Abstract:
An expansible container is provided for use during the cooking of food in a radiant energy device such as a microwave oven, with the container being configured or otherwise designed to provide entertainment to onlookers as the container expands in size during the relative rapid cooking of food in the container and/or with the fully expanded container of cooked food providing an interesting article, character, figure or configuration that is of novel, interesting or entertaining appearance. The container is formed from relatively flexible materials that define a closed chamber which contains food to be cooked. In its deflated form, the container is collapsed to assume a relatively flat, thin configuration which, in most preferred practice, displays or is configured to provide an entertaining or amusing shape. The inflation of the container during cooking of its food contents in a device such as a microwave oven may be rendered even more entertaining by selecting the food contents to comprise a substance such as popcorn that generates various types of entertaining noises such as “popping” noises during the cooking process. Once inflated, the container retains its expanded or inflated form to provide a measure of lasting entertainment or amusement. If popping corn is the food being cooked, the cooking time typically requires about one to about six minutes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/475,420, filed Feb. 5, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/331,081 filed Mar. 27, 1989 and issuing Feb. 6, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,561. Application Ser. No. 07/331,081 was filed as a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/103,025 filed Sep. 30, 1987, now abandoned, as a continuation of application Ser. No. 05/879,915 filed Jun. 27, 1986, now abandoned, all of which are referred to hereinafter as the “Parent Cases,” the disclosures of all of the Parent Cases being incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, the benefits of the filing dates of the Parent Cases are hereby claimed inasmuch as the subject matter of the present application is similar in many respects to that of the Parent Cases. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the provision and use of an expansible food container that incorporates features which provide entertainment before, during and/or after the container has been expanded during a process of cooking its contents in a radiant energy environment such as is provided by the cooking chamber of a microwave oven, with the container being expanded from a relatively thin, generally “collapsed” state to a relatively inflated, three-dimensional or “expanded” state in a matter of a relatively brief period of time, and with the container being configured or otherwise designed to provide entertainment to onlookers as the container expands in size during the relative rapid cooking of the food contents of the container, and with the expanded container preferably also providing a structure that is of entertaining, interesting or amusing configuration or appearance, and from which cooked food can be served. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Inflatable devices of a variety of types are known that are designed to be shipped in a collapsed, basically deflated state and inflated by an end purchaser. By way of example, inflatable toys are known that are shipped in a deflated state so that a maximum number of the toys can be packaged in a minimum of space for shipment and storage. 
     Other self-inflating articles of various types also are known, typical among these being toys such as figurines, and flotation devices such as rafts, life preservers, and the like. Some of these articles utilize canisters of pressurized gas that are opened to effect inflation. Others utilize chemical reactions of various types to generate pressurizing gases. 
     Likewise, expansible containers that carry food contents such as popcorn that can be cooked as by inserting a closed container of popcorn into the cooking chamber of a microwave oven to effect relatively rapid “popping” of the corn and attendant expansion of the container also are known. 
     For example, on microwaveable popcorn container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,309 to Roccaforte et al. This patent discloses uncooked popcorn sealed within a substantially oxygen impermeable, flexible, synthetic high polymer film pouch which is dimensioned to fit for storage and microwave cooking of the popcorn in an outer bowl-like protective paperboard container. The mass of uncooked popcorn has a dimension which is selected so that the circumference of the popcorn mass substantially coincides with the periphery of the outer mouth of the container and seats along the sloping walls and the base of the container. 
     Another microwaveable popcorn container is shown in Brandberg et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,045. This patent discloses uncooked popcorn sealed in a gusseted paper package. The uncooked popcorn is located in a center folded section of the package, and during popping, unpopped kernels and oil collect in the center of the package because of vibrations of the package and gravity. 
     However, the Roccaforte and Brandberg popcorn containers are not without drawbacks. For example, the Roccaforte container supports a portion of the unpopped popcorn in the package along the sides of the container away from the cooking surface of the microwave oven. However, it is believed that popcorn is most efficiently cooked in a microwaveable container when the entire mass of popcorn is supported proximate the cooking surface of the microwave oven, and preferably located in a portion of a container that is in planar, surface-to-surface contact with the cooking surface of the microwave oven. Thus placed, there is an optimum chance of locating the mass of uncooked popcorn in the peak energy zone of the microwave oven and for therefore having the greatest amount of popped corn. Similarly, although Brandberg alleges that the unpopped kernels and oil collect in the center portion of the package during popping, there is no structure disclosed that would prevent the uncooked popcorn (and oil) from spilling into the side portions of the package, and hence being supported in a portion of the package that extends away from the cooking surface. 
     Further, both the Roccaforte and Brandberg containers have packages or pouches with side and bottom walls which form common shapes when fully inflated (i.e., a rectangular package (Brandberg) or a circular pouch dictated by the shape of the supporting container (Roccaforte)). These packages/pouches do not have walls which are preformed so as to provide a predetermined article, character, figure or configuration which is defined by the preformed walls and which is novel, interesting or entertaining in appearance when the package or pouch is fully inflated. Rather, the wall structure of the previously proposed popcorn containers is chosen simply to minimize the space the container occupies and to provide functionally expansible structures that are of minimal cost to produce. 
     In fact, it is believed that the Brandberg package, being formed from paper (e.g. kraft paper), would probably be too stiff to form a predetermined article other than a simple bag when inflated. On the other hand, the Roccaforte pouch is formed form thin polymer film which does not appear to hold any particular form whatsoever when inflated aside from the form of the supporting container. 
     Moreover, these common package and pouch configurations, although useful for containing the cooked popcorn, are not intended to provide animated effects both during and after the popcorn cooking process. In other words, the final configuration of the popcorn package/pouch is known ahead of time—the Brandberg package will inflate to a rectangular shape, while the Roccaforte pouch will inflate to the shape of the supporting container. There is not intended to be surprise, entertainment or amusement as the package/pouch is inflated during the cooking process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention represents an extension and application of features and combinations of features of the invention of the referenced Parent Cases to containers of food stuffs and the like that are expanded as by application of radiant energy, and to the use of such containers to provide an entertainment medium, for example as by utilizing the radiant energy environment of the cooking chamber of a microwave oven or the like to cause food such as popcorn that is carried within the containers to “self-inflate” the containers over a relatively brief period of time, with the expansion of the containers causing features thereof to change in appearance in an interesting manner, with these changes preferably being accompanied by cooking noises such as is produced by the “popping” of popcorn. 
     The present invention addresses needs that are not addressed by inflatable toys of prior proposals, nor by present-day expansible microwaveable popcorn containers and the like, by providing an expansible food container that has features which render entertaining the very process of the container&#39;s expansion, and with the container preferably also being designed to feature entertaining configurations before and/or after its inflation or expansion. 
     One aspect or feature of the preferred practice of the present invention relates to the provision of an expansible food container that is configured or otherwise designed to provide entertainment to onlookers as the container expands in size during the relative rapid cooking of food in the container. 
     Another aspect or feature of the preferred practice of the present invention relates to the provision of an expansible food container that expands in size during the relatively rapid cooking of food in the container so that, at the conclusion of a process of that involves the cooking of food in the container, a container shape or configuration is generated that is of interesting and entertaining appearance. 
     A further aspect or feature of the preferred practice of the present invention relates to a method of providing entertainment as by utilizing an expansible food container that is configured or otherwise designed to be positioned in a cooking compartment of a radiant energy cooking device such as a microwave oven and viewed through a window or on an observation screen that displays what takes place during the cooking process so as to provide entertainment to onlookers during the relative rapid cooking of food in the container, with the container being caused to expand during the cooking process to progressively define, form or otherwise provide an interesting article, character, figure or configuration that is novel, interesting or entertaining in appearance. If popping corn is the food being cooked, the cooking time typically requires about one to about six minutes, with the majority of the inflation of the container taking place during the latter half of the cooking process. 
     In accordance with the preferred practice of the present invention, an expansible food container has structure that defines a closed chamber within which food to be cooked is carried, with the container and its contents normally assuming a relatively small volume configuration prior to cooking of the food contents of the container. In preferred practice, outer surface portions of the container are configured, printed or otherwise provided with an entertaining appearance, design or expression, which features change or expand or are progressively enhanced as by bringing other portions of the container into view as the container progressively inflates, unfolds and/or expands from a generally collapsed or deflated state to an expanded or inflated state. The expansion or inflation of the container may be rendered even more entertaining either by incorporating into the structure of the container components that have surface portions which engage and move relative to each other to generate a variety of noises during the expansion or inflation process (as is described in the referenced Parent Cases), and/or by utilizing food contents such as popcorn that produce entertaining and attention-attracting noises that accompany the expansion or inflation process. Once expanded, the container preferably retains its inflated form to provide a degree of lasting interest and amusement. 
     According to a further aspect or feature of the preferred practice of the present invention, the structure which defines a closed chamber for the expansible food container includes inner and outer surface layers comprising sheets of flexible, heat sealable material which are joined together around their periphery, and a separate base portion or tray which serves as a receptacle for the uncooked popcorn and which is attached to the inner and outer surface layers and supports the inner and outer surface layers when the expansible food container is fully expanded or inflated. The tray has a bottom surface which is in planar, surface-to-surface contact with the cooking surface of the microwave oven and therefore locates the mass of uncooked popcorn in the peak energy zone of the microwave oven for maximum popping effectiveness. 
     Moreover, the tray acts as a stable base for the expansible food container during assembly thereof, and the same tray (with or without the mass of popcorn preassembled therewith) can be used with a variety of outer surface layers having surface portions with different entertaining appearances, designs or expressions thereon. Therefore, there is a certain amount of manufacturing flexibility in having a common tray for the expansible food container. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects and features, and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expansible food container that embodies one form of the preferred practice of the present invention, with the container being depicted in an essentially deflated or collapsed state; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but with the container being depicted during an early stage of inflation or expansion; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof as the container is about midway through the inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being shaped like and having appearance features that are characteristic of a football; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of components that comprise the food container of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate form of expansible food container which, in the essentially deflated or collapsed state that is shown in this view, has shape and appearance features that are characteristic of a football; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 6 at about midway during its inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 6 in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being opened for serving of “popped” popcorn therefrom, with the expanded container being shaped like and having appearance features that are characteristic of a football; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an expansible food container that embodies another form of the preferred practice of the present invention, with the container being depicted in an essentially deflated or collapsed state; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 but with the container being depicted during an early stage of inflation or expansion; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view thereof as the container is about midway through the inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 9 in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being shaped like and having appearance features that are characteristic of a baseball; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of components that comprise the food container of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate form of expansible food container which, in the essentially deflated or collapsed state that is shown in this view, has shape and appearance features that are characteristic of a baseball; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 14 at about midway during its inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 14 in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being opened for serving of “popped” popcorn therefrom, with the expanded container being shaped like and having appearance features that are characteristic of a baseball; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of still another form of expansible food container that embodies features of the preferred practice of the present invention, with the container being depicted in an essentially deflated or collapsed state; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17 but with the container being depicted at a stage about midway through the inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 18 but with the container being shown in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being opened for serving of “popped” popcorn therefrom, with the expanded container being shaped like and having appearance features that form or display a character such as a cat or a bear; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of still another form of expansible food container that embodies features of the preferred practice of the present invention, with the container being depicted in an essentially deflated or collapsed state; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 20 but with the container being depicted at a stage about midway through the inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 21 but with the container being shown in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the container being opened for serving of “popped” popcorn therefrom, with the expanded container being shaped like and having appearance features that form or display a character such as a cat or a bear; 
     FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of a microwave oven of the type having a window that permits viewing into an illuminated cooking chamber of the oven, with the oven&#39;s cooking chamber shown housing the container of FIGS. 17-19, with the container being inflated or expanded to about the same extent as is depicted in FIG. 18; and, 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of still another form of expansible food container that embodies features of the preferred practice of the present invention, with the container being depicted in an essentially deflated or collapsed state; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 24 but with the container being depicted during an early stage of inflation or expansion; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 25 but with the container being depicted at a stage about midway through the inflation or expansion process; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 26 but with the container being shown in its fully inflated or expanded state, and with the expanded container being shaped like and having appearance features that are characteristic of a pumpkin; 
     FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the components that comprise the food container of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the expanded container of FIG. 27, illustrating the heat sealed border narrowing down to a rupture or bursting portion designed to relieve excess pressure in the food container; and 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the container being shown in its inflated or expanded state similar to FIG. 27 but with tabs formed along the outer panels or members of the container to facilitate opening the container for serving of “popped” popcorn therefrom. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 (and shortly to the associated exploded view of FIG.  5 ), a food container embodying the preferred practice of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10 . The container  10  initially takes a relatively flat, folded, essentially two-dimensional form that will be referred to as its “deflated form,” which is depicted in FIG.  1 . Inflation or expansion of the container  10  takes place progressively, successive partially inflated or expanded states being illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and with the final fully inflated or fully expanded state of the container  10  being shown in FIG.  4 . 
     As will be apparent from an examination of what is depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the container  10  has a relatively unobtrusive and substantially conventional, generally rectangular and folded appearance in its collapsed state, as is depicted in FIG.  1 . However, as progressive expansion or inflation of the container  10  takes place, surface carried features of the expanding container structure  10  are brought into view and/or are progressively enlarged and enhanced in character as the container  10  unfolds and/or inflates so that the resulting structure takes on a three-dimensional character that is of interesting appearance. The expansion of the container  10  takes place in a way that is entertaining, perhaps even amusing, to view, and that tends to attract attention and to entertain the viewer, for what its surface carried features taken together with the configuration of its component parts combine to produce is a food container  10  that, in its fully inflated or expanded state, is shaped like and has appearance features that are characteristic of a football. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the container  10  has an outer surface  12  that is formed from a pair of generally outwardly convex, somewhat semispherically shaped members  14 ,  16  that have been vacuum formed or otherwise shaped to depict such novelty features as opposed halves of a football. The members  14 ,  16  are closed along a perimetrically extending line or junction that is indicated by the numeral  18 , whereby the members  14 ,  16  cooperate to define a closed chamber interiorally of the container  10 . While a closed chamber is not, per se, depicted in FIG. 5, it is indicated generally by the reference numeral  20  which designates a space that is located between the members  14 ,  16  and about which the seam  18  extends. It is the chamber  20  that is expanded or inflated so as to expand the container  10  from its deflated state shown in FIG. 1 to its fully inflated state shown in FIG. 4, as will be explained. 
     Referring again to FIG. 5, a mass of food stuffs contained within the closed chamber  20  is indicated generally by the numeral  30 . If, by way of example, the mass of food stuffs  30  is intended to be subjected to a field of radiant energy such as microwave energy generated in the cooking chamber of a microwave oven (shown only in FIG.  23 ), the mass of food stuffs  30  then typically comprises about three to six ounces of a combination of “unpopped” popping corn, cooking oils such as partially hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed and/or sunflower oils, triglycerides, artificial flavoring, beta carotene, salt and some additional form of conventional food preservative—it being understood that the composition of the mass of food stuffs  30  forms no part of the present invention but rather serves simply to summarize what typically is found in a packet of microwaveable popcorn that is available for purchase in grocery stores and the like. In short, the selection and composition of a mass of food stuffs suitable for being “cooked” in a microwave oven is a subject that is well known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described further herein. 
     Referring again to FIG. 5, a “susceptor” for microwave energy is indicated generally by the numeral  40 . As is conventional in the structuring of a container of food stuffs that is designed to be “cooked” in a cooking chamber of a microwave oven, some means such as the susceptor  40  ordinarily is provided for location adjacent to the mass of food stuffs  30  (normally at a location “beneath” the mass of food stuffs  30  when the mass of food stuffs  30  is positioned within the cooking chamber of a microwave oven) to intercept and receive cooking energy from the microwave energy that is transmitted through the cooking chamber of the oven, with the susceptor  40  serving to convert the microwave energy into heat energy that is transmitted to the mass of food stuffs  30  to assist in the cooking of the mass of food stuffs  30 . In conventional practice, the susceptor  40  can take the form of either a separate device that is positioned in the container  10 ; or in more conventional practice, the susceptor  40  can take the form of a “printing” of suitable susceptor material onto selected portions of the container  10 , such as onto the bottom member  16 , as is indicated by the numeral  42  in FIG.  5 —it being understood, however, that the composition or form that the susceptor  40  may take forms no part of the present invention; rather what has been illustrated and described serves simply to summarize what typically is found in a packet of microwaveable popcorn that is available for purchase in grocery stores and the like. In short, the construction, design and provision of suitable susceptor materials is well known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described further herein. 
     The members  14 ,  16  that comprise the container  10  may be formed of any of a wide variety of suitable materials that will permit passage therethrough of radiant energy of the type that will be used to cook the mass of food stuffs  30 , such as microwave energy, and that will permit the members  14 ,  16  to be joined as by the perimetrically extending seam  18  to define the closed chamber  20 , as has been described. In preferred practice, the members  14 ,  16  are formed from paper-like sheets that preferably have been coated or laminated so as to enhance the strength of the sheets, to provide a proper closed package that protects the food stuffs  30 , and that will maintain its integrity during the cooking process so as to not spill or otherwise inadvertently discharge the contents of the chamber  20  into the cooking chamber of a microwave oven—it being understood, however, that the composition of the material from which the members  14 ,  16  are made forms no part of the present invention; rather what has been described serves simply to summarize what typically is found in the materials that comprise a packet of microwaveable popcorn that is available for purchase in grocery stores and the like. In short, the composition of materials used to form a microwaveable food package is well known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described further herein. 
     In operation, the container  10 , formed as has been described so as to include a suitable susceptor  40 , and containing a suitable mass of food stuffs  30 , typically is inserted into the cooking chamber of a microwave oven (shown only in FIG. 23) and is subjected to radiant energy therein, with the energy causing the popping corn that is contained within the mass  30  to be “cooked” so as to “pop” and enlarge very substantially in volume as compared with the volume of the initial mass  30 , whereby the container  10  is caused to “self-inflate” in the manner that is depicted progressively in FIGS. 1-4, and as has been described. During the “popping” of the popcorn, noise is generated of a “popping” type; and, depending on the character of the material from which the container  10  is constructed, some additional and interesting noises may be generated as by the unfolding and reshaping of the container  10  as it progresses through the stages depicted in FIGS. 1-4, by which arrangement, attention is drawn to the container  10  as it enlarges or “grows” in size and progressively alters its configuration, whereby the result is to provide a very interesting, often amusing, source of entertainment that takes place during a brief period of time, typically a few minutes in length, depending in part on the size of the mass  30  and in part on the character of the food stuffs that comprise the mass  30 . If popping corn is the food being cooked, the cooking time typically requires about one to about six minutes, with the majority of the inflation of the container taking place during the latter half of the cooking process. 
     While the chamber  20  that is defined by the container  10  is described herein as being “closed,” it is not necessarily “sealed,” at least during the full term of a cooking process. As those skilled in the art of microwave container construction are well aware, the heating and/or cooking of many foods causes gases to be generated in a sufficiently large quantity that, if the cooking container were not provided with a means to “vent” such gases in the event of a buildup of significant pressure therein, the container could be caused to explode during the cooking process. Accordingly, it is quite customary to provide microwave food cooking containers that are, at least initially during a cooking process, “closed” so as to retain contents therein and prevent the entry of contaminants from outside the closed chamber of the container; but to provide a seam or juncture or structure which, under the influence of a pressure build up, will open slightly to permit a venting of excess gas to take place. It is intended that the containers to which reference is made in this document to not exclude the inclusion of such a vent provision (i.e., stating that the container or its chamber is “closed” is not to be interpreted herein as meaning “permanently sealed” but rather should be interpreted as permitting the inclusion of a vent provision to relieve excessive gas pressure build up when such is needed), as is will understood by those skilled in the art. 
     While the container  10  that is depicted in FIGS. 1-4 has an initial folded configuration (as shown in FIG. 1) that is essentially rectangular and does little to disclose what form its ultimate expanded configuration will take, an alternate form of container  10 ′ is depicted in FIGS. 6-8 that also forms a football shape when expanded, but which also has features that have something of a football appearance even when the container  10 ′ is in its substantially flat, deflated, initial configuration, as is depicted in FIG.  6 . FIGS. 7 and 8 show the container  10 ′ at about midway during its inflation, and at the conclusion of its inflation, respectively, and show how the container  10 ′ can be opened to access the “popped” popcorn contained therein. Except for the initial configurations of the containers  10 ,  10 ′, the structure of the containers  10 ,  10 ′ can be substantially identical. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9-12 (and shortly to the associated exploded view of FIG.  13 ), a food container embodying another form of the preferred practice of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  110 . The container  110  initially takes a relatively flat, folded, essentially two-dimensional form that will be referred to as its “deflated form,” which is depicted in FIG.  9 . Inflation or expansion of the container  110  takes place progressively, successive partially inflated or expanded states being illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, and with the final fully inflated or fully expanded state of the container  110  being shown in FIG.  12 . 
     As will be apparent from an examination of what is depicted in FIGS. 9-12, the container  110  has a relatively unobtrusive and substantially conventional, generally rectangular and folded appearance in its collapsed state, as is depicted in FIG.  9 . However, as progressive expansion or inflation of the container  110  takes place, surface carried features of the expanding container structure  110  are brought into view and/or are progressively enlarged and enhanced in character as the container  110  unfolds and/or inflates so that the resulting structure takes on a three-dimensional character that is of interesting appearance. The expansion of the container  110  takes place in a way that is entertaining, perhaps even amusing, to view, and that tends to attract attention and to entertain the viewer, for what its surface carried features taken together with the configuration of its component parts combine to produce is a food container  110  that, in its fully inflated or expanded state, is shaped like and has appearance features that are characteristic of a baseball. Stated in another way, features of the present invention include the provision of printed surface features provided on outer surfaces of a container, of die-cut or otherwise specially formed container portions that serve to enhance the shape or configuration of the inflated or expanded container, and/or of a wide variety of other types of decorating work that can enhance the entertainment that is provided as a container is caused to expand under the influence of the expansion of contents being heated therein as by the application of radiant energy. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, the container  110  has an outer surface  112  that is formed from a pair of generally outwardly convex, somewhat semispherically shaped members  114 ,  116  that have been vacuum formed or otherwise shaped to depict such novelty features as opposed halves of a baseball. The members  114 ,  116  are closed along a perimetrically extending line or junction that is indicated by the numeral  118 , whereby the members  114 ,  116  cooperate to define a closed chamber interiorally of the container  110 . While a closed chamber is not, per se, depicted in FIG. 13, it is indicated generally by the reference numeral  120  which designates a space that is located between the members  114 ,  116  and about which the seam  118  extends. It is the chamber  120  that is expanded or inflated so as to expand the container  110  from its deflated state shown in FIG. 9 to its fully inflated state shown in FIG. 12, as has been explained in conjunction with the expansion of the container  10  and as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. 
     Referring again to FIG. 13, a mass of food stuffs contained within the closed chamber  120  is indicated generally by the numeral  130 . The mass of food stuffs  130  preferably has the same features, characteristics and composition as has been described in conjunction with the mass of food stuffs  30 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 13, a “susceptor” for microwave energy is indicated generally by the numeral  140 . The susceptor  140  preferably has the same features, characteristics and composition as has been described in conjunction with the susceptor  40 . 
     The members  114 ,  116  that comprise the container  110  may be formed of any of a wide variety of suitable materials, but preferably have the same features, characteristics and composition as has been described in conjunction with the members  14 ,  16 . 
     In operation, the container  110  preferably is utilized and is caused to expand from its deflated to its inflated states in the manner that has been described in conjunction with the container  10 . 
     While the container  110  that is depicted in FIGS. 9-12 has an initial folded configuration (as shown in FIG. 9) that is essentially rectangular and does little to disclose what form its ultimate expanded configuration will take, an alternate form of container  110 ′ is depicted in FIGS. 14-16 that also forms a baseball shape when expanded, but which also has features that have something of a baseball appearance even when the container  110 ′ is in its substantially flat, deflated, initial configuration, as is depicted in FIG.  14 . FIGS. 15 and 16 show the container  110 ′ at about midway during its inflation, and at the conclusion of its inflation, respectively, and show how the container  110 ′ can be opened to access the “popped” popcorn contained therein. Except for the initial configurations of the containers  110 ,  110 ′, the structure of the containers  110 ,  110 ′ can be substantially identical; however, the container  110 ′ is depicted as having more of a conventional bag-like construction which is more in conformance with what is utilized in present day microwave popcorn bag-like containers, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. 
     Referring to FIGS. 17-19 and to FIGS. 20-22, two additional forms of food containers that embody features of the present invention are illustrated. While what is depicted in FIGS. 1-16 illustrates features of the present invention as applied to the generation of ball-shaped containers  10 ,  10 ′,  110 ,  110 ′, what is depicted in FIGS. 17-19 and  20 - 22  illustrates the application of features of the present invention to containers  210 ,  310  that form animal like figures that “come alive” during the viewable process of microwave cooking. 
     As is shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, the containers  210 ,  310  have initial folded or collapsed states that provide compact, substantially flat, generally rectangular packages that have appearances much like those that are available in grocery stores and the like containing microwaveable popcorn. However, unlike the conventional, bag-like containers which simply “swell” or “inflate” so as to enlarge their volumes during the microwave process wherein the popcorn contents of the bags are “popped,” the containers  210 ,  310  have surface features that define stylized animals such as cats or bears or the like that are caused to sit upright or to stand erect as the bag-like structures that define the containers  210 ,  310  inflate or enlarge or unfold. 
     As is depicted in FIG. 23, when the unfolding or inflating of the container  210  is viewed through a door-carried window  402  of a microwave oven  400 , the result is very much like the viewing of an interesting event on the screen of a television set. Inasmuch as both children and adults of present day society are familiar with and accustomed to witnessing the “unfolding” of events as by viewing the “window” of a television set, and inasmuch as the window  402  of a typical microwave oven  400  gives a clear view into an illuminated cooking chamber  404  of the oven  400  and provides an appearance that is not unlike that of the illuminated screen of a television set, a feature of the present invention resides in the capability that it provides to utilize a conventional microwave oven  400  in a way that is entertaining to both children and adults, and with respect to which both children and adults are almost instantaneously “comfortable” in utilizing. 
     Referring to FIGS. 24-27 (and shortly to the associated exploded view of FIG.  28 ), a food container embodying another form of the preferred practice of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  510 . The container  510  initially takes a relatively flat, folded, essentially two-dimensional form that will be referred to as its “deflated form,” which is depicted in FIG.  24 . Inflation or expansion of the container  510  takes place progressively, successive partially inflated or expanded states being illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, and with the final fully inflated or fully expanded state of the container  510  being shown in FIG.  27 . 
     As will be apparent from an examination of what is depicted in FIGS. 24-27, the container  510  has a relatively unobtrusive and substantially conventional, generally rectangular and folded appearance in its collapsed state, as is depicted in FIG.  24 . However, as progressive expansion or inflation of the container  510  takes place, surface carried features of the expanding container structure  510  are brought into view and/or are progressively enlarged and enhanced in character as the container  510  unfolds and/or inflates so that the resulting structure takes on a three-dimensional character that is of interesting appearance. The expansion of the container  510  takes place in a way that is entertaining, perhaps even amusing, to view, and that tends to attract attention and to entertain the viewer, for what its surface carried features taken together with the configuration of its component parts combine to produce is a food container  510  that, in its fully inflated or expanded state, is shaped like and has appearance features that are characteristic of a pumpkin. Stated in another way, features of the present invention include the provision of printed surface features provided on outer surfaces of a container, of die-cut or otherwise specially formed container portions that serve to enhance the shape or configuration of the inflated or expanded container, and/or of a wide variety of other types of decorating work that can enhance the entertainment that is provided as a container is caused to expand under the influence of the expansion of contents being heated therein as by the application of radiant energy. 
     Referring to FIG. 28, the container  510  has an outer surface layer  512  (FIG. 24) that is formed from a pair of generally outwardly convex, somewhat semispherically shaped, outer panels or members  514 ,  516  that have been vacuum formed or otherwise shaped to depict such novelty features as opposed halves of a pumpkin. The outer members  514 ,  516  are preferably die-cut in one piece and folded along an axis  517 , and then closed (i.e., heat sealed) along a perimetrically extending line or junction that is indicated by the numeral  518 . Gussets  519  are formed along both sides of outer members  514 ,  516  to allow outward expansion of the container during inflation. 
     When folded and closed, the outer members  514 ,  516  cooperate to define a chamber interiorally of the container  510 . It is this chamber that is expanded or inflated so as to expand the container  510  from its deflated state shown in FIG. 24 to its fully inflated state shown in FIG. 27, as has been explained in conjunction with the expansion of the container  10  and as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. 
     Referring again to FIG. 28, a mass of food stuffs is indicated generally by the numeral  530  which is contained within the chamber formed by outer members  514 ,  516 . The mass of food stuffs  530  preferably has the same features, characteristics and composition as has been described previously in conjunction with the mass of food stuffs  30 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 28, a “susceptor” for microwave energy is indicated generally by the numeral  535 . The susceptor  535  preferably has the same features, characteristics and composition as has been described previously in conjunction with the susceptor  40 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 28, the mass of food stuffs  530  and the susceptor  535  are located in a base portion or tray, indicated generally at  536 . The tray  536  is formed from relatively rigid paperboard or other microwaveable material. The tray  536  includes bottom wall  537  and sidewalls  538  extending outwardly around the periphery of the bottom wall  537 . The bottom wall  537  and sidewalls  538  are formed in one piece and/or secured together with, e.g., adhesives, to form a substantially leakproof receptacle for the susceptor  535  and the mass of food stuffs  530  which prevents hot oils from leaking out of the bottom of the microwaveable package during the cooking process. Finally, flanges  539  extend outwardly from the sidewalls  538  of tray  536  for attachment to the outer surface layer, as will be described herein in more detail. The tray also acts as a stable constant to the expansible container for automated packaging purposes. 
     The outer members  514 ,  516  that comprise the outer surface layer  512  of the container  510  may be formed of any of a wide variety of suitable materials such as the features, characteristics and composition as has been described previously in conjunction with the members  14 ,  16 . However, the outer members  514 ,  516  are preferably formed from polyester, co-extruded film, such as Melinex  850 F, manufactured by ICI films, Hopewell Va. This type of film is suitable for microwave ovens and has a heat seal surface, which in FIG. 28, is facing upward. 
     To prevent the outer members  514 ,  516  from heat sealing together in the microwave oven during cooking, an inner surface layer  540  formed from a pair of inner panels or members  541 ,  542  is adhesively secured (e.g., heat sealed) to the outer surface layer  512 . The inner surface layer  540  has the same peripheral configuration as the outer surface layer  512 , and includes gussets  519   a  formed along the sides thereof which match gussets  519  on the outer surface layer  512  and allow for outward Expansion of the container during inflation. The members  541 ,  542  of the inner surface layer  540  are also formed (e.g., die-cut) from polyester film such as Melinex 850F having the heat seal surface facing downward toward the heat seal surface of the outer surface layer in FIG. 28, The members  541 ,  542  of the inner surface layer  540  can also be vacuum formed or otherwise shaped in the same manner as the outer members  514 ,  516  of the outer surface layer  512 . 
     The inner surface layer  540  has an outer peripheral dimension which is slightly less than the outer peripheral dimension of the outer surface layer  512  (for example, about ⅜″ less), such that when the outer surface layer.  512  and the inner surface layer  540  are heat sealed together, a border of the heat seal surface is left around the periphery of the outer surface layer  512 . Consequently, after heat sealing the inner and outer surface layers together, the outer members  514 ,  516  can then be folded along axis  517  (and inner surface layer  540  along fold axis  543 ) and heat sealed together to form the expansible container—the outer members  514 ,  516  being only heat sealed together around the perimetrically extending line or junction  518 . The inner surface layer  540  has a non-heat sealing surface facing inwardly into the cavity so as to prevent heat sealing of the entire container during cooking. 
     Further, heat sealing only along the edges or border of the outer surface layer allows a seam or juncture which, under the influence of a pressure build up, will open slightly to permit a venting of excess gas to take place. More particularly, as Illustrated in FIG. 29, the dimensions of the inner and outer surface layers can be such that the border  518  can narrow down, for example along the neck of the pumpkin stem indicated generally at  550 , or in another appropriate location, such that when a predetermined pressure is obtained in the chamber, the narrow, heat sealed portion will burst or rupture and allow venting of excess steam therethrough. 
     As another benefit of the present invention, the heat seal surface of the outer surface layer  512  can have graphics printed thereon. Since this surface is heat sealed to the inner surface layer  540 , the graphics can therefore be trapped between the inner surface layer  540  and the outer surface layer  512  to prevent the graphic ink from contacting the food mass. 
     To attach the base portion or tray  536  to the inner and outer surface layers, the outer surface layer  512  and the inner surface layer  540  include corresponding openings  545 ,  546 , respectively, which are formed by die-cutting in one step these layers after they have been heat sealed together. The openings form an aperture which is dimensioned to receive the tray and enable the under side of the flanges  539  on the tray to be attached to the inner and outer surface layers. To this end, conventional adhesive can be applied around the periphery of the aperture formed by openings  545 ,  546  and/or around the flange on the tray to secure the inner and outer surface layers to the tray. 
     In assembling the expansible container, the susceptor  535  is initially located in the tray  536  and attached (e.g., by adhesives) to the inside surface of the bottom wall  537  of the tray. The fold axis  517  on the outer surface layer is then aligned with the fold axis  543  in the inner surface layer, and the inner and outer surface layers are heat sealed together and the aperture die-cut therethrough. The tray is then located in the aperture and adhesively secured thereto. Next, the mass of food stuffs is introduced (e.g., poured as a molten mix) into the tray overlying the susceptor. The bottom wall  537  and sidewalls  538  act to contain the mass of food stuffs entirely within the tray. Finally, the inner and outer surface layers are folded along the axis  517 ,  543  and heat sealed along the line or junction  518  to form a sealed cavity. The above-described method, as will be appreciated, allows a common tray to be used (and pre-assembled with the susceptor and the mass of food stuff) for attachment within the aperture in the upper and lower surface layers for a variety of containers of the type herein described having surface portions with different appearances, designs or expressions thereon. 
     In operation, the container  510  preferably is utilized and is caused to expand from its deflated to its inflated states in the manner that has been described previously in conjunction with the container  10 . However, to facilitate handling and serving the fully inflated container after the popcorn is fully “popped”, a pair of tabs  552   a ,  552   b  can be formed integrally with the outer panels or members  514 ,  516 , respectively, as illustrated in FIG.  30 . In particular, tabs  552   a ,  552   b  can be formed as an extension of the inner and outer panels or members in an appropriate location, e.g., as part of the stem of the pumpkin, and each tab can include an inner layer of heat sealable material in face-to-face relation therewith to prevent the tabs from heat sealing together during cooking. After the cooking is complete, the tabs can be individually grasped and pulled apart, thereby separating the outer members along their heat-seal seam to provide access to the “popped” popcorn for serving. Moreover, the tabs provide a convenient handle for removing the container from the microwave oven after the popcorn is fully “popped” to prevent handling the hot container. In the case where the above-described tabs are formed on the container, the line or junction around which members  514 ,  516  are joined to form border  518  can be formed slightly below the perimeter of the panels at the location of the tabs to still allow sealing of the container and a vent location. 
     Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.