Microwavable film package having steam venting feature
AssigneeAmerican Packaging Corporation
InventorSeth G. Holmen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Film is used as a bladder that expands in response to an increase in the internal pressure while contents are heated, such as micro-waved. A laser-scored vent(s) is provided with scoring of an reduced extensibility layer, such that expansion of the package due to internal pressure (steam) pulls the film across the width of the package causing it to stretch to the point that the vent point(s) breaks through or ruptures the sealant film allowing the pressure/steam to escape.
Claims20
A microwavable package, comprising:
- a sealed enclosure including at least one flexible film, said flexible film further including a layer in the flexible film exhibiting a reduced extensibility relative to at least an adjacent layer of the flexible film to produce a pressure-responsive region of the film;
- and
- a microwavable material entirely enclosed within said sealed enclosure,
- wherein upon the application of microwave energy to the package, the microwavable material is heated and the package expands due to increased pressure in the sealed enclosure, and where localized rupture of the flexible film occurs in the pressure-responsive region.
A flexible packaging film suitable for use as at least a portion of a sealed package, the flexible packaging film comprising:
- at least one region thereof exhibiting reduced extensibility, such that the application of a strain to the film results in the rupture of expanded portions of the film adjacent to the region exhibiting the reduced extensibility.
A method of manufacturing a flexible film for use on a steam venting package, comprising:
- providing a flexible film;
- and
- scoring a layer of the flexible film to produce a layer of the film exhibiting a reduced extensibility relative to at least an adjacent layer of the flexible film, and thereby producing a pressure-responsive region of the film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.