Ventable, microwave-safe food package
OwnerKarl Kellerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A package and a method for storing, venting, and heating consumable goods. The package includes a container defining an interior and a valve for venting gas during storage and heating. The container having sufficient stability to withstand heating conditions including microwave energy, vapor pressure, and a temperature of 150° Celsius. The valve has a well-defined, substantially constant flow resistance at vapor pressures and at a temperature of at least 150° Celsius developed in the interior during heating. Consumable goods are disposed in the interior of the container and comprise of at least two different fresh, raw foods that require different cooking times in water, and said consumable goods having an amount of water content of at least 30% by weight.
Claims49
A microwave-safe package for storing and heating consumable goods in a microwave oven, comprising:
- a microwave-safe container defining an interior, said container having sufficient stability to withstand heating conditions including microwave energy, vapor pressures of up to 3 bar, and a temperature of 150° Celsius;
- a one-way microwave-safe valve for venting gas from the interior, said valve capable of venting excess pressure during storage and during heating to prevent package rupture or damage, wherein said valve has a well-defined flow resistance and a dimensionally stable valve gate at vapor pressures of up to 3 bar and at temperatures of up to 150° Celsius developed in the interior during heating;
- said one-way valve configured to enable the vapor pressure which builds up in the package during microwave heating to escape comparatively slower from the package into the ambient atmosphere primarily due to the flow resistance of said valve such that a vapor banking situation develops inside the package such that the temperature rises above 100° Celsius and the pressure increases above ambient such that the cooking of the consumable goods occurs quickly and gently;
- and
- consumable goods disposed in the interior of the container, said consumable goods comprising of at least two different fresh, raw foods that require different cooking times in water, and said consumable goods having an amount of water content of at least 30% by weight.
A microwave-safe package for storing and heating consumable goods in a microwave oven, comprising:
- a microwave-safe container defining an interior, said container having sufficient stability to withstand heating conditions-including microwave energy, vapor pressures of up to 3 bar, and a temperature of 150° Celsius;
- a one-way microwave-safe valve for venting gas from the interior, said valve venting excess gas when the pressure of the interior exceeds a first threshold pressure and said valve closing when the pressure of the interior is less than a second threshold pressure;
- said valve venting gas produced during beating to prevent package rupture or damage when the pressure of the interior exceeds a first threshold pressure, wherein said valve has a well-defined flow resistance and a dimensionally stable valve gate at vapor pressures of up to 3 bar and at temperatures of up to 150° Celsius developed in the interior during heating;
- said one-way valve configured to enable the vapor pressure which builds up in the package during microwave heating to escape comparatively slower from the package into the ambient atmosphere primarily due to the flow resistance of said valve such that a vapor banking situation develops inside the package such that the temperature rises above 100° Celsius and the pressure increases above ambient such that the cooking of the consumable goods occurs quickly and gently;
- and
- consumable goods disposed in the interior of the container, said consumable goods comprising of at least two different fresh, raw foods that require different cooking times in water, and said consumable goods having an amount of water content of at least 30% by weight.
A microwave-safe package for storing and heating consumable goods in a microwave oven, comprising:
- a microwave-safe container defining an interior, said container having sufficient stability to withstand heating conditions including microwave energy, vapor pressures of up to 3 bar, and a temperature of 150° Celsius;
- a one-way microwave-safe valve having a rigid valve body and a membrane secured to the rigid valve body for venting gas from the interior, said valve venting excess gas produced during heating to prevent package rupture or damage, wherein said valve has a well-defined flow resistance and a dimensionally stable valve gate at vapor pressures of up to 3 bar and at temperatures of up to 150° Celsius developed in the interior during heating;
- said one-way valve configured to enable the vapor pressure which builds up in the package during microwave heating to escape comparatively slower from the package into the ambient atmosphere primarily due to the flow resistance of said valve such that a vapor banking situation develops inside the package such that the temperature rises above 100° Celsius and the pressure increases above ambient such that the cooking of the consumable goods occurs quickly and gently;
- and
- consumable goods disposed in the interior of the container, said consumable goods comprising of at least two different fresh, raw foods that require different cooking times in water, said consumable goods having an amount of water content of at least 30% by weight, wherein said consumable goods comprise the sole source of water in the package.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.