权利要求：
CLAIMS
1. Method for producing a rotary cylindrical mould member (20), which is adapted to be used in a system for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, e.g. a meat mass, the cylindrical mould member having a longitudinal axis (A), a peripheral cylindrical outer surface (22c) and two axial mould member end faces (20a, 20a'),
the method comprising the steps of:
• preparing at least one mould body (22) having a curved outer surface (22c), forming at least part of the cylindrical outer surface (22c) of the mould member and an opposite inner surface (22i), which mould body (22) is made at least partially from a porous first plastic, forming a porous structure of intercommunicating pores opening out at the inner surface (22i) of the mould body (22), and wherein the curved outer surface (22c) is sealed airtight; wherein one or more recessed mould cavities (21) are formed in the outer peripheral cylindrical surface (22c) of the mould body, defining the shape of the products which are to be produced, the mould cavities being open in the outer surface (22c) of the mould body (22) to allow for the filling of the mould cavity (21) with said mass of one or more food starting materials and being defined by a mould cavity wall (21w) that is at least partially porous; and
• preparing a support member (23) made from a non-porous second plastic, which support member has a support surface (23a);
o which support member defines one or more fluid channels (24), recessed in the support surface (23a), extending from a fluid opening (24o) at a mould member end face (20a), adapted to provide fluid communication between the fluid opening (24o) via the fluid channel (24) and via the pores opening out at the inner surface (22i) of the mould body to the porous mould cavity wall (21w);
• providing the support surface (23a) of the support member adjacent the inner surface (22i) of the mould body;
characterized by the steps of:
• providing heat emitting parts or particles (28) close to the inner surface (22i) of the mould body (22) and/or the supporting surface (23a) of the support member (23);
• providing energy to the heat emitting parts or particles (28), thereby causing the parts or particles to emit heat and thereby locally melt the adjacent porous first plastic and the second plastic to obtain a weld and thereby secure the support member (23) and the mould body (22) to each other.
2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the heat emitting parts are metal strips or wires, provided at or near the support surface of the support member, and wherein preferably the support surface is provided with grooves to receive the metal strips or wires.
3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the heat emitting part is a porous film/ braid/ mesh/ wire screen, provided between the inner surface of the mould body and the supporting surface of the support member. 4. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein energy is provided to the heat emitting part or particles by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwave radiation, e.g. by a laser, to heat the heat emitting parts or particles.
5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein energy is provided to the heat emitting part or particles by allowing electrical current to pass through the heat emitting parts or particles.
6. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein energy is provided to the heat emitting part or particles by allowing Eddy currents to pass through the heat emitting parts or particles, thereby causing induction heating.
7. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the mould body is formed as a hollow cylinder wall, and wherein the support member is formed by a cylinder fitting into the hollow cylinder wall.
8. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is provided with one or more recesses, and the mould bodies are formed as inserts of corresponding dimensions, e.g. as cylindrical wall segments. 9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the support member comprises one or more protruding support fins, having a curved surface that forms part of the cylindrical outer surface of the mould member and adjacent flank surfaces, and wherein multiple mould bodies are provided comprising a side surface between the curved outer surface and the inner surface, wherein a flank surface of the support fin is adapted to be provided adjacent a side surface of a mould body when the support surface of the support member is provided adjacent the inner surface of the mould body, and wherein preferably heat emitting parts or particles are also provided close to the side surface of the mould body and/ or the flank surface of the fin of the support member.
10. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the mould body 5 comprises multiple recessed mould cavities, and wherein fluid tight barriers are provided between each mould cavity or set of mould cavities, which fluid tight barriers extend between the curved outer surface and the opposite inner surface, creating one or more fluid tight regions in the mould body in which one or more mould cavities are provided.
10 1 1. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least the mould body, and possibly also the support member, is prepared by a 3D printing technique.
12. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-1 1 , wherein at least the mould body, and possibly also the support member, is prepared by sintering powder.
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13. Cylindrical mould member (20) adapted to be used in a system for moulding three- dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, e.g. a meat mass, the cylindrical mould member having a longitudinal axis (A), a peripheral cylindrical outer surface and two axial mould member end faces (20a, 20a'),
20 the mould member (20) comprising:
• at least one mould body (22) having a curved outer surface, forming at least part of the cylindrical outer surface of the mould member and an opposite inner surface, which mould body is made at least partially from a porous first plastic, forming a porous structure of intercommunicating pores opening out at the inner surface of the
25 body, and wherein the curved outer surface of the mould body is sealed airtight;
wherein one or more recessed mould cavities are formed in the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the mould body, defining the shape of the products which are to be produced, the mould cavities being open in the outer surface of the mould body to allow for the filling of the mould cavity with said mass of one or more food starting
30 materials and being defined by a mould cavity wall that is at least partially porous;
and
• a support member (23) made from a non-porous second plastic, which support
member has a support surface,
o which support member defines one or more fluid channels (24), recessed in 35 the support surface, extending from a fluid opening (24o) at a mould member end face (20a), adapted to provide fluid communication between the fluid opening via the fluid channel and via the pores opening out at the inner surface of the mould body to the porous mould cavity wall,
whereby the support member and the mould body are secured to each other using a method according to one or more of the preceding claims.
14. System for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of one or more food starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which system comprises:
• a cylindrical mould member (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims;
• a production device (1) comprising:
o a frame (10) that is adapted to support the mould member,
o a drive (14) for driving the mould member that is supported by the frame, o a container (16) for receiving said mass of one or more food starting materials,
o a pump (17) connected to the container,
o a mass feed member (18) connected to the pump, wherein the mass feed member (18) is adapted to bear against the cylindrical outer surface of the mould member (20),
o a fluid forcing device (13),
o a fluid supply member (19) connected to the fluid forcing device (13), wherein the fluid supply member is adapted to bear against the end face of the mould member from which the one or more fluid channels extend.