Systems for storage of personal hygiene products, such as toothbrushes and shaving devices, are provided. The systems, such as covers for personal care products, provide water and gas permeable storage vessels that are substantially impermeable to microorganisms. The storage systems wick moisture away from enclosed products while providing protection from microbial contamination.

A ventilation structure includes a metal housing and a ventilation member. The metal housing is a housing that requires ventilation, and has a ventilation hole and a hole-surrounding portion. The ventilation hole is covered by the ventilation member. The hole-surrounding portion defining the periphery of the ventilation hole has been subjected to an alumite treatment, a treatment for forming a chemical conversion coating formed by a trivalent chromium compound, a chromium-plating-on-aluminum treatment, or an oil-repellent treatment.

A ventilated container for produce includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. The sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. A plastic film can be applied over the top of the container and is adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container, aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. Moreover, an aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow.

Methods are provided for storing and preserving zucchini spirals, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, zucchini spirals are placed in a product containing space of a storage container atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the zucchini spirals. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the zucchini spirals to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

A packing sheet for discharging gas according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which a first layer and a second layer, which are configured such that gas flows between one surface and the other surface, are stacked, and includes: a lamination portion which is formed by partially laminating the first layer and the second layer; and a gap portion which is a region other than a region of the lamination portion and has a space formed between the first layer and the second layer so that the gas flows in the space. According to the packing sheet for discharging gas, a space, in which gas may flow, is formed by partially laminating the first layer having fine bores and the second layer made of a gas-permeable waterproof material, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a liquid leakage while smoothly discharging the gas created in the container.

A container includes a base, a lid, and a hinge that connects the base and lid. The containers may be configured to be vertically stackable in an closed position and still permit venting via vents in the lid of each container. The containers may also be nested in an open position with indentations in the base to facilitate separation of the containers. The indentations may be in one of two positions with an alternating pattern when the containers are in the nested arrangement.

A system and method for storing, shipping, preserving and ripening produce. Packaging of respiring produce, particularly avocados, in sealed tray systems. The tray systems include a lower bowl-shaped tray having an upper lip to which a flexible film is adhered. The flexible film has an aperture covered by a breathable membrane. The film permits passage of water vapor to reduce the chance of mold formation during packaging and shipping. The breathable membrane controls gaseous exchange at different temperatures and has pores that open above the threshold temperature. The breathable membrane alters the O.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 within the tray above the threshold temperature, thus slowing up the ripening process at elevated temperatures.

A vent valve for a closed tank, the vent valve being provided in an upper surface of the closed tank storing liquid, may include an upper housing provided with an upper air hole disposed outside the closed tank; a lower housing provided with a lower air hole disposed inside the closed tank; and a valve core provided in a housing space area surrounded by the upper housing and the lower housing and providing a ventilation path through which only gas passes between the upper air hole and the lower air hole.

A wrapper and three-dimensional package for toasted and other hot food items that includes a sheet with an array of perforations extending through the sheet material between an inner face of the sheet material adapted to contact the food item, and an opposite, outer face of the sheet material. Spicules are formed from the sheet material surrounding each of the perforations and extending away from the inner face of the sheet material. The spicules form standoffs defining an air gap between the food item and the sheet material when the food item is contained in the wrapper, with the spicules engaging an outer surface of the food item to enable lateral migration of steam from the food item, along the air gap and through the perforations.

A ventilated container for produce includes a bottom, sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom, and a rim having a flattened top surface. The sidewalls include at least one ventilation opening located proximate the rim of the container thereby permitting the rim of the container to be generally flat and uninterrupted. The location of ventilation opening(s) proximate the rim of the container allows the flow of rising ethylene gas within the container to exit near the top of the container improving ventilation within the container. A plastic film can be applied over the top of the container and is adhered to the container with an adhesive to form a secure and rigid seal between the film and the container. The flattened surface of the rim improves the adherence between a film and the container to enclose and seal the container, aids the rigidity of the container, and lessens the likelihood of the edges of the rim being bent or folded when pressure is exerted to protect produce provided within the container. Moreover, an aperture on the bottom of the container provides drainage of liquid from the container and allow air to flow.