Patent Publication Number: US-10773865-B2

Title: Container with venting features

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/363,740, filed Jul. 18, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to containers, and in particular to containers that have venting features. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many different designs of packages are already in use at food markets, such as delis and grocery stores, for the purpose of displaying and transporting of roasted whole or portioned meats, such as roasted chickens and ribs, to name a few. All of these containers include venting features that allow the hot moisture (steam) to escape from the package. This venting is important as it prevents the chicken from becoming soggy and assists with the crisping of the chicken. 
     Most roasted chicken (or other types of meat) packages include venting features, such as venting slots or holes in the top surface of the lid or venting slots between the lid and the base. Vent slots in the surface of the lid present contamination concerns and the venting slots between the matching surfaces of the lid and the base have a tendency to leak oil and chicken broth when the package is tilted during transport. Also, the packages currently used in the industry offer no element of insulation from the high heat radiating from the chicken and fluids to the outside surface of the package, making it virtually impossible for the consumer to hold the package for extended periods of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a container that effectively vents steam without the use of vent slots in the upper surface of the container lid through the use of side vents between the lid and base and a unique venting feature in the lid. 
     Another object of the present invention is to allow for cold ambient air to be drawn in to the container at flange vents and for escape of hot air from the container to control the stored food moisture level. 
     The flange venting feature of the present invention allows steam and moisture to leave the enclosed compartment and channels it to the opposite end of the package, thereby providing a buffer in the event any oils or fluids escape along with the steam. 
     The flange venting features provide a more sanitary option to vent slots in the surface of the lid and also offer a means to prevent spills when the container is being transported. 
     The optional addition of dome lid vents strategically placed at corners of the lid prevents blockage of escaping heat and moisture due to roasters being stacked one upon each other 
     A container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a base; and a lid that is releasably attached to the base, the lid comprising a channel that extends around a perimeter of the lid, at least one inlet opening that provides fluid communication between an interior of the container and the channel, and at least one outlet opening that provides fluid communication between the channel and atmosphere. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the base comprises a flange and the lid comprises a flange, and the channel is defined by a separation between the base flange and the lid flange that forms an open path around the perimeter of the lid. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, portions of the base flange and the lid flange other than the separated portions that define the channel are in direct contact with one another. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet opening is defined by a pocket formed in the lid flange below the channel. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet opening is defined by an elongated pocket formed in the lid flange above the channel. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lid further comprises additional outlet openings that provide direct fluid communication between the interior of the container and atmosphere. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the base is made of a multi-layer sheet comprising an inner foamed layer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the base is made of a single layer sheet. 
     Other features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are cross sectional views of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an outlet opening of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a circuitous path formed by a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a sheet used to form a base portion of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container, generally designated by reference number  1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container  1  includes a base  10  having a bottom wall  12  and side walls  14 . The bottom wall  12  and side walls  14  define an opening  12  through which roasted chicken or other food items may be passed for storage within the container  1 . The container  1  also includes a lid  20  that is configured to be releasably fixed to the base  10  and enclose the opening  12 . In this regard, the base  10  includes a flange  16  around the opening  12  that is configured to engage with a complementary flange  22  around the periphery of the lid  20  by interference fit. Although the container  1  is shown in  FIG. 1  as having a rectangular shape, it should be appreciated that the container  1  and its base and lid components may have any other suitable shape, such as circular, oval or square. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the lid  20 . The lid  20  includes a channel  24 , indicated by a dashed line, that extends around the perimeter of the lid  20 . The lid  20  further includes an inlet opening  26  through which hot air/steam is vented into the channel  24  and out from the interior of the container  1  and an outlet opening  28  through which the hot air/steam is vented out of the channel  24  to atmosphere. As explained further herein, the channel  24  functions as a buffer around the perimeter of the lid  10  and base  20  so that liquids will not leak from the closed container  1 , even when the container  1  is tipped excessively. The channel  24  catches any liquid that flows out of the base  20  and into the inlet opening  26 , while allowing the hot air and steam to escape through the outlet opening  28 . Although the inlet and outlet openings  26 ,  28  are shown positioned at opposite side walls, it should be appreciated that the openings may be positioned at any point along the perimeter of the lid  10 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are cross-sectional views of the container  1  showing in detail the channel  24 , the inlet opening  26  and the outlet opening  28 . The general profile of the flange  16  of the base  10  matches that of the flange  22  of the lid  20  except where the flanges  16 ,  22  separate to form the channel  24 . That is, the base  10  and lid  20  are sealed around the perimeter of the container  1  except at the channel  24 , so that any fluid escaping from the container  1  tends to follow the path defined by the channel  24 . 
     Further, as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3B , the flange  22  of the lid  20  includes a first pocket that defines the inlet opening  26  that is in fluid communication with the enclosed space of the container  1  and the channel  24 . The inlet opening  26  is further defined by a top flange wall  42  and a bottom flange wall  44  of the flange  22  of the lid  20 . The inlet opening  26  is disposed below the channel  24  so that liquid does not tend to enter the channel  24  and potentially escape through the outlet opening  28 . At the same time, hot air and steam is able to escape through the inlet opening  26  and into the channel  24 , for eventual release through the outlet opening  28 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the outlet opening  28 , showing the hot air and steam (indicated by dashed lines) escaping from the interior of the container  1  through the channel  24 . 
     As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3C , the flange  22  of the lid  20  includes a second pocket that defines the outlet opening  28 . The outlet opening  28  is disposed above the channel  24  so that any liquid within the channel  24  will be less inclined to escape through the outlet opening  28 . At the same time, the hot air and steam that entered the channel  24  through the inlet opening  26  is released through the outlet opening  28 . 
     In general, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the combination of the inlet opening  26 , the outlet opening  28  and the channel  24  defines a circuitous path  40  that acts as a buffer in minimizing or eliminating any escape of liquid from the interior of the container  1  while allowing gases in the form of hot air and steam to vent out. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a container, generally designated by reference number  100 , according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container  100  has the same general configuration as the container  1 , except that in this embodiment the container  100  includes two inlet opening and two outlet openings. In particular, the lid  120  of the container  100  includes first and second inlet openings  126 ,  127  disposed at opposite side walls of the container  100 , and first and second outlet openings  128 ,  129  disposed at the other opposite side walls of the container  100 . As in the previous embodiment, the container  100  also includes a base  110 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a container, generally designated by reference number  200 , according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container  200  has the same general configuration as the container  100 , except that additional outlet openings are provided on the top of the lid  220 . In particular, the lid  220  of the container  200  includes first and second inlet openings  226 ,  227  disposed at opposite side walls of the container  200 , first and second outlet openings  228 ,  229  disposed at the other opposite side walls of the container  200  and additional outlet openings  230  formed at the upper corners of the lid  220 . The venting configuration in this embodiment allows relatively cooler ambient air to be pulled in and the hot air and steam to be vented out through the first and second outlet openings  228 ,  229 . The additional outlet openings  230  are located below the top surface of the lid  220  so that they are not blocked when another container is placed on top of the lid  220  and also to prevent contamination from nested containers. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the container  200  showing the additional outlet openings  230  in more detail. Specifically, indentations  232  are formed at the corners of the lid  210 , and each indentation includes a flat surface  234  that is generally parallel with the bottom wall  212  of the base  210 , although in other embodiments one or more of the flat surfaces  234  may be angled relative to the bottom wall  212 . Each additional outlet openings  230  is defined in a corresponding one of the flat surfaces  234 . This configuration of the additional openings  230  provides additional venting of hot air and steam while only allowing liquid to escape if the container  1  is turned completely upside down. Specifically, when a hot food item is placed in the container  200  and the lid  220  snapped in place, steam is first released through the additional outlet openings  230  and then, as the contents cool down, a vacuum is created in the container causing air to be sucked through the first and second outlet openings  228 ,  229  along with other contaminants. However, the channels extending between the first and second outlet openings  228 ,  229  and the first and second inlet openings  226 ,  227  minimizes the possibility of contaminants reaching the food item because of the distance the contaminants would need to travel. Although  FIG. 8  shows four additional outlet openings  230 , it should be appreciated that there is no limitation on the number of additional openings. 
     The base  10 ,  110 ,  210  is preferably made of a multi-layer sheet that includes an inner foamed layer and outer layers made of polypropylene. The inner foamed layer may be made of industrial polypropylene regrind, pre and/or post consumer polypropylene regrind, recycled plastics or a combination of these materials. The lid  20 ,  120 ,  220  may be made of polypropylene. In exemplary embodiments, the polypropylene used for the base and lid may be replaced or used in combination with PET or APET (polyethylene terephthalate), HIPS (high impact polystyrene), PLA (polylactic acid), HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene) and other thermoformable plastics. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , in an exemplary embodiment, the base  10 ,  110 ,  210  is made of a multi-layer sheet  300  including an internal foamed layer  310  and external layers  312 ,  314  made of virgin polypropylene. The external layers  312 ,  314  include color or pigment, such as black or red coloring, to make the base opaque. The internal foamed layer  310  is made of polypropylene with Talc or CaCO fillers. The thickness of the internal foamed layer  310  may take up 80% to 90% of the entire thickness of the base, with the remaining thickness taken up by the external layers  312 ,  314 . The foamed internal layer provides a degree of thermal insulation for the consumer carrying the packaged product. 
     While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention was set forth, it will be understood that many of the details herein given may be varied considerably by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.