Abstract: Frozen desserts contained in a microwave active packaging are disclosed. In some embodiments, the microwave active packaging includes a microwave active layer configured to selectively heat the contents of the microwave active packaging. The contents may include a first layer of frozen food, and one or more additional topping layers. When placed into a microwave, the microwave active layer causes the one or more additional topping layers to heat, while the first layer is maintained at or below a freezing temperature. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A construct for heating a food product or other item is disclosed. The construct includes at least one wall that at least partially defines an interior of the construct, and which includes a susceptor structure. The susceptor structure includes a carrier layer, a reinforcing layer that includes a fibrous material, a susceptor disposed between the carrier layer and the reinforcing layer, and a support secured to the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy. The container has a tray with a sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, an insert disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray, and a plurality of receptacles at least partially defined by the insert. Each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles can be for at least partially receiving at least one food item of the plurality of food items.

Abstract: A microwave heating package with a polarized shield includes a tray and a cover and at least one microwave energy interactive element. The microwave energy interactive element is dimensioned and arranged to extend along a peripheral region of a food item in an interior of the tray. The microwave energy interactive element reduces heating along the peripheral region of the food item when the microwave energy interactive element is exposed to microwave energy. The tray and the lid of the construct can each include at least one microwave energy interactive element.

Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.

Abstract: A container for heating a food product with microwave energy having a wavelength. The container can include a generally circular centerline having an axis, and a receptacle including a sidewall extending at least partially around a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can extend along at least a portion of the centerline. The sidewall can include an inner edge and an outer edge each being spaced apart from the axis of the centerline for at least partially retaining the food product in the cavity in proximity to the centerline.

Abstract: A container for heating a food product with microwave energy having a wavelength. The container can include a generally circular centerline having an axis, and a receptacle including a sidewall extending at least partially around a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can extend along at least a portion of the centerline. The sidewall can include an inner edge and an outer edge each being spaced apart from the axis of the centerline for at least partially retaining the food product in the cavity in proximity to the centerline.

Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct that includes a bottom and upstanding side walls formed from a first pair of opposing side walls and a second pair of opposing side walls. The first pair of opposing side walls being substantially parallel and the second pair of opposing side walls being substantially parallel. The first pair of opposing side walls being connected to the second pair of opposing side walls along corners to form a continuous upper surface above the bottom. The construct includes at least one raised surface disposed above the bottom with the at least one raised surface being defined by an upper surface that slopes downwardly to the bottom. The construct can be packaged with a pad and a product to be heated under a film.

Abstract: A construct for heating a food product or other item is disclosed. The construct includes at least one wall that at least partially defines an interior of the construct, and which includes a susceptor structure. The susceptor structure includes a carrier layer, a reinforcing layer that includes a fibrous material, a susceptor disposed between the carrier layer and the reinforcing layer, and a support secured to the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.

Abstract: A container for holding at least a first food item and a second food item. The container can comprise a sidewall with a microwave energy interactive layer. A shielded interior portion of an interior of the container can be defined by at least the microwave energy interactive layer and can be for at least partially receiving the first food item. An at least partially unshielded interior portion of the interior of the container can be at least partially defined by the sidewall and can be for at least partially receiving the second food item. A plurality of apertures can extend through at least the microwave energy interactive layer, and each aperture can have a characteristic dimension that is selected based on a cutoff frequency of a microwave oven to be sufficiently small so that substantially all microwave energy incident on the container is substantially prevented from passing through the apertures.

Abstract: A container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy. The container can comprise a tray comprising a sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, an insert disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray, and a plurality of receptacles at least partially defined by the insert. Each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles can be for at least partially receiving at least one food item of the plurality of food items.

Abstract: Packaging material includes microwave interactive material and is automatically reconfigurable for selectively controlling transmission of microwave energy through the packaging material. The packaging material is configured to vary, as a function of time, a ratio of microwave energy transmitted through the packaging material. The packaging material is configured so that the microwave energy is automatically selectively transmitted in different ratios.

Abstract: A microwave heating package with a polarized shield includes a tray and a cover and at least one microwave energy interactive element. The microwave energy interactive element is dimensioned and arranged to extend along a peripheral region of a food item in an interior of the tray. The microwave energy interactive element reduces heating along the peripheral region of the food item when the microwave energy interactive element is exposed to microwave energy. The tray and the lid of the construct can each include at least one microwave energy interactive element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to heat food in a sealed-closed package without having the package open during heating involves disposing a package in a chamber with fluid above atmospheric pressure to engage an exterior of the package with sufficient force to prevent the package from becoming unsealed. The package can include at least a portion that includes a microwave interactive material that interacts with the food during microwave energy exposure and can include areas that substantially reflect microwave energy at areas of the food susceptible to overheating or crisping. The fluid can be a gas, such as air.

Abstract: A container for heating a food product with microwave energy having a wavelength. The container can comprise a generally circular centerline having an axis, and a receptacle comprising a sidewall extending at least partially around a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can extend along at least a portion of the centerline. The sidewall can comprise an inner edge and an outer edge each being spaced apart from the axis of the centerline for at least partially retaining the food product in the cavity in proximity to the centerline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting defects in susceptors of microwave food containers during production of such containers. The method comprises the steps of advancing the microwave food containers in a downstream direction along a processing path; subjecting each microwave food container as it moves along the processing path to microwave radiation sufficient to heat the susceptors of the container without destroying the susceptors of the container; obtaining an image preferably in the infrared spectrum of the heated susceptors of each container; determining if the image is indicative of a defect in the susceptors of each container; and removing from the processing path containers that are indicated to have defective susceptors. The apparatus includes a conveyor that moves containers through a first microwave absorbing cavity, a resonator cavity wherein containers are subjected to microwave energy, and a second microwave absorbing cavity wherein an image of each container is obtained.

Abstract: A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting defects in susceptors of microwave food containers during production of such containers. The method comprises the steps of advancing the microwave food containers in a downstream direction along a processing path; subjecting each microwave food container as it moves along the processing path to microwave radiation sufficient to heat the susceptors of the container without destroying the susceptors of the container; obtaining an image preferably in the infrared spectrum of the heated susceptors of each container; determining if the image is indicative of a defect in the susceptors of each container; and removing from the processing path containers that are indicated to have defective susceptors. The apparatus includes a conveyor that moves containers through a first microwave absorbing cavity, a resonator cavity wherein containers are subjected to microwave energy, and a second microwave absorbing cavity wherein an image of each container is obtained.