Abstract: In one form of the invention, a microwave popcorn package is provided. The package generally comprises a sheet construction of flexible paper folded in the form of an expandable bag. The sheet construction may include one or more plies of material. In preferred applications, the package includes an inner ply of paper to which has been applied an adhesive, to provide improvement in greaseproofness. In some preferred arrangements, the package includes inner and outer plies, and the outer ply also includes an adhesive applied to it, to provide grease-resistant character. A preferred method for preparing arrangements according the present invention is provided.

Abstract: A construction for heating food in a microwave oven is provided. The construction includes an outer receptacle and a moisture barrier closure enclosed within the outer receptacle. Food material to be heated is enclosed within the moisture barrier closure, during storage. Preferred arrangements include an outer receptacle which is expandable to accommodate expansion of the food material, preferably popcorn, upon heating. In a preferred construction shown, a microwave susceptor construction is positioned within the moisture barrier closure.

Abstract: A construction for container charge of popcorn to be heated in a microwave heating operation is provided. The construction generally comprises a flexible single-ply bag having a microwave interactive construction secured thereto. A variety of embodiments are described. An arrangement including a charged popcorn therein is also provided. Further, methods of constructing such arrangements of methods of use are described.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn package is provided. The package generally comprises plies of flexible material, such as paper, bonded or adhered to one another, with a microwave interactive construction therebetween. The laminating adhesive between the plies is applied in a preferred pattern, to advantage.

Abstract: A method of coating unpopped popcorn kernels for enhanced flavor impact is provided. According to one application, an aqueous-based adhesive composition is applied to unpopped popcorn kernels and a dry flavorant composition is added. Preferably, excessive moisture is dried from the kernels. A flavorant facilitator is then applied to provide enhanced flavor impact. A coated, unpopped popcorn product, capable of being popped in a microwave oven in the absence of added oil or fat to advantage, is also provided.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, a microwave popcorn package is provided. The package generally comprises a sheet construction of flexible paper folded in the form of an expandable bag. The sheet construction may include one or more plies of material. In preferred applications, the package includes an inner ply of paper to which has been applied an adhesive, to provide improvement in greaseproofness. In some preferred arrangements, the package includes inner and outer plies, and the outer ply also includes an adhesive applied to it, to provide grease-resistant character. A preferred method for preparing arrangements according the present invention is provided.

Abstract: A method of coating popcorn pieces is provided. According to one application of the method, an aqueous-based adhesive composition is applied to prepopped popcorn flake. Flavorant is then added in a preferred manner. In another application, a adhesive composition is applied to unpopped kernels with a follow up step of applying flavorant. Also a preferred, flavored, prepopped popcorn product is provided. Finally a preferred coated unpopped popcorn product, capable of being popped in a microwave oven in the absence of added oil or fat to advantage, is provided.

Abstract: A folded microwavable arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a folded bag having an interior, the bag being folded to define a portion of the interior with an upper portion and a lower edge, defined by a transverse folds in the bag. The arrangement also includes a releasable seal arrangement in a portion of the folded bag between the upper portion and the lower edge. The seal arrangement is oriented to inhibit contents in the interior from settling away from the upper portion and toward the lower fold line, when the folded bag is oriented with the upper portion oriented above the lower edge and with contents in the interior. Methods of folding such arrangements and using such arrangements are also provided.

Abstract: A flavored, aqueous-based, adhesive composition containing no added fat or oil is sprayed onto popped popcorn, then a dry flavorant is applied, and the popcorn dried of excess moisture.

Abstract: A microwaveable mixture useable for preparing a microwaveable popcorn product with the sugar-base flavoring is provided. The mixture includes unpopped popcorn a sweetening blend and a glazing blend. The sweetening blend includes an oil component and a crystalline sugar component. The glazing blend includes oil and corn syrup. Preferred blends, mixtures and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A collapsed flexible, e.g., paper, bag is provided which contains a charge of unpopped popcorn. Popping of the corn can be carried out in a microwave oven with the bag supported upon a pre-erected or collapsible stand, usually about 2 cm high, attached to the bag. The bag includes upper and lower opposing face panels connected together by longitudinally extending, centrally projecting gussets that are integral with the face panels. Prior to popping, the gussets are folded between the under and lower face panels of the bag and the bag is sealed at each end. A microwave heating susceptor is provided in the lower panel of the bag or elsewhere in the bag if desired. During popping of the popcorn kernels, the bag increases in size and the gussets expand outwardly as the bag becomes filled with popped kernels, hot vapor and steam.

Abstract: A thermocompensating susceptor is described comprising a microwave transparent sheet, e.g. paper, paperboard or plastic, having a layer thereon of a dried dispersion comprising a film forming vehicle together with two kinds of dispersed particles including microwave interactive particles such as a metal, metal oxide, carbon or graphite that absorbs microwave energy to produce heat in a microwave oven and electrically nonconductive thermocompensating particles of a mineral hydrate containing bound water of crystallization and having a dissociation temperature between about 100.degree. F. and 500.degree. F., at which temperature the bound water is released therefrom to prevent overheating of the laminate.

Abstract: A microwave food heating package for food pieces such as french fried potatoes or fish sticks is described. The package includes one or more susceptor sheets folded in alternately opposite directions to provide accordion folds therein which define V-shaped pockets that serve as heating chambers for individual pieces of food. The susceptor sheet is formed from a microwave energy-absorbing material adapted to heat, brown or crispen the surfaces of the food sticks. The heating chambers preferably enclose the food sticks on all major surfaces and can be made by layering, i.e. stacking, segments of the accordion-pleated susceptor sheet material one above another to form individual heating chambers for the food pieces to crispen, toast or brown their surfaces during heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulating microwave heating package with a multiplicity of latent, uninflated or potential insulation chambers capable of inflating when exposed to microwave energy. The package includes at least two superimposed inner and outer pieces of flexible sheet material bonded together at selected points, patches or along seal lines separated by unsealed areas which define side-by-side unfilled, i.e., potential, inflation chambers between the lines, patches or points. Upon exposure to microwave energy, the package and its contents become heated. As a result of this heating process, the unfilled chambers also become heated, causing them to become filled with hot expanding air or moisture vapor. These chambers serve as insulation for the package and enhance heating of the food by reducing heat loss from the package.

Abstract: For popping popcorn in a microwave oven, a flexible bag is provided which contains popcorn and includes a collapsible stand. The bag has upper and lower opposing face panels connected together by longitudinally extending, centrally projecting gussets that are integral with the face panels. Prior to popping, the gussets are folded between the upper and lower face panels of the bag. The panels and gussets are preferably formed from a pair of superimposed sheets of paper that are laminated together with adhesive. Popcorn is placed in the bag and the bag ends are sealed. A microwave heating susceptor of any suitable type is provided in the lower panel of the bag or elsewhere in the bag if desired. During popping of the popcorn kernels, the bag increases in size and the gussets expand outwardly as the bag becomes filled with popped kernels, hot vapor and steam.

Abstract: A thermocompensated susceptor laminate is described comprising a microwave transparent sheet, e.g., paper, paperboard or plastic, having two layers thereon. One layer is a microwave interactive susceptor layer, e.g., a dried dispersion comprising a film-forming vehicle together with microwave interactive particles such as metal, metal oxide, carbon or graphite that absorbs microwave energy to produce heat in a microwave oven. The second layer is an attenuator layer which includes electrically nonconductive thermocompensating particles of a mineral. One mineral attenuator is a hydrate containing bound water and having a dissociation temperature between about 100.degree. F. and 500.degree. F., at which temperature the bound water is released therefrom to prevent overheating of the laminate.

Abstract: A devitalized popcorn seed product, exhibiting substantially the same popping performance as nondevitalized seed, which has a moisture content from about 12% to about 16%, and which is essentially free of non-inert treatment gases, and is essentially unaltered at the cellular level is provided.

Abstract: A package is described comprising a bag with a pair of opposing face panels joined by longitudinally extending centrally projecting gussets. The bottom of the bag has a strong permanent seal containing a stiffening member or stay. The top has a rupturable seal formed from thermoplastic adhesive that allows the top to open during popping to form a vent. The bottom seal includes adhesive seals that extend diagonally from the center of the bag obliquely toward the side edges and is pinched shut to provide a temporary fin seal across the entire lower end of the bag. The temporary fin seal is folded down and bonded to an outside face of the bag to provide the stiffening stay member. During cooking, the popping of corn expands the bag and forms a bottom wall which is held quite flat by the cooperation of the bottom diagonal seals and the stiffening stay member.

Abstract: A quantitative determination of the identity, origin and migration of a volatile substance or mixture of substances, arising from food or food packaging during heating using microwave energy, can be accomplished. A novel process and equipment are disclosed in which a volatile substance or mixtures of constituent compounds, volatilized into the vapor space within or around microwave cooked food or a microwave cooking container, can be gathered and quantitatively analyzed for the identity, origin, chemical changes, migration routes and final locus of the volatile substance.

Abstract: A coated laminate is described comprising a microwave transparent supporting sheet or substrate such as paper, paperboard or plastic upon which is printed a susceptor lamina comprising a cured dispersion of an organic printing ink vehicle matrix in which is uniformly suspended at least two kinds of dispersed particles, one of which is an electrically conductive microwave interactive carbon particle and the other of which is an electrically nonconductive suspended mineral attenuator particle for dissipating, spreading and modulating the energy received by the conductive particles. Of the two kinds of suspended particles, only the carbon particles interact with microwave energy directly. Both types of suspended particles remain dispersed in the ink vehicle until printed and cured. The printed lamina can include areas of solid coverage surrounded by peripheral areas of decreased coverage which include small open areas, i.e.