Multi-layered food product and method for forming

A method for forming a plurality of filled food products on an automated assembly line system;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• a) providing an automated assembly line;
• said automated assembly line including I) a plurality of plate assemblies, and wherein each plate assembly a first plate and a second plate, and wherein said first plate includes a) a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending upwardly from a top surface of said first plate, and wherein a plurality of said teeth have a different upwardly extending height from said top surface and/or b) said second plate includes a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said second plate, and wherein a plurality of said teeth have a different downwardly extending height from said bottom surface, II) a drive arrangement to cause said plurality of plate assemblies to continuously move through various regions of said automated assembly line, III) an automated food insert feeder arrangement, IV) an automated mating arrangement, V) an optional preheat heating system, and VI) an oven system;
• each of said plate assemblies includes a first plate and a second plate;
• said first plate is configured to at least partially receive a food insert;
• said second plate is configured to be inserted over said first plate to form a closed cavity that at least partially encapsulates said food insert when said food insert is positioned in said closed cavity;
• said food insert includes a filling and a dough layer;
• said dough layer encapsulates at least 80% of said filling;
• said food insert is at least partially formed by a coextrusion process wherein said filling and said dough layer are coextruded;
• at least 70% of an outer perimeter of said food insert is absent crimping;
• a composition of said filling and dough layer is different;
• b. causing said automated food insert feeder arrangement to place said food insert onto said first plate of each of said plate assemblies;
• c. causing said automating mating arrangement to mate said second plate with said first plate to form a closed cavity for each of said plate assemblies while said plate assemblies are moved through said automated assembly line assembly so that said food insert in each of said plate assemblies is at least partially encapsulated in said closed cavity;
• d. moving said plurality of said plate assemblies by said drive arrangement into said oven system while said food insert in each of said plate assemblies is at least partially encapsulated in said closed cavity;
• e. baking said food insert in each of said plate assemblies for a period of time as said plate assemblies are moved by said drive arrangement through said oven system to form a baked food insert;
• f. moving said plurality of plate assemblies by said drive arrangement so as to cause said plurality of plate assemblies to be removed from said oven system after said period of time;
• and
• g. causing said baked food insert in each of said cavities of said plate assemblies to be automatically removed from said plate assembly.