Apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closure of an extrudate

A method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate, comprising:

• receiving, by a feeder, an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, the rope of material having an opening that can receive a filler material, wherein the feeder is arranged in relation to the extruded rope of material flowing from the extrusion die of the extruder and is configured to deposit the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder;
• depositing, by the feeder, a filler material into the opening of the rope of material;
• shaping, by a former, the rope of material to close a portion or all of the rope of material around the deposited filler material to retain at least a portion of the filler material within the rope of material, wherein the former is arranged to receive the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope of material and is configured to shape the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope of material around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope of material;
• and
• exerting, by a finisher, a pulling tension on the rope of material flowing from the extrusion die by the feeder, to be shaped and closed around at least a portion of the deposited filler material without positioning a supporting trough beneath the rope of material.

A method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate, comprising:

• receiving, by a feeder, an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, the rope of material having an opening that can receive a filler material, wherein the feeder is arranged in relation to the extruded rope of material flowing from the extrusion die of the extruder and is configured to deposit the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder;
• depositing, by the feeder, a filler material into the opening of the rope of material;
• shaping, by a former, the rope of material to close a portion or all of the rope of material around the deposited filler material to retain at least a portion of the filler material within the rope of material, wherein the former is arranged to receive the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope of material and is configured to shape the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope of material around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope of material;
• and
• applying, by a sealer, a sealing agent to one or more edges of the opening that facilitates sealing of the rope of material around the deposited filler material.

An apparatus for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate, comprising:

• a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, the rope of material having an opening that can receive a filler material, wherein the feeder is configured to deposit the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder;
• a former arranged to receive the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope of material, wherein the former is configured to shape the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope of material around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope of material;
• and
• a sealer that applies a sealing agent to one or more edges of the opening of the rope of material, wherein the sealing agent facilitates sealing of at least a portion of the rope of material around the deposited filler material.