A packaged product is disclosed that includes a cooking container, a first food product, and a packet filled with a second food product. The cooking container may have a sealed interior volume, and the first food product and the packet may be disposed within the sealed interior volume. The packet may be made of a water-soluble film that is edible. Also disclosed is a method of preparing an instant food product for consumption. The method may include removing a lid from a cooking container containing both a first food product and a packet filled with a second food product. The method may further include adding water to the cooking container to submerge and dissolve the packet.

An automated system for the preparation and distribution of food, comprises: at least one supply station of at least one container adapted to contain a plurality of food ingredients; at least one filling station of the at least one container with the food ingredients; at least one pressurization station intended to apply an vacuum to the at least one container; at least one microwave cooking station of the food ingredients inside the at least one container; and a distribution apparatus/system(s)/component(s)/structure(s) (or the like) of the at least one container to an end consumer.

According to one example, a removable lid for a container of a vessel includes a valve configured to selectively allow air to vent out of a fluid retaining interior region of the container when the lid is positioned on the container. The valve includes an opening that extends entirely through a thickness of a portion of the lid, and a valve plug. The valve plug includes a valve top portion that extends vertically above a top surface of the portion of the lid, a valve bottom portion, and a valve central portion. The valve top portion is configured to be contracted, by a downward pressure, into a more vertically compact shape. The valve top portion is further configured to, absent the downward pressure, expand back upwards out of the more vertically compact shape.

There is provided a container that makes it possible to suppress intrusion of bacteria from the tip of a pleat part into the inside of the container. The container includes: a main body that includes a body part defining a containing portion and a flange part extending outward from an upper portion of the body part; and a lid that is joined to the flange part of the main body via an outer edge seal portion so as to cover the containing portion, the lid being formed by a lid member folded back at a fold-back portion such that portions of the lid member overlap each other. The lid has: a pleat part that includes the portions of the lid member overlapping each other and that extends from an edge of one side to an edge of the other side of the lid in a first direction; and a first lid part and a second lid part that are formed by the lid member and that are arranged on opposite sides of the pleat part. The pleat part includes: a pleat seal portion in which inner surfaces of the portions of the lid member are joined together and that extends from the edge of the one side to the edge of the other side of the lid in the first direction; and a steam passing portion that includes a through hole or a cutout formed in the pleat seal portion. Seal strength of the pleat seal portion is lower than that of the outer edge seal portion.

A container structure for sealing and keeping food fresh, which can be repacked after unpacking. The container structure has a container body and a covering film; the container body has a housing chamber, a first abutting face, a concave groove portion, a second abutting face and a preset break line; the covering film can seal the housing chamber and bond with the first and second abutting face, specifically, it is bonded to the first abutting face through the micro sealing portion, so that the bonding between the covering film and the first abutting face is weaker than the bonding between the second abutting face; To open the covering film, the user needs to apply a force upon the external edge of the top end of the container body, to break the preset break line, and to separate the covering film from the first abutting face, so as to form a separated and independent frame.

Embodiments herein relate to microwaveable food containers and food products for high-temperature cooking applications and related methods. In an embodiment, a disposable microwaveable food container for high-temperature cooking applications is included. The container can include an inner cup including a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, the side wall comprising a top, and a top seal layer in contact with the top of the side wall. The bottom wall and side wall together can define a reservoir to hold a food material. An outer cover shell can include a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the bottom wall, a top wall connected the side wall, and a support structure for supporting the inner cup. The support structure can contact the inner cup and hold it in a position with a bottom gap, a side gap, and a top gap. Other embodiments are also included herein.

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.

An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a flange comprising a central panel. An opening can extend in the central panel. The container further can comprise a sidewall comprising at least a panel foldably connected to the central panel and a denesting feature extending outwardly from the sidewall. The denesting feature can be for engaging a nested container positioned below the container in a stacked arrangement and for forming a denesting gap between the flange and the nested container.