Abstract:
A food container for preparing food in a microwave oven of plastic construction material that resists rupturing by its shape modification that is subjected to forces generated by the microwaving process.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates generally to improvements in microwave oven food containers and, more particularly, to obviating the rupturing of the plastic construction material of these containers due to water vapor content removal during the operating mode of the microwave oven, all as will be better understood as the description proceeds. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Search 
       [0002]    Microwave ovens are quick and convenient for cooking or heating foods. This has led to the creation and rapid growth of “convenience foods,” i.e. readily-prepared foods which have been cooked or partially cooked and only require reheating in a microwave oven. 
         [0003]    Improvements have focused on the use of a microwave oven container of a food grade of polypropylene, a preferred material being that manufactured under the trademark NOVOLEN 1102 (BASF) as but one of several available commercially-available sources. 
         [0004]    While appropriately chemically constituted, the microwave oven food container has been found in practice not to be structurally constituted to withstand rupture due to the pressures exerted thereon by the operating mode of the microwave oven. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0005]    Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
         [0006]    More particularly, it is an object to allow for movement of the food-container structural panels subject to microwave oven generated pressures, such movement in practice resulting in obviating what otherwise would be rupturing consequences. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of Rupture-Resistant Food Container constructed and having an operating mode according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view as taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the structure circumscribed by the arrow  3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view similar to  FIG. 2  and illustrating an initial parameter of the operating mode of the Rupture-Resistant Food Container; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view similar to  FIG. 4  and illustrating further details of a subsequent parameter of the operating mode of the Rupture-Resistant Food Container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1  is an injection molded article of manufacture, generally designated  10 , of polypropylene or like plastic construction material having a cylindrical body panel  12 , only one of which is shown, but could be supplemented in graduated three sizes, the largest being that illustrated and being of a height  14  of approximately five-and-a-half (5½) inches, the middle size of a height of three (3) inches, and the smallest of a height of approximately two (2) inches. 
         [0014]    The manufactured article  10  has the noted body panel  12  in a cylindrical configuration which extends vertically from a circular bottom panel  16  and which panels  12 ,  16  bound a food-containing cooking compartment  18 . 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a typical selected food, designated  20 , of the previously-noted “convenience food” category, having a water vapor content and a fluid viscosity, is placed in the compartment  18  and undergoes a downward gravity flow movement, as noted by arrow  22 , into a position on top of the bottom panel  16  and laterally outwardly to the intersection site  24  of the panels  12 ,  16 . 
         [0016]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , at the site  24 , there is provided an array, generally collectively and individually designated  26  of angularly oriented food-encircling operative panels, subtending an acute angle of preferable sixty (60) degrees located in the path  22  of the food gravity flow. 
         [0017]    During the operating mode of the microwave oven  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , there is microwave oven generated movement, as noted by arrow  28 , of food contents  20  against the angularly oriented panels  26  due to microwave oven removal of the water vapor content of the food  20  and the resulting water pressure pushing the food  20  laterally along the bottom panel  16 . The water pressure causes a counterclockwise pivotal traverse  30  of the panels  26 , as best seen in the enlarged, fragmentary view of  FIG. 5 , obviating rupturing of the article  10  at the intersection site  24  which, in practice, would otherwise occur without the noted pivotal traverse  30 . 
         [0018]    While the method disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended other than as defined in the appended claims.