Abstract:
A device for storing food products in combination with a component, such as a plate or a bowl, such that a visual indication of secure engagement is provided and the device does not require a specific corresponding mating structure in order to provide an air-tight seal between said device and the component.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to food storage container arts in general and, more particularly, to the art of sealing leftover food by the use of a self-sealing food storage device that is adapted to function with a variety of enclosing bases and functions without the need for a specifically configured mating base. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the food storage arts, plastic bags were previously used to store food products enclosed therein. Plastic bags evolved into resealable bags, such as the well known ZIP-LOC® bag, that provides a reusable storage bag. In addition, cellophane or saran wrap have been used to cover bowls or dishes enclosing food products therein; however, the thin film does not lend itself to stacking other items thereon. 
     Various types of food storage devices are also known having the common feature of employing a cover which is removably affixed to a mating base, whereby the cover is adapted to solely engage the specifically designed corresponding base to enclose food products therein. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,152 to Poslinski et al. discloses a food storage container having a base with a sealing flange and a lid with a sealing lip which are arranged such that the sealing flange and sealing lip engage one another in a mating manner. 
     The prior art does not address the need for a self-sealing lid that is capable of functioning with a variety of containers. In addition, the prior art fails to provide a self-sealing lid that is rigid in nature and capable of being stacked during refrigeration. Also, the prior art fails to provide a self-sealing food storage container that provides a visual indication that the lid is in an engaged state. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of food storage containers, which shortcomings are addressed by the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved food storage device. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a food storage device that is readily adapted to function with plates, bowls, dishes or trays of varying sizes or shapes. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a reusable food storage device that is capable of repeated use. 
     It is another objective of the invention to provide a cost-efficient food storage device both in manufacture and use. 
     It is another objective of the invention to provide a food storage device that is durable and capable of stacking. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a food storage device that does not require a specifically configured mating portion for enclosing the food. 
     It is a further objective of the invention to provide a food storage device that can be used in a microwave oven. 
     It is still a further object of the invention to provide a food storage device with an engaging mechanism that can provide a visual indication of proper engagement. 
     In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique food storage device is disclosed wherein the device is capable of engaging a variety of components, such as plates, bowls, trays, dishes and the like. In addition, by providing a substantially rigid body, the device lends itself to being stacked. One aspect of the preferred embodiment, has a substantially planar surface to allow stacking of multiple devices upon one another. 
     In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a structure is provided that encloses an opening defined by the surface, whereby the structure functions to expel air from within the food storage cavity defined by said outer surface. A suction seal is thereby formed between a peripherally extending member that is attached to the surface, or a wall extending from the surface, and a gas impermeable suction seal is thereby formed within the cavity. The structure allows a visual indication of a secure suction seal because it may be held below the plane of the surface when the device is engaged. In addition, the lateral expansion of the first member upon engagement allows a further visual indication of the gas impermeable seal. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide at least one protrusion that is grasped by the fingers of a user and allows the suction seal to be disengaged by the application of a force in a direction distal to the component. 
     Such stated objects and advantages of preferred embodiments of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of setting forth a preferred embodiment of the invention via illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a food storage device of the instant invention in an unengaged state. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the food storage device in an unengaged state. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the food storage device in an engaged state with a plate taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the food storage device in an unengaged state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a food storage device generally designated by reference numeral  10  is illustrated. It is to be understood that although the invention is illustrated as having a preferred substantially cylindrical shape with a generally flat top, that other shapes may also be utilized without departing from the essence of the invention. For purposes of illustration, but not limitation, device  10  may be dome shaped or rectangular and designed to enclose food therein. 
     Device  10  has a surface  12  with a substantially peripheral wall  14  extending therefrom. Wall  14  has an upper end  16  and a lower end  18 , whereby upper end  16  is in communication with surface  12  and lower end  18  is distal to the surface  12 . In a preferred embodiment, surface  12  and wall  14  are substantially rigid and constructed of clear hard plastic or any other substantially rigid material that may be used in conjunction with a microwave oven. However, it is to be understood that surface  12  and wall  14  may also be opaque and constructed of any other substantially rigid material such as, glass, ceramics or the like. 
     Now also referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , a first member  20  extends from lower end  18  and is substantially flexible. In a preferred embodiment, first member  20  is constructed of synthetic rubber and is attached to lower end  18  via an extrusion of liquid plastic or adhesive. In the preferred embodiment described herein, first member  20  is substantially annular and extends circumferentially from lower end  18 , but may be of any shape which corresponds with the shape of lower end  18 . As such, the interior of device  10  defines a cavity  22  within which food may be stored. 
     Now referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , a component  24  acts as an engaging surface upon which first member  20  rests. Component  24  may be a dish, bowl, plate or tray or the like to which first member  20  can engage such that any food to be stored is maintained within cavity  22 . However, component  24  does not have to be specifically designed to mate with first member  20 . It is merely sufficient that component  24  have a substantially even region such that first member  20  may rest upon the even region. 
     A structure  26  is located on device  10  and is adapted to reduce pressure within cavity  22  by displacing air therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, an opening  27  is defined through surface  12  and structure  26  attaches to surface  12  and encloses opening  27 . Structure  26  is attached to surface  12  via the application an extrusion of liquid plastic or adhesive at an outer periphery of structure  26  and the opening  27  defined by surface  12 ; however, it is to be understood that structure  26  may also be located on wall  14  or take the form of a removable pump (not shown) as is known in the art that displaces air by the use of a one-way valve located on first member  20 . In the instant preferred embodiment, structure  26  is formed of flexible synthetic rubber, is substantially dome shaped and is resilient in nature. 
     In order to enclose food within cavity  22 , device  10  is placed over the food such that first member  20  rests upon component  24 . Pressure is applied to surface  12  by a user&#39;s hand (not shown) such that first member  20  extends outwardly from a central axis. Structure  26  is then pressed inwardly toward cavity  22 , thereby expelling air outwardly from in between the engagement of first member  20  and component  24 . As such, the pressure within cavity  22  is reduced in relation to the atmospheric pressure and a suction seal is formed between first member  20  and component  24 . In addition, as a result of the decreased pressure within cavity  22 , structure  26  is maintained in an inwardly shaped position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and provides a visual indication to the user that the seal between first member  20  and component  24  is secure. Furthermore, a visual indication of a secure engagement is provided by the flattened nature of first member  20  as a result of the suction pressure applied during engagement. Such secure engagement between first member  20  and component  24  prevents air flow between cavity  22 , wherein food is maintained, and the outside environment thereby delaying decomposition and prevents odor seepage or exchange during refrigeration. 
     In order to release the suction seal between first member  20  and component  24 , at least one protrusion  28  is provided on an outer surface  30  such that protrusion  28  may be gripped by a user&#39;s fingers and an opposing force applied to disengage the seal between first member  20  and component  24 . Upon disengagement of the seal between first member  20  and component  24 , air is reintroduced into cavity  22  and structure  26  extends outwardly and to its pre-engaged position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.