Abstract: In the present invention leavened products which exhibit a cookie crumb-like structure and structural integrity are produced using high temperature mixing of ingredients comprising flour and oil to promote browning and flavor development. A heat treated mass produced in a cooker extruder is admixed with ingredients comprising water in a post extrusion mixer. The dough-like mixture produced in the post extrusion mixer is leavened and further browned using post-extrusion baking, such as microwave, dielectric radio frequency, infrared, conductive, or convection baking, frying, or a combination thereof. The shortening or fat content of the dough-like mixture may be from about 12% by weight to about 40% by weight, preferably from about 20% by weight to about 30% by weight, based upon the weight of the dough-like mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a jerky-type product is provided which uses multiple extrusion steps. First, a blend of a wet beef product and a high protein flour are mixed and then cooked by extruding the first blend at a temperature sufficient to at least partially cook the beef in the first blend. Next, a second blend is formed which includes the extruded product of the first extrusion step and additional wet beef. The second blend is then cooked by extruding the second blend at a temperature sufficient to cook the wet beef in the second blend. Finally, the material from the second blend is processed into jerky form.

Abstract: A process for producing a product made of a mixture of sugar and an ingredient including nuts in a heated screw extruder includes the steps of feeding the sugar into the screw extruder at a first intake zone, caramelizing the sugar by conveying the sugar through several caramelization zones which are heated, feeding the nuts to the screw extruder through a second intake zone, and mixing the caramelized sugar with the nuts by conveying the caramelized sugar and the nuts through one or more mixing zones. During the mixing steps, the nuts can be roasted. Also, the temperature in the mixing zones and the caramelization zones may be such that the temperature decreases from one zone to the next in the direction of conveyance of the mixture.

Abstract: A dough dispenser for donuts, donut holes, fritters and so forth has a frame and dispensing hopper with a novel quick change hopper lock, a novel piston and adjustable dispensing valve for donut holes, and a novel structure for quick change of different sets of dispensing pistons and cutter dies.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed herein relates to a process for wrapping and sealing on the circumference of a solid state food material with one or two kinds of clayish state food material in layer condition, thereby forming the same into globular shape. A gate is used to cause the clayish state material to envelope a solid state material as it exits a mould.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and continuous process for making corn dough masa and tortilla chips by processing non-hydrated corn feed, an alkalizing agent, and water through a cooker-extruder under certain process parameters so as to make the masa and subsequently the finished tortilla product. The corn feed can be any form of corn ranging from whole kernel corn to finely ground corn flour. The extruder process conditions use a Specific Mechanical Energy input of 300 to 550 watt hours per kilogram of material fed to the extruder; a Residence Time Distribution of from about 175 to 400 seconds; a Shear Rate of 65 to 140 reciprocal seconds; and a Peak Temperature of 230.degree. F. to 270.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for preparing a food product is disclosed wherein formed food is prepared with a particulate coating. Here a plastic, deformable food material is made from rolling a food in the presence of particulate coating material in a revolving drum to thereby reshape the food particle into a roundish, coated body. The roundish body is preferably spherical, annular or roundish cylindrical. The food material is, for instance, mashed potato, minced fish or dough and preferably an aerated, frozen confection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making center-filled chewing gum, in which product having up to at least 35-40% by weight of center fill can be produced. The apparatus comprises a novel extruder barrel and nozzle arrangement (11) which extrudes a tubular rope of gum (G) through an annular orifice (30), and at the same time supplies a center-fill material (F) to the hollow interior (V) of the tubular rope through a central nozzle (20,21) concentric with the orifice. The center-fill material is fed into the hollow interior of the gum rope at a rate sufficient to just fill the void produced in the gum rope as it is extruded through the nozzle, and without exerting a compressive pressure thereon. With this apparatus and method, center-filled chewing gum can be produced with up to at least 35-40% by weight of center-fill material and at the same time uniform wall thickness and consistency for the center-filled product can be maintained.

Abstract: Animal feed pallets such as fish feeds, dog and cat foods in pellet form and textured soya protein pellets, are prepared by a process in which edible liquid is added to the pellets and absorbed under conditions of reduced pressure. In this way, larger amounts of edible liquids such as lipids can be incorporated into the pellets without significant deterioration in other desirable properties of the pellets such as hardness and durability.

Abstract: An expanded low density snack food product is prepared by first aerating a plastic mass of an edible particulate snack food base material, an edible film forming material, an edible viscosity modulator, an edible protein and water. The aerated mass then is heated in a chamber for setting the mass while applying a vacuum in the chamber for expanding the aerated mass, after which the vacuum is released, and the expanded mass is removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein a dough, prepared from flour and water, as well as other possible ingredients, is subjected to cooking and sterilization at temperatures in the 90.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. range by processing with saturated steam under a pressure, and then cooled inside an aseptic vacuum pan, in a sterile environment. From this vacuum pan, the dough, as sterilized, cooked, cooled, and brought to a predetermined moisture content level, is conveyed, again in a sterile environment, to a forming unit which delivers selected patterns of pasta for packaging in a sterile environment. The dough is mixed and extruded into thin shapes in the absence of heat prior to cooking and sterilization and is formed into the selected patterns subsequent to being cooled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating a lignocellulosic substrate in order to imrpove its nutritive value wherein a plant substrate is treated with a sufficient amount of an alkaline material and hydrogen peroxide, or a compound capable of generating hydrogen peroxide, for a sufficient period of time and the reaction mass is extruded to produce a product having increased nutrient availability.

Abstract: An animal feed composition and method of compounding animal feed utilizing a carboxylic containing compound as a binder. The carboxylic containing compound comprises a polymer, copolymer or salts of the polymer or copolymer having a monomer unit of the general formula --(RCHCR'COOH).sub.n --where R is hydrogen or a carboxylic acid and R' is hydrogen or an alkyl group. One specific embodiment of the binder comprises a copolymer of a sulfonated lignin material and a monomer, polymer or polymer salt of the above general formula. The binder is incorporated with the feed in an amount of from about 0.025% to about 4.0% on a dry weight basis.

Abstract: A method for preparing fruit sauce is disclosed wherein fruit having skins, seeds, and meat is extruded through a perforated drum to provide a small particle size pulp. The pulp is immediately heated quickly to a temperature above the inactivating temperature of the discoloring enzymes of the fruit within a time period less than is necessary for the enzymes to cause discoloration. The pulping process maximizes pectin in the pulp to give the pulp a high viscosity. Particles remain in the pulp to give the pulp a good, discernible bite or mouth feel. The volatile flavors and aromas are trapped in the pulp by heating the pulp in a closed container while causing the enzymes to be inactivated with heat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dividing a mass of dough into a plurality of individual streams by means of a manifold and fine tuning the flow rate of the individual streams by weir type diaphragm valves so the streams have identical flow rates. Each of the individual streams of dough are simultaneously cut into identical dough pieces by a rotating driver by a four-bar link mechanism.

Abstract: A crystallizable sugar is plasticized and then blended with shortening and flour to form an extrudable blend containing 15% by weight moisture or less, which then is extruded. The extruded blend requires little or no additional heat treatment or drying to form a food product having cookie-like characteristics.

Abstract: A method of processing whole soybeans to produce discrete, irregularly-shaped chunks or pieces of textured proteinaceous material which are free from off-flavors and odors and have a meat-like texture and appearance. Whole soybeans are hydrated and acidified to a pH in the range of about 4.5 to 6.5 and the pH of the soybeans is maintained in this range throughout processing. The acidified whole soybeans are ground in an aqueous medium to provide an aqueous slurry or dough of soybean particles having a pH in the range of 4.5-6.5. The aqueous acidic slurry or dough in passed through a confined treatment zone in which high temperature pressurized steam is injected directly into a confined stream of the slurry or dough under conditions which effect texturization of the soy protein in the form of discrete chunks or pieces which are discharged from the treatment zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shaped frozen confection. The apparatus has a plurality of nozzles for extruding the shaped confection in a variety of contoured shapes. The nozzles simultaneously move in a vertical direction and circularly in a horizontal direction, thereby moving in a spiral path to produce a spirally-shaped frozen confection. A variety of differently shaped frozen confections can be made by varying the rate of extrusion from the nozzles, or the rate or direction of vertical movement of the nozzles.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a chewing gum composition. The system comprises segment forming apparatus to form the gum into a multitude of segments, and a conveyor to receive the gum segments from the segment forming apparatus and to move those gum segments along a path. The system further comprises a plurality of extruders located along the conveyor to receive the gum segments therefrom and to extrude those gum segments into ropes of gum; and a plurality of wrapping units to receive those ropes of gum, to cut each rope into a multitude of pieces and to wrap those pieces.

Abstract: A textured proteinaceous food having a unique texture which is obtained in such a manner that a domestic animal meat or a marine animal meat or a minced meat of such animal is heated so as to gel to such an extent that the meat material does not lose its binding capacity, and the proteinaceous material in this gel state is force-extruded under pressure from a die having a predetermined configuration and a predetermined number of orifices. It is possible to obtain products having various kinds of cross-sectional pattern such as a honeycomb pattern and a rose-like pattern by employing appropriate dies.

Abstract: An endless conveyor transporting a plurality of juxtaposed shaping plates containing apertures therethrough is positioned such that a lower horizontal run of the shaping plates is positioned above and in alignment with a portion of an upper horizontal run of a belt conveyor and such that a lower surface of the plates abut the upper run of the belt conveyor for forming, by reason of the plate apertures and belt conveyor surface, article shaping cells. Means are provided for filling the cells with material to be formed into individual articles. The plates containing material in the cells are transported to a movable ejector unit having pistons which correspond in number, arrangement and shape with the number, arrangement and shape of the apertures of the plates.

Abstract: A method for producing frozen confections includes a plurality of metering pumps which equally divide a flow of semi-solid confectionary material into a like plurality of flows and delivers such flows to a like plurality of forming heads. The forming heads are reciprocated along a generally diagonal axis during formation of confectionary products and in the opposite direction upon completion of formulation. The speed of translation in one direction is preferably distinct from the speed in the other direction. If desired, such flows may be combined with other unidirectionally flowing material to form a layered product. A cutting wire severs the flows of combined confection material into a desired length product in timed relation to the reciprocation of the forming heads. The individual products are received on a moving conveyor which transports them to the next operating station.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a multicolored aerated confection product utilizing individually adjustable multi-orifice extrusion systems.

Abstract: Shaping device and method for shaping extrudable material including at least one extrusion nozzle for feeding extrudable material and being supported in a carrier common to all nozzles, motors for moving either the carrier or a movable support surface for receiving extruded material directly from the nozzles and a programmable computer for controlling the motors.

Abstract: A method of producing a texturized material of a marine product from the "surimi" of the same. It comprises the step of feeding to a twin-screw extruder at least one of the following materials; the material prepared by heat-treatment of the "surimi", the material prepared by addition and mixing of suitable subordinate raw material to and into the "surimi" and subsequent heat-treatment of the resulting mixture, the material prepared by drying, for dehydration, of the "surimi" to make the water content thereof not greater than 70% and the material prepared by gelation of the "surimi" through the setting of the same. It further comprises the steps of treating the at least one material under pressures of 1 to 50 kg/cm.sup.2 and temperatures of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C., by means of the twin-screw extruder, thereby processing it into a texturized material.

Abstract: Food products particularly of meat are extruded cased under pressure. The extrusion pressure, and the energy in the extrudate, makes the circular cross-section the only stable one on emergence from the extrusion head. In accordance with the present invention, two unstable shapes, D-shaped as described, are extruded each cased from its own extrusion head. The heads are disposed closely adjacent back to back so as to have a generally circular overall profile. An outer casing is fitted over the two heads. On extrusion the two D-shaped pieces abut one another and the outer casing to preserve their shapes until stabilized by freezing.

Abstract: A process for preparing a food product in the form of a bundle of membranes which comprises subjecting a mixture of oil seed protein, 0.17 to 0.76 part by weight of starch per one part by weight of oil seed protein and water to a heat treatment using a twin-screw extruder under pressure, and extruding the resultant through a die, the content of said oil seed protein in said mixture being 50 to 70% by weight based on the total weight of starting materials other than water.

Abstract: A process for preparing a starch-protein fiber comprising forming a dough, relaxing the dough mixing tension in said dough, pushing said dough through a passageway having a decreasing cross-sectional area, and then pushing said dough through a further passageway and heating said dough to set the product.

Abstract: Disclosed are high meat content jerky-type pet treats and their methods of preparation. The present pet jerky treats provide product quality attributes of conventionally prepared jerky treats but with substantial cost savings. The present method involves a multi-step extrusion cooking process of major amounts involving aqueous dispersions of animal meats, soy meal, farinacious material, and minor amounts of salts, humectants, and flavorants.

Abstract: The present invention presents a dual-textured pet food as well as a multi-orifice coextrusion apparatus and method for the use of the multi-orifice coextrusion apparatus for preparing the dual-textured pet food of the invention. The multi-orifice coextrusion apparatus of the present invention feeds a first extruded material through a plurality of inner openings, and a second extruded material through a plurality of outer, annular openings, the inner openings and the annular openings converging to enable formation of a center-filled extrudate at a plurality of extrusion orifices. The present invention also presents a means of configuring the orifices to maintain substantially uniform distribution and volumetric flow of the second extruded material about the first extruded material across the cross section of the orifices.

Abstract: A nozzle permits extrusion of an outer, expanded dough layer having two filler materials co-extruded therewith. An adjusting mechanism is provided for precisely locating two filler injection conduits with a surrounding guide nozzle. A pillow-shaped final product is formed, having an outer layer of expanded dough and two different filler materials.

Abstract: A method for shaping a spherical body consiting of dough crust and a filling is provided. A continuously fed cylindrical body, consisting of dough crust and a filling, is constricted by at least three slidable members which form an opening or closes it. The members slide one each other so as to constrict the cylindrical body.The contact area of the members with the surface of the cylindrical body gradually decreases as the opening is closed, thereby constricting the cylindrical body and shaping the spherical body.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for processing a chewing gum composition. The system comprises segment forming apparatus to form the gum into a multitude of segments, and a conveyor to receive the gum segments from the segment forming apparatus and to move those gum segments along a path. The system further comprises a plurality of extruders located along the conveyor to receive the gum segments therefrom and to extrude those gum segments into ropes of gum; and a plurality of wrapping units to receive those ropes of gum, to cut each rope into a multitude of pieces and to wrap those pieces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for manufacturing, from a coextrusion, food pieces wherein an inner food is fully or partially enrobed by an outer food. In one embodiment the inner food is a dough that is enrobed by an outer dough by severing the outer dough with a blunt severing edge on a severing element which, as it enters the coextrusion, simultaneously draws the outer dough over the inner dough on both sides of the element to form the food piece. A coextrusion of an inner dough inside an outer dough is formed below a die with the extrusion of the inner dough periodically interrupted to form a region in the coextrusion where there is a greater amount of outer dough. A pair of severing elements are operatively located at a predetermined distance below the die where convergence of the severing elements cuts the extrusion in a region having a greater amount of outer dough while simultaneously drawing the outer dough over the inner dough above and below the severing elements.

Abstract: To produce food possessing a meat-like texture with the texture, taste, and appearance similar to animal meat, bean curds (tofu and processed tofu) are used as raw material, and dehydrated to a water content of 60-70.1% before extruding from a food extruder.

Abstract: An oil-bearing nut composition, especially suitable for industrial use, comprises crushed nut pieces in free-flowable, particulate form. The crushed nut pieces have a particle size range of such that from about 15-70% by weight of the total product, based upon total initial weight of nuts, is in the form of particles having a maximum dimension greater than 500 microns, about 12-80% by weight, on a similar basis, is in the form of particles having a maximum dimension less than 150 microns, and there are no particles larger 15 mm. The nut particles retain from 12-85% of the natural nut oil within their microcellular structure. The composition may include an edible stabilizer, which effectively forms a film bounding the crushed nut particles or clusters of them in the composition. Other, flavoring ingredients such as salt and sugar may also be present.

Abstract: A method of making dumplings is disclosed wherein preselected dough ingredients are fed into a cylindrical vessel having a heated inner wall and a rotating fitted shaft provided with a plurality of paddles; and mixed to form a dough which is subsequently cooked, extruded and cut.

Abstract: Lengthwise coextensively aligned jerky which has fibrous portions aligned generally parallel to the length of the jerky, and a procedure for preparing the lengthwise coextensively aligned jerky by extruding an alignable meat dough through a directional flow bar extruder under conditions such that fibers in the dough are coextensively aligned; further preparing the fiber-aligned dough into cuttable jerky, for example, by freezing, and cutting and/or slicing the cuttable jerky. The resulting lengthwise coextensively aligned jerky typically has a generally rugged, natural-like appearance and feel.

Abstract: In products such as fodder pellets made by extrusion of aqueous basic material which at a temperature higher than the boiling point of water is extruded through nozzles of an extruder mouth piece, addition of liquid substances such as for example fat can be carried out by spraying of or immersion into the substances concerned in such a way that the decreasing pressure in the steam-filled cavity of the material during cooling outside the extruder is utilized to overcome the flow resistance of the liquid additives during their inward travel from the surface of the basic material.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a chocolate mixture in a continuous mode of operation with a high throughput, raw cocoa-bean fragments are supplied to a first housing zone of an extruder and after passing through a steam lock, are acted upon by high-pressure steam and, following thereon, the first zone is connected to a vacuum pump, the mixture being subjected in this manner to a mixing, kneading and degassing operation in the first zone. The mixture is then supplied to a second housing zone following on the first housing zone and is then supplied from the second housing zone directly to a comminuting device such as a hammer mill and, after being processed in the comminuting device, the mixture is immediately supplied to a third housing zone which follows directly on the second housing zone of the same extruder and which is likewise connected to a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A high protein, low or no lactose, vitamin and mineral fortified nutritionally balanced snack is composed of a corn syrup, a confectioner's coating material which is normally solid at room temperature, a wetting agent, a vitamin and mineral premix, at least one high carbohydrate content source and at least one high protein content source. Each bar contains less than approximately 10% by weight water and has a shelf life of at least approximately six to twelve months. The nutritional bars are extruded with no cooking being necessary and thus the vitamins and minerals retain their high potency. The confectioner's coating is distributed substantially uniformly throughout the extrudate and provides integrity to the shape of the snack. The bar is packaged in a foil laminate film packing which can be flushed with an inert gas before sealing in order to substantially eliminate the oxygen content in the sealed packages.

Abstract: An extruder for food, having; a rotary cylinder fitted to a tip of an extrusion nozzle for extruding a food material; at least one feed opening formed in the outer periphery of the rotary cylinder, from which a different food material is fed; a stationary cylinder so fitted as to cover the feed opening in slidable contact with the outer periphery of the rotary cylinder, and having a circular space formed around the corresponding outer periphery of the rotary cylinder; and a feed pipe from which the different food material is fed into the circular space of the stationary cylinder. This extruder enables application of a variety of patterns of a spiral, wavy or like form, with use of such a simple structure that the rotary cylinder and the stationary cylinder are fitted to the tip of a nozzle. Due to the simplicity in the structure, it is also possible to perform with ease maintenance such as cleaning.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively extruding food material is provided. At least one introducing means such as a driven roller having a vane adapted to protrude from it propels the food material into a cylindrical food forming device, which comprises a longitudinal groove and a cylinder having a rectangular opening on a side thereof and encloses the food material for a piston to extrude it from the apparatus.

Abstract: A tortilla dough forming machine has a hopper, hollow extension and hollow casing mounted in a serial arrangement on a support frame. The hopper receives a mass of tortilla dough through its open top and has a dough discharge outlet. The casing is cylindrical in shape, horizontally disposed, and has a dough entry inlet and a longitudinally-extending elongated narrow slit defined therethrough. The extension extends between and connects the hopper dough discharge outlet in communication with the casing dough entry inlet. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the casing and hopper and extends horizontally and axially through the casing, extension and hopper. A plurality of conveying vanes are attached along the upstream shaft portion extending through the extension and hopper and are operable to convey dough toward and through the hopper dough discharge outlet and through the extension upon rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A fish paste sheet is folded to form a spiral convolution sheet roll; the roll is sidewardly compressed on a belt while traveling; and the compressed roll is cut into portions. The sheet may include superposed sub-sheets of differing coloration.

Abstract: A process for producing a fish food is disclosed wherein a mixture containing 30% to 50% by weight crude protein, 5% to 15% fat and 0.5% to 10% crude fiber is extruded by means of a twin-screw conveyor at a speed of 200-250 rpm at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. with the addition of 20 to 40 liters of water per hour and a throughput of 100-150 kg/hr to yield feed sticks with a length of from 10-25 mm and a diameter of 5-15 mm.

Abstract: A continuous confectionery product having discrete articles, such as peanuts or raisins, applied to the outer surface is made by passing a continuous confectionery rope through a rotating drum applicator. The applicator includes a hollow rotating drum having a circumferential groove adapted to cooperate with the continuously moving confectionery rope. A plurality of air passages are provided in the groove and a vacuum is applied to the inner surface of the drum whereby the drum picks up peanuts or raisins as they pass by a hopper. A positive pressure is applied to the holes in the drum as the peanuts or raisin come into contact with the confectionery rope to release the peanut or raisin and allow it to adhere to the confectionery rope. The rope then passes to a cutting station where it is cut into uniform lengths and coated with a suitable confectionery coating.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus includes a rotary shell having plural circumferential rows of extrusion orifices and a stationary inner member, forming in cooperation with the shell recesses communicating with the orifices, and metering pump for supplying icing to individual passageways formed in the stationary member, so that precisely metered amounts of icing are extruded through the extrusion orifices, the icing then being cut off by a stationary member which located at a bottom portion of the rotary shell for deposit onto biscuits traveling upon a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A reconstituted banana product, which is formed primarily of banana puree with the addition of ice cream ingredients, is extruded by a horizontal extruder. As the extrudate stream is deposited on a moving product plate of a conveyor, which moves in the same direction as the extrudate stream, the extruder is moved transversely of the direction of movement of the extrudate stream and conveyor. After a product of the desired length is deposited on a product plate, a hot wire cutoff device slices the extrudate stream into separate products which, by virtue of the transverse movement, are arcuate. In order to simulate the appearance of banana seeds, an auxilliary nozzle tube, within and centered in the main nozzle of the extruder, extrudes an extrudate of a darker color. The auxilliary nozzle tube has a closed end and slots extending from the closed end. Baffles at the base of the slots deflect the extrudate from the main extruder as the extrudate of darker color is extruded.