Inventors:
Jon M. Dubowik - Buzzards Bay MA
Karl T. Ulrich - Belmont MA
Michael A. Nemirow - Lancaster MA
Assignee:
General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN
International Classification:
A23P 100
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) utilizing the present methods for fabricating dual textured food pieces is disclosed. Specifically, cavities (20) are formed in and defined by the inner surfaces (26) of first and second, circular plates (22,24). The cavities (20) are moved along a circuitous path by rotation of the plates (22,24). During the first portion of the circuitous path, the plates (22,24) abut and are pressed together by being sandwiched between a movable jaw (54) and a stationary jaw (52) and by rollers (38) rolling on the outer surfaces (28) of the plates (22,24). Two adjacent cavities (20) are simultaneously filled by a food injection manifold (42) with first and second food materials which are metered through pumps (72,74) each having two inlets (76,78) and two outlets (80,82). After being filled, the cavities (20) are cooled by an air manifold (44). During the second portion of the circuitous path, the plates (22,24) are separated by a wedge (40) which flexes the second plate (24) away from the first plate (22).