Food storage containers

Abstract

A lid for a food storage container includes a lid defining a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body. The lid also includes a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening to impede air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released. The lid further includes a pressure indicating dome defining a cavity therein, the dome in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening, the dome having a membrane that collapses toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lid for a food storage container, the lid comprising: 
 a lid body defining a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body;    a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening to impede air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released;    a pressure indicating dome defining a cavity therein, the dome in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening, the dome comprising a membrane that collapses toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.    
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient layer in contact with the membrane.  
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient layer comprises a spring sheet.  
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient layer comprises an elastomeric polymer.  
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the cover defines an indicator opening, and wherein the membrane, under certain container pressure conditions, extends through the indicator opening.  
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane is formed of a plastic resin.  
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 6 , wherein the plastic resin is selected to maintain dimensional stability of the membrane over a temperature range between −40° C. and 100° C.  
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve.  
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 8 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a movable sealing tab.  
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure indicating dome is integrally connected with the sealing tab.  
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is pivotably connected to the lid body by a hinge.  
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure indicating dome comprises a spring.  
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure indicating dome comprises a resilient material.  
     
     
         14 . A lid for a food storage container, the lid comprising: 
 a lid body defining a vent opening therethrough;    a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening to impede air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released, the releasable cover defining an evacuation opening;    a membrane that covers the vent hole until the cover is released; and    a driving element connected to the membrane at one end and disposed within the evacuation opening at another end.    
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane comprises an elastomeric plastic.  
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane is a one-way valve.  
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the driving element defines a rim.  
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the driving element is integrally connected to the membrane.  
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the cover defines a surface extending about the evacuation opening and adapted to receive a sealing lip of a vacuum pump.  
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the lid body comprises a plastic resin selected to maintain dimensional stability of the membrane over a temperature range of between −40° C. and 100° C.