Microwave cooking packages and methods of making thereof

• US 20050205565A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Wnek, Patrick H., Robison, Richard G., O'Hagan, Brian R., Middleton, Scott W., Bohrer, Timothy H., Lafferty, Terrence P., Cole, Lorin R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,365,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/730
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3472 Aluminium or compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3477 Iron or compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3479 Other metallic compounds, e.g. silver, gold, copper, nickel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3494 Microwave susceptor B65D2581/3487 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/14 with areas coated with adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/03 Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3888
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3453 Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3461 Flexible containers, e.g. bags, pouches, envelopes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3893 formed with double walls, i.e. hollow
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/065 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6408 Supports or covers specially adapted for use in microwave heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6494 for cooking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1303 Paper containing [e.g., paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1359 Three or more layers [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/139 Open-ended, self-supporting conduit, cylinder, or tube-type article

Abstract

A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.

Claims

1. A self-sealing microwave package comprising:

a sheet of insulating material including a first surface; and

a thermally activatable adhesive covering at least a portion of the first surface.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the thermally activatable adhesive covers at least a portion of the first surface proximate a perimeter of the sheet.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet includes at least two adjacent edges and wherein the thermally activatable adhesive covers at least a portion of the sheet proximate the at least two adjacent edges.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet includes at least three adjacent edges and wherein the thermally activatable adhesive covers at least a portion of the sheet proximate the at least three adjacent edges.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion therebetween, the first side portion is at least partially covered by the thermally activatable adhesive, and wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are folded over the central portion to form a sleeve.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the sheet includes a first side portion, a second side portion, a central portion therebetween, and a back edge, the first side portion and the back edge are at least partially covered by the thermally activatable adhesive, and wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are folded over the central portion to form a pocket.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the thermally activatable adhesive substantially covers the first surface.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the thermally activatable adhesive comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.

9. A microwave insulating material comprising:

a dimensionally stable support;

a polymer film layer overlying the support and affixed to a portion thereof; and

a plurality of expandable cells between the support and the polymer film layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size from one another.

10. The material of claim 9, wherein the expandable cells are arranged on the material to provide an insulating region, a non-insulating region, or a combination thereof.

11. The material of claim 9, wherein the expandable cells are arranged so that a first set of smaller expandable cells is surrounded by a second set of larger expandable cells.

12. The material of claim 9, wherein a first set of smaller, expandable cells is arranged in a row adjacent a second set of larger, expandable cells.

13. The material of claim 9, further comprising a susceptor material proximate one or more expandable cells.

14. The material of claim 9, further comprising an oxygen barrier layer overlying the support on a side opposite the polymer film layer.

15. The material of claim 9, formed into a package.

16. A package for a microwaveable food product comprising:

a base, a lid, and a plurality of walls defining an interior surface; and

an insulating material covering at least a portion of the interior surface, the insulating material comprising;

a dimensionally stable support;

a polymer film layer overlying the support and affixed to a portion thereof; and

a plurality of expandable cells between the support and the polymer film layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the insulating material covers at least a portion of the interior surface of the lid, at least a portion of the interior surface of the base, at least a portion of the interior surface of the walls, or any combination thereof.

18. The package of claim 16, wherein the expandable cells are arranged on the material to provide an insulating region, a non-insulating region, or a combination thereof.

19. The package of claim 16, wherein the cells are at least partially expanded.

20. The package of claim 16, further comprising:

an oxygen barrier layer covering at least a portion of the interior surface;

a susceptor material covering at least a portion of the interior surface;

a shielding element, a pseudo-shielding element, or a combination thereof;

a vent comprising an aperture, perforation, or hole;

a vertical divider extending from the base, the lid, or both;

or any combination thereof.