Patents by Inventor Jeffrey T. Watkins

Jeffrey T. Watkins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230406598
    Abstract: A microwave food container which includes one or more oil-resistant areas including an oil-resistant substance for preventing penetration of the microwave food container by liquids such as oils or grease. The microwave food container generally includes a top portion, bottom portion, and pair of side portions. A food item and optional oil-producing substance may be positioned on a microwave susceptor film including a microwave interactive material for applying heat from a microwave oven to cook the food item. One or more areas of the interior of the microwave food container will generally include oil-resistant areas treated with an oil-resistant substance not including fluorocarbons or PFA's to prevent penetration or bleed-through of various liquids during the cooking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230371142
    Abstract: A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11716794
    Abstract: A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230174290
    Abstract: A microwave popcorn bag for containing and heating popcorn kernels in a microwave oven. The bag is constructed of a laminated fibrous material and comprises a base panel, top panel, side panels, and interior space. The side panels have gussets with fold areas and fold lines that are adjacent to the base panel and that enable the bag to expand. An oil-resistant microwave susceptor film is laminated with the fibrous material and extends laterally across the base panel and the fold lines into the fold areas. Microwave interactive material is confined to the base panel. As the popcorn is heated, the bag expands and the microwave susceptor film forms a tray structure that collects oil and resists it penetrating through the fibrous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11407577
    Abstract: A microwave popcorn bag for containing and heating popcorn kernels in a microwave oven. The bag is constructed of a laminated fibrous material and comprises a base panel, top panel, side panels, and interior space. The side panels have gussets with fold areas and fold lines that are adjacent to the base panel and that enable the bag to expand. An oil-resistant microwave susceptor film is laminated with the fibrous material and extends laterally across the base panel and the fold lines into the fold areas. Microwave interactive material is confined to the base panel. As the popcorn is heated, the bag expands and the microwave susceptor film forms a tray structure that collects oil and resists it penetrating through the fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20210315072
    Abstract: A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10893582
    Abstract: A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Inline Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 8492690
    Abstract: A microwave susceptor system for cooking food in a microwave. The microwave susceptor system generally includes a platform having a support layer and a susceptor layer, sidewalls foldably connected to a first and second side of the platform and adapted to extend upwardly therefrom, and end walls foldably connected to a third and fourth side of the platform and adapted to extend upwardly therefrom. Each of the sidewalls and end walls have a support layer and a susceptor layer. Extending from each sidewall opposite the platform is a support leg. The support leg is foldably connected to the sidewall and extends downwardly from the sidewall below the platform to elevate the platform above the microwave cooking surface. The support legs are retained in position by outwardly extending flaps that connect to an adjacent end wall via a slot within the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 8314373
    Abstract: A constructable microwave susceptor sheet for holding and cooking a food item in a microwave. The constructable microwave susceptor sheet generally includes an outer panel having a first susceptor layer and a first support layer attached to the first susceptor layer and an inner panel foldably connected to the outer panel for lining an interior surface of the outer panel, wherein the inner panel includes a second susceptor layer and a second support layer attached to the second susceptor layer. The outer panel has a raised platform and a plurality of legs foldably connected to the platform. The outer panel also includes a plurality of retainer flaps vertically extending upward from a perimeter of the platform for retaining a food item thereon. The inner panel seals a plurality of openings extending through the platform which are exposed by the flaps pivoting to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7807950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a susceptor for the microwave heating of food products that includes a metallized component and a printed component. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of fabricating a susceptor for the microwave heating of food products that includes a metallized component and a printed component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7578236
    Abstract: A system and method for at least partially demetallizing a metallized film that has a metallized side and an opposite support side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7525075
    Abstract: A microwave susceptor system for efficiently cooking food in a microwave. The microwave susceptor system includes a base positionable in a microwave, a first platform including a plurality of first openings, wherein the first platform is attached to the base and a second platform including a plurality of second openings, wherein the second platform is attached to an opposite end of the base. An outer surface of the base, first platform and second platform are comprised of a heat collecting material and a food item is positioned upon the first platform and the second platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Watkins, James P. Dohanick
  • Patent number: 7022955
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for the microwave heating of a food product in which a sheet of barrier material is sealed around a food product to a blank having one or more panels which can be folded to assemble a container. The sheet of barrier material forms a pocket inside which a food product may be disposed. The sheet of barrier material is sealed to one of the panels, so that a peripheral outer portion is formed to separate the food product from the remaining panel or panels. The barrier material may be moisture impervious, and may be sealed to the blank using a vacuum platen or heat-sealing methods. A microwave susceptor can be disposed on the blank, which is made from a material suitable for microwave heating such as a polymer and paperboard laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6946082
    Abstract: A system and method for at least partially demetallizing a metallized film that has a metallized side and an opposite support side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6906299
    Abstract: A container for microwave heating of a food product, and a method of fabricating such a container, wherein the container includes a tub assembly having a moisture-impervious floor and one or more sidewalls. A quantity of food product, such as popcorn, is placed in a pocket formed in a sheet of barrier material, and a continuous heat seal is formed between the floor of the tub and the sheet of barrier material. A microwave susceptor can be disposed to the floor for heating the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6870145
    Abstract: A system and method of assembling a container for microwave heating of a food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20040089656
    Abstract: A container for microwave heating of a food product, and a method of fabricating such a container, wherein the container includes a tub assembly having a moisture-impervious floor and one or more sidewalls. A quantity of food product, such as popcorn, is placed in a pocket formed in a sheet of barrier material, and a continuous heat seal is formed between the floor of the tub and the sheet of barrier material. A microwave susceptor can be disposed to the floor for heating the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6586715
    Abstract: A container for microwave heating of a food product, and a method of fabricating such a container, wherein the container includes a tub assembly having a moisture-impervious floor and one or more sidewalls. A quantity of food product, such as popcorn, is placed in a pocket formed in a sheet of barrier material, and a continuous heat seal is formed between the floor of the tub and the sheet of barrier material. A microwave susceptor can be disposed to the floor for heating the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20030080121
    Abstract: A system and method of assembling a container for microwave heating of a food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20020043532
    Abstract: A container for microwave heating of a food product, and a method of fabricating such a container, wherein the container includes a tub assembly having a moisture-impervious floor and one or more sidewalls. A quantity of food product, such as popcorn, is placed in a pocket formed in a sheet of barrier material, and a continuous heat seal is formed between the floor of the tub and the sheet of barrier material. A microwave susceptor can be disposed to the floor for heating the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins