Abstract: The interior of a heating cylinder (2) is divided into a first stage (5) and a second stage (7) due to the shape of a screw (3). A first compression zone in which a resin is compressed is formed in the first stage (5). A starvation zone (7a) in which an inert gas is injected and a second compression zone in which the resin is compressed are formed in the second stage (7). A barrier flight (13) that is obtained by combining a main flight (14) and a sub-flight (15) having a greater lead angle than the main flight is provided to a section of the screw (3), said section corresponding to the first compression zone. A multiple flight is provided to another section of the screw (3), said section corresponding to the second stage (7).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system comprising a food processor and a mixing device having at least one vessel with a mixing tool. The vessel can be both part of the food processor and part of the mixing device. The maximum possible rotational speed at which the food processor can rotate the mixing tool may be at least five times greater than the maximum possible rotational speed at which the food processor can rotate the mixing tool. The present disclosure also relates to a stand part for the mixing device of the system. The stand part may be configured to rotate the mixing tool at or below a predetermined rotational speed as well as at or below a predetermined torque level.

Abstract: A freeze-dried product continuously manufactured by being dried while smoothly moving in a state of receiving a mechanical force in a freeze-drying apparatus 1. The freeze-drying apparatus 1 includes a freezing unit 2 for producing a frozen substance by spraying a raw material solution; and a drying unit 3 for drying the frozen substance. The drying unit 3 has a tubular shape and includes a tubular member 31 kept in a vacuum state, and a spiral wall or groove portion is formed on an inner wall of the tubular member 31 continuously in a longitudinal direction of the tubular member 31. A heat is transferred to the inner wall of the tubular member 31 and the spiral wall or groove portion. The tubular member 31 is configured to be rotated to transfer the freeze-dried product in the longitudinal direction of the tubular member 31 and sublimate or dry the freeze-dried product.

Abstract: A process for producing a rubber mixture in a mixing apparatus having at least one mixing chamber (4, 4?) in which rotors (5) are disposed, wherein a plant control system process parameters (especially the speed of the rotors (5), the suction output of a suction device (13, 14, 15) and the mixing time) are controlled by open- and closed-loop control is provided, wherein at least one rubber is mixed in the mixing chamber with at least one filler, especially silica, preferably with addition of at least one coupling agent, especially a silane, and wherein the gas mixture present in and above the mixing chamber is sucked out by the suction device, wherein volatile organic compounds, especially alcoholic gases, present in the gas mixture sucked in are detected continuously, wherein, in the event of exceedance of a concentration of organic compounds in the gas mixture sucked in that has been defined as the control limit, the concentration measured is employed as control variable in the plant control system for clos

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for a blender tub overflow catch is disclosed for fracturing operations using a fracturing fluid blender. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a first tub that may be a blender tub and a second tub forming a blender tub overflow catch that is adapted to circumvent an outside diameter of the first tub to catch overflow fluid from the first tub so that it can be directed back into the first tub upon a determination that the first tub has a capacity to handle the overflow fluid.

Abstract: Provided are a vacuum freeze-drying apparatus and a method capable of continuously performing vacuum freeze-drying in a short time.

Abstract: Stirrer (1) for stirring molten glass (16), whereby the stirrer (1) comprises —a shaft (2) having a tip (4) and having a central longitudinal axis (L), and —one or more inner stirrer blades (5,6) which are attached to the shaft (2), and —one or more outer stirrer blades (7,8) which are attached to the shaft (2), whereby the inner stirrer blades (5,6) are attached closer to the shaft (2) than the outer stirrer blades (7,8), whereby, when considering the stirrer in a cylindrical coordinate system (11), both the one or more inner stirrer blades (5,6) as well as the one or more outer stirrer blades (7,8) are disposed at an angle (?, ?) to the central longitudinal axis (L), whereby said angle (?, ?) is between 0° and 90° not including these values, and are disposed having a least a blade section with a normal vector (N, P, Q, R), on the side directed towards the tip (4), with an angular component (NA, PA, QA, RA).

Abstract: A developing unit configured for operating with a two-component developer material includes carrier particles to which the toner particles are adhered. The developing unit includes: at least one developer member rotatably mounted in the housing and configured for transferring toner particles to a photoconductor member, and a conveying assembly configured for conveying toner particles to the at least one developer member or away from the at least one developer member. The conveying assembly includes an auger and which includes a bar shaped shaft, a helical screw blade arranged around the shaft, and at least a first elongate element arranged at a distance of the shaft.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with a zoned heat transfer system that provides zoned temperature control to the vat. The zoned heat transfer system selectively transmits heat to or removes heat from different portions of a bottom wall and/or side walks) of the vat. A heat transfer fluid may be directed through the zoned heat transfer system along a flow path that is selected based on a target size and/or a target temperature of a batch of food product being processed in the vat.

Abstract: Screws for a carbonizing machine for carbonizing organic material into useful char product.

Abstract: A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted feed hopper device has an enclosure upon a base, the enclosure having a V shape, at least one paddle mixer within the enclosure, a conveyor beneath the paddle mixer, an outlet proximate one end of the conveyor, a chain drive connected to the paddle mixer and the conveyor, and a hydraulic motor driving the chain drive through gearing. The device operates like a horizontal screw total mixed ration, but at a smaller scale. The invention accepts multiple grain products through its top and mixes them to blends suitable for livestock, except for roughage products which exceed the capacity of this device. The device dispenses its mixed feed through the outlet as it meters feed into feed bunks for the livestock.

Abstract: A liquid containing chamber that supplies liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first liquid container that is capable of containing the liquid and has a vertically long shape in a mounted position when mounted in the liquid ejecting apparatus, a first projection provided in the first liquid container and a first stirring member supported by the first projection, wherein when the first liquid container in the mounted position is divided into an upper container which is located above the first projection and a lower container which is located below the upper container, the lower container contains the liquid and the upper container contains the liquid and a predetermined amount of air.

Abstract: A wastewater concentrator a liquid evaporator assembly, a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust assembly, and a slurry thickening and storage system. The slurry thickening and storage system includes a slurry thickening tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a thickened slurry storage tank fluidly connected to the slurry thickening tank.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a granulated product, whereby one or more ingredients are first ground in a centrifugal grinding unit, and then granulated in a centrifugal granulating unit before being fed to a centrifugal mixing and flavoring unit; each of the centrifugal units having a tubular outer shell having an axis and defining a processing chamber; and a powered shaft housed in the shell, coaxially with the axis, and fitted with a row of appendixes projecting radially from, and connected integrally and interchangeably to, the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is disclosed which comprises: (a) pumping means for injecting a fluid through a conduit means into an inlet pipe of a fluid mixing tank, (b) said fluid mixing tank comprising a plurality of compartments connected in series and in fluid communication with adjacent compartments in the series, and designed to provide for a horizontal flow of fluids from the first compartment to the last compartment in the series, (c) at least one compartment being equipped with one or more radial-flow impellers connected to a vertical shaft, and means for rotating such impellers at a rate designed to stir the contents of the compartment radially with high shear and prevent fluid stagnation, (d) at least one compartment being equipped with one or more axial flow impellers connected to a vertical shaft, and means for rotating such impellers at a rate designed to circulate the contents of the compartment vertically, (e) the inlet pipe being designed to introduce fluids into the first compartment, and (f) a means

Abstract: A device for heat transfer, particularly in fluidized bed equipment. Several layers of heat exchanger tubes are provided, with radial arms mounted in between to mix and loosen the product. In addition, a process is disclosed for heat transfer in high-temperature processes for bulk material, particularly granulates or powders, in fluidized bed units, where the heat is transferred to and absorbed by the fluidized bed on several levels, and by the fluidized bulk material being agitated mechanically between these levels. This allows transfer of high energy densities without the risk of bridging or local overheating.

Abstract: A reactor for treating with pressurized water a material in a fluid reaction medium. It comprises a body (2) delimiting a reaction area (10), an inlet (48) for the material to be treated in the reaction area (10), a point (46) for introducing an oxidant into the reaction area (10), at least one outlet for the treated material outside the reaction area (10), the material to be treated follows a path defined in the reaction area between its inlet and its outlet. The point (46) for introducing the oxidant in the reaction area (10) is located downstream from the inlet (48) for the material and is spaced apart from the latter by a certain distance so as to define an anoxic area (20) comprised between the inlet for the material to be treated and the point for introducing the oxidant, an area in which the fluid medium is in anoxia.

Abstract: The instant invention is a device for producing dispersions and method of producing dispersions. The device for producing dispersions includes a first stator, a second stator, a shell encasing the first stator and the second stator, a rotor being disposed therebetween the first stator and the second stator thereby forming a first chamber and a second chamber, at least one first inlet port into the first chamber, and at least one outlet port out of the second chamber. The device may optionally include at least one additional second inlet port into the second chamber.

Abstract: An agitation system for producing a slurry, mixture, or solution from addition of dry solids to a liquid is provided. A first tank has a first longitudinal axis, a static liquid level, a dynamic liquid level, and a holdup. A solid inlet is configured to feed dry solids into the first tank. A first drive shaft is disposed in the first tank generally along the first longitudinal axis and a first impeller is attached to the first drive shaft at a first location. The first impeller is configured to pump material in a generally upward direction. A second tank having a second longitudinal axis is in fluid communication with the first tank. A second drive shaft is disposed in the second tank generally along the second longitudinal axis and a second impeller is attached to the second drive shaft at a first location and a third impeller is attached to the second drive shaft at a second location.

Abstract: A helical-ribbon mixer having a rotation-symmetrical inner mixing vessel wall (2), a motor-driven central agitator axis (3) therein, on which, on lateral agitator arms (5), at least one helical ribbon (4) is held close to the vessel wall downwardly sloping with a circular slope (SZ) in a direction of rotation (D), wherein the helical ribbon (4), vectorially combined circularly and radially, has a helical ribbon angle of slope (SN) relative to the horizontal that is greater than a gliding angle (G) on the helical ribbon (4) of a material (M) to be mixed.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a comminution apparatus comprised of a housing member formed with co-planar circularly-shaped chambers in chordal juxtapositioned to each other thereby forming a collision zone therebetween and wherein wheel members having radially disposed directional vanes are positioned for rotation in each cylindrically-shaped chamber and wherein an inlet fluid conduit or a slurry of particulate matter to be treated is in axial fluid communication with each wheel member and wherein each wheel member is caused to be rotated in a direction to accelerate the slurry towards the collision zone and to affect particle size reduction by particle collision and wherein an outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the collision zone for withdrawing a slurry of size reduced particles from the comminution apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil-contaminated clay substrates such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud. If necessary, the substrate is pretreated with an aqueous emulsion breaker such as alkylbenzenesulfonic acid. The substrate is mixed under high shear conditions with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid. This can be done in an agitated reactor with sequential addition of the organic and inorganic acids. The substrate is then mixed with alkaline earth such as lime in a second agitated reactor. The reactions between the acid(s), alkaline earth and substrate are exothermic and provide heat to vaporize the oil, reaction products and water. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system. The treated substrate is essentially free of oil and has a controlled water content.

Abstract: A helical-ribbon mixer having a rotation-symmetrical inner mixing vessel wall (2), a motor-driven central agitator axis (3) therein, on which, on lateral agitator arms (5), at least one helical ribbon (4) is held close to the vessel wall downwardly sloping with a circular slope (SZ) in a direction of rotation (D), wherein the helical ribbon (4), vectorially combined circularly and radially, has a helical ribbon angle of slope (SN) relative to the horizontal that is greater than a gliding angle (G) on the helical ribbon (4) of a material (M) to be mixed.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance (1) having a container (10) and having a first cover configuration (21) for closing the container (12) advantageously also includes a second cover configuration (25) which can be placed onto the first cover configuration (21), as a result of which a hollow space (29) is formed with the aid of the two cover configurations (21, 25), which hollow space serves to and is adapted to accommodate accessories (31, 32) of the kitchen appliance (1).

Abstract: A compact extruder with multiple parallel screws having a variable pitch arrangement, includes an outer casing which has at least two chambers that contain at least two screws which allow material to flow from one chamber to the other chamber through a passage, and that present a feed inlet for the material to be treated and an outlet for the material; each chamber has at least one pair of housings for the corresponding pair of screws which engage with one another, each screw presenting a long-pitch portion and a short-pitch portion.

Abstract: A method of and device for removing a liquid from a resin of high melting point by means of a co-rotating twin extruder and an operation system of a liquid removal molding of a resin of high melting point by which a scaled down, highly effective, high performance and continuous stable operation of the device may be achieved.

Abstract: A kitchen robot comprises a housing (2) containing a motor unit (4) whose output shaft (6) vertically projects from the housing and with an upper face (10) for receiving a first removable accessory (22) comprising a bowl (33) housing a rotating implement (36) integral with a vertical shaft (38) coaxially coupled with the motor shaft (6). The housing has a base (12) run through by a driving shaft (14) connected to the motor shaft (6) by a belt hoisting mechanism (16) designed for receiving a second removable accessory (24). The bowl (33) is mounted movable on a base plate (50) run through by the motor shaft (6) and which, before the bowl is fixed, is mounted flatly adjustable on the housing (2) so as to be coaxial with the motor shaft (6), and is fixed on the housing (2) after being adjusted.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus is disclosed that has a tank with an inlet end and an outlet end. The apparatus has at least two rotary drums received within an interior chamber of the tank, each communicating with the inlet end for urging a food product from the inlet end simultaneously through the drums to the outlet end. A liquid is held at a desired level within the interior chamber. Each of the rotary drums is submerged in the liquid to a predetermined depth. The food processor of the present invention is particularly well suited for increasing the food product volume capacity for particular foods which can only be passed through the drums at a relatively low product level within each drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous manufacture of viscous food products such as process cheese-type products wherein a formulation is continuously pumped through a processing chamber comprising an elongated tube or housing having. a rotor which shears the formulation as it travels longitudinally through the tube while imparting little or no axial motion to the formulation as a result of contact with the rotor. The temperature of the formulation as it enters the processing chamber may be in the range of about 150.degree. F. to about 250.degree. F., and the residence time of the formulation may be between about 30 seconds and about 8 minutes. The formulation may be subjected to shear of between 10 and 1,000 sec.sup.-1 with an absolute viscosity .mu. of between about 20 and 50 poise, while the rotor is operated at a rotational velocity of between about 10 rpm and 800 rpm.

Abstract: A meat diminution and emulsifying apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of interconnected chambers for rotatably receiving feed screws and rotary cutter assemblies therein, said feed screws and cutter assemblies being sequentially arranged and being provided intermediated two sets of rotary cutter assemblies with a chamber within which meat may be mixed and kneaded and provided with spices and other additives. The sequentially arranged cutter assemblies provide for progressively finer chopping of meat. A filler is provided at an output of the final cutter assembly for feeding chopped product into casings, and a conduit is provided between the output of the final cutter assembly and a feed screw ahead of it for recirculating meat for repeated chopping.

Abstract: A continuous method of and system for fabricating thermoset polymer pellets wherein thermosetting polymeric resin material flows axially in a temperature controlled, mixer-extruder barrel while maintaining the material between a melt temperature and a higher thermosetting reaction temperature, and extrudes from the barrel at an extrusion temperature between the melt and reaction temperatures. The extruded material is formed into generally spheroidal pellets which are cooled in a transporting coolant liquid stream and charged to the interior of an open ended, centrifuge basket having a porous circumferential wall and an interior annular pusher plate. The wall is rotated to demoisterize the pellets by centrifugally removing liquid coolant and while reciprocating the pusher plate and basket relatively to displace the pellets axially along and off the basket wall. Pellets are taken from the basket wall without substantially fracturing them and forming an undue percentage of fines.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus with a base unit (1) which has at least two separate mounts (2, 3), each for one processing bowl (4, 6), with one drive member (7, 8) positioned in the area of each of the mounts (2, 3) and being in driving connection with an electric motor, is equipped with a safety device. This safety device serves the purpose of ensuring that only one processing bowl (4) at a time can be mounted on the appliance in an operating position, while the safety device inhibits a second processing bowl (6) from being accommodated in the other mount (3). To accomplish this, a safety element (11) is provided which is adjustable between two blocking positions. When the safety element (11) is in the one position, the first mount (2) is rendered unable to accommodate a processing bowl while the second mount (3) is enabled to accommodate a processing bowl.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image developing device. A developer agitating/conveying mechanism is disposed in a development housing and has an agitating/conveying member for conveying a developer, while agitating it, along a developer application. A toner concentration detector is disposed in the bottom wall of the development housing to oppose the agitating/conveying member. The upper surface and the side surface of a detector portion of the toner concentration detector are connected by an arcuate surface or a chamfered surface. The toner concentration detector is fitted into an opening formed in the bottom wall of the development housing, and the upper surface of the detector portion protrudes from the inner surface of the bottom wall of the development housing by an amount nearly corresponding to the radius of the arcuate surface or the height of the chamfer of the chamfered surface.

Abstract: A conche for producing chocolate compound consists of a conche container (10) with a main chamber (12) and subsidiary chambers (13, 14). Mixing vanes (22, 23 and 30, 31) are disposed therein on central shafts (19, 20, 21) in order to intimately mix the components fed in from above. In order to improve the mixing effect, additional mixing tools in the form of mixing worms (37, 38) are disposed in the lower part of the conche container (10), in particular in the main chamber (12). Stripping means (24, 25) moved along a cylindrical container wall (15) are supported solely in the region of a central transverse plane on a main shaft (19) in the main chamber (12). The main shaft (19) is provided with a clear cross-sectional thickening (28) which at the same time fills a dead space in the conche container (10).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating and recovering catalyst and oil from a catalyst/oil mix, using the steps of mixing the catalyst/oil mix with a solvent for the oil and dissolving the oil in the solvent, separating the catalyst from the solvent and dissolved oil and recovering the catalyst as a wet powder, and separating the dissolved oil from the solvent, whereby both the oil and the solvent are recovered in reusable form.

Abstract: A juicer or a juice extractor having a vertically-arranged grinding chamber and compression chamber. The material to be ground into juice is first ground in the grinding chamber and then compressed in the compression chamber by a pair of Archimedes' screws; and in this case, the direction of movement of the material in the compression chamber is designed so as to be opposite to that in the grinding chamber.

Abstract: A basket is so disposed that a portion of the outer periphery thereof is faced to the inner peripheral wall on one side of the tank. The starting materials thrown from the hopper portion formed on the other side of the tank which is opposite to the above inner peripheral wall, are efficiently premixed by the secondary vanes that are rotating near the center of the tank under the basket. The grains of the blend are dispersed by the primary vanes that are rotating in the basket 20 and pass through the slits formed by numerous wires having a circular shape in cross section in the side wall of the basket.

Abstract: In a conching device (1), a covering hood (7) is arranged above the opening (6) of the trough (2), which prevents the chocolate paste from being thrown out of the opening (6) during the conching process. The bottom side of the covering hood (7) is continuously cleaned by a wiper (15) by means of a periodic forward and backward movement. An electric motor (18) or a fluidic swivel drive (18) is used for driving the wiper.

Abstract: A curdling tank includes two upright, mutually intersecting, circular tank sections, each of the circular tank sections having a concentrically operated stirring system. The bottom portions of each of the circular tank sections are shaped to include sloping sides to form respective concentric bottom grooves with a downwardly pointed cross section, the lowermost portions of the grooves meet or overlap each other midway between the two shafts. The grooves are arranged in the shape of a figure of eight and the grooves achieve an effective emptying through a single outlet.

Abstract: Described herein is an internal mixer of the type including a mixing chamber rotatably accommodating mixing rotors therein, a hopper frame erected on the mixing chamber, a charge hopper provided on one lateral side of the hopper frame for charging a mixing material therethrough, and a floating weight provided in the hopper frame for upward and downward movements therein, the floating weight being held in an upper lifted position when charging a mixing material into the mixing chamber and then lowered into a pressing position in a mixing stage to apply pressure on the charged material in the mixing chamber, wherein the floating weight is dimensioned to have an axial length sufficient for closing an inlet opening formed in the side wall of the hopper frame in communication with the charge hopper, when in the lower pressing position, and lift means for lifting the floating weight up and down in the hopper frame is provided separately from a pressing means with a function of pressing the floating weight resilient

Abstract: Plug flow through a series of tanks in fluid communication is effected by the addition of radial flow impeller means to at least one of the tanks. Plug flow through the tanks allows for sufficient residence time in the series of tanks to effect complete hydration of a hydratable gel for using in well treatment operations such as fracturing, acidizing and gravel packing.

Abstract: An extruder operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output product which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes an added water inlet port downstream from a feed port means. A screw-type element is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through the feed port means, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients upstream from the added water inlet port during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element.

Abstract: An extruder operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output produce which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes an added water inlet port downstream from a feed port means. A screw-type element is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through the feed port means, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients upstream from the added water inlet port during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element.

Abstract: An extruder and continuous mixing apparatus operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output product which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes at least one screw-type element which is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through a feed port means at the upstream end of the extruder, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element. The vigorous mixing and heat treatment is applied to the ingredients for substantially the entire length of the extruder.

Abstract: A novel plastic extruder is taught which employs a compound feed screw having both a flights' section, and a wiper section adjacent thereto. The compound feed screw is positioned in a jacketed extruder barrel through which a foam plastic melt is propelled and cooled by means of a coolant circulated through the jacket, or other cooling means, prior to being forced through a die to form a cellular plastic sheet. The flights' section of the feed comprises a helical spiral ridge machined on a rotatable shaft, while the wiper section comprises a plurality of wiper blade assemblies mounted longitudinally on pairs of spaced apart, raised circular ridges, machined on the shaft, adjacent wiper blade assemblies being mounted radially displaced relative to each other.

Abstract: An extruder operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output product which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes an added water inlet port downstream from a feed port means. A screw-type element is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through the feed port means, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients upstream from the added water inlet port during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element.

Abstract: An extruder and continuous mixing apparatus operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output product which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes at least one screw-type element which is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through a feed port means at the upstream end of the extruder, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element. The vigorous mixing and heat treatment is applied to the ingredients for substantially the entire length of the extruder.

Abstract: An extruder and continuous mixing appartatus operating to continuously mix, at least partially bake and extrude a preselected formulation of ingredients to provide an at least partially baked output product which, upon final baking, exhibits a cookie-like crumb structure with structural integrity. The extruder includes at least one screw-type element which is rotatably arranged in the extruder to vigorously mix and convey at least certain ingredients of the preselected formulation, including flour and oil, input through a feed port means at the upstream end of the extruder, wherein the total water content, by weight, of the ingredients is less than a preselected amount. A temperature control means operates to heat treat the ingredients during the vigorous mixing and conveyance by the screw-type element. The vigorous mixing and heat treatment is applied to the ingredients for substantially the entire length of the extruder.