Claims
- 1. A bag for popping popcorn in a microwave oven comprising, as seen in an upright collapsed position,
- a pair of first and second rectangular face panels each having parallel top and bottom edges defining a top and a bottom of the bag and each face panel having parallel side edges,
- left and right longitudinally extending centrally projecting gusset folds extending between the first and second panels of the bag, the gussets separating the bag into a pair of communicating chambers,
- seals having diagonal edges at both the top and bottom of the bag between the gussets and at least the second face panel, the diagonal edges extending diagonally from the side edges of the second face panel proceeding centrally and toward an adjacent end of the bag,
- the face panels at the bottom of the bag being pinched together and being bonded to one another transversely all the way across to provide a temporary fin at the bottom end of the bag,
- the fin being folded along a transverse fold line parallel to the bottom edge of each face panel and being adhesively bonded to an adjacent outside surface of a face panel to form a transversely extending stay that acts as a stiffening element extending across a rectangular bottom wall of the bag which forms responsive to internal vapor and steam pressure developed during popping of the popcorn in said microwave oven, and
- said stay cooperating with the diagonal bottom seals to assist in maintaining the rectangular bottom wall in a flat condition when the bag inflates under pressure and when the top of the bag is opened for the removal of the popped corn, thereby enabling the bag to stand on said bottom wall when placed on a horizontal surface.
- 2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the diagonal seals at the top of the bag between the gusset folds and the second face of the bag are constructed and arranged to provide free-standing outwardly projecting triangular flaps with diagonally extending sealed edges that terminate near a center of said top edge of each face panel at two spaced apart points, a space between said two points at ends of the flaps defining a steam vent area of the bag that opens under the influence of internal pressure during cooking.
- 3. The bag of claim 1 wherein outer ends of the diagonal seals intersect the second face panel at four points A, B, C and D such that triangular flaps define a top edge of a rectangular face area in the second face panel containing a microwave interactive susceptor that remains relatively flat during popping of the popcorn in said microwave oven to provide a relatively large and flat supporting panel upon which the bag rests during cooking in the microwave oven to enhance popping of the corn.
- 4. The bag of claim 1 wherein the diagonal seals have an angle between about 42.degree. and 55.degree. relative to a longitudinal axis of the package.
- 5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the temporary fin is bonded to a surface of the bag with a heat-sealing adhesive by the application of heat and pressure.
- 6. The bag of claim 1 wherein a microwave interactive susceptor is provided in the bag and during heating the susceptor produces a portion of the heat that expands the bag for forming a lower portion of the bag into the rectangular bottom wall.
- 7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is a tube filled with popcorn and sealed at the top and bottom of the bag.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part of our prior application Ser. No. 604,759, filed Oct. 26, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,777.
US Referenced Citations (23)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
81544 |
Dec 1956 |
DKX |
1786047 |
Nov 1971 |
DEX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
604759 |
Oct 1990 |
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