RECLOSABLE MULTI-COMPARTMENT PACKAGE
A reclosable, multi-compartment package for storing foodstuff separately in at least two compartments which are combined upon opening is disclosed, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. The package also provides for mixing of the separated foodstuff upon opening of the package just prior to use. The opening of the package further includes a reclosable structure. Upon opening the package, the frangible seals are separated thus combining the at least two compartments into one compartment.
1 . A reclosable food package for a foodstuff comprising:
opposing walls each having first and second edge portions extending between a pair of side edge portions, seals between the side edge portions, the first edge portions and the second edge portions of the opposing walls to at least partially bound a product-receiving cavity between the opposing walls;
a reclosable structure attached to the opposing walls between the second edge portions of the opposing walls and the weakness formed in each of the opposing walls;
a frangible transverse seal between the opposing walls extending between the side edge portions and disposed between the reclosable structure and the second edge portions of the opposing walls; and
a frangible divider seal between the opposing walls and extending from the frangible transverse seal towards the seal between the second edge portions to subdivide the product-receiving cavity into two compartments.
2 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein the frangible transverse seal is generally parallel to the first edge portions and is positioned closer to the first edge portions than the second edge portions.
3 . The reclosable food package of claim 2 , wherein the frangible transverse seal has an undulating edge facing the reclosable structure.
4 . The reclosable food package of claim 3 , wherein the frangible divider seal is generally perpendicular to the second edge portions and the frangible transverse seal, and terminates at an intersection with the frangible transverse seal, and the second edge portions.
5 . The reclosable food package of claim 4 , wherein the intersection of the frangible divider seal and the frangible transverse seal is a reduced width portion of the undulating edge.
6 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein the seal of at least one of the first and second edge portions is a fold.
7 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein the reclosable structure is a zipper that includes two mating portions each attached to a zipper flange, the zipper being attached to the opposing walls via zipper flanges.
8 . The reclosable food package of claim 7 , wherein the frangible transverse seal is formed between the zipper flanges.
9 . The reclosable food package of claim 8 , wherein the zipper flanges are joined together and the frangible transverse seal is a weakness formed in one of the zipper flanges or between the zipper flanges.
10 . The reclosable food package of claim 9 , wherein the strength of each of the frangible transverse seal and the frangible divider seal is less than the strength of each of the seals between the side edge portions, the first edge portions and the second edge portions.
11 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises a removable shroud portion of the opposing walls, the removable shroud portion including the seal between the first edge portions of the opposing walls and separable along a weakness formed in each of the opposing walls.
12 . The reclosable food package of claim 11 , wherein the weakness along which the shroud is removed is a tear line extending between the side seals and positioned closer to the first edge portions than the second edge portions and between the reclosable structure and the frangible transverse seal.
13 . The reclosable food package of claim 12 , wherein the tear line is generally linear.
14 . The reclosable food package of claim 12 , wherein the tear line has one or more arcuate or inclined segments.
15 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein a farinaceous foodstuff is stored in one of the two compartments and a dairy foodstuff is stored in the other of the two compartments.
16 . The reclosable food package of claim 1 , wherein the seal at the second edge portion is folds of a gusset.
17 . The reclosable food package of claim 16 , wherein the frangible divider seal is arcuate and intersects the frangible transverse seal at one end and intersects one of the seals at the side edge portions at a second end.
18 . A method of using a flexible package having a pair of separate compartments each containing a different foodstuff, the method comprising:
opening a reclosable zipper to gain access to a frangible transverse seal bounding a mouth portion of each of the compartments;
separating the frangible transverse seal to gain access to each of the compartments; and
separating a frangible divider seal dividing the compartments to permit combination of the different foodstuffs in each of the compartments.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising removing a shroud of the package to gain access to the reclosable zipper.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the strength of each of the frangible transverse seal and the frangible divider seal is less than the strength of each of seals between a side edge portions, a first edge portions and a second edge portions that make up a perimeter of the package.
21 . A method of forming a reclosable food package containing at least two food products, the method comprising:
directing one or more webs of film in a machine direction;
folding the one or more webs of film to have a pair of opposing package walls;
forming side seals of a package interior;
forming a frangible transverse seal and at least one inner frangible divider seal intersecting the frangible transverse seal to divide the package interior into at least two compartments;
separating the package from the web of film;
inserting at least one food product into each of the two compartments of the package interior; and
sealing the package interior.