Multi-Compartment Package

Abstract

A method for making a multi-compartment microwavable package having one or more open or closed compartments within the package, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form, fill and seal packaging machines. The invention involves producing a multi-compartment bag having an internal permeable wall between compartments from a single sheet of flexible packaging film. A food product can be placed into the first compartment and steam pack can be placed into the second compartment.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A multi-compartment package, comprising:
 a first compartment ( 1018 );   a second compartment ( 1020 ) wherein said first compartment ( 1018 ) and said second compartment ( 1020 ) are separated by an inner permeable wall ( 1040 ) having a compartment terminal end ( 926 ), wherein said second compartment ( 1020 ) further comprises:   an overlap segment ( 1030 ) having an overlap end ( 922 ), wherein said overlap end ( 922 ) is sealed to said inner permeable wall ( 1040 ) by a first longitudinal seal ( 1022 ) and wherein said compartment terminal end ( 926 ) is sealed to said overlapped segment ( 1030 ) by a second longitudinal seal ( 1026 );   wherein said first compartment ( 1018 ) and said second compartment ( 1020 ) have a first transverse seal, a second transverse seal, said first and said second transverse seals each extending across opposite edges of said first compartment ( 1018 ) and said second compartment ( 1020 ) and sealing all layers of said first compartment ( 1018 ) and said second compartment ( 1020 ) together; and   wherein said longitudinal seals ( 1022   1026 ) extend from said first transverse seal to said second transverse seal.   
     
     
         19 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 18  wherein said package is made from a single sheet of film. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 18  wherein said first or said second longitudinal seals further comprise cold seals. 
     
     
         21 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 18  wherein said first or said second compartments contain a food product. 
     
     
         22 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 21  wherein said food product comprises an expandable food product. 
     
     
         23 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 18  wherein either of said first or said second compartments contain a steam pack. 
     
     
         24 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 18  wherein said first compartment comprises at least one gusset. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said inner permeable compartment wall ( 1040 ) comprises a plurality of perforations ( 912 ). 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said inner permeable compartment wall ( 1040 ) fractures open upon application of heat or physical stress.