Abstract: A tool having a blank positioning system and method for forming a container. The tool has a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly that cooperate to shape the container from a blank. The blank positioning system positions the blank between the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly prior to forming the blank into the container.

Abstract: A construct for heating a food product. The construct comprises a first centerline extending in a first direction and a second centerline extending in a second direction, wherein the first centerline is substantially perpendicular to the second centerline, a base, a pair of opposed platforms extending upwardly from the base. The pair of opposed platforms are separated by a recess extending in the second direction.

Abstract: A container has a base panel, at least one side panel extending upwardly from the base panel, and at least one end panel extending upwardly from the base panel. At least one corner is formed at a junction between the side panel and end panel. A flange extends laterally outward from the upper edges of at least one of the side panel, end panel, and corner. An injection-molded structure extends along at least a portion of the flange, the injection-molded structure includes a base portion adjacent the upper edges of the side wall and the end wall, a distal portion extending laterally outward from the base portion, and an indentation in the distal portion extending along at least a portion of the flange of the container. An apparatus for forming the container and a method of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven comprises a tray including an interior space defined by a base and an upstanding peripheral wall, and a cover pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position and a closed position. The tray and/or cover includes a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior space. A microwave energy interactive material overlies the protrusions on the tray and/or cover.

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: Various constructs and methods are provided for heating a plurality of different food items to their respective desired serving temperatures in a microwave oven in about the same amount of time.

Abstract: Various constructs are provided for heating a plurality of different food items to their respective desired serving temperatures in a microwave oven in about the same amount of time.

Abstract: A tray for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven comprises a substantially planar base, a platform extending upwardly from the base, and a microwave energy interactive element overlying at least a portion of the platform.

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 energy interactive insulating material is provided. The material may include a susceptor film comprising a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymeric film layer, a moisture-containing layer superposed with the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymeric film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby forming at least one closed cell between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymeric film layer. The closed cell is capable of inflating upon exposure to microwave energy.

Abstract: A package configured to receive a food item for storage and heating therein is disclosed. The package includes an opening and a closure mechanism and comprises an insulating microwave material. A plurality of packages in a stacked relation also is provided.

Abstract: The combination of insulating material with microwave interactive food packaging for enhanced cooking properties is disclosed. An insulating microwave packaging material (200) and a method of making the same are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the insulating microwave packaging material (200) is formed by bonding a microwave interactive material substrate (205) that creates sensible heat upon exposure to microwave energy to a second substrate (210) along bond lines (212) arranged in a pattern to form 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 pressed container is formed having a peripheral sidewall, a continuous bottom wall along the lower edge of the sidewall, and an outwardly directed peripheral rim along the upper edge of the sidewall and wherein an inwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall and an outwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall that cooperates with the inwardly directed bulge of an adjacent container when stacked in nesting relationship to uniformly stack the containers in nested relationship for easy separation of the containers.

Abstract: A pressed container is formed having a peripheral sidewall, a continuous bottom wall along the lower edge of the sidewall, and an outwardly directed peripheral rim along the upper edge of the sidewall and wherein an inwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall and an outwardly directed bulge is provided along the upper edge of the sidewall that cooperates with the inwardly directed bulge of an adjacent container when stacked in nesting relationship to uniformly stack the containers in nested relationship for easy separation of the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a container from a sheet of blank material, whereby a segmented male die member first forms the bottom and then the sidewall and rim of the container prior to the formation of the lip portion of the container while the blank is being restrained in a radial direction by the engagement of the blank by two opposing draw pad members.

Abstract: A method of forming a container from a flat, substantially homogeneous blank of fibrous substrate, comprising the steps of shaping the blank into a formed container having a bottom wall, an up-turned side wall extending from the bottom wall, a rim outwardly extending from the side wall and a lip downwardly curving from the rim and including a plurality of radially-extending, circumferentially-spaced pleats formed in the side wall, rim, and lip, each pleat including at least three layers of the blank; and applying sufficient heat and pressure to the side wall and rim to decrease the thickness thereof to less than that of the blank and to transform each pleat into a substantially integrated fibrous structure in which the constituent layers generally lack individual identity, each structure having a density greater than and a thickness substantially equal to adjacent areas of the side wall and rim.

Abstract: A pressed paperboard container (10) is formed having a bottom wall (11), an upturned side wall (12), and an overturned rim (13 ) extending from the side wall which is denser and thinner than the rest of the container. The container is formed by pressing a flat circular blank (27) between upper and lower dies (25, 26) having die surfaces (31, 32, 38, 39, 40) which shape the blank into proper form, and the surfaces of the dies (25, 26) at the rim area (13) of the container are shaped to exert extremely high compressive stresses on the rim, particularly at the folded areas (20) formed in the rim during initial shaping of the container. The high compressive stresses applied to the rim area, along with proper moisture levels maintained in the paperboard and the heating of the paperboard by the heated dies, causes the paperboard in the rim area to deform plastically, densify, and fill in voids created as the blank was pressed into the container form.

Abstract: A pressed paperboard container (10) is formed having a bottom wall (11), an upturned side wall (12, and an overturned rim (13) extending from the side wall which is denser and thinner than the rest of the container. The container is formed by pressing a flat circular blank (27) between upper and lower dies (25, 26) having die surfaces (31, 32, 38, 39, 40) which shape the blank into proper form, and the surfaces of the dies (25, 26) at the rim area (13) of the container are shaped to exert extremely high compressive stresses on the rim, particularly at the folded areas (20) formed in the rim during initial shaping of the container. The high compressive stresses applied to the rim area, along with proper moisture levels maintained in the paperboard and the heating of the paperboard by the heated dies, causes the paperboard in the rim area to deform plastically, densify, and fill in voids created as the blank was pressed into the container form.

Abstract: This invention is a paperboard container comprising a bottom wall, an upwardly extending side wall, a first curved portion joining the side wall to the periphery of the bottom wall, an outwardly extending rim, a second curved portion joining the rim to the periphery of the side wall, and a downwardly curved lip outwardly extending from the periphery of the rim. The container is integrally formed from a substantially homogeneous paperboard blank by a press such that the thickness of the side wall, second curved portion and rim is less than that of the bottom wall, first curved portion and lip. The container includes a plurality of densified regions radially extending through and circumferentially spaced about annular sections of the side wall, second curved portion and rim.