Package for browning and crisping dough-based foods in a microwave oven

• US 7,514,659 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2006
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Lafferty, Terrence P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung; Philip H
• Application Number:
  US11/331,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20060157480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 219725-735, 219/759, 219/762, 426/107, 426/113, 426/241, 426/243, 426/234, 99D/IG.14
• US Class Current: 219/730
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3406 Pizza or bread
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3466 Microwave reactive material applied by vacuum, sputter or vapor deposition
• 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 2581/3495 attached to the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3497 attached to the side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3498 attached to the base surface
• 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 81/38 with thermal insulation vacuum bottles or the like A47J41/00 ; thermal insulation of domestic water storage heaters F24H1/182
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6494 for cooking

Abstract

Various constructs and systems for heating a dough-based food item in a microwave oven are provided.

Claims

1. A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven, comprising:

a base for underlying the food item; and

a dimensionally stable cover joined to the base, the cover being for overlying the food item, the cover including

a substantially continuous peripheral portion, and

a plurality of resilient, deformable tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral portion toward an opening, each tab comprising a first microwave energy interactive material,

 

wherein

each tab is separated from an adjacent tab by a slit, and

each tab independently is capable of deflecting away from the base in response to a deflecting force exerted thereto.

2. The construct of claim 1, wherein the substantially continuous peripheral portion terminates in a curved outer edge.

3. The construct of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a second microwave energy interactive material.

4. The construct of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a surface capable of supporting a food item, and wherein the surface at least partially comprises a susceptor material.

5. The construct of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a surface capable of supporting a food item, and wherein the surface at least partially comprises a microwave energy interactive insulating material.

6. The construct of claim 1, wherein

the base comprises surface capable of resting on a microwave oven, and

the surface at least partially comprises a microwave energy interactive insulating material.

7. The construct of claim 1, wherein the opening exposes a portion of a food item not desired to be browned or crisped.

8. The construct of claim 1, wherein the base and cover define a flexible sleeve having at least one open end.

9. A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven, comprising:

a dimensionally stable base for underlying the food item; and

a dimensionally stable cover for overlying the food item, the cover including

an opening adapted to overlie a portion of the food item not intended to be browned and/or crisped,

a substantially continuous peripheral portion pivotably connected to the base for pivoting the cover relative to the base between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and

a plurality of resilient, deformable tabs disposed between the opening and the peripheral portion, the plurality of resilient, deformable tabs being connected to the peripheral portion for pivoting with the peripheral portion relative to the base between the open configuration and closed configuration,

 

wherein

the tabs include a microwave energy interactive material for at least partially overlying a portion of the food item intended to be browned and/or crisped, and

the tabs are independently capable of deflecting away from the opening to maintain each tab in intimate and/or proximate contact with the portion of the food item intended to be browned and/or crisped.

10. The construct of claim 9, further comprising a locking feature for releasably securing the cover to the base in the closed configuration.

11. The construct of claim 9, further comprising a microwave energy interactive element overlying at least a portion of the base.

12. The construct of claim 11, wherein the microwave energy interactive element comprises a susceptor.

13. The construct of claim 12, wherein

the susceptor is joined to a moisture-containing layer, and

a polymer film is joined to the moisture-containing layer in a patterned configuration, thereby defining a plurality of expandable cells between the moisture-containing layer and the polymer film.

14. The construct of claim 13, wherein the expandable cells inflate upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy.

15. A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven, comprising:

a dimensionally stable base for underlying the food item; and

a dimensionally stable cover for overlying the food item, the cover including

an opening adapted to overlie a portion of the food item not intended to be browned and/or crisped,

a plurality of resilient, deformable tabs circumscribing the opening, the tabs including a microwave energy interactive material for at least partially overlying a portion of the food item intended to be browned and/or crisped, and

a substantially continuous peripheral portion circumscribing the plurality of tabs, the peripheral portion lying substantially within a plane with the opening,

wherein

the peripheral portion is pivotably connected to the base for pivoting with the tabs and opening of the cover relative to the base between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and

the tabs are independently capable of deflecting out of the plane of the opening and the peripheral portion to maintain each tab in intimate and/or proximate contact with the portion of the food item intended to be browned and/or crisped.

16. The construct of claim 15, further comprising a locking feature for releasably securing the cover to the base in the closed configuration.

17. The construct of claim 15, further comprising a microwave energy interactive element overlying at least a portion of the base.

18. The construct of claim 17, wherein the microwave energy interactive element comprises a susceptor.

19. The construct of claim 18, wherein

the susceptor is joined to a moisture-containing layer, and

a polymer film is joined to the moisture-containing layer in a patterned configuration, thereby defining a plurality of expandable cells between the moisture-containing layer and the polymer film.

20. The construct of claim 19, wherein the expandable cells inflate upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy.