Extrusion mold and method of use

• US 8,087,921 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Availa Bank (Carroll County Bancshares, Inc. (Iowa))
• Original Assignee: Biosphere Holdings Corp.
• Inventors: Helou, Elie Jr., Dellinger, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Del Sole, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDERS, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US11/648,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20070202228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 425/130, 425/131.1, 425/376.1, 425/812, 366/75
• US Class Current: 425/376.1
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 11/16 Extruding machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/06 Rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/09 Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/12 Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/32 with annular openings, e.g. for forming tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/76 Venting , drying means; Degassing means
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2003/00 Use of starch or derivatives as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/812 Venting

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention a mold system and method of use are provided such that aqueous starch-based compositions and baked goods articles that use the conversion of water to steam may be produced using an extruder that allows the venting of such gases and/or steam. The extruder is vented in such a way as to allow steam to escape, but retain the composition until the exit end.

Claims

1. An extrusion head comprising:

a multi-piece extrusion head comprising at least two pieces, wherein the at least two pieces define at least a portion of an inner cavity that extends the length of the multi-piece extrusion head;

an material inlet on a first side of the multi-piece extrusion head and a material outlet on a second side of the multi-piece extrusion head;

a first axial venting gap, wherein the first axial venting gap is dimensioned to allow for the venting of a gas but substantial retention of the material to be extruded during extrusion, the first axial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along the length of the multi-piece extrusion head and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion; and

wherein at least a portion of the first axial venting gap is formed at a first intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

2. The extrusion head of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of axial venting gaps.

3. The extrusion head of claim 2 further comprising a radial venting gap.

4. The extrusion head of claim 2 wherein the plurality of axial venting gaps comprises the first axial venting gap and at least a second axial venting gap, the second axial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along the length of the extrusion head and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion.

5. The extrusion head of claim 4 wherein the at least a portion of the second axial venting gap is formed at a second intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

6. An extrusion head comprising:

a multi-piece extrusion head comprising at least two pieces, wherein the at least two pieces define at least a portion of an inner cavity that extends the length of the multi-piece extrusion head;

a first radial venting gap, wherein the first radial venting gap is dimensioned to allow for the venting of a gas but substantial retention of the material to be extruded during extrusion, the first radial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along a circumference of the inner cavity of the multi-piece extrusion head and in direct fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion; and

wherein at least a portion of the first radial venting gap is formed at a first intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

7. The extrusion head of claim 6 further comprising a second radial venting gap.

8. The extrusion head of claim 7 wherein the second radial venting gap is dimensioned to allow for the venting of a gas but substantial retention of the material to be extruded during extrusion, the second radial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along a circumference of the inner cavity of the extrusion head and in direct fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion.

9. The extrusion head of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the second radial venting gap is formed at a second intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

10. An extrusion head comprising:

a multi-piece extrusion head comprising at least two pieces, wherein the at least two pieces define at least a portion of an inner cavity that extends the length of the multi-piece extrusion head;

a first axial venting gap, wherein the first axial venting gap is dimensioned to allow for the venting of a gas but substantial retention of the material to be extruded during extrusion, the first axial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along the length of the multi-piece extrusion head and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion; and

a first radial venting gap, wherein the first radial venting gap is dimensioned to allow for the venting of a gas but substantial retention of the material to be extruded during extrusion, the first radial venting gap comprising a first portion extending in a substantially continuous manner along a circumference of the inner cavity of the multi-piece extrusion head and in direct fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a second portion in direct fluid communication with the first portion, wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion, and

wherein at least a portion of the first axial or radial venting gap is formed at a first intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

11. The extrusion head of claim 10 wherein the first axial venting gap is formed at a first intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head and the first radial venting gap is formed at a second intersection of at least two pieces of the multi-piece extrusion head.

12. The extrusion head of claim 10 further comprising at least a second axial venting gap and at least a second radial venting gap.

13. The extrusion head of claim 11 further comprising at least a second axial venting gap and at least a second radial venting gap.