Patent ID: 7588789
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: A23N,A23P,B29C

Abstract:
1. A method of extruding a food material from an extruder barrel, comprising the steps of: moving said food material under pressure along a progressively diverging, generally frustoconical path of travel defined between a stationary tubular section having an axial length with an internal bore presenting a smaller diameter inlet end and a larger diameter outlet end, and an axially rotating, helically flighted screw section within said bore, said diverging path of travel being at a divergence angle of from about 1-11° in a direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end; passing said food material from said outlet end toward and through a plurality of restricted orifice die openings so as to create a pressure drop across the die openings; and elevating the temperature of said food material during the passage thereof through said barrel, and achieving at least about 75% cook of the food material.