Claims
- 1. A method for making a firm, flexible animal feed gel, the method comprising the steps of:
A. Forming a liquid animal feed at a temperature above ambient temperature; B. Passing the liquid animal feed through a pipe cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the liquid animal feed of step (A) such that the feed solidifies to a stiff, flexible gel while in the pipe; and C. Collecting the gel as the gel exits the pipe.
- 2. The method of claim 1 in which the liquid animal feed comprises water, at least one gelling agent and at least one source of animal protein.
- 3. The method of claim 2 in which the gelling agent comprises at least one gelatin and at least one gum.
- 4. The method of claim 2 in which the liquid animal feed enters the pipe at a temperature of at least about 120 F.
- 5. The method of claim 2 in which the gel exits the pipe at about ambient temperature.
- 6. The method of claim 5 in which the gel is cut into pre-determined lengths as it exits the pipe.
- 7. An apparatus for extruding a firm, flexible animal feed gel, the apparatus comprising:
A. A pipe having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet adapted for receiving a liquid animal feed at a temperature in excess of ambient temperature and the outlet end adapted for extruding a firm, flexible animal feed gel; B. A pump for passing the liquid animal feed through the pipe; C. A means for cooling the liquid animal feed to a temperature below the temperature of the liquid animal feed of step (A) such that the feed solidifies to a stiff, flexible gel while in the pipe; and D. A means for collecting gel as it exits the pipe.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the pipe is a straight pipe and the cooling means is a cooling jacket.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the pipe is a coiled pipe and the cooling means is a holding container filled with a cooling liquid.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 8 in which the cooling jacket is filled with circulating water.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the cooling liquid is circulating water.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 7 further equipped with a cutting means with which to cut the gel into pre-determined lengths as the gel exits the pipe.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/225,948 filed Aug. 17, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60225948 |
Aug 2000 |
US |