Method and apparatus for the manufacture of a pet food product having a

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the manufacture of a pet food having a transverse, fibrous striated matrix which imparts a superior mechanical cleaning action to the teeth of a pet when chewed. The apparatus includes an extruder through which a fiber bearing food mixture is advanced, the discharge outlet end of which is equipped with a die assembly which induces a state of laminar flow in the food material stream. The die assembly is constructed of a first spacer plate having an annular opening positioned to receive and stabilize the food stream advanced through the die assembly. A breaker plate adjacent to the first spacer plate, receives the flow stabilized food stream and effects a first, discontinuous, alignment of the fibers in the stream. A second spacer plate receives the food stream discharged form the breaker plate. The second spacer plate has a length at least twice that of the first spacer plate, whereby the fibers in the food stream are aligned into a continuous transversely aligned state. Thereafter the food stream is advanced through orifices of a die plate positioned to receive the food ingredient mixture discharged from the second spacer plate. By advancing the fiber bearing food stream sequentially through each of the components of the die assembly a state of laminar flow induced in the food mixture whereby an extrudate having a transverse fiber striated matrix is obtained.