Abstract: A package of sliced bacon is disclosed which package is adapted to facilitate the cooking of the sliced bacon by microwave energy. This package includes a plurality of bacon slices generally arranged in a stack with separating sheet means placed between otherwise adjacent bacon slices for maintaining separation of the bacon slices during storage and cooking. An absobent blotter means is included below the stack of bacon slices to absorbing liquids released from the bacon during cooking. The package also includes an overwrap means which surrounds the stack of bacon slices, the separating sheet means, and the absorbent means during storage and during cooking. In addition, a means for venting the overwrap is provided whereby expanding gases are allowed to exit the overwrap means during cooking.

Abstract: The present invention is an absorbent pad for use below a meat product or the like during storage and during cooking. The pad includes a blotter means adapted to absorb liquids released from the meat product during cooking. In order to prevent substantial absorption prior to cooking, the pad also includes a heat shrinkable film adjacent the top surface of the blotter means, which film is partially attached to the blotter so as to leave at least one area which is not attached to the blotter means. The film also includes at least one opening feature, i.e. a perforation or pre-weakened area, in the at least one area which is not attached to the blotter means. As a result, when the pad is subjected to heat during cooking, the film around the perforation to weakened point shrinks so as to open a hole through the film to thereby allow liquids released from the meat product to pass into the blotter. Various configurations of perforations and pre-weakened areas are described.

Abstract: A box is disclosed which incorporates stiff ends and a flexible middle portion, which permits a number of such boxes to be stacked one-atop-another in a stable arrangement, while also permitting a person to manually feel the sectional shape of the housed product by applying compressive force at the edges of the box. The flexible middle portion is comprised of opposing pairs of apex-to-apex arcuate scores on the sides of the box so that compressive forces are localized at these arcuate scores. Each score has unscored regions between its termini and the adjoining edge of the box, so that the box tends to reform to its original shape when the compressive forces are released.

Abstract: A paperboard carton with improved tear resistance and blanks therefor for packaging a product such as bacon, said carton having an inspection flap for viewing the contents and scoring lines which provide easy opening of the carton. The tear resistance of said carbon is improved by the positioning of the scoring lines which are located such that lines of force initially created by lifting the inspection flap do not intersect a ply-separation area located within the edge section of the top panel.

Abstract: A process for packaging units of food in which the food units are placed on a bottom film and slits made in the film. The film with the food units thereon is passed into an open chamber, the chamber closed, and a vacuum drawn on it followed by back-filling with a substantially oxygen-free gas. The film with the food units thereon and a top film over the units is then subjected to vacuum and the top and the bottom films sealed. Alternately the package may be back-filled with oxygen-free gas prior to being sealed about the food unit. The disclosure includes also the steps of partially sealing food units between top and bottom films in a first chamber, back-filling with a substantially oxygen-free gas, then vacuumizing in a second chamber, and fully sealing the packages in a second chamber, or alternately back-filling with the oxygen-free gas before fully sealing.