NZ614669B2 - Food product with a moulded body - Google Patents

Abstract

Discloses a food product, comprising: a moulded chocolate body including a plurality of pieces of the moulded chocolate body, the pieces of the moulded chocolate body being fully separated from one another by a plurality of gaps such that the pieces of the moulded chocolate body do not directly contact one another, a plurality of baked items arranged in an array and in contact with the moulded chocolate body; each baked item of the array and a portion of the moulded chocolate body form a consumable unit such that the food product includes an array of consumable units; at least one portion of each baked item of the array is not covered with chocolate from the moulded chocolate body and is visible from at least one side of the food product; and the moulded chocolate body extends beyond a periphery of each baked item in each consumable unit. tact one another, a plurality of baked items arranged in an array and in contact with the moulded chocolate body; each baked item of the array and a portion of the moulded chocolate body form a consumable unit such that the food product includes an array of consumable units; at least one portion of each baked item of the array is not covered with chocolate from the moulded chocolate body and is visible from at least one side of the food product; and the moulded chocolate body extends beyond a periphery of each baked item in each consumable unit.

Description

PCTIU820121020479 Food Product with a Moulded. Body Cross~Reference to d Patent Applications This ation claims the benefit of EP Application No. 654, filed February 25, 2011, which is incorporated by reference.

Field of the ion The invention relates to a food product having a moulded body. The moulded body is made out of a food mass. In addition, the moulded body is ed with at least one baked item. The invention firstly defines such a food product and secondly stipulates a method for producing said food product.

Background of the ion Food products made by combining a food mass and a baked item are known from the prior art, Typically, such food products are composed of alternating layers of food. mass and baked items. The corresponding methods to manufacture these products normally include a ng step in which the food mass is brought into a desired shape. However, new product designs often represent new challenges for the mmfactm‘ing techniques in this field since they often ask for c solutions so that the high quality standards of food products in terms of visual appearance, taste and nutritional value can be fulfilled.

To be successful in the marketplace, these products as well as their production often have to satisfy contradicting requirements. For example, customers have high expectancies concerning taste, consistency and visual appearance. Still, the price of these producis is a very important argument in their decision to purchase. Thus, the. producers of food products do not only have to provide these products with a high quality but also need the lmow—how to realize these high quality standards at a low cost.

Especially in case of mum—component food products, the different material properties of the components generally represent a challenge for production as well as for the durability of the desired characteristics during shelf life. More specifically, these products have to retain their characteristics over time and possibly over a wide range of temperatures.

It may also represent an incentive to create a multi—component product to facilitate its consumption. For example, EP 0 682 872 Al discloses a food product based on an edible paste. The edible paste is based on caramelized sugar and condensed milk. It is used to e a food t constituted of a r core out of that paste which is covered on its faces by a thin layer of wafer. Here, the application of wafers overcomes the negative aspects of the paste such as its stickiness by providing a solid layer that enables the use of the paste within a product so it becomes consumable for a customer. gh EP 0 682 872 Al manages to vent the stickiness of the product, another major challenge for multi—component products are the side faces on which the different components are often visible for the customer. It is of high interest that these faces keep their visual appearance during shelf life. ore, the multiple ents, having different mechanical, al and thermal properties, have to be combined in a way so that, for e, relative movement between these layers does not occur. Otherwise, the visual appeal of the food product may well be negatively affected.

Further, the size of a food product is a critical design choice since the size of such a product has to appeal to a customer. Naturally, different groups of customers have divergent conceptions about the right size of such a product. Therefore, this is also an issue that has to be sed during the design phase of a food product.

Summary of the Invention An objective of the invention is ore to provide a food product, preferably a confectionery t, with a high durability that keeps its visual appearance during shelf life, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. It is an aim of the invention to provide a sandwich—type food structure having a high structural integrity but matches or improves on the appearance of a standard product, e. g. a sandwich-type product. Further, the product should be produced with a production method that facilitates the production of such a product at a low cost.

The present invention solves the above mentioned problems by providing a food product that comprises a moulded body made out of a first food mass as well as a baked item being part of the food product. This on is brought d by the subject matter of the ndent . Further embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent In one aspect, there is ed a food product, comprising: a molded chocolate body including a plurality of pieces of the molded chocolate body, the pieces of the molded chocolate body being fully separated from one another by a plurality of gaps such that the pieces of the molded chocolate body do not ly contact one another, a plurality of baked items arranged in an array and in contact with the molded chocolate body; each baked item of the array and a portion of the molded chocolate body form a consumable unit such that the food t includes an array of consumable units; at least one portion each baked item of the array is not covered with chocolate from the molded chocolate body and is Visible from at least one side of the food product; and the molded chocolate body extends beyond a periphery of each baked item in each consumable unit.

The food product of the invention ses at least one moulded body. The moulded body comprises a food mass and an array of baked items or a substantially centrally located baked item. At least one member of the array of baked items or the centrally located baked item form a consumable unit together with at least a portion of the moulded body. Further, at least one portion of at least one baked item is not covered with the first food mass and is visible from at least one side of the moulded body.

Since the baked items comprise sections that are not covered with the first food mass, they are visible from at least one side when looking at the product Further, these sections are especially fitted to be the areas that may well be used by a consumer to handle the product.

More specifically, it is less likely that parts of the baked items stick to the hands of the customer than it is when touching the moulded body since the food mass of the moulded body may well start to melt. The baked items could also partly be covered with at least a second food mass or another edible product. The mass and/ or the edible product could be transparent or .

The meaning of the word "array" as used in this invention also covers a single row or line, forming an "ordered arrangement" of items. Other ordered arrangements that lie within the scope of the invention include but are not limited to matrices, curves, ordered patterns, and/or geometric shapes. However, a configuration in which baked items are deliberately placed in a disordered WO 15725 PCT/U52012/020479 pattern, i.e. they are not randomly applied; is also covered by the definition of an array as used in the context of the present invention. in some embodmtents the moulded body comprises a geometrical shape configuration or outline, such as a , oval, square, rectangle etc. and may match the shape of configuration of the baked item or match the pattern made by the array of baked items.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the moulded body of a able unit is at least partially extending beyond the periphery of at least one baked item. In this embodiment a gap is present between the periphery of the at least one baked item and the boundary of the consumable unit. This results in a food product in which the peripheries of the baked items and the moulded body, respectively, the moulded body of a consumable unit can be positioned in respect to each other in various ways. Besides the section where the moulded body at least partially extends beyond the baked items, there may also be sections, Where the baked items extend beyond the moulded body and/or ns, where the s of each are aligned so that the eries of the d body and the items form a continuous surface. Preferably, the moulded body extends beyond the baked items in a direction parallel to the top or bottom surface of the baked items. The extent to which the ery of a d body extends beyond a baked item ranges preferably between 5% and 25%, more preferably between 10% and 20%.

Combining the moulded body and the baked items as described above has the advantage that the ratio n the amount of the food mass and the at least one baked item can freely be chosen in order to achieve a desired taste and/or visual appearance. For example, since the moulded body extends at least in parts beyond the baked item, it is possible to put an emphasis on the taste of the food mass instead of the baked item. Advantageously, by extending the moulded body beyond the periphery of the baked item, such an emphasis can be achieved without having to increase the thickness of the moulded body so that the product has a slimmer look. Depending on which of the products plays a more dominant 2012/020479 role in the all—over prooerties of the t, eg. taste or design, the food t may well be considered as being a t, a candy or a savoury product. It is also within the scope of the invention that the ing food mass may also serve as protection for the baked. items. To put it differently, the moulded body extending beyond the baked items will t the baked items from being d or damaged. Consequently, in such an embodiment, the moulded body is preferably intended to provide the major share of structural integrity to the product.

In r embodiment, the at least one baked item is arranged on each side of at least one pair of: ng sides (3.4, 16) of the moulded body portion of a consumable unit. Thus, it is within the scape of the invention to place one or more baked items on. several pairs of opposing sides. HoWever, preferably, the baked items are ed on the top and the bottom side of a moulded body or a portion of the moulded body forming a consumable unit. Here, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of a moulded body has the biggest surface fraction in relation to the allover surface of the baked item.

Since at least one baked item is provided on each side of at least one pair of opposing sides of the moulded body portion of a consumable unit, they may well serve as support for the consumer in order to subdivide the food product into at least two parts by exerting force, i.e. a bending moment, on said food product.

The smallest piece, resulting from such a subdivision, has preferably the size of a consumable unit. However, the. pieces broken off may well be bigger or smaller than that size.

Concerning the subdivision of the food yroduct, a function of an array of baked items in respect to the moulded body may also be the formation of a gap between at least some of the baked items. Preferably, such a gap has a shape so that when applying a bending moment, breakage occurs at the gap. In other words, the material properties and/ or the design of the gap lead to structurally weaker sections in respect to the sections comprising the baked items. Preferably, the gaps have a maximum width that at maximum corresponds to the largest dimension of a baked item PCT/U52012/020479 Such gaps can also at least partly be formed between the baked items by making use of their shape. For example, disk-shaped baked items, even if densely , will always form gaps. In addition, the resulting irregular gaps have the advantage that geometric inaccuracies of these gaps due to inaccurate positioning of the baked items are less visible than if the gaps are formed between straight parallel edges of the baked items.

In another embodiment, the at least one baked item comprises at least top and bottom surfaces. r, at least a part of the top or bottom surface of the at least one baked item is visible from at least one side of the d body.

The part of the top or bottom surface of a baked item visible is at least 25%, preferably 35% and even more preferred 50% of the surface area of the bottom or top surface of the baked item. Here, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of a baked item has the biggest surface fraction in relation to the allover surface of the baked item. Preferably, the visible part at least comprises the central portion of the top or bottom surface of a baked item. Making at least parts of lire top or bottom surface of a baked item visible only requires this section of the baked item to be visually appealing to the customer. The rest of the e can be designed according to functional aspects, eg. to achieve a good connection between the food mass and the baked item, and/or in a more simple way. This improves the quality of the product and/or reduces the cost of production.

In another ment of the present invention, the consumable unit has predetermined breaking points that are preferably in the form of gaps or grooves at the surface of the d body and/or apertures. Preferably, these grooves are running ht along at least parts of the surface of the moulded body of a able body. In some embodiments, the breaking points are formed between adjacent consumable units so that the subdivision of the product is in fact a separation of consumable units. In any case, the grooves, gaps and/or apertures form notches that reduce the effort needed to break the food product apart.

Further, the grooves cause the food product to break in a ermined way so that its ision results in pieces having a desired size and shape, WO 15725 PCTI'U82012/020479 preferably the smallest piece being a consumable unit. The predetermined breaking points also prevent pieces of the food mass chipping off in an undesirable way and for example g stains on the customers’ clothing. In on, ng points such as the entioned grooves facilitate that the breaking edges may still have an appealing look. in some embodiments there is at least one baked item on each individual piece of a product, preferably centrally located. Such a piece is defined. by its predetermined breaking points. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that instead of one baked item, an individual piece comprises an array of baked items. Naturally, a combination of these embodiments is also possible.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one baked item is arranged so as to be in direct t with the moulded body. In this embodiment, the food mass of the moulded body itself and/or the material of the baked items forms an interconnecting interface between the baked items and the moulded body. Some or all baked items may also be attached to the moulded body by using confectionery glue. Preferably, the confectionery glue may be a filling that comprises fat and sugar, ate, a mixture of ate and pieces of biscuits and/or the food mass used for the moulded body.

By combining the baked item and the moulded body with confectionery glue, they are firmly attached to each other. This is especially important in View of the separation of the food product into multiple pieces since it is not desirable that during the application of force, an uninteotional delemination of the moulded body and a baked item occurs. In other words, the attachment of the baked items to the moulded body by using the techniques of this embodiment provides a durable connection between these two. However, the confectionery glue of the latter technique may also provide an interface that allows shearing of the baked items if this is part of the desired customer’s experience when ing the food product.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one baked item is ed at a side face of the moulded body. In this embodiment, the at least one PCT/US20121020479 baked item is partially integrated into the moulded body, Lee. the food mass partially overlaps with the baked items, and/or the baked item is placed within a cavity formed into the moulded. body, Like in the previous embodiments, the baked item is preferably positioned at the toP or bottom side of the food product.

If being arranged at a side face of the mouldeé body without any overlap, shear forces n the baked items and the moulcled body are exclusively transferred between the side of the baked item and the moulded body facing each other. Nonetheless, this may well be desirable for the customer if one of the positive characteristics of the product is shearing off the baked items before consumption, for a more enjoyable experience. On the other hand, integrating the baked item partly into the moulded body will enhance the dmability of the connection between the moulded body and the baked item, making the food product more robust and therefore less likely to be damaged during ortation, storage and/or consumption If the baked item is integrated, the overlap between the food product and the baked item is preferably less than 30% of the height of the baked item more preferably 20%, n the height of the product is the dimension of the baked item perpendicular to the side facing the moulded body. In any case, it is also within the scope of the ion that at least some of. the baked items are tely integrated within the moulded body so that their surface lly becomes part of the surface of the moulded body or is even situated beneath the surface of the moulded body.

In another embodiment of the mvenfion, the food mass is greferably sugar and fat based and comprises chocolate, caramel and/or compounds. The chocolate may be a dark Chocolate, a milk chocolate or a white chocolate. A dark chocolate comprises cocoa liquor an&/or powder and sweetener, a milk chocolate comprises cocoa liquor andfor cocoa powder, sweetener and milk solids and a white ate comprises cocoa butter and sweetener, In a particular embodiment, the chocolate composition is a mill: ate composition.

The chocolate comprises at least one fat. The fat may be cocoa butter, butterfat, a cocoa butter equivalent (CBE), a cocoa butter replace: (CBR), a PCTIU820121020479 vegetable fat that is quuici at standard t temperature and pressure (SATP, °C and EGGkPa) or any ation of the above. In a partimlar embodiment, the chocolate ses cocoa butter.

CBE’S are defined in Directive 2000/36/EC as complying with the following criteria: a) they are non—lame vegetable fats, which are rich in symmetrical saturated oiglycerides of the type POP, POSt and StOSt; b) they are le in any proportion with cocoa butter, and are compatible with its physical properties ng point and crystallisation temperature, melting rate, need for tempering phase); c) they are obtained only by the processes of refining and/or fractionation, which excludes enzymatic modification of the triglyceride structure.

Suitable CBE’s e illipe, Borneo taliow, wang, palm oil, sal, Shea, kokum gurgi and mango kernel. CBE’S are usually used in combination with cocoa butter. In one embodiment, the chocolate composition comprises no more than Swi% CBE’s.

The chocolate may comprise a cocoa butter substitute (CBS) (sometimes known as a cocoa butter replacer, GER) in place of some or all of the cocoa butter.

Such chocolate compositions are sometimes known as compound chocolate (or ”compounds” as hereinabove stated). Suitabie (338’s include CBS lamics and CBS non~laurics. CBS iamics are short-chain fatty acid glycerides. Their physical properties vary but they all have ceride configmations that make them compatible with cocoa . Suitabie CBS'S include those based on palm kernel oil and coconut oil. CBS non~laurics consist of fractions obtained from hydrogenated oils. The oils are selectively hydrogenated with the formation of trans acids, which increases the solid phase of the fat. Suitable sources for CBS nonlaurics include soya, cottonseed, peanut, rapeseed anti com (maize) oil, The chocolate may comprise at least one vegetable fat that is liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP, 25°C and ZOOkPa). A liquid vegetable fat may be employed when a liquid chocolate composition is desired.

W0 20121115725 PCTIU82012/020479 Suitable vegetable fats include com oil, cotton seed oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil The present invention is further applicable to chocolate in which some or all of the fat is constituted by a partly or wholly non-metabolisable fat, for example Caprenin.

The chocolate comprises at least one sweetener Such sweeteners include sugars (e.g. sucrose, dextrose, glucose syrup solids, fructose, lactose and maltose and any combination thereof), sugar alcohols (cg. sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, lactitol, isomalt and maltitol, or any combination thereof), intense sweeteners (cg. aspartame, acesulfame-K, cyclamates, saccharin, sucralose, neohesperidin, dihydrochalone, alitame, sierra sweeteners, glycyrrhizin, or any combination thereof) and any combination of , sugar alcohols and, intense sweeteners. In one embodiment the chocolate comprises e. r, savoury-type of food masses, such as , may also be used to make a food product according to the ion. By ing more than one type of food mass for the foocl t, it is possible to create a higher variety of tastes as well as to une the taste of the product in order to closely match the preferences of the customers. Therefore, in some embodiments there is more than one food mass making up the moulded body, cg. dark anti milk chocolate layers, chocolate and l layers, different types of cheese layers etc. We foori mass may also se particular ingredieots such as nuts, to adjust its flavour. In addition, by choosing one of the above s for a food mass, it becomes easier to influence the all-over material properties of the moulded body. This is relevant to the design of the product since it provides an additional option in order to achieve the desired ties of the food product. For example, by choosing the appropriate food mass or compound thereof, the moulded body may provide the structural stability to the food product. in some embodiments the moulded body comprises a moulded chocolate body or a moulded cheese body. The moulded. chocolate body may comprise inclusions such as nuts, fruit, candy, mint chips, chocolate chips, cereal pieces, PCTIU820121020479 t pieces, caramel pieces or the. like, for example, and may be an aerated moulded chocolate body in some embodiments. In some embodiments the moulded cheese body may se inclusions such as herbs, vegetable pieces, spices, meat pieces, poultry pieces, fruit, nuts, biscuit or cereal pieces and the like, for example.

In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one baked item comprises biscuits, waffles, soft cakes and/or rs. At least some of the baked items may have a smooth or structured surface. At least some of the baked items of the food product may have the same shape. and/or size, preferably having a disk~shape or a rectangular shape. However, they may also have any other geometric shape. Further, the baked item may be seasoned, dry, soft, extruded, filled and/or sandwiched. It is also possible that a mixture of such baked items is used to form a nd with the moulded body. In some embodiments, the bakecl item itself is a compound ure comprising altemating layers of baked material and non~baked material, eg. in an embodiment, where a sandwich biscuit is located within the moulded body.

Baked item having the same shape anti/or size may on one hand be optically more appealing to the customer and on the other hand simplify the tion of the food product by making the handling of the baked items during tion less complex.

Using biscuits and/ or waffles as the baked item provides another design option for the food product in order to yossess the most ageous properties for commercial success. This also includes the biscuits and/or waflfles having a smooth or structured surface that on one hand may se the incentive to buy and on the other hand my have a positive ural effect when combining the moulded body with the baked items. In the latter case, the stmctured surface can deliver an improved interface between the. food mass and a baked item.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one surface of the baked item facixtg the moulded body is at least partially visible through gaps, formed into the moulded body, preferably the top and f or bottom surface.

PCT/USZ012/020479 Thus, this visual effect is ed by forming gaps or apertures within the moulded body through which a surface of a baked item, although partially facing the moulded body, is still visible. On top of this advantageous optical effect of such a gap or aperture, the gap can serve as a ermined breaking point as described above. The visible part of a baked item is at least 25%, preferably 35% and even more preferred 50% of. the surface area of the bottom and/or top surface of the baked item. Preferabiy the central area of the surface is included in the. visible part.

A method for producing the described food, t comprises several steps. in one step, at least a first food mass is deposited in a mould to form at ieast one moulded body. Further, during the production process, at least one baked item is combined with the moulded body so that a portion of the at least one baked item id not covered with the first food mass. Further, the food mass is cooled after its deposition in the mould. Another step after the moulding process is demoulding the food product.

In another ment of the ion, a consumable unit is formed comprising at least a portion of the moulded body and a member of an array of baked items or a substanfiaiiy centrally located baked item. In such a consumable unit the modded body is formed so that at least a portion of the ed body of a consumble unit is at least partially extemfing beyond the periphery of at least one baked item so that a gap is present n the periphery of the at least one baked item and the boundary of the. consumable unit. Since in such an embodiment the moulded body and the baked items do not have to be or at least not completely be aligned at their geripheries, arranging the array of baked items or the substantially lly located baked item on the moulded body becomes less prone to inaccuracies during the positioning of the products.

Further, production becomes less comolex because shrinkage of the baked items and/or the food mass has less influence on the appearance of the food product, for example, due to a drop in temperature after tion. While the food mass is cooling down after being deposited in the mould, its volume may PCTIUS2012/020479 change due to thermal expansion and causes a relative movement between the peripheries of the moulded body and the baked, items. If this is not accurately taken into account during production, a misalignment at the periphery will occur, which may then cause an undesirable disturbance to the eye of the customer.

Therefore, another effect of the present production method is that it also saves time during the start of a production run, since ining the right dose of food mass to be deposited in the mould does not have to be as accurate as for a tely aligned product. In addition, changes in dose occurring during production have less impact on the quality of the food product. in r embodiment of the invention, the method for ing a fooé product r comprises the step of bringing at least one baked item into contact with the liquefied food mass forming the moulded body in order to create an interconnecting interface between the bakecl item and the food mass. Using the food mass of the moulded body as the interconnecting interface has the age that no confectionery glue has to be added to the food t and adverse effects, for example, on the taste or consistency of the product are avoided. Further, there is no need for additional equipment to deposit the confectionery glue.

In another embodiment of the invention at least one baked items is placed in the mould before depositing the food mass and/or the at least one baked item is arranged on the moulded body after the food mass is at least partially fied.

By placing at least one baked item in the mould before depositing the food mass, forming the modded body and combining it with the baked item is done in a single production step. 0n the other hand, at ieast one baked item could also be arranged at the moulded body after the food mass is at least partially solidified or pro-crystallized. In both cases the £006: mass does not only form the moulded body but also forms the interface that fixes the baked item to the moulded body after solidification of the food mass, resulting in the same advantages as for the previous embodiment. r embodiment of the invention further comprises the step of applying heat to liquefy the surface of the at least partially solidified moulded PCT/U82012/020479 body before arranging the baked item thereon. Again, the advantage is that the food, mass also forms the onnecting interface with the at least one baked item. r, in the technique of this embodiment, the baked item can still be combined with a moulded body after the food mass is solidified.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tion method further comprises the step of arranging the at least one baked item on the moulded body by applying confectionery glue to the moulded body and/or the baked item.

By using confectionery glue to attach the at least one baked item to the moulded. body, the properties of the interface are not dependent on the properties of the food mass. This might be for exampie desirable if the customer wishes to shear off the baked item during consumption for a more enjoyable experience.

Further, it is possible to introduce an additional flavour to the food product or achieve desirable opticai effects by ng an additional colour to the product; However; the food mass forming the moulded body may also be used as confeclionery glue in this embodiment. This aspect of the invention may aiso be combined with one of the usly described methods to combine the moulded body with a baked item.

In another embodiment of the invention, pressure is applied to the at least: one baked item while attaching the baked item to the moulded body. This production step may be used any of the aforementioned techniques, i.e. combining the baked items with the moulded body by using the first food mass and applying confectionery glue to attach diam to each other. in any case, this production step enables a durable attachment of a baked item to the moulded body. in. another ment of the ion, the method for producing food products is characterized in that a cooling step is d after arranging the at least one baked item at the moulded body. This accelerates the formation of die mterface beMeen the baked item and the moulded body and therefore speeds up the production process. in another embodiment of the invention, the method for producing food ts is characterized, in that the mould has depressions and/or protrusions to PCTIU820121'020479 pre~form at least parts of the moulded body so that the at least one baked item can be received therein. Such a mould facilitates the ement of a baked item in a cavity of the d body or even inside the moulded body. In the latter case, the baked items are placed on protrusions situated, inside the mould. After depositing the food mass in at least one production step before. and/or after arranging the baked items results in a food product, in which the baked items are either ed at a side or inside the food product while still being visible from the outside.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 shows a food product according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows another food product according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows another food product according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows another food product according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows r food product according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows another food product according to the t invention; Figure 7 shows a sequence of production steps in order to produce the food product of to the present» irwention; Figure 8 shows another sequence of production steps that is within the scope of. the t invention; and Figure 9 shows another food product according to the present invention.

Reference signs in the Figures point to equal or functionally equal items as long as not specified otherwise.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a food product 1 according to the present invention The food t 1 comprises a plurality of disk-shaped baked items 20, arranged at opposite sides of a d body 10 having a rectangular shape. More specifically, the baked items 20 are arranged in an array on opposing side surfaces (14, 16) of the moulded body 19. Further, the moulded body has PCT/U82012/020479 ermined ng points in the. form of grooves 12. The grooves 12 are arranged so that the product can be subdivided into smaller pieces, wherein a smallest piece, respectively unit, comprises two baked items 20 with a recmngxflar- shaped piece of the. moulded body 10 oned in between. Subdividing the food product 1 into multiple pieces may be done by applying a bending , preferably using the baked items 20 as support. Between the baked items 20, positioned at the same side face, gaps 22 are present that separate the baked items at a distance from each other.

The baked items 20 shown in Figure. l are either aligned with a peripheral edge 11 of the moulded body 10 or are placed apart from an outer edge 19 so that the moulded body '10 is extending beyond the baked items 20. Nonetheless, in the. present embodiment the moulded body 10 mostly extends beyond the baked items . {n this embodiment, two opposing baked items and a portion of the moulded body situated in between may be considered as a consumable unit; r, the baked items 20 in Figure 1 have a structured surface and the moulded body 10 has a smooth appearance with the exception of the grooves 12 formed fherein. Alfllough not shown in Figure. 1, the. baked items 20 may be joined with the moulded body 10 using confeciionery glue or {be food mass of the moulded body 10 itself. Although the baked items in this embodiment are placed on the side faces (14, 16) of the moalded body 10, another option is to partially integrate the baked items 20 Within the. food t: 1 resulting in an overlap of preferably between 5% and, 30% of their .

Another embodiment of the food product 1 according to the t invention is shown in Figure 2. Here, the baked items 20 are fully integrated into the moulded body 30. r, parts of the baked items 20 are not covered with food mass and are therefore visible as baked items 20 forming a continuous surface with a side face. of the moulded body 10. As shown in Figure. 2, the baked items 20 are arranged on opposite side faces of the moulded body 10. In between two adjacent baked items 20 another edible product 28 is placed. In other words, the baked item in this embodiment has a sandwich structure, preferably adding an PCT/U82012/020479 additionai flavour, consistency or structural property to the food product. These aspects of the ion provide. further design options to increase the attractiveness of said food product 1. The gaps 22 formed in n the baked items 20, arranged on either side of the mouided body 10, may further represent predetemfined breaking points based on ent material properties of the baked. items 20 and the food mass, preferably causing the moulded body to break in order to subdivide the food product: 1 into multiple pieces. r, it is also within the scope of the invention to place a predetermined breaking point either on a face of the moulded body ‘10 or the baked items 20.

Although the side faces of the moulded body 10 of Figure 2 are forming an angle of approximateiy 45° in respect to the side face 16, any other angle is also within me scope of the present invention as well as any other geometric shape that may be used to form the side faces 18 of the food product 1 or moulded body 10.

The food product 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 comprises gaps or apertures 17. This configuration facilitates that the baked item's surface facing the moulded body is visible from the side 16 of the moulded body being opposite to the side 14. in this embodiment, the gaps or res 17 may also serve as predetermined breaking points in order to subciivide the food product 1 into multiple pieces for consumption.

The food t shown in Figure 4 is simiiar to the one shown in Figure 3.

However, in this embodiment the baked items 20 are arranged inside the moulded body 10‘ Further, the bottom face 21 and the top face 23 are both e through gaps or apertures 1’7. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to have ihe baked item 20 inside the mouldeci body 18, wherein only the top side 23 or the bottom side 21 is showing through the gaps or apertures 17.

The embodiment of a food product 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 5 is similar to the embodiment showri in Figure 2. However, in this embodiment, the baked items 20 are oniy situated at one side of the d body . Like in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the surface of the baked items 20 is PCT/U52012/020479 partially forming the side face 14 of the food product 1 since the baked items 20 are fully hitegrated within the volume of the moulded body 10.

Figure 6 shows r embodiment of the food product 1 according to the present invention having a structure r to the one of the embodiment shown in Figure 3. However, the moulded body 10 is continuous, i.e. it has no gaps or apertures 17 in relation to the embodiment shown in Figure 3. The baked items 20 are arranged at only one side face 14 of the moulded body 10, wherein a portion of the baked items 20 is ated within said modded body 10. Consequently, the moulded body 10 and the baked items 20 overlap with each other, preferably between 5% and 30% of the over-all height" of the baked items 20%.

Although Figures 2 to 6 show embodiments in which the baked, items ‘20 are directly in contact with the moulded body 10, atively, confectionery glue 30 the moulded body may be used to attach at least some of said baked items 20 to . Further, the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6 comprise arrays of baked items. lly, each of these embodiments may also only comprise a centrally located baked item with a moulded body that represents a led bite-sized product.

Figure 7 shows a method to produce a food product 1 according to the present invention. in a first step, food mass is ted in a mould 40. On top of fanning the Outer shape of the moulded body 10, the mould 40 in Figure 7 additionally forms a groove 12 at one side face of the food product 1 which may serve as a predetermined breaking point as described above. Further, the moulding process forms a cavity 15 into the side face 16 of the moulded body 10 due to protruding plateaus 44 being part of the mould 40.

In a next step, while the food mass is at least partially still liquid, baked items 20 are deposited on the upper side surface 14 of the moulded body 10 so that the liquid food mass of the moulded body 10 forms an interface with the baked items 20 so that they form a composite t. In a subsequent step, lhe food product 1 is cooled down in order to accelerate the solidification of the food mass.

Afterwards, the fied moulded body 1 with the baked. items attachecl to is PCT/U52012/020479 demoulded. The demoulded food product 1 is then aligned for further processing, e.g. on transporting means such as a or belt or a tray.

Confectionery glue 30 is deposited on the side face 16 opposite to the side face 14 to which baked items 20 are already ed On top of the deposited confectionery glue 30 baked items 20 are placed, preferably under application of some pressure, so that the confectionery glue 3% forms an interface, mterconnecting the baked items 26 and the moulded body 10. In order to accelerate the solidification process of the confectionery glue 30, the latter assembly step of the food product 1 and the baked products 28 is ed by another step of cooling.

Figure 8 shows another method to produce a food product according to the present invention. Here, the mould 4.0 forming the moulded body 10 comprises a cavity 42 to accommodate a baked item 28 before the. food mass is deposited in the mould 4.0. In other words, the food mass is placed within the mould 40 after the baked. item 20 is already positioned within the mould 40 so that an interconnecting interface made out of food mass is d, ing the baked item 20 with the moulded body 10. Depending on the position of the cavity 42 within the mould 40, the baked item 20 can be placed at any position at the moulded body 10.

After the food mass is deposited on top of the baked item 20, the pre— fabricated food product is cooled down to solidify the. food mass now g the moulded body 10. In order to combine the ricated food product with a further baked item 20 on the side face 16 opposite to the side face 14, on which a baked item 20 is already arranged, the side face 16 of the moulded body 10 is at least partially reheated in order to form a liquid layer of food mass. The liquefied food mass on the moulded body’s surface 16 is therefore prepared to receive a baked item 20 placed thereon, preferably while applying some pressure. Here, the food mass forms the interface that attaches the baked items 20 to the d body 10‘ After another cooling step, basically solidifying the food product 1, the food t 1 is demoulded from the mould 40. The finished product may then be W0 15725 PCT/U52012/020479 directly ked or transferred to other production steps in order to e the final product.

Figure 9 shows a food product 1 with baked items 20 arranged in an array on opposing side surfaces 14, 16 of the d body 10. A piece 50 having two opposing baked items 20 and a portion of the moulded body situated in between has been broken off from the rest of the food product and may be considered a consumable unit. The baked items are partially embedded in the moulded body on either side of the moulded body. The thickness of the molded body 10 thus varies, with the mickness being decreased, by, «3.3., 40% to 90%, 60% to 80%, or another desired amount, between the partially embedded baked items 20, and with the moulded body extending laterally beyond the baked items on all sides.

The moulded body may comprise chocolate, and in the embodiment of Fig. 9 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane. The top and bottom surfaces of the. moulded body may contact the baked items, or may be separated therefrom by a small gap.

Claims (19)

Claims

1. A food product, comprising: a molded chocolate body including a plurality of pieces of the molded chocolate body, the pieces of the molded chocolate body being fully separated from one r by a plurality of gaps such that the pieces of the molded chocolate body do not directly contact one another, a ity of baked items arranged in an array and in contact with the molded chocolate body; each baked item of the array and a portion of the molded chocolate body form a consumable unit such that the food product includes an array of consumable units; at least one portion of each baked item of the array is not covered with chocolate from the molded chocolate body and is Visible from at least one side of the food t; and the molded chocolate body s beyond a periphery of each baked item in each consumable unit.

2. The food product of claim 1, wherein the extension of the molded chocolate body beyond the periphery of each baked item is such that a gap is present between the periphery of the baked item and the boundary of the able unit.

3. The food product according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a baked item arranged on a side of the molded chocolate body opposite a baked item of the array in a consumable unit.

4. The food product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each baked item of the array comprises at least a top and a bottom surface and at least a part of the top or bottom surface of the baked item of the array is visible from at least one side of the molded chocolate body.

5. The food product ing to any one of the ing claims, wherein the molded chocolate body has predetermined ng points configured to facilitate the subdivision of one or more consumable units from the molded chocolate body by applying an external load.

6. The food product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the molded chocolate body forms an interconnecting interface between a baked item of the array and the baked item is attached to the molded chocolate body by confectionery glue.

7. The food product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each baked item of the array is partially integrated within the molded chocolate body and/ or placed within a cavity of the molded chocolate body.

8. The food product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the molded chocolate body ses compound ate.

9. The food product according to any one of the ing claims, wherein baked items in the array se biscuits, waffles, soft cakes and/ or crackers.

10. The food product ing to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of the baked item of the array facing the molded chocolate body is at least partially e through the gaps.

11. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least two baked items further comprise a first baked item joined with the molded chocolate body, and a second baked item joined with the molded chocolate body, and an edible t joined with the molded chocolate body and sandwiched between the first and second baked items.

12. The food product of claim 11, wherein the first and second baked items are not in contact with each other, but are each in contact with the edible product.

13. The food product of claim 1, wherein adjacent pieces of the molded chocolate body are connected to each other by at least one of the at least two baked items.

14. A method for producing a food product according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: depositing at least chocolate in a mold to form the molded chocolate body including the plurality of pieces of the molded ate body fully separated from one another by the plurality of gaps such that the pieces of the molded chocolate body do not directly contact one another, combining at least one baked item with the molded chocolate body so that a portion of the at least one baked item is not covered with the ate, cooling the chocolate after its deposition in the mold, and demolding the food product.

15. The method for producing a food product ing to claim 14, further comprising the step of bringing at least one baked item and the ate of the molded chocolate body into contact with each other in order to form an interconnecting interface between the baked item and the chocolate of the molded chocolate body.

16. The method for producing a food product according to claim 14 or 15, wherein at least one baked item is placed in the mold before depositing the chocolate and/ or the baked item is combined with the molded chocolate body after the chocolate is deposited in the mold and is at least partially solidified.

17. The method for producing a food product ing to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising the step of combining at least one baked item with the molded chocolate body by applying confectionery glue to a side face of the molded ate body and/ or a side face of the baked item.

18. The method for producing a food product according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the mold has depressions and/ or protrusions to at least pre—form the molded chocolate body so that at least one baked item can be received therein.

19. The food product according to claim 1, substantially as herein bed with reference to any one of the