Abstract: An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a base with a plurality of movable portions, where the movable portions are operative for pivoting into a substantially upright condition, and the base and plurality of movable portions includes microwave energy interactive material that is operative for converting microwave energy into heat, so that pivoting the movable portions moves the microwave energy interactive material of the movable portions into an upright condition.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a first compartment and a second compartment joined to one another. The first compartment and the second compartment each include microwave energy interactive material operative for generating heat in response to microwave energy. In a first configuration, the first compartment and the second compartment are side by side, and in a second configuration, the first compartment overlies the second compartment.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive insulating structure comprises a layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a moisture-containing layer joined to the layer of microwave energy interactive material, a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern to define a plurality of closed cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer, and an aperture extending through the first polymer film layer, the moisture-containing layer, and the second polymer film layer.

Abstract: An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive heating sheet includes at least two layers of microwave energy interactive insulating material joined to one another, where each layer includes microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the support layer in a predetermined pattern, so that a plurality of expandable cells are defined between the support layer and the second polymer film layer. The expandable cells are operative for inflating upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy.

Abstract: An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A package with self-forming insulating walls includes a tray for supporting a food item, a flap joined to the tray along a fold line, and an insulating microwave material overlying at least a portion of the tray and at least a portion of the flap. The insulating microwave material may be joined to the flap. The insulating microwave material may include a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby defining a plurality of expandable cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a platform having a plurality of peripheral edges, a plurality of elevating panels for maintaining the platform in a raised position, and a layer of microwave energy interactive material overlying at least a portion of the platform. The platform includes a movable portion defined at least partially by a line of disruption extending substantially between a pair of adjacent edges of the platform. The movable portion of the platform is adapted to pivot along the line of disruption.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a base with a plurality of movable portions, where the movable portions are operative for pivoting into a substantially upright condition, and the base and plurality of movable portions comprise microwave energy interactive material that is operative for converting microwave energy into heat, so that pivoting the movable portions moves the microwave energy interactive material of the movable portions into an upright condition.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a layer of indium tin oxide, which may be supported on a microwave energy transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the microwave energy interactive structure may have at least one of an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.05 cc/m2/day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than about 0.09 g/m2/day.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct comprises a plurality of heating regions including a first heating region and a second heating region, the first heating region comprising a first layer of microwave energy interactive material, and the second heating region comprising the first layer of microwave energy interactive material and a second layer of microwave energy interactive material, wherein the second heating region is operative for heating, browning, and/or crisping an adjacent food item to a greater extent than the first heating region.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct for preparing a food item having a periphery that is desirably browned and/or crisped includes a substantially planar base and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from a periphery of the base. The base and side walls define an interior space for receiving the food item. The base includes a plurality of movable portions for being moved out of the plane of the base into the interior space towards the periphery of the food item. A microwave energy interactive material may be joined to at least a portion of the base including the movable portions. The microwave energy interactive material may be operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into heat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an insulating microwave packaging material (200) includes a microwave interactive material substrate (205) joined to a second substrate (210) along bond lines (212) to define closed cells (214). Upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material (200) by microwave energy in a microwave oven, the closed cells (214) expand to form insulating pockets (216). One side of the insulating pocket (216) bulges and lofts above the opposite side. When a food product is situated on the insulating microwave packaging material (200), the insulating pockets (216) insulate the food product from the microwave oven environment.

Abstract: A microwave insulating material includes a dimensionally stable support, a patterned adhesive layer overlying at least a portion of the support, a polymer film layer overlying the patterned adhesive layer, and a plurality of expandable cells disposed between the support and the polymer film layer and defined by the patterned adhesive layer, wherein the expandable cells vary in size. A self-sealing microwave package includes a sheet of insulating material including a first surface, and a thermally activatable adhesive applied to at least a portion of the first surface.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a first compartment and a second compartment joined to one another. The first compartment and the second compartment each include microwave energy interactive material operative for generating heat in response to microwave energy. In a first configuration, the first compartment and the second compartment are side by side, and in a second configuration, the first compartment overlies the second compartment.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive heating sheet includes at least two layers of microwave energy interactive insulating material joined to one another, where each layer includes microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a support layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the support layer in a predetermined pattern, so that a plurality of expandable cells are defined between the support layer and the second polymer film layer. The expandable cells are operative for inflating upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy.

Abstract: A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a plurality of compartments, at least one of which is defined at least partially by a microwave energy interactive insulating material that includes a layer of microwave energy interactive material supported on a polymer film, and a second polymer film layer that at least partially defines a plurality of expandable insulating cells that inflate upon exposure to microwave energy.

Abstract: A package for heating a microwave food item is provided.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive heating sheet includes at least two susceptor layers and a plurality of expandable insulating cells. At least some of the expandable insulating cells inflate when exposed to microwave energy.