Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus attachable to a container and usable to secure the container closed. The apparatus is transitionable from a nonuse configuration to a use configuration to form an (at least partially) elastic loop attached to the container and usable to circumscribe the container to secure the container closed.

A method of forming a container from a blank. The method can comprise obtaining a blank having a wall portion, a flange portion, and a coating on at least a portion of the flange portion. At least one score line can extend at least partially in the flange portion, and the coating can at least partially cover the at least one score line. The method further can comprise forming the container from the blank by forming a wall of the container from the wall portion and forming a flange of the container from the flange portion. The flange can extend from the wall. The forming the container further can comprise forming the at least one score line into at least one pleat in at least the flange. The coating can at least partially cover the at least one pleat to form a substantially continuous sealing surface on the flange.

Microwavable food containers (10) made at least in part from biodegradable and/or compostable materials and processes for producing these containers are described.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus attachable to a container and usable to secure the container closed. The apparatus is transitionable from a nonuse configuration to a use configuration to form an (at least partially) elastic loop attached to the container and usable to circumscribe the container to secure the container closed.

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.

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.

A process and apparatus for heating a microwave transparent material or di-polar material. The apparatus includes a vessel that has susceptor material on at least a portion of the vessel walls. Microwaves are generated by a microwave transmitter and introduced into the vessel which can heat both microwave transparent materials and di-polar materials within the vessel.

A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.

A beverage preparation package including a container defining a multiplicity of openings, and a beverage preparation composition positioned in the container. The beverage preparation composition includes a microwave susceptor and a beverage precursor. In some cases, the beverage preparation composition includes a particulate beverage precursor and a particulate microwave susceptor. The particulate beverage precursor typically includes a plant material, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, herbs, or the like. Preparing a beverage includes contacting water with a beverage preparation package including a beverage preparation composition and water, irradiating the water with microwave radiation to vaporize at least a portion of the water, thereby imparting a flavor from the beverage preparation composition to the water to yield the beverage. The beverage preparation composition can be separated from the beverage.

A foldable container for use in microwave ovens that comprises a first section that defines a hollow volume; with the first section closed by a second folded section that is adapted to unfold automatically between a folded configuration in a flower pattern and an expanded configuration, providing an open upper base to the unfolded container.