Abstract: A reusable flexible seal is disclosed having a flexible main portion and a peripheral ring surrounding the flexible main portion adapted to engage the rim of a container. The flexible main portion includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and is dimensioned and configured to generally eliminate the head space over the contents of the container when assembled on the container. A venting mechanism includes at least one tab member extending inwardly from the peripheral ring for creating a gap between the lower surface of a portion of the peripheral ring and the upper surface of a portion of the edge of container wall.

Abstract: A container lid for engagement within an open mouth container including upper and lower panels with the lower panel including a peripheral upwardly directed flexible flange seal, the upper panel being upwardly convex and, in cooperation with positioning posts on the lower panel, being selectively downwardly flexed toward the lower panel for an outward movement of the peripheral edge of the upper panel against the flange seal by an enhanced fulcrum action of the upper panel about a fulcrum extending upward from the lower panel in closely spaced inward relation to the flange seal.

Abstract: A seal mountable to the rim of an open mouth container the seal including a resiliently flexible central panel separately formed from and intimately bonded to a substantially rigid peripheral mounting ring adapted to snap-mount to the rim of the container with the central panel being selectively flexible both inward and outward relative to the interior of the container for the accommodation of both overfilled and underfilled conditions through a variation in the head space beneath the mounted seal.

Abstract: A seal mountable to the rim of an open mouth container the seal including a resiliently flexible central panel separately formed from and intimately bonded to a substantially rigid peripheral mounting ring adapted to snap-mount to the rim of the container with the central panel being selectively flexible both inward and outward relative to the interior of the container for the accommodation of both overfilled and underfilled conditions through a variation in the head space beneath the mounted seal.

Abstract: A beverage container having a base and a cap threaded thereto, and which may be used with a spout mounted to the container mouth. The cap includes a shoulder section having a rim contact section to seal to the container upper rim when the spout is not employed. The shoulder section also includes a spout contact section having a cam surface. The spout includes a follower ridge which is engaged by the cam surface to retain the spout in position as the cap is rotated for removal. This permits the spout to vent any accumulated pressure from a stored carbonated beverage, and thus prevents the spout from being disengaged from the base due to the accumulated pressure.

Abstract: A manual sifter including a rotor overlying a sifter screen and rotatable in response to longitudinal reciprocation of a drive arm engaging a crank wheel fixed to the rotor. The drive arm includes a projecting pin engaged within an elongated slot of the crank wheel, the drive arm having a cam edge thereon engage with the crank wheel to vary the torque applied to the rotation of the crank wheel as the arm reciprocates.