Patent ID: 7445806

Claim:
A selective granulation process for dual-density processed food, comprising: introducing compressed air into an enclosure that includes a truncated conical shaped section, wherein the introduced air travels along a downward path through the enclosure, including the conical section, to a lower end thereof, and the air reaching the lower end flows back up and exits the enclosure via an exhaust outlet and wherein the introducing of the compressed air comprises supplying compressed air at a temperature of about 35° F. to about 75° F.; introducing into the enclosure dual-density processed food comprising a lower-density portion having a first density and a higher-density portion having a second density which is greater than the first density, wherein the dual-density processed food is entrained in the introduced air traveling downward through the enclosure, and wherein the lower-density portion of the dual-density processed food is ground before reaching the lower end of the enclosure and the higher-density portion reaches the lower end of the enclosure substantially unground; discharging the ground lower-density portion, and the unground higher-density portion, of the food from the lower end of the enclosure.