Thomas Michael Hunter

US Patent:

6511309, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

May 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/576766

Inventors:

Thomas B. Hunter - Collinsville IL

Assignee:

Kerry, Inc. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C 1110

US Classification:

4251331, 425311

Abstract:

A die and cutter assembly for an extruder for producing an extruded food piece containing a filling includes an elongated annular extrusion member with an extrusion wall formed on a first end thereof, a closed extrusion end formed adjacent said extrusion wall, and an opened feed end formed on a second, opposite end of said elongated annular extrusion member attachable in fluid communication with a manifold of the extruder. Furthermore, a filling tube extends into the elongated annular extrusion member and includes an extension formed on the elongated annular extrusion member substantially at a right angle thereto. A tube extension is formed on the filling tube substantially at a right angle thereto and located within the extension of the elongated annular extrusion member. In addition, an extrusion die is formed on the extension of the elongated annular extrusion member and a cutter member having an opened driveable end, an elongated cutter wall, and an opened cutter end with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die is disposed at least partially over and reciprocally slideable on the extrusion wall and operably connectable at the driveable end to a drive device for reciprocatably sliding the cutter member over and away from the extrusion die.

US Patent:

6964562, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/330070

Inventors:

Thomas B. Hunter - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

Kerry, Inc. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C011/10

US Classification:

4251331, 425191, 425311, 425461

Abstract:

A die and cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having a first, open end and a second, closed end. The first, open end is attachable in fluid communication with a first manifold of the extruder, and the second, closed end is formed by a removable extrusion end cap. An extension is formed on the elongated extrusion member. A filling passageway is formed in a wall of the elongated extrusion member, which is attachable to a second manifold of the extruder. A first filling passageway extension is in communication with and removably mounted to the filling passageway. The first filling passageway extension generally transverse to the filling passageway and extends into the extension of the elongated extrusion member. An extrusion die is formed on the extension of the elongated extrusion member. A cutter member has an opened drivable end, an elongated cutter wall, and an opened cutter end with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die.

US Patent:

7320279, Jan 22, 2008

Filed:

Dec 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/745660

Inventors:

Thomas B. Hunter - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

Kerry, Inc. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C 11/10

US Classification:

994506, 99353, 425311, 4251331

Abstract:

A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an opened feed end. The opened feed end is attachable in fluid communication with a first manifold of the extruder. A filling tube extends through the elongated extrusion member, which is attachable to a second manifold of the extruder. An extrusion die is formed in the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die is shaped to the general shape of a natural food piece. A cutter member has an opened drivable end, an elongated cutter wall, and an opened cutter end with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die. The cutting surface is shaped to the general shape of the extrusion die. The cutter member is disposed at least partially over and reciprocally slidable on the extrusion wall and operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter member over and away from the extrusion die.

US Patent:

7771767, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Feb 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/071393

Inventors:

Thomas B. Hunter - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

Kerry, Inc. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C 11/16
A21C 11/10

US Classification:

426516, 425311, 425464

Abstract:

A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an open feed end. The open feed end is attachable in fluid communication with a manifold of the extruder for supplying a mash thereto. An extrusion die is supported on the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die includes a plurality of extrusion outlets formed therein. A cutter member cuts extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die. The cutter member is slidable on the extrusion member in a direction of elongation of the extrusion member. The cutter member is operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter member over and away from the extrusion die. The shape of the extrusion outlets twist the mash as the mash exits the extrusion die in order to form a twisted food product.

US Patent:

8297961, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Apr 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/425032

Inventors:

Thomas B. Hunter - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

Kerry, Inc. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

B29C 47/06

US Classification:

4251331, 425192 R, 425311, 425377, 425462

Abstract:

A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an open feed end. The open feed end is attachable in fluid communication with the extruder for supplying a mash to said elongated extrusion member. An extrusion die is supported on a front of the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die includes an extrusion outlet formed therein. A filling tube is mounted on a rear of the elongated extrusion member and is attachable in fluid communication with the extruder for supplying a filling to the filling tube. A cutter member has a drivable end and a cutter blade with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the extrusion die. The cutter member is operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter blade over and away from the outlet of the extrusion die.

US Patent:

20080089970, Apr 17, 2008

Filed:

Dec 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/987747

Inventors:

Thomas Hunter - Collinsville IL, US

International Classification:

A21C 11/16
A21C 11/10

US Classification:

425311000, 264219000

Abstract:

A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an opened feed end. The opened feed end is attachable in fluid communication with a first manifold of the extruder. A filling tube extends through the elongated extrusion member, which is attachable to a second manifold of the extruder. An extrusion die is formed in the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die is shaped to the general shape of a natural food piece. A cutter member has an opened drivable end, an elongated cutter wall, and an opened cutter end with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die. The cutting surface is shaped to the general shape of the extrusion die. The cutter member is disposed at least partially over and reciprocally slidable on the extrusion wall and operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter member over and away from the extrusion die.

US Patent:

20090302491, Dec 10, 2009

Filed:

May 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/436466

Inventors:

Thomas B. HUNTER - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

KERRY, INC. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C 11/16
B29C 47/00

US Classification:

264148, 425311

Abstract:

A cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having an open feed end. The open feed end is attachable in fluid communication with the extruder for supplying a mash thereto. An extrusion die is supported on the elongated extrusion member. The extrusion die includes at least one extrusion outlet formed therein. A cutter member cuts extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die. The at least one extrusion outlet is shaped to have at least six straight sides, the shape of the at least one extrusion outlet ensuring that the mash exits the extrusion die in a straight orientation in order to form a straight food product.

US Patent:

20110081438, Apr 7, 2011

Filed:

Oct 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/898167

Inventors:

Thomas B. HUNTER - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

Kerry, INC. - Beloit WI

International Classification:

A21C 11/10
B29C 47/06
A21C 11/16

US Classification:

4251331

Abstract:

A die and cutter assembly for an extruder includes an elongated extrusion member having a first, open end and a second, closed end. The first, open end is attachable in fluid communication with a first manifold of the extruder, and the second, closed end is formed by a removable extrusion end cap. An extension is formed on the elongated extrusion member. A filling passageway is formed in a wall of the elongated extrusion member, which is attachable to a second manifold of the extruder. A first filling passageway extension is in communication with and removably mounted to the filling passageway. The first filling passageway extension generally transverse to the filling passageway and extends into the extension of the elongated extrusion member. An extrusion die is formed on the extension of the elongated extrusion member. A cutter member has an opened drivable end, an elongated cutter wall, and an opened cutter end with a cutting surface for cutting extrudate to a desired length as the extrudate exits the die. The cutter member is disposed at least partially over and reciprocally slideable on the extrusion wall and operably connectable at the drivable end to a drive device of the extruder for reciprocatably sliding the cutting surface of the cutter member over and away from the extrusion die.