초록 ▼

A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter t

A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flexible-walled container having an interior for holding food therein while the container is submerged in a liquid comprising: a top portion having an opening to the interior of the container;a flexible sidewall;the container configured for submersion in a liquid with the opening above the liqu

1. A flexible-walled container having an interior for holding food therein while the container is submerged in a liquid comprising: a top portion having an opening to the interior of the container;a flexible sidewall;the container configured for submersion in a liquid with the opening above the liquid and while preventing the liquid from entering the interior of the container and the container including a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a gusset portion that extends upwardly into the container interior, the gusset portion including a first gusset tab and a second gusset tab opposed to the first gusset tab, the first and second gusset tabs each having a top portion, a bottom end, a first side end and a second side end, the first side end of the first gusset tab positioned opposite and adjacent to the first side end of the second gusset tab wherein the first side end of the first gusset tab is moveable to a position spaced apart from the first side end of the second gusset tab to provide a first passageway between the spaced apart first side end of the first gusset tab and the first side end of the second gusset tab, and the second side end of the first gusset tab positioned opposite and adjacent to the second side end of the second gusset tab wherein the second side end of the first gusset tab is moveable to a position spaced apart from the second side end of the second gusset tab provide a second passageway between the spaced apart second side end of the first gusset tab and the second side end of the second gusset tab, and so that when the container is submerged in the liquid, the first passageway and the second passageway are provided to allow liquid flow exteriorly of the container through the first passageway and through the second passageway to allow increased circulation of the liquid into and out from a space that is between the first gusset tab and the second gusset tab;the gusset portion having a junction between the first and second gusset tabs extending along the top portions of the first and second gusset tabs, the junction having a first side portion and a second side portion, the first and second side portions of the junction attached to the sidewall to thereby act to restrain movement of the junction downward towards the bottom ends of the first and second gusset tabs when food is placed in the gusset portion of the container;at least a first attachment structure positioned proximate the top opening for mounting the top portion of the container; and,a retaining structure positioned proximate the bottom portion for restraining the bottom portion of the container to prevent upward buoyant movement of the lower portion of the container when the container is submerged in the liquid with the opening above the liquid. 2. The container of claim 1 further comprising a second attachment structure positioned proximate the top opening for mounting the container and maintaining the opening in an open position, and the sidewall has a bottom end, the junction extending generally horizontally between the first and second side portions of the junction, the first side portion of the junction being secured to the sidewall at a first location that is spaced upwardly from the bottom end of the sidewall and the second side portion of the junction is secured to the sidewall at a second location spaced upwardly from the bottom of the sidewall; and the first side ends of the first and second gusset tabs are capable of being spaced apart along the entire distance from the bottom end of the first tab to the first location whereat the junction is secured, so that the first passageway thereby extends along the entire distance from the bottom end of the first gusset tab adjacent the first side end to the first location at which the junction is secured; andthe second side ends of the first and second gusset tabs are capable of being spaced apart along the entire distance from the bottom end of the second gusset tab to the second location whereat the junction is secured, so that the second passageway thereby extends from the bottom end of the first gusset tab to the second location at which the junction is secured. 3. The container of claim 1 further comprising a second retaining structure positioned proximate the lower portion of the container for restraining the container to prevent upward buoyant movement of the bottom portion of the container, and each retaining structure comprising the first gusset tab secured to the second gusset tab at a location spaced upwardly and away from the bottom end of the gusset tabs so that liquid adjacent the bottom ends of the first and second tabs is allowed passage exteriorly of the container between the bottom ends of the gusset tabs adjacent the location and into the space that is between the first and the second gusset tabs; liquid that is adjacent the first side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the first passageway; andliquid that is adjacent the second side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the second passageway. 4. The container of claim 2 wherein the container includes a plurality of retaining structures positioned on the lower portion of the container for preventing upward buoyant movement of the lower portion of the container, each retaining structure comprising the first gusset tab secured to the second gusset tab at a location spaced upwardly and away from the bottom end of the gusset tabs so that liquid is allowed passage exteriorly of the container between the bottom ends of the gusset tabs adjacent the location, and at least a portion of the first gusset tab and at least a portion of the second gusset tab are movable to a spaced apart position to provide the space between the spaced apart first and second gusset tabs to allow liquid to contact the first and second gusset tabs at a location that is adjacent the space when the container is first and second storage chambers filled with food and is submerged in the liquid to thereby facilitate heat transfer between the liquid and the food held in the container. 5. The container of claim 2 wherein the retainer structures are holes in the container. 6. The container of claim 5 wherein the container includes reinforced sections and the holes are positioned in the reinforced sections. 7. The container of claim 1 wherein the retaining structure is a hole positioned in the lower portion of the container. 8. The container of claim 7 wherein the attachment structure is a sleeve. 9. The container of claim 2 further characterized by the sidewall of the container includes a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall, and the first attachment structure is a sleeve formed on the first sidewall adjacent the opening, and the second attachment structure is a sleeve formed on the second sidewall adjacent the opening; liquid that is adjacent the first side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the first passageway; andliquid that is adjacent the second side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the second passageway. 10. The container of claim 9 wherein the container includes a plurality of retaining structures positioned adjacent the gusset portion, and each retaining structure comprising the first gusset tab heat sealed to the second gusset tab at a location spaced upwardly and away from the bottom end of the gusset tabs so that liquid is allowed passage exteriorly of the container between the bottom ends of the gusset tabs below and adjacent the heat sealed location. 11. The container of claim 1 wherein the first gusset tab has a first outer surface and the second gusset tab has a second outer surface facing the first outer surface, the first outer surface of the first gusset tab movable to a position spaced apart and facing the second outer surface of the second gusset tab to form the space between the first gusset tab and the second gusset tab at a location between the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the gusset tabs when food is held in the container. 12. The container of claim 11 wherein the retaining structure is a first hole formed adjacent the first gusset tab and a second hole formed adjacent to the second gusset tab. 13. The container of claim 7 further characterized by the sidewall of the container includes a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall, the first sidewall having a bottom end and the second sidewall having a bottom end, and a first gusset tab having a bottom end and a top end, and a second gusset tab having a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end of the first gusset tab being adjacent the bottom end of the first sidewall, and the bottom end of the second gusset tab positioned adjacent the bottom end of the second sidewall, and the top end of the first gusset tab connected to the top end of the second gusset tab. 14. The container of claim 13 wherein the junction of the top ends of the first and second gusset tabs provides a support surface for supporting the lower portion of the container. 15. The container of claim 1 further characterized by the sidewall includes a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall, the first sidewall having a bottom portion, a first side portion and an opposite second side portion and the second sidewall having a bottom end, a first side portion and an opposite second side portion, the first gusset tab having a bottom portion and top portion, and the second gusset tab having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion of the first gusset tab positioned against the bottom portion of the first sidewall, and the bottom portion of the second gusset tab positioned adjacent to the bottom portion of the second sidewall, the top portion of the first gusset tab is connected to the top portion of the second gusset tab at the junction, and the first side portion of the junction is secured to the first side portions of the first and second sidewalls, and the second side portion of the junction is secured to the second side portions of the first and second sidewalls, the junction including a foldline, the interior of the container having a first chamber and a second chamber therein, the first chamber positioned between the first sidewall and the first gusset tab, and the second chamber positioned between the second sidewall and the second gusset tab, and an interior space for holding food above the first and second chambers, the interior space located between the first and second sidewalls and having a bottom end adjacent the foldline, the first and second gusset tabs movable to a spaced apart position so that when the gusset portion is submerged in the liquid, a liquid circulation space is provided for liquid circulation between the first and second gusset tabs to thereby facilitate heat transfer between the liquid and the food held in the first storage chamber, the second storage chamber and the interior space adjacent the bottom end of the interior space; and liquid that is adjacent the first side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the first passageway, and liquid that is adjacent the second side ends of the first and second gusset tabs is allowed to enter the space between the first and the second gusset tabs through the second passageway. 16. The container of claim 9 wherein the container includes voids located at at least two corners of the sidewalls. 17. A flexible-walled container for holding a food submerged in a liquid comprising: a top portion having an opening to the interior of the container, the container configured for submersion in a liquid with the opening above the liquid and while preventing the liquid from entering the interior of the container;a first flexible sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a top portion and a bottom portion;a second flexible sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a top portion and a bottom portion;a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a gusset portion, the gusset portion including a first gusset tab and a second gusset tab, the first gusset tab having a bottom edge, a bottom portion and a top portion, the second gusset tab having a bottom edge, a bottom portion and a top portion, each of the first and second gusset tabs having an inner surface and an outer surface;the interior including a first storage chamber in the bottom portion and a second storage chamber in the bottom portion of the container, the first storage chamber having a top end at the top portion of the first gusset tab and the first storage chamber is defined by a portion of the inner surface of the first sidewall and the inner surface of the first gusset tab, and the second storage chamber having a top end at the top portion of the second gusset tab and the second storage chamber is defined by a portion of the inner surface of the second sidewall and the inner surface of the second gusset tab, at least a portion of the first gusset tab adjacent to the top portion of the first gusset tab and the top end of the first storage chamber is secured to at least one of the first and second sidewalls to restrict the top portion of the first gusset tab from moving downward to thereby maintain the formation of the first chamber, and at least a portion of the second gusset tab adjacent the top portion of the second gusset tab and the top portion of the second chamber is secured to at least one of the first and second sidewalls to restrict the top portion of the second gusset tab from moving downward to thereby maintain the formation of the second chamber;the first gusset tab having a first side edge and the second gusset tab having a first side edge opposite and adjacent to the first side edge of the first gusset tab, the first side edge of the first gusset tab being moveable to a position spaced away from the first side edge of the second gusset tab to form a first passageway therebetween, so that when the container is submerged in the liquid and the first side edge of the first gusset tab is spaced apart from the first side edge of the second gusset tab to form the first passageway, the liquid is thereby allowed to flow through the first passageway;the first gusset tab having a second side edge and the second gusset tab having a second side edge opposite and proximate to the second side edge of the first gusset tab, the second side edge of the first gusset tab being moveable to a position spaced away from the second side edge of the second gusset tab to form a second passageway therebetween, so that when the container is submerged in the liquid and the second side edge of the first gusset tab is spaced apart from the second side edge of the second gusset tab to form the second passageway, the liquid is allowed to flow through the second passageway;at least a first attachment structure positioned proximate the top opening for mounting the top portion of the container for maintaining the opening in an open position; anda first retaining structure positioned proximate the bottom portion of the container for mounting the bottom portion of the container to limit movement of the lower portion of the container when the container is submerged in the liquid with the opening above the liquid. 18. The container of claim 17 further characterized by the outer surface of the gusset portion includes a surface for supporting the lower portion of the container when the surface for supporting is placed on a support surface; the first sidewall having a first side edge and a second side edge;the second sidewall having a first side edge and a second side edge;the top portions of the first and second gusset tabs are joined together at a junction, the junction having a first side portion adjacent the top ends of the first and second storage chambers, and the junction having a second side portion adjacent the top ends of the first and second storage chambers, and the first side portion of the junction is secured to the first side edges of the first and second sidewalls, and the second side portion of the junction is secured to the second side edges of the first and second sidewalls to restrict the junction from moving downwardly and to maintain the formation of the first and second chambers; andwherein the first chamber is moveable to a position spaced away from the second chamber to form a space therebetween and at the exterior of the container so that when the container is submerged in the liquid, the liquid outside the region can flow through the first passageway and into and out from the space without passing by the bottom edge of the first and second gusset tabs, and the liquid outside the space can flow through the second passageway into and out from the space without passing by the bottom edge of the first and second gusset tabs. 19. The container of claim 18 further comprising the first chamber having a bottom and the second chamber having a bottom, and the first retaining structure is positioned adjacent the bottom of the first chamber and a second retaining structure is positioned adjacent the bottom of the second chamber, the first sidewall having a first side edge and a second side edge and the second sidewall having a first side edge and a second side edge;the top portions of the first and second gusset tabs are joined together along a junction along the top portions of the first and second gusset tabs, the junction comprising a foldline;the first gusset tab having a first side portion extending from the foldline at the top portion of the first gusset tab to the bottom portion of the first gusset tab, the first gusset tab having a second side portion extending from the junction at the top portion of the first gusset tab to the bottom portion of the first gusset tab;the second gusset tab having a first side portion extending from the junction at the top portion of the second gusset tab to the bottom portion of the second gusset tab, the second gusset tab having a second side portion extending from the foldline at the top portion of the second gusset tab to the bottom portion of the second gusset tab; andsubstantially the entire first side portion of the first gusset tab is secured to the first side portion of the first sidewall, and substantially the entire second side portion of the first gusset tab is secured to the second side portion of the first sidewall, and substantially the entire first side portion of the second gusset tab is secured to the first side portion of the second sidewall, and substantially the entire second side portion of the second gusset tab is secured to the second side portion of the second sidewall, to thereby restrain the foldline from moving downwardly to maintain the formation of the first and second chambers when the first and second gusset tabs are moved to a spaced apart position; andthe bottom edge of the first gusset tab is moveable to a position away from the edge of the second gusset tab to form a third passageway so that when the container is submerged in the liquid, liquid outside the space can flow through the third passageway, the first passageway and the second passageway into and out of the space. 20. The container of claim 1 wherein the retaining structure comprises at least one sleeve composed of portions of the first and second gusset tabs being attached together below the top portions of the first and second gusset tabs. 21. The container of claim 17 further comprising: the first sidewall has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the second sidewall has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the first gusset tab has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, and the second gusset tab has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge;the gusset being attached to the bottom portion of the container along a first junction, a second junction, a third junction and a fourth junction, wherein at the first junction the first side edge of the first sidewall is secured to the first side edge of the first gusset tab, at the second junction the first side edge of the second sidewall is attached to the first side edge of the second gusset tab, at the third junction the second side edge of the first sidewall is secured to the second side edge of the first gusset tab, and at the fourth junction the second side edge of the second sidewall is attached to the second side edge of the second gusset tab; andthe first junction being movable to a spaced position from the second junction to form the first passageway, and the third junction is movable to a spaced position from the fourth junction to form the second passageway, so that liquid can flow through the first and second passageways and into and out from the exterior volume between the first and second gusset tabs when the container is submerged in a liquid. 22. The container of claim 21 wherein the first junction is spaceable from the second junction along the entire length of the first and second junctions, and the third junction is spaceable from the fourth junction along the entire length of the third and fourth junctions. 23. The container of claim 22 further comprising: the first sidewall has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the first sidewall, and the second sidewall has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the second sidewall;the first gusset tab has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the first gusset tab, and the second gusset tab has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the second gusset tabs;the gusset being attached to the bottom portion of the container along a fifth junction and sixth junction wherein at the fifth junction the bottom edge of the first sidewall is secured to the bottom edge of the first gusset tab, and at the sixth junction the bottom edge of the second sidewall is attached to the bottom edge of the second gusset tab; andthe fifth junction being movable to a spaced position from the sixth junction whereby a third liquid passageway is provided between spaced apart fifth and sixth junctions so that liquid can flow through the third passageway and into and out from the exterior volume between the first and second gusset tabs when the container is submerged in a liquid. 24. The container of claim 1 further comprising: the flexible sidewall including first and second sidewalls;the first sidewall has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the second sidewall has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the first gusset tab has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, and the second gusset tab has a first side edge and an opposite second side edge;the gusset being attached to the bottom portion of the container along a first junction, a second junction, a third junction and a fourth junction, wherein at the first junction the first side edge of the first sidewall is secured to the first side edge of the first gusset tab, at the second junction the first side edge of the second sidewall is attached to the first side edge of the second gusset tab, at the third junction the second side edge of the first sidewall is secured to the second side edge of the first gusset tab, and at the fourth junction the second side edge of the second sidewall is attached to the second side edge of the second gusset tab; andthe first junction being movable to a spaced position from the second junction to form the first passageway, and the third junction is movable to a spaced position from the fourth junction to form the second passageway, so that liquid can flow through the first and second passageways and into and out from the exterior volume of the space between the first and second gusset tabs when the container is submerged in a liquid. 25. The container of claim 24 wherein the first junction is spaceable from the second junction along the entire length of the first and second junctions, and the third junction is spaceable from the fourth junction along the entire length of the third and fourth junctions. 26. The container of claim 25 further comprising: the first sidewall has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the first sidewall, and the second sidewall has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the second sidewall;the first gusset tab has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the first gusset tab, and the second gusset tab has a bottom edge extending from the first and second edges of the second gusset tab;the gusset being attached to the bottom portion of the container along a fifth junction and sixth junction wherein at the fifth junction the bottom edge of the first sidewall is secured to the bottom edge of the first gusset tab, and at the sixth junction the bottom edge of the second sidewall is attached to the bottom edge of the second gusset tab; andthe fifth junction being movable to a spaced position from the sixth junction whereby a third liquid passageway is provided between spaced apart fifth and sixth junctions so that liquid can flow through the third passageway and into and out from the exterior volume between the first and second gusset tabs when the container is submerged in a liquid.