Extrusion die with fibrillating air nozzle

Claim 1

A die utilized for simultaneously forming and cooling fibers in a hot food extrudate comprising: a. an outer heating means engaged about an inner housing and completely surrounding said inner housing; b. said inner housing having an inlet in the upper portion of said housing and an elongated outlet in the lower portion of said housing, said lower outlet having one opening; c. a first gas injection means affixed to said outer heating means located adjacent one elongated sided of said outlet, said first gas injection means comprises an air pipe having a plurality of three or more orifices, said air pipe being connected to a pressurized air source to project air through said orifices upon the hot extrudate flowing through said outlet; d. a second gas injection means affixed to said outer heating means located adjacent the other elongated side of said outlet and parallel to said first gas injection means, said second gas injection means comprising an air pipe having a plurality of three or more orifices, said air pipe being connected to a pressurized air source to project air through said orifices upon the hot extrudate flowing through said outlet, said first and said second gas injection means being capable of forcing air into the hot extrudate to fibrillate it before it substantially cools and maintain it in a fiber state while cooling.