Patent ID: 8356727

Claim:
A container venting device comprising: a container comprising a body and an opening; an end closure configured to close the opening of the container; at least one lip extending from internal walls of the container; a mechanical latching member coupled to the end closure and comprising a shape memory band operable to attach an end closure to the body of the container, the shape memory band comprising a shape memory polymer or shape memory polymer composite operable to reduce in size at a predetermined critical temperature; and a plurality of latches moveable with the shape memory polymer or composite, wherein expansion of the shape memory polymer or shape memory polymer composite allows the latches of the shape memory band to engage the container thereby mechanically latching the end closure to the container, and retraction of the shape memory polymer or composite upon reaching the predetermined critical temperature triggers the latches of the shape memory band to disengage from the container thereby detaching the end closure from the container and venting the container.