Microwave package for single-step cooking of multi-component foodstuffs
AssigneeSFC Global Supply Chain, Inc.
InventorJim Persells
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microwaveable container for transporting, freezing, storing, and cooking a multi-component foodstuff includes a tray having a base portion and a lid portion and employs a susceptor in combination with steam and venting to cook the multi-component foodstuff in a single microwave cooking step.
Claims27
A method of packaging a multi-component foodstuff in a microwavable container, wherein the multi-component foodstuff comprises an external food component and one or more internal food components, the external food component having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being separate from the second portion, wherein the internal food component can be placed between the first portion and the second portion, the method comprising:
- placing the external food component in the microwavable container, wherein the microwavable container comprises:
- a base portion with a bottom defining a plurality of channels having a first end and a second end, a lid portion, and a susceptor positioned on the base portion, the susceptor defining two food component-receiving regions and having an outer circumference, wherein when the susceptor is positioned on the bottom of the base portion, the first and second ends of at least some of the plurality of channels extend beyond the circumference of the susceptor, and
- wherein the first portion of the external food component is placed on one of the two food component-receiving regions and the second portion of the external food component is placed on another of the two food component-receiving regions, the first and second portions of the external food component having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the bottom surface is positioned adjacent to the base portion of the susceptor;
- placing one or more internal food components on the top surface of each of the first and second portions of the external food component to form the multi-component foodstuff;
- placing the lid portion on top of the base portion;
- and
- securing the base portion to the lid portion,
- wherein, after securing, the container is in a closed position where the two food component-receiving regions are positioned side by side on the base portion.
A method of packaging a multi-component foodstuff in a microwavable container,
- wherein the multi-component foodstuff comprises an external food component and one or more internal food components, the external food component consisting of a first portion and a second portion and having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the internal food component can be placed between the first portion and the second portion with the inner surface facing the internal food component, and
- the microwavable container comprises a base portion with a bottom defining a plurality of channels having a first end and a second end, a lid portion, and a susceptor positioned on the base portion, the susceptor defining a first food component-receiving region and a second food component-receiving region and having an outer circumference, wherein when the susceptor is positioned on the bottom of the base portion, the first and second ends of at least some of the plurality of channels extend beyond the circumference of the susceptor,
- the method comprising:
- placing the external food component in the microwavable container so that the outer surface faces the susceptor, wherein the first portion of the external food component is placed on the first food component-receiving regions and the second portion of the external food component is placed on the second food component-receiving regions;
- placing one or more internal food components on the inner surface of the first and second portions of the external food component to form the multi-component foodstuff;
- placing the lid portion on top of the base portion;
- and
- securing the base portion to the lid portion,
- wherein, after securing, the container is in a closed position where the two food component-receiving regions are positioned side by side on the base portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.