Microwavable container for food products and method of fabricating same

(54) MICROWAVABLE CONTAINER FOR FOOD PRODUCTS AND METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME

(76) Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins, 11240 Loch Lomond Dr., Laurinburg, NC (US) 28352

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/523,493

(22) Filed: Mar. 10, 2000

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/124,243, filed on Mar. 12, 1999.

(51) Int. C I. H05B 6/80

(52) U.S. CI 219/725; 219/727; 219/730;

219/732; 229/43

(58) Field of Search 219/725, 727,

219/728, 730, 731, 732; 229/43, 48; 426/107, 113, 234, 243; 99/DIG. 14

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,066,844 12/1962 Moore 229/48

4,036,423 7/1977 Gordon 229/43

4,210,674 7/1980 Mitchell 426/107

4,448,309 5/1984 Roccaforte et al 206/525

4,678,882 7/1987 Bohrer et al 219/10.55 E

4,734,288 3/1988 Engstrom et al 426/107

5,008,024 4/1991 Watkins 219/10.55 E

5,097,107 3/1992 Watkins et al 219/10.55 E

5,214,257 5/1993 Riskey 219/10.55 E

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

0320294A2 12/1988 (EP) .

0451530A2 3/1991 (EP) .

1 399 151 A 4/1965 (FR) .

WO 91/15096 10/1991 (WO) .

WO 96/36546 11/1996 (WO) .

Primary Examiner—Tu Ba Hoang

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Needle & Rosenberg PC. (57) ABSTRACT

A container for microwave heating of a food product, and a method of fabricating such a container, wherein the container includes a tub assembly having a moisture-impervious floor and one or more side walls. A quantity of food product, such as popcorn, is placed in a pocket formed in a sheet of barrier material, and a continuous heat seal is formed between the floor of the tub and the sheet of barrier material. A microwave susceptor can be disposed to the floor for heating the food product.

78 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets