US20190084756A1

US20190084756A1 - Container with gas and/or liquid permeable membrane

Info

Publication number: US20190084756A1
Application number: US16/135,128
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathryn Maxwell; Kenneth W. Hull; Mitren Thakor; Greg Shoemaker; Timothy Pierzynski; Mark Alan Zavada
Original assignee: Rubbermaid Inc
Current assignee: Rubbermaid Inc
Priority date: 2017-09-19
Filing date: 2018-09-19
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/560,616, filed Sep. 19, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to food storage containers, and more particularly to a storage container for storing produce therein. The food storage container is preferably designed to contain produce that typically sits on a counter or other surface, rather than in a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known in the art of food storage that some produce lasts longer when stored in containers that are not completely sealed, but instead are at least in part exposed to atmosphere. Certain types of produce breathe, releasing carbon dioxide which can build up inside a container. Carbon dioxide building within a container can have negative effects on the produce, such as off smells, bad tastes or the like. Therefore, providing airflow into and out of a container can extend the edible life of the produce. As such, vented produce containers are often utilized to keep produce fresher for a longer period of time. Several products available today attempt to address the issue. For example, in some cases, modified atmosphere may be used for produce preservation. In other cases, some existing containers help maintain the freshness for produce that is typically stored in the refrigerator, such as strawberries or leafy greens. However, such containers may not work well for produce that is typically stored outside of a refrigerator, such as tomatoes or bananas.
Additionally, produce that is stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container will generate increased humidity. However, these increased humidity levels are of less concern, because the lower temperature inside the refrigerator prevents or delays mold growth. However, such high humidity can cause problems for produce stored inside a sealed container at ambient temperatures. For example, high humidity encourages mold growth on the produce, especially at ambient (approximately 70° F.) temperatures. Further, high levels of moisture within a produce container outside the refrigerator can cause the produce to absorb the moisture and become too soft. As such, a solution for storing and preserving produce is needed on the marketplace that aims to prevent mold growth and produce from becoming soft. The solution should be simple, and it should extend the shelf life of produce.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A food storage container is provided that may be used to store and preserve produce typically stored on kitchen counters or other surfaces outside of a refrigerator. The food storage container preferably includes each of a lid member and a container portion wherein the lid member is releasably engageable with the container portion. The lid member preferably includes a handle that helps a user to remove the lid member from the container portion. The container portion may be similar to other containers long known and understood in the art because it includes a repository for storing produce therein.
The lid portion of the storage container preferably includes each of an upper lid member and a lower lid member. Each of the upper and lower lid members are preferably provided with a plurality of apertures to allow regulated, controlled flow of air, water vapor, and other gases into and out of the container. The result is a higher level of humidity and carbon dioxide inside the container as compared to ambient levels outside the container, but lower levels of both than would exist in the container without apertures. This breathability may help in part to preserve the shelf life of produce contained within the storage container.
A membrane layer is preferably provided between the upper and lower lid members. The membrane layer may either be water vapor permeable or water vapor and gas permeable. When it is the latter, two membrane layers may be placed side by side, with one layer being water vapor permeable, and the second being gas permeable. The permeability of the water vapor permeable membrane preferably allows a controlled rate of water vapor passage through its membrane, thus regulating and preventing undesirably high levels of humidity within the storage container. Similarly, the permeability of the gas permeable membrane preferably regulates oxygen and carbon dioxide passage therethrough to maintain desirable levels. Excess amounts of such gases are thus able to escape the storage container, and are less likely to contribute to the spoiling of produce within the container.
The membrane (or membranes) is preferably selectively engageable between the upper and lower lid members. A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) grid member may also be provided to further seal the upper and lower lid members to one another and prevent excess humidity or humidity and gases from escaping. As produce respirates, it uses up available oxygen within the container. The membrane(s) allow some oxygen into the container to allow the produce to continue to breathe. Preferably, each of the upper and lower lid members includes structural supports that align with one another. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane layer is placed between the support structures so as to further be secured between the upper and lower lid members. The support structures also preferably align with one another so that the upper and lower lid members do not bow or otherwise weaken with repeated use over time.
A bottom, interior surface of the container portion of the food storage container is preferably dimpled. As such, it preferably includes each of peaks and valleys. Condensation and other moisture from the produce stored therein preferably falls into the valleys, and the produce itself rests on the peaks. That way, the produce does not soften or mold by sitting in liquid that accumulates in the valleys of the dimpled interior surface.
The food storage container may be provided in a plurality of sizes and shapes to accommodate a variety of different types of produce. Moreover, the lid portion of the food storage container may be modified for use with a variety of different types of produce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a food storage container constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the food storage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a lid member of the food storage container of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional perspective view of the lid member of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional perspective view of the lid member of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a third cross-sectional perspective view of the lid member of FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the food storage container of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternative food storage container constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a food storage container 1 that preferably uses one or more permeable membranes to regulate water vapor, or water vapor and other gas flow, into and out of the container 1 to extend the edible shelf life of produce. A container 1 would typically be stored on a kitchen counter or other surface at ambient temperatures, and not in a refrigerator. The food storage container 1 may take on a number of shapes and sizes, but the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 is substantially cube-shaped.
Like other containers known and understood in the art, the food storage container 1 includes each of an upper portion 5 and a lower portion 10. At the upper portion 5 of the food storage container 1, the food storage container 1 is preferably provided with a lid member 15. The lower portion 10 is preferably formed as a container portion 20. The container portion 20, as known and understood in the art, includes a repository in which fruit, vegetables and other produce may be stored.
At the lower portion 10 of the food storage container 1, the container portion 20 is provided with leg members 25 that extend downwardly from the container portion 20. The leg members 25 help to elevate the food storage container 1 from a kitchen counter surface or other surface on which the food storage container 1 may rest. When the food storage container 1 is not in use, it does not abut the counter surface, and air is able to flow freely under the food storage container 1. Air flow underneath the food storage container 1 may help prevent temperature transfer from the counter surface to contents being stored within the container portion 20 of the food storage container 1. In addition, leg members 25 may help with stacking of the container 1 with other containers. When containers like the container 1 are stacked on top of one another, the leg members 25 provide a gap between adjacent containers to allow for air flow there between. Such air flow preferably allows technology of the containers to operate effectively and not defeat the purpose of the containers, namely keeping their contents fresh.
The food storage container 1 preferably includes each of a front portion 30 and a rear portion 35. The front portion 30 preferably includes a handle member 40 which may be used to separate the lid member 15 from the container portion 20 to access produce therein, or to help secure the lid member 15 to the container portion 20.
Turning to FIG. 2, at the lower portion 10 of the food storage container 1, an exterior bottom surface 45 is provided. The bottom surface 45 is preferably dimpled, as will be discussed below when describing FIG. 7.
The lid member 15 is illustrated in FIG. 3 in an exploded perspective view. As shown, the lid member 15 preferably includes each of an upper lid member 50 and a lower lid member 55 which are selectively engageable with one another. The upper lid member 50 may include a recessed portion 60 at the front portion 30 of the lid member 50. The recessed portion 60 is preferably provided to receive the handle member 40 which is positioned and located at the front portion 30 of the lower lid member 55. Other locations and configurations for the handle member 40 are envisioned.
The lower lid member 55 may include a recessed perimeter 65 on an upper portion 67. The recessed perimeter 65 preferably extends substantially downwardly into the lower lid member 55. The recessed perimeter 65 is preferably provided at a thickness and depth that is suitable to receive and engage a sealing grid member 70 that is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The grid member 70 may help to seal the upper lid member 50 to the lower lid member 55. The grid member 70 preferably includes a rim portion 72 that extends around the perimeter of the grid member 70 and extends downwardly, so that it may be received within the recessed perimeter 65 of the lower lid member 55 (as illustrated in FIG. 5). It also may prevent gases, vapors and other substances from leaking through the side portions of the lid member 15 and into the container portion 20 where it may affect produce stored therein.
The grid member 70 preferably includes a plurality of apertures 73 that extend through the grid member 70 such that air may pass through the apertures 73 and subsequently escape through holes in the upper lid member 50, described below. In the illustrated embodiments, the apertures 73 are square-shaped with rounded corners and are arranged in a grid pattern. In other embodiments, the apertures 73 may take on alternative shapes and be arranged in a pattern different than the illustrated grid pattern.
The grid member 70 also preferably includes several raised standoff members 74 extending upwardly from the surface of the grid member 70. The standoff members 74 in the illustrated embodiments are located along the midline of the grid member 70, and there are three standoff members 74. In alternative embodiments, the standoff members 74 may be arranged differently on the grid member 70. Moreover, there may be more or fewer standoff members like the standoff members 74 in alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, the standoffs may also include connection points (not illustrated) that releasably connect with connection points (not illustrated) on the underside of the upper lid member 50 to releasably secure the grid member 70 to the upper lid member 50.
A membrane layer 75 is preferably secured between the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 in a manner described herein below with respect to FIGS. 4-6. The membrane layer 75 preferably includes the ability to regulate humidity levels within the storage container 1 to extend the life of produce. In a first embodiment, the membrane layer 75 is water vapor permeable, and thus regulates the flow of water vapor from the container, but not oxygen or carbon dioxide. As such, the membrane layer 75 is preferably able to passively regulate humidity levels within the container to extend the life of produce. Such a highly specialized material or membrane could use one of several polymers available from different suppliers. The preferred option is Kraton Nexar MD9225, a composite material. That material is a thin, non-woven fabric substrate packed with a micro-porous polyethylene film and coated with a sulfonated styrene block copolymer. In alternative embodiments, the membrane layer 75 may be provided as a different polymer composition.
In some alternative embodiments, a second membrane layer (not illustrated) may be positioned adjacent to the water vapor permeable membrane 75, between the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55. In that embodiment, the gas permeable membrane layer is similar to membranes used in existing produce preserving technology that regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of the container 1. The preferred material of the gas permeable membrane is a thin, non-woven fabric substrate coated with a polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Such membrane may work in parallel with water vapor permeable membrane 75. In another embodiment, a single membrane 75 may be permeable to water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
In the illustrated embodiment, and as described herein, the water vapor permeable membrane layer 75 is provided within the lid member 15. In alternative embodiments, the membrane layer 75 (and in some embodiments a gas permeable membrane layer) may be integrated into a different portion of the food storage container 1, such as the container portion 20. Similarly, in alternative embodiments, the membrane layer 75 may be provided at a different location and in a different orientation with the food storage container 1. For example, the membrane layer could be on a side portion of the food storage container 1 such that it is substantially perpendicular to the orientation in which it is presently illustrated.
It should be noted that the preferred ratio for the membrane layer relative to the volume of the container is 40 in²of a water permeable membrane and 1 in²of a gas permeable membrane (when a gas permeable membrane is used) for a 16 cup container. This ratio (of the membrane layer(s) 75 relative to the volume of the container portion 20) may vary depending on the preferred properties of the container 1 and the particular produce that may be stored within the food storage container 1. With that in mind, if the volume of the container portion 20 were to increase or decrease for various sized food storage containers 1 (some of which are provided as examples herein), then the area and/or size of the membrane layer 75 (or layers) may similarly change to preserve a preferred ratio of the water vapor and potentially gas vapor to the container portion 20.
It should be noted that in some embodiments, a single 40 in²membrane layer may be used. However, in other embodiments, five membranes that are 8 in²may be used on a single container instead. Any configuration of membranes would be suitable so long as the above noted ratio (or any other desired ratio) is maintained.
Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, three cross-sectional views of the lid member 15 are provided that better illustrate its construction. Turning first to FIG. 4, the construction of the upper lid member 50 is provided in greater detail. At the upper portion 5, the lid member 15 includes a plurality of apertures 80 that tunnel downwardly through the entirety of the upper lid member 50. The apertures 80 preferably help to passively regulate water vapor and/or gas flow in and out of the food storage container 1. The apertures 80 are preferably provided as substantially square with rounded corners, although other shapes are envisioned. In an example embodiment, apertures 80 provide for about 50% of the upper lid member 50 to be open to air/water vapor flow. This is specifically designed to allow for a particular ratio of water vapor (and potentially gas) flow. However, in alternative embodiments, the surface area of the upper lid member 50 that comprises the apertures 80 (as opposed to that which does not comprise the apertures 80) may vary.
As shown in FIG. 4, the upper lid member 50 is provided with a plurality of support structures 85 that extend downwardly from the upper lid member 50. The support structures 85 are illustrated as hexagonal, but in alternative embodiments, may take on different shapes and/or sizes. The support structures 85 are preferably integrally formed with and extend downwardly from the upper lid member 50. The support structures 85 may include wall members 90 that together form the walls that surround the support structures 85. The wall members 90 that make up the support structures 85 may abut or nearly abut the membrane layer 75 (and potentially gas permeable membrane layer) when the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 are assembled with one another, as shown in FIG. 5.
The lower lid member 55 also preferably includes support structures 95 that extend upwardly from the lower lid member 55. In the preferred embodiment, the support structures 95 of the lower lid member 55 are preferably shaped and sized substantially the same as the support structures 85 of the upper lid member 50. The support structures 95 of the lower lid member 55 are also preferably positioned and located on the lower lid member 55 such that the structures 85, 95 substantially line up with one another when the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 are engaged. FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a wall member 100 that extends upwardly to abut a wall member 90 of the upper lid member 55, with the membrane layer 75 in between.
Thus, the support structures 85, 95 not only act to help secure the membrane layer 75 in place, but may also provide structural support to the lid member 15. Without the support structures 85, 95 and their wall portions 90, 100 respectively, the lid member 15 may eventually bow with continued use. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiments, the support structures 85, 95 are formed as complementary hexagonal structures that form a honeycomb pattern as known and understood in the art. However, in alternative embodiments, the structures 85, 95 may take on other shapes that also complement one another so as to help provide support to the lid member 15.
As shown in FIG. 5, a lateral side portion of the support structure 85 preferably includes a nose member 105 that projects downwardly from the support structure 85. Not all of the support structures 85 may include the nose portion 105, but the support structures 85 that are located around the perimeter of the lid member 15 preferably include the nose portion 105. The nose portion 105 preferably abuts the grid member 70 that extends around the perimeter of the upper and lower lid members 50, 55. The nose portion 105 may then increase the seal strength between the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 by applying a pressure to the grid member 70.
The membrane layer 75 is preferably positioned and located between the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55, as described in detail above. As such, the nose portion 105 may also abut the membrane layer 75 (and potentially the second gas permeable membrane layer, if present), which preferably abuts the grid member 70, as shown in FIG. 5. The pressure applied by the nose portion 105 to the grid member 70 also may help to secure the membrane layer 75 in its particular position.
The lower lid member 55 is also preferably provided with apertures 110 that extend entirely through its surface. Such apertures 110 may have the same shape and characteristics of apertures 80, or may be different. Preferably, however, apertures 110 share a similar percentage of open space with respect to lower lid member 55 as aperatures 80 have with upper lid member 50.
Turning now to FIG. 6, the manner in which the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 are selectively engageable with one another is shown in greater detail. A cross-section of the rear portion 35 of the lid member 15 shows the structure by which the lower lid member 55 attaches to the upper lid member 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower lid member 55 includes each of an outer arm member 115 and an inner arm member 120 that extends upwardly therefrom. The outer and inner arm members 115, 120 preferably substantially circumscribe the lower lid member 55, except where the handle member 40 is provided. The outer arm member 115 preferably is shaped so that it extends outwardly toward a complementary arm member 125 that extends downwardly from the upper lid member 50. In other words, if the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55 were not selectively engaged in the manner shown in FIG. 6, the outer arm member 115 would be angled somewhat more outwardly toward the arm member 125. This is because to attach the upper lid member 50 to the lower lid member 55, a friction fit between the two lid members 50, 55 is preferably engaged.
More particularly, when the upper lid member 50 is pressed downwardly onto the lower lid member 55 (or alternatively, the lower lid member 55 is pressed upwardly into the upper lid member 50), the outer arm member 115 flexes inwardly so as to substantially abut the arm member 125 of the upper lid member 50. As such, the arm member 125 is preferably more rigid than the outer arm member 115. To disengage the upper lid member 50 from the lower lid member 55, the upper and lower lid members 50, 55 should be pulled apart from one another at a sufficient force to disengage the outer arm member 115 from the arm member 125. While the inner arm member 120 was identified above, it should be noted that the principal purpose of the inner arm member 120 is to provide the recessed perimeter 65 that is designed to receive and engage the grid member 70, as described above. Other structures for securing upper and lower lid members 50, 55 are envisioned, such as snap securement, frictional securement, and the like.
Turning now to FIG. 7, the manner in which the lid member 15 and the container portion 20 are attachable to one another is shown and illustrated. A seal member 130 is preferably provided that extends downwardly from the lower lid member 55. The seal member 130 preferably extends around the entire perimeter of the lower lid member 55. As known and understood in the art, the seal member 130 preferably includes a first substantially upright portion 135 that abuts a downward extending portion 140 of the lower lid member 55. The first portion 135 and downward extending portion 140 may either be integrally formed, or the first portion 135 may be provided with the downward extending portion 140 in a manner in which the first portion 135 is glued or otherwise adhered to the downward extending portion 140. The seal member 130 further may include a flexible outwardly extending flange member 145 that similarly extends around the perimeter of the lower lid member 55. The flange member 145 is preferably flexible so that when the lid member 15 is pushed downwardly, of which the lower lid member 55 is a part of, the flange member 145 flexes inwardly so as to form a seal with walls 150 that make up the container portion 20.
When the lid member 15 is pulled upwardly, the flange member 145 preferably provides some resistance, but not enough resistance to make it too challenging to lift the lid member 15 from the container portion 20. In any event, the seal between the seal number 130 and the walls 150 of the container portion 20 should be sufficient to prevent water vapor and gases from escaping between the seal member 130 and the walls 150 and instead to pass through the apertures 80, 110 provided in the upper lid member 50 and the lower lid member 55, respectively.
A bottom surface 155 within the container portion 20 of the food storage container 1 is preferably dimpled. As such, the interior bottom surface 155 is provided with each of peaks 160 and valleys 165. When produce is placed within the container portion 20 such that it rests on the interior bottom surface 155, the peaks 160 preferably act as a surface upon which produce may rest. Condensation or juices that drip from produce may be collected within the valleys 165 formed by the surface 155. Produce rests on the peaks 160 so that it does not sit in the accumulated moisture within the valleys 165. This dimpled surface and its peaks 160 and its valleys 165 may help to preserve the shelf life of the produce that is contained within the container portion 20. In an example embodiment, the bottom surface 155 is generally flat, save for the dimples. However, in other embodiments, there may be a general slant to the bottom surface 155 to cause water to travel down the slant to a predetermined location in the container 1. Additionally, it is noted that shapes other than dimples may be used. Preferably, however, any texturing to the bottom surface 155 does not damage food products stored in the container 1.
FIG. 8 provides an alternative food storage container 170. As shown in FIG. 8, the food storage container 170 is somewhat more rectangular in shape than the container 1. While the food storage containers 1, 170 have different shapes, it is foreseeable that other food storage containers may take on other shapes. Similarly, the food storage containers such as the containers 1, 170 may take on a nearly limitless number of sizes to accommodate a wide range of produce sizes. It should be noted that like the food storage container 1, the food storage container 170 includes each of a lid member 175 and a container portion 180. The manner in which the lid member 175 operates is substantially similar to the lid member 15, and the manner in which the container portion 180 operates is substantially similar to the container portion 20.
It is further contemplated that lid members such as the lid member 15 or the lid member 175 may be modified or used with produce that is better preserved with less air flow through the lid member. Such produce, like bananas, thrives on a greater humidity level, and as a result its humidity levels should be higher within the container portion. Because bananas are often stored in these modified containers, it is foreseeable that the undersides of the lids disclosed below may include one or more hooks to hold bananas.
In alternative embodiments, a user may be able to adjust the air flow through the lid member so that it is approximately fifty percent (50%) of that discussed above. Those embodiments may use hinged flaps, sliding flaps, releasable panels, louver members, accordion-style panels, hinged door members, or releasable trays to adjust the air flow in the manner described above. Other means for reducing the water vapor (and humidity) that escapes the container portion are also considered herein, and the above examples are not limiting.
As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A food storage container, the food storage container comprising:

A first container portion;

a second container portion selectively engageable with the first container portion, the second container portion comprising:

an upper member including a plurality of apertures;

a lower member including a plurality of apertures. The lower member selectively engageable with the upper member; and

a water vapor permeable membrane layer secured between the upper member and the lower member.

2. The food storage container of claim 1, wherein an interior bottom portion of the first container portion is dimpled.

3. The food storage container of claim 1, wherein the water vapor permeable membrane is a thin, non-woven fabric substrate packed with a micro-porous polyethylene film and coated with a sulfonated styrene block copolymer.

4. The food storage container of claim 1, wherein a second gas vapor permeable membrane layer is secured between the upper member and the lower member.

5. The food storage container of claim 1, wherein each of the upper member and the lower member is provided with a support structure.

6. The food storage container of claim 5, wherein the support structures of the upper member and the lower member align with one another when the upper member and the lower member are engaged with one another.

7. The food storage container of claim 5, wherein the support structures of the upper member and the lower member are honeycomb-shaped.

8. The food storage container of claim 1, the apertures of the upper member and the lower member are shaped as rounded squares.

9. The food storage container of claim 1, wherein a grid member is provided between the upper member and the lower member to increase the seal strength between the upper member and the lower member.

10. The food storage container of claim 9, wherein the grid member includes a plurality of apertures that allow air to pass through the grid member.

11. A food storage container, the food storage container comprising:

a container portion;

a lid member selectively engageable with the container portion, the lid member comprising:

an upper lid member including a plurality of apertures;

a lower lid member including a plurality of apertures. The lower lid member selectively engageable with the upper lid member;

a water vapor permeable membrane layer secured between the upper lid member and the lower lid member; and

a grid member provided between the upper lid member and the lower lid member to increase the seal strength between the upper lid member and the lower lid member.

12. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein an interior bottom portion of the container portion is dimpled.

13. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the water vapor permeable membrane is a thin, non-woven fabric substrate packed with a micro-porous polyethylene film and coated with a sulfonated styrene block copolymer.

14. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein a second gas vapor permeable membrane layer is secured between the upper lid member and the lower lid member.

15. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein each of the upper lid member and the lower lid member is provided with a support structure.

16. The food storage container of claim 15, wherein the support structures of the upper lid member and the lower lid member align with one another when the upper lid member and the lower lid member are engaged with one another.

17. The food storage container of claim 15, wherein the support structures of the upper lid member and the lower lid member are honeycomb-shaped.

18. The food storage container of claim 11, the apertures of the upper lid member and the lower lid member are shaped as rounded squares.

19. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the grid member includes a plurality of apertures that allow air to pass through the grid member.

20. The food storage container of claim 11, wherein the grid member includes a plurality of standoff members that extend upwardly from the grid member to distance the upper lid member from the grid member.