Method For Making Reconstituted Plant Material Using Extrusion or Molding Processes and Products So Obtained
The present invention relates to a method for making products of reconstituted plant material using extrusion and/or molding processes, wherein the reconstituted plant material comprises a fibrous plant product and a plant extract applied thereto. Further, the invention relates to the products obtained by these methods. The plants used may be all plants comprising one or more substances of interest for an edible product.
1 . A method of manufacturing a product comprising one or more fibrous plant products and one or more plant extracts, the method comprising the steps of:
a. extracting one or more substances of one or more plants to obtain one or more plant extracts and one or more at least partially fibrous residues;
b. separating the one or more plant extracts from the one or more at least partially fibrous residues;
c, extruding and/or molding the one or more at least partially fibrous residues,
wherein the one or more plant extracts are added to the one or more at least partially fibrous residues before and/or during and/or after step c.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion is carded out by co-extruding two or more at least partially fibrous residues to obtain two or more extrudates.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the co-extrusion is carded out in the same extruder or in separate extruders.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the two or more extrudates are assembled to the final product.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the assembling step is carried out by laminating, twisting, inserting, covering and/or adhering the two or more extrudates.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of assembling two or more of the products obtained in step c) to obtain a three dimensionally shaped product.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the process of extruding the one or more at least partially fibrous residues is used for 3D printing.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of concentrating the plant extract and/or purifying the plant extract and/or flavoring the plant extract and/or mixing the plant extract with one or more other plant extracts and/or mixing the plant extract with one or more further substances.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adding one or more of a filler, a wet strength agent, an agent for protecting volatile substances, a coloring agent, and/or an expanding agent before and/or during and/or after step c).
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the expanding agent is provided in different concentrations in the product such that the product assumes a desired shape after triggering the shape change.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the coloring and/or expanding agent is provided such that the color or shape change is completed a) once substantially all soluble substances of the product or the product surface are dissolved or b) after a predetermined time after triggering the change, optionally after a typical infusion time.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in step c) residue material is extruded and/or molded in a way such that the product has different material densities to be able to absorb controlled amounts of liquid at certain locations such that the product expands in a controlled manner and assumes a desired shape when immersed into a liquid.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein in step c) the at least partially fibrous residue is extruded, optionally refined and afterwards molded and/or die-cut.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein plant extract is added to the residue before the extrusion step and/or during the extrusion step and/or after the extrusion step and/or before the molding step and/or after the molding step and/or after the die-cutting step.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant extract and/or other substances and/or agents are added to the residue by mixing and/or spraying and/or pouring.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein steps a) and b) are accomplished in the extruder of step c).
17 . A printer, in particular a 3D printer, adapted to accomplish the assembly of two or more of the products obtained in step c) according to claim 1 .
18 . A cartridge, in particular a 3D printing cartridge for use in the 3D printer according to claim 17 .
19 . Product comprising one or more fibrous plant products and one or more plant extracts manufactured in accordance with claim 1 .