System for extruding, cutting in strands, freezing, and chopping a ground food product and method thereof
US7374579B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/412
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are a method and a system for extruding, cut into strands, cooling, and chopping a ground food product. The system comprises a cooling unit, a conveyor belt urging the pieces through the unit, and a chopper for cutting the pieces exiting the unit. A cryogen source provides cryogen to the cooling unit. A feeder feeds the ground food product onto the conveyor belt adjacent an inlet of the unit. The feeder also extrudes the ground food product through a nozzle to place the stranded pieces onto the conveyor belt. A shear plate cuts the stranded pieces, while being extruded. A hydraulic system moves the shearing plate. The system is adapted to dispense cryogen to the cooling region at a rate sufficient to lower the temperature of the cut stranded pieces to a desired temperature when they exit the unit. A chopper cuts the extruded and stranded pieces immediately after freezing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.