CONFECTIONERY DEPOSITING APPARATUS AND PRODUCT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME
The present invention provides a confectionery depositing apparatus that deposits a layer or multiple layers of a flowable confectionery product with a high degree of accuracy. The apparatus includes a source of a flowable confectionery, a cylinder, and a rotary valve in fluid communication with the source of flowable confectionery, and the cylinder. Placement of the rotary valve in a first position permits the flowable confectionery into the cylinder and placement of the rotary valve in a second position permits dispensing of the flowable confectionery from the cylinder out of the apparatus. A piston in close operative engagement with the cylinder enables the apparatus to deposit precise amounts of confectionery product to produce thin uniform layers of confectionery product.
1 - 39 . (canceled)
40 . A confectionery article comprising:
a core coextruded to a coating, the coating present in an amount from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the confectionery article.
41 . The article of claim 40 wherein the coating is substantially continuous.
42 . The article of claim 40 wherein the coating encases the entire core.
43 . The article of claim 40 wherein the core is composed of a component selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, chewing gum, jellies, gums, caramel, nut paste, gelatins, fondants, nougats, chocolate, toffee, taffy and combinations thereof.
44 . The article of claim 40 wherein the coating is selected from a component selected from the group consisting of hard candy, soft candy, chewing gum, jellies, gums, caramel, nut paste, gelatins, fondants, nougats, chocolate, toffee, taffy and combinations thereof.
45 . The article of claim 40 wherein the composition of the core is different than composition of the coating.
46 . The article of claim 40 wherein the coating is present from about 5% to about 10% by weight.
47 . The article of claim 40 wherein the coating has a thickness of about 0.05 mm to about 2.0 mm.