Two-celled expandable microwave cooking sling

Abstract

A collapsible package for use in surface heating of food by microwave energy comprises first and second sling enclosures. Each sling enclosure comprises a pair of parallel, opposed, substantially rectangular wall panels, the ends of which are joined by collapsible bridge panels. The bridge panels are movable between a collapsed position in which the wall panels lie against each other and an expanded position in which the wall panels are held in spaced relation to each other. The second sling enclosure is joined to the first sling enclosure at a center fold line between adjacent wall panels of said first and second sling enclosures. A generally rectangular strip of thin, flexible material capable of converting microwave energy into heat is affixed between the two opposed side walls of the first and second sling enclosures that are not connected at the center fold line. One of two opposed edges of said strip if affixed to each side wall. The portion of the flexible strip that is intermediate these two opposed edges is draped over the two side walls joined at the center fold line to form a sling of flexible material in each of the first and second sling enclosures. The present invention also encompasses a flat blank to which the strip of flexible material capable of converting microwave energy into heat can be attached, with the blank being folded and glued into a configuration that can be easily erected into the package previously described.