CN104603015A - Reinforced pouch - Google Patents

Abstract

A package comprising a bag within a sleeve. The sleeve includes opposing concave panels and opposing convex panels, each concave panel having an opposing concave edge and each convex panel having an opposing convex edge. The concave and convex edges are foldably connected to each other by arcuate fold lines. When the sleeve is upright, each convex panel can be in a recessed configuration relative to the interior of the sleeve.

Description

reinforcement bag

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61/669,740, filed July 10, 2012.

incorporated by reference

The entirety of US Provisional Application No. 61/669,740, filed July 10, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to packaging, or more specifically to reinforced bags.

Background technique

Reinforced bags are widely used. It is always desirable to provide reinforcement bags and elements thereof with a new balance of properties.

Contents of the invention

In one aspect, the present application is directed to a package comprising a flexible pouch at least partially wrapped by (and optionally connected to) a reinforcing sleeve. The package can transition from a first, generally flat configuration to a second, substantially expanded (eg, erected) configuration. In the expanded configuration, the sleeve provides structural stability to the bag and helps hold the bag open so that the package can be used as a container for holding and accessing food. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sleeve may also enable the package to stand substantially upright.

If desired, the shape of the package may be designed to facilitate grab-and-go consumption of the food contained in the package, for example from a fast food restaurant. For example, the shape and/or size of the package can be designed so that the package can be easily inserted into a cup holder of a car. As another example, the package may be shaped (eg, contoured) to facilitate being held in a user's hand.

In some embodiments, the package can also be used to at least one of heat, broil, and bake the food, eg, in a microwave oven. In these embodiments, the package can include a microwave energy interacting material that alters the effect of microwave energy on the food. In one example, the microwave energy interactive material can be configured as a susceptor. When sufficiently exposed to microwave energy, the susceptor readily absorbs at least a portion of the microwave energy and converts it to thermal energy (ie, heat) through resistive losses in the layer of microwave energy interacting material. The remaining microwave energy is reflected or transmitted through the susceptor. Susceptors are commonly used to promote searing and/or crisping of the food surface. However, other microwave energy interacting materials may be used.

These packages can be used to prepare a variety of foods in the microwave, such as pizza wraps, corn dogs, popcorn, snacks, egg rolls, pastries or cookies, breaded foods, or foods that you wish to heat, roast and/or bake any other common food. This structure may also be suitable for use in conventional furnaces.

The packaging may primarily consist of disposable materials such as paper, cardboard and polymer films.

With regard to packages in the form of reinforced bags, said reinforced bag or package is characterized in that it comprises a bag in a carton, wherein said carton may be in the form of a sleeve extending around said bag, said bag being mountable to said described sleeve. As a more specific example, the packaged carton may have a plurality of panels extending around the interior of the carton, wherein the plurality of panels includes a pair of biconcave panels facing each other and a pair of biconvex panels facing each other, Or mainly consist of a pair of biconcave panels facing each other and a pair of biconvex panels facing each other, or a pair of biconcave panels facing each other and a pair of biconvex panels facing each other, and each biconcave panel has Opposed concave sides, each biconvex panel has opposed convex sides. The concave side and the convex side can each be foldably connected to each other by arcuate folding lines. Each lenticular panel is in a substantially concave configuration relative to the interior of the carton when the carton is in the fully erected configuration, wherein the lenticular panels move in response to the interaction of forces in the plurality of panels Keep them in their basic concave configuration. As an example, the carton may optionally be in the form of a sleeve with relatively open ends that do not include (eg, are not closed) end flaps, etc., wherein the aforementioned lenticular panels The substantially concave configuration and/or the interaction of forces in the panels maintain the sleeve in its erected configuration such that the sleeve (eg, the package as a whole) can stand upright on itself.

The foregoing has presented a simplified summary of some aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding. The foregoing summary is not comprehensive and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The purpose of the foregoing summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below. Other aspects are apparent, for example, from the following.

Description of drawings

Having generally described some aspects of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and not necessarily to scale. These figures are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

1A is a plan view of a first side (eg, outer side) of an exemplary blank for forming a package.

Figure IB is a schematic plan view of a second side (eg, inner side) of the blank of Figure IA.

Figure 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary blank of Figure IB taken along line 1C-1C.

Figures ID and IE are schematic plan views of opposite sides of a package formed from the blank of Figures IA and IB in a substantially flat configuration.

1F-1H are schematic perspective views of the package of FIGS. 1D and 1E in a substantially expanded upright configuration.

Detailed ways

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below and illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. The described embodiments provide examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, as well as modifications and improvements to the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art, all such other embodiments, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the invention. For example, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to form further embodiments, which are within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate opposing sides (eg, first and second sides) of an exemplary blank 100 that may be used to form package 154 ( FIGS. 1D-1H ). The blank 100 generally includes a first element 102 and a second element 104 connected (eg mounted) to each other. The first element 102 may comprise a flexible sheet material, such as paper, polymer film, metal foil, etc., suitable for forming a flexible package, such as a pouch (eg, bag). Said second element 104 may comprise a reinforcing sheet comprising a dimensionally stable and/or somewhat rigid or stiff material (e.g. cardboard) which may be adapted to be folded into a desired configuration and substantially retain its configuration, At the same time some inherent flexibility is provided so that the panel of the second element can be moved or bent as desired.

In this example, the first element or sheet 102 generally comprises a single ply or sheet of material, as shown schematically in FIG. 1B (which generally illustrates the inside of the blank 100 ), the second element Or the sheet 104 generally comprises a plurality of panels or sections connected along lines of weakness or disruption (eg, fold lines) such as score lines, cut crease lines, cut space lines, tear lines , or any other suitable line of weakness or interruption, or any combination thereof, as shown schematically in FIG. 1A (which generally illustrates the outside of the blank 100). However, in other embodiments, the first and/or second elements 102, 104 of the blank 100 may include a fewer or greater number of panels, sections, sheets and/or lines of interruption.

When the blank 100 is erected into a package 154, the flexible sheet 102 forms a pouch (eg, a bag) for containing one or more items, and the dimensionally stable sheet 104 defines a sheet of paper extending around the pouch. A box (eg, sleeve or sheath) to provide structural support and/or confinement to at least a portion of the bag. The dimensionally stable sleeve or sheath may also help maintain the bag in an open configuration, as will be discussed further below.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first and second sheets 102, 104 of the blank 100, the panels of the sheets, and the blank 100 itself may each have a direction in a first direction, such as a longitudinal direction. A first dimension, such as length, extending in D1, and a second dimension, such as width (typically measured as the distance between opposite peripheries of a blank, sheet or panel) extending in a second direction D2 such as the transverse direction. (It should be noted that these directional indications are for convenience only and do not necessarily refer to or limit the manner in which the blanks may be fabricated or erected into structures). The perimeter of the first sheet 102 may include a pair of perimeters 106, 108 extending opposite each other in said longitudinal direction D1, and top and bottom perimeters 110, 112 extending opposite each other in said transverse direction D2 such that The first sheet 102 has a substantially rectangular shape. The perimeter of the second sheet 104 may also include a pair of perimeters 114, 116 extending opposite each other in the longitudinal direction D1, and top and bottom perimeters 118, 118 extending opposite each other in the transverse direction D2. 120, such that the second sheet 104 has a substantially rectangular shape (except that the perimeter 114 is slightly arcuate in shape, whereas the perimeters 116, 118, 120 are substantially straight). However, other possibilities are conceivable.

The length and width of the first and second sheets 102, 104 may be different or may be approximately equal. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the length L1 of the first sheet 102 is greater than the length L2 of the second sheet 104, whereas the widths W1, W2 of these sheets 102, 104 may be approximately equal. The total length L of the blank 100 is the same as the length L1 of the first sheet 102, and the total width W of the blank 100 is greater than the respective widths W1, W2 of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 .

The first and second sheets 102, 104 may be separated from each other or attached to each other in any suitable manner and using any suitable technique or material (eg, adhesive). In this example, the first and second sheets 102, 104 are connected such that the second sheet 104 is substantially centered along the length L1 of the first sheet 102 and is aligned in the second direction D2 with the The first sheet 102 is offset. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1A, the perimeters 114, 118, 120 of the second sheet 104 are in facing, contacting relationship with the outside of the first sheet 102, while the perimeter 116 is not connected to the first sheet 102. The free edge of the sheet 102. The perimeter 108 of the first sheet 102 is in facing, contacting relationship with the inner side of the second sheet 104 , while the perimeters 106 , 110 , 112 are free edges not connected to the second sheet 104 . In one example, the sheets 102, 104 are mounted to each other by all surfaces of the sheets 102, 104 that are connected to each other by an adhesive material at least in substantially opposing face-to-face relationship. Nonetheless and alternatively, typically at least one of the panels of the second sheet 104 is mounted to the first sheet 102 by an adhesive material or any other suitable fastening technique. That is, for example, one or more panels of the second sheet 104 may not be mounted (eg, directly bonded) to the first sheet 102 .

Looking now at these elements 102, 104 in more detail, the second sheet 104 (eg, dimensionally stable sheet 104) may comprise a first main panel 122, a second main panel 124, a first primary panel 126, Secondary panel 128 and attachment panel 130 are shown schematically in FIG. 1A . The panels 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 may be connected in side-by-side relationship such that each panel 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 includes a pair of lateral perimeters opposite each other, the pair of lateral perimeters comprising perimeter 118, The corresponding part of 120. The secondary panel 126 includes a longitudinal perimeter 114 that includes the perimeter 114 of the second sheet 104 . Similarly, the attachment panel 130 includes a longitudinal perimeter 116 that includes the perimeter 116 of the second sheet 104 .

The primary panel 126 and the second secondary panel 128 are connected to opposite (substantially longitudinal) edges of the first primary panel 122 along break lines 132 , 134 . The second secondary panel 128 and attachment panel 130 are connected to opposite (substantially longitudinal) edges of the second primary panel 124 along break lines 136 , 138 . Each of the first panel 126 and the second panel 128 is divided into a first portion 126a, 128a and a second portion 126b, 128b along a respective break line 140, 142 extending in the first direction D1. The break line 140, 142 substantially bisects the respective sub-panel 126, 128 along its length L1. That is, for each sub-panel 126, 128 and its corresponding line of discontinuity 140, 142, the line of discontinuity is substantially midway between the opposing ledges of the sub-panel.

Lines of discontinuity 132 , 134 , 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 extend generally along said first direction D1 between opposing lateral peripheries 118 , 120 of said second sheet 104 such that each line of discontinuity 132 , 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 may have approximately the same length L2. Likewise, panels 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 may have approximately the same length L2. However, in other embodiments, the dimensions of the individual panels and break lines may vary.

The lines of discontinuity 132, 134, 136, 138 are generally curved or arcuate in shape and may be considered to be generally inwardly bowed when viewed from the primary panels 122, 124 and generally bowed inward when viewed along the secondary panels 126, 128. Bow outward. Accordingly, the first and second major panels 122, 124 each have a generally hourglass or biconcave shape such that the width of the respective major panels 122, 124 may be at least approximately half along their length L2. Rather, the first and second sub-panels 126, 128 each have a generally lenticular or barrel shape such that the width of the respective sub-panel 126, 128 is at most half along its length L2. In this regard and in the embodiment shown in the figures, each primary panel 122, 124 (e.g., a biconvex panel) has opposing concave sides and each secondary panel 126, 128 (eg, a biconvex panel) has opposing convex sides. These concave and convex edges are foldably connected to each other by arcuate interruption lines 132, 134, 136, 138, respectively. However, other possibilities are conceivable.

It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in the figures, the interruption lines 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 are fold lines comprising cutting space lines, ie a plurality of spaced apart creases or Partial depth cut. However, any kind of interruption or weakening line may be used, such as scoring lines, cutting crease lines or others.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second sheets 102, 104 may include a microwave energy interacting material configured as one or more microwave energy interacting elements that alter the microwave energy interaction Influence of proximity to food. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, shown schematically in FIG. The temperature is increased in response to microwave energy. However, countless other possibilities are conceivable.

The microwave energy interacting material 144, such as a susceptor, may be supported on a polymer film 146 to define a susceptor film 148, as schematically shown in Figure 1C. The outermost (i.e., exposed surface) 150 of the polymeric film 146 may serve as a food contact surface (i.e., for a facing, substantially contacting relationship with a food product) of a structure 154 erected from the blank 100. ). The susceptor film 148 may be attached (e.g., laminated) to a support layer 152, such as paper, using an adhesive or otherwise (not shown) to impart dimensional stability to the susceptor film 148 (and thus the package 154). And/or prevent damage to the microwave energy interacting material 144 layer.

To form a package 154 ( FIGS. 1D-1G ) from the blank 100 according to one acceptable method, the blank 100 may be folded along the lines of interruption 140 , 142 . The panels 126a, 130 may overlap each other (eg, such that the perimeter 116 is substantially aligned with the line of discontinuity 140), and the peripheral boundaries of the first element 102 adjacent the perimeters 106, 108 may overlap each other. The respective overlapping portions of the sheets 102, 104 may be connected to each other in any suitable manner (e.g., using an adhesive) to form a substantially planar tubular structure including an interior defined by the respective perimeters 110, 112 of the sheets 102. Space 156 (as shown in FIGS. 1F and 1G ) and a pair of open ends ( 158 , 160 , such as end edges). In the folded flat configuration, lines of disruption 132, 138 substantially overlap each other and lines of disruption 134, 136 substantially overlap each other.

If desired, at least one end of the structure (e.g., along the peripheral boundary of end portion 160) can be sealed (shown schematically with hatched marks in FIGS. 1D and 1E ) to form a and a closed end (eg, end 160 ) of the package or bag 154 , wherein each line of interruption 132 , 134 , 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 extends along a portion of the length L of the structure 154 .

By pushing the lines of disruption 140, 142 toward each other and/or moving the panels 122, 124 away from each other and folding the package 154 along the lines of disruption 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, the package 154 can be moved from the The substantially flat configuration transitions to an open, expanded (eg erected) configuration. At the same time, the panels 126, 128, 130 are moved inwardly so that the reinforcing sheath or sleeve 104 formed by said second sheet 104 defines a specific contoured packaging shape with inwardly curved sides. The intermediate lines of interruption 140, 142 are configured to allow the sub-panels 126, 128 to be folded in such a manner that for each sub-panel its opposing chimes can be moved toward and away from each other to at least partially The inwardly curved side may or may not be erected. Further, the inwardly curved sides also include each of the sub-panels 126, 128 (e.g., lenticular panels) generally in a substantially concave configuration with respect to the interior of the carton (e.g., sleeve) of the package 154, wherein the sub-panels are at least Their substantially concave configuration is maintained in part in response to the interaction of forces in the carton of package 154 . Optionally, this packaging 154 held by hand or placed in a cup holder or the like also helps to at least partially maintain the secondary panels 126, 128 in their generally concave configuration. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the carton of the package 154 has opposite open ends which do not include and are not closed by the flaps of the carton, wherein the above mentioned panels 126, 128 The substantially concave configuration and/or the interaction of forces in the carton of package 154 maintains the carton in its erect configuration. However, the package may be configured to have any other shape, such as a generally tubular or cylindrical shape, a generally rectangular shape, or any other regular or irregular shape. As another example and optionally, the packaged carton or sleeve may further include one or more end flaps for at least partially closing one or both ends of the carton or sleeve.

If desired, the package 154 can be brought into an upright configuration with the closed end 160 of the package facing downward, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1F and 1G . In this configuration, panels 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 (some of which are hidden from view in FIGS. 1F and 1G ) provide structural stability to flexible bag 102 and help hold the bag in place. An open configuration so that food or other package contents can be easily accessed, even when the food is frequently consumed. Additionally, the inwardly curved portion of the reinforcing sleeve 104 defines a curved outer surface of the package that facilitates handling of the package.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 1G , the carton portion of the package 154 is in the form of a sleeve with opposing top and bottom ends; the bag portion of the package is located inside the sleeve; the top end of the bag extends upwardly and outwardly through the sleeve the opening at the top of the bag; the sealed closed bottom end of the bag extends downwardly and outwardly through the opening at the bottom end of the sleeve; the top and bottom ends of the bag are wider than the sleeve.

If desired, the bottom of bag 102 can be pushed upwards so that perimeter 120 becomes the lowermost portion of package 154, as schematically shown in Figure 1H. In this way, perimeter 120 may serve as a bottom edge for supporting the package when it is placed on a surface.

Food product may be inserted into interior space 156 at any suitable time and the open end of the package may be sealed. Alternatively, one end may remain airtight, and the user may be instructed to insert food into the interior space prior to use.

If the package is to be microwaved, broiled and/or baked, the food product within the interior space 156 may be exposed to microwave energy. Upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy, the microwave energy interacting material (ie, susceptor 144) converts at least a portion of the active microwave energy into thermal energy, which can then be transferred to the surface of the food product. Thereby, heating, grilling and/or baking of the food product may be enhanced. Notably, the generally tubular shape of the package 154 enables multiple sides of the food product to be heated, broiled and/or baked simultaneously without having to reconfigure the food product during the heating cycle.

In some embodiments, the package 154 may be pre-expanded to accommodate package contents or to provide empty volume within the interior space 156 to accommodate expansion of food during heating. It is also contemplated that the package 154 may further expand during heating, for example in response to the expansion of a food item such as popcorn.

Obviously, because the package 154 can be configured in various ways, the package can likewise be expressed in various ways. For example, the package 154 may be described as a bag 102 with a reinforced portion 104 , or as a package 154 with a flexible portion 102 and a dimensionally stable portion 104 . Alternatively, the package 154 may be represented as a carton or container 104 with a flexible liner 102 . Accordingly, use of different terms to describe the package or elements or features thereof should not be limiting in any way.

A myriad of materials can be used to form packages according to the present invention. For example, the first element 102 of the blank 100 (ie, the flexible portion of the package 154) may comprise any suitable flexible material. For example, the first element may comprise paper, a polymer film, a metal layer, or any combination thereof. The paper may have a basis weight of about 15 to about 60 lb/ream (lb/3000 sq. ft.), such as a basis weight of about 20 to about 40 lb/ream, such as about 25 lb/ream. Suitable polymer films can have a thickness of about 0.5 mil to about 2 mil. Composites of paper, film and/or other materials may also be used. Such composites may have a thickness of, for example, about 1.5 to about 5 mils, such as about 3 mils.

The second element 104 of the blank 100 (ie, the reinforced portion of the package 154) may comprise a dimensionally stable and/or semi-rigid material, such as cardboard. The paperboard may have a basis weight of about 60 to about 330 lb/ream, for example a basis weight of about 80 to about 140 lb/ream. The paperboard may generally have a thickness of about 6 to about 30 mils, for example a thickness of about 8 to about 24 mils. In one particular example, the paperboard has a thickness of about 12 to about 14 mils. Any suitable paperboard may be used, such as solid bleached kraft paperboard such as that available from International Paper Company of Memphis, TN Paperboard, or solid unbleached kraft paperboard such as that available from Graphic Packaging International of Marietta, GA cardboard.

As mentioned above, the microwave energy interactive material 144 (shown schematically in stippling) can be configured as a susceptor so that the package 154 can be used, for example, in microwave heating, broiling and baking of food. at least one. In these embodiments, the package may include microwave energy interacting material that alters the effect of microwave energy on the food. When the microwave energy interactive material 144 is in the form of a susceptor, the microwave energy interactive material 144 may be configured as a thin layer of microwave energy interactive material generally less than 100 angstroms thick, with an interaction of, for example, about 60 to about 100 angstroms. Angstroms, and have an optical density of 0.15 to about 0.35, such as about 0.17 to about 0.28. When sufficiently exposed to microwave energy, the susceptor readily absorbs at least a portion of the microwave energy and converts it into thermal energy (ie, heat) through resistive losses in the layer of microwave energy interacting material. The remaining microwave energy is reflected or transmitted through the susceptor. Susceptors are commonly used to promote searing and/or crisping of the food surface. However, other microwave energy interacting elements may be used.

Where used, the microwave energy interaction material may comprise conductive or semiconducting materials, such as vacuum deposited metals or metal alloys, or metallic inks, organic inks, inorganic inks, metal pastes, organic pastes, inorganic pastes, or their random combination. Examples of suitable metals and metal alloys include, but are not limited to, aluminum, chromium, copper, Inconel (nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with niobium), iron, magnesium, nickel, stainless steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, and their any combination or alloy.

Alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise metal oxides, such as oxides of aluminum, iron and tin, optionally in combination with conductive materials. Another suitable metal oxide is indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO has a more uniform crystal structure and is therefore transparent through most of the coating thickness.

Still alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a suitable electrical conductor, semiconductor, or non-conductive artificial insulator or ferroelectric substance. Artificial insulators include conductive finely divided material in a polymer or other suitable matrix or matrix, and may include conductive metal flakes, such as aluminum flakes.

In other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive material may be carbon-based, for example as disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,943,456, 5,002,826, 5,118,747, and 5,410,135.

In other embodiments, the microwave energy interacting material may interact with the magnetic portion of electromagnetic energy in a microwave oven. Properly chosen such materials can be self-limiting based on the loss of interactions when the Curie temperature of the material is reached. An example of such an interactive coating is described in US Patent No. 4,283,427.

As noted above, the microwave energy interactive material (eg, microwave energy interactive material 144 ) may be supported on a polymer film (eg, polymer film 146 ). The thickness of the film may generally be from about 35 gauge to about 10 mil, such as from about 40 to about 80 gauge, such as from about 45 to about 50 gauge, such as from about 48 gauge. Examples of suitable polymer films include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polysulfones, polyaryletherketones, cellophane, or any combination thereof. In a particular example, the polymer film may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Examples of suitable PET films include, but are not limited to, Teijan Films (Hopewell, Virginia) commercially available from DuPont Teijan Films (Hopewell, Virginia). SKYROL was purchased from SKC, Inc. (Covington, Georgia) and BARRLALOX PET was purchased from Toray Films (Front Royal, VA) and QU50 High Barrier Coated PET was purchased from Toray Films (Front Royal, VA). The polymer film can be selected to impart various properties to the microwave interactive web, such as printability, heat resistance, or any other property. As a specific example, the polymeric film may be selected to provide a waterproof layer, an oxygen barrier layer, or any combination thereof. These barrier film layers may be formed from polymer films having barrier properties or from any other barrier layer or coating, as desired. Suitable polymer films may include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl alcohol, barrier nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, barrier fluoropolymers, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, coextruded nylon 6/EVOH/nylon 6 , silicon oxide coated film, barrier polyethylene terephthalate or any combination thereof.

If desired, the polymer film may undergo one or more treatments to modify the surface prior to depositing the microwave energy interactive material on the polymer film. By way of example and not limitation, the polymer film can be subjected to plasma treatment to alter the roughness of the surface of the polymer film. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this surface treatment can provide a more uniform surface for receiving the microwave energy interacting material, which in turn can increase the heat flux and maximum temperature of the formed susceptor structure. Such a process is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0213192 Al, published August 26, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Other non-conductive matrix materials can also be used, such as paper and paper laminates, metal oxides, silicates, cellulose plastics, or any combination thereof.

The susceptors may be used in conjunction with other microwave energy interacting elements and/or structures, if desired. Structures comprising multiple susceptor layers are also conceivable.

For example, the susceptor may be used with a foil or high optical density evaporative material having a thickness sufficient to reflect most of the contributing microwave energy. These elements are typically formed from a conductive reflective metal or metal alloy, such as aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, and are in the form of a solid "patch," generally having a thickness of about 0.000285 inches to about 0.005 inches, such as about 0.0003 inches to about 0.003 inches thickness of. Other such elements may have a thickness of about 0.00035 inches to about 0.002 inches, such as a thickness of 0.0016 inches.

In some cases, microwave energy reflecting elements may be used as shielding elements where food is prone to scorching or drying out during heating. In other cases, smaller microwave energy reflecting elements may be used to disperse or reduce the intensity of the microwave energy. An example of a material utilizing such a microwave energy reflecting element is commercially available from Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Marietta, GA) under the trade name Packaging Materials. In other examples, multiple microwave energy reflecting elements may be arranged to form a microwave energy distributing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas of the food product. If desired, the loop can have a length that resonates the microwave energy, thereby enhancing the distribution. Examples of microwave energy distribution elements are described in US Patent Nos. 6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and 6,677,563.

In yet another example, the susceptor may be used with or may be used to form a microwave energy interaction isolating material. Examples of these materials are provided in US Patent No. 7,019,271, US Patent No. 7,351,942, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0078759 Al published April 3, 2008.

If desired, any of the many microwave energy interacting elements described herein or contemplated herein may be substantially continuous, i.e., without significant breaks or discontinuities, or may be discontinuous, such as by including a microwave energy transmitting or multiple ruptures or holes. These ruptures or holes may extend through the entire structure, or only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size and location of these ruptures or holes can be varied for a particular application depending on the type of structure being formed, the food product being heated in or thereon, the desired heating, broiling and/or or degree of roasting, whether direct exposure to microwave energy is required or desired to obtain uniform heating of the food, the need to accommodate temperature changes in the food by direct heating, and whether and to what extent ventilation is required.

For example, a microwave energy interaction element may include one or more transparent regions to enable dielectric heating of food. However, where the microwave energy interacting element includes susceptors, these holes reduce the total microwave energy interaction area, thereby reducing the microwave energy interaction available for heating, broiling and/or baking the food product surface amount of material. Therefore, the relative amounts of microwave energy interacting regions and microwave energy transparent regions must be balanced to obtain the desired overall heating characteristics for a particular food product.

As another example, one or more portions of the susceptor may be designed to be inert to microwave energy to ensure that the microwave energy is effectively focused on the area to be heated, broiled and/or baked, rather than being lost in the It is not desired that the grilled and/or baked portion of the food be picked up or lost to the heated environment. Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous to form one or more discontinuities or inactive areas to prevent overheating or scorching of the food product and/or the structure comprising the susceptor. For example, the susceptor may incorporate one or more "fuse" elements that limit Crack propagation, thereby controlling overheating. The size and shape of the fuse can vary as required. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,412,187, U.S. Patent No. 5,530,231, U.S. Patent Application No. US2008/0035634A1 published on February 14, 2008, and PCT Application Publication No. WO2007/127371 published on November 8, 2007 provide fuses including such fuses. An example of a receptor.

In the case of susceptors, any of these discontinuities or pores may comprise physical pores or spaces in one or more layers or materials used to form the structure or construction, or may be non-physical "pores". A non-solid hole is a microwave energy transparent region that enables microwave energy to pass through the structure without an actual space or hole cut through the structure. Such regions may be formed by simply not applying microwave energy interacting material to a particular region, removing microwave energy interacting material from a particular region, or mechanically inactivating the particular region (thus rendering the region electrically discontinuous) . Alternatively, these regions can be formed by chemically neutralizing the microwave energy interacting material in a particular region, thereby converting the microwave energy interacting material in that region into a microwave energy transparent (i.e., microwave energy neutral) matrix . While solid and non-solid holes enable the food to be directly heated by microwave energy, the solid holes also provide ventilation to allow steam or other vapors or liquids released from the food to be carried away from the food.

As noted above, a susceptor film (e.g., susceptor film 148) (and/or other microwave energy interacting elements) may be attached to a flexible support layer (e.g., support 152), such as paper, a polymer film, or other suitable Material.

While the invention has been described in detail herein with respect to certain aspects and embodiments, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the invention, and is done for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention only. presented, and for the purpose of describing the best mode of carrying out the invention known to the inventors at the time of making the invention. The detailed description set forth herein is illustrative only and is not intended or construed to limit or exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements of the invention. All directional references (such as up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, top, bottom, up, down, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are for distinction only The purpose is to help readers understand various embodiments of the present invention, and does not constitute a limitation on the position, orientation or use of the present invention, unless specifically stated in the claims. Connection reference terms (eg, connected, attached, coupled, coupled, etc.) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. Likewise, connection reference terms do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly and connected in fixed relation to each other. Furthermore, various elements discussed with reference to various embodiments may be interchanged to form entirely new embodiments within the scope of the invention.

The above examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the present invention has been discussed above with reference to the exemplary embodiments, various additions, modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and spirit of the invention as recited in the claims. scope.

Claims (24)

1. a packaging, comprising:

Carton, described carton comprises

There is the first panel of concave edge,

There is the second panel of concave edge,

The 3rd panel between first and second panel described, described 3rd panel comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with described first chimb,

First arc fold line, the concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described 3rd panel by it,

Second arc fold line, the concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described 3rd panel by it,

Described 3rd panels en bloc is in basic recessed structure relative to the inside of described carton, and described 3rd panel keeps basic recessed structure at least in part in response to the interaction between the power at least first, second, and third panel.

2. packaging according to claim 1, wherein said 3rd panel also comprises the intermediate fold line between first and second chimb described, described intermediate fold line is configured to described 3rd panel is folded, to make described first and second chimbs move toward each other and away from each other.

3. packaging according to claim 1, also comprises the sack being positioned at described carton inside, wherein:

Described carton is sleeve, and described sleeve extends around the inside of sleeve;

Described sleeve has the first and second relative ends;

Described sack is positioned at described sleeve inner;

Described sack has the first and second relative ends; And

The first end of described sack passes the outward opening extension of the first end of described sleeve.

4. packaging according to claim 3, the first end of wherein said sack is wider than the first end of described sleeve.

5. packaging according to claim 3, the second end of wherein said sack passes the outward opening extension of the second end of described sleeve.

6. packaging according to claim 1, wherein:

Each in described first and second chimbs has relative top and bottom;

Described 3rd panel also comprises top margin; And

Described top margin, between the top of described first chimb and the top of described second chimb, makes the top of the top of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart.

7. packaging according to claim 6, wherein:

Described 3rd panel also comprises the base with described top margin relative positioning; And

Described base, between the bottom of described first chimb and the bottom of described second chimb, makes the bottom of the bottom of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart.

8. packaging according to claim 1, also comprises:

Fourth face plate between first and second panel described, described fourth face plate comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with the first chimb of this fourth face plate;

3rd arc fold line, described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by it;

4th arc fold line, described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described fourth face plate by it; And

Described fourth face slab integral is in basic recessed structure relative to the inside of described carton, and described fourth face plate keeps basic recessed structure in response to the interaction between the power at least first, second and fourth face plate at least in part.

9. packaging according to claim 8, wherein:

The concave edge of described first panel is the first concave edge of described first panel;

Described first panel also comprises second concave edge relative with the first concave edge of described first panel;

Second concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by described 3rd arc fold line;

The described concave edge of described second panel is the first concave edge of described second panel;

Described second panel also comprises second concave edge relative with the first concave edge of described second panel; And

Second concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described fourth face plate by described 4th arc fold line.

10. a packaging, comprising:

Carton, described carton comprises

There is the first panel of concave edge,

There is the second panel of concave edge,

The 3rd panel between first and second panel described, described 3rd panel comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with described first chimb, and described 3rd panel comprises relative top margin and base, wherein

Each in described first and second chimbs has relative top and bottom,

Described top, between the upper end of described first chimb and the upper end of described second chimb, makes the upper end of the upper end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart, and

Described below between the lower end of described first chimb and the lower end of described second chimb, make the lower end of the lower end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart;

First arc fold line, the concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described 3rd panel by it,

Second arc fold line, the concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described 3rd panel by it; And

Described 3rd panels en bloc is in basic recessed structure relative to the inside of described carton.

11. packagings according to claim 10, also comprise the sack being positioned at described carton inside, wherein:

Described carton is sleeve, and described sleeve extends around the inside of sleeve;

Described sleeve has the first and second relative ends;

Described sack is positioned at described sleeve inner;

Described sack has the first and second relative ends; And

The first end of described sack stretches out through the first end of described sleeve.

12. packagings according to claim 11, the second end of wherein said sack stretches out through the second end of described sleeve.

13. packagings according to claim 10, also comprise:

Fourth face plate between first and second panel described, described fourth face plate comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with the first chimb of this fourth face plate;

3rd arc fold line, described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by it;

4th arc fold line, described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described fourth face plate by it; And

Described fourth face slab integral is in basic recessed structure relative to the inside of described carton.

14. packagings according to claim 13, wherein:

The described concave edge of described first panel is the first concave edge of described first panel;

Described first panel also comprises second concave edge relative with the first concave edge of described first panel;

Second concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by described 3rd arc fold line;

The described concave edge of described second panel is the first concave edge of described second panel;

Described second panel also comprises second concave edge relative with the first concave edge of described second panel; And

Second concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described fourth face plate by described 4th arc fold line.

15. 1 kinds of blanks, comprising:

There is the first panel of concave edge,

There is the second panel of concave edge,

The 3rd panel between first and second panel described, described 3rd panel comprises the first chimb second chimb relative with described first chimb and the intermediate fold line between first and second chimb described, described intermediate fold line is configured to described 3rd panel is folded, to make described first and second chimbs move toward each other and away from each other;

First arc fold line, the concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described 3rd panel by it; And

Second arc fold line, the concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described 3rd panel by it.

16. blanks according to claim 15, wherein said intermediate fold line is located substantially on the centre between first and second chimb described.

17. blanks according to claim 15, also comprise lining, and described lining is installed at least one piece of panel in the group being selected from and being made up of described first panel, the second panel and the 3rd panel.

18. blanks according to claim 15, wherein:

Each in described first and second chimbs has relative top and bottom;

Described 3rd panel also comprises top; And

Described top, between the upper end of described first chimb and the upper end of described second chimb, makes the upper end of the upper end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart.

19. blanks according to claim 18, wherein:

It is following that described 3rd panel also comprises with described top relative positioning; And

Described below between the lower end of described first chimb and the lower end of described second chimb, make the lower end of the lower end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart.

20. blanks according to claim 15, also comprise:

Fourth face plate, it comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with the first chimb of this fourth face plate; And

3rd arc fold line, described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by it.

21. blanks according to claim 20, wherein:

The described concave edge of described first panel is the first concave edge of described first panel;

Described first panel also comprises second concave edge relative with the first concave edge of described first panel; And

Second concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described fourth face plate by described 3rd arc fold line.

22. 1 kinds of blanks, comprising:

There is the first panel of concave edge,

There is the second panel of concave edge,

The 3rd panel between first and second panel described, described 3rd panel comprises the first chimb and second chimb relative with described first chimb, and described 3rd panel also comprises relative top margin and base, wherein

Each in described first and second chimbs has relative top and bottom,

Described top, between the upper end of described first chimb and the upper end of described second chimb, makes the upper end of the upper end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart, and

Described below between the lower end of described first chimb and the lower end of described second chimb, make the lower end of the lower end of described first chimb and described second chimb spaced apart;

First arc fold line, the concave edge of described first panel is connected to the first chimb of described 3rd panel by it, and

Second arc fold line, the concave edge of described second panel is connected to the second chimb of described 3rd panel by it.

23. blanks according to claim 22, also comprise lining, and described lining is installed at least one piece of panel in the group being selected from and being made up of described first panel, the second panel and the 3rd panel.

24. blanks according to claim 22, wherein said 3rd panel also comprises the intermediate fold line between first and second chimb described, described intermediate fold line is configured to described 3rd panel is folded, to make described first and second chimbs move toward each other and away from each other.