Abstract: In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a construct for supporting at least one article. The construct can comprise at least a panel and a plurality of stiffening features. The plurality of stiffening features can comprise a pattern of bosses formed in the panel. The pattern of bosses can be configured for at least partially reducing buckling of the panel.

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 holding an article. The container can comprise a wall and a flange extending from the wall. The wall can at least partially define a cavity of the container. At least one pleat can extend in at least the flange, and a coating can be on at least a portion of the flange. The coating can at least partially cover the at least one pleat and can form a substantially continuous sealing surface on the flange.

Abstract: Portions of microwave energy interactive material may be cut and removed during intermediate steps in a lamination processes, so that remaining microwave energy interactive material in a resultant laminate is arranged in a pattern. Regarding the removal of the portions of the microwave energy interactive material, a compound laminate may be delaminated into parts, and one of the parts may be a sacrificial laminate that includes the removed portions of the microwave energy interactive material.

Abstract: Portions of microwave energy interactive material may be cut and removed during intermediate steps in a lamination processes, so that remaining microwave energy interactive material in a resultant laminate is arranged in a pattern. Regarding the removal of the portions of the microwave energy interactive material, a compound laminate may be delaminated into parts, and one of the parts may be a sacrificial laminate that includes the removed portions of the microwave energy interactive material.

Abstract: A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton. A liner may optionally be at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton and can comprise an inner dispensing feature. A liner patch can overlap the inner dispensing feature and can be mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature of the liner.

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: In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a construct for supporting at least one article. The construct can comprise at least a panel and a plurality of stiffening features. The plurality of stiffening features can comprise a pattern of bosses formed in the panel. The pattern of bosses can be configured for at least partially reducing buckling of the panel.

Abstract: Microwave energy interactive material is partially coated with thermoset polymeric material. The thermoset polymeric material is cured on a first portion of the microwave energy interactive material. A second portion of the microwave energy interactive material is neither covered by nor protected by the cured thermoset polymeric material. A deactivating agent is applied to the coated microwave energy interactive material, so that the agent deactivates the second portion of the microwave energy interactive material into a microwave energy transparent area. The cured thermoset polymeric material protects the first portion of the microwave energy interactive material from the agent, so that it remains microwave energy interactive.

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.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing reinforced bags having reinforcing elements applied about the bags to support the bags in an opened and/or upstanding configuration. A web of bag material can be fed from a supply and can be folded and secured to form the bags. A series of reinforcing strips can be fed through an adhesive application station for application of an adhesive material thereto in a desired pattern. The reinforcing strips and bags are brought into registration and are adhesively attached to form the reinforced bags.

Abstract: A material for forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles. The material can comprise a plurality of layers comprising a first layer comprising a base and a second layer comprising an insulator. The first layer can be an exterior layer, and the second layer can be a interior layer. The layers of the plurality of layers can be respectively overlapped and attached to one another.

Abstract: A package for holding a product. The package can comprise a carton comprising a plurality of panels at least partially enclosing an interior of the carton. A liner may optionally be at least partially positioned in the interior of the carton and can comprise an inner dispensing feature. A liner patch can overlap the inner dispensing feature and can be mounted on the liner for facilitating opening of the inner dispensing feature of the liner.

Abstract: Portions of microwave energy interactive material may be cut and removed during intermediate steps in a lamination processes, so that remaining microwave energy interactive material in a resultant laminate is arranged in a pattern. Regarding the removal of the portions of the microwave energy interactive material, a compound laminate may be delaminated into parts, and one of the parts may be a sacrificial laminate that includes the removed portions of the microwave energy interactive material.

Abstract: A heat transfer label assembly includes a label portion including an energy cured ink and releasably supported on a carrier. At least a portion of the label portion is extensible at least about 5% in at least one direction without creating substantial defects in the label portion.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure comprises a polymer film having a birefringence (nz?nx) of less than about 0.15, and a layer of microwave energy interactive material on the polymer film. The layer of microwave energy interactive material is operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermal energy.

Abstract: A process for affixing an insulating label to a container involves applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive to a first edge of the label and applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive and a thermosetting adhesive to a second edge of the label. The insulating label is applied to a container, and provides improved heat resistance, thereby reducing occurrences of delamination during subsequent heating of the container.

Abstract: A process for affixing an insulating label to a container involves applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive to a first edge of the label and applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive and a thermosetting adhesive to a second edge of the label. The insulating label is applied to a container, and provides improved heat resistance, thereby reducing occurrences of delamination during subsequent heating of the container.

Abstract: An insulating label has a low-density core layer disposed between a plurality of polymeric layers of cellulose acetate. The polymeric layers can be laminated to the core layer using techniques such as extrusion, adhesive lamination, or a combination thereof. Indicia can be applied to one or more of the polymeric layers and/or the core layer.