Patent US4022918A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4022918A
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Method for producing irregularly shaped expanded food products
Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
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Filing: 1976-03-31
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A moist cooked dough of an eatable flour or meal or of a mixture of different flours or meals is prepared and extruded under high pressure. The flow path of the dough is continually changed just prior to extrusion so that different portions of the extruded stream expand semi-independently to form an irregularly shaped expanded product closely resembling popcorn. The flow path of the dough is continually changed by a rotating plate positioned in the extruder adjacent to the extrusion orifices. The plate is provided with an annular portion aligned with the orifices which is provided with apertures of varying size and spacing through which the dough flows to the orifices.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:05
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23P; A23P30/00; A23P30/30; A23P30/32; A23P30/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
The method of producing an irregularly shaped expanded food product comprising the steps of: a. moving a moist cooked dough of granular plant material under superatmospheric pressure in a stream toward an extrusion die orifice, b. continually randomly interrupting the flow of the dough past a plane perpendicular to the stream by providing a continually changing set of flow paths at said plane which are of different sizes at any particular time and change positions with time to divide the stream in different ways at different times to produce a plurality of individual flow segments, said plane being located sufficiently close to said extrusion die orifice so that the dough after moving past said plane does not fully coalesce into a unified stream and reaches the die orifice as a plurality of flow segments retaining a degree of individual identity, c. and moving the stream through the extrusion die to release the pressure on the dough whereby the flow segments expand semi-independently to form an irregularly shaped extrusion strand.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
The method of producing an irregularly shaped expanded food product comprising the steps of: a. moving a moist cooked dough of granular plant material under superatmospheric pressure in a stream toward an extrusion die orifice, b. continually randomly interrupting the flow of the dough past a plane perpendicular to the stream by providing a continually changing set of flow paths at said plane which are of different sizes at any particular time and change positions with time to divide the stream in different ways at different times to produce a plurality of individual flow segments, said plane being located sufficiently close to said extrusion die orifice so that the dough after moving past said plane does not fully coalesce into a unified stream and reaches the die orifice as a plurality of flow segments retaining a degree of individual identity, c. and moving the stream through the extrusion die to release the pressure on the dough whereby the flow segments expand semi-independently to form an irregularly shaped extrusion strand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method fo claim 1 including the step of periodically severing the extruded dough strand to produce a plurality of individual popcorn shaped product pieces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moist cooked dough being moved under superatmospheric pressure has a moisture content of about 19%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |