Storage container for containing food products

摘要

A storage container (12) includes, in some embodiments, a tray insert (10) having a base (14) and side walls (16) which define a reservoir (18) for retaining fluids exuded from stored food. The base (14) of the tray insert (10) substantially conforms to the bottom of the storage container (12) into which the tray insert (10) is placed and the upper edge (28) of the side walls (16) substantially conforms to the interior side wall of the storage container (12). A series of ribs (20) and optional rib segments (25) extend upwardly from the base (14) of the tray insert (10), with the ribs (20 and 25) and the upper edge (28) of the side walls (16) supporting a cover (26) formed of liquid permeable sheet material so that the cover (26) supports food which has been placed into the storage container (12). A superabsorbent material (19) is placed into the reservoir (18) below the cover (26) so that fluids exuded from the stored food can pass through the cover (26) and are absorbed and retained by the superabsorbent material (19). In other embodiments, the tray insert (10) and ribs (20 and 25) can be formed directly into the base (14) of a container (12).