Microwavable Metallic Container
The present invention relates to a method for processing, storing and heating foodstuffs in a partially metal microwavable bowl, and more specifically, a substantially metallic stackable container with a microwavable transparent portion and a selectively removable lid, wherein the same container can be used to store, ship, heat, and serve a foodstuff to a consumer.
1 . A process for elevating the temperature of a foodstuff from an interior-most portion of a substantially metal container in a microwave oven, comprising:
providing a container comprising an end closure, a bottom portion and metallic sidewalls extending therebetween;
providing a microwave transparent material in at least a portion of said bottom portion to receive a microwave energy from the microwave oven;
providing a foodstuff in said substantially metal container which is in contact with at least an interior surface of said metallic sidewalls and an interior surface of said microwave transparent material; and
providing microwave energy to said foodstuff in the microwave oven upon removal of the end closure, wherein the microwave energy travels at least in part through said microwave transparent material and reflects off of said interior surface of said metallic sidewalls, wherein the temperature of the foodstuff is elevated at an interior most portion of said substantially metal container faster than near said metallic sidewalls.
2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein said microwave transparent material is comprised of at least one of a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and an EVOH material.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior-most portion of the container is located substantially along a central axis positioned at a substantially equi-distance from the metallic sidewalls.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the end closure is removably interconnected to an upper portion of said metallic sidewalls.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the end closure further comprises a pull tab.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the end closure is comprised of a metallic material.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a selectively removable lid adapted for positioning over an open upper end of said container after removal of the end closure.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said selectively removable lid is comprised of a microwave transparent material.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said selectively removable lid is perforated to allow the release of steam while providing microwave energy to the foodstuff.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of said substantially metal container has a diameter greater than a lower portion.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a foodstuff stored in a 12 oz. container is heated to a temperature of at least about 140° F. in less than about five minutes in a microwave oven which operates on 1,000 watts of electrical energy.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially metallic sidewalls further comprise an insulative material interconnected to at least a portion of an exterior surface of said metallic sidewalls to facilitate grasping by a user.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said insulative material comprises at least one of a plastic, a foam, and a paper material.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said microwave transparent material has a surface area of at least about 2 square inches.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially metallic sidewalls have a height of at least about two inches.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially metallic sidewalls are comprised of at least one of a steel, an aluminum, a tin and combinations therein.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said end closure is double seamed to an upper portion of said metallic sidewalls.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said bottom portion of the substantially metal container is comprised of a substantially metallic ring having a first end interconnected to a lower portion of said substantially metallic sidewall, and a second end interconnected to said microwave transparent material.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially metal container has a compressive strength of at least about 100 lbs.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substantially metal container may be stacked to a height of at least about4 feet without any significant deformation.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff is stored in said substantially metal container in a hermetically sealed condition.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said end closure further comprises a tamper resistant indicator which identifies whether the pressure in said substantially metal container has changed.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said microwave transparent material is elevated at least about 0.10 inches above a lowermost portion of said substantially metal container.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff is stored in a vacuum within said substantially metal container.
25 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially metal ring interconnected on a first end to said substantially metal sidewall, and a second end to the microwave transparent material.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said metal ring is double seamed to a lower end of said substantially metal sidewall.
27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said end closure is a flexible material.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein said end closure is at least one of an aluminum foil and a tin foil.
29 . The method of claim, 27 , wherein said end closure is interconnected to an upper portion of said metallic sidewalls with an adhesive material.
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein said flexible material is microwave transparent.