Packaging for cooking food

Abstract

A packaging device including a breathable or non-breathable, microwavable composite film structure n the form of a bag, a tray or other type of container is disclosed. The device may include atmospheric control attributes n the form of microperforations, and steam venting mechanisms n the form of precision cuts or channels. The microperforations may form atmospheric conditions within the device for the storage of perishable and/or respiring food products, and the steam venting mechanisms may regulate the pressure and/or heat within the device during microwave cooking of the food products within.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for steam cooking food in a microwave, comprising:
 a multi-layer film structure which forms an enclosure in which the food is contained; and   a steam venting system including one or more steam vents that are formed in the film structure, at least one or more of the steam vents remain visually open prior to a microwave steam cooking operation, and that expand to release pressure in the enclosure created during the microwave steam cooking process.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the steam vents formed in the film structure extend a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the film structure. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more steam vents are precision cuts. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the precision cuts are formed by a laser, rotary die cut or mechanical punch. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the precision cuts are formed having a length, shape, width or other characteristics of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the precision cuts are in registered areas on the film structure of the package. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the film structure and precision cuts promotes the transmission of gases between the enclosure and an environment outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one of monolayer plastics and coextruded plastics. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one laminated layer including at least one steam vent that remains visually closed prior to the microwave steam cooking operation. 
     
     
         10 . A package for steam cooking food in a microwave, comprising:
 a multi-layer film structure which forms an enclosure in which the food is contained; and   a steam venting system including a plurality of one or more steam vents that are formed in the film structure, at least one or more of the plurality of steam vents expand to release pressure in the enclosure created during the microwave steam cooking process,
 wherein the film structure comprises at least one adhesive including one or more of the plurality of steam vents that prior to the microwave steam cooking operation remain visually open. 
   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the plurality of steam vents included in the at least one adhesive extend a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the at least one adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the plurality of steam vents formed in the film structure extend a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the film structure. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more steam vents are precision cuts. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the precision cuts are formed by a laser, rotary die cut or mechanical punch. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the precision cuts are formed having a length, shape, width or other characteristics of the package. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the precision cuts are in registered areas on the film structure of the package. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the film structure and precision cuts promotes the transmission of gases between the enclosure and an environment outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one of monolayer plastics and coextruded plastics. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one laminated layer including at least one steam vent extending a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the at least one laminated layer. 
     
     
         20 . A package for steam cooking food in a microwave, comprising:
 a multi-layer film structure which forms an enclosure in which the food is contained; and   a steam venting system including a plurality of one or more steam vents that are formed as precision cuts in the film structure, that prior to a microwave steam cooking operation remain visually open, and that expand to release pressure in the enclosure created during the microwave steam cooking process,
 wherein the film structure comprises at least one adhesive including one or more of the plurality of steam vents extending a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the at least one adhesive. 
   
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the precision cuts are formed by a laser, rotary die cut or mechanical punch. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the precision cuts are formed having a length, shape, width or other characteristics of the package. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the precision cuts are in registered areas on the film structure of the package. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the film structure and precision cuts promotes the transmission of gases between the enclosure and an environment outside the enclosure. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one of monolayer plastics and coextruded plastics. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the film structure comprises at least one laminated layer including at least one steam vent extending a depth that is less than entirely through a thickness of the at least one laminated layer.