Foodstuff container and method of preparing foodstuffs therefore

Abstract

The invention relates to a retail pack and container therefore, for containing first and second types of foodstuff. The container is formed of initially separate parts and this allows differing preparation steps to be performed on the foodstuffs in the different parts of the container as required, prior to bringing the parts together to form the container.

1 . A pack comprising a container having a first part with a first cavity with a foodstuff held therein and at least a second part with a second cavity with a foodstuff held therein, wherein at least one of said foodstuffs is prepared separately to the other foodstuff, in its respective cavity, prior to the provision of both foodstuffs in the two part container to form the said pack. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A pack according to  claim 1  wherein the preparation which is performed, is the cooking or baking of the foodstuff held in said cavity. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A pack according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second parts are joined together along adjacent edges thereof which are brought into an abutting or overlapping relationship, and engaged together. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A pack according to  claim 1  wherein the container includes at least one sealing layer which is positioned over the openings into the cavities to enclose the foodstuffs within the cavity and hence form the pack. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A pack according to  claim 8  wherein a sealing layer is applied over the opening into the cavity in the first part and a second sealing layer is applied over the opening into the cavity in the second part, prior to the parts being joined together. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein a line of weakening is provided which runs parallel with the adjacent edges of the respective parts such that once the parts are joined together, the line of weakening forms a hinge or break point, to allow the contents of one of the cavities to be emptied into the other of the cavities so that the foodstuffs can be consumed in combination. 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said container is storable for a predefined period of time at least a number of weeks, in ambient conditions without adverse effect on the foodstuffs. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cavities is provided with a venting film layer which allows the cooking or baking of the foodstuff held within the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . A retail pack container, said container having at least first and second cavities, said cavities having respective different foodstuffs held therein and wherein said foodstuffs are required to be processed into a condition for retail display and/or consumption and wherein differing processing methods are required to be performed on the respective foodstuffs before the container is formed and/or after purchase of a container, and wherein the container is provided as separate parts prior to retail display and said parts can be selectively separated and/or moved following purchase of the retail pack. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a pack including a container having at least first and second foodstuffs in respective cavities of said container, said container formed from at least first and second parts, said method including the steps of placing a first foodstuff in a cavity of a first part, and a second foodstuff in a cavity of a second part, with the said first and second parts separate; preparing said foodstuffs, as required, into a condition for retail, display and/or consumption wherein the respective parts are then brought together and, joined to form the container. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein at least one sealing layer is applied to cover over said cavities. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the respective parts are joined together by abutting or overlapping respective edges and using ultrasonic welding along said overlapping portions. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein a lid or other engagement means are provided to engage the first and second parts together. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the preparation which is performed on at least one of the foodstuffs, is a baking operation in which the foodstuff is wholly or at least partially baked within the cavity of one of the parts of the container prior to joining the parts together. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein, when baking, the cavity in which the foodstuff is held, is sealed with a venting film which has a series of apertures which open during the baking process to allow CO 2  created during the baking process to be released from the cavity and expansion of the foodstuff to occur. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  wherein during cooling of the baked foodstuff, the initial cooling stage is controlled so as to close the apertures in the venting film prior to the second cooling stage which reduces the temperature more quickly.