Elevated microwave heating construct
AssigneeGraphic Packaging International, Inc.
InventorsTerrence P. Lafferty, Lorin R. Cole, Scott W. Middleton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microwave heating construct includes a platform having a plurality of peripheral edges, a plurality of elevating panels for maintaining the platform in a raised position, and a layer of microwave energy interactive material overlying at least a portion of the platform. The platform includes a movable portion defined at least partially by a line of disruption extending substantially between a pair of adjacent edges of the platform. The movable portion of the platform is adapted to pivot along the line of disruption.
Claims30
A microwave heating construct, comprising:
- a platform having a plurality of peripheral edges;
- a plurality of elevating panels joined to the platform, the panels being for maintaining the platform in a raised position;
- and
- a layer of microwave energy interactive material overlying at least a portion of the platform, the layer of microwave energy interactive material being operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermal energy,
- wherein the platform includes a movable portion defined at least partially by a line of disruption extending substantially between a pair of adjacent edges of the platform, the movable portion of the platform being adapted to pivot along the line of disruption.
A method of preparing a food item in a microwave oven, the method comprising:
- providing a food item having a surface to be browned and/or crisped;
- providing a microwave heating construct including
- a platform having a plurality of peripheral edges, the platform including a first side for receiving the food item,
- a plurality of elevating panels joined to the platform, the panels being for maintaining the platform in a raised position, and
- a layer of microwave energy interactive material overlying at least a portion of the platform, the layer of microwave energy interactive material being operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermal energy,
- wherein the platform includes a movable portion defined at least partially by a line of disruption extending substantially between a pair of adjacent edges of the platform, the movable portion of the platform being adapted to pivot along the line of disruption;
- placing the food item on the platform such that the microwave energy interactive material is adjacent to the surface of the food item to be browned and/or crisped;
- and
- moving the movable portion of the platform towards the surface of the food item.
A blank for forming a microwave heating construct, comprising:
- a plurality of adjoined panels, each having a first dimension extending in a longitudinal direction and a second dimension extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of panels including a main panel having a plurality of peripheral edges, the main panel including a movable portion defined at least partially by
- a first line of disruption extending substantially between a pair of adjacent edges of the main panel, and
- a second line of disruption extending substantially between the pair of adjacent edges of the main panel;
- and
- a layer of microwave energy interactive material overlying at least a portion of the main panel, the layer of microwave energy interactive material being operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermal energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.