The present invention relates to a method for the production of an edible object, comprising providing an edible powder composition and at least one edible liquid, wherein the edible powder composition comprises a water soluble protein, a hydrocolloid and a plasticizer, and subjecting said composition to powder bed printing by depositing the edible liquid by spraying it onto the powder and thereby obtaining the edible object. Also food products obtainable with the method of the invention, particularly, a pasta, a cake object and a protein bar are disclosed.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer system is disclosed. The 3D-printer system comprises an extruder, a housing configured to house the extruder, a 3D-printer base including a print bed, the print bed configured to receive material extruded from the extruder, and a first sensor configured to detect a location of an object on the print bed. In some embodiments, the 3D-printer system further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing or to the extruder, the plurality of sensors including the first sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to obtain data for detection of the location of the object. In yet some embodiments, the 3D-printer system of claim further comprises a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon logic, the logic when executed performs operations including receiving data from the first sensor and detecting the location of the object on the print bed based on the data.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer system is disclosed. The 3D-printer system comprises an extruder, a housing configured to house the extruder, a 3D-printer base including a print bed, the print bed configured to receive material extruded from the extruder, and a first sensor configured to detect a location of an object on the print bed. In some embodiments, the 3D-printer system further comprises a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing or to the extruder, the plurality of sensors including the first sensor, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to obtain data for detection of the location of the object. In yet some embodiments, the 3D-printer system of claim further comprises a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having stored thereon logic, the logic when executed performs operations including receiving data from the first sensor and detecting the location of the object on the print bed based on the data.

A food product platform, system and method for supporting a food product thereon during printing. The platform has a first surface for supporting the food product thereon, the first surface having a surface topography configured to securely support the food product thereon; and a second surface supporting an attachment mechanism for removably coupling to a reciprocal attachment mechanism on a receiving arm of a printer, wherein the attachment mechanism prevents movement of the platform with respect to the receiving arm when coupled to the receiving arm. The food product platform is removably connectable to the receiving arm manually and without the use of tools.

A delivery tray, system, and method for automatically delivering food product to a printer for printing on a surface of the food product. The tray has a main body having a plurality of food product support surfaces spaced apart on the main body and each food product support surface configured for supporting one of a plurality of food products thereon and the main body further comprising at least one positioning mechanism corresponding to each of the plurality of food product support surfaces and each positioning mechanism comprising at least one positioning element for guiding the loading of at least one of the plurality of food products onto the delivery tray. The tray is coupled to a motorized base for automatic movement of the tray.

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 method and system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products. The system comprises a printer configured for printing edible ink on a surface of the food products and a removable debris collection tray for catching food product debris positioned within the printer and configured to capture debris generated during at least one of delivery of food products to the printer, printing on the food products, and removal of printed food products from the printer. The printer has a print head and a receiving arm supported by the printer and extendable and retractable across a path of a print head of the printer for delivery and return of food products to a position below the print head for printing thereon. The removable debris collection tray is at least partially positioned below a travel path of the food product within the printer and between the print head and receiving arm.

A printer ink mist collection system for a printer and a method of collecting and removing ink mist from the printer, the system having a channel extending from a print area to a filtration system wherein the filtration system comprises one or more filters and wherein the channel is configured to direct airborne ink and mist generated during printing to the filtration system and wherein the channel and filtration system are removable from a printer for purposes of cleaning the ink collection system.

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 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.