Method and apparatus for extrusion, particularly for extruding masses of food products

Claim 1

A method for extruding masses through an extrusion duct (die) having an outlet end of fixed diametral dimensions, in which the mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in the extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, including the operation of generating around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct.

Claim 2

A method for extruding masses through an extrusion duct (die) having an outlet end of fixed diametral dimensions, in which the mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in the extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, including the operation of generating around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct.

Claim 7

A device for the extrusion of edible masses including (a) an extrusion duct having an outlet end of fixed diametral dimension, in which a mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in an extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, and (b) means for preventing the extruded mass from bending at the outlet of the extrusion duct, comprising: (i) a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself; the tubular sleeve having diametral dimensions generally greater than the predetermined diametral dimensions of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that, in use, the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, and (ii) pressurized-fluid supply means provided with outlets opening into the annular separation zone so as to generate around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, and thereby prevent bending of the extruded mass at said outlet.

Claim 8

A device for the extrusion of edible masses including (a) an extrusion duct having an outlet end of fixed diametral dimension, in which a mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in an extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, and (b) means for preventing the extruded mass from bending at the outlet of the extrusion duct, comprising: (i) a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself; the tubular sleeve having diametral dimensions generally greater than the predetermined diametral dimensions of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that, in use, the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, and (ii) pressurized-fluid supply means provided with outlets opening into the annular separation zone so as to generate around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, and thereby prevent bending of the extruded mass at said outlet.

Claim 14

A method for extruding and cutting edible masses, comprising: (a) passing an edible mass through an extrusion duct so that the mass emerges from an outlet end of the duct in an extruded state in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct at a linear extrusion velocity of at least 10 m/min, (b) generating around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, a zone comprising an annular flow of gas oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, and then (c) cutting the extruded mass within said zone into substantially cylindrical pieces.

Claim 15

A method for extruding and cutting edible masses, comprising: (a) passing an edible mass through an extrusion duct so that the mass emerges from an outlet end of the duct in an extruded state in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct at a linear extrusion velocity of at least 10 m/min, (b) generating around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, a zone comprising an annular flow of gas oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, and then (c) cutting the extruded mass within said zone into substantially cylindrical pieces.

Claim 16

A method for extruding and cutting edible masses, comprising: (a) passing an edible mass through an extrusion duct so that the mass emerges from an outlet end of the duct in an extruded state in a generally axially direction relative to the extrusion duct and at a linear extrusion velocity of at least 10 m/min, (b) Passing the extruded mass through a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axially direction relative to the extrusion duct itself, the tubular sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the tubular sleeve having a sleeve outlet through which the extruded mass passes, (c) generating within the tubular sleeve a zone comprising an annular flow of gas oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, said zone extending outside the outlet of the tubular sleeve, and (d) cutting the extruded mass in said zone immediately adjacent the outlet of the tubular sleeve to form substantially cylindrical edible pieces.

Claim 17

A method for extruding and cutting edible masses, comprising: (a) passing an edible mass through an extrusion duct so that the mass emerges from an outlet end of the duct in an extruded state in a generally axially direction relative to the extrusion duct and at a linear extrusion velocity of at least 10 m/min, (b) Passing the extruded mass through a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axially direction relative to the extrusion duct itself, the tubular sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the tubular sleeve having a sleeve outlet through which the extruded mass passes, (c) generating within the tubular sleeve a zone comprising an annular flow of gas oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, said zone extending outside the outlet of the tubular sleeve, and (d) cutting the extruded mass in said zone immediately adjacent the outlet of the tubular sleeve to form substantially cylindrical edible pieces.

Claim 18

A device for the extrusion and cutting of edible masses, comprising: (a) an extrusion duct having an outlet end with a first diameter, in which a mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in an extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, (b) a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself, the tubular sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the tubular sleeve having a length greater than its internal diameter, and a sleeve outlet through which the extruded mass passes, (c) means for generating within the tubular sleeve a zone around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the zone comprising an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, said zone extending outside the sleeve outlet, and (d) a knife adjacent to the sleeve outlet for cutting the extruded mass within said zone in which the annular fluid acts, so as to divide the extruded mass into substantially cylindrical pieces.

Claim 19

A device for the extrusion and cutting of edible masses, comprising: (a) an extrusion duct having an outlet end with a first diameter, in which a mass to be extruded is forced into the duct and emerges in an extruded state from the outlet end of the extrusion duct in a generally axial direction relative to the extrusion duct, (b) a tubular sleeve extending as an elongation of the extrusion duct from its outlet end in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself, the tubular sleeve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outlet end of the extrusion duct so that the tubular sleeve defines an annular separation zone around the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the tubular sleeve having a length greater than its internal diameter, and a sleeve outlet through which the extruded mass passes, (c) means for generating within the tubular sleeve a zone around the outlet end of the extrusion duct, the zone comprising an annular flow of fluid oriented in an axial direction relative to the extrusion duct itself and surrounding the extruded mass emerging from the outlet end so as to prevent bending of the extruded mass at the outlet of the extrusion duct, said zone extending outside the sleeve outlet, and (d) a knife adjacent to the sleeve outlet for cutting the extruded mass within said zone in which the annular fluid acts, so as to divide the extruded mass into substantially cylindrical pieces.