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Multi-compartment package having temperature dependent frangible seals

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-04-14
EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Various ingredients cannot be mixed together prior to cooking generally because they are incompatible in storage, or because qualities (e.g. flavor and texture) desired in the final cooked product cannot be achieved if the two or more ingredients are combined during preparation, or while in storage, or prior to cooking.
Also, it is typically inconvenient or impractical to require the user to provide the second or other ingredient independently after or during the cooking of the first ingredient, or the product itself, since the ingredients may not be readily available to the user, or it may not be practical or safe to interrupt the cooking cycle to add such additional ingredients.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0054] This example illustrates an adhesive lamination of nylon and polyester incorporating a polyester urethane adhesive designed to withstand elevated temperatures. The nylon outer layer provides toughness for puncture resistance and heat resistance to the film and also serves as an oxygen barrier and a possible print carrier. The amorphous polyester seal layer provides a temperature resistant perimeter seal, designed not to rupture by making a wider one-inch heat seal at a higher temperature. The same seal layer provides for frangible seals designed to rupture between compartments. In microwave applications the amorphous polyester sealant is efficient for an internal frangible seal if heat-sealed at a lower temperature using a 0.25″ seal bar.

[0055] Structural Components

[0056] Outer Structure Layer: nylon 6; 2 mil (50.8 μm) thickness available under the tradename Dartek® B601 from DuPont of Canada / Liqui-Box.

[0057] Lamination Adhesive: solvent-based polyester urethane adhesive a...

example 2

[0062] A three-compartment pouch was formed using the film of Example 1. Two portions of film stock were overlaid so that the respective heat seal layers (APET) of the film stock were facing and in contact. The overall dimensions of the pouch were 10.5 inches×14 inches (26.7 cm×35.7 cm). Internal frangible seals divided the pouch into three compartments: two compartments each about 4 inches×about 6 inches and a third compartment about 6 inches×about 8 inches (15.2 cm×20.3 cm). The frangible seals were made using a Vertrod Impulse heat sealer to provide 0.125-inch (0.32 cm) seal width at 200° F. (93.3° C.) with one-second dwell and no pressure control. One small compartment was filled with 75 g of sauce, the second small compartment was filled with 185 g of white rice and the larger compartment was filled with 114 g of sliced chicken and 185 g of mixed vegetables. Perimeter seals were made using a Sentinel heat sealer to provide one-inch seal width at 350° F. (176.7° C.) with 1.5-sec...

example 3

[0064] This example illustrates heating packages of Example 2 such that the temperature dependent frangible seals release, allowing the previously separated contents to be mixed. Samples of the package of Example 2 were individually laid flat on the rotating carousel of a standard household microwave oven and heated at full power (800 watts) to reheat the foodstuffs therein.

[0065] Test 1: The frozen package was not vented. After 4 minutes and 43 seconds of heating, the frangible seals were ruptured. The seals forming sauce compartment broke first, since the sugars in the sauce provide for faster heating relative to the rice and chicken. After 7 minutes and 20 seconds, a portion of the perimeter seal ruptured, providing a vent for steam release. This venting also serves as a temperature gauge, providing an indicator for when the package contents reach at least 170° F. (76.7° C.).

[0066] The pouch was turned to an upright orientation, allowing the sauce and rice components to drop on...

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Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-compartment package made from flexible polymeric material heat sealed at the peripheral edges for filling with products that are to be stored separately from each other and then combined after heating. Temperature dependent frangible seals between the sheets of polymeric packaging material form the compartments of the package. Also disclosed are films suitable for use in these packages. Also disclosed are convenience meals comprising these packages.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 511,436, filed Oct. 14, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a multi-compartment flexible package, to a film therefor, and to a product such as convenience meal comprising the package. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is often desirable to have products packaged together, yet separated, for later mixing. Such packaging is advantageous where the several products have differing physical characteristics or are incompatible during storage and are to be mixed shortly before consumption. [0004] An example is a package or pouch to contain multiple foodstuffs separated by one or more seals. The foodstuffs require mixing or combining either sometime during or at the end of the cooking cycle. Various ingredients cannot be mixed together prior to cooking generally because they are incompatible in storage, or because qual...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A23L5/10B32B7/02B32B27/08B32B27/36B65D81/32
CPCB32B7/02B65D81/3266B32B27/08B32B27/36B32B27/34B32B2439/70
Inventor KENDIG, TERRANCE D.KANE, JAMES P. JR.
Owner EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO
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