Seasoning bags and methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

In a method for manufacturing a seasoning bag, an edible adhesive is applied to a panel of a bag, and a granular seasoning is applied to the panel of the bag such that the granular seasoning adheres to the edible adhesive pattern to produce a seasoning layer. The granular seasoning forms air channels when the panel of the bag is vacuum sealed against a foodstuff inserted into the seasoning bag, to assist in egress of air from the bag during the vacuum sealing process.

1 . A method for manufacturing a seasoning bag, comprising:
 applying an edible adhesive to a panel of a bag; and   applying a granular seasoning to the panel of the bag such that the granular seasoning adheres to the edible adhesive to produce a seasoning layer;   wherein the granular seasoning forms air channels when the panel of the bag is vacuum sealed against a foodstuff inserted into the seasoning bag, to assist in egress of air from the bag during the vacuum sealing process.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sealing the panel with a second bag panel to form the seasoning bag. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising feeding the panel from a feed roll to an application zone, wherein the edible adhesive is applied to the panel in the application zone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising feeding the panel to a receiving roll for storage, and subsequently feeding the panel from the receiving roll and sealing the panel with a second bag panel to form the seasoning bag. 
     
     
         5 . A seasoning bag comprising:
 a panel;   an edible adhesive applied to the panel; and   a granular seasoning adhered to the edible adhesive to produce a seasoning layer;   wherein the granular seasoning forms air channels when the panel of the bag is vacuum sealed against a foodstuff inserted into the seasoning bag, to assist in egress of air from the bag during the vacuum sealing process.   
     
     
         6 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the edible adhesive is applied in an amount ranging from about 25 mg per square inch to about 100 mg per square inch. 
     
     
         7 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the granular seasoning is applied in an amount ranging from about 25 mg per square inch to about 450 mg per square inch. 
     
     
         8 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the thickness of the edible adhesive ranges from about 3 mil to about 18 mil and the thickness of the seasoning ranges from about 3 mil to about 18 mil. 
     
     
         9 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the granular seasoning is configured to form a liquid marinate when combined with water added to the seasoning bag. 
     
     
         10 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the granular seasoning is configured to form a broth when combined with water added to the seasoning bag. 
     
     
         11 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the granular seasoning is configured to form a sauce when combined with water added to the seasoning bag. 
     
     
         12 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the bag is vacuum sealable. 
     
     
         13 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the bag is at least one of an ovenable bag, a bailable bag, a slow cooking bag, or a microwavable bag. 
     
     
         14 . The seasoning bag of  claim 5 , wherein the granular seasoning includes at least one of a coloring additive, a nutrient, an antimicrobial additive, and a preservative. 
     
     
         15 . A method of packaging a foodstuff, the method comprising:
 providing a seasoning bag including a panel, an edible adhesive applied to the panel, and a granular seasoning adhered to the edible adhesive to produce a seasoning layer;   inserting the foodstuff into the bag;   vacuum sealing the panel against the foodstuff, wherein the granular seasoning forms air channels to assist in egress of air from the bag during the vacuum sealing process.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising heat sealing an open end of the bag after vacuum sealing the panel against the foodstuff 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the edible adhesive is applied in an amount ranging from about 25 mg per square inch to about 100 mg per square inch. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the granular seasoning is applied in an amount ranging from about 25 mg per square inch to about 450 mg per square inch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the edible adhesive ranges from about 3 mil to about 18 mil and the thickness of the seasoning ranges from about 3 mil to about 18 mil. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the granular seasoning includes at least one of a coloring additive, a nutrient, an antimicrobial additive, and a preservative.