CA2448708A1 - Single layer, greaseproof, flexible paper popcorn package - Google Patents

Abstract

A package for use in microwave ovens is disclosed in its preferred form of a flexible, tubular bag (18) including expandable side walls (26) interconnected between bottom and top walls (20, 22), an openable end (28), and a permanent end wall (24). The side walls (26) include pleats (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) which are folded in a collapsed condition of the bag (18) and expand due to internal expansion forces generated by the popping of kernels and the creation of water vapor. In a preferred form, the bag (18) is formed from a single layer of flexible, greaseproof paper of highly refined raw fibers of 100% chemical softwood pulp and having a basis weight in the order of 35 lb/ream. The single layer of paper forming the bag (18) provides greaseproof properties in storage, transportation, and cooking throughout the thickness of the paper to prevent wicking and leaking of grease or oil through the single layer. The bag (18) in a preferred form includes grease protectors (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) located inside of the bag (18) for sealing the bottom and top walls (20, 22) to the pleats (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) adjacent to their respective connecting edges and in a most preferred form further includes grease protectors (44a, 44b) outside of the bag (18) for sealing the first and second pleats (26a, 26b) together and the third and fourth pleats (26c, 26d) together adjacent to their respective connecting edges. The grease protectors (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 44a, 44b) seal the surfaces of the bag (18) just above and adjacent the connecting edges to block the flow of grease to prevent grease wicking or leaking from the bag (18).