Abstract: A process for the production of dimensionally stable, sliceable, starch-containing products, in particular dumplings, in boil-in-bag packages, which comprises at least partially gelatinizing the starch-containing starting material, then freezing it, comminuting the frozen starch sponge, thawing it by pressing and/or drying after dewatering, and packaging it in boil-in-bag packages, the fill quantity and the remaining head space in the bags being dimensioned in such a way that the cooked product completely fills the boil-in-bag packages and dimensionally stable, sliceable, edible products result owing to the pressure of the hydrated contents of the bag against the bag wall.

Abstract: Distortion of a heat shrinkable cook-in package in a hot air cooking medium is substantially reduced or eliminated by the use of a high sustained shrink force cook-in film as the casing for the package.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bag for curing food, said bag being made from a heat-resistant, foldable material. Conventionally, simultaneous flavoring and curing of food is awkward. The interior of the bag (1) according to the invention contains material releasing flavoring gas, whereby desired flavoring of food curing inside the bag is attained.

Abstract: Flameless chemical heaters based on the iron-promoted magnesium-water reaon (Mg+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Mg(OH).sub.2 +H.sub.2) are reliable and potentially useful. The major limitation to their widespread application is the cogeneration of flammable dihydrogen gas in this reaction. The invention is a new chemical composition that removes this drawback by producing a controlled surge of heat without the release of large quantities of dangerous dihydrogen gas. The release of H.sub.2 gas is avoided by completely or almost completely suppressing H.sub.2 creation rather than by removing H.sub.2 after it is created. The reagents that suppress dihydrogen gas generation react with and remove (i.e., scavenge) precursors of H.sub.2 such as aquated electrons and H-atoms. The overall heat-generating reactions of the invention, for example, Mg+CuCl.sub.2 .fwdarw.Mg.sup.2+ +2Cl.sup.- +Cu.sup.0 release more heat per unit weight of magnesium than the Mg-H.sub.2 O reaction; in this case, approximately 70% more heat.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the heating of a surface layer of an article being heated by microwave energy is characterized by directing the energy through the surface layer into a main portion of the article in such a manner that the modes of the energy are in cut-off in the surface layer.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn container for recreational use and a method of making and dispensing popcorn using the same. The microwave popcorn container has an outer casing substantially transparent to microwave radiation and resembles either a playball or novelty configuration having an interior space therein. When exposed to microwave radiation, corn kernels contained within the interior space of the outer casing burst into popcorn filling the outer casing. The microwave popcorn container may be used in a variety of recreational activities and when desired, popcorn can be dispensed therefrom and consumed.

Abstract: Liquid contents such as water are stored in a heat-resisting can body having an openable section formed on an upper part thereof. Other material is stored within the can body while being separated from the liquid contents and, when the can body is heated above a predetermined temperature with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed and the liquid can come in contact with the stored material. When the openable section is closed while the can body is heated, the stored material is kept separate from the liquid even during a sterilizing process but, when the can body is heated with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed, and consequently the contents are mixed together. This permits the stored material to be preserved from the liquid until the contents of the can body are ready for use.

Abstract: A packing container for cooking retort-sterilized content obtained by press-forming a laminate material which comprises a surface-treated steel foil, a primer layer of a composition of a polyamideimide and an epoxy resin provided on at least one surface of said steel foil, and an overcoating layer of a resin composition containing a composition of a polyamideimide and an epoxy resin, and a fluorine-type resin in an amount of from 60 to 300 parts by weight 100 parts by weight of said composition an provided on said primer layer. The packaging container is capable of safely preserving the content for extended periods of time without requiring any particular means such as refrigeration. And at the time when it is to be eaten after opened.

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: Disclosed are vacuum-packed food packages (10) having enlarged head spaces (56) under high vacuum, which enable food products (58) to be retorted after sealing, with resulting improved flavor, color, texture, and/or nutrient retention. Easily removable press-on, pry-off closures (13) having movable insert disks (16) in an outer shell (14) are also disclosed. Pressing the shell upward to remove it from a container (11) first pries a protrusion (28) inside the shell over a snap rib (22) around the container, then moves the shell upward relative to the disk until the snap rib engages the edge of the disk and lifts the disk to break the seal. A tamper evidencing band (22), if included, is broken before the shell is pried off or the disk is lifted. Food packages which automatically open when heated in microwave ovens are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microwave cookware of flexible, transparent material displaying an expandable bottom and two opposing walls, one wall containing an aperture, the other opposing wall displaying an extension, the objective being to manually pull the extension through the aperture rendering the bag closed and, vented, leaving the extension as a handling vehicle.

Abstract: A piece of microwave-active tape which is odor-free and physiologically inert can be adhered to a food package and remains strongly adhered during cooking at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. The tape has layers of microwave-active material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric .alpha.-olefin that has been cured to afford a "Peel Value" of at least 5 N/dm and a "Shrink Back" at 220.degree. C. of less than 5%. The tape can have a flexible backing such as a low-adhesion carrier web which can be stripped off from a piece of the tape that has been applied to a microwave food package, or when the backing is heat-resistant, it can be left in place.

Abstract: A microwave-reflective device and method for enhancing microwave heating of food items. The microwave-reflective device comprises an upstanding, microwave-reflective wall. During cooking, the microwave-reflective device is maintained about the periphery of the food item, while the space inward and above the wall may be maintained free of obstructions to microwave radiation. A susceptor film may be employed beneath the food item during heating.

Abstract: A novel insert useful in a microwavable food container comprising a metallized layer of heat susceptor thickness or a plastic layer, having openings which are in a position to be adjacent to food in said container, a layer of absorbent material comprising fibers, and a substrate layer which is stable to microwave heating conditions. The invention also is directed towards other inserts useful in microwavable food containers comprising fibers which are capable of spontaneously transporting water or n-decane on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A composite material suitable for use as a microwave heating wrapper, comprising a base and an electroconductive layer formed on at least one side of the base, the electroconductive layer being a mixed layer of at least one metal and at least one metal oxide.

Abstract: A utensil for use in preparing foods in a microwave oven comprises a microwave transparent, nonconductive, ceramic, opentop food receiving vessel, a microwave transparent, nonconductive, ceramic cover for closing the open top of the vessel, special glaze or coating sintered onto at least the interior surfaces of the vessel and cover or onto both the interior and exterior surfaces thereof; the glaze or coating being comprised of a dielectric matrix and semiconductive particles dispersed throughout the matrix; the percent loading of the conductive particles in the matrix being such that the food contained in the vessel is partially shielded from microwave energy and the glaze absorbs microwave energy and the glaze absorbs microwave energy and converts it to thermal energy concentrated at the utensil so that the outside surface of the food is browned and crisped and the food is cooked from the outside to the inside by the heat transferred to the food from the utensil, as well as being cooked in part from the ins

Abstract: A circular microwaveable chip maker integrally molded of a microwave oven resistant plastic material, having a row of spacers defining slots between each adjacent pair of spacers. Thin food items are held in the slots in a spaced array to facilitate their cooking in a microwave oven. The chip maker has a handle for transporting it into and out of a microwave oven.

Abstract: A container for use in a microwave oven formed from a microwave transparent material and having coated on at least part of at least one inner surface thereof a browning agent for transfer of a brown coloration to a surface of a food item.

Abstract: A therapeutic tubular muff containing temperature maintaining material for applying heat or cold to the body extremities including the hands, the wrists, the arms, the ankles and legs of the user. The muff is constructed of flexible material, including fleece material for the internal surface, and denim for the exterior surface. The muff is preheated in a microwave or cooled in a refrigerator before using.

Abstract: A collapsible, thin wall, plastic container includes a closed end, an annular peripheral side wall and an open end, the peripheral side wall including a plurality of annular steps or shoulders for enabling controlled axial collapse of the container to a compact, collapsed condition wherein a plurality of substantially concentric folds surround a remaining uncollapsed portion of the container; and a removable cap securable to the open end, the cap having a sealed chamber formed therein for holding a predetermined amount of foodstuff material.

Abstract: A package for heating food has a cover for covering a tray and provides an aluminum laminate for covering the tray side wall. The cover is configured to extend over the top opening or over the base of the tray and cover the tray side wall. In one embodiment, only side edge portions of the cover are formed of an aluminum laminate. In another embodiment, the entirety of the cover is formed of an aluminum laminate, in which case, the cover has lines of weakening positioned therein for tearing and removing a central portion of the cover.

Abstract: A self-heating group meal assembly and method of using same. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of heating trays, each heating tray having a plurality of standoffs extending upwardly from the bottom thereof. The assembly also comprises a corresponding plurality of heater assemblies, each heater assembly being positioned within a tray on top of the standoffs so as to define a reservoir between itself and the bottom of its tray. Each heater assembly comprises a sturdy polymeric sheet of material shaped to define a plurality of pockets, an exothermic chemical heater material packaged into each of the pockets and a sheet of porous non-woven scrim attached to the bottom surface of the polymeric sheet and used to seal the pockets. The exothermic chemical heater material comprises a Mg-Fe alloy from which all activating electrolytes have been omitted to prevent inadvertent activation of the alloy in the event of water immersion.

Abstract: A collapsed flexible, e.g., paper, bag is provided which contains a charge of unpopped popcorn. Popping of the corn can be carried out in a microwave oven with the bag supported upon a pre-erected or collapsible stand, usually about 2 cm high, attached to the bag. The bag includes upper and lower opposing face panels connected together by longitudinally extending, centrally projecting gussets that are integral with the face panels. Prior to popping, the gussets are folded between the under and lower face panels of the bag and the bag is sealed at each end. A microwave heating susceptor is provided in the lower panel of the bag or elsewhere in the bag if desired. During popping of the popcorn kernels, the bag increases in size and the gussets expand outwardly as the bag becomes filled with popped kernels, hot vapor and steam.

Abstract: A disposable package assembly for storage and subsequent microwave heating of a food item. The package assembly includes a container body having one or more raised lands integrally formed on the bottom surface thereof. The one or more raised lands support a microwave browning disk, and a food item is supported upon the browning disk. The one or more raised lands create an air space between the bottom of the container body and the browning disk to promote even circulation of heated air. A lid is disposed over the container body to enclose the food item.

Abstract: Microwaveable packing compositions exhibiting improved temperature control are provided. These compositions comprise a dielectric substrate having at least a portion of at least one of its surfaces coated with a matrix composition containing susceptor particles as well as particles of a blocking agent selected from the group consisting of calcium salts, zinc salts, zinc oxide, lithopone, silica and titanium dioxide. Also disclosed is a microwaveable ink composition useful for the preparation of such packaging compositions as well as a process for manufacturing such packaging compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatus for producing instantly cookable pasta including various kinds of pasta and Chinese and Japanese noodles, and an encased instantly cookable pasta produced by such method and apparatus. According to the invention, part of raw dough of a starting mixture, which contains wheat flour as a major component, is subjected to preliminary steam-cooking, and then mixed with the remaining uncooked part of the starting mixture. The resulting mixture is then processed through shaping, steam-cooking and drying stages to obtain instantly cookable pasta, enshrouding the instantly cookable pasta product in a water-permeable casing before shipment. Due to suppression of thermal degeneration of gluten, the instantly cookable pasta possesses favorable resiliency and is free of the smell inherent to raw wheat flour and cohesion of individual pasta cords.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor which includes a dielectric substrate and a dry layer of microwave active coating material overlaying at least a portion of the substrate is provided. The coating material includes a silicate binder and an active constituent and the weight ratio of the silicate to active is about 98:2 or less (i.e. less silicate). The dry layer is electrically continuous and has a surface concentration of active constituent of about 1 gram per square meter or greater. Sodium silicate is preferred as the binder and graphite is preferred as the active constituent. In addition additives such as saccharides, glycerine and plasticizers can be added to inhibit thermal shut down and to increase the flexibility of the dry layer. The susceptor can exhibit moderate heat performance or even high heating performance if desired.

Abstract: A meat product package including an enclosing film having an EVA-containing inside surface and an in situ aqueous medium-cooked meat product in adhering relation to the film inside surface as the meat contacting and adhering surface. Starch particles are preferably dispersed across the meat contacting surface which has been both irradiated and subjected to corona treatment. A method for corona treating a thermoplastic tube inside surface in which small particles within the flat tube separate opposite surfaces providing voids, and the electric discharge crosses the flat tube through the voids.

Abstract: A container apparatus for use in filling, storing, shipping and cooking various types of food wherein the container apparatus facilitates and maintains the positioning of the food in a substantially restricted predetermined location within the apparatus. The container apparatus includes a bag having a front and back panel, a first and second gusseted side panel and an interior region. Bag panel attachment elements are positioned between a portion of the back panel means and an adjacent portion of the gusseted side panels preliminarily to filling, so as to maintain the back flaps of the gusseted side panels against the back panel during such filling, as well as during storing, shipping and cooking of the food. The bag panel attachment elements further serve to operably segregate and maintain the food in a predetermined portion of the interior region so that the food does not inadvertently migrate between the gussets and the back panel during filling.

Abstract: A single use combined shipping display and cooking microwave package is provided for heating a plurality of food pieces in a microwave oven. The packaging includes a microwave transparent enclosure which has a top panel and a bottom panel. Located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the bottom panel is a microwave susceptor. Preferably this microwave susceptor is a thin film susceptor. A spacer overlays the thin film susceptor and is also generally coextensive with the bottom panel. The spacer is adapted to hold the food pieces a predetermined distance away from this susceptor. In addition, the spacer has a plurality of apertures therein which allows the heat from the microwave susceptor to pass through to the food pieces. A similar arrangement is applicable to the top panel. A top panel microwave susceptor is located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the top panel and a top panel spacer is located adjacent to the top panel susceptor and generally coextensive with the top panel.

Abstract: A lid which is to be heat-sealed on a container, including a laminated sheet composed of a base layer, an adhesive layer, a metallic layer, and a heat-sealable resin layer, in which the base layer includes a single layer of a stretched resin film having many microvoids or a laminate containing at least the stretched resin film, the lid having an indication of the direction of stripping, including a lug provided at the periphery thereof or a print thereon, in such a manner that the indicated direction of stripping should be set within a range of .+-.45.degree. with respect to the direction of greatest thermal expansion coefficient of the base layer when heated from 30.degree. C. up to 80.degree. C. at a rate of temperature rise of 10.degree. C./min for 5 minutes. When hot water is poured into a container with the lid partly stripped, the lid is heated by the steam to close the container without assistance.

Abstract: A disposable food container formed of sand and a decomposable binder. The disposable food containers are suitable for holding, storing and exposing food to heat in both conventional and microwave ovens. The decomposable binders contain 20 to 40% by weight of a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, grain flours and mixtures thereof, 20 to 30% by weight salt, 1 to 3% by weight oil and water. The containers are covered with a coating to prevent the transmission or absorption of liquids.

Abstract: A microwave utensil for heating two different foods having different microwave absorbing properties allows the foods to be heated simultaneously without overheating one of the foods. The utensil includes a lower vessel to receive a first food and a second vessel which is nested within the first vessel to displace a portion of the first food item. A second food item is placed in the second vessel such that the first food item shields the sides of the second food.

Abstract: In a popcorn package for microwave popping, the subsequent popping of popcorn by microwave energy is enhanced by the use of a layer of metallized ink printed on the bag of a popcorn package. The metallized ink contains powdered aluminum and is of a commercial grade but diluted to provide an opacity level of light transmission in the range of 47% to 10%, such layer lying below the charge of popcorn and shortening during popping. The material of the bag comprises a pair of plies with the layer of metallized ink being printed to one of the plies and disposed between the plies of the bag.

Abstract: For popping popcorn in a microwave oven, a flexible bag is provided which contains popcorn and includes a collapsible stand. The bag has upper and lower opposing face panels connected together by longitudinally extending, centrally projecting gussets that are integral with the face panels. Prior to popping, the gussets are folded between the upper and lower face panels of the bag. The panels and gussets are preferably formed from a pair of superimposed sheets of paper that are laminated together with adhesive. Popcorn is placed in the bag and the bag ends are sealed. A microwave heating susceptor of any suitable type is provided in the lower panel of the bag or elsewhere in the bag if desired. During popping of the popcorn kernels, the bag increases in size and the gussets expand outwardly as the bag becomes filled with popped kernels, hot vapor and steam.

Abstract: A composite material for efficient use in a microwave heating container and a container formed therefrom are described. The composite material includes a thermoplastic resin and a particulate dielectric material oriented therein so the container exhibits a dielectric constant within the range from about 5 to about 8 which is particularly useful for heating high moisture foods in microwave ovens. The particulate dielectric material includes particles having a dielectric constant within a range from about 5 to about 8 and a particle size within the range from about 1 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m.

Abstract: A flexible heat pad for heat transfer to a person's limb. The pad consists of a fabric (preferably cotton) envelope enclosing a load of cereal grains, preferably oats. Preferably, the water content of the oat is precisely monitored to remain within the 9 to 14% range by weight of the oat total weight. The quantity of oat grains inside the cotton envelope must be such as to provide even oat distribution within the cotton envelope enclosure, after deformation, whereby localized grainless pockets within the pad enclosure are substantially prevented. The pad is pre-heated for about two minutes inside a micro-wave oven, at full power setting, before use. Thermal inertia of the oat thereafter allows continuous heat diffusion to the limb for about half an hour. The pad may alternately be put into the freezer from at least four to six hours, to thereafter diffuse cold to the swollen limb part of a mammal.

Abstract: A piece of microwave-active tape which is odor-free and physiologically inert can be adhered to a food package and remains strongly adhered during cooking at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. The tape has layers of microwave-active material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is a polymeric .alpha.-olefin that has been cured to afford a "Peel Value" of at least 5 N/dm and a "Shrink Back" at 220.degree. C. of less than 5%. The tape can have a flexible backing such as a low-adhesion carrier web which can be stripped off from a piece of the tape that has been applied to a microwave food package, or when the backing is heat-resistant, it can be left in place.

Abstract: Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn container for recreational use and a method of making and dispensing popcorn using the same. The microwave popcorn container has an outer casing substantially transparent to microwave radiation and resembles either a playball or novelty configuration having an interior space therein. When exposed to microwave radiation, corn kernels contained within the interior space of the outer casing burst into popcorn filling the outer casing. The microwave popcorn container may be used in a variety of recreational activities and when desired, popcorn can be dispensed therefrom and consumed. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, microwave popcorn containers resembling an elongated football, a substantially spherical playball and a novelty turtle are disclosed.

Abstract: A package for use in storing, vending and microwave cooking of food products. The package includes a double center wall which divides an interior food cavity into two food compartments. The center wall and the remaining interior surfaces of the container are coated with a microwave interactive layer thereby exposing an increased surface area of the food articles to the microwave interactive layers. Improved surface cooking, such as surface browning and crisping are achieved, as well as increased convenience in packaging and cooking.

Abstract: A packaged arrangement (1) contains a tray (4) which is convertible into a heating stand by inversion thereof. The walls of the tray are of a material that is transparent to microwave energy, but a support wall (10) which forms a bottom of the tray and top of the stand is provided with a liner of a microwave interactive layer that is formed of a material capable of converting microwave energy into heat. The tray (4) is configured so as to define a storage space for a predetermined quantity of food and to possess sufficient strength as to be able to support the predetermined quantity of food upon the support wall (10) in the inverted, heating stand condition thereof. A second packaged arrangement (1') comprises a recloseable package body (2') that may be used, at least in part, to form the enclosed air space and stand.

Abstract: A multilayer packaging structure for microwave food reheating applications or for sterilized hot filling is provided having an outer layer prepared from a blend of polyphenylene ether and a high impact polystyrene. The polyphenylene ether-high impact polystyrene layer is useful as a structural support layer and provides resistance to distortion and burn through during microwave reconstitution or hot filling. The PPE/HIPS blend layer serves to increase the high temperature performance of the coextruded structure without sacrificing the thermoformability characteristics generally associated with HIPS based monolayer or multilayer structures. The ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride layers act as the oxygen barrier to prevent food spoilage and the polyolefin layer acts as a moisture barrier.

Abstract: The structure includes a layer of flexible electroconductive material normally opaque to microwave radiation and having a plurality of apertures therethrough dimensioned to permit microwave energy to pass through to the interior of the foodstuff and to produce thermal energy at the surface of the foodstuff. Both a microwave shielding effect and a combined microwave energy heating and thermal energy heating effect are obtained, enabling close control of the manner and extent of microwave cooking of the foodstuff to be obtained. The plurality of apertures comprises a first plurality of elongate discrete closed-end apertures and a second plurality of continuous apertures, each of which encloses a discrete rectangular island of the electroconductive material.

Abstract: Means and method for heating loads with microwave energy, with the loads being located on a metal substrate or in a metal container. A layer of organic material is located on the outside surface of the container or substrate, the layer having microwave absorbing substances contained in a minimum thickness of the layer. The absorbing substances include both dielectric and magnetic components that provide useful power absorption, the amount of the dielectric component being effective to compress the wavelength of the microwave energy while simultaneously preserving useful impedance to the magnetic component of the energy. Useful power absorption within a range of minimum layer of thicknesses is obtained. The amounts of the dielectric and magnetic components, in addition, transport the heat generated within the layer to the metal container or substrate at rates sufficient to maintain internal temperature of the layer near that of the load.

Abstract: Easily removable press-on, pry-off closures having movable insert disks in an outer shell are disclosed. Pressing the shell upward to remove it from a container first pries a protrusion inside the shell over a snap rib around the container, then moves the shell upward relative to the disk while the later remains seated on the container, until a disk-lifting projection inside the shell engages the edge of the disk and lifts the disk to break the seal. A tamper evidencing band, if included, is broken before either the shell is pried off or the disk is lifted. The invention can be used in both top load and bottom load embodiments. Also disclosed is a closure with a non-movable disk or integral top and a tamper-evidencing band which is broken by pry-off removal of the closure. Still further, food packages which automatically open when heated in microwave ovens are disclosed. Vacuum-packed food packages having effective head spaces for reducing the times required to retort such packages are 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.

Abstract: Shelf stable packaging films and packages which are microwaveable yet are substantially impermeable to gases and ultraviolet energy and selectively permeable to microwave energy are described. The films include a water vapor and oxygen barrier substrate having a first side upon which is deposited a metallic coating capable of selectively transmitting a portion of a microwave energy field through the substrate. The coating is formed in a plurality of discrete, microwave reflective areas separated by non-reflective gaps. The shape and spacing of the areas is varied so that the microwave energy transmission through non-coated areas of the barrier is sufficient to avoid arcing and heat the object but not cook the object. A food packaging system for storing and heating food by microwave energy, which includes the microwave barrier film of this invention, is also described.

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 combination of a frozen pizza of uncooked dough covered with a topping layer except for an outer sauce-free ring of dough and a microwave susceptor component enables the pizza to be cooked in a microwave oven so that the outer ring is brown and crisp. The microwave susceptor component can include one element which is either directly on or supported above the dough. The susceptor component also includes a susceptor sheet on which the pizza rests.