Nabisco Brands, Inc.

Walter E Schaeder

Daniel A Koppa

Robert R Thulin

Robert E Ross

Lori J Banks

The invention disclosed in this application relates to leavener-containing dough compositions, methods of making such compositions and baked compositions prepared therefrom having a storage-stable soft and plastic crumb matrix. The compositions comprise a flour-based dough bakeable to a chewy texture in admixture with a heat-activated leavening agent which releases effective amounts of a leavening gas when the dough reaches the activating temperature of the leavening agent during baking. The activating temperature of the leavening agent is such that the leavener is releasing effective amounts of the leavening gas at a stage during the baking of the dough at which ingredients of the dough set-up to form the crumb matrix.

Leavener-containing dough compositions bakeable to a moist matrix

An apparatus acts upon an extrudate rope to form individual elements of predetermined size and shape which elements are separated from one another a predetermined distance. A die is used having a predetermined shape with indentations therein to press the extrudate rope against a support at predetermined locations. A conveyor belt is used to carry the extrudate rope in one direction, and the die is supported such that during the pressing operation the die forward speed matches the extrudate rope forward speed. A supporting table underlies the conveyor belt. The die has a pair of generally spherical indentations for shaping pieces from the extrudate rope. The die is formed of a non-stick material such as Teflon.RTM.. A chamber is located in an opposite surface of the die from each respective indentation, to serve as a plenum fluid supply to the indentations, bores connecting the respective opposing chambers to respective indentations. The fluid pressure in each indentation assists separation of a shaped piece of the extrudate rope from respective indentations. A plurality of extrudate ropes may be formed into pieces simultaneously, by using a plurality of dies in parallel, thereby allowing fast and economical separation of the extrudate ropes into pieces.

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Bergenfield, NJ, United States of America

Walter E Schaeder