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Package

a technology for packaging and articles, applied in the field of packaging articles, can solve the problems of not being able to shorten the amount of time devoted to cooking, and the amount of time available for cooking has been steadily decreasing, so as to minimize the possibility of messy cooking and allow the venting of the packag

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-07-16
CONOPCO INC D B A UNILEVER
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention is directed to a new microwavable package having a seal so configured as avoid splatter of the product during heating or cooking in the microwave, thereby avoiding the need for the microwave to be washed after heating or cooking. The package is designed to permit venting of the package during cooking while minimizing the possibility for a messy and inadvertent escape of product onto, for example, the floor and walls of the microwave. The seal system sets up a tortuous path for vapors from food products, particular liquid food products, to travel during venting.
[0010]The package comprises a bottom end and a top end and first and second side wall ends extending between the bottom and top ends. A top seal is provided along the entire top end to seal the package for storage of a food product. A splatter guard seal is situated a sufficient distance below the top end, spanning from the first side wall end approximately half way along and parallel to the top end. A tear area is provided which instructs cutting of at least a portion of the top end and of the first side wall. Removal of a portion of the top end along the tear area assists cooking of the package contents by permitting release of pressure accumulated within the package due to elevated temperatures. However, after the original top end is torn off, the splatter guard seal creates a tortuous path between the opening at the torn top end and the food contained within the package such that the chances of spattering of the product during cooking are essentially eliminated. The second partial seal, i.e., the splatter guard, prevents liquid food from splattering during microwave cooking.
[0011]Since a purpose of the dual seal is to permit the food to be cooked without splattering into the microwave, there will generally be a vertical distance between the seals, preferably about one inch, especially at least about 0.25 inch, and at most about one and one half inches when the height of the pouch is about 6 to about 7 inches. The important thing is that the dual seals have an adequate vertical distance between them and that their configuration creates a tortuous path, so that the goal venting without spilling is achieved.

Problems solved by technology

The amount of time available for preparation of meals has been steadily diminishing in recent years.
But it is not enough merely to shorten the amount of time which must be devoted to cooking.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

[0027]For all the examples, a 1000 W microwave was used. Pouches were filled to about 0.75 of full capacity.

[0028]Pouch 10 according to the present invention was filled with product, sealed with top seal 18 and splatter guard seal 20. Pouch 10 was then cut upon along tear area 22 and heated with product inside in a microwave on high for 90 seconds. No splatter was observed.

example a

[0029]A pouch having the same dimensions as that of Example 1 was provided, except that the splatter guard seal was not used. The pouch was then cut upon along a tear area as in Example 1. When heated in the same microwave with the same amount of the same product, food splattered onto the microwave floor and / or walls within about 90 seconds of heating on high.

example b

[0030]A pouch having the same dimensions as that of Example 1 was provided, except that the splatter guard seal was not used and the pouch was cut along the entire width of the top end. When heated in the same microwave with the same amount of the same product, food splattered onto the microwave floor and / or walls within about 90 seconds of heating on high.

[0031]Example 1 and comparative Examples A and B demonstrate how essential the splatter guard is for avoiding soiling of the microwave.

[0032]The term “comprising” is used herein in its ordinary meaning and means including, made up of, composed of, consisting and / or consisting essentially of. In other words, the term is defined as not being exhaustive of the steps, components, ingredients, or features to which it refers.

[0033]Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts or ratios of material or conditions of reaction, physical propertie...

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Abstract

A package having a dual seal designed to permit venting of the package during microwave heating or cooking while minimizing the possibility for a messy and inadvertent escape of product onto, for example, the floor and walls of the microwave. The seal system sets up a tortuous path for vapors and any splatter from food products, particularly liquid food products, to travel during venting.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to packaging article, more particularly a stand up pouch for microwaving food products, particularly liquid food products, in the package.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The amount of time available for preparation of meals has been steadily diminishing in recent years. Microwave cooking has been embraced by many consumers as one solution to the problem of dwindling meal preparation time. Microwave cooking often demands less attention than conventional oven cooking and is usually completed in a shorter period of time.[0003]But it is not enough merely to shorten the amount of time which must be devoted to cooking. For instance, consumers would also prefer not to have to expend effort washing or cleaning the microwave at the completion of microwave cooking, to the extent that this can be avoided. There is a need, therefore, for microwave packaging which can meet a variety of consumer desiderata, including easy opening and mini...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D81/34
CPCB65D33/01B65D81/3461B65D75/008
Inventor HUGHES, JOHN MICHAELHOLLANDER, EMMA ANJALILU, ANITAMOHLER, NIKETA GEORGETTE
Owner CONOPCO INC D B A UNILEVER