Abstract: Indentation patterns in microwave packaging materials can enhance the baking and browning effects of the microwave packaging materials on food. The indentation patterns can provide venting to either channel moisture from one area of the food product to another, trap moisture in a certain area to prevent it from escaping, or channel the moisture completely away from the food product. The indentation patterns can cause the microwave packaging material underneath a food product to be slightly elevated above the cooking platform in the base of a microwave. The indentation patterns can lessen the heat sinking effect of the cooking platform by providing an air gap for insulation. Elevating the base of the microwave packaging material further allows more incident microwave radiation to propagate underneath the microwave packaging material to be absorbed by the food product or by microwave interactive materials in the microwave packaging material that augment the heating process.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a container that includes a microwave interactive web at least partially overlying and joined to a three-dimensional support, wherein the three-dimensional support may be formed prior to having the microwave interactive web mounted thereto. The three-dimensional support may be a preformed container that is sufficiently rigid and dimensionally stable for use in containing food.

Abstract: A construct for heating a food item in a microwave oven is provided. The construct may include an opening feature that allows for easy opening thereof. The construct also may include a microwave energy interactive element.

Abstract: Indentation patterns in microwave packaging materials can enhance the baking and browning effects of the microwave packaging materials on food. The indentation patterns can provide venting to either channel moisture from one area of the food product to another, trap moisture in a certain area to prevent it from escaping, or channel the moisture completely away from the food product. The indentation patterns can cause the microwave packaging material underneath a food product to be slightly elevated above the cooking platform in the base of a microwave. The indentation patterns can lessen the heat sinking effect of the cooking platform by providing an air gap for insulation. Elevating the base of the microwave packaging material further allows more incident microwave radiation to propagate underneath the microwave packaging material to be absorbed by the food product or by microwave interactive materials in the microwave packaging material that augment the heating process.

Abstract: Indentation patterns are scored in microwave packaging materials to enhance the baking and browning effects of the microwave packaging materials on food products. The indentation patterns provide venting to either channel moisture from one area of the food product to another, trap moisture in a certain area to prevent it from escaping, or channel the moisture completely away from the food product. The indentation patterns cause the microwave packaging material underneath a food product to be slightly elevated above the cooking platform in the base of a microwave. The indentation patterns lessen the heat sinking effect of the cooking platform by providing an air gap for insulation. Elevating the base of the microwave packaging material further allows more incident microwave radiation to propagate underneath the microwave packaging material to be absorbed by the food product or by microwave interactive materials in the microwave packaging material that augment the heating process.

Abstract: A container has a patterned susceptor region in the bottom, a fold region between the bottom and the sidewall of the container, a sidewall region, and a flange region that forms a flange or lip of the container. The patterned susceptor region includes arrangements of microwave-interactive features disposed generally along respective close plane curves, which reduces overheating and increases the filling temperature of the food product. The fold region contains microwave transparent features that minimize de-lamination of the container in the folded region, and also create a generally transmissive area in the vicinity of the heel of the food product to improve the cooking thereof. The sidewall region shields the periphery of the food product so that it is not overcooked while promoting an appropriate degree of pie dough shell browning. The flange area is transmissive to promote an appropriate degree of cooking of the food product crust.

Abstract: A container has a patterned susceptor region in the bottom, a fold region between the bottom and the sidewall of the container, a sidewall region, and a flange region that forms a flange or lip of the container. The patterned susceptor region includes arrangements of microwave-interactive features disposed generally along respective close plane curves, which reduces overheating and increases the filling temperature of the food product. The fold region contains microwave transparent features that minimize de-lamination of the container in the folded region, and also create a generally transmissive area in the vicinity of the heel of the food product to improve the cooking thereof. The sidewall region shields the periphery of the food product so that it is not overcooked while promoting an appropriate degree of pie dough shell browning. The flange area is transmissive to promote an appropriate degree of cooking of the food product crust.

Abstract: Indentation patterns are scored in microwave packaging materials to enhance the baking and browning effects of the microwave packaging materials on food products. The indentation patterns provide venting to either channel moisture from one area of the food product to another, trap moisture in a certain area to prevent it from escaping, or channel the moisture completely away from the food product. The indentation patterns cause the microwave packaging material underneath a food product to be slightly elevated above the cooking platform in the base of a microwave. The indentation patterns lessen the heat sinking effect of the cooking platform by providing an air gap for insulation. Elevating the base of the microwave packaging material further allows more incident microwave radiation to propagate underneath the microwave packaging material to be absorbed by the food product or by microwave interactive materials in the microwave packaging material that augment the heating process.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of microwave energy reflective material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of reflective segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of microwave energy reflective material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of reflective segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: A microwavable package includes a base to support a food product, an active microwave energy heating element is on the base to effect heating of the food product upon impingement by microwave energy. A cover spaced from and separate to the active microwave energy heating element overlies the food product. The cover includes microwave energy interactive material extending substantially over the food product and at least one layer of suscepting material interposed between the food product and the microwave energy interactive material. A plurality of apertures are formed in the microwave energy interactive material and are spaced apart about a peripheral margin of the cover. The apertures are sized to promote localized fields to enhance the at least one layer of suscepting material and promote browning of the food product when exposed to incident microwave energy.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of metallic foil or high optical density evaporated material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of metallic segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the operating or effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: A microwavable package includes a base to support a food product, an active microwave energy heating element is on the base to effect heating of the food product upon impingement by microwave energy. A cover spaced from and separate to the active microwave energy heating element overlies the food product. The cover includes microwave energy interactive material extending substantially over the food product and at least one layer of suscepting material interposed between the food product and the microwave energy interactive material. A plurality of apertures are formed in the microwave energy interactive material and are spaced apart about a peripheral margin of the cover. The apertures are sized to promote localized fields to enhance the at least one layer of suscepting material and promote browning of the food product when exposed to incident microwave energy.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of metallic foil or high optical density evaporated material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of metallic segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the operating or effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a microwavable package for a food product. The package comprises a base with an active microwave energy heating element to support the food product. The active microwave heating element comprises energy collecting resonant loops, tuned structures, and transmission lines to collect incident microwave energy and redirect it to other parts of the food product. The microwave package also includes a cover comprising a microwave energy interactive layer including one or more apertures within the cover. The apertures promote localized fields to promote browning of the food product in the local areas around the apertures. The cover may also comprise a susceptor layer that is heated in localized areas around the apertures due to the fields promoted by the apertures and impingement by incident microwaves energy through the apertures, thereby providing localized browning of the food product.

Abstract: An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of metallic foil or high optical density evaporated material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of metallic segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined ratio of the operating, or effective wavelength of a microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products yet remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Abstract: A microwavable container includes an outer sleeve (12) and an inner tray (14) within the sleeve designed to carry a food product. A first active microwave energy heating element (28) is on the sleeve and disposed opposite the tray. A second active microwave energy heating element (74-102) is within the tray. The second microwave energy heating element has patterns of microwave energy interactive material on the bottom (60) and side walls (62) of the tray configured to permit a controlled degree of penetration of incident microwave energy through the bottom wall to channel microwave energy towards a central region of the tray and to promote browning of a food product carried by the tray about its periphery.

Abstract: A patterned susceptor structure has a relatively thin electroconductive material for converting incident microwave energy to thermal energy. The patterned susceptor has a lobe shaped island strip nested within and surrounded by an outer strip. The island strip is coupled to the outer strip to stimulate uniform heating between an outer edge of the susceptor structure and a center portion of the susceptor structure. The island strip is coupled to the outer stip by spacing the island strip from the outer strip with a microwave-transparent slotline.

Abstract: A microwave energy heating element has a plurality of spaced microwave components generally arranged in a closed loop pattern. Each of the microwave components (42, 44) has a non-resonant length. When the heating element is in a loaded condition with a load juxtaposed thereto for capacitively coupling the microwave components together, the microwave components cooperatively redistribute impinging microwave energy. When the heating element is in an unloaded condition, the microwave components act independently remaining inert to impinging microwave energy.

Abstract: A microwavable container has an active microwave energy heating element to distribute energy. The active microwave energy heating element includes a plurality of loops interspersed with islands. Similar structures may be used in the tray to distribute energy through the tray. Alternatively, resonant loops interconnected by transmission lines may be dispersed over the tray to distribute energy.