Abstract: A heat-in package with doneness indicator for heating applications, such as microwave heating of foods or sterilization applications. The doneness indicator comprises indicia printed with thermochromatic ink on the heat-in packaging. The doneness indicator can be sealed from front to back on the heat-in packaging in such a way that the heat transfer to the sealed area is controlled so that the contents contained within the heat-in packaging has adequate time to heat before a color change or other visual transformation is observed in the doneness indicator. Furthermore, the sealed area containing the thermochromatic ink is not in direct contact with the contents within the packaging. The ink changes due to heat conduction through the film. A venting system can further be incorporated to prevent excessive pressure build-up within the packaging.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for cooking a food item using microwave energy. The pouch includes a base configured to retain hot gases above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food item when the package is exposed to microwave energy. The pouch also includes a cover comprising a sealant layer and a score layer. The score layer includes a weak portion which ruptures and vents the pouch at a predictable location when pressure within the pouch due to the hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for cooking a food item using microwave energy. The pouch includes a base configured to retain hot gases above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food item when the package is exposed to microwave energy. The pouch also includes a cover comprising a sealant layer and a score layer. The score layer includes a weak portion which ruptures and vents the pouch at a predictable location when pressure within the pouch due to the hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A reconfigurable microwave packaging container is provided for containing, heating, and crisping at least one surface of at least one food product. The container includes a reconfigurable first panel having a flap that is at least partially separable from the container, and at least a portion of the flap includes a microwave susceptor material for absorbing microwave energy to transfer to at least one food product surface. The container also includes a second panel spaced from the first panel by a first distance to accommodate at least one food product between the first and second panels. The flap of the first panel is reconfigurable to be spaced at a second distance from the second panel, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A reconfigurable microwave packaging container is provided for containing, heating, and crisping at least one surface of at least one food product. The container includes a reconfigurable first panel having a flap that is at least partially separable from the container, and at least a portion of the flap includes a microwave susceptor material for absorbing microwave energy to transfer to at least one food product surface. The container also includes a second panel spaced from the first panel by a first distance to accommodate at least one food product between the first and second panels. The flap of the first panel is reconfigurable to be spaced at a second distance from the second panel, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: The invention provides a distribution and heating method for foodstuffs and an inexpensive disposable microwave shipping, heating and serving package for food composed of a paperboard carton and a lossy microwave energy absorber which becomes hot when exposed to microwave radiation. The absorber is associated in conductive heat transfer relationship with a food product contained in the package and is usually bonded to a structural supporting sheet such as aluminum foil. The package also includes a shield e.g., a metal foil sheet adapted to reduce by a controlled amount the direct transmission of microwave energy into the food product. The shield may have holes of a selected size to provide a predetermined controlled amount of direct microwave energy to the food product or can be a nonperforated sheet or screen. The absorber heats the adjacent surface of the food by conduction to a sufficiently high temperature to provide searing or browning while controlled microwave exposure heats the inside.