Patent US4099455A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4099455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double-extrusion apparatus for producing dense, uniformly layered vegetable protein meat analogue
Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing LLC
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Filing: 1976-06-01
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1996-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for performing a processing method which preferably includes extruding a vegetable protein-water mixture in a first extrusion cooker under conditions to render the mixture hot and flowable but still substantially unoriented, whereupon the mixture is passed through a second extrusion cooker which is equipped with a hollow tubular spacer on the extrusion end thereof. In this manner the mixture is subjected to further axial and transverse displacement forces in the second extruder barrel in order to adequately work and stretch the protein therein while being subjected primarily to axially directed displacement forces in the elongated die spacer for facilitating the formation of a layered meat-like structure therein prior to extrusion; in addition, conditions of temperature and pressure are controlled so that the resultant product is relatively dense and unexpanded. In other forms, the density, chewiness and other properties of the analogue products hereof can be selectively altered by the addition of coloring agents, pH modifiers or other ingredients, or by varying the process conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 La Von Gene Wenger
- 👤 Elmer John Osterhaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:53
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J3/00; A23J3/22; A23J3/26; A23J3/225; A23J3/227; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
Apparatus for producing a dense, layered meat analogue from an admixture including vegetable protein and water, said apparatus comprising: means for heating and agitating said admixture for rendering the same hot, flowable and substantially unoriented including an elongated, generally tubular first barrel having a receiving end and a delivery end, with an elongated, axially rotatable screw positioned within the first barrel and operable to move said admixture therethrough; an elongated, generally tubular second barrel having a receiving end and a delivery end, means adjacent said receiving end of said second barrel for receiving said admixture from the delivery end of said first barrel and delivering the same to the interior of said second barrel, said receiving and delivery means including structure defining an opening in communication with the interior of said second barrel, said opening-defining structure being in spaced relationship from the delivery end of said first barrel for passage of the admixture through the atmosphere between the first and second barrels for allowing undesirable flavor precursors and the like to leave the admixture; an elongated, axially rotatable screw situated within said second barrel for moving said admixture through the latter in a direction toward the delivery end thereof while simultaneously subjecting the admixture to displacement forces which are generally transverse of the longitudinal axis of the second barrel; a hollow, tubular section presenting an elongated processing area mounted on the delivery end of said second barrel in substantial longitudinal alignment therewith and in communication with the interior of the latter; a die plate positioned over the end of said section remote from said second barrel and being provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged die openings positioned about the periphery thereof; and flow directional means positioned within said section for directing the flow of said admixture toward the die openings of said die plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
305 words
Apparatus for producing a dense, layered meat analogue from an admixture including vegetable protein and water, said apparatus comprising: means for heating and agitating said admixture for rendering the same hot, flowable and substantially unoriented including an elongated, generally tubular first barrel having a receiving end and a delivery end, with an elongated, axially rotatable screw positioned within the first barrel and operable to move said admixture therethrough; an elongated, generally tubular second barrel having a receiving end and a delivery end, means adjacent said receiving end of said second barrel for receiving said admixture from the delivery end of said first barrel and delivering the same to the interior of said second barrel, said receiving and delivery means including structure defining an opening in communication with the interior of said second barrel, said opening-defining structure being in spaced relationship from the delivery end of said first barrel for passage of the admixture through the atmosphere between the first and second barrels for allowing undesirable flavor precursors and the like to leave the admixture; an elongated, axially rotatable screw situated within said second barrel for moving said admixture through the latter in a direction toward the delivery end thereof while simultaneously subjecting the admixture to displacement forces which are generally transverse of the longitudinal axis of the second barrel; a hollow, tubular section presenting an elongated processing area mounted on the delivery end of said second barrel in substantial longitudinal alignment therewith and in communication with the interior of the latter; a die plate positioned over the end of said section remote from said second barrel and being provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged die openings positioned about the periphery thereof; and flow directional means positioned within said section for directing the flow of said admixture toward the die openings of said die plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow directional means comprises a bullet-shaped member centrally secured to the inner face of said die plate between said die openings and presenting a generally cylindrical section adjacent the die plate and a tapered conical section extending in a direction away from the die plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means on said first and second barrels for selectively controlling the temperature of the admixture passsing therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening-defining structure comprises an open-top hopper situated in sapced relationship below the delivery end of the first barrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said section is less than the diameter of the majority of said second barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus also includes: means for cutting the extrudate emerging from said die plate on said second barrel; means for drying the extrudate after cutting thereof; and means for conveying the cut extrudate from the delivery end of said second barrel to said drying means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |