A method and device of providing a customized drink and/or printing on a drink.

The invention relates to edible microextruded products with compressive and tensile Young's moduli resembling the mechanical properties of meat, said edible products comprising several layers of microextruded elements made of a viscoelastic composition, said viscoelastic composition comprising in an appropriate edible solvent, high amounts of protein and an edible pseudoplastic polymer. The invention discloses also particular processes for obtaining such edible microextruded products, in particular a 3D printing method. Particular uses of edible products are also listed, including the use as meat-replacers. The invention discloses also new edible viscoelastic compositions comprising proteins and pseudoplastic polymers.

Herein disclosed includes an edible and 3D printable milk-based ink composition comprising milk powder present in an amount ranging from 10 to 75 w/w %, and water, wherein the edible and 3D printable milk-based ink composition is both printable and remains in a single phase at a temperature ranging from 20° C. to 30° C. A method of 3D printing the edible and 3D printable milk-based ink composition is included herein. The method includes providing the edible and 3D printable milk-based ink, and dispensing the edible and 3D printable milk-based ink composition onto a substrate in the absence of temperature control of the edible and 3D printable milk-based ink composition.

Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of biological matter with desired non-homogeneous and non-isotropic textures from deposited 2-D or 3-D printed elements. Desired textures, such as anisotropic structure at the microscale level, are achieved through a combination of controlled chemical, thermal and freezing steps producing crosslinked anisotropic structures by directional solidification. The apparatus has a movable printing platform associated with a heating module and a cooling module separated by a gap that creates a thermal gradient permitting directional solidification of a printed object as the platform moves over the modules.

The invention relates to a food processing system (100) allowing reconstitution and/or structuration and/or texturization of dehydrated food materials such as powders, the system comprising: —a dosing system (50) comprising one or a plurality of containers (20) each container comprising a dehydrated or partially dehydrated food material; —at least one reconstitution food processing unit (10) to which the containers (20) from the dosing system can be connected, the processing unit (10) comprising: at least one product inlet (17) for the food material coming from a container (20), at least one liquid inlet (18) for liquid to be mixed with the food material, and at least one product outlet (16) at one end of the unit (10) for in-line depositing the formed food; —a depositing area (60) where the formed food from the processing unit (10) is dispensed; the depositing area (60) and the at least one food processing unit (10) being moveable with respect to each other in such a way that different food shapes and/or patterns from one or different food materials can be formed in the depositing area (60). The invention further relates to a method for operating a food processing system (100) as the one described.

A system and method for positioning a food product with respect to a print head for printing on a surface thereof. The system is incorporated into a printer. The system has a movable support surface for supporting the food product thereon, the support surface being vertically and horizontally moveable with respect to the print head. A sensor is provided for detecting a position of a surface of the food product positioned on the moveable support surface with respect to the print head. The sensor provides a signal to the printer indicative of a position of the surface of the food product and wherein the moveable support surface is adjustable in response thereto. The sensor is a position sensor configured to detect the position of a top surface of the food product.

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 rotating 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.

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.

The present invention discloses a beverage displaying a printed design image upon a foamed portion of the beverage. The invention further discloses a device and method for same. In the invention, an automated printer is used, comprising a movable printing head, loaded with an edible liquid ink, to print a design of interest upon the beverage foam. In some embodiments, the beverage is coffee and the liquid ink is a second coffee essence. The invention additionally discloses business methods comprising printing an advertisement upon a foamed portion of a beverage, or selling a beverage displaying a printed image upon a foamed portion of the beverage.