A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein useful to provide convenient, microwavable packages for cooking and crisping food products in a microwave oven are. In some embodiments, the microwavable packaged food product includes an outer package and a quantity of food product contained therein. By one approach, the package has a multilayer microwavable tray having at least three layers including a susceptor layer that includes a microwave energy interactive material thereon and a plurality of discrete openings disposed therein, an absorbent pad layer having a flexible paper-based material suitable for absorbing moisture and grease, and a paperboard base layer that provides a structure by which the susceptor layer and absorbent paper-based layer are supported. In this manner, a microwavable tray or support has at least three macro-layers including a susceptor, an absorbent pad, and a paperboard support, some of which may include additional layers therein as discussed below.

A method for forming a container having an injection-molded feature. The method includes obtaining a blank, forming the blank into a three-dimensional article having at least one sidewall, and forming the injection-molded feature extending around the perimeter of the article. The injection-molded feature comprises an anchor portion and a flange portion. The anchor portion is in contact with an interior surface of the at least one sidewall and the flange portion extends from the anchor portion outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

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.

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.

A microwaveable container for transporting, freezing, storing, and cooking a multi-component foodstuff includes a tray having a base portion and a lid portion and employs a susceptor in combination with steam and venting to cook the multi-component foodstuff in a single microwave cooking step.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein useful to provide convenient, microwavable packages for cooking and crisping food products in a microwave oven are. In some embodiments, the microwavable packaged food product includes an outer package and a quantity of food product contained therein. By one approach, the package has a multilayer microwavable tray having at least three layers including a susceptor layer that includes a microwave energy interactive material thereon and a plurality of discrete openings disposed therein, an absorbent pad layer having a flexible paper-based material suitable for absorbing moisture and grease, and a paperboard base layer that provides a structure by which the susceptor layer and absorbent paper-based layer are supported. In this manner, a microwavable tray or support has at least three macro-layers including a susceptor, an absorbent pad, and a paperboard support, some of which may include additional layers therein as discussed below.

A microwave heating construct includes a base with a plurality of movable portions, where the movable portions are operative for pivoting into a substantially upright condition, and the base and plurality of movable portions includes microwave energy interactive material that is operative for converting microwave energy into heat, so that pivoting the movable portions moves the microwave energy interactive material of the movable portions into an upright condition.

A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.

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.