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.

Abstract: A selectively demetallized metal film is provided in which the metal film has different amounts of metal removed in different areas to provide a film having a graduated optical density from one area to another. The amount of metal present in the film can vary gradually and continuously or in stages resulting in a series of bands or patches. Each portion of the film appears uniform, homogeneous and uninterrupted to the unaided eye. The product is produced by providing a substrate such as plastic film having a thin semiconductive metal film coated thereon. Different amounts of the metal are removed from the film in different areas, preferably by exposing the metal film in different areas to different amounts of an etchant which can be provided in the form of minute droplets of one size in one area and of a different size in a different area.

Abstract: A food heating and serving package for elongated food products or food sticks such as french fries, fish sticks, waffle sticks and the like is described which includes an inner sleeve portion and an outer tray portion telescopically mounted over the sleeve. The sleeve includes a plurality of parallel partitions formed from microwave energy-absorbing susceptor material positioned in parallel relationship to define a honeycomb-like array of cells adapted to receive the food sticks for the purpose of crisping, toasting or browning the surface of the food sticks. The tray includes a broad panel defining a base with four low side panels extending upwardly therefrom to define an open wide mouth.

Abstract: The invention provides a package for popping popcorn in a microwave oven including an open-topped wide mouth container in the form of a tub or bowl formed from self-supporting, i.e. stiff, microwave transparent sheet material such as stiff paper or paperboard with a flexible and expandable cover. A layer of microwave interactive susceptor material is distributed across the bottom wall of the tub to assist in popping the popcorn. Unpopped popcorn within the tub is packaged in a sealed inner compartment or container within the tub. During cooking, the flexible cover expands upwardly as the kernels pop so as to accommodate their expansion.

Abstract: A food heating package for elongated products such as french fries and fish sticks which includes partitions formed from microwave energy absorbing material adapted to crisp, toast or brown the surfaces of the foods sticks. The partitions preferably enclose the food sticks on at least three sides and can be made by forming folds in a sheet of vapor-deposited semiconductive metallic coating applied to a plastic film, e.g. polyester, backing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulating microwave heating package with at least one and preferably a multiplicity of latent, uninflated or potential insulation chambers capable of inflating when exposed to microwave energy. The package includes at least two sheets of material bonded together at selected points, patches or along seal lines separated by unsealed areas which define unfilled 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: A coated sheet material is provided for wrapping, packaging or shipping food articles that are to be heated in a microwave oven. The sheet is formed from a paper or paperboard backing which is thermally and dimensionally stable when exposed to microwave energy. On at least one side is provided a smooth calendered surface or the sheet material is treated by processing as with a filler coating to fill the voids between the paper fibers and to thereby present a smooth surface. A microwave interactive layer is applied to the smoothed surface from a fluid or vapor state. The interactive coating can comprise carbon, a semiconductive metal coating or other microwave interactive material.

Abstract: A selectively demetallized metal film is provided in which the metal film has different amounts of metal removed in different areas to provide a film having a graduated optical density from one area to another. The amount of metal present in the film can vary gradually and continuously or in stages resulting in a series of bands or patches. Each portion of the film appears uniform, homogeneous and uninterrupted to the unaided eye. The product is produced by providing a substrate such as plastic film having a thin semiconductive metal film coated thereon. Different amounts of the metal are removed from the film in different areas, preferably by exposing the metal film in different areas to different amounts of an etchant which can be provided in the form of minute droplets of one size in one area and of a different size in a different area.

Abstract: A package is described comprising a bag with a pair of face D joined by longitudinally extending centrally projecting gussets. The bottom of the bag has a strong permanent seal and 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 fin seal across the entire lower end of the bag. The top seal has diagonal adhesive seals on each side which are constructed and arranged to provide free-standing, outwardly projecting triangular corner flaps with sealed edges on each side. Their diagonal edges intersect at two spaced apart points near the center of the bag. The points at the intersecting ends of the four flaps define the steam vent area for the bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulating microwave heating package with at least one and preferably a multiplicity of latent, uninflated or potential isulation chambers capable of inflating when exposed to microwave energy. The package includes at least two sheets of material bonded together at selected points, patches or along seal lines separated by unsealed areas which define unfilled 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: A food heating and serving package for elongated food products such as french fries and fish sticks is described which includes partitions formed from microwave energy absorbing material positioned in parallel relationship to define a honeycomb-like array of cells, each adapted to receive one of the food sticks and to crisp, toast or brown the surface of the food sticks. The partitions preferably enclose and heat the food sticks on at least three sides. A pair of opposed retaining tabs lock the susceptor in place within the package with a wedging action. The package includes a removable upper portion connected to a bottom portion with a severable panel. When the bottom portion is removed the food sticks slide out of the cells within which they are held in place within the top portion of the package. The back panel of the package has an upwardly extending portion which serves as a carrying handle to facilitate safe removal from the oven after heating.

Abstract: A package for popping popcorn in a microwave oven includes an open-topped container in the form of a tub formed from self-supporting microwave transparent sheet material such as stiff paper or paperboard. The tube includes an upstanding side wall terminating at the top in a free edge which defines an upper wide mouth. The side wall has a lower edge which rests on the floor of the microwave oven during cooking. The tube also includes a flat bottom wall which is connected to the side wall at an elevation spaced upwardly from its bottom edge to define an air compartment within the package between the botom wall of the package and the oven floor. A layer of microwave interactive susceptor material is connected to the bottom wall and is distributed across the bottom wall so that substantially the entire susceptor has a constant gap from the bottom wall of the oven.

Abstract: A coating sheet material is provided for wrapping, packaging or shipping food articles that are to be heated in a microwave oven. The sheet is formed from a paper or paperboard backing which is thermally and dimensionally stable when exposed to microwave energy. On at least one surface is provided a smooth supercalendared surface or the sheet is treated by processing as with a filler coating to fill the voids between the paper fibers and to thereby present a smooth surface. A microwave interactive layer is applied to the smoothed surface from a fluid or vapor state. The interactive coating can comprise carbon, a semiconductive metal coating or other microwave interactive material.

Abstract: A method for devitalizing a seed product, using inert gas and heat without substantial loss of said product quality is provided. The method is especially useful for devitalizing corn seed used for popcorn, without loss of popping performance.

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 intractive 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 selectively demetallized metal film is provided in which the metal film has different amounts of metal removed in different areas to provide a film having a graduated optical density from one area to another. The amount of metal present in the film can vary gradually and continuously or in stages resulting in a series of bands or patches. Each portion of the film appears uniform, homogeneous and uninterrupted to the unaided eye. The product is produced by providing a substrate such as plastic film having a thin semiconductive metal film coated thereon. Different amounts of the metal are removed from the film in different areas, preferably by exposing the metal film in different areas to different amounts of an etchant which can be provided in the form of minute droplets of one size in one area and of a different size in a different area.

Abstract: A food heating package for elongated products such as french fries and fish sticks which includes partitions formed from microwave energy absorbing material adapted to crisp, toast or brown the surfaces of the food sticks. The partitions preferably enclose the food sticks on at least three sides and can be made by forming folds in a sheet of vapor-deposited semiconductive metallic coating applied to a plastic film, e.g. polyester, backing.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible packaging sheet including one or more supporting sheets and a base sheet to which is applied a microwave interactive material in the form of a coating or film. The microwave interactive material can comprise any of several elemental metals or oxides such as iron oxide or tin oxide or a thin semiconductive metallic film applied by vacuum electrodeposition. The supporting sheets comprise non-thermoplastic fibrous sheet material such as paper. The base sheet can comprise a plastic resinous material such as polyester.

Abstract: A flexible sheet structure is described which comprises a base sheet having a microwave coupling layer, e.g. electrodeposited aluminum as an island covering a selected area of the sheet. The uncoated portions will not be heated and will not be damaged by microwave energy. The selectively located microwave coupling covered area transfers absorbed heat to a product by thermal conduction. In one form of the invention a flexible fibrous backing sheet such as paper is bonded to the base sheet to provide dimensional stability and prevent warping, shriveling, melting or other damage during microwave heating.

Abstract: A microwave reflective energy concentrating stand is provided which consists of a horizontally disposed article supporting surface and a microwave reflector such as a sheet of metal foil spaced about 1/4 of a wave length of the supplied microwave energy below the supporting surface. The stand can be formed from flexible packaging materials such as paperboard panels. The reflector is isolated electrically from the paperboard.