Fast freeze container and seal

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.

1 . A reusable flexible seal removably mountable to the rim of a container, comprising:
 a flexible main portion;   a peripheral ring surrounding said flexible main portion adapted to engage said rim of said container; wherein,   said flexible main portion is dimensioned and configured to generally eliminate the head space over the contents of the container when assembled on the container.   
   
   
       2 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent means attached to said peripheral ring operable to create a gap between a portion of an upper sealing surface of the container rim and a portion of a lower surface of said peripheral ring. 
   
   
       3 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible main portion is made from silicone. 
   
   
       4 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible main portion further comprises at least one side wall having an upper edge integrally molded to said peripheral ring and a bottom wall having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said lower surface contacts the foodstuff contents of the container as the bottom wall conforms to the shape and configuration of the foodstuff contents. 
   
   
       5 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 2 , wherein the peripheral ring further comprises a downwardly extending leg having an annular flange at a tip thereof, and wherein the lower surface of the peripheral ring becomes flush against the upper sealing surface of the container rim when the reusable flexible seal is in an assembled sealed position over the container. 
   
   
       6 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 5 , wherein said vent means further comprises at least one tab extending inwardly from said downwardly extending leg of said peripheral ring, wherein said at least one tab may rest on said upper surface of said container rim to create said gap. 
   
   
       7 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 5 , wherein the container rim further comprises a downwardly extending leg adapted to removably engage the annular flange of said flexible seal. 
   
   
       8 . A reusable flexible seal removably mountable to the rim of a container, comprising:
 a flexible main portion;   a peripheral ring surrounding said flexible main portion adapted to engage said rim of said container; wherein,   said flexible main portion generally conforms and contacts an upper surface of food contents of the container when said reusable flexible seal is assembled in a sealing position over the container.   
   
   
       9 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 8 , further comprising a vent means attached to said peripheral ring operable to create a gap between a portion of an upper sealing surface of the container rim and a portion of a lower surface of said peripheral ring. 
   
   
       10 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 8 , wherein said flexible main portion is made from silicone. 
   
   
       11 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 10 , wherein said flexible main portion further comprises at least one side wall having an upper edge integrally molded to said peripheral ring and a bottom wall having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein said lower surface contacts the foodstuff contents of the container as the bottom wall conforms to the shape and configuration of the foodstuff contents. 
   
   
       12 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 9 , wherein the peripheral ring further comprises a downwardly extending leg having an annular flange at a tip thereof, and wherein the lower surface of the peripheral ring becomes flush against the upper sealing surface of the container rim when the reusable flexible seal is in an assembled sealed position over the container. 
   
   
       13 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 12 , wherein said vent means further comprises at least one tab extending inwardly from said downwardly extending leg of said peripheral ring, wherein said at least one tab may rest on said upper surface of said container rim to create said gap. 
   
   
       14 . The reusable flexible seal of  claim 12 , wherein the container rim further comprises a downwardly extending leg adapted to removably engage the annular flange of said flexible seal.