Multi-chambered food containers and methods of using same

Abstract

Multi-chambered food containers having and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a multi-chambered food container having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The second chamber can have a food component stored therein.

1 . A container comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber; and   a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the second chamber comprises a food component.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is empty. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a recloseable seal. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the recloseable seal is closed on one side by a permanent seal. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the permanent seal defines at least one notch. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a second peelable seal. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 5 N/15 mm to about 35 N/15 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 10 N/15 mm to about 20 N/15 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the peelable seal comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of semicircular, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A container comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal; and   a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber comprises a food base and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the food base is selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a food product, the method comprising:
 providing a container comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal, and 
 a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber is empty and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof; 
   opening the first chamber;   placing a food base in the first chamber and closing the food base in the first chamber; and   opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising opening the first chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the food base is selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the recloseable seal is closed on one side by a permanent seal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a second peelable seal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a food product, the method comprising:
 providing a container comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber, and 
 a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber comprises a food base selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof; 
   opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product; and   opening at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer.