METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTRUSION OF FOOD PRODUCTS INCLUDING BACK PRESSURE VALVE/DIVERTER

摘要

An extruder system (10, 124) for the processing of feed materials is provided including an extruder (12), adjustable back pressure valve assembly (14) and a superatmospheric post-extrusion product treatment assembly (16, 124). The back pressure valve assembly (14) includes an adjustable valve member (48) which can be shifted to alter the effective cross-sectional open area of a product passageway (36), and alternately can be shifted to a product diverting position wherein the product is diverted from downstream processing. The treatment assembly (16) includes a sealed housing (78) directly coupled to the assembly (14) so that product emerging from the assembly (14) passes into housing (78) without experiencing atmospheric pressure. The treatment assembly (124) includes a product-guiding cowlijng (128) which is open to the atmosphere, together with a sealed housing (134) for effecting above atmospheric pressure treatment of extruded product.