A packaging product taking the form of a thermally insulating packaging material includes a first multi-layer film bonded to a second layer of multi-layer film. Each multi-layer film can include one or more polymer layers and one or more metallized layers. The multi-layer films are bonded to each other with a pattern that leaves a number of inflatable cells dispersed across a surface of the sheet. At least one end of the sheet can be left unbonded. The uninflated packaging product can be stored and distributed in its uninflated state prior to it being used as a packaging material. Once ready for use, the cells can be inflated through the unbonded ends and the unbonded ends of the sheets can then be sealed to form a robust sheet of thermally insulating packaging material.

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.