Insulating microwave interactive packaging

An insulating microwave packaging material comprising:

• a first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• a layer of microwave interactive material supported by the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• a dimensionally stable substrate bonded to the layer of microwave interactive material;
• and
• a second substantially vapor impermeable substrate bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate, wherein
• the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate and the dimensionally stable substrate are bonded along bond lines formed in a pattern;
• the bond lines are substantially vapor impermeable;
• and
• the pattern defines a plurality of closed cells bounded by the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the dimensionally stable substrate, and the bond lines;
• wherein,
• upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material by microwave energy in a microwave oven, each of the plurality of closed cells expands to form an insulating pocket comprising;
• a bulging side;
• and
• an opposing side;
• wherein
• the bulging side comprises a portion of the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• the opposing side comprises a portion of each of the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the microwave interactive material layer, and the dimensionally stable substrate;
• and
• the bulging side lofts away from the opposing side.

A method of making an insulating microwave packaging material, the method comprising:

• providing a first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• supporting a layer of microwave interactive material on the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• bonding a dimensionally stable substrate to the layer of microwave interactive material;
• and
• bonding a second substantially vapor impermeable substrate to the dimensionally stable substrate along bond lines formed in a pattern, wherein
• the bond lines are substantially vapor impermeable;
• and
• the pattern defines a plurality of closed cells bounded by the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the dimensionally stable substrate, and the bond lines;
• and wherein,
• upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material by microwave energy in a microwave oven, each of the plurality of closed cells expands to form an insulating pocket comprising:
• a bulging side;
• and
• an opposing side;
• wherein
• the bulging side comprises a portion of each of the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the microwave interactive material layer, and the dimensionally stable substrate;
• the opposing side comprises a portion of the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• and
• the bulging side lofts away from the opposing side.

A method of making an insulating microwave packaging material, the method comprising:

• providing a first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• supporting a layer of microwave interactive material on the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• bonding a dimensionally stable substrate to the layer of microwave interactive material;
• and
• bonding a second substantially vapor impermeable substrate to the dimensionally stable substrate along bond lines formed in a pattern, wherein
• the bond lines are substantially vapor impermeable;
• and
• the pattern defines a plurality of closed cells bounded by the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the dimensionally stable substrate, and the bond lines;
• and wherein,
• upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material by microwave energy in a microwave oven, each of the plurality of closed cells expands to form an insulating pocket comprising:
• a bulging side;
• and
• an opposing side;
• wherein
• the bulging side comprises a portion of the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• the opposing side comprises a portion of each of the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the microwave interactive material layer, and the dimensionally stable substrate;
• and
• the bulging side lofts away from the opposing side.

A microwavable baking surface comprising:

• a baking substrate containing an aperture;
• a first sheet of an insulating microwave packaging material;
• and
• a second sheet of the insulating microwave packaging material;
• wherein
• the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged adjacent to each other and substantially cover the aperture;
• and
• the insulating microwave packaging material comprises:
• a first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• a layer of microwave interactive material supported by the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• a dimensionally stable substrate bonded to the layer of microwave interactive material;
• and
• a second substantially vapor impermeable substrate bonded to the dimensionally stable substrate, wherein
• the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate and the dimensionally stable substrate are bonded along bond lines formed in a pattern;
• the bond lines are substantially vapor impermeable;
• and
• the pattern defines a plurality of closed cells bounded by the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the dimensionally stable substrate, and the bond lines;
• wherein
• upon impingement of the insulating microwave packaging material by microwave energy in a microwave oven, each of the plurality of closed cells expands to form an insulating pocket comprising:
• a bulging side;
• and
• an opposing side;
• wherein
• the bulging side comprises a portion of each of the first substantially vapor impermeable substrate, the microwave interactive material layer, and the dimensionally stable substrate;
• the opposing side comprises a portion of the second substantially vapor impermeable substrate;
• and
• the bulging side lofts away from the opposing side.

A microwave package comprising:

• a carton form comprising:
• a base with a central fold line;
• a first side wall hinged to the base along a first fold line;
• and
• a second side wall hinged to the base along a second fold line;
• and
• a pouch comprising microwave interactive material, the pouch supported by the carton form;
• wherein
• the pouch is positioned between the base, the first side wall, and the second side wall of the carton form;
• the carton form and the pouch may be alternately folded flat and erected to open the pouch;
• and wherein
• when the carton form is erected by opening the folded base into a V-form, the base may be inverted and the carton form is braced open by the base which is held open in tension between the first side wall and the second side wall.

A microwave cooking container comprising:

• a first end, wherein the first end contains a first aperture;
• a second end, wherein the second end contains a second aperture;
• and
• a body, wherein the body comprises a microwave interactive material;
• and wherein
• a food product is at least partially surrounded by the body;
• the first end provides a foundation for maintaining the container in an upright position when the first end is placed upon a surface;
• the first aperture in the first end is exposed to a source of air in a cooking environment when the first end is placed upon a surface;
• and
• a draft is created during a cooking cycle in a microwave oven wherein air is ported through the first aperture and vented through the second aperture.