HK1119422A - Venting container - Google Patents

Description

Ventilation container

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to food storage containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a food storage container including a lid, a base, and a venting feature.

Background

Food storage containers are well known in the art. The well known containers typically include a lid that is selectively detachable from the bowl and is typically designed to have various features including being reusable, disposable, microwavable, and the like.

Many types of bowl and lid assembly suction devices have been devised for effecting sealable engagement of a lid on a bowl. Such as those disclosed in U.S. patents 6170696 and 6868980.

One problem to be considered with conventional plastic, microwavable containers is based on the fact that they must withstand drastic temperature changes. The container must be vented during microwave heating due to the high pressure created by the evaporation of moisture and the increase in gas temperature of the container contents. Therefore, the container must be left open to some extent during microwave heating. It is, of course, desirable to keep the bowl covered as much as possible to prevent the contents from spilling into the interior of the microwave oven.

Another problem often encountered with plastic containers is the poor ability to increase the amount of gas permeation required for the product while maintaining the container sealed intact. It is well known in the art that providing sufficient ventilation (or air permeability) to provide product breathability will in most cases be able to improve product freshness.

Various methods and container designs have been used to provide adequate venting of the container during and after microwave heating and to provide product breathability. For example, the prior art is replete with containers that incorporate valves or openable doors in the container base or lid that can vent or facilitate gas exchange. These implementations often result in increased costs and complexity in the manufacture of the container. In addition, venting structures in the form of complex valves with moving parts are difficult to design as thermoformed plastic parts.

The conventional container is vented by removing the lid and loosely fitting it over the container base to provide product ventilation and to allow air and steam to escape during microwaving. Another way of venting the container is to lift a small portion of the lid from engagement with the base (i.e., "snap open" the lid), such as at one corner of a square or rectangular container. These two well known ways of venting containers typically provide product breathability. In both cases, however, the container is still exposed to leakage, i.e. is no longer leak-proof.

The well known manner of venting containers typically allows for adequate venting of air and steam during microwaving because the increased pressure in the container will tend to open the container, increasing the spacing between the lid and the bowl. However, there is still a problem that splashing of food can still occur through the unsealed area between the lid and the base. Furthermore, once microwave heating is complete, any steam present in the container will cool and the pressure in the container will drop significantly, its pressure differential no longer tending to open the container. The pressure drop creates a vacuum that draws the lid into sealing engagement with the base so that there is not enough air back into the container to compensate for the pressure differential. This problem is exacerbated by the accumulation of steam or air, which otherwise would form a steam seal between the lid and the bowl. The vacuum created can permanently damage the container.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a vented container lid having an effective, easy-to-use vent that (i) is adapted to enable sealable engagement between the lid and the container base in a first position, while providing an effective gas passage when the vent is in a second position, and (ii) can be easily manufactured by conventional thermoforming processes.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, disclosed herein is a closable lid for a vented container, the container including a base having an interior cavity and a sidewall terminating in a rim, the lid includes a central panel and a peripheral sealing lip surrounding the panel, the peripheral sealing lip having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section defining a lid channel into which the rim of the container is mounted, the sealing lip having a venting means in the form of a flexible venting button, the venting button being adapted to transition from a first position to a second position upon application of an actuation force, the venting button being further adapted to be positioned such that when the rim of the container is located in the lid channel and the venting button is in the first position, sealing engagement of the lid with the container is achieved, and respective sealing surfaces of the lid and the base move relative to each other when the venting button is in the second position to provide a venting air passage from the container cavity to the container surroundings. The venting button is preferably integrally formed with a surface of the lid channel and includes an invertible dome including a border portion surrounding a raised portion protruding from a plane defined by the border portion, the raised portion further including an apex forming an outermost projection of the raised portion, the apex adapted to contact a surface of the second closure portion when the venting button is moved to the second position.

In another embodiment, the venting means includes a second and optionally a third venting button that are selectively actuatable along actuation of the first venting button to provide an increased amount of venting through the container closure region.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a venting container is described, comprising a selectively detachable lid comprising a central panel and a peripheral sealing lip surrounding the panel, the peripheral sealing lip having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section defining a lid channel, the lip comprising a venting boss; and a container base having an interior cavity, the container base further having a sidewall terminating in a container rim, the container rim adapted to be positioned in the lid channel, the container rim including a vent boss seat adapted to receive the vent boss when the container rim is positioned in the lid channel and the lid and base are in a first position such that sealable engagement of the lid and base is achieved such that when the lid is rotated to a second position relative to the container with the vent boss positioned distal to the vent boss seat, the container rim is repositioned and a vent channel is provided in the lid channel from the container cavity to the container periphery.

The present invention substantially reduces or eliminates the disadvantages and obstacles associated with prior art container bases and lid assemblies. As discussed in detail herein, the container design of the present invention includes an efficient and simple to operate venting means that prevents the contents of the container from splashing during microwave heating and also provides for venting of the product.

Features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vented container including a lid and base according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the venting container shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the venting container, taken along the direction and line of arrows 3-3 in fig. 1, showing the first lid venting button in a first non-venting position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the venting container similar to FIG. 3 showing the first lid venting button in a second venting position.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the venting container of FIG. 1 with the actuation of the venting button in a second venting position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a venting container showing the container lid with three venting buttons.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a venting container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the venting container of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the venting container, as viewed in the direction of arrows 9-9 and along the line in fig. 7, showing the lid in its first, non-venting orientation.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9, showing the cover in its second venting orientation.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the venting container of FIG. 7, showing a partial cross-section of the venting angle area when the lid is in its second venting orientation.

Detailed Description

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 1 and 2. The container 10 includes a container base 20 and a flexible container lid 40. In the examples shown in the figures, the container 10 is generally square with rounded corners, while in another embodiment of the invention, the container 100 has other shapes, such as rectangular, circular or oval.

The container base 20 has a bottom 22 and a sidewall 24 extending from the periphery of the bottom 22. At the terminal end of the side wall 24 there is provided an outwardly and generally horizontally extending denesting shoulder 26 which merges into the base of a closure portion 28. The closure portion 28 has a generally horizontal edge surface 30 and a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section. The bottom surface 22 provides a stacking recess (not shown) that extends upwardly to a generally horizontal central panel surface (not shown).

The container lid 40 is adapted to sealingly engage the container base 20. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the container lid 40 generally includes a central panel 42 surrounded by a peripheral closure portion or sealing lip 44. The center panel 42 optionally includes one or more stacking shoulders 43 that cooperate with stacking grooves provided in the bottom surface 22 of the base 24. The lid closure portion 44 includes four corners 46 and an optional grip tab 48. The lid closure portion 44 of the lid 40 is adapted to sealingly engage the base closure portion 30. The lid closure portion 44 has a horizontal rim surface 50 disposed between the inner and outer walls 58, 60 together forming a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section defining a lid channel. The cover includes venting means comprising at least one venting button 52. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the venting button 52 is located along the horizontal edge surface 50, preferably in a corner region, most preferably in a corner region having the gripping tab 48. Positioning the venting button in one corner allows the other three corners of the lid to remain sealed when the container 10 is in the venting configuration, thereby providing the best venting sealing possibilities. In another embodiment, the venting button 52 may be located in the middle of the corner 46 or along an inner or outer wall 58, 60 of the lid channel.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, the closure portion 28 of the container bottom 20 generally includes an inner wall 32 and an outer wall 34, and as previously discussed, the closure portion 44 of the container lid 40 includes an inner wall 58 and an outer wall 60. As shown, the inner walls 32 and 58 are formed as mating undercuts such that when the cover 40 is secured to the base 20, the inner wall 32 provides a tight fit with the inner wall 58 of the cover 40. Thus, the inner walls 32 and 58 provide a first set of sealing surfaces. The outer walls 34 and 60 may also be formed as mating undercuts to provide a second set of sealing surfaces to provide a container having inner and outer continuous sealing areas. Thus, the closure portion or sealing lip 44 of the lid 40 acts as a sealing channel to receive the horizontal rim surface 30 of the closure portion 28 of the container base 20. Further details of the closure portions of the lid and base described above are provided in U.S. patent 6170696B1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. While the closure design of the preferred embodiment is described as having inner and outer sealing surfaces, it will be appreciated that the venting feature of the present invention can work as well as other known U-shaped closure structures, such as those generally U-shaped closure designs, with the primary sealing contact generally being limited to the mating inner (or optionally mating outer) walls of the lid and base closure portions and the corresponding outer (or optionally inner) walls of the lid and base closure portions, contributing little to the formation of an additional continuous peripheral sealing region. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the respective outer walls 34 and 60 need not both be formed as undercuts, and each outer wall may be vertically directed or angled uniformly outward beyond the vertical (i.e., relative to the undercuts).

The base 20 and the lid 40 can be made as thermoformed parts. Alternatively, one or both of these components may be produced by other processes, including blow molding or injection molding, for example. It should be noted, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that minor structural modifications may occur if a non-thermoforming process were employed.

As briefly mentioned above, the venting means includes at least one resilient venting button 52 disposed on the closure portion 44. More specifically, the venting button 52 is disposed on the horizontal rim surface 50, as shown in fig. 3 and 4. The venting button 52 includes a border portion 62 that surrounds a raised portion 64. The border portion 62 is integrally formed with the horizontal edge surface 50. The raised portion 64 may be formed as a rounded or hemispherical eversible dome protruding from the plane defined by the border portion 62. As a result of its rounded shape, the raised portion 64 includes an apex 66 that forms the most outwardly projecting portion of the raised portion 64 and a curved region that integrally connects the apex 66 to the border portion 62. Preferably, the raised portion 64 is about one-half of the diameter of the border portion 62. In fact, the eversible (invertible) nature of the raised domed portion 64 can be readily formed by thinning of the material at the junction between the border portion 62 and the raised portion 64. According to an alternative embodiment in which the cover is formed as an injection molded part, the thickness of the eversible (invertible) raised domed portion 64 is preferably less than about 50% of the thickness of the adjoining region, such as described in paragraph 51 of US2004/0232036A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The venting button 52 is designed and adapted to move between a first non-venting position, shown in fig. 3, and a second venting position, shown in fig. 4-5. In the first position of the venting button 52 (fig. 3), the eversible raised portion 64 of the venting button projects in a direction away from the horizontal rim surface 30 of the bottom closure portion 28. In this position, the inner walls 32 and 58 remain in sealing contact when the cover 40 is engaged with the base 20. In the second position of the venting button (fig. 4 and 5), the raised portion 64 is inverted and faces toward the horizontal edge surface 30 of the bottom closure portion 28. The apex 66 abuts the horizontal rim surface 30 such that the inner sealing wall 58 moves out of sealing contact with the inner wall 32 and the outer wall 60 moves relative to the outer wall 34 to provide the ventilation airway generally indicated by arrows A, A ', B, B'. As noted above, the respective outer walls 34 and 60 of the base and lid closure portions need not form a second set of sealing surfaces and may be arranged in vertical or over-vertical segments as desired.

The venting button 52 is adapted to remain in the first and second positions after its displacement until an external (or actuation) force Fv is applied to the button 52. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the actuation force will generally depend on the size of the container closure and button 52 and the displacement of the button 52 on the lid closure portion 44.

Preferably, the actuation force (Fv) is in the range of about 0.25-15.0 pounds, more preferably, in the range of about 0.5-10.0 pounds, and even more preferably, in the range of about 1.0-5.0 pounds. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the actuation force is sufficient to maintain the button 52 in the desired vented or non-vented position while providing for convenient actuation therebetween.

According to the present invention, the venting button 52 may have various sizes depending on the size and shape of the container closure. In one embodiment (i.e., a closure size range of approximately 0.3-0.6 inches proximate to the button 52), the venting button 52 is generally circular in shape and has a diameter range of approximately 0.25-0.6 inches. In another embodiment, the diameter of the venting button 52 varies from about 0.35-0.55 inches.

As described, the venting button 52 transitions from the first position to the second position a distance sufficient to provide an effective air path in the second position. The actual transition distance similarly depends on the dimensions (e.g., horizontal surface width) of the edge surface 50 and the vent button 52.

Exemplary ventilation modes of operation are as follows: the user merely lifts the corner 46 of the lid 40 from the base 20 (if attached thereto) while applying the actuation force (represented by arrow Fv) to the venting button 52 to transition the eversible (reversible) raised domed portion 64 from the first non-venting position (fig. 3) to the second venting position (fig. 4). When the venting button 52 is moved to its second venting position, the apex 66 of the eversible raised domed portion 64 abuts the rim surface 30 of the base closure portion 28 to move or raise the lid 40 adjacent the button 52 a sufficient amount to (i) facilitate venting and/or (ii) allow air and steam to vent from the container during microwave heating and allow sufficient air to return to the container 20 to compensate for the pressure differential therebetween during cooling.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The container 110 is comprised of a container base 120 and a container lid 140 that are identical to the container base 20 shown in fig. 1-5. The container lid 140 is substantially identical to the container lid 40 shown in fig. 1-5, except for the venting button 52, which includes a second venting button 152 and an optional third venting button 252. Like the first venting button 52, the venting buttons 152 and 252 are preferably located at the corner regions 146 of the lid 140. The operation of the venting buttons 152 and 252 is identical to that previously described in connection with fig. 3-5. The venting buttons 52, 152 and 252 may be selectively actuated to provide a desired amount of venting.

Figures 7 to 11 show another embodiment of the venting container of the invention. The container 310 includes a container base 320 and a resilient container lid 340 sealingly engaged thereto. The container base 320 has a bottom 322 and a sidewall 324 extending from the periphery of the bottom 322. At the terminal end of the side wall 324, an outwardly and generally horizontally extending denesting shoulder 326 is provided which merges into the base of a closure portion 328. The closure portion 328 has a generally horizontal edge surface 330 and a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section.

The container lid 340 generally includes a central panel 342 surrounded by a peripheral closure or sealing lip 344. The central panel 342 optionally includes one or more stacking shoulders 343 that cooperate with stacking grooves (not shown) provided in the bottom surface 322 of the base 320. The lid closure portion 344 includes four corners 346 and an optional grip tab 348. The lid closure portion 334 of the lid 340 is adapted to sealingly engage the base closure portion 330. The lid closure portion 344 has a horizontal rim surface 350 and a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section that defines a lid channel.

As shown in fig. 7, the cover 340 also includes a venting arrangement, generally indicated at 372.

In a preferred embodiment, the venting means 372 includes at least one protrusion or venting boss 374 that is disposed proximate the lid closure portion 344. The venting boss 374 is disposed on the horizontal rim surface 350 and extends into the lid channel as shown in fig. 9-10.

The venting boss 374 can similarly be disposed anywhere on the lid closure portion 344 in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the venting boss 374 is disposed adjacent the lid corner 346 for a quadrilateral. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the venting boss 374 is disposed adjacent the corner 346, as also shown in FIGS. 7, 9-11, adjacent the gripping tab 348.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, container bottom 320 includes a venting boss 336, the boss 336 adapted to receive venting boss 374 when cover 340 and base 320 are in the engaged position and cover 340 and venting boss 374 are positioned in the first, non-venting position. When the lid 340 is rotated or directed to the second venting position, the venting boss 374 seats against the container horizontal rim surface 330, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, such that the lid 340 is slightly raised proximate the boss 374 and similarly provides a venting air passage. In this second venting position, the inner wall 358 of the lid closure portion 344 is displaced out of sealing contact with the inner wall 332 of the base closure portion 328 and the outer wall 360 of the lid closure portion 344 is displaced relative to the outer wall 334 of the base closure portion 328 to provide a venting air passage generally represented by arrows O, O 'and C, C'.

The venting boss 374 can similarly be of various sizes depending on the size and shape of the container closure, in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment (i.e., in the range of closure size of approximately 0.3-0.6 inches proximal to the projection 374), the venting projection 374 is generally circular in shape and has a diameter in the range of approximately 0.25-0.6 inches, and more preferably, in the range of approximately 0.35-0.55 inches.

To place the container 310 in the venting orientation, the user simply removes the lid 340 from the container base 320, rotates the lid 340 against the container base 320 and places it in the venting position as shown in fig. 10 and 11. For a square container, the lid 340 need only be rotated 90 degrees to allow venting. For a rectangular container, the lid 340 needs to be rotated 180 degrees to move it to the venting position. In the registered venting position, the venting boss 374 similarly raises the corner 346 of the lid 340 (i) to accommodate venting and/or (ii) to allow air and steam to vent from the container during microwaving and to allow sufficient air to return to the container during cooling to compensate for the pressure differential while substantially maintaining the sealing integrity (i.e., leak-proof) of the container 310.

To place the container 310 back in the fully sealed, non-venting orientation, the user simply removes and rotates the lid 30 to align the venting boss 374 with the venting boss seat 336 and then presses the lid against the base to sealingly engage the lid closure portion 344 with the base closure portion 328.

The container may be reusable, but it may also be constructed to be sufficiently inexpensive that the user understands it to be a disposable item, with the interchangeable cover and base being separately available for retail sale. The base and lid may be made by thermoforming a clarified polypropylene homopolymer material. In another embodiment, the container may be made by thermoforming a clarified random polypropylene copolymer material. Other plastics suitable for making containers by thermoforming include PS (polystyrene), CPET (crystalline polyethylene terephthalate), APET (amorphous polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PC (polycarbonate) and expanded polypropylene. The material used will typically be transparent, allowing the user to view the contents of the container.

The container may include a visible closure indicator between the container lid and the container base. The visible indication may be a color change in the area where the lid engages the base. In one embodiment, the closure portion on the lid can be a first color and the closure portion on the base can be a second color. The first and second colors produce a third color visible to a user when the closure portions are engaged to indicate that the container is sealed.

The container may include a roughened outer surface to reduce slippage and improve the user's grip, especially if the user's hands are wet or greasy.

The container may be compartmentalized to isolate the food in the container. The divider may be integral with the container or may be a separate component. Either only the base includes the divider or both the base and the cover may each include the divider. The divider located in the lid may only partially engage the divider in the base, providing a splash-proof function, or it may fully engage the divider in the base to provide varying degrees of leakage protection of the interior compartment.

The container may include a strip indicating the temperature of the container and its contents.

The grip tab may include a relieved portion that provides a looser, tight-fitting contact with the base during removal or engagement of the lid, while also providing sufficient closure to maintain a proper seal of the container. The relieved portion of the grip tab allows venting by unsealing a portion of the lid from the base while still maintaining a seal of the remaining perimeter of the container. This feature is useful in microwave cooking where the lid prevents food from splashing onto the inside surface of the microwave while also allowing the container to vent. By using a grip tab, less force is required to remove the cover from the base. This lower opening force also reduces the likelihood of failure of the container due to stress and fatigue. A lower opening force may increase the ability of a user to remove the lid from the base while maintaining control of the container components, thereby reducing the likelihood of splashing of the contents stored in the container.

The terms "a," "an," "the," and the like in the context of describing the invention (especially in the following claims) are to be construed to cover a single object or multiple objects unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

While the invention is described herein in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is to be appreciated that various changes and modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The skilled artisan can implement such variations as appropriate, and the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims (18)

1. A vented container comprising a container lid and a container base:

the container lid comprises a central panel and a peripheral first closure portion surrounding the panel, the first closure portion having a first sealing surface;

the container base comprising a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and a second closure portion having a second sealing surface, the second closure portion being engageable with the first closure portion such that the sealing surfaces are in sealing contact to define a leak-proof storage area; and is

The first closure portion further includes a first venting button operatively movable between a first position and a second position such that when the first and second closure portions are engaged, the sealing surfaces maintain sealing contact when the venting button is in the first position and when the venting button is in the second position, the first sealing surface moves relative to the second sealing surface an amount adjacent the first venting button to provide a desired amount of venting.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first closure portion includes a sealing lip with a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section that defines a lid channel in which the second closure portion is received.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the venting button is integrally formed with a surface of the lid channel and comprises an eversible dome including a border portion surrounding a raised portion, the raised portion extending from a plane defined by the border portion, the raised portion further comprising an apex forming an outermost extension of the raised portion, the apex adapted to contact a surface of the second closure portion when the venting button is moved to the second position.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container lid comprises at least one grip tab and the first venting button is positioned proximate to the grip tab.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the container lid comprises a thermoformed plastic.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the container lid comprises injection molded plastic.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first venting button is movable between the first and second positions upon application of an actuation force in the range of 0.25-15.0 pounds by a user.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the first closure portion comprises a second venting button.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the first closure portion comprises a third venting button.

10. A vented container lid comprising:

a central panel;

a first closure portion around the periphery of the panel, the first closure portion being adapted for sealing engagement with a closure structure of a corresponding container base; and is

The first closure portion further includes a first venting button operatively movable between a first position and a second position such that sealing engagement of the first closure portion with the corresponding closure structure of the container base is maintained when the venting button is in the first position and venting is provided between the first closure portion and the corresponding closure structure of the container base when the venting button is in the second position.

11. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the first closure portion includes a sealing lip having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section that defines a lid channel in which the corresponding structure of the container base is received.

12. The container lid of claim 11 wherein the venting button is integrally formed with a surface of the lid channel and comprises an eversible dome including a border portion surrounding a raised portion, the raised portion extending from a plane defined by the border portion, the raised portion further comprising an apex defining an outermost extension of the raised portion, the apex adapted to contact a surface of a corresponding closure structure of the container base when the venting button is moved to the second position.

13. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the container lid comprises at least one grip tab and the first venting button is positioned proximate the grip tab.

14. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the container lid comprises a thermoformed plastic.

15. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the container lid comprises injection molded plastic.

16. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the first venting button is movable between the first and second positions upon application of an actuation force in the range of 0.25-15.0 pounds by a user.

17. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the first closure portion comprises a second venting button.

18. The container lid of claim 17 wherein the first closure portion comprises a third venting button.