Microwave energy interactive pouches

A package for use with microwave heating, the package comprising:

• a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel;
• at least a portion of each of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel being formed from a barrier material that is substantially transparent to microwave energy;
• the first panel and the second panel being joined in a facing relationship and being joined together along upper edges and side edges;
• the third panel being joined to the first panel and the second panel along lower edges of the first panel and the second panel;
• the first panel and the second panel each including a microwave energy interactive area formed of a second material that is adapted to reflect substantially all microwave energy;
• and
• the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel together defining an interior space having a lower region proximate the third panel and an upper region distal from the third panel,
• wherein, with the package in an upright orientation, the third panel is disposed below the upper region and the microwave energy interactive areas are above and spaced from the third panel, and the microwave energy interactive areas are adjacent the upper region.

A package for microwave heating, the package comprising:

• a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel;
• at least a portion of each of the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel being formed from a barrier material that is substantially transparent to microwave energy;
• the first panel and the second panel being joined in a facing relationship and being joined together along upper edges and side edges;
• the third panel being joined to the first panel and the second panel along lower edges of the first panel and the second panel;
• the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel together defining an interior space that is contiguous with a lower region proximate the third panel and an upper region distal from the third panel, the third panel being disposed below the upper region with the package in an upright orientation;
• and
• food contained within the interior space, the food occupying the lower region and at least a portion of the upper region of the interior space, a top surface of the food being located within the upper region of the interior space,
• wherein the first panel and the second panel each include a microwave energy interactive area formed of a second material that is adapted to reflect substantially all microwave energy, the microwave energy interactive areas being spaced from the third panel and adjacent the upper region of the interior space, and
• wherein the microwave energy interactive areas of the first panel and the second panel extend above and below the level of the top surface of the food.

A package for use with microwave heating, the package comprising:

• a first panel, a second panel, and a gusset panel;
• at least a portion of each of the first panel, the second panel, and the gusset panel being formed from a barrier material that is substantially transparent to microwave energy;
• the first panel and the second panel being joined in a facing relationship and being joined together along upper edges and side edges;
• the gusset panel being joined to the first panel and the second panel along lower edges of the first panel and the second panel, the gusset panel including a pair of gusset apexes having a gusset depth as measured from the gusset apexes to lower edges of the first panel and the second panel, and a gusset center side width between the first panel and second panel at a midpoint between the gusset apexes;
• the first panel, the second panel, and the gusset panel together defining an interior space having a lower region proximate the gusset panel and an upper region distal from the gusset panel, the gusset panel being disposed below the upper region,
• wherein the gusset depth is greater than the gusset center side width, and
• wherein the first panel and the second panel each include a microwave energy interactive area that is spaced from the gusset panel, the microwave energy interactive area being formed of a second material that is adapted to reflect substantially all microwave energy.