An apparatus for depositing a food product comprising a nozzle having a pressurised chamber and a food product outlet; a valve needle movable relative between a closed position and to one of a plurality of discrete open positions; and an actuator configured to set the position of the valve needle relative to the outlet, wherein the nozzle is further able to rotate in use to change the direction of flow of a food product being deposited by the apparatus.

The invention generally relates to a cartridge comprising a gel. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of an item of confectionery, an item of confectionery, a kit, the use of a cartridge for preparing an item of confectionery, a gel, and a process for preparing an item of confectionery via a data connection. The invention relates to a cartridge comprising the following cartridge components: a. a container having an internal volume; b. a gel comprising: i. a hydrocolloid, and ii. a sweetener different to the hydrocolloid; wherein the gel is not a fluid.

A unit (1) for dosing a confectionery mass includes a base body (2), a dosing chamber (26) for containing a confectionery mass and a rotary piston (3) being reversingly driven to alternatingly fill the dosing chamber (26) with confectionery mass and to remove confectionery mass from the dosing chamber (26). The rotary piston (3) has a filling cycle for filling the dosing chamber (26) with confectionery mass during which it is rotatingly driven in a first direction of rotation (28). The rotary piston (3) has a removing cycle for removing the confectionery mass from the dosing chamber (26) during which it is rotatingly driven in a second direction of rotation (29) being opposite to the first direction of rotation (28). The filling cycle and the removing cycle form one complete working cycle.

A system for manufacturing a multi-layer shortcake can be realized by reversing the manufacturing process of the shortcake to normal. The assembly line conveyor system includes a package container having a top opening as a cake mold and a take-out film set as an insole in the package container. The packaged shortcake includes a topping layer of a cake, a first cream layer, a shape retaining sponge block, a second cream layer, and a cake base platform on the insole film and closed with a bottom lid. Preferably, the packaged shortcake contains a cake block between the first cream layer and the second cream layer for supporting the shape of the shortcake.

A confectionery processing machine has a hopper attached to a dispensing unit. The dispensing unit comprises a plurality of co-operating piston and nozzles. The hopper is arranged to supply an edible material to the plurality of co-operating piston and nozzles. The dispensing unit is arranged in order to dispense the edible material from the plurality of co-operating piston and nozzles. The confectionery processing machine is improved by providing the hopper with at least two separate compartments. Here, each compartment separately provides edible material to a portion of the plurality of pistons. Consequently, a more flexible confectionery processing machine is provided because all the plurality of piston and nozzles are not provided from the same compartment.

An apparatus for dispensing a foodstuff a heating block (59) having a top side (60) and a bottom side (61), the bottom side (61) being complementary to a portion of the cylinder (11), the heating block (59) being removable from the housing (16) and from the container (1).

An apparatus (1) for dosing a confectionery mass includes a plurality of confectionery mass dosing units (2) being arranged side-by-side. Each of the confectionery mass dosing units (2) includes a locking valve (18), a dosing valve (22) and an outlet opening (26). The outlet opening (26) serves to dispense a dosing quantity of confectionery mass from the confectionery mass dosing unit (2). The dosing valve (22) serves to adjust the dosing quantity. The locking valve (18) being an addition to the dosing valve (22) serves for alternate opening and closing, wherein no confectionery mass exits from the outlet opening (26) when the locking valve (18) is closed.

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 system for producing confectionery, wherein a tray with one or more mould cavities formed in moulding powder, such as starch, is provided. The moulding powder has an initial moisture content. Depositing liquid confectionery in the one or more mould cavities causes the moisture content of the moulding powder to increase. The tray is provided in a conditioning room configured for drying the deposited confectionery. The conditioning parameters of the conditioning room are adapted such that the moulding powder is dried to a desired moisture content, wherein the desired moisture content is such that the moulding powder is suitable for immediate re-use in subsequent confectionery production.

An apparatus for dispensing a foodstuff a heating block (59) having a top side (60) and a bottom side (61), the bottom side (61) being complementary to a portion of the cylinder (11), the heating block (59) being removable from the housing (16) and from the container (1).