Patent ID: 8038023

Claim:
A molded plastic container having a degassing valve, comprising: a molded rigid or semi-rigid container body comprising a side wall encircling an axis, the side wall having an outer surface and an inner surface and having a valve seat feature molded into the side wall such that the valve seat feature is integral with and of one piece with the side wall, the valve seat feature comprising a central recess in the outer surface of the side wall, and an annular valve seat surrounding the central recess; one or more holes extending through the side wall in the central recess into the interior of the container; and a label disposed against the outer surface of the side wall such that the label is under tension, the tension of the label causing the label to firmly abut the annular valve seat, but excess pressure of gas inside the container being able to momentarily lift the label away from the annular valve seat to establish a flow path between the label and the annular valve seat such that the excess pressure is vented through the one or more holes and through the flow path, after which the tension of the label causes the label to reengage the annular valve seat to close the degassing valve.