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Abuse-tolerant metallic packaging materials for microwave cooking

Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-19
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2021-01-19
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Abstract

Abstract An abuse-tolerant microwave food packaging material includes repeated sets of metallic foil or high optical density evaporated material segments disposed on a substrate. Each set of metallic segments is arranged to define a perimeter having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the operating or effective wavelength of an operating microwave oven. The repeated sets of segments act both as a shield to microwave energy and as focusing elements for microwave energy when used in conjunction with food products, while remaining electrically safe in the absence of the food products.

Inventors

  • 👤 Neilson Zeng
  • 👤 Laurence Lai
  • 👤 Anthony Russell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 08:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3437; B65D2581/3439; B65D2581/344; B65D2581/3463; B65D2581/3466; B65D2581/3471; B65D2581/3472; B65D2581/3486; B65D2581/3487; B65D2581/3494

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 140 words
An abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material comprising: a repeated first set of metallic segments on a substrate, wherein each first set of metallic segments defines a perimeter of a multi-lobe shape with a center, the perimeter having a length approximately equal to a predetermined fraction of an effective wavelength of microwaves in an operating microwave oven, and wherein each metallic segment in each first set of metallic segments is spaced apart from adjacent metallic segments; and a repeated second set of metallic segments on the substrate, wherein the metallic segments of each second set of metallic segments are arranged between and within the lobes of the multi-lobe shape defined by each first set of metallic segments, and wherein each metallic segment in each second set of metallic segments is spaced apart from adjacent segments of each first set of metallic segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 140 words
An abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material comprising: a repeated first set of metallic segments on a substrate, wherein each first set of metallic segments defines a perimeter of a multi-lobe shape with a center, the perimeter having a length approximately equal to a predetermined fraction of an effective wavelength of microwaves in an operating microwave oven, and wherein each metallic segment in each first set of metallic segments is spaced apart from adjacent metallic segments; and a repeated second set of metallic segments on the substrate, wherein the metallic segments of each second set of metallic segments are arranged between and within the lobes of the multi-lobe shape defined by each first set of metallic segments, and wherein each metallic segment in each second set of metallic segments is spaced apart from adjacent segments of each first set of metallic segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 49 words
An abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material as described in claim 1 wherein each metallic segment of each second set of metallic segments defines a triangular shape, and wherein a vertex of each triangular shape points toward the center of the multi-lobe shape defined by each first set of metallic segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein each metallic segment has an area less than 5 mm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the substrate includes a susceptor film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the substrate is microwave transparent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 5 wherein the substrate is a paper based material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the metallic segments are formed of metallic foil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 7 wherein the metallic foil comprises aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the metallic segments are formed by the deposition of a high optical density evaporated material on the substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 9 wherein the high optical density evaporated material comprises aluminum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 37 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the predetermined fraction of the effective wavelength is an integer multiple of the effective wavelength, such that the length of the perimeter is resonant with the effective wavelength.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 38 words
The abuse-tolerant microwave packaging material of claim 1 wherein the predetermined fraction of the effective wavelength is an integer multiple of one-half the effective wavelength, such that the length of the perimeter is quasi-resonant with the effective wavelength.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-08-12 2006-02-11 2006-08-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-08-12 2010-02-11 2010-08-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-08-12 2014-02-11 2014-08-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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