IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A CURLY PUFF EXTRUDATE

摘要

The present invention utilizes a containment tube (30) to facilitate production of a curly puff extrudate (20) and a blade (40) to nick the extrudate (16) as it exists a die. A gap is provided between the tube and an extruder die (12) to allow a blade (40) access to the extrudate (16) as it exits an orifice (14) in the die (12). The blade (40) accesses the extrudate (16) while it is in a viscous melt, before the extrudate (16) has cooled and hardened. The blade (40) nicks the extrudate (16), as opposed to completely cutting it, thereby allowing the extrudate (16) to remain connected througho ut processing such as curling in the containment tube (30). The gap also allows steam to be vented form the extrudate (16) as it exits the orifice (14) in t he die (12). The curly puff extrudate (20) separates when fried or baked.