Apparatus and method for the manufacture of noodles

A method of manufacturing a noodle within an elongate groove of a product comprising:

• using an extrusion system comprising at least one extruder nozzle to extrude noodle material therethrough;
• using at least one levelling device adjacent the extruder nozzle to level the noodle material,
• using a heater to heat a first part of the levelling device proximate the extruder nozzle to control viscosity of the noodle material, and
• using a gantry system to move the extruder nozzle and the levelling device along the elongate product groove, such that noodle material is extruded along the product groove and is levelled to form at least part of the noodle within the product groove.

An apparatus for forming a noodle within an elongate groove of a product comprising:

• an extrusion system comprising at least one extruder nozzle through which noodle material is extruded,
• at least one levelling device adjacent the extruder nozzle which levels the noodle material,
• a gantry system which moves the extruder nozzle and the levelling device along the elongate product groove, such that noodle material is extruded along the product groove and is levelled to form at least part of the noodle within the product groove, and
• a cooler which cools a second part of the levelling device proximate an end of the device to solidify the noodle material.

An apparatus for forming a noodle within an elongate groove of a product comprising:

• an extrusion system comprising at least one extruder nozzle through which noodle material is extruded,
• a veil insertion system which inserts a veil between the noodle material and the product groove,
• at least one levelling device adjacent the extruder nozzle which levels the noodle material,
• and
• a gantry system which moves the extruder nozzle and the levelling device along the elongate product groove, such that noodle material is extruded along the product groove and is levelled to form at least part of the noodle within the product groove.

A method of manufacturing a noodle within an elongate groove of a product comprising:

• using an extrusion system comprising at least one extruder nozzle to extrude noodle material therethrough;
• using at least one levelling device adjacent the extruder nozzle to level the noodle material,
• using a gantry system to move the extruder nozzle and the levelling device along the elongate product groove, such that noodle material is extruded along the product groove and is levelled to form at least part of the noodle within the product groove, and
• using a cooler to cool a second part of the levelling device proximate an end of the device to solidify the noodle material.