Ovenable package for bacon and the like

Claim 2

A microwavable package for containing a food product during storage and cooking, said microwavable package comprising: a bed formed of absorbent material for supporting the food product during storage and cooking, the food product disposed in direct contact with said bed; a substantially sealed and movable plastic member covering said bed and the food product; and venting means in said plastic sleeve for permitting the passage of vapor generated during cooking through said plastic member so that said plastic member moves away from said bed and the food product during cooking.

Claim 3

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 1 wherein the food product releases grease or oil during cooking and said bed includes a patterned surface in contact with said food product to collect at least a portion of the released grease or oil and to maintain at least a portion of the food product in contact with the collected grease or oil during cooking.

Claim 4

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said absorbent bed is formed of absorbent paper.

Claim 5

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 3 wherein the food product comprises bacon strips.

Claim 6

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said venting means comprises a plurality of perforations formed in said plastic member.

Claim 7

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said microwavable package further includes an inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere within said plastic member covering.

Claim 8

A microwavable package for containing, during cooking, a food product of the type which releases grease or oil during cooking and which is maintained at least partially in contact with the released grease or oil during cooking, said package comprising: a bed formed of an absorbent material for supporting the food product during cooking, said bed collecting at least a portion of the grease or oil released during cooking of the food product and to maintain at least part of the food product in contact with the collected grease or oil during cooking; a substantially sealed plastic sleeve forming a substantially sealed envelope for said corrugated bed and the food product, said sleeve movable between a first position where it is in close proximity with the food product and a second position in spaced relation thereto; and venting means in said plastic sleeve for permitting the passage of vapor through said plastic sleeve at a controlled rate such that the vapor causes said plastic sleeve to move away from said bed during microwave cooking of the food product.

Claim 9

A microwavable package for containing, during cooking, a food product of the type which releases grease or oil during cooking and which is maintained at least partially in contact with the released grease or oil during cooking, said package comprising: a bed formed of an absorbent material for supporting the food product during cooking, said bed collecting at least a portion of the grease or oil released during cooking of the food product and to maintain at least part of the food product in contact with the collected grease or oil during cooking; a substantially sealed plastic sleeve forming a substantially sealed envelope for said corrugated bed and the food product, said sleeve movable between a first position where it is in close proximity with the food product and a second position in spaced relation thereto; and venting means in said plastic sleeve for permitting the passage of vapor through said plastic sleeve at a controlled rate such that the vapor causes said plastic sleeve to move away from said bed during microwave cooking of the food product.

Claim 10

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 7 wherein said absorbent bed includes a patterned surface in contact with said food product.

Claim 11

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 8 wherein the food product comprises bacon strips.

Claim 12

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 7 wherein said venting means comprises a plurality of perforations formed in said plastic sleeve.

Claim 13

A microwavable package in accordance with claim 7 wherein said microwavable package further includes an inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere within said plastic sleeve.

Claim 14

A package containing a food product, said package comprising; a cookable food product; a first substantially planar microwavable package containing a portion of said food product; a second substantially planar microwavable package stacked above said first microwavable package and containing another portion of said food product; and a sealed, gas-impermeable outer sleeve forming an enclosed outer envelope around said stacked first and second microwavable packages; said first and second microwavable packages each comprising: a bed formed of absorbent material supporting said portion of said food product; a substantially sealed inner plastic member forming a substantially sealed cover for said bed and said portion of said food product; venting means in said inner plastic member for permitting the passage of vapor through said inner plastic member at a controlled rate so that said inner plastic member billows away from said bed during microwave cooking of said food product; and an inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere within said cover.

Claim 15

A package containing a food product, said package comprising; a cookable food product; a first substantially planar microwavable package containing a portion of said food product; a second substantially planar microwavable package stacked above said first microwavable package and containing another portion of said food product; and a sealed, gas-impermeable outer sleeve forming an enclosed outer envelope around said stacked first and second microwavable packages; said first and second microwavable packages each comprising: a bed formed of absorbent material supporting said portion of said food product; a substantially sealed inner plastic member forming a substantially sealed cover for said bed and said portion of said food product; venting means in said inner plastic member for permitting the passage of vapor through said inner plastic member at a controlled rate so that said inner plastic member billows away from said bed during microwave cooking of said food product; and an inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere within said cover.

Claim 16

A package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said package further includes said inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere within said outer envelope and exterior to each of said first and second microwavable packages.

Claim 17

A package in accordance with claim 13 wherein said food product is of the type which releases grease or oil during cooking and wherein at least one of said beds includes a patterned surface in contact with said food product to collect at least a portion of the grease or oil released during cooking and maintain at least a portion of said food product in contact with the collected grease or oil during cooking.

Claim 18

A package in accordance with claim 14 wherein said bed is formed of absorbent paper.

Claim 19

A package in accordance with claim 15 wherein said food product comprises bacon strips.

Claim 20

A package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said venting means comprises a plurality of perforations formed in said inner plastic member covering.

Claim 21

A package in accordance with claim 12 wherein said inert, substantially oxygen-free atmosphere consists essentially of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Claim 22

A microwavable package for containing a food product and comprising, in combination, a bed formed of absorbent material for supporting said food product during cooking, said food product disposed in direct contact with said bed, a movable plastic member overlying and covering said bed and the food product, and venting means in said plastic member for permitting the passage of vapor generated during cooking through said plastic member covering so that said plastic member moves away from said bed and food product during cooking.

Claim 23

A microwavable package for containing a food product and comprising, in combination, a bed formed of absorbent material for supporting said food product during cooking, said food product disposed in direct contact with said bed, a movable plastic member overlying and covering said bed and the food product, and venting means in said plastic member for permitting the passage of vapor generated during cooking through said plastic member covering so that said plastic member moves away from said bed and food product during cooking.

Claim 24

The microwavable package in accordance with claim 19 wherein said bed includes means defining a patterned surface in contact with said food product to collect at least a portion of the released grease or oil and to maintain at least a portion of the food product in contact with the collected grease or oil during cooking.