Intercontinental Great Brands LLC

Cadbury UK Limited

Gavin Bown

Simon Jelley

Finbarr Charles Ronald Williamson

Andrew Christopher Bufton

Roderick Andrew Haines

Stuart Banister

Stuart Mark Banister

Simon Philip Jelley

A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material () through an extrusion aperture in a die (). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body () whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus () for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die () defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism () in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (). The flow control mechanism () may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for manufacturing food products, especially confectionery products such as chocolate bars.

Apparatus and method for manufacturing products

A method of manufacturing products comprising an outer casing of a first material () and containing at least one chamber () filled with a second material () comprises extruding the first material through a die () to form an extrudate body () and delivering the second material through at least one fluid outlet () in the die to form the least one filled chamber. The extrusion process is varied periodically and momentarily to produce sections () of extrudate body having no filled chamber. In one embodiment, the flow of the second material () is periodically reduced to form the unfilled sections. The flow of the second material () may be reduced by increasing the volume of a supply path for the second material upstream from the die (). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly adapted for producing food, and especially confectionery, products.

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Birmingham, United Kingdom

Gavin Bown