Preserved Microwavable Food Products
AssigneeH. J. Heinz Company Brands LLC
InventorsKatherine Anne Smith, Brian Huber, Christopher P. Rowoth, Beth A. Ritchey, Brian Patrick Carman, Daniel C. Jackson, James Elwood Matthews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microwavable tray containing a preserved, such as frozen, preferably liquid, food product. The tray can be capable of being folded at least in half and closed after microwaving. The liquid food product contained in the tray has the consistency and texture after microwaving of freshly prepared product, allowing it to be folded at least in half when the tray is folded, or even without a folding tray. During the microwave process, various fillings can be added to the product ether frozen or unfrozen prior to folding.
Claims22
A sealed food package comprising,
- a microwavable tray having an upwardly convex lower surface including a domed central portion surrounded by a lower outer edge,
- a food product within the tray, at least a portion of the food product being a liquid room temperature, and
- a lidding material sealing the food product within the tray,
- wherein the domed central portion is configured to establish a food product having a central portion that is thinner than an outer portion so that central portion and the outer portion results in even heating during microwave cooking.
A method of making a microwavable sealed food product comprising,
- placing a liquid food product in a microwavable tray, the tray having an upwardly convex lower surface including a domed central portion surrounded by a lower outer edge, the domed central portion establishing a food product having a thinner central portion and a thicker outer portion,
- sealing the food product in the tray with a lidding material, and
- freezing the food product,
- wherein the freezing occurs either before, during, or after the sealing.
18-21. (canceled)
A method of making an omelet comprising,
- placing a food package in a microwave oven, the food package comprising:
- a microwavable tray with an upwardly convex lower surface, the upwardly convex lower surface including a domed central portion surrounded by a lower outer edge,
- a frozen egg product within the tray, the frozen egg product arranged to form a central portion that is thinner than an outer portion, the central portion being positioned over the domed central portion of the microwavable tray, and
- a lidding material sealing the food product within the tray,
- heating the food package in the microwave oven for a first predetermined time period to form an at least partially cooked egg product,
- applying contents of a sachet to the at least partially cooked egg product,
- folding the package to fold the at least partially cooked egg product on itself, and
- heating the food package in a microwave for a second predetermined time period to establish a cooked omelet.
25-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.