Method and Apparatus for Making Co-Extruded Food Product

Abstract

A snack bar is produced in accordance with a method employing an extrusion apparatus to include a base or crust, a primary filling provided on the base and a second filling or topping embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling. The primary and secondary fillings are co-extruded, with an extrusion nozzle for the secondary filling being located directly adjacent an extrusion port for the primary filling. The primary filling is non-flowable, while the secondary filling is preferably flowable. The extrusion nozzle can be repositioned either between or during extrusion operations to alter a repeating pattern for the secondary filling.

1 . A snack bar comprising:
 a base establishing a crust; and   a filling provided on the crust, said filling including a primary filling constituted by a non-flowable material and a secondary filling, wherein the secondary filling is embedded in, yet externally exposed from, the primary filling.   
     
     
         2 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the primary filling has a smooth top surface, said secondary filling being substantially flush with and visible from the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The snack bar of  claim 2 , wherein the primary filling has a depth and the secondary filling extends approximately half of the depth. 
     
     
         4 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary filling extends within the primary filling in a repeating pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The snack bar of  claim 4 , wherein the repeating pattern is non-linear. 
     
     
         6 . The snack bar of  claim 5 , wherein the repeating pattern is sinusoidal. 
     
     
         7 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the crust defines a graham cracker or chocolate base for the snack bar. 
     
     
         8 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary filling constitutes a flowable material. 
     
     
         9 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the primary filling is cheesecake. 
     
     
         10 . The snack bar of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary filling is a fruit filling. 
     
     
         11 . The snack bar of  claim 1 , wherein the snack bar has an overall length and an overall width, each being in the order of 2-3 inches (approximately 5-7.5 cm). 
     
     
         12 . A snack bar comprising:
 a base; and   a filling provided on the base, said filling including a primary filling constituted by a non-flowable material and a secondary filling, wherein the secondary filling is embedded in and deforms, extends approximately half of a depth of, and yet is externally exposed from, the primary filling.   
     
     
         13 . The snack bar of  claim 12 , wherein the base constitutes a crust of the snack bar. 
     
     
         14 . The snack bar of  claim 13 , wherein the crust defines a graham cracker or chocolate base for the snack bar. 
     
     
         15 . The snack bar of  claim 12 , wherein the primary filling has a smooth top surface, and said secondary filling is substantially flush with and visible from the top surface. 
     
     
         15 – 1 . The snack bar of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary filling constitutes a flowable material. 
     
     
         16 . The snack bar of  claim 12 , wherein the primary filling is cheesecake. 
     
     
         17 . The snack bar of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary filling is a fruit filling. 
     
     
         18 . The snack bar of  claim 12 , wherein the secondary filling extends within the primary filling in a repeating pattern along a length of the snack bar. 
     
     
         19 . The snack bar of  claim 18 , wherein the repeating pattern is non-linear. 
     
     
         20 . The snack bar of  claim 19 , wherein the repeating pattern is sinusoidal.