Patent ID: 7811617

Claim:
A method of extrusion processing a feed product, comprising the steps of: providing a starting material including respective quantities of protein, starch, and fat, said starting material containing at least about 30% by weight of meat, based upon the total weight of the material taken as 100% by weight; preconditioning said material by passing the material through a preconditioner including an elongated housing presenting an inlet and an outlet and having at least one elongated, rotatable mixing shaft therein, said preconditioning step including the step of introducing non-steam heated gas heated to a temperature of from about 350-700° C. derived from a powered heating device into said material during said passage of said material through the housing, in order to heat and at least partially cook said material; and directing said preconditioned material into and through an extruder, said extruder presenting an elongated barrel separate from said preconditioner housing and having an inlet and a restricted orifice die outlet, with at least one elongated, helically flighted, axially rotatable screw assembly within said barrel and operable to move material from said inlet toward and through said outlet.