Methods and systems for inhibiting leakage between a surface and a shaping object

Abstract

In some embodiment of the invention, systems and methods relate to a container formed by a compressible mat and flexible strip. The strip can be formed into a closed shape, positioned on top of the compressible mat and pressed into the mat. A crevice can thereby formed along a bottom edge of the strip. The crevice can prevent material poured into the formed closed area from leaking underneath the strip.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for making a food item, the method comprising:
 accessing a flexible strip that includes:
 a top portion; and 
 a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is configured to compress in response to exertion of a downwards force on the flexible strip; 
   positioning a flexible strip on a surface in a manner such that:
 an edge of the bottom portion of the flexible strip is positioned on a surface; and 
 the flexible strip comprises at least part of a perimeter of a closed shape; 
   applying a downwards force on at least part of the flexible strip, wherein the bottom portion of the at least pan of the flexible strip compresses in response to the downwards force;   pouring a food-item liquid over a region of the surface, the region being inside the perimeter of the closed shape,   subjecting the food-item liquid and the flexible strip to a processing, the processing transforming the food-item liquid into a food-item solid; and   separating the processed food-item liquid from the flexible strip, wherein the processed food-item liquid comprises a shape similar to the closed shape.   
     
     
         22 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein a height of the bottom portion of the at least part of the flexible strip is reduced after the application of the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip, and wherein a height of the top portion of the at least part of the flexible strip remains substantially the same after the application of the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip. 
     
     
         23 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 . wherein the top portion includes one or more vertical supports, and wherein the bottom portion lacks the one or more vertical supports, and wherein the lack of the one or more vertical supports in the bottom portion facilitate the bottom portion being configured to compress in response to exertion of a downwards force. 
     
     
         24 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein a width of the bottom portion of the at least part of the flexible strip is increased after the application of the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip, and wherein a width of the top portion of the at least part of the flexible strip remains substantially the same after the application of the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip. 
     
     
         25 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the positioning flexible strip on the surface includes bending the flexible strip by hand into the at least part of the perimeter. 
     
     
         26 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the flexible strip is edge supporting such that it remains stably shaped along the at least part of the perimeter after being positioned. 
     
     
         27 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein, upon the applying of the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip, a degree of contact between the edge of the at least part of the flexible strip and an underlying part of the surface is increased, thereby deterring the food-item liquid from flowing underneath the flexible strip. 
     
     
         28 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the bottom portion includes, in an uncompressed state, an air space that decreases in volume in response to exertion of a downwards force on the flexible strip. 
     
     
         29 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the bottom portion includes a first part of an outside layer of the flexible strip, and wherein the top portion includes a second part of the outside layer of the flexible strip. 
     
     
         30 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the bottom portion includes one or more magnetic components. 
     
     
         31 . The method for making the food item as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the bottom portion and the top portion are substantially inseparable from each other. 
     
     
         32 . A flexible strip comprising:
 a top portion with a first height and first thickness, wherein the top portion is configured such that each of the first height and the first thickness remains substantially unchanged upon a user applying, by hand, a downwards force on at least part of the flexible strip when the flexible strip is positioned on a underlying surface when the downwards force is applied; and   a bottom portion with a second height and second thickness, wherein the bottom portion is configured such that, upon the user applying, by hand, the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip, the second height at the at least part of the flexible strip decreases and the second thickness at the at least part of the flexible strip increases,   wherein the flexible strip is configured to be bent by hands of a user from an initial shape into a subsequent shape,   wherein the flexible strip is edge supporting such that it remains stably shaped in the subsequent shape after being bent, and   wherein each of a surface of the top portion and a surface of the bottom portion are food safe.   
     
     
         33 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein the top portion comprises a plurality of vertical supports. 
     
     
         34 . The flexible strip of  claim 33 , wherein the bottom portion lacks the plurality of vertical supports. 
     
     
         35 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein, upon the user applying, by hand, the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip, the second height at the at least part of the flexible strip decreases by at least 0.25 cm. 
     
     
         36 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein the top portion is in direct contact with the bottom portion. 
     
     
         37 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein, upon the user applying, by hand, the downwards force on the flexible strip, the increase of the second thickness increases contact between the flexible strip and the underlying surface, thereby deterring liquid from flowing underneath the flexible strip. 
     
     
         38 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein the bottom portion includes, in an uncompressed state, an air space that decreases in volume in response to the downwards force on the at least part of the flexible strip. 
     
     
         39 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein the bottom portion includes a first part of an outside layer of the flexible strip, and wherein the top portion includes a second part of the outside layer of the flexible strip. 
     
     
         40 . The flexible strip of  claim 32 , wherein the bottom portion includes one or more magnetic components.