Packaged food with moisture release

Abstract

A microwavable food packaging can be configured to absorb fluid. The packaging can include a first sheet and a flexible second sheet. The first sheet can include a first polymeric layer. The first sheet can define an upper portion of a food pocket. The flexible second sheet can include an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer can include a paper-based side and a polymer-based side. The paper-based side can include paper fibers, define a bottom of the food pocket and be configured to absorb fluid released from food disposed within the food pocket. The first polymeric layer can be bonded to the polymer-based side through the paper-based side to form a non-hermetic seal, the non-hermetic seal enabling passage of moisture therethrough.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A microwavable food packaging configured to absorb fluid, the packaging comprising:
 a first sheet comprising a first polymeric layer, the first sheet defining an upper portion of a food pocket;   a flexible second sheet comprising an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer comprising a paper-based side and a polymer-based side, the paper-based side comprising paper fibers, the paper-based side defining a bottom of the food pocket and being configured to absorb fluid released from food disposed within the food pocket;   the first polymeric layer being bonded to the polymer-based side through the paper-based side to form a non-hermetic seal, the non-hermetic seal enabling passage of fluid therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the non-hermetic seal comprises stronger portions and weaker portions disposed in an alternating relationship such that each stronger portion is disposed between two weaker portions. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging of  claim 2 , wherein the stronger portions comprise a lesser density of paper fibers than the weaker portions. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the non-hermetic seal encloses the food pocket in which the food is disposed. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging of  claim 4 , wherein the non-hermetic seal is a first non-hermetic seal, the packaging comprising a second non-hermetic seal enclosing the first non-hermetic seal. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging of  claim 5 , wherein the first non-hermetic seal surrounds an entire outer perimeter of the food pocket and the second non-hermetic seal surrounds an entire outer perimeter of the first non-hermetic seal. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging of  claim 6 , wherein the first non-hermetic seal comprises first stronger portions and first weaker portions disposed in an alternating relationship that each first stronger portion is disposed between two first weaker portions and the second non-hermetic seal comprises second stronger portions and second weaker portions disposed in an alternating relationship that each second stronger portion is disposed between two second weaker portions. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging of  claim 5 , wherein a ringed gap encloses the first non-hermetic seal and is enclosed by the second non-hermetic seal such that fluid flow out of the food pocket reaches the second non-hermetic seal after passing through the first non-hermetic seal and the ringed gap. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the food is at a freezing or refrigerated temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the food is in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere via the non-hermetic seal. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing a microwavable food packaging configured to absorb fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a first sheet comprising a first polymeric layer, the first sheet defining an upper portion of a food pocket;   providing a flexible second sheet comprising an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer comprising a paper-based side and a polymer-based side, the paper-based side comprising paper fibers, the paper-based side defining a bottom of the food pocket and being configured to absorb fluid released from food disposed within the food pocket;   wherein the first polymeric layer is bonded to the polymer-based side through the paper-based side to form a non-hermetic seal, the non-hermetic seal enabling passage of fluid therethrough.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 inserting the provided food packaging into a microwave;   heating the inserted food package with microwave energy, the microwave energy causing the food to release fluid, some of the released fluid pressurizing and inflating the first sheet, some of the released fluid egressing the food pocket by flowing through the non-hermetic seal.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein due to the non-hermetic nature of the seal, egress of fluid from the food pocket via the non-hermetic seal occurs before the first sheet attains a maximally inflated state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein due to the non-hermetic nature of the seal, egress of at least some fluid from the food pocket via the non-hermetic seal occurs prior to inflation of the first sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the seal defines a surface area prior to the heating, a density of paper fibers being nonuniform over the surface area prior to the heating to produce nonuniform bonding strength between the first polymeric layer and the polymer-based side. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the first sheet defining the food pocket is corrugated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the corrugations are arranged to drain food-released fluid toward the non-hermetic seal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising freezing or refrigerating the provided packaging prior to inserting the provided food packaging into the microwave. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the provided food packaging is freezing when inserted into the microwave. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-hermetic seal comprises stronger portions and weaker portions disposed in an alternating relationship such that each stronger portion is disposed between two weaker portions.
 the stronger portions comprising a lesser density of paper fibers than the weaker portions.