Susceptors capable of balancing stress and effectiveness

Abstract

An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.

1 . A construct that is for overlying a surface in a microwave oven while supporting food being cooked in the microwave oven, the construct comprising: 
 at least one layer of microwave interactive material mounted to a support layer, wherein    the layer of microwave interactive material is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy,    the support layer is at least generally polygonal-shaped, whereby the support layer includes a plurality of edges and a plurality of corners;    the layer of microwave interactive material extends at least substantially all the way to at least one of the edges of the support layer;    the layer of microwave interactive material has an overall shape having a periphery; and    the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material is at least partially recessed from at least a portion of a first corner of the corners of the support layer, so that at least some of the first corner is not covered by the layer of microwave interactive material.    
     
     
         2 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the layer of microwave interactive material is a first layer of microwave interactive material;    the construct further comprises a patterned layer of microwave interactive material;    the patterned layer of microwave interactive material at least partially covers a portion of the first corner; and    the portion of the first corner is not covered with the first layer of microwave interactive material.    
     
     
         3 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer of microwave interactive material has an optical density of less than about 0.5.  
     
     
         4 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer of microwave interactive material has a thickness of less than about 200 angstroms.  
     
     
         5 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the support layer has a length and a width;    the width is perpendicular to the length; and    at least one of the length and the width is at least about 140 millimeters.    
     
     
         6 . The construct according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the length and the width is at least about 160 millimeters.  
     
     
         7 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 for each edge of the plurality of edges of the support layer, the layer of microwave interactive material extends at least substantially all the way to the edge; and    for each corner of the plurality of corners of the support layer, the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material is at least partially recessed from at least a portion of the corner so that at least some of the corner is not covered by the layer of microwave interactive material.    
     
     
         8 . The construct according to  claim 7 , wherein inwardly of the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material, the layer of microwave interactive material is at least substantially continuous.  
     
     
         9 . The construct according to  claim 7 , wherein the layer of microwave interactive material comprises interspersed areas that are substantially transparent to microwave energy.  
     
     
         10 . The construct according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material includes as portion,    the portion is adjacent the first corner of the support layer, and    the portion at least generally has a radius of curvature.    
     
     
         11 . The construct according to  claim 10 , wherein the radius of curvature has a center of curvature that the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material extends around.  
     
     
         12 . The construct according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the support layer has a length and a width;    the width is perpendicular to the length; and    the radius of curvature is at least about 70.9% of (((0.5)(the length)) 2  +(( 0.5 )(the width)) 2 ) 0.5 .    
     
     
         13 . The construct according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the support layer has a length and a width;    the width is perpendicular to the length; and    the radius of curvature is less than about 94.5% of (((0.5)(the length)) 2  +((0.5)(the width)) 2 ) 0.5 .    
     
     
         14 . The construct according to  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the support layer has a length and a width;    the width is perpendicular to the length; and    the radius of curvature is less than (((0.5)(the length)) 2  +((0.5)(the width)) 2 ) 0.5 .    
     
     
         15 . The construct according to  claim 14 , wherein the radius of curvature is at least about a fourth of a dimension selected from the group consisting of the length and the width.  
     
     
         16 . The construct according to  claim 14 , wherein the radius of curvature is at least about (((0.25)(the length)) 2  +((0.25)(the width)) 2 ) 0.5 .  
     
     
         17 . A susceptor that is responsive to microwave energy, the susceptor comprising: 
 at least one layer of microwave interactive material mounted to at least one support layer, wherein    the at least one layer of microwave interactive material is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, and    in a plan view of the susceptor, the susceptor has 
 at least one beveled corner, and  
 an overall shape that is at least generally in the form of a rectangle.  
   
     
     
         18 . The susceptor of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the layer of microwave interactive material defines the overall shape that is at least generally in the form of a rectangle, and    the layer of microwave interactive material defines the beveled corner.    
     
     
         19 . The susceptor of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the support layer defines the overall shape that is at least generally in the form of a rectangle, and    the layer of microwave interactive defines the beveled corner.    
     
     
         20 . The susceptor of  claim 19 , wherein: 
 the support layer includes a corner region,    the beveled corner is at least partially recessed from at least a portion of the corner region, and    the corner region extends outwardly past the beveled corner.    
     
     
         21 . The susceptor of  claim 19 , wherein the corner region is at least generally rectangular.  
     
     
         22 . The susceptor of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one layer of microwave interactive material has an optical density of less than about 0.5.  
     
     
         23 . The susceptor of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one layer of microwave interactive material has a thickness of less than about 200 angstroms.  
     
     
         24 . The susceptor of  claim 17  in combination with a construct that is at least for supporting food in a microwave oven, wherein the susceptor is mounted to the construct.  
     
     
         25 . The susceptor of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the susceptor comprises a laminate, and    the laminate includes the support layer and the at least one layer of microwave interactive material.    
     
     
         26 . A construct that is for overlying a surface in a microwave oven while supporting food being cooked in the microwave oven, the construct comprising: 
 first and second areas of microwave interactive material that are mounted to a support layer, wherein    each of the first and second areas of microwave interactive material is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy,    per unit area, the first area of microwave interactive material is more absorbent of microwave energy than the second area of microwave interactive material,    the support layer includes a periphery, and    the second area of microwave interactive material is positioned between the first area of microwave interactive material and at least a portion of the periphery of the support layer.    
     
     
         27 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the microwave interactive material of the first area is at least substantially continuous in the unit area; and    the microwave interactive material of the second area is at least substantially discontinuous in the unit area.    
     
     
         28 . The construct according to  claim 27 , wherein the microwave interactive material of the second area is arranged in a pattern.  
     
     
         29 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein the second area of microwave interactive material extends into corners of the support layer.  
     
     
         30 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein microwave interactive material of the second area of microwave interactive material is arranged in a pattern.  
     
     
         31 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein the second area of microwave interactive material extends at least a third of the way around the second area of microwave interactive material.  
     
     
         32 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 microwave interactive material of the first area of microwave interactive material has an optical density of less than about 0.5, and    microwave interactive material of the second area of microwave interactive material has an optical density of less than about 0.5.    
     
     
         33 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the first area of microwave interactive material has a thickness of less than about 200 angstroms, and    the second area of microwave interactive material has a thickness of less than about 200 angstroms, and    
     
     
         34 . The construct according to  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the construct is a first construct,    the first construct comprises a susceptor,    the susceptor is in combination with a second construct that is at least for supporting food in a microwave oven, and    the susceptor is mounted to the second construct.    
     
     
         35 . A construct that is for overlying a surface in a microwave oven while supporting food being cooked in the microwave oven, the construct comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer, wherein    the second layer is mounted to the first layer    the first layer is at least generally polygonal-shaped and includes 
 a first edge that is at least generally straight, and  
 a second edge that is at least generally straight,  
   the second layer comprises microwave interactive material that is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy,    the microwave interactive material has an overall shape,    the overall shape of the microwave interactive material includes 
 a first edge that extends along the first edge of the first layer,  
 a second edge that extends along the second edge of the first layer,  
 a third edge that extends crosswise with respect to the first edge of the microwave interactive material,  
 a fourth edge that extends crosswise with respect to the second edge of the microwave interactive material,  
 a first beveled corner connecting an end of the first edge of the microwave interactive material to an end of the third edge of the microwave interactive material, and  
 a second beveled corner connecting an end of the second edge of the microwave interactive material to an end of the fourth edge of the microwave interactive material.  
   
     
     
         36 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the microwave interactive material has an optical density of less than about 0.5.  
     
     
         37 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the microwave interactive material has a thickness of less than about 200 angstroms.  
     
     
         38 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein a marginal portion of the first layer is positioned between the first edge of the microwave interactive material and the first edge of the first layer.  
     
     
         39 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the first edge of the microwave interactive material and the first edge of the first layer are horizontally spaced apart while the first and second layers extend horizontally.  
     
     
         40 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein at least a portion of the first edge of the microwave interactive material and the first edge of the first layer are substantially vertically aligned while the first and second layers extend horizontally.  
     
     
         41 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth edges of the microwave interactive material is at least generally straight.  
     
     
         42 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein: 
 the first edge of the first layer at least partially defines at least one corner of the first layer,    the first beveled corner is adjacent the corner of the first layer, and    the first beveled corner is spaced apart from at least a portion of the corner of the first layer.    
     
     
         43 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the first layer is a bottom panel of a container that is for at least partially containing the food.  
     
     
         44 . The construct according to  claim 43 , wherein: 
 the container includes at least one side wall, and    the sidewall extends upwardly from the first edge of the bottom panel.    
     
     
         45 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the first beveled corner is curved and thereby defines a center of curvature, and the center of curvature is positioned between the first and third edges of the microwave interactive material.  
     
     
         46 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the second layer being mounted to the first layer comprises: 
 the second layer being laminated to the first layer, whereby the construct comprises a laminate that includes the first layer and the second layer.    
     
     
         47 . The construct according to  claim 35 , wherein the first layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of paper, paperboard and cardboard.  
     
     
         48 . The construct according to  claim 35 , further comprising a third layer, wherein 
 the second layer overlies the first layer, and    the third layer overlies and is mounted to the second layer.    
     
     
         49 . The construct according to  claim 48 , wherein the third layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of paper and polymeric film.  
     
     
         50 . A method of heating at least a turntable tray, comprising: 
 providing at least one layer of microwave interactive material that is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy;    overlying the tray with the at least one layer of microwave interactive material so that the at least one layer of microwave interactive material is in a predetermined position in which at least a portion of a periphery of the at least one layer of microwave interactive material is proximate at least a portion of a periphery of the tray;    heating at least the tray with the at least one layer of microwave interactive material while the at least one layer of microwave interactive material is in the predetermined position, with the heating of the tray including exposing the at least one layer of microwave interactive material to microwave energy so that the at least one layer of microwave interactive material becomes hot, whereby a peak thermally induces stress occurs in the tray at a location proximate the portion of the periphery of the tray; and    wherein the providing of the at least one layer of microwave interactive material includes configuring the at least one layer of microwave interactive material in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the tray has a tensile strength, and the predetermined amount is the tensile strength.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the providing of the at least one layer of microwave interactive material comprises providing first and second areas of microwave interactive material that are mounted to a support layer, wherein 
 each of the first and second areas of microwave interactive material is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy,    per unit area, the first area of microwave interactive material is more absorbent of microwave energy than the second area of microwave interactive material,    the support layer includes a periphery, and    the second area of microwave interactive material is positioned between the first area of microwave interactive material and at least a portion of the periphery of the support layer.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the providing of the at least one layer of microwave interactive material comprises mounting the at least one layer of microwave interactive material to a support layer, wherein 
 the support layer is at least generally polygonal-shaped, whereby the support layer includes a plurality of edges and a plurality of corners;    the layer of microwave interactive material extends at least substantially all the way to at least one of the edges of the support layer;    the layer of microwave interactive material has an overall shape having a periphery; and    the periphery of the layer of microwave interactive material is at least partially recessed from at least a portion of a first corner of the corners of the support layer, so that at least some of the first corner is not covered by the layer of microwave interactive material.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the providing of the at least one layer of microwave interactive material comprises providing a susceptor that includes the at least one layer of microwave interactive material, wherein in a plan view of the susceptor, the susceptor has: 
 at least one beveled corner, and    an overall shape that is at least generally in the form of a rectangle.