Abstract:
A fresh produce keeper includes a vessel having a floor and upwardly extending sidewalls. Holes in the floor allow the vessel to be used as a colander or strainer to rinse produce, while a lid fits over the floor to retain water within the vessel, thereby allowing the same vessel to be used for both rinsing and service or storage. An internal divider and air vent is also provided in some examples of the invention.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority to provisional patent application 60/824,230 filed on Aug. 31, 2006, the text of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to containers for storing produce. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fresh produce requires particular attention in order to preserve its freshness as long as possible. Airflow and moisture are especially important. While a fruit or vegetable is whole prior to peeling, chopping, or the like, it is easily stored in a produce drawer of a refrigerator. After the produce has been peeled or cut it generally must be stored in a container. The typical container is sealed and does not provide the proper moisture and airflow needed to maintain the freshness of the produce. 
     Produce must also generally be washed in order to remove soil and pesticide residues. Often a person will eat only a small amount of produce at a time. It is inconvenient to wash a small amount every time one wants to eat fresh produce. However, one cannot simply wash produce and return it to the produce drawer of a refrigerator where it will get other produce wet and pick up soil and pesticide residue from other produce. Washed produce also cannot be placed in a sealed container where the water remaining in direct contact with the produce will not be allowed to evaporate and thereby promote mold and bacteria growth. 
     Although produce is healthy, the processing and storage requirements make it less convenient for snacking than much less healthy processed foods. It would therefore be an advancement in the art to provide a convenient system for storing washed or cut produce for ready access while still controlling moisture and air flow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a produce storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the produce storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the produce storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a lid for use with the produce storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a vent and cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a container  10  according to one embodiment of the invention includes a vessel  12  sized to store a quantity of produce, an upper lid  14  and a lower lid  16 . The vessel  12  is preferably transparent to permit viewing of its contents, but need not be transparent within the scope of the invention. A floor  18  of the vessel  12  has one or more passages  20  such as slots or holes formed therein to permit fluid to pass through the floor  18 . The lower lid  16  is securable under the floor  18  to retain fluid passing through the passages  20 . 
     In use, produce is placed in the vessel  12  without the upper and lower lid  14 ,  16  in place. In this form, the vessel acts as a colander or strainer for the produce. The produce is then rinsed with the rinsing water passing through the passages  20  and out of the vessel. If the produce is to be stored, preferably both the upper and lower lids are placed on the vessel  12 . Alternatively, only the lower lid  14  is replaced to prevent leakage of remnants of the rinse water when the container  10  is placed on a countertop, table, or in the refrigerator. 
     The lower and upper lid secure to the vessel  12  by means of a friction fit. For example, the upper and lower lids  14 ,  16  may each have a rim  22  sized to elastically deform when fitted over the top and bottom, respectively, of the vessel  12  such that the restoring force maintains the lids  14 ,  16  secured to the vessel  12  and creates a substantial seal between the lids  14 ,  18  and the vessel  12 . One or both of the lids may also employ flange-and-groove, snap-fit, suction, or other mechanisms for securing the lid in a water-tight manner. 
     The vessel  12  may include a base  24  interposed between the floor  18  and the lower lid  18 . The base  24  may serve to define a volume between the floor  18  and the lower lid  16  into which water or other fluid may drain through the passages  20  when the lower lid  16  is in place, rather than remaining in contact with produce stored within the vessel  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  24  is a lip extending downwardly and outwardly from the floor  18 . The lid  16  secures to the base  24  and forms a substantial seal with the base  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a divider  26  may be placed within the vessel  12  to create separate compartments such that different types of produce may be stored separately. The divider  26  may include a number of holes or passages  28  to enable air flow between the compartments. The vessel  12  includes one or more channels or receptacles  30  within the wall of the vessel that are sized to receive the divider  26  and maintain the divider  26  in an upright orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacles  30  are embodied as slots or grooves engaging the edges of the divider  26 . The divider  26  may include ears  32  engaging the walls of the vessel  12 . The ears  32  and engagement of the divider  26  with the receptacles  30  may serve to stably hold the divider  26  in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the upper lid  14 , lower lid  16 , or both, includes one or more posts  34  sized and positioned to insert within one or more mating holes  28  on the divider  26 . When the divider  26  is not needed the divider  26  can be positioned over the posts  34  such that the divider  26  will be held in place adjacent the lid and readily available when needed. The posts  34  may include a detent mechanism, such as a slight enlargement or lip near the distal end in order to resist removal of the divider  26  from the lid  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a vent  36  may be formed in the vessel  12  to permit airflow. A cover  38  may secure to the vessel  12  in order to completely or partially cover the vent  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vent  36  includes two perforated areas  40  formed within a sidewall of the vessel and shaped as two segments of a circle; as shown, each perforated segment is approximately a quarter of the circle. An aperture  42  is provided at the center of the circle. A vent cover  38  is formed as two flanges  44  corresponding in size and position to the perforated areas  40 . The vent cover  38  secures within the aperture  42 , for example using a post  46  engaging the aperture  42  by means of a press fit or snap-on connection. When the cover  38  is positioned within the aperture  42 , the flanges  44  are rotatable to selectively cover, uncover, or partially cover the perforated areas  40 . The perforated areas may be located on either side of the location of the divider  26  such that both compartments of the vessel  12  are ventilated. Alternatively, a separate vent  36  and cover  38  may be provided for each compartment. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment.