Apparatus for mixing and extruding simulated meat mix for pet food
AssigneeGeneral Foods Corporation
InventorsFrancis H. Dolan, Michael S. Connor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method for making a room temperature storage stable meat-containing solid pet food having a moisture content within the intermediate moisture range and simulating in appearance and texture marbelized lean red meat in chunk form which is prepared by the co-extrusion and blending of a first ingredient phase simulating lean meat and a second ingredient phase simulating fat.
Claims6
Apparatus for the preparation of intermediate-moisture pet food having a first ingredient phase simulating lean meat and a second ingredient phase simulating fat, blended and shaped to resemble small cuts of lean meat marbled with fat comprising
- first means for pressure-casting the first ingredient phase into an elongated ingredient receiving and blending compartment at its upstream end, and a hollow core positioned centrally within the upstream end of the compartment,
- and second means of capacity smaller than the first means for pressure casting the second ingredient phase centrally into the compartment through the hollow core,
- and a number of stationary baffles of generally helical configuration positioned in tandem in the compartment downstream of the hollow core,
- upstream and downstream edges of the baffles being substantially straight and the downstream edge of each baffle being immediately adjacent and at an angle to the upstream edge of the following baffle,
- the baffles during passage of the ingredients cutting, dividing and axially rotating substantial portions of the ingredients to randomly blend the first and second ingredient phases,
- and a die block at the downstream end of the compartment through which the blended ingredients are extruded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.