Multi-item packaged food product

Abstract

Packages for food products and food products packaged in such packages are described. A multi-item packaged food product may include food items, a bottom portion defining containers, and a top portion releasably sealed to the bottom portion such that food items are received in the containers. The top portion defines removeably coupled cover portions, each cover portion sealing at least one food item within a corresponding one of the containers. The top portion is peelable in a first direction to remove at least two cover portions from the corresponding containers, and the top portion is peelable in a second direction to remove a single cover portion from a single container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-item packaged food product comprising:
 a plurality of food items;   a bottom portion defining a plurality of containers; and   a top portion releasably sealed to the bottom portion such that the plurality of food items are received in the plurality of containers;   wherein the top portion defines a plurality of removeably coupled cover portions, each cover portion sealing at least one food item within a corresponding one of the plurality of containers;   wherein the top portion is peelable in a first direction to remove at least two cover portions from the corresponding containers; and   wherein the top portion is peelable in a second direction to remove a single cover portion from a single container.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises two rows of containers extending from a middle portion. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 2 , wherein the two rows of containers are foldable relative to the middle portion such that the bottoms of the two rows of containers engage each other. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 3 , wherein the bottoms of the two rows of container comprise corresponding structural features that engage each other to resist relative lateral movement between the two rows of containers. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 2 , wherein the middle portion comprises at least one rib to provide rigidity. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion comprises an upper lip releasably sealed to the top portion, and at least one debossed tab portion extending downward from the upper lip that is spaced apart from the top portion when the top is sealed to the upper lip of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion have corresponding score lines defining individual packages that are removable from one another along the score lines. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 7 , wherein the individual packages are microwaveable. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion is a flexible film and the bottom portion is a thermoformed tray. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 3 , wherein the packaged food product is configured to be supported by the middle portion in an upright position. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-item packaged food product of  claim 3 , further comprising a band wrapped around the two rows of containers to maintain the two rows of containers to be engaged to each other. 
     
     
         12 . A package assembly comprising:
 a top defining at least one first pull tab and a plurality of second pull tabs; and   a bottom comprising a thermoformed tray defining a plurality of containers and releasably sealed to the top;   wherein application of a force to the first pull tab tends to release the top from at least two of the plurality of containers, and wherein application of a force to one of the second pull tabs tends to release only a portion of the top from only a single one of the plurality of containers.   
     
     
         13 . The package assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom portion comprises an upper lip releasably sealed to the top, and at least one debossed tab portion extending downward from the upper lip that is spaced apart from the top when the top is sealed to the upper lip of the bottom. 
     
     
         14 . The package assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the top and/or bottom comprise score lines configured to enable separation of individual containers and corresponding portions of the top while the top is releasably sealed to the bottom. 
     
     
         15 . The package assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the containers are arranged in a pair of rows on opposite sides of a middle portion such that the rows of containers are bendable relative to the middle portion to form a U-shaped package assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The package assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a band wrapped around the pair of rows of containers to maintain the rows of containers in the U-shape.