Ingredient Package and Method

Abstract

Coaxial and non-coaxial ingredient packages provides an integrated inner and outer package via a common transverse seal across opposing ends of the package. The transverse seal is accomplished by way of the outer surface of the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package. The inner package functions to receive a first ingredient and the outer package functions to receive a second ingredient. An opening mechanism located at a select package end enables the user to unseal the inner and outer packages simultaneously thereby facilitating the common dispensing of package contents or ingredients in a complementary manner for opportune admixture. Certain methodology for coaxial ingredient or foodstuff service and/or presentation is further presented as reflective of the disclosed structures.

1 . A coaxial foodstuff package, the coaxial foodstuff package for packaging plural foodstuffs in distinct coaxial compartments, the coaxial foodstuff package comprising at least one inner foodstuff barrier, an outer foodstuff barrier, first and second package ends, and a longitudinal package axis, the inner foodstuff barrier receiving an inner foodstuff thus forming an inner food package, the outer foodstuff barrier receiving the inner food package and an outer foodstuff in substantially coaxial relation about the package axis, the inner foodstuff barrier preventing contact intermediate the inner and outer foodstuffs, the outer foodstuff barrier preventing contact intermediate the outer foodstuff and radially ambient matter, the first and second package ends being sealed for selectively preventing contact intermediate the inner and outer foodstuffs and axially ambient matter. 
     
     
         2 . The coaxial foodstuff package of  claim 1  wherein the inner foodstuff barrier comprises a longitudinal lap seal and the outer foodstuff barrier comprises a longitudinal fin seal, the lap seal for minimizing package material volume intermediate the inner and outer foodstuff barriers, the fin seal for maximizing seal integrity. 
     
     
         3 . The coaxial foodstuff package of  claim 1  comprising manually-enabled, end-opening means, the end-opening means for enabling a user to manually open a select package end, the select package end being selected from the group consisting of the first and second package ends. 
     
     
         4 . The coaxial foodstuff package of  claim 3  wherein the end-opening means are defined by select scoring, the select scoring being selected from the group comprising singular score lines, paired score lines, continuous score lines, and skipped score lines, the select scoring being orthogonal to the package axis. 
     
     
         5 . The coaxial foodstuff package of  claim 4  wherein the select scoring is laser scored for enhancing the user's ability to manually open the select package end. 
     
     
         6 . A foodstuff package, the foodstuff package for packaging and presenting plural foodstuffs, the foodstuff package comprising at least one inner foodstuff barrier, an outer foodstuff barrier, and first and second package ends, the inner foodstuff barrier extending in the outer foodstuff barrier for surrounding an inner foodstuff and forming an inner food package, the outer foodstuff barrier receiving the inner food package and an outer foodstuff, the inner foodstuff barrier surrounding the inner foodstuff barrier and preventing contact intermediate the inner and outer foodstuffs, the outer foodstuff barrier preventing contact intermediate the outer foodstuff and radially ambient matter, the first and second package ends being sealed for selectively preventing contact intermediate the inner and outer foodstuffs and axially ambient matter. 
     
     
         7 . The foodstuff package of  claim 6  wherein, the outer foodstuff barrier receiving the inner food package and an outer foodstuff in substantially coaxial relation about the package axis, the end-opening means and the inner and outer boundaries being cooperable to enable the user to coaxially dispense the inner and outer foodstuffs. 
     
     
         8 . The foodstuff package of  claim 6  comprising manually enabled, end-opening means, the end-opening means for enabling a user to manually open a select package end and axially dispense the inner and outer foodstuffs therefrom, the select package end being selected from the group consisting of the first and second package ends. 
     
     
         9 . The coaxial foodstuff package of  claim 8  wherein the end-opening means are defined by select scoring, the select scoring being selected from the group comprising singular score lines, paired score lines, continuous score lines, and skipped score lines. 
     
     
         10 . An ingredient package, the ingredient package for presenting plural ingredients, the package comprising at least one inner tube, an outer tube, and first and second package ends, the inner tube receiving an inner ingredient and the outer tube receiving the inner tube and an outer ingredient, the inner and outer tubes being sealed at the first and second package ends, the inner tube thereby preventing ingredient contact, the outer tube thereby sealing the package from ambient matter. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the inner and outer tubes are sealed to one another at the first and second package ends, a select package end comprising manually enabled, end-opening means, the end-opening means for enabling a user to manually open the select package end and axially dispense the inner and outer ingredients therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . The foodstuff package of  claim 11  wherein the end-opening means are defined by select scoring, the select scoring being selected from the group comprising singular score lines, paired score lines, continuous score lines, and skipped score lines. 
     
     
         13 . A foodstuff service method, the foodstuff service method for serving mixable foodstuffs to a foodstuff consumer, the method comprising the steps of:
 aligning an inner foodstuff about a foodstuff axis;   coaxially aligning at least one outer foodstuff about the inner foodstuff;   sealing the inner and outer foodstuffs from ambient matter prior to final foodstuff service;   opening the inner and outer foodstuffs to ambient matter for finally serving the foodstuffs; and   finally serving the inner and outer foodstuffs.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the inner and outer foodstuffs are prevented from contacting one another during coaxial foodstuff alignment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the inner and outer foodstuffs are simultaneously and axially displaced during final foodstuff service. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the inner and outer foodstuffs are manually forced into axial displacement by pinching the foodstuffs along the foodstuff axis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the inner and outer foodstuffs are mouth-mixed after final foodstuff service. 
     
     
         18 . A foodstuff presentation method, the method for coaxially presenting plural foodstuffs to a foodstuff consumer, the method comprising the steps of:
 coaxially aligning a plurality of foodstuffs about a foodstuff axis;   axially displacing the foodstuffs along the foodstuff axis for coaxially presenting the foodstuffs to a foodstuff consumer; and   presenting the coaxially aligned and axially displaced foodstuffs to the foodstuff consumer.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the foodstuffs are prevented from contacting one another during coaxial foodstuff alignment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the foodstuffs are sealed from ambient matter prior to axial foodstuff displacement. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the foodstuffs are opened to ambient matter prior to axial foodstuff displacement. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the foodstuffs are pinched to effect axial foodstuff displacement.