A grain-popping machine and associated pod-based popping method is disclosed. The grain-popping is configured to receive a pod. Each pod includes a plurality of cells, with each cell preferably containing a single grain kernel or seed, flavoring, and a cooking medium such as oil or shortening. In a preferred embodiment, the pod is loaded into the grain-popping machine through a slot so that it is held in position below a heating element. The heating element is activated to begin a popping sequence. When each grain kernel or seed in the pod reaches popping temperature, it absorbs the flavoring in its cell and ejects through the bottom of the pod, which is weakened to ease ejection, into a bowl positioned in a receiving area of the grain-popping machine. The pod is then removed and disposed of.

A microwaveable popcorn container may be fashioned from glassine or similar materials to provide a susceptor-free, biodegradable, and/or compostable container for cooking microwave popcorn. The material of the container may be translucent in order to advantageously permit inspection of contents during cooking, as well as to permit evaluation of the completeness of kernel popping after microwaving.

A microwavable bag for cooking food is disclosed. The bag may have holes or vents that may allow the release of steam and heat from the interior of the bag during the microwave cooking process. The bag may also include a top lid and a bottom lid that may be configured to lock together when the bag is in a compact state. This allows for easy transportation of the bag. The bag may expand during the microwave cooking process and be opened safely to consume the food. Food to be cooked within the bag may include popcorn kernels or other food.

The invention relates to a bag, based on the conventional structure of a bag of this type, characterised in that the free end vertices (7) thereof have a bevelled or rounded configuration, which, during the unfolding caused by the increase in volume due to the cooking of the corn grains inside said bag, prevents the bag from being able to remain blocked or held back against the lateral walls of the microwave, preventing the rotation thereof, which ensures a homogeneous distribution of heat over the corn grains, thereby preventing a large number of grains from not cooking properly, as occurs with the conventional popcorn bags.

A device for cooking corn kernels for making popcorn comprising a non-folding volume and a folding volume. The folding volume is configured to take up at least two positions, a first position in which the folding volume is folded and a second position in which it is unfolded. The folding volume includes four walls and at least two walls include a diagonal fold. The device includes a top that delimits the folding volume in at least the second position. The top is formed by two flaps that are each secured to at least two side walls. The flaps are biased in the closed position and are opened by squeezing the vertical edges of the device together.

Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.

Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.

Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.

The present invention relates to a susceptor combination comprising: metallic particles; particles of at least two or more semiconductor materials; and one or more alkaline or alkaline earth metal salts; to a susceptor ink composition containing it. It also relates to a laminate comprising a dielectric substrate and the susceptor ink composition printed on the substrate, as well as a microwaveable package comprising the laminate.

A wick resistant microwavable popcorn arrangement formed substantially entirely of non-fluorocarbon material includes a folded bag defining a bag interior. The folded bag includes first and second opposite face panels joined by first and second opposite side gussets defined by gusset folds. The bag is folded to define a portion of the interior with side creases defined at junctures between the first face panel and the first and second opposite side gussets. One or more non-activated sealant fields are arranged to overlap at least one of the side creases or the gusset folds, and are configured to provide a liquid-resistant barrier. The one or more non-activated sealant fields are configured to retain the unpopped popcorn kernels, an oil component, and/or a fat component positioned within the bag interior between the first and second side gussets.