Home >> Patent Categories

Patents

Patent Search

United States Patent 5242292
Douris , ê et al. September 7, 1993

Extruder apparatus for producing sterile pelleted feed product

Wenger September 7, 1993

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the production of sterile, pelleted feed products is provided which includes an extruder device equipped with a pelleting head adjacent the outlet end of the extruder barrel. The pelleting head includes an annular die section having die openings therethrough which is secured to the extruder barrel, forming an extension thereof; a rotatable, multiple-vane plate is secured to the screw of the device and cooperates with the die section to form final pellets. A rotatable knife serves to cut emerging extrudate so as to size the pellets. In an alternative embodiment, the plate is separately powered for rotation independent of the extruder screw, preferably by means of a prime mover coupled with a short extruder screw section which supports the plate. Preferably, the extruder device is equipped with an upstream preconditioner serving to moisturize and uniformly mix dry feed ingredients. The preconditioner also at least partially precooks the mixture and subjects the same to time-temperature conditions for sterilization purposes.