U.S. patent application number 11/916524 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for venting container.
Invention is credited to Jason R. Maxwell.
Application Number | 20080203096 11/916524 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37595424 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080203096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maxwell; Jason R. |
August 28, 2008 |
Venting Container
Abstract
A venting container including a lid and base having an inner
cavity and a side wall that terminates in a rim, the lid including
a central panel and a peripheral sealing lip that surrounds the
panel, the peripheral sealing lip having a generally inverted
U-shaped cross section that defines a lid channel into which the
container rim fits, the sealing lip including at least one venting
feature in the form of a flexible venting button that is adapted to
transition from a first position to a second position upon
application of an actuation force, the venting button being further
adapted and positioned whereby when the container rim is positioned
in the lid channel and the venting button is in the first position,
sealed engagement of the lid to the container is effectuated and
when the venting button is in the second position a venting air
passage is provided from the container cavity to the container
surroundings. In a second embodiment, the venting feature is in the
form of a downwardly protruding venting boss provided to the lid
closure and a boss seat formed in the base closure whereby the
venting boss is received with the boss seat when the lid is
oriented in a first non venting attachment position and the venting
boss abuts against a surface of the base closure to provide a vent
passage between the lid and base upon removal and repositioning of
the lid to a second venting attachment position.
Inventors: |
Maxwell; Jason R.; (Elgin,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
37595424 |
Appl. No.: |
11/916524 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2006/021809 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60692496 |
Jun 21, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/374 ;
220/780 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/1672 20130101;
B65D 51/1627 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/374 ;
220/780 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 43/10 20060101 B65D043/10 |
Claims
1. A venting container, comprising: a selectively detachable lid,
said lid including a central panel and peripheral sealing lip that
surrounds said panel, said peripheral sealing lip having a
generally inverted U-shaped cross-section that defines a lid
channel, said peripheral sealing lip including a venting boss; and
a container bottom having an inner cavity, said container bottom
further having a side wall that terminates in a container rim, said
container rim being adapted to be positioned in said lid channel,
said container rim including a venting boss seat, said boss seat
being adapted to receive said venting boss when said container rim
is positioned in said lip channel and said lid and container are in
a first non-venting position, whereby sealable engagement of said
lid and said container are effectuated, and whereby when said lid
is rotated relative to said container to a second venting position,
wherein said venting boss is disposed distal from said venting boss
seat, said container rim is repositioned and in said lip channel a
venting air passage is provided from said container cavity to the
container surroundings.
2. The venting container of claim 1, wherein when said container
rim is positioned in said lid channel and said lid is in said
second position, the container remains substantially leak-proof,
except in the region proximate said venting boss.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said venting boss is
substantially circular in shape.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the container lid includes at
least one gripping tab and said venting boss is located proximate
to the gripping tab.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the container lid comprises
thermoformed plastic.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the container lid comprises
injection-molded plastic.
Description
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to food storage
containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a food
storage container including a lid, a base and a venting
feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Food storage containers are well known in the art. The noted
containers generally include a lid that is selectively detachable
from a bowl and are commonly designed to provide a variety of
features, including being reusable, disposable, microwavable, and
the like.
[0003] Numerous types of bowl and lid assemblies and means for
effecting sealable engagement of a lid on a bowl have been devised.
Illustrative are the containers and engagement means disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,170,696 and 6,868,980.
[0004] One problem associated with conventional, plastic,
microwavable containers stems from the rapid temperature changes
they must endure. The container must be permitted to vent during
microwaving due to the high pressures that arise as moisture in the
container contents vaporizes and gas temperatures increase. Thus,
the container must be left open to some degree during microwaving.
However, it is also desirable to keep the bowl covered as much as
possible to prevent the contents from splattering the inside of the
microwave.
[0005] A further problem often encountered with plastic containers
is the poor ability to accommodate a desired amount of produce
respiration while maintaining the sealed integrity of the
container. As is well known in the art, providing adequate venting
(or breathing rate(s)) to accommodate produce respiration can, and
in most instances will, enhance produce freshness.
[0006] Various methods and container designs have been employed to
provide adequate venting of a container during and after
microwaving, and to accommodate produce respiration. For example,
the prior art is replete with containers that incorporate valves or
openable doors in the container base or lid, which allow venting or
increased gas exchange. These executions typically result in added
cost and complexity in the manufacture of the container.
Additionally, venting structure in the form of complex valves with
moving parts is difficult to design into a thermoformed plastic
part.
[0007] A common practice for venting a conventional container is to
remove the lid and place it loosely over the container base to
accommodate produce respiration and, during microwaving, to allow
air and steam to escape. Another common practice for venting a
container is to lift a small portion of the lid from engagement
with the base (i.e., "crack open" the lid), such as at a corner
region of a square or rectangular container. Both of the noted
container venting practices will generally accommodate produce
respiration. However, in both instances, the container is still
subject to leaking, i.e., no longer leak-proof.
[0008] The noted container venting practices will usually permit
sufficient air and steam to vent during microwaving because the
increased pressure within the container will tend to force the
container open, increasing any space between the lid and the bowl.
There is still a problem, however, with the splattering of food
that can occur through any unsealed region between the lid and
base. Furthermore, once microwaving is complete, any steam present
within the container will cool and the pressure in the container
will drop significantly as the pressure differential no longer
tends to open the container. The pressure drop creates a vacuum
that can suck the lid into a sealed engagement with the base so
that sufficient air may not vent back into the container to
compensate for the pressure drop. This problem can be aggravated by
the accumulation of steam or vapor, which can additionally form a
vapor seal between the lid and bowl. The resulting vacuum can
permanently damage the container.
[0009] It would thus be advantageous to provide a venting container
lid having effective, easy to use venting means (i) that is adapted
to effectuate sealable engagement of the lid and a container base
in a first position and provide an effective air passage when the
venting means is in a second position and (ii) can be readily
manufactured via a conventional thermoforming process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
disclosed herein is a reclosable lid for a venting container, the
container including a base having an inner cavity and a side wall
that terminates in a rim, the lid including a central panel and a
peripheral sealing lip that surrounds the panel, the peripheral
sealing lip having a generally inverted U-shaped cross section that
defines a lid channel into which the container rim fits, the
sealing lip is provided with venting means in the form of a
flexible venting button that is adapted to transition from a first
position to a second position upon application of an actuation
force, the venting button being further adapted and positioned
whereby when the container rim is positioned in the lid channel and
the venting button is in the first position, sealed engagement of
the lid to the container is effectuated and when the venting button
is in the second position the respective sealing surfaces of the
lid and base are displaced relative to one another such that a
venting air passage is provided from the container cavity to the
container surroundings. The venting button is preferably formed
integral with a surface of the lid channel and comprises an
eversible dome including a border portion that surrounds a raised
portion, the raised portion protruding from a plane defined by the
border portion, the raised portion further including an apex that
forms an outermost protruding part of the raised portion, the apex
adapted to contact a surface of the second closure portion when the
venting button is moved into the second position.
[0011] In another embodiment, the venting means comprises a second
and optionally a third venting button, both of which may be
selectively actuated along with actuation of the first venting
button to provide an enhanced amount of venting through the closure
region of the container.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
there is described a venting container comprising a selectively
detachable lid, the lid including a central panel and peripheral
sealing lip that surrounds the panel, the peripheral sealing lip
having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section that defines a
lid channel, the lip including a venting boss; and a container base
having an inner cavity, the container base further having a side
wall that terminates in a container rim, the container rim being
adapted to be positioned in the lid channel, the container rim
including a venting boss seat adapted to receive the venting boss
when the container rim is positioned in the lip channel and the lid
and base are in a first position, whereby sealable engagement of
the lid and the base is effectuated, and whereby when the lid is
rotated relative to the container to a second position, wherein the
venting boss is disposed distal from the venting boss seat, and the
container rim is repositioned and in the lip channel a venting air
passage is provided from the container cavity to the container
surroundings.
[0013] The present invention substantially reduces or eliminates
the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with prior art container
base and lid assemblies. As discussed in detail herein, the
container designs of the invention include highly effective, simple
to operate venting means that prevent splattering of the container
contents during microwaving and that also accommodate produce
respiration.
[0014] The features of the present invention will become apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed
description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a venting container
including a lid and a base in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the venting
container shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the venting container
taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 1
which illustrates a first lid venting button in a first non-venting
position.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the venting container
similar to FIG. 3 which illustrates the first lid venting button in
a second venting position.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the venting container of FIG. 1
showing in partial section the actuation of the venting button in
the second venting position.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
venting container showing a container lid with three venting
buttons.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a venting container in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the venting
container of FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the venting container
taken along line and in the direction of arrows 9-9 of FIG. 7 which
illustrates the lid in its first non-venting orientation.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 9 which
illustrates the lid in its second venting orientation.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a side view of the venting container of FIG. 7
showing in partial section a venting corner region when the lid is
in its second venting orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one
having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention
pertains.
[0027] Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like elements, a first embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A container 10 includes a
container base 20 and a flexible container lid 40. In the example
shown in the Figures, the container 10 is depicted as substantially
square with rounded corners. In other embodiments of the present
invention, the container 100 has other shapes such as rectangular,
circular, or elliptical.
[0028] The container base 20 has a bottom 22 and a sidewall 24
extending from the periphery of the bottom 22. At the termination
of the sidewall 24 an outwardly and substantially horizontally
extending denesting shoulder 26 is provided, which merges into the
base of a closure portion 28. The closure portion 28 has a
generally horizontal rim surface 30 and a generally inverted
U-shaped cross section. The bottom surface 22 provides a stacking
recess (not shown) extending upwardly to a substantially horizontal
central panel surface (also not shown).
[0029] The container lid 40 is adapted to sealingly engage the
container base 20. According to one embodiment of the invention,
container lid 40 generally includes a central panel 42 surrounded
by a peripheral closure portion or sealing lip 44. The central
panel 42 optionally includes one or more stacking beads 43 that
cooperate with the stacking recess provided in the bottom surface
22 of the base 20. The lid closure portion 44 includes four corners
46 an optional gripping tab 48. The lid closure portion 44 of the
lid 40 is adapted to sealingly engage base closure portion 30. The
lid closure portion 44 has a horizontal rim surface 50 disposed
between inner and outer walls 58, 60 that together form a generally
inverted U-shaped cross section that defines a lid channel. The lid
includes venting means which comprises at least one venting button
52. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the
venting button 52 is located along the horizontal rim surface 50
and preferably at a corner region and most preferably at corner
region provided with gripping tab 48. Locating the venting button
at one corner allows the other three corners of the lid to remain
sealed when the container 10 is in a venting configuration, thereby
providing the best-vented seal possible. In other embodiments, the
venting button 52 may be located medial of the corners 46 or
located along the inner or outer walls 58, 60 of the lid
channel.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 the closure portion 28 of the
container bottom 20 generally includes an inner wall 32 and an
outer wall 34 and, as noted previously, the closure portion 44 of
the container lid 40 includes inner wall 58 and an outer wall 60.
As shown, inner walls 32 and 58 are formed as mating under cuts
such that when lid 40 is secured to base 20, the inner wall 32
provides an interference fit with the inner wall 58 of the lid 40.
As such, the inner walls 32 and 58 provide a first set of sealing
surfaces. Outer walls 34 and 60 may also be formed as mating
undercuts to provide a second set of sealing surfaces to provide a
container having inside and outside continuous seal regions. Hence,
the closure portion or sealing lip 44 of the lid 40 acts as a
sealing channel to receive the horizontal rim surface 30 of the
closure portion 28 of container base 20. Further details of the
above-described closure portions for the lid and base are set forth
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,696 B1, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. Although the closure design of the
preferred embodiment is described as having both inside and outside
sealing surfaces, it is understood that the venting features of the
present invention may work equally well with other known U-shaped
closure configurations such as those generally U-shaped closure
designs where the primary sealing contact is generally limited to
the mating inner walls (or alternately mating outer walls) of the
lid and base closure portions with the respective outer walls (or
alternately inner walls) of the lid and base closure portions
providing little or no contribution to forming an additional
continuous peripheral sealing zone. For example, in the embodiment
described, the respective outer walls 34 and 60 need not both be
formed as undercuts and either outer wall may be vertically
oriented or even slope outward beyond vertical (i.e., opposite to
undercut).
[0031] The base 20 and lid 40 can be made as thermoformed parts.
Alternatively, one or both of these components could be made by
other processes, including, for example, blow molding or injection
molding. It should be noted, however, that those skilled in the art
understand that minor structural modifications likely will occur if
a process other than thermoforming is used.
[0032] As discussed briefly above, the venting means comprises at
least one flexible venting button 52 that is disposed on the
closure portion 44. More specifically, the venting button 52 is
disposed on the horizontal rim surface 50, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4. The venting button 52 includes a border portion 62 that
surrounds a raised portion 64. The border portion 62 is formed
integral with the horizontal rim surface 50. The raised portion 64
may be formed as a rounded or semi-spherical eversible dome
protruding from the plane defined by the border portion 62. As a
result of its rounded shape, the raised portion 64 includes an apex
66 that forms the outermost protruding part of the raised portion
64 and an inflection region that integrally connects the apex 66 to
the border portion 62. Preferably, the raised portion 64 is about
one-half the diameter of the border portion 62. In practice, the
eversible nature of the raised domed portion 64 may be facilitated
by material thinning at the junction between the border portion 62
and the raised portion 64. In accordance with an alternate
embodiment wherein the lid is formed as an injection molded part,
the thickness of the eversible raised domed portion 64 is
preferably less than about 50% of the thickness of adjacent areas
the lid as taught in US 2004/0232036 A1 at numbered paragraph 51,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] The venting button 52 is designed and adapted to be moved
between a first, non-venting position as shown in FIG. 3 and a
second, venting position as shown in FIG. 4-5. In the first
position of the venting button 52 (FIG. 3), the eversible raised
portion 64 of the venting button protrudes in a direction away from
the horizontal rim surface 30 of the bottom closure portion 28. In
this position, the inner walls 32 and 58 remain in sealing contact
when the lid 40 is engaged to the base 20. In the second position
of the venting button (FIGS. 4 and 5), the raised portion 64 is
inverted and faces towards the horizontal rim surface 30 of the
bottom closure portion 28. The apex 66 abuts the horizontal rim
surface 30 such that inner sealing wall 58 is displaced from
sealing contact with inner wall 32 and outer wall 60 is displaced
relative to outer wall 34 to provide a venting air passage denoted
generally by Arrows A, A' and B, B'. As noted above, the respective
outer walls 34 and 60 of the base and lid closure portions need not
form a second set of sealing surfaces and could be arranged as
vertical or beyond vertical segments as desired.
[0034] The venting button 52 is adapted to remain in the first and
second positions after placement thereof until an external (or
actuation) force F.sub.v is applied to the button 52. As will be
appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the actuation
force will typically depend on the size of the container closure
and button 52, as well as the placement of the button 52 on the lid
closure portion 44.
[0035] Preferably, the actuation force (F.sub.v) is in the range of
approximately 0.25-15.0 lbs., more preferably, in the range of
approximately 0.5-10.0 lbs., even more preferably, in the range of
approximately 1.0-5.0 lbs. As will be appreciated by one having
ordinary skill in the art, the noted actuation force is sufficient
to maintain the button 52 in a desired venting or non-venting
position while providing easy actuation therebetween.
[0036] According to the invention, the venting button 52 can
comprise various sizes, depending on the size and shape of the
container closure. In one embodiment (i.e., closure size ranges
from approximately 0.3-0.6 in. proximate the button 52), the
venting button 52 is substantially circular in shape and has a
diameter in the range of approximately 0.25-0.6 in. In another
embodiment, the diameter of the venting button 52 ranges from
approximately 0.35-0.55 in.
[0037] As stated, the venting button 52 transitions from the first
position to the second position a distance sufficient to provide an
effective air passage at the second position. The actual transition
distance will similarly depend on the size (e.g., horizontal
surface width) of the rim surface 50 and venting button 52.
[0038] An exemplary venting mode of operation is as follows: a user
merely lifts the corner 46 of the lid 40 from the base 20 (if
attached thereto) while applying the noted actuation force (denoted
by Arrow F.sub.V) to the venting button 52 to transition the
eversible raised domed portion 64 from the first, non-venting
position (FIG. 3) to the second, venting position (FIG. 4). When
the venting button 52 is moved into its second venting position,
the apex 66 of eversible raised domed portion 64 abuts rim surface
30 of the base closure portion 28 thereby displacing or raising the
lid 40 proximate the button 52 a sufficient amount to (i)
facilitate produce respiration and/or (ii) during microwaving,
permit air and steam to vent from the container and permit
sufficient air to vent back into the container 10 during cooling to
compensate for the pressure drop.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. The container 110 consists of a container base 120
identical to container base 20 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and a
container lid 140. The container lid 140 is substantially identical
to the container lid 40 described in FIGS. 1-5 except that in
addition to venting button 52 it includes a second venting button
152 and optionally a third venting button 252. Like the first
venting button 52, the venting buttons 152 and 252 are preferably
located at the corner regions 146 of the lid 140. Operation of
venting buttons 152 and 252 is identical to that as previously
described in connection with FIGS. 3-5. The venting buttons 52,
152, and 252 may be selectively actuated to provide a desired
amount of venting.
[0040] FIGS. 7 through 11 illustrate another embodiment of a
venting container of the present invention. The container 310
includes a container base 320 and a flexible container lid 340
sealingly engaged thereto. The container base 320, has a bottom 322
and a sidewall 324 extending from the periphery of the bottom 322.
At the termination of the sidewall 324 an outwardly and
substantially horizontally extending denesting shoulder 326 is
provided, which merges into the base of a closure portion 328. The
closure portion 328 has a generally horizontal rim surface 330 and
a generally inverted U-shaped cross section.
[0041] The container lid 340 generally includes a central panel 342
surrounded by a peripheral closure portion or sealing lip 344. The
central panel 342 optionally includes one or more stacking beads
343 that cooperate with the stacking recess (not shown) provided in
the bottom surface 322 of the base 320. The lid closure portion 344
includes four corners 346 an optional gripping tab 348. The lid
closure portion 334 of the lid 340 is adapted to sealingly engage
base closure portion 330. The lid closure portion 344 has a
horizontal rim surface 350 and a generally inverted U-shaped cross
section that defines a lid channel.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the lid 340 further includes
venting means, designated generally at 372.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the venting means 372 comprises
at least one protrusion or venting boss 374 that is disposed
proximate the lid closure portion 344. The venting boss 374 is
disposed on the horizontal rim surface 350 and protrudes into the
lid channel as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0044] According to the invention, the venting boss 374 can
similarly be disposed at any position on the lid closure portion
344. Preferably, for quadrilaterals the venting boss 374 is
disposed proximate a lid corner 346. In a preferred embodiment of
the invention, the venting boss 374 is disposed proximate corner
346, which, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, and 9-11 is also proximate
the gripping tab 348.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the container bottom 320
includes a venting boss seat 336 adapted to receive the venting
boss 374 when the lid 340 and the base 320 are in an engaged
position and the lid 340 and, hence, venting boss 374 are oriented
in a first non-venting position. When the lid 340 is rotated to or
oriented in a second venting position, the venting boss 374 seats
on the container horizontal rim surface 330, as illustrated in
FIGS. 10 and 11, whereby the lid 340 is slightly raised proximate
the boss 374 and similarly provides a venting air passage. In this
second venting position, inner wall 358 of the lid closure portion
344 is displaced and disengaged from sealing contact with inner
wall 332 of the base closure portion 328 and outer wall 360 of the
lid closure portion 344 is displaced relative to outer wall 334 of
the base closure portion 328 to provide a venting air passage
denoted generally by Arrows O, O' and C, C'.
[0046] According to the invention, the venting boss 374 can
similarly comprise various sizes, depending on the size and shape
of the container closure. In a preferred embodiment (i.e., closure
size in the range of approximately 0.3-0.6 in. proximate the boss
374), the venting boss 374 is substantially circular in shape and
has a diameter in the range of approximately 0.25-0.6 in., more
preferably, in the range of approximately 0.35-0.55 in.
[0047] To place the container 310 in a venting orientation, a user
merely removes the lid 340 from the container base 320, rotates and
places the lid 340 back on the container base 320 in a venting
position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For a square container the
lid 340 need only be rotated by 90.degree. to allow venting. For a
rectangular container, the lid 340 requires a rotation of
180.degree. to move to the venting position. In the noted venting
position, the venting boss 374 similarly raises a corner 346 of the
lid 340, which (i) accommodates produce respiration and/or (ii),
during microwaving, permits air and steam to vent from the
container and allows sufficient air to vent back into the container
during cooling to compensate for the pressure drop, while
substantially maintaining the sealed integrity (i.e., leak-proof)
of the container 310.
[0048] To place the container 310 back into the fully sealed
non-venting orientation, the user merely removes and rotates the
lid 340 to align the venting boss 374 with the venting boss seat
336 and then depresses the lid onto the base to sealingly engage
the lid closure portion 344 with the base closure portion 328.
[0049] The container can be reusable, but it can also be
constructed cheaply enough that consumers see it as a disposable
item, with replacement covers and bases available separately for
retail sale. The base and the cover can be fabricated by
thermoforming a clarified polypropylene homopolymer material. In
another embodiment, the container may be fabricated by
thermoforming a clarified random copolymer polypropylene material.
Other plastic materials which would be suitable for fabricating the
container by thermoforming include PS (polystyrene), CPET
(crystalline polyethylene terephthalate), APET (amorphous
polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high density polyethylene), PVC
(polyvinyl chloride), PC (polycarbonate), and foamed polypropylene.
The material used can be generally transparent to allow a user to
view the contents of the container.
[0050] The container may include a visual indication of closure
between the container cover and the container base. The visual
indication may be a color change in the area where the cover
engages the base. In one embodiment, the closure portion on the
cover may be a first color and the closure portion on the base may
be a second color. When the closure portions are engaged, the first
and second colors produce a third color which is visible to the
user to indicate that the container is sealed.
[0051] The container may include a rough exterior surface to reduce
slipping and to improve grasping by the user, especially if the
user's hands are wet or greasy.
[0052] The container may be divided to separate foods in the
container. A divider may be integral with the container or may be a
separate component. Either the base only may include a divider or
both the base and the cover may each include a divider. The divider
located in the cover may only partially engage the divider in the
base so as to provide splash protection, or it may fully engage the
divider in the base to provide varying degrees of
inter-compartmental leak resistance.
[0053] The container may include a strip indicating the temperature
of the container and its contents.
[0054] The gripping tab can include a relieved portion that
provides less interference contact with the base during the removal
or engagement of the cover while still providing an adequate
closure portion to maintain proper sealing of the container. The
relieved portions of the gripping tab permit venting by allowing a
portion of the cover to be unsealed from the base while still
maintaining a seal around the remaining perimeter of the container.
This feature is useful in microwave cooking where the cover
prevents food from splattering onto the inside surface of the
microwave while still allowing the container to vent. By using the
gripping tab, less force is required to remove the cover from the
base. This lower opening force also reduces the possibility of
container failure from stress and fatigue. The lower opening force
can improve the ability of the user to maintain control over the
container components while removing the cover from the base and
thus to reduce the possibility of spilling the contents stored in
the container.
[0055] The use of the terms "a," "an," "the," and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the
context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both
the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values
herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
indicated.
[0056] While the invention is described herein in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit the
present invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is
recognized that various changes and modifications to the described
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the foregoing description, and that such changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Skilled artisans may employ such
variations as appropriate, and the invention may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the
intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *