Oven bag with pre-formed perforations

Abstract

An oven bag and methods for using the same are disclosed. The oven bag may be used in a range of different ovens. The oven bag is characterized by pre-formed perforations that provide for both venting of hot gasses and a secondary opening. The oven bag may comprise different kinds of closure devices including, but not limited to, drawstrings and hand ties.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An oven bag comprising: 
 a first panel comprising first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another;    a second panel comprising first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another, the first edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the first edge of the second panel, the second edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the second edge of the second panel, the third edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the third edge of the second panel;    an opening formed by the first and second panels defined in part by the fourth edge of the first panel and the fourth edge of the second panel;    a closure device operatively associated with the opening; and    a plurality of pre-formed perforations in at least one of the first panel and second panel, the perforations providing ventilation during cooking and forming a rupturable scoreline for opening the bag when desired.    
     
     
         2 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , further including at least one pleat extending between the first and second panels.  
     
     
         3 . The oven bag of  claim 2 , wherein the pleat runs substantially parallel to the opening.  
     
     
         4 . The oven bag of  claim 2 , wherein first and second pleats flank the bag and run substantially perpendicular to the opening.  
     
     
         5 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the perforations are arranged linearly and extend around an entire perimeter of the bag.  
     
     
         6 . The oven bag of  claim 5 , wherein the perforations are substantially parallel to the second edges and between the opening and the second edges.  
     
     
         7 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the perforations are provided in one of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         8 . The oven bag of  claim 4 , wherein the perforations are provided in one of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         9 . The oven bag of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations form a continuously looped scoreline.  
     
     
         10 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the closure device comprises a hand tie.  
     
     
         11 . The oven bag of  claim 10 , wherein certain portions of the fourth edges are recessed below flanking portions of the fourth edges, providing for a first tie handle and a second tie handle.  
     
     
         12 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the closure device comprises a drawstring.  
     
     
         13 . The oven bag of  claim 12 , wherein the drawstring is operatively enclosed within a casing, wherein the casing is operatively associated with the fourth edges.  
     
     
         14 . The oven bag of  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the first and second panels, the plurality of holes being in a substantially linear fashion, the drawstring being looped through the holes in an alternating fashion.  
     
     
         15 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is manufactured from a high melting point polymer.  
     
     
         16 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the bag is manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         17 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the bag is manufactured from nylon.  
     
     
         18 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is transparent.  
     
     
         19 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the melting point is at least 400° F.  
     
     
         20 . An oven bag comprising: 
 a first panel comprising first, second, third and fourth side edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another;    a second panel comprising first, second, third and fourth side edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another, the first edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the first edge of the second panel, the second edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the second edge of the second panel, the third edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the third edge of the second panel;    an opening formed by the first and second panels defined in part by the fourth edge of the first panel and the fourth edge of the second panel;    a closure device operatively associated with the opening, the closure device including a drawstring and a plurality of holes in the first and second panels, said holes arranged in a substantially linear fashion along the fourth edges, the drawstring being threaded through the holes in an alternating fashion;    a pleat extending between the second edges of the first and second panels; and    a plurality of perforations forming a scored line in at least one of the first panel and second panel, the perforations providing ventilation during cooking and forming a rupturable scoreline for opening the bag when desired.    
     
     
         21 . The oven bag of  claim 20 , further including a second pleat extending between the first edges of the first and second panels, and a third pleat extending between the third edges of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         22 . The oven bag of  claim 20 , wherein the scoreline extends around a perimeter of the bag.  
     
     
         23 . The oven bag of  claim 20 , wherein the scoreline forms a continuous loop in one of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         24 . The oven bag of  claim 20 , wherein the bag is manufactured from a high melting point polymer.  
     
     
         25 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the bag is manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         26 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the bag is manufactured from nylon.  
     
     
         27 . The oven bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is transparent.  
     
     
         28 . The oven bag of  claim 15 , wherein the melting point is at least 400° F.  
     
     
         29 . A method of cooking food in an oven, comprising: 
 inserting food into an oven bag, the oven bag including a first panel having first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another, a second panel having first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another, the first edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the first edge of the second panel, the second edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the second edge of the second panel, the third edge of the first panel being operatively associated with the third edge of the second panel, an opening formed by the first and second panels defined in part by the fourth edge of the first panel and the fourth edge of the second panel, a closure device operatively associated with the opening, and a plurality of pre-formed perforations in at least one of the first panel and second panel;    activating the closure device so as to seal the food in the oven bag;    heating the bag and food in an oven, heated air venting from the bag through the pre-formed perforations;    removing the bag and food from the oven; and    tearing the bag along the pre-formed perforations to allow for access to and removal of the food.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the food and bag are heated to a temperature of up to 400° F.