Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing an extrudate product including a plurality of capillary channel. The apparatus comprises an extruder having an inlet, a die including an orifice having a predetermined outer shape and a plurality of needles each having a body including an internal conduit for fluid flow. Each needle further comprises an outlet from the internal conduit at an outlet end. The outlet end of each needle is arranged in a predetermined pattern substantially within the orifice of the die and the conduit of each needle is fluidly connected to a fluid source. In use extrudable material is fed into the extruder through the inlet. The extruder forces the extrudable material around the bodies of the needles towards the die and through the orifice in the die to produce an extrudate having substantially the predetermined outer shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a confectionery product comprising an extruded body portion, the body portion being formed from a material which is liquid during extrusion and which has a plurality of capillaries disposed therein, the capillaries having an average width or diameter of no more than 3 mm. The invention also relates to a process of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: The present invention’ provides extrusion-processable materials having a plurality of capillary channels therethrough, and apparatus and methods for manufacturing such materials. The capillaries may be occupied by gases, liquids or other phases. The materials may be anisotropic foams which have high voidage. The methods and apparatus include quench cooling (11) of an extrudate (2) as it exits a die (14).

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for producing an extrudate product including a plurality of capillary channel. The apparatus comprises an extruder having an inlet, a die including an orifice having a predetermined outer shape and a plurality of needles each having a body including an internal conduit for fluid flow. Each needle further comprises an outlet from the internal conduit at an outlet end. The outlet end of each needle is arranged in a predetermined pattern substantially within the orifice of the die and the conduit of each needle is fluidly connected to a fluid source. In use extrudable material is fed into the extruder through the inlet. The extruder forces the extrudable material around the bodies of the needles towards the die and through the orifice in the die to produce an extrudate having substantially the predetermined outer shape.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (10) for producing a film (2, 70, 170, 270, 370, 470) having a tear guiding region (72, 172, 272, 372, 472). The apparatus includes an extrusion apparatus adapted, in use, to force an extrudable material (8) through a die (14) along an extrusion axis to form an extrudate film. The extrusion apparatus having means for forming a tear guiding region in a film extruded therefrom such that the film comprises at least one primary region (74, 76) and at least one tear guiding region. The means for forming a tear guiding region being adapted such that the tear guiding region has a lower cross sectional area of extrudate than the primary region such that a force applied transverse to the extrusion axis results in a higher stress in the tear guiding region than in the primary region such that a tear in the film will preferentially propagate along the tear guiding region. The invention also provides a method of producing such a film and an extruded film .

Abstract: The invention is a medical apparatus comprising a separable introducer, sheath, catheter, cannula, or needle, each having a wall and a length; and at least one capillary defined within the wall of a hub or along the length of the introducer, sheath, catheter, cannula, or needle to provide a corresponding zone of separation therein. The invention is also a method of separating the wall of a hub or along the length of the introducer, sheath, catheter, cannula, or needle using a capillary defined tear zone.