Self-venting container

Abstract

A container having venting means and a method for sealing a lid to the container without damaging or weakening the container are disclosed. The container, such as a cup, includes venting means in the interior surface of the container side wall generally adjacent a lid seal to allow air that would otherwise be forced into and become trapped in the container when the lid is sealed to the lid seal to vent from the container to prevent weakening of, damage to or ultimate failure of the container.

1 . A container comprising:
 a bottom wall and upstanding side wall surrounding the bottom wall and terminating in a mouth opposite the bottom wall;   a lid seal on an interior surface of the upstanding side wall for receiving a lid;   venting means at the interior surface of the upstanding wall between the mouth and the lid seal; and   said venting means uncovered by the lid when sealed to the lid seal.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the lid seal comprises:
 a. a ledge; 
 b. an abutment; or 
 c. an edge. 
 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the venting means comprises an embossment on the interior surface of the side wall extending at least adjacent the lid seal and generally toward the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the venting means comprises a channel in the interior surface of the side wall at least proximate the lid seal. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the channel extends around the entire circumference of the interior surface and adjacent the lid seal in a generally horizontal manner, and includes generally vertical channels extending from adjacent the lid seal toward the mouth of the container for venting air from the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the lid comprises a tear-away type lid having an outer peripheral edge:
 a. seated in a generally horizontal channel in the interior surface of the side wall contiguous with the lid seal; or 
 b. sealed to the lid seal. 
 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the venting means comprises a ridge on the interior surface of the side wall at least proximate the lid seal and extending generally away from the lid seal toward the mouth of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the venting means comprises a port extending entirely through the side wall of the container from the interior surface at least proximate the lid seal. 
     
     
         9 . A self-venting container comprising:
 a bottom with generally upstanding side walls;   an edge on an interior surface of the generally upstanding side walls;   a surface interruption in the interior surface generally near the edge; and   the surface interruption adapted to vent air during lidding of the container.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  further comprising a tear-away lid having an outer peripheral edge seated at the edge of the container on the interior surface. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the outer peripheral edge terminates at the edge of the container to leave the surface interruption uncovered when the lid is seated to the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the surface interruption comprises a change in the shape of the interior surface of the container, and having a geometry to pass air from the container during sealing the lid to the container. 
     
     
         13 . A cup comprising:
 a bottom wall with a generally upstanding side wall having an interior surface;   a lid seal on the interior surface of the upstanding side wall;   a surface interruption on the interior surface of the upstanding side wall at least generally adjacent the lid seal; and   a tear-away lid seated at the lid seal so as to leave the surface interruption uncovered.   
     
     
         14 . The cup of  claim 13  wherein the surface interruption comprises a discontinuity in the interior surface of the cup, the discontinuity to pass air out of the cup during seating of the lid to the cup. 
     
     
         15 . The cup of  claim 13  wherein the surface discontinuity comprises:
 a. one or more horizontally or vertically oriented channels; 
 b. one or more generally vertically oriented ridges; 
 c. one or more ports extending through the side wall of the container; or 
 d. an embossment of the interior surface of the container between the lid seal and the mouth of the container. 
 
     
     
         16 . The cup of  claim 13  wherein the tear-away lid has an outer peripheral edge seated to the cup at the lid seal without covering the surface interruption. 
     
     
         17 . A method for lidding a cup during manufacture to prevent the cup or the lid from being weakened or damaged, the method comprising:
 taking a cup having an interior surface with a lid seal and adjacent surface interruptions;   sealing a lid to the lid seal;   leaving the surface interruptions uncovered by the lid; and   venting air out of the cup during lidding using the surface interruptions to prevent the cup or lid from being weakened or damaged from air forced into or trapped within the cup.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the surface interruption comprises a discontinuity in the interior surface of the cup, wherein the discontinuity is closed off from the interior of the cup when lidded. 
     
     
         19 . A method for sealing a lid to a container without damaging or weakening the container or lid, the method comprising:
 providing a container having a lid seal on an interior surface of the container and one or more surface interruptions at least proximate the lid seal;   taking a lid and sealing the lid to the lid seal with the surface interruptions remaining uncovered by the lid; and   venting air from the interior of the container during lidding by passing air from out of the interior of the container using the surface interruptions to prevent weakening or damaging the container or the lid.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of leaving the surface interruptions on the interior surface of the container uncovered when the lid is seated at the lid seal of the container.