Abstract: A decorative serving container system that includes a serving dish, a ring element, and a cover element. At least two ring element handle portions extend outwardly from a ring element lip, wherein each ring element handle portion has a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of a serving dish handle, wherein each ring element handle portion includes a handle skirt portion that extends downwardly from the handle portion and is formed to be positionable around at least a portion of a serving dish handle and provide frictional engagement of the handle skirt portion with at least a portion of the serving dish handle. The cover element has one or more handles formed to be at least partially received within a recess of the ring element.

Abstract: An ovenable paper container containing an inner liner, an outer liner, and an intermediate or corrugated paper layer positioned between the inner liner and the outer liner. The ovenable paper container can be used to heat and/or cook food and then be used as a serving container without the danger of causing burns.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs may include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

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: Microwaveable popcorn arrangements are provided, the arrangement being a bag having a popcorn charge of popcorn kernels and oil/fat component therein. The arrangements include folded bags having preferred, internal, seal and/or adhesive field configurations. The preferred configurations inhibit the undesired flow of oil/fat from the popcorn charge. Microwave popcorn products and methods of preparation and use, are provided.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: An ovenable paper container containing an inner liner, an outer liner, and an intermediate or corrugated paper layer positioned between the inner liner and the outer liner. The ovenable paper container can be used to heat and/or cook food and then be used as a serving container without the danger of causing burns.

Abstract: A microwave packaging made of a flexible, heat-sealable laminate has a grid structure made of electrically non-conductive cells that do not absorb microwaves, and an electrically conductive metal grid that separates the cells from one another. The metal grid has a layer thickness of at least 1 ?m, and the cells each have a size between 100 mm2 and 1200 mm2. The proportion of the non-conductive area formed by the cells amounts to at least 50% of the total area. A liquid-tight outer film follows a first side of the metal grid directly or by way of at least one connecting layer, and a moisture-absorbent layer follows a second side of the metal grid directly or by way of at least one intermediate layer, and has a polymer base substance and extends essentially over the entire area of the laminate. The microwave packaging is formed from the laminate by heat-sealing.

Abstract: A dual-ovenable container is formed from a blank of laminate material that includes a paperboard layer sandwiched between outer heat-sealable layers of amorphous polyester or heat-sealable cellophane. The blank is wrapped into a tubular or conical configuration and opposite edges of the blank form a lap joint at which the edges are heat-sealed together to form a container body. End closures can then be applied to the ends of the container body. The laminate is heat-sealable to itself, is able to withstand heating/cooking conditions in both conventional and microwave ovens, and has a low oxygen permeability. The edge of the blank exposed to contents of the container can be wrapped by a sideseam tape in order to protect the edge.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: A carton capable of containing a plurality of food items is disclosed. The carton can be separated into two portions or trays, each of which can be converted into a tray for heating a food item in a microwave oven. One or both of the trays may be designed to elevate the food product from the turntable or floor of the microwave oven to enhance the efficiency of the heating process. One or both trays may include a microwave energy interactive to enhance browning and/or crisping of the food item.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.

Abstract: A microwave cooking tray comprises a base having at least two compartments. Each compartment of the base has a bottom surface defining a pattern, the bottom surface of one of the compartments defining a first pattern and a bottom surface of a second of the compartments defining a second pattern. The first and second patterns are distinct and each is designed for optimal cooking of a particular type of food product.

Abstract: A rectangular box for transporting multiple pizza pies in a stacked formation formed by a single cardboard blank having scoring and cut-outs for assembling into a multiple pizza box. The box has a bottom wall, four side walls and a lid hinged to one of the side walls. When assembled the box has a pair of corner shelf supports and a removable shelf for positioning a second pizza pie. The shelf supports also provide a stop for the lid of the box to prevent crushing the contents. Both the rectangular box and a removable shelf can be stored flat when not in use.

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 container for containing, treating and dispensing a bun in a hot dog dispensing machine has a container element having an inner cavity for accommodating a bun, an open side an a bottom located opposite to the open side, and a projection provided on the bottom and formed so that it supports a bun accommodated in the cavity and can be engaged by a formation of transporting means for transporting the container with the bun.

Abstract: A Microwave Cooking Tray and Sleeve Assembly comprises a tray for holding food to be cooked, a transparent heat seal covering the tray, and a sleeve designed to hold the tray. In order to cook the food in the tray, the assembly is placed in a microwave oven. During cooking, side vents on the tray channel steam out of the tray. Holes in the sleeve allow the steam to easily escape the box after passing through the vents in the tray. After a short period of cooking in the microwave oven, the tray is removed from the sleeve, the heat seal is removed from the tray, and the food in the tray is ready to eat.

Abstract: Composites of paper and bioriented polyester plastic film are made by passing a web of paperboard and a web of plastic film, with a layer of extruded molten polymer impregnating and bonding agent between the webs, through a nip. The process involves controlling one or more of the speed of the webs, the temperature of the molten polymer, the pressure or spacing of the rolls at the nip, and the rate of extrusion, relative to the porosity and surface characteristics of the paper web such that a portion of the molten polymer impregnates partially into and becomes part of the paper web and a substantial portion lies outwardly of the surface of the paper web and solidifies to form a new surface to which the film is bonded and which it is supported clear of the paper surface. The molten polymer may be polyethylene or an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer. These composites are useful in forming corrugated structures which may be used for baking in convection ovens.

Abstract: An ovenable enclosure (10) for pizza or other heatable food product comprises a box of taint free board having an interior clearance over the pizza, a central vent (15) in the upper surface and a metal plate (16) on lower surface. The enclosure gives more consistent heating of the pizza with reduced edge dryness.

Abstract: A handled, microwave popcorn service apparatus is provided for cooking and serving popcorn. A service bowl container is formed of a thermoplastic microwave penetrable material. The service container includes a dispensing tube and an access lid.

Abstract: A food packaging system for a food product such as an uncooked deep dish pizza includes an aluminum pan for receiving the food product. A paperboard ring is placed over the upper rim of the pan to provide a local shield, retarding the cooking time of the upper outer edge of the food product. Together, the pan and ring form a cooking vessel for the food product. A formed tray of plastic material receives the pan and provides pocket-like stepped recesses to aid in cushioning the pan and to hold the ring in desired position about the pan rim. A support member is applied to the bottom and one end of the tray to provide a bottom support for positioning the tray and its contents, on-edge, in an upright position. A film covers the contents of the tray and is removed, along with the tray and support member, to prepare the food product for cooking.

Abstract: A microwave steam tray is made of a thermo-formed co-polymer polypropylene quality food grade plastic. The microwave steam tray comprises a plastic container having a dish portion and a connected lid. The dish portion includes a bottom surface with four sidewalls extending therefrom to define a dish interior. A plurality of ribs are raised from the bottom surface to provide a cooking plane. Steam channels are formed between the ribs. The ribs extend radially from a moisture reservoir positioned within the dish interior. The moisture reservoir includes a retaining wall having a cup portion formed within the retaining wall. Recesses are formed within the retaining wall. Liquid based food products may be placed in the moisture cylinder during cooking. Steam generated from the moisture reservoir easily travels down the radial steam channels.

Abstract: A package for a food product which includes a rigid tray formed from a single piece of malleable material having flanges located in a reference plane, first and second side walls, first and second end walls and a bottom all integrally joined. Integrally formed tabs are defined at the junction of the side walls and the bottom which extend generally in the plane of the side walls a predetermined distance. Some of the tabs with the peripheral flange form an upright display support permitting the package to be displayed upright with the front panel located in a vertical or near vertical plane facing forward. A hanging feature can also be incorporated into the rigid tray flange to provide peg-board display if desired. This can be accomplished with no added labor or material cost. A thin flexible film covers the tray in the reference plane and attaches to the peripheral flanges to hermetically seal the recessed compartment.

Abstract: A partially-shielded paperboard tray for heating food in a microwave oven is made from a unitary blank having two sections hingedly joined at a common edge. One section, which forms the bottom stratum of the tray, has a layer of aluminum foil for shielding food along the peripheral wall of the tray from microwave radiation, but the section also has a large aperture to allow the radiation to heat the center of food placed over the aperture. The other section of the blank, which forms the top stratum of the tray, is transparent to microwave radiation and provides an imperforate food-contact surface for retaining food in the tray.

Abstract: An improved food product tray for storing, cooking and serving food products. The food product tray is used to store, cook and serve a food product without assembly or disassembly by the end user. The food product tray includes a floor or base panel and a plurality of upright side panels which enclose the food product. A tab/slot configuration allows the upright side panels to expand outwardly from a first position to a second position as the food product expands during cooking. The base panel may include legs to elevate the base panel, and the base panel may include a plurality of vents to release fluids and gases from the food product. The interior surfaces of the base panel and upright side panels may include microwave absorbent material to enhance cooking of the food product using microwave energy.

Abstract: A food package including a tray and a sleeve surrounding the tray. The tray includes a base defining an opening and a sidewall extending from the base which terminates in a free edge. The free edge defines a tray opening. The sleeve includes a top panel positioned adjacent the tray opening, a bottom panel positioned adjacent to the opening in the base and a side panel positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: A microwavable box constructed from a blank, having a box base forming area (12), two pairs of opposing side sections (14) and (16) each with a collapsible web (18) between them, flaps (26) extending from each of the three sides and a lid (28) which includes a tear-off strip (30) to enable the escape of gases from the box and the opening of the lid.

Abstract: The invention provides a sealed, expandable, automatically self-venting container for cooking microwavable foods in a microwave oven. The container has a pull-tab lid, a vent-hole, a vent-hole cover, an expandable casing, and a microwavable food charge such as corn kernels.

Abstract: A paperboard container for heating products placed therein by microwave energy having a first compartment substantially shielded from microwave energy and a second compartment permeable by microwave energy. The first and second compartments each include a top panel and a bottom surface, where a single bottom panel serves as the bottom surface for both of the first and second compartments. The container further includes a plurality of side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel and a plurality of side panels extending downwardly from the top panels. Both of the first and second compartments are formed from a unitary, single sheet of microwave permeable paperboard material, wherein the first compartment includes a layer of microwave shielding material laminated to the portion of the sheet of microwave permeable paperboard material which forms a majority of the enclosing surfaces of the first microwave shielded compartment.

Abstract: A package for containing solids and other consumable contents is provided that includes a tray having walls and a bottom panel defining a container space and a tray cover having a lid wall panel that encloses the container space. The package thus closed effects a storage container for the contents. The tray cover is constructed of a foldable sheet material. The tray cover includes flap panels that are foldable about flap fold lines over a side of the tray. A removable strip portion and lid separation cuts are provided to facilitate separation of a substantial portion of the lid wall panel from the tray to allow consuming access to the contents. The removable strip portion is defined by interior and exterior partial cuts scored into the tray cover including a plurality of aligned interrupted exterior cuts that are disposed for an extent coincidentally with the flap fold lines.

Abstract: A package for either conventional oven or microwave heating of refrigerated or frozen foodstuffs includes an outer paperboard container and an inner food carrying tray or dish. The bottom of the plastic tray rests on the container bottom. The dish is flanged, the flange provided with one or more ears extending downwardly and sandwiched between container side walls. The dish flange is polygonal, having one or more edges abutting respective one or more interior walls of the container. A portion of the top cover of the container is removed by ripping along tear lines. The tear or ripping lines yield four triangular corner sections on the remaining, unripped container top cover, these sections overlying portions of the tray flange. This arrangement prevents the tray from being removed from the container through the top cover access opening defined upon ripping.

Abstract: A food product tray including a base defining an opening and a floor member covering the opening. The floor member has an edge portion thereof secured to the base such that the floor member substantially directly supports the food product in the tray. A food product package is also provided.

Abstract: A carton has a top wall having eight side edges which circumscribe a top wall surface area and a bottom wall having four side edges which circumscribe a bottom wall surface area. Four trapezoidal side walls, each having a major edge, a minor edge and two side edges, extend between the top wall and the bottom wall, such that the major edges of the sidewalls abut, respectively, adjacent of the side edges of the bottom wall and such that the minor edges of the sidewalls abut, respectively, alternate of the side edges of the top wall. The carton has four triangular corner wall portions, each having a base, which abuts the top wall at a position displaced inwardly from one of the top wall edges that does not abut one of the minor edges of the side walls, and two sides, one of which abuts one of the side edges of one of the adjacent side walls. A device for opening the carton is positioned in one of the trapezoidal side walls, and a line of weakness is positioned in the bottom wall or in the top wall.

Abstract: A microwave heating package for containing a food item to be cooked in a microwave oven including a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall. A microwave interactive layer is affixed to the bottom wall for converting microwave energy into heat. The side wall is scored to define a first end flap and a second end flap. Each end flap is partially separable from the remainder of the package along the scoring and is hingedly connected to the bottom wall such that the separable portion of each end flap is pivotable from a first unseparated position to a second position located underneath the bottom wall.

Abstract: An ovenable food package for holding a food product. The package has a base which is constructed and arranged such that at least one exterior gap is created between the base and the support surface of the oven (conventional or microwave) in which the package and food product are placed into to be cooked. The base is also constructed and arranged to create at least one interior gap between the food product and the base. A further ovenable food package is disclosed in which a lid is provided that is adapted to be removed and then replaced on top of the package to create a space between the food product and the lid. A food package including a base for the food product and a box containing the base and food product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blank for a paperboard container is provided on one of its surfaces with a layer of food-contacting polymethylpentene. The container formed from the blank, as by bending the blank along fold lines, requires one or more overlapped joints such as the usual manufacturer's joint. To overcome the non-stick properties of the polymethylpentene layer, the layer is flame treated so that it will adhere to a conventional water based, FDA approved adhesive and thereby make possible the formation of a seam or other overlapped joint or joints. Flame treatment is restricted to portions of the area of the polymethylpentene layer that are involved in the formation of the overlapped joint or joints. Alternatives to flame treatment include corona treatment, solvent treatment or treatment of the polymethylpentene surface with a solvent based primer.

Abstract: This invention relates to paperboard food packages. Such structures of this type, generally, have lids which can be sealed to the food package which utilizes press-applied coatings as a sealing medium.

Abstract: A multi-sided container for storing and heating food prepared from a blank of paperboard includes a bottom panel and upstanding end, corner and side walls. A first set of angular panels are connected to the corner walls and the base panel. The first angular panels overlap and are bonded to the base panel. A second set of angular panels are connected to the first angular panels and to the end walls. The second angular panels overlap and are bonded to the end walls. Vertical flange extensions extending from the corner walls and the second angular panels overlap and are bonded together with the raw edges facing away from the container.

Abstract: A package for microwave heating of a sandwich product which normally contains a bread component and non bread components which are either inserted into the bread or deposited on the bread. The non bread components, such as meats, chicken, fish, cheese, vegetables, sauces and the like are placed into a separate container and this non bread component container and the naked bread component are simultaneously contained within a microwave heating package. Microwave suseptor material surrounds at least portions of the bread component for crisping the bread to give it a good baked quality. The non bread component container may first be removed from the package so that the bread component and non bread components may be microwaved separately.

Abstract: A packaging container for use in connection with microwave cooking of foodstuffs is provided. The container can be opened up so as to define an extended base area, allowing foodstuffs comprising individual items to be spread out during cooking. The extension is achieved by utilization of container portions not originally part of the base. The extended base area preferably is covered with microwave susceptible material.

Abstract: A microwavable container useful in the microwave heating of items, particularly foodstuffs, comprises readily separable components. An outer shell which will remain relatively cool and, therefore, capable of being handled, is flexibly hinged to an inner shell capable of sustaining high temperatures. The inner shell rotatably folds about the flexible hinge in such a way that it is arranged in a substantially spaced relation to the outer shell and is releasably secured to the outer shell. The outer shell is made of a first microwavable polymeric material. The inner shell is made of a second microwavable polymeric material which is different from the first microwavable polymeric material. A consumer may heat a food product in the inner shell of the present invention without risking contact with that inner shell when the inner shell becomes hot. After use, the components are readily separable for separate recycling processes.

Abstract: A blank for a paperboard container is provided on one of its surfaces with a layer of food-contacting polymethylpentene. The container formed from the blank, as by bending the blank along fold lines, requires one or more overlapped joints such as the usual manufacturer's joint. To overcome the non-stick properties of the polymethylpentene layer, the layer is flame treated so that it will adhere to a conventional water based, FDA approved adhesive and thereby make possible the formation of a seam or other overlapped joint or joints. Flame treatment is restricted to portions of the area of the polymethylpentene layer that are involved in the formation of the overlapped joint or joints.

Abstract: A pan (10) is formed from a single blank (12) of plastic-coated paperboard and is foldable between a three-dimensional, erect condition and a flat condition. In the flat condition, first and second isosceles trapezoid-shaped side panels (20) are folded about the side edges (18) of a bottom panel (14) to overlie the bottom panel (14) and with their upper edges (22) abutting. Additionally, in the flat condition, first and second triangular panels (34) are folded about the side edges (32) of end panels (28) to overlie the end panels (28). The end panels (28) are in the shape of isosceles trapezoids and are integrally connected to the opposite end edges (16) of the bottom panel (14) and extend continuously therefrom in the flat condition. Attachment panels (38) are foldable about the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34) and are secured to the side panels (20) with the side edges (24) of the side panels (20) abutting with and being foldable with the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34).

Abstract: A microwaveable package containing foodstuff is for direct placement with or without opening same, in a microwave oven so that the foodstuff can be microwave cooked. The foodstuff rests on a sheet of microwave receptor material and the package is designed so that there is an air space between the receptor material and the oven support table to prevent the table from acting as a heat sink to drain away heat generated by the receptor material during cooking.

Abstract: A food package including a closed carton containing a food product, the closed carton including a carton tray and a carton closure.

Abstract: A receptacle made of a starch-based biodegradable material is formed with a side wall, and a generally flat floor formed with an array of criss-cross upstanding ridges projecting from and unitary with a surface of the floor and meeting at intersections. Each rib has an undulating, generally sinusoidal, outer edge having high points spaced relatively far from the surface and low points relatively close to the surface. The ribs are positioned such that each intersection is at a high point of one of the ribs and a low point of another of the ribs.

Abstract: A microwave food package having a chamber for receipt of a foodstuff. An orifice is formed in the package for dispensing the foodstuff in a flowable state after heating in a microwave oven. The package is insulated to permit handling of the package immediately after heating of the foodstuff.