System, assembly and method for preparing a palatable microwaved sandwich

Abstract

A system, assembly and method for cooking a palatable sandwich in the microwave includes a sleeve sized for receiving a compressed sandwich whereby the compressed sandwich maintains contact with the susceptor material of the sleeve while cooking, in spite of sandwich shrinkage. A compression means assists in uniformly compressing the sandwich and insertion into the sleeve. The sleeve can be easily removed after cooking.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A system for microwaving a sandwich comprising:
 A) A hollow sleeve having substantially planar sides with opposing sides of substantially similar dimensions; and   B) A compression means having two opposable substantially planar surfaces, said substantially planar sides sized to fit within said sleeve.   
     
     
         2 ) The system of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve includes a susceptor material. 
     
     
         3 ) The system of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve further includes end closure tabs. 
     
     
         4 ) The system of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve defines a tab and slit for opening and closing. 
     
     
         5 ) A labor saving assembly for preparing a warmed sandwich comprising:
 A) A compressed sandwich comprising at least two slices of bread; and   B) A hollow sleeve including susceptor material surrounding said sandwich on at least four sides.   
     
     
         6 ) The labor saving assembly of  claim 5  wherein at least one of said slices of bread includes a coating including a component selected from a fat, carbohydrate, protein or combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 ) The labor saving assembly of  claim 5  wherein said sandwich is cut into portions. 
     
     
         8 ) The labor saving assembly of  claim 5  wherein said sleeve includes material selected from the group consisting of paper, pressed paper, coated paper, cardboard, chipboard, pulp paper, corrugated paper, plastic, metal coatings, nonmetal coatings, microwave reflective materials and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 ) The labor saving assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a vented overwrap surrounding said sleeve. 
     
     
         10 ) The labor saving assembly of  claim 5  wherein said sleeve defines a handle. 
     
     
         11 ) A method of producing a sandwich that can be heated in a microwave comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a first and a second slice of bread, said first and said second slices each having an inner surface and an outer surface;   B) interposing at least one layer of edible sandwich filler ingredients between the inner surfaces of said first and said second bread slices to form a sandwich;   C) compressing said sandwich; and   D) inserting said compressed sandwich into a cooking sleeve.   
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of applying microwave energy to said compressed sandwich in cooking sleeve. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of removing said sandwich from said cooking sleeve. 
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein said step of inserting said compressed sandwich into a cooking sleeve includes the step of employing a cooking sleeve having a thickness less than the thickness of said sandwich in the uncompressed state. 
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of inserting said compressed sandwich into a cooking sleeve includes the step of employing a cooking sleeve having a thickness of approximately 95% of the thickness of said sandwich in the uncompressed state. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of inserting said compressed sandwich into a cooking sleeve includes the step of employing a cooking sleeve having thickness of approximately 90% of the thickness of said sandwich in the uncompressed state. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein said step of inserting said compressed sandwich into a cooking sleeve includes the step of employing a cooking sleeve having a susceptor.