Patent ID: 6844534

Claim:
A method for the cooking and vacuum packing of food comprising, placing food that is to be cooked and vacuum packed inside a container, wherein said container is provided with a venting opening for the release of overpressure during boiling; passing the container into a microwave tunnel which is suitable for the application of microwave energy to said container and food for the heating and cooking of the food inside the container, subjecting the container containing the food to microwave energy to heat the food; and ceasing the application of microwave energy such that the venting opening closes and, as the container cools, steam therein condenses, whereupon a vacuum arises inside the container; wherein said cooking and vacuum packing take place in the same operation in the container wherein the food remains during subsequent storage; and wherein the container is flexible and molds itself to its contents when a vacuum arises in the container as steam condenses due to cooling of the container following cessation of microwave heating.