COEXTRUSION HEAD, FOOD PROCESSING MACHINE AND ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coextrusion head for a food processing machine, in particular a coextrusion machine for coextruding a food mass and a casing surrounding the food mass, having at least one conveyor line section with an inner tube for guiding the food mass to be formed into a strand in a production direction, wherein an inlet-side end of the conveyor line section is connectable to an outlet of a filling machine. Such a coextrusion head further comprises a housing extending in the production direction from the conveyor line section and surrounding the inner tube, and a receiving chamber formed between the inner tube and the housing for a casing material to be applied to the strand, wherein the receiving chamber has a housing inlet for the casing material.Furthermore, the invention also relates to a food machine for producing a strand from a food mass and a method for assembling a coextrusion head.

[0002] Devices and methods of the aforementioned type are typically used for producing sausage strands. In particular, such devices are used to produce sausage strands with a casing material applied to the outer surface, preferably essentially continuously. In principle, however, coextrusion machines can also be used for coextruding a wide variety of substances.

[0003] The food mass, in particular the sausage meat, is usually held ready in a filling hopper of a first filling machine and conveyed towards an outlet by means of a feed pump to generate a continuous flow of the food mass. Instead of placing the food mass in a casing such as an artificial or natural casing, an initially flowable casing material can be applied to the outside of the food mass and then hardens. The casing material also protects the food mass from a hygienic point of view and gives the strand produced from the food mass increased strength, which is intended to make accidental breakage of the strand more difficult or even prevent it. Collagen or alginate, for example, is used as a casing material for application to the surface of the produced strand.Collagen and alginate are flowable coating materials that solidify after a relatively short period of time after being applied to the strand's surface, forming a solid coating on the strand. The coating material is typically held in a hopper of a second filling machine and conveyed toward an outlet of the second filling machine by a feed pump to generate a continuous flow of the food mass. The outlet of the first filling machine and the outlet of the second filling machine are usually fluidly connected to a coextrusion head.

[0004] EP 2 719 284 A1 shows such a coextrusion head. An inlet-side end of a conveyor line is connected to the outlet of the first filling machine, and an inlet opening of a housing of the coextrusion head is connected to the outlet of the second filling machine for admitting the alginate. The conveyor line is screwed into the housing, and an inner tube of the conveyor line extends at least partially through the housing. A receiving chamber is formed between an inner wall of the housing and the inner tube, into which the inlet opening of the housing opens. The housing further has an outlet opening surrounding an outlet-side end of the inner tube, the diameter of which outlet opening is larger than the outlet-side diameter of the conveyor line. The casing material received in the receiving chamber can escape through the gap thus formed and is applied to the food mass conveyed through the conveyor line.For this purpose, the inner tube of the conveyor line has a reduced wall thickness on the outlet side, so that the wrapping material can be conveyed first along the outside of the filling tube with only a small distance to the conveyed food mass and then applied to the food mass. Due to the thin wall in the outlet side, the conveyor line is susceptible to deformation and warping. Furthermore, the conveyor line must be separated from the housing for cleaning purposes and is no longer protected by the surrounding housing in this state. In this state in particular, there is a high risk of damage to and in particular of deformation of the conveyor line. Furthermore, when connecting any supply lines to the housing inlet, the conveyor line can become warped relative to the housing, which can result in an uneven gap between the conveyor line and the housing.

[0005] US 2003 / 228837 A1 shows a coextrusion head according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] This is where the invention comes in, the object of which is to overcome at least one of the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a more robust food processing machine, a more robust coextrusion head for a food processing machine, the cleaning of which is simplified, and a method for assembling a coextrusion head.

[0007] The invention solves the underlying problem in a first aspect by a coextrusion head according to claim 1.

[0008] The invention proposes that the housing and the conveyor line section be formed integrally. Furthermore, the invention proposes that the coextrusion head further comprise a nozzle attachment connected to the housing, in particular to a distal end of the housing, with a nozzle opening formed correspondingly to the inner tube. In other words, the invention proposes a one-piece design of the housing and the conveyor line section including the inner tube, wherein a nozzle attachment is connected to the housing as a separate component. The inner tube therefore no longer needs to be separated from the housing for cleaning purposes, so that the housing continues to surround and thus protect the inner tube even when the inner tube is being cleaned. The one-piece component, which combines the inner tube and the housing, is thus significantly more robust and can be handled, in particular cleaned, more easily.Furthermore, the nozzle plate can be variably connected to the housing, allowing different nozzle attachments with an inner tube to be used.

[0009] In this case, the production direction refers to the direction of the food mass from the first filling machine through the conveyor line section, including the inner tube, and finally through any downstream solidification device. This refers to the path of the food mass and subsequently of the strand. In the area of ​​the coextrusion head, this corresponds to an axial direction along which the coextrusion head, in particular the housing and the conveyor line section, extend.

[0010] For the purposes of the invention, coextrusion refers to the combining of various substances, in particular at least one food mass and a casing material, into a product, in particular a food product. The substances are stored in two or more filling machines or the like and brought together in a coextrusion device or coextrusion head.

[0011] The nozzle opening of the coextrusion head according to the invention preferably extends at a distance from the inner tube such that a gap is formed surrounding the inner tube for the discharge of casing material. Through the gap formed between the inner tube and the nozzle opening, the casing material can exit the receiving chamber radially outside the inner tube and is thus applied directly to the emerging strand. By designing the nozzle plate as a separate component, a one-piece component comprising the housing and the conveyor line section with various nozzle attachments can be used to produce strands with casing material of varying thicknesses. The gap is formed in a plane orthogonal to the production direction between the nozzle opening and the inner tube and is designed to allow the passage of casing material.

[0012] The gap is preferably uniform and particularly preferably has a gap thickness in a range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. The gap thickness depends in particular on the viscosity of the coating material to be applied.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the gap has a width that varies in the production direction, reaching a minimum at the distal outlet end of the inner tube. Thus, the inner tube can first be inserted into the nozzle opening through an enlarged nozzle opening and reaches a minimum adjacent to the outlet end of the inner tube, so that a gap with a small gap thickness is preferably formed in this region.

[0014] Preferably, the nozzle opening is designed to accommodate at least one outlet-side end of the inner tube. Thus, the inner tube is guided through the nozzle opening and, in particular, supported. The inner tube is thus protected from vibrations and impacts by the nozzle plate.

[0015] More preferably, the inner tube, in particular a flow channel formed in the inner tube, has a constant flow cross-section in the region of the nozzle opening and is tapered in the production direction. In other words, the wall thickness of the inner tube decreases on the outlet side, while the flow cross-section remains constant. By reducing the wall thickness of the filling tube in the production direction, the distance on the outlet side between the strand conveyed through the inner tube and the casing material guided along the outside of the filling tube through the gap is reduced. The tapered shape of the filling tube further supports the flow of the casing material along the outside of the inner tube.

[0016] The nozzle opening is preferably funnel-shaped in the production direction. It should be understood that the narrower end of the funnel-shaped nozzle opening points in the production direction and the wider end of the funnel-shaped nozzle opening points against the production direction. For assembly, the inner tube is thus inserted into the nozzle opening on the side with the larger cross-section of the nozzle opening and guided into the final position. The funnel-shaped design facilitates the flow of the enveloping material along the inner tube through the nozzle opening. Furthermore, the initially larger cross-section of the funnel-shaped nozzle opening facilitates the placement of the nozzle plates on the inner tube and reduces the risk of damage to the inner tube.

[0017] Preferably, the nozzle attachment is connected to the housing by a positive and / or non-positive connection. Positive and / or non-positive connections can preferably be designed as detachable connections, thus enabling easy disassembly of the nozzle attachment.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the nozzle attachment is connected to the housing by at least one of the following connections: a clamp connection, a bayonet connection, or a screw connection. In the case of a cylindrical inner tube, the housing can thus be connected to the inner tube, for example, by a bayonet connection or a screw connection. The use of a clamp connection, a clamping connection, or a snap connection in general also enables the use of different geometries of the filling tube, for example, with square or triangular flow cross-sections.

[0019] Preferably, the housing has a first mating surface and the nozzle attachment has a second mating surface, with the nozzle attachment being connected to the housing by a snug fit. The snug fit is preferably cylindrical or conical. A snug fit ensures a detachable connection between the nozzle attachment and the housing. At the same time, unwanted leakage of the enveloping material due to excessive tolerances between the nozzle attachment and the housing is prevented.

[0020] Preferably, the coextrusion head further comprises a seal, in particular a sealing ring, arranged between the housing and the nozzle attachment. This reliably prevents unwanted escape of the encapsulating material.

[0021] Further preferably, the conveying line section and the housing are manufactured using a casting process. A casting process conveniently enables the production of a preferably integrally formed metallic housing with a conveying line section including an inner tube arranged within the housing. Alternatively, the conveying line section can preferably be welded to the housing.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing is flush with the outlet end of the inner tube in the production direction. Particularly preferably, at least a portion of the housing protrudes in the production direction beyond the distal end of the inner tube. Thus, the inner tube is completely protected by the housing against forces acting transversely to the production direction. Furthermore, the housing also protects the inner tube against falls, in which forces acting counter to the production direction act on the coextrusion head.

[0023] Preferably, the housing is configured to correspond to the inner tube and extends parallel to the inner tube in the production direction. Particularly preferably, the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the nozzle attachment has an orifice surface which surrounds the nozzle opening and which is set back, in particular, in the production direction. Further preferably, the distal outlet-side end of the inner tube protrudes in the production direction relative to the orifice surface. The food mass emerging from the inner tube initially expands in a direction transverse to the production direction. The food mass thus expands. Due to the protrusion of the inner tube in the production direction, the expanding food mass does not hinder the dispensing of the casing material, in particular through the gap formed around the inner tube. The casing material can thus flow out of the receiving chamber along the outside of the inner tube and only there does it meet the expanding food mass.As the food mass expands, it pulls the casing material outward in the direction of expansion and forward in the direction of production, forming a uniform casing on the food mass. The nozzle surface, which is set back from the rest of the nozzle attachment in the direction of production, reliably protects the inner tube even in the protruding area when installed.

[0025] Preferably, the conveying line section has a flow channel on the inlet side with an enlarged flow cross-section that decreases in the production direction. Furthermore, the inner tube has a flow channel with a constant flow cross-section on the outlet side, which opens into the outlet end of the inner tube. A compression insert is preferably arranged between the flow channel with the constant flow cross-section and the flow channel with the decreasing flow cross-section. The compression insert is designed to reduce the flow cross-section in certain regions, thereby exerting increased pressure on the food mass, thereby compacting it.

[0026] Further preferably, the receiving chamber has a vent opening, which is preferably arranged above the housing inlet, particularly vertically, when the coextrusion head is in the assembled state. The enveloping material flowing through the inlet thus slowly rises in the receiving chamber and displaces the air contained therein, which can escape through the vent opening. This ensures a uniform application of the enveloping material without any air pockets.

[0027] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a food processing machine, in particular a coextrusion machine for producing a strand from a food mass. The food processing machine comprises a first filling machine with a first filling hopper for receiving the food mass, a first feed pump for conveying the food mass, and a first outlet for discharging the food mass. The food processing machine further comprises a second filling machine with a second filling hopper for receiving the food mass, a second feed pump for conveying the food mass, and a second outlet for discharging the food mass. The food processing machine further comprises a coextrusion head connected to the first outlet and the second outlet. The invention achieves the object mentioned above in the second aspect in that the coextrusion head is designed according to the first aspect of the invention.Advantages and preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are thus also advantages and preferred embodiments of the second aspect of the invention.

[0028] The food processing machine preferably further comprises at least one solidifying device for solidifying the casing material applied to the strand. Such a solidifying device is preferably arranged adjacent to the outlet end of the inner tube. Such a solidifying device preferably comprises one or more spray heads for spraying a solidifying material, such as calcium chloride, to solidify the casing material. Further preferably, such a solidifying device comprises a receiving device for receiving excess solidifying material with an outlet for discharging the same.

[0029] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for assembling a coextrusion head, in particular a coextrusion head according to the first aspect of the invention.The method achieves the object stated at the outset by comprising the steps of: providing at least one conveyor line section with an inner tube for guiding the food mass to be formed into a strand in a production direction, wherein an inlet-side end of the conveyor line section is connectable to an outlet of a filling machine, and a housing extending in the production direction from the conveyor line section and surrounding the inner tube, wherein a receiving chamber for a wrapping material to be applied to the strand is formed between the inner tube and the housing, wherein the receiving chamber has a housing inlet for the wrapping material, and wherein the conveyor line section and the housing are formed integrally; connecting a distal end of the housing to a nozzle attachment with a nozzle opening formed corresponding to the inner tube for closing the receiving chamber.

[0030] By providing a delivery line section formed integrally with a housing, comprising an inner tube, a receiving chamber formed between the inner tube and the housing, and a nozzle attachment for connecting to a distal end of the housing, the invention takes advantage of the advantages described above with reference to the first aspect. Advantages and preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are thus also advantages and preferred embodiments of the third aspect of the invention.

[0031] The invention is described in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1: a perspective view of a food machine for producing a strand from a food mass with a coextrusion head according to the invention and a further processing device; Fig. 2: a perspective view of the coextrusion head according to the invention; Fig. 3: a sectional side view of the coextrusion head according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4: a detailed side view of the coextrusion head according to Fig. 3 ; and Fig. 5: a front view of the coextrusion head according to Fig. 1 .

[0032] Fig. 1shows a food machine 1 for producing a strand from a food mass such as sausage meat or the like, which is coated with a casing material. The food machine 1 is in this case a coextrusion machine and comprises a first filling machine 2 and a second filling machine 3. The first filling machine 2 comprises a first feed pump 4, the position of which is only indicated in the view shown, and a first filling hopper 5. Furthermore, the food machine 1 comprises a second filling machine 3 with a second filling hopper 8 and a second feed pump 7, the position of which is also only indicated. The first filling machine 2 has a first outlet 6 and the second filling machine 3 has a second outlet 9.

[0033] The food processing machine 1 further comprises a coextrusion head 10, which is connected to the first outlet 6 and is also connected to the second outlet 9 via a line 12. Depending on the spatial arrangement of the first and second filling machines 2, 3, a line of any length can be used to connect the first filling machine and the second filling machine 2, 3.

[0034] A solidifying device 11 is arranged downstream of the coextrusion head 10 in the production direction P. The solidifying device 11 is designed to solidify the casing material applied to the food strand. For this purpose, the solidifying device 11 preferably has one or more spray heads (not shown) for dispensing a solidifying material such as calcium carbonate. Furthermore, any other devices, such as, in particular, dividing or twisting devices, can be arranged downstream of the solidifying device in the production direction P.

[0035] The coextrusion head 10 has a conveyor line section 13 and a housing 15. The conveyor line section 13 is connected to the outlet 6 of the first filling machine 2 via an inlet-side end 16. The housing 15 further has a housing inlet 18, which is connected to the second outlet 9 via the line 12. The food mass from the first filling machine 2 is conveyed in a production direction P through the coextrusion head 10 and, on the outlet side, is wrapped with a wrapping material from the second filling machine 3 (not shown).

[0036] The coextrusion head 10 is shown in detail in the Fig. 2 to 5 The coextrusion head 10 has, as already mentioned with respect to Fig. 1 As described, the conveying line section 13 and the housing 15 are integrally formed.

[0037] As in particular Fig. 3shows, the conveyor line section 13 has an inner tube 14, wherein a receiving chamber 25 is formed between the inner tube 14 and an inner wall 27 of the housing 15. The housing 15 has the housing inlet 18 for admitting casing material into the receiving chamber 25 and a vent opening 26. In the assembled state of the coextrusion head 10, the vent opening 26 is preferably arranged vertically above the housing inlet 18. The casing material admitted through the housing inlet 18 thus initially rises in the receiving chamber 25 and displaces the air contained therein, which can escape via the vent opening 26.

[0038] The coextrusion head 10 further comprises a nozzle attachment 30 with a nozzle opening 32 for discharging casing material. The nozzle attachment 30 is connected to a distal end 28 of the housing 15. The nozzle attachment 30 has a receiving opening 31 formed corresponding to the distal end 28 of the housing 15. The housing 15 and the nozzle attachment 30 are preferably connected to one another in a snug fit 43. The distal end 28 of the housing 15 has a first fitting surface 28A for this purpose, and the nozzle attachment 30 has a corresponding second fitting surface 31A within the receiving opening 31. As shown in particular in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the housing 15 and the nozzle attachment 30 are connected to each other via a screw connection 33.

[0039] The conveyor line section 13 has a flow channel 37 with a constant cross-section in the region of the inner tube 14. The inner tube 14 further has a distal outlet-side end 34, wherein the wall thickness of the inner tube 14 decreases in the direction of the outlet-side end 34 - i.e. in the production direction P. As shown in particular in Fig. 2 As shown, the inner tube 14 tapers in the production direction P in an area adjacent to the nozzle attachment 30. Envelope material from the receiving chamber 25 can thus flow along the gradually tapered inner tube 14 toward the outlet-side end 34.

[0040] Furthermore, the conveying line section 13 has an inlet-side end 16, in which the flow channel 41 has an enlarged flow cross-section. In particular, the flow cross-section decreases starting from the inlet-side end in the production direction P. Between the region of the flow channel 41 with the enlarged cross-section and the region of the flow channel 37 with a constant flow cross-section, a compression insert 39 is arranged according to a preferred embodiment. The section of the flow channel 41 with the enlarged cross-section tapers in the direction of the compression insert 39. The compression insert 39 is designed to compress the food mass and increase the pressure on the food mass in the region of the inner tube 14, i.e. essentially in the region of the flow channel 37 with a constant flow cross-section.

[0041] As in the Fig. 3 and 2As shown, the distal outlet-side end 34 of the filling tube 14 protrudes relative to an orifice surface 36 of the nozzle attachment 30 in the production direction P. Through the protruding outlet-side end 34, the wrapping material can exit the receiving chamber 25 unhindered through a gap 38 formed between the nozzle opening 32 and the inner tube 14.

[0042] The gap 38 is in Fig. 5 in a plane E orthogonal to the production direction P. The gap 38 extends in the view shown with a uniform gap thickness A around the filling tube 14. As further shown in the detailed illustration according to Fig. 2As can be seen, the gap thickness A changes in the production direction P and reaches a minimum on the outlet side. The comparatively larger gap thickness A on the receiving chamber 25 side enables the enveloping material to flow easily into the gap 38. Reducing the gap thickness A to the minimum on the outlet side enables the enveloping material to be discharged with a minimum thickness of preferably 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0043] To assemble the coextrusion head 10, the conveyor line section 13 with the inner tube 14 is first provided. Furthermore, the housing 15 extending in the production direction P and surrounding the inner tube 14 is provided, wherein the housing 15 extends from the conveyor line section 13 in the production direction P and is formed integrally therewith. Subsequently, a distal end 28 of the housing 15—i.e., the outlet-side end section—is connected to the nozzle attachment 30 for closing the receiving chamber 25.

[0044] Preferably, the connection is made via a positive or non-positive connection. In the embodiment shown according to the Fig. 2 to 5 The connection is made by a force-locking connection, namely a screw connection 33 and a fit seat 43.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the inner tube 14 and the nozzle opening 32 have a round cross-section. However, different cross-sections are also possible and are provided for within the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0046] 1 Food machine 2 First filling machine 3 Second filling machine 4 First feed pump 5 First hopper 6 First outlet 7 Second feed pump 8 Second hopper 9 Second outlet 10 Coextrusion head 11 Consolidation device 12 Line 13 Feed line section 14 Inner tube 15 Housing 16 Inlet end 18 Housing inlet 25 Receiving chamber 26 Vent opening 27 Inner wall (of the housing) 28 Distal end (of the housing) 28 A First mating surface (of the housing) 30 Nozzle attachment 31 Receiving opening 31 A Second mating surface of the nozzle attachment 32 Nozzle opening 33 Connection, screw connection 34 Outlet end 36 Orifice surface 37 Flow channel (with constant flow cross-section) 38Gap 39Compaction insert 41Flow channel (with enlarged flow cross-section) 43Fit PProduction direction ASlot thickness EPlane

Claims

1. A coextrusion head (10) for a food processing machine (1), in particular a coextrusion machine, for coextruding a food mass and a casing surrounding the food mass, comprising - at least one feed line section (13) having an inner pipe (14) for conducting in a production direction (P) the food mass to be formed into a strand, wherein an inlet end (16) of the inner pipe (14) is connectable to an outlet (6) of a stuffing machine (2), - a housing (15) extending in the production direction (P) from the feed line section (13) and surrounding the inner pipe (14), and - a receiving chamber (25), formed between the inner pipe (14) and the housing (15), for a casing material to be applied to the strand, said receiving chamber (25) having a housing inlet (18) for the casing material, characterized in that the feed line section (13) and the housing (15) are integrally embodied and the coextrusion head (10) further comprises a die attachment (30) that has a die opening (32) shaped correspondingly to the inner pipe (14) and that is connected to the housing (15), in particular to a distal end (28) of the housing (15).

2. The coextrusion head (10) according to claim 1, wherein the die opening (32) is shaped correspondingly to the inner pipe (14) in such a way that a gap (38) for the passage of casing material is formed between the die opening (32) and the inner pipe (14) in a plane (E) orthogonal to the production direction (P).

3. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the die opening (32) is designed to receive at least an outlet end (34) of the inner pipe (14).

4. The coextrusion head (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner pipe (14), in particular a flow channel (37) of the feed line section (13), has a constant flow cross-section in the region of the die opening (32) and the inner pipe (14) tapers in the production direction (P).

5. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the gap (38) is uniform and preferably has a gap width (A) in a range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

6. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gap (38) has a width (B) that varies in the production direction (P) and reaches a minimum at the distal outlet end (34) of the inner pipe (14).

7. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the die opening (32) is funnel-shaped in the production direction (P).

8. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the die attachment (30) is connected to the housing (15) by a releasable form- and / or force-fitting connection (33), in particular by at least one of the following connections: a clamp connection, a bayonet connection or a screw connection (33).

9. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (15) has a first mating surface (28A) and the die attachment (30) has a second mating surface (31A) and the die attachment (30) is connected to the housing (15) by a mating fit (43), wherein the mating fit (43) is preferably cylindrical-shaped or cone-shaped.

10. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the housing (15) terminates in the production direction (P) with the outlet end (34) of the inner pipe (14), or the housing (15) protrudes in the production direction (P) in relation to the outlet end (34) of the inner pipe (14).

11. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the die attachment (30) has an orifice surface (36) that is recessed relative to the production direction (P) and which surrounds the die opening (32), and wherein the distal outlet end (34) of the inner pipe (14) protrudes in the production direction (P) in relation to the orifice surface (36).

12. The coextrusion head (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber (25) has a vent hole (26) which in the assembled state of the coextrusion head (10) is arranged above the housing inlet (18), in particular in the vertical direction, and / or wherein the feed line section (13) and the housing (15) are manufactured in a casting process.

13. A food processing machine (1), in particular a coextrusion machine, for producing a strand made of a food mass, comprising - a first stuffing machine (2) having a first feed hopper (5) for receiving the food mass, a first feed pump (4) for conveying the food mass and a first outlet (6) for discharging the food mass, - a second stuffing machine (3) having a second feed hopper (8) for receiving the food mass, a second feed pump (7) for conveying the food mass and a second outlet (9) for discharging the food mass, - a coextrusion head (10) connected to the first outlet (6) and the second outlet (9), characterized in that the coextrusion head (10) is embodied according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. The food processing machine according to claim 13, further comprising: at least one hardening device (11) for hardening the casing material applied to the strand.

15. A method of assembling a coextrusion head, in particular a coextrusion head according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of: - providing at least one feed line section (13) having an inner pipe (14) for conducting in a production direction (P) the food mass to be formed into a strand, and a housing (15) extending in the production direction (P) from the feed line section (13) and surrounding the inner pipe (14), wherein the feed line section (13) and the housing (15) are integrally embodied, and wherein a receiving chamber (25) for a casing material to be applied to the strand is formed between the inner pipe (14) and the housing (15), said receiving chamber (25) having a housing inlet (18) for the casing material, and - connecting a distal end (28) of the housing (15) to a die attachment (30) having a die opening (32) shaped correspondingly to the inner pipe, in order to seal the receiving chamber (25).