Microwave interactive flexible packaging

• US 8,013,280 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (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.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US11/981,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20080087664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 219725-735, 426106-131
• US Class Current: 219/727
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/022 Cooking- or baking-vessels or supports thereof for using only once eating- or serving-plates for using only once A47G19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/027 Cooking- or baking-vessels specially adapted for use in microwave ovens; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2205/00 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2313/02 of hook-and-loop type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/344 Geometry or shape factors influencing the microwave heating properties
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3447 Heat attenuators, blocking agents or heat insulators for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3456 Means for holding the contents at a distance from the base of the package, e.g. raised islands or protrusions B65D2581/3459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3494 Microwave susceptor B65D2581/3487 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/366 Pizza
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/0209 the tubular body having a curved or partially curved cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/26 Articles or materials wholly enclosed in laminated sheets or wrapper blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3446 specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
• 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: B65D 81/3897 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls

Abstract

A package configured to receive a food item for storage and heating therein is disclosed. The package includes an opening and a closure mechanism and comprises an insulating microwave material. A plurality of packages in a stacked relation also is provided.

Claims

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

a pair of panels adjoined in an opposed, facing relationship to define a cavity and an open end, wherein the panels are formed at least partially from a microwave energy interactive insulating material including

a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer,

a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and

a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby forming a plurality of closed cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer; and

a closure mechanism proximate the open end, wherein the closure mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a zipper and a slider.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the microwave energy interactive material comprises a layer of metal sufficiently thin to convert at least a portion of impinging microwave energy to thermal energy.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the moisture-containing layer is selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard, and any combination thereof.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first polymer film and the second polymer film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the second polymer film comprises biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the second polymer film comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.

7. The package of claim 1, further comprising a vent adapted to allow the release of moisture from the package.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein the closed cells are adapted to inflate in response to microwave energy.

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

a first panel and a second panel adjoined in an opposed, facing relationship to define a cavity and an opening, wherein the first panel and the second panel are each formed at least partially from a microwave energy interactive insulating material including

a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer,

a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and

a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby forming a plurality of closed cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer; and

a closure mechanism proximate the opening, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a tab that communicates with a corresponding slot in the first panel.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the tab extends from a flap joined to the second panel proximate the opening.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the flap is adapted to be folded over the opening.

12. The package of claim 9, wherein the microwave energy interactive material comprises a layer of metal sufficiently thin to convert at least a portion of impinging microwave energy to thermal energy.

13. The package of claim 9, wherein the moisture-containing layer is selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard, and any combination thereof.

14. The package of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first polymer film and the second polymer film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The package of claim 9, wherein the second polymer film comprises biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.

16. The package of claim 9, wherein the second polymer film comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.

17. The package of claim 9, further comprising a vent adapted to allow the release of moisture from the package.

18. The package of claim 9, wherein the closed cells are adapted to inflate in response to microwave energy.

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

a pair of panels adjoined in an opposed, facing relationship to define a cavity, an interior surface, and an open end; and

an adhesive material overlying the interior surface of at least one of the panels proximate the open end,

wherein the panels are formed at least partially from a microwave energy interactive insulating material including

a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer,

a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and

a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby forming a plurality of closed cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer, wherein the closed cells are adapted to inflate in response to microwave energy.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein the microwave energy interactive material comprises a layer of metal sufficiently thin to convert at least a portion of impinging microwave energy to thermal energy.

21. The package of claim 19, wherein the moisture-containing layer is selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard, and any combination thereof.

22. The package of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first polymer film and the second polymer film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

23. The package of claim 19, wherein the second polymer film comprises biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate.

24. The package of claim 19, wherein the second polymer film comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.

25. The package of claim 19, further comprising a vent adapted to allow the release of moisture from the package.