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.

System for conveying and dispensing material may include a heated supply of the material, one or more heated hoses, a heated dispenser, and a pump having a heating device internal the pump. A pump for conveying liquid or liquefied material, for example chocolate, may include one or more heating devices disposed within the pump. A filter may also be provided with an optional internal heating device.

A method and an apparatus for making a multilayer confectionery product provided. The method and apparatus include at least two sets of forming drums that form and laminate confectionery sheets.

A system and method for applying a reduced sugar coating to a food product is provided. The system uses separate applications (simultaneous or sequential) of a non-sucrose carbohydrate syrup from a first applicator and a sucrose syrup from a second applicator. The dual applications of the syrups are applied without an active drying step between applications. The process results in a coated food product with reduced clumping and a desired crystallized appearance even with the reduced levels of sugar.

A waffle cone coating assembly is disclosed. The waffle cone coating assembly includes a fountain assembly disposed within a basin. The fountain assembly includes a tube having an upper end spaced from the basin and a nozzle disposed at the upper end of the tube. The nozzle includes a plurality of coating outlets. A flange is disposed below the nozzle and includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the nozzle. A coating material is recirculated from the basin through the plurality of coating outlets and returns to the basin.

The present invention provides an apparatus for coating an edible receptacle the apparatus comprising a nozzle for applying a fat-based coating material to the internal surface of the edible receptacle and a gas-dosing element with an external surface shape corresponding to the internal shape of the edible receptacle wherein the gas dosing element has at least one aperture suitable for the introduction of cooled gas into the edible receptacle. The invention also provides a process for manufacturing a coated edible receptacle for a frozen confection comprising the steps of: providing an edible receptacle; at least partially coating the internal surface of the edible receptacle by spraying a fat-based coating onto the internal surface of the edible receptacle; and introducing a gas-dosing element into the edible receptacle, wherein the gas-dosing element has an external surface shape corresponding to the internal shape of the edible receptacle and wherein cooled gas is introduced into the edible receptacle through the gas-dosing element and wherein the gas dosing element does not come into contact with the fat-based coating.

A method and apparatus for producing confectionery products, preferably shells for chocolate products. The invention comprises depositing one or more inclusions into a mould cavity and depositing a food product into the mould cavity through a depositor plate comprising a plurality of nozzles.

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.

An apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate includes a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, wherein the rope of material has an opening that can receive a filler material. The feeder deposits the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder. A former receives the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope. The former shapes the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope. A cutter may axially cut the rope to form the opening. A finisher may cut the shaped rope into portions containing the deposited filler material.

A reduced-scale drum motor roller drive is combined with a rotating enlarged-scale hard drum on the rotation axis of the hard drum. A source of electric power rotates the drum motor roller which thereby rotates the hard drum for tumbling and/or coating service in an automated and/or mechanized food process lines.