Microwave susceptor with fluid absorbent structure

1. A susceptor comprising:

an absorbent substrate layer;

a first susceptor layer comprising microwave susceptor material over said absorbent substrate layer;

a supporting substrate between said absorbent substrate and said first susceptor layer;

a first protective overcoating layer over said first susceptor layer; and

perforations or cut-outs formed through said first protective overcoating layer, said first susceptor layer, and said supporting substrate, to permit wicking and draining of liquid through said first protective overcoating layer, said first susceptor layer, and said supporting substrate to said absorbent substrate layer,

wherein said absorbent substrate layer comprises non-woven fibers, and

wherein said perforations or cut-outs are located in said susceptor at least in an area beneath an applied food load and between said absorbent substrate layer and said applied food load and wherein said perforations or cut-outs do not extend through the entire susceptor.

2. The susceptor of claim 1 , wherein said non-woven fibers are non-polymeric fibers.

3. The susceptor of claim 1 , wherein said first susceptor layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of elemental metals, metal alloys, oxides thereof, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

4. The susceptor of claim 1 , wherein said first susceptor layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, tin, silver, nickel, zinc, stainless steel, nickel-chromium alloy, titanium, Inconel, alloys of the foregoing materials, oxides of the foregoing materials, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.

5. The susceptor of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer between said absorbent substrate and said first susceptor layer.

6. The susceptor of claim 5 , wherein said adhesive layer is at least partially thermally conductive to conduct heat generated in said susceptor layer to said underlying substrate layer.

7. The susceptor of claim 1 , wherein said first susceptor layer is formed from vacuum deposited aluminum.

8. The susceptor of claim 1 , further comprising a second susceptor layer separated from said first susceptor layer.

9. The susceptor of claim 1 , wherein said first susceptor layer is a metallized layer.

10. The susceptor of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second susceptor layer comprising microwave susceptor material over on opposite side of said substrate layer from said first susceptor layer; and

a second protective overcoating layer over said second susceptor layer.

11. The susceptor of claim 10 , wherein said second protective overcoating layer and said second susceptor layer are not perforated.

12. The susceptor of claim 10 , wherein said second protective overcoating layer and said second susceptor layer are perforated.

13. The susceptor of claim 10 , further comprising a supporting substrate at least one of between said absorbent substrate and said first susceptor layer and between said absorbent substrate and said second susceptor layer.

14. The susceptor of claim 10 , further comprising a first supporting substrate between said absorbent substrate and said first susceptor layer and a second supporting substrate between said absorbent substrate and said second susceptor layer.

15. The susceptor of claim 1 , comprising a layer of corrugated material.

16. The susceptor of claim 15 , wherein said corrugated layer comprises said absorbent substrate layer.

17. The susceptor of claim 15 , wherein said corrugated layer comprises said first susceptor layer and said first protective overcoating layer.

18. The susceptor of claim 15 , wherein said corrugated layer is physically distinct from said absorbent substrate layer.

19. The susceptor of claim 15 , further comprising perforations formed through said first protective overcoating layer and said first susceptor layer, to permit wicking and draining of liquid through said first protective overcoating layer and said first susceptor layer to said absorbent substrate layer, but not through said corrugated layer.

20. A susceptor comprising:

a first absorbent layer;

a second absorbent layer;

a first susceptor layer comprising microwave susceptor material between said first absorbent layer and said second absorbent layer;

a supporting substrate between said first susceptor layer and at least one of said first absorbent layer and said second absorbent layer;

a first protective overcoating layer over said first absorbent layer; and

perforations or cut-outs formed through said first protective overcoating layer, said first absorbent layer, said first susceptor layer, and said supporting substrate, to permit wicking and draining of liquid through said first protective overcoating layer, said first absorbent layer, said first susceptor layer, and said supporting substrate to said second absorbent layer,

wherein at least one of said first absorbent layer and said second absorbent layer comprises non-woven fibers, and

wherein said perforations or cut-outs are located in said susceptor at least in an area beneath an applied food load and between said first absorbent layer and said applied food load and wherein said perforations or cut-outs do not extend through the entire susceptor.

21. A packaging system for a microwavable food product, said packaging system comprising a susceptor according to claim 1 .

22. A packaging system for a microwavable food product, said packaging system comprising a susceptor according to claim 15 .

23. A packaging system for a microwavable food product, said packaging system comprising a susceptor according to claim 20 .

24. The packaging system according to claim 21 , wherein said packaging system is in a form selected from the group consisting of a bag, a pouch, a tray, a pad, a disk, a sleeve, a patch, a liner, and a lid.