Microwave packaging with indentation patterns
View Patent ↗Indentation patterns are scored in microwave packaging materials to enhance the baking and browning effects of the microwave packaging materials on food products. The indentation patterns provide venting to either channel moisture from one area of the food product to another, trap moisture in a certain area to prevent it from escaping, or channel the moisture completely away from the food product. The indentation patterns cause the microwave packaging material underneath a food product to be slightly elevated above the cooking platform in the base of a microwave. The indentation patterns lessen the heat sinking effect of the cooking platform by providing an air gap for insulation. Elevating the base of the microwave packaging material further allows more incident microwave radiation to propagate underneath the microwave packaging material to be absorbed by the food product or by microwave interactive materials in the microwave packaging material that augment the heating process.
1. A microwave packaging material comprising:
a substrate;
a microwave interactive material layer supported upon the substrate, wherein the microwave interactive material layer and the substrate together form a laminate material; and
an indentation pattern formed in the nature of a plurality of scored impressions in the laminate material, wherein
the scored impressions are at least partially defined by the microwave interactive layer and substantially maintain the integrity of the microwave interactive layer,
a first side of the microwave interactive layer faces away from the substrate and includes a plurality of substantially flat, coplanar surfaces that are at least partially separated from one another respectively by the scored impressions,
the scored impressions extend below the substantially flat, coplanar surfaces of the first side of the microwave interactive layer while the substantially flat, coplanar surfaces are facing upward,
the scored impressions are not fold lines,
each of the scored impressions is respectively positioned between at least two of the substantially flat, coplanar surfaces of the outer side of the microwave interactive layer, and
in a plan view of the first side of the microwave interactive layer: a summation of all areas of the first side that are in the form of the substantially flat, coplanar surfaces exceeds a summation of all areas of the first side that are in the form of the scored impressions.
2. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , wherein
the indentation pattern comprises a concave area on at least the first side of the microwave interactive layer.
3. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 2 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that allows moisture to migrate from a first area underneath the food product to a second area underneath the food product.
4. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 2 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that allows moisture to migrate from a first area underneath the food product to a second area not covered by the food product.
5. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 2 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that prevents moisture from migrating from a first area underneath the food product to a second area underneath the food product.
6. The microwave packaging material of claim 1 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product;
the indentation pattern creates a gap filled with air between the microwave packaging material and a cooking platform in a microwave oven when the microwave packaging material is placed in the microwave oven; and
the air in the gap provides insulation between the microwave packaging material and the cooking platform during operation of the microwave, reducing the effect of the cooking platform as a heat sink and improving the cooking ability of the microwave packaging material.
7. The microwave packaging material of claim 1 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product;
the indentation pattern creates a gap between the microwave packaging material and a cooking platform in a microwave oven when the microwave packaging material is placed in the microwave oven; and
when microwave energy generated by the microwave oven propagates through the gap, the incidence of microwave energy impinging upon the food product increases and the heating ability of the microwave oven is improved.
8. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , wherein for each of the scored impressions:
the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression;
the first end is distant from each peripheral edge of one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material; and
the second end is positioned at a peripheral edge of the one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material.
9. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , wherein:
for each of the scored impressions: the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression; and
the scored impressions extend radially outward from proximate a reference location and the plurality of the scored impressions extends at least partially around the reference location.
10. A microwave packaging material comprising:
a substrate;
a microwave interactive material layer supported upon the substrate, wherein the microwave interactive material layer and the substrate together form a laminate material; and
an indentation pattern formed in a first side of the laminate material, wherein
the indentation pattern substantially maintains the integrity of the microwave interactive layer,
the indentation pattern is absent of fold lines;
the indentation pattern extends a distance into the laminate material that is less than a thickness defined between the first side of the laminate material and a second side of the laminate material, so that the second side of the laminate material is absent of protrusions corresponding to the indentation pattern, and
the second side of the laminate material is opposite from the first side of the laminate material.
11. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 10 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises a plurality of scored impressions formed in the first side of the laminate material, and for each of the scored impressions:
the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression;
the first end is distant from each peripheral edge of one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material; and
the second end is positioned at a peripheral edge of the one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material.
12. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 10 , wherein:
the indentation pattern comprises a plurality of scored impressions formed in the first side of the laminate material;
for each of the scored impressions: the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression; and
the scored impressions extend radially outward from proximate a reference location and the plurality of the scored impressions extends at least partially around the reference location.
13. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 or 10 , wherein the microwave interactive layer comprises a susceptor film.
14. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 or 10 , wherein the microwave interactive layer comprises a microwave reflective, shielding layer.
15. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 14 , wherein the microwave reflective, shielding layer comprises an abuse-tolerant metallic pattern.
16. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 or 10 , wherein
the substrate comprises a first side opposite a side adjacent to the microwave interactive layer; and
the indentation pattern comprises a convex area on at least the first side of the substrate.
17. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 16 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the convex area provides a barrier that directs moisture migration from a first area underneath the food product to a second area underneath the food product.
18. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 16 , wherein
the microwave interactive layer generates heat upon impingement by microwave energy; the convex area creates a gap filled with air between the microwave packaging material
and a cooking platform in a microwave oven when the microwave packaging material is placed in the microwave oven; and
the air in the gap provides insulation between the microwave packaging material and the cooking platform during operation of the microwave, reducing the effect of the cooking platform as a heat sink and improving the cooking ability of the microwave packaging material.
19. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 16 , wherein
the indentation pattern comprises the convex area on the first side of the substrate;
the convex area creates a gap between the microwave packaging material and a cooking platform in a microwave oven when the microwave packaging material is placed in the microwave oven; and
when microwave energy generated by the microwave oven propagates through the gap, the incidence of microwave energy impinging upon the food product increases and the heating ability of the microwave oven is improved.
20. A microwave packaging material comprising:
a substrate; and
an indentation pattern formed in a first side of the substrate, wherein
the indentation pattern is absent of fold lines,
the indentation pattern extends a distance into the substrate that is less than a thickness defined between the first side of the substrate and a second side of the substrate, so that the second side of the substrate is absent of protrusions corresponding to the indentation pattern, and
the second side of the substrate is opposite from the first side of the substrate material.
21. A microwave packaging material comprising:
a substrate; and
an indentation pattern formed in a first side of the substrate, wherein
the first side of the substrate maintains intermediate, flat, coplanar surfaces between portions of the indentation pattern,
the indentation pattern is absent of fold lines;
the indentation pattern extends a distance into the substrate that is less than a thickness defined between the first side of the substrate and a second side of the substrate so that the second side of the substrate is absent of protrusions corresponding to the indentation pattern, and
the second side of the substrate is opposite from the first side of the substrate.
22. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 20 or 21 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises a concave area on at least one side of the substrate.
23. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 22 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that allows moisture to migrate from a first area underneath the food product to a second area underneath the food product.
24. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 22 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that allows moisture to migrate from a first area underneath the food product to a second area not covered by the food product.
25. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 22 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product; and
the concave area provides a channel that prevents moisture from migrating from a first area underneath the food product to a second area underneath the food product.
26. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 20 or 21 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises a plurality of scored impressions formed in the first side of the substrate, and for each of the scored impressions:
the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression;
the first end is distant from each peripheral edge of one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material; and
the second end is positioned at a peripheral edge of the one or more peripheral edges of the packaging material.
27. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 8 or 11 , wherein the scored impressions extend radially outward from proximate a reference location and the plurality of the scored impressions extends at least partially around the reference location.
28. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 27 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
29. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 27 , wherein:
the plurality of the scored impressions includes:
a first plurality of scored impressions, and
a second plurality of scored impressions;
the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions are longer than the scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions; and
the scored impressions of the first and second pluralities of scored impressions are arranged in an alternating series such that each of the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions is respectively adjacent a scored impression of the second plurality of scored impressions.
30. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 29 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
31. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 27 , wherein:
the plurality of the scored impressions includes:
a first plurality of scored impressions, and
a second plurality of scored impressions;
the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions are longer than the scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions; and
the scored impressions of the first and second pluralities of scored impressions are arranged in an alternating series such that each of the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions is respectively positioned between a pair of scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions.
32. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 31 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
33. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 20 or 21 , wherein:
the indentation pattern comprises a plurality of scored impressions formed in the first side of the substrate;
for each of the scored impressions: the scored impression is elongate and extends between opposite first and second ends of the scored impression; and
the scored impressions extend radially outward from proximate a reference location and the plurality of the scored impressions extends at least partially around the reference location.
34. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 9 or 12 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
35. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 9 or 12 , wherein:
the plurality of the scored impressions includes:
a first plurality of scored impressions, and
a second plurality of scored impressions;
the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions are longer than the scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions; and
the scored impressions of the first and second pluralities of scored impressions are arranged in an alternating series such that each of the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions is respectively adjacent a scored impression of the second plurality of scored impressions.
36. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 35 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
37. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 9 or 12 , wherein:
the plurality of the scored impressions includes:
a first plurality of scored impressions, and
a second plurality of scored impressions;
the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions are longer than the scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions; and
the scored impressions of the first and second pluralities of scored impressions are arranged in an alternating series such that each of the scored impressions of the first plurality of scored impressions is respectively positioned between a pair of scored impressions of the second plurality of scored impressions.
38. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 37 , wherein the reference location is a center of the microwave packaging material.
39. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein the substrate comprises paper.
40. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein the substrate comprises paperboard.
41. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , substrate comprises plastic.
42. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein a first portion of the indentation pattern is wider than a second portion of the indentation pattern.
43. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein a first portion of the indentation pattern is deeper than a second portion of the indentation pattern.
44. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises at least one line.
45. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises a plurality of lines.
46. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises radii extending radially outward approximately from a center of the microwave packaging material to a peripheral margin of the packaging material.
47. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 46 , wherein the radii extend all the way to a peripheral edge of the packaging material.
48. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 46 , wherein a first subset of the radii extends further into a peripheral margin than a second subset of the radii.
49. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 46 , wherein a first subset of the radii extends closer to the center of the microwave packaging material than a second subset of the radii.
50. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 46 , wherein the radii are formed in a zigzag pattern.
51. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 50 , wherein the zigzag pattern comprises a first set of segments parallel to the radial direction and a second set of segments perpendicular to the radial direction.
52. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 46 , wherein the radii are formed in a sinusoidal pattern.
53. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein the plurality of lines extends from a first peripheral edge of the packaging material to a second peripheral edge of the packaging material.
54. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises a first array of parallel lines.
55. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 54 , wherein the plurality of lines further comprises a second array of parallel lines intersecting the first array of parallel lines.
56. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 55 , wherein the second array of parallel lines is perpendicular to the first array of parallel lines.
57. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises an array of concentric closed loops around a center of the microwave packaging material.
58. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 57 , wherein the concentric closed loops comprise circles.
59. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises an array of segments suggesting concentric loops around a center of the microwave packaging material, wherein the segments are perpendicular to radii extending from the center.
60. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 59 , wherein the indentation pattern further comprises radii extending approximately from the center of the microwave packaging material, and wherein the segments intersect the radii.
61. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 45 , wherein at least one of the plurality lines is formed as interrupted segments.
62. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein the indentation pattern comprises an array of individual, separated shapes.
63. The microwave packaging material as described in claim 62 , wherein the array comprises a uniform distribution of the shapes.
64. The microwave packaging material of claim 1 , 10 , 20 , or 21 , wherein
the microwave packaging material supports a food product;
the food product overlies at least a portion of the indentation pattern; and
the portion of the indentation pattern directs moisture migration underneath the food product.