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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . 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;   said venting means uncovered by the lid when sealed to the lid seal, the venting means comprising 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 and a port extending entirely through the side wall of the container from the interior surface at least proximate the lid seal.   
     
     
         22 . The container of claim  1  wherein the lid seal comprises:
 a. a ledge; 
 b. an abutment; or 
 c. an edge. 
 
     
     
         23 . 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. 
     
     
         24 . 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. 
     
     
         25 . 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. 
     
     
         26 . 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. 
 
     
     
         27 . A self-venting container comprising:
 a bottom with generally upstanding side walls terminating in a mouth opposite the bottom wall;   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, the surface interruption comprising a channel extending horizontally around the entire side wall and including vertical channels extending from the edge toward the mouth of the container.   
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 27  further comprising a tear-away lid having an outer peripheral edge seated at the edge of the container on the interior surface. 
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 28  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. 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 27  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. 
     
     
         31 . 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, where the surface interruption comprises a discontinuity in the interior surface of the cup and the discontinuity is closed off from the interior of the cup when lidded; 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.