Patent Application
20190071237
Not Applicable.
The present disclosure generally relates to microwave cooking bags, and more particularly, to microwave cooking bags that are vented to release steam and heat from the interior of the bag during the microwave cooking process. In addition, the bag may be configured into a locked compact configuration for easy transport. The bag may be used to cook food such as popcorn kernels.
Microwave cooking bags have ben commercially available for several years. In one example, microwavable popcorn has been available in single use, fully sealed paper bags. Although this has been a convenient way to produce and microwave popcorn, it is not the ideal method. Currently used bags made of paper must be thrown away after each use, creating waste. Being fully sealed, they create a steam environment inside the bag while popping which is the mechanism by which popcorn kernels can burn and scorch, rendering some of them inedible, again creating waste. The steam environment can also be a safety hazard as, upon opening the bag, the steam may quickly exit the bag upward, creating the potential for injury.
One of the existing microwave popcorn bags discloses a container formed of rigid material, such as microwaveable plastic, which has the advantage of being suitable for reuse but is totally unsatisfactory as a popcorn shipping and dispensing container due to its susceptibility to breakage, its substantial volume, and its relatively high cost of manufacture. A container constructed from a disposable material such as paper overcomes many of the disadvantages of rigid reusable containers, but raises questions concerning efficiency, adequate heat dispersal, and safety.
Another existing method discloses a device for concentrating the microwave energy emitted by a microwave oven to a single point or a small area. The device consists of a sheet of a low loss dielectric material together with a layer of microwave reflecting material. The device is placed on the floor of the oven and on the opposite side of the product heated from the source of microwave energy in order to concentrate the microwave energy to a bag of microwave popcorn. However, the device does not allow a person to view the popcorn as it is popping.
In some other existing popcorn bags, a microwave lossy-powdered or particulate material is used in the base area. The lossy material itself heats up and radiates that heat to the kernels located close to it, thereby adding to the heat induced in the corn kernels by direct impingement of the microwaves on the kernels. However, clumping corn kernels in one area of a popping container causes some of the kernels to rest substantially away from the heat generated by the lossy material. Since some of the popcorn receives a minimal amount of additional heat from the microwave lossy material in the popping container, it will pop more slowly and less efficiently, if at all. However, none of these bags disclose how to employ such lossy material to improve the microwave popping of popcorn.
Therefore, there is a need for a microwave cooking bag for foods such as popcorn that is safer for the user and easier to use. Further, there is a need for a microwave cooking bag that is reusable, re-sealable and portable.
The current invention accomplishes these objectives.
The present invention provides a microwavable bag for cooking food such as popcorn kernels. In one embodiment, the bag comprises a body with an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom surface. A lid is used for covering the bag and a plurality of fastener means is provided to the lid for securing the lid to the bag. The plurality of fastener means is a plurality of Velcro fasteners, each comprising a hook part and a loop part that is affixed to a plurality cloth flaps at a top portion of the body of the bag and the lid. The lid is included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing. A plurality of holes is provided at the body of the bag for removing steam produced inside the bag during microwaving process.
In one aspect of the invention, the bag is adapted to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and bag is placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn. Each kernel contains a small amount of water at its center. Microwaves agitate the water molecules creating heat and causing them to boil and expand. This causes popcorn to pop and then steam is created/released into the bag. The plurality of holes are large enough to allow steam to exit the bag and small enough to prevent un-popped kernels to escape during transport if used in a portable setting. The plurality of holes allows steam to exit the bag during the popping process that virtually eliminates burning/scorching of the popcorn kernels. The bag may be made of polypropylene fabric that is microwave safe or other microwavable safe materials.
In another aspect of the current invention, the bag may have a top opening with a top rim configured with a top lid, and a bottom opening with a bottom rim configured with a bottom lid.
In another aspect of the current invention, the top lid may be configured to be releasably attached to the top rim to provide a top seal, and may be removed to allow access to the interior of the bag.
In another aspect of the current invention, the bag may have accordion-like folds that may facilitate the bag transitioning from a generally extended configuration to a generally compact configuration and vice versa.
In another aspect of the current invention, the top lid and the bottom lid may be configured to attach together when the bag is in a generally compact configuration.
In another aspect of the invention, the attachment members that secure the top lid to the bottom lid may be a hook and a circumferential rim.
In yet another aspect of the current invention, the attachment members that secure the top lid to the bottom lid may be a loop and ball and a notch.
In another aspect of the invention, the attachment members that secure the top lid to the bottom lid may be a hook and the bottom circumferential edge of the bottom lid.
In another aspect of the invention, the top lid may include vents or holes that allow steam and heat to be released from the interior of the bag during the microwave cooking process.
In another aspect of the invention, food such as popcorn kernels may be placed within the bag and the bag may be configured into a locked compact configuration to transport the bag.
In another aspect of the current invention, the compact bag containing food may be placed into a microwave oven to cook the food, and may expand during the cooking process due to pressure build up within the bag.
In another aspect of the current invention, the bag may be cleaned and reused.
In yet another aspect of the current invention, the components of the bag may be removed to be cleaned and replaced for reuse.
In another aspect of the current invention, the body of the bag may be disposable and replacement bodies may be configured with the other components of the bag for use.
In another aspect of the invention, the top lid may include a panel that may be opened and closed while the top lid is configured with the top of the bag.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.
The bag 10 comprising a body 12 having an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of holes at the body 12 of the bag 10 is for allowing steam to escape from the bag 10. The plurality of holes is large enough to allow steam to exit the bag 10 and small to prevent the un-popped kernels to escape during transport if used in a portable setting. The plurality of holes allows steam to exit the bag 10 during the popping process, virtually eliminates burning/scorching of the popcorn kernels.
The bag 10 is provided with the lid for covering the bag 10. The lid is included with a cloth tab for ease of opening/closing. During the popping process, the popping of the kernels expands the bag 10 into a free standing box shaped container. The bag 10 is resealable which allows for easy transport of un-popped kernels and convenient storage of popped kernels.
The present embodiment of the bag 10 also serves as a convenient way to transport un-popped kernels for use at a later time. The un-popped kernels can be inserted into the bag 10, which can then be conveniently sealed and folded into a compact package, like a wallet. The bag 10 is made of cloth and it can be cleaned for repeated use.
Every un-popped kernel contains a tiny amount of water in its core. Microwaves cause these water molecules to become agitated and friction occurs, which heats the water molecules and causes them to expand and become steam. Eventually they expand with enough pressure to cause the kernel to pop, creating popcorn. With each kernel that pops that steam is released into the bag 10 and collects there. After all the kernels pop, there is a significant amount of steam, which then exits through the plurality of openings of the bag 10. The lid is provided with a plurality of fastener means i.e. a plurality of Velcro fasteners each of which comprises a hook part and a loop part for securing the lid-to the bag 10. The plurality of Velcro fasteners each of which comprising a hook part and a loop part is affixed to a plurality of cloth flaps at a top portion of the body 12 of the bag 10 and the lid.
The bag 10 is adapted to contain a quantity of un-popped popcorn kernels and the bag 10 being placed in a microwave oven for preparation of popcorn.
The bag 10 is expanded into a free standing box shaped container during the preparation of the kernels. The bag 10 is made of cloth and can be cleaned for repeated use. The bag 10 may also be made of polypropylene fabric that is microwave safe.
In the present embodiment, the bag 10 is a resealable enclosure which allows the user to consume some of the popcorn at one time, and then seal the bag 10 for convenient consumption at a later time. The bag 10 pops corn at a greatly reduced temperature due to venting and the reduced temperature minimizes burning/scorching of popcorn. The bag 10 also provides a safety feature by minimizing possible injury by steam burn.
The present embodiment also provides a bag 10 which is safer to the user, efficient in minimizing waste, environmentally friendly, re-sealable, portable, and healthful.
Another example of bag 10 is depicted in
In addition, bag 10 may include top edge 48 and top ring 52 that may be configured to be attached around the circumference of top edge 48 as shown. Top ring 52 may comprise Polypropylene or some other type of microwave-safe type of rubber, plastic or other type of materials. It may be preferable that top ring 52 have the same general shape and radius as top edge 48 and that it be continuously attached to the entire circumference of top edge 50. However, this may not be required. Top ring 52 may include a lower slot that may run along its bottom circumference that may align with and receive the top circumference of top edge 48. In this way, the top circumference of top edge 48 may fit into the slot. Top edge 48 may be secured within the slot by pressure fit, friction, adhesive, threaded grooves, rivets, clamps or other types of attaching mechanisms or means.
It should also be noted that top ring 52 may be attached to the outer circumference of top edge 48 without said slot, and that top ring 52 may encircle top edge 48 and be attached thereto. In this case, top edge 48 may be attached to the inner circumference of top ring 52 using adhesive, clips, rivets, threaded grooves or other types of attachment mechanisms or means. In addition, top edge 48 may be attached to the outer circumference of top ring 52 instead of to the inner circumference of top ring 52, and may be attached using adhesive, clips, rivets, or other types of attachment mechanisms. It should be noted that top ring 52 may be attached to top edge 48 in other similar configurations using any mechanisms or means that may be adequate.
With top rim 52 secured to top edge 48, top rim 52 may represent the top of the body 12 of bag 10. It may be preferable that top rim 52 be attached to top edge 48 such that there are no leaks or gaps between the two, and that they are configured together securely.
In addition, bag 10 may include bottom edge 50 and bottom ring 54. Bottom ring 54 may comprise Polypropylene or some other type of microwave-safe type of rubber, plastic or other type of materials and may be configured to be attached around the circumference of bottom edge 50 as shown. It may be preferable that bottom ring 54 generally have the same shape and radius of bottom edge 50 and that it be continuously attached to the entire circumference of bottom edge 50. However, this may not be required. Bottom ring 54 may include an upper slot that may run along its top circumference that may align with and receive the bottom circumference of bottom edge 50. In this way, the bottom circumference of bottom edge 50 may fit into the slot. Bottom edge 50 may be secured within the slot by pressure fit, friction, adhesive, rivets, clamps or other types of attaching mechanisms or means.
It should also be noted that bottom ring 54 may be attached to the outer circumference of bottom edge 50 without said slot, and that bottom ring 54 may encircle bottom edge 50 and be attached thereto. In this case, bottom edge 50 may be attached to the inner circumference of bottom ring 54 using adhesive, clips, threaded grooves, rivets, or other types of attachment mechanisms. In addition, bottom edge 50 may be attached to the outer circumference of bottom ring 54 instead of to the inner circumference of bottom ring 54, and may be attached using adhesive, clips, threaded grooves, rivets, or other types of attachment mechanisms. In general, it should be noted that bottom ring 54 may be attached to bottom edge 50 in other similar configurations using any mechanisms or means that may be adequate.
With bottom rim 54 secured to bottom edge 50, bottom rim 54 may represent the bottom of the body 12 of bag 10. It may be preferable that bottom rim 54 be attached to bottom edge 450 such that there are no leaks or gaps between the two, and that they are configured together securely. However, it should be noted that bottom rim 54 may not be necessary as will be described in the section below.
Top lid 44 may include top surface 56, side rim 58 and underneath area 60. In practice, top lid 44 may be placed on top of top rim 52 such that top rim 52 may fit within side rim 58 and top surface 56 may cover top opening 40. It may be preferable that the inner diameter of side rim 58 be slightly larger than the outer diameter of top rim 52 such that top rim 52 may fit snugly and concentrically within side rim 58 without any gaps. In this configuration, top rim 52 may be received into underneath area 60 of top lid 44.
In addition, top lid 44 may include attachment member 62 that may generally extend downward from side rim 58. Also, top rim 52 may include attachment member 64 that may generally extend outward from top rim 52. In order to lock top lid 44 to top rim 52, it may be preferable that with top lid 44 placed on top of top rim 52 such that top rim 52 is concentrically positioned within underneath area 60, that attachment member 62 and attachment member 64 engage with each other to secure top lid 44 in place.
In one example, attachment member 62 may be a hook and attachment member 64 may be a circumferential lip as shown in
It should be noted that other types of attachment members 62 and 64 may be used instead of hooks and rims such as snaps, latches, hook and loop tabs and other types of attachment members. In addition, top lid 44 and top rim 52 may include corresponding threaded grooves that may mate such that top lid 44 may be screwed onto top rim 52. Top lid 44 may also be attached to top rim 52 using pressure fit with enough friction between the two components to hold top lid 44 in place. Also, top lid 44 may be configured to top rim 52 with a hinge separate from attachment member 62 such that with attachment member 62 disengaged from attachment member 64, top lid 44 may hingedly rotate off of top opening 40 while remaining attached to top rim 52 via the hinge.
To form the bottom of bag 10, lower rim 54 may be inserted concentrically into the inner area 66 of bottom lid 46. It may be preferable that the outer diameter of lower rim 54 be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of bottom lid 46 so that it may fit within the lid. It may also be preferable that lower rim 54 fits snugly and air tight within the inner area 66 of bottom lid 46 and that the pressure fit between the outer surface of lower rim 54 and the inner surface of side rim 68 hold the lower rim 54 securely within bottom lid 46. In addition, other types of attachment members or mechanisms may also be used to further secure lower rim 54 with bottom lid 46 such as adhesives, grooves, latches, snaps, hook and loop tabs, rivets and other types of attachment members or mechanisms. In addition, bottom lid 46 and lower rim 54 may include corresponding threaded grooves that may mate such that bottom lid 46 may be screwed onto lower rim 54.
In addition, it can also be seen that lower rim 54 may not be necessary and that lower edge 50 may be attached directly to lower lid 46 using the same or similar methods of attachment. In this case, it may be preferable that the outer circumference of lower edge 50 be attached and adequately secured to the inner surface of side rim 68 in an air tight and secure fashion. Or conversely, the inner circumference of lower edge 50 may be attached an adequately secured to the outer surface of side rim 68 in an air tight and secure fashion.
Moving forward, as depicted in
It should be noted that with body 12 in a generally compact configuration as depicted in
In one example, attachment member 76 may be a hook and attachment member 78 may be a circumferential lip as shown in
It should be noted that other types of attachment members 76 and 78 may be used instead of hooks and rims such as snaps, latches, hook and loop tabs, an elastic band that encircles top lid 44 and bottom lid 46, and other types of attachment members or mechanisms. In the example shown in
In another example, attachment members 62 and 76 may be combined into a single attachment member, such as a hook, a loop and ball, or other types of attachment members or mechanisms. In this scenario, attachment member 62 may engage attachment member 64 when body 12 of bag 10 is generally in an extended configuration, but upon pushing top lid 44 downward such that body 12 collapses as described above, attachment member 62 may disengage attachment member 64 as the lid travels downward, and then engage attachment member 78 when the body 12 reaches a generally compact configuration. Note that in this configuration, top rim 48 may be held in position even though it may not be secured to top lid 44 using attachment members 62 and 64, as it may be held securely between top lid 44 and bottom lid 46.
In another example, attachment member 78 may be the bottom outer circumferential edge of bottom lid 46. That is, as shown in
In addition, top lid 44 may include vents 82 as depicted in
In use, with top lid 44 removed, microwavable food such as popcorn kernels may be placed within the body 12 of bag 10. Top lid 44 may then be secured to top rim 48 to cover top opening 40. At this point, bag 10 may be placed into a microwave oven to heat the popcorn kernels until they pop making a batch of popped popcorn. Or, if the user wishes to transport the bag 10 to another location to cook and enjoy the popcorn at a later time, the bag 10 may be transitioned into a compact state and top lid 44 and bottom lid 46 may be releasably locked together. This allows transport of bag 10 in a small and compact state making it easier to store and carry (in a lunch box for example). Upon being ready to cook the food, the user may release top lid 44 from bottom lid 46 while allowing top lid to be secured to top rim 48 by means of the attachment members 62, 64. The bag 10 may then be placed in a microwave oven and cooked during which time the bag 10 may expand due to pressure buildup inside the body 12 of bag 10. If the bag 10 has accordion-like folds, the folds may unfold during this process. Otherwise, the bag 10 may generally unfold and expand. The bag 10 may thereby transition from a generally compact state to a generally expanded state into an upright cylinder or other shape. Top lid 44 may then be removed and the food may be consumed.
Note that it may also be preferable that the locking members 62 and 78 may release themselves due to the upward force applied by the expansion of the bag 10 during the cooking process such that the user may not need to unlock the attachment members 62, 78 prior to cooking. This may provide better safety in case the user forgets to unlock the lids 44, 46 prior to cooking. In this scenario, it may also be preferable that upon releasing from attachment member 78, attachment member 62 may engage and attached to attachment member 64 such that top lid 44 remains attached to top rim 48 to cover opening 40 during the cooking.
After cooking, the user may safely open the bag 10 by removing or otherwise opening top lid 44 to consume the cooked food. Then, if the food is completely consumed, bag 10 may be placed back into a compact configuration, locked and stored away for later use. However, if the food has not been completely consumed, top lid 44 may be placed back onto top rim 48 and the bag 10 may be used to store the food until a later time.
In addition, it may be preferable that with bag 10 in a compact configuration, that there is sufficient room within the compact body 12 of the bag 10 to contain and hold the food to be cooked, for example, a number of popcorn kernels. In this way, the food may be contained within the compact body 12 of the bag 10 during transport or otherwise prior to cooking.
It should be noted that the bag 10 may be cleaned and reused. It should also be noted that the various elements of bag 10 may be removed at any time to be cleaned or otherwise maintained or replaced. For example, top lid 44, top rim 48, bottom rim 54 (if used) and bottom lid 46 may be removed from body 12 of bag 10 to be cleaned. Once clean, the components may be reinstalled onto body 12. It should also be noted that body 12 may be a disposable element such that it may be replaced, and that a replacement body 12 may then be configured with the same elements including top lid 44, top rim 48, bottom rim 54 (if used) and bottom lid 46. In this way, if the body 12 gets damaged or soiled beyond cleaning, it may be easily replaced while continuing to use the other components.
Also, top lid 44 may include removable top panel 86 that may be removed (either entirely or hingedly) in order to place or remove food from within the body 12 of bag 10, or to otherwise gain access to the interior of bag 10 while the top lid 44 is locked or otherwise engaged with the top rim 48 and/or the bottom lid 46. In this way, if the user wishes to access the inside of body 12 while the components are locked, he/she may do so by opening top panel 86. Top panel 86 may then be replaced into position and locked in place using any adequate attachment members, mechanisms or means.
While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
