Method and apparatus for producing spiral pet snacks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automated mass production of spiral body pet snacks (180), in particular chewable spiral hide type pet snacks, employs an extruder (2) to extrude at least one strand (80-82) in the form of a spiral cross-sectional body (185) having a plurality of radially spaced layers (187-190) and an outer terminal portion (195), the outer termination portion (195) is radially inwardly curved and bonded with adjacent layers of a plurality of radially spaced layers (187-190). A cutting assembly (90) cuts the cords (80-82) at longitudinally spaced locations to produce a helical intermediate product (150), which is then dried to form a helical body pet snack (180). The spiral body pet snack (180) is hard when dry, but does not expose a terminal edge with a possible sharp contact point since a radially inwardly curved outer terminal portion (195) is connected to a radially inward spiral layer (189).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of edible pet products and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for extruding and cutting a spiral intermediate product having a radially incurved outer terminal portion that is dried to form a pet treat, such as a rawhide-type chew treat. Background Art

[0002] It is known in the food industry to form pet chews by forming a dough, sheeting the dough, cutting the sheet into strips, rolling the strips to produce a separate spiral product, and drying the spiral product to form a hard rawhide type pet chew product. Although such pet snacks are popular, there are various disadvantages to these products and their manufacturing methods. For example, the entire process is quite labor-intensive, especially when the product is usually rolled up by hand. In addition, each formed product includes an outer longitudinal edge, which is spaced apart from the adjacent layers of the spiral product when dried. When the product dries and hardens, this entire edge forms a series of sharp contact points, which may be harmful to the pet when eaten. In addition, it is very common to package a plurality of such products together by packaging the products in a sealed flexible package. However, the sharp contact points are easy to poke holes during the packaging process, potentially causing mold or other microbial problems.

[0003] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for mass producing pet chew treats, particularly in manufacturing products without sharp external contact points, using a continuous, non-labor intensive extrusion production operation, thereby avoiding the packaging damage and pet problems experienced with the known prior art. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pet treat including a spiral cross-section body formed using extrusion technology. More specifically, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, individual laterally spaced dough ropes are extruded and fed to a cutting assembly, such as a rotary, linear, ultrasonic or similar cutting assembly, wherein each rope is cut at at least two longitudinally spaced locations to produce an intermediate product of a predetermined length. The intermediate product is then exposed to a drying operation to form a pet treat, such as in the form of a hard, spiral rawhide type chewable dog treat, each pet treat having a plurality of radially spaced spiral layers and an outer terminal portion that is radially inwardly bent and joined to an adjacent one of the plurality of radially spaced layers. With this structure, the outer terminal portion of the spiral pet treat body has no exposed terminal edges, thereby avoiding the possibility of sharp protruding contact points along the length of the product.

[0005] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent corresponding parts throughout the several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a production line for producing spiral body pet treats according to the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spiral body pet treat according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] As mentioned above, Figure 1 A portion of an exemplary production line for automatically batch-producing spiral body pet snacks according to the present invention is shown. The device uses a multi-row extruder 2, which includes a die plate 5 having a plurality of laterally spaced heads or dies, one of which is represented by 10. As shown in the enlarged view, each die 5 is defined by a port or opening in the die plate 5, wherein the extrusion opening takes a generally spiral form. Of course, other arrangements are also applicable, such as the die plate 5 threadedly or otherwise receiving various selectively replaceable die inserts to establish the necessary openings. In the illustrated embodiment, the spiral extrusion opening includes a central starting area 20, a plurality of radially spaced layered areas 25-28, and an outer terminal area 30. Due to the structure of the entire extrusion opening, a bridging support (e.g., a net or pin) is disposed internally (not shown) between each radially spaced layered area 25-28 and the die plate 5, while still allowing the dough to coalesce into the desired shape. At this point, it should be recognized that the number of spiral layered areas can vary without departing from the present invention, but is preferably within the range of 3-5. Important to the present invention is that the outer terminal region 30 is radially inwardly bent at 35 so that the layered region 28 joins the adjacent layered region 27, and the outermost spiral layered region 28 advantageously lacks an exposed terminal edge, for reasons that will be described in more detail below. In any event, as shown, the extruder 2 forms a plurality of elongated, laterally spaced rows of extrudate that are deposited on a common conveyor 87 in the form of continuous ropes 80-82.

[0009] Downstream of the extruder 2 is a cutting assembly, generally indicated at 90, extending across the conveyor 87. The cutting assembly 90 includes a roller 110 having an associated motor-driven drive shaft (not shown) for rotating the roller 110 and an outer surface 115 from which one or more cutting members (e.g., blades indicated at 120) project. With this arrangement, each rope 80-82 passing under the roller 110 on the moving conveyor 87 will be cut by one or more cutting members to form a separate spiral (cross-sectional) intermediate product 150. The length of each intermediate product 150 will depend on various factors, including the speed of extrusion and conveying, the rotational speed of the roller 110, and the number of cutting members 120 spaced circumferentially about the roller 110. In general, the length can vary significantly, but in the most preferred form of the invention, the length of the resulting pet treat is about 5-30 centimeters.

[0010] After being cut into the desired lengths, the intermediate product needs to be dried 150. Although drying can be done under ambient conditions, Figure 1 A dryer unit 175 is shown included downstream of the cutting assembly 90, through which the conveyor 87 guides the intermediate product 150, thereby producing a final pet treat 180 having a spiral body in cross-section. At this point, the pet treats 180 can be transported to a further downstream location where they are packaged for shipping and consumer sales.

[0011] Figure 2 A pet treat 180 produced in accordance with the present invention is shown. Considering the configuration of each die 10 with a plurality of radially spaced layered regions 25-28 and a radially inwardly curved outer terminal region 30, the pet treat 180 of the present invention has a spiral cross-sectional body generally shown as 185, which includes a plurality of radially spaced layers 187-190 and a radially inwardly curved outer terminal portion 195, such that layer 190 is joined to adjacent radially spaced layers 189 at 198, particularly based on the advantageous use of an extrusion process. In addition, a spiral gap 200 is formed between each radially spaced layer 187-190 during extrusion, and the gap 200 is at least partially retained in the final pet treat 180. This integral structure and connection of the outer terminal portion 195 is important to the present invention because it means that the outer terminal portion 195 and the corresponding pet treat 180 as a whole are free of exposed radially outermost terminal spiral edges. As mentioned above, one aspect of the present invention is to avoid such terminal edges, which may undesirably present sharp external contact points.

[0012] As described above, the pet treat 180 can be produced in a variety of lengths without departing from the invention. In addition, the specific composition of the extrudate used to produce the pet treat 180 can also vary. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a known dough recipe is used, including a combination of ingredients derived from rice, potatoes, peas and chicken with gelatin, glycerin, stabilizers and flavoring agents to obtain a hard spiral rawhide chewing dog treat. In this case, at least one rope is formed by extruding a dough having a moisture content of about 20%-45% (preferably 25%-35%, more preferably 25%-27%), and a dryer unit 175 and possibly another dryer (not shown) upstream of the cutting assembly 90 are used to accelerate the drying and hardening of the dough to a moisture content of about 9%-15% (preferably 10%-12%). During the drying process, the relative uniformity of the layers 187-190 and the inclusion of the gap 200 reduce variations in drying. The absence of an exposed terminal edge is particularly advantageous considering that the pet treat 180 is hard when initially consumed (chewed). Moreover, even for a somewhat softer final product, the absence of a terminal edge is considered advantageous for other reasons, such as minimizing any unraveling of the spiral product. The use of extrusion increases the efficiency of forming the entire product, results in a more uniform product with preferred layer spacing, and also enables the avoidance of an exposed outermost terminal spiral edge, while being reminiscent of a rolled spiral chewable pet treat.

[0013] Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that various changes and / or modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the description of the exemplary embodiments described alone. For example, various cutting assemblies known in the art, such as linear or guillotine, ultrasonic or similar cutting assemblies, may be equally employed. In addition, as described above, the disclosed processing steps may vary, such as additional or alternative drying steps after extrusion but before cutting. In any case, the present invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for mass producing pet snacks, comprising: extruding at least one rope in the form of a spiral cross-sectional body having a plurality of radially spaced layers and an outer terminal portion that is radially inwardly bent and joined to an adjacent one of the plurality of radially spaced layers; directing the at least one rope to a cutting assembly, the cutting assembly cutting the at least one rope at longitudinally spaced locations to produce a spiral intermediate product; as well as The spiral-shaped intermediate product is dried to form pet treats, wherein the outer terminal portion of each pet treat lacks an exposed terminal edge.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The helical cross-sectional body comprises at least three radially spaced layers.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The helical cross-sectional body includes at least four radially spaced layers.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The at least one rope is cut so that each pet treat has a length in the range of about 5-30 centimeters.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Extruding the at least one rope includes extruding a plurality of ropes simultaneously onto a conveyor to form a plurality of laterally spaced rows.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The cutting assembly constitutes a rotary cutting assembly comprising a roller combined with at least one cutting blade for simultaneously cutting the plurality of ropes.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The at least one rope is formed by extruding a dough having a moisture content of about 20% to about 45%, and the spiral intermediate product is dried such that the moisture content of the pet treat is about 9% to about 15%.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The dough includes ingredients derived from rice, potato, pea, and chicken in combination with gelatin, glycerin, stabilizers, and flavorings, and the pet treat is a spiral rawhide type chew treat.

9. An apparatus for producing a pet treat having a spiral cross-section body, the apparatus comprising: an extruder comprising at least one die configured to produce at least one rope having a helical cross-sectional body, the at least one die having a helical extrusion opening in the form of a plurality of radially spaced layers and an outer terminal portion that is radially inwardly bent and joined to an adjacent one of the plurality of radially spaced layers such that the outer terminal portion lacks an exposed terminal edge; as well as A cutting assembly is configured to cut the at least one extruded rope at longitudinally spaced locations to produce a spiral intermediate product for drying in producing the pet treat.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The plurality of radially spaced layers is at least three radially spaced layers.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of radially spaced layers is at least four radially spaced layers.

12. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The cutting assembly is configured to cut the at least one rope such that each pet treat has a length in the range of approximately 5-30 centimeters.

13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The extruder includes a die plate, and the at least one die includes a plurality of dies disposed at spaced apart locations along the die plate such that the extruder is configured to extrude a plurality of ropes simultaneously.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a conveyor configured to receive the plurality of ropes, wherein: The cutting assembly is configured to simultaneously cut the plurality of ropes while forming the pet treat.

15. A pet treat comprising a spiral cross-sectional body having a plurality of radially spaced layers and an outer terminal portion that curves radially inwardly and joins to an adjacent one of the plurality of radially spaced layers.

16. The pet snack according to claim 15, wherein: The helical cross-sectional body comprises at least three radially spaced layers.

17. The pet snack according to claim 16, wherein: The helical cross-sectional body includes at least four radially spaced layers.

18. The pet snack according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein: The pet treat has a length ranging from about 5-30 centimeters.

19. The pet treat according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein: The pet treat has a moisture content of about 8% to 15%.

20. The pet treat according to claim 19, wherein: The pet treat constitutes a spiral rawhide type chewable treat.

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