The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 15, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 11, 2008
Lavon Wenger, Sabetha, KS (US);
Marc Wenger, Sabetha, KS (US);
Galen J. Rokey, Sabetha, KS (US);
Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., Sabetha, KS (US);
Abstract
An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner () is provided having independent drive mechanism () operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft () and permitting selective rotation of the shafts () at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. Preferably, the speed differential between the shafts () is at least about 5:1. The mechanisms () are operatively coupled with a digital control device () to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner () is supported on load cells () also coupled with control device () to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (). The preconditioner () is particularly useful for the preconditioning and partial gelatinization of starch-bearing feed or food materials, to an extent to achieve at least about 50% cook in the preconditioned feed or food materials.