An ink maintenance system for a printer comprising a first tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length and a second tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the second tray having a second length and an open top along its length. The system also includes a fan and a filter. To use the system, a print head is positioned in a standby or cleaning position within the printer and ink is ejected from one or more print nozzles into an ink maintenance system within the printer such that the ejected ink is collected in at least one of a catch tray or a filter of the ink maintenance system. The system is then removable from the printer for cleaning.

An ink maintenance system for a printer comprising a first tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length and a second tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the second tray having a second length and an open top along its length. The system also includes a fan and a filter. To use the system, a print head is positioned in a standby or cleaning position within the printer and ink is ejected from one or more print nozzles into an ink maintenance system within the printer such that the ejected ink is collected in at least one of a catch tray or a filter of the ink maintenance system. The system is then removable from the printer for cleaning.

A printer and corresponding method of printing an image on a surface of a plurality of food products by providing a system having a printer with an extendable and retractable receiving arm and a movable food product delivery tray for continuously and automatically providing delivery of unprinted food products which are retracted into the printer, printed on, and returned by the receiving arm to the rotatable delivery tray and the tray further moves to deliver subsequent food products for printing. A motorized base spaced apart from the printer supports the delivery tray during and printing processes.

A printer and corresponding method of printing an image on a surface of a plurality of food products by providing a system having a printer with an extendable and retractable receiving arm and a movable food product delivery tray for continuously and automatically providing delivery of unprinted food products which are retracted into the printer, printed on, and returned by the receiving arm to the rotatable delivery tray and the tray further moves to deliver subsequent food products for printing. A motorized base spaced apart from the printer supports the delivery tray during and printing processes.

The present invention relates to multi-texture baked products and precursors for making such baked products. In particular this invention relates to a cookie precursor comprising a dough, wherein the dough comprises particle sugar with a particle size D90 of less than 700 μm, a sugar syrup and a sugar alcohol, wherein the dry weight ratio of particle sugar to sugar in the sugar syrup is 4.75 or below and the weight ratio of particle sugar to sugar alcohol is 4.6 or below.

The present invention relates to multi-texture baked products and precursors for making such baked products. In particular this invention relates to a cookie precursor comprising a dough, wherein the dough comprises particle sugar with a particle size D90 of less than 700 μm, a sugar syrup and a sugar alcohol, wherein the dry weight ratio of particle sugar to sugar in the sugar syrup is 4.75 or below and the weight ratio of particle sugar to sugar alcohol is 4.6 or below.

A forming method of forming a combined food product containing granulated objects and a food dough comprising steps of (a) discharging a tubular food dough from a discharging device and forming a bottom of the tubular food dough; (b) supplying a predetermined amount of granulated objects to an inside of the tubular food dough formed with the bottom; and (c) cutting the tubular food dough to divide the combined food product filled with the supplied granulated objects. In the step (c), the combined food product is formed so that an upper surface of the granulated objects which are filled is partially and ununiformly covered with the food dough.

A forming method of forming a combined food product containing granulated objects and a food dough comprising steps of (a) discharging a tubular food dough from a discharging device and forming a bottom of the tubular food dough; (b) supplying a predetermined amount of granulated objects to an inside of the tubular food dough formed with the bottom; and (c) cutting the tubular food dough to divide the combined food product filled with the supplied granulated objects. In the step (c), the combined food product is formed so that an upper surface of the granulated objects which are filled is partially and ununiformly covered with the food dough.

Methods for creating self-folding materials that change shape in response to grooves created in the surface of the materials and when exposed to a stimuli. A tailored computational design tool, digital fabrication platform and mold for use with the methods also are provided.

An enzymatically produced soluble α-glucan fiber composition is provided suitable for use as a digestion resistant fiber in food and feed applications. The soluble α-glucan fiber composition can be blended with one or more additional food ingredients to produce fiber-containing compositions. Methods for the production and use of compositions comprising the soluble α-glucan fiber are also provided.