Vacuum storage container

Abstract

A storage container for storing and preserving food items includes a base providing a storage cavity and an attachable lid. To evacuate air from the storage cavity after the base and lid have been attached, the storage container may include a one-way valve element communicating with the storage cavity. The overall storage container can be sufficiently rigid so that it has an initial size and volume when in its un-evacuated condition. During evacuation, the air pressure within the storage cavity is reduced compared to the air pressure of the surrounding environment. This pressure differential can result in a compressive force being applied about the container. At least one of the base or lid can be made relatively flexible so that, when evacuated, the volume of the storage container is reduced.

1 . A storage container comprising:
 a base including a base sidewall providing a storage cavity accessible by an opening;   a lid attachable to the base for covering the opening; and   a one-way valve element communicating with the storage cavity;   wherein at least one of the base and lid is relatively flexible.   
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is comparatively flexible with respect to the comparatively rigid base. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 2 , wherein the container has a first condition in which the lid attached to the base is generally planar across the opening and a second condition in which the lid depends through the opening into the storage cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes flexible zones and rigid zones. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible zones have a first material thickness and the rigid zones have a second material thickness, the first material thickness being less than the second material thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible zones have a first modulus of elasticity and the rigid zones have a second modulus of elasticity, the first modulus being less than the second modulus. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 2 , wherein substantially the whole lid is elastic. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 7 , wherein the material of the lid includes a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 2 , wherein the lid is comprised of a flexible sheet of thermoplastic material attachable to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible sheet includes a plurality of protrusions formed on its surface. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the base is comparatively flexible with respect to the comparatively rigid lid. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container of  claim 11 , wherein the base includes a relatively rigid rim and a collapsible sidewall operatively connected to the rim. 
     
     
         13 . The storage container of  claim 12 , wherein the base has a first normal condition in which the sidewall depends from the rim and a second evacuated condition in which the sidewall is substantially collapsed within the rim. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 11 , wherein the base includes a plurality of telescoping folds nestable together. 
     
     
         15 . A storage container comprising:
 a base including a base sidewall having a circular tongue projecting upwards from the sidewall, the base providing a storage cavity accessible by an opening;   a lid including a ridge having a groove and extending generally around and proximate to the lid peripheral edge, the lid attachable to the base for covering the opening; and   a one-way valve element communicating with the storage cavity;   wherein at least one of the base and lid is relatively flexible.   
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 15 , wherein the lid is comparatively flexible with respect to the comparatively rigid base. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 16 , wherein the container has a first condition in which the lid attached to the base is generally planar across the opening and a second condition in which the lid depends through the opening into the storage cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 16 , wherein the lid includes flexible zones and rigid zones. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible zones have a first material thickness and the rigid zones have a second material thickness, the first material thickness being less than the second material thickness. 
     
     
         20 . A method of storing and preserving food items comprising:
 (i) providing a storage container including a base defining a storage cavity, an attachable lid, and a valve element communicating with the storage cavity, wherein at least one of the base and lid is flexible;   (ii) inserting food items into the storage cavity;   (iii) attaching the lid to the base to enclose the storage cavity;   (iv) evacuating air from the storage cavity through the one-way valve element while simultaneously reducing the volume of the storage container.