Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
  • B65D3/22—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines with double walls; with walls incorporating air-chambers; with walls made of laminated material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/22—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
  • B65D1/26—Thin-walled containers, e.g. formed by deep-drawing operations
  • B65D1/28—Thin-walled containers, e.g. formed by deep-drawing operations formed of laminated material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/40—Details of walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/40—Details of walls
  • B65D1/42—Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
  • B65D3/28—Other details of walls

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to blanks, containers, trays, constructs, and various features to facilitate forming a container from a blank.
• the disclosure is generally directed to a container for holding an article.
• the container comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer, a bottom wall, and a side wall.
• the bottom wall and the side wall cooperate to at least partially define a cavity of the container with the lamination layer at least partially comprising an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity.
• a plurality of score lines extend in the container for at least partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container.
• the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a container for holding an article.
• the blank comprises a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer, a bottom portion, and a marginal portion.
• the bottom portion and the marginal portion are for cooperating to at least partially define a cavity of the container formed from the blank.
• the lamination layer is for at least partially forming an interior surface of the container formed from the blank.
• a plurality of score lines extend in the blank for at least partially reducing buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container formed from the blank.
• the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a container.
• the method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a lamination layer at least partially secured to a base layer and a plurality of score lines.
• the method further comprises forming the container comprising a bottom wall and a side wall from the blank.
• the forming the container comprises forming a cavity at least partially defined by the bottom wall and the side wall.
• the lamination layer comprises an interior surface of the container adjacent the cavity.
• the plurality of score lines at least partially reduces buckling of the lamination layer into the cavity of the container.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.
• Fig. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of a marginal portion of the blank of Fig. 1.
• Fig. IB is a partial cross-sectional view of a bottom corner area of the blank of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank of Fig. 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of the container of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the container of Fig. 2.
• FIGs. 5A and 5B are schematic views of an exemplary forming tool for forming a container according to an exemplary embodiment.
• Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank used for forming a container according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the container formed from the blank of Fig. 6 according to the second embodiment of the disclosure.
• Fig. 8 is a perspective top view of the container of Fig. 7.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the container of Fig. 7.
• the present disclosure relates generally to various aspects of containers, constructs, trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles, and methods of making such containers, constructs, trays, materials, packages, elements, and articles. Although several different aspects, implementations, and embodiments are disclosed, numerous interrelationships between, combinations thereof, and modifications of the various aspects, implementations, and embodiments are contemplated hereby.
• the present disclosure relates to forming a container or tray for holding food items or various other articles.
• the container or tray can be used to form other non-food containing articles or may be used for heating or cooking.
• Fig. 1 illustrates a blank 3 that is used to form a container 5 (Figs. 2-4) having a flange 7 according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.
• the blank 3 has generally straight side edges and semicircular or arc-shaped end edges.
• the blank 3 is for being press formed into the container 5 that, in the illustrated embodiment, is a tray with a generally straight side, a concave side, and convex ends.
• the blank 3 can be press- formed into the container 5 by a forming tool T (shown schematically in Figs. 5A and 5B by way of example), which can be similar to and have similar features and/or components as conventional forming tools such as are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
• the forming tool can have similar features and components such as the forming tool disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2008/049048, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes, or any other suitable forming tool assembly.
• the blank 3 and the container 5 could be alternatively shaped (e.g., circular, oval, rectangular, irregular, etc.) without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
• the blank 3 of the present disclosure has features that help reduce, prevent, or eliminate delamination and/or buckling of a lamination material in an interior of the container 5 made from the blank at a bottom corner area 9 of the container.
• the blank 3 can be formed from a laminate that includes more than one layer, but alternatively the laminate can be replaced with a single ply of material, such as, but not limited to, paperboard, cardboard, paper, or a polymeric sheet.
• the laminate can include a lamination layer 8, which can be a microwave interactive layer such as is common in MicroRite® containers available from Graphic Packaging International of Marietta, GA.
• the lamination layer can be commonly referred to as, or can have as one of its components, a foil, a microwave shield, or any other term or component that refers to a layer of material suitable for shielding microwave energy and/or causing heating in a microwave oven.
• the lamination layer 8 can be any suitable material that is laminated onto a substrate.
• the lamination layer 8 comprises the inner/interior surface 12 of the blank 3 (Figs. 1 and 1A).
• the blank 3 has a substrate or base layer 14 forming an outer/exterior surface 16 (Fig. 1A) of the blank 3.
• the lamination layer 8 is supported by, and secured to (e.g., laminated on), the base layer 14, which can be in the form of paperboard, cardboard, polymer, or any other suitable material. Nonetheless and in accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the base layer 14 typically is an uncoated paperboard.
• the lamination layer 8 can be other suitable microwave interactive materials set forth below, or any other suitable material.
• the blank 3 has a longitudinal direction LI and a lateral direction L2, wherein a longitudinal centerline CL of the blank 3 is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction LI , and a transverse centerline CT of the blank is generally parallel to the lateral direction L2.
• the blank 3 has a central portion 11, an outer edge 13, and a marginal portion 15 between the outer edge 13 and the central portion 1 1.
• the bottom corner area 9 forms a transition area between the bottom portion 1 1 and the marginal portion 15.
• the blank 3 can include a first side region 21, a second side region 23, and two end regions 25.
• the marginal portion 15 of the blank 3 includes a plurality of score lines 19.
• the score lines 19 are all positioned in the marginal portion 15 in the end regions 25 such that the score lines extend generally radially from the outer edge 13 of the blank.
• adjacent score lines 19 in respective curved regions 27 can be spaced apart by an angle Al of at least approximately 5 degrees.
• the angle Al could be any suitable angle.
• respective straight portions 29 e.g., where the outer edge 13 is generally straight
• the score lines 19 are generally parallel.
• the score lines 19 extend to the outer edge 13 of the blank 3, but the score lines could have a radially outer end point that is spaced in from the outer edge of the blank without departing from the disclosure.
• the score lines 19 are formed on the interior surface 12 such the score lines 19 comprise slight indentations in the interior surface 12 of the blank on the surface of the lamination layer 8 and slight protrusions on the exterior surface 16 of the blank on the outer surface of the base layer 14.
• the score lines 19 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
• a plurality of score lines 30 can be included in the bottom corner area 9 of the blank 3 for helping to reduce delamination of the lamination layer 8 from the base layer 14.
• the plurality of score lines 30 can include first side score lines 33 extending adjacent the first side region 21, second side score lines 35 extending adjacent the second side region 23, and end score lines 37 extending adjacent each of the end regions 25.
• the score lines 30 are formed on the interior surface 12 such that the score lines 30 comprise slight indentations, slots, or grooves in the interior surface 12 of the blank and slight protrusions on the exterior surface 16 of the blank.
• the first side score lines 33 are generally straight and generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline CL
• the end score lines 37 are generally straight and generally parallel to the transverse centerline CT.
• the second side score lines 35 are curved so that the respective ends of the individual score lines are farther from the longitudinal centerline CL and the first side region 21 than the respective midpoints of the score lines.
• the first and second side score lines 33, 35 can be generally centered on the transverse centerline CT
• the end score lines 37 can be generally centered on the longitudinal centerline CL.
• the score lines 30 could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
• the paperboard base layer 14 of the blank 3 can comprise 18 point paperboard having a thickness of approximately 0.018 inch (0.46 mm), and the lamination layer 8 can have a thickness of approximately 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) so that the blank 3 has a total thickness T b of approximately 0.019 inch (0.48 mm).
• the thickness of a foil within the lamination layer 8 can be approximately 0.000275 inch (0.007 mm), for example.
• the thickness of the paperboard base layer 14 can be in the range of approximately 0.013 inch (0.33 mm) to approximately 0.030 inch (0.72 mm)
• the thickness of the lamination layer 8 can be in the range of approximately 0.0005 inch (0.013 mm) to approximately 0.0015 inch (0.038 mm)
• the total thickness T b can be in the range of approximately 0.0135 inch (0.34 mm) to approximately 0.0315 inch (0.80 mm).
• Any of the above noted thicknesses or other dimensions noted above could be larger or smaller than noted or could be inside or outside the listed ranges without departing form the scope of the disclosure. All of the dimensional information presented herein is intended to be illustrative of certain aspects of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as various other embodiments of the disclosure could include dimensions that are greater than or less than the dimensions included herein.
• FIGs. 2-4 show one embodiment of the disclosure comprising a container 5 formed from the blank 3.
• the container 5 comprises a generally raised bottom wall 133, a bottom corner 135 that connects the bottom wall to a side wall 137, an upper corner 139 that connects the side wall 137 to the flange 7, and an outer edge 141.
• the bottom wall 133 generally is formed from the bottom portion 1 1 of the blank 3
• the bottom corner 135 generally is formed from the bottom corner area 9 of the blank
• the side wall 137 and the flange 7 are formed from the marginal portion 15 of the blank.
• the outer radial edge 141 generally can correspond to the outer edge 13 of the blank 3.
• the bottom wall 133 and side wall 137 at least partially define an interior space or cavity 145 of the container 5.
• the lamination layer 8 is on the inner/interior surface 12 of the container 5 and the base layer 14 is on the outer/exterior surface 16 of the container.
• the container 5 is for holding and/or cooking and/or heating a food product (not shown) that is placed in the interior space 145 of the container.
• the flange extends outward from the side wall 137, and an angled upper corner 139 of the flange 7 can be oblique with respect to the side wall 137 and the remainder of the flange 7.
• the upper corner 139 could be curved or otherwise formed or omitted.
• the side wall 137 extends generally upwardly from the bottom corner 135 and the bottom wall 133, and the bottom corner 135 is curved so that the lowest portion of the container 5 is located along the curve of the bottom corner 135. Accordingly, when the container 5 is placed upright on a surface, a portion of the bottom corner 135 rests on the surface and the bottom wall 133 is spaced apart from the surface.
• the side wall 137, the flange 7, and the bottom corner 135 include the first side region 21 in which the side wall 137 and the outer edge 141 are generally straight, the second side region 23 in which the side wall 137 and the outer edge 141 are curved toward the interior 145 of the container 5 (e.g., concave), and the end regions 25 in which the side wall 137 and the outer edge 141 form convex portions connected by a generally straight portion.
• the container 5 could have other shapes and/or dimensions without departing from the disclosure.
• the score lines 19 form overlapped portions or pleats 31.
• the overlapped portions 31 are in the flange 7 of the container and the side wall 137, and extend down the side wall to a location adjacent the bottom wall 133.
• the overlapped portions 31 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
• the plurality of score lines 30 generally are disposed in the bottom corner 135 and can help prevent the lamination layer 8 from separating from the base layer 14 and extending into the interior 145 of the container 5.
• the first side score lines 33 are generally straight to correspond with the generally straight first side region 21 of the side wall 137
• the second side score lines 35 are curved to correspond with the concave second side region 23 of the side wall
• the end score lines 37 are generally straight to correspond to the generally straight portions of the end regions 25 of the side wall.
• the end scores 37 could be curved with curved portions of the end regions.
• the lamination layer 8 can be generally more resistant to compression - especially compared to the paperboard base layer 14. Since the lamination layer 8 is interior to the base layer 14, the material of the lamination layer 8 can bunch up or buckle at the bottom corner 135 and separate from the base layer 14. For example, micro-layer interactions between the lamination layer and the base layer can cause an adhesive securing the layers together to fail where the adhesive is weaker and/or absent (e.g., due to uneven application). If the scores 30 are omitted, the material of the lamination layer 8 could separate from the base layer 14 and extend into the interior 145 of the container 5.
• the separated portions of the lamination layer could be damaged by an eating utensil, for example, and could be torn away from the interior surface 12 and mix with a food item contained in the container 5. While the materials used in the lamination layer 8 typically are generally inert, the damage to the interior surface of the container 5 can reduce the visual appeal of the container and food items (or other items) contained therein. Additionally, the loose pieces of lamination can cause concern and/or affect the enjoyment of a food item (or other item) in the container by a consumer. [0034] The scores 30 can help to prevent the lamination layer 8 from buckling into the interior
• the scores 30 generally form grooves in the interior surface 12 of the container so that the lamination layer 8 is stretched somewhat in the bottom corner 135. Accordingly, the lamination layer is compressed into the grooves of the scores 30 when the blank is pressed into the container, and the lamination layer is less likely to delaminate from the base layer 14. What portions of the lamination layer may separate from the base layer will still be disposed within the grooves of the scores 30, and therefore will be compressed into the curve of the bottom corner and at least partially protected from eating utensils, for example, by the grooves.
• any delaminated portions of the lamination layer 8 will be less likely to be torn away from the container and mix with a food item (or other item) in the container. Accordingly, the delamination of the lamination layer 8 is reduced and controlled to help maintain the visual appeal and safety of the container and the food or other items contained in the container.
• the blank 3 is formed into the container by conveying a blank and placing the blank in the forming tool T (schematically shown in Figs. 5A and 5B by way of example) with a lower tool assembly L and upper tool assembly U in a separated or open position.
• the forming tool T is used to press form the blank 3 into the container 5 by moving the tool assemblies L, U together, to a closed position (Fig. 5A, for example).
• the tool assemblies L, U can be separated (Fig. 5B, for example) to release the container 5.
• the substrate 14 and lamination layer 8 are compressed and formed into the three-dimensional container 5.
• the score lines 19 facilitate forming the flat blank into the three-dimensional container in the forming tool, and the score lines 30 help prevent or reduce buckling of the lamination layer.
• the score lines 19 allow formation of the marginal portion 15 of the blank 3 into the side wall 137 and flange 7 of the container 5.
• the container 5 could be otherwise formed and/or could be formed by any suitable forming tool or forming tools without departing from the disclosure.
• the forming tool T shown schematically in Figs. 5A and 5B is included by way of example only.
• FIG. 6 is a view of an interior surface 412 of a blank 403 for forming a container 405
• the blank 403 is generally rectangular with two side regions 421 and two end regions 425.
• the blank 403 has a central portion 41 1, an outer edge 413, a marginal portion 415, and a bottom corner area 409.
• a plurality of score lines 419 are positioned in the marginal portion 415 in respective curved corners 427 for forming pleats 431 (Fig. 7).
• a plurality of score lines 430 in the corner area 409 can be generally similar to the score lines 30 of the previous embodiment.
• the score lines 430 include generally straight side score lines 433 and end score lines 437.
• the foil of the lamination layer 408 is disposed in a particular pattern 418. Alternatively, the foil can be distributed in any suitable pattern in the lamination layer, could be evenly distributed in the lamination layer, or could be omitted.
• the container 405 includes a generally raised bottom wall 533, a bottom corner 535 with the plurality of scores 430, a side wall 537, and a flange 407.
• the container 405 also includes generally straight side regions 421, generally straight end regions 425, and curved corners 438.
• the blank 403 and/or the container 405 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.
• one or more portions of the blank or other constructs described herein or contemplated hereby may be coated with varnish, clay, or other materials, either alone or in combination.
• the coating may then be printed over with product advertising or other information or images.
• the blanks or other constructs also may be selectively coated and/or printed so that less than the entire surface area of the blank or substantially the entire surface area of the blank may be coated and/or printed.
• the containers 5, 405 may cooperate with a lid (not shown) for holding, heating, and/or cooking a food product or other item that is held in the container without departing from the disclosure.
• any of the blanks, containers, or other constructs of this disclosure may optionally include one or more features that alter the effect of microwave energy during the heating or cooking of a food item that is associated with the tray or other construct.
• the blank, tray, container, or other construct may be formed at least partially from one or more microwave energy interactive elements (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "microwave interactive elements") that promote heating, browning and/or crisping of a particular area of the food item, shield a particular area of the food item from microwave energy to prevent overcooking thereof, or transmit microwave energy towards or away from a particular area of the food item.
• microwave interactive elements comprises one or more microwave energy interactive materials or segments arranged in a particular configuration to absorb microwave energy, transmit microwave energy, reflect microwave energy, or direct microwave energy, as needed or desired for a particular construct and food item.
• the microwave energy interactive material may comprise an electroconductive or semiconductive material, for example, a vacuum deposited metal or metal alloy, or a metallic ink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a metallic paste, an organic paste, an inorganic paste, or any combination thereof.
• metals and metal alloys that may be suitable include, but are not limited to, aluminum, chromium, copper, inconel alloys (nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with niobium), iron, magnesium, nickel, stainless steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, and any combination or alloy thereof.
• the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a metal oxide, for example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin, optionally used in conjunction with an electrically conductive material.
• a metal oxide for example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin
• ITO indium tin oxide
• the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a suitable electroconductive, semiconductive, or non-conductive artificial dielectric or ferroelectric.
• Artificial dielectrics comprise conductive, subdivided material in a polymeric or other suitable matrix or binder, and may include flakes of an electroconductive metal, for example, aluminum.
• the microwave energy interactive material may be carbon-based, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,943,456, 5,002,826, 5,1 18,747, and 5,410,135.
• the microwave energy interactive material may interact with the magnetic portion of the electromagnetic energy in the microwave oven. Correctly chosen materials of this type can self-limit based on the loss of interaction when the Curie temperature of the material is reached.
• An example of such an interactive coating is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,283,427.
• the microwave energy interactive element may comprise a foil or high optical density evaporated material having a thickness sufficient to reflect a substantial portion of impinging microwave energy.
• Such elements typically are formed from a conductive, reflective metal or metal alloy, for example, aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, in the form of a solid "patch" generally having a thickness of from about 0.000285 inches to about 0.005 inches, for example, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.003 inches.
• Other such elements may have a thickness of from about 0.00035 inches to about 0.002 inches, for example, 0.0016 inches.
• microwave energy reflecting (or reflective) elements may be used as shielding elements where the food item is prone to scorching or drying out during heating.
• smaller microwave energy reflecting elements may be used to diffuse or lessen the intensity of microwave energy.
• One example of a material utilizing such microwave energy reflecting elements is commercially available from Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Marietta, GA) under the trade name MicroRite® packaging material.
• a plurality of microwave energy reflecting elements may be arranged to form a microwave energy distributing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas of the food item. If desired, the loops may be of a length that causes microwave energy to resonate, thereby enhancing the distribution effect.
• Microwave energy distributing elements are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and 6,677,563, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• any of the numerous microwave energy interactive elements described herein or contemplated hereby may be substantially continuous, that is, without substantial breaks or interruptions, or may be discontinuous, for example, by including one or more breaks or apertures that transmit microwave energy.
• the breaks or apertures may extend through the entire structure, or only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size, and positioning of such breaks or apertures may vary for a particular application depending on the type of construct being formed, the food item to be heated therein or thereon, the desired degree of heating, browning, and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to microwave energy is needed or desired to attain uniform heating of the food item, the need for regulating the change in temperature of the food item through direct heating, and whether and to what extent there is a need for venting.
• a microwave energy interactive element may include one or more transparent areas to effect dielectric heating of the food item.
• the microwave energy interactive element comprises a susceptor
• such apertures decrease the total microwave energy interactive area, and therefore, decrease the amount of microwave energy interactive material available for heating, browning, and/or crisping the surface of the food item.
• the relative amounts of microwave energy interactive areas and microwave energy transparent areas may be balanced to attain the desired overall heating characteristics for the particular food item.
• one or more portions of a susceptor may be designed to be microwave energy inactive to ensure that the microwave energy is focused efficiently on the areas to be heated, browned, and/or crisped, rather than being lost to portions of the food item not intended to be browned and/or crisped or to the heating environment. Additionally or alternatively, it may be beneficial to create one or more discontinuities or inactive regions to prevent overheating or charring of the food item and/or the construct including the susceptor.
• a susceptor may incorporate one or more "fuse" elements that limit the propagation of cracks in the susceptor, and thereby control overheating, in areas of the susceptor where heat transfer to the food is low and the susceptor might tend to become too hot.
• the size and shape of the fuses may be varied as needed. Examples of susceptors including such fuses are provided, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,412,187, U.S. Patent No. 5,530,231 , U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0035634A1, published February 14, 2008, and PCT Application Publication No. WO 2007/127371 , published November 8, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
• the blanks according to the present invention can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials.
• the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating.
• the clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images.
• the blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blanks.
• the blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks.
• the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper.
• the blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton package to function at least generally as described above.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50474479

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (150)

• 2013
  • 2013-10-16 CA CA2884666A patent/CA2884666C/en active Active
  • 2013-10-16 MX MX2015004473A patent/MX355665B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2013-10-16 CN CN201380054913.5A patent/CN104736442B/zh active Active
  • 2013-10-16 US US14/055,127 patent/US9371150B2/en active Active
  • 2013-10-16 EP EP13847792.2A patent/EP2909090B1/en active Active
  • 2013-10-16 JP JP2015537786A patent/JP6109948B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2013-10-16 ES ES13847792.2T patent/ES2647635T3/es active Active
  • 2013-10-16 BR BR112015007977-6A patent/BR112015007977B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2013-10-16 WO PCT/US2013/065198 patent/WO2014062779A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events