Abstract: An extrusion system, for example for extruding a food product, that includes: an extruder, which propels extrudate through an outlet of the extruder; and a valve. The valve includes: an inlet, which receives extrudate from the extruder outlet; a main conduit, which extends from the inlet to a main outlet; a dumping conduit, which extends from a junction with the main conduit to a dumping outlet; and a flow control member, which is operable to move between: a plurality of flow controlling positions, in which extrudate is directed to the main outlet, with the flow control member providing, for each flow controlling position, a respective amount of impedance to flow along the main conduit; and a flow diverting position, in which extrudate is directed along the dumping conduit to the dumping outlet.

Abstract: A drying and/or cooling conveyor includes a chamber within which is located at least one conveyor belt for the transportation of articles to be cooled and/or dried through the chamber. An air conditioning device is provided that includes ductwork for supplying air to and removing air from the chamber. This ductwork forms a framework to which the conveyor belt is mounted. An independent support for the conveyor belt is not required, which significantly simplifies the structure of the conveyor as a whole. Preferably, the ductwork is also used to support a housing defining the chamber via feet that project through the base of the housing to support the housing off the floor. The ductwork is therefore used to support substantially the whole structure of the conveyor.