Abstract: A measuring device includes a housing and a caliper positioned inside the housing. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end and defines an axis from the proximal end to the distal end. The caliper includes a first measurement probe extending out of the housing in a first direction, a second measurement probe extending out of the housing in a second direction that is substantially opposite of the first direction, and measurement circuitry configured for transmitting a measurement signal based on the relative positions of the first and second measurement probes.

Abstract: A method for producing a dough product from starch containing ingredients of cellular structure, to obtain a product containing at least 50 percent starch material. This method comprises extruding the ingredients by passing them through an extruder of a predetermined inner barrel diameter. Within this barrel, an extruder rotor of predetermined outer diameter is accommodated to exert a mixing, kneading and heating effect onto the ingredients and to form a substantially homogeneous mass. This mass is then discharged and distributed from the extruder under predetermined pressure into a straight heated tube of an inner cross-section larger than the outer diameter of the screw(s). In this way, a plug flow of the mass through the heated tube is established to cook the mass at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined period. Finally, the mass is formed at the end of the tube into a desired shape, but maintains mostly its cellular structure at least in part.