Abstract: A system and method for forming a cooked, shaped product (e.g., an animal food) is provided. A flowable substrate is introduced into one or more shaping chambers in a fixture configured to both shape and cook the substrate. An ultrasonic energy source in communication with the fixture vibrates the walls of the one of more shaping chambers to cook the substrate in a desired manner. The fixture also may be configured to produce a shaped, hollow product and a multi-layer product.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a flowable substrate through a chamber is provided. The chamber extends between first and second open ends and is both shaped and heated such that the flowable substrate can be shaped and cooked therein. A pushing force is applied to the cooked substrate to expel the cooked substrate through the second open end. In one embodiment, the pushing force is provided by a pushing device that extends into the chamber at the first open end to loosen the cooked substrate from the chamber walls and to cause the cooked substrate to exit the chamber through the second open end. In another embodiment, the pushing force is provided by a fill device that continuously introduces the flowable substrate into the chamber. In certain embodiments, an ultrasonic energy source may be provided to prevent adherence of the food product to the chamber walls and/or to assist in loosening any adhered food product from the chamber walls.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn the a method and system for a single step filling process for a fluid food product. More particularly, the method and system eliminates the necessity of addition of large amounts of gums.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a flowable substrate through a chamber is provided. The chamber extends between first and second open ends and is both shaped and heated such that the flowable substrate can be shaped and cooked therein. A pushing force is applied to the cooked substrate to expel the cooked substrate through the second open end. In one embodiment, the pushing force is provided by a pushing device that extends into the chamber at the first open end to loosen the cooked substrate from the chamber walls and to cause the cooked substrate to exit the chamber through the second open end. In another embodiment, the pushing force is provided by a fill device that continuously introduces the flowable substrate into the chamber. In certain embodiments, an ultrasonic energy source may be provided to prevent adherence of the food product to the chamber walls and/or to assist in loosening any adhered food product from the chamber walls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for producing multi-packs of pouched pet food containing multiple varieties of a food product or different foods in a continuous production process. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of meat preparation modules in which each module contains a different variety of a food product or different kinds of food products. A selected meat mixture from a selected meat preparation module is process through a meat forming module. A continuous strip of flexible pouches is provided for filling. The continuous strip of flexible pouches is filled with the selected meat mixture and then the pouches are sealed. The filled flexible pouches are accumulated in a work box. Different varieties of a food product or different kinds of food products are accumulated in a plurality of work boxes.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a cooked, shaped product (e.g., an animal food) is provided. A flowable substrate is introduced into one or more shaping chambers in a fixture configured to both shape and cook the substrate. An ultrasonic energy source in communication with the fixture vibrates the walls of the one of more shaping chambers to cook the substrate in a desired manner. The fixture also may be configured to produce a shaped, hollow product and a multi-layer product.