Multi-compartment retort package

Abstract

A retortable package includes a body defining a perimeter and a peripheral seal formed along the perimeter of the body. The peripheral seal includes at least one peripheral self-venting region and at least one peripheral non-venting region. The retortable package further includes an intermediate seal formed within the perimeter of the body and contiguous with the peripheral seal. The intermediate seal divides the body into two compartments. The compartments receive respective products therein. Upon heating of the products, the intermediate seal ruptures before the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures. Further, the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures before the at least one peripheral non-venting region ruptures.

1 . A retortable package comprising:
 a body defining a perimeter;   a peripheral seal formed along the perimeter of the body, the peripheral seal comprising at least one peripheral self-venting region and at least one peripheral non-venting region; and   an intermediate seal formed within the perimeter of the body and contiguous with the peripheral seal, the intermediate seal dividing the body into two compartments, the compartments receiving respective products therein;   wherein the intermediate seal further comprises at least one intermediate self-venting region and at least one intermediate non-venting region;   wherein the least one intermediate self-venting region protrudes inwardly into one of the compartments relative to the at least one intermediate non-venting region of the intermediate seal; and   wherein, upon heating of the products, the intermediate seal ruptures before the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures, wherein the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures before the at least one peripheral non-venting region ruptures and, the at least one intermediate self-venting region ruptures before the at least one intermediate non-venting region ruptures.   
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum width of the at least one intermediate self-venting region is less than a minimum width of the at least one intermediate non-venting region. 
     
     
         5 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intermediate self-venting region is V-shaped or curved. 
     
     
         6 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges connecting the top and bottom edges, wherein the body further defines a longitudinal axis extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. 
     
     
         7 . The retortable package of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate seal is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The retortable package of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate seal is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The retortable package of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate seal is inclined obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral seal comprises two peripheral self-venting regions disposed adjacent to one of the compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two compartments is adjacent to a peripheral self-venting region. 
     
     
         12 . A retortable package comprising:
 a body defining a perimeter;   a peripheral seal formed along the perimeter of the body, the peripheral seal comprising at least one peripheral self-venting region and at least one peripheral non-venting region; and   an intermediate seal formed within the perimeter of the body and contiguous with the peripheral seal, the intermediate seal dividing the body into two compartments, the compartments receiving respective products therein;   wherein, upon heating of the products, the intermediate seal ruptures before the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures, wherein the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures before the at least one peripheral non-venting region ruptures;   wherein the body further comprises a gusset fold, the gusset fold forming a first folded region and a second folded region, and   wherein the intermediate seal further comprises a main portion disposed above the gusset fold, a first branch portion disposed in the first folded region, and a second branch portion disposed in the second folded region.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the intermediate seal is from 2 mm to 8 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the peripheral seal is greater than 6 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral seal has a peel strength of greater than 2500 gram-force/inch. 
     
     
         17 . The retortable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of a length of the intermediate seal ruptures upon heating of the products. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A retortable package comprising:
 a body defining a perimeter, the body comprising a gusset fold forming a first folded region and a second folded region;   a peripheral seal formed along the perimeter of the body, the peripheral seal comprising at least one peripheral self-venting region and at least one peripheral non-venting region, wherein the peripheral seal is at least partially peelable; and   an intermediate seal formed within the perimeter of the body and contiguous with the peripheral seal, the intermediate seal dividing the body into two compartments, the compartments receiving respective products therein, wherein the intermediate seal further comprises a main portion disposed above the gusset fold, a first branch portion disposed in the first folded region, and a second branch portion disposed in the second folded region;   wherein, upon heating of the products, the intermediate seal ruptures before the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures, wherein the at least one peripheral self-venting region ruptures before the at least one peripheral non-venting region ruptures.