Sandwich cookie with removable portion

Abstract

A sandwich cookie is described herein that includes a filling disposed between an upper biscuit and a lower biscuit, where an inner portion of the cookie that includes a first portion of the upper biscuit, a first portion of the filling, and a first portion of the lower biscuit is removable from a surrounding outer portion of the cookie that includes a second portion of the upper biscuit, a second portion of the filling, and a second portion of the lower biscuit, the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by at least one frangible bridge in the upper and / or lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

Description

SANDWICH COOKIE WITH REMOVABLE PORTIONField

[0001] A cookie with a removable portion is described herein and, in particular, a sandwich cookie with a removable portion.Background

[0002] Sandwich cookies are popular, and can consist of an upper biscuit, a lower biscuit and a fdling in between. An example of such a sandwich cookie is the OREO cookie. Sandwich cookies can be eaten in a variety of ways, including in sandwich form as well as disassembled.Summary

[0003] A sandwich cookie is described herein that includes a filling disposed between an upper biscuit and a lower biscuit. An inner portion of the cookie - that includes a first portion of the upper biscuit, a first portion of the filling, and a first portion of the lower biscuit - is removable from a surrounding outer portion of the cookie - that includes a second portion of the upper biscuit, a second portion of the filling, and a second portion of the lower biscuit. The inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by at least one frangible bridge in the upper and / or lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0004] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by at least one frangible bridge in the upper biscuit and at least one frangible bridge in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0005] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by two or more frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and two or more frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0006] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by at least four frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and at least four frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0007] In some aspects, the first portion of the upper biscuit and the first portion of the lower biscuit are spaced from the second portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the lower biscuit by the frangible bridges such that there are a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the upper biscuit and there are a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the lower biscuit and the second portion of the lower biscuit, and the filling is visible through the gaps in the upper biscuit and the gaps in the lower biscuit.

[0008] In some aspects, the gap or gaps are arcuate.

[0009] In some aspects, the surrounding outer portion of the cookie is annular and the inner portion of the cookie is circular.

[0010] In some aspects, the surrounding outer portion of the cookie is annular and the inner portion of the cookie is circular.

[0011] In some aspects, the first portion of the upper biscuit and the first portion of the lower biscuit are spaced from the second portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the lower biscuit by the at least one frangible bridge.

[0012] In some aspects, there is a gap or a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the upper biscuit, and the filling is visible through the gap or gaps.

[0013] In some aspects, the upper biscuit has a circular outer perimeter and the lower biscuit has a circular outer perimeter.

[0014] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by two or more frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and two or more frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0015] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by at least four frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and at least four frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0016] In some aspects, the inner portion of the cookie is removably attached by between four and twenty frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and between four and twenty in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0017] A method is provided, which can be used for making any of the cookies described herein, the method including: molding an upper biscuit precursor from dough; the upper biscuit precursor including one of the frangible bridges; molding a lower biscuit precursor from dough, the lower biscuit precursor including one of the frangible bridges; baking the upper biscuit precursor to form the upper biscuit; baking the lower biscuit precursor to form the lower biscuit; applying the filling to one of the upper and lower biscuits; and placing the other of the upper and lower biscuits on the filling to form the sandwich cookie.

[0018] In some aspects of the method, the upper biscuit precursor has a circular outer perimeter; and / or the lower biscuit precursor has a circular outer perimeter.

[0019] In some aspects, the upper biscuit precursor includes at least four frangible bridges; and / or the lower biscuit precursor includes at least four frangible bridges.

[0020] A method is provided for removing the inner portion of the sandwich cookie described herein, the method including: breaking the at least one frangible bridge in the upper and / or lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie and removing the inner portion of the cookie from the outer portion of the cookie.

[0021] In some aspects, the upper biscuit includes at least four frangible bridges; and the lower biscuit includes at least four frangible bridges.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a sandwich cookie having a circular removable inner portion.

[0023] FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1;

[0024] FIGURE 3 is a front perspective view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1 showing the removable inner portion partially removed;

[0025] FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 3;

[0026] FIGURE 5 is a front perspective view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1 showing the removable inner portion fully removed;

[0027] FIGURE 6 is a front elevation view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 5;

[0028] FIGURE 7 is a front perspective view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1, showing the removable inner portion fully removed and adjacent to a surrounding outer portion;

[0029] FIGURE 8 is a front perspective view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 7;

[0030] FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of an upper or lower biscuit of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1, but with embossing added;

[0031] FIGURE 10 is a detail view of one of the frangible bridges of the biscuit of FIGURE 9;

[0032] FIGURE 11 is a detail view of a gap between the inner portion and the surrounding outer portion of the biscuit of FIGURE 9;

[0033] FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 1;

[0034] FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 12 taken along line 13-13 thereof;

[0035] FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sandwich cookie of FIGURE 12 taken along line 14-14 thereof;

[0036] FIGURE 15 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having eight frangible bridges between an inner portion and an outer surrounding portion;

[0037] FIGURE 16 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having twelve frangible bridges between an inner portion and an outer surrounding portion;

[0038] FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having twenty frangible bridges between an inner portion and an outer surrounding portion;

[0039] FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having a rectangular removable inner portion and a circular outer surrounding portion;

[0040] FIGURE 19 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having an animal-shaped removable inner portion and a circular outer surrounding portion; and

[0041] FIGURE 20 is a top plan view of an alternative upper or lower biscuit having a moon-shaped removable inner portion and a circular outer surrounding portion.Detailed Description

[0042] A sandwich cookie is described herein and aspects of which are shown in FIGURES 1-20. The sandwich cookie can be separated into two distinct parts: an inner portion and a surrounding outer portion. Advantageously, such a sandwich cookie can allow for an enhanced eating experience by permitting a consumer to selectively remove a segment of the cookie, which includes parts of both biscuits and the filling, for varied texture and flavor enjoyment, as well assharing. For example, the removable segment can be an inner portion that is surrounded by an outer portion. The inner portion can be removed and shared with one consumer, and the outer portion can be shared by a different consumer or the same consumer.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1-8, the sandwich cookie 10 comprises an upper biscuit 12 and a lower biscuit 14 with a filling 16 disposed therebetween. The cookies 10 are typically round, but may be manufactured in various shapes, such as squares, rectangles, or any other geometric shapes that cater to consumer preference and manufacturing capabilities.

[0044] The cookie 10 includes an outer portion 18 and an inner portion 20 surrounding the outer portion 18, as mentioned above. The inner portion 20 of the cookie 10 includes a first portion 22 of the upper biscuit 12, a first portion 24 of the filling 16, and a first portion 26 of the lower biscuit, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The outer portion 18 of the cookie includes a second portion 28 of the upper biscuit 12, a second portion 30 of the filling 16, and a second portion 32 of the lower biscuit 14, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The inner portion 20 of the cookie 10 is removably attached by at least one frangible bridge 34 in the upper biscuit 12 and at least one frangible bridge 36 in lower biscuit 14 to the outer portion 18 of the cookie 10, as shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, to permit the inner portion 20 of the cookie 10 to be removed from the surrounding outer portion 18 of the cookie 10 when the frangible bridges 34, 36 are broken. The frangible bridges 34, 36 are designed to be a weakened area in the biscuit structure, which can be broken with relatively minimal force, allowing the inner portion 20 to be detached without causing significant crumbling or destruction of the remaining outer portion 18 of the cookie 10.

[0045] To separate the inner portion 20 of the cookie 10 from the outer portion 18 of the cookie 10, one starts with the unitary' cookie 10 before the bridges 34, 36 have been broken, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Applying pressure to the inner portion 20 of the cookie 10 relative to the outer portion 18 of the cookie 10, such as by holding the outer portion 18 and pressing on the inner portion 20 of the cookie 10, will break the frangible bridges 34, 36 and allow for the inner portion 20 to begin separation from the outer portion 18, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. There may be some resistance from the filling 16, but the peripheral edge of the second portion 22 of the upper biscuit 12, or, if pushed oppositely, the peripheral edge of the second portion 26 of the lower biscuit 14, can help with cutting through the filling 16 to separate the filling 16 into the first portion 24 and second portion 30. Continued relative pushing of the inner portion 20 relative to the outer portion 18 can further separate them, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, until the innerportion 20 is entirely remove from the outer portion 18 of the cookie 10, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, The two pieces can be consumed separately or together, and can be shared among multiple consumers.

[0046] As shown, the sandwich cookie 10 is generally circular, having a circular upper biscuit 12 and a circular lower biscuit 14. The removable inner portion 20 also has a circular perimeter. More specifically, the first portion 22 of the upper biscuit 12 and the first portion 26 of the lower biscuit have a circular outer perimeter, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. When the removable inner portion 20 is removed from the outer portion 18, the first portion 24 of the filling 16 will also have a circular perimeter. The outer portion 18 is generally annular upon removable of the inner portion 20. Different shapes of the inner portion 20 can result in similar shapes of the first portion 24 of the filling 16. As used herein, it will be understood that the term circular does not imply a geometrically precise circle but rather a generally circular appearance. Further, other shapes of the sandwich cookie and removable inner portion are contemplated, e.g., circular and rectangular, rectangular and rectangular, and rectangular and circular, for example,

[0047] Turning now to details of the bridges 34, 36, as shown in FIGURES 9-14, the bridges can have a generally hourglass shape. The bridges 34 of the upper biscuit 12 can flare outwardly at the intersections with the first portion 22 of the upper biscuit 12 and the second portion 28 of the upper biscuit 12. Similarly, the bridges 36 of the lower biscuit 14 can flare outwardly at the intersections with the first portion 26 of the lower biscuit 14 and the second portion 32 of the lower biscuit 14. Although shown as hourglass shaped, other shapes of the frangible bridges 34, 36 can also be suitable.

[0048] Various dimensions can be associated with the bridges 34, 36. For example, each of the bridges 34, 36 can have a thickness Pl, a minimum width P2 and a length P3, as shown in FIGURE 11. Of course, these dimensions do not have to be constant and each can vary, e.g., the thickness can vary. The variables, including the number of bridges, can be adjusted to balance breakage during manufacturing and handling with ease of separation. For example, the thickness Pl of the bridges 34, 36 can be between 35-45% of the height of the upper biscuit 12 or lower biscuit 14. The minimum width P2 can be between 1 mm and 3.2 mm, e.g., 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.4 mm, 3.2 mm. The length P3 can be between 1.5 mm and 3 mm. The length P3 of the bridges 34, 36 also corresponds to the width of the gap 38, 40, as shown in FIGURE 10.

[0049] As shown in FIGURES 1-14, there are four bridges 34 in the upper biscuit 12 and four bridges 36 in the lower biscuit. In one exemplary form, there are four bridges 34 in the upper biscuit 12 and four bridges 36 in the lower biscuit 14, with the thickness Pl of 2.1 mm, a minimum width P2 of 1.5 mm, and a length P3 of 2 mm. Although the number of bridges 34 and 36 are shown as being equal between the upper biscuit 12 and the lower biscuit 14, they do not have to match. The number of bridges 34, 36 in each of the upper biscuit 12 and lower biscuit 14 can vary. For example, the bridges 34 or 36 can number from 2 to 20, e.g., 2-3, 4, 6-8, 12-20 in number. A cookie 110 with eight bridges is shown in FIGURE 15; a cookie 210 with twelve bridges is shown in FIGURE 16; and a cookie 310 with twenty bridges is shown in FIGURE 17, by way of example.

[0050] The frangible bridges 34, 36 create gaps or spaces 38, 40 between the first portion and second portion of both the upper biscuit 12 and the lower biscuit 14. These gaps 38, 40 allow the filling to be visible, adding to the aesthetic appeal and providing a visual cue for the location of the frangible bridges. The gaps 38, 40 may be arcuate in shape, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 12, contributing to the appearance of the cookie 10. When the upper biscuit 12 and lower biscuit 14 are of a different color than the filling, the removable inner portion can be visually separated from the outer portion. For exampl e, if the biscuits 12, 14 are chocolate, and the filling 16 is white, then the arcuate gaps 38, 40 will show the filling and provide a visual contrast between the inner portion and the outer portion of the cookie 10. For a circular cookie, with a circular inner portion, the gaps 38, 40 can be generally arcuate in shape. However, other shapes of the inner portion are also contemplated. For example, the inner portion can be generally square or rectangular, as shown in the cookie 410 of FIGURE 18. Other geometric shapes can be used. Animal shapes can also be used for the inner portion, as shown in the horse-head shaped inner portion of the cookie 510 of FIGURE 19. The inner portion can also be celestial-shaped, such as the moon shape shown in the cookie 610 of FIGURE 20.

[0051] An exemplary method of making the sandwich cookies described herein can include the steps of forming the biscuit precursors from the dough, such as by using rotary molding; baking the biscuit precursors, such as in an oven, to form the biscuits; and assembly or sandwiching of the biscuits and filling. Preferably, though not necessarily, the bridges are formed in the biscuit precursor prior to baking.

Claims

Claims:

1. A sandwich cookie comprising a filling disposed between an upper biscuit and a lower biscuit, where an inner portion of the cookie that includes a first portion of the upper biscuit, a first portion of the filling, and a first portion of the lower biscuit is removable from a surrounding outer portion of the cookie that includes a second portion of the upper biscuit, a second portion of the filling, and a second portion of the lower biscuit, the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by at least one frangible bridge in the upper and / or lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

2. The sandwich cookie of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by at least one frangible bridge in the upper biscuit and at least one frangible bridge in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

3. The sandwich cookie of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by two or more frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and two or more frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

4. The sandwich cookie of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by at least four frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and at least four frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

5. The sandwich cookie of claim 4, wherein the first portion of the upper biscuit and the first portion of the lower biscuit are spaced from the second portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the lower biscuit by the frangible bridges such that there are a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the upper biscuit and there are a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the lower biscuit and the second portionof the lower biscuit, and the filling is visible through the gaps in the upper biscuit and the gaps in the lower biscuit.

6. The sandwich cookie of claim 5, wherein the gaps are arcuate.

7. The sandwich cookie of claim 6, wherein the surrounding outer portion of the cookie is annular and the inner portion of the cookie is circular.

8. The sandwich cookie of claim 7, wherein the surrounding outer portion of the cookie is annular and the inner portion of the cookie is circular.

9. The sandwich cookie of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the upper biscuit and the first portion of the lower biscuit are spaced from the second portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the lower biscuit by the at least one frangible bridge.

10. The sandwich cookie of claim 9, wherein there is a gap or a plurality of gaps between the first portion of the upper biscuit and the second portion of the upper biscuit, and the filling is visible through the gap or gaps.

11. The sandwich cookie of claim 10, wherein the gap or gaps are arcuate.

12. The sandwich cookie of claim 11, wherein the upper biscuit has a circular outer perimeter and the lower biscuit has a circular outer perimeter.

13. The sandwich cookie of claim 12, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by two or more frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and two or more frangible bridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

14. The sandwich cookie of claim 12, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by at least four frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and at least four frangiblebridges in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

15. The sandwich cookie of claim 12, wherein the inner portion of the cookie being removably attached by between four and twenty frangible bridges in the upper biscuit and between four and twenty in the lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie to permit the inner portion of the cookie to be removed from the outer portion of the cookie.

16. A method of making the sandwich cookie of claim 1, comprising:molding an upper biscuit precursor from dough; the upper biscuit precursor including one of the frangible bridges;molding a lower biscuit precursor from dough, the lower biscuit precursor including one of the frangible bridges;baking the upper biscuit precursor to form the upper biscuit;baking the lower biscuit precursor to form the lower biscuit;applying the filling to one of the upper and lower biscuits; andplacing the other of the upper and lower biscuits on the filling to form the sandwich cookie.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper biscuit precursor having a circular outer perimeter; and the lower biscuit precursor having a circular outer perimeter.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper biscuit precursor includes at least four frangible bridges; and the lower biscuit precursor includes at least four frangible bridges.

19. A method of removing the inner portion of the sandwich cookie of claim 1, the method comprising:breaking the at least one frangible bridge in the upper and / or lower biscuit to the outer portion of the cookie and removing the inner portion of the cookie from the outer portion of the cookie.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper biscuit includes at least four frangible bridges; and the lower biscuit includes at least four frangible bridges.

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