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US 2001/0043971 A1Published application
Microwavable steamer bags
OwnerJohn Jay Johnsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Packaging for microwavable convenience foods, such as tamales, and a related method for microwave steam heating or cooking of such foods. The food packaging includes an unvented, sealed, stretchable plastic bag enclosing a food product and a moisture pad which is placed on top of the food product. The pad serves to shield the food product from direct microwave radiation, and to provide a source of steam generated by absorption of the waves in the water of the pad.
Claims34
Microwavable food packaging, comprising:
- a plastic bag having an upper portion corresponding to a portion of the packaging that faces substantially upward when the packaging is placed in a microwave oven;
- a food product contained in the bag and having an upper portion;
- and
- a pad contained in the bag, being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned over the upper portion of the food product, below the upper portion of the bag.
1 more element
Microwavable food packaging, comprising:
- a stretchable plastic bag having an upper portion corresponding to a portion of the packaging that faces substantially upward when the packaging is placed in a microwave oven;
- a food product contained in the bag and having an upper portion;
- and
- a separate pad contained in the bag, being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned between the food product and the upper portion of the bag,
- wherein the pad covers the upper portion of the food product, and
- wherein the bag is sealed essentially air tight about the food product and the pad.
3 more elements
Microwavable food packaging, consisting of:
- a plastic bag having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion corresponding to a portion of the packaging that faces substantially upward when the packaging is placed in a microwave oven;
- a food product contained in the bag and having a lower portion that extends in a direction of the lower portion of the bag, and an upper portion;
- a separate pad contained in the bag, being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned at the upper portion of the food product, below the upper portion of the bag;
- and
- wherein the bag is essentially air tight.
2 more elements
A method for microwave steam heating of a food product, comprising the steps of:
- forming packaging as a plastic bag having an upper portion, a food product contained in the bag and having an upper portion, and a pad being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag;
- placing the packaging, without opening an interior of the packaging to the external air, into a microwave oven, with the upper portion of the bag facing substantially upward;
- and
- heating the packaging in the microwave oven so that steam is formed in the bag from the water in the pad to heat the food product.
1 more element
A method for microwave steam heating of a food product, comprising the steps of:
- forming packaging as an essentially air tight, stretchable, plastic bag having an upper portion, a food product contained in the bag and having an upper portion, and a separate pad being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag;
- freezing the packaging;
- placing the frozen packaging, without opening an interior of the packaging to the external air, into a microwave oven, with the upper portion of the bag facing substantially upward;
- and
- heating the packaging in the microwave oven so that steam is formed in the bag from the water in the pad to heat the food product.
2 more elements
A method for microwave steam heating of a food product, consisting of the steps of:
- forming a packaging as a plastic bag having an upper portion, a lower portion, a food product contained in the bag and having an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion of the food product extending in a direction of the lower portion of the bag, and a separate pad being water absorbent and containing water, and being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag;
- freezing the packaging;
- placing the packaging, without opening an interior of the packaging to the external air, into a microwave oven, with the upper portion of the bag facing upward;
- heating the packaging in the microwave oven so that steam is formed in the bag from the water in the pad to heat the food product;
- and
- opening the bag to the external air.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.