Apparatus and methods for making multiple, complexly patterned extrudates
AssigneeGeneral Mills, Inc.
InventorsJames N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson, Peter A. Huberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder and is mixed with a food color to form a complexly patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die.
Claims13
Method for adding at least a first additive to flowing dough including the steps of:
- dividing the flowing dough to impart at least one dough interstitial gap in the flowing dough, and injecting the additive in the interstitial gap characterized in the step of partially filling the interstitial gap with dough from the flowing dough, with the additive being injected at a location downstream of where the interstitial gap is partially filled in remaining portions of the interstitial gap.
Apparatus for adding at least a first additive to flowing dough including a die dividing member in the flowing dough to impart at least one dough interstitial gap, with the die dividing member including an upstream face and a downstream face;
- means for injecting the additive at the downstream face and into the interstitial gap, with the additive traveling in the interstitial gap, characterized in a notch formed in the die dividing member extending from the downstream face towards but spaced from the upstream face and having an axial length sufficient for the dough to flow into and fill the interstitial gap within the notch.
Apparatus for adding at least a first additive to flowing dough comprising, in combination:
- a die dividing member in the flowing dough to impart at least one dough interstitial gap, with the die dividing member including an upstream face and a downstream face, means for injecting the additive at the downstream face and into the interstitial gap, with the additive traveling in the interstitial gap, and a notch formed in the die dividing member extending from the downstream face towards but spaced from the upstream face and having an axial length sufficient for the dough to flow into and fill the interstitial gap within the notch;
- and a flow rate adjustment apparatus for adjustment of the flowing dough, with the flow rate adjustment apparatus including a port through which the flowing dough flows, with the port having circular cross sections and a center line, a plug having circular cross sections of a diameter less than the cross sections of the port and a center line, and means for extending the plug into the port with the center line of the port being at a non-parallel angle to the center line of the plug, with the plug having an axial end located inside of the port, with the axial end of the plug having a configuration which can not mate with the port allowing flow of dough between the axial end of the plug and the port at all positions of the plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.