Food container

Abstract

A food container includes a first compartment for retaining a food item and a second compartment for retaining an accessory for the food item. The first and second compartments are defined by first and second flexible sheets that are secured to each other.

1 . A bag, comprising:
 a first compartment for retaining a first item; and   a second compartment for retaining a second item, wherein the first and second compartments are defined by first and second flexible sheets that are secured to each other.   
     
     
         2 . A food container, comprising:
 a first compartment for retaining a food item; and   a second compartment for retaining an accessory for the food item, wherein the first and second compartments are defined by first and second flexible sheets that are secured to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the sheets are secured with a heat seal. 
     
     
         4 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the sheets form a single web of material that is folded and the sheets join at a folded edge of the web. 
     
     
         5 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory is packaged in a package and the package is inserted into the second compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The food container of  claim 5 , wherein the package includes one or more flaps that engage an interior surface of the second compartment to increase resistance against removal of the package from the second compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The food container of  claim 5 , wherein the package includes an angled end to facilitate insertion of the package into the second compartment by sliding the package through an opening of the second compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the first compartment includes an opening for receiving the food item into the first compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The food container of  claim 8 , wherein the opening of the first compartment is sealed following reception of the food item into the first compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The food container of  claim 8 , wherein the first compartment is vacuum sealed following reception of the food item into the first compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The food container of  claim 2 , further comprising a vacuum seal that seals the first compartment following reception of the food item into the first compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the second compartment includes an opening for receiving the accessory into the first compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The food container of  claim 12 , wherein the opening of the second compartment is sealed following reception of the accessory into the second compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the food item is pre-packaged before insertion into the first compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The food container of  claim 2 , further comprising a resealable closure through which the first compartment is accessible. 
     
     
         16 . The food container of  claim 15 , wherein the food item is inserted into the first compartment through the resealable closure. 
     
     
         17 . The food container of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle. 
     
     
         18 . The food container of  claim 17 , wherein the handle is a portion of the first and second sheets adjacent a hole formed through the first and second sheets. 
     
     
         19 . The food container of  claim 2 , further comprising a pleat to facilitate expansion of the first compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The food container of  claim 2 , further comprising a third compartment for retaining a second accessory. 
     
     
         21 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the second compartment is separated from the first compartment by a resealable closure. 
     
     
         22 . The food container of  claim 21 , wherein the second compartment is further separated from the first compartment by a seal that secures the first sheet to the second sheet. 
     
     
         23 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the second compartment is separated from the first compartment by a seal that secures the first sheet to the second sheet. 
     
     
         24 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the food container is arranged as a portable bag for selling the food item together with the accessory. 
     
     
         25 . The food container of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory is a sheet that is folded or rolled for insertion into the second compartment. 
     
     
         26 . A food container assembly, comprising:
 a food container having a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are defined by first and second flexible sheets that are secured to each other;   a food item placed in the first compartment; and   an accessory for the food item placed in the second compartment.   
     
     
         27 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the accessory is related to the preparation of the food item for consumption. 
     
     
         28 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the accessory is for combining with the food item for consumption or dispensing onto the food item. 
     
     
         29 . The food container assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the accessory is one of a condiment, a sauce or a seasoning for the food item. 
     
     
         30 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the food container is arranged as a portable bag for selling the food item together with the accessory. 
     
     
         31 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the food item is selected from a meat item, a fish item, a bread item, a cheese item, nuts, chips, pretzels, salad, cereal, a baked item, a vegetable item, a fruit item, berries, soup, stew, yogurt, ice cream, batter, pasta, a mixed dry good, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the food item is selected from a fresh item, a frozen item, a raw item, a cooked item, a seasoned item, a marinated item, a processed item and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The food container assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the accessory is a condiment for the food item, a seasoning for the food item, a marinade for the food item, a gravy for the food item, a baste for the food item, a sauce for the food item, a dressing for the food item, a spread for the food item, a sweetener for the food item, a spice for the food item, an oil for use with the food item, an icing for the food item, an ingredient for use with the food item, a side dish to accompany the food item during consumption, a cheese product, a baked product, nuts, raisins, granola, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The food container assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the accessory is selected from a cooking bag, a storage bag, a utensil, food item preparation instructions, a recipe, a paper product, a cleaning wipe, a coupon, a promotional item, a product sample, a toy, a game card or sweepstakes entry piece, a rebate form, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A method of packaging a food item, comprising:
 providing a food container having a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are defined by first and second flexible sheets that are secured to each other;   inserting a food item into the first compartment; and   inserting an accessory for the food item into the second compartment.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the inserting of the accessory includes directing pressurized air toward the opening of the second compartment.