Abstract: At least one container is disposed in contact with at least one mandrel to cause a thermoplastic polymeric film on the container to foam and become a heat insulative layer. The mandrel is heatable to a predetermined temperature and the container is in direct contact therewith or disposed thereon for a predetermined period of time, to thereby cause the foamable material on the container to foam. A method of making a web of heat insulative nonwoven material includes providing a web of nonwoven material, applying a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material to a first surface of the web to form a web laminate, placing the web laminate in contact with a heated surface, heating the web laminate and thereby expanding the layer of thermoplastic material with moisture that is vaporized from the nonwoven material. The web laminate may then be fabricated to form a container or a portion of a container.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material containing fibers bearing foraminous hydrophobic water-vapor-permeable pellicles, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. Additionally, the absorbent layer will include highly absorbent material formed by in-situ crosslinking of a partially pre-neutralized polyacrylic acid. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material containing fibers bearing foraminous hydrophobic water-vapor-permeable pellicles, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. Additionally, the absorbent layer will include highly absorbent material formed by in-situ crosslinking of a partially pre-neutralized polyacrylic acid. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: A patterned microwave interactive element and laminate including a patterned microwave interactive element for use in forming food packaging materials that may be employed to store and subsequently cook the food stored therein are provided. The pattern of the microwave interactive element is selected to focus the heat generated to predetermined areas of the food contained in the packaging. Areas where the microwave interactive element has been deactivated may be formed by a variety of methods, such as by demetallization, by the application of an inactivating chemical, by mechanical means and the like, to create a preselected pattern of inactive areas relative to the active areas, thereby controlling the temperatures produced in different sections of the packaging material. Optimum browning and/or crisping of the microwave heated food product may be achieved by selecting a pattern of microwave interactive and inactive areas tailored to specific food products.

Abstract: A patterned microwave interactive element and laminate including a patterned microwave interactive element for use in forming food packaging materials that may be employed to store and subsequently cook the food stored therein are provided. The pattern of the microwave interactive element is selected to focus the heat generated to predetermined areas of the food contained in the packaging. Areas where the microwave interactive element has been deactivated may be formed by a variety of methods, such as by demetallization, by the application of an inactivating chemical, by mechanical means and the like, to create a preselected pattern of inactive areas relative to the active areas, thereby controlling the temperatures produced in different sections of the packaging material. Optimum browning and/or crisping of the microwave heated food product may be achieved by selecting a pattern of microwave interactive and inactive areas tailored to specific food products.