PACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS
Packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging. The packaging includes a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level. The first metallic microwave active component has portions arranged below the fill level and above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.
1 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level;
said first metallic microwave active component having portions arranged below the fill level and above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.
2 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 1 wherein the first microwave active component extends at least 6 mm above the fill level.
3 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 2 wherein the first microwave active component extends between 6 mm and 18 mm above the fill level.
4 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 1 wherein one or more edges of the first microwave active component above and/or below the fill level are substantially straight.
5 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 1 wherein one or more edges of the first microwave active component above and/or below the fill level are shaped.
6 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 5 wherein the one or more edges of the first microwave active component are undulating.
7 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below the fill level; and
a second microwave active component extending below the base level and along at least a portion of a bottom of the packaging.
8 . A packaging for microwave heating according to claim 7 wherein the second microwave active component extends from 5 mm to 25 mm along the bottom of the packaging.
9 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below the fill level,
wherein the packaging further comprises:
a plinth which encloses a cavity below the base level of the packaging, and
a second microwave active component in extending below the base level and downwards along the plinth.
10 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 9 wherein the plinth is at least 6 mm high.
11 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level, and
a second metallic microwave active component, extending above and below a base level,
wherein the first and second metallic microwave active components are joined to form a single component.
12 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 11 wherein the single component contains a plurality of windows, the windows are defined by one or more holes in the single component.
13 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating for a food product according to claim 12 wherein the dimensions and locations of the windows are adapted so as to be suitable for microwave heating a liquid food product or solid food product.
14 . A packaging according to claim 1 , which is in the form of a cradle, capable of being placed around and/or holding one or more microwave inert containers that contain the food product.
15 . A packaging according to claim 14 , wherein the cradle is re-useable.
16 . A packaging according to claim 1 wherein the first metallic microwave active component comprises a metal film or foil.
17 . A packaging according to claim 16 wherein the metal film or foil is an aluminum film or foil.
18 . A packaging according to claim 17 wherein the aluminum film or foil is at least 1 μm thick.
19 . A packaging according to claim 16 wherein the metal film or foil is a copper film or foil.
20 . A packaging according to claim 19 wherein the copper film or foil is at least 0.6 μm thick.
21 . A packaged food product comprising a food product packaged to a level at or below the fill level in the packaging for facilitating microwave heating as defined in claim 1 .
22 . A packaged food product according to claim 21 wherein the food product is an ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product.
23 . A packaged food product according to claim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a liquid food product at its consumption temperature.
24 . A packaged food product according to claim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a solid food product at its consumption temperature.
25 . A packaged food product according to claim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at its consumption temperature.
26 . A method for packaging a food product comprising the steps of:
(a) filling a packaging for facilitating microwave heating as defined in claim 1 with a food product; and
(b) sealing the packaging to package the food product.
27 . A method according to claim 26 wherein the food product is an ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product.
28 . A method according to claim 27 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a liquid food product at its consumption temperature.
29 . A method according to claim 27 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a solid food product at its consumption temperature.
30 . A method according to claim 27 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at its consumption temperature.
31 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating of a food product, said packaging comprising:
a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below a fill level;
a second metallic microwave active component extending above and below a base level; and
at least one area arranged between the fill level and the base level allowing a microwave heating of food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.