Food Storage System

Abstract

A vented polymer bag may keep an ideal environment for produce preservation. Closable vents respond to air pressure inside the bag and in particular vent the accumulation of ethylene emitted by the produce. A fibrous liner may also be added to maintain a desired level of humidity. Placing a wet liner increases humidity while a dry liner removes moisture from the environment inside the bag.

Claims

1. A food storage system comprising: a. a flexible outer container featuring a plurality of closable vents on a surface; and b. a fibrous moisture control liner, insertable within the outer container.

2. The food storage system of claim 1, the outer container being a polymer bag.

3. The food storage system of claim 1, the plurality of closable vents each further comprising a flap anchored on the outer container.

4. A food storage system comprising a flexible outer container featuring a plurality of closable vents on a surface.

5. The food storage system of claim 4, the outer container being a polymer bag.

6. The food storage system of claim 4, the plurality of closable vents each further comprising a flap anchored on the outer container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of a vented bag for use in the system.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a fibrous liner for use in the system.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the vented bag of FIG. 1 and fibrous liner of FIG. 2, in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the food storage system is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, a polymer bag 10, or other flexible outer container, is provided with a plurality of vents 15 along its surface. This bag 10 then forms the first containment defense of the produce against the exterior environment. Vents 15 may be formed by creating slits in the bag walls. Any shape may be used, but the preference is for a slit which will leave a flap anchored to the bag 10 as this flap may then rest in either an open or closed configuration. A semi-circle or U shape tends to be ideal as the rounded part of the flap will have less of a chance to catch on objects and is easily produced. The flap will then open as pressures increase inside the bag with ethylene production and/or vapor pressure. As ethylene is expelled, the pressure releases, normalizing with the ambient atmosphere, and the vents close and seal the contents from the ambient environment. The polymer bag 10 may be have its main opening sealed by any means, including but not limited to ties and zipper closures, as is shown.

[0021] A woven fibrous liner 20 may also be placed in the bag (FIG. 2). The liner 20 may be placed in the bag with any level of humidity, whether dry or moist, in order to maintain a desired level of humidity inside the bag 10. Certain vegetables, such as leafy greens and herbs, tend to require a greater humidity in their environment while others, like cucumbers and zucchinis, tend to do better in a dryer environment, and possibly one that actually absorbs moisture. As such, the user may simply put a measured amount of water (or no water at all) on the liner 20 and place the liner 20 in the bag 10 with the produce 30. As the vents 15 are opened or closed, moisture levels in the bag 10 remain stable due to the presence of the fibrous liner 20, and an ideal environment for the produce 30 contained therein (FIG. 3).

[0022] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.