MXPA98008682A - Container for microwave of flexible paper, not atrapador, easily expandi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an expandable microwave container for containing a cereal seed to jump or swell in a microwave oven characterized in that it comprises, in combination: a bag that includes a bottom wall, an upper wall, a first reinforced side panel and a second reinforced side panel with the lower and upper walls, and the first and second reinforced side panels each formed by a sheet of flexible material, with the lower wall having an outer periphery of a substantially circular shape, with the upper wall that it has an outer periphery of a substantially circular shape which corresponds to the outer periphery of the lower wall, with each of the panels formed by at least one first and second panel portions lying on top of each other and including outer peripheries that correspond to the outer peripheries of the lower and upper walls, with the walls i bottom and top interconnected together adjacent to the outer peripheries, with the lower and upper walls interconnected together by their interconnection to the first and second reinforced side panels adjacent to the outer peripheries, with the bottom wall interconnected to the first panel portion of the first and second reinforced side panels and with the upper wall interconnected to the second panel portion of the first and second reinforced side panels, with the upper and lower walls expanding in a double domed shape in opposite directions as the cereal seed jumps or swells in the microwave oven

Description

CONTAINER FOR FLEXIBLE PAPER MICROWAVE, NO ATRAPADOR, EASILY EXPANDABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to containers for use in microwave ovens, and concerns in particular a flexible, non-trapping, easily expandable microwave container, formed with a non-extensible material for pumping or swelling grains and especially rosette seeds. of corn and more particularly concerns a microwave container that provides a serving bowl and / or features that make it easy to open.

To conserve space during transportation and storage, microwave corn rosette containers are usually folded flat. While they are being skipped using microwave energy, the container of corn rosettes expands, an expansion that is due to the internal pressure of the steam produced by the bursting of the seeds of corn rosettes, the pressure of the corn rosettes themselves. that jump, as well as other factors. An important feature for maximizing the volume of skipped seeds is the ability of the container for microwave corn rosettes to expand easily. Another important factor to maximize the volume of skipped seeds is that the amount of seeds that are actually skipped is increased to the maximum ensuring that the unchastised seeds are located together in the sensitizer with enough residence time to receive sufficient caloric energy to produce the pop. The fomra of the bag plays an important role in the ability of the bag to spread as well as in the ability of the non-skipped seeds to come into contact with each other and with the sensitizer before and during jumping.

One form of conventional corn rosette containers is a bag having a rectangular lid, a rectangular base and folded sides and with at least one end joining the rectangular lid and base for example, but not only, by folding the end of the bag about himself. It is a common problem that uncapped seeds are driven in the process of jumping into the folds and cracks in the bag and especially those created by the folds on the sides adjacent to the end (s) of the bag. Such seeds tend to be caught in such folds and cracks so that they can not move towards the sensitizer and are less likely to jump during microwave cooking.

In addition, conventional rectangular cornstarch bags tend to snag in the corners of microwave ovens. This is undesirable for microwave ovens that include spinning plates since the bag no longer rotates within the microwave cavity but locks in a position near the corner. However, even for microwave ovens that are not equipped with spinning plates, the expansion of the bag and / or the vibration of the bag caused by the jumping of the corn rosettes does not cause the bag to move towards the center of the bag. Microwave cavity when the bag is hooked in a corner of the microwave cavity. This is undesirable since there are generally colder points in the corners of the microwave cavity and since the lack of movement of the bag subjects the bag to see specific hot spots or electronic voids.

Therefore, there remains a need for an improved flexible paper maize rosette package that is easy to expand due to the dynamics involved in skipping the seeds, which has less chance of catching seeds not skipped during the expansion of the package while it is subjected to microwave energy and provides the most consistent and uniform distribution of microwave energy to maximize the amount and volume of popped corn rosettes. In other aspects of the present invention, the container of corn rosettes that is used to sprout the seeds of corn rosettes can be used as the bowl to serve during the consumption of the skipped seeds. Even in other aspects of the present invention the expanded corn rosette package can be easily opened by the consumer with minimal instructions.

Surprisingly, the need mentioned above and other objectives can be met by providing, in the preferred form, an expandable microwave container in the form of a pouch formed by upper and lower walls of flexible, non-extensible material interconnected adjacent to its outer peripheries in a similar manner to circular so that the top and bottom walls expand in a double vaulted shape in the opposite direction when the seeds of corn rosettes are skipped in the microwave oven.

In the most preferred form, the upper wall includes a removable closing seal which is opened during microwave cooking and which can be physically separated after microwave cooking to facilitate access to the skipped corn rosettes and so that the Bag works clearly as a bowl to serve. In the most preferred aspects, the release seal is formed in the interconnection between the first and second wall portions and in a preferred form the bag further includes first and second projections extending outwardly from the first and second wall portions. to grasp them to separate the first and second wall portions.

In another more preferred form, the top wall is fabricated from multiple layers and includes a first annular portion having an access opening and a lock portion of a size larger than the access opening and interconnected with the first portion by a seal. In the most preferred aspects, the seal includes a removable lock portion that fails during microwave cooking and a projection is formed on the outer periphery of the lock portion to grip it when the lock portion is removed.

In yet another preferred form, the removable lock seal is formed in the interconnection between the lower and upper walls. In the most preferred aspects, the projections are formed in the outer peripheries of the upper and lower walls adjacent to the removable lock seal and outwardly from the interconnection, whereby the consumer grasps and pulls the projections to open the bag to remove the rosettes of corn jumped out of the inside of the bag.

In other preferred aspects of the present invention, the lower and upper walls are interconnected together by their interconnection with first and second reinforced side panels, the outer periphery of the lower wall being interconnected with the outer peripheries of the first panel portions of the first and second panels. second reinforced side panels and the outer periphery of the upper wall being interconnected with the outer peripheries of the second panel portions of the first and second reinforced side panels, the outer peripheries of the panel portions corresponding to the outer peripheries of the lower walls and higher.

In yet other preferred aspects of the present invention, the pouch formed by the interconnection of the upper and lower walls having outer peripheries similar in shape to circular is bent by first and second parallel bending lines located on opposite sides of an interconnecting portion. of periphery, then it is bent by a third bending line extending in a perpendicular direction between the first and second bending lines at which time the seeds of corn rosettes are introduced by the periphery interconnecting portion which is then sealed, and then it is folded by a fourth fold line extending parallel to the third bend line, the folded bag having a conventional rectangular shape for secondary packaging.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention described in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The illustrative embodiments can be described in the best way by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a package manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention in a generally expanded condition.

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the package of Figure 1 in an unfilled, flat condition with broken portions.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 in a partially unfilled condition, with broken portions.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 in a partially folded unfilled condition.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 in a partially folded unfilled condition and with the peripheries at the upper edge separated for the introduction of the seeds of corn rosettes and the like, with broken portions.

Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the package of Figure 1 in a partially folded, filled condition with broken portions.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the package of Figure 1 in a folded or folded, filled condition.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the package of Figure 1 according to cut line 8-8 of Figure 1, where the skipped corn rosettes have been removed for ease of illustration.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the package of Figure 1 in an open condition.

Figure 10 shows a top plan view of a package in a flat condition, unfilled and manufactured according to the preferred teachings of the present invention, with broken portions.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the package of Figure 10 in a partially opened, expanded, filled condition.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a package manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention and in an expanded condition showing a preferred method of opening.

Figure 13 shows a top plan view of a package in an unfilled, flat condition and manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention, with broken portions.

Figure 14 shows a perspective, diagrammatic view of the package of Figure 13 in an expanded condition showing a preferred method of opening.

Figure 15 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the package of Figure 13 in an expanded condition to illustrate its expanded serving bowl function.

Figure 16 shows a developed perspective view of the package of Figure 13 illustrating diagrammatically a manufacturing method according to the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a package in a flat condition without filling and manufactured according to the preferred teachings of the present invention, with broken portions.

All the figures are drawn only to facilitate the explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention; The extensions of the figures with respect to amount, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or are within the skill in the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. In addition, the dimensions and proportions of exact dimensions to conform to strength, weight, specific strength and similar requirements are likewise within the skill in the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

When used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numbers designate the same or similar parts. Also, when the terms "upper", "lower", "first", "seconds", "lateral", "extreme", "inner", "outer", "inside", "out", and similar terms they are used here, it should be understood that these terms refer only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would be presented to a person observing the drawings and are used only to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A package for use in microwave ovens according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown as a flexible bag expandable in the drawings and with the general reference 18. The following description will be given if the bag 18 is considered horizontal when It is placed in the microwave oven. Consequently, the bag 18 includes a lower wall 20 and an upper wall 22 of a shape and size that generally correspond to the lower wall 20. Each of the walls 20 and 22 is formed by a sheet of flexible material but not extensible as for example papers including but not limited to coated base paper or similar cellulose structures, polymers including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate, polyester and nylon, or other materials that can be microwaved, similar. The material forming the walls 20 and 22 may be opaque, translucent, clear or combinations thereof. Each of the walls 20 and 22 includes an outer periphery 20a and 22a, respectively, which is generally equidistant from the center 24 of the shape of the walls 20 and 22 and in the most preferred form has a generally circular shape. However, the peripheries 20a and 22a can have other substantially circular or circular-like shapes that are arcuate and / or include peripheral edge interconnects that have no tendency to snag in the corners of the microwave oven, for example symmetrical shapes that include ovals , pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, etc. and for example asymmetric shapes such as a generally ovoid shape.

To define a hollow interior, the walls 20 and 22 are interconnected together adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a by a seal that maintains the integrity of the bag 18 during the manufacture, handling, transportation and sale to the consumer of the bag 18 and its contents and even microwave cooking. In the most preferred form, the interconnection between the walls 20 and 22 is sufficient to adequately seal the vapor created within the bag 18 while heating in the microwave oven as well as to prevent unwanted opening while the skipped seeds are consumed. In the most preferred form, a suitable annular adhesive tape 26 is added to the inner surface of one or both of the walls 20 and 22 to close the walls 20 and 22 together adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a after the application of heat and / or Pressure.

Further, when interconnected with the adhesive tape 26, the walls 20 and 22 can be placed in such a position that they are generally flat and fit in a continuous manner without bulges or folds in the most preferred way.

In the most preferred form, the bag 18 includes a sensitizing patch that extends over a portion of the lower wall 20 spaced from the periphery 20a and in the most preferred manner, generally centered around the center 24. The sensitizing patch 30 can be formed in all suitable shapes known in the art, such as a metallized plastic film adhered to the bottom wall 20 as shown diagrammatically in Figure 8 (exaggerating the thickness of the sensitizer patch 30 to facilitate illustration) or adhering between separate layers forming the wall lower 20, a paper reinforced sensitizer, or a coating applied or printed on the lower wall 20. Furthermore, although the sensitizing patch 30 is shown placed above the lower wall 20 and therefore located inside the bag 18, the sensitizer patch 30 may be located outside of bag 18 with lower wall 20 located above the sensitizer patch 30. A Similarly, the sensitizer patch 30 can be placed in the material converter or in the manufacturing lines.

In the preferred form shown in Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9, the upper wall 22 is formed from first and second wall portions 22b and 22c which are interconnected together with a burr seal 28. In the preferred form, the portions 22b and 22c have a generally semicircular shape and the burr seal 28 extends between two opposite points at the periphery 22a and specifically along a diameter of the circular shape of the periphery 22a. Burr seal 28 provides a detachable lock that partially fails during microwave cooking. Specifically, this partial failure of the flash seal 28 allows trapped vapor to exit the bag 18 and also allows the consumer to continue to peel the seal 28 to open the bag 18 after microwave cooking to give access to the rosette seeds. of corn jumped in the hollow interior of the bag 18 for consumption.

The bag 18 can be manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention in the following manner. Specifically, the walls 20 and 22 are positioned with their inner surfaces engaged with each other and with the peripheries 20a and 22a aligned. A first interconnecting portion 26a of the belt 26 is suitably activated to interconnect the walls 20 and 22 together in addition to a second interconnecting portion 26b. While the first interconnection portion 26a projects a substantial portion of the peripheries 20a and 22a, the second interconnection portion 26b in the preferred form has a radial extent generally equal to half the diameter of the shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a.

At that time, the partially formed bag 18 can be folded along the parallel bending lines 32a and 32b which are radially spaced, generally equal to half the diameter of the shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a and extend from the first and second tips on opposite sides of and generally to the same extent as the ends of portion 26b. In the preferred form, the bending lines 32a and 32b are located on opposite sides of the diameter of the shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a and equidistant from them. Therefore, the bag 18 is divided into a central portion 34a and first and second wings 34b and 34c that are bent to overlap the central portion 34a. The wings 34b and 34c have a radial width generally equal to a quarter of the diameter of the shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a and generally equal to half the radial width of the central portion 34a. Therefore, the wings 34b and 34c do not overlap one another when they are bent to overlap the central portion 34a. The bag 18 folded at this point includes first and second straight, parallel lateral edges defined by bending lines 32a and 32b and upper and lower edges which are generally convex defined by intermediate bending lines 32a and 32b of the peripheries 20a and 22a. The. The partially formed bag 18 can be bent by a third fold line 36 extending generally perpendicular between the first and second straight side edges defined by the folding lines 32a and 32b and located approximately one third the diameter of the shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a, of the lower edge. Therefore, the bag 18 includes a wing 36a that includes the lower portions of the portion 34a and the wings 34b and 34c and that is bent to overlap the wings 34b and 34c, the portion 26b being in front of the wing 36a. The bag 18 folded at this point includes first and second parallel straight side edges defined by the fold lines 32a and 32b, a straight bottom edge defined by the fold line 36 extending generally perpendicular to the side edges, and an upper edge. which is generally convex defined by the intermediate bending lines 32a and 32b of the peripheries 20a and 22a and including the portion 26b.

While in a bent condition and held with the vertical walls 20 and 22 with the upper edge located vertically above the lower edge, the peripheries 20a and 22a at the upper edge are separated and a load of corn rosette seeds is introduced. , fat or oil, salt, flavorings or the like, inside the bag 18. It should be appreciated that due to the bent condition of the bag 18, the load is generally prevented from passing beyond the fold lines 32a, 32b and 36 and towards the wings 34b, 34c and 36a but it is retained adjacent the center 24 of the bag 18.

After introducing the charge, the portion 26b can be properly activated to interconnect the walls 20 and 22 together. Therefore, the walls 20 and 22 are interconnected together around the perimeter of the peripheries 20a and 22a. In addition, the tape 26 and the seal 28 close the bag 18 so that the load in the hollow interior of the bag 18 is completely sealed from the environment.

After sealing the portion 26b, the bag 18 may be bent again by the bending line 38 extending generally perpendicular between the first and second straight side edges defined by the bending lines 32a and 32b and parallel to the bending line 36. and located about one third of the diameter of the peripheries 20a and 22a of the upper edge. The folding line 38 is located adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a of the wing 36a and is located above the load in the hollow interior of the bag 18. Therefore, the bag 18 includes a wing 38a that includes the upper portions of the portion 34a and the wings 34b and 34c and which is bent to overlap the wing 36a. It should be appreciated that due to the bent condition of the bag 18, the load is also prevented from passing beyond the fold line 38 and towards the wing 38a but is retained adjacent the center 24 of the bag 18. The bag 18 folded at this point it has a generally rectangular shape with the size and shape of conventional folded paper corn rosettes bags and includes first and second parallel side edges defined by fold lines 32a and 32b, and parallel bottom and top edges defined by fold lines 36 and 38, respectively. In the most preferred form, the folded, folded bag 18 is sealed within a flexible packaging for packaging and storage. Conventionally, such wrapping is formed with clear or opaque or translucent plastic but can be formed with metallized film, glass / powdered ceramic or other barrier constructions. Naturally, it should be appreciated that generally such wrapping is removed by the consumer just prior to microwave cooking.

For the sake of completeness, it will be assumed that the contents or load of the bag 18 are seeds of corn rosettes or any suitable grain, for example rice, corn, barley, sorghum or the like to be chipped or swollen when in the oven. microwave. Particularly, as with ordinary bags, the bag 18 is placed in a microwave oven with the lower wall 20 resting on the lower surface of the oven cavity and preferably with the bag 18 partially or completely unfolded by the consumer. When subjected to microwave energy, the sensitizing patch 30 converts the microwave energy into heat, whereby the remaining heat and microwave energy cause the bursting of the seeds and the generation of water vapor / steam. The water vapor and the heated vapor pressure air cause the wings 38a, 36a, 34b and 34c to unfold and continue to unfold along the folding lines 38, 36, 32a and 32b, respectively, so that the walls 20 and 22 have a continuous form. Each of the walls 20 and 22 are expanded in a bowl, hemispherical or parabolic curve form from their peripheries 20a and 22a, the inner surfaces of the lower and upper walls 20 and 22 being separated, expanding the bag 18 and increasing the interior volume inside bag 18 for skipped seeds. It can then be appreciated that due to its flexible nature, the bag 18 expands towards a double vault shape, in opposite directions. However, due to the non-extensible nature of the material forming the walls 20 and 22, the interconnection between the walls 20 and 22 adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a tends to wrinkle and wrinkle as best seen in Figures 1, 8. and 9 while the walls 20 and 22 change their generally flat shape to a dome shape. When the bag 18 is formed with paper conventionally used corn rosettes without further processing, the size, shape and direction of such wrinkles is generally not uniform at the peripheries 20a and 22a and tends to vary between different bags 18.

The bag 18 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention has advantages over the previous microwave corn rosette bags. In particular, when freshly placed in the microwave oven, the creases on the sides of conventional corn rosette containers extend at least partially over the load of corn rosette seeds to be skipped. Therefore, the initial microwave energy has to penetrate several layers of the material that forms the bag. Since the material is not completely transparent to microwave energy, part of the microwave energy is absorbed by the material and therefore is not generally available for the loading of corn rosette seeds. However, only a single layer of the material forming the walls 20 and 22 of the bag extends over the load of corn rosette seeds generally from the beginning of the microwave cooking. Therefore, it is not necessary for the initial microwave energy to penetrate several layers of material before reaching the load and consequently the microwave energy is generally available more quickly and in greater quantities for the load.

In addition, the bowl shape or parabolic curve of the inflated bag 18 keeps the non-skipped seeds clustered together more evenly in more than a single layer at the bottom of the formed wall 20 and in closer contact with the sensitizing patch 30 in the preferred way. This sausage or stacking of non-skipped seeds is a very efficient and attractive charge for incoming microwaves. Specifically, the heaped load radiates less heat and the temperature increases at a faster rate. The piled load has a tangent of the highest loss angle (more heat sink) than a scattered load.

In addition, since the bowl shape or parabolic curve has a relatively low surface area to volume ratio, similar to that of a sphere, the walls 20 and 22 include less material that competes with the seeds for microwave energy.

In addition, when the seeds jump, the jumping seeds can sprinkle seeds not skipped from the sausage. However, the bag 18 according to the teachings of the present invention allows the non-skipped seeds to be fixed to the bottom of the wall 20 formed in a manner very similar to that of a covered Japanese Wok pan. In addition, the expansion of the bag 18 according to the teachings of the present invention generally does not create folds or cracks that trap unchastised seeds and impede their movement towards the stacking of any other non-skipped seeds and / or the sensitizing patch 30.

In addition, the force of the jumping seeds that are hit against the walls 20 and 22 pushes or vibrates the bag 18 which allows the non-skipped seeds to fall out of the skipped seeds and are again linked to the wall 20 and slid over the wall 20 towards the bottom thereof. Specifically, the vibration of the bag 18 creates agitation of the skipped and non-skipped seeds that are in the bag 18 producing the gravimetric separation of the non-skipped seeds at the bottom of the skipped seeds due to their higher density. In this respect, the bowl shape or parabolic curve of the lower wall 20 increases the capacity of the bag 18 to swing in any direction due to the force of the jumping seeds striking against the walls 20 and 22 to maximize the separation gravimetric of seeds not skipped to the bottom of the skipped seeds.

Moreover, the bowl shape or parabolic curve of the inflated bag 18 greatly improves the skipping behavior in the various microwave ovens available to consumers. An improvement of as much as 40% in the skipping behavior with the bag 18 was experienced according to the preferred teachings of the present invention compared to conventionally shaped bags of paper corn rosettes with variations experienced in normal use. These variations include but are not limited to microwave ovens of different powers in watts, volumes and / or efficiencies, fluctuations in electrical current, different magnetrons of the same or different manufacturing, different waveguides, etc.

If the sensitizer patch 30 is provided as in the preferred form, there is no need to include the sensitizer patch 30 in the places where there are no unchastised seeds. Therefore, the sensitizing patch 30 is located only at the bottom of the wall 20 formed and can be of a size reduced to a minimum due to the bowl shape or parabolic curve of the wall 20. In this regard, and especially due to the In the form of bowl or parabolic curve of the wall 20, the sensitizing patch 30 can be made in a way that minimizes the material used, for example it can be circular or in discontinuous areas. In the most preferred form, the patch 30 is located within the bending lines 32a, 32b, 36 and 38.

In addition, the circular-like shapes of the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 and therefore of the bag 18 distribute the chipped seeds in a wider distribution field. By being scattered in the microwave oven cavity, the skipped seeds become less attractive and are quite transparent to microwave energy. In addition to the less dense loading configuration, skipped seeds can dissipate heat better and consequently do not allow skipped seeds to overcook, become caramel, burn, char or dry out more. This makes the bag 18 less likely to burn the chipped product.

In addition, the circular-like shapes of the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 and therefore of the bag 18 work very well in all microwave ovens equipped with or without rotating plates. No matter where the consumer places the microwave, the bag 18 always inflates and is located near the center of the microwave oven. The profile similar to circular does not allow the bag 18 to be hooked in the corners of the microwave ovens where there are generally colder spots. The circular-like shape always continues to rotate in the turntable ovens. This centered and / or rotatable location of the bag 18 allows the bag 18 to move so that it is less possible for a particular point in the bag 18 to see specific heat points or electronic voids and offers the opportunity for more consistent and uniform cooking microwave.

It should be noted that the burr seal 28 of the most preferred form partially opens to let steam out of the bag 18 during microwave cooking. Further, after removing it from the microwave oven, the consumer can take the portions 22b and 22c on opposite sides of the seal 28 and pull them to further open the burr seal 28 and if desired, the interconnection between the peripheries 20a and 22a adjacent to the burr seal 28 in a manner shown in Figure 9 to allow access to the hollow interior of the bag 18 and specifically to the popped corn chips located within it. It can then be appreciated that the bag 18 having the upper wall 22 including the detachable lock, clearly functions as a serving bowl.

In alternative forms of the bag 18, the serve bowl function can be achieved by manufacturing the top wall 22 with multiple layers of material. In a preferred form shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper wall 22 is formed from first and second wall portions 22d and 22e that are interconnected by a seal 40. In the preferred form shown, the portion 22d is generally shaped annular including the outer periphery 22a and an inner periphery 22f defining an access opening that is circular in the most preferred manner. The size of the access opening should be sufficient to extend a hand into the bag and take rosettes of corn from it. The portion 22e has a generally circular shape and includes an outer periphery 22g having a shape that generally corresponds to the periphery 22f but is slightly larger than the periphery 22f. In the most preferred way, the outer periphery 22g includes a projection 42 out of the otherwise circular shape, the projection 42 being of a size located within the outer periphery 22a of the top wall 22 in the preferred manner shown. The seal 40 has an annular shape having an inner diameter corresponding to the inner periphery 22f of the portion 22d and an outer diameter corresponding to the outer periphery 22g of the portion 22e. The projection 42 in the most preferred form is not adhered and specifically in the manner shown is not adhered to the portion 22d or any other portion of the upper wall 22 or of the bag 18. Furthermore, in most preferred form, the seal 40 includes a first releasable lock portion 40a having an arc amplitude generally equal to the circumference amplitude of the arc. projection 42 and a second interconnecting portion 40b extending the remaining circumferential amplitude of seal 40. In particular, portion 40a fails during microwave cooking to output and allow easy separation when it is desired to open the bag while the portion 40b as well as the adhesive tape 26 remain closed during the firing of microspheres.

The bag 18 of Figures 10 and 11 can be manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention in the following manner. Specifically, the portion 22e is located to be above the portion 22d and the portions 22d and 22e are positioned to be above the wall 20. The interconnecting portion 26 and the seal 40 are suitably activated to interconnect the portions 22d and 22e to form the wall 22 and to interconnect the walls 20 and 22. After activation of the the first interconnecting portion 26a and the seal 40, the bag 18 according to the teachings of the present invention can be folded, filled, sealed, folded and wrapped generally in the manner set forth in Figures 3-7.

The bag 18 of Figures 10 and 11 expands to a double vault shape in opposite directions similar to the bag 18 of Figures 1, 8 and 9. Therefore, the advantages of the bowl shape, hemisphere or Parabolic curve is also obtained with the inflated bag 18 of Figures 10 and 11 according to the teachings of the present invention. It should be noted that portion 40a of seal 40 partially opens during microwave cooking to let steam out of bag 18 during microwave cooking, while adhesive tape 26 and portion 40b remain closed. After removing it from the microwave oven, the consumer can take the projection 42 between the thumb of the consumer and one or more fingers of one hand and pull up and diametrically, the projection 42 being free of the adhesive closure that produces the advantages in its ability to be caught. If necessary, the bag 18 can be held with the other hand of the consumer, for example by taking the edge defined by the adhesive tape 26 between the walls 20 and 22 in the circumferential position conforming to the projection 42. Due to the nature removable from the portion 40a, the initial movement of the projection 42 opens all the remaining closures of the portion 40a so that the portion of the portion 22e that is on the portion 22d and the portion 40a is separated from the portion 22d without tearing. However, with the continuous movement of the projection 42 and due to the greater closing of the portion 40b in the most preferred form, the portion 22d tends to tear after the outer periphery of the seal 40 in a way that is best seen in the Figure 11 instead of separating the portion 22e from the portion 22d. In the most preferred form, the portion 22e (and all parts of the portion 22d corresponding to the seal 40 and being pulled off) is completely removed from the remaining portions of the bag 18. After removing the portion 22e, the portion 22d it acts as an annular rim to hold the remaining portions of the bag 18 in a serving bowl function.

It should be appreciated that although the serving bowl function is achieved with the release lock formed by the burr seal 28 and by the manufacture of multiple papers provided by the portions 22d and 22e in the most preferred forms, the serving bowl function can produced in other ways, including by the use of perforations, tear strips, fluted cutting, diluent sealant and controlled delamination according to the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, although it is believed that providing the releasable lock in the upper wall 22 is advantageous at least due to the serving bowl function, the detachable lock which fails during microwave cooking to output can be formed in other places, by example in portion 26b. In particularafter jumping the corn rosettes and while tightening the lower and upper walls 20 and 22 between the fingers of the consumer's hands, the lower and upper walls 20 and 22 can be pulled to separate all the remaining closures from the portion 26b for example to an extent of circumference that allows the popped corn chips to be poured from it or to completely remove the top wall 22 from the bottom wall 20 so that the bottom wall 20 serves as a serving bowl.

Although the walls 20 and 22 are directly interconnected together adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a in the most preferred manner shown in Figures 1-3 and 8-12, the walls 20 and 22 according to the teachings of the present invention may be interconnected together by an interconnection with a side wall that folds during the expansion of the bag 18 to increase the size of the hollow interior of the bag 18 in its expanded condition. In an alternative embodiment according to the teachings of the present invention, the walls 20 and 22 may be interconnected by their interconnection with reinforced side panels 50 and 52 aggregated on opposite sides of the walls 20 and 22 for example in the manner shown in FIG. Figures 13-16. In the manner shown, the reinforced side panels 50 and 52 each comprise first and second side portions 50a and 50b and 52a and 52b joined along the fold lines 50c and 52c, respectively. In the preferred form shown, the fold lines 50c and 52c are straight lines. The portions 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b of the panels 50 and 52 include peripheries 50ad, 50bd, 52ad and 52bd which have an arched shape corresponding to the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22. The peripheries 50ad and 50bd are interconnected with the periphery 20a and the peripheries 52ad and 52bd are interconnected with the periphery 22a for example by the adhesive tape 26, the fold lines 50c and 52c being in parallel parallel relation.

In the preferred form shown, the maximum width of the portions 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b between the peripheral edges 50ad, 50bd, 52ad and 52bd generally perpendicular to the fold lines 50c and 52c is less than half the diameter diameter the peripheries 20a and 20b generally perpendicular to the fold lines 50c and 52c. In fact, as best seen in Figure 13, the widths of the reinforced side panels 50 and 52 are substantially smaller than the fold widths of the conventional corn rosette container and specifically in such a way as to minimize or eliminate the extension on the sensitizing patch 30 and / or the loading of corn rosettes seeds to be skipped. Therefore, it is not necessary for the initial microwave energy to penetrate several layers of material before reaching the load and consequently the microwave energy is generally available more quickly and in greater quantities for the load. However, the portions 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b may have widths of a size that is related to the size of the diameter of the walls 20 and 22, which is different from that shown according to the teachings of the present invention .

The bag 18 of Figures 13-16 can be manufactured in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention in the following manner. Specifically, the side panels 50 and 52 are bent by the fold lines 50c and 50d so that the outer surfaces of the portions 50a and 52a are on the outer surfaces of the portions 50b and 52b. The walls 20 and 22 are located with their inner surfaces fitted together in the intermediate bending lines 50c and 52c, with the lateral surface of the wall 20 fitted with the inner surfaces of the portions 50a and 52a and the inner surface of the wall 22 fitted with the interior surfaces of the portions 50b and 52b and with the peripheries 20a, 22a, 50ad, 50bd, 52ad and 52bd aligned. First, the interconnecting portion 26a of the belt 26 is suitably activated to interconnect the walls 20 and 22 together in the intermediate bending lines 50c and 50d adjacent the peripheries 20a and 22a in addition to the second interconnecting portion 26b, so as to interconnecting the wall 20 with the portions 50a and 52a adjacent the peripheries 20a, 50ad and 52ad and for interconnecting the wall 22 with the portions 50b and 52b adjacent the peripheries 22a, 50bd and 52bd. After activation of the first interconnecting portion 26a, the bag 18 according to the teachings of the present invention can be folded, filled, sealed, folded and wrapped generally in the manner set forth in Figures 3-7.

It should be appreciated that the bag 18, including the bag 18 having reinforced side panels 50 and 52 can be manufactured in other forms according to the teachings of the present invention. By way of example, single roll raw material of microwave bag material with sensitizer patch (if desired) and adhesive tape 26 printed in the appropriate places can be provided. The edges of the roll raw material can be bent inwardly and sealed in folds or burrs to form a tube and if desired, and the tie plates can be bent inwardly. Then the tube is heat sealed and cut into a punch, giving it a similar circular shape. The preferred location of the crease seal on the tube may be against the sensitizing patch 30 when the bag 18 of Figures 1-6, 8 and 9 is formed as well as at other locations including the fold line 50c or 52c of the reinforced side panel 50 or 52. Similarly, each component of the bag 18 can be formed with separate raw materials in roll and cut into shape before or after activation of the adhesive tape 26. Similarly, although it is provide two panel portions 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b in each of the reinforced side panels 50 and 52 in the preferred manner shown, it can be appreciated that the reinforced side panels 50 and 52 may include additional panel portions having the same or different widths In the preferred form shown in Figures 13-16, the outer peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 have similar shapes to circular in the shape of an oval. In the most preferred form, the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 and the peripheries 50ad, 50bd, 52ad and 52bd of the side panels 50 and 52 include peripheral projections 54 that extend out of the circular-like shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a and the adhesive tape 26 adjacent the opposite ends of the second interconnection portion 26b.

The bag 18 shown in Figures 13-16 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention has advantages similar to those set forth above and is advantageous for other reasons. Specifically, while the corn rosette seeds are skipping and while the bag 18 is expanded, the reinforced side panels 50 and 52 are deployed along the fold lines 50c and 52c so that the panel portions 50a and 50b and the panel portions 52a and 52b tend to approach a flat condition. However, even with the provision of reinforced side panels 50 and 52, the walls 20 and 22 as a result of the expression of the bag 18 expand in a bowl, hemispherical or parabolic curve shape from their peripheries 20a and 22a. Therefore, the advantages of the bol, hemisphere or parabolic curve shape of the inflated bag 18 are obtained according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. In this regard, due to the oval shape of the peripheries 20a and 22a in a flat condition and to the expansion of the reinforced side panels 50 and 52, the bag 18 of Figures 13016 tends to have a circular shape in an expanded condition when he looks at it from above downwards.

In the preferred form, the releasable lock is formed in the interconnection between the walls 20 and 22 and in the intermediate reinforced side panels 50 and 52 and the bag 18 is opened using a push-pull technique in the transverse direction similar to that of the bags of conventional rectangular microwave corn rosettes. In particular, the portion 26b is formed as a detachable lock which fails during microwave cooking to output and allow easy separation when it is desired to open the bag 18. In particular, the vertices generally defined in the interconnection of the wall 20 and the panel portion 50a (and most preferably in the peripheral projections 54 thereof) are tightened between the thumb and the index finger of one of the consumer's hands and the vertex defined generally in the interconnection of the wall 22 and the portion of panel 52b (and most preferably in peripheral projections 54 thereof) is pressed between the thumb and the index finger of the consumer's other hand and the vertices are pulled to open the adhesive tape 26 between the wall 20 and the panel portion 52a, between the wall 22 and the panel portion 50b and between the walls 20 and 22. Then, the bag 18 is taken at the opposite vertices defined generally in the interconnection of the wall 20 and the panel portion 52a and in the interconnection of the wall 22 and the panel portion 50b (and most preferably in the peripheral projections thereof) and the ends are pulled to open the adhesive tape 26 between the wall 20 and the panel portion 50a, between the wall 22 and the panel portion 52b and between the walls 20 and 22. The adhesive tape 26 can be opened as much or as little as the consumer chooses, ie a narrow opening makes it easy to pour into a bowl while a wide opening facilitates easy eating directly from the container. bag 18. As consumers are accustomed to using push-pull techniques in transverse direction in conventional rectangular corn-bag bags, greater consumer acceptance can be experienced with the bag 18 of the Figur As 13-16 they do not use tighten-pull techniques in transverse direction. Further, when the releasable lock is formed in the interconnection between the walls 20 and 22 as in Figures 13-16 as well as in Figure 12, the top wall 22 can be formed with a single integral component in accordance with the teachings herein. invention and specifically without the additional manufacturing expense arising in the multiple parts required for the burr seal 28 of Figures 1, 8 and 9, the layered portions 22d and 22a of Figures 10 and 11 or of manufacturing with other shapes of removable locks.

Although it can be opened along the peripheries 20a and 22a, the bag 18 of Figures 13-16 according to the teachings of the present invention also provides a serving bowl function but in a different form from the bags 18 shown in FIG. Figures 1, 8, 9 11 and 12. In particular, when inflated with skipped corn rosettes, the intermediate bending lines 50c and 52c of the walls 20 and 22 extend in an arc of relatively wide diameter generally perpendicular to the adhesive tape 26. Similarly, portions 50a and 50b and portions 52a and 52b that are deployed with respect to each other extend in an arc of relatively large diameter generally parallel to intermediate bending lines 50c and 52c of the adhesive tape 26. Thus, a relatively flat support surface is defined which can be placed on a table, counter or similar element to hold the bag 18 with the walls 20 and 22 extended in dir. Ection generally vertical and in stable form and without tilting.

Furthermore, in the preferred form, the serving bowl function of the bag 18 of Figures 13-16 can be further expanded by folding the walls 20 and / or 22 and / or the side panels 50 and / or 52 by the folding line above the volume of popped corn rosettes so that the internal surfaces thereof are fitted in a manner shown in Figure 15. In this regard, the adhesive tape 26 between the side panels 50 and 52 and the walls 20 and 22 can be separated by the consumer to an extent generally equal to the level of the hopped corn rosettes. When bent like this, the consumer's hand is less likely to rub oil or residual grease on the inner surfaces of the bag 18 while extracting corn rosettes from the bag 18 since the outer surface of the side panels 50 and 52 and the walls 20 and 22 are the ones that I would play without noticing. It should be appreciated then that the peripheral interconnection of the walls 20 and 22 and of the walls 20 and 22 and the panels 50 and 52 is offers special advantages in fulfilling this function of enlarged serving bowl without needing to tear the bag 18.

The projections 42 and 54 serve multiple functions in accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention. First, the projections 54 extend from the inflated bag 18 in a generally radial fashion, both projections 42 and 54 creating a visual indication where the bag 18 should be opened since the projections 42 and 54 have the appearance of gripping tabs . Second, projections 42 and 54 offer an increased area for the consumer to grasp and grasp. Further, since the projections 54 are located outwardly from the adhesive tape 26 and the interior of the bag 18, they do not tend to be hot to the touch like other portions of the bag 18 that have direct contact with the popped corn chips. Therefore, the projections 54 provide greater protection for the consumer from contact with hot surfaces. Projection 42 also offers similar protection for the consumer. It should be noted that due to the circular-like shape of the periphery 22g of the portion 22e of the wall 22 and of the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 and to the arcuate shape of the peripheries 50ad, 50bd, 52ad and 52bd and as the walls 20 and 22 and the side panels 50 and 52 are generally cut from raw material in continuous roll, the projections 42 and 54 according to the teachings of the present invention are formed with portions not otherwise used and discarded from the raw material in a roll so that no additional costs are incurred in the provision of projections 42 and 54.

The projections 42 and 54 have similar application to the bags 18 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention which do not include the reinforced side panels 50 and 52. By way of example, when it is desired to provide a releasable lock between the peripheries 20a and 22a of the walls 20 and 22 for example to allow to pour the rosettes of corn jumped through it, the projections 54 may be formed on the peripheries 20a and 22a to separate the adhesive tape 26 therebetween. In such applications, the projections 54 can be formed as a continuous piece centered on the desired detachable lock. Similarly, the projections 56 can be formed at the edges of the portions 22b and 26c of the burr seal 28 as shown in Figure 17 for the consumer to grasp them by pulling opposite sides of the seal 28 when the burr seal 18 provides removable lock.

Furthermore, although it is believed that the particular form of manufacture, filling and bending of the bag 18 offers advantages including but not limited to having a conventional final rectangular shape for packaging purposes, the bag 18 can be manufactured, filled and / or folded in other forms according to the teachings of the present invention. In this regard, it may be desirable to fold or otherwise configure the bag 18 to have a final shape that is different from other conventional shapes to highlight the unique character of the bag 18 in its marketing.

Claims (43)

CLAIMS Having described and determined the nature and scope of the present invention and the manner in which it is to be put into practice, it is declared that what it claims as an invention and exclusive property is:

1. - An expandable microwave container for containing a food product for jumping or swelling in a microwave oven CHARACTERIZED because it comprises, combined: a bag that includes a bottom wall and an upper wall, with the lower and upper walls each formed with a sheet of non-extensible flexible material, the lower wall having an outer periphery of a substantially circular shape, the upper wall having an outer periphery of a substantially circular shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the lower wall, the upper and lower walls being interconnected joints adjacent to the outer peripheries, the upper and lower walls expanding in a double domed shape in opposite directions when the food product is skipped or swollen in the microwave oven, the outer peripheries crumpling when the upper and lower walls expand in the form Double vaulted in opposite directions ace.

2. - The expandable microwave container of claim 1, characterized in that the bag also includes a reinforced first side panel and a reinforced second side panel, each of the first and second reinforced side panels each being formed with a sheet of flexible material, each one being of reinforced side panels formed with at least first and second side panel portions that are on top of each other and that include outer prisms that correspond to the outer peripheries of the lower and upper walls, the upper and lower walls being interconnected together by its interconnection with the first and second reinforced side panels adjacent to the outer peripheries, the bottom wall being interconnected with the first panel portions of the first and second reinforced side panels and the top wall interconnected with the second panel portions of the first and second Reinforced side panels s, the upper and lower walls expanding in a double domed shape in opposite directions while the food product is being skipped or swollen in the microwave oven.

3. - The expandable microwave container of claim 1 CHARACTERIZED because the lower and upper walls are directly interconnected together adjacent the outer peripheries.

4. - The expandable microwave container of any of the preceding claims CHARACTERIZED because the bag further includes a removable lock that fails during microwave cooking allowing trapped vapor to escape and allowing the bag to open to give access to the chipped or swelled food product.

5. - The expandable microwave container of claim 4, characterized in that the detachable lock is formed in the upper wall.

6. - The expandable microwave container of claim 5 CHARACTERIZED in that the top wall includes first and second wall portions and a seal between the first and second wall portions, the seal between the first and second wall portions forms the detachable lock.

7. - The expandable microwave container of claim 6, CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises, combined: first and second projections formed in the bag, with the first and second projections formed in the first and second wall portions and outwardly of the seal between the first and second portions. second wall portions.

8. - The expandable microwave container of claims 6 or 7 characterized in that the seal extends between two points on the outer periphery of the upper wall.

9. - The expandable microwave container of claim 8, characterized in that the seal extends along a diameter of the shape of the outer periphery of the upper wall.

10. - The expandable microwave container of claim 4 CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: at least a first projection formed in the bag adjacent to the detachable lock and out of the detachable lock.

11. The expandable microwave container of claim 10, characterized in that the detachable lock is formed in the interconnection between the lower and upper walls.

12. - The expandable microwave container of claim 11 CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: a second projection formed in the bag with the first and second extensions formed in the outer peripheries of the upper and lower walls and outside the interconnection.

13. - The expandable microwave container of claim 12, CHARACTERIZED in that the projections are located on the outer peripheries on opposite sides of the detachable lock.

14. - The expandable microwave container of claim 10 characterized in that the upper wall has an access opening, the bag further includes a lock portion having an outer periphery of a larger size than the access opening, the bag includes a seal between the lock portion and the upper wall around the access opening, the projection formed on the outer periphery of the lock portion.

15. - The expandable microwave container of claim 14 characterized in that the access opening and the outer periphery of the lock portion have generally circular shape.

16. - The expandable microwave container of claim 14 and 15, CHARACTERIZED in that the outer periphery of the upper wall is of a size larger than the access opening; and because the projection is of a size located within the outer periphery of the upper wall.

17. - The expandable microwave container of claim 2 characterized in that the bag also includes a detachable lock that fails during microwave cooking allowing trapped vapor to escape and allowing the bag to open to access the chipped or swelled food product; and in that the removable lock is formed in the first and second intermediate reinforced side panels.

18. - The expandable microwave container of claim 1 characterized in that the lower and upper walls are interconnected together adjacent to the outer peripheries by a first interconnection portion and a second interconnection portion, the first interconnection portion projects a substantial portion of the peripheries external, the first interconnection portion interconnects the outer peripheries before and after the introduction of the seeds of corn rosettes into the bag, the second interconnection portion allows the separation of the outer peripheries in the second interconnection portion for the introduction of the food product in the bag and interconnects the outer peripheries in the second interconnection portion after the introduction of the food product into the bag.

19. - The expandable microwave container of claim 18 CHARACTERIZED in that the first and second interconnecting portions interconnect the outer peripheries in a sealing manner that does not result in damaging the microwave cooking.

20. - The expandable microwave container of claim 18 or 19 CHARACTERIZED because the bag further includes first and second fold lines extending from first and second points on opposite sides of the interconnecting portion, the first and second fold lines divide the bag in a central portion and first and second wings, the first and second wings are on the central portion.

21. - The expandable microwave container of claim 20 CHARACTERIZED because the first and second bending lines are in a separate parallel relationship.

22. - The expandable microwave container of claim 21, characterized in that the radial distance between the first and second bending lines is generally equal to one half of a diameter of the shapes of the outer peripheries, with the first and second bending lines located at opposite sides of the diameter of the outer peripheries and equidistant from it.

23. - The expandable microwave container of claim 21 or 22 CHARACTERIZED because the bag also includes a third fold line extending between the first and second fold lines when the first and second wings are on the central portion, the third line of bent defines a third wing that is on the first and second wings.

24. - The expandable microwave container of claim 23, CHARACTERIZED in that the third bending line extends generally perpendicular between the first and second bending lines, with the radial distance between the outer peripheries and the third bending line being generally equal to one third of the diameter of the shapes of the outer peripheries, the second interconnection portion faces the third wing.

25. - The expandable microwave container of claim 23 or 24 CHARACTERIZED because the bag includes a fourth fold line extending between the first and second fold lines when the first and second wings are on the central portion, the fourth fold line define a fourth wing that is on the third wing.

26. - The expandable microwave container of claim 25, wherein the fourth bending line extends in a direction generally parallel to the third bending line, the radial distance between the outer peripheries and the fourth bending line is generally equal to one third of the diameter of the shapes of the outer peripheries.

27. - The expandable microwave container of any of the preceding claims CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: a sensitizing patch that extends over the lower wall.

28. - The expandable microwave container of claim 25 or 26 CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: a sensitizing patch that extends over the lower wall and generally between the first, second, third and fourth fold lines.

29. - The expandable microwave container of claim 4 CHARACTERIZED because the detachable lock is a portion of the peripheral interconnection.

30. - In expandable microwave container of claim 29 CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: at least one upper projection formed on the outer periphery of the upper wall; and at least one lower projection formed on the outer periphery of the lower wall, the projections formed adjacent to the detachable lock and outside the peripheral interconnection.

31. - The expandable microwave container of claim 30 characterized in that the first and second top projections are formed on the outer periphery of the top wall separated from one another and adjacent to the opposite ends of the release lock; and in that the first and second lower projections are formed at the outer periphery of the lower wall separated from one another and adjacent to the opposite ends of the detachable lock.

32. - The expandable microwave container of any previous claim CHARACTERIZED because the sheets of flexible material are paper.

33. - The expandable microwave container of any previous claim CHARACTERIZED because the package contains food product in the form of seeds of rosettes of corn.

34. - The expandable microwave container of any preceding claim characterized in that the domed shape of the lower wall is shaped as a parabolic curve to keep the unstuffed and non-swollen food product more closely packed.

35. - The expandable microwave container of any of claims 1-30 characterized in that the domed shape of the lower wall is shaped as a parabolic curve to expand the capacity of the bag to swing in any direction due to the force of the food product that jumps and it swells that is hit against the bag to maximize the gravimetric separation of the food product not skipped and not swollen to the bottom of the chipped or swollen food product.

36. - The expandable microwave container of any claim CHARACTERIZED because the outer peripheries have a circular shape.

37. - The expandable microwave container of any claim 1-35 CHARACTERIZED because the outer peripheries of the upper and lower walls in a flat condition are oval in shape.

38. - The expandable microwave container for containing a food product for jumping or swelling in a microwave oven CHARACTERIZED because it comprises combined: a bag having an interior to contain a load of food product to be subjected to microwave energy and having a wall upper which includes an access opening, the bag also includes a lock portion having an outer periphery of a larger size than the access opening, the bag includes a seal between the lock portion and the upper wall around the opening of the opening. access, the bag expands in an expanded condition.

39. - The expandable microwave container of claim 38 CHARACTERIZED in that the access opening and the outer periphery of the lock portion are generally circular in shape.

40. - The expandable microwave container of claim 38 or 39 CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises combined: a projection formed on the outer periphery of the lock portion outside the seal.

41. - The expandable microwave container of claim 40 CHARACTERIZED in that the wall includes an outer periphery of a size greater than the access opening; and because the projection is of a size located within the outer periphery of the upper wall.

42. - The expandable microwave container of claim 41, CHARACTERIZED in that the outer periphery of the upper wall is substantially circular in shape.

43. - The expandable microwave container of any claim 38-42 CHARACTERIZED because the seal includes a removable lock portion that fails during cooking by letting out trapped vapor and allowing the bag to open to give access to the chipped or swollen food product through of the access opening. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A package of flexible paper corn rosettes in the form of an easily expandable non-trapping bag (18) is disclosed which includes a lower wall (20) and an upper wall (22) interconnected together adjacent to their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In a preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed by the first and second wall portions (22b, 22c) interconnected together by a removable lock seal (28). In another preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed with a first portion (22d) having an access opening closed by a lock portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) that includes the lock seal portion. removable (40a) with the first portion (22d). In yet another preferred form, the lower and upper walls (20, 22) are interconnected together by their interconnection with reinforced side panels (50, 52), the removable lock seal formed in the interconnection between the lower and upper walls (20, 22). The lower and upper walls (20, 22) expand in a double domed form in opposite directions when the seeds of corn rosettes are being skipped in the microwave oven. This vaulted shape of the lower wall (22) keeps the maize rosettes more closely packed and expands the capacity of the bag (18) to swing to maximize gravimetric separation. The bag (18) serves as a serving bowl when the removable lock seal has been opened, providing access to the inside of the bag (18) and specifically to the corn rosettes located within it.