Food preparation packages, systems, and methods

Abstract

A food preparation package is disclosed. In some embodiments, the food preparation package can include a burst compartment, a first compartment to contain a first food ingredient, and a second compartment to contain a second food ingredient. The food preparation package can also include a first frangible seal separating the burst compartment and at least one of the first and second compartments. In addition, the food preparation device can include a second frangible seal separating the first and second compartments. Fluid pressure introduced into the burst compartment can break the first frangible seal and the second frangible seal to introduce the first food ingredient and the second food ingredient to one another within the package. In other embodiments, a food preparation package can include a first compartment to contain a first food ingredient, and a second compartment to contain a second food ingredient. The food preparation package can also include a frangible seal separating the first and second compartments. In addition, the food preparation package can include a filter to prevent unwanted material carried by a fluid from entering or exiting the package. Introduction of the fluid can provide a fluid pressure that breaks the frangible seal and introduces the first food ingredient and the second food ingredient to one another within the package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food preparation package, comprising:
 a burst compartment;   a first compartment to contain a first food ingredient;   a second compartment to contain a second food ingredient;   a first frangible seal separating the burst compartment and at least one of the first and second compartments; and   a second frangible seal separating the first and second compartments,   wherein fluid pressure introduced into the burst compartment breaks the first frangible seal and the second frangible seal to introduce the first food ingredient and the second food ingredient to one another within the package.   
     
     
         2 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter to prevent unwanted material carried by a fluid from entering or exiting the package. 
     
     
         3 . The food preparation package of  claim 2 , further comprising a valve to facilitate external fluid communication with the burst compartment, wherein the fluid pressure is introduced into the burst compartment via the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The food preparation package of  claim 3 , wherein the filter is associated with the valve. 
     
     
         5 . The food preparation package of  claim 3 , wherein the filter is disposed in a fluid pathway between the valve and the first frangible seal. 
     
     
         6 . The food preparation package of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is openable by piercing. 
     
     
         7 . The food preparation package of  claim 2 , wherein the filter comprises a filter paper, a membrane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The food preparation package of  claim 2 , wherein the filter is configured to restrict particles equal to or greater than about 0.2 μm in size. 
     
     
         9 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The food preparation package of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 50 degrees to about 80 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , further comprising a tab to facilitate securing the food preparation package within a food preparation device. 
     
     
         12 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second compartments is configured to facilitate mixing of the first and second food ingredients to form a food mixture in the package. 
     
     
         13 . The food preparation package of  claim 12 , wherein a corner of at least one of the first and second compartments is rounded, chamfered, or a combination thereof to facilitate mixing of the first and second food ingredients to form a food mixture in the package. 
     
     
         14 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid. 
     
     
         15 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is flexible. 
     
     
         16 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is configured to provide an internal volume for mixing the first and second food ingredients once the first and second frangible seals have broken. 
     
     
         17 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is disposable. 
     
     
         18 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is recyclable. 
     
     
         19 . The food preparation package of  claim 1 , wherein a single layer seal is formed around a perimeter of the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         20 . A food preparation package, comprising:
 a first compartment to contain a first food ingredient;   a second compartment to contain a second food ingredient;   a frangible seal separating the first and second compartments; and   a filter to prevent unwanted material carried by a fluid from entering or exiting the package,   wherein introduction of the fluid provides a fluid pressure that breaks the frangible seal and introduces the first food ingredient and the second food ingredient to one another within the package.   
     
     
         21 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , further comprising a valve to facilitate external fluid communication with the package, wherein the fluid is introduced into the package via the valve. 
     
     
         22 . The food preparation package of  claim 21 , wherein the filter is associated with the valve. 
     
     
         23 . The food preparation package of  claim 21 , wherein the filter is disposed in a fluid pathway between the valve and the first frangible seal. 
     
     
         24 . The food preparation package of  claim 21 , wherein the valve is openable by piercing. 
     
     
         25 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the filter comprises a filter paper, a membrane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the filter is configured to restrict particles equal to or greater than about 0.2 μm in size. 
     
     
         27 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         28 . The food preparation package of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 50 degrees to about 80 degrees relative to one another. 
     
     
         29 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , further comprising a tab to facilitate securing the food preparation package within a food preparation device. 
     
     
         30 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second compartments is configured to facilitate mixing of the first and second food ingredients to form a food mixture in the package. 
     
     
         31 . The food preparation package of  claim 30 , wherein a corner of at least one of the first and second compartments is rounded, chamfered, or a combination thereof to facilitate mixing of the first and second food ingredients to form a food mixture in the package. 
     
     
         32 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid. 
     
     
         33 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the package is flexible. 
     
     
         34 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein the package is at least one of disposable and recyclable. 
     
     
         35 . The food preparation package of  claim 20 , wherein a single layer seal is formed around a perimeter of the first and second compartments. 
     
     
         36 . A food preparation system, comprising:
 a first food ingredient;   a second food ingredient; and   a food preparation package as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment contains the first food ingredient, and the second compartment contains the second food ingredient.   
     
     
         37 . The food preparation system of  claim 36 , wherein the first food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The food preparation package of  claim 36 , wherein the second food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . A method for preparing a food product, comprising:
 obtaining a package having a first food ingredient contained in a first compartment and a second food ingredient contained in a second compartment;   breaking, with a pressurized fluid, a first frangible seal associated with at least one of the first and second compartments; and   breaking, with the pressurized fluid, a second frangible seal between the first and second compartments to introduce the first and second food ingredients to one another within the package.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising filtering the pressurized fluid to prevent unwanted material carried by the fluid from entering or exiting the package. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the second food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.