Vented Container

Abstract

A vented container consists of multiple zip locks and tiny channels formed between its lid and its base. The zip locks securely attach the lid to the base, while the channels allow steam inside of the container to escape freely but keep liquid from spilling out.

1 . A food container comprising:
 (A) a base having
 (i) a substantially planar bottom; 
 (ii) base side walls extending substantially vertically upward from said bottom; 
 (iii) a base flange extending substantially horizontally outward from said base side walls; 
 (iv) an inverted, U-shaped base rim extending outward from said base flange, 
 (v) multiple grooves of the same shape crossing horizontally on the top surface of said base rim; 
   (B) a lid having
 (i) a substantially planar top; 
 (ii) lid side walls extending substantially vertically downward from said top; 
 (iii) a lid flange extending substantially horizontally outward from said lid side walls; 
 (iv) an inverted, U-shaped lid rim extending outward from said lid flange; 
 (v) multiple ridges, of a shape matching said grooves, crossing horizontally on the bottom surface of said lid rim, wherein the number of said ridges is fewer than that of said grooves; and 
 (vi) a locking lip which extends vertically downward from said lid rim surface, 
   whereby upon said lid mating onto said base, zip locks are formed by grooves and ridges, and channels are formed between said grooves and the bottom surface of said lid rim.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said grooves and said ridges are arch-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the maximal diagonal of said channels is less than 1 millimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a second base is stackable within said base. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a second lid is stackable within said lid.