Self venting peelable microwaveable vacuum skin package

A microwaveable package comprising:

• a) a support member having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• b) a bottom web having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the bottom web being adhered to the upper surface of the support member;
• c) a food product disposed on the upper surface of the bottom web;
• and
• d) a top web disposed on the food product;
• wherein the top web is draped over the food product such that the top web substantially conforms to the shape of the food product;
• and
• wherein the top web is sealed at its lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom web to form a seal at a location outside the periphery of the food product;
• wherein the top web comprises a sealant layer comprising an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, and the bottom web comprises a sealant layer comprising a blend of between 60% and 90%, by weight of the sealant layer, of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and between 10% and 40%, by weight of the sealant layer, of polypropylene.

A method of preparing a microwaveable package comprising:

• a) providing a support member having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• b) providing a bottom web having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• c) adhering the lower surface of the bottom web to the upper surface of the support member;
• d) placing a food product disposed on the upper surface of the bottom web;
• and
• e) draping a top web over the food product, in a vacuum skin packaging process, such that the top web substantially conforms to the shape of the food product;
• and such that the top web is sealed at its lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom web to form a seal at a location outside the periphery of the food product;
• wherein the seal has a peel strength, before microwaving, of at least 4 pounds per inch, and a peel strength, after microwaving, of less than 2.5 pounds per inch.

A method of preparing a microwaveable package comprising:

• a) providing a support member having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• b) providing a bottom web having an upper surface and a lower surface;
• c) adhering the lower surface of the bottom web to the upper surface of the support member;
• d) placing a food product disposed on the upper surface of the bottom web;
• and
• e) draping a top web over the food product, in a vacuum skin packaging process, such that the top web substantially conforms to the shape of the food product;
• and such that the top web is sealed at its lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom web to form a seal at a location outside the periphery of the food product;
• wherein the seal has a peel strength, before microwaving, of at least 4 pounds per inch, and a peel strength, after microwaving, of less than 2.5 pounds per inch.