Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a laminated dough product having a desired texture, the process comprising the steps of: feeding a dough mass through an inlet of an extrusion die into a chamber located within the die, the chamber extending between said inlet and an outlet of the die; forcing the dough mass past a divider disposed within said chamber to divide the dough mass into separate dough masses; reuniting the separate dough masses to form a laminated dough mass which will selectively, partially delaminate upon subsequent processing; and extruding the laminated dough mass through the outlet of the die.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a laminated dough product having a desired texture, the process comprising the steps of: feeding a dough mass through an inlet of an extrusion die into a chamber located within the die, the chamber extending between said inlet and an outlet of the die; forcing the dough mass past a divider disposed within said chamber to divide the dough mass into separate dough masses; reuniting the separate dough masses to form a laminated dough mass which will selectively, partially delaminate upon subsequent processing; and extruding the laminated dough mass through the outlet of the die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of cooking the extruded dough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said cooking step comprises high heat transfer cooking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the divider is disposed in the chamber parallel to a central axis of the die outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the divider is in the form of a bar having a circular cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the divider is in the form of a bar having a polygonal cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the divider includes a friction-reducing surface for contacting the dough mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the dough is divided into two portions which are united within the chamber of the extrusion die prior to being extruded through a single opening in the extrusion die.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a degree of delamination of the subsequently processed extruded dough is selected by selecting the position of the divider bar with respect to the die outlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a degree of delamination of the subsequently extruded dough is selected by selecting the shape of the divider bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a snack food product, the process comprising the steps of: providing an uncooked dough mass; moving the dough mass past means for dividing the dough mass into a plurality of dough portions; reuniting the dough portions to form a laminated dough mass which will selectively delaminate upon subsequent processing of the laminated dough mass; extruding the laminated dough mass through an opening of an extrusion die; and cooking the laminated dough mass at a predetermined temperature to provide a snack food product including a plurality of layers which are only partially adhered to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for producing a snack food product, the process comprising the steps of: providing an uncooked dough mass; moving the dough mass past means for dividing the dough mass into a plurality of dough portions; reuniting the dough portions to form a laminated dough mass which will selectively delaminate upon subsequent processing of the laminated dough mass; extruding the laminated dough mass through an opening of an extrusion die; and cooking the laminated dough mass at a predetermined temperature to provide a snack food product including a plurality of layers which are only partially adhered to each other.