Oh, patents! Rubbermaid® Freshworks™

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Keep your typically unrefrigerated produce, such as tomatoes or bananas, fresher, for longer periods of time, on the countertop. Rubbermaid® Freshworks™ containers are designed to regulate the flow of oxygen and CO2, in and out of the container, using a patented venting system in the lid, and by raising the produce from the bottom of the container, on a Crisptray, which promotes airflow and prevents spoilage. The lid filter is also designed to last a lifetime. In other words, it never has to be changed.

Time Magazine-selected as one of the best 50 inventions in 2018, Rubbermaid® Freshworks™ is an invention disclosed in the US patent application  US20190084756A1, titled  Container with gas and/or liquid permeable membrane, filed earlier this year.

The application discloses a container with an upper lid portion and a lower container portion. The lower portion is the receptacle portion for storage of fruits or vegetables. The lower portion comprises legs to elevate the container above the countertop or other surfaces, allowing airflow, and preventing any transfer of heat from the countertop or surface to the fruits or vegetables stored inside the container. The legs are also designed to facilitate stacking of the containers, one on top of the other, while providing airflow between stacked containers. The bottom interior surface of the container is dimpled, in such a way that any moisture arising from condensation is collected in the “valleys” between raised dimples, while the fruits and vegetables sit on the dimple “peaks”, instead of flat on the bottom of the container, on pooled condensation, accelerating spoilage.

The upper lid portion of the container comprises vapor and gas permeable membranes, respectively preventing excess humidity and the accumulation of gases inside the container, both of which cause spoilage of fruits and vegetables. The application further discloses various alternative aspects of the lid and receptacle portions, embodying this invention. 

The abstract of this invention is included below, together with the exploded Figure 3 drawing of the invention lid. The exploded Figure 3 drawing shows top 50 and bottom 55 portions of the lid, together with a vapor-permeable membrane 75, regulating the humidity of the container, and a perforated sealing grid 70, designed to regulate the flow of gases within the container. The perforated sealing grid further comprises three raised standoff members 74, designed to facilitate the connection between the sealing grid 70 and the top portion 50 of the lid, which is also permeable. The figure drawing further depicts the shape and grid pattern layout of the sealing grid apertures 73. The recessed area 60 on the front of the top portion 50 of the lid is designed both to facilitate opening the lid, and to cooperate with the front handle 40 of the lower portion of the lid 55.

A food storage container is provided that may be used to increase shelf life of produce stored therein. The food storage container is preferably used to contain produce that is often not refrigerated, and thus subject to increased humidity levels when stored inside a sealed container. The container preferably includes each of a container portion and a lid member and a container portion, wherein the lid member may be attached and removed to the container portion. The lid member may include upper and lower lid members that are also selectively engageable with one another. A water vapor permeable membrane layer is preferably secured between the upper and lower lid members to help control humidity levels within the container portion. In some embodiments, a gas permeable membrane layer may be present between the upper and lower lid members for controlling gas flow into and out of the container portion as well. [Abstract US20190084756A1]

Reference

Rubbermaid®

http://www.rubbermaid.com
Time Magazine 2018 Best 50 inventions
https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2018/