Patent Publication Number: US-8534536-B2

Title: Substantially round tray

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/405,305, which was filed Oct. 21, 2010. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/405,305, which was filed Oct. 21, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to trays and, more particularly, to trays with more than four upright side walls. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A wide variety of trays are known. There is always a desire for new trays that provide a new balance of properties. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a substantially round tray that may be formed from a paperboard blank having a substantially round, central base panel and a series of flaps connected to, and extending around, the periphery of the base panel. There may be more than four of the flaps, and in one specific example there are eight of the flaps, although there may be different numbers of flaps. The blank may be substantially octagonal. 
     For helping to facilitate folding of the flaps relative to the base panel, the blank may include at least one line of disruption (e.g., a substantially annular hinge line) that extends at least partially around the base panel and provides hinged connections between the periphery of the base panel and the inner edges of the flaps. 
     In the blank, adjacent flaps may be separated from one another, such as by outwardly extending cuts. In one specific example, the adjacent flaps are separated from one another by slits that extend outwardly from proximate the hinge line. Each flap includes opposite side margins that extend outwardly from the inner edge of the flap to an outer edge of the flap. The flaps may be folded upwardly and inwardly so that side margins of adjacent flaps overlap. The overlapping side margins may be fastened together, such as with adhesive material. For each overlap, the amount of the overlap may increase in the upward/outward direction. 
     The flaps may vary in the circumferential direction of the blank/tray, such as by being differently sized and/or differently shaped. In one specific example, the flaps may circumferentially alternate between relatively small flaps and relatively large flaps. In addition, the small flaps may be generally rectangular, whereas each of the large flaps may be substantially inwardly tapered. The outer corners of the large flaps may define acute angles that may optionally be chamfered or otherwise shaped in a manner that seeks to provide a substantially smooth and/or slightly undulating rim (e.g., upper edge) of the tray. Differently configured flaps are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, all of the flaps may be more alike, so that they are all substantially alike in the circumferential direction. 
     Whereas the tray is substantially round in some embodiments of this disclosure, the tray may be shaped differently in other embodiments of this disclosure. 
     In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, the peripheral edge of the base panel of the tray may be characterized as comprising more than four peripheral edges, such as eight peripheral edges. The flaps form sidewalls that may extend both outwardly and upwardly from the periphery of the base panel. There are more than four of the sidewalls, such as eight of the sidewalls, that may be respectively connected to the peripheral edges of the base panel. Each of the sidewalls includes opposite first and second marginal portions extending outwardly from the base panel. For each adjacent pair of sidewalls, the first marginal portion of a first sidewall of the adjacent pair of sidewalls is in an overlapping relationship with, and is fastened to, the second marginal portion of a second sidewall of the adjacent pair of sidewalls. 
     The foregoing presents a simplified summary of some aspects of this disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding. The foregoing summary is not an extensive summary and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The purpose of the foregoing summary is to present some concepts of this disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. For example, other aspects will become apparent from the following. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having described some aspects of this disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a flat blank, in accordance with a first embodiment of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  generally is a top pictorial view of a substantially round tray erected from the blank of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  generally is a side pictorial view of the tray of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the tray of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the tray of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the tray of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic side elevation view of the tray of  FIG. 2  containing food, wherein the food is hidden from view and shown by dashed lines. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic side elevation view of the tray of  FIG. 2  in an inverted configuration and supporting the food. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic plan view of a flat blank, in accordance with a second embodiment of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom pictorial view of a tray, in accordance with a third embodiment of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments are described in the following. For example, a blank  20  and substantially round tray  22  of a first embodiment are shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , respectively, and described in the following. 
     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blank  20  and tray  22  each include a substantially round central panel  24  (e.g., base panel), and a series of flaps, or sidewalls connected to, and extending around, the periphery of the central panel. The flaps vary in the circumferential direction, so that the flaps alternate between relatively small flaps  26  and relatively large flaps  28 . Whereas the blank  20  and tray  22  are shown as including eight flaps  26 ,  28 , there may be more or less, and typically there are more than a total of four of the flaps, such as there being at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, or more than eight of the flaps. Also, a variety of differently configured central panels and flaps are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     As best understood with reference to  FIG. 1 , the flaps  26 ,  28  may be defined by one or more lines of disruption, such as, but not limited to, cuts (e.g., slits  32  or cut outs) that extend outwardly from proximate a substantially annular fold or hinge line  30 . In the first embodiment, there are eight of the slits  32  that extend outwardly from the hinge line  30  to the peripheral edge of the blank  20 . The slits may be sufficiently narrow such that the flaps  26 ,  28  collectively extend all the way around the central panel  24 . Alternatively, if the slits  32  are replaced with wide cuts or cutouts, then the flaps  26 ,  28  collectively may extend only partially around the central panel  24 . Accordingly, the flaps  26 ,  28  collectively may be referred to as extending at least partially around the central panel  24 . 
     The hinge line  30  is located at the substantially annular periphery, or substantially annular peripheral edge, of the central panel  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the relatively small flaps  26  has a curved inner side. Each of the relatively small flaps  26  may be characterized as being substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular, or almost rectangular, such as a result of having a curved inner side). Therefore, for each of the relatively small flaps  26 , each of the outer corners  34  of the small flap substantially defines a right angle. In contrast to the relatively small flaps  26 , each of the relatively large flaps  28  is inwardly tapered. As a result, for each of the relatively large flaps  28 , the outer edge of the large flap is longer than the inner edge of the large flap, so that each of the inner corners of the large flap defines an obtuse angle, and each of the outer corners  36  of the large flap defines an acute angle. Each of the outer edges/outer corners  36  of the large flaps  28  optionally includes one or more bevel edges  38 , or the like, that define a chamfer and/or truncation, or the like. That is, each of the outer corners  36  of the large flaps  28  may be beveled, chamfered, truncated or otherwise shaped in a manner discussed in greater detail below. Accordingly and in accordance with the first embodiment, the blank  20  is substantially octagonal (e.g., octagonal, or octagonal except for each of the outer corners  36  of the large flaps  28  being somewhat beveled, chamfered, truncated, or the like). 
     In accordance with the first embodiment, the hinge line  30  may be characterized as being a substantially continuous, substantially annular line of disruption that extends substantially all the way around the central panel  24 ; and the hinge line may also be characterized as comprising a series of segments  40  (e.g., hinge or fold lines) that are spaced apart from one another and generally arranged end-to-end with respect to one another. Each segment  40  of the hinge line  30  includes a central portion  42  and opposite end sections  44 . Only a few of the central portions  42  and end sections  44  are identified with their reference numerals in  FIG. 1  in order to simplify  FIG. 1 . The central portions  42  are schematically illustrated by dashed lines in  FIG. 1  to distinguish them from the end sections  44 . For each segment  40  of the hinge line  30 , the central portion  42  is a curved score line, and the end sections  44  are substantially straight slits. For each segment  40  of the hinge line  30 , the slit end sections  44  are spaced apart from one another, extend obliquely to one another, and are connected to one another by the central portion  42  of the segment. Adjacent slits/end sections  44  of different segments  40  are spaced apart from one another. Alternatively, the hinge line  30  may be one or more lines of disruption of any other suitable type and arrangement. For example, the hinge line  30  may alternatively be a continuous, annular score line. As another alternative, the hinge line  30  may be omitted from the blank  20 , and the hinge line  30 , or the like, may only be formed as a result of the tray  22  being erected. 
     With the segments  40  of the hinge line  30  defined as discussed above, the flaps  26 ,  28  are respectively foldably connected to the central panel  24  by the segments, or more specifically each of the flaps is respectively foldably connected to the central panel  24  by adjacent halves of the segments. Similarly, the substantially annular peripheral edge of the central panel  24  may be characterized as including a series of peripheral edges respectively extending end-to-end, wherein the flaps  26 ,  28  may be characterized as being respectively connected to the peripheral edges. For example, each of the peripheral edges of the central panel may be characterized as extending between inner ends of adjacent slits  32 . 
     An example of a method of erecting the blank  20  into the tray  22  is described in the following, in accordance with the first embodiment. Each flap  26 ,  28  includes opposite side margins that extend outwardly from the inner edge of the flap to the outer edge of the flap. The flaps  26 ,  28  are folded upwardly and inwardly about the hinge line  30  so that side margins of adjacent flaps overlap. As a result, the flaps  26 ,  28  extend around the interior space of the tray  22 . In the fully erected tray  22 , the upwardly extending flaps  26 ,  28  typically extend obliquely, namely obtusely, with respect to the inner surface  48  of the central panel  24 , so that the flaps extend upwardly and outwardly from the central panel, and the resulting trays  22  may be nested together in a stack. 
     As best understood with reference to  FIGS. 2-8 , the outer corners  36  ( FIG. 1 ) of the large flaps  28  are positioned inwardly of, and respectively overlap, the outer corners  34  ( FIG. 1 ) of the small flaps  26 , and each of the overlapping side margins of the flaps are fastened together, such as with adhesive material (not shown) or by way of any other suitable feature(s) for fastening. The overlapping side margins of the flaps  26 ,  28  are in opposing face-to-face configuration, or more specifically in opposing face-to-face contact, with one another. On the other hand, when the overlapping side margins of the flaps  26 ,  28  are fastened together with a layer of adhesive material interposed therebetween, the overlapping side margins of the flaps  26 ,  28  may be characterized as being in substantially opposing face-to-face configuration, or in substantially opposing face-to-face contact, with one another. 
     Alternatively, the outer corners  36  ( FIG. 1 ) of the large flaps  28  may be positioned outwardly of the outer corners  34  ( FIG. 1 ) of the small flaps  26 . While the tray  22  is in its normal upright configuration, the amount of overlap between the overlapping side margins of the flaps  26 ,  28  typically increases in the upward direction. In the tray  22 , the bevel edges  38  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the large flaps  28  respectively cooperate with (are substantially aligned with) the outer edges of small flaps  26  in a manner that seeks to provide a substantially smooth and/or slightly undulating upper edge/rim  45  of the tray, although other configurations are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     In accordance with the first embodiment, the overall curvature of the hinge line  30 , the curvature of the segments  40  of the hinge line  30 , the curvature of the central portions  42  of the segments  40  of the hinge line  30 , the angles defined by the bevel edges  38  and/or the configuration of other features may be selected so that the erected tray  22  is a substantially round tray. However, one or more of the features of the blank  20  and/or tray  22  may be varied so that trays of other embodiments may be shaped differently, such that this disclosure is not intended to be limited to substantially round trays. That is, aspects of this disclosure are applicable to a variety of differently shaped trays. 
     In the first embodiment, the flaps  26 ,  28  of the blank  20  are absent of any lines of disruption such as hinge or fold lines. Similarly, the tray  22  may be configured so that the sidewalls  26 ,  28  of the tray are absent of any lines of disruption such as hinge or fold lines. Alternatively, the flaps  26 ,  28  and/or sidewalls may include lines of disruption such as hinge or fold lines. 
     An example of a method of using the tray  22  is described in the following, in accordance with the first embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a schematic side elevation view of the tray  22  containing food  46 . That is, the food  46  is in the interior space of the tray  22 . For example and not limitation, the food  46  may be a substantially round food item, such as a pizza, hamburger, donut, cookie, or the like, so that the food may be securely contained in the substantially round tray  22 . More generally, the food  46  may be of any shape and/or type that is typically contained in a tray, and if desired the shape of the tray  22  may be modified to at least generally conform to the size and shape of a wide variety of differently sized and shaped food items. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the bottom surface of the food  46  is supported by (e.g., in face-to-face contact with) the inner surface  48  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 ) of the central panel  24 . As apparent from  FIG. 7 , the flaps  26 ,  28  extend around and higher than the food  46 . Therefore, the food  46  is hidden from view in  FIG. 7 , and the food is schematically illustrated by dashed lines in  FIG. 7 . The tray  22  containing the food  46  may be closed with a cover or lid and/or the tray containing the food may be contained within an enclosure (not shown), such as a carton, an overwrap of film, or any other suitable enclosure. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic side elevation view of the tray  22  in an inverted configuration and supporting the food  46 . In  FIG. 8 , the bottom surface of the food  46  is supported by (e.g., in face-to-face contact with) the outer surface  50  of the central panel  24 , and the rim  45  of the tray  22  is upon and being supported by a support surface  52 . The support surface  52  may be any suitable support surface, such as a table top, counter top, or the top of a turntable or other supporting surface in a microwave oven. When the tray  22  is in the inverted configuration, the interior space of the tray  22  may function, for example, as an air-filled insulating gap between the support surface  52  and the food  46 /central panel  24 . Having such an insulating gap may be advantageous while the inverted tray  22  is supporting food  46  being heated by microwave energy within a microwave oven. For example, the insulating gap may seek to keep heat energy from being disadvantageously transferred away from the food to the floor or turntable of the microwave oven. In addition, microwave energy may be able to propagate through the insulating gap to advantageously reach the food  46  from below. Alternatively, the food  46  may be heated while the tray  22  and food are configured as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Further regarding the configuration shown in  FIG. 8 , one or more supporting legs (not shown) may optionally be defined in a central portion of the central panel  24  by lines of disruption. The supporting legs may be in the form of tabs or flaps that are struck (e.g., punched out) from the central panel  24  so that the supporting legs extend downwardly from the central panel and engage the support surface  52  to provide increased support for the food  46 , such as when the food is relatively heavy (e.g., a frozen pizza). For example, each support leg may be defined by a slit or tear line extending from one end of a fold line to an opposite end of the fold line. There may be more or less than four of the supporting legs in the form of tabs or flaps, and the group of supporting legs may be are arranged in a circular pattern in the central panel  24  for being folded down after removing the product food  46  from the interior space of the tray  22 , so that the supporting legs span between the central panel  24  and the support surface  52  while the tray is in the inverted configuration shown in  FIG. 8 . When included in the tray  22 , the supporting legs are for helping to support the food  46 . The supporting legs may be omitted, or they may be included, depending upon a variety of factors, such as the size of the tray  22  and the weight of the food  46 . 
     The blank  20  and tray  22  may be constructed of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, paperboard, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, or the like. More specifically, the blank  20  may typically be constructed of paperboard. Paperboard is ordinarily of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper, and lighter and less rigid than cardboard. The paperboard may be coated with a clay coating, or the like. The clay coating may be printed over with product, advertising, price-coding, and/or other information. The blank  20  may be coated with a varnish or any other suitable coating to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank  20  may also be coated with, for example, moisture barrier and/or stain masking layer(s). Other features may be printed, coated, laminated and/or otherwise joined to or associated with the blank  20 . For example and as discussed in greater detail below, the blank  20  may include microwave interactive material. The microwave interactive material may be any suitable microwave interactive material that is in any suitable arrangement. For example, the microwave interactive material may more specifically be in the form of a susceptor, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     A second embodiment of this disclosure is like the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Due to the similarity, components of the second embodiment that are at least similar to and/or function in at least some ways similarly to corresponding components of the first embodiment have reference numbers incremented by one hundred. 
     As best understood with reference to the blank  120  of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , round holes  154  extend through the central panel  124  of both the blank and the tray of the second embodiment. For example, the holes  154  may allow for venting of moisture while the inverted tray of the second embodiment is supporting food being heated by microwave energy within a microwave oven. The holes  154  may be in a wide variety of different sizes, shapes and patterns. A variety of differently shaped trays are within the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, a variety of differently sized trays are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     A third embodiment of this disclosure is like the first and second embodiments, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Due to the similarity, components of the third embodiment that are at least similar to and/or function in at least some ways similarly to corresponding components of the second embodiment have reference numbers incremented by one hundred with respect to the second embodiment, and incremented by two hundred with respect to the first embodiment. 
     As best understood with reference to the inverted tray  222  of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the tray includes (e.g., supports and has mounted thereon) microwave interactive material. The microwave interactive material may be any suitable microwave interactive material that is in any suitable arrangement. For example, the microwave interactive material may more specifically be in the form of a susceptor  256 . As shown in  FIG. 10  for example and not for purposes of limiting the scope of this disclosure, the susceptor  256  covers, forms and/or is part of the outer surface  250  of the central panel  224 , and it also partially covers, forms and/or is part of the outer surfaces of the flaps  26 ,  28 ; and the holes  254  extend through the susceptor  256 . The susceptor  256  may be any suitable type of susceptor, and it may be in any suitable arrangement. The microwave interactive material (e.g., susceptor  256 ) may be characterized by any of the aspects described in the following. 
     Any of the various blanks (e.g., blanks  20 ,  120 ), trays (e.g., trays  22 ,  222 ) or other constructs of this disclosure may optionally include one or more features that alter the effect of microwave energy during the heating or cooking of a food item that is associated with the tray or other construct. For example, the blank, tray or other construct may be formed at least partially from one or more microwave energy interactive elements (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “microwave interactive elements”) that promote heating, browning and/or crisping of a particular area of the food item (e.g., food  46  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), shield a particular area of the food item from microwave energy to prevent overcooking thereof, or transmit microwave energy towards or away from a particular area of the food item. Each microwave interactive element comprises one or more microwave energy interactive materials or segments arranged in a particular configuration to absorb microwave energy, transmit microwave energy, reflect microwave energy, or direct microwave energy, as needed or desired for a particular construct and food item. 
     In the case of a susceptor (e.g., susceptor  256 ), the microwave energy interactive material may comprise an electroconductive or semiconductive material, for example, a vacuum deposited metal or metal alloy, or a metallic ink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a metallic paste, an organic paste, an inorganic paste, or any combination thereof. Examples of metals and metal alloys that may be suitable include, but are not limited to, aluminum, chromium, copper, inconel alloys (nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with niobium), iron, magnesium, nickel, stainless steel, tin, titanium, tungsten, and any combination or alloy thereof. 
     Alternatively, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a metal oxide, for example, oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin, optionally used in conjunction with an electrically conductive material. Another metal oxide that may be suitable is indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO has a more uniform crystal structure and, therefore, is clear at most coating thicknesses. 
     Alternatively still, the microwave energy interactive material may comprise a suitable electroconductive, semiconductive, or non-conductive artificial dielectric or ferroelectric. Artificial dielectrics comprise conductive, subdivided material in a polymeric or other suitable matrix or binder, and may include flakes of an electroconductive metal, for example, aluminum. 
     In other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive material may be carbon-based, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,943,456, 5,002,826, 5,118,747, and 5,410,135. 
     In still other embodiments, the microwave energy interactive material may interact with the magnetic portion of the electromagnetic energy in the microwave oven. Correctly chosen materials of this type can self-limit based on the loss of interaction when the Curie temperature of the material is reached. An example of such an interactive coating is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,427. 
     The use of other microwave energy interactive elements is also contemplated. In one example, the microwave energy interactive element may comprise a foil or high optical density evaporated material having a thickness sufficient to reflect a substantial portion of impinging microwave energy. Such elements typically are formed from a conductive, reflective metal or metal alloy, for example, aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, in the form of a solid “patch” generally having a thickness of from about 0.000285 inches to about 0.005 inches, for example, from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.003 inches. Other such elements may have a thickness of from about 0.00035 inches to about 0.002 inches, for example, 0.0016 inches. 
     In some cases, microwave energy reflecting (or reflective) elements may be used as shielding elements where the food item is prone to scorching or drying out during heating. In other cases, smaller microwave energy reflecting elements may be used to diffuse or lessen the intensity of microwave energy. One example of a material utilizing such microwave energy reflecting elements is commercially available from Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Marietta, Ga.) under the trade name MicroRite® packaging material. In other examples, a plurality of microwave energy reflecting elements may be arranged to form a microwave energy distributing element to direct microwave energy to specific areas of the food item. If desired, the loops may be of a length that causes microwave energy to resonate, thereby enhancing the distribution effect. Microwave energy distributing elements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,204,492, 6,433,322, 6,552,315, and 6,677,563, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     If desired, any of the numerous microwave energy interactive elements described herein or contemplated hereby may be substantially continuous, that is, without substantial breaks or interruptions, or may be discontinuous, for example, by including one or more breaks or apertures that transmit microwave energy. The breaks or apertures may extend through the entire structure (e.g., see the holes  254  in  FIG. 10 ), or only through one or more layers. The number, shape, size, and positioning of such breaks or apertures may vary for a particular application depending on the type of construct being formed, the food item to be heated therein or thereon, the desired degree of heating, browning, and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to microwave energy is needed or desired to attain uniform heating of the food item, the need for regulating the change in temperature of the food item through direct heating, and whether and to what extent there is a need for venting. 
     By way of illustration, a microwave energy interactive element may include one or more transparent areas to effect dielectric heating of the food item. However, where the microwave energy interactive element comprises a susceptor, such apertures decrease the total microwave energy interactive area, and therefore, decrease the amount of microwave energy interactive material available for heating, browning, and/or crisping the surface of the food item. Thus, the relative amounts of microwave energy interactive areas and microwave energy transparent areas may be balanced to attain the desired overall heating characteristics for the particular food item. 
     As another example, one or more portions of a susceptor may be designed to be microwave energy inactive to ensure that the microwave energy is focused efficiently on the areas to be heated, browned, and/or crisped, rather than being lost to portions of the food item not intended to be browned and/or crisped or to the heating environment. Additionally or alternatively, it may be beneficial to create one or more discontinuities or inactive regions to prevent overheating or charring of the food item and/or the construct including the susceptor. 
     As still another example, a susceptor may incorporate one or more “fuse” elements that limit the propagation of cracks in the susceptor, and thereby control overheating, in areas of the susceptor where heat transfer to the food is low and the susceptor might tend to become too hot. The size and shape of the fuses may be varied as needed. Examples of susceptors including such fuses are provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,187, U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,231, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0035634A1, published Feb. 14, 2008, and PCT Application Publication No. WO 2007/127371, published Nov. 8, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     It will be noted that any of such discontinuities or apertures in a susceptor may comprise a physical aperture or void (e.g., see the holes  254  in  FIG. 10 ) in one or more layers or materials used to form the structure or construct, or may be a non-physical “aperture”. A non-physical aperture is a microwave energy transparent area that allows microwave energy to pass through the structure without an actual void or hole cut through the structure. Such areas may be formed by simply not applying microwave energy interactive material to the particular area, by removing microwave energy interactive material from the particular area, or by mechanically deactivating the particular area (rendering the area electrically discontinuous). Alternatively, the areas may be formed by chemically deactivating the microwave energy interactive material in the particular area, thereby transforming the microwave energy interactive material in the area into a substance that is transparent to microwave energy (i.e., microwave energy inactive). While both physical and non-physical apertures allow the food item to be heated directly by the microwave energy, a physical aperture also provides a venting function to allow steam or other vapors or liquid released from the food item to be carried away from the food item. 
     In accordance with the above-discussed embodiments of this disclosure, a hinge line (e.g., the hinge lines  30 ,  130 ,  230 , which may be referred to as fold lines) can be any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of this disclosure, conventional hinge lines include: a crease, such as formed by folding; a score line, such as formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a slit that extends partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; or various combinations of these features. 
     Directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) have been used in this disclosure for ease of understanding and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of this disclosure. Also, in considering the scope of this disclosure, each of the features of this disclosure may be considered in isolation, and in various combinations and subcombinations. 
     The above examples are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the present disclosure has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments, various additions, modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.