Container and Method for Storing a Perishable Product

Abstract

The present disclosure relates an improved container useful for maintaining the freshness of a moisture-sensitive, consumable product stored within the container. The present container is also designed to enable the consumer to access and sample the aroma of the product within the container without needing to completely open the container, thereby maintaining the quality of the product, and avoiding potential contamination. The present container utilizes a preserving product, such as a desiccant or humectant, which is positioned within a separate compartment apart from the product within the container. The desiccant removes moisture from the product and helps to maintain the freshness of the product while stored within the container.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A container for storing a perishable product comprising:
 a bottom section having an interior space for receiving a perishable product;   a top section removably secured to the bottom section, and   a separate compartment disposed within the top section.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is centrally positioned within the top section. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compartment includes a top aperture and an opposing bottom aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the top aperture is covered by a lid. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the lid is removably secured to the top aperture to the compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom aperture is formed as a plurality of slots. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom aperture fluidly connects the top section with the bottom section. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom aperture permits access to an aroma emitted by the product stored within the bottom section of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a tamper-evident seal is provided at a junction between the top section and the bottom section. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the tamper-evident seal is positioned vertically along the junction between the top section and the bottom section. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the tamper-evident seal is positioned horizontally along the junction between the top section and the bottom section. 
     
     
         12 . A method for maintaining the freshness of a perishable, consumable product, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container having a top section and a bottom section, the bottom section configured for storing the perishable consumable product;   incorporating a preserving material into the top section of the container for maintaining a moisture content of the product stored within the container;   positioning the preserving material in close proximity to the perishable consumable product within the container; and,   permitting access to the perishable consumable product to a consumer.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further includes the step of positioning the preserving material within a chamber in the top section of the container and separate from the consumable product within the container. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method further includes the step of removing the preserving material from the chamber container to permit access to the consumable product. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further includes permitting access to the perishable consumable product without removing the top section from the bottom section of the container. 
     
     
         16 . A container for storing a consumable product comprising:
 a top section and a bottom section, wherein the top section is removably secured to the bottom section;   the bottom section having an interior space for receiving the consumable product;   a compartment disposed within the top section, the compartment having a top and an opposing bottom opening;   a plurality of openings formed within the bottom opening of the compartment; and,   wherein the compartment is configured to receive a preserving material and provide access to the product within the bottom section.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the compartment is fluidly connected to the bottom section. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the compartment retains the preserving material in close proximity to the consumable product. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the compartment retains the preserving material from direct contact with the consumable product. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the compartment is configured to provide sensory access to the consumable product.