Easily expandable, flexible paper popcorn package
View Patent ↗A flexible paper popcorn package in the form of an easily expandable bag ( 18 ) includes a bottom wall ( 20 ), a top wall ( 22 ), first and second, pleated, side walls ( 26 ) having pleats ( 26 a -26 d ), and first and second non-venting ends ( 24, 28 ). Spots ( 60, 62 ) of adhesive may be provided between the pleats ( 26 a-d ) and the top and bottom walls ( 20, 22 ) to prevent the formation of pockets adjacent the end ( 24 ). Couplers ( 70 ) formed of adhesive are provided between the pleats ( 26 b , 26 d ) and the top wall ( 22 ) which seal apertures ( 72 ) in the pleats ( 26 b , 26 d ) which vent during microwave popping, puffing, or expanding of a food product held in the bag ( 18 ) and which may predispose unfolding of the pleats ( 26 a , 26 c ) adjacent the bottom wall ( 20 ) including the susceptor ( 30 ).
1. Expandable microwave package for holding a food product for heating in a microwave oven creating internal vapor pressure, comprising, in combination: a bag having an interior for holding a charge of food product to be subjected to microwave energy, with the bag having a first wall and a second wall, with the interior being at least partially defined by the first and second walls, with the bag holding the food product before heating having a collapsed condition with the first wall overlaying the second wall and with the bag having an expanded condition after heating the food product thereby releasing vapor or gas; an aperture formed in one of the first and second walls; and a coupler bonding the first and second walls together, with the coupler having an outer periphery, with the aperture located within the outer periphery, with the coupler and the first and second walls preventing communication with the interior through the aperture before heating of the food product, with the coupler at least partially releasing bonding of the first and second walls allowing communication with the interior through the aperture during heating of the food product.
2. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 with the first and second walls each having an outer edge, with the outer edges of the first and second walls being connected together, with the coupler and the aperture spaced from the outer edges of the first and second walls.
3. The expandable microwave package of claim 2 with the outer edges of the first and second walls being interconnected by a fold line.
4. The expandable microwave package of claim 3 with the second wall including first and second pleats, with the first pleat including the outer edge and an inner edge, and with the second pleat including an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edges of the first and second pleats being interconnected by a fold line, with the first pleat overlying the second pleat and being intermediate the first wall and the second pleat, with the coupler and the aperture being intermediate the outer and the inner edges of the first pleat.
5. The expandable microwave package of claim 4 with the aperture being formed in the first pleat and being overlaid by the first wall.
6. The expandable microwave package of claim 5 with the first and second walls each including a first end and a second end, with the first ends of the first and second walls and the second ends of the first and second walls each being sealed together by a seal which does not fail during heating of the food product, with the coupler and the aperture being spaced from the seals of the ends of the walls.
7. The expandable microwave package of claim 6 with the coupler being continuous within the outer periphery.
8. The expandable microwave package of claim 7 with the outer periphery being circular.
9. The expandable microwave package of claim 8 with the aperture being circular and located concentrically within the outer periphery.
10. The expandable microwave package of claim 9 with the coupler including an inner periphery, with the aperture located within and spaced from the inner periphery.
11. The expandable microwave package of claim 4 with the first and second walls each including a first end and a second end, with the first ends of the first and second walls and the second ends of the first and second walls each being sealed together by a seal which does not fail during heating of the food product, with the coupler and the aperture being spaced from the seals of the ends of the walls.
12. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 with the first and second walls each including a first end and a second end, with the first ends of the first and second walls and the second ends of the first and second walls each being sealed together by a seal which does not fail during heating of the food product, with the coupler and the aperture being spaced from the seals of the ends of the walls.
13. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 with the coupler including an inner periphery, with the aperture located within and spaced from the inner periphery.
14. The expandable microwave package of claim 13 with the outer periphery being circular.
15. The expandable microwave package of claim 14 with the aperture being circular and located concentrically within the outer periphery.
16. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 with the outer periphery being circular.
17. The expandable microwave package of claim 16 with the aperture being circular and located concentrically within the outer periphery.
18. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 with the coupler being annular in shape.
19. The expandable microwave package of claim 18 with the aperture located within and spaced from the coupler.
20. The expandable microwave package of claim 1 further comprising a spot of adhesive for preventing formation of pockets between the first and second walls.