A container with a window through which food within the container may be seen. The window may include a hole in a base material of the container, and at least one substantially clear polymeric film that is mounted to a portion of the container and obstructs (e.g., covers) the hole. Microwave energy interactive material (MEIM) may be mounted to the polymeric film for influencing the effect of microwave energy on the food within the container. Typically (e.g., optionally), the film extends beyond the hole, and the MEIM may be segregated to portions of the film that do not obstruct the hole, so that the MEIM does not interfere with the view through the window.

A laminate structure includes a base layer, a thermally stable adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the base layer, and a susceptor overlying the base layer and the thermally stable adhesive. The thermally stable adhesive substantially maintains the thermal profile of the susceptor at a temperature of about 250 F. (121 C.) and above.

A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (MEIMs) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.

The present invention relates to a vessel having an area for holding at least one food item for being heated in a solid state microwave oven. Additionally, disclosed is a method for heating a food item in a solid state microwave oven. Particularly, the vessel comprises a tray having an area for holding at least one food item and a susceptor wherein there is a thermal insulation between the susceptor and the food item. The tray may include two- or multi-compartment configurations wherein the susceptor only spans at least along a portion of one compartment to heat various food item simultaneously within a solid state microwave oven.

A tray for cooking different food products is provided. The tray includes a first compartment and a second compartment. A hinge extends between the first compartment and the second compartment such that the first compartment is able to be moved relative to the second compartment for causing a content within the first compartment to move into the second compartment. The tray further comprises a crisping susceptor disposed within one of the compartments.

Processes and systems that enhance the heating of packaged foodstuffs and other items in various microwave heating systems are described herein. The foodstuffs may be contained in a package including one or more energy control elements that interact with microwave energy in order to alter the effect that microwave energy has on the foodstuff. These energy control elements can enhance or inhibit microwave energy and a single package may include one or more energy control elements. In some cases, the energy control element may respond differently to different types of microwave energy. As a result, some packages described herein may exhibit different absorption or reflectance characteristics when exposed to microwave energy while being pasteurized or sterilized in a larger-scale microwave heating system than when the package is reheated in an at-home microwave oven prior to consumption or use.

A container that includes a microwave interactive web at least partially overlying and joined to a three-dimensional support, wherein the three-dimensional support may be formed prior to having the microwave interactive web mounted thereto. The three-dimensional support may be a preformed container that is sufficiently rigid and dimensionally stable for use in containing food.

A carton for holding a product in a liner. The carton includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a front panel, at least one rear panel, and at least one side panel. At least one end flap is foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one side panel includes at least one expansion feature for transitioning the carton between a first configuration and a second configuration. The at least one expansion feature is foldably connected to the front panel and the at least one rear panel.

A meal kit for microwave cooking of a multi-component food product is provided that includes at least two sealed packages of ingredients for the multi-component food product. One of the sealed packages of ingredients contains a liquid component of the multi-component food product. The meal kit also includes a cooking tray formed of a microwave-safe material having a bottom wall with an upstanding sidewall extending around the periphery thereof to define an interior of the cooking tray. Outer packaging is provided to contain the sealed packages of ingredients and the cooking tray.

A container that includes a microwave interactive web at least partially overlying and joined to a three-dimensional support, wherein the three-dimensional support may be formed prior to having the microwave interactive web mounted thereto. The three-dimensional support may be a preformed container that is sufficiently rigid and dimensionally stable for use in containing food.