BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food consumers often desire a nutritionally relevant snack or meal to meet specific dietary requirements, such as a need for immediate energy through carbohydrate, muscle mass and recovery through protein, specific nutritional components (i.e., vitamins, minerals, fiber, and whole grains, or delivering specific health and lifestyle benefits including antioxidant or weight management properties). In addition, consumers often crave a product that is highly palatable due to its freshness, moistness, softness, and warmth at consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although fresh, moist, warm foods are desirable to consume, such foods are not typically available without significant pre-work, preparation (e.g., ingredient selection, and weighing), and manufacture (e.g., heating, cooling, mixing, and shaping/molding) in the home or other location. A warm, moist, fresh tasting snack is currently not believed to be available in a convenient, single serve form while also providing and meeting nutritional and lifestyle needs.

In one invention embodiment, a composition preparation package, such as a food preparation package, is provided. 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 another invention embodiment, 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.

Additional invention embodiments encompass a food preparation system. In some aspects, such a system can include a food preparation package as disclosed herein having first and second food compartments. Additionally, such a system can include first and second food ingredients. The first compartment can contain the first food ingredient, and the second compartment can contain the second food ingredient.

Yet additional invention embodiments encompass methods for preparing a food product. The method can include obtaining a package having a first food ingredient contained in a first compartment and a second food ingredient contained in a second compartment. The method can also include breaking, with a pressurized fluid, a first frangible seal associated with at least one of the first and second compartments.

Additionally, the method can include 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.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, various features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a composition preparation system in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a composition preparation package in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid port assembly for a composition preparation package in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a composition preparation system used with a food preparation device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a composition preparation system in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a composition preparation package in accordance with another example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a composition preparation package in accordance with yet another example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details can be made and are considered to be included herein. Accordingly, the following embodiments are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, any claims set forth. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a seal" includes a plurality of such seals.

In this disclosure, "comprises," "comprising," "containing" and "having" and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean "includes," "including," and the like, and are generally interpreted to be open ended terms. The terms "consisting of or "consists of are closed terms, and include only the components, structures, steps, or the like specifically listed in conjunction with such terms, as well as that which is in accordance with U.S. Patent law. "Consisting essentially of or "consists essentially of have the meaning generally ascribed to them by U.S. Patent law. In particular, such terms are generally closed terms, with the exception of allowing inclusion of additional items, materials, components, steps, or elements, that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics or function of the item(s) used in connection therewith. For example, trace elements present in a composition, but not affecting the compositions nature or characteristics would be permissible if present under the

"consisting essentially of language, even though not expressly recited in a list of items following such terminology. When using an open ended term, like "comprising" or "including," it is understood that direct support should be afforded also to "consisting essentially of language as well as "consisting of language as if stated explicitly and vice versa.

The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that any terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method.

The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical or nonelectrical manner. Objects described herein as being "adjacent to" each other may be in physical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used. Occurrences of the phrase "in one embodiment," or "in one aspect," herein do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or aspect.

As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is "substantially" enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is "substantially free of particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is "substantially free of an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.

As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be "a little above" or "a little below" the endpoint. Unless otherwise stated, use of the term "about" in accordance with a specific number or numerical range should also be understood to provide support for such numerical terms or range without the term "about". For example, for the sake of convenience and brevity, a numerical range of "about 50 angstroms to about 80 angstroms" should also be understood to provide support for the range of "50 angstroms to 80 angstroms." Furthermore, it is to be understood that in this specification support for actual numerical values is provided even when the term "about" is used therewith. For example, the recitation of "about" 30 should be construed as not only providing support for values a little above and a little below 30, but also for the actual numerical value of 30 as well.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 to about 5" should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

Reference throughout this specification to "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Reference in this specification may be made to devices, structures, systems, or methods that provide "improved" performance. It is to be understood that unless otherwise stated, such "improvement" is a measure of a benefit obtained based on a comparison to devices, structures, systems or methods in the prior art. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the degree of improved performance may vary between disclosed embodiments and that no equality or consistency in the amount, degree, or realization of improved performance is to be assumed as universally applicable.

Example Embodiments

With reference to FIG. 1, a preparation system, such as a composition or food preparation system 100 in accordance with an example of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. The system 100 can include a preparation package 101, which can include ingredients in a composition or recipe and which can contain the ingredients during processing to form a final product or preparation. Thus, in one aspect, the package 101 can include ingredients in a food recipe, and can contain the food ingredients during processing to form a final food product (e.g., a snack or bar product). Such a final food product can be provided on demand and produced from pre-formulated food material stored within a package of fresh, ready to eat food. The package 101 can have a first compartment 110 and a second compartment 112. The first compartment 110 can contain a first ingredient 120, and the second compartment 112 can contain a second ingredient 122. In general, in the case of a food recipe, the first and second ingredients 120, 122 can comprise any suitable ingredient in a food recipe, such as a fluid (e.g., a liquid and/or a gas) and/or a solid, as desired. For example, the first ingredient 120 can comprise a fluid food ingredient (e.g., liquid or viscous components) and the second ingredient 122 can comprise a solid food ingredient (e.g., dry, particulate, powder, dried fruits, nuts, precooked ingredients, etc.). The package 101 can hold selective ingredients of the recipe in each of the compartments for desired functionality, packaged shelf life at room

temperature, as well as taste and nutrition quality. The package 101 can also serve to contain ingredients during preparation or manufacture and/or as the package or wrapper for the finished product. The package 101, for instance, can hold solid ingredients of a recipe in one compartment while fluid ingredients of the recipe can be held in another compartment. The amount of solids and liquid in a given package can be any amount or type needed to achieve a specific finished product or follow a given recipe. However, in one example solids as a function of the total package may account for greater than 5% of the volume of the package or container. In another example, a volume of the package can be 180 cm ³ .

In one aspect, at least a portion of the package 101 can be made of materials that are heat tolerant or heat resistant (such as heat resistant silicone) so as to allow mild heating of its contents, namely liquid/viscous binding/sweetening agents, and cause these components to flow freely. For example, the heating of a compartment with fluid ingredients can make liquid components flow-able in to a compartment having solid ingredients. The package 101 may need to withstand temperatures of around 70 degrees C for around 1 minute, although temperatures may be higher and last for a longer period of time in some embodiments. In another aspect, at least a portion of the package can be made of material that is resistant to application of pressure, pull, or other type of force and avoid potential tearing as a result of ingredients piercing through the material during processing (e.g., mixing and molding) to form a final food product. Thus, for example, the molding of a snack or bar product can occur within one or both of the compartments 110, 112. This can allow a food preparation device utilizing the package 101 to remain a clean-free state. In addition, the package 101 may be inflated by an internal fluid pressure to facilitate processing of the ingredients into a final food product. For example, inflation of the package to a minimum inflated thickness or "pillowing" of the package may facilitate successful mixing (e.g., magnetic mixing, sonication, orbital mixing, sonication, etc.) of fluid and solid ingredients. The package may be subjected to around 30 kgf in tension, although higher tensile forces may be experienced in some

embodiments. In yet another aspect, at least a portion of the package can be made of material and/or have a coating that does not allow the contents of the compartments to be visible from the outside unless cut open to reveal the contents. In one aspect, a compartment can have an inner layer pre-coated with oil, glycerin, or some other nonstick material. At least some portion of the package may be manufactured using materials with a high moisture and oxygen barrier to create a package that has an extremely dry internal environment. One or more of the compartments can be packaged with raw ingredients under a nitrogen flush to prevent oxidative degradation during shelf life. Furthermore, the package 101 can include flexible and/or rigid portions, as desired. For example, the package can be made of a flexible type of material to facilitate processing of the ingredients to form a food product. Because the package can serve as the finished package as well, it may be equipped with a re-sealable or rip-able capability at one of its ends or corners for consumer ease. The package can also be used as the delivery package (e.g., wrapper) after product manufacture, which can temporarily protect the food product and allow the consumer to safely hold and carry the finished product. The package can also be disposable and/or disposable once the food product is removed or consumed. The package 101 can be constructed of any suitable material in accordance with the principles disclosed herein, such as polyethylene tetrapthalate, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, poly vinyl chloride, poly propylene, poly styrene, aluminum, biodegradable polymers, styrlene, etc. In one aspect, the package 101 can include any suitable material or combination of materials that can be included in a laminate of two or more materials. In another aspect, the package 101 can include materials and/or components that facilitate expansion or "pillowing" of the package, which can increase the internal volume of the package to enable mixing of ingredients. Thus, packaging materials can be selected to provide flexibility of the package internal volume, which may be minimal initially (e.g., a compact package), increased for mixing (e.g., "pillowed"), and decreased for subsequent processing.

Although the contents of the compartments of packages disclosed herein may be discussed by way of example in terms of food ingredients to form food products within the packages, it should be recognized that any suitable materials, ingredients (e.g., food and/or non-food ingredients), components, constituents, chemicals, substances, etc. can be contained within package compartments and mixed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein and are also considered to be the subject of the present disclosure. In short a wide range of compositions, formulations, or products can be prepared using the present technology. Thus, two or more ingredients, materials, or substances of any kind can be mixed or combined in the package 101. For example, as an alternative to mixing only food-type ingredients, food and non-food ingredients can be contained within the package, such as one or more compartments of the package containing dry ice, while other compartments may have food ingredients for preparation of a frozen dessert. In another example, food and/or non-food ingredients can be mixed or combined in the package to make non-food preparations, such as acrylamide and water to form polyacrylamide gel, powdered clay mix and rose water to form a face mask, and henna powder and orange juice to form a henna hair dye. Ingredients can be separated (e.g., oils from other liquids) to prevent chemical reactions during storage prior to use, such as oxidation. An additional example of a non-food application includes mixing hydrating or diluting chemicals or vaccines at the point of consumption that would otherwise be unstable in an aqueous environment. In this case, the package can store or contain the chemicals or vaccines in one or more compartments, and store aqueous materials, such as diluents, in one or more other compartments. The package can therefore be useful for providing vaccines at the point of use that are prove to losing stability and efficacy once reconstituted. Thus, the package can enable, for example, oral delivery of vaccines where the vaccines can be stabilized and/or activated prior to consumption as a result of hydrating, mixing, or energizing the active ingredients. In another example, the package can include a pre-formulated mixture of ingredients that are stored or contained in separate compartments of the package, and can provide a cocktail in a liquid form or as a dry blend following mixing. The package can therefore be used in drug manufacture to facilitate drug dissolution and blend homogeneity. In yet another example, the package may be used to mix two separate chemical/resins (solid-solid, liquid-liquid, or solid-liquid) to prepare a strong adhesive instantly and in a clean and mess-free manner.

In hospital care, medications are sometimes manually diluted erroneously or, in some cases, unnecessarily, thus creating risks for patients. The package disclosed herein can include pre-formulated medication components that can provide any suitable dilution in a sterile manner. The package can therefore be provided with a designated dilution so that health care professionals can prepare a diluted medication at the point of patient care. In one example, the package can contain cyclodextrin, which is widely used in drug delivery as a complexing agent to increase aqueous solubility of poorly soluble drugs and to increase drug bioavailability and stability. Cyclodextrin prevents crystallization of active ingredients by complexing individual drug molecules so that they can no longer self-assemble in to a crystal lattice or react chemically. Cyclodextrin is also used to prevent incompatibility between more than one drug by physically separating the components (avoiding drug-drug and drug-additive interactions). The package may be used for single dose dispensation of medicines, such as of cough syrups, that need to be diluted or mixed just before administration and therefore avoids long periods of storage of mixed or complex medicines. Additionally, the package may facilitate the formulation of oils/liquids that are difficult to handle into stable solid dosage forms. Thus, the compartments of the package can be pre-formulated with appropriate drug and additive components, which can be mixed and shaped to form a solid drug dose (e.g., an oral tablet) just prior to patient administration. This can preclude concerns of molecule stability and drug shelf life. The principles disclosed herein can therefore facilitate the release and/or delivery of drugs or delivery drugs by controlling drug dissolution, diffusion, density, pH, osmotic control, etc.

In one aspect, the package may be used to carry out water emulsion

polymerization procedures to create nanoparticles for the drug, cosmetic, paint, health diagnostics industries. For example, the spontaneous formation of nanocapsules or nanospheres, which can take place within the package can be beneficial for the oral administration of drugs. The package may also be used for medical and lab diagnostics, where mixing is an integral component of activating a potential reaction and subsequently result in eliciting a consequential signal. Furthermore, the package may be used to conduct DNA-DNA and DNA-RNA hybridization procedures in an enclosed

compartment with timed release of specific substrates and mixing of reactants to activate the hybridization reaction. In another example, the interior side of the package may be coated with a specific antibody, so as to immobilize the antibody to the package. This type of technology may be used not only for biological assays, but also microbiological detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and other microbiological agents of interest. Other applications for the package in medical and research diagnostics technology include use with ATPase tests and BCA protein assays.

In one aspect, the package may contain solid and/or liquid ingredients that are frozen. The package may therefore be stored frozen rather than in ambient state to ensure that the quality of ingredients is preserved, for example, to ensure that the shelf life of the ingredients/materials is achieved. The frozen package can be thawed by heating prior to mixing the ingredients and forming desired preparation (e.g., a food product). A compartment having water as a content may be filled to less than full capacity to allow the water to expand when frozen without bursting the compartment.

In one aspect, the preparation package 101 can include a frangible seal 130 separating the first and second compartments 110, 112. The frangible seal 130 can be configured to burst or rupture under pressure to facilitate combining the contents of the first and second compartments. In addition, the package 101 can include another frangible seal 132, which can burst or rupture under pressure to facilitate the introduction of a fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) into the first and/or second compartments 110, 112. Although the frangible seal 132 is illustrated associated with the first compartment 110, the frangible seal 132 can be associated with the first compartment 110 and/or the second compartment 112. The frangible seal 132 can be broken by a fluid under pressure external to the first and second compartments 110, 112. With the frangible seal 132 broken, the pressurized fluid can act from within the first and/or second compartments 110, 112 to break the frangible seal 130, which separates the first and second components 110, 112, and thereby introduce the first ingredient 120 and the second ingredient 122 to one another within the package 101. Thus, introduction of a fluid into the first and/or second compartments 110, 112 can provide a fluid pressure that breaks the frangible seal 130 and introduces the first ingredient 120 and the second ingredient 122 to one another within the package 101. In some embodiments, the first compartment 110 can contain a liquid food ingredient, which can be pressurized upon the breakage of the frangible seal 132 to break the frangible seal 130 between the first and second compartments 110, 112. This pressurized liquid can then penetrate into solid ingredients contained within the second compartment 112, thus facilitating a mixing of liquid and solid ingredients. It should also be recognized that solid ingredients can be introduced into a compartment having liquid ingredients.

Alternatively, as opposed to the sequential breaking of the frangible seals just described, the frangible seals may be broken simultaneously by pressurized fluid, which may depend upon the configuration of the compartments and the seals. The pressurized fluid can cause expansion or "pillowing" of the package 101, which can increase the internal volume of the package to facilitate mixing of the ingredients. For example, the package can expand or inflate to provide a predetermined or controlled amount of volume for mixing within the package. Thus, the package can be configured to provide an internal volume for mixing the ingredients once the frangible seals have broken. In one aspect, the fluid introduced into the compartments and utilized to break the frangible seals can be an ingredient in a food recipe, and can therefore form a part of the final food product. The contents of the compartments and/or the pressurized fluid can be heated prior to breaking the frangible seals to facilitate mixing of the ingredients. The frangible seals can be configured to break at any suitable pressure, such as from about 1 psi to about 5 psi, with 3 psi being typical in one embodiment.

In one aspect, the package 101 can include a burst compartment 114. Although the burst compartment 114 is illustrated with the frangible seal 132 separating the burst compartment 114 and the first compartment 110, the burst compartment 114 can be configured such that the frangible seal 132 separates the burst compartment 114 from the first compartment 110 and/or second compartment 112. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more frangible seals can separate the burst compartment from ingredient containing compartments. Fluid pressure introduced into the burst compartment 114 can break the frangible seal 132 and the frangible seal 130 to introduce the first ingredient 120 and the second ingredient 122 to one another within the package 101. In one aspect, the frangible seal 130 and/or the frangible seal 132 can be caused to break by sublimation of one or more ingredients or components (e.g., dry ice or solid carbon dioxide) within the burst compartment 114, the first compartment 110, and/or the second compartment 112, which can cause inflation of the package and provide the volume needed for mixing the ingredients.

In one example, the package 101 can have two or more self-contained

compartments that can serve as a reservoir for one or more chemicals or substances, which may be activated by the breaking of a frangible seal, heating, mixing, and/or the addition of pressure to catalyze physical, chemical, and immunological reactions. The package may also allow a sample to be injected in to one or more of the compartments.

The package 101 can also include a filter 140 to prevent unwanted material carried by the fluid used to break the frangible seals 130, 132 from entering or exiting the package 101. In one aspect, the filter 140 can be a two-way filter. The filter 140 can comprise a filter paper, a membrane (e.g., an FDA approved food grade membrane filter), and/or any other suitable type of filter or device that can remove an unwanted material from a liquid or gas that passes through the device. In one aspect, the filter 140 can be configured to restrict particles equal to or greater than about 0.2 μπι in size. In another aspect, the filter 140 can be configured to allow only gas to pass therethrough. Thus, the filter 140 can minimize or prevent contamination of the first and second ingredients with foreign material (e.g., physical, chemical, and/or biological material). In one aspect, the frangible seal 132 can separate the ingredients in the first and/or second compartment 110, 112 from the filter 140 prior to the introduction of the pressurized fluid into the first and/or second compartments. The frangible seal 132 can therefore protect the filter 140 from fouling with materials that can cause blockage of the filter (e.g., wetting the filter and/or introducing solid particles to the filter).

The package 101 can include a valve 150 to facilitate external fluid

communication with the package 101. Thus, fluid used to break the frangible seals 130, 132 can be introduced into the package 101 via the valve 150. For example, the valve 150 can facilitate external fluid communication with the burst compartment 114, thus fluid pressure can be introduced into the burst compartment 114 via the valve 150. The valve 150 can also separate or protect the filter 140 from potential contaminants external to the package prior to opening of the valve to introduce pressurized fluid. In one aspect, the filter 150 can be associated with the valve 150. In another aspect, the filter 150 can be disposed in a fluid pathway 115 between the valve 150 and the frangible seal 132. The valve 150 can be any suitable type of valve, such as a poppet valve, needle valve, spool valve, etc. In one aspect, the valve 150 can be configured for "one-time" use, such as by being openable to facilitate the passage of fluid through the valve, but not closable once opened. Such a valve can be openable by piercing, penetrating, rupturing, bursting, etc. In another aspect, the valve 150 can be configured to be openable and closable. For example, the valve 150 can include a spring configured to bias the valve to a closed position, which spring can be overcome by sufficient force (e.g., from outside the package 101 directed into the package) to open the valve. Thus, the package 101 can be configured to facilitate the removal of the fluid from the package that was used to break the frangible seals. This can be beneficial in some cases for processing the ingredients to achieve a final product, such as to eliminate or remove any "pillowing" of the package and thereby facilitate deformation of the package and its contents for molding a product (e.g., a food product) without bursting or rupturing the package.

FIG. 2 illustrates a package 201 in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The package 201 includes the same general features described above with respect to the package 101 of FIG. 1. For example, the package 201 includes a first compartment 210, a second compartment 212, a frangible seal 230 separating the first and second compartments, a burst compartment 214, a frangible seal 232 separating the burst compartment and the first compartment, a valve 250, and a filter (obscured from view by the valve. In this case, the frangible seals 230, 232 are shown oriented at an angle 204 relative to one another. The angle 204 can be any suitable angle, which may depend on the particular geometry or structure of the package 201. In one aspect, the angle 204 can be from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees. In a more particular aspect, the angle 204 can be from about 50 degrees to about 80 degrees. The angle 204 may be influenced by the configuration of the compartments, valve, filter, and/or any other aspect of the package that may influence the geometry of the package.

In one aspect, the first and/or second compartments 210, 212 can be configured to facilitate mixing of ingredients to form a mixture in the package. For example, one or more corners 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d of the first compartment 210 and/or the second compartment 212 can be rounded, chamfered, and/or any other suitable type of blunted corner to facilitate mixing of ingredients in the package 201 once the frangible seals 230, 232 have been broken to form a single, large compartment. Such blunted corners can prevent the capture of ingredients and thus prevent waste. In some embodiments, the blunted corners can have a radius of 15 mm, although any suitable radius can be incorporated.

An outer boundary of the first and second compartments 210, 212 can be formed by a perimeter seal 236. The perimeter seal 236 can be configured to avoid breakage during processing of the product. Typically, the perimeter seal 236 can be able to withstand at least about three times as much pressure as the frangible seals can withstand before breaking. In one aspect, the perimeter seal 236 can be configured as a single layer seal. In this configuration, there are no folds of material or other features that would facilitate freestanding of the package on an end.

The package 201 can also include one or more tabs or wings 218a, 218b to facilitate securing the package within a preparation device (see, e.g., FIG. 4, discussed below). Such tabs or wings can be configured to engage a clamp of a preparation device to secure the package during processing to produce a final product. The valve 250 can be located on a tab or wing to facilitate coupling with a source of pressurized fluid, which may be associated with a clamp of a preparation device. It should be recognized that the perimeter seal 236 can extend into the tabs or wings 218a, 218b to any suitable extent.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid port assembly 302 for a preparation package in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The fluid port assembly 302 can include a valve 350 and a filter 340, which function as described herein. The fluid port assembly 302 can include support structure 352 configured to support the valve 350 and the filter 340. For example, the support structure 352 can include a wall 354 that can be coupled to the valve 350. In one aspect, as illustrated, the wall 354 and the valve 350 can be integrally formed with one another. The wall can also have a lip 356 configured to interface with the filter 340. The filter 340 can be coupled to the lip 356 in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive. The support structure 352 can also include a flange 358, which can be configured to facilitate coupling (e.g., via welding) the fluid port assembly 302 to a portion of a preparation package, such as to a tab or wing as discussed above.

In one aspect, the wall 354 can be configured to interface with (e.g., contact or sealingly engage) a source of pressurized fluid, such as a fluid supply port. Thus, the wall 354 can be tapered at an angle 306, which may be configured to match or be compatible with an interfacing surface or feature of a pressurized fluid supply. In one embodiment, the angle 306 is 10 degrees, although any suitable angle can be utilized. The wall 354 can also include a shoulder 357, which may be configured to prevent over insertion of the wall into a mating interface feature of a pressurized fluid supply. The components of the fluid port assembly 302 can be manufactured by any suitable technique or process with any suitable material or combination of materials. In one aspect, the valve 350 and the support structure 352 can be made by molding, such as injection molding.

In use, the valve 350 can be opened by breaking, cutting, shearing, puncturing, penetrating, ripping, tearing, etc. to create an opening through the valve. For example, a preparation device may have a sharp feature configured to cut or shear the valve 350 about a portion of its periphery thus leaving a flap intact and attached to the wall 354. Pressurized fluid (e.g., air, liquid carbon dioxide, etc.) can then be provided to a package through the valve 350 and the filter 340 as described herein to facilitate mixing ingredients. Contaminants in the fluid can be prevented from entering a package by the filter 340. Fluid can also be removed from a package through the filter 340 and the valve 350 following mixing to facilitate forming a product into a final shape within the package. In one aspect, moisture and small particles can be captured by the filter 340 and remain with the package. This can prevent contamination of a processing device by materials from inside a package.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preparation package 401 used with a preparation device 460 in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The package 401 can be any suitable preparation package disclosed herein. The package 401 can include a valve 450 and associated structure that facilitates fluidly coupling the valve with a pressurized fluid source 462. The package 401 can include tabs or wings 418a, 418b to interface with lower clamp portions 464a, 464b, respectively. Upper clamp portions are obscured from view, which can be lowered into a clamping arrangement with the lower clamp portions 464a, 464b to secure the package 401. The valve 450 is located on the tab 418a. The valve 450 can be oriented "out of plane" from the package 401 or perpendicular to the tab 418a such that the valve 450 can be accessed from a side of the package 401. An upper clamp portion associated with the lower clamp portion 464a can serve to secure the valve 450 in a coupled configuration with the pressurized fluid source while the package is clamped in the device 460. A valve opening device, can be associated with the pressurized fluid source 462 to open (e.g., cut, shear, puncture, etc.) the valve 450. The pressurized fluid source 462 can also serve to withdraw fluid from the package 401. In the case of frozen package contents, the package contents can be thawed within the device 460 by heating, mixing, shaping, etc.

In some embodiments, a valve can be oriented "in plane" with a package (e.g., perpendicular to the illustrated orientation of the valve 450) such that the valve can be accessed from an end of the package. Thus, a valve can be oriented in any suitable direction to facilitate use of the valve as described herein.

In one example, the package 401 can be used to contain drug molecules and excipients in separate compartments and when placed in the device 460, can be infused with liquid carbon dioxide and the pressure created inside the package can break the frangible seals resulting in blending and mixing (e.g., by sonication) of the drugs and excipients. Subsequently, the liquid carbon dioxide can be removed from the package through the valve 450 by depressurization, leaving a high quality drug-excipient mixture.

In one aspect, the final dilution of a medication can be removed from the package 401 with a sterile syringe and administered to a patient. Thus, the principles disclosed herein can eliminate human error and human intervention in patient care.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a preparation system 500 in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. The system 500 includes a preparation package 501, which is similar in many respects to the package 101 schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, the package 501 includes more than two ingredient compartments. As illustrated, the package 501 includes four ingredient compartments 510, 512, 517, 519. It should be recognized, however, that a package can include any suitable number of compartments as desired. As with other examples disclosed herein, the compartments 510, 512, 517, 519 can be used to contain separate ingredients or groups of ingredients 520, 522, 524, 526, respectively. As shown in the figure, the ingredient compartments can be separated by frangible seals 530, 533, 535. In one aspect, the ingredient compartments and the frangible seals can be configured to facilitate mixing of ingredients in a particular sequence. For example, the frangible seals 530, 533, 535 can be broken sequentially to facilitate the mixing of the ingredients 520, 522, 524, 526 in a predetermined order. Thus, the compartments 510, 512, 517, 519 can be configured such that pressurized fluid introduced into the package can be purposefully directed to break the frangible seals between specific compartments in the package that may be specified by the distance of the seals from the burst compartment 514 and the valve 550. This can result in a mechanism where the order in which ingredients are released and mixed is in a stepwise or sequential manner, which may be beneficial for the proper execution of a given recipe. For example, two solid and/or liquid ingredients can be introduced to one another prior to the introduction of water, which can enable proper mixing of the ingredients and thereby facilitate production of a suitable end product. In a particular example, the package 501 may be used to conduct antibody-antigen reactions where the reaction may be initiated at a particular time interval when a frangible seal is broken and mixing ingredients of two components occurs. The antigen-antibody complex may then be further treated with a secondary or tertiary component contained in other compartments to elicit a colorimetric or photometric reaction. An example of this is avidin-biotin reactions to amplify protein signals.

FIG. 6 illustrates a package 601 in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. The package 601 includes certain general features described above with respect to the package 501 of FIG. 5. For example, the package 601 includes more than two ingredient compartments 610, 612, 617 and frangible seals 630, 633, 635 separating certain of the ingredient compartments. The package 601 also includes a burst compartment 614 separated from the compartment 610 by a frangible seal 632, and a valve 650 as disclosed herein. In this case, the ingredient compartment 610 is separated from the ingredient compartment 612 by the frangible seal 630 and from the ingredient compartment 617 by the frangible seal 635. The frangible seal 633 separates the ingredient compartment 612 from the ingredient compartment 617. In one aspect, the ingredient compartments and the frangible seals can be configured to facilitate mixing of ingredients in a particular sequence or predetermined order. For example, the frangible seal 630 can be broken to facilitate mixing of the ingredients in the compartments 610, 612 prior to breaking either of the frangible seals 633, 635, which facilitates the introduction of the ingredient in compartment 617 to the combination of ingredients from compartments 610, 612. In another aspect, the frangible seals 630, 635 can be broken substantially at the same time to mix contents of ingredient compartment 610, 612, and 617 simultaneously. The ingredients may be maintained separate from one another prior to mixing in order to preserve the ingredients (e.g., avoid oxidation).

FIG. 7 illustrates a package 701 in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. The package 701 is similar in many respects to other packages disclosed herein. For example, the package 701 includes a first compartment 710, a second compartment 712, a frangible seal 730 separating the first and second compartments, a burst compartment 714, a frangible seal 732 separating the burst compartment and the first compartment, a valve 750, and a filter (obscured from view by the valve.

In one aspect, the compartments of the package 701 can be configured to facilitate mixing of ingredients to form a mixture in the package. For example, an outer boundary of the burst compartment 714 and the first and second compartments 710, 712 can be formed by a perimeter seal 736 that can be configured to facilitate mixing of ingredients in the package 701 once the frangible seals 730, 732 have been broken to form a single, large compartment. In the illustrated example, the perimeter seal 736 has a generally circular shape configured to maximize an internal or mixing volume of the single large compartment with a rounded perimeter that provides a generally spherical interior shape when pillowed by internal fluid pressure. When utilized with flexible materials, this configuration can minimize or prevent interior folds when a maximum interior volume is attained. This can minimize or prevent ingredients from being captured in folds of the package that may form naturally in the absence of such a spherical interior compartment. Thus, the package 701 can be configured to provide an internal volume for mixing the ingredients once the frangible seals 732, 730 have broken.

The package 701 can also include one or more tabs or wings 718a, 718b to facilitate securing the package within a preparation device (see, e.g., FIG. 4, discussed above). Such tabs or wings can be configured to engage a clamp of a preparation device to secure the package during processing to produce a final product. The valve 750 can be located on a tab or wing to facilitate coupling with a source of pressurized fluid, which may be associated with a clamp of a preparation device. It should be recognized that the perimeter seal 736 can extend into the tabs or wings 718a, 718b to any suitable extent.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a food product is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a package having a first food ingredient contained in a first compartment and a second food ingredient contained in a second compartment. The method can also comprise breaking, with a pressurized fluid, a first frangible seal associated with at least one of the first and second compartments. Additionally, the method can comprise 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. It is noted that no specific order is required in this method, though generally in one embodiment, these method steps can be carried out sequentially.

In one aspect, the method can further comprise filtering the pressurized fluid to prevent unwanted material carried by the fluid from entering or exiting the package.

In one aspect of the method, the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid. In another aspect of the method, the first food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof. In another aspect of the method, the second food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

The following examples pertain to further specific invention embodiments.

In one example there is provided 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. 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.

In one example, the food preparation package further comprises a filter to prevent unwanted material carried by a fluid from entering or exiting the package.

In one example, the food preparation package further comprises a valve to facilitate external fluid communication with the burst compartment, wherein the fluid pressure is introduced into the burst compartment via the valve.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is associated with the valve.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is disposed in a fluid pathway between the valve and the first frangible seal.

In one example of a food preparation package, the valve is openable by piercing. In one example of a food preparation package, the filter comprises a filter paper, a membrane, or a combination thereof.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is configured to restrict particles equal to or greater than about 0.2 μπι in size.

In one example of a food preparation package, the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to one another.

In one example of a food preparation package, the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 50 degrees to about 80 degrees relative to one another.

In one example, the food preparation package further comprises a tab to facilitate securing the food preparation package within a food preparation device.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is flexible.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is disposable.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is recyclable.

In one example of a food preparation package, a single layer seal is formed around a perimeter of the first and second compartments.

In one example, there is provided 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. 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. In one example, the food preparation package can further comprise a valve to facilitate external fluid communication with the package, wherein the fluid is introduced into the package via the valve.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is associated with the valve.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is disposed in a fluid pathway between the valve and the first frangible seal.

In one example of a food preparation package, the valve is openable by piercing.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter comprises a filter paper, a membrane, or a combination thereof.

In one example of a food preparation package, the filter is configured to restrict particles equal to or greater than about 0.2 μπι in size.

In one example of a food preparation package, the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees relative to one another.

In one example of a food preparation package, the first and second frangible seals are oriented an angle of from about 50 degrees to about 80 degrees relative to one another.

In one example, the food preparation package can further comprise a tab to facilitate securing the food preparation package within a food preparation device.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is flexible.

In one example of a food preparation package, 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.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is disposable.

In one example of a food preparation package, the package is recyclable. In one example of a food preparation package, a single layer seal is formed around a perimeter of the first and second compartments.

In one example there is provided a food preparation system, comprising a first food ingredient, a second food ingredient, and a food preparation package as disclosed herein. The first compartment contains the first food ingredient, and the second compartment contains the second food ingredient.

In one example of a food preparation system, the first food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

In one example of a food preparation system, the second food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

In one example there is provided 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.

In one example of a method for preparing a food product, the method further comprises filtering the pressurized fluid to prevent unwanted material carried by the fluid from entering or exiting the package.

In one example of a method for preparing a food product, the fluid comprises at least one of a gas and a liquid.

In one example of a method for preparing a food product, the first food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

In one example of a method for preparing a food product, the second food ingredient comprises a fluid, a solid, or a combination thereof.

Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.