Stay-fresh food container

Abstract

A container for storing a food product includes a receptacle and a plunger slidably movable along an inner wall of the receptacle. The plunger includes a support surface for the food product and a seal configured to form a seal between the support surface and the inner wall. A rounded lid with an apex is configured to be sealingly coupled to the receptacle. The lid includes a vent located at the apex.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for storing a food product, the container comprising:
 a receptacle having a first open end and an opposing second open end;   a piston configured for at least partial disposal within the receptacle and including a surface to support the food product;   a lid securable to the first open end of the receptacle; and   an engaging member engageable through the second open end of the receptacle with the piston for movement relative to the receptacle, wherein upon the relative movement, the surface is slidable within the receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent located on the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes a curved portion, and wherein the vent is centrally located at an apex of the curved portion. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising a cap engageable with the vent to selectively seal the vent. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the cap is pivotally coupled to the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the lid includes a plurality of latches to removably couple the lid to the first open end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a peripheral seal configured to form a seal between the surface and the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral seal is integrally formed as a single piece with the surface. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a receiving portion having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recesses, and wherein the engaging portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that cooperate with the recesses to couple the engaging portion to the piston. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the piston includes a plurality of ridges that define a contact area for contact with the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is in the form of a cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a tray having a central bore configured to receive the receptacle therein. 
     
     
         13 . A container for storing a food product, the container comprising:
 a receptacle;   a plunger slidably movable along an inner wall of the receptacle, the plunger including
 a support surface for the food product, and 
 a seal configured to form a seal between the support surface and the inner wall; and 
   a rounded lid having an apex and configured to be sealingly coupled to the receptacle, the lid including a vent located at the apex.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising an engaging portion engageable with the plunger to facilitate sliding the plunger along the inner wall. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the plunger includes a receiving portion having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recesses, and wherein the engaging portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections that cooperate with the recesses to couple the engaging portion to the plunger. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap configured to selectively seal the vent. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle is in the form of a cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . A method of storing a food product, the method comprising:
 placing the food product on a surface of a plunger at least partially disposed within a receptacle;   coupling a lid having a curved portion with an apex and a sealable vent hole at the apex to an end of the receptacle; and   displacing the plunger toward the apex.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising sealing the vent hole.