POUCH FOR STEAMING VEGETABLES

Abstract

A flexible pouch for cooking a food item using microwave energy. The pouch includes a base configured to retain hot gases above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food item when the package is exposed to microwave energy. The pouch also includes a cover comprising a sealant layer and a score layer. The score layer includes a weak portion which ruptures and vents the pouch at a predictable location when pressure within the pouch due to the hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the pouch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the pouch of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side cross sectional view of the pouch of the present invention before the heating process.

FIG. 4 shows a side cross sectional view of the pouch of the present invention during a first phase of the heating process.

FIG. 5 shows a side cross sectional view of the pouch of the present invention during a second phase of the heating process.

FIG. 6 shows a side cross sectional view of the pouch of the present invention during a final phase of the heating process.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the pouch of the present invention during a final phase of the heating process.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of the pouch of the present invention in an opened position.

FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the pouch during a final phase of the heating process.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the pouch of the present invention in an opened position.

Claims

1. A flexible pouch for cooking a food item using microwave energy, the pouch comprising: a base configured to retain hot gases above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food item when the package is exposed to microwave energy;a cover comprising a sealant layer and a score layer, wherein the score layer includes a weak portion which ruptures and vents the pouch at a predictable location when pressure within the pouch due to the hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.

2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the weak portion is mechanically formed in the score layer.

3. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the weak portion is laser scored in the score layer.

4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of the score layer is greater than the tensile strength of the sealant layer.

5. The pouch of claim 4, wherein the score layer is fastened to the sealant layer with adhesive.

6. The pouch of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pieces of frozen food.

7. The pouch of claim 6, wherein the food is selected from the group consisting of individually frozen predominately carbohydrate ingredients, individually frozen predominately vegetable ingredients, individually frozen predominately meat based ingredients and combinations thereof.

8. The pouch of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pieces of frozen food further comprises a frozen liquid.

9. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the base is configured to retain said liquid within the pouch upon heating.

10. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch further comprises a plurality of handles to facilitate opening of the pouch.

11. A pouch meal comprising: a plurality of pieces of frozen food;a flexible pouch having an inner surface containing the food and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is defined by a base and a sealant layer, wherein the base is configured to retain hot gasses above atmospheric pressure within the pouch to heat and cook the food when the pouch is exposed to microwave energy;a score layer disposed over the sealant layer, the score layer having a weak portion configured to rupture and vent the pouch at a predictable location when the pressure within the interior of the pouch due to hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure.

12. The meal of claim 11, wherein the weak portion is laser scored in the score layer.

13. The meal of claim 11, wherein the weak portion is mechanically formed in the score layer.

14. The meal of claim 13, wherein the tensile strength of the score layer at a location adjacent to the score is greater than the tensile strength of the sealant layer.

15. The meal of claim 14, wherein the tensile strength of the score layer at the weak portion is greater than the tensile strength of the sealant layer.

16. The meal of claim 15, wherein the score layer is fastened to the sealant layer.

17. The meal of claim 16, wherein the food is selected from the group consisting of individually frozen predominately carbohydrate ingredients, individually frozen predominately vegetable ingredients, individually frozen predominately meat based ingredients, and combinations thereof.

18. The meal of claim 17, wherein the base is configured to retain said liquid within the pouch upon heating.

19. The meal of claim 18, wherein the pouch further comprises a plurality of handles to facilitate opening of the pouch.

20. A method of cooking a food item using microwave energy comprising the steps of: obtaining a pouch meal comprising a plurality of pieces of frozen food, the pouch having an inner surface containing the food and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is defined by a base and a sealant layer, the pouch further comprising a score layer disposed over the sealant layer, the score layer having a weak portion configured to rupture and vent the pouch at a predictable location when the pressure within the interior of the pouch due to hot gasses exceeds a predetermined pressure;cooking the food item with steam and hot gasses generated by heating of the food item with microwave energy during a first phase of the cooking process, wherein the sealant layer expands to hold the increased volume of hot gases until the sealant layer forms a permeable membrane during a second phase of the cooking process, wherein said steam and hot gasses are retained within the pouch by the base and score layer;rupturing the pouch at the weak portion of the score layer during a final phase of the cooking process when the internal pressure of the pouch exceeds the predetermined pressure to allow for release of excess pressure during a final stage of the cooking process;venting some steam and hot gasses through the permeable sealant layer and weak portion of the score layer; andretaining some steam and hot gasses within the pouch to complete the heating and cooking of the food item.