Disposable Tortilla-Flat Bread Type Product Warmer

Abstract

A device intended for one-time use (`disposable") for microwave heating bread products such as "pitas", "tortillas" or other bread type products. However, the device can be embodied in a re-usable version and the concept disclosed is not limited in scope to a one-time use version. Tortillas and bread products are commonly heated separately to avoid a "rubbery" texture that results from heating in a microwave oven. Additionally, they are commonly heated separately to optimize "even" heating throughout the tortilla, pita or flat bread product.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] None

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] None

DESCRIPTION

[0004] In its most basic description, the concept disclosed here comprises a device intended for one-time use (`disposable") for microwave heating bread products such as "pitas", "tortillas" or other bread type products. However, the device can be embodied in a re-usable version and the concept disclosed is not limited in scope to a one-time use version. Tortillas and bread products are commonly heated separately to avoid a "rubbery" texture that results from heating in a microwave oven. Additionally, they are commonly heated separately to optimize "even" heating throughout the tortilla, pita or flat bread product.

[0005] The present invention operates as a conduit of even heat distribution emanating from a microwave source for food products. Additionally, it can operate as a protective device to prevent the food product from becoming moist from condensation and operates to maintain the integrity of the original heating texture of the food product (i.e. "crispy").

[0006] In sum, this device incorporates a unique "disposable," low-cost and efficient method providing the sought after type of heating performance only currently found in products that are meant to be re-used and thus are larger, require cleaning and storage and cost more to manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED HERE

[0007] The original version of the "classic" tortilla warmer is a plastic device that houses the tortillas much the same as "tupper ware", but specifically is designed to contain and maintain the heat of the warmed tortillas. Another version of the "classic` version of the tortilla warmer is the cloth or fabric pouch (some are insulated) that allows a person seeking to warm tortillas to insert them into the pouch and either microwave them or insert them after they were warmed by some other method. This latter version is gaining popularity due to its easier storing and ability to heat the tortillas with a microwave oven (albeit inefficient for many purposes), The appeal of the "classic" warmers are that the tortillas stay warm in the pouch for an extended time after the tortillas have been warmed. They also serve as a table accessory when serving meals "buffet style".

[0008] The draw back to the current art is that the "classic" style tortilla warmers cost much more to manufacture per unit than the proposed invention, they must be cleaned or washed frequently and they require storage space. Thus, because they require storage space and must be cleaned, they are inefficient for small housing spaces, such as college dorms or hotel rooms. Similarly, people employed in offices confront the same problems in using the classic tortilla warmers as those encountered in hotels. Persons staying in recreational vehicles ("RV's") seeking to warm tortillas, flat bread or pita bread items encounter the same inefficiencies and challenges if they use the re-usable "permanent" tortilla warmers.

THE SOLUTION PRESENTED IN THE DISCLOSED CONCEPTS

[0009] The Uniqueness of the Disposable Tortilla or Flat Bread Product Warming Device (hereinafter referred to as the "Pouch")

[0010] Applicant's disposable pouch is ideal for person's housed in smaller spaces, person's with electric stove top ranges (as opposed to "gas" stoves) and for office locations because the design allows for a significantly lower priced product. For example, it is ideal for a college student being housed in a dormitory since this disposable pouch does not require cleaning or storage. The pouch is intended to be manufactured as an affordable accessory capable of having multiple units packaged in a single affordable purchase. For these reasons, the pouch is also ideal for business travelers to re-heat leftovers in a hotel microwave oven and consume almost anything that can be contained or prepared in tortillas, flat bread, pita bread and other similar edible products. For these same reasons, this invention is an ideal device for all persons that are housed in small spaces such as studio apartments or even recreational vehicles.

[0011] The pouch comprises of a disposable warmer that is capable of storing a relatively small number of tortillas, flat bread, pita bread or other similar edible products for quick warming and is designed for a quick transfer to the plate for immediate consumption or preparation of a "taco", "gyro", or similar product. This pouch is then discarded since it is designed for a single use. As such, this disposable tortilla warmer can be manufactured out of inexpensive microwave safe material such as light cardboard or heavy paper such as paper towel grade paper or other grades of paper. Additionally, there are other disposable and ecologically friendly materials that it can be manufactured out of that allow the design to operate as intended and offer varying degree of manufacturing costs and re-use capability. Thus, the pouch can be manufactured as a more expensive version with insulated lining to keep multiple tortillas, flat bread, pita bread or other edible products warm subsequent to heating or can be manufactured as a "bare bones" cost effective pouch designed to heat the tortillas, flat bread, pita bread or other similar edible products quickly and efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows the invention having a circular shape, with outer side 100 comprised of parchment or other silicon treated paper. The outer side 100 folds down (or connects to a back side (not shown in FIG. 1)) to create an edge 110, forming a pocket 120, wherein food may be placed for warming.

[0018] In an embodiment, outer side 100 is comprised of untreated paper, and the inside of the pouch is treated with silicon, or any other chemical known to contain moisture when heating food in a microwave.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the invention having a rectangular or square shape, with outer side 200 comprised of parchment or other silicon treated paper. The outer side 200 folds down (or connects to a back side (not shown in FIG. 1)) to create an edge 210, forming a pocket 220, wherein food may be placed for warming.

[0020] In an embodiment, outer side 200 is comprised of untreated paper, and the inside of the pouch is treated with silicon.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. Front side 300 is composed of silicon-treated or untreated paper on the outside and silicon-treated paper on the inside. Back side 310 is also composed of silicon-treated or untreated paper on the outside and silicon-treated paper on the inside. Back side 310 connects to front side 300 via connection 320. Connection 320 can be any method of connection that is known in the art, including glue, adhesive tape, and perforations. Back side 310 extends beyond front side 300 so that it may be folded over front side 300 such that the food product is enclosed within the pouch. The portion of back side 310 that extends beyond front side 300 may be treated with adhesive tape or other adhesive substance so that when folded, back side 310 will bond with front side 300.

[0022] All places where paper, silicon-treated or otherwise, connects to either paper or an insulating layer, or where two insulating layers connect, the connection may be effectuated by any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, glue, adhesive tape, perforations, stitching, and the like.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention consists of a layer of parchment or silicon treated paper 410, surrounded by a heat insulating layer 420. The heat insulating layer 420 may consist of any microwavable material, including, but not limited to, paper, cloth, cardboard, or rubber. The purpose of the heat insulating layer 420 is to provide a relatively cool surface so that the consumer may handle the pouch immediately without risking burning his/her hands.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outer side of an embodiment of the present invention. Top side 500 comprises silicon-treated or untreated paper, and is the outside of the pouch. Bottom side 510 comprises silicon-treated paper (e.g., parchment paper) and is the inside of the pouch. Top side 500 and bottom side 510 are connected via corrugated microwave safe material 520. The corrugated microwave safe material 520 may be made of paper, cardboard, plastic, or any other microwave safe material.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A food warming pouch comprising: a top substrate and a bottom substrate, wherein: at least one outer edge of the bottom substrate extends beyond at least one outer edge of the top substrate creating a foldable flap; the top substrate and the bottom substrate are connected to each other on at least two edges that are opposite to the outer edge of the bottom substrate that extends beyond the at least one outer edge of the top substrate, such that the top substrate and the bottom substrate are adapted to receive a food item; and the top substrate and the bottom substrate comprise silicone-treated parchment paper.

10. The food warming pouch of claim 9, further comprising an outer layer surrounding the top substrate and the bottom substrate; wherein the outer layer is an insulating layer.

11. The food warming pouch of claim 9, wherein the bottom substrate and the top substrate are connected to each other with adhesive, glue, tape, or stitches.

12-14. (canceled)

15. The food warming pouch of claim 9, wherein the bottom substrate, the top substrate, and the outer layer are rectangular in shape.

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