Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/14—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
  • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
  • B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
  • B65D51/228—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being removed from the container after the opening
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/14—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars
  • B65D51/145—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars by means of an additional element connected directly to the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D53/00—Sealing or packing elements; Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material
  • B65D53/04—Discs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
  • B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
  • B65D79/0087—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a closure, e.g. in caps or lids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
  • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
  • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
  • B65D2251/0015—Upper closure of the 41-type
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
  • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
  • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
  • B65D2251/0093—Membrane

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a composite closure cap for containers such as, but not limited to, plastic bottles and jars.
• the closure cap includes a disc-shaped end panel that has excellent oxygen barrier properties.
• Application of the closure cap results in a hermetic seal between the container and the cap.
• the present invention is directed to a composite closure cap with an end panel made substantially of plastic, having oxygen barrier properties and providing a hermetic seal between the container and the cap in a variety of sealing and sterilization environments.
• Composite closures are well known in the art.
• Composite closures typically include two parts (thus, the word “composite”)/ an annular shell or ring with a central opening and a separate end panel covering the central opening.
• Composite closures are often used in products that are either hot filled or are thermally pasteurized or sterilized after filling, including products where the entire package (filled container with sealed closure) is subjected to "retorting"
• composite closures include a metal end panel and an annular gasket or ringed liner that provides a hermetic seal between the closure and the container finish.
• the metal end panel of the metal/plastic composite closure provides a good barrier to oxygen which, if allowed to freely permeate the package, can result in spoilage of the food product.
• composite closures where the end panel is made substantially of a non-metal material, such as plastic have been introduced. Such "all-plastic" composite closures have the advantage of the end panel being less susceptible to corrosion and are less costly to manufacture.
• the composite closure includes a metal or plastic end panel, but particularly where the end panel is made substantially of plastic, maintaining the integrity of the seal can be particularly problematic in food products packaged in plastic containers that are subjected to retorting.
• Plastic containers and, more particularly, the plastic container finishes that are subjected to retort often undergo expansion and subsequent contraction. The expansion and contraction of the container finish affects the seal interface between the container and the closure, thus making it more possible that the product can spoil.
• the closure of the present invention addresses the above-stated needs.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the composite closure fitted onto a container finish
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the composite closure of Fig. 1 with a section broken away to show the end panel disc lined with a ring (gasket) of sealant;
• FIG. 3 is a top view of a package with the closure embodying the present invention,-
• Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the composite closure of Fig. 3 taken along line 4-4;
• FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the closure cap of Fig. 1 taken through a vent, with the closure fitted onto a container finish;
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the closure cap shell without the end panel disc
• FIG. 7 is a plan view of the closure cap of Fig. 1 fitted onto a container finish showing the internal threads and bead on the closure inner surface and the threads on the outer surface of the container neck (in broken lines) ;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the closure cap with a section broken away, with the closure fitted onto a container finish;
• FIG. 9 partial, cross-sectional side view taken along 9-9 of Fig. 8;
• Fig. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional side view taken along 10-10 of Fig. 8;
• FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 after insertion of the end panel into the shell, but prior to placement on a container finish;
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure cap of Fig. 1 fitted onto a container finish.
• Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the closure cap fitted onto a container finish, the closure cap including an end panel with a mechanically shaped vacuum activated button (in the up position) ;
• Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the closure cap of Fig. 13 with the vacuum activated button (in the down position) ;
• Fig. 15 is a top view of the closure of Fig. 13;
• Fig. 16. is a cross-sectional side view of the closure of Fig. 13 taken along 15-15 of Fig. 15;
• Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the closure of Fig. 14 taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15.
• Fig. 18 is a partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the composite closure.
• Fig. 19 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the closure cap of Fig. 18 taken along line 19-19, fitted onto a container finish;
• FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the closure cap of Fig. 18 taken along line 20-20, fitted onto a container finish;
• Fig. 21 is a perspective view of still another alternative embodiment of the shell 9 of a composite closure;
• Fig. 22 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the closure cap of Fig. 21 taken along line 22-22, fitted onto a container;
• Fig. 23 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the closure cap of Fig. 21 taken along line 23-23, fitted onto a container;
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of still another alternative embodiment of the closure cap with a portion broken away;
• Fig. 25 is a side view of the closure cap of Fig. 24 with a portion broken away;
• Fig. 26 is a different (bottom) perspective view of the closure cap of Fig. 24.
• Fig. 27A is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap prior to insertion of the end panel into the shell;
• Fig. 27B is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap with end panel inserted into the shell but prior to application of the closure onto the finish of a container;
• Fig. 27C is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap as it is being applied onto the finish of a container;
• Fig. 27D is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap at a later stage during the application of the closure cap onto the finish of a container;
• Fig. 27E is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap at a still later stage during the application of the closure cap onto the finish of a container as the finish fully engages the closure.
• Fig. 27F is a cross-sectional side view of the closure cap at the final fully sealed position relative to the closure finish
• Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the end panel with the gasket applied to the lower panel surface,-
• Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of a pre-formed end panel with the gasket applied to the peripheral portion of the lower panel surface;
• Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of a flat end panel with the gasket applied to the peripheral portion of the lower panel surface;
• Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the preformed disk of Fig. 29 being applied to the shell of the closure;
• Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of the closure of Fig. 31 applied to the finish of a container.
• closure cap 10 includes a generally cylindrical shell 12 having a central opening covered by an end panel 20 held within shell 12.
• Shell 12 is preferably molded from a plastic material such as, but not limited to, polypropylene.
• shell 12 includes a downwardly extending skirt 14 integrally- formed with an upper radially and inwardly extending flange 18.
• Flange includes a top surface 19 and a bottom surface 21. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, top surface 19 of flange 18 is slightly downwardly sloped in the direction of the closure center.
• Thread 22 is intended for cooperative mating engagement with corresponding thread(s) 23 on the container finish 27, as generally depicted in Fig. 7 and elsewhere.
• thread 22 is a single lead thread that extends more than 360° on the inner surface of ring 12.
• thread 22 may also be a multi-lead thread.
• the inner circumferential surface of skirt 14 includes, preferably, lifting bead 24, which is located above thread 22 and, more specifically, above the upper terminal end of thread 22. Lifting bead 24 lifts end panel 20 and releases it from its sealing contact with the container during the opening sequence.
• lifting bead 24 is substantially horizontal (i.e., does not slope) .
• bead 24 may extend around the entire circumference of shell 12 (i.e., 360°) . More preferably, bead 24 may extend less than 360° around shell 12. In one embodiment, lifting bead 24 extends approximately 240° or less around ring 12 and is continuous (i.e., uninterrupted) . However, as shown in Fig.
• lifting bead may also be non-continuous and be made up of a series of annular bead segments 24a, 24b, etc.
• shell 12 may be provided without lifting bead 24. Where bead 24 is absent, release of disc 20 from the container may be achieved by the lifting action of one of the threads 22. This provides for more distance between disc 20 and the lifting means (i.e., thread 22), thereby maximizing the travel distance of disc 20 before the primary seal of the package is broken. This may be advantageous where more sequential opening is desired.
• a tamper evident band 26 Attached to the terminal end of skirt 14 is a tamper evident band 26.
• 1 band 26 may be an extension of skirt 14 and be attached to skirt 14 by a plurality of bridges, at a location below a container retaining bead 60.
• a continuous or semi-continuous slit 28 or line of weakening between skirt 14 and band 26 is also provided to allow for separation of the cap from band 26 during opening.
• Band 26 further includes an upwardly and annular inwardly extending retaining member 29 for engagement of bead 60 on the container finish 27.
• An example of this type of tamper evident band is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,685,443, incorporated herein by reference.
• band 26 may include a series of annular ratchets or ratchet segments (not shown) that engage corresponding ratchets 37 (see Figs. 19-20, 22-23) on the finish 27 of the container.
• ratchet engagement is well known and will be understood by those of skill in the art.
• end panel 20 has an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of ring 12 at the inner surface of skirt 14 between lifting bead 24 and - W - the transition portion 43 between skirt 14 and flange 18.
• the outside diameter of end panel 20 is slightly greater than the diameter of lifting bead 24 which allows end panel 20 to rest flat on the lifting bead 24 when closure 10 is in the assembled state but prior to placement of the assembled closure on a container finish.
• end panel 20 is free-floating between lifting bead 24 and the bottom surface of flange 18.
• End panel disc 20 may be made of any suitable plastic composition and may be provided as a single sheet or layer or, as described below, a plurality of sheets.
• end panel 20 may be made of one or more layers of polypropylene.
• the disc is made of a material (s) that has good oxygen barrier properties.
• a material that includes a metal component such as a metal film.
• non-metallic, (e.g., plastic) substantially oxygen impermeant compositions may also be used.
• end panel disc 20 is made of a single layer of one or more plastic materials, wherein at least one of the materials is an oxygen barrier.
• end panel disc 20 may be a multi-layered disc 20.
• a multi-layered disc as shown, for example, in Figs. 5 and elsewhere, can be made by a variety of methods.
• disc 20 can be made from co- extruded sheets of multiple sheet . layers.
• disc 20 can be made by molding, such as by injection molding.
• the multi-layered disc may include top 32, middle 34 and bottom 36 sheets of a plastic material, wherein at least one layer includes oxygen barrier properties.
• top layer 32 may be made of a plastic material such as, but not limited to, a polypropylene and/or polypropylene co-polymer.
• Middle layer 34 may be a compound with good oxygen barrier properties.
• middle layer 34 may be an ethylene vinyl compound such as, but not limited to, EVOH.
• Bottom layer 36 may be a polypropylene or a polypropylene co-polymer.
• disc 20 is a multi-layer disc 20, it may include adhesive between the top and middle layers and between the bottom and middle layers.
• the material having the oxygen barrier property may comprise top layer 32.
• top layer 32 may be an oxygen barrier
• middle layer 24 may be a bonding layer
• bottom layer 36 may be polypropylene, a copolymer thereof or other polymeric material with insubstantial oxygen barrier properties.
• commercially available films that may be useful in the manufacture of end panel 20 include Besela ® films available from Kureha Chemicals.
• disc 20 may include an oxygen scavenger.
• the scavenger will be combined, blended or otherwise incorporated into a single-layer disc.
• bottom layer 36 may include an oxygen scavenger so as to reduce head space oxygen levels after sealing of the container.
• suitable scavengers include fine sodium ascorbate particulate or powder.
• Other examples of oxygen scavengers include iron-based compounds, such as ferrous oxide.
• the thickness of panel will depend, in part, on the size of closure 10, in most of the embodiments described herein a panel thickness of approximately 0.020 inch is preferred. An end panel of reduced thickness may be preferred for purposes of cost reduction and effective heat transfer, particularly during a retort process.
• the thickness of the middle layer will preferably be approximately 1.2 mils.
• Closure cap 10 may also include an annular gasket or liner 38 which is sealingly engageable with the end and preferably inner surfaces of the container finish.
• Liner 38 may ⁇ be a full pad liner that substantially covers the entire bottom surface of disc 20.
• Liner or gasket 38 may be applied to the bottom of end panel disc 20.
• sealant is provided as a ring or gasket 38 around the outer periphery of disc 20, as best seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.
• An example of a gasket and its method of manufacture and application is provided in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/634,182, filed August 9, 2000, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
• Gasket 38 provides an effective seal between end panel disc 20 and container finish 27.
• Gasket 38 is preferably injection molded onto end panel ⁇ disc 20.
• Suitable compositions for use in the gasket 38 or liner 38 are any compositions that can provide a hermetic seal with container finish 27.
• the sealant may be made of polypropylene or copolymer thereof.
• Other known sealant compositions that may be used include a SEBS block copolymer.
• Thermoplastic elastomers or other compositions which have oxygen barrier properties to varying degrees may also be used. Such thermoplastic elastomers are disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 6,677,397 and U.S.
• Patent Application Serial No. 10/400,304 filed March 27, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• any suitable TPE or TPE-based composition may be used for gasket 38, the preferred plastic compositions disclosed in Serial No. 10/400,304 are particularly useful in the closures described herein.
• Composite closures of the present invention provide further improvement in oxygen barrier properties over more traditional metal/plastic composite closures (i.e., plastic fitment ring with metal end panel) .
• oxygen barrier properties of (A) a composite closure including a polypropylene/EVOH/polypropylene end panel 20, lined with a gasket made of the preferred sealant composition described in U.S. Serial No.10/400,304 was compared to (B) a metal/plastic composite closure lined with a plastisol composition.
• closures of the present invention (as described above) exhibited an oxygen ingress rate of typically less than approximately 0.003 cc/package/day/atm, measured at 65% relative humidity (and based on a 40 mm closure) , and approximately 0.0025 cc/package/day/atm.
• Plastic/metal composite closures, lined with plastisol exhibited an oxygen ingress rate of approximately 0.0041 cc/package/day/atm. (Briefly, equipment of the type described above measures oxygen ingress by introducing nitrogen gas into a vessel sealed with a lined closure.
• the nitrogen gas flushes any oxygen that may be present, due to ingress through the closure, within the sealed vessel.
• the nitrogen gas exits the vessel through an outlet and the level of captured oxygen is recorded as an electronic signal and reported as cubic centimeters (cc) of oxygen permeating into a package (closure with liner) in a day.
• the reading is then adjusted to take into account barrier properties of the container or vessel to give a more accurate reading.
• closure cap 10 includes a 'plurality of annularly spaced vents 40 along the bottom surface 21 of flange 18. Vents 40 provide flow channels for draining liquid (water) used to cool or rinse the package. Vents 40 may be regularly spaced from each other and separated by portions of flange 18 identified by reference numeral 42. When the container is sealed by closure cap 10, portions 42 are in contact with disc 20, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4. [00059]
• the closure 10 of the present invention is particularly well-suited for use in hot-fill or retort environments, provided that the container is likewise suitable for use in retort operations. Further alternative embodiments of a "retortable" closure for use with more traditional container materials are also described below.
• FIGs. 8-10 depict an alternative version of a closure cap embodying the present invention.
• closure cap 10 includes a fitment ring 12 and an end panel disc 20 within ring 12.
• flange 18 of shell 12 defines a central opening
• ring 12 include a further central panel 50 overlying end panel disc 20.
• central panel 50 is integral with ring 12 and is made of the same (plastic) material as ring 12 during the molding process. As shown n Fig. 8, central panel 50 is attached to flange 18 by the areas 52 of connecting arms 52 radiating from central panel 50. The sides of connecting arms 52, the end wall 54 of central panel 50 and the end wall 43 of flange define windows 56 through which disc 20 is exposed to the outside environment. Preferably connecting arms 52 of the web have a thickness that is about (1/2) of the thickness of flange 18. As in the previously described embodiment, ring 12 includes a plurality of annularly spaced vents 40 along the bottom surface of flange 18 separated by portions 42 of flange 18. Vents 40 may be interrupted by connecting arms 52 of ring 12, as best seen in Fig. 8.
• closure cap 10 shown in Figs. 8-10, is substantially identical to the previously described embodiments.
• Ring 12 such as the one shown in Figs. 8-10 and described above may be used where a more robust ring 12 is desired, (as the central end panel 50 reinforces ring 12.)
• Panel 50 also provides a surface that can be used for printing, embossing or otherwise applying product information thereon.
• Figures 13-17 depict another alternative embodiment or feature of closure 10 and more specifically, end panel disc 20.
• end panel disc 20 includes a vacuum activated button.
• Composite closures with mechanically formed buttons in the end panel are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,989,740, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the at least substantially plastic end panel disc 20 may be mechanically pre-formed to include a vacuum-activated button. The presence of vacuum in a sealed container is an indication that the container is sealed.
• a button in a down state can be detected in a filling line at high speed rates using optical measurement sensors.
• Figs. 18-32 depict additional embodiments of closure cap 10 of the present invention.
• the closure cap 10 is similar or identical in structure and materials to closure cap 10 previously described. Where such similar or identical features are included in the embodiments of Figs. 18- 32, they will not be described in great detail and, instead, it will be understood that the previous description of the similar or identical feature is incorporated by reference.
• the embodiments of Figs. 18-32 do not show tamper evident bands attached to the terminal end of skirt 14, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1-17, it will be understood that closures shown in Figs. 18-32 will include some tamper indicating means.
• the tamper indicating band 26 may include a retaining member 29, as shown in Figs. 1-17, and previously described, or may include annular ratchets for engagement with the neck of container 33. '
• closure caps 10 of Figs. 18-32 provide the good barrier to oxygen and evidence of product tampering, also provided by the previously described embodiment, but they are also particularly well suited for retorting operations and ⁇ effectively maintain the hermetic seal even after temperature changes and the bottle expansion and contraction that is encountered during retort.
• composite closure 10 includes shell 12 with end panel 20, as previously described.
• Shell 12 may typically be made of polypropylene or other suitable plastic materials.
• Shell 12 includes a downwardly extending skirt 14 that, as in the previously described embodiments, is integrally formed with flange 18.
• inner surface of skirt 14 includes one or more threads for cooperative engagement with the threads of the container 23, as seen in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 19.
• Inner surface of skirt 14 of the embodiments shown in Figs. 18-32 also includes bead 24, as generally described above. Bead 24 is located above the upper terminal end of thread 22 on the inner surface of skirt 14, and lifts end panel 20 during the opening sequence.
• bead 24 extends 360° around the inner surface of skirt 14 and is non-continuous.
• bead 26 may be provided as a series of annular bead segments that extend 360° or less than 360° around the inner surface of skirt 14 and are separated from one another.
• bead 24 may be a continuous bead that extends less than 360° and, preferably, 240° around the inner surface of skirt 14, as previously described.
• shell 12 of the closure shown in Fig. 18 includes top flange 18 integrally formed with skirt 14.
• Flange 18 includes a top surface 19, and a bottom surface 21.
• Flange 18 of the closure shown in Fig. 18 differs, however, from the previously described embodiments in that it has a generally G-shaped cross-section and/or profile, as best seen in Fig. 19. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, both flange top surface 19 and bottom surface 21 have a generally C-shaped profile where the top surface 19 and bottom surface 21 parallel to one another.
• bottom surface 21 includes a radially inner, downwardly extending portion 21a, a downwardly extending portion 21c, and a central curved portion 21b.
• flange top surface 19 may include a radially inner ' downwardly extending portion 19a, a radially outer, downwardly extending portion 19c, and a central curved portion 19b, as shown variously in Figs. 18-26.
• only the bottom surface may have a generally C- shaped profile, while flange top surface 19 may include a different profile.
• flange top surface 19 may include a generally C-shaped profile and provide a relatively and continuously smooth surface (as shown, for example, in Figs. 24-26) .
• flange top surface 19 may have something other than a generally C-shaped profile and include, for example, notch 29 between the top curved and radially outer portions of flange top surface 19.
• Shell 12 of composite closure 10, shown in Figs. 18- 32 may also include a plurality of vents 70.
• vents 70 are annularly spaced from one another along the entire circumference of shell 12.
• vents 70 open to the outside in flange 18 between central curved portion 19b and downwardly extending radially outer portion 19c of flange top surface 19.
• vents 70 provide a flow path 72 between skirt 14 and the finish 17 of the container 23.
• composite closure 10 also includes end panel 20.
• End panel 20 of the embodiments shown in Figs. 18-32 is substantially identical to end panel 20 previously described, particularly in terms of its material composition. That is, in one embodiment, end panel 20, preferably has oxygen barrier properties.
• end panel 20 may be made of a single layer or sheet of one or more plastic materials or, is preferably made of a plurality of sheets where one or more of the sheets include(s) an oxygen barrier and/or an oxygen scavenger.
• end panel may be made of three (3) layers or sheets, where the middle sheet includes an oxygen barrier, such as EVOH, while top and bottom sheets include polypropylene or other suitable plastic material. Adhesives may be used as • necessary, and as previously described. Of course, where a multi-layer end panel is desired, such end panel can be made by molding or extrusion, as previously described.
• end panel 20 includes a top surface 20a and a lower surface 20b. End panel 20 further includes a central portion 60 and outer peripheral portion 62. In a preferred embodiment, end panel 20 may be provided with a liner (e.g., full pad) or gasket 38 of sealant, as previously described and shown more particularly in Figs. 28-30. Preferably, gasket 38 is applied as a ring on the lower surface 20b at least the peripheral portion of end panel 20, as shown in Fig. 28. The method of manufacture and application of gasket 38 to end panel 20 is beyond the scope of the present application. However, methods of manufacture and application of gaskets are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0098287 Al, filed January 9, 2003, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/634,182, filed August 9, 2000, both of which have been previously incorporated by reference.
• End panel 20 may be provided as a flat disc, as shown in Fig. 30. During application of closure 10 to container finish 27, disc 20 is substantially conformed to the flange bottom surface 21. Alternatively, end panel 20 may be provided as a contoured disc, as shown in Fig. 29, that is preformed to substantially conform to the profile of flange bottom surface 21. When provided as a flat disc, the overall diameter of disc 20 may be greater than the diameter of the skirt inner surface.
• Figs. 27A-27F show the steps in the assembly of the composite closure 10 and in the application of the assembled closure 10 to a container finish 27. During assembly, end panel 20 is introduced through the mouth of shell 12. The end panel 20 is pushed through shell 12 to a point beyond bead 24 in proximity to flange 18. Because of its greater diameter, end panel 20 may bend slightly at outer peripheral portion 62 and adopt a shape generally shown in Fig. 27b.
• FIG. 27c shows the first step in the application of closure 10 to container finish 27.
• the end of the container finish first contacts outer peripheral portion 62 of disc 20 and gasket 38 at the radially inner most point thereof.
• contact by the container finish 17 to the gasket 38 proceeds from radially inner part of gasket 38 to radially outer part of gasket 38 or, as depicted in Fig. 27, from the bottom up.
• outer peripheral portion 62 conforms to the shape of the flange bottom surface 21, as shown in Fig. 27d.
• disc 20 be provided with a point of weakening between central portion 60 and outer peripheral portion 62.
• the point of weakening allows the plastic disc to bend at a point between central portion 60 and outer peripheral portion 62, thereby- allowing end panel to bend and conform in the manner described above and shown in Figs. 27a-27d.
• the point of weakening can be provided as an area where the thickness of end panel disc has been reduced during, for example, coining or cold-forming end panel 20 to provide a notch 64 in disc 20.
• Fig. 27e shows the outer peripheral portion of disc 20 conformed to the inner radial and central portions 21a and 21b of flange bottom surface 21.
• gasket 38 is compressed over the inner and top surfaces of finish 27, thereby providing a tight seal, as shown in Fig. 27f.
• the seal may become even tighter after the expansion and, more importantly, contraction of container finish 17 that typically occurs during retort operations.
• Fig. 29 shows an alternative embodiment of end panel 20.
• end panel 20 is not presented as a flat disc. Instead, end panel 20 is initially flat, but then shaped prior to its introduction and association with shell 12. End panel 20 is contoured to more closely follow the shape of flange bottom surface 21 at the inner radial and central portions 21a, 21b thereof.
• end panel 20 may be shaped by, for example, bending and contouring end panel in the present of heat, i.e., thermo-forming.
• shaped end panel may be provided by injection or compression molding.
• a shaped, preformed end panel includes a generally planar central portion 60.
• disc slopes slightly downwardly (in the radially outward direction) before becoming substantially planar again.
• disc 20 slopes upwardly (in the radially outward direction), as shown in Fig. 29.
• composite closure 10 of the present invention provides suitable sealing to the container finish 17.
• composite closure 10 of the present invention as shown in Figs. 18-32, primarily provides an' inner and top seal. An effective seal is maintained to the container, even after subjecting the package to the elevated temperatures of retort.
• the composite closure may also be provided with an additional central panel 50, as previously described.
• Central panel 50 may be integrally formed with shell 12 during the molding process.
• Central panel 50 includes a web of connecting members 52 annularly spaced from one another, thereby exposing at least a portion of the end panel 20 to the outside environment.
• FIGs. 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of Fig. 21 taken through a vent portion and a solid portion of the shell 12, respectively.
• central panel 50 may be spaced from end panel 20.
• central panel 50 may contact top surface 20a of end panel 20.
• central panel 50 provides additional strength to shell 12. It also provides a surface that may be embossed with a product name or include a stenciled product name on the central portion of the central panel 50, thereby further exposing the end panel 20 to the outside environment.
• the contour of the flange top and bottom surfaces is identical to the corresponding surfaces described in relation to the embodiments of Figs. 18 and 24.

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• 2005
  • 2005-06-17 MX MXPA06014860A patent/MXPA06014860A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-06-17 KR KR1020077000682A patent/KR20070045190A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-06-17 WO PCT/US2005/021381 patent/WO2006009806A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-06-17 CN CNA200580025010XA patent/CN101005997A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-06-17 US US11/156,076 patent/US20050284837A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-17 BR BRPI0512266-0A patent/BRPI0512266A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-06-17 JP JP2007516759A patent/JP2008503400A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-06-17 CA CA002571259A patent/CA2571259A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-17 AU AU2005265068A patent/AU2005265068A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-06-17 EP EP05761835A patent/EP1776288A2/de not_active Ceased

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