The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a system and method of preparing personalized nutritional and/or pharmaceutical formulations using additive manufacturing technology. Active pharmaceutical or dietary supplement ingredients are suspended in thixotropic stable carrier medias. The thixotropic suspensions are deposited onto a surface of a solid substrate, which can be a snack bar or small wafer used as a mechanical carrier. The disclosed system enables each additive active ingredient to be variably dosed based on a formula that is determined for each specific individual and manufactured on demand. Once the active ingredients are deposited on substrate, the entire assembly can be enrobed with one or more edible solid coatings to seal the active ingredients and provide taste-masking agent characteristics to the assembly.

A dropper machine for pouring a measured amount of a substance in a plurality of receptacles, including: a reservoir containing the substance to be dropped, cylinder and piston metering devices, a drive unit arranged to simultaneously drive the piston of the metering devices wherein each of the metering devices is associated with a respective actuating device cooperating with the piston of the metering device, the actuator device being operable individually to inhibit the delivery of the substance to be dropped through the nozzle when the drive unit is actuated to cause displacement of the pistons of the metering devices associated therewith between the start position and the end position.

A coated stuffed pretzel and method for making the coated stuffed pretzel is provided. A pretzel that has already been baked has first, second and third pretzel openings. A layer of chocolate is deposited in the first and second openings pretzel openings, then a filling and chocolate is deposited on the layer of chocolate, thus stuffing the first and second pretzel openings. The pretzel is cooled and then is moved through a chocolate bath where an outer chocolate layer is applied. Then, toppings are added on the chocolate coating. The pretzel is cooled and the toppings are held in place when the chocolate outer layer solidifies. Thus, the pretzel that has already been baked is transformed into the coated stuffed pretzel. The coated stuffed pretzels can be coated with any topping and stuffed with any filling, for example caramel. The coated stuffed pretzels have a handle portion.

An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.

An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.

The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of an encased snack comprising in this order the steps of (1) providing crumb material, (2) forming the crumb material under pressure to produce a shell, (3) introducing a filling into the shell, (4) forming a cover of crumb material on the filling in the shell under pressure, and (5) optionally baking the thus formed assembly. The invention is also directed to the encased snack obtainable by the process and to a mould comprising a lower die and first and second upper dies for use in the process.

An edible decoration is laser kiss cut from an edible decorating sheet by optically sensing at least one printed edible design on the edible decorating sheet relative to a laser cutting tool coordinate system and driving a laser along a circuit of cutting locations defined in the laser cutting tool coordinate system. The laser beam forms a separation channel by laser ablation of at least a portion of the edible decorating sheet at the cutting locations while leaving intact the non-adhesive releasable backing upon which the edible decorating sheet rests.

The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of an encased snack comprising in this order the steps of (1) providing crumb material, (2) forming the crumb material under pressure to produce a shell, (3) introducing a filling into the shell, (4) forming a cover of crumb material on the filling in the shell under pressure, and (5) optionally baking the thus formed assembly. The invention is also directed to the encased snack obtainable by the process and to a mold comprising a lower die and first and second upper dies for use in the process.

This present disclosure provides reliable methods and apparatus for delivering a pharmaceutical active ingredient to an edible substrate. In some examples, the pharmaceutical active ingredient is delivered to voids that are formed in the edible substrate. The voids can then be closed as desired. The edible substrate can be configured as a food product or a dosage form as desired.

A coated stuffed pretzel and method for making the coated stuffed pretzel is provided. A pretzel that has already been baked has first, second and third pretzel openings. A layer of chocolate is deposited in the first and second openings pretzel openings, then a filling and chocolate is deposited on the layer of chocolate, thus stuffing the first and second pretzel openings. The pretzel is cooled and then is moved through a chocolate bath where an outer chocolate layer is applied. Then, toppings are added on the chocolate coating. The pretzel is cooled and the toppings are held in place when the chocolate outer layer solidifies. Thus, the pretzel that has already been baked is transformed into the coated stuffed pretzel. The coated stuffed pretzels can be coated with any topping and stuffed with any filling, for example caramel. The coated stuffed pretzels have a handle portion.