Back to results
US 6,455,084 B2Granted
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.
Claims27
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 that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption contained in the bag and having an upper portion;
- and
- a pad contained in the bag, said pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag is heated in a microwave oven, and being positioned in contact with the upper portion of the food product, below the upper portion of the bag, said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield at least the upper portion of the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable,
- wherein the bag is sealed essentially air tight.
2 more elements
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 that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption contained in the bag and having an upper portion;
- and
- a separate pad contained in the bag, said pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag is heated in a microwave oven, and being positioned between the food product and the upper portion of the bag,
- wherein the pad contacts the upper portion of the food product, said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield at least the upper portion of the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable, 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 that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption 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;
- and
- a separate pad contained in the bag, said pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag Is heated in a microwave oven, and contacting the upper portion of the food product, below the upper portion of the bag, said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield at least the upper portion of the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable,
- wherein the bag is essentially air fight.
2 more elements
A method for microwave steam heating of a food product, comprising the steps of:
- forming packaging as an essentially air tight plastic bag having an upper portion, a food product that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption contained in the bag and having an upper portion, and a pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag is heated in a microwave oven, and being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag and contacting the upper portion of the food product, said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield at least the upper portion of the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable:
- 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 that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption contained in the bag and having an upper portion. and a separate pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag is heated in a microwave oven, said pad being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag and being in contact with the upper portion of the food product said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable;
- 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 packaging as an essentially air tight 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 that is to be heated in a microwave oven for consumption extending in a direction of the lower portion of the bag, and a separate pad being water absorbent and containing sufficient water to form steam in the bag to heat the food product when the bag is heated in a microwave oven, said pad being positioned between the upper portion of the food product and the upper portion of the bag and being in contact with the upper portion of the food product said pad being dimensioned sufficient to shield at least the upper portion of the food product from direct microwave radiation, and the surface of the pad that contacts the food is moisture impermeable;
- and
- 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.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.