Frozen ice confection

Abstract

A process and apparatus for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising a frozen composition incorporating inclusions in a desired distribution by combining a flow of frozen composition with one or more flows comprising inclusions, in such a way that the flows comprising inclusions are introduced discontinuously at a multiplicity of positions in the cross-section of flow of frozen composition, and extruding the resulting combined flow without first subjecting the combined flow to any active blending step.

1 . A method for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising inclusions dispersed in a frozen composition, which method comprises the steps of:—
 combining a flow of a frozen composition with one or more flows comprising inclusions,    the flows of inclusions being introduced, discontinuously, at a multiplicity of positions in the cross-section of flow of the frozen composition to give a combined flow of inclusions dispersed in a frozen ice composition, and    extruding the resulting combined flow.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the frozen composition comprises sorbet, frozen yoghurt, sherbet, frozen custard, water ice, ice cream or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the frozen composition comprises ice cream prepared by the process of cold extrusion.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the inclusions comprise soft fruit pieces.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the inclusions comprise strawberry pieces.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein a single flow of inclusions is introduced into the flow of frozen composition at a position in the cross-section of said flow which varies with time.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of flows comprising inclusions are introduced into the of flow of the frozen composition.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of separate flows of frozen composition are used.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flows of frozen composition and of inclusions are combined at an angle of no more than 45°.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the flows are combined immediately prior to extrusion.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the combined flow of frozen composition and inclusions is passed through static deflecting means prior to extrusion.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising a frozen composition incorporating inclusions, said apparatus comprising: 
 a nozzle having a chamber and an outlet through which the frozen composition incorporating inclusions is extruded;    feeder means for supplying a flow of frozen composition into the chamber of the nozzle; and    means for supplying one or more flows comprising inclusions into the flow of frozen composition to give a combined flow of frozen composition comprising inclusions,    means for regulating the flow comprising inclusions, to allow said inclusions to be supplied discontinuously,    the means for supplying inclusions discharging at a multiplicity of positions within the cross-section of flow of the frozen composition.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the frozen composition feeder means discharge frozen composition into the nozzle chamber laterally with respect to the axis of the chamber.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the inclusion supply means discharge the inclusions into the nozzle chamber.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the frozen composition feeder means discharge distal to the outlet of the nozzle.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising means for deflecting the combined flow within the nozzle chamber.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising means for moving the inclusion supply means such that the position of discharge of the inclusions into the cross-section of flow of frozen composition in the feeder supply means varies with time.  
     
     
         18 . A frozen ice confection comprising soft fruit pieces dispersed in a frozen composition wherein the average number of fruit pieces recoverable from a given volume of the frozen confection, after said confection has been thawed and washed through a sieve having a mesh size of 1 mm, is at least 80% of the average number of fruit pieces, capable of being retained in said sieve, used in preparing said volume of frozen confection.  
     
     
         19 . A frozen ice confection comprising soft fruit pieces dispersed in a frozen composition wherein the average weight of fruit pieces recoverable from a given volume of the frozen confection, after it has been thawed and washed through a sieve having a mesh size of 1 mm, is at least 60% of the average weight of fruit pieces, capable of being retained in said sieve, used in preparing said volume of frozen confection