초록 ▼

An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairba

An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairball treatment for cats and the outer component is a dough-like material. A system for producing the edible product includes a first material source for supplying a first edible material to form the inner component of the edible product, a second material source for supplying a second edible material to form the outer component of the edible product, and an extruder for continuously coextruding the first edible material and the edible second material to produce an elongated rope of edible product. A crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope extruded from the extruder for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products. A method for producing the edible product involves supplying the first and second edible materials to the extruder, and continuously coextruding the first and second materials as a longitudinal rope in which the first material is positioned within and surrounded by the second material. The longitudinal rope is cut at spaced apart locations as it is being extruded from the extruder to produce individual edible products each containing an inner component comprised of the first material and an outer cover component comprised of the second material that substantially completely surrounds the inner component, with the edible products being sealed at opposite ends.

대표청구항 ▼

An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairba

An edible product in accordance with the present invention involves an edible inner component made from a first material and an edible outer cover component substantially completely encapsulating the edible inner component. In one form of the invention, the inner component is in the form of a hairball treatment for cats and the outer component is a dough-like material. A system for producing the edible product includes a first material source for supplying a first edible material to form the inner component of the edible product, a second material source for supplying a second edible material to form the outer component of the edible product, and an extruder for continuously coextruding the first edible material and the edible second material to produce an elongated rope of edible product. A crimping apparatus receives the longitudinal rope extruded from the extruder for crimping the longitudinal rope to separate the longitudinal rope into individual edible products. A method for producing the edible product involves supplying the first and second edible materials to the extruder, and continuously coextruding the first and second materials as a longitudinal rope in which the first material is positioned within and surrounded by the second material. The longitudinal rope is cut at spaced apart locations as it is being extruded from the extruder to produce individual edible products each containing an inner component comprised of the first material and an outer cover component comprised of the second material that substantially completely surrounds the inner component, with the edible products being sealed at opposite ends. container. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first separating means comprising a first linear shaker means. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said second separating means comprising: a first cyclone device with a liquid output line, said liquid output line being delivered to the initial settling compartment and the solids output line being delivered to a second linear shaker means. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said second separating means comprises: a second cyclone means with a second solids output line, said second solids output line being delivered to a second linear shaker means; and, a third cyclone means with a third solids output line, said third solids output line being delivered to the second linear shaker means. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of conveying the solids to a first discharge pump includes providing an auger blade placed in the bottom of said container and rotating said auger blade so that the solids are pushed to the first discharge pump in a direction opposite the fluid flow within said container, and wherein the auger is rotated at a variable rate of rotation. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said tilted baffle plates are disposed at an angel of between 45 degrees to 70 degrees. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising mixing an additive with said fluid within a mixing compartment, said mixing compartment receiving the output from said second compartment. 8. A method of treating a fluid containing solids comprising: flowing the fluid into a first linear shaker for separating the fluid from the solids, said first linear shaker being associated with a container; discharging the separated fluid into an initial settling compartment, said initial settling compartment being located within said container; channeling the fluid into a second compartment, said second compartment containing a plurality of tilted baffle plates; settling the solids to the bottom of the container; conveying the solids to a first discharge pump; pumping the solids from said discharge pump to a cyclone device in tandem with a second linear shaker; discharging the fluid stream from said cyclone device into the initial settling compartment; discharging a slurry stream from said cyclone device to said second linear shaker; separating the fluid stream from said slurry stream with said second linear shaker; discharging the fluid stream from said second linear shaker to said second compartment; discharging the solids from said second linear shaker to a bin; suctioning the fluid stream within said container into a mixing compartment, said mixing compartment adjoining said container; mixing an additive into said fluid stream within said mixing compartment so that a new slurry is formed. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of conveying comprises: rotating a spiral blade and pushing the slurry at the bottom of the container in an opposite direction from the fluid flow; increasing the rate of rotation of the spiral blade so that an increase in the solids is delivered to the first discharge pump. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first linear shaker includes a wire screen of 4 mesh. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of suctioning from the container into the mixing compartment includes suctioning from the container with a centrifugal pump and discharging to a line containing a mud gun and the method the step of mixing the additive into said fluid stream comprises: introducing the additive through a mixing hopper, said mixing hopper operatively associated with the mixing compartment; jetting the cleaned fluid from the container through said mud guns within the mixing compartment; rotating a plurality of blades located within said mixing compartment. 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: a second cyclone means with a second solid's output line, said second solid's output line being delivered to a third linear shaker; and a third cyclone means with a third