Patent ID: 6620448
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A23G,A23P,B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
An extruder die assembly for imparting a distinct pattern into an extrudable food mass during extrusion, comprising:(a) a forming section comprising, (i) an entrance face having an inlet, (ii) a central passageway extending from the inlet to an outlet, (iii) a forming die element traversing the central passageway, and (iv) an exit face having a first peripheral groove which circumscribes the outlet; (b) an injection section comprising, (i) an entrance face having a second peripheral groove circumscribing a co-injection die insert; (1) said co-injection die insert having at least one capillary channel in fluid communication with the second peripheral groove, (a) wherein said capillary channel includes an upstream discharge and a downstream discharge, (ii) a supply port fluidly connecting the second peripheral groove to a fluid additive source; and (c) means for coupling and sealing the exit face of the forming section to the entrance face of the injection section thereby positioning and aligning: (i) the first and second peripheral grooves so as to form and isolate a peripheral reservoir manifold therebetween, (ii) the forming die element and the co-injection die insert so as to seal the upstream discharge of the capillary channel.