Food products and food packages with frangible elements

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include food packages and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a food package. The food package can include an exterior sealing enclosure, an interior barrier, the interior barrier separating the first compartment and the second adjacent compartment, a first food component, and a second food component. The exterior sealing enclosure can include a first compartment, a second adjacent compartment, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side. The interior barrier can be frangible through manual manipulation by a consumer without rupturing the exterior sealing enclosure. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of packaging food components. Other embodiments are also included herein.

1 . A method of packaging food components comprising:
 obtaining a food package, the food package comprising
 an exterior sealing enclosure defining a first compartment and a second adjacent compartment, the exterior sealing enclosure comprising a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; 
 an interior barrier separating the first compartment and the second compartment, 
   wherein the interior barrier is frangible through manual manipulation by a consumer   without rupturing the exterior sealing enclosure;
 depositing a first food component into the first compartment; and 
 depositing a second food component into the second compartment. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming the interior barrier after the step of depositing the first food component into the first compartment and before the step of depositing the second food component into the second compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , the exterior sealing enclosure further defining a first port into the first compartment and a second port into the second compartment, further comprising sealing the first port and the second port after depositing a first food component into the first compartment and depositing a second food component into the second compartment. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interior barrier comprises a first frangible barrier line, a second frangible barrier line, and a gap disposed between the first frangible barrier line and the second frangible barrier line. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interior barrier comprises an edible glue. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         19 . The method of  claim 1 , the first food component comprising a food selected from the group consisting of yogurt, pudding, cream, cheese, non-dairy yogurt, non-dairy cream, non-dairy cheese, fruit or vegetable preparation, custard, sauces, soups, cooked beans, nut butter, spreads, dips, dressings, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , the first food component comprising a food selected from the group consisting of beverages, juices, smoothies, and other liquids. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , the second food component comprising a food selected from the group consisting of granola, trail mixture, grains, seeds, nuts, crisps, croutons, chips, dried or partially dehydrated fruits and vegetables, candies, chocolate pieces, cookies, crumb of cracker or cookie or bread, proteins, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and powdered probiotics. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , the second food component comprising a food selected from the group consisting of beverages, juices, smoothies, and other liquids. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         28 . A method of preparing a food product at the point of consumption comprising:
 obtaining a food package, the food package comprising
 an exterior sealing enclosure defining a first compartment and a second adjacent compartment, the exterior sealing enclosure comprising a top, bottom, first side, and second side, the exterior sealing enclosure further defining a first port into the first compartment and a second port into the second compartment; 
 an interior barrier separating the first compartment and the second compartment; and 
 a first food component disposed within the first compartment and a second food component disposed within the second compartment; 
   manipulating the package to rupture the interior barrier providing fluid communication between the first compartment and the second compartment while not rupturing the exterior sealing enclosure; and   mixing the first food component with the second food component by applying a force to the food package from the exterior of the package;   opening the exterior sealing enclosure;   removing the mixed first and second food components from the exterior sealing enclosure.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A food package comprising:
 an exterior sealing enclosure defining a first compartment and a second adjacent compartment, the exterior sealing enclosure comprising a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side;   an interior barrier separating the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein the interior barrier is frangible through manual manipulation by a consumer without rupturing the exterior sealing enclosure; and   a first food component disposed within the first compartment and a second food component disposed within the second compartment.   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The food package of  claim 31 , wherein the interior barrier comprises a first frangible barrier line, a second frangible barrier line, and a gap disposed between the first frangible barrier line and the second frangible barrier line. 
     
     
         35 . The food package of  claim 31 , wherein the interior barrier comprises an edible glue. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         39 . The food package of  claim 31 , the interior barrier comprising a “V” shape, wherein the top of the “V” is oriented toward the top of the package. 
     
     
         40 . The food package of  claim 31 , the interior barrier comprising a “V” shape, wherein the top of the “V” is oriented toward the side of the package. 
     
     
         41 . The food package of  claim 31 , the interior barrier comprising a “Y” shape or a “U” shape. 
     
     
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         51 . The food package of  claim 31 , wherein the interior barrier defines a circuitous path between the first compartment and the second compartment, wherein the circuitous path is interrupted by a frangible seal. 
     
     
         52 . The food package of  claim 31 , the interior barrier comprising a frangible portion and a non-frangible portion. 
     
     
         53 . The food package of  claim 31 , the interior barrier comprising a first frangible portion having a first breakage strength and a second frangible portion contacting the first portion having a second breakage strength that is greater than the first breakage strength. 
     
     
         54 . The food package of  claim 53 , comprising a step change in breakage strength between the first frangible portion and the second frangible portion. 
     
     
         55 . The food package of  claim 53 , comprising a gradual change in breakage strength between the first frangible portion and the second frangible portion. 
     
     
         56 . The food package of  claim 53 , wherein the first frangible portion is thicker than the second frangible portion. 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . The food package of  claim 52 , the non-frangible portion defining a first channel and a second channel within the food package.