Apparatuses and methods are provided for storing and preserving product, such as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, liquid-exuding product is placed in a product containing space of a container atop a platform of a support structure. The container can include an internal compartment having the product containing space. The structure can define the platform for supporting the product. The internal compartment can further include a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. At least one of the platform or the support structure can be configured to direct liquid exuded from the product to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises or contains an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

A packaging container includes a body part, a lid part integrally engaged with the body part, an inner lid positioned between the body part and the lid part, a stored item containing part opening from an engaged portion of the lid part that is engaged with the body part, and configured to contain a stored item, a chemical agent containing part opening from the engaged portion of the lid part that is engaged with the body part, the chemical agent containing part being formed separately from the stored item containing part, and a ventilation path in which the stored item containing part and the chemical agent containing part are in communication, the ventilation path being formed in an inner space defined by the first member and the second member.

Methods and packages are provided for storing and preserving a cut mushroom product such as mushroom crumble or cut mushroom, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, a cut mushroom product is placed in a product containing space (14) of a storage container (10) atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment (12) having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the cut mushroom product. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir (18), configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the cut mushroom product to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material (20) for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

A container comprising a first compartment having a bottom portion, a side wall portion extending from the bottom portion up to an upper edge and a dispensing opening in the first compartment near the upper edge, said first compartment having a total volume V1 and said first compartment being suitable for containing ice cubes. The container further comprises a second compartment arranged below the first compartment when the container is in its upright position, said second compartment being separated from the first compartment by the bottom portion of the first compartment, said bottom portion having a drain opening through which water can pass from the first compartment to the second compartment, a volume V2 of the second compartment arranged underneath the drain opening being at least 10% of the volume V1 and said volume V2 and said drain opening being arranged such that ice cubes can be dispensed from the first compartment of the container by tipping the container around a horizontal axis and shaking the ice cubes out of the first compartment without ice melt water leaving the volume V2 when the volume of ice melt water is less than 10% of the volume of V1 and the container is tipped 95 degrees from its upright position. In this ways, a simple and easy way to dispense ice cubes is provided without risking undesired ice melt water from leaving the container.

A package for retaining a food item includes a tray with a base connected to at least one sidewall. The sidewall extends away from the base to a rim to define an inner chamber. The tray is made of a fluid impermeable material to retain fluids in the inner chamber. The package also includes a shelf made of the fluid impermeable material that is removably supported in the inner chamber such that the shelf is spaced apart from the base of the tray to permit an absorbent pad to be positioned therebetween. The shelf is configured to support the food item in the inner chamber separated from the absorbent pad.

A package for retaining a food item includes a tray with a base connected to at least one sidewall. The sidewall extends away from the base to a rim to define an inner chamber. The tray is made of a fluid impermeable material to retain fluids in the inner chamber. The package also includes a shelf made of the fluid impermeable material that is removably supported in the inner chamber such that the shelf is spaced apart from the base of the tray to permit an absorbent pad to be positioned therebetween. The shelf is configured to support the food item in the inner chamber separated from the absorbent pad.

Methods are provided for storing and preserving comestible crustacean material, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, comestible crustacean material is 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 comestible crustacean material. 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 comestible crustacean material to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

A method of heating or cooking liquid-exuding product includes placing the liquid-exuding product onto a package (10). The package includes a porous material (20), an absorbent material (21) and a tray (12). The porous material is attached to or contacts at least a portion of the tray. The absorbent material (21) is located between the porous material and the tray. The method includes heating or cooking the combined liquid-exuding product and package. At least some liquid exuded from the liquid-exuding product during heating or cooking travels through the porous material (20) and contacts at least some of the absorbent material (21).

Methods are provided for storing and preserving comestible crustacean material, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, comestible crustacean material is 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 comestible crustacean material. 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 comestible crustacean material to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

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.