PRODUCING THE SAME TECHNICAL FIET.D OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to food decorations. More particularly, the invention relates to edible sheets having an extra-strength and 3D-like appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE. INVENTION

Pre-made decorative items which are then placed on the food product provide a widely used alternative to the manually created decorating process. These pre-made items are produced in bulk and inventoried until use and can be personalized by printing high quality images, thus providing an opportunity that can create a near-photographic reproduction of an image in an edible format.

One of the challenges of edible decoration industry is the shelf life and stability of the edible sheet once placed on the cake. Commercially available edible sheets absorb liquids rather rapidly, resulting in altering the sharpness of the image and color palette.

Another challenge is having edible decoration sheets with patterns and ability to create a 3D-like appearance. Currently available edible sheets allow having 2D images only.

There is therefore a need in pre-made edible sheet decorations having greater thickness, thus allowing longer half-life, extra strength and more sophisticated appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the existing challenges in providing edible decorating paper sheets having features providing extra-strength and enabling generation of 3D-like structures, textures and images. The extra-strong edible sheets of the invention can keep their original appearance, vivid colors and stay dry while placed on the edible media, such as cake, much longer than the currently available edible sheets. The invention provides an edible sheet having the thickness of at least 0.45mm and designed to serve as a decoration of an edible media comprising: a first layer having the thickness of at least 0.35mm and configured to be placed on the edible media; and a second layer generated by the technique of screen printing with mesh having the mesh opening of IOOmpi to 7000mpi; said second layer having the thickness of at least 0.1mm and characterized in having a porous structure.

The invention further provides a process for the manufacture of an edible sheet having the total thickness of at least 0.45mm and designed to serve as a decoration for an edible media; the process comprising: a) providing a first edible layer in the form of an edible sheet having the thickness of 0.35mm to 0.75mm, said edible sheet is configured to be placed on the edible media; b) applying a liquid composition suitable for the preparation of edible sheet through the mesh screen having the mesh opening of 150mpi-7000mpi onto the first edible layer to form a second layer; c) drying the second layer to obtain a solid layer having the thickness of 0. lmmto 0.35mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.1A,B: Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edible sheet of the invention. A. illustrates the edible sheet with second layer fully covering the first layer. B. illustrates the edible sheet with second layer partially covering the first layer;

FIG.2: Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edible sheet of the invention having canvas-like pattern;

FIG.3A-D: Illustrates an edible sheet having 3D patterns: A. Illustrates spiral 3D pattern. B. Illustrates flower 3D pattern C. Illustrates spiral flower 3D pattern. D. Illustrates wave 3D pattern;

FIG.4: Illustrates a size table and terminology related to polyester mono-filamentous mesh; FIG . 5 : Illustrates a size table and terminology related to stainless steel screens for screen printing; and

FIG . 6 : A Flowchart, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a process for the manufacture of an edible sheet of the invention.

DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1A, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of edible sheet having the thickness of at least 0.45mm and designed to serve as a decoration of an edible media comprising: a first layer 10 having the thickness of at least 0.35mm and configured to be placed on the edible media; and a second layer 20 generated by the technique of screen printing with mesh having the mesh opening of about IOOmpi to 7000mpi; said second layer 20 having the thickness of at least 0.1mm and characterized in having a porous structure. In one embodiment, the edible sheet of the invention comprises a removable non edible layer 30. In one embodiment, the non-edible layer 30 has the thickness of 50mpi to IOOmpi. In one embodiment, the edible sheet has the overall thickness of 0.45mm to 1.1mm. In yet another embodiment, the edible sheet has the thickness of 0.55 mm to 1.1mm. In yet further embodiment, the edible sheet has the thickness of 0.65mm to 1.1mm. In another embodiment, the edible sheet has the thickness of 0.75mm to 1.1mm. In an embodiment of the invention, the first layer 10 has the thickness of 0.35- 0.75mm. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 has the thickness of 0.1-0.35mm.

B In one embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer 10 by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 250mpi-5500mpi. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer 10 by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 500mpi-5500mpi. In another embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer 10 by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 700mpi-5500mpi. In yet another embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 500mpi-5000mpi. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer 10 by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 1000mpi-5000mpi. In yet further embodiment, the second layer 20 is applied onto the first layer 10 by means of screen printing with a mesh having the mesh opening of 500mpi-1000mpi.

As used herein, the term "screen printing" refers, without limitation, to a printing technique whereby a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. For the mesh to be effective, it must be mounted on a frame and it must be under tension. Mesh geometry, a description of all two- and three-dimensional aspects of the mesh construction, affects the overall ink flow. Reference is now made to Fig.4 and Fig.5, illustrating an exemplary embodiments of monofilament mesh and stainless-steel screen, that, in the context of the invention also referred as mesh, geometry characteristics. The two basic factors are the "mesh count" and the "thread diameter" (or "wire diameter") . The mesh count refers, without limitation, to the number of threads per inch contained in the mesh. The thread diameter refers, without limitation, to the diameter of the thread before it has been woven into the mesh. The thread diameter and mesh count together determine the "mesh opening" or "aperture width". Mesh opening 'w' is the spacing between adjacent warp or weft threads and is measured perpendicular to the plane of the mesh. In one embodiment, the mesh is a monofilament mesh. Monofilament mesh is made from single threads directly woven into fabric, whilst multifilament mesh is made of strands twisted together into threads and then woven into fabrics. When multifilament mesh is used, a mono-to-multifilament mesh count conversion table is to be used to obtain a comparable multifilament mesh. As used herein, the term "mesh opening" is used to describe any mesh, whether mono or multifilament, which is acceptable and approved for use in food industry with edible inks.

Reference is now made to Fig.l. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 has a porous structure. As used herein, the term "porous structure" refers, without limitation, to a structure which characterizes a porous material, namely material containing pores (voids) or holes. The porous structure of the edible sheet of the invention can be visualized using a standard viewing device that is used to review photographic film or artwork placed on top of it, such as light table. The light table provides even illumination of the subject from below through a translucent cover and fluorescent lights that emit little heat. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 is characterized in having a visible texture. Reference is now made to Fig.2, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an edible sheet of the invention having a visible, canvas-like texture. Reference is now made to Fig.lA-B. In one embodiment, the second layer 20 covers the entire surface of the first layer 10 (Fig.lA) . In another embodiment, the second layer 20 covers a portion of the first layer 10 (Fig.2B) . In yet another embodiment, the second layer 20 forms a 3D structure on the first layer 10 (Fig. IB) . In the context of the invention, the term "portion" is meant to describe a part; a section, or a piece of a whole, whilst "whole" being a first layer of the edible sheet. Reference is now made to Fig. 3A-D, illustrating exemplary embodiments of edible sheets having a first layer 10 and a second layer 20 applied onto the first layer to form a 3D structure. In one embodiment, the second layer is applied to form a 3D spiral (Fig.3A) . In one embodiment, the second layer is applied to form a 3D spiral flower (Fig.3B) . In another embodiment, the second layer is applied to form a 3D flower (Fig.3C) . In yet further embodiment, the second layer is applied to form a 3D wave-like structure (Fig.3D) .

Reference is now made to Fig.6, illustrating a flow chart corresponding to a process for the manufacture of an edible sheet having the total thickness of at least 0.45 mm and designed to serve as a decoration for an edible media. According to some embodiments, the process comprises: a) providing a first edible layer in the form of an edible sheet having the thickness of 0.35mm to 0.75mm, said edible sheet is configured to be placed on the edible media 100; b) applying a liquid composition suitable for the preparation of edible sheet through the mesh screen having the mesh opening of 150mpi-7000mpi onto the first edible layer to form a second layer 200; c) drying the second layer to obtain a solid layer having the thickness of 0.1mm to 0.35mm 300; and, optionally, placing the edible sheet on the edible media 400. In one embodiment, the edible media is a cake. According to some embodiments, the process further comprises the step of removing the removable non-edible layer. In one embodiment, the step of removing the removable non-edible layer precedes the step of placing the edible sheet on the edible media. In one embodiment, an image can be printed on the edible sheet of the invention. According to some embodiments, the edible sheets of the first layer include, without limitation, edible sheets formed from a flour and/or starch base; rice paper, wafer paper, and any other edible substrates on which an image may be printed. In one embodiment, the overall thickness of the edible sheet is from 0.45mm to 1.1mm. In one embodiment, the overall thickness of the edible sheet is from 0.55mm to 1.1mm. In another embodiment, the overall thickness of the edible sheet is from 0.65mm to 1.1mm. In yet another embodiment, the overall thickness of the edible sheet is from 0.75mm to 1.1mm. In one embodiment of the invention, the second layer is applied to cover the entire surface of the first layer. In another embodiment, the second layer is applied to cover a portion of the first layer. Reference is now made to Fig. IB and Fig.3A-D, illustrating exemplary embodiments of edible sheets wherein the second layer 20 a is applied to cover a portion of the first layer 10. This way, the first layer is clearly visible beneath the second layer 20. This is as opposed to Fig.lA and Fig.2, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of edible sheet having the second layer 20 applied to cover the entire surface of the first layer 10. This way, the first layer 10 cannot be seen beneath the second layer 20.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" or "comprising, " when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements components and/or groups or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups or combinations thereof. As used herein the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". The term "consisting of" means "including and limited to".

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all possible combinations or one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative ("or") .

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and claims and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on", "onto", "attached" to, "operatively coupled" to, "operatively linked" to, "operatively engaged" with, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting," etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, operatively coupled to, operatively engaged with, coupled with and/or contacting the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present .

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and/or section, from another element, component, region, layer and/or section .

Certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements .

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween. Whenever the term "about," is used, it is meant to refer to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, and is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

Whenever the term "about" is used, it is meant to refer to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, and is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Throughout this application various publications, published patent applications and published patents are referenced .

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.