There is provided an apparatus for handling a structural member. The apparatus includes a beam that extends from a first end to a second end and a shuttle in translational communication with the beam in a direction extending between the first and second ends. A fork actuator is connected to the shuttle and capable of hydraulically raising and lowering a fork. The fork can include a cooling system to maintain a temperature of the fork, even when used in a heated environment.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling structural members and, more particularly, relates to an apparatus for releasably engaging and moving structural members into and out of a processing device such as a superplastic forming hot press.
2) Description of Related Art
The manufacture of a structural member often includes forming and treating the structural member in a number of different processing devices, each requiring the structural member to be lifted and loaded into the device and subsequently lifted and unloaded from the device. Often such handling of the structural member is performed at least partially by an operator. For example, an operator might load an unprocessed structural member into a processing device by lifting the structural member from a stack of available structural members that are waiting to be processed, loading a structural member onto a processing platform such as a die, and aligning the structural member with one or more guides on the platform. Repeated loading in this fashion can be fatiguing to the operator, especially if the structural members are heavy, large, or otherwise difficult to handle. For example, structural members formed in a superplastic forming hot press can weigh 150 pounds or more and can be several feet long and several feet wide. In order to load and unload the structural member horizontally on the processing platform, the operator must lean over the structural member, further increasing the difficulty loading and unloading and further increasing fatigue.
The handling of the structural member is made more difficult if human contact with the structural member is undesirable. If the structural member is hot, sharp, toxic, or otherwise dangerous, the operator may be required to wear protective gear while handling the structural member and/or limit the duration of interaction with the structural member. For example, structural members formed in a superplastic forming hot press may be heated to temperatures exceeding 1700xc2x0 F. for forming. The structural members may be preheated before loading into the press and can emerge from a press at temperatures as high as the forming temperature. Operators that load and unload structural members directly into and out of such a hot press must wear temperature protective clothing, which often is uncomfortable, limits the manual dexterity of an operator, and inhibits the operator""s vision and other senses. Additionally, an operator may be required to use special handling techniques to limit exposure to the heat from the structural members and the press. For example, lifting the structural member from the press may require an operator to quickly lean over the press, grasp the structural member, lift the structural member, move to a cooling area, and lower the structural member. The operator must work quickly to avoid excessive heat exposure.
Alternatively, an operator can use a lifting mechanism, such as an overhead crane or winch to provide the lifting force necessary to load the structural member. In that case, the operator attaches the crane to the unprocessed structural member, for example, by using hooks to connect a cable between the structural member and the crane. The operator then uses the crane to lift the structural member and hold the structural member in an elevated position while the operator then grasps the structural member and moves it to a position above the processing platform. The operator then lowers the structural member with the crane, removes the hooks from the structural member, and adjusts the placement of the structural member to align the structural member relative to the processing platform. The crane reduces the lifting stress on the operator, but still requires the operator to work near the hot structural member to connect the structural member to the crane, move the structural member, disconnect the structural member from the crane, and adjust the alignment of the structural member.
One device that has been proposed for handling structural members includes a scissoring linkage that can be extended and retracted vertically by a pneumatic actuator. The scissoring linkage is supported from above such that extension and retraction of the linkage raises and lowers a fork. The fork is connected to the structural member using a long rod that is threaded horizontally through at least one aperture on each of the fork and the structural member. Similar to the crane described above, the pneumatic actuator provides the lifting force for loading and unloading the structural member. However, the operator must still work near the structural member and the processing device to connect and disconnect the fork and the structural member and to move the structural member to and from the platform. Also, threading the long rod through the fork and structural member requires the various apertures to be closely aligned. Threading is made difficult if the structural member or the fork is out of alignment, for example, due to deflection of one or more components or incorrect placement of the scissoring linkage by the actuator. One or more operators may be required to manually push the fork and/or structural member into alignment. Additionally, because the pneumatic actuator is not capable of precise placement of the structural member, the operator must manually assist the placement of the structural member on the processing platform so that it is not damaged during placement and manually align the structural member relative to the processing platform. The operator is at significant risk of fatigue.
Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus for handling a structural member. The apparatus should be capable of lifting, moving, and manipulating structural members without requiring significant physical exertion on the part of the operator. The apparatus should also be capable of engaging and precisely placing the structural member without requiring the operator to work close to the structural member or the processing device, thus reducing the operator""s exposure to heat and/or other dangers. Preferably, the apparatus should be compatible with different structural members.
The present invention provides an apparatus for handling structural members. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a beam extending from a first end to a second end, a shuttle in translational communication with the beam in a direction extending between the first and second ends, a fork actuator connected to the shuttle, and a fork connected to the fork actuator.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the beam is rotatable about a vertical axis. For example, the beam can be cantilevered from a hinge. A beam actuator can communicate with the beam and rotate the beam about the vertical axis.
According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of wheels are rotatably connected to the shuttle and in rolling contact with the beam to translatably engage the beam to the shuttle so that the shuttle can be translated along at least a part of the beam, for example, by a shuttle actuator. The beam can define a rack gear extending between the first and second ends of the beam and each wheel of the shuttle can define teeth that engage the rack gear.
The fork actuator has a first portion and a second portion, which can be hydraulically raised and lowered. The fork is connected to the second portion so that the fork is raised and lowered therewith. According to one aspect of the invention, an extension lock engages the fork to the first portion of the fork actuator and thereby prevents extension of the fork. A rotational actuator such as a variable speed electric motor can rotate the fork actuator relative to the beam.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the fork has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the fork actuator and the second end extends outwardly from the fork actuator such that the second end is capable of extending outwardly into a heating chamber to engage the structural member. The fork can also include a latch linkage, a latch actuator capable of adjusting said latch linkage, and at least one latch member. The latch linkage is adjustable to releasably engage the latch members with the structural member. For example, the latch linkage can include one or more pushrods that slidably engage the fork and latch members such as latches that are rotatably connected to the fork and the pushrods. Translation of each pushrod causes a respective latch to engage and disengage the structural member.
According to still another embodiment of the invention, the fork includes a cooling system such as passages for circulating a coolant. The passages can extend between the first and second ends of the fork and can be fluidly connected to a coolant source. Additionally, the apparatus can include a duct connected to the fork and configured to emit a cooling fluid directed toward the structural member when the fork is engaged to the structural member.
The present invention also provides an apparatus for releasably engaging and handling a heated structural member. The apparatus includes a tubular structure extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and defining at least one passage for circulating a coolant. At least one pushrod is movably engaged with the tubular structure, and an actuator is capable of adjusting the at least one pushrod relative to the tubular structure. A controller is in remotely operable communication with the actuator such that adjustment of the controller adjusts the at least one pushrod. Further, at least one latch is rotatably connected to the tubular structure and at least one of the pushrods so that translation of each pushrod causes a respective latch to engage and disengage the structural member.
According to one aspect of the invention, a liquid coolant source is fluidly connected to the at least one passage. According to another aspect, a duct is connected to the tubular structure and configured to emit a cooling gas directed toward the structural member when the latch is engaged to the structural member.
Thus, there is provided an apparatus for handling a structural member. The apparatus is capable of lifting, moving, and manipulating structural members and does not require significant physical exertion by the operator. Also, the apparatus is capable of engaging and precisely placing a variety of different structural members so that the operator does not need to work close to the structural member or the processing device, thereby reducing the operator""s exposure to heat or other dangers.

Handling apparatus for structural members


A sensor arrangement, having at least one sensor (3) which is able to be so attached to the outer face of a carrying part (1) by means of an attachment means that the attachment means (2) fits around the carrying part (1) at least 180xc2x0 of its peripheral extent. The sensor (3) is designed in the form of a non-separable, integral component of the attachment means (2).

The invention relates to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor, which may be so attached by means of an attachment means to the outside of a carrying part that the attachment means encompasses the carrying part for at least 180xc2x0 of its peripheral extent.
Such a sensor arrangement is for example disclosed in the German utility model number 29,717,492.2. Here an attachment means is provided as an attachment ring or attachment clip, which is able to be secured coaxially to the outer periphery of a carrying part formed by the housing of a fluid power cylinder and possesses a holding groove, into which a sensor is fitted in a detachable fashion. The sensor serves for sensing the position of a piston, which is arranged in a moving manner in the interior of the carrying part, of the fluid power cylinder.
The exact adjustment of the sensor arrangement on the outer periphery of the carrying part is relatively complex in this known case. On the one hand the attachment means must be fixed in a suitable position on the carrying part and on the other hand it is necessary to secure the sensor in a suitable relative position on the carrying part. A further point is that the known sensor arrangement makes extremely large dimensions necessary in the radial direction in order to render possible reliable attachment of the sensor on the attachment means.
One object of the present invention is to provide a sensor arrangement which possesses a simpler structure and may be fitted in place more readily.
In order to achieve this aim there is the provision that the sensor is designed in the form of a non-separable, integral component of the attachment means.
It is in this manner that the association between the sensor and the attachment means is predetermined as a manufacturer""s setting so that the user merely has to fix the attachment means at the desired position of a carrying part in order to position the sensor in a manner in accordance with requirements. The attachment means and the sensor then constitute a non-separable integral unit, which during production makes possible a reduction in costs and simultaneously allows keeping to very compact dimensions. Although the sensor arrangement is able to be employed completely universally, it is particularly advantageous in connection with detecting the position of the drive unit of a linear drive adapted to be actuated by fluid force and/or electrically, if the sensor arrangement may be secured in a favorable manner on the outer periphery of the housing of the linear drive. It is convenient for the attachment means to be able to be clamped at a suitable position on the carrying part and so may be extremely adaptably reset in position.
Advantageous further developments of the invention will appear from the dependent claims.
In the case of an advantageous design the attachment means is at least partly and preferably totally designed to be bendingly flexible, it furthermore being possible for it to have resiliently elastic properties to customize it to the needs of the particular user. More particularly in this connection it is an advantage for the attachment means to consist of plastic material, which more especially permits an extremely simple integration of the sensor directly during the production of the attachment means.
The attachment means may be designed in the form of an attachment clip, which fits around the carrying part, when mounted on same, along part of the periphery, the necessary holding force being able to be produced for instance by a detent or snap action connection. Thus there is the possibility of designing the attachment clip in such a flexibly elastic fashion that it may be snap fitted on the carrying part after firstly opening it out and slipping it in place. This design is more particularly to be preferred when the carrying part is not accessible over its full periphery.
In a further design there is a provision such that the attachment means is designed in the form of an attachment ring, which surrounds the carrying part completely when mounted thereon. It is in this manner that a particularly reliable attachment on the carrying part is rendered possible. In order to provide the necessary clamping force the attachment means may be interrupted at a point on its periphery with the formation of two clamping arms, the clamping arms being able to be so braced in relation to one another using a suitable clamping means, which for instance is designed in the form of a detent means, that the attachment means surround the carrying part with a firm seat thereon. The attachment means may in this case more particularly be designed like a hose clip.
More particularly when the sensor means is to be suitable for selective attachment to carrying parts of different diameter, it is an advantage if not only the attachment means itself but also furthermore the sensor integrated in it possesses bendingly flexible properties and accordingly may be adapted to surfaces of carrying parts with different degrees of curvature without any chance of damage. The sensor may for example have a bendingly flexible printed circuit board having the necessary electrical and electronic components.
In the case of a further convenient design of the sensor arrangement there is a provision such that the sensor is in the form of a part incast in the material of the attachment means, that is to say it is practically incast in the attachment means. This offers the possibility of so embedding the sensor in the attachment means that it is at least mostly surrounded by the material of the attachment means and is also protected against mechanical effects.
More particularly when the part to be provided with the sensor arrangement is subject to substantial vibrations, it is an advantage for the attachment means to be provided with a securing element, projecting from the side facing the carrying part, which element may be caused to bite into the surface of the carrying part at least to a small extent in order, in addition to the friction connection produced by the attachment means, to get a securing action based on interlocking contact.
In the following the invention will be described with reference to the drawing.


A multifunctional box for facilitating the safe transport of the box and a plurality of unused syringes therein. The box further facilitates the safe sequential dispensing of unused syringes from the box, with concurrent facilitation of the safe sequential feeding of used syringes into the box for safe storage therein. The box includes a container having an open top and an exit opening near the bottom sized to permit sequential withdrawal therethrough of either unused syringes and/or packets of syringes. A dividing tray is provided within the container which is used to collect used syringes while simultaneously to provide a blockage between the used syringes and the exit opening. A cover is attached to open top of the container and supports a used syringe feed means which has a first preselected position for receiving a used syringe, which then is moveable to a second preselected position for feeding used syringes into the tray for safe storage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to syringes which have a variety of uses, a very common one being the use of the syringe to inject a preselected medication into a human. Syringes are used both in a professional setting such as at a hospital, clinic, or offices of doctors or other medical professionals, and also by individual users, e.g., a diabetic requiring frequent injections of insulin, this latter use being typically at the individual user""s place of residence.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The safe storage of syringes is extremely important; this is especially the case for a xe2x80x9cusedxe2x80x9d syringe which may, after the needle thereof is removed from the tissue into which it had penetrated, be contaminated with a possible deadly bacteria or virus. For a number of years, partly because of an awareness of the possible transmittal of diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS, various boxes and other containers have been developed and provided for the professional settings safe storage of used syringes. Such containers are sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9csharps-boxesxe2x80x9d. A typical sharps-box would be a container securely attached to the wall within the professional setting, with a locked cover or the like, and with an opening permitting sequential insertion of used syringes into the box. From time to time, trained staff empty the used syringes into, hopefully, a safe disposal means for handling medical waste.
Individual users, on the other hand, have not typically had such xe2x80x9csafexe2x80x9d storage arrangements. A more typical arrangement for an individual user would be to insert a used syringe into the mouth of an empty one-gallon plastic jug which, in practice, could hold a significant number of used syringes before it got full or otherwise required disposal. There are obvious risks associated with this type of storage. The user could inadvertently tip over the jug or otherwise cause one or more used syringes to come out of the container and into potential contact with the user and/or other people in that vicinity. Alternately, the user might put the filled or partly filled jug into the trash disposal system, which would create potential risk to others in society.
The individual user of syringes typically purchases syringes at a retail outlet such as a drug store, or other retailing establishment. Syringes are frequently vended in flat-like packets containing a preselected number of syringes, e.g., ten; sometimes the syringes are vended individually in single or, more typically, in bulk quantities. The user transports the unused syringes to his or her place of residence.
The present invention provides a multifunctional box for facilitating (i) the safe transport of the box and a plurality of unused syringes therein to a syringe user, (ii) the safe sequential dispensing of said unused syringes from said box, and (iii) the safe sequential feeding of used syringes into the box for safe storage therein. A typical usage of the invention would be for an individual to purchase the box (filled with unused syringes, either individual or in packets) at a vending establishment, to transport the box to his or her place of residence where the unused syringes would be withdrawn from the box as needed and the used syringes would be sequentially fed or inserted back into the box but, importantly, the used syringes would be hygienically separated from the unused syringes remaining in the box.
More specifically, the invention provides a multifunctional box comprising a container having an open top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides integral therewith defining a preselected volume for storing a preselected number of unused syringes. The syringes may be individualized or may be in packets containing a preselected number, e.g., ten. The container additionally has an exit opening adjacent to the bottom thereof, the opening being sized to permit sequential withdrawal therethrough of unused syringes.
The invention further provides a dividing tray having a bottom and a plurality of sides so as to provide a form of subcontainer. The tray is sized to fit in close but unrestricted relationship the sides of the main container. The tray is adapted to be rested upon and supported by either unused syringes positioned below, or by the bottom of the container. That is, the tray is adapted to be supported with the bottom thereof on top of a plurality of unused syringes in the container. Because the tray is not restricted from movement within the container, as unused syringes are withdrawn from the container through the aforesaid exit opening, the tray moves under the influence of gravity vertically downward towards the bottom of the container. The clearance between the sides of the container and the tray are selected to preclude the passage therebetween of a used syringe.
The invention additionally provides a cover adapted to be attached to and locked to the open top of the container. Additionally, a used syringe feed means or mechanism is positioned within and supported by the cover, and has at least one used syringe receiving means having a first preselected position for receiving a used syringe, and then being moveable, e.g., rotated to a second preselected position for feeding used syringes into the tray for safe storage therein.

Container for transportation and dispensing of unused syringes and for storage of used syringes


A process for the reduction of gaseous sulfur compounds in gaseous streams. The gaseous stream is contacted with a sorber, e.g., zinc oxide, which is cable of sorbing the sulfur compounds under sulfur sorbing conditions. The sorber is present in the form of one or more layers on the surface of a monolith carrier, e.g., cordierite. The layers of the sorber have a total thickness of at least 3 g/in3 of the carrier. The process is especially useful for the removal of gaseous sulfur compounds such as H2S from gaseous streams.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the reduction of the level of gaseous sulfur compounds, e.g., H2S, in a gaseous stream by contacting the stream with a sorber capable of absorbing such compounds under sulfur sorbing conditions.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In many applications, it is well known that it is desirable to reduce the level of gaseous sulfur compounds such as H2S, COS, mercaptans, etc. Many applications, e.g., fuel cells, require that the gaseous sulfur compounds in a raw fuel stream (e.g., naphtha, LPG, town gas, etc.) be reduced to as low a level as practicable in order to avoid poisoning the environment or catalysts such as steam reforming catalysts, water-gas shift catalysts, etc. Furthermore, fuel cell electrodes will rapidly become inactivated as the result of high levels of gaseous sulfur compounds in the fuel stream since the electrodes invariably contain precious metal components, e.g., platinum, which are extremely sensitive to the presence of sulfur compounds.
There are many prior art processes involving hydrogenation desulfurization in which the sulfur compounds in the raw fuel stream are decomposed by hydrogenolysis at temperatures of e.g., 350 to 400xc2x0 C. in the presence of e.g., Nixe2x80x94Mo or Coxe2x80x94Mo catalysts and thereafter the resultant H2S is then absorbed on a bed of ZnO at temperatures of e. g., 300 to 400xc2x0 C. However, in these processes, the level of the H2S in the treated stream is still too high e.g., 100 ppm and higher. However, it is well known that if the gas stream contains gaseous sulfur compounds in as little a level as 0.25 to 25 ppm, about 90% of the surface of a steam reforming catalyst such as Ru or Ni will be covered with the sulfur compounds, thereby resulting in a rapid deterioration of the catalyst. Furthermore, the prior art processes are typically not capable of reducing the level of gaseous sulfur compounds to very low levels, e.g., 100 ppb and lower since the prior art sorbers are used under conditions wherein severe pressure drops would otherwise occur if the flow rate of the raw fuel gaseous stream is significantly increased in order to improve the sorbing reaction rate.
Therefore, there is a need for a process which will xe2x80x9cpolishxe2x80x9d a desulfurized fuel stream containing on the order of 25 ppm gaseous sulfur compounds such as H2S and further reduce the level of such compounds in an efficient manner to a level of less than 100 ppb for a period of at least one hour, i.e. before xe2x80x9cbreakthroughxe2x80x9d commences. For the purposes of this invention, xe2x80x9cbreakthroughxe2x80x9d shall be understood to mean that the level of the gaseous sulfur compounds commences rising above 100 ppb.
The invention relates to an improved process for the reduction of gaseous sulfur compounds, e.g., H2S present in a gaseous stream, especially in a gaseous stream which has been pre-treated to reduce the level of gaseous sulfur compounds below 25 ppm. The improvement resides in contacting the stream with a sorber capable of absorbing such compounds under sulfur sorbing conditions, with the sorber being present in the form of one or more layers on the surface of a monolith carrier.
It was found that in the first 30 minutes of use at 400xc2x0 C., bed of zinc oxide pellets allowed 20% of an 8 ppm H2S stream to break through. In contradistinction, when a monolith carrier containing 15% by weight of the zinc oxide content of the pellet bed, less than 5% of the original concentration of the H2S was allowed to pass through. In particular, it was found that highly dispersed zinc oxide present as multiple layers on a monolith carrier such as cordierite reduces the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a gas stream to a much greater extent than almost 10 times the amount of zinc oxide in pellet form in a bed, The monolith coated with zinc oxide represent a device with a fraction of the back pressure of a bed of finely divided zinc oxide. Although the hydrogen sulfide capacity of the zinc oxide-coated monolith carrier is a fraction of that of the zinc oxide pellets, the former is capable of reducing the hydrogen sulfide concentration by xe2x89xa795% as compared to a reduction in hydrogen sulfide of 70-90% using zinc oxide pellets.
The layers of the sorber on the monolith carrier are such that the layers will have a total thickness of at least about 3 g/in3 of the carrier, preferably at least 3.5 g/in3 of the carrier. Preferably, the sorber will be present in the form of at least three layers on the surface of the monolith carrier. It is also preferred that the sorber be present on the surface of the monolith carrier in the form of particles having an average particle size of 90%  less than 10 xcexc.
Typically, the sorber will comprise one or more metal compounds wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, calcium, nickel, iron, copper and mixtures thereof. The preferred metal is zinc and the preferred metal compounds are zinc oxide and zinc titanate.
The process of the present invention operates most efficiently when the gaseous sulfur compound in the gaseous stream prior to contact with the sorber is primarily H2S present in an initial concentration of about 0.15 to about 25 ppm, preferably 0.25 to 10 ppm, and the stream is passed into contact with the sorber at a volumetric hourly rate of about 500 to about 100,000 volumes, preferably 2,500 to 15,000 volumes, per volume of monolith carrier.
Typically, the process of the present invention will result in a reduction of the H2S from its initial concentration to a level of less than 100 ppb for a period of at least one hour, preferably less than 50 ppb for at least 4 hours.
The sorber is disposed on the surface of a monolith carrier, preferably of the type comprising one or more monolithic bodies having a plurality of finely divided gas flow passages extending therethrough. Such monolith carriers are often referred to as xe2x80x9choneycombxe2x80x9d type carriers and are well known in the prior art. A preferred form of the carrier is made of a refractory, substantially inert, rigid material which is capable of maintaining its shape and a sufficient degree of mechanical conditions at high temperatures of about 1450xc2x0 C. Typically, a material is selected for use as the carrier which exhibits a low thermal coefficient of expansion, good thermal shock resistance and preferably low thermal conductivity.
Two general types of materials of construction for monolith carriers are known. One is a ceramic-like porous material composed of one or more metal oxides, e.g., alumina, alumina-silica, alumina-silica-titania, mullite, cordierite, zirconia, zirconia-ceria, zirconia-spinel, zirconia-mullite, silicon-carbide, etc. A particularly preferred and commercially available material for use as the carrier for the present invention is cordierite, which is an alumina-magnesia-silica material.
Monolith carriers are commercially available in various sizes and configurations. Typically, the monolithic carrier would comprise, e.g., a cordierite member of generally cylindrical configuration (either round or oval in cross section) and having a plurality of parallel gas flow passages of regular polygonal cross sectional extending therethrough. The gas flow passages are typically sized to provide from about 50 to about 1,200, preferably 200-600, gas flow channels per square inch of face area.
The second major type of preferred material of construction for the monolith carrier is a heat- and oxidation-resistant metal, such as stainless steel or an iron-chromium alloy. Monolith carriers are typically fabricated from such materials by placing a flat and a corrugated metal sheet one over the other and rolling the stacked sheets into a tubular configuration about an axis parallel to the configurations, to provide a cylindrical-shaped body having a plurality of fine, parallel gas flow passages, which may range, typically, from about 200 to about 1,200 per square inch of face area.
The monolith carrier may also be present in the form of a ceramic or metal foam. Monolith carriers in the form of foams are well known in the prior art, e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 3,111,396 and SAE Technical Paper 971032, entitled xe2x80x9cA New Catalyst Support Structure For Automotive Catalytic Convertersxe2x80x9d (February, 1997).
The following procedure may be used to prepare the coated monolith carrier employed in the process of the invention:
A commercially available zinc oxide extrudate, e.g., xe2x80x9cHALDER-TOPSOE HTZ-5xe2x80x9d, is ball milled for about 12 hours using alumina balls and sufficient water to prepare suspension of 30 wt. % solids. Thereafter, the particle size distribution is measured. If 90% of the particles are  less than 1xcexc, the milling is complete; otherwise the milling is continued until such particle sized distribution has been achieved.
Thereafter, the slurry is placed in a container of sufficient depth such that a monolith carrier can be fully immersed in the slurry. For example, a monolith carrier of 1.5 inches in depth will require a slurry depth of about 2 inches. The monolith carrier is dipped in the zinc oxide slurry and the free-flowing excess is allowed to drain off. Blocking of the channels of the monolith carrier is minimized by blowing air across the face of the carrier through the channels. The monolith is then dried at 110xc2x0 C. for one hour in an oven. The coated monolith carrier is then cooled and is weighed in order to estimate the zinc oxide loading. Thereafter, the process of immersion in the slurry, draining-off of the free flowing excess, blowing air through the channels and drying is repeated for such number of times as will result in a coated monolith carrier having the desired coating thickness, i.e., such that the layer(s) of zinc oxide will have a total thickness of at least about 3g/in3 of the carrier. Thereafter, the coated monolith carrier is placed in a fused silica tray and calcined at 500xc2x0 C. in air in a furnace for two hours.
The zinc oxide loading, in g/in3, on the monolith carrier is determined by using a weight-difference calculation:       ZnO              xe2x80x83            g              /                  in      3        =                                                        final                                            xe2x80x83                                          weight                                            xe2x80x83                                          of                                            xe2x80x83                                          calcined                                            xe2x80x83                                          coated                                            xe2x80x83                                          carrier                        -                                                            weight                                      xe2x80x83                                    of                                      xe2x80x83                                    uncoated                                      xe2x80x83                                    carrier                                      volume                    xe2x80x83                  of                    xe2x80x83                  monolith                    xe2x80x83                  carrier
The following nonlimiting examples shall serve to illustrate the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts and percentages are on a weight basis.

Process for reduction of gaseous sulfur compounds


A composition of matter comprising a polyolefin and an effective amount of an omega-acetoxy N-substituted carbonamide selected from the group consisting of (1) an N-(omega-acetoxyalkyl) carbonamide of the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is 1 to 6, R is alkenyl or alkyl group of 11 to 23 carbon atoms and (2) an N-alkyl omega-acetoxycarbonamide of the formula: ##STR2## wherein y is 1 to 15, R' is alkenyl group of 12 to 24 carbon atoms.

This invention relates to polyolefinic polymers having improved properties. In particular this invention relates to improving the slip and ink adhesion of polyolefinic compositions comprising a polyolefin and an omega-acetoxy N-substituted amide.
Olefin homopolymers and copolymers are of commercial importance for the manufacture of numerous articles such as films and other items. In order to be useful for many of these functions it is desirable that the polyolefinic composition have good slip characteristics. This can be determined by measuring the coefficient of friction of the polyolefin. It is also important that the polyolefinic composition have good printability and adhesion to water-based inks, as these become more widely used in industries that engage in printing on them.
In order to obtain a satisfactorily low coefficient of friction, often slip agents are added to the polyolefin to lower its coefficient of friction below about 0.5, preferably below 0.3. Many slip agents and other additives for polyolefins are disclosed in the literature. These additives will lower the coefficient of friction of the polyolefin to desired levels, permitting ready handling of shaped articles and films prepared from the polyolefinic material. Polyolefinic polymers having poor slip characteristics are difficult to handle when the polymer is manufactured in the customary manner of large rolls. During storage and subsequent processing, the low slip films tend to adhere layer to layer or block together. Also such films can encounter large frictional forces in processing equipment that often cause distortions and even tearing of the film, especially when using thin film.
Haeske et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,924 discloses the blending of a mixture of finely divided siliceous material and a fatty amide slip agent into polyethylene to enhance its slip and blocking properties. Ross et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,840 discloses the incorporation of a small amount of a mono-N-substituted saturated carboxylic acid amide of the formula: ##STR3## wherein R is an aliphatic acyl radical having from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and R' is an aliphatic group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially an alkylol group, into a copolymer of ethylene and an aliphatic ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic ester to improve its resistance to blocking and improve its slip properties.
Foster U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,738 discloses blending an amide having the formula: ##STR4## wherein R is an alkenyl radical having 18 to about 22 carbon atoms and R' is a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing 3 to 15 carbon atoms with an alpha-olefin polymer composition to provide compositions having low blocking and no bloom characteristics and high slip properties.
While the foregoing patents and other literature disclose a variety of additives that improve the slip and/or blocking properties of the polyolefins, it is also necessary that the polyolefinic compositions containing the slip agents have excellent ink adhesion, particularly to water based inks and printability so that the film or other item made from the polymer can be suitably printed. Of late it has become highly desirable for environmental reasons, such as to reduce emission of volatile organic compounds, that the inks used to print on the polyethylene composition be water-based inks.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to improve the slip properties of polyolefins.
Still another object of the present invention is to improve the adhesion of water based inks to polyolefins.
Still another object of the present invention is to improve the ink adhesion of water-based inks to polyolefins containing materials for improving the slip properties of the polyolefins.
Also an object of the present invention is the prevention of polyolefin films from adhering to each other during storage.
Another object of the present invention is to impart the desired slip, printability and adhesion to water-based inks to polyolefin compositions without adversely affecting the optical properties of the polyolefin.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.
The compositions of this invention having improved slip and adhesion of water based inks comprise a polyolefin polymer and an effective amount of an omega-acetoxy N-substituted amide such as (1) an N-(omega-acetoxyalkyl) carbonamide of the formula ##STR5## wherein x is 1 to 6, R is alkenyl or alkyl group of 11 to about 23 carbon atoms, or (2) an N-alkyl omega-acetoxy carbonamide of the formula: ##STR6## wherein y is 1 to 15, R' is alkenyl group of 12 to 24 carbon atoms.
The method of the present invention comprises incorporating an effective amount of an omega-acetoxy N-substituted amide of the above structural formula and optionally an effective amount of a finely divided inorganic material into a polyolefin polymer forming a polyolefin composition having a lower coefficient of friction, good printability and good adhesion of inks, particularly water-based inks. For purposes of this invention, it is essential that the acetoxy group be bonded to an omega carbon atom.
Suitable N-(omega-acetoxyalkyl) carbonamides useful in this invention include N-(2-acetoxyethyl) erucamide, N-(2-acetoxyethyl) oleamide, N-(acetoxymethyl) erucamide, N-(3-acetoxypropyl) erucamide, etc. Suitable N-alkyl omega-acetoxycarbonamides useful in this invention include N-erucyl, 6-acetoxycaproamide, N-oleyl, 6-acetoxycaproamide, etc.
The omega-acetoxy N-substituted carbonamides can be prepared by reacting acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride with a suitable N-hydroxyalkyl carbonamide or N-alkylhydroxycarbonamide in a 1:1 ratio. The N-hydroxyalkyl carbonamide include N-ethanol erucamide, N-ethanol oleamide, n-methanol erucamide, N-propanol erucamide, etc. Representative N-alkyl hydroxycarbonamides include N-erucyl 6-hydroxy-caproamide, N-oleyl 6-hydroxy-caproamide, etc.
The present invention provides for polyolefins having improved slip properties, as evidenced by their lower coefficient of friction and improved adhesion to inks, particularly water-based inks. The polyolefins can be homopolymers and copolymers and mixtures thereof.
Among the polyolefins of this description are ethylene and propylene homopolymers and copolymers. Polyethylene can be low density and high density polymeric material. Linear low density polyethylene is in general a copolymer of ethylene and up to about 10 weight percent of a second olefin, such as propylene, butene, hexene or octene. High density polyethylene is normally a homopolymer.
There are, basically, two types of olefin polymerization techniques for preparing high molecular weight of olefin polymers and copolymers. The oldest commercial techniques involves high pressure, high temperature, and the use of a free radical initiator, such as peroxide; these type polymers are generally known as low density polyethylene (LDPE). These LDPE polymers contain branched chains of polymerized monomer units pendant from the main polymer "backbone" and generally have densities in the range of about 0.910-0.935 gms/cc.
The other commercially-used technique involved coordination catalysts of the "Ziegler type or "Phillips" type and includes variations of the Ziegler type, such as the Natta type. These catalysts may be used at very high pressures, but are generally used at very low or intermediate pressures. The products made by these coordination catalysts are generally known as "linear" polymers because of the substantial absence of branched chains of polymerized monomer units pendant from the main polymer "backbone", and they are also generally known as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Linear polyethylene (HDPE) ordinarily has a density in the range of 0.941 to 0.965 gms/cc.
Also used in the present invention are "linear" type ethylene polymers wherein ethylene has been polymerized along with minor amounts of alpha, beta, ethylenically unsaturated alkenes having from 3 to 12 carbons per alkene molecule, preferably 4 to 8. The amount of the alkene comonomer is generally sufficient to cause the density of the polymer to be substantially in the same density range as LDPE, due to the alkyl side chains on the polymer molecule, yet the polymer remains in the "linear" classification; they are conveniently referred to as "linear low density polyethylene" (LLDPE). These polymers retain much of the strength, crystallinity, and toughness normally found in HDPE homopolymers of ethylene, but the highest alkene comonomers impart high "block" characteristics to extrusion-cast films and the high "slip" (i.e. low coefficient of friction) characteristic inherently found in HDPE is diminished.
Other homopolymers which can be used include: polypropylene, polybutene-1, poly(4-methylpentene-1) and the like.
Exemplary of the copolymers of olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons which are preferred are ethylene-propylene copolymers, containing about 1 to about 99% by weight, based on the total copolymer, of propylene copolymerized therein, ethylene-butene-1 copolymers containing about 1 to about 99% based on the total copolymer of butene-1 copolymerized herein ethylene-hexene-1 copolymers containing about 1 to about 99% by weight based on the total copolymer of hexene-1 copolymerized therein and the like.
The homopolymers and copolymers of olefinically unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons referred to above can be made by either free radical catalyzed high pressure techniques or anionic catalyzed low pressure techniques known in the art and described in "Crystalline Olefin Polymers" Part I by R. A. V. Raff and K. W. Doak, Interscience Publishers, NYC 1965 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The ethylene-acrylic acid interpolymers ethylenemethacrylic acid interpolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate interpolymers and ethylene-alkyl acrylate methacrylate interpolymers can be made by the free radical, random interpolymerization of ethylene with the corresponding comonomer using methods well known in the art including bulk, solution, aqueous suspension, non-aqueous dispersion and emulsion techniques in either batch or continuous process.
The melt index of the ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers of this invention can range from about 0.01 to 500 dg/min. with a range of about 0.2 to 20 dg/min being preferred. These ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers preferably contain about 1.5 to about 20% by weight of vinyl acetate copolymerized therein.
There are numerous polyolefin resins useful in the present invention. For example, Rexene high molecular weight, low density polyethylene resins made by the polymerization of ethylene using a free radical initiator at high pressure and high temperature was used in the experimental work reported in Example 2. These polyethylene resins have the following properties:
Density 0.921 grams/cc PA1 Melt Index 1.0 grams/10 minutes PA1 Tensile (yield) 1500 psi PA1 Tensile (at break) 2100 psi PA1 Ultimate Elongation 500% PA1 Secant Modulus 50,000 psi PA1 Hardness 48 Shore D PA1 Softening Point (Vicant) 200.degree. F.
Among other polyolefins useful in the present invention are high molecular weight, polypropylene, such as Petrothene PP 8000-GK of Quantum Chemical Co. which has a density between about 0.89-0.91 grams/cc and a melt index of 5.0 grams/10 minutes and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins such as Rexene PE 1335 which has a density of 0.924 grams/cc; a melt index of 2.0 grams/10 minutes, and a vinyl acetate content of 3.3%. These materials are merely representative of polyolefins useful in the present invention which are numerous and can be selected depending upon the desired properties of the final composition.
Various additives are often incorporated into the polyolefin. One such group of additives are antioxidants such as hindered phenols, phenolic phosphites, secondary arylamines and the like. These antioxidants are used in quantities between about 0.01 to about 1 weight percent of the polymer. Other additives such as colorants, anti-blocking agents, antistatic agents and lubricants are commonly used.
The polyolefin compositions of the present invention comprise polyolefin polymer and an effective amount of the aforedescribed omega-acetoxy carbonamide and optionally an effective amount of a finely divided inorganic material sufficient to improve the slip properties of the polyolefin and also improve the adhesion of water-based inks, thereto.
Slip is the ability of films of the polyolefins to slide past one another. Antiblocking is the ability of films of the polyolefins to avoid adhering to one another and to separate from one another. Printability is the ability for the films to be printed. Adhesion is retention of the ink on the film.
As previously indicated, there are many materials known to improve slip and blocking properties of films. Since environmental concerns have arisen as to organic solvents, it has become desirable to use water-based inks. The solvent-based inks previously used are often considered to be environmentally undesirable. The materials previously used as slip and antiblocking agents such as unsubstituted amides of long-chain fatty acids, particularly erucamide, do not provide the polyolefinic polymer with the desired adhesion to water-based inks. This property is provided by the present compositions and method.
In general the composition and methods of the present invention require that the polyolefin contain an effective amount of the omega-acetoxy amides of structural Formulae I and II. This amount will vary depending on several variables, particularly the particular polyolefin and the selection of the omega-acetoxy N-substituted amide. Certain of the omega-acetoxy N-substituted amides are more effective in the polyolefins and thus lower concentrations can be used in the polymer to obtain the desired properties. The amount of omega-acetoxy amide that is useful in the present compositions and methods is between about 0.1 and about 0.5 weight percent of the polyolefin.
Optionally, the compositions of the present invention may contain components in addition to the omega-acetoxy amides which further the improvement of the slip properties and adhesion of the water-based ink of the polyolefin polymer. For example, it has been found that the addition of a finely divided inorganic material can enhance the slip and adhesion to water-based inks of the polyolefin compositions of the present invention. Thus the coefficient of friction of the polyolefin which is lowered by the addition of an effective amount of an omega-acetoxy amide in accordance with the present invention, can often be lowered further by the presence of an effective amount of finely divided inorganic material. In general the presence of from about 0.05 to about 1.0, preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.5, weight percent of the finely divided inorganic material in the polyolefin composition will be of value in lowering the coefficient of friction and improving the water based ink adhesion of the polyolefin polymers. Examples of these finely divided materials are silica, mica, talc, diatomaceous earth and calcium carbonate.
The polyolefin composition of the present invention can be prepared by admixing the polyolefin polymer, the omega-acetoxy amide and the finely divided inorganic material, if one is used, by various methods.
One method of preparation is to blend a masterbatch of the polyolefin polymer containing the omega-acetoxy amide and other additives. This can be accomplished by grinding polyolefin pellets in a mill to form a coarse granule. The omega-acetoxy amide and other additives are melted onto the surface of the polyolefin granules with the use of a heat lamp. Then the granules are mixed and the mixture is extruded through a capillary die to form a strand which is pelletized. If desired, the pelletizing procedure can be repeated as many times as desired so as to insure adequate mixing of the components.
The masterbatch can then be added to virgin polyolefin polymer by shaking and tumbling the masterbatch and polyolefin pellets. Then the mixture can be converted into the desired product by extrusion, blow molding, blow extrusion, or other commercial method.
When an extrusion is desired, the mixture can be extruded through a two-stage mixing screw with a 3:1 compression ratio and a 20:1 length:diameter ratio, although other equipment can be used. The temperature of the barrel and die are controlled. As the molten plastic tube emerges from the die it can be blown with air to the predetermined diameter and cooled with air.
Also the composition of the present invention can be cast into film by extrusion through a slot die using a simple screw extruder having characteristics such as those for the aforedescribed two-stage mixing screw. Similar test results are obtained from cast film as with blown films. Following are the procedures used for testing polyolefin compositions containing omega-acetoxy N-substituted amides in accordance with the present invention.
When additives of the present invention are used at effective levels, improvements in printability and ink-adhesion are seen. In the absence of a suitable ASTM test for measuring printability and ink-adhesion properties, the following printability test was devised. Samples of polyolefin films made at a line speed of about 9 ft/min. are corona treated for about 1.5 second residence time under an in-line high frequency corona surface treater equipped with a 3" round electrode, Model BD-80, made by Electro-Technic Products, Inc. The round electrode is held at about 0.5-1.0 cm from the film surface during corona treatment. Printability testing is done on the film one week after the corona treatment. A 10".times.23/4" print stripe is made on the corona treated film with a water-based ink, Hydropoly Red ink, S89-4710B, from Sun Chemical Co., using a spring-loaded handproofer having 23/4 inch printing width. The printed film is dried in an oven at 150.degree. F. for 20 seconds. The appearance of the print is rated good (G), fair (F), or poor (P), with respect to the smoothness of ink coverage and the presence of visible pinholes.
Ink adhesion is evaluated by hand-pulling a piece of Scotch 600 tape off the printed surface to determine the amount of ink which stays on the surface. A scale of 0 to 10 was used with 0 representing 0 ink adhesion and 10 representing 100% of ink adhered to the printed surface. Two replicates were used, with the average value reported.
The coefficient of friction was determined by ASTM D1894-75, moving sled/stationary plane test method, using an Instron 1130 Universal Testing Instrument. Slip measurements were made one week after extrusion on five different film segments and the average reported. A coefficient of friction of >0.5 is considered poor; 0.30 to 0.5 - fair and <0.30 - desirable.
Example 1 describes the preparation of N-acetoxyethyl erucamide.

Omega-acetoxy N-substituted amides and their use in polyolefins


A sound recording apparatus for a still camera has a magnetic eraser head for erasing an audio signal stored in a track of a magnetic audio disc and a magnetic write head for writing an audio signal into the track a portion of which is just emptied by the erase head, during the rotation of the audio disc. Whenever a release button of the camera is depressed to write a video signal indicative of a still image into a track on a magnetic video disc, an audio signal associated with the still image and starting from the instant a predetermined time before the shot is written into the track on the audio disc. The predetermined time is the time period for which the track on the audio disc completes one rotation. Indentification data is recorded on each of the associated audio and video tracks after the audio or video signal to facilitate reproduction thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sound recording system and, more particularly, to one for use with an electronic still camera.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, an electronic still camera has been developed which employs a charge coupled device (CCD) or like solid-state image pickup device and a magnetic disc or like small-sized magnetic storage medium in combination. An image picked up by the still camera of the type described is written into the magnetic medium in the form of a video signal which well adapt themselves to a television system. This kind of image, therefore, is suitable for being displayed as a still picture on a soft copy display device or processed into a hard copy by an image recording device such as an ink jet printer or a laser beam electrophotographic recorder.
While reproducing an image in the form of a soft copy of a hard copy, one may desire to hear sound associated with the scene such as a narration or a piece of music. One may further desire to shoot a scene while picking up sound occurring therearound and reproduce the sound together with the scene. This demand, however, encounters a conflict that while a shot of a scene is instantaneous, sound associated with the shot has a time axis which must be reproduced dynamically in the event of reproduction.
Narration or music associated with a still picture may be simply postrecorded to have correspondence with a video signal which represents the still picture. A problem, however, exists in recording sound emitted in a scene from the standpoint of its corresponding with the scene. For example, if the recording system is automatically triggered by the depression of a release button of the camera, sound cannot be recorded except for a period after the shot. Recording sound before and after a shot will naturally furnish the resulting picture with greater realism at the time of reproduction. However, because the depression of the release button is not of the scheduled nature at all, sound before and after a shot cannot be picked up unless the device is constantly kept in operation. This not only consumes the recording medium more than necessary but obliges one to carry out troublesome work for editing the used recording medium to provide it correspondence with the successive pictures.

Sound recording apparatus for electronic still camera


A process for preparing a candy product with a fat-based coating having embedded therein at least one edible object by coating a candy base with a fat-based coating, softening the fat-based coating, embedding the at least one edible object in the fat-based coating and hardening the fat-based coating.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a candy product comprising a candy base with a fat-based coating having embedded therein at least one edible object.
Enrobed and dipped candy products and frozen products such as ice cream are known having edible objects embedded in their coatings, e.g., nuts, crumbs, fruit bits, raisins, chocolate chips, rice cereals, granola. Traditionally, these edible objects are mixed into the enrobing or dipping mass before the centerpiece is covered with such mass. If the mass were not fast hardening, the edible objects would have a tendency to run off onto the slopes of the coated product. To avoid the runoff of the edible objects during the enrobing or dipping process, double enrobing is usually carried out with the edible objects being sprinkled in between the layers. In any case, large proportions of the edible objects are covered by the coating and are not exposed for the enjoyment of shape and color.
Goods with fat based coatings produced in revolving pans are covered by building up the layers little by little with the layer being cooled and hardened between each application. These processes do not allow for enough adhesion to add edible objects, which subsequently will be embedded into the coating.
Once the fat based coatings are established, the problem with panned fat-based coatings is that the coating is too hard to embed edible objects therein.
We have devised a process for embedding edible objects in a fat-based coated candy, which method enables enhancement of the product, either visually, in texture or in flavor characteristics.
According to the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing a candy product with a fat-based coating having embedded therein at least one edible object. This process comprises coating a candy base with a fat-based coating, softening the fat-based coating, embedding the at least one edible object in the softened fat-based coating, and hardening the fat-based coating to maintain the edible object(s) therein.
The candy base may be of any material and shape suitable for panning, for instance, a hard-boiled sweet, caramel, nougat, cream, paste, fondant dried fruit, nut, cereal, cookie or bread based.
The fat-based coating may be any suspension of an edible solid in fat, such as chocolate, or compound or yogurt coatings. The chocolate may be, for instance, dark, milk or white chocolate. The compound coating may include any products derived from sugar with or without milk derived components, and solids from vegetable or cocoa sources in differing proportions suspended in fat or oil in water emulsion having a moisture content less than 10%, more usually less than 5% by weight. The compound coating may also be a coverture that can include chocolate substitutes containing direct cocoa butter replacements, stearines, coconut oil, palm oil, butter or any mixture thereof; nut pastes such as peanut butter and fat; pralines; confectioner""s coatings, used for covering ice cream or cakes usually comprising chocolate analogues with cocoa butter replaced by a cheaper non-tempering fat; or a product known in the trade as xe2x80x9cCaramacxe2x80x9d sold by Nestlxc3xa9 comprising non-cocoa butter fats, sugar and milk.
The fat-based coating may be applied to the candy base on a flowing bed, for instance by a xe2x80x98panningxe2x80x99 process. Panning is a well known process in the chocolate industry and employs a rotating pan or a moving belt forming a pocket, in which the centers flow, roll and cascade over one another. The fat-based coating may be applied in melted form by hand or spray during rotation and is set by cooling air applied to the product bed as it flows. In this way, layers of fat-based coating are built up around the center to any desired thickness and the shape of the final article approximates that of the center and is usually quite smooth. A polish or glaze may be finally applied. Panning is described in detail in xe2x80x9cChocolate, Cocoa, and Confectioneryxe2x80x9d Bernard W. Minifie, Third Edition, 1989, Chapman and Hall, pages 221-223.
The fat-based coating applied to the candy base should have a thickness appropriate to embed the at least one edible object. The thickness of the coating layer is preferably equal to or thicker than the thickness of the object embedded. A coating thickness of less than the thickness of the embedded object is possible and will result in a raised appearance but this can be attractive if so desired.
The fat-based coating is preferably softened sufficiently to be displaceable but not sufficiently to be flowable or pourable, e.g., so that it runs off the center. Preferably, the fat-based coating is softened by heat. The softening temperature is preferably between about 25xc2x0 C. and 35xc2x0 C., depending on what coating is being used. Normally, the softening temperature is reached when part of the fat is melted.
The edible object should be of a non-melting nature, i.e., it should have a melting point that is higher than that of the coating used to cover the center. Examples of such materials include decorating materials such as those which are commonly used in cake manufacture or decoration, an encapsulated flavor which optionally may be colored, dried sugar pieces, gums or other gels, coconut pieces, cereal pieces, colored flakes, or nut pieces. These objects can be used alone or in combination.
The size of the object typically depends on the curve (or radius) of the center or final candy surface so that the object(s) properly blend with the candy surface, without appearing to be obtrusive. For some candies, the size should be sufficiently large to provide a visually recognizable appearance of the object.
The edible object is preferably visually or organoleptically different from the candy center. For instance, the edible object may be reflective or have a color, shape, flavor or texture that is different from that of the center of the candy product. The shape may be, for instance, a sphere, cube, circle, star, triangle, square, rectangle, polygon, oval or irregular, non-symmetrical, including cartoon characters, etc. Suitable flavors include mint, fruit such as strawberry, lemon or orange, coffee or cocoa, nutflavors etc. One of ordinary skill in the art has a wide range of materials to select from without departing from the teachings of this invention.
Advantageously, the edible object is embedded in the external surface of the fat-based coating so that at least part of the edible object remains visible on the surface of the product.
The edible object is preferably embedded in the fat-based coating by use of force, e.g., by sprinkling and fixing through the product weight, by accelerating or projecting the object into the fat-based coating or by pressing, such as by a stamping press.
Preferably, there are a plurality of edible objects embedded in the fat-based coating. The number of edible objects embedded may depend on a variety of factors including their size. For example, from 25% to 90% of the candy surface may be covered, and a coverage of approximately 50% to 75% of total candy surface is often desirable. Thus, essentially any number of objects can be included in the final product.
After embedding the at least one edible object in the product, the fat-based coating may be smoothed by friction and preferably hardened by cooling with cold air setting the oils to a temperature below their melting temperatures.
The process of the present invention enables new excitement to the appearance of the product with the addition of new shapes, colors, textures and flavors, thus increasing the appeal of common fat-based pan-coated products.
The present invention also provides a candy product with a fat-based coating having embedded therein at least one edible object as described herein.