Abstract:
A shaping assembly (14) for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture (28) that is centered on an aperture axis (40). The at least one aperture (28) extends to an aperture exit (32) and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture (28) and out the aperture exit (32). A shaping tool (36) includes at least one slicing blade (38) that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit (32) to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool (36) to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade (38) to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade (38) simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.
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.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for the production of an extruded article having two or more distinct characteristics, and which are capable of producing such an extruded article wherein differing characteristics, such as color, texture, taste and the like, can be positioned as desired in the extruded article. The apparatus is equipped with a pair of mixing screws (2a, 2b) which are situated in their respective mixing barrels (3a, 3b). Each of the mixing barrels (3a, 3b) is arranged and connected in flow path communication with a common manifold (4), which in turn is arranged and connected in flow path communication with two or more flow stream conduits (5, 6) which receive the respective flow streams from the barrels/mixing screws portion (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) of the extruder, the streams then being fed into their respective distributor cavities (7, 8) which are in communication with extrusion means (9) having recombining means (10) and die means (13).
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.
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 shaping assembly (14) for producing a discrete spiral shaped food product includes a die that defines at least one aperture (28) that is centered on an aperture axis (40). The at least one aperture (28) extends to an aperture exit (32) and allows for the movement of a stream of food mass through the aperture (28) and out the aperture exit (32). A shaping tool (36) includes at least one slicing blade (38) that is disposed over at least a portion of the aperture exit (32) to slice the stream of food mass into a plurality of food mass portions. A coupling arrangement engages the shaping tool (36) to facilitate rotation of the slicing blade (38) to spin the plurality of food mass portions into a spiral shaped stream of food mass. The slicing blade (38) simultaneously slices and spins the stream of food mass to create the spiral shaped stream of food mass. A crimper is used to cut the spiral shaped stream of food mass into the discrete spiral shaped food products.