U.S. patent application number 15/282174 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-06 for packaging for food product.
The applicant listed for this patent is Graphic Packaging International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Felicia A. Pinkstone.
Application Number | 20170096256 15/282174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58427943 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170096256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pinkstone; Felicia A. |
April 6, 2017 |
Packaging For Food Product
Abstract
A package for holding and protecting a food product. The package
has a first tray with a first liner laminated to the first tray and
a second tray with a second liner laminated to the second tray. The
first liner and the second liner are sealed together to hold the
package in a first position protecting the food contained therein
from being damaged. The package can be converted to a second
position wherein the first tray and the second tray are separated
and the food product is removed.
Inventors: |
Pinkstone; Felicia A.;
(Aston, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graphic Packaging International, Inc. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58427943 |
Appl. No.: |
15/282174 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62236502 |
Oct 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20130101; B65D
75/322 20130101; B65D 81/3453 20130101; B65D 2581/3494 20130101;
B65D 21/0234 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02; B65D 81/34 20060101 B65D081/34; B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A package for holding a food product, the package comprises: a
first tray having a first bottom wall and a first side wall that
cooperate to form a first cavity; a second tray having a second
bottom wall and a second side wall that cooperate to form a second
cavity; at least one liner attached to at least one of the first
tray and the second tray, the liner encloses the food product, the
first tray and the second tray are positioned so that the food
product and at least a portion of the liner are contained in the
first cavity and the second cavity.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one liner comprises
a first liner attached to the first tray and a second liner
attached to the second tray.
3. The package of claim 2, further comprising a seal between the
first liner and the second liner so that the food product is
contained in a sealed inner enclosure formed by the first liner and
the second liner.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein the first tray and the second
tray form a rigid outer enclosure of the package that contains the
sealed inner enclosure.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one liner is
attached to the first tray.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the at least one liner is folded
to enclose the food product and form a sealed inner enclosure.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the first tray and the second
tray from a rigid outer enclosure of the package that contains the
sealed inner enclosure.
8. A method of forming a package for holding a food product, the
method comprises: obtaining a first blank; obtaining a second
blank; attaching at least one liner to at least one of the first
blank and the second blank; forming the first blank into a first
tray having a first bottom wall and a first side wall that
cooperate to form a first cavity; forming the second blank into a
second tray having a second bottom wall and a second side wall that
cooperate to form a second cavity; enclosing the food product with
the at least one liner that is attached to at least one of the
first tray and the second tray; and positioning the first tray and
the second tray so that the food product and at least a portion of
the liner are contained in the first cavity and the second
cavity.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one liner comprises
a first liner and a second liner, and the attaching the at least
one liner comprises attaching the first liner to first blank and
attaching the second liner to the second blank.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising forming a seal
between the first liner and the second liner and forming a sealed
inner enclosure defined by the first liner and the second liner
that contains the food product.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming a rigid
outer enclosure of the package defined by the first tray and the
second tray, the rigid outer enclosure contains the sealed inner
enclosure.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising opening the rigid
outer enclosure by separating the first tray from the second tray
and opening the sealed inner enclosure by tearing at least one of
the first liner and the second liner.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the attaching the at least one
liner comprises attaching the at least one liner to the first
tray.
14. The method of claim 13, the enclosing the food product
comprises folding the at least one liner to enclose the food
product and forming a sealed inner enclosure.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming a rigid
outer enclosure of the package defined by the first tray and the
second tray, the rigid outer enclosure contains the sealed inner
enclosure.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising opening the rigid
outer enclosure by separating the first tray from the second tray
and opening the sealed inner enclosure by tearing the at least one
liner.
17. A package for holding a food product, the package comprises: a
tray having a bottom wall and a side wall that cooperate to form a
cavity; a liner attached to the tray, the liner encloses the food
product, the tray is positioned so that the food product and at
least a portion of the liner are contained in the cavity.
18. The package of claim 17, wherein the liner is folded to enclose
the food product and form a sealed inner enclosure.
19. The package of claim 18, wherein the tray is a first tray and
the package further comprises a second tray, the first tray and the
second tray cooperate to form a rigid outer enclosure of the
package that contains the sealed inner enclosure.
20. A package for holding a food product, the package comprises: a
first tray having a first bottom wall and a first side wall that
cooperate to form a first cavity; a second tray having a second
bottom wall and a second side wall that cooperate to form a second
cavity, the first tray and the second tray are positioned so that
the food product is contained in the first cavity and the second
cavity.
21. The package of claim 20, wherein the first tray comprises a
first flange and the second tray comprises a second flange, the
first flange and the second flange are in face-to-face contact to
seal the package.
22. The package of claim 21, wherein the first flange is adhesively
connected to the second flange.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/236,502, filed Oct. 2, 2015.
[0002] Incorporation by Reference
[0003] The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/236,502, filed Oct. 2, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference
as if presented herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The present disclosure relates to trays or packages for
holding and protecting food products.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
blank with an interior surface, and a liner attached to the
interior surface.
[0006] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
tray with a liner. The tray has a bottom wall and at least one side
wall.
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding and protecting a food product. The package has
a first tray having a first bottom wall and a first side wall that
cooperate to form a first cavity, a second tray having a second
bottom wall and a second side wall that cooperate to form a second
cavity, and at least one liner attached to at least one of the
first tray and the second tray, the liner encloses the food
product. The first tray and the second tray are positioned so that
the food product and at least a portion of the liner are contained
in the first cavity and the second cavity.
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding a protecting a food product. The package has a
first tray with a first liner laminated to the first tray and a
second tray with a second liner connected to the second tray. The
first liner and the second liner are sealed together to hold the
first tray and the second tray in a first position protecting the
food contained therein from being damaged. The package can be
converted to a second position wherein the first tray and the
second tray are separated and the food product is removed.
[0009] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding and protecting a food product. The package
having a tray and a liner attached to the tray. The package can be
converted from a first position wherein the liner contains the food
product, to a second position wherein the liner is opened and the
food product is removed from the liner.
[0010] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding and protecting a food product. The package
comprises a first tray having a first flange and a second tray
having a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are
adhered together to protect the food product contained therein.
[0011] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package for holding a food product. The method
comprises obtaining a first blank, obtaining a second blank,
attaching at least one liner to at least one of the first blank and
the second blank, forming the first blank into a first tray having
a first bottom wall and a first side wall that cooperate to form a
first cavity, forming the second blank into a second tray having a
second bottom wall and a second side wall that cooperate to form a
second cavity, enclosing the food product with the at least one
liner that is attached to at least one of the first tray and the
second tray, and positioning the first tray and the second tray so
that the food product and at least a portion of the liner are
contained in the first cavity and the second cavity.
[0012] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package for holding and protecting a food
product. The method comprises obtaining a first tray having a first
liner and a second tray having a second liner and placing the food
product inside the interior of the first tray. The method further
comprises closing the package by placing the second tray on top of
the first tray and sealing the first liner to the second liner.
[0013] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package for holding and protecting a food
product. The method comprises obtaining a tray having a liner and
placing the food product inside the interior of the liner. The
method further comprises closing the package by sealing the liner
closed.
[0014] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
method of forming a package for holding and protecting a food
product. The method comprises obtaining a first tray with a first
flange and a second tray with a second flange. The method comprises
placing the food product inside the interior of the first tray and
positioning the second tray on top of the first tray. The method
further comprises closing the package by sealing the first flange
to the second flange.
[0015] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding a food product. The package comprises a tray
having a bottom wall and a side wall that cooperate to form a
cavity. A liner is attached to the tray. The liner encloses the
food product. The tray is positioned so that the food product and
at least a portion of the liner are contained in the cavity.
[0016] In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a
package for holding a food product. The package comprises a first
tray having a first bottom wall and a first side wall that
cooperate to form a first cavity, and a second tray having a second
bottom wall and a second side wall that cooperate to form a second
cavity. The first tray and the second tray are positioned so that
the food product is contained in the first cavity and the second
cavity.
[0017] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated
advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional
embodiments reading the following detailed description of the
embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] According to common practice, the various features of the
drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be
expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of
the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank and liner for
forming a package of a first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray and liner formed from
the blank of the first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with a food product
placed on the liner.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with a second tray and
liner placed to cover the food product.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package of the first
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the package
opened to access the food product.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective of a tray and liner for forming a
package of a second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with a food product
placed on the liner.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but with the liner
positioned to enclose the food product.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the package of the second
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the package
opened to access the food product.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but with the food
product removed from the package.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tray for forming a
package of a third embodiment of the disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective of the package of the third
embodiment.
[0033] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding
reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The present disclosure relates generally to various aspects
of containers, constructs, trays, materials, packages, elements,
and articles, and methods of making such containers, constructs,
trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles. Although
several different aspects, implementations, and embodiments are
disclosed, numerous interrelationships between, combinations
thereof, and modifications of the various aspects, implementations,
and embodiments are contemplated hereby. In one illustrated
embodiment, the present disclosure relates to forming a container
or tray for holding food items or various other articles. However,
in other embodiments, the container or tray can be used to form
other non-food containing articles or may be used for heating or
cooking.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a blank 3 used to form a tray 5 (FIGS. 2
and 3), and FIGS. 4-6 illustrate two trays 5a, 5b combined to form
a package 11 (FIG. 5) for holding and protecting a food product F
according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1 shows an
exterior side 7 of the blank 3 with a liner or film "L" adjacent
the interior side of the blank. The liner L may be a polymer or
plastic film, flow wrap, foil, parchment paper, or any other
suitable material for lining the interior surface 9 of the tray 5
and holding the food product F. Also, the liner L may contain a
microwave interactive layer or susceptor material without departing
from the disclosure. In one embodiment, the blank 3 is generally
circular having a substantially uniform radius "r". In the
illustrated embodiment, the blank 3 is for being press formed with
the film into the tray 5. It is understood that the blank 3 can be
press-formed into the tray by a forming tool (not shown). Also, the
blank 3, the tray 5, and package 11 could be shaped other than
circular (e.g., oval, rectangular, irregular, etc.) without
departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0036] In one embodiment, the blank 3 can be formed from a laminate
that includes more than one layer, but alternatively the laminate
can be replaced with a single ply of material, such as, but not
limited to, paperboard, cardboard, paper or a polymeric sheet. In
accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the laminate can includes a microwave interactive layer
13 such as is common in MicroRite.RTM. containers available from
Graphic Packaging International of Marietta, GA. The microwave
interactive layer 13 can be commonly referred to as, or can have as
one of its components, a foil, a microwave shield, or any other
term or component that refers to a layer of material suitable for
causing heating in a microwave oven. The microwave interactive
layer 13 comprises the inner/interior surface 9 of the tray (FIG.
2), and in one embodiment, is attached to a base layer 14 of
paperboard. Nonetheless and in accordance with the exemplary
embodiments, the blank 3 typically is a clay-coated paperboard. The
microwave interactive layer 13 can be other suitable microwave
interactive materials set forth below, or any other suitable
material.
[0037] In one embodiment, the blank 3 can have features, such as
radial score lines or any other suitable feature, that facilitate
forming the blank 3 into the tray 5. The blank 3 can be similar to
the blanks disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,871, which is
incorporated by referenced herein for all purposes.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the blank 3 can be formed into the tray
5 with an optional liner or film "L" attached (e.g., laminated,
glued, pressed, and/or etc.) to the inside surface 9 of the tray.
In one embodiment, the tray 5 includes a bottom wall 17 and a
sidewall 19 extending upwardly from the bottom wall. As shown in
FIG. 2, the sidewall 19 extends around the perimeter of the tray 5.
The container may have a bottom corner 21 between the sidewall 19
and the bottom wall 17. In one embodiment, the bottom corner 21 may
be curved; however the bottom corner may be generally orthogonal
relative to the sidewall 19 and the bottom wall 17 without
departing from the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the sidewall 19
comprises a top edge or flange 27 of the tray 5. In one embodiment,
a tab 25 (FIG. 2) may be foldably connected to an outer edge 27 of
the tray along fold line 29. Alternatively the edge or flange 27
could comprise a portion of the tray that extends generally
perpendicular to the side panel and that can be generally parallel
to the bottom wall 17 without departing from the disclosure.
[0039] The blank 3, with liner or film L attached, can be
press-formed into the tray 5 in a method similar to the blanks and
containers disclosed in the '871 incorporated-by-reference patent.
The press-formed tray 5 and liner L includes a cavity 28 formed by
the bottom wall 17, sidewall 19, and bottom corner 21. The tray 5
could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without
departing from the disclosure.
[0040] In one exemplary method of forming the package 11, the food
product F is positioned on the interior surface 15 of the liner L1
in the cavity 28 of the first tray 5a as illustrated in FIG. 3. A
second tray 5b having a second liner L2 laminated thereto, is
positioned on top of the food as illustrated in FIG. 5, such that
the flange 27 of the first tray 5a is generally aligned with the
flange 27 of the second tray 5b and the tabs 25 are aligned. Each
of the liners L1, L2 of the first tray 5a and the second tray 5b
are heat sealed together in the marginal portion that extends
beyond the trays to form a seal 23 between the liners. The sealed
liners L1, L2 and the seal 23 from a sealed inner enclosure 35 of
the package 11 that contains the food product F. The sealed inner
enclosure 35 including the liners L1, L2 sealed together at the
seal 23 and may be impermeable to air, water, and other material.
The trays 5a and 5b of the package 11 also from a rigid outer
protective layer or rigid outer enclosure 37, protecting the food
product F contained in the sealed inner enclosure 35 formed by the
sealed flexible liners L1, L2 from being crushed or damaged when
the package is being used to transport the food product "F". The
sealed liners L1, L2 may also provide tamper evidence to the end
user. The package 11 may be heated in a microwave to warm or cook
the food product F. In one embodiment, the package may be opened
after heating by pulling the tabs 25 of the trays 5a, 5b apart as
shown in FIG. 7 to open the rigid outer enclosure 47 and tear or
separate the liners L1, L2 to open the sealed inner enclosure 35 to
access the food product F. Once opened, the package 11 can be used
as a serving dish to hold the food product F for consumption. The
package 11 can have other features and/or can be otherwise shaped,
arranged, and/or configured without departing from the
disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an interior 9 of a tray 5 for forming a
package 113, according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.
The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment,
except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers. In the second embodiment, the tray 5 may be
formed similarly to the first embodiment having a liner L laminated
to the interior surface 9. The package 113 is formed by positioning
the food product F inside the interior of the liner L as shown in
FIG. 8. In one embodiment the liner L is a flow wrap and is folded
and heat sealed to form the sealed enclosure 154 of the package
113. The tray 5 forms a rigid outer enclosure 27 that supports the
sealed enclosure 154 of the package 113. The liner L may be die cut
straight, in a semi circle, or in any other suitable configuration.
FIG. 10 illustrates the ends 151 and 153 of the liner are die cut
straight and sealed to form the sealed inner enclosure 154. The
package may be opened by tearing or cutting the sealed liner open
and removing the food product as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
Alternatively, the food product F may be eaten directly out of the
opened package 113 with the tray 5 acting as a serving dish without
departing from the disclosure. The liner L of the package 113 of
FIG. 10 is attached to the tray 5 and wrapped around the food
product F and sealed to form the sealed inner enclosure 154 of the
package 113. In an alternative embodiment, a second tray 5 can
overlap and cooperate with a bottom tray to form a rigid outer
enclosure of the package 113 in a similar manner as the two trays
5a, 5b of the first embodiment. Also, the package 113 could
comprise only a single tray 5 without departing from the
disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 13 illustrates a tray 205 for forming a package 213
(FIG. 14), according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. The
third embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment,
except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical
features of the embodiments have been given like or similar
reference numbers.
[0043] The tray 205 of the third embodiment does not have a liner
"L" laminated to the interior surface 209. In one embodiment, the
tray 205 has a flange 255 and when the trays 205a and 205b are
formed into the package 213 the first tray 205a is overlapped with
the second tray and the flanges of the trays are sealed together to
form the closed package 213. Once the package 213 is formed, the
flanges 255 may be die cut into a desired shape. The flanges 255 of
the third embodiment, or of other embodiments, may be alternatively
shaped to include a flat surface that extends outwardly from the
sidewall 19 and is generally parallel to the bottom wall 17. Also,
the flanges 255 can be in face-to-face contact and adhesively
secured together by suitable materials such as suitable adhesive or
other materials without departing from the disclosure. The package
213 can be opened by separating the trays 205a, 205b and accessing
the food product in a similar manner as the previous
embodiments.
[0044] Optionally, one or more portions of the blank or other
constructs described herein or contemplated hereby may be coated
with varnish, clay, or other materials, either alone or in
combination. The coating may then be printed over with product
advertising or other information or images. The blanks or other
constructs also may be selectively coated and/or printed so that
less than the entire surface area of the blank or substantially the
entire surface area of the blank may be coated and/or printed.
[0045] Further, the trays and packages may be for heating and/or
cooking a food product that is held therein without departing from
the disclosure.
[0046] Any of the blanks 3, trays 5 and 205, packages 11, 113, 213
or other constructs of this disclosure may optionally include one
or more features that alter the effect of microwave energy during
the heating or cooking of a food item that is associated with the
tray or other construct. For example, the blank, tray, container,
or other construct may be formed at least partially from one or
more microwave energy interactive elements (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as "microwave interactive elements") that promote
heating, browning and/or crisping of a particular area of the food
item, shield a particular area of the food item from microwave
energy to prevent overcooking thereof, or transmit microwave energy
towards or away from a particular area of the food item. Each
microwave interactive element comprises one or more microwave
energy interactive materials or segments arranged in a particular
configuration to absorb microwave energy, transmit microwave
energy, reflect microwave energy, or direct microwave energy, as
needed or desired for a particular construct and food item.
[0047] In the case of a susceptor or shield, the microwave energy
interactive material may comprise an electroconductive or
semiconductive material, for example, a vacuum deposited metal or
metal alloy, or a metallic ink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a
metallic paste, an organic paste, an inorganic paste, or any
combination thereof. Examples of metals and metal alloys that may
be suitable include, but are not limited to, aluminum, chromium,
copper, inconel alloys (nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with
niobium), iron, magnesium, nickel, stainless steel, tin, titanium,
tungsten, and any combination or alloy thereof.
[0048] Alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may
comprise a metal oxide, for example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and
tin, optionally used in conjunction with an electrically conductive
material. Another metal oxide that may be suitable is indium tin
oxide (ITO). ITO has a more uniform crystal structure and,
therefore, is clear at most coating thicknesses.
[0049] Alternatively still, the microwave energy interactive
material may comprise a suitable electroconductive, semiconductive,
or non-conductive artificial dielectric or ferroelectric.
Artificial dielectrics comprise conductive, subdivided material in
a polymeric or other suitable matrix or binder, and may include
flakes of an electroconductive metal, for example, aluminum.
[0050] In other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive
material may be carbon-based, for example, as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,943,456, 5,002,826, 5,118,747, and 5,410,135.
[0051] In still other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive
material may interact with the magnetic portion of the
electromagnetic energy in the microwave oven. Correctly chosen
materials of this type can self-limit based on the loss of
interaction when the Curie temperature of the material is reached.
An example of such an interactive coating is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,283,427.
[0052] The use of other microwave energy interactive elements is
also contemplated. In one example, the microwave energy interactive
element may comprise a foil or high optical density evaporated
material having a thickness sufficient to reflect a substantial
portion of impinging microwave energy. Such elements typically are
formed from a conductive, reflective metal or metal alloy, for
example, aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, in the form of a
solid "patch" generally having a thickness of from about 0.000285
inches to about 0.005 inches, for example, from about 0.0003 inches
to about 0.003 inches. Other such elements may have a thickness of
from about 0.00035 inches to about 0.002 inches, for example,
0.0016 inches.
[0053] In some cases, microwave energy reflecting (or reflective)
elements may be used as shielding elements where the food item is
prone to scorching or drying out during heating. In other cases,
smaller microwave energy reflecting elements may be used to diffuse
or lessen the intensity of microwave energy. One example of a
material utilizing such microwave energy reflecting elements is
commercially available from Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
(Marietta, Ga.) under the trade name MicroRite.RTM. packaging
material. In other examples, a plurality of microwave energy
reflecting elements may be arranged to form a microwave energy
distributing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas
of the food item. If desired, the loops may be of a length that
causes microwave energy to resonate, thereby enhancing the
distribution effect. Microwave energy distributing elements are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and
6,677,563, each of which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0054] If desired, any of the numerous microwave energy interactive
elements described herein or contemplated hereby may be
substantially continuous, that is, without substantial breaks or
interruptions, or may be discontinuous, for example, by including
one or more breaks or apertures that transmit microwave energy. The
breaks or apertures may extend through the entire structure, or
only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size, and
positioning of such breaks or apertures may vary for a particular
application depending on the type of construct being formed, the
food item to be heated therein or thereon, the desired degree of
heating, browning, and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to
microwave energy is needed or desired to attain uniform heating of
the food item, the need for regulating the change in temperature of
the food item through direct heating, and whether and to what
extent there is a need for venting.
[0055] By way of illustration, a microwave energy interactive
element may include one or more transparent areas to effect
dielectric heating of the food item. However, where the microwave
energy interactive element comprises a susceptor, such apertures
decrease the total microwave energy interactive area, and
therefore, decrease the amount of microwave energy interactive
material available for heating, browning, and/or crisping the
surface of the food item. Thus, the relative amounts of microwave
energy interactive areas and microwave energy transparent areas may
be balanced to attain the desired overall heating characteristics
for the particular food item.
[0056] As another example, one or more portions of a susceptor may
be designed to be microwave energy inactive to ensure that the
microwave energy is focused efficiently on the areas to be heated,
browned, and/or crisped, rather than being lost to portions of the
food item not intended to be browned and/or crisped or to the
heating environment. Additionally or alternatively, it may be
beneficial to create one or more discontinuities or inactive
regions to prevent overheating or charring of the food item and/or
the construct including the susceptor.
[0057] As still another example, a susceptor may incorporate one or
more "fuse" elements that limit the propagation of cracks in the
susceptor, and thereby control overheating, in areas of the
susceptor where heat transfer to the food is low and the susceptor
might tend to become too hot. The size and shape of the fuses may
be varied as needed. Examples of susceptors including such fuses
are provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,187, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,530,231, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US
2008/0035634A1, published Feb. 14, 2008, and PCT Application
Publication No. WO 2007/127371, published Nov. 8, 2007, each of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0058] The foregoing description illustrates and describes various
embodiments of the present disclosure. As various changes could be
made in the above construction without departing from the scope of
the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the
above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure covers various
modifications, combinations, and alterations, etc., of the
above-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows and
describes only selected embodiments, but various other
combinations, modifications, and environments are contemplated and
are within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein,
commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or
knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and
characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged
and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments
without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *