Abstract:
A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus (20) includes a co-extrusion die (22) in communication with an extruder (24). A nozzle (56) that is defined by a bore (58) in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis (AN) to a nozzle exit (60) of the co-extrusion die. An injector (50) extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough (26) into a rope (30) that is tubular with a wall portion (32) and an inner cavity (34) surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source (62) provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet (66) and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope. A delivery system (86) delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe (78) connected to an injector inlet.
Abstract:
A cooking system includes a main wheel having a first surface and a secondary wheel having a second surface. The second surface of the secondary wheel mates with the first surface of the main wheel at a nip to form and set a grain based material disposed between the first and second surfaces. The grain based material may be dried, toasted, baked, puffed, or blistered between first and second surfaces. The method begins by disposing a cooked or uncooked grain based material over the first surface. The second surface, which corresponds to the first surface is applied to the grain based material at the nip to form and set the grain based material between the first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces is heated to heat the grain based material disposed between the first and second surfaces to produce a ready-to-eat grain based product.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for producing a substantially spiral shaped food product is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a die defining a plurality of apertures disposed in a circle about a center. The apparatus also includes at least one cutting blade disposed for rotation about the center and operable to intermittently pass fully across each of the apertures during rotation. The apparatus also includes a plurality of slicing blades arranged for individual rotation about one of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of slicing blades are also arranged for continuous extension less than fully across the one aperture. The apparatus also includes a planetary coupling arrangement operably disposed to facilitate reciprocating rotation between the at least one cutting blade and the plurality of slicing blades.