TW201441100A - Aseptically sterilized closure - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure for a container includes a torque ring and a sealing disk. The torque ring and the sealing disk are sterilized in an aseptic process prior to coupling the sealing disk with the torque ring. Once sterilized, the sealing disk is then coupled with the torque ring in an aseptic environment to form the closure.

Description

Sterile sterilization package

This invention relates to a method of packaging and disinfecting a container for use in a product. Packaging, product containers and methods are mainly used in beverage products, nutritional products and pharmaceutical products. A hermetic seal is provided between the package and the container in some package and container designs. The sealed container can then be subjected to distillation sterilization conditions during which the hermetic seal must withstand sterilization of the product and container. In some cases it is desirable to make product packages and containers from plastics such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and polyterephthalate. One problem with plastic packaging and containers used in conjunction with the distillation sterilization process is that thermal energy during distillation conditions can damage or deform the plastic, causing problems in achieving and maintaining a properly hermetic seal. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a package for a container and a sterilization process in which the structural integrity of the container and package is maintained, while providing a hermetic seal and allowing for easier opening of the container when the product is intended for use.

Although a number of packages for containers and methods for sterilizing such packages and containers have been made and used, it is believed that the present invention has not been made or used prior to the present inventors.

100‧‧‧Package

101‧‧‧ Torque ring

102‧‧‧Top part

103‧‧‧ Sealing plate

104‧‧‧ bottom part

106‧‧‧Locking ring

108‧‧‧ratchet section

110‧‧‧ teeth

112‧‧‧ inner surface

114‧‧‧ activities hinge

116‧‧‧ Holding surface

118‧‧‧round lip

120‧‧‧ convex

122‧‧‧Internal surface

124‧‧‧ thread

126‧‧‧Flange

128‧‧‧Bending groove

130‧‧‧round lip

132‧‧‧The lower edge of the sealing disk

134‧‧‧shims

136‧‧‧Circular ring

138‧‧‧ center surface

140‧‧‧Coating

200‧‧‧ container

202‧‧‧Thread neck

204‧‧‧Intermediate flange

206‧‧‧ratchet section

208‧‧‧Bottom flange

210‧‧‧ teeth

212‧‧‧ edge

300‧‧‧Distillation procedure

310‧‧‧Steps

312‧‧ steps

314‧‧‧Steps

316‧‧‧Steps

400‧‧‧Procedural procedures

410‧‧‧Steps

412‧‧‧Steps

414‧‧‧Steps

416‧‧‧Steps

418‧‧‧Steps/filling steps

420‧‧‧Steps/Cover Steps

502‧‧‧Disinfection cabinet

510‧‧‧ disk feeder

511‧‧‧ ring reserver

512‧‧‧ ring feeder

514‧‧‧Container feeder

520‧‧‧sterile disinfection station

530‧‧‧ Cover Assembly Station

532‧‧‧Container filling station

540‧‧‧Container capping station

550‧‧‧Final sealed container

While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, The same components.

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary container and package with a seal Plate and torque ring.

2 depicts a perspective view of one of the portions of the container of FIG. 1 with the top of one of the packages shown removed and the bottom of one of the packages retained on the container.

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of one of the portions of the container of Figure 1 with the top and bottom of the package removed.

Figure 4 depicts a top perspective view of the bottom of the package.

Figure 5 depicts a bottom perspective view of one of the bottoms of the package showing one of the ratchet portions folded outward.

Figure 6 depicts a top view of the top of the package of Figure 1.

Figure 7 depicts a bottom view of the top of the package shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the torque ring at the top of the package shown in Figure 7 taken along line 8-8.

Figure 9 depicts a top perspective view of the sealed sealing disk of Figure 1.

Figure 10 depicts a bottom view of the sealed disk of the package of Figure 1.

Figure 11 depicts an exemplary method for disinfecting the package and container of Figure 1.

Figure 12 depicts another exemplary method for disinfecting the package and container of Figure 1.

Figure 13 depicts an illustrative device that sterilizes a package and container in accordance with the method of Figure 12.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and various embodiments of the invention may be practiced in various other methods, including methods not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in FIG Configuration.

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will be described below, which are intended to be used in the practice of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments and advantages of the invention are apparent from the one of the best mode. It will be appreciated that the invention is capable of other and obvious aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not limiting.

I. Exemplary container

1 through 3 illustrate a package (100) for a container (200). The container (200) includes a threaded neck (202), an intermediate flange (204), a ratchet portion (206), and a lower flange (208). The ratchet portion (206) includes teeth (210) configured to engage a portion of the package (100) as further described below.

II. Exemplary packaging

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the package (100) can be removed from the container (200). In this example, the package (100) is a two piece design, however fewer or more pieces of design may be used. In the depicted form, the package (100) includes a torque ring (101) and a sealing disk (103).

A. Exemplary torque loop

The torque ring (101) includes a top portion (102) and a bottom portion (104). The bottom portion (104) includes a locking ring (106). The locking ring (106) is attached to the top (102), but after the package (100) is removed from the container (200), the locking ring (106) is pressed by the intermediate flange (204) such that it is as shown in Figure 2 The top (102) separates and remains on the container (200). This split lock ring (106) provides evidence of damage by indicating whether the package (100) was previously opened. Separation of the locking ring (106) is facilitated by the initial attachment of the perforated locking ring (106) to the top (102). As further described below, the locking ring (106) is further configured to engage the ratchet portion (206) of the container (200). During removal of the package (100) from the container (200), this engagement thereby substantially statically holds the locking ring (106) when the rotating top (102) causes the locking ring (106) to separate from the top (102). In other forms, for example, the fixation of the package (100) is less important or by other methods such as the location of the label (100) to the container (200) or by application to the container (200). In the case where the additional torque of the package (100) is fixed, the torque ring (101) does not include a locking ring (106).

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the locking ring (106) includes a ratchet portion (108). The ratchet portion (108) includes teeth (110). The teeth (110) are configured to engage corresponding teeth (210) of the container (200). Engagement of the teeth (110) with the teeth (210) provides engagement of the ratchet portion (108) with the ratchet portion (206). Again, the engagement of the ratchet portions (108, 206) makes it possible to separate the locking ring (106) from the top (102) of the package (100) during removal of the package (100) from the container (200).

As further depicted in comparison with one of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the ratchet portion (108) of the locking ring (106) is configured such that it folds inwardly within the diameter of the locking ring (106) such that the ratchet portion (108) The inner surface (112) of one of the adjacent locking rings (106) is positionable. The folding of the ratchet portion (108) is achieved in this example by connecting the ratchet portion (108) with one of the remaining portions of the locking ring (106) to the living hinge (114). 4 depicts a view of the ratchet portion (108) in an inwardly folded position, and FIG. 5 depicts a view of the ratchet portion (108) unfolding and extending outwardly from the inner surface (112) of the locking ring (106). In some versions, the torque ring (101) is fabricated by injection molding such that the ratchet portion (108) is injection molded together with the remainder of the torque ring (101) in its deployed position. The ratchet portion (108) is folded after molding to assume its position adjacent the inner surface (112) of the locking ring (106). Referring back to Figure 1, in the assembled configuration, the living hinge (114) is positioned closest to the lower flange (208) of the container (200). In other versions, the locking ring (106) is molded in the correct final orientation with the ratchet portion (108) such that the ratchet portion (108) need not be folded inwardly. In other words, the teeth (110) of the ratchet portion (108) are molded in an inward orientation.

The top (102) of the torque ring (101) includes a gripping surface (116) and a rounded lip (118). In the depicted form, the gripping surface (116) includes a plurality of protrusions (120) that are vertically oriented and spaced substantially equally around the circumference of the top portion (102). In other versions, the grip surface (116) includes a plurality of protrusions (120) that are not equally spaced, and/or the protrusions (120) can be configured in a plurality of geometric patterns such as diamonds, lattices, or random patterns. The gripping surface (116) increases the friction between its fingers and the package (100) when one attempts to remove the package (100) from the container (200). In the depicted form, the circular lip (118) of the torque ring (101) defines the top of the torque ring (101). In the depicted form, the rounded lip (118) presents a top circumference around the torque loop (101). One of the long bends is generally in the form of a semi-cylinder

6 and 7 illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the package (100), but does not show the bottom (104) of the torque ring (101) attached thereto. As depicted in Figure 6, the circular lip (118) defines one of the openings in the torque ring (101) and is positioned within the opening with a sealing disk (103) as described further below.

Figure 8 depicts a cross section of a torque ring (101) exhibiting an inner surface (122) of one of the torque rings (101). The inner surface (122) includes threads (124) and flanges (126). As also seen in Fig. 8, which is a section of a circular lip (118), the circular lip (118) is shown defining a curved recess (128) for receiving a corresponding portion of the sealing disk (103). The thread (124) is configured to engage the threaded neck (202) of the container (200) such that the package (100) can be threaded onto and unscrewed from the container (200). When the package (100) is clamped onto the container (200), the package (100) is pulled down to the lower flange (208) due to the threaded configuration between the package (100) and the container (200). . When the package (100) is removed from the container (200), the opposite occurs as described above, and the package (100) is driven upward away from the lower flange (208). The flange (126) is configured to hold the sealing disc (103) in place once the sealing disk (103) has been coupled to the torque ring (101).

B. Exemplary sealing disc

In the present example, the sealing disk (103) is coupled to the torque ring (101) to form the package (100) by press fitting the sealing disk (103) into the torque ring (101) from the underside of the torque ring (101). As shown in Figure 9, the sealing disk (103) includes a circular lip (130) configured to be disposed between the flange (126) of the torque ring (101) and the curved groove (128). Within the space. The sealing disk (103) is held in place by interference with one of the side edges (132) of the sealing disk (103) and the flange (126) after being coupled to the torque ring (101).

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a sealing disk (103), shown at the top of the sealing disk in Figure 9 and at the bottom or bottom of the sealing disk (103) in Figure 10. As illustrated in Figure 10, in addition to the bottom side edge (132) and the rounded lip (130) (visible in Figure 9), the exemplary sealing disk (103) includes a spacer (134), A raised circular ring (136) and a central surface (138). It should be noted that the related terms (such as protrusions) that describe portions of the sealing disk (103) are based on a view of the inspection sealing disk (103). For example, in Figure 9, the circular ring (136) is convex with respect to the central surface (138), while the bottom ring (136) is opposite the central surface (138) from the bottom side view of Figure 10 (which presents The convex shape) is concave.

The gasket (134) of the sealing disk (103) in this example is made of an elastic material. Suitable materials for the gasket (134) include: rubber, plastic, ethylene and fluorenone, and the like. Other suitable materials for the gasket (134) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. The gasket (134) is positioned within the space defined by the bottom side of the circular lip (130) of the sealing disk (103). When the package (100) is used in conjunction with the container (200), the gasket (134) contacts one of the edges (212) of the container (200) defining the opening of the container (200). When the torque ring (101) is tightened downward, the sealing disk (103) is pulled toward the edge (212) of the container (200) and the gasket (134) is compressed against the edge (212) to form a hermetic seal.

In some versions, the sealing disk (103) is configured such that the circular ring (136) and the central surface (138) are configured to function as a vacuum button to provide a guarantee that the hermetic seal is not broken.

In this example, the sealing disk (103) comprises metal or plastic. In the form in which the sealing disk (103) contains a metal, the metal may be steel, stainless steel or aluminum, although other metals may be used. The thickness of the sealing disk (103) can be between 0.10 mm and 0.30 mm, although other thicknesses can be used. In some versions in which the sealing disk (103) comprises plastic, the sealing disk (103) includes a multilayer plastic that provides the sealing disk (103) with a suitable oxygen barrier. Other suitable materials for sealing the disc (103) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

In some versions, the sealing disk (103) includes a coating (140) on the bottom side of the sealing disk (103). The coating (140) can be about 0.015 mm thick, although other thicknesses can be used. The coating (140) can be applied by a solution coating system or by other methods that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. In some versions, the coating (140) can be a fusible coating (eg, polypropylene) wherein the coating (140) melts when sufficiently heated and then recondenses when cooled solid. Using a fusible coating, the coating (140) is fitted to the sealing disk (103) to fuse the edge (212) of the container (200) to form a hermetic seal. In a form with a fusible coating, the coating (140) may extend over the gasket (134) or the gasket (134) may be positioned over the coating, or the gasket (134) may be omitted altogether.

In the fusible coating used in conjunction with the metal form of one of the sealing discs (103), the energy required to fuse the coating (140) may be derived from exposing the metal sealing disc (103) to an electromagnetic induction induced by an induction coil. An energy source, such as an electromagnetic current, causes the molecules of the metal sealing disk (103) to be excited to cause the fusible coating (140) to melt and fuse the sealing disk (103) to the edge (212) of the container (200), thereby forming A hermetic seal. In the fusible coating used in the plastic form of one of the sealing discs (103), the energy required to fuse the coating (140) may be derived from exposing the plastic sealing disc (103) to a heat source, such as an oven, super Sonic vibration, some kind of radiation such as microwave radiation, some kind of optical energy such as laser. In view of the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate various methods of heating and cooling a fusible coating (140) on a metal or plastic sealing disk (103).

In other versions, the coating (140) is non-fusible and instead is compressible or flexible to provide a suitable seal when the torque ring (101) is sufficiently tightened. Again, where the coating (140) is non-fusible and is compressible or flexible, the coating (140) may extend over the gasket (134) or the gasket (134) may be positioned over the coating (140). Above, or the gasket (134) can be completely omitted. Of course, in some versions the coating (140) is completely omitted, whether fusible or non-meltable.

In the present example, the torque ring (101) and the sealing disk (103) are coupled by means of one of non-immovably securing the sealing disk (103) to the torque ring (101). For example, when the package (100) is removed from the container (200), the sealing disk (103) can be held in place while the torque ring (101) is rotating. In this example, because the sealing disk (103) is positioned within the space within the torque ring (101) (this space is defined between the curved groove (128) and the flange (126)) is slightly larger than the circular lip ( 130) The thickness of the sealing disc (103) is made, so this configuration is implemented. In use, when the torque ring (101) is tightened by moving downwardly through its threaded connection with the container (200), even The sealing disk (103) may not rotate in unison with the torque ring (101), and the contact of the sealing disk (103) with the curved groove (128) will still drive the sealing disk (103) downward to ultimately contact the container (200). When the torque ring (101) is released by moving upwardly through its threaded connection with the container (200), even if the sealing disk (103) may not rotate in unison with the torque ring (101), the sealing disk (103) and the convex The contact of the rim (126) will drive the sealing disk (103) upward to ultimately separate the sealing disk (103) from the container (200). Although the sealing disk (103) may not always rotate in unison with the torque ring (101) as described above, between the sealing disk (103) and the curved groove (128) or between the sealing disk (103) and the flange (126) The sealing disc (103) can rotate in unison with the torque ring (101) when there is sufficient contact therebetween.

Another exemplary package for use in a container that can be used with some of the methods described above is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,991,731, entitled "Retortable Composite Closure for Plastic Containers", issued February 12, 1991. Number, and is incorporated herein by reference. For example, in some versions the sealing disk (103) includes a downwardly sloped portion and an upwardly sloped portion to form a central portion. The central portion then acts as a vacuum button to further provide assurance that the hermetic seal is not broken. In view of the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other exemplary packages for containers and packages that can be used with the methods described below.

Although some of the exemplary packages described above have been constructed from two components (i.e., a torque ring and a sealing disk), the invention herein is not intended to be limited to a two-piece package design. In fact, the teachings of this article are equally applicable to three-piece packages, or more generally multi-packages. Furthermore, the teachings can also be applied to a one-piece package.

In this example, the design of the package (100) and container (200) as described in detail above allows a sealed container (200) to be opened in a single action. That is, removal of the package (100) provides for direct access to the contents of the container (200) without the need to remove or break any additional seals.

III. Exemplary methods

As disclosed herein, Figure 11 illustrates that the container can be sterilized in a distillation procedure (300) (200) and package (100). As depicted in step (310), the sealing disk (103) and the torque ring (101) are assembled as described above. As shown in step (312), the container (200) is filled with a nutritional product, a medicinal product, or other product. Prior to capping the container (200), the headspace in the vessel can be flushed with inert gas to displace oxygen from the headspace. Next, at step (314), the package (100) can be cooperatively engaged with the container (200) by the upper package (100) which applies downward movement and pressure to the sealing disk (103). In the form of a fusible coating (140), the package (100) can be subjected to an energy source such that the fusible coating (140) fuses the sealing disk (103) to the container (200) as described above. This fusion forms a hermetic seal between the container (200) and the package (100). In the absence of a fusible coating, but with a compressible coating (140) and/or a compressible gasket (134), fully tightening the torque ring (101) downward will result in a sealing disk (103). The compressible coating (140) and/or the compressible gasket (134) that will cause the sealing disk (103) to contact the edge (212) of the container (200) and compress to form a hermetic seal. As shown in step (316), once assembled, the filled and sealed container is sterilized in a distillation procedure. The filled and sealed container can be heated to distillation conditions up to 275 °F. The distillation conditions used in some versions involve heating the filled and sealed container to about 262 °F and maintaining it at this temperature for 9 minutes to 18 minutes. In view of the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate other distillation conditions for sterilization.

In some versions it may be desirable to sterilize the container (200) and the package (100) in a sterile procedure. For example, the sterile sterilization procedure is milder to the container (200), the package (100), and/or the product contained in the product or container contained therein. By way of example and not limitation, a container (200) and a package (100) containing a plastic component that may be damaged or deformed if exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time may require a sterile sterilization. program.

Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary procedure (400) for sterilizing a container (200) and a package (100) in a sterile procedure. Step (410) includes preparing a torque loop (101) for sterile sterilization. More specifically, in a package (100) comprising a torque ring (101) having a locking ring (106) and a ratchet portion (108), the ratchet portion (108) has not been folded adjacent to prior to or during sterile sterilization. The inner surface (112) of the proximal locking ring (106) is either unfolded from the inner surface (112) of the locking ring (106). In this configuration, having the ratchet portion (108) in the deployed position helps to ensure that all surfaces of the package (100) are subjected to any aseptic processing conditions used. In some versions, step (410) may be selected as appropriate. For example, step (410) may be omitted if the torque ring (101) does not include the ratchet portion (108) or the ratchet portion (108) remains in its deployed state after the injection molded torque ring (101) is exited. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the step (410 can be omitted) in the case where the sterilization procedure for sterilization can sufficiently ensure that all surfaces of the torque ring (101) are sterilized even when the ratchet portion (108) remains in its folded position. ). Again, in the form of molding the ratchet portion (108) in the correct final orientation of the inwardly directed teeth (110) of the ratchet portion (108), step (410) may be omitted.

Next, step (412) includes sterilizing the unassembled sealing disk (103), the torque ring (101), and the container (200) in one or more sterile procedures. In some versions, the sterile procedure involves subjecting one or more components to hydrogen peroxide mist, hydrogen peroxide bath, steam, ultraviolet light, or radiation such as electron beams, X-rays, gamma rays, and the like. In some sterile sterilization procedures, one or more components are subjected to a temperature of about 310 °F for 5 seconds to 10 seconds. In view of the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate other sterile sterilization procedures. In some versions, the torque ring (101), the sealing disk (103), and the container (200) all undergo the same sterile sterilization procedure. In other versions, the torque ring (101), the sealing disk (103), and the container (200) all undergo different aseptic sterilization procedures. Also in some versions one or more of the torque ring (101), the sealing disk (103), and the container (200) may undergo a sterile procedure while other components may undergo another sterilization procedure for sterilization.

In step (414), after sterilization in a sterile procedure, the sealing disk (103) and the torque ring (101) are assembled in a sterile or sterilized environment to form the package (100). Produced as described above by press-fitting the sealing disk (103) into the torque ring (101) until the sealing disk (103) is positioned between the curved groove (128) and the flange (126) Assembly of the sealing disc (103) and the torque ring (101). In some versions, the sealing disc (103) is assembled to the twist The moment ring (101) involves snap-fit sealing discs (103) into the torque ring (101).

In step (416), a torque ring (101) is also prepared for the filling container after sterilization. More specifically, in the type in which the torque ring (101) has the locking ring (106) and the ratchet portion (108), the torque ring (101) is prepared by folding the ratchet portion (108) such that the ratchet portion (108) is as above As described herein, the inner surface (112) of the locking ring (106) is adjacent. In some versions, step (416) occurs prior to assembly of the sealing disk (103) with the torque ring (101). In some other forms, step (416) occurs after the sealing disk (103) is assembled with the torque ring (101).

In step (418), the container (200) is filled with the desired product in a sterile environment. In some versions of fluid-filled containers (200), the fluid is first treated with a cryogenic sterilization procedure or with a heat treatment (eg, by passing a fluid through a heat exchanger). In view of the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other methods of treating or disinfecting a product prior to filling the container (200).

Next, as shown in step (420), the filled container (200) is capped and sealed in a sterile environment. The package (100) is engaged with the container (200) via a threaded engagement as described above. The sealing disk (103) is brought into contact with the edge (212) of the container (200) by clamping the package (100) onto the container (200). In a configuration in which the sealing disk (103) includes a coating (140) and the coating (140) is meltable, the package (100) can be subjected to an energy source such that the sealing disk (103) and the edge of the container (200) (212) Fusing to form a hermetic seal. In the type in which the sealing disk (103) comprises a compressible gasket (134) or a compressible coating (140) in place of or in addition to the fusible coating (140), the torque ring (101) is fully tightened downwards. The drive seal disk (103) abuts the edge (212) of the container (200) such that the gasket (134) and/or the compressible coating (140) press against the edge (212) to form a hermetic seal. One optional step in the filling step (418) or the capping step (420) is to flush the headspace of the vessel (200) with an inert gas to displace all of the oxygen from the headspace prior to sealing the vessel (200).

Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary device that is schematically illustrated in accordance with the sterile sterilization method of Figure 12 to sterilize the package (100) and the container (200). In Figure 13, the disc feeder (510) feeds without The assembled sealing disk (103) enters the sterilization cabinet (502). The loop feeder (512) feeds the unassembled torque ring (101) into the sterilization cabinet (502). As discussed above, if desired, the torque ring (101) is prepared before the torque ring (101) is introduced into the sterilization process. In Figure 13, the ring preparer (511) prepares a torque loop (101) before transmitting the torque ring (101) to the ring feeder (512), if desired. The container feeder (514) feeds the unassembled container (200) into the sterilization cabinet (502).

The unassembled components, namely the sealing disk (103), the torque ring (101) and the container (200), are directed to a sterile sterilization station (520) to provide the steps (412) according to Figure 12 as described above. Sterile disinfection. The unassembled components can be sterilized in the same sterilizing cabinet (502) as shown in the schematic form of Figure 13, or the unassembled components can be sterilized in a separate sterilizing cabinet or combination thereof. Based on the teachings herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate the appropriate sterilization device configuration.

The lid assembly station (530) performs step (414) as described above, while the container filling station (532) performs step (418) as described above. As part of the lid assembly station (530), the ratchet portion (108) is folded upward (if desired) adjacent the inner surface (112) of the locking ring (106) as described in step (416) of Figure 12 above. . As part of the container filling station (532) or container capping station (540), an inert gas can be used to flush the headspace of one of the filled containers (200) to displace all of the oxygen in the filled headspace. The container capping station (540) performs step (420) as described above. After being sealed and sealed by the package (100), the container (200) can be removed from the sterilization cabinet (502) to provide a final sealed container (550).

Having described and described various embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein, various modifications of the methods and systems described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein. Several examples of such possible modifications have been mentioned, but those skilled in the art will appreciate other aspects. For example, examples, embodiments, geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the manners described above are illustrative. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be construed as being limited by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Package

102‧‧‧ top

104‧‧‧ bottom

106‧‧‧Locking ring

116‧‧‧ Holding surface

118‧‧‧round lip

200‧‧‧ container

Claims (21)

A multi-piece package for a container comprising a torque ring and a sealing disk, wherein the torque ring and the sealing disk are connectable, wherein the torque ring is sterilized prior to connecting the sealing disk to the torque ring Sealing disk. The package of claim 1 wherein the sterilized sealing disk is coupled to the sterilized torque ring in a sterile environment. The package of claim 1 wherein the torque ring and the sealing disk are sterilized by a sterile procedure. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is combined with the container in a sterile environment, wherein the package is configured to close an opening of the container. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is configured to hermetically seal the container. The package of claim 4, wherein the torque ring includes a threaded portion, wherein the container includes a corresponding threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion of the torque ring is coupled to the threaded portion of the container to close the opening of the container. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is configured to be removable from the container in a single action. The package of claim 1 wherein the container is filled with a baby nutritional food, a toddler nutritional food, an adult nutritional food or a medicinal product prior to sealing by the package. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealing disk is metal. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealing disk is plastic. The package of claim 1, wherein the torque ring is plastic. The package of claim 1, wherein the container is plastic. The package of claim 1, wherein the package further comprises a gasket configured to contact and seal one of the containers. A sterilizable package for a food or medicinal product, wherein the package comprises: (a) a torque ring, wherein the torque ring is sterilized in a sterile procedure prior to assembly with other components of the package; (b) a sealing disk in which the sealing disk is sterilized in a sterile procedure prior to assembly with other components of the package; and (c) includes a container of an opening wherein the sterility is prior to assembly with other components of the package The container is sterilized in the program; wherein the torque ring and the sealing disk are assembled to form a package, wherein the package and the container are assembled to close and seal the opening of the container. The package of claim 14 wherein the torque ring and the sealing disk are assembled in a sterile environment and wherein the package and the container are assembled in a sterile environment. A method of sterilizing a package of a container, wherein the package comprises a sealing disk and a torque ring, wherein the sealing disk and the torque ring are separate but connectable components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) a sterile procedure Disinfecting the unassembled sealing disk; (b) sterilizing the unassembled torque ring in a sterile procedure; and (c) coupling the sterilized sealing disk and the sterilized torque ring in a sterile environment . The method of claim 16, further comprising sterilizing the container in a sterile procedure. The method of claim 16, further comprising filling the container with a product in a sterile environment. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling the package to the container such that the package closes an opening of the container. The method of claim 19, wherein the package forms a seal with the container. The method of claim 20, wherein the seal is a hermetic seal.