| 摘要 |
The present invention proposes a novel puffing gun apparatus allowing an increased production of expanded cereal grains, typically breakfast cereals at lower cost. A compact puffing apparatus of simpler construction is provided, comprising a stationary gun barrel in which a concentric puffing drum is rotatably disposed. The outer barrel is enveloped in electrical heating mats, enabling better heating efficiency and temperature regulation of the interior puffing chamber. Preferably the barrel includes a grain inlet chamber with a grain feed line connected thereto. The drive shaft portion of the puffing drum traversing said prechamber is shaped as a screw conveyor element. High-pressure steam inlet(s) can now be linked to any convenient part of the gun barrel or of the grain feed line. Optionally other hot gas (pre)heating lines may be connected to the barrel. The inventive features of the gun give rise to less machine operations and shorter puffing cycles. An external preheating module, preferably a gas traversed grain stack container provided with helicoidal members moving in the stacked grains, for heating the grain material to a desired degree prior to entering the gun, allows a further reduction in process time. |
