Abstract: An apparatus for repeatably forming shaped dough bodies having a filling. A generally cylindrical filling forming mechanism, in communication with a pressurized source of filling material, is contained within and is surrounded by a generally cylindrical dough forming mechanism in communication with a pressurized source of dough. The filling forming mechanism includes an inner chamber which receives the filling material, means defining a filling material transporting channel extending around the circumference of the filling forming mechanism which channel can be selectively opened to permit the filling material to flow out of it, and a generally cylindrical shell member which is mounted to obstruct the filling material transporting channel and which includes a plurality of shaped filling forming orifices in its periphery. The dough forming mechanism has dough forming orifices in its periphery which are aligned with corresponding filling forming orifices in the shell member of the filling forming mechanism.

Abstract: An extruder for simultaneously forming a plurality of clam strip shapes from a single source of extrudable material including particles of clams therein. The extruder includes a nozzle body which terminates in a nozzle opening and a forming member in operative relation thereto for use in forming the extruder product. A divider member within the nozzle body divides the nozzle opening into a plurality of nozzle openings and also divides the forming member into a plurality of forming members.The divider member extends upstream within the nozzle body to an upstream end which is maintained free of clam particles by virtue of a deflecting member which is mounted on the upstream end thereof. The upstream end of the deflecting member presents a downstream convex surface to the extrudable material and thereby prevents accumulation of the clam particles on the upstream end of the divider.

Abstract: A machine is provided for practicing the method of forming a comestible in one of a variety of shapes from a foodstuff slurry. The slurry includes a gel-forming material and is supplied in predetermined amounts to a cavity which has been washed with a combination release and gellation agent. Apparatus is provided for contacting the exposed surface of the slurry in the cavity with a gellation agent to gel the gelforming material at the outer surface of the formed product. Further apparatus is provided for transporting the cavity filled with the foodstuff to a product removal station. Punch apparatus is aligned with the cavity at the product removal station and is actuated to extend into and extrude the product from the cavity onto a conveyor belt to be removed for further processing.