Filled snack product with spaced filling lines and method of making the same

Abstract

A filled snack product includes a first sheet having a first surface. A plurality of filling lines are disposed upon the first surface of the first sheet. Each of the plurality of filling lines are spaced to define a void between each of the adjacent filling lines. A second sheet is disposed over the first sheet and secured to at least a portion of the first sheet to sandwich the plurality of spaced filling lines between the first and second sheets. A plurality of docking holes are disposed upon the first and second sheets. The plurality of docking holes and the plurality of spaced filling lines allow for the pinning of the first and second sheets at the voids disposed between the spaced filling lines and further for the release to steam and/or gas from the filled snack product during heating to minimize puffing of the filled snack product.

1 . A method of producing a filled snack product comprising the steps of:
 disposing a plurality of filling lines on a first flat surface of a first sheet, each of the plurality of filling lines being spaced to define a void between each of the adjacent filling lines;   placing the second sheet over the first sheet to sandwich the plurality of filling lines between the first and second sheets and form a laminate;   docking the laminate to create a plurality of docking holes for the release of steam or gas during heating;   pinning the first and second sheets at the voids between the plurality of spaced filling lines to secure the first and second sheets to each other; and   heating the laminate to form the filled snack product;   wherein the plurality of docking holes and the plurality of spaced filling lines allow for pinning of the first and second sheets at the voids disposed between the plurality of spaced filling lines to minimize puffing of the filled snack product during heating.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the disposing a plurality of filling lines step is further defined as extruding a plurality of filling lines on the first flat surface of the first sheet from an extrusion plate, each of the plurality of filling lines being spaced to define a void between adjacent filling lines. 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 sheeting a first mixture into the first sheet having the first flat surface; and 
 sheeting a second mixture into a second sheet. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising the steps of:
 forming the first mixture prior to sheeting the first mixture; and 
 forming the second mixture prior to sheeting the second mixture. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein at least one of the first and second mixtures is a dough based mixture. 
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the first and second mixtures are the same mixture. 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further including the steps of:
 dividing the laminate into a plurality of individual filled snack products, each of the individual filled snack products having a plurality of filling lines disposed therein; and 
 securing a peripheral portion of the second sheet to the first sheet prior to the heating the laminate step. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the securing a peripheral portion step is further defined as securing the peripheral portions of the first and second sheets at a void between adjacent filling lines. 
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further including the step of separating the laminate into the plurality of individual filled snack products following the heating the laminate step. 
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further including the step of disposing an additive to the outer surface of the filled snack product. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the docking step is further defined as docking the laminate with a docker to create a plurality of docking holes in the laminate for the release of steam or gas during heating. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the pinning step is further defined as pinning the first and second sheets at the voids between the plurality of spaced filling lines with the docker to secure the first and second sheets to each other. 
     
     
         13 . A filled snack product comprising:
 a first sheet of a first mixture having a first flat surface;   a plurality of filling lines disposed upon said first flat surface of said first sheet, each of said plurality of filling lines being spaced to define a void between each of said adjacent filling lines;   a second sheet of a second mixture disposed over said first sheet and secured to at least a portion of said first sheet to sandwich said plurality of spaced filling lines between said first and second sheets; and   a plurality of docking holes disposed through said first and second sheets for the release of steam or gas from said filled snack product during heating to minimize puffing of said filled snack product;   wherein at least one of said plurality of docking holes pin said second sheet to said first sheet in at least one of said voids disposed between said plurality of filling lines to secure said second sheet to said first sheet and minimize puffing of said filled snack product.   
     
     
         14 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said first and second sheets each define a periphery and said second sheet is secured to said first sheet along at least a portion of said periphery to sandwich said plurality of spaced filling lines between said first and second sheets. 
     
     
         15 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 14  wherein each of said peripheries are rectangular and said second sheet is secured to said first sheet along opposing peripheral edges to sandwich said plurality of spaced filling lines between said first and second sheets. 
     
     
         16 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 15  wherein a portion of said plurality of filling lines is exposed between said first and second sheets at opposing ends of said first and second sheets. 
     
     
         17 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  further including an additive for placement on an outer surface of said filled snack product. 
     
     
         18 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said additive is one of frosting, icing, vitamins, edible particulates, flavorings, artificial sweeteners, dehydrated fruits, nuts, chocolate, or compound coatings. 
     
     
         19 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein at least one of said first and second mixture is a dough based mixture. 
     
     
         20 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said first and second mixtures are the same mixture. 
     
     
         21 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said plurality of filling lines include at least two different flavored filling lines. 
     
     
         22 . The filled snack product as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said plurality of filling lines are the same. 
     
     
         23 . An extrusion plate for controlling the flow of spaced filling lines from an exit end of a manifold onto a first sheet of a filled snack product comprising:
 a plate having a plurality of spaced filling portions with each of said filling portions defining a plurality of openings, said plurality of openings being spaced from each other for disposing the plurality of spaced filling lines onto the first sheet.   
     
     
         24 . The extrusion plate as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the spacing between said adjacent filling portions is greater than the spacing between said adjacent openings. 
     
     
         25 . The extrusion plate as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said plurality of openings are circular. 
     
     
         26 . The extrusion plate as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said spaced filling portions dispose different filling lines therefrom.