IR REFLECTIVE MATERIAL FOR COOKING
A product developed for the purpose of cooking food in a microwave oven. A microwave food-container includes metal particles in a matrix. The composition of the present invention is essentially invisible to microwave radiation but is efficient as a reflector of IR radiation. This promotes higher heat to be generated, which is more evenly applied within a container by reflecting IR energy back toward the food product while allowing microwave radiation to penetrate the container to aid in the cooking process. Such packaging for microwave use allows for efficient, thorough cooking of frozen, raw, and raw-frozen foods.
1 . A product for microwave cooking that comprises a binder matrix and metal particles dispersed in the matrix that substantially do not cause the product to function as a microwave susceptor and provide infrared radiation (IR) energy reflection properties.
2 . The product of claim 1 , which is in the form of material that is blown, extruded, thermoformed, calendared, injection molded, or compression formed or formed by other manufacturing equipment.
3 . The product of claim 2 , which is monolayer.
4 . The product of claim 1 , wherein the particles do not cause the product to act as a microwave susceptor for microwaves at a frequency of 2.45 GHz.
5 . The product of claim 1 , wherein approximately 90% or more of the incident microwave radiation is transmitted through the product.
6 . The product of claim 5 , wherein approximately 95% or more of the incident microwave radiation is transmitted through the product.
7 . The product of claim 6 , approximately 99% or more of the incident microwave radiation is transmitted through the product.
8 . The product of claim 1 , wherein at least 10% more incident infrared radiation is reflected by the product relative to binder matrix without the metal particles.
9 . The product of claim 8 , wherein at least 30% more incident infrared radiation is reflected by the product relative to binder matrix without the metal particles.
10 . The product of claim 1 , wherein the particles are in flake or powder form having a particle size not greater than 1000 microns
11 . A food container comprising, in whole or in part, the product of claim 1 .
12 . The food container of claim 11 , further comprising a food to be cooked.
13 . The food container of claim 11 , which is in the form of a package for the food.
14 . A method of cooking food via the reflection and/or entrapment of IR radiation, by applying microwave energy to food present with the food container of claim 11 .