Food product with nutraceuticals and packaging for same

Abstract

Disclosed is a combination food and nutraceutical package which provides convenient and easy access to a food product and at least one nutraceutical. The packaging comprises two segments which secure the food product and the nutraceutical so as to provide a shelf-stable environment that prevents contamination between the various contents. In one embodiment, a single nutraceutical is packaged with a food product. In other embodiments, multiple nutraceuticals with a food product are secured. In yet another embodiment, the food product and nutraceuticals are placed within a tray and then sealed with the two segments. The food product is preferably a fruit based substance, but it may take other forms. The nutraceuticals may be a solid mass, in pill or capsule form, or they may be liquid housed within a container.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A package for a food product and a nutraceutical, the package comprising: 
 a first flexible segment being adhered to a second flexible segment so as to be peelable from each other, the first and second segments forming at least two separate compartments which closely conform to the shape of the food product and the nutraceutical such that the first and second segments may be peeled away from each other to expose the food product and nutraceutical and held at the unpeeled portion of the first and second segments to assist in consuming the food product and the nutraceutical; and    a nutraceutical cover being operative to seal the nutraceutical within one of the at least two separate compartments;    wherein the food product is made in part from fruit.    
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said first segment and said second segment are configured to prevent contamination between the food product and the nutraceutical.  
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said first segment and said second segment are configured to releasably secure the food product and the nutraceutical.  
   
   
       22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein said first segment and said second segment form a peelable seal around the food product and the nutraceutical.  
   
   
       23 . The package of  claim 22 , wherein said first segment has an inner layer of polyethylene laminated to an outer layer of polyester.  
   
   
       24 . The package of  claim 23  further comprising an oxygen-barrier coating between said inner layer and said outer layer.  
   
   
       25 . The package of  claim 24 , wherein said oxygen-barrier coating is evoh.  
   
   
       26 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein said second segment has an inner layer of polyethylene laminated to an outer layer of nylon.  
   
   
       27 . The package of  claim 26  further comprising an oxygen-barrier coating between said inner layer and said outer layer.  
   
   
       28 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein said oxygen-barrier coating is evoh.  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the food product is made in part from synthetic food products.  
   
   
       32 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said nutraceutical includes a pill.  
   
   
       33 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said nutraceutical includes a food product.  
   
   
       34 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein said nutraceutical includes a liquid contained within a container.  
   
   
       35 . A package for a food product and a nutraceutical, the package comprising: 
 a housing formed from at least two polymeric layers of material defining first and second cavities therein, the first and second cavities operative to receive the food product and nutraceutical, respectively;    a wrapper comprising at least two polymeric layers of material bonded together that cooperate to define a flexible covering over the first and second cavities, the wrapper and housing being peelably adhered to each other such that the first and second cavities snugly hold the food product and the nutraceutical; and    a nutraceutical cover being operative to seal the nutraceutical within the second cavity.    
   
   
       36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A nutritional combination of substances comprising: 
 a fruit-based food product having a first size;    a nutraceutical having a second size dissimilar from the first size, wherein the nutraceutical is individually sealed; and    a package comprising: 
 a first segment comprising at least two layers formed from polymeric materials that are bonded together and cooperate to define a flexible sheet;  
 a second segment comprising at least two layers formed from polymeric materials that are bonded together and cooperate to define a flexible receptacle; and  
 a nutraceutical cover peelably secured to one of the first and second segments to define a nutraceutical compartment, wherein said nutraceutical is disposed within said nutraceutical compartment;  
 wherein said first segment and said second segment are peelably secured to each other and snugly contain said food product and said nutraceutical within said package.