Method and apparatus for producing a curly puff extrudate

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting a puff extrudate utilizing a blade that passes through the extrudate while the extrudate is in a viscous melt stage. The present invention utilizes a tube to facilitate production of a curly puff extrudate. A gap is provided in between the tube and the extruder die to allow a blade to access the extrudate as it exits an orifice in the die. The blade accesses the extrudate at the viscous melt stage, before the extrudate has cooled and hardened. The blade nicks the extrudate, as opposed to completely cutting it, which allows the extrudate to remain connected throughout processing such as curling in the containment tube. The gap also allows steam to be vented form the extrudate as it exits the orifice in the die. The nicked extrudate separates when fried or baked.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.