Containers with discontinuous seal

Abstract

Polymeric containers that have a container body and a removable and replaceable lid configured for sealing engagement with the body. The sealing arrangement between the container body and the lids includes a discontinuity feature that provides a passage for fluid from the exterior of the container to the sealing arrangement, which reduces the forces needed to open (e.g., unseal) or vent the container. The containers are often thermoformed, and might be considered “disposable” containers.

1 . A rigid container comprising a container body and an engageable lid,
 the container comprising a sealing arrangement comprising a sealing region formed by cooperating walls of the container body and the lid, the walls being engaged surfaces engaged in retaining contact,   the container including at least one discontinuity within the sealing region interrupting the retaining contact.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature comprises an element molded into at least one of the walls of the container body and the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an indent in the wall of the container body. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a protrusion in the wall of the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a rib in the wall of the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an aperture in the wall of the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is present in a corner at least one of the walls of the container body and the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes a tab, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the container body and the lid are rectangles, the tab is present at a corner of the lid, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a second discontinuity feature present in at least one of the walls of the container body and the lid, the second discontinuity feature positioned 180° from the at least one discontinuity feature. 
     
     
         11 . A rigid container comprising a container body and an engageable lid with a sealing arrangement including sealing regions having cooperating walls of the body and the lid, with at least one discontinuity feature present in at least one of the cooperating walls of the sealing region. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature comprises an element molded in at least one of the cooperating walls of the sealing region. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an indent in the cooperating wall of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a protrusion in the cooperating wall of the lid. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a rib in the cooperating wall of the lid. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an aperture in the cooperating wall of the body. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is present in a corner of the sealing arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the lid includes a tab, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the container body and the lid are rectangles, the tab is present at a corner of the lid, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , further comprising a second discontinuity feature present in at least one of the cooperating walls, the second discontinuity feature positioned 180° from the at least one discontinuity feature. 
     
     
         21 . A rigid container comprising:
 a container body comprising a lip,   a lid comprising a groove configured for engagement with the lip, the lip and the groove forming a sealing arrangement,   a sealing region present in the sealing arrangement, the sealing region formed by cooperative surfaces of the lip and the groove, and   at least one discontinuity feature present in the sealing region between the cooperative surfaces.   
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature comprises an element molded into at least one of the lip and the groove. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an indent in the lip. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a protrusion in the groove. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is a rib in the groove. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is an aperture in the lip. 
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one discontinuity feature is present in a corner at least one of the groove and the lip 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the lid includes a tab, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein the container body and the lid are rectangles, the tab is present at a corner of the lid, and the at least one discontinuity feature is present proximate the tab. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 29 , further comprising a second discontinuity feature present in at least one of the groove and the lip, the second discontinuity feature positioned 180° from the at least one discontinuity feature.