Packaging for food products

Abstract

Packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging. The packaging includes a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level. The first metallic microwave active component has portions arranged below the fill level and above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
 a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level;   said first metallic microwave active component having portions arranged below the fill level and above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.   
     
     
         2 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 1  wherein the first microwave active component extends at least 6 mm above the fill level. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 2  wherein the first microwave active component extends between 6 mm and 18 mm above the fill level. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 1  wherein one or more edges of the first microwave active component above and/or below the fill level are substantially straight. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 1  wherein one or more edges of the first microwave active component above and/or below the fill level are shaped. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 5  wherein the one or more edges of the first microwave active component are undulating. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
 a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below the fill level; and   a second microwave active component extending below the base level and along at least a portion of a bottom of the packaging.   
     
     
         8 . A packaging for microwave heating according to  claim 7  wherein the second microwave active component extends from 5 mm to 25 mm along the bottom of the packaging. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
 a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below the fill level,   wherein the packaging further comprises:
 a plinth which encloses a cavity below the base level of the packaging, and 
 a second microwave active component in extending below the base level and downwards along the plinth. 
   
     
     
         10 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 9  wherein the plinth is at least 6 mm high. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:
 a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level, and   a second metallic microwave active component, extending above and below a base level,   wherein the first and second metallic microwave active components are joined to form a single component.   
     
     
         12 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to  claim 11  wherein the single component contains a plurality of windows, the windows are defined by one or more holes in the single component. 
     
     
         13 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating for a food product according to  claim 12  wherein the dimensions and locations of the windows are adapted so as to be suitable for microwave heating a liquid food product or solid food product. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging according to  claim 1 , which is in the form of a cradle, capable of being placed around and/or holding one or more microwave inert containers that contain the food product. 
     
     
         15 . A packaging according to  claim 14 , wherein the cradle is re-useable. 
     
     
         16 . A packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the first metallic microwave active component comprises a metal film or foil. 
     
     
         17 . A packaging according to  claim 16  wherein the metal film or foil is an aluminum film or foil. 
     
     
         18 . A packaging according to  claim 17  wherein the aluminum film or foil is at least 1 μm thick. 
     
     
         19 . A packaging according to  claim 16  wherein the metal film or foil is a copper film or foil. 
     
     
         20 . A packaging according to  claim 19  wherein the copper film or foil is at least 0.6 μm thick. 
     
     
         21 . A packaged food product comprising a food product packaged to a level at or below the fill level in the packaging for facilitating microwave heating as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A packaged food product according to  claim 21  wherein the food product is an ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product. 
     
     
         23 . A packaged food product according to  claim 22  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a liquid food product at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         24 . A packaged food product according to  claim 22  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a solid food product at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         25 . A packaged food product according to  claim 22  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         26 . A method for packaging a food product comprising the steps of:
 (a) filling a packaging for facilitating microwave heating as defined in  claim 1  with a food product; and   (b) sealing the packaging to package the food product.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the food product is an ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a liquid food product at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 27  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a solid food product at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 27  wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at its consumption temperature. 
     
     
         31 . A packaging for facilitating microwave heating of a food product, said packaging comprising:
 a first metallic microwave active component extending above and below a fill level;   a second metallic microwave active component extending above and below a base level; and   at least one area arranged between the fill level and the base level allowing a microwave heating of food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.