing equipment that prints on edible matrix of the present disclosure.

Each is the perspective view that eatable material is distributed in the equipment on the edible matrix of the present disclosure for Figure 13 A, 13B and 13C.

Each is the perspective view that eatable material is distributed in the equipment on the edible matrix of the present disclosure for Figure 14 A and 14B.

Figure 14 C is the perspective view of distributor of the present disclosure and edible matrix.

Figure 14 D is the perspective view of confectionary product of the present disclosure.

Figure 14 E is the perspective view of confectionary product of the present disclosure.

Figure 14 F is the perspective view of chewing gum product.

Figure 14 G is the perspective view of gum base of the present disclosure.

Figure 14 H is the perspective view of chewing gum product of the present disclosure.

Figure 15 A is the top perspective view of incident product of the present disclosure.

Figure 15 B is the end perspective view of the incident product of Figure 15 A.

Figure 16 is the perspective view of incident product of the present disclosure.

Figure 17 A is the top perspective view of incident product advertising of the present disclosure.

Figure 17 B is the end perspective view of the incident product advertising among Figure 17 A.

Figure 18 is the perspective view of printing equipment of the present disclosure and edible matrix.

Figure 19 is the perspective view that is printed on the confectionary product of edible ink of the present disclosure on it.

Figure 20 is the perspective view that is printed on the confectionary product of edible ink of the present disclosure on it.

Figure 21 is the perspective view that is printed on the confectionary product of edible ink of the present disclosure on it.

Figure 22 is the perspective view that is printed on the confectionary product of edible ink of the present disclosure.

Figure 23 is the perspective view that is printed on the confectionary product of edible ink of the present disclosure.

Figure 24 is the perspective view of the equipment on the confectionary product of the present disclosure that edible ink is printed on.

Figure 25 is the perspective view of the equipment on the confectionary product of the present disclosure that edible ink is printed on.

Figure 26 is the perspective view of the equipment on the confectionary product of the present disclosure that edible ink is printed on.

Figure 27 is the perspective view of the equipment on the confectionary product of the present disclosure that edible ink is printed on.

Particular content

The disclosure relates to the equipment of the product that is used to print.In general, reference diagram, particularly Fig. 1 have shown the schematic diagram of producing the equipment 10 of the edible product that print.Equipment 10 can be the system that produces edible product continuously.Extruder 12 is forced into the tablet 14 of edible matrix on the conveyer 16.Should be appreciated that equipment 10 can comprise one or more conveyers (or conveyer), so that tablet 14 is moved to positions different in the system.Tablet 14 can be any material group that can be forced out the eatable material of transmission in manufacture process.The non-limitative example that is fit to the material of tablet 14 comprises confectionery material and starch system food.Tablet 14 can be continuous or discrete.As in the art usually understand, tablet 14 can have any unrestricted shape or geometric format, for example has streak, the sheet and the wire of any desired thickness.When using in this article, " edible " product or " edible " matrix are to be fit to consumption and nontoxic composition.Eatable material also can be to meet application standard, for example the food of the U.S., medicine, cosmetics (FD﹠amp; C) material of European blank pipe office experimental center (E.E.C.) standard of rules and/or European Union.The non-limitative example of the edible matrix that is fit to comprises confectionery material, starch system food for example snacks for example biscuit and snacks potato chips (snackchips), fruit juice jelly, pastry, pet food, cereal preparation, sausage, frozen dairy product and the cheese of cereal and wheaten food, extrusion.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be a confectionery material.But confectionery material can be any hard candy, soft sweets, chew candy, chewing gum or other confectionery material or have the sizing material that fluid maybe can be taked liquid form mutually.In other words, confectionery material can be that common can being heated, melting, dissolve fusing, formation syrup or being dissolved in of understanding in present technique field becomes flowable any material in the liquid.The professional and technical personnel will recognize that the moisture of confectionery material (and viscosity thereupon) can have great variation.The moisture of the flowed phase of confectionery matrix can arrive in about 20% the scope in about 0.5% of confectionery material weight usually.Flowable confectionery material can or be solidified in the room temperature cooling subsequently, forms solid or semisolid confectionery.But the non-limitative example that maybe can place the confectionery material of flow regime that flows that is fit to comprises manufacturing hard candy, soft sweets, lollipop, square syrup, the liquid or solid of stepping on soft sweets (fondants), taffy, jelly, chewing gum, chocolate, gelatin and Niu Zha sugar.Confectionery material can comprise sugar, perhaps can be sugar-free.Pigment can join in the confectionery matrix as required.Confectionery material can also comprise drug products or medicine.In embodiments, tablet 14 can be a chewing gum.

In embodiments, tablet 14 can be sandwich extrudate.The nonrestrictive example of the sandwich material that is fit to comprises any liquid, syrup, sauce, colloid or solid eatable material.In embodiments, tablet 14 can be the confectionery material that contains packing material, packing material for example hard candy (boiled candy), hard candy (hard candy), soft sweets, taffy, jelly, syrup, sauce, chewing gum, bubble gum, chocolate, gelatin, caramel, taffy, ox is pricked sugar, particulate sugar, and combination.In another embodiment, tablet 14 can be to have chewing gum as outside and any above-mentioned sandwich material confectionery material as inside.

According to the composition of confectionery material, equipment 10 can comprise or not comprise dusting device 18 and/or powdery sizing material.For example, when tablet 14 was soft sweets or chewing gum, equipment 10 can not comprise dusting device.In embodiments, when tablet 14 was the chewing gum material, equipment 10 can comprise dusting device 18.Dusting device 18 can be dispersed in powdery sizing material (for example talcum powder, sugar or starch) on the tablet 14, to reduce the adhesion between tablet and the device components.In another embodiment, can on tablet 14, apply a spot of powdery sizing material to improve printing quality.

In embodiments, equipment 10 can comprise apparatus for coating, and the powdery sizing material is evenly distributed on the tablet 14.The non-limitative example of the apparatus for coating that is fit to comprises entity brush, air brush, spatula and any the powdery sizing material is evenly distributed on device on the tablet 14.The even distribution of powdery sizing material has promoted tablet 14 to accept composition for ink, and this is discussed below.

Roller 20 is used to sizing or makes tablet 14 be thinned to any required size.In embodiments, roller 20 can be adjusted into the specification of tablet 14 flat or the confectionery material of plain film basically.In another embodiment, sheet can have about 0.058 inch to about 0.062 inch or about 0.060 inch thickness.In another embodiment, tablet 14 can be the extrusion chewing gum of thick tablet form, and it can be by being reduced to the sheet of any desired thickness with one or more stacks.In case reach required thickness, tablet can be printed, indentation, part indentation and/or cut into the final products size.Perhaps, tablet 14 can be adjusted size to form the confectionery spare of ball ball shape or plate shape.

After roller 20 is adjusted to desired thickness with the size of tablet 14, can cut and/or indentation the confectionery material of backing by cutter sweep.Cutter sweep 22 can be directly forms the single-piece confectionery from the tablet 14a of confectionery material.Perhaps, cutter sweep 22 (for example scratching device) can cut large stretch of confectionery material, and they can be formed single-piece confectionery 24 by indentation subsequently.In another embodiment, part 24 can be the bag heart confectionery spare that forms from the filled confectionery bar.Part 24 may be advanced to for example curing room 28 of cooling device 26 and other processing, and in the optional coating device 30, forms coated confectionery part 24a there.Single-piece confectionery 24, the 24a of dressing and dressing not may be advanced in the packing machine, and this is that the present technique field is known.

As showing in Figure 1A, equipment 10 has also comprised composition for ink has been printed on continuous tablet 14, single-piece confectionery 24 without interruption or the printing equipment 32 on the coated confectionery part article 24a.In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be any off-contact printing device that the present technique field is understood usually.When using in this article, " off-contact printing " be printing equipment not with situation that the matrix surface that will apply ink contacts under, composition for ink is applied on the material.The off-contact printing device directly applies composition for ink or is distributed on the matrix, between printing equipment and matrix without any intermediate structure.Off-contact printing can comprise composition for ink is sprayed, distributes or is applied on one or more surfaces of matrix.Therefore, the parts of off-contact printing device for example do not contact on the surface of tablet 14 and/or part 24,24a with edible matrix.

In another embodiment, printing equipment 32 can be an ink-jet printing apparatus.Ink-jet printer generally needs print head to be communicated with one or more ink reservoir fluids, and print head is suitable for ink jet printing.In ink jet printing, print head from liquid reservoir, the fine drop of ink launched or " injection " to the matrix of accepting.It should be understood that printing equipment 32 can be configured to therefrom to distribute or to spray composition for ink or other fluid.In fact, any sprayable fluid can distribute from printing equipment." sprayable " fluid or material can be that its character is enough to make this material by any material of the known inkjet material dispensers selective deposition in present technique field (solid or liquid).Ink jet printing has superiority, particularly for edible product, because it provides: and 1) high-resolution printing, and 2) do not contact with edible product, thereby avoided eating the risk that article work the mischief.The non-limitative example of the off-contact printing device that is fit to comprises the ink-jet printing system for example moving inkjet dispenser of inkjet dispenser, mechanically actuated inkjet dispenser, the inkjet dispenser of electrostatically actuated, the mangneto of thermal actuation, continuous ink jet printing machine, (being also referred to as " the pulse ") ink-jet printer and the acoustics ink-jet system that drip as required.

In the continous inkjet system, ink sprays with Continuous Flow by at least one nozzle under pressure.By ink being applied vibration or pressure pulse, this stream is broken into drop.This can by utilize piezo-electric crystal vibrating nozzle or nozzle assembly or by with vibration probe for example the piezo crystals body rod be immersed in the ink itself and realize.Usually, the ink droplets in the continous inkjet system is to form by near the piezo-electric crystal with controlled frequency vibration ink stream.In order to control flowing of ink droplets, before being broken into drop, ink-jet make ink charged by between ink that sprays and charged electrode, applying voltage, and make each drop have known electric charge.Then charged drop is passed through deflecting electric field, make them depart from their flight straight line by the deflecting electric field that applies at this.The degree that departs from will determine the drop bump site through the matrix of printing machine, and change electric charge and/or deflecting electric field and arrive desired location on the matrix to instruct drop.The drop that is not printed is not deflected, but is caught in grabber or goes out in the groove, and turns back to ink reservoir to utilize again.

The spraying system that drips as required comprises piezo jet and foaming injection (being called as hot ink-jet sometimes) system.In the foaming spraying system, bubble forms by the resistance heater in the ink reservoir.The pressure wave that forms from bubble forces ink to pass through orifice plate, and when heat was removed, bubble began to collapse broken, and drop is ejected.Perhaps, the system of dripping as required can form discontinuous ink droplets, and they are from row's nozzle ejection, and matrix is by nozzle, and nozzle is activated with required frequency and required order, thereby has formed required image on matrix.Therefore, printing machine can be its ink inside flows to nozzle by the mode of valve control under pressure a printing machine, and wherein valve activates under the control of computer etc., makes ink flow to required nozzle and from this nozzle ejection drop.

In the acoustic ink jet printing, send one or more acoustic beams from one or more acoustic radiators, with the Free Surface of corresponding acoustic beam irradiating liquids ink.Usually such acoustic beam each all be focused on the surface of liquid reservoir or neighbouring (being liquid/air interface).In addition, the printing routine is to be undertaken by regulating exciting of acoustic radiator independently according to the input data sampler of image to be printed.This adjusting can make each acoustic beam of radiation pressure put on freely on the ink surface, thereby simply, controllably is offset to sufficiently high stress level, to overcome capillary restraining force.This make again each ink droplets when needed from ink surface freely with enough speed ejections, make the configuration that is deposited as image on their nigh recording mediums.Acoustic beam can be regulated intensity, or focuses on/defocus with the control injecting time, perhaps can use the external source liquid that sound excites from the ink reservoir surface when needed and extract drop.No matter use which kind of timing mechanism, the size of the drop that ejects is by ripple waist diameter (waist diameter) decision of the acoustic beam that focuses on.The acoustic ink jet printing is attractive, because it does not need small nozzle or little spray-hole.The size of spray-hole is the important design parameter of ink-jet, because it has determined the size of the ink droplets of injector ejection.Acoustics printing inherent reliability increases, because there is not the nozzle meeting blocked.Such just as should be appreciated, the eliminating of the fault mode of plug nozzle is relevant especially with the reliability of the ink ejector of big array, for example contains the array of the injector of several thousand separation.In addition, avoided little spray-hole,, comprised ink and contain pigment and the ink of other special composition with viscosity higher so the acoustics printing can use a large amount of different inks to carry out.

Shown in Figure 1A, printing equipment 32 can contain one or more injector heads 34, and they are communicated with one or more liquid reservoir 36 fluids by passage 35.In embodiments, liquid reservoir 36 can contain ink composition, so that printing equipment can be delivered to ink or composition for ink on continuous tablet, single-piece or the dressing spare.In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be configured to have 4 liquid reservoirs, and each liquid reservoir contains the edible composition for ink of typical color, and for example cyan, magneta colour, yellow and black or white are so that provide the image of multiple color.If desired, printing equipment 32 can be configured to have more or less liquid reservoir at color more or less.As the present technique field was known, each injector head 34 can comprise one or more nozzles.For example, injector head 34 can contain from 1 to 10,50,100,500,1000 or 5000 or more individual nozzle or spout.Each injector head 34 can be communicated with one or more fluid reservoir 36 fluids.Injector head 34 can be arranged in any required mode, composition for ink is delivered on continuous tablet 14,14a, part 24 and/or the dressing spare 24a.For example, injector head 34 can be arranged in single file.Perhaps, injector head 34 can be arranged in a series of row to form the printing profile of matrix-type.

Composition for ink can be any water-based ink, solvent-based inks, wax-based inks, the absorbability ink usually understood of present technique field, contain pigment or do not contain the edible ink of pigment.The ink that the water that water-based ink can be thought to contain is Duoed than non-aqueous solvent.Water-based ink comprises the dispersant (for example polyalcohol) of water, pigment, pigment usually, and can contain one or more nonaqueous solvents (for example one or more alcohol) and dyestuff.In embodiments, composition for ink can be the water-based pigments ink, contains about 30% pigment to about 3% to about 45% amount of the water of about 85% weight, ink weight, amount and is about 1.0% dispersant that arrives about 50% weight for example glycerine, polypropylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.In embodiments, the water-based pigments ink can contain one or more dyestuffs of the amount from about 100ppm to about 2 weight %.

In embodiments, composition for ink can be the solvent-based inks water composition.The composition for ink that the non-aqueous solvent that the solvent-based inks water composition can be thought to contain is Duoed than water.The solvent-based inks water composition pigment or non-pigment can be arranged and can be based on fat or oil.Solvent-based inks comprises the organic solvent (ketone, alkanol, alkyl acetates, Arrcostab, alkyl carboxylic acid) that allows ink firm attachment matrix usually, solvent seasoning is very fast, thereby make printing ink anti-fuzzy or smear, make the matrix that is printed after printing, almost to be touched at once.Easy dissolving dye/the pigment of organic solvent provides the composition for ink of the wide scope that can be used for printing equipment.In embodiments, the solvent-based inks water composition can have pigment, and contain about 15% to the interior non-aqueous solvent of about 80% weight range, for example glycerine, polypropylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, about 1% to the interior water of about 20% weight range, and amount is about 5% pigment to about 50% weight.

In embodiments, edible ink can be the absorbability ink.The absorbability ink comprises the dispersant (for example polyalcohol) of water, pigment, pigment usually, and can contain one or more non-aqueous solvents (for example one or more alcohol) and dyestuff.In embodiments, the absorbability ink can be the water-based pigments ink, contains dispersant for example glycerine, polypropylene glycol or the polyethylene glycol of about 1.0% to about 50% amount of about 30% pigment to about 3% to about 45% amount of the water of about 85% weight, ink weight, weight.In embodiments, the water-based pigments ink can contain one or more dyestuffs of the amount from about 100ppm to about 2 weight %.

The non-limitative example of absorbability ink is based on the ink of propane diols.Propane diols is also referred to as propane-1, and the 2-glycol generally is a liquid tasteless, transparent, oily, and it has hygroscopicity, can be miscible with water, acetone and chloroform.Because low, the colorless and odorless of its toxicity, outstanding solvent properties and good lubricity matter are widely used in food applications.Propane diols also can be used as the carrier of active component, and the solvent of pigment, emulsifying agent, antioxidant and enzyme.

In embodiments, the absorbability ink can contain for example polyglycerol ester and alkali NaOH for example of propane diols, glycerine, water, one or more dyestuffs, stabilizing agent.The amount that propane diols exists can be about 5-95% of absorbability ink weight, or any value between them.The amount that glycerine exists can be about 5-95% of absorbability ink weight, or any value between them.Dyestuff can account for absorbability ink weight about 0.5% to about 5%, or any value between them.In embodiments, the absorbability ink can contain the glycerine of about 45 weight % and the propane diols of about 55 weight %.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, in order to increase/to reduce dissolving or being dispersed in amount of dye in the absorbability ink, can change the ratio of propane diols and glycerine.

In embodiments, composition for ink can be the edible ink of cerul (being also referred to as the edible ink of heat fusing).Wax-based inks can contain the dyestuff that is dispersed or dissolved in fat, wax or the oil.Wax can comprise the wax of any food-grade, comprises nonrestrictive example for example microcrystal wax, paraffin and natural or synthetic wax.In another embodiment, the edible ink of cerul can contain about 3% edible dyestuff, about 10% to about 6% weight to the hydrogenated resin of about 20% weight and about 74% to the wax of about 87% weight for example light up wax, Brazil wax, microcrystal wax and combination thereof.

Edible composition for ink can contain food grade dyes or color lake, and wherein the concrete amount in dyestuff/color lake can human picked-up and generally can not caused the effect that is harmful to health.The example of food-grade compound comprises those U.S. foods and drug administration (" FDA ") (" the GRAS ") compound of " being commonly considered as safe ", and the colouring agent in the food that can be used for the human consumption of FDA approval.The food grade dyes that is used to produce colored fluid can comprise synthetic dyestuffs, natural dye or its combination.The term of Shi Yonging " dyestuff " is meant the dyestuff of water-soluble and/or other cosolvent in this article, and it comprises in the polyalcohol of a great deal of and/or the glycerine, is used for current colored fluid.The non-limitative example of the synthetic dyestuffs that are fit to comprises food-grade Pontamine, No. 2 black, the FD﹠amp of food; C-3 number red, FD﹠amp; C-33 number red, FD﹠amp; C-40 number red, FD﹠amp; C-1 indigo plant, FD﹠amp; C-2 indigo plant, FD﹠amp; C-10 Huang, FD﹠amp; C-5 Huang, FD﹠amp; C-6 Huang and FD﹠amp; C-3 number green.Operable FD﹠amp; The C dyestuff comprise No. 3 red (erythrosine), No. 40 red (luring red), No. 6 Huangs (sunset yellow, FCF), No. 5 Huangs (tartrazines), No. 3 green (fast green, FCF), No. 1 indigo plant (light blue, FCF), No. 2 indigo plants (indigo), and their mixture.The natural dye that is fit to comprises turmeric oleoresin, carmine extract, gardenia extract and from the natural colouring matter of water.The non-limitative example of the natural dye that other is fit to comprises beet root extract, glucose bark extract and contains chlorophyllous extract (for example nettle extract, extractive of alfalfa and extract of spinach).In order to obtain the required color harmony depth, colored liquid can comprise the mixture of more than one synthetic and/or natural food grade dyes.In a typical embodiment, colored fluid contains the food grade dyes of about 0.1 to the 10 weight % that accounts for dissolved solid.

In embodiments, as the present technique field is known, composition for ink can contain additive, for example condiment, anticorrisive agent, defoamer, micronutrient, dispersion stabilizer, film forming agent, adhesive, surface tension modifier, thickener, antioxidant, anticorrisive agent, buffer and/or antimicrobial.Composition for ink can also contain adhesion enhancer, for example surfactant or film-forming resin.Surfactant can be cation, anion or both sexes, and can comprise for example lecithin of for example poly-olein of nonrestrictive example, monostearate, polysorbate, monoglyceride and diglyceride and phosphatide.The non-limitative example of the film-forming resin that is fit to can comprise for example acrylic copolymer of edible resin, rosin ester, shellac, polyvinyl ester, ketone resins, the urea urea formaldehyde, vinyl chloride/vinyl ethers or vinyl acetate copolymer, cellulose ether and ester, polyamide, styrene/maleic ester resin, the polyvinylpyrrolidone resin, vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer, polystyrene resin, melmac, thermosetting acrylic resin, the acrylic resin of polyurethane resin and radiation curing.Composition for ink can also contain sense organ composition and/or activating agent, and they will be discussed in more detail below.

Should be appreciated that composition for ink can be compatible with printing equipment, so that do not damage the injector head assembly or cause the discontinuous injection of spout.Composition for ink also can be compatible with edible matrix, so that the high-resolution that sticks on edible matrix surface ink-mark to be provided.In embodiments, ink is solid or is in solid state at ambient temperature.

Printing equipment 32 can be placed in the equipment 10 Anywhere, so that printing on all or the divided portion of tablet 14,14a, confectionery spare 24 or coated confectionary spare 24a, distribution, placement, injection, sprinkling or selectivity are sprayed a certain amount of edible ink.In embodiments, ink-mark of discussing more comprehensively below edible ink can be formed on.Printing equipment 32 can be one way or multipass printing equipment, so that form the image of monochromatic or multiple color on matrix.Perhaps, printing equipment 32 can be static, and when edible ink was dispensed on the tablet 14, tablet 14 can move on conveyer.For example printing equipment 32 can be placed on position A, so that ink-mark is imprinted on the tablet 14 of edible matrix in the downstream of extruder 12 and the upstream of dusting device 18.Position A may be favourable, because the obstruction that contacting between composition for ink and the tablet 14 do not existed by the powdery sizing material.In addition, may be useful in position A printing, because tablet 14 is in the temperature that generally is in rising when extruder 12 comes out.The temperature of tablet 14 raises and may promote the rapid draing of composition for ink and/or edible ink to be adsorbed onto on the tablet.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be positioned at the position B of dusting device 18 downstreams and roller 20 upstreams.When printing equipment 32 is positioned at position B, can use ink rapid-curing cutback, that adhesiveness is strong.When wishing ink-mark by roller 20 torsional deformations or when the printing consumable products of finished product not being caused damage like this, position B may be favourable.Also can use location B when not needing high-resolution ink-mark.For example, ink-mark can be band, striped or geometry for example one or more line, parallel lines, circle or polka round dot, or can be not out of shape when being dimensioned roller 20 and launching and/or lose the mark of definition.Apparatus for coating can be positioned at the downstream of dusting device 18, guaranteeing evenly sending out of powdery sizing material, and eliminates any agglomerate of powdery sizing material or collection bunch.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be placed on the position C of roller 20 downstreams and cutter sweep 22 upstreams.Printing equipment 32 also can be positioned at the position D of cutter sweep 22 downstreams and cooling device 26 upstreams.Position D in cutter sweep 22 downstreams and cooling device 26 upstreams can use printing equipment 32 with ink-mark in a plurality of and/or a plurality of single-piece printing.Position D may be favourable, because before entering cooling device 26, continuous single-piece 24 can be under the temperature of rising.The temperature of part 24 raises can promote 1) composition for ink dry and/or 2) adhesion and/or the edible ink of composition for ink and edible matrix surface absorbed by edible matrix.

In embodiments, when printing on need hard or firm surface, printing equipment 32 can be placed on the position E of cooling device 26 downstreams and curing room 28 upstreams at edible matrix.When using the slow curing ink or not needing to absorb ink, position E may be favourable.In embodiments, equipment 10 can comprise first and second printing equipment.First printing equipment can be positioned at or be placed on first face of the confectionery spare 24 that provides continuously, is named as E.Second printing equipment can be placed on another face of the part 24 that provides, is named as E.In this structure, first and second printing equipment can be printed on edible composition for ink on the opposite face of part 24.Printing equipment can be arranged to the relation of top/bottom.Perhaps, printing equipment can be arranged to first face/second relation of plane, so that first printing equipment is positioned at the left side of part 24, second printing equipment is positioned at the right side of part 24.First and second printing equipment can side by side be delivered to composition for ink on the opposing face of part basically.Be appreciated that a plurality of printing equipments can use on any position in equipment 10, on the opposing face that composition for ink is delivered to tablet 14, part 24 or dressing spare 24a.

In embodiments, printing equipment also can be positioned at the position F in coating device 30 downstreams.At position F, ink can contain for example wax of adhesion enhancer, with promotion and by the dressing surface adhesion of the edible matrix of dressing matrix.In another embodiment, printing equipment 32 as required before the packaging machine or on any position.In embodiments, packing device can be the packing device of blister package, when edible matrix is sent to bubble-cap or when edible matrix has been placed in the bubble-cap, printing equipment 32 with edible ink-label print on edible matrix.The single-piece of edible matrix can be printed and pack, and makes that every edible ink can be seen through blister package.As described herein, as required, can change the composition and/or the printing equipment of composition for ink according to the position of printing equipment in equipment 10.

In embodiments, the composition of edible ink can be adjusted with respect to the position of other assembly of equipment 10 according to printing equipment 32.For example, when printing equipment 32 during at position A or B, using solvent based edible ink may be useful for ink rapid draing.When printing equipment 32 is positioned at position C, can use the absorbability ink, thereby this position of printing equipment allows edible ink absorption in edible matrix.When printing equipment is positioned at position F, can use wax-based inks with the dressing that promotes edible matrix and the adhesion between the edible ink.

In embodiments, provide edible product.Edible product has comprised edible matrix and the edible ink-mark that is imprinted on the edible matrix.Edible product has also comprised the sense organ composition corresponding to the edible product feature.In other words, the sense organ composition can be any sensation composition that can be relevant with feature or coordinates.Specifically, the sense organ composition can be the composition of any sensory perception, they generally follow with feature, related, replenish, emphasize, focus on, give prominence to, mate, relate to, meet, contact or combination.

Edible matrix can be any material of the suitable consumption described of this paper front.In embodiments, edible matrix can be chewing gum (form of ball ball, sheet or strip), filled chewing gum, bag heart chewing gum and their combination of confectionary product, coated confectionery product, chewing gum (form of ball ball, sheet or strip), dressing.In another embodiment, edible matrix can form by equipment 10.

" ink-mark " used herein (or " edible ink-mark ") is the ink sign or the ink indication of (or on tablet) on the edible matrix.Ink-mark 54 can be any solid color discussed herein or the edible ink or the composition for ink of multiple color.In addition, as required, ink-mark 54 can be described shape, image, figure, color, advertising sign or their combination of any symbol, object, alphanumeric representation, letter, word, text, shape, the imagination.The non-limitative example of the ink-mark that is fit to comprises image, photo or the picture of people, character, scene or landscape, AD tagged for example brand name, brand name, sign, trade mark, literal poster, machining code is bar code for example, word, object, or its any combination.In embodiments, ink-mark 54 can be the ink-jet mark.

The character that " feature " used herein is edible matrix, the characteristic of edible ink-mark and their combination.The non-limitative example of the character of edible matrix comprise edible matrix structure (individual layer, multilayer, sandwich, dressing, not dressing, codeposition, extrude altogether), the hardness of the surface texturisation of the composition of edible matrix, the composition in the edible matrix, edible matrix (smooth, smooth substantially, protruding, depression, crooked, smooth, coarse, wavy, shaping, irregular, jagged, jaggy, swell), edible matrix (hard, soft, anti-chew, pliable and tough), and their combination.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be used to form the edible product 50 that shows among Fig. 2.Edible product 50 can comprise edible matrix 52, and prints to edible ink-mark 54 that the composition for ink 53 on the matrix 52 forms from printing equipment 32.Ink-mark 54 can comprise feature 56.Printing equipment 32 also can distribute the sense organ composition 58 corresponding to the feature 56 of ink-mark 54.As a result, edible product 50 can comprise ink-mark 54 with feature 56 and corresponding to the sense organ composition 58 of feature.

In embodiments, edible matrix 52 can be edible food, material or the matrix that discussed any this paper front.Edible matrix 52 can have the combination of plane surface, non-planar surfaces or plane and non-planar surfaces.That edible matrix 52 can have is flat, the surface topography of crooked, wavy, protruding (being ball ball, sheet or beans shape) or depression.Edible matrix can be by dressing or dressing not.In embodiments, edible matrix 52 can be a confectionery material, the flat basically chewing gum bar that for example shows among Fig. 2.

The sense organ composition can be any by the composition of sensory perception.Therefore, the sense organ composition can be any composition that can feel or perceive by vision (being color, quality), sense of touch (promptly touch with hand, whip graft, or mouthfeel), the sense of hearing (sound), the sense of taste and/or sense of smell (fragrance).The non-limitative example of the sense organ composition that is fit to comprises flavouring agent, coolant agent, heat flavor agent (or the agent of warm flavor), taste agent (any have coarse, aerogenesis or special quality), the agent of fiber crops flavor, sweetener, acid, bitters, brightener for tooth, anti-caries agent, implication cleaning agent, sounding agent (sound that breaks, fizz or crepitant composition), and their combination.

Flavouring agent can be spices, artificial flavors and their combination of natural perfume material, natural equivalent.The nonrestrictive example of flavouring agent comprises almond, bitter apricot wine, apple, granny smith, apple-cherry-berry, apple-honey, apricot, bacon, deep-fried meatballs, banana, barbecue, beef, roast beef, beefsteak, berry, blueberry, birch beer/dragon spruce beer, blackberry, blueberry, Bloody Mary, blueberry, the dark certain kind of berries of Bo Yi, brandy, bubble gum, butter, the butter English walnut, buttermilk, the butter hard candy, candy corn, muskmelon, the muskmelon bitter orange, caramel, carrot, Chinese cassia tree, caviar, celery, cereal, champagne, cherry, the cherry cola, maraschino cherry, wild cherry, morello, red cherry, the cherry cola, chicken, chocolate, chocolate almond, the Chinese cassia tree spice, oranges and tangerines, the oranges and tangerines mixture, oranges and tangerines-strawberry, clam, cocoa, coconut, fry in shallow oil coconut, coffee, the coffee almond, laughable, vanilla cola, cream cookies, cool, cotton candy, cranberry, cranberry-raspberry, cream, cream soda water, the cream of dairy products type, the peppermint ligueur, cucumber, blackcurrant, the milk syrup, eggnog, lard, fats, anchovy, catfish, sardine, frankfurter, intimately, quick-friedly fry in shallow oil garlic, the quick-fried garlic, gin, gingerale, ginger beer, the Graham cracker class, grape, grape fruit, shaddock-lemon, shaddock-bitter orange, juice of my pomegranate, barbecue, guarana, guava, fibert, honey, heat, roasting honey, ice-cream cone, jalapeno, key island bitter orange, Kiwi berry, Kiwi berry-banana, Kiwi berry-lemon-bitter orange, Kiwi berry-strawberry, the champagne cola, the lard class, lemon, lemon egg milk freezes, lemonade, pink lemonade, lemon-bitter orange, bitter orange, Fructus Hordei Germinatus, the extract of malt and milk, mango, mango-pineapple, maple, Margarita wine, fruit juice jelly, meat, condensed milk, the milk that boiled, peppermint, the assorted vegetable plate fourth, Mocha coffee, mocha Cino Da Pistoia coffee, molasses, mushroom, the quick-fried mushroom, muskmelon, nectarine, Naples Pizza, the leaf green onion, sauteeing onions, orange, the orange sweet wine, orange milk former times can, the orange ligueur, orange-peach-mango, orange-strawberry-banana, the cream orange, citrus, orange-passionflower-guava, orange-pineapple, papaya, passionfruit, peach, peach-mango, peanut, roasted peanut, pears, the Denmark English walnut, the English walnut praline, pepper, peppermint, bell pepper, pineapple can draw and reach ice wine, pineapple can draw and reach ice wine/pineapple-coconut, pineapple, pineapple-orange, American pistachios, Pizza, pomegranate, the lard class, the earth burning beans, dried plum, friend's interest wine, citrus friend interest wine, torrid zone friend's interest wine, cherry fruit friend interest wine, grape friend interest wine, raspberry, black raspberry, blue raspberry, raspberry, raspberry-blackberry, blueberry, raspberry-ginger juice light wine, raspberry-bitter orange, the barbecue type, the root juice beer, Rum, Sang Gesheng wine, sarsaparilla carbonated drink, yellow camphor tree, sausage, the sausage Pizza, savoury, sea food, shrimp, hickory nut sootiness barbecue sauce, algarroba sootiness barbecue sauce, tart flavour, sour cream, sour cream and onion, spearmint, spicy material, strawberry, Strawberry Margarita wine, strawberry jam, strawberry-Kiwi berry, caramel, sweet taste, super sweet, sour-sweet, tallow, tamarind, red tangerine-bitter orange, red tangerine, tealeaves, the mescal type, taffy, orange flavor ligueur, the tropical fruit (tree) mixture, turkey, fruit salad, vanilla, vanilla cream, the vanilla galaktoboureko (milk cake), french vanilla, vegetables, Vermouth, vinegar, aromatic vinegar, watermelon, whiskey, the wild certain kind of berries, wine, sour milk, and their combination.

The non-limitative example of coolant agent comprises xylitol, antierythrite, dextrose, D-sorbite, terpane, menthones, ketal, the menthones ketal, menthone glycerol ketals, replace to terpane, acyclic formamide, monomenthyl glutarate, the Cyclohexamide that replaces, the cyclohexane carboxamide that replaces, the urea and the sulfonamide that replace, the menthol that replaces, methylol is to terpane with to the hydroxymethyl derivative of terpane, 2-sulfydryl-ring-decanone, hydroxycarboxylic acid with 2-6 carbon atom, Cyclohexamide, menthyl acetate, menthyl salicylate, N, 2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropyl butyramide (WS-23), N-ethyl-right-terpane-3-formamide (WS-3), isopulegol, 3-(1-peppermint oxygen base) propane-1, the 2-glycol, 3-(1-peppermint oxygen base)-2-methylpropane-1, the 2-glycol, right-terpane-2, the 3-glycol, right-terpane-3, the 8-glycol, 6-isopropyl-9-methyl isophthalic acid, 4-dioxo spiro [4,5] decane-2-menthol, butanedioic acid menthyl ester and alkali salt thereof, cyclonol, N-ethyl-2-isopropyl-5-hexahydrotoluene formamide, Japanese peppermint oil, Fructus Piperis peppermint oil, 3-(1-peppermint oxygen base)-1-ethanol, 3-(1-peppermint oxygen base)-1-propyl alcohol, 3-(1-peppermint oxygen base)-1-butanols, 1-menthyl acetate N-acetamide, 1-menthyl-4-hydroxyl valerate, 1-menthyl-3-butyric ester, N, 2,3-trimethyl-2-(1-Methylethyl)-butyramide, n-ethyl-anti--suitable-6 nonadiene acid amides of 2-, N, N-dimethyl menthyl succinamide, right-the terpane that replaces, right-terpane-the formamide that replaces, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl cyclohexanol, menthone glycerol ketals, 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-two pure and mild menthyl lactates, WS-30, WS-14, eucalyptus extracts (right-terpane-3, the 8-glycol), menthol (derivative that it is natural or synthetic), menthol PG carbonic ester, menthol EG carbonic ester, the menthol glycerin ether, the N-tert-butyl group-right-terpane-3-formamide, right-terpane-the 3-short and long-chain acyl triglyceride molecules, methyl-2-isopropyl-dicyclo (2.2.1), heptane-2-formamide and menthol methyl ether and menthyl 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid ester, and their combination.

The nonrestrictive example of heat flavor agent comprises vanillyl alcohol n-butyl ether, vanillyl alcohol positive propyl ether, vanillyl alcohol isopropyl ether, vanillyl alcohol isobutyl ether, the positive amino ethers of vanillyl alcohol, vanillyl alcohol isoamyl ether, vanillyl alcohol n-hexyl ether, vanillyl alcohol methyl ether, vanillyl alcohol ethylether, zingiberol, salad oil, zingiberone phenol, zingerone, capsicim, Dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, high capsicim, high Dihydrocapsaicin, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, phenmethylol, glycerine and combination thereof, capsicum oleoresin, capsicim, pipering, zingiberol, salad oil, oleoresin ginger, cinnamon oil resin and cassia oil resin, black pepper oleoresin, pepper oleoresin, vanillyl alcohol n-butyl ether, vanillyl alcohol positive propyl ether, vanillyl alcohol isopropyl ether, vanillyl alcohol isobutyl ether, the positive amino ethers of vanillyl alcohol, vanillyl alcohol isoamyl ether, vanillyl alcohol n-hexyl ether, vanillyl alcohol methyl ether, vanillyl alcohol ethylether, zingiberol, salad oil, zingiberone phenol, zingerone, Dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, high capsicim, high Dihydrocapsaicin, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, phenmethylol, chloroform, eugenol, cinnamon oil, cinnamic acid and their phosphoric acid derivatives.

The non-limitative example of the taste agent that is fit to comprises effervescent agent for example alkali carbonate, alkali metal hydrogencarbonate, alkaline earth metal carbonate and alkali metal bicarbonates, citric acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, carbon dioxide and combination thereof.

The nonrestrictive example of fiber crops flavor agent comprises Portugal (Jambu) extract, vanillyl alkyl ether, vanillyl n-butyl ether, affinin, Echinacea Purpurea Herb P.E, northern pepper extract, capsicim, capsicum oleoresin, hot red pepper oil resin, black pepper oleoresin, pipering, oleoresin ginger, zingiberol, salad oil, cinnamon oil resin, cassia oil resin, cinnamic acid, eugenol, the cyclic acetal of vanillic aldehyde, menthol glycerin ether, unsaturated amides, and their combination.

Sweetener can comprise sugar and sugar-free sweetener and composition.The sugar sweetener can comprise the carbohydrate that contains the composition that includes but not limited to glucose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, fructose, levulose, galactolipin, corn syrup solids etc. alone or in combination.But sugar-free sweetener comprises having sweet taste character the composition of the sugar known to not containing usually.The non-limitative example that sugar-free sweetener comprises is sugar alcohol for example, glycerine, D-sorbite, maltitol, maltitol syrup, mannitol, isomalt, antierythrite, xylitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, polydextrose alcohol syrup, polydextrose alcohol powder, lactitol, water-soluble sweetening agent is dihydrochalcone for example, monellin, stevioside glycosides, glycyrrhizin, flavanonol, water-soluble artificial sweetening agent is soluble sugar refined salt for example, based on the sweetener of the dipeptides aspartate-derived sweetener of L-for example, the water-soluble sweetening agent of deriving from naturally occurring water-soluble sweetening agent, based on the sweetener of albumen for example thaumaoccous danielli (thaumatin I and II) and thaumati (Talin), and sweetener not that booth (2-hydroxyl-2-(indol-3-yl methyl)-4-aminoglutaric acid) and derivative thereof, sucralose, for example knob is sweet for the APM derivative that N-replaces, the salt of acesulfame, power is sweet, asccharin and salt thereof, cyclamic acid and salt thereof, and their combination.

The non-limitative example of the acid that is fit to comprises acetate, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, butyric acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, butanedioic acid, tartaric acid, and their combination.

The non-limitative example of the bitters that is fit to comprises quinine, naringin, quassia, phenylthiourea, 6-n-pro-pyl thiouracil, alum, salicin, caffeine, and their combination.

Brightener for tooth can comprise dental bleaching agent, stain remover and anticalculus agent.The non-limitative example of the brightener for tooth that is fit to comprises that hydrolytic reagent comprises proteolytic enzyme, grinding agent is aquation silica, calcium carbonate, sodium acid carbonate and aluminium oxide for example, other activity is removed for example surfactant of spot composition, for example odium stearate, sodium palmitate, sulfated oil acid butyl ester, enuatrol, fumarate, glycerine, hydroxylated lecithin, NaLS of anion surfactant for example, and chelating agent Quadrafos for example, it is used in the dentifrice composition usually as calculus dentalis control composition.Also comprise tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium phosphate trimer, sodium phosphate trimer, xylitol, hexametaphosphate and abrasive material silica.

Except previously described spices of this paper and coolant agent, flavorants can also comprise various compositions with smell control character.These can non-limitingly comprise cyclodextrin magnolia obovata extract.Flavorants also can the tunica envelope.The non-limitative example of flavorants comprises the oil of spearmint, peppermint, Chinese ilex, yellow camphor tree, chlorophyll, citral, geraniol, cardamom, cloves, Salvia japonica, carvacrol, eucalyptus, cardamom, Magnolia cortex P.E, black angle orchid, Chinese cassia tree, lemon, bitter orange, grape fruit and orange; Aldehydes is cinnamic acid and salicylide for example, menthol, carvol, iso-garrigol, anethole, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc fluoride, the zinc sulfate ammonium, zinc bromide, zinc iodide, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate, zinc fluosilicate, zinc gluconate, zinc tartrate, zinc succinate, zinc formate, zinc chromate, zinc phenolsulfonate, dithionic acid zinc, zinc sulfate, silver nitrate, zinc salicylate, zinc glycerophosphate, copper nitrate, chlorophyll, copper chlorophyll, chlorophyllin, cotmar, chlorine dioxide, beta-schardinger dextrin-, zeolite, material based on silica, material based on carbon, enzyme is laccase for example, and their combination.

In embodiments, the sense organ composition is corresponding to the feature as the character of edible matrix.Edible matrix can contain one or more spices.The sense organ composition can be with edible matrix in the identical spices that exists.For example, edible matrix can contain orange spices.The sense organ composition also can be an orange spices.The sense organ composition can be with edible matrix in perfumery like the spices of spices or reinforcement (complimentary to).Perhaps, the sense organ composition can be a non-existent spices in the edible matrix.

In embodiments, edible matrix can be a chewing gum product.Chewing gum product can be dressing or dressing not.Chewing gum product can also comprise sandwich material.The sense organ composition can be corresponding to the composition in the dressing, composition in the chewing gum and/or the composition in the sandwich material.For example, the chewing gum product with sandwich material can comprise strawberry flavor in sandwich material.The sense organ composition also can comprise strawberry flavor, thereby sense organ composition and sandwich material are linked together.In this way, the sense organ composition is corresponding to the character of edible matrix, i.e. the structure of edible product (sandwich).

In embodiments, feature is the characteristic of edible ink-mark, and the sense organ composition is corresponding to this feature.The non-limitative example of the characteristic of ink-mark comprises outward appearance, attribute, composition and/or the key element of ink-mark; One or more colors of ink-mark; The meaning that ink-mark is passed on when ink-mark is seen by the people (particularly when ink-mark is word or text), the sensation that ink-mark is produced when being seen by the people; The notion of passing on or exchanging when ink-mark is seen by the people; And their combination.

Printing equipment 32 can be used to form the edible product 50 that shows among Fig. 2.Should be appreciated that edible product 50 can be corresponding to the single-piece confectionery 24 among Fig. 1.Edible product 50 can comprise edible matrix 52 and print to edible ink-mark 54 that matrix 52 forms by printing equipment 32 from composition for ink 53.Ink-mark 54 can comprise feature 56.Printing equipment 32 also can distribute the sense organ composition 58 corresponding to the feature 56 of ink-mark 54.

Edible matrix 52 can be any edible food, material or the matrix that discussed this paper front.Edible matrix 52 can have the combination of plane surface, non-planar surfaces or plane and non-planar surfaces.That edible matrix 52 can have is flat, the surface topography of crooked, wavy, protruding (being ball ball, sheet or beans shape) or depression.Edible matrix can be by dressing or dressing not.In embodiments, edible matrix 52 can be a confectionery material, the flat basically chewing gum bar that for example shows among Fig. 2.

Ink-mark 54 can be any edible ink or the edible composition for ink that this paper discusses.In embodiments, edible ink-mark can be ink-jet-mark.Edible ink-mark 54 can comprise feature 56.Feature can be the whole of the part of ink-mark or ink-mark.For example, Fig. 2 shown and has been applied to edible matrix 52 lip-deep ink-marks 54, and ink-mark 54 is objects, and for example apple 55.Feature 56 is shapes of ink-mark 54, i.e. the shape of apple 55.Ink-mark 54 can comprise other feature, for example the shade (being the right complete object of profile phase of apple 55 and apple) of the color of object/multiple color (being that apple 55 can be monochromatic or multiple color) and/or ink-mark.In embodiments, as required, printing equipment 32 can spray to composition for ink on the discrete zone of edible matrix 52.For example, apple 55 can be first kind of color, and the remaining area of edible matrix 52 can be second kind of color (or colourless).

Edible product 50 also contains sense organ composition 58.The sense organ composition can be any sense organ composition that discussed one or more this paper front.Sense organ composition 58 is corresponding to feature 56.In other words, the sense organ composition can be the relevant or consistent sensation composition of any and feature 56.Specifically, sense organ composition 58 can be the appreciable composition of any sense organ, they generally accompany with feature 56, related, replenish, emphasize, focus on, give prominence to, mate, relate to, meet, get in touch or relevant.In embodiments, printing equipment 32 prints sense organ composition 58 or is sprayed on the edible matrix 52.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 58 can be applied directly on ink-mark 54 and/or the feature 56.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 58 can be composition or the key element from the edible ink 53 that is used to form ink-mark 54 of printing equipment 32 distribution.In another embodiment, printing equipment 32 can be distributed in sense organ composition 58 on the discrete zone of edible matrix 52 (promptly on the apple 55) or on the whole surface of edible matrix 52.

In embodiments, sense organ composition 58 can be a for example apple spice of flavouring agent.The sense organ composition can also comprise acid, with spices or separately comprise, when they contact with people's mouth, tart flavour or tart apple flavor is passed to the consumer.Edible product 50 has advantageously provided the product with visual attraction and the consumption experience of many sense organs, joyful consumer.Therefore, sense organ composition 58 (apple spice and/or acid) is corresponding to the feature 56 (shape of apple) as the ink-mark 54 of object.

Fig. 3 has shown the printing equipment 32 that is used to form edible product 60.Edible product 60 can be corresponding to the single-piece confectionery 24 among Fig. 1.Edible product 60 comprises edible matrix 62, and for example chewy confectionery or soft sweets have from printing equipment 32 and distribute the edible ink-mark 6463 of the formation of composition for ink, and ink-mark 64 is objects.Ink-mark 64 has feature 66, i.e. the shape of lemon.In the present embodiment, edible matrix 62 can comprise for example lemon flavouring of flavouring agent.Sense organ composition 68 can comprise acid, for example distributes for example citric acid with liquid or particle form from printing equipment 32.When edible product 60 was placed in consumer's the mouth, sense organ composition 68 can be sent out the tart flavour collaborative mutually with citrus scented.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 68 can have particulate or graininess quality or rough mouthfeel when on the surface that is applied to edible matrix 62.This can occur in when the sense organ composition can be used as that solia particle distributes or as drying after can have a graininess quality liquid divide timing.When sense organ composition 68 is applied on the surface of edible matrix 62, the tart flavour sensation instant, in advance of the particle mouthfeel that sense organ composition 68 is passed on for the people of consumption edible product 60 to emphasize acid.When this part that can occur in the edible matrix 62 with ink-mark 64 contacts with consumer's tongue.Therefore, the consumer can connect the graininess mouthfeel of specific acid and strong, the instant tart flavour of sense organ composition.In this way, sense organ composition (acid) is corresponding with the feature (ink-mark of lemon shape will have the sensation of tart flavour) of ink-mark.Have the edible product of the ink-mark of visual attraction by delivery, be combined on the tingle of consumption edible product and add corresponding sense learning through practice, make ink-mark 64, feature 66 and sense organ composition 68 can improve consumer's interest.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be used to form the edible product 70 that shows as Fig. 4.Edible product 70 can be corresponding to the single-piece confectionery 24 among Fig. 1.Printing equipment 32 distributes ink composition 73, spray or be injected on the edible matrix 72, forms ink-mark 74.In the present embodiment, ink-mark is have a plurality of feature 76a, 76b AD tagged.AD tagged 74 comprise the text feature 76a by title DOUBLEMINT indication.AD tagged 74 also comprise feature 76b, the shape of the imagination or sign, the i.e. arrow of double end.Also distributed sense organ composition 78 from printing equipment 32, it can be corresponding or relevant with one or two feature 76a or 76b.Sense organ composition 78 can be applied on ink-mark 74, feature 76a or the feature 76b.Perhaps, sense organ composition 78 can be applied on the other parts of edible matrix 72.

In embodiments, edible matrix 72 can be the chewing gum bar.Chewing gum can contain known flavorant in present technique field and sweetener.In embodiments, the sense organ composition can be one or more coolant agents that the front is openly crossed, and can be the composition of ink 73, maybe can be different, the composition independently that separate dispersion from printing equipment 32 with ink composition.The non-limitative example of the coolant agent that is fit to comprises menthol, right-terpane-3,8-glycol, 1-isopulegol, menthones ketal, menthyl lactate, mono succinate menthyl ester, menthyl 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid ester, 3-1-menthoxypropane-1,2-glycol (Takasago coolant agent, TCA), N-ethyl-right-terpane-3-formamide (WS-3), 2-isopropyl-N, 2,3-trimethyl butyramide (WS-23), other ring-type or acyclic formamide and 3,3,5-cyclonol, other similar coolant agent or its mixture.In embodiments, sense organ composition 78 can be applied on feature 76a, for example title ＂ DOUBLEMINT ＂, or sense organ composition 78 can be applied on the title ＂ MINT ＂.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 78 can be applied on one or two arrow part of feature 76b.Therefore, sense organ composition 78, coolant agent, corresponding and emphasized the feature of ink-retrtieval ＂ DOUBLEMINT ＂,---this feature is that the sensation of title ＂ DOUBLEMINT ＂ will provide cool sense of taste (particularly when edible product 70 is put in consumer's mouth, providing the instant shock wave or the outburst of coolant agent).

In another embodiment, edible product 70 can contain two kinds of sense organ compositions---and for example coolant agent and one or more mint flavored dose are present in edible matrix 72 Anywhere as previously discussed like that.Two kinds or " dual " sense organ composition are injected on the surface of edible matrix 72, outstanding, strengthen and corresponding to the feature 76a and the 76b of ink-mark 74, and the meaning of word ＂ DOUBLEMINT ＂ (i.e. two kinds of mint flavored and/or two kinds of refrigerant sensations).This has advantageously increased the enjoyment of consumer when consumption edible product 70.Therefore, by strengthening, amplify and emphasize the characteristic or the character (meaning that is word ＂ mint ＂ is the refrigerant ＂ of ＂) of feature, and apply with the meaning of corresponding ink-mark 74 described words (promptly provide two kinds of mint flavored/refrigerant sense organ composition, meaning corresponding to word ＂ DOUBLEMINT ＂ is two kinds of mint flavored or two kinds of refrigerant taste sensations), make sense organ composition 78 corresponding to feature 76a and 76b.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can comprise the quantitative controller 71 that shows among Fig. 4.Quantitative controller 71 can be communicated with printing equipment 32 operability, so that the sense organ composition that will accurately measure is shipped on the edible matrix 72.Quantitative controller 71 can be the assembly of printing equipment 32, or independent parts.The professional and technical personnel will recognize that in the concentration that the sense organ composition is provided with after the liquid droplets volume that disperses from printing equipment 34 is provided, the sense organ composition that quantitative controller 71 can be configured to accurately to measure is shipped on the matrix.Therefore, quantitative controller 71 can be any data processor, flow conditioner, flow sensor, timing means or its any combination, and its structure makes printing equipment 32 to control to be shipped to the liquid droplets quantity of the sense organ composition on the edible matrix 72.The sense organ composition can be the composition of composition for ink 73.Perhaps, the sense organ composition can distribute or be dissolved in the carrier that does not comprise composition for ink.This carrier can be included in the liquid reservoir separately or special-purpose, and can spray or be independent of composition for ink 73 simultaneously with composition for ink 73 and spray.

In another embodiment, quantitative controller can be used for will be accurately the sense organ composition 78 of amount be distributed on the edible matrix 72.The amount (or deliver amount) that " exact dose " used herein or " accurate quantification " are meant composition the scheduled volume of composition 0.01% in.For example, when the edible matrix of pre-orientation adds the 1.0g flavouring agent, exact dose will be to about 1.0001g flavouring agent from about 0.9999g.Edible product 70 can contain the composition for ink 73 of exact dose, with sense organ composition 78 or separately, or their combination.

In embodiments, quantitative controller 71 can be used to deliver predetermined value about 0.01% within the sense organ composition of amount.In another embodiment, quantitative controller 71 can be used to deliver the sense organ composition of the amount that is no more than predetermined value.This does not allow the sense organ composition of excessive adding for efficient adding sense organ composition or control may be favourable.

In another embodiment, quantitative controller 71 can comprise weight tester 75.Weight tester 75 is balance for example, can be communicated with to detect the weight of edible matrix 72 with quantitative controller 71 operability.Quantitative controller 71 can distribute the amount of sense organ composition drop, detects predetermined or the threshold gravimetric value up to weight tester.In case detect this predetermined gravimetric value, quantitative controller 71 can transmit a signal to printing equipment 32, to stop the injection of sense organ composition.

In another embodiment, weight tester 75 can be used for providing the initial weight of edible matrix 72.With the gravimetric value of edible matrix, quantitative controller 71 can be determined to need to distribute how many drops so that the sense organ composition of predetermined weight percent is provided for edible matrix.In embodiments, weight tester 75 is used in and adds the sense organ composition weight of each edible matrix 72 of weighing before.According to the weight of edible matrix 72, quantitative controller 71 can selectivity distributes the drop of exact magnitude, for each independently edible product 70 the sense organ composition of 2.0 weight %, for example coolant agent are provided.In embodiments, quantitative controller 71 can be used for delivering predetermined value 0.01% within the sense organ composition of amount.Therefore, quantitative controller 71 and weight tester 75 can be used for customizing the composition for ink of distribution or the amount of sense organ composition according to the individual weight of each edible matrix.Therefore, can form a plurality of edible products, each edible product has the sense organ composition of identical or approximately uniform percentage by weight on every.

Use quantitative controller 71 to help efficiently delivering sense organ composition, for example high intensity sweetner, flavouring agent, coolant agent or activating agent.Quantitative controller 71 also can be used for accurate dose of active is added on the surface of edible matrix 72.Activating agent can be that medicine, medicine, medicament, medicine or any mankind of being designed to take the compound as drug resistance disease or illness or promotion general health.Activating agent can be the composition of composition for ink or sense organ composition.Therefore, activating agent can be the composition of ink-mark, and/or is placed on the feature of ink-mark or is in contact with it.Perhaps, printing equipment can distribute activating agent or be injected on the edible matrix as discrete composition.The non-limitative example of the medicine that is fit to can comprise that any medicine, vitamin, stimulus or other are used to the chemical substance or the compound of the purpose relevant with health.In embodiments, activating agent can be a for example probio of bacteria beneficial, comprises non-limitative example such as Bacillus acidi lactici, Escherichia coli, enterococcus, streptococcus, Bifidobacterium and saccharomycete.In another embodiment, activating agent can be the dental plaque agent of disappearing.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32, quantitative controller 71 and/or weight tester 75 can be used for the sense organ composition and/or the activating agent of little dosage accurately are assigned to edible matrix 72." little dosage " of Shi Yonging is composition, component or the medicament with the quality from about 0.01mg to about 1g or any median in this article.The non-limitative example of little dosage is the composition with the quality from about 0.1mg to about 100mg (with or without carrier).In embodiments, printing equipment 32, quantitative controller 71 and/or weight tester 75 can be distributed in the sense organ composition (for example coolant agent) of 0.5mg to the interior any aequum of 3.0mg scope.In another embodiment, the agent of the dental plaque of the little dosage of 22mg can being disappeared is distributed on the edible matrix 72.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be used to form the edible product 80 that shows among Fig. 5.Printing equipment 32 distributes ink composition 83, spray or be ejected on the edible matrix 82 and form ink-mark 84.Edible matrix can be soft sweets or chewing gum.In the present embodiment, ink-trace 84 can be a poster.In embodiments, ink-mark 84 can comprise a plurality of features, and each letter and/or word can be taken as personal feature, and the size of each letters/words, font, layout and design can change as required.Each letter or word can be with monochromatic or multiple color printings, and these colors can be identical or different with the color that is used to print other letter or word.For example, can word ＂ Gotta Have ＂ be first kind of color or first group of multiple color, word ＂ Sweet? ＂ can be second kind of color or second group of multiple color.

In embodiments, edible product 80 comprises feature 86.Feature 86 be when people see or read " Gotta Have Sweet? " the time impression, meaning and/or the expectation of being passed on by poster 84.In other words, feature 86 is that the edible product 80 that conveys to the people by poster 84 has when consumption and maybe will have a kind of like this expectation of sweet taste.Sense organ composition 88 can or be assigned on any part or discrete partial of edible product 80 from printing equipment 32 injections.

Sense organ composition 88 can be a sweetener.Sweetener can contain sugar, can be sugar-free, and/or can be high intensity sweetner.Sweetener can be any sweetener that discussed this paper front.Other non-limitative example of the sugared sweetener that is fit to comprises the composition example that contains carbohydrate, as sucrose alone or in combination well known in the art, dextrose, maltose, dextrin, dry invert sugar, fructose, levulose, galactolipin, corn syrup, corn syrup solids etc.Other non-limitative example of sweetener that does not contain sugar can comprise that alone or in combination sucralose, Aspartame, salt, alitame, asccharin and the salt thereof of acesulfame, knob is sweet, cyclamic acid and salt thereof, glycyrrhizin, dihydrochalcone, thaumatin, monellin etc.

In embodiments, sense organ composition 88 (sweetener) can be placed on edible matrix 82 lip-deep words " Sweet " or " Sweet? " go up or contact with them.When in the mouth that edible product 80 is placed on the consumer, sense organ composition 88 can advantageously provide the startup of sweet taste or outburst in advance, thereby brings more joyful and excited for the consumption of edible product 80.Thereby when edible product 80 is seen by the people, make sense organ composition 88 (sweetener) and edible ink-mark, be poster 84 (" Gotta Have Sweet? ") feature 86 (expectation of the sweet taste of being passed on by poster 84) passed on interrelates, connects, related and/or relevant.In this way, sense organ composition 88 (sweetener) corresponding to edible ink-mark, poster 84 (" Gotta HaveSweet? ") feature 86 (to the expectation of sweet taste).

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be arranged to such an extent that be communicated with controller 100 operability, thereby forms the edible product 90 that contains high-definition picture as shown in Figure 6.Controller 100 can be any electronic data processing equipment and/or electronic data storage medium for example work station, personal computer, above-knee portable computer, personal data auxiliary equipment, or any other independently or with the electronic storage device electronic image storage device treating apparatus that links to each other of computer for example for example.Controller 100 can contain suitable hardware, software and/or logic circuit, the electronic image of storage is transformed into a series of orders, so that instruct printing equipment 32 that the composition for ink selectivity is distributed or be ejected on the surface of edible product 90, to duplicate or to copy electronic image to the surface of edible matrix.

In embodiments, be stored in the high-definition picture in the controller 100 that is communicated with printing equipment 32 operability, can be used for high-definition picture is applied to as shown in Figure 6 edible matrix 90.Controller 100 instructs printing equipment 32 that ink composition 93 selectivity are ejected on the edible matrix 92, and formation can be the ink-mark 94 of high-definition picture.In embodiments, edible matrix 92 can be the chewing gum bar.Ink composition can be one or more inks.High-definition picture can be multiple color, or can not be.Ink-mark 94 can comprise feature 96, and it can be for example a part or whole part on landscape or mountain range of high-definition picture.For example, ink-mark 94 can comprise the part of feature 94a, high-definition picture, i.e. mountain top or snow-clad mountain top.Ink-mark 94 also can comprise feature 96b, and at the bottom of hillside or the mountain, they can have different colors with the mountain top of feature 96a.

Printing equipment 32 can distribute one or more sense organ compositions 98 with corresponding to each feature.For example printing equipment can be used for distributing the sense organ composition 98a relevant with mountain top feature 96a.In embodiments, sense organ composition 98a can be coolant agent or the brightener for tooth corresponding to snow-clad, cold mountain top feature 96a.In another embodiment, mountain top feature 96a can be white or depict snow-clad mountain top as.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 98a can be the agent of fiber crops flavors, corresponding to feature 96a be the mountain top the peak or most advanced and sophisticated and from but point, this sensation sharp and/or shouting pain.

Sense organ composition 98a can be distributed on the edible matrix 92 Anywhere.In another embodiment, sense organ composition 98a can be distributed by selectivity or inject directly on the feature 98a of mountain top.By this method, sense organ composition 98a has advantageously given prominence to the mountain top feature 96a of ink-mark 94.For example, as the sense organ composition 98a of coolant agent given prominence to the mountain top be ice and snow that cover with visual sense feeling cold.Emphasize and corresponding to the thawing of avenging on the mountain top as the sense organ composition 98a of fiber crops flavors agent.

In embodiments, sense organ composition 98b can selectivity be distributed on the feature 96b.Sense organ composition 98b can be can corresponding to or may be further and mountain, open air or rural area, the simple or natural relevant matrix of life style.For example, sense organ composition 98b can be implication cleaning agent or brightener for tooth, or their combination.Therefore, sense organ composition 98b has further emphasized the notion that exchanges with the consumer when the consumer sees edible ink-mark mountain range 94, promptly clean, smelling good, feel all right, outdoor atmosphere and actively active life style.Therefore, sense organ composition 98a and 98b correspondence, emphasize and given prominence to feature 96,96a and the 96b (mountain range of image 94) of edible ink-mark, when edible product 90 during by human consumption, give the people who sees edible product 90 passed on healthy, enhance vigour, increase power, increase self-confident sensation.

In embodiments, edible matrix 92 can contain the character as the feature of edible product 90.Character can be surface texturisation, for example the embossed surface that shows among Fig. 6 A.Embossed surface can be lip-deep any recessed, the projection of edible matrix 92, etching or similar structure.In embodiments, embossed surface can be protruding 96c.Projection 96c can form in the chewing gum production process.For example, protruding 96c can be stamped on the surface of edible matrix 92 in known sizing in present technique field and film-making operation.Projection 96c can be unique feature of edible product 90.Perhaps, protruding 96c can get in touch, corresponding, related, relevant or emphasize edible ink-mark, the mountain range of image 94.Therefore, the feature of edible matrix 92 can occur in conjunction with (and corresponding) with further feature, for example the feature 96a of the edible ink-mark that shows among Fig. 6 and/or 96b.

In embodiments, feature 96c can be the projection of aiming at or being associated with edible ink-marking image 94.Projection 96c can be the material of edible matrix 92.Perhaps, protruding 96c can be other eatable material.In other words, edible ink-marking image 94 can be imprinted on the feature projection 96c, for edible product provides the landscape image of the high-resolution with three-dimensional feature.Sense organ composition 98a, 98b can be corresponding to feature 96a, 96b and/or 96c.Sense organ composition 98a (coolant agent) can be distributed in the top of protruding 96c, with the mountain top of emphasizing that ice-cold ice and snow covers.The slope of projection 96c and top can be corresponding to the hillside of the feature 96b of the mountain range image 94 of edible ink-mark and the mountain tops of feature 96a.Sense organ composition 98a and 98b can as previously discussedly be added on the image 94 with feature 96a, 96b like that.Projection 96c has further emphasized mountain top feature 96a and hillside feature 96b.The architectural feature that sense organ composition 98a provides corresponding to protruding 96c.Sense organ composition 98b is also corresponding to the architectural feature of protruding 98c.So the feature of edible matrix 92, promptly protruding 96c can provide three-dimensional nature for edible product 90.Edible product 90 has advantageously provided the outward appearance that rise from the surface of edible matrix 92 on one or more mountain ranges with corresponding sense organ composition and ink-mark.Projection 96c has strengthened the interest of consumer to edible product 90, and when edible product 90 is consumed, provides additional mouthfeel sense learning through practice.

In embodiments, controller 100 and printing equipment 32 are used to apply the high-definition picture that shows among Fig. 7 on edible matrix 110.Printing equipment can spray one or more composition for ink 113 or be distributed on the edible matrix 112, and with printing high-resolution ink-mark 114, it can be AD tagged.In embodiments, ink-mark 114 can cover the whole zone of the exposed surface of edible matrix 112.AD tagged 114 can be printed on the both sides of edible matrix 110, cover edible matrix fully.AD tagged 114 can have high-resolution, for example the image resolution ratio of photo.In embodiments, AD tagged 114 can have about 100dpi or about 360dpi or higher resolution ratio.

AD tagged 114 can have one or more features.For example, AD tagged 114 among Fig. 7 comprises feature 116a, the text word of ornamental font " JUICY FRUIT ", and a symbol, the peculiar arrow 116b of double end.Edible product 110 can contain or can not contain and is applied to lip-deep sense organ composition.In embodiments, the sense organ composition 118 corresponding to one or two feature 116a, 116b can be assigned on the surface of edible matrix 112 from printing equipment 32.For example, sense organ composition 118 can be that fruit flavors is to emphasize word " JUICYFRUIT " or " FRUIT ".Sense organ composition 118 can be dispersed in edible matrix 112 Anywhere, or this selectivity for example is dispersed on the feature 116a.

In embodiments, in edible product 110 can be placed on that Fig. 8 shows transparent, the translucent or packing material 120 that can understand thoroughly.In another embodiment, edible product 110 can be the chewing gum bar.It is in sight or see that packing material 120 allows ink-marks 114 to see through packing material 120.In embodiments, the resolution ratio of ink-mark 114 is enough high, is applied to for example AD tagged on paper, plastics, paper tinsel or the packing material of conventional opaque packing matrix to such an extent as to can duplicate or simulate.Packing material 120 can be made by any suitable transparent packaging material, for example polymeric material.Edible product 110 and packing material 120 can replace having only when the packing material conventional packaging system that Shi Caineng sees product that is opened.

In another embodiment, edible product 110 can show like that and other product 110 is packaged together in the transparent wrapper 122 as Fig. 9.Packing 122 also can be made by transparent material, makes that seeing through packing 122 sees high-resolution ink-mark 114.Each single edible product 110 that is placed in the packing 122 can or can not be packaged individually in the packing material 120.Packing 122 can comprise pulling-on piece 124, can take the inclusion of packing.Have packing material 120 and/or pack 122 edible product 110 and can advantageously eliminate, see AD tagged 114 because can see through it to the high printing package article of cost and the needs of packing.Therefore, packing material 120 and/or packing 122 can replace traditional opaque packing material.Having packing material 120 and/or packing 122 edible product 110 also to increase the notice of consumer to edible product 110, because directly exist high-resolution AD taggedly 114 on edible matrix 112, and does not have conventional packing and parcel.Therefore, have high-resolution AD tagged 114, have or do not have packing material 120 or pack 122 edible product 110, can be used for evoking the interest of consumer, thereby increase the sale of edible product 110 edible product.

The edible product of another kind of parcel is provided in embodiments.The edible product of parcel comprises the edible matrix that is equipped with edible ink-mark in its surface, and the packing material that is wrapped in edible matrix.Packing material comprises the packing material mark on the surface of the exposure of packing material.Packing material mark and edible ink-mark are complementary.

" coupling " used herein or refer between two objects aspect size, shape and color closely similar.Size, shape and/or the color aspect and the edible ink-mark that are marked at edible ink-mark with the packing material of edible ink-indicia matched are very similar.Therefore, being marked at closely similarly with edible ink-mark in appearance with the packing material of edible ink-indicia matched, and can be identical.

In embodiments, edible product 110 comprises AD tagged " JuicyFruit " that shows among Fig. 7.Packing material can wrap up edible product 110.As required, packing material can be opaque, transparent or translucent.Packing material can comprise the packing material mark with AD tagged 114 couplings.The packing material mark of coupling comprises word " Juicy Fruit ", and AD tagged 114 has same feature, has substantially the same size with AD tagged 114, and comprises and AD tagged 114 identical colors.

In embodiments, as shown in figure 19, edible product 530 comprises edible matrix 532, the chrominance section 531a-e that edible matrix 532 has edible ink-mark 538 " WUBMV " and follows.Packing material can wrap up edible product 530, and packing material has the packing material mark that is complementary with edible ink-mark 538 and 531a-e.In other words, the packing material mark of coupling has the word " WUBMV " onesize basically with edible ink-mark 538.The packing material mark also has on size, shape and color and the similar part of 531a-e part.Therefore, when when edible product 530 is removed packing material, edible product 530 has as packaged outward appearance still.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 (combining individually or with controller 100) can be used for preparing the edible product 130 that shows among Figure 10.Edible product can be dressing or dressing not.In embodiments, edible product 130 comprises the edible matrix 132 of dressing.The dressing of edible matrix 132 can be hard coatings or Soft Roll clothing, and dressing contains sugar or sugar-free.Dressing can form by the pan coating method.Pan coating need for example apply continuous multilayer syrup on confectionery or the chewing gum material in center material, and material is rotated and dry in rotating disc.As know in the art, dressing can be independent or with wax or other hydrophobic material or the protectiveness material of pan coating combination.In embodiments, the edible matrix 132 of dressing can be the chewing gum ball ball of dressing.

Printing equipment 32 can be ejected into ink composition 133 on the surface of edible matrix 132 of dressing and form ink-mark 134.Ink composition 133 can contain composition for example adhesion enhancer, wax and/or other composition, with the adhesion of promotion with edible matrix 132 surfaces of dressing.In embodiments, printing equipment 32 optionally is injected in ink composition 133 on the discrete zone of edible matrix 132 of dressing, and the ink-mark 134 of formation has the feature 136 of random pattern and/or one or more colors.Sense organ composition 138 can be or can not be the composition of ink composition 133, and it can be assigned on the surface of edible matrix 132 of dressing by printing equipment 32.Sense organ composition 138 also can contain composition for example adhesion enhancer, wax and/or other composition, to promote and to guarantee the adhesion on edible matrix 132 surfaces of sense organ composition and dressing.In embodiments, sense organ composition 138 can be arranged on ink-mark 134 or with it and contact.The sense organ composition can corresponding to or emphasize, strengthen or the feature 136 of outstanding ink-mark 134.For example, feature 136 can be for example blue random pattern of cool colour, and sense organ composition 138 can be a coolant agent.Thereby the cold flavor aspect of sense organ composition 138 is corresponding to the color characteristic of ink-mark.Perhaps, the feature 136 of ink-mark 134 can be that warm colour is for example red, and sense organ composition 138 can be a for example Chinese cassia tree of heat flavor agent or flavouring agent heat, pungent, with related and corresponding to warm colour.

In embodiments, the edible matrix 132 of dressing can have first face and second face, and first is reverse each other with second face.Printing machine 32 can be at first and second edible ink-mark in the printing respectively on first and second face of edible matrix 132.In embodiments, controller 100 can contain suitable logic circuit, aiming at printing or to connect first edible ink-be marked on first face, and second edible ink-be marked on second face.The side edge of the edible matrix of first edible ink-mark and second edible ink-be marked at is touched.In other words, edible matrix can contain from first face and extends to second face or opposite edible ink-mark.This provides seamless, continual edible ink-mark 134 for edible product 130 on first and second face of edible matrix.

For example, the edible ink-mark 134 with feature 136 (random pattern) can extend to the edge from first surface of edible matrix 132, and continues to be around to incessantly on second face of edible matrix 132 of dressing.At the edge of the edible matrix 132 of dressing, the EDGE CONTACT of the random pattern on first face has also continued random pattern on second face.Therefore, the edible ink-mark on second face of edible ink-mark on first face of edible matrix 134 and edible matrix aligns.Controller 100 can instruct printing equipment 32 printing ink components 133, touch in the side edge of edible matrix between edible ink-mark 134 on first and second face guaranteeing, so that form seamless ink-mark 134 in the exterior circumferential of the edible matrix 132 of dressing.

As shown in figure 11, in embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be used for preparing the edible product 140 in packing 141, it contains edible matrix 142a, 142b and the 142c of a plurality of dressings, each has corresponding ink- mark 144a, 144b, 144c, corresponding feature 146a, 146b, 146c (color and/or random pattern) and be applied to the lip-deep sense organ composition of dressing 148a, 148b, 148c.For example, the edible matrix 142a of dressing can comprise the ink-mark 144a of the blueness with random pattern feature 146a, and corresponding to the sense organ composition 148a of blueness, for example blueberry flavouring agent.The edible matrix 142b of dressing can comprise the orange ink-mark 144b with random pattern feature 146b, and corresponding to orange sense organ composition 148b, for example orange flavouring agent.The edible matrix 142c of dressing can comprise the green ink-mark 144c with random pattern feature 146c, and corresponding to the sense organ composition 148c of green, for example bitter orange flavouring agent.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that for each edible, the number of combinations between ink-mark, feature and the sense organ composition only is subject to the human imagination.

Packing 141 can be made by transparent or semitransparent material, makes that the edible matrix of single dressing in the packing 141 can be observed or otherwise see from outer package.Another feature of edible product 140 has provided a plurality of single-pieces, and every has the ink-mark with one or more different characteristics.For example, ink-mark 144a can have feature 146a (first kind of color and/or first kind of random pattern) and first kind of sense organ composition 148a corresponding to feature 146a (blue and blueberry flavouring agent); Ink-mark 144b can have feature 146b (second kind of color and/or second kind of random pattern) and second kind of sense organ composition corresponding to feature 146b (white is corresponding to coolant agent); And ink-mark 144c can have feature 146c (the third color and/or the third random pattern) and the third sense organ composition 148c corresponding to feature 146c (red corresponding to the agent of heat flavor).Random pattern, color, fragrance and the combination of the edible matrix of each dressing that can be consumed have advantageously increased the interest of consumer to edible product 140, and have increased its sale.

In embodiments, printing equipment 32 can be used for forming the edible product 150 that shows among Figure 12.Edible product 150 can contain the edible matrix 152 of dressing, and printing equipment 32 selectivity branch is thereon mixed first kind of ink composition 153a and second kind of ink composition 153b, with the ink-mark 154 that forms multiple color.Ink-mark 154 can comprise feature, and it is the random pattern of multiple color.Controller 100 can be used for collaborative and optionally sprays ink composition 153a and 153b, so that cover the whole surface of dressing basically.In embodiments, feature 156 can be the random pattern of first kind of composition for ink 153a and the random pattern of second kind of composition for ink 153b, and the collaborative injection of composition for ink or aligned with each other is not so that contact with the same section on dressing surface.Perhaps, controller 100 and printing equipment 32 can be injected in composition for ink 153a and 153b on the discrete portions on surface of dressing, to produce the selection area of the third color on the surface of the edible matrix 152 of dressing in the mode that overlaps.

First kind of sense organ composition 158a can be assigned on the zone that has first kind of composition for ink 153a by printing equipment 32 selectivity.Second kind of sense organ composition 158b selectivity in a similar fashion is assigned on second kind of composition for ink 153b zone.In embodiments, first kind of sense organ composition 158a can be the composition of composition for ink 153a, and second kind of sense organ composition 158b can be the composition of second kind of composition for ink 153b.Therefore, every kind of sense organ composition can its corresponding ink composition distribute simultaneously.

In embodiments, every kind of sense organ composition corresponding to or emphasized relative composition for ink or feature.For example, first kind of composition for ink 133a can be yellow, and first kind of sense organ composition 138a can be the flavouring agent corresponding to yellow, for example citrus scented agent.Second kind of composition for ink 133b can be for example white of clean color, and second kind of sense organ composition 138b can have clean or ultraclean properties for example implication cleaning agent and brightener for tooth, to emphasize clean color.Edible product 150 provides the dressing edible product of the multiple color with different surface characteristics and outward appearance.Ink-mark and multiple sense organ composition with multiple color of random pattern feature all are applied on the dressing surface, advantageously provide attractive edible product for the consumer.

In embodiments, provide preparation to have the equipment 200 of the edible matrix of three-dimensional body as shown in figure 13.Equipment 200 comprises distributor 202 and pedestal 204.Pedestal 204 is support matrices 206 below distributor 202.Matrix 206 can be any edible matrix that discussed this paper front.Distributor 202 is distributed in eatable material 208 on the matrix 206 in the mode that one deck connects one deck or increase gradually, forms or set up three-dimensional body on the surface of matrix 206.

Eatable material 208 can be any eatable material or the material that discussed this paper front.Should be appreciated that when from distributor timing in 202 fens, eatable material 208 is flowable, but or be in fluid or flow regime.In embodiments, feed hopper 210 can be arranged to be communicated with by conduit 214 fluids with distributor 202.It is the eatable material that solid maybe can not flow that feed hopper 210 with container 212 can be used for being contained under the environmental condition.Heating element heater 216 can be used for heating the material that is retained in the feed hopper 210, so that these materials are maintained flowable state.Conduit 214 can be multichannel conduit, and multiple flowable eatable material is transported to distributor 202.Flow conditioner is pump 218 for example, can unite with feed hopper 210 and/or conduit 214 operability, so that flowable eatable material is transported to distributor 202.

Distributor 202 can be supported by support system 220, so that move distributor 202 according to the indication of arrow G and H in level (laterally) mode respectively.Support system 220 also can move distributor in the mode of vertical (upper and lower).Support system 220 can make distributor 202 move with respect to pedestal 204 and matrix 206.Perhaps, distributor 202 can be static, and pedestal 204 can be movably, to move matrix 206 with respect to distributor 202.

In embodiments, distributor 202 can be any as described in this article ink-jet printing apparatus of off-contact printing device example.In another embodiment, distributor 202 can be substantially similar with ink-jet printing apparatus 32.Distributor 202 can be fit to spray or spray edible composition for ink and other eatable material.Liquid reservoir 222 can hold edible ink, or goes for holding any other flowable edible material that this paper discussed.Distributor 202 can also be applicable to receive and also spray or spray the flowable eatable material that transports by conduit 214 subsequently.In embodiments, distributor 202 can eject the single fluid that contains multiple eatable material.Perhaps, distributor 202 can contain the nozzle that is specifically designed to the different flowable eatable material of distribution.For example, distributor 202 can comprise second nozzle that is specifically designed to first nozzle that sprays composition for ink and is specifically designed to other fluid eatable material of injection.Distributor 202 can be side by side or is one after the other distributed one or more dissimilar eatable materials.

In embodiments, controller 224 can be communicated with distributor 202 operability.Controller 224 can be any data processing equipment, computer for example, and it can produce the three-dimensional coordinate data of object, changes these data into instruction, and these instructions are passed to support system 220 and distributor 202 to form three-dimensional body.The instruction that 220 pairs of controllers of support system 224 produce is reacted, and can pass through on matrix 206 by mobile distributor 202, and distributes the layer of flowable eatable material 208 in succession, to set up or to form three-dimensional (3-D) object 226 on matrix 206.If desired, three-dimensional body can be any size, shape, design or symbol.Object 226 can comprise any feature and corresponding sense organ composition or the color of discussing this paper front.On edible matrix 206, there is 3-D object 226, advantageously evoked the interest of consumer, and promote or help to increase the sale of edible product edible product.

Figure 13 A has shown the initial period that the 3-D object forms.In initial period, distributor 202 distributes the flowable eatable material 208 of ground floor by matrix 206 tops, forms the base part or the basalis 208a of object 226.In other words, initially pass through to have placed the flowable eatable material 208 that directly contacts with the surface of matrix 206.In case flowable eatable material 208 contacts with matrix 206, it can be dry and/or be cooled to the phase or the state that can not flow, and becomes the eatable material that can not flow.

In embodiments, object 226 can be that to be based upon can be that 3-D on the edible matrix 206 of chewing gum bar is AD tagged 228, shown in Figure 13 A-13C.In embodiments, flowable eatable material 208 can be to have any confectionery material or chewing gum component that can not flow or solid state under environmental condition, perhaps can be dispersed or dissolved in the solution, this solution under environment, can dry become can not flow or solid state.But the non-limitative example of the eatable material that is fit to comprises any confectionery material that can be in fluid or flow regime described herein.Other material that is suitable for eatable material comprises elastomer, tackifier resin, wax, fat, mineral filler, polysaccharide, gelatin, sugar, softening agent is glycerine, lecithin for example, hydrocolloid is gum arabic, guar gum, cyclodextrine, cellulose, carrageenan and agar for example, starch, and pectin.In addition, eatable material 208 can be any ink composition and/or the sense organ composition that this paper front was described.Distributor 202 can distribute ink, sense organ composition from corresponding special nozzle or shower nozzle.Perhaps, but can prepare the single distributing fluids that contains multiple required eatable material.This single fluid can disperse from the distributor selectivity then, forms object 226.

In the interstage that object forms, distributor 202 can apply the eatable material 208b in intermediate layer on matrix 206, shown in Figure 13 B.Should be appreciated that layer 208b can be single or multiple lift.During the interstage, distributor is sprayed on the eatable material of augmenting 208 on layer 208a, has formed the intermediate layer 208b that increases on the object 226.Layer 208b sets up or increased the height of object 226.In embodiments, applying of 208b of layer further determined AD tagged 228 size and shape.For example, intermediate layer 208b is arranged after, can see the space in the eatable material that applies.As can seeing in Figure 13 B, the space is corresponding to the literal DOUBLEMINT in AD tagged 228.

In the final stage that object forms, distributor 202 can apply top layer 208c on layer 208.Should be appreciated that top layer 208c can comprise one or more independently layers of eatable material 208.Top layer 208c can finish the formation of 3-D object 226.Therefore a plurality of layers of 208a, 208b and 208c have formed sandwich construction, have correspondingly formed 3-D object 226.In embodiments, on the zone of dispersion of intermediate layer 208b, apply the formation that top layer 208c has finished the literal space, and further finished AD tagged 228 shape and size.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that in the place that does not apply intermediate layer and/or top layer as required, basalis 208a and/or intermediate layer 208b can be top layers also on some part of object 226.3-D object 226 can form on the single surface of edible matrix 206, or forms on each reflecting surface of matrix 206.

In another embodiment, the amount that applies the eatable material 208 that is used to form a layer 208a, 208b, 208c can change on the zones of different of object 226 as required.In embodiments, can adjust the height of layer, make the 3-D AD tagged 228 of formation higher than the height J of AD tagged mid portion 234, shown in Figure 13 C at the height I at terminal 230 and 232 places of arrow.As required, the composition of eatable material 208 can change, and has the 3-D object of any color, composition, quality and/or fragrance with formation.In another embodiment, distributor 202 can be used for the layer of eatable material is added in the embossing (for example projection, depression) of any kind that exists on the matrix.In embodiments, eatable material 208 can be added in the depression that exists on the edible matrix 206.Eatable material can wrap up depression.Therefore, the 3-D object can be taken as the dressing of depression.

In embodiments, edible product 240 can comprise edible matrix 242 and the 3-D object 244 that applies thereon.Object 244 can be that the 3-D of image represents, for example landscape or the mountain range that shows among Figure 14 A and the 14B.Object 244 can use distributor 202 to form layer on edible matrix 242, and can comprise multiple color and multiple sense organ composition.For example, can distribute edible component 240 to form at the bottom of the mountain 246.Distributor 202 can also be at the bottom of forming the mountain sprays first kind of color and first kind of sense organ composition 250a in 246 the process.In the process that successively forms mountain top 248, distributor 202 can spray or spray second kind of color and/or second kind of sense organ composition 250b.As discussing this paper front, in embodiments, first kind of sense organ composition can corresponding Yushan Hill at the bottom of 246, the second kinds of sense organ compositions can be corresponding to mountain top 248.

In embodiments, equipment 200 can produce heterogeneous edible product.Feed hopper 210 can be the source of the rubber-based composition of thawing, is communicated with coming source fluid with distributor 202.The particle that distributor 202 can be used for the rubber-based composition that will melt is sprayed on the edible matrix.

Feed hopper 210 can be any can be heated and rubber-based composition is maintained storage, container, storage device of melting state etc.Feed hopper 210 can also contain one or more heating element heaters outside agitating device.Distributor 202 can be any distributor that this paper described in the past.In embodiments, distributor 202 can comprise any nozzle and the compression system that is fit to, under pressure the particle of the glue group composition that melts is sprayed from nozzle, sprays, prints or disperses.The sprinkling section of the matrix particle that melts can be any sprinkling section well known in the art, and non-limitative example comprises for example conical jet and fan-shaped spray.The non-limitative example of the distributor that is fit to comprises valve-spraying device.

In embodiments, distributor can be the noncontact distributor.When using in this article, " noncontact " distributor is that composition is applied on the matrix and the device that distributor does not contact with the surface of the matrix that applies composition.Therefore, the part that does not contact in the distributor 202 with the surface of edible matrix 264.The non-limitative example of the noncontact distributor that is fit to comprises any off-contact printing device disclosed herein.In embodiments, distributor 202 is ink-jet printing apparatus.

In embodiments, eatable material 208 can be a rubber-based composition.Rubber-based composition is one or more of following chewing gum base composition: elastomer, resin, softening agent and wax.The chewing gum base composition has liquid and solid-state." thawing " of Shi Yonging is meant the chewing gum base composition of liquefied form in this article." thawing " used herein chewing gum base composition is the chewing gum base composition that was in the solid form of melting state or liquefaction phase in the past.Therefore, the rubber-based composition that has melted is the liquid that is in or is higher than the fusion temperature of rubber-based composition.The rubber-based composition that melted is a solid, and the rubber-based composition that melted once was liquefied in the past and was heated to its melting temperature at least.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that the chewing gum base composition that melted can distinguish with common extrusion chewing gum.When the preparation chewing gum, in mixed process, be heated about 40 ℃ usually and arrive about 55 ℃ temperature, in the extrusion process, be heated to about 30 ℃ and arrive about 45 ℃ temperature.The state that chewing gum is not melted or is heated to liquefaction or melts in its production process.

Rubber-based composition can be any combination of one or more elastomers, resin, softening agent and/or wax.Elastomer can be an any natural or synthetic elastomer well known in the art.The non-limitative example of the natural elastomer that is fit to comprises natural elastomer latex for example pyrogene or liquid and guayule, and natural gum for example gelutong (jelutong), Lai Kaiou glue (lechicaspi), perillo, sorva,, massaranduba balata (massaranduba balata), chocolate balata (massaranduba chocolate), nispero, rosindinha, tunny gum (chicle), Hong Kong gutta-percha (gutta hang kang) and combination thereof.The non-limitative example of the synthetic elastomer that is fit to comprises that the GPC weight average molecular weight is about 10,000 to about 95,000 polyisobutene elastomer, the ratio of styrene-butadiene is the isobutylene-isoprene copolymer of about 1:3 to about 3:1, the GPC weight average molecular weight is about 2,000 to about 90,000 polyvinyl acetate, polyisoprene, polyethylene, the content of vinyl laurate is vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer of about 5 to about 50% of copolymer weight, and their combination.Therefore, the rubber-based composition that contains elastomeric thawing will have the temperature more than or equal to elastomeric melt temperature.

The non-limitative example of the resin that is fit to comprises natural rosin ester, be commonly called ester gum, the for example pentaerythritol ester of the methyl ester of the pentaerythritol ester of the glyceride of the glyceride of the glyceride of the glyceride of partial hydrogenation rosin, newtrex, part dimerization rosin, rosin, partial hydrogenation rosin, rosin and partially hydrogenated methyl ester, rosin, the synthetic terpene resin of for example deriving, and their combination from australene, nopinene and/or d-limonene.The rubber-based composition that contains the thawing of resin will have the temperature more than or equal to the melt temperature of resin.

The non-limitative example of the softening agent that is fit to comprises butter, h-tallow, hydrogenation and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, cocoa butter, glycerin monostearate, glyceryl triacetate, lecithin, monoglyceride, diester and three esters, acetylizad monoglyceride, aliphatic acid (for example stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid), and their combination.The rubber-based composition that contains the thawing of softening agent will have the temperature more than or equal to the melt temperature of softening agent.

The non-limitative example of the wax that is fit to comprises any aliphatic wax, any polyolefin-wax, Brazil wax, beeswax, candle wax, microcrystal wax and their combination.The rubber-based composition that contains the thawing of wax will have the temperature more than or equal to the melt temperature of wax.

Pedestal 204 can be placed on the conveying arrangement, and edible matrix 206 is moved to distributor 202 belows.Perhaps, pedestal 204 can be static, and what distributor 202 can be as former discussion is removable with respect to pedestal.

Distributor 202 can be used for producing edible product 260, and as showing among Figure 14 C-14H, the particle 262 by the rubber-based composition that will melt is sprayed on the edible matrix 264 and has formed heterogeneous edible product.Edible matrix 264 can be any edible matrix that this paper disclosed in the past.The rubber-based composition that melts adheres on the edible matrix easily, in case be in contact with it, just merge and/or is attached on the surface of edible matrix.After the cooling, the rubber-based composition of thawing solidifies, and has become the rubber-based composition 265 that melted.Can change the cool time of the rubber-based composition that melts according to the composition of the rubber-based composition that melts.The cooling of the rubber-based composition that melts can be instant or instant basically with after edible matrix 264 contacts.Perhaps, in a single day with after the surface of edible matrix 264 contacts the rubber-based composition of thawing can cool off gradually.

The rubber-based composition particle 262 that melts can be sprayed onto on one of edible matrix 264 or all surface.In embodiments, distributor 202 can spray particle 262, with the layer 266 that shows in forming as Figure 14 D on edible matrix 264.Layer 266 can be homodisperse particle 262, so that form the continuous unbroken layer of the chewing gum compositions 265 that melted, the surface of it and edible matrix 264 has same scope or same basically scope.Layer 266 can have homogeneous thickness on its length.Perhaps, layer 266 can have along the thickness of the length variations of layer.

The sprinkling parameter of distributor can be adjusted, with the surface texturisation of decorative layer 266 as required.Layer 266 can have surface texturisation rule or smooth that shows among Figure 14 D.Perhaps, layer 266 can have coarse, rough or irregular surface texturisation.

The opposing face of edible matrix 264 can spray to form layer 268 with particle 262 with similar mode.This provides sandwich construction (264/ layer 268 of layer 266/ edible matrix) for edible product 260. Layer 266 and 268 thickness can be from about 0.0001 inch to about 0.1 inch, or the value of any centre.In embodiments, the existence of layer 266 and/or layer 268 can be given edible product 260 to extrude the outward appearance of product altogether.The composition of layer 266 and 268 can be identical or different.

In embodiments, distributor 202 can repeat the sprinkling process, spraying the particle 262 that applies for the second time, and forms the gum base materials that the second layer melts on layer 266.One deck of the rubber-based composition of this thawing connects applying of one deck and can repeat, up to the rubber-based composition layer of the thawing that obtains final desired thickness.Therefore, layer 266 can be compiling of a plurality of sublayers, and the sublayer is sprayed on another layer in mode successively.Layer 268 can be a layer of using sublayer " foundation " to get up in the same way.

In embodiments, distributor 202 can spray particle 262 at the discrete location of edible matrix 264, to form the edible product 260a of the rubber-based composition object 270 with one or more thawings that shows among Figure 14 E.Object 270 can have any required shape, and non-limitative example comprises the shape of geometry, the imagination, linear and their combination.In another embodiment, the rubber-based composition of thawing can be assigned to according to former discussion and form the 3-D object on the edible matrix.

In embodiments, the rubber-based composition 265 of thawing can contain one or more sense organ compositions.The rubber-based composition 265 that melts can have required color.In another embodiment, the rubber-based composition 265 of thawing can contain sweetener, flavouring agent and pigment.For example, layer 266 can contain about 30% and arrive the rubber-based composition of the thawing of about 100% weight (or value of any centre), and from about 0% one or more sense organ compositions to about 70% (or value of any centre).

Other sense organ composition can be distributed on the rubber-based composition 265 of edible matrix 264 and/or thawing.Perhaps, the rubber-based composition of thawing can not contain the sense organ composition, and this paper is previously discussed to be distributed in (or on the rubber-based composition 265 that melts) on the edible matrix 264 with the sense organ composition and resemble.

In embodiments, on the rubber-based composition 265 that is printed on edible matrix 264 and/or melts that edible ink-mark 272 can be discussed according to this paper front.Edible ink-mark 272 can contain the sense organ composition of discussing the front.Edible ink-mark 272 can be the edible ink-mark of off-contact printing or the edible ink-mark of ink-jet.Edible ink-mark 272 can have the feature that discussed this paper front.In embodiments, the feature of edible ink-mark 272 can be corresponding to the character of the rubber-based composition 265 that melts and/or the character of edible matrix 264.For example, edible ink-mark 272 can be speech (i.e. " fuse "), feature can be the meaning of this speech, and the meaning of this speech is corresponding to the character of the rubber-based composition 265 that melted (be between feature and the character contact be that the rubber-based composition 265 that melted combines or " fusion " with edible matrix 264).

In embodiments, controller 224 and distributor 202 operability each other are connected, and are communicated with the source operability of each independent element of rubber-based composition.Controller 224 and distributor 202 can be communicated with the source operability of one or more sense organ compositions in the same way.Controller 224 can use the software and/or the logic circuit that are fit to make up, and controls and adjust the composition of rubber-based composition to allow the user when the rubber-based composition that melts is sprayed on the edible matrix.

For example, in process of production, operating personnel can be sprayed onto the rubber-based composition of first kind of thawing being made of elastomer on first part (or first batch of material) of edible matrix, and the rubber-based composition of this first kind of thawing contains first kind of spices and first kind of color.By controller 224, operating personnel can select the rubber-based composition (for example being made of resin and wax) of second kind of thawing then, and the rubber-based composition of this second kind of thawing are sprayed onto second part (or second batch of material on) of edible matrix.The rubber-based composition of second kind of thawing can contain second kind of sense organ component distributing (second kind of spices, second kind of color).In this way, equipment 200 provides the ability of the composition of the rubber-based composition that real time altering melts for operating personnel.Similarly, equipment 200 also can provide the ability of real time altering sense organ situation.Operating personnel can change the composition of rubber-based composition basically immediately, uninterruptedly or basically incessantly in spraying the rubber-based composition that melts.Therefore equipment 200 can be produced edible product customization or special.

In embodiments, equipment 200 can be used for the chewing gum product 280 that shows among the production drawing 14H.Figure 14 F has shown the chewing gum product 282 with predetermined thickness TT.Chewing gum product for example chewing gum bar, sheet and ball ball generally has the predetermined thickness of understanding usually in the art.For example, the chewing gum bar generally have from about 0.068 inch to about 0.072 inch thickness, chewing gum tablet have usually from about 0.135 inch to about 0.145 inch thickness, chewing gum ball ball have usually from about 0.156 inch to about 0.200 inch thickness.Figure 14 G has shown the gum base 284 with thickness UU, and thickness UU is less than preset thickness TT (virtual description).Distributor 202 can be sprayed onto the rubber-based composition particle that melts on the gum base 284, forms the layer 286 of the rubber-based composition 288 that melted, and makes that the final thickness of chewing gum product 280 is the predetermined thickness TT that show among Figure 14 H.Layer 286 can be a plurality of sublayers of passing through to repeat to spray formation of discussing in the past.The rubber-based composition that melts can be sprayed on one or two surface of gum base 284, to obtain thickness T T.Any surface of chewing gum compositions 280 can be printed on edible ink-mark disclosed herein.Similarly, the sense organ composition also can be distributed on the chewing gum product 280.

Apply the rubber-based composition 288 that melted and form edible product 280, this chewing gum parent material that can advantageously make the production chewing gum product need lacks than conventional chewing gum product.This can advantageously reduce production cost.Chewing gum product 280 contains less chewing gum, has the thickness of standard simultaneously.This makes chewing gum product 280 compatible with conventional chewing gum Wrap device and packing device.Melt/rubber-based composition that melted can be advantageously used in reduction chewing gum production cost, be used to produce the chewing gum product of customization, and be used to add the sense organ composition (for example chocolate) that can not add on the chewing gum that is exposed to extrusion technique in process of production.

In embodiments, provide the method for selling edible product.This method comprises provides edible product, and prints the ink-mark relevant with incident on edible matrix, thereby forms the incident product.The incident product can be distributed to the consumer then.

Edible product can be any eatable material or the edible material that this paper front was described.Similarly, ink-mark can be previously described any ink-mark.Ink-mark can be relevant with incident.In other words, ink-mark can be corresponding to, specify, emphasize, give prominence to, describe, describe in detail, strengthen, focus on, get in touch, indicate or advise any mark of concrete incident.Ink-mark can put on the edible product to form the incident product by any method described herein.In embodiments, ink-mark can be by ink jet printing on the surface of edible product.In another embodiment, ink-mark can comprise the sense organ composition.The incident product of providing advantageously excited the consumer to not so may with the interest of the irrelevant edible product of incident.Edible product and particular event are associated, can set up the new market segments, and correspondingly increase the sale of product for edible product.In fact, the incident product also can be considered to novel article, advantageously becomes consumer's collection.

Incident can be any incident, event by chance, activity, social activities, affairs, celebration, ceremony, the accident that can be recognized by individual or consumer.Incident can be the many people International Operations (being the Olympic Games or world cup) knowing or recognize or the incident (being presidential election) of domestic understanding.Perhaps, incident can only be understood by sub-fraction and a small amount of crowd, club or the private organization of society, and for example preview inside or family party.Incident can be individual incident (anniversary, graduation, achievement, marriage, engaged).The non-limitative example of the incident that is fit to comprises current events (for example the hostage is released), motion event, (Valentine's Day holiday, National Day July 4), religion incident, political event are for example campaigned for, give a lecture or locality, area, state or federal election, and (Martha's court judgement is put in prison! ), seasonal incident is Ge Laimei or Oscar for example, and cultural incident is music performance, art exhibition, movie or television program for example, and their combination.

As well known in the art, the incident product can be distributed or otherwise offer consumer or potential consumer.The distribution that is fit to maybe can provide the incident product or deliver non-limitative example to consumer's method and comprise and be dispensed into retail shop, buy or order from internet website, catalogue or mailing, and the distribution of free sample product.

In embodiments, the distribution of incident product can be before incident, during the incident or take place in the period after the incident.For example, incident product 300 comprises edible product 302 and is the relevant ink-mark of concert 304 with cultural incident, shown in Figure 15 A and 15B.In embodiments, edible product 302 can be confectionary product or chewing gum product.Ink-mark 304 can be the lip-deep ink-jet mark that is imprinted on incident product 300.In addition, ink-mark 304 can be associated with incident by the date of furnish an explanation music group, incident and the literal in place.Incident product 300 can comprise feature 306, for example musical performance person's image.Shown in Figure 15 B, feature 306 can on the incident product with ink-mark 304 at same or on opposite face.

In embodiments, the consumer be provided and delivered, provide and be sold to incident product 300 can (before being music performance) before the incident.For example, incident product 300 can peddled on stand or the vending machine or provided or showed by the seller that sells who is positioned at the music hall that will hold music performance.Therefore, in fact, incident product 300 can before the music performance of incident host city, during and distribution afterwards or otherwise offer the consumer.

In embodiments, method can comprise the result of waiting event and the result is printed on the edible product.The incident product that produces can there be the result or the back takes place in incident then and be distributed to the consumer in the short time.As shown in Figure 16, incident product 310 comprises the edible product relevant with sport event 312 and ink-mark 314.Ink-mark 314 can be by the troop that indicates sport event and wherein participate in, the literal that ink-mark is associated with sport event.Ink-mark also can comprise the result 316 of incident, for example score.Incident product 310 can also comprise feature 318a and 318b, first kind and second kind of troop's color (for example green and golden) of the troop that for example wins.Feature 318a and 318b can further give prominence to or emphasize incident and/or result.

In embodiments, the production of incident product 310 can be carried out after result and/or incident are finished immediately.In embodiments, the result can be printed on the edible matrix in about 1 second to about 24 hours after the result takes place.Then can be with incident product 310 very fast distribution and/or offer the consumer in the short time after incident is finished.In embodiments, incident product 310 can be less than within these few days or be less than within 24 hours after incident and/or event result generation or produced and be distributed to the consumer in 1 minute to about 24 hours.Incident is not necessarily limited to sport event.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, this method can easily be applied to political election, current events, movie premiere and other has relevant time sensitivity result's incident.

The advantage of producing fast in the short time and can provide to consumer's distribution edible product relevant with incident is provided after incident is finished the professional.In 24 hours of incident (for example sports score of incident, election results or the current events that particularly have the time sensitivity result), incident product 310 is offered the consumer, product is provided when concentrating on the incident by the notice the consumer, has advantageously increased the sale of edible product.Provide result's (for example sports score) of time sensitivity incident with the incident product, further caught the notice of consumer, be transformed into the increase of production marketing product.Therefore, the edible product of routine is transformed into the incident product, can increases the sale of current production.Conventional edible product is associated with incident also can expands the market segments of product, and increased target consumer's the quantity of the edible product of relevant incident product.

In embodiments, provide advertising method.Advertising method need provide edible product, and the ink-mark relevant with incident is imprinted on formation incident product on the edible matrix.This method also is included in provides AD tagged to form the incident product advertising on the incident product.AD tagged can applying with ink-mark.Perhaps, AD tagged can before or after applying ink-mark, providing.AD taggedly can be or can not be the ink jet printing mark.As discussed above like that, the incident product advertising can before the incident, during and/or distribution afterwards.

Shown in Figure 17 A, in embodiments, incident product advertising 320 comprise edible product 322 with the international events relevant ink-mark 324 of the Olympic Games for example, it is placed on first face of edible product.In embodiments, edible product 322 can be confectionery or chewing gum product.Ink-mark 324 can for example Olympic Games ring and the place and the literal of time 328 that indicate incident be associated with incident by symbol 326.Incident product advertising 320 can also be included in the result 330 (being that skater Sasha Cowen wins the silver medal) who takes place during the incident.

Shown in Figure 17 B, AD tagged 332 can place on another face of edible product 322.In embodiments, AD tagged 332 can ink jet printing on edible product 322.AD tagged 332 can be described herein any AD tagged, and can comprise one or more features, and corresponding to one or more sense organ compositions of individual features.In embodiments, incident product advertising 320 can as previously discussedly be packaged in the transparent wrapper like that.

In embodiments, provide the confectionary product 510 that shows among Figure 18.Confectionary product 510 can contain the edible matrix 512 with first surface 513, and edible ink 516, and it forms edible ink-mark 518 from first surface 513 that printing equipment 520 is assigned to edible matrix 512.In this embodiment, edible matrix can also have and first 513 opposite second surfaces 514, surface.Edible ink 516 can be applied on any or two on surface 513,514.In addition, edible ink 516 can be applied on any or two on surface 513 and 514, thereby any of covering surfaces 513 and 514 or two s' is about at least 5%, or any or two on surface 513 and 514 about 5% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In embodiments, edible ink 516 can covering surfaces 513 and 514 any or two about at least 50%, or any or two in the surface 513 and 514 about 50% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink 516 can covering surfaces 513 and 514 any or two about 75% to about 100%, or about 75%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink 516 has covered any or two about 100% on surface 513 and 514, or 100%.

As shown in Figure 18, the printing equipment 520 that prints edible ink 516 is used to edible ink 516 is applied on the surface of edible matrix 512 and forms edible ink-mark 518.Conveying arrangement for example conveyer (not shown) can move edible matrix 512 according to the direction that arrow A A shows below printing equipment 520.Perhaps, edible matrix 512 can be static, and printing equipment 520 can move above edible matrix 512.

Printing equipment 520 can be any off-contact printing device disclosed herein.For example, the off-contact printing device can be a sprayer unit.In embodiments, printing equipment 520 can be edible ink-jet printing apparatus.Similarly, as this paper discussion, edible ink 516 can be edible ink-jet ink.Should be appreciated that printing equipment 520 may be constructed such and therefrom distributes or injection composition for ink or other fluid.In fact, any fluid that sprays can distribute from printing equipment 520." can spray " fluid or material can be any material (solid or liquid), and its character is enough to make material by the known inkjet material dispensers selective deposition in present technique field.Ink jet printing is favourable, particularly for food, because it provides 1) high-resolution printing, and 2) not with Food Contact, thereby avoided damaging the risk of confectionary product.

As shown in figure 18, printing equipment 520 can comprise one or more print heads 522, and they are communicated with by passage 526 fluids with one or more liquid reservoirs 524.Liquid reservoir 524 can hold edible ink, so that printing equipment 520 can be imprinted on edible ink on the edible matrix.Printing equipment 520 can be configured has more than one liquid reservoir 524, quantity according to required color, each liquid reservoir 524 contains the edible ink, for example cyan of common color, deep red red, yellow and black or white, so that the image of multiple color is provided.Similarly, in embodiments, printing equipment 520 can be configured has 4 print heads 522.Each print head 522 can comprise one or more nozzles, as discussed this paper front.Each print head 522 can be communicated with one or more fluid reservoir 524 fluids.Print head can be arranged in any required mode, so that edible ink-mark is shipped on the edible matrix.For example, print head 522 can be arranged in single file.Perhaps, print head 522 can be arranged in a series of row, to form the printing profile of matrix-type.Printing equipment 520 can be one way or multipass printing equipment, to form monochrome or multicolor image on edible matrix.In embodiments, printing equipment 520 is one way devices, crosses edible matrix once during printing.

Printing equipment 520 can be made up of any amount of color spray head in the assembly.More particularly, printing equipment can by wide be 8 to be that the nozzle component of 44 kinds of colors of arranging constitutes deeply.In embodiments, printing equipment 520 comprises 256 nozzles in per 2.8 inches (vertical direction), or comprises about 91 nozzles in vertical direction.The width of each spray site can from about 0.0166 inch to about 0.0037 inch (horizontal direction).In other words, ink can disperse to the value of about 400 points of per inch or any centre with about 60 points of per inch in the horizontal direction.The droplet size of the edible ink by print head can be about 80pL.The professional will recognize that the concentration of ink depends on 1) edible matrix 512 speed or the speed passed through for 520 times at printing equipment, and 2) printhead assembly sprays the speed of ink droplets.Therefore, printing equipment can spray 36,400 points (vertical 91x level 400) per square inch.Some concentration on edible matrix 512 can change as required.For example, the capability operation print head with about 10%, the body of about per square inch 3600 points of generation.In another embodiment, the capability operation printhead assembly with 25% produces the body of 9100 points per square inch on edible matrix 512.Therefore, the some concentration on the edible matrix 512 can for about 3600 points per square inch to about 36,400 points per square inch, or the value of any centre.

In embodiments, printed resolution can be from about 60 points of per inch to about 400 points of per inch, or the value of any centre.In embodiments, printed resolution can for every kind of about 60 points of color per inch to about 120 points of per inch, or about 100 points of per inch.

Any printing equipment described herein can print with high-resolution printing capability.When using in this article, " high-resolution " is greater than the level point concentration of 100dpi to the value of about 400dpi or any centre.Therefore, the non-limitative example of high-definition picture be image some concentration for about 9100 points (91 perpendicular nozzle x100dpi) per square inch to the value of about 36,400 points (91 perpendicular nozzle x400dpi) or any centre per square inch.

Should be appreciated that edible ink 516 can be compatible with printing equipment 520, thereby do not damage any printhead assembly or cause the injection incongruity of injector.Edible ink 516 also can be compatible with edible matrix 512, to provide the high-resolution that sticks on the edible matrix 512 edible ink-mark 518.

In embodiments, printing equipment 520 has been delivered management organization for example FDA, EEC or the similar artificial coloring of the maximum that allowed of government organs.Therefore, provide the edible matrix 532 that has applied edible ink 536 on it, having produced all has or all coloured basically confectionary product on the outer surface.This has advantageously provided the confectionary product with extremely lucid and lively color, not only pleasant but also the consumer had the height attraction on aesthetic view point.

Figure 19 has shown the confectionary product 530 that has edible matrix 532 and be printed on edible ink 536 on it.Edible matrix 532 can contain main body 533, first 534 and second surfaces 535, surface, and wherein surface 534 and 535 is positioned on the opposite face of edible matrix 532.Edible ink 536 can be applied on any or two on surface 534 and 535.In addition, edible ink 536 can be applied on any or two on surface 534 and 535, thereby any of covering surfaces 534 and 535 or two s' is about at least 5%, or any or two on surface 534 and 535 about 5% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In embodiments, edible ink 536 can covering surfaces 534 and 535 any or two about 50% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink 536 can covering surfaces 534 and 535 appoint any or two about 75% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink 536 can covering surfaces 534 and 535 any or two about 100%, or 100%.

Edible ink 536 can form edible ink-mark 538.Edible ink-mark 538 can be any required edible ink-mark.Edible ink-mark 538 can be any single color discussed of this paper or the edible ink or the composition for ink of multiple color.In addition, edible ink-mark 518 also can be at some incident and/or advertisement.Incident can be the disclosed any incident in this paper front, can also comprise by individual or the identifiable any incident of consumer, incident, activity, social activities, affairs, celebration incident, ceremony, accident.Incident can be a lot of people International Operations (being the Olympic Games or world cup) knowing or confirm or the incident (being presidential election) of domestic approval.Perhaps, incident also can only be the society sub-fraction and a few peoples, club or private organization known to, for example preview inside or family party.The non-limitative example of the incident that is fit to comprises current events (for example the hostage is released), sport event, (Valentine's Day holiday, National Day July 4), religion incident, political event are for example campaigned for, give a lecture or locality, area, state or federal election, and (Martha's court judgement is put in prison! ), seasonal incident is Ge Laimei or Oscar for example, and cultural incident is music performance, art exhibition, movie or television program for example, and their combination.

In addition, edible ink-mark 518 can be any edible ink-mark disclosed herein.Edible ink-mark 518 can be the ink-jet mark.Edible ink-mark can comprise any feature disclosed herein.For example, edible ink-mark 548 can comprise the green Luzern of discussing below with this paper of selling 547 that shows among Figure 20 during St Patrick's Day.Feature can comprise part or all of edible ink-mark 518.In embodiments, any sense organ composition that this paper front can be discussed is distributed on the edible matrix.

In addition, each letter and/or word in edible ink-mark 518 can be taken as independent feature, because the size of each letters/words, font, layout and design can change as required.Each letter or word can monochromatic or multiple color printings, and described color can be identical or different with the color that is used to print other letter or word.For example, letter " WUBMV " can be a kind of color, and the profile of letter can be a for example white of another kind of color.As shown in Figure 19, the not printing 531a on first surface 534 of matrix 532 can keep not being printed, and maybe can be that another kind of color is for example yellow.Part 531b, 531c, 531d, 531e can be other required colors, to produce the confectionary product of multiple color.In embodiments, confectionary product 530 can comprise 4 kinds of colors (for example yellow, redness, blueness and black) except uncoloured part 531a.

The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, color, deep or light, quality, size, shape etc. can change according to for example specific embodiment or the market demand.In addition, the ornamental font, color, layout and the design that present of word " JUICY FRUIT " can be different with former package design.The ability that manufacturer changes the feature of edible ink-mark can help to attract the concern of consumer to product, thereby increases the attraction of product to the consumer.

As showing further among Figure 19 that in embodiments, edible ink 536 does not have the main body 533 of the edible matrix 532 of extend through, therefore on second surface 535 of edible matrix 532, can't see.For example, edible ink 536 can absorb enter in the edible matrix 532 certain apart from 539a.But edible ink 536 does not have to absorb to advance thoroughly the full depth 539 of whole edible matrix 532.In other words, because edible ink 536 does not extend the main body 533 that sees through edible matrix 532 fully, the ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, if edible ink 536 only is applied on first surface 534, can not on second surface 535 of edible matrix 532, see edible ink 536.

In embodiments, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 1% to about 25% or about 10% or the value of any centre.Similarly, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 5% to about 50%.For example, typical chewing gum bar, thickness is about 0.068 inch for the sugar-free chewing gum bar, thickness is about 0.072 inch for the chewing gum bar that contains sugared composition.Therefore, for the sugar-free chewing gum bar, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 0.00068 inch to the value of about 0.017 inch or about 0.0068 inch or any centre or about 0.0034 inch to about 0.034 inch.Similarly, for the chewing gum bar that contains sugared composition, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 0.00072 inch to the value of about 0.018 inch or about 0.0072 inch or any centre or about 0.0036 inch to about 0.036 inch.As another example, typical chewing gum tablet has about 0.141 inch thickness, and typical chewing gum ball ball has about 0.156 inch thickness.Therefore, for chewing gum tablet, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 0.00141 inch to the value of about 0.03525 inch or about 0.0141 inch or any centre or about 0.00705 inch to about 0.0705 inch.Similarly, for chewing gum ball ball, edible ink 536 can absorb apart from 539a be edible matrix 532 thickness 539 about 0.00156 inch to the value of about 0.039 inch or about 0.0156 inch or any centre or about 0.0078 inch to about 0.078 inch.

In embodiments, in order to prevent that edible ink 536 from extending the main body 533 that sees through edible matrix 532 and can see (promptly preventing to see edible ink 536 on surface 535) on second surface 535 of edible matrix 532, edible ink 536 can be printed on the edible matrix 532, as will discussing in this article with the point resolution less than about 100 points of per inch.

In embodiments, the confectionary product 530 that Figure 19 shows has comprised edible ink-mark 538, and this mark comprises letter " WUBMV ", and it is the initial of phrase " you can become my sweet heart (Will You Be My Valentine) ".Because product 530 is relevant with Valentine's Day, product 530 can be sold before Valentine's Day, to increase the relevant interest of consumer and product 530.Edible ink-mark 538 can also comprise advertisement, has for example used the literal word " JUICY FRUIT " of ornamental font to have the double-headed arrow symbol 37 of relative novelty.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that and can will be printed on the countless possibility that ink-mark on the confectionary product and incident (for example holiday) associate.

Figure 20 also shown with Figure 19 in confectionary product 530 similar, just have a confectionary product 540 of edible ink-mark 548.Edible ink-mark 548 of Figure 20 is at St Patrick's Day, as the mark 547 of Luzern confirmed.Product 40 also contains the advertisement to the chewing gum of particular brand, the Winterfresh that promptly edible ink 546 shows.In embodiments, edible ink 546 can cover about 80% to about 95% of edible matrix 542.In addition, the font of word Winterfresh can be a kind of color, and Luzern 547 can be another kind of color, and the remainder outside the monogram 541 of edible matrix 542 can be another kind of color.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that color, font, quality etc. can change according to the specific embodiment or the market demand.In addition, edible ink-mark 548 can comprise feature and/or the sense organ composition that discussed this paper front.For example, Luzern 547 can have green, and can deposit interpolation implication cleaning agent or mint flavouring on it.

Figure 21 has shown the chewing gum bar 550 with common extrusion or multilayer outward appearance.In embodiments, chewing gum 550 comprises edible matrix 552, first 554 and second surfaces 556, surface.When edible ink 558 be applied to chewing gum 550 first surface 552 about 100% or 100% the time, can allow edible ink 550 to be partially absorbed in the edible matrix, shown in absorption distance 559.Therefore, the side view of chewing gum 550 or cross-sectional view have demonstrated to be partially absorbed and have penetrated the color of the edible ink 558 in the edible matrix 552, and have provided the outward appearance that chewing gum 550 has two-layer outward appearance and extrudes product altogether.For example, if the color of edible ink 558 is blue, the color of edible matrix 552 is a white, and chewing gum 550 will look like and extrude altogether from the chewing gum batch of material of the chewing gum batch of material of blueness and white.

Similarly, Figure 22 has shown the chewing gum bar 560 with common extrusion or multilayer outward appearance.In embodiments, chewing gum 560 has edible matrix 562, first 564 and second surfaces 566, surface.But in this embodiment, edible ink 568 is applied on whole first 564 and second surfaces 566, surface of chewing gum 560.That is to say that about 100% or 100% of surface 564 and 566 is all covered by edible ink 568.Therefore, edible ink 568 can partially absorb the into edible matrix 562 from two surfaces 564 and 566, shown in numeral 567 and 569.Therefore, in this embodiment, the edible matrix 562 of chewing gum 560 looks like by 3 layers that separate to be formed, as the cut-out of Figure 22 is known demonstration.For example, if color is printed on first surface 564 of edible matrix 562 for blue edible ink 568, color is printed on second surface 566 of edible matrix 562 for red edible ink 568, and edible matrix 562 is white, like the chewing gum 560 chewing gum batch of material that will look like chewing gum batch of material from blueness, red chewing gum batch of material and white extrudes altogether so.In addition, be printed on redness, white and blue chewing gum 560 can before National Day July 4, sell, to increase by 560 couples of consumers' of chewing gum attraction.Perhaps, being printed on redness, white and blue chewing gum can also have the sense organ composition relevant with color.For example, if color is printed on first surface 564 of edible matrix 562 for blue edible ink 568, color is printed on second surface 566 of edible matrix 562 for red edible ink 568, first surface 564 can have relative blueberry fragrance so, and second surface 566 can have relative strawberry aroma.

In embodiments, the corner material can be incorporated in the edible matrix.In embodiments, edible matrix can contain the about 1% corner material to about 50% weight, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible matrix can contain about 10% to about 20% corner material.The corner material can be used in combination with edible ink, so that the chewing gum of pleasant on the aesthetic feeling to be provided." the corner material " of Shi Yonging is the confectionery material of using in the former confectionary product production process in this article.The corner material can comprise the mixture of the initial or initial confectionery material that had contacted with each other in confectionery, confectionery chip or two or more the former manufacture of confectionery products processes of doing over again.In other words, the corner material can be the parent material in the former manufacture of confectionery products process.The corner material is difficult to recirculation usually or is incorporated in the finished product confectionary product, because the organoleptic feature of corner material may be unpredictable with unmanageable.Therefore, the outward appearance of corner material, taste, smell, color, quality and mouthfeel may be unpredictable.This unpredictability of corner material makes the corner material be dropped.This has caused the reduction of waste and productive rate.In this case, when the corner material was incorporated in the new matrix batch of material by backing again, cut, packing and sale, edible ink can be used for covering or covering the inconsistency of corner material on color and quality.For example, Figure 21 and 22 edible matrix 552 and 562 can contain the corner material that has been printed with edible ink.Therefore, any inconsistency in the edible matrix 552 (Figure 21) can be covered or cover to edible ink 558.Similarly, edible ink 568 can cover or hide any inconsistency in the edible matrix 562 (Figure 22).This method not only provides the attractive chewing gum product with common extrusion or multilayer outward appearance for the consumer, and produces the economy that final chewing gum product also can improve and increase production by the chewing gum leftover pieces are reused.

As another example, Figure 23 has shown the chewing gum bar 570 with common extrusion or multilayer outward appearance.In embodiments, chewing gum 570 can have edible matrix 572, first 574 and second surfaces 576, surface.But, in this embodiment, edible ink 578 can with at random, wavy form is applied to arbitrary surperficial 574,575 or first 574 and second surfaces, surface 575 of edible matrix 572 on both.Shadeless regional 577 have represented the zone that is not printed on edible ink 576 in the edible matrix 572.But, in the shadow region that is printed on edible ink 576, can allow edible ink 576 to partially absorb the edible matrix 572, as what show with numeral 578 and 579 respectively from two surfaces 574 and 575.Figure 23 has shown that edible ink 578 can be applied on the edible matrix 572 by continuously or intermittently when printing equipment crosses edible matrix 572.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, is imprinted on the pattern, color of the edible ink 576 on the edible matrix 572 etc., only is subjected to the restriction of imagination.

As showing, the variation of the embodiment of discussing in the disclosure is unlimited basically.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that, feature, pattern, color, tone, quality, shape, font, layout, design and other characteristic that can be associated with the confectionary product of printing can change according to the influence for example individual hobby or the market demand.For example, the consumer can utilize the internet to produce his or she own individual to for example design of chewing gum of confectionary product, produces the product of customization.The consumer can login the website of being safeguarded by chewing gum manufacturer, and the input consumer wishes to be imprinted on word accurately on the confectionary product, phrase, color, tone, quality etc.The consumer also can provide or give chewing gum manufacturer with image, for example photo, and chewing gum manufacturer can be with its off-contact printing on chewing gum.The consumer can also select one or more sense organ compositions to be distributed on the chewing gum. ", and at the other birthday cake that has candle that stamps of font.Chewing gum manufacturer can be imprinted on phrase on one or more chewing gum spares and/or the packing then, according to the chewing gum of consumer's needs packages printing, and the chewing gum product of customization is sent to the consumer.

In embodiments, provide the method for producing chewing gum product.Method comprises to the consumer provides the ability of selecting the sense organ composition, and selects the back to produce the chewing gum product with sense organ composition the consumer.The chewing gum product that will have selected sense organ composition then sends to the consumer.

In embodiments, method comprises provides the internet website with sense organ composition list.This internet website is by Website server support or the hosting known in the art.The consumer can the access the Internet website, selects one or more required sense organ compositions from the sense organ composition list that the website shows.Then selected sense organ composition is joined in the finished product chewing gum product.Then production equipment is delivered in consumer's selection, there selected sense organ composition is joined in the gum base.Gum base can be any chewing gum material of discussing of front herein.

In embodiments, processor produces the list of sense organ composition in computer-readable medium.Processor can be any data processing equipment of knowing in the art that can produce sense organ composition list.The non-limitative example of the processor that is fit to comprises computer, personal computer, server (for example Internet server or the webserver), personal data auxiliary equipment (being blackberry device), and their combination.Processor can comprise image display, keyboard and/or the mouse of knowing in the art.Processor one or more of any above-mentioned sense organ composition disclosed herein in can show list.In case the consumer has selected required sense organ composition, processor receives this selection data, and has produced director data from consumer's input.By interface, processor is sent to distributor with director data.Distributor is applicable to and receives director data, and selected sense organ composition is distributed on the surface of gum base the generation chewing gum product.Chewing gum product can be according to well known in the art wrapping up and/or packing like that.

Interface can be computer interface, internet connection, cable connection, wireless connections, wireless application interface, and their combination.

In embodiments, method can be included as the consumer so that the ability of selecting and/or designing the packing material of chewing gum product to be provided.Method can also comprise the color that allows the consumer to select chewing gum product.

In embodiments, method can be included as the ability that the consumer provides selected marker, and produces the chewing gum that has mark.Mark can be any previously described ink-mark.In another embodiment, the consumer can produce, produces or create mark.

For example, the consumer can be according to top discussion access the Internet website.The consumer can upload the mark (for example image of electronic form or photo) that will be imprinted on the chewing gum product then.Processor can receive this flag data, produces the label print instruction.The label print instruction is sent to printing equipment by interface.Printing equipment is applicable to and receives the label print instruction, with label print on the surface of gum base.Mark is with edible ink printing, it can be monochromatic maybe can be multiple color.The mark of consumer's selection/generation also can be imprinted on the wrappage or packing of chewing gum product.

In embodiments, printing equipment is the off-contact printing device.In another embodiment, printing equipment is an ink-jet printing apparatus.Therefore, the production of chewing gum product can comprise selected sense organ composition distribution (use distributor) on the surface of gum base.Production can also comprise that the label print (use printing equipment) that the consumer is provided is on the surface of gum base.In embodiments, the sense organ composition can be the composition of edible ink as previously discussed.Therefore, sense organ composition and mark can use the single printing equipment while or side by side be assigned on the continuous gum base surface basically.The production of chewing gum product also can comprise the parcel and/or the packing of chewing gum product.

In embodiments, the production stage of method can carry out in chewing gum production equipment or back production mechanism.For example, method can be utilized the equipment 10 that discussed this paper front.Perhaps, production can be carried out in the back production mechanism of distributor that comprises the supply of gum base, sense organ composition and/or printing equipment.The place that the back produces also can comprise packing device.

In embodiments, chewing gum product can send to consumer or go-between, for example dealer, whole seller, or sends to retail outlet.Method can comprise posts chewing gum product to the consumer, or chewing gum product is posted to any above-mentioned go-between.Dispensing also can comprise the preparation chewing gum product, extracts from production mechanism, back production mechanism or from any above-mentioned go-between for the consumer.

In embodiments, provide the method that produces income.This method comprises that the permission consumer produces the chewing gum of customization by selecting the sense organ composition and producing the chewing gum product that has selected sense organ composition.Method can comprise that the consumer is the customized production paying of chewing gum product.Expense can be based on quantity, the amount of chewing gum product and their combination of the sense organ composition of consumer wants.The method that produces income can also comprise the chewing gum product that allows consumer's selected marker and production to have mark.Producing the chewing gum product of customization can finish according to previously discussed.Method provides the customization opportunities widely that produces personalized chewing gum product for the consumer.Therefore, any amount of the custom features that can select according to the consumer of expense.

In embodiments, provide the confectionary product of printing, confectionary product has the edible ink that is imprinted on the edible matrix, and edible ink can not walked from edible matrix overflow.In other words, edible ink " does not compile " or is collected in the top of edible matrix, the edible matrix of yet impermeable mistake.When using in this article, " compiling " is meant that unnecessary ink gathers on matrix surface.Too dense when the edible ink that applies, as to concentrate on edible matrix top and applying after when still keeping moistening, " compiling " also might take place." compiling " is problem, because piled up when being used for further processing and/or packing when many batches of edible matrixes, may transfer on the bottom surface of another edible matrix at the ink moistening or that wet on the upper surface of first edible matrix.

When edible matrix thin or porose, thereby or when the concentration height of edible ink and edible ink have soaked into edible matrix fully and have seen on also can the opposed surface at edible matrix, the infiltration of edible ink has just taken place.For example, although most of ink-jet printer can print the resolution ratio of 360 points of about per inch, use high like this resolution ratio may cause the edible matrix of edible ink infiltrate.When making confectionary product, infiltration is undesirable unintentionally.If edible ink is absorbed to such an extent that seen through the chewing gum bar fully in process, then edible ink may cause the damage of mechanical device or stained, chewing gum structure below having polluted, damage or the chewing gum bar of the stained structural back that is placed on contamination batch, if chewing gum banks out the chewing gum layer below just having polluted after printing, stained packing perhaps even when production process finishes.Therefore, unbefitting infiltration may be very consuming time and the problem of very high cost is arranged.

For during being printed onto edible matrix at edible ink or prevent that afterwards edible ink from seeing through the infiltration of edible matrix, can use per inch to be no more than the printed resolution of 100 points.Be no more than or approximately the printed resolution of 100 points of per inch can guarantee that edible ink fully covers edible matrix, give matrix extruding altogether or the outward appearance of multilayer, and guaranteed to be printed on edible ink on the edible matrix at the same time and can not be absorbed to such an extent that see through edible matrix fully and arrive opposite surfaces.In other words, apply edible ink with 100 points of about per inch and can assist in ensuring that edible ink only is absorbed on the surface that applies of edible matrix.Use similar point resolution also to allow the surface-coated of edible matrix to cover up to 100% of surface area.The ordinary skill in present technique field will recognize that the concentration of the edible ink on the edible matrix surface can change according to the composition of edible matrix.Therefore, printed resolution can change between about 400 points to per inch at about 60 points of per inch, and perhaps the value of any centre maybe can be about 100 points of per inch, and prevent infiltrate simultaneously.

In another embodiment, provide the method for producing confectionary product.For example, in embodiments, the method for producing confectionary product comprises the steps: to provide edible matrix; Provide and have the off-contact printing device that at least one is used to print the print head of edible ink; And edible ink is printed onto on the surface of edible matrix with the point resolution that is less than about 100 points of per inch that discussed the front.In embodiments, edible ink is applied on the surface of edible matrix, so that cover about at least 5% of edible matrix surface.In another embodiment, edible ink has covered about at least 50% of edible matrix surface.In another embodiment, edible ink has covered about at least 75% of edible matrix surface.In another embodiment, edible ink can cover two surfaces any one about 100% or 100%.

In another embodiment, the method of producing confectionary product comprises the steps: to provide the edible matrix with first and second surface, provide to have the off-contact printing device that at least one is used to print the print head of edible ink, and edible ink is printed onto one or two lip-deep step.In addition, edible ink can be applied on one or two surface so that cover the about at least 5% of any or two surfaces, or any or two surfaces about 5% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink can cover any or two surfaces about 50% to about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink can cover any or two surfaces about 75% or about 100%, or the value of any centre.In another embodiment, edible ink can cover the about 100% of any or two surfaces, or 100%.

The method of producing confectionary product can also comprise that the edible ink absorption of permission gets the main body that part sees through edible matrix, so that the edible matrix with common extrusion outward appearance to be provided.For extruding product altogether, two or more materials are forced out by having the single mold in two or more apertures, and the arrangement in these apertures makes that being forced out thing is incorporated in and becomes lamellar structure together before cooling.For example, for chewing gum, have a kind of color extrusion core can with the skin of the extrusion with second kind of color or shell be stacked or by its encirclement.The cross-sectional view of such chewing gum product will demonstrate and surpass a kind of color, thereby provide outward appearance multilayer or that extrude altogether to chewing gum.Similarly, make edible ink absorption get part through after the main body, the cross-sectional view of the main body of edible matrix can demonstrate the color of edible matrix on a surface of main body, and the color of edible ink has been absorbed partly through main body on another surface of main body.For example, edible matrix (can comprise the corner material) can be light red or peach color, wine-colored edible ink can be applied to edible matrix one or two surface about 100% or 100% on.The cross-sectional view of this product will demonstrate red ink and absorb wine-colored skin in the edible matrix, and do not exist absorption red ink edible matrix place pale red chromatograph.The controlled absorption of this color provides the outward appearance of common extrusion or multilayer can for edible matrix, thereby has increased the attraction of this product to the consumer.

With reference to Figure 24, provide to be used for ink-mark non-adhesive is printed on equipment 600 on the confectionary product.This equipment has comprised removal device 614, is used for removing from confectionery material 610 sizing material 615 of at least a portion backing.Removal device can be any device of removing some or all of backing sizing materials 615 from confectionery material 610.The non-limitative example of removal device comprises vacuum system, sweeping device, sponge device and combination thereof.Other example of removal device comprises cleaning device, bathing apparatus and/or the rinse-system of removing basically all or all backing sizing material from confectionery material.Therefore, removal device can be the device that can remove on the confectionery material 610 about 100% or 100% the backing sizing material of placing 615.

In embodiments, removal device can be positioned at the top and/or the below of confectionery material.In addition, also can use the removal device group of continuous or plan-parallel structure.For example, Figure 24 and 25 has shown the removal device of plan-parallel structure, so that at least one pair of removal device is positioned on the same point of conveyer 618.When parallel, removal device can be removed the backing sizing material from the same part of confectionery material in the same time.Therefore, confectionery material will be passed through parallel removal device in the identical time.

On the contrary, Figure 27 has shown the example of the removal device of continuous structure.Here, at least two mutual positions of removal device are adjacent, are parallel to the direction that confectionery material moves together.When arranging continuously, removal device is not removed the backing sizing material from the same section of confectionery material at the same time.But confectionery material is at first by first removal device, next by second removal device.

In Figure 24, removal device 614 is vacuum systems.Vacuum system is used suction that backing sizing material 615 is inhaled from confectionery material 610 and is opened.In shown embodiment, two vacuum system 614 parallel above and belows that are positioned at confectionery material 610, thus remove the backing sizing material from the top and the bottom of confectionery material 610.Therefore, if people wish top and/or the bottom of edible ink-label print in confectionery material just can be done like this.Perhaps, single removal device or one group of device can all be positioned at confectionery material 610 above or below, this will be in the back with reference to Figure 26 discussion.In embodiments, removal device can remove about 50% to about 100% (or value of any centre) or the about 80% backing sizing material 615 to about 99% (or value of any centre) from confectionery material 610.

This equipment also comprises printing equipment 601, is used for edible ink-mark 612 off-contact printings in confectionery material 610.Printing equipment 601 can be any printing equipment that discussed this paper front.In embodiments, printing equipment 601 can be the off-contact printing device.In another embodiment, printing equipment can be an ink-jet printing apparatus.In Figure 24 embodiments shown, printing equipment 601 comprises ink reservoir 602 and printing injector 606, and passage 604 is connected liquid reservoir with the injector operability.Printing injector 606 comprises single-nozzle 608, and edible ink 609 streams of sub-thread are deposited on the confectionery material 610, produces edible ink-mark 612.Edible ink-mark 612 can be for example as shown in Figure 24, cover about 5% of confectionary product.

The equipment of Figure 24 also comprises conveyer 618, as the conveying arrangement in 601 times mobile confectionery material 610 of printing equipment.Conveyer 618 is divided into less conveyer in the present embodiment, to allow top and the bottom of vacuum system 614 near confectionery material 610.Perhaps, if single removal device or device group all be positioned at confectionery material 610 above or below, can use the single long driver 610 separately that do not have, as shown in Figure 26.

In embodiments, printing equipment 601 can comprise more than one ink reservoir 602, passage 604 and stamp injector 606.In addition, single liquid reservoir 602 can be communicated with a plurality of printing injector 606 operability, and a plurality of ink reservoir 602 can be communicated with single printing injector operability.In addition, should be appreciated that single printing injector can comprise one or more nozzles, and ink is printed onto on the confectionery material.Each these nozzle is initiated by single printing injector, can be for example synchronously, at different time, print with different bodies, different color, different design and their combination.

In another embodiment that Figure 25 shows, equipment 620 is provided, it comprises a pair of sweeping device 622 of the above and below that is positioned at confectionery material 628 at the interval of conveyer 618.These sweeping devices 622 are similar to the position of the vacuum system 614 of Figure 24, thereby remove backing sizing material 615 from confectionery material.Embodiment among Figure 25 also provides the single printing injector with a plurality of nozzle 624a, 624b and 624c.Each nozzle deposits corresponding edible ink stream 626a, 626b and 626c.Use a plurality of nozzles on single printing injector, the flexibility of the feasible mark that for example is printed has increased.For example, if the asynchronous printing of nozzle, mark can have alternately occurring of confectionery material that not printing is arranged between the mark of printing.Edible ink-mark 630 of Figure 25 has shown an example of this flexibility.Edible ink-mark 630 of Figure 25 also provides the example of about 50% the ink markings that covers confectionary product.

In another embodiment that Figure 26 shows, equipment 632 is provided, it comprises first checkout gear 634 that is positioned at printing equipment 601 upstreams and second checkout gear 638 that is positioned at printing equipment 601 downstreams.First checkout gear 634 can be a photographic film for example, when confectionery material detects confectionery material 610 during in the precalculated position.Checkout gear 634 can be communicated with printing equipment 601 operability, and when detecting confectionery material with convenient checkout gear 634 in the precalculated position, printing equipment 601 is with edible ink-mark 612 untouchable being printed onto on the confectionery material.For example, equipment can have controller, starts printing equipment when confectionery material is in the precalculated position.At this point, printing equipment can for example be printed on edible ink markings on the precalculated position, and/or prints edible ink markings continuously when confectionery material is passed through printing equipment.When continuous printing, the edible ink markings of printing can cover the about 75% of confectionary product, for example in Figure 26, show like that.

Second checkout gear 638 also can be photographic film for example, has been printed the back at confectionery and detected defective confectionery material.Checkout gear 638 also can be communicated with printing equipment 601 operability, will close printing equipment 601 when detecting defective confectionery material with second checkout gear 638 of box lunch.Such operability is communicated with first checkout gear 634 similar, can use controller to finish, and controller cuts out printing equipment 601 when checkout gear 638 detects defective product and sends appropriate signals to controller.

Checkout gear can be any checkout gear well known in the art.In addition, any detection mode known to the professional in present technique field can be used in the disclosure.The non-limitative example of the checkout gear that is fit to comprises for example infrared sensor, camera/photograph monitor, luminescence sensor, optical arrays sensor, color sensor, character sensor, profile sensor, and their combination.In addition, can use at least a checkout gear.Therefore, if the location is correct, single checkout gear can be used to operate printing equipment simultaneously and detect the defectiveness confectionery material.For example, if on confectionery material, print tick marks, then be positioned at printing equipment a little any single checkout gear of downstream can both detect defective confectionery material, detect again and be positioned at the confectionery material in precalculated position with off-contact printing.

In another embodiment that shows in Figure 27, provide equipment 642, it contains a plurality of removal devices, vacuum system 648 and sweeping device 652, and their serial operations are to remove backing sizing material 615 from confectionery material 644.In this embodiment, vacuum system 648 is carried out two functions.At first, vacuum system 648 is removed the backing sizing material from confectionery material 644.Secondly, vacuum system 648 siphons away the backing sizing material of being removed by sweeping device 652, so that the backing sizing material 650 of the sucking-off that is removed has comprised the backing sizing material of removing from vacuum system and sweeping device.Figure 27 has also shown about 100% or 100% the edible ink markings 646 that covers confectionary product.Figure 21 also provides by another example of the similar covering of edible ink markings.

Perhaps, a plurality of removal devices can be connected use and be kept separated from one another simultaneously.For example, can use the sweeping device and the vacuum system of series configuration, so that the sweeping device is finished the required removal percentage of a part, and vacuum system is finished the required removal percentage of remainder.For example, remove about 80% backing sizing material if desired, it is about 40% that the sweeping device can be removed, and vacuum system can remove about 40%.This structure may be favourable, because it can allow vacuum system with lower power level operation.By moving at lower power level, the risk that the suction of vacuum system may for example be mentioned confectionery material, stretch confectionery material or confectionery material is split from conveyer has been lowered.

Figure 27 has also shown about 100% or 100% the edible ink markings 646 that covers confectionary product.Figure 21 also provide by another example of the similar covering of edible ink markings.

Should be appreciated that,, present embodiment preferred as herein described is carried out various variation and modification is conspicuous for the professional in present technique field.Such variation and revise and in the spirit and scope that do not deviate from this theme and not destroy under the situation of its expection advantage and to carry out.Therefore, these variations and the modification claim that is intended to be enclosed contains.

Claims (173)

1. produce the equipment of product, comprising:

Squeeze out the extruder of edible matrix tablet; And

Edible ink is printed on off-contact printing device on the tablet.

2. the equipment of claim 1 also contains the assembly that is selected from dusting device, sizing roller, cutter sweep, cooling device, curing room, coating device, packing device and combination thereof.

3. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position of extruder downstream and dusting device upstream.

4. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position of dusting device downstream and sizing roller upstream.

5. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position of sizing roller downstream and cutter sweep upstream.

6. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position of cutter sweep downstream and cooling device upstream.

7. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position of cooling device downstream and curing room upstream.

8. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is positioned on the position in coating device downstream.

9. the equipment of claim 1 also comprises first printing equipment that is positioned on first face of tablet and second printing equipment that is positioned on second face of tablet, and first and second printing equipment are printed on edible ink on the opposing face of tablet.

10. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment with edible ink-label print on tablet.

11. the equipment of claim 1, wherein printing equipment is an ink-jet printing apparatus.

12. the equipment of claim 1, wherein edible ink is selected from absorbability ink, solvent-based inks, wax-based inks and combination thereof.

13. the equipment of claim 1, wherein edible ink is printing on the select location along tablet.

14. the equipment of claim 1, wherein edible ink also comprises the sense organ composition.

15. the equipment of claim 1 contains the cutter sweep that tablet is cut into single-piece, printing equipment is printed on edible ink on the single-piece.

16. produce the method for consumable products, comprising:

Squeeze out the tablet of edible matrix; And

Use printing equipment, need not to make the surperficial contact print device of tablet, edible ink is printed on the tablet.

17. the method for claim 16 comprises the sense organ composition is distributed on the tablet.

18. the method for claim 16 comprises tablet is cut into the single-piece confectionery, and edible ink is printed on the single-piece.

19. the method for claim 18, be included in the printing before the single-piece confectionery are carried out dressing.

20. the method for claim 16, wherein said tablet have opposite first and second face, described method comprises edible ink is printed on first face and second face.

21. the method for claim 16 comprises edible ink ink jet printing on tablet.

22. the method for claim 16 is included in mobile tablet during the printing.

23. produce the method for consumable products, comprising:

Squeeze out the bar rope of filled confectionery material; And

Edible ink is printed on the bar rope.

24. the method for claim 23, wherein printing comprises off-contact printing.

25. the method for claim 23 comprises the filled confectionery material that the bar rope is formed single-piece, and edible ink is printed on the single-piece.

26. the method for claim 23 comprises that the filled confectionery material with single-piece is placed in the packing, sees through packing and can see edible ink.

27. produce the method for chewing gum product, comprising:

With edible ink off-contact printing to the chewing gum tablet.

28. the method for claim 27 comprises cutting chewing gum tablet and single-piece, carries out off-contact printing before cutting.

29. edible product comprises:

Edible matrix;

Be printed on the edible ink-mark on the edible matrix; And

Sense organ composition corresponding to edible ink-marker characteristic.

30. the product of claim 29, wherein edible matrix are selected from chewing gum, the filled chewing gum of confectionery, coated confectionery, chewing gum, dressing, the filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of dressing.

31. the product of claim 29, wherein edible ink-mark are selected from shape, symbol, sign, the figure, AD tagged of word, image, color, symbol, object, letter-numeral, letter, text, shape, the imagination, and combination.

32. the product of claim 29, wherein said sense organ composition is selected from flavouring agent, coolant agent, the agent of heat flavor, taste agent, the agent of fiber crops flavor, gas generating agent, sweetener, acid, bitters, brightener for tooth, flavorants, anti-caries agent, sounding agent, and combination.

33. the product of claim 29, wherein said feature are selected from the key element of ink-mark, the color of ink-mark, the meaning that ink-mark is passed on, the sensation that ink-mark produced, the notion that ink-mark exchanged, and combination.

34. the product of claim 29, wherein edible ink-mark is a high-definition picture.

35. the product of claim 29, wherein edible ink-mark comprises word, and feature is the meaning of word.

36. the product of claim 29, wherein edible ink-mark is ink-jet-mark.

37. the product of claim 29 comprises the edible ink-mark of multiple color.

38. the product of claim 29 comprises a plurality of sense organ compositions.

39. edible product comprises:

Edible matrix;

Be printed on the edible ink-mark on the edible matrix; And

Sense organ composition corresponding to edible matrix characteristics.

40. the edible matrix of claim 39, wherein said feature are selected from the composition, the composition in the edible matrix, the surface texturisation of edible matrix, the hardness of edible matrix of the structure of edible matrix, edible matrix, and combination.

41. the product of claim 39, wherein edible matrix is a chewing gum, and feature is the sandwich of chewing gum.

42. edible product comprises:

Edible matrix with opposite first and second face;

Edible ink-the mark of on first face first;

Second edible ink-mark on second face, and wherein the part of first edible ink-mark contacts with the part of second edible ink-mark.

43. the edible product of claim 42, wherein first edible ink-mark and second edible EDGE CONTACT that is marked at edible matrix.

44. the edible product of claim 42, wherein first is the ink-jet mark with second edible ink-mark.

45. the edible product of claim 42 includes the sense organ composition on edible matrix.

46. the edible product of claim 42, wherein first and second edible ink-mark have covered the whole outer surface of edible matrix substantially.

47. produce the method for edible product, comprising:

Edible ink-the mark of off-contact printing on edible matrix; And

On edible matrix, place sense organ composition corresponding to edible ink-marker characteristic.

48. the method for claim 47 comprise being printed on the edible matrix word is untouchable, and the sense organ composition is corresponding to the meaning of word.

49. the method for claim 47 comprises the high-definition picture off-contact printing on edible matrix.

50. produce the method for edible product, comprising:

With edible ink-mark off-contact printing on edible matrix; And

On edible matrix, distribute sense organ composition corresponding to edible matrix characteristics.

51. the method for claim 50 is included on the edible matrix and forms surface texturisation, the sense organ composition is corresponding to surface texturisation.

52. prepare the method for edible product, comprise

With edible ink-mark off-contact printing on edible matrix; And

The sense organ composition of accurate dosage is distributed on the edible matrix.

53. the method for claim 52, distribution wherein also comprises ink jet printing.

54. the method for claim 52, the weight that also comprises the edible matrix of weighing is to determine accurate dosage.

55. the edible product of packing comprises:

Be equipped with edible AD tagged edible matrix in its surface; And

Wrap up the transparent packaging substrate of edible matrix, see through packing material and can see that at least a portion is edible AD tagged.

56. the edible product of the packing of claim 55, wherein edible AD tagged be high-definition picture.

57. the edible product of the packing of claim 55, wherein edible is AD tagged is ink-jet-mark.

58. the edible product of the packing of claim 55, wherein edible whole surf zone AD tagged and edible matrix is coextensive substantially.

59. the edible product of the packing of claim 55, wherein edible matrix have opposite first and second surface, and AD tagged being positioned on first and second surface.

60. the edible product of the packing of claim 55 contains the sense organ composition that places on the edible matrix surface.

61. the edible product of the packing of claim 60, wherein the sense organ composition is corresponding to AD tagged feature.

62. the edible product of packing comprises:

Be equipped with the edible matrix of edible ink-mark in its surface; And

Wrap up edible matrix and on the surface of exposing, have packing material, packing material mark and the edible ink-indicia matched of packing material mark.

63. the edible product of the packing of claim 62, wherein the packing material mark is consistent with edible ink-mark.

64. produce the method for edible product, comprising:

On the edible AD tagged surface that is printed on edible matrix; And

Edible matrix is packaged in the transparent packaging substrate, sees through packing material and can see edible AD tagged.

65. the method for claim 64 comprises off-contact printing.

66. the method for claim 64, wherein said surface has surf zone, and this method also comprises edible AD tagged being printed on basically on the whole surf zone.

67. the method for claim 64 comprises with edible AD tagged high-resolution printing from the teeth outwards.

68. the method for claim 64 comprises on edible AD tagged first surface and opposite second surface that is printed on edible matrix.

69. sell the method for edible product, comprising:

To on edible matrix, comprise corresponding to the incident product branch of the edible ink-mark of incident and sell to the consumer.

70. the method for claim 69, wherein said incident are selected from current events, sport event, holiday, religion incident, political event, seasonal incident, cultural incident, individual incident, and combination.

71. the method for claim 69, wherein said shop around occur in before the incident of being selected from, during the incident, after the incident and the time period of combination.

72. the method for claim 69 wherein shopped around the incident of occurring at that time.

73. the method for claim 69 wherein shops around after the incident of occurring within about 24 hours.

74. the method for claim 69 comprises the result of waiting event, and the result of incident is printed on the incident product.

75. the method for claim 74 is included in the result print result within back about 1 second to about 24 hours takes place.

76. the method for claim 74 is included in the result and takes place to shop around the incident product in back about 1 minute to about 24 hours.

77. the method for claim 69 is included in and distributes the sense organ composition on the edible matrix.

78. the method for advertising comprises:

Give consumer's Distribution Events product advertising, described advertisement comprises: i) corresponding to the edible ink-mark of incident, and edible AD tagged on the ii) edible matrix.

79. produce the equipment of edible product, comprising:

The rubber-based composition that melts is sprayed at distributor on the edible matrix.

80. the equipment of claim 79, wherein distributor is selected from ink-jet printing apparatus and valve-injector spray device.

81. the equipment of claim 79 comprises and is used for moving edible matrix near the conveying arrangement the distributor.

82. the equipment of claim 79 contains the controller that is communicated with the distributor operability, is used to control the sprinkling of the rubber-based composition of thawing.

83. the equipment of claim 79 comprises also being used for the printing equipment of edible ink-label print to the material that described material is selected from the rubber-based composition and the combination thereof of edible matrix, thawing.

84. confectionary product comprises:

Edible matrix; And

Adhere to the rubber-based composition of the thawing on the edible matrix.

85. the confectionary product of claim 84, wherein edible matrix are selected from chewing gum, the filled chewing gum of confectionery, coated confectionery, chewing gum, dressing, the filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of dressing.

86. the confectionary product of claim 84, the rubber-based composition that wherein melted is selected from elastomer, resin, softening agent, wax, and combination.

87. the confectionary product of claim 84, the rubber-based composition that wherein melted contains the sense organ composition.

88. the confectionary product of claim 84 contains the edible ink-mark that is positioned on the material that is selected from the rubber-based composition that melted, edible matrix and combination thereof.

89. the confectionary product of claim 84 contains the edible ink-mark of ink-jet.

90. the confectionary product of claim 84, contain at first kind of rubber-based composition that melted on first part of edible matrix and second kind of rubber-based composition that melted on second part at edible matrix, first kind of rubber-based composition that melted is different with second kind of rubber-based composition that melted.

91. the confectionary product of claim 84, the rubber-based composition that wherein melted forms object on the surface of edible matrix.

92. the confectionary product of claim 84, the rubber-based composition that wherein melted forms three-dimensional body on edible matrix surface.

93. confectionary product comprises:

The edible matrix of ground floor; And

Adhere to the rubber-based composition that the second layer of ground floor melted.

94. the confectionary product of claim 93, wherein first and second layers have coextensive substantially.

95. the confectionary product of claim 93 contains the rubber-based composition that the 3rd melting layer is crossed, the 3rd layer adheres on the surface that is selected from second layer surface and edible matrix surface.

96. the confectionary product of claim 93, wherein the second layer contains about 30% rubber-based composition to the thawing of about 100% weight, and the about 0% sense organ composition to about 70% weight.

97. produce the method for confectionary product, comprising:

The particle of the rubber-based composition that melts is sprayed on the surface of edible matrix; And

Form heterogeneous confectionary product.

98. the method for claim 97 comprises forming the rubber-based composition layer that melts from the teeth outwards.

99. the method for claim 98 is included in this layer and goes up the rubber-based composition that forms second layer thawing.

100. the method for claim 97 comprises from the teeth outwards forming object with the rubber-based composition that melts.

101. the method for claim 97 comprises from the teeth outwards forming three-dimensional body with the rubber-based composition that melts.

102. the method for claim 97 is included in the composition that changes the rubber-based composition that melts in the sprinkling process.

103. the method for claim 97 is included in and distributes the sense organ composition on the edible matrix.

104. the method for claim 103 is included in the composition that changes the sense organ composition in the sprinkling process.

105. the method for claim 97, be included in the rubber-based composition that sprays first kind of thawing on first part of edible matrix, and the rubber-based composition that on second part of edible matrix, sprays the second kind thawing different with the rubber-based composition of first kind of thawing.

106. the method for claim 97 comprises the sense organ composition is distributed on the material of the rubber-based composition that is selected from thawing, edible matrix and combination thereof.

107. the method for claim 97 comprises edible ink-label print on the material that is selected from the rubber-based composition of thawing, edible matrix and combination thereof.

108. produce the method for chewing gum product, comprising:

The gum base of thickness less than predetermined thickness is provided;

On gum base, spray the chewing gum base composition layer that melts, have the chewing gum product of predetermined thickness with formation.

109. the method for claim 108 comprises and repeats to spray to obtain preset thickness.

110. the method for claim 108, wherein predetermined thickness is selected from the thickness of chewing gum bar, the thickness of chewing gum tablet and the thickness of chewing gum ball ball.

111. confectionary product comprises:

Edible matrix with surface; And

Be printed on the edible ink on the edible matrix, edible ink has covered about at least 5% of surface.

112. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible matrix are the chewing gums that is selected from chewing gum, filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing.

113. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink have covered about at least 50% of surface.

114. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink have covered about at least 75% of surface.

115. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink have covered about 100% of surface.

116. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible matrix have first surface and second opposite surface, and edible ink only is printed on first surface.

117. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible matrix have first surface and second opposite surface, and edible ink is printed on each of first and second surface.

118. the confectionary product of claim 117, wherein edible ink covered first and second surface each about at least 5%.

119. the confectionary product of claim 117, wherein edible ink have covered about at least 50% of first and second surface.

120. the confectionary product of claim 117, wherein edible ink have covered about at least 75% of first and second surface.

121. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink is multiple color.

122. wherein only there is the edible ink of solid color in the confectionary product of claim 111 on any part on surface.

123. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible matrix contains the corner material.

124. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink is an ink-jet ink.

125. the confectionary product of claim 111, wherein edible ink is printed on the edible matrix to the concentration of about 36,400 points per square inch with about 3600 points per square inch.

126. confectionary product comprises:

Edible matrix, first and second surface that have main body and be positioned at edible matrix phase negative side; And

Be printed on the edible ink on the edible matrix, edible ink covered first surface of edible matrix about at least 5% and do not run through main body, therefore can not see outwardly second of edible matrix.

127. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible matrix are the chewing gums that is selected from chewing gum, filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing.

128. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible ink covered first surface about at least 50% and do not run through main body, therefore can not see outwardly at second.

129. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible ink covered first surface about at least 75% and do not run through main body, therefore can not see outwardly at second.

130. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible ink covered first surface about 100% and do not run through main body, therefore can not see outwardly at second.

131. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible ink is printed on second surface.

132. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein edible matrix contains the corner material.

133. the confectionary product of claim 126, wherein confectionary product has the outward appearance of common extrusion product.

134. produce the method for confectionary product, comprising:

With edible ink off-contact printing on the surface of edible matrix, with about at least 5% of covering surfaces.

135. the method for claim 134 comprises the edible ink of the multiple color of off-contact printing.

136. the confectionary product of claim 134 comprises with about at least 50% of edible ink covering surfaces.

137. the confectionary product of claim 134 comprises with about at least 75% of edible ink covering surfaces.

138. the method for claim 134 comprises with about 3600 points per square inch applying edible ink to the some concentration of about 36,400 points per square inch.

139. the method for claim 134, wherein in printing process, edible matrix passes printing equipment once at least.

140. the method for claim 134 comprises allowing edible ink to absorb to such an extent that partly see through the main body of edible matrix, so that the edible matrix with common extrusion outward appearance to be provided.

141. the method for claim 134, wherein edible ink is an ink-jet ink.

142. equipment comprises:

Removal device is used for removing at least a portion backing sizing material from confectionery material; And

Printing equipment is used for edible ink-mark off-contact printing in confectionery material.

143. the equipment of claim 142 comprises the conveying arrangement that is used for mobile confectionery material under printing equipment.

144. the equipment of claim 142, wherein said removal device are selected from vacuum system, sweeping device, sponge device and combination thereof.

145. the equipment of claim 142 comprises the checkout gear that is communicated with the printing equipment operability, at checkout gear after the precalculated position detects confectionery material, printing equipment with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

146. the equipment of claim 145, wherein said checkout gear comprises at least one photographic film.

147. the equipment of claim 142, wherein confectionery material is the chewing gum that is selected from chewing gum, filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing.

148. the equipment of claim 142, wherein said printing equipment is a flusher.

149. equipment comprises:

Conveying arrangement is used for confectionery material is moved to the precalculated position;

Checkout gear detects the existence of confectionery material on the precalculated position; And

The printing equipment that is communicated with the checkout gear operability, at checkout gear after the precalculated position detects confectionery material, printing equipment with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

150. the equipment of claim 149 comprises the removal device that is used for removing from confectionery material a part of backing sizing material.

151. the equipment of claim 150, wherein said removal device are selected from vacuum system, sweeping device, sponge device and combination thereof.

152. the equipment of claim 149, wherein said checkout gear contains at least one photographic film.

153. the equipment of claim 149, wherein said confectionery material are the chewing gums that is selected from chewing gum, filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing.

154. produce the method for confectionary product, comprising:

From confectionery material, remove the backing sizing material; And

With edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

155. the method for claim 154 comprises and remove about 80% to about 99% backing sizing material from confectionery material.

156. the method for claim 154, wherein removing is to be selected from vacsorb backing sizing material, to brush away the backing sizing material, to wipe the action of backing sizing material and combination thereof with sponge.

157. the method for claim 154 comprises confectionery material is moved to the precalculated position, with edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

158. the method for claim 154 also is included in the existence that off-contact printing detects confectionery material on the precalculated position before.

159. the method for claim 154, wherein confectionery material is the chewing gum that is selected from chewing gum, filled chewing gum and the combination thereof of chewing gum bar, chewing gum tablet, chewing gum ball ball, dressing.

160. produce the method for confectionary product, comprising:

Confectionery material is moved to the precalculated position;

Detect the existence of confectionery material on the precalculated position; And

With edible ink-mark off-contact printing on confectionery material.

161. the method for claim 160 is included in off-contact printing and removes the backing sizing material before from confectionery material.

162. the method for claim 161 comprises and remove about 80% to about 99% backing sizing material from confectionery material.

163. the method for claim 161, wherein removing is to be selected from vacsorb backing sizing material, to brush away the backing sizing material, to wipe the action of backing sizing material and combination thereof with sponge.

164. produce the method for chewing gum product, comprising:

The ability of selecting the sense organ composition is provided to the consumer;

Select the back to produce chewing gum product the consumer with described sense organ composition; And

Chewing gum product sent pass the consumer.

165. the method for claim 164, wherein said providing comprises the internet website that provides sense organ composition list.

166. the method for claim 164, wherein said production comprise the sense organ composition is distributed on the surface of chewing gum product.

167. the method for claim 164, wherein said send to pass comprise chewing gum product posted to the consumer.

168. the method for claim 164 comprises the ability that selected marker is provided to the consumer, and produces the chewing gum product with mark.

169. the method for claim 168 comprises edible ink is printed on the surface of chewing gum product forming mark.

170. the method for claim 164 comprises:

In computer-readable medium, produce sense organ composition list;

Receive the data of selecting at least a sense organ composition;

Produce director data from the data that receive; And

Director data is sent to distributor, and distributor is distributed at least a sense organ composition on the surface of edible matrix according to director data.

171. the method for claim 170, wherein the data of Jie Shouing also comprise flag data, also comprise the flag data print order with director data, described method comprises the flag data print order is sent to printing equipment, printing equipment according to the flag data print order with edible ink-label print to the surface of edible matrix.

172. produce the method for income, comprising:

Allow the consumer to produce the chewing gum of customization by selecting the sense organ composition; And

Production has the chewing gum product of selected sense organ composition.

173. the method for claim 172 comprises allowing consumer's selected marker, and produces the chewing gum product with described mark.

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