Packaging Material for Cooking Food

Abstract

A packaging device allowing for the distribution, storage and cooking of various food products, such as perishable or frozen food product(s). The packaging device includes a plurality of micro-perforations that may promote the extended shelf-life of the perishable food product and the maintenance of the quality of the perishable food product or be configured to maintain the integrity of a frozen food product. The packaging device also includes a venting system that allows the cooking of the perishable or frozen food products within the packaging device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A microwavable food package, comprising:
 an expandable first base film and an expandable second base film that are bonded or laminated together and that include one or more laser or mechanically-formed slits which have one or more length(s), and which extend all the way through the expandable first and second base films;   wherein the expandable first and second base films are configured to form the microwavable food package having an interior for cooking food and an exterior, wherein the one or more slits extend from the interior through the package to the exterior so as to be open prior to and during the microwave cooking process, and wherein the one or more slits are located in proximity to the food;   wherein the package interior, and the first and second base films, expand in response to pressure buildup created by a microwave cooking process; and   a venting system that includes the one or more slits;   wherein the length(s) and location of the one or more slits of the venting system regulate the release of pressure buildup from the interior of the microwavable food package to the exterior during the microwave cooking process.   
     
     
         22 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the venting system includes one slit. 
     
     
         23 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the venting system includes two or more slits. 
     
     
         24 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more slits are laser-formed. 
     
     
         25 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more slits are formed from a plurality of microperforations proximally located. 
     
     
         26 . The microwavable food package of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of microperforations form a continuous opening during the microwave cooking process. 
     
     
         27 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more slits comprise one or more elliptical microperforations. 
     
     
         28 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein at least some of the one or more slits are 1 mm to ½ inch in length. 
     
     
         29 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the one or more slits is positioned in a central portion or near an edge of the microwavable food package. 
     
     
         30 . The microwavable food package of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more slits of the venting system are located to allow uniform pressure release across the food during the microwave cooking process. 
     
     
         31 . A microwavable food package, comprising:
 an expandable first base film and an expandable second base film that are bonded or laminated together and that include one or more punch slits which have one or more length(s), and which extend all the way through the expandable first and second base films;   wherein the expandable first and second base films are configured to form the microwavable food package having an interior for cooking food and an exterior, wherein the one or more punch slits extend from the interior through the package to the exterior so as to be open prior to and during the microwave cooking process, and wherein the one or more punch slits are located in proximity to the food;   wherein the package interior, and the first and second base films, expand in response to pressure buildup created by a microwave cooking process; and   a venting system that includes the one or more punch slits;   wherein the length(s) and location of the one or more punch slits of the venting system regulate the release of pressure buildup from the interior of the microwavable food package to the exterior during the microwave cooking process.   
     
     
         32 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein the venting system includes two or more punch slits. 
     
     
         33 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more punch slits are formed from a plurality of microperforations proximally located. 
     
     
         34 . The microwavable food package of  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of microperforations form a continuous opening during the microwave cooking process. 
     
     
         35 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more punch slits comprise one or more elliptical microperforations. 
     
     
         36 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein at least some of the one or more punch slits are 1 mm to ½ inch in length. 
     
     
         37 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the one or more punch slits is positioned in a central portion or near an edge of the microwavable food package. 
     
     
         38 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein the venting system includes one or more microperforations. 
     
     
         39 . The microwavable food package of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more punch slits of the venting system are located to allow uniform pressure release across the food during the microwave cooking process. 
     
     
         40 . A method of forming a microwavable food package, comprising:
 providing a sheet of two or more expandable base films that are laminated or bonded together;   forming one or more slits in the sheet with a laser or punch so that the one or more slits extend all the way through the sheet, and wherein the slits have one or more length(s) and a cumulative opening; and   joining ends of the sheet to form the microwavable food package that is configured to have an interior for cooking food and an exterior, and that is configured to receive food;   wherein upon forming the microwavable food package, the one or more slits extend from the interior through the package to the exterior, the one or more slits are located to be in proximity to the food that is to be received by the bag, and the cumulative opening of the one or more slits is sized to provide a venting function during a microwave cooking process.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the one or more slits are punch slits. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein at least some of the one or more slits are 1 mm to ½ inch long. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the one or more slits are formed from a plurality of microperforations proximally located. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the plurality of microperforations form a continuous opening during the microwave cooking process. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the one or more slits comprise one or more elliptical microperforations. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein at least one of the one or more slits is positioned to be located in a central portion or near an edge of the microwavable food package.