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.

A microwave packaging material for forming a construct for holding a food item. The microwave packaging material can comprise a film at least partially secured to a substrate by a pattern of adhesive. A plurality of closed cells can extend between the film and the substrate, each closed cell of the plurality of closed cells can be at least partially defined by the pattern of adhesive, and each of the closed cells can be configured to expand during heating to form respective expanded cells. The microwave packaging material further can comprise a bonded region extending along at least a portion of the microwave packaging material. The film can be secured to the substrate along the bonded region, and the bonded region can be for forming at least one recess among the expanded cells and can be for extending along the food item when the microwave packaging material is heated.

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.

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 microwave packaging material for forming a construct for holding a food item. The microwave packaging material can include a film at least partially secured to a substrate by a pattern of adhesive. A plurality of closed cells can extend between the film and the substrate, each closed cell of the plurality of closed cells can be at least partially defined by the pattern of adhesive, and each of the closed cells can be configured to expand during heating to form respective expanded cells. The microwave packaging material further can include a bonded region extending along at least a portion of the microwave packaging material. The film can be secured to the substrate along the bonded region, and the bonded region can be for forming at least one recess among the expanded cells and can be for extending along the food item when the microwave packaging material is heated.

A flexible microwave heating package for food includes a first panel and a second panel joined to one another in a facing relationship, and a third panel joined to the first panel and the second panel. The first panel and second panel define walls of the package and the third panel defines a base of the package. The first panel and second panel may each include microwave energy interactive material operative for reflecting at least a portion of incident microwave energy.

A container for heating a food product with microwave energy having a wavelength. The container can include a generally circular centerline having an axis, and a receptacle including a sidewall extending at least partially around a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can extend along at least a portion of the centerline. The sidewall can include an inner edge and an outer edge each being spaced apart from the axis of the centerline for at least partially retaining the food product in the cavity in proximity to the centerline.

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 container for heating a food product with microwave energy having a wavelength. The container can include a generally circular centerline having an axis, and a receptacle including a sidewall extending at least partially around a cavity. At least a portion of the cavity can extend along at least a portion of the centerline. The sidewall can include an inner edge and an outer edge each being spaced apart from the axis of the centerline for at least partially retaining the food product in the cavity in proximity to the centerline.

A microwave susceptor article having an advantageous microwave heating rate property and cooling rate property, including: a substrate; a metallic-containing layer on at least one major surface of the substrate; and optionally a protective coating on or associated with the metallic layer, as defined herein. Also disclosed are a method of making the article and a method of using the article.