Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of extruding semi-fluid material comprising: pumping the semi-fluid material through a plurality of conduits, simultaneously circulating a heated fluid through a first chamber surrounding the conduits, circulating fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber surrounding the conduits, and exhausting fluid from the second chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of extruding semi-fluid material comprising: pumping the semi-fluid material through a plurality of conduits, simultaneously circulating a heated fluid through a first chamber surrounding the conduits, circulating fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber surrounding the conduits, and exhausting fluid from the second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: injecting the fluid into the first chamber to one side of the conduits, transferring the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber at a point on the opposite side of the conduits from the point of injection of the fluid into the first chamber, and exhausting fluid from the second chamber at a point on opposite sides of the conduits from the point of transfer from the first chamber to the second chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A heated extruder nozzle comprising: a chamber having a baffle wall therein dividing the chamber into a first and a second baffle area, said first and second baffle areas being in fluid communication by way of an opening therebetween, a plurality of extruder tubes extending through the first and second baffle areas for carrying a semi-fluid mixture therethrough, inlet means for receiving heated fluid into the first baffle area, outlet means for discharging heated fluid from the second baffle area, and communication means for communicating fluid from the first baffle area to the second baffle area to permit the flow of fluid from the inlet means to be discharged through the outlet means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A heated extruder nozzle comprising: a chamber having a baffle wall therein dividing the chamber into a first and a second baffle area, said first and second baffle areas being in fluid communication by way of an opening therebetween, a plurality of extruder tubes extending through the first and second baffle areas for carrying a semi-fluid mixture therethrough, inlet means for receiving heated fluid into the first baffle area, outlet means for discharging heated fluid from the second baffle area, and communication means for communicating fluid from the first baffle area to the second baffle area to permit the flow of fluid from the inlet means to be discharged through the outlet means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 3 wherein said inlet means and said outlet means communicate with the first and second baffle areas, respectively, on opposite sides of said extruder tubes from the communication means between the first and second baffle areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 4 wherein said first baffle area is substantially equal in volume to the volume of said second baffle area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The extruder nozzle according to claim 4 wherein said tubes have a first surface area exposed to fluid in the first baffle area and a second surface area substantially equal in area to the first surface area exposed to fluid in the second baffle area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The extruder nozzle according to claim 4 wherein said tubes are equal in wall thickness and diameter one to the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
A heated extruder nozzle for extruding a plurality of strands of comminuted meat products with a polished and smooth surface texture, comprising: a chamber, a baffle wall dividing said chamber into a first baffle area and a second baffle area, the first and second baffle areas being in fluid communication through an opening in the baffle wall, a plurality of extruder tubes each extending through the first baffle area and the second baffle area of said chamber, a delivery inlet for receiving heated fluid into the first baffle area, and a return oulet for discharging heated fluid from the second baffle area, said inlet and outlet communicating with the first and second baffle areas, respectively, at points remote from the opening in the baffle wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
A heated extruder nozzle for extruding a plurality of strands of comminuted meat products with a polished and smooth surface texture, comprising: a chamber, a baffle wall dividing said chamber into a first baffle area and a second baffle area, the first and second baffle areas being in fluid communication through an opening in the baffle wall, a plurality of extruder tubes each extending through the first baffle area and the second baffle area of said chamber, a delivery inlet for receiving heated fluid into the first baffle area, and a return oulet for discharging heated fluid from the second baffle area, said inlet and outlet communicating with the first and second baffle areas, respectively, at points remote from the opening in the baffle wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 8 wherein said first baffle area has a generally rectangular cross section with said inlet communicating with one end and the opening in the baffle wall adjacent the opposite end, and wherein said second baffle area has a generally rectangular cross section with the outlet communicating with one end and the opening in the baffle wall adjacent the opposite end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein said first baffle area is substantially equal in volume to the volume of said second baffle area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein said tubes have a first surface area exposed to fluid in said first baffle area and a second surface area substantially equal in area to the first surface area exposed to the fluid in the second baffle area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein said heated fluid is water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein said heated fluid is steam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein the material extruded through said extruder tube comprises pre-rigor comminuted pork sausage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The extruder nozzle of claim 9 wherein said tubes are equal in wall thickness and diameter one to the other.