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EP0168255A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for co-extrusion of a dough mass with particulate matter in the outer dough

Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
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Filing: 1985-07-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-07-11
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Abstract

Abstract A continuous co-extruded food product is formed having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein the inner portion is enveloped by the outer portion and the outer portion is a dough containing particulate material such as chocolate chips. The product is formed by an inner extrusion port being recessed a distance d from an outer extrusion port with the distance d being sufficient for permitting particulate material in the outer dough portion to pass through an exit passage. between the inner and outer extrusion ports without clogging or agglomeration. Turbulence is induced in the outer dough portion which envelops the inner portion thereby causing the particulate material to tumble whereby at least a portion of the particulate material partially penetrates the exterior surface of the outer dough portion enveloping the inner portion. Dough is removed from the surface of the part of the particulate material penetrating the exterior surface of the outer dough portion. In a preferred embodiment, the outer extrusion port includes a land surface generally parallel to the axis of the outer extrusion port and a bevel surface at the interior surface of the outer extrusion port. The land surface intersects the beveled surface at a generally sharp line of intersection. The generally sharp line of intersection and the bevel surface cause the tumbling of the particulate material. The land surface removes dough from the surface of the particulate material which penetrates the exterior surface of the outer dough portion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert Thulin
  • 👤 Nicholas Polifromi
  • 👤 Robert E. Ross

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 20:02
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21C; A21C9/00; A21C9/06; A21C11/00; A21C11/16; A21C11/163; A23; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/02; A23G3/20; A23G3/2007; A23G3/2015; A23P; A23P30/00; A23P30/20; A23P30/25; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/243

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim 298 words
A co-extrusion apparatus for forming a icontinuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough containing .particulate material composed of particles, said apparatus comprising: an inner extrusion port having an exit orifice with a first cross-sectional area through which said inner portion is extruded; an outer extrusion port having an exit orifice with a second cross-sectional area greater in area than said first cross-sectional area wherein said inner extrusion port is recessed a distance d from said outer extrusion port with said recessed distance defining an exit passage between said inner extrusion port and said outer extrusion port and wherein said distance d is sufficient to permit said particles of said particulate material contained in said dough of said outer portion to pass through said exit passage; first conduit means communicating with said inner extrusion port for providing said inner portion thereto; second conduit means communicating with said exit passage for providing said outer dough portion containing particulate material thereto, whereby said outer dough portion containing particulate material passes through said exit passage and envelops said inner portion extruded through said inner extrusion port and wherein said inner portion enveloped by said outer portion passes through said outer extrusion port thereby forming a composite food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions; means for inducing turbulence in said outer dough portion enveloping said inner portion whereby said particulate material in said outer dough portion tumble and at least a portion of the particles of said particulate material have a part thereof penetrate the exterior surface of said outer dough portion; and means for substantially removing dough from the parts said particles which penetrate said exterior surface of said outer dough portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 298 words
A co-extrusion apparatus for forming a icontinuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough containing .particulate material composed of particles, said apparatus comprising: an inner extrusion port having an exit orifice with a first cross-sectional area through which said inner portion is extruded; an outer extrusion port having an exit orifice with a second cross-sectional area greater in area than said first cross-sectional area wherein said inner extrusion port is recessed a distance d from said outer extrusion port with said recessed distance defining an exit passage between said inner extrusion port and said outer extrusion port and wherein said distance d is sufficient to permit said particles of said particulate material contained in said dough of said outer portion to pass through said exit passage; first conduit means communicating with said inner extrusion port for providing said inner portion thereto; second conduit means communicating with said exit passage for providing said outer dough portion containing particulate material thereto, whereby said outer dough portion containing particulate material passes through said exit passage and envelops said inner portion extruded through said inner extrusion port and wherein said inner portion enveloped by said outer portion passes through said outer extrusion port thereby forming a composite food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions; means for inducing turbulence in said outer dough portion enveloping said inner portion whereby said particulate material in said outer dough portion tumble and at least a portion of the particles of said particulate material have a part thereof penetrate the exterior surface of said outer dough portion; and means for substantially removing dough from the parts said particles which penetrate said exterior surface of said outer dough portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distance d is at least about 1.25 times the largest dimension of the largest particles of said particulate material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said distance d is about 1.25 to 2 times the largest dimension of the largest particles of said particulate material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said exit orifice of said inner extrusion port and said exit orifice of said outer extrusion port are generally annular and wherein said exit passage between said inner extrusion port and said outer extrusion port is generally annular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said turbulence inducing means is located on said outer extrusion port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said turbulence inducing means is located on said outer extrusion port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for removing dough is located on said outer extrusion port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for removing dough is located on said outer extrusion port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 80 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer extrusion port includes a generally annular land surface oriented generally parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port with said land surface terminating at the inner side of said outer extrusion port in a generally sharp line of intersection with the interior surface of said puter extrusion port whereby said land surface provides said dough removing means and said generally sharp line of intersection provides said turbulence inducing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said line of intersection is sharp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said land surface is smooth and parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said land surface includes scallops oriented generally parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said land surface has a length parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port of about 1/16 inch to about 5/16 inch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said distance d is at least about 5/16 inch to about 7/16 inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 92 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer extrusion port includes a generally annular land surface oriented generally parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port, the inner surface of said outer extrusion port is a generally annular beveled surface intersecting said land surface at the interior side of said land surface thereby forming a generally annular line of intersection wherein said line of intersection is generally sharp whereby said land surface provides said dough removing means and said generally sharp line of intersection provides said turbulence inducing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said line of intersection is sharp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said land surface is smooth and parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said land surface includes scallops oriented generally parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said land surface has a length parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port of about 1/16 inch to about 5/16 inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said beveled surface forms an angle with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the outer extrusion port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 183 words
In a co-extrusion method for forming a continuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped in intimate contact by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough material, said method including the steps of: extruding the inner portion through an inner extrusion port; and enveloping said inner portion with the outer portion and passing the inner portion and the enveloping outer portion through an outer extrusion port thereby continuously forming a composite rope-like food product having said outer portion in intimate contact with said inner portion; the improvement comprising; providing particulate material composed of particles in said outer portion dough material prior to said outer portion dough material enveloping said inner portion; causing turbulence in said outer portion dough material when said outer portion is enveloping said inner portion whereby said particles in said outer portion dough material tumble and therefore at least a portion of said particles partially penetrate the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material; and ! removing dough covering the part of said particles which penetrate said exterior surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 183 words
In a co-extrusion method for forming a continuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped in intimate contact by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough material, said method including the steps of: extruding the inner portion through an inner extrusion port; and enveloping said inner portion with the outer portion and passing the inner portion and the enveloping outer portion through an outer extrusion port thereby continuously forming a composite rope-like food product having said outer portion in intimate contact with said inner portion; the improvement comprising; providing particulate material composed of particles in said outer portion dough material prior to said outer portion dough material enveloping said inner portion; causing turbulence in said outer portion dough material when said outer portion is enveloping said inner portion whereby said particles in said outer portion dough material tumble and therefore at least a portion of said particles partially penetrate the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material; and ! removing dough covering the part of said particles which penetrate said exterior surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method as recited in claim 21 wherein said 'outer portion dough material is a chocolate chip cookie dough, said particulate material is chocolate chips, and said inner portion is a chocolate chip cookie dough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as recited in claim 21 or 22 wherein said dough covering is removed prior to said composite rope-like food product exiting the outer extrusion port.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 239 words
A co-extrusion method for forming a continuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped in intimate contact by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough material, said method comprising: providing particulate material composed of particles in said outer portion dough material; extruding said inner portion through an inner extrusion port; passing said outer portion dough material containing particulate material through an exit passage formed by recessing said inner extrusion port a distance d from an outer extrusion port wherein said distance d is sufficient to permit said particles of said particulate material contained in said outer portion dough material to pass through said exit passage whereby said outer portion dough material envelops said inner portion; passing said inner portion enveloped by said outer portion dough material through said outer extrusion port thereby forming a composite rope-like food product having said outer portion dough material in intimate contact with said inner portion; creating turbulence is said outer portion dough material enveloping said inner portion thereby causing at least a portion of said particles to tumble and to partially penetrate the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material prior to said composite rope-like food product exiting said outer extrusion port; removing dough from the part of said particles penetrating the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material prior to said composite rope-like food product exiting said outer extrusion port.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 239 words
A co-extrusion method for forming a continuous food product having dissimilar inner and outer portions wherein said inner portion is enveloped in intimate contact by said outer portion and said outer portion is a dough material, said method comprising: providing particulate material composed of particles in said outer portion dough material; extruding said inner portion through an inner extrusion port; passing said outer portion dough material containing particulate material through an exit passage formed by recessing said inner extrusion port a distance d from an outer extrusion port wherein said distance d is sufficient to permit said particles of said particulate material contained in said outer portion dough material to pass through said exit passage whereby said outer portion dough material envelops said inner portion; passing said inner portion enveloped by said outer portion dough material through said outer extrusion port thereby forming a composite rope-like food product having said outer portion dough material in intimate contact with said inner portion; creating turbulence is said outer portion dough material enveloping said inner portion thereby causing at least a portion of said particles to tumble and to partially penetrate the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material prior to said composite rope-like food product exiting said outer extrusion port; removing dough from the part of said particles penetrating the exterior surface of said outer portion dough material prior to said composite rope-like food product exiting said outer extrusion port.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as recited in claim 24 wherein said turbulence is created by providing turbulence-inducing means on said outer extrusion port.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method as recited in claim 24 or 25 wherein ,said dough is removed by providing said outer extrusion port with a land surface generally parallel to the axis of said outer extrusion port.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 77 words
A method as recited in claim 24 wherein said rope-like food product passed through said outer extrusion port is deposited on a continuously moving horizontally disposed conveyer means travelling at a speed substantially I ! equal to or just slightly faster than the rate of extrusion whereby said composite rope-like food product is oriented in substantially straight line in the direction of movement of said conveyer means in the absence of discontinuities formed in said outer portion.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 14 words
A method as recited in claim,24 wherein said inner portion is a dough material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as recited in claim 24 or 25 wherein said distance d is at least about 1.25 times the maximum dimension of the largest particles of said particulate material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method as recited in claim 24 wherein said outer portion is a chocolate chip cookie dough, said particulate material is chocolate chips, and said inner portion is a chocolate chip cookie dough.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as recited in claim 30 wherein the size of said chocolate chips ranges from about 1,500 chips/pound to 10,000 chips/pound.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method as recited in claim 31 wherein the concentration of said chocolate chips is about 3 to 40 per cent by weight of the outer portion dough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as recited in claim 31 wherein said distance d is at least about 1.25 times the maximum dimension of the largest chocolate chips in said outer portion dough.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method as recited in claim 33 wherein said turbulence is provided by said land surface terminating in a generally sharp line of intersection at the interior side of said outer extrusion port.

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