摘要:
An apparatus and associated method for varying the color and/or flavor of an extruded food product during a single production run of a single extrusion device. The apparatus includes a mufti-additive injection system, which is attached to a fluid supply line of an extrusion device. The injection system is comprised of a plurality of additive supply tanks, which are each in fluid communication with the fluid supply line via an injection manifold, and a metering mechanism which selectively controls the amount of additive injected into the supply line by each individual supply tank. The injection system may also include a central control mechanism for calibrating the amount of additive injected into the supply line and for maintaining a constant fluid volume added to the extrusion device. Each of the additive supply tanks may contain a different colorant and/or flavoring. Two variants of the injection manifold are provided as well as a novel injection sequence for use with the disclosed system.
摘要:
The present invention utilizes a containment tube (30) to facilitate production of a curly puff extrudate (20) and a blade (40) to nick the extrudate (16) as it exists a die. A gap is provided between the tube and an extruder die (12) to allow a blade (40) access to the extrudate (16) as it exits an orifice (14) in the die (12). The blade (40) accesses the extrudate (16) while it is in a viscous melt, before the extrudate (16) has cooled and hardened. The blade (40) nicks the extrudate (16), as opposed to completely cutting it, thereby allowing the extrudate (16) to remain connected throughout processing such as curling in the containment tube (30). The gap also allows steam to be vented form the extrudate (16) as it exits the orifice (14) in the die (12). The curly puff extrudate (20) separates when fried or baked.