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US 6,541,744 B2Granted
Packaging having self-contained heater
AssigneeWatlow Polymer Technologies
InventorsTheodore Von Arx, Keith Laken, John W. Schlesselman, Clifford D. Tweedy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heated container is formed from a substantially continuous element structure. The substantially continuous element structure includes an electrically insulative first and second polymeric layers and a resistance heating layer laminated between the first and second polymeric layers. An interior surface of the container includes the first polymeric layer, and the first polymeric layer is thermally conductive. The resistance heating layer has a pair of terminal end portions that may be coupled to a pair of external power leads to energize the resistance heating layer.
Claims36
A container comprising:
- (a) an electrically insulative and thermally conductive first polymeric layer;
- (b) an electrically insulative and thermally insulative second polymeric layer;
- and
- (c) a resistance heating layer laminated between said first and second polymeric layers to form a substantially continuous element structure, said resistance heating layer coupled to a pair of electrical connectors,
- wherein said substantially continuous element structure is formed into a final container structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface comprising said first polymeric layer and said exterior surface comprising said second polymeric layer.
2 more elements
A container comprising:
- (a) an electrically insulative and thermally conductive first polymeric layer;
- (b) an electrically insulative and thermally insulative second polymeric layer;
- and
- (c) a resistance heating layer laminated between said first and second polymeric layers to form a substantially continuous element structure, said resistance heating layer having a pair of exposed terminal end portions which may be coupled to a pair of external power leads to energize said resistance heating layer,
- wherein said substantially continuous element structure is formed into a final container structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface comprising said first polymeric layer and said exterior surface comprising said second polymeric layer.
2 more elements
A packaged food product, comprising:
- a container comprising:
- (a) an electrically insulative and thermally conductive first polymeric layer;
- (b) an electrically insulative and thermally insulative second polymeric layer;
- and
- (c) a resistance heating layer laminated between said first and second polymeric layers to form a substantially continuous element structure, said resistance heating layer coupled to a pair of electrical connectors, wherein said substantially continuous element structure is formed into a final container structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface comprising said first polymeric layer and said exterior surface comprising said second polymeric layer;
- and
- a frozen food product disposed within said container, said frozen food product substantially conforming to said interior surface of said container such that air gaps formed between said interior surface and said food product are substantially reduced.
4 more elements
A method of preparing a packaged food product, comprising the steps of:
- providing a container, comprising:
- (a) an electrically insulative and thermally conductive first polymeric layer;
- (b) an electrically insulative and thermally insulative second polymeric layer;
- and
- (c) a resistance heating layer laminated between said first and second polymeric layers to form a substantially continuous element structure, said resistance heating layer coupled to a pair of electrical connectors or having a pair of exposed terminal end portions which may be coupled to a pair of external power leads to energize said resistance heating layer, wherein said substantially continuous element structure is formed into a final container structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface comprising said first polymeric layer and said exterior surface comprising said second polymeric layer;
- disposing a non-frozen food product in said container, said non-frozen food product contacting said interior surface;
- and
- freezing said non-frozen food product in said container to form a frozen food product, said frozen food product substantially conforming to said interior surface of said container such that air gaps formed between said interior surface and said food product are substantially reduced.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.