Container with easily removable membrane lid

A container (10) such as a blow-molded plastic can has a flange (20) encircling the top opening, and a flexible membrane lid (14) sealed to the flange. The seal between the lid and the container does not have uniform bond strength all along its length. In particular, the seal has at least one portion having reduced width and hence lower bond strength than other portions of the seal. Consequently, initiation of peeling of the lid from the container can begin relatively easily at the lower-strength portion of the seal. Overall, however, the seal can be relatively strong to resist inadvertent detachment of the lid. Once the peeling of the lid is initiated, it becomes relatively easy to completely detach the lid.