Abstract: The invention is directed to storage containers and lids for storage containers which provide for a secure closure and a storage container which is airtight and leakproof. The lid includes a generally U-shaped closure made of a plastic material for securing to a container base; a center window also made of a plastic material and preferably the same as the U-shaped closure; and a thermoplastic material which provides for a sealing gasket on the underside of the U-shaped closure for mating with the container base and a perimeter seal on the outside of the U-shaped closure and around the outer circumference of the center window. The lid may further include a gripping tab made at least in part of thermoplastic material in the lid corner for opening or closing the container, and wings made of a thermoplastic material in one or more portions or corners of the lid.

Abstract: A flexible container includes a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, each extending upwardly from the bottom wall and each having a top end defining an opening into an interior of the container, and a top wall connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls. The top wall covers the opening. A continuous mesh layer is connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls and provides ventilation to the interior of the container. A flexible handle is attached to an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls. The handle includes multiple layers of flexible thermoplastic material connected together, with a first end of the handle being attached to (i) the at least one side wall near the top end thereof, and (ii) the continuous mesh layer.

Abstract: A flexible container includes a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, each extending upwardly from the bottom wall and each having a top end defining an opening into an interior of the container, and a top wall connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls. The top wall covers the opening. A continuous mesh layer is connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls and provides ventilation to the interior of the container. A flexible handle is attached to an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls. The handle includes multiple layers of flexible thermoplastic material connected together, with a first end of the handle being attached to (i) the at least one side wall near the top end thereof, and (ii) the continuous mesh layer.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material having stitching applied through the multiple layers and a portion of the handle is attached to the container wall.

Abstract: A gastight interface for an evacuation device includes a flexible suction cup adapted to form a gastight seal with a surface surrounding a valve disposed on a container and extending from an evacuation end of an evacuation chamber. The flexible suction cup has an aperture disposed therethrough for fluid communication with the evacuation chamber. A plurality of support members extends from the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to restrict movement of the flexible suction cup between the surface and the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber, to allow fluid communication between an interior of the container and the evacuation chamber through the valve when the valve is in an open position, while the piston is being reciprocated between the closed end and the evacuation end. Each support member has a distal surface disposed outside of an outer perimeter of the flexible suction cup.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a mesh material layer and a thermoplastic layer that forms a wall of the flexible container and is disposed external to the mesh material layer. A flexible handle is disposed external to the mesh material layer. The mesh material layer, the thermoplastic layer, and the flexible handle are joined by a set of stitching disposed therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is directed to storage containers and lids for storage containers which provide for a secure closure and a storage container which is airtight and leakproof. The lid of the present invention includes a generally U-shaped closure made of a plastic material for securing to a container base; a center window also made of a plastic material and preferably the same as the U-shaped closure; and a thermoplastic material which provides for a sealing gasket on the underside of the U-shaped closure for mating with the container base and a perimeter seal on the outside of the U-shaped closure and around the outer circumference of the center window. The lid may further include a gripping tab made at least in part of thermoplastic material in the lid corner for opening or closing the container, and wings made of a thermoplastic material in one or more portions or corners of the lid.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a mesh material layer and a thermoplastic layer that forms a wall of the flexible container and is disposed external to the mesh material layer. A flexible handle is disposed external to the mesh material layer. The mesh material layer, the thermoplastic layer, and the flexible handle are joined by a set of stitching disposed therethrough.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material having stitching applied through the multiple layers and a portion of the handle is attached to the container wall.

Abstract: A gastight interface for an evacuation device comprises a flexible suction cup adapted to form a gastight seal with a surface surrounding a valve disposed on a container and extending from an evacuation end of an evacuation chamber. The flexible suction cup has an aperture disposed therethrough for fluid communication with the evacuation chamber. A plurality of support members extends from the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to restrict movement of the flexible suction cup between the surface and the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to allow fluid communication between an interior of the container and the evacuation chamber through the valve when the valve is in an open position while the piston is being reciprocated between the closed end and the evacuation end. Each support member has a distal surface disposed outside of an outer perimeter of the flexible suction cup.

Abstract: A food storage container manufactured from silicone rubber is disclosed. The container can take the shape of a bowl and lid mounted thereto and is able to withstand a wide temperature range extending from below the freezing point of water to above the boiling point of water. In certain embodiments, the silicone rubber can be stiffened in desirable locations such as the side walls and bottom wall of the base of the container. The base can be so reinforced by fully encapsulating reinforcement members therein. The reinforcement members may be made of thermoset resins such as phenolic and melamine the reinforcement members may also be made of such materials as ceramics, glass, metal, and wood. The base may be alternatively reinforced by forming an external cage made of one of the aforementioned materials and fused to an external skin of the silicone rubber.

Abstract: A reclosable food storage bag able to withstand a wide temperature range manufactured from environmentally sensitive materials is disclosed. The bag can be manufactured from such materials as silicone rubber and thermoset resins. By using such materials, the bag can easily withstand the temperature ranges encountered in residential kitchens extending from the freezer to the oven and all ambient temperatures therebetween. In addition, by manufacturing the bag from such materials, the environmental impact of using petroleum based polymers is avoided.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for cutting and preparation of food items thereon includes a first cut resistant layer having an absorbent ply and a thermoplastic ply, wherein the thermoplastic ply includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. The sheet further includes a second liquid impervious layer including an absosrbent ply and a thermoplastic ply, wherein the absorbent ply of the second layer is disposed below and secured to the absorbent ply of the first layer. The cutting sheet further includes a score line disposed across the substrate for separating the cutting sheet into two portions, wherein the score line extends fully through the cutting sheet near edges of the cutting sheet to create a tear notch. The score line extends through the thermoplastic ply of the cut resistant layer in an area of the cutting sheet between the edges thereof.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for Processing food items thereon includes a cut-resistant layer including a thermoplastic material ply and an absorbent ply, wherein the first layer has a surface area and wherein the thermoplastic material of the first layer includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. The cutting sheet further includes a second layer including an absorbent ply selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic material, an oleophilic material, or a composite material having hydrophilic and oleophilic properties and a barrier ply including a thermoplastic material ply. The absorbent ply of the first layer is disposed atop and secured to the absorbent ply of the second layer such that portions of the thermoplastic and absorbent plies of the second layer form a border completely surrounding the first layer.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for processing food items thereon includes a first cut-resistant layer having a first surface area and including a first absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply. The cutting sheet further includes a second layer having a second surface area and including a second absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply, wherein the absorbent ply of the first layer is disposed atop and secured to the absorbent play of the second layer such that portions of the thermoplastic and absorbent plies of the second layer form a border completely surrounding the first layer. Preferably, the thermoplastic material ply of the first layer includes passages therethrough and means for lowering the surface tension of a liquid.

Abstract: A cutting sheet for cutting and preparation of food items thereon comprises a first cut-resistant layer having a width and including a first absorbent ply and a first thermoplastic material ply. The thermoplastic material ply of the first layer includes a plurality of apertures disposed in parallel rows. The cutting sheet also includes a second layer having a second absorbent ply and a second thermoplastic material ply, wherein the second absorbent ply is disposed below and secured to the first absorbent ply. A plurality of adhesive portions are disposed in parallel rows to secure the first layer to the second layer between the first and second absorbent plies. The rows of apertures in the thermoplastic material ply of the first layer and the rows of adhesive portions between the first and second absorbent plies are parallel to one another such that the rows alternate.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for cutting and preparation of food items thereon includes a first cut-resistant layer having a first surface area and including an absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply, wherein the thermoplastic material ply includes a plurality of apertures therein. The cutting sheet further includes a second layer having a second surface area and including an absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply. The absorbent ply of the first layer is disposed on and secured to the absorbent ply of the second layer such that portions of the thermoplastic and absorbent plies of the second layer extend beyond a surface area of the first layer to form a border completely surrounding the first layer. The thermoplastic material ply of the second layer is tinted a certain color for indicating absorption of the absorbent ply of the second layer.