Patent ID: 7105788
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. In a microwave cooking device, including a container for holding a food product and a seal for sealing said container to enclose a substantially fixed volume therein, the improvement comprising: at least one venting configuration, including (a) at least one steam guide defining a central vent in the seal with a tip ending before an outer edge of the seal, the central vent weakening a portion of the seal adjacent the tip of said at least one steam guide and being in fluid communication with the volume enclosed within said container to allow movement of steam from said container into said at least one steam guide, and (b) at least one steam horn associated with and positioned near said at least one steam guide, the at least one steam horn defining a side vent in the seal and ending before the outer edge of the seal, the side vent further weakening the portion of the seal adjacent the tip of said at least one steam guide and being in fluid communication with the volume enclosed within said container to allow movement of steam from said container into said at least one steam horn, such that, when said container is heated, steam and pressure are preferentially directed towards the tip of said at least one steam guide, causing pressure to be concentrated at the weakened portion of the seal, resulting in the seal being preferentially broken adjacent the tip of said at least one steam guide.