WO2024030675A1

WO2024030675A1 - Microwave food product with vent for roasting

Info

Publication number: WO2024030675A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/029622
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amanda HUMES; Jennifer PAWLOSKI; Kristi KAN; Kyra Lee MATHIS
Original assignee: Conagra Foods Rdm, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-08-05
Filing date: 2023-08-07
Publication date: 2024-02-08
Also published as: US20240043195A1

Abstract

Single-use pre-packaged frozen food products are described that are configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven. In aspects, a sealed pouch is formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments to create an interface between a susceptor material and the food product. One or more vents are included through the flexible material to release moisture as the food product is subjected to the microwave process while retaining enough moisture to inflate the inflatable segments to interface the susceptor with the frozen food during microwave cooking, which can facilitate roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food.

Description

MICROWAVE FOOD PRODUCT WITH VENT FOR ROASTING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/395,566, entitled MICROWAVE FOOD PRODUCT WITH VENT FOR ROASTING, filed August 5, 2022. U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/395,566 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Frozen foods and associated packaging allow consumers to store foods in a dormant state for later preparation, such as in a microwave, on a stove, or with another heat source. The process of freezing vegetables or other food products can maintain high nutritive value of the food, while providing consumers with convenient preparation options.

SUMMARY

[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key and/or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Also, this Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any manner.

[0004] Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a single-use pre-packaged frozen food product configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven having a sealed pouch configured to receive a frozen food within the sealed pouch. In an aspect, the sealed pouch includes a susceptor material lining an interior surface configured to interface with the frozen food during microwave cooking, which can facilitate roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food. Coverage of the susceptor matenal can vary, with higher coverage generally providing greater surface area to interface with the frozen food.

[0005] The sealed pouch includes one or more vents through the pouch to permit moisture to exit the sealed pouch during microwave cooking. If too much moisture is retained in the sealed pouch during cooking, then the food may not showcase desirable levels of crispiness, browning, or the like, due to moisture reabsorption by the food. While a larger surface area for the one or more vents generally permits more moisture to be released from the sealed pouch during cooking, the more surface area occupied by the vents, the less surface area that is available to the susceptor, reducing the ability of the sealed pouch to interface with the food from multiple points of contact.

[0006] The type, amount, and preparation of the food present in the sealed pouch can influence the ability of the sealed pouch to roast, crisp, brown, or otherwise cook the food during micro wave operation. For instance, the amount of moisture to be vented during microwave cooking is related to the moisture content of the frozen food and the quantity of the frozen food in the sealed pouch. If the quantity of food is sufficiently large, if the moisture content of the food is too high, or combinations thereof, then the sealed bag may retain too much moisture during the microwave cooking, where the vents may be unable to remove sufficient amounts of moisture to promote desired levels of crispiness, browning, or the like. The preparation of the food prior to introduction to the sealed pouch can also affect the likelihood that the susceptor can contact the food from multiple points of contact. For instance, the food can be included in an amount such that the food can be arranged in a substantially single layer on the bottom of the sealed pouch during microwave cooking such that the susceptor on the bottom of the sealed pouch and the top of the sealed pouch can interact with multiple points of contact on multiple individual pieces of food (e.g., to brown multiple surfaces of respective food pieces). The food can be portioned such that the pieces of food are substantially uniform to promote alignment and arrangement into the substantially single layer on the bottom of the sealed pouch during microwave cooking. If one or more pieces of the food has a substantially different height or width, then that piece of food can push against the top of the sealed pouch, creating a tenting effect that moves the susceptor out of contact of the top surface of pieces of food that surround the outlier piece(s).

[0007] The sealed pouch can be formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments in a rectangular array having a susceptor on an interior surface of the sealed pouch. During microwave cooking, moisture is released from the frozen food, and potentially from material forming the sealed pouch, and inflates the inflatable segments, causing the susceptor on the interior surface to be pushed into contact with the food. The susceptor/food contact occurs from each of a top orientation (e.g., from the inflatable segment pushing the top of the interior surface downwards against the food) and a bottom orientation (e.g., from the food resting on the bottom of the interior surface) during microwave cooking which heats the susceptor through absorbance of the microwave energy emitted from the oven. Moisture is released through the vent permitting the frozen food pieces to roast within the pouch.

[0008] In various aspects, the sealed pouch includes opposing end seals and a longitudinal seal (e.g., a fin seal, a lap seal, etc.) to form the segmented material and susceptor material into the pouch shape and to provide openings to introduce frozen food to the interior and/or to provide regions to open the sealed pouch following the microwave cooking operation. The sealed pouch can include perforations or scoring to provide one or more regions that a consumer can tear portions of the sealed pouch to facilitate removal of the food. The one or more vents can be arranged to conform to an orientation of one or more of the seals of the pouch and one or more segments of the segmented material. For instance, the one or more vents can be positioned on a top surface of the sealed pouch, with the bottom surface being supported by the microwave oven, with the vent(s) spaced a sufficient distance from the seal to promote a chimney effect of moisture released during cooking. If the vent is spaced too closely to an end seal, then moisture released tends to expand the interior volume of the sealed pouch away from the food, causing the susceptor on the top surface to avoid contact with the food, thereby removing food/susceptor contact through multiple orientations and reducing the ability to roast, crisp, brown, or otherwise crisp the food. In an aspect, the sealed pouch can include a vent through a top surface of the sealed pouch extending lengthwise adjacent the longitudinal seal with at least two edges of the vent aligning with the rectangular array of inflatable segments where the at least two edges do not intersect an inflatable segment of the plurality of inflatable segments. For example, the vent can be arranged between rows of inflatable segments along the longitudinal seal. Alternatively or additionally, the sealed pouch can include one or more vents through an upper surface of the sealed pouch extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal seal with at least two edges of the vent aligning with the rectangular array of inflatable segments where the at least two edges do not intersect an inflatable segment of the plurality of inflatable segments. For example, the vent can be arranged between rows of inflatable segments transverse or orthogonal from the longitudinal seal. DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0010] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a single-use pre-packaged frozen food product having a sealed pouch configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven, the sealed pouch shown in a sealed state in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. IB is a bottom perspective view of the single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of FIG. 1A.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of a sealed pouch showing a vent cover in a sealed state in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 A is a schematic illustration of a vent configuration for a microwave food package with comer vents in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of vent configurations for a microwave food package with perforations running along a side edge in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of vent configurations for a microwave food package with panel/hole openings in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3D is a schematic illustration of vent configurations for a microwave food package with perforations and a panel (shown in place and removed) in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure. [0017] FIG. 3E is a schematic illustration of vent configurations for a microwave food package with perforation groups in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cross-section of a microwave food package with food positioned in the interior in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5A is a top plan view of a microwave food package in a sealed state in accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5B is an end view of the microwave food package of FIG. 5 A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Features of the detailed description can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. Among other things, the features of the disclosure can be embodied as frozen food packages and single-use pre-packaged frozen food packages for roasting the food in a microwave oven. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0022] Microwave food packages are available in various configurations and compositions. For example, microwaveable pouches can be used to thaw and cook or reheat frozen foods. The pouches can be provided with vents to remove moisture expelled from the frozen foods during the microwave cooking/reheating process, which can provide a steamed food product without rupturing the pouch during the microwave process. Some microwave food packages include a susceptor material or layers thereof to absorb microwave energy and provide specific areas of heat to facilitate cooking or heating of foodstuff in proximity to the susceptor. Such configurations can facilitate roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food. Venting of moisture during a roasting process affects the quality of the food following cooking. If the microwave food package is unable to vent or otherwise separate the food from the released moisture, the food can absorb or soak in the moisture, resulting in undesirable texture, reduction in roasting, crisping, or browning, or other attributes that can be unappealing to consumers.

[0023] However, the configuration of vents through the material of the sealed pouch influences the ability of a susceptor to contact the food within the sealed pouch in unexpected manners. For instance, if the vent is positioned too closely to a sealed edge of the sealed pouch, then moisture released during the microwave process tends to expand the interior volume of the sealed pouch away from the food as steam is released through the vent. The removal of steam close to the sealed edge can cause the susceptor on the top surface to avoid contact with the food as the sealed bag expands or puffs outward and upward, thereby removing food/susceptor contact at the top of the sealed bag, which negatively impacts the ability to roast, crisp, brown, or otherwise crisp the food. Additionally, the surface area of the vents influences the amount of moisture released from the sealed bag during microwave cooking, but also removes surface area available for the presence of a susceptor material at the void occupied by the vent. If too much moisture is retained in the sealed pouch during cooking by having relatively small vent surface area, then the food may not showcase desirable levels of crispiness, browning, or the like, due to moisture reabsorption by the food. While a larger surface area for vents generally permits more moisture to be released from the sealed pouch during microwave cooking, the more surface area occupied by the vents, the less surface area that is available to the susceptor, reducing the ability of the sealed pouch to interface with the food from multiple points of contact.

[0024] The configuration of the vents can also influence the ability of a susceptor to contact the food within the sealed pouch dependent on the material used to form the sealed pouch. For example, in various aspects, single-use pre-packaged frozen food products are described that include a sealed pouch formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments having a susceptor on an interior surface with seals formed through the flexible material. During microwave cooking, the inflatable segments receive steam released from food into a cavity causing the inflatable segments to inflate, which in turn pushes the susceptor towards the interior of the sealed pouch into contact with the food. In aspects, the inflatable segments are arranged in a pattern, such as a rectangular array, where the positioning of vents relative to the pattern can influence the ability of the susceptor to contact food. For instance, while the vent occupies a surface area, it was determined that an area beyond the surface area occupied by the vent can be negatively affected based on the pattern of the inflatable segments relative to the vent positioning. If the vent intersects, pierces, or otherwise ruptures an inflatable segment, the surface area of that segment may not be pushed toward the interior due to an inability of that segment to inflate through the presence of the vent. In various aspects, vents are included that align with the pattern of the inflatable segments to minimize or otherwise reduce segment rupturing. Further, if too much moisture is removed (e.g., through too large a surface area for the vent), then insufficient amounts or pressure of moisture can be available to inflate the inflatable segments.

[0025] Referring generally to FIGS. 1A through 5B, a microwave food package 100 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The microwave food package 100 generally includes a pouch 102 configured to receive a frozen food (e.g., food item 50 shown in FIG. 4) within an interior of the pouch 102 for introduction to a microwave oven for roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food. The pouch 102 is formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments having a susceptor on an interior surface, where the flexible material is configured to expand or otherwise deform during release of steam from the frozen food during micro wave cooking. For example, the inflatable segments receive steam released from food into a cavity of the segments causing the segments to inflate, which in turn pushes the susceptor towards the interior of the sealed pouch into contact with the food. The pouch 102 includes a vent 104 through the pouch 102 to permit moisture to exit the pouch 102 during micro wave cooking. As described further herein, the amount of steam and the rate of release can be attributed to the size of the pouch 102, the amount and arrangement of food within the pouch, the positioning of the vent 104, and the size or quantity of vents 104. The micro wave food package 100 is configured to remove appropriate amounts of moisture during microwave cooking while permitting surface contact between interior surfaces of the pouch 102 (e.g., interior surfaces supporting the susceptor) and the food to facilitate desirable levels of crispiness, browning, or the like.

[0026] In various aspects, the vent 104 includes a vent cover 106 to cover and seal the vent 104 in a closed configuration while the vent cover 106 is positioned over the vent 104. For example, the vent cover 106 can be positioned over the vent 104 to maintain a sealed interior during storage of the microwave food package 100 (e.g., in frozen storage) until the consumer is ready to introduce the microwave food package 100 to a micro wave oven. In various aspects, the vent cover 106 is sealed to the vent 104 and detachable through a perimeter of perforations 108 (e.g., laser perforations through one side of the pouch 102), scoring, or other structure to hold the vent cover 106 in a removable state with respect to the vent 104 during storage, transportation, and the like. During use, a consumer can puncture the pouch 102 at the perforations 108 to remove the vent cover 106 and expose the interior of the pouch 102 to the external environment (e.g., micro wave oven interior) via the vent 104 for moisture removal during microwave cooking.

[0027] The pouch 102 can be provided in various styles to facilitate frozen storage and subsequent roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food. For example, the pouch 102 can be configured as one or more of a stand-up bag (e.g., having a base supporting sidewalls extending vertically), a gusseted bag (e.g., having one or more inwardly- oriented sidewall gussets, gusseted base, etc.), a bag with expandable quilted segments (e.g., expanding inwardly during microwaving to contact the food therein), a rectangular bag, a rounded bag, an irregular bag, or the like. For instance, the pouch 102 is shown in a generally rectangular configuration with a bottom panel 110 configured to be supported by the micro wave surface, a top panel 112 configured to be facing upwards during microwave cooking, and one or more seals to secure the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112. Such a configuration permits a layer of the frozen food to be arranged across the bottom panel 110 to facilitate contact with the susceptor on the interior of the bottom panel 110 and on the interior of the top panel 112 to promote roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking of the frozen food through multiple points of contact of the susceptor surfaces with individual food pieces.

[0028] The pouch 102 includes opposing end seals 114, 116 connecting edges of the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 and a longitudinal seal 118 (e.g., shown as a fin seal) running across the top panel 112 extending between each of the opposing end seals 114, 116. The vent 104 is formed through the top panel 112 to be positioned at the top of the pouch 102 when seated within the microwave oven for cooking. The seals 114, 116, 118 can be formed through one or more sealing techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesive seals, or the like, or combinations thereof. In various aspects, one or more of the seals 114, 116, 118 can be configured to open to permit removal of the cooked food following micro wave cooking. For example, a consumer can pull one or more of the seals 114, 116, 118 open following micro wave cooking, one or more of the seals 114, 116, 118 can be configured to open during the micro wave cooking process (e g., by having a thinner seal area than other seals of the pouch 102), or combinations thereof, to permit removal of the cooked food without tearing of the pouch 102. Alternatively or additionally, the pouch can include a perforated portion to facilitate tearing of the pouch 102 to access the cooked food (e.g., via tear strip 120).

[0029] The microwave food package 100 can include a susceptor material (e.g., shown as reference character 400 in FIG. 4) on an interior surface of the pouch 102 to absorb microwave energy and provide heated surfaces for contact with the food to facilitate roasting, crisping, browning, or otherwise cooking. The susceptor can include a thin coating of metal applied to a paper layer to form the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 or portions thereof. In an aspect, the paper is further laminated with a plastic film to provide graphics on external surfaces of one or more portions of the pouch 102. The paper and susceptor layer can be formed as a segmented material (e.g., segments 122 shown) on an interior surface of the pouch 102 defining one or more quilted portions, expandable cells, expandable segments, or the like, to promote contact between the interior surface and the food. For example, in various aspects the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 are formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments 122 where steam formed during micro wave cooking can inflate internal cavities of the segmented material, which in turn pushes the susceptor material into contact with the food.

[0030] The size and location of the vent 104 provides a unique combination of functionalities to the micro wave food package 100 that acts in combination with the inflatable segments 122 that support the susceptor 400 and with the type, amount, and preparation of the food present in the sealed pouch 102 to facilitate a single-use pre-packaged frozen food product configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven. The size of the vent 104 generally determines the amount of steam or moisture released from the food that can pass out of the sealed pouch 102. If the vent 104 is too large, then insufficient amounts of susceptor 400 are provided on the interior surface of the sealed pouch 102 and the amounts of steam held within the sealed pouch can be insufficient to inflate one or more of the inflatable segments 122, leading to undesirable roasting characteristics. If the vent 104 is too small, then insufficient amounts of steam or moisture are permitted to exit the sealed pouch during microw ave cooking, leading to excess moisture being retained in the sealed pouch 102, which is available for reabsorption of the food, leading to undesirable texture or cooking/reheating characteristics. The vent 104 can be sized to occupy a surface area from about 1.5% to about 2.5% of a total interior surface area of the interior surface of the sealed pouch 102. In aspects, the term “total interior surface area” excludes areas of the interior surface occupied by the seals 114, 116, 118. For example, the vent 104 can occupy a surface area from about 1.5%, 1.55%, 1.6%, 1.65%, 1.7%, 1.75%, 1.8%, 1.85%, 1.9%, 1.95%, 2.0%, 2.05%, 2.1%, 2.15%, 2.2%, 2.25%, 2.3%, 2.35%, 2.4%, 2.45%, or 2.5% to about 1.5%, 1.55%, 1.6%, 1.65%, 1.7%, 1.75%, 1.8%, 1.85%, 1.9%, 1.95%, 2.0%, 2.05%, 2.1%, 2.15%, 2.2%, 2.25%, 2.3%, 2.35%, 2.4%, 2.45%, or 2.5% of a total interior surface area of the interior surface of the sealed pouch 102. In implementations, the vent 104 can occupy an interior surface area of the top panel 112 from about 3.0% to about 5.0% of the interior surface area of the top panel 112 (e.g., the total interior surface area minus the interior surface area of the bottom panel 110). For example, the vent 104 can occupy an interior surface area of the top panel 112 from about 3.0%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, or 5.0% to about 3.0%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, or 5.0% of the interior surface area of the top panel 112.

[0031] The positioning of the vent 104 relative to the positioning of the seals 114, 116 also was expectedly determined to influence the performance of the sealed pouch 102 during microwave operations. For instance, it was determined that if the vent 104 is spaced too closely to one of the seals 1 14, 1 16, then moisture released from the food during microwave cooking tends to expand the interior volume of the sealed pouch 102 away from the food. The expansion of the sealed pouch 102 surfaces away from the food causes the susceptor on at least the top surface (e.g., the interior surface of the top panel 112) to avoid contact with the food, thereby removing food/susceptor contact through multiple orientations and reducing the ability to roast, crisp, brown, or otherwise crisp the food. For instance, the vent 104 can be positioned on a top surface of the sealed pouch 102, such as through the top panel 112 with the vent 104 spaced a sufficient distance from the seals 114, 116 to promote a chimney effect of moisture released during cooking. The vent 104 can be positioned on the top panel 112 with a spacing (e.g., shown as Li in FIG. 5A) of at least about 14% of a length between the seal 114 and the seal 116 (e.g., shown as L2 in FIG. 5A) from each of the seal 114 and the seal 116. For instance, for a sealed pouch 102 having a size where the distance between opposing end seals 114 and 116 is seven inches, then the vent 104 can be positioned at least one inch from each of the opposing end seals 114 and 116 (e.g., towards the center of the top panel 112 away from the opposing end seals 114, 116). For example, the vent 104 can be positioned on the top panel 112 with a spacing of at least about 14%, 14.5%, 15%, 15.5%, 16%, 16.5%, 17%, 17.5%, 18%, 18.5%, 19%, 19.5%, 20%, 20.5%, 21%, 21.5%, 22%, 22.5%, 23%, 23.5%, 24%, 24.5%, 25%, 25.5%, or greater of a length between the seal 114 and the seal 116, where the distance can depend on the orientation of the vent 104 relative to the opposing end seals 114, 116 (e.g., substantially parallel configurations of the vent 104 can be further than substantially perpendicular configurations of the vent 104).

[0032] Additionally, the size and location of the vent 104 relative to the pattern of the inflatable segments 122 can influence the functionalities of the microwave food package 100. The sealed pouch is shown in FIGS. 1A and IB having a rectangular array of inflatable segments 122. The vent 104 can be arranged such that at least two edges (e.g., longitudinal edges 200, 202) forming the vent 104 align with the rectangular array without intersecting an inflatable segment 122. For example, the longitudinal edges 200, 202 can run substantially parallel to individual segments of the rectangular array to proceed along portions of the spacing between the inflatable segments 122 in the rectangular array and avoid intersecting, piercing, or otherwise rupturing any of the inflatable segments 122. For instance, while the vent 104 occupies a surfaces area, it was determined that an area beyond the surface area occupied by the vent 104 can be negatively affected based on the patern of the inflatable segments 122 relative to the vent 104 positioning. If the vent 104 were to intersect, pierce, or otherwise rupture an inflatable segment 122, the surface area of that segment 122 may not be pushed toward the interior into contact with food due to an inability of that segment 122 to inflate through the interference of the vent 104. By having edges that occupy space in-between inflatable segments 122 of the rectangular array, the vent 104 maintains the functionality of the inflatable segments 122 adjacent the edges. In implementations, the vent 104 is positioned in the top panel 112 in a longitudinal arrangement substantially parallel to the longitudinal seal 118. In implementations, the vent 104 is positioned in the top panel 112 in a lateral arrangement substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal seal 118. The vent 104 can include one or more curved ends (e g., two curved ends shown in FIG. 1A) to facilitate puncturing and removal of the vent cover 106 by a consumer prior to microwave cooking.

[0033] The amount of metallization for the susceptor can vary dependent on the area of the pouch 102. For instance, the susceptor facilitates roasting, browning, and crisping of food that is in direct contact with the metal, so more metal contact areas in the interior of the bag provide more locations for roasting, browning, and crisping of the food. The interior of the pouch 102 can include metallization coverage from about 80% to about 100% of the total surface area. For example, the interior of the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 can include a metallized surface covering from about 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% to about 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100% of the total interior surface area. In an example implementation, the pouch includes a metallization coverage from about 90% to about 100% of the total interior surface area. Testing of the micro wave food package 100 unexpectedly revealed that if the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 included metallization at the seal areas, then the susceptor-on-susceptor contact can generate sufficient heat to scorch or otherwise damage the paper/plastic layers of the pouch 102. Accordingly, in aspects, one or more portions of the seal 114, the seal 116, and/or the seal 118 includes no metallization or includes a reduced amount of metallization as compared to the contact areas with the food. For example, in an aspect, the seal 118 can include no metallization to avoid scorching of the material at or adjacent to the fin seal.

[0034] The vent 104 can be arranged in the pouch 102 according to one or more vent configurations. Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3E, example venting configurations are shown. For example, FIG. 3 A shows a vent slot 300 in through the top of the pouch 102 with comer vents 302 extending through comers of the seals 114, 116. Testing of the microwave food package 100 revealed that if the comer vents 302 were too large, the steam generated during cooking of the food migrated towards the edges of the pouch 102 to flow through the comer vents 302. As the steam migrated towards the edges, the pouch 102 expanded near the edges, reducing food-package contact at the edges. Since the edges typically provide the tightest contact between the food and package, the comer vents 302 can reduce the amount of crisping provided near the edges.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3B, variations of the vent 104 are shown as perforations 304 in the side of the pouch 102, with portions of the pouch 102 defining a tear strip. Referring to FIG. 3C, variations of the vent 104 are shown as windows 306 or holes 308 through the top panel 112 of the pouch 102. In general, the larger the vent 104, the more moisture that can be removed during microwave cooking, but less surface area remains available for direction contact between the food and the interior surface of the pouch 102 due at least in part to the absence of the susceptor. Testing of the microwave food package 100 revealed that merely perforating the pouch 102 or providing pinholes through the pouch 102 often did not provide enough venting to remove moisture and as such, larger vents 104 can be included to vent additional moisture. Referring to FIG. 3D, variations of the vent 104 are shown as perforations 310 and a panel 312, shown in place (left) and removed from the pouch 102 (right) leaving a vent 104 open to the interior of the microwave. Alternatively or additionally, the panel 312 can be in place and have no susceptor material present in the panel 312. Referring to FIG. 3E, variations of the vent 104 are shown as groups of perforations 314.

[0036] The pouch 102 is shown with the food item 50 (e.g., shown as broccoli in FIG. 4) held in the interior volume 402 defined by the pouch 102 interfacing with susceptor material 400 pushed inwardly via the configuration of segments 122. For instance, as the food item 50 absorbs micro wave energy, the food item releases moisture (e.g., in the form of steam), which in turn fills cavities in the inflatable segments 122 in the top panel 112 and the bottom panel 110 to bring the susceptor material 400 into contact or closely adjacent to the food item 50. The susceptor material 400 also absorbs microwave energy, which causes the material to heat up roast, crisp, brown, or otherwise cook the food item 50 through the contact or near contact. In various aspects, the food item 50 can include a variety of foodstuffs suitable for roasting or crisping, including, but not limited to, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, green beans, peas, asparagus, rice, proteins (e.g., chicken, pork, beef, fish, etc.), or the like, or combinations thereof. The food item 50 is generally provided in a frozen state and can include various cooking treatments or flavorings prior to or subsequent to freezing including, but not limited to, partial pre-roasting, cutting (e.g., in flat slices), seasoning, breading, or the like, or combinations thereof. The food item 50 can be a frozen food piece covered or coated in an edible oil, where the oil is present in an amount of at least about 3% by weight of the ingredients added to the sealed pouch 102. The amount of oil contributes to the roasting, crisping, browning, otherwise cooking of the food item 50 through exposure of the oil to the susceptor 400. It was determined that if too little oil is present, the browning characteristics of the food item 50 were not as pronounced. For example, the food item 50 can be a frozen food piece covered or coated in an edible oil, where the oil is present in an amount of at least about 3.0%, 3.1%, 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.6%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4.0%, 4.1%, 4.2%, 4.3%, 4.4%, 4.5%, 4.6%, 4.7%, 4.8%, 4.9%, or 5.0% by weight of the ingredients added to the sealed pouch 102. Alternatively or additionally, the food item 50 can include one or seasonings to contribute to flavor and/or browning characteristics.

[0037] Testing of the micro wave food package 100 revealed that smaller, uniformly cut pieces tended to roast more evenly, such as with flat slices, cubed food pieces, or the like. For instance, in implementations, the food item 50 is included in the pouch 102 an amount sufficient to arrange the individual frozen food pieces of the food item 50 as a substantially single layer on the bottom panel 110 during microwave cooking. Arranging the pieces of the food item 50 as a substantially single layer pennits the susceptor 400 on the bottom panel 110 and the top panel 112 to interact with two points of contact on multiple individual pieces of food, providing a roasted, crisped, or browned characteristics to multiple sides of the food item 50. The food item 50 can be portioned such that the pieces of food are substantially uniform to promote alignment and arrangement into the substantially single layer on the bottom panel 110 of the sealed pouch 102 during micro wave cooking. If one or more pieces of the food item 50 has a substantially different height or width, then that piece of food can push against the top panel 112 of the sealed pouch 102, creating a tenting effect that moves the susceptor 400 out of contact of the top surface of pieces of food that surround the outlier piece(s). In implementations, the food item 50 is prepared such that individual pieces have a longest length that has a variance of less than about 50% of an average longest length of all pieces of the food item 50 present in the sealed pouch 102. In implementations, the food item 50 is sectioned into substantially uniform pieces (e.g., having a longest length that has a variance of less than about 50% of an average longest length of all pieces of the food item 50), individually quick frozen (IQF), and coated in oil prior to introduction to the interior volume 402 of the pouch 102.

[0038] The pouch 102 can be configured in various shapes and sizes to hold varying types and amounts of food. For example, the pouch 102 can be configured to hold singleserving amounts of food in a frozen state or multi-serving amounts of food in a frozen state. In various aspects, for a single-serving-sized pouch 102, the amount of food can be at or less than about 7.5 oz. Testing of the microwave food package 100 revealed that including greater than about 7.5 oz of food in a single-serving-sized pouch 102 (e.g., with the vent 104 configuration shown in FIG. 1 A) introduced too much moisture during micro wave cooking, resulting in less than desirable amounts of crisping. However, differing configurations of the food item within the pouch 102 can result in a single-serving-sized pouch 102 having a higher amount of food. For example, foods in an amount of up to about 18 oz were shown to provide beneficial roasting characteristics, such as, for instance, foods with low moisture and high-density arrangements (e.g., rice-containing foods or food blends). Alternatively or additionally, moisture-removing techniques (e.g., dehydration, drying, etc.) could be employed to reduce the moisture retaining by the food item 50 prior to sealing the pouch 102 to result in greater than 7.5 oz amounts of food or to control moisture in pouches 102 having 7.5 oz or less. In various aspects, for a single-serving-sized pouch 102, the length of the pouch 102 (e g., parallel to the longitudinal seal 118) is less than about 10 inches, for example, less than about 9.5 inches, less than about 9.0 inches, less than about 8.5 inches, less than about 8.0 inches, less than about 7.5 inches, less than about 7.0 inches, etc. In various aspects, for a single-serving-sized pouch 102, the width of the pouch 102 (e.g., perpendicular to the longitudinal seal 118) is less than about 10 inches, for example, less than about 9.5 inches, less than about 9.0 inches, less than about 8.5 inches, less than about 8.0 inches, less than about 7.5 inches, less than about 7.0 inches, less than about 6.5 inches, less than about 6.0 inches, etc.

CONCLUSION

[0039] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A single-use pre-packaged frozen food product configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven, comprising: a plurality of frozen food pieces having a moisture content by weight from about 10% to about 90%; and a sealed pouch containing the plurality of frozen food pieces positioned within an interior volume defined by the sealed pouch, the sealed pouch formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments in a rectangular array having a susceptor on an interior surface of the sealed pouch, the sealed pouch including a top panel sealed to a bottom panel via opposing first and second seals to form the interior volume, and a vent positioned through the flexible material to permit release of moisture from an interior of the seal pouch during microwave cooking, the vent occupying a surface area from about 1.5% to about 2.5% of a total surface area of the interior surface, the vent positioned on the top panel with a spacing of at least about 14% of a length between the opposing first and second seals from each of the opposing first and second seals, the vent positioned with respect to the rectangular array of the plurality of inflatable segments such that at least two edges of the vent align with the rectangular array without intersecting an inflatable segment of the plurality of inflatable segments, wherein the interior surface of the pouch is configured to contact at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces as the plurality of inflatable segments inflate with moisture released from the plurality of frozen food pieces during microwave cooking to push the susceptor into contact with the food, wherein contact occurs from each of a top orientation and a bottom orientation during microwave cooking of the microwave food package while moisture is released through the vent to roast the at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces through heating of the susceptor.

2. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 1, further comprising: a vent cover removably affixed to the vent via a plurality of perforations through the flexible material, the vent cover configured to prevent passage of the plurality of frozen food pieces through the vent during storage of the pre-packaged microwave food product and configured to be removed from the vent prior to microwave cooking.

3. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of frozen food pieces is included in an amount sufficient to arrange the plurality of frozen food pieces as a substantially single layer on the bottom panel during microwave cooking.

4. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 1, wherein the vent occupies a surface area from about 3.0% to about 5.0% of a surface area of the top panel.

5. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal seal extending between the opposing first and second seals.

6. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 5, wherein the vent is present in one of a longitudinal arrangement substantially parallel to the longitudinal seal or a lateral arrangement substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal seal.

7. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 1 , wherein susceptor occupies at least about 80% a surface area of the interior surface of the sealed pouch.

8. A single-use pre-packaged frozen food product configured for roasting the food product in a microwave oven, comprising: a plurality of frozen food pieces having a moisture content by weight from about 10% to about 90%; and a sealed pouch containing the plurality of frozen food pieces positioned within an interior volume defined by the sealed pouch, the sealed pouch formed from a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments in a rectangular array having a susceptor on an interior surface of the sealed pouch, the sealed pouch including a top panel sealed to a bottom panel via opposing first and second seals to form the interior volume, and a vent positioned through the flexible material to permit release of moisture from an interior of the seal pouch during microwave cooking, the vent occupying a surface area from about 1.5% to about 2.5% of a total surface area of the interior surface, the vent positioned on the top panel with a spacing of at least about 14% of a length between the opposing first and second seals from each of the opposing first and second seals, wherein the interior surface of the pouch is configured to contact at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces as the plurality of inflatable segments inflate with moisture released from the plurality of frozen food pieces during microwave cooking to push the susceptor into contact with the food, wherein contact occurs from each of a top orientation and a bottom orientation during microwave cooking of the microwave food package while moisture is released through the vent to roast the at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces through heating of the susceptor.

9. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, further comprising: a vent cover removably affixed to the vent via a plurality of perforations through the flexible material, the vent cover configured to prevent passage of the plurality of frozen food pieces through the vent during storage of the pre-packaged microwave food product and configured to be removed from the vent prior to microwave cooking.

10. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, wherein the bottom panel is configured to rest against a support surface of a microwave oven during microwave cooking.

11. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, wherein the plurality of frozen food pieces is included in an amount sufficient to arrange the plurality of frozen food pieces as a substantially single layer on the bottom panel during microwave cooking.

12. The smgle-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, wherein the vent occupies a surface area from about 3.0% to about 5.0% of a surface area of the top panel.

13. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, further comprising a longitudinal seal extending between the opposing first and second seals.

14. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 13, wherein the vent is present in one of a longitudinal arrangement substantially parallel to the longitudinal seal or a lateral arrangement substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal seal.

15. The single-use pre-packaged frozen food product of claim 8, wherein the susceptor occupies at least about 80% of a surface area of the interior surface of the sealed pouch.

16. A method for producing a pre-packaged microwave food product, comprising: forming a flexible material defining a plurality of inflatable segments in a rectangular array having a susceptor on an interior surface of the sealed pouch into a pouch defining an interior volume; forming in the pouch a vent positioned through a top panel of the flexible material to permit release of moisture from the interior volume of the pouch during microwave cooking with a bottom panel of the pouch positioned on a support surface of a microwave oven during micro wave cooking, the vent occupying a surface area from about 1.5% to about 2.5% of a total surface area of the interior surface; introducing a plurality of frozen food pieces having a moisture content by weight from about 10% to about 90% into the interior volume of the pouch; and sealing the pouch to form a sealed pouch holding the plurality of frozen food pieces within the interior volume between opposing first and second seals, the vent positioned on the top panel with a spacing of at least about 14% of a length between the opposing first and second seals from each of the opposing first and second seals, wherein the interior surface of the sealed pouch is configured to contact at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces from each of a top orientation and a bottom orientation during microwave cooking of the microwave food package while moisture is released through the vent to roast the at least a portion of the plurality of frozen food pieces through heating of the susceptor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of frozen food pieces is included in an amount sufficient to arrange the plurality of frozen food pieces as a substantially single layer on the bottom panel during microwave cooking.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the vent occupies a surface area from about 3.0% to about 5.0% of a surface area of the top panel, and wherein the susceptor occupies at least about 80% of a surface area of the interior surface of the sealed pouch.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the vent is positioned with respect to the rectangular array of the plurality of inflatable segments such that at least two edges of the vent align with the rectangular array without intersecting an inflatable segment of the plurality of inflatable segments.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming a longitudinal seal extending between the opposing first and second seals.