Abstract:
A closure for a container is described. The container has an opening through which contents of the container are dispensed and a holding member ( 255, 285, 295, 305, 315, 316, 317, 340, 350 ) for cooperating with the closure to retain the closure on the container. A sealing member ( 220 ) is configured to sealingly close the container opening. The sealing member includes a retention member ( 260, 275, 290, 300, 310, 325, 335, 345, 355 ) engageable with the holding member of the container to retain the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container. A cap member ( 225 ) has a top rim and a sidewall depending from the top rim. The sidewall includes an attachment member ( 160 ) for attachment to the container and an engagement member ( 245 ) that operatively couples the sealing member to the cap member upon placement of the cap member on the container. The cap member is rotatable relative to the container and relative to the sealing member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/483,948, filed May 9, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to closures for containers, such as plastic disposable containers and the like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to closures for containers adapted to be press-fit to a container and configured to be subsequently threadably removed therefrom. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Infant nutritionals, adult and medical nutritionals, sport nutritionals, energy drinks, soft drinks, and the like often times are provided in plastic bottles or other disposable containers. The bottles are typically sealed after being filled with a product to prevent product degradation and/or contamination of the product. Foil seals may be particularly desirable for products that are aseptically processed. 
         [0004]    Sealing film, such as foil or plastic film, commonly referred to as “seals,” is generally considered the most robust form of a sealing closure for plastic bottles. Some consumers, however, prefer direct seal screw caps over seals because the seals typically require multiple steps to open (i.e., removal of the plastic cap, removal of the seal and disposal of the seal). Additional steps may be required if the seal tears in an unexpected manner during removal. Such unexpected and undesired tearing of the seal can lead to frustration by the user, spilling of the contents of the bottle or foil scrap entering the bottle and contaminating the contents. 
         [0005]    Screw caps are also used for sealing containers. However, screw caps are difficult to install onto containers during the manufacturing process, as compared to foil seals. Further, removal of a screw cap may entail application of removal torque sufficient to break a tamper evident seal, overcome the frictional forces of the threads, and also the force required to break the seal of the container. As such, screw caps may be difficult for elderly or arthritic individuals due to requiring a high removal torque, such as more than 15 in·lbs, with many containers requiring 20 in*lbs of removal torque to open. Other screw caps may also include a shrink band that covers the cap for tamper evidence. However, such tamper evident shrink bands may also be difficult for individuals to remove, and require the additional step of removing and discarding the shrink band before unscrewing the cap. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a convenient closure that remedies existing issues with sealed bottles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to closures for various types of containers, including plastic, metal, composite and glass containers. The closures described herein are capable of being snap-fit (also interchangeably referred to herein as “press-fit”) to a container using a downward force, yet removed by unscrewing the cap from the container. In some embodiments, the closures described herein provide a hermetic seal for an aseptically filled container. In some embodiments, the described closures are two piece closures including a sealing member that is snap-fit to the container independently of the cap member, such that the cap member is capable of rotating independently of the sealing member. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, a closure for a container is described. The container has an opening through which contents of the container are dispensed and a holding member for cooperating with the closure to retain the closure on the container. A sealing member is configured to sealingly close the container opening. The sealing member includes a retention member engageable with the holding member of the container to retain the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container. A cap member has a top rim and a sidewall depending from the top rim. The sidewall includes an attachment member for attachment to the container and an engagement member that operatively couples the sealing member to the cap member upon placement of the cap member on the container. The cap member is rotatable relative to the container and relative to the sealing member. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a method of applying a closure to a container is described. The container includes at least one opening through which contents of the container are dispensed. The method includes press-fitting a sealing member onto the container over the container opening such that a retention member of the sealing member engages a holding member of the container. An axial force resulting from said press-fitting retains the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container to sealingly close the container opening. The method includes applying a cap member to the container at the sealed container opening. The cap member includes a top rim and a sidewall depending therefrom. The sidewall includes an attachment member for engagement with the container and an engagement member coupling the sealing member to the cap member upon application of the cap member to the container. The cap member being rotatable relative to both the container and the sealing member. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, a container includes a container body having a neck and a holding member disposed on an outer periphery of the neck. The neck has a rim defining an opening to the container for dispensing contents of the container. A sealing member is configured to seal the opening of the container. The sealing member includes a retention member configured to engage the holding member of the container. The retention member is configured to hold the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container by an axial force resulting from the press-fitting. A cap member includes a top rim and a sidewall that extends downward from the top rim. The sidewall includes an attachment member for engagement with the neck of the container and an engagement member that operatively couples the sealing member to the cap member upon placement of the cap member on the container. The cap member is rotatable relative to the container and relative to the sealing member. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect, a press-on, twist-off closure for a container includes a top wall and a substantially cylindrical sidewall that extends from an outer circumference of the top wall. The sidewall includes threads configured for rotational engagement with a threaded neck of the container. An annular lip extends from a lower surface of the top wall and is substantially parallel to the sidewall and spaced apart from the sidewall such that a rim of the container is sealable at the space between the annular lip and the sidewall. The sidewall is configured to flex radially outwardly upon application of an axial force to the top wall such that the closure is capable of being pressed onto the rim of the container. The threads are configured to hold the space between the annular lip and the sidewall in sealing engagement with the rim of the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container and closure assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial section of the closure shown in  FIG. 1  taken in the plane of the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial section of another embodiment of the closure shown in  FIG. 1  taken in the plane of line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3A  is a magnified detail view of portion A of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial section of an embodiment of a two piece closure.  FIG. 4A  is a magnified detail view of portion A of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a partial section of another embodiment of a two piece closure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a magnified detail view of portion A of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partial section of an embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a partial section of another embodiment of a sealing member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The present disclosure provides closures for various types of bottles and containers. The closures described herein substantially provide a hermetic seal for aseptically filled containers by using a press-on sealing member and twist-off cap. The present disclosure provides a solution to the longstanding problem of removing a cap and seal of a container in a single step without a high removal torque. The closures described herein accomplish this by, for example, a pressed on sealing member that hermetically seals the container, and a cap member that is twisted on/off and which removes the sealing member when twisted off. 
         [0031]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claims is thereby intended, such alteration and further modifications of the readings of the disclosure as illustrated herein, being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. 
         [0032]    Articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means at least one element and can include more than one element. 
         [0033]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. 
         [0034]    The present disclosure describes closures for containers that may provide functionality to hermetically seal a container using a sealing membrane and provide removal of the closure using a low torque twist-off cap. The containers may be generally any suitable packaging for containing substances including, without limitation, glass, metal or plastic bottles, plastic containers, bags or pouches constructed of films or other plastics, and other suitable packaging. 
         [0035]    The containers disclosed herein may be suitable for use with nutritional substances. As used herein the term “substance” may refer to a liquid product, a semi-liquid product, or powder product. The term “liquid product” means a product that is a flowable non-solid product including, for example but not limited to, aqueous solutions, solutions having a determinable viscosity, emulsions, colloids, pastes, gels, dispersions and other flowable non-solid products so as to exclude solid products such as bars and particulate products, such as powders. 
         [0036]    Unless otherwise identified, like numerals in the Figures indicate like parts. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1-3  show a container and closure assembly  100  according to a first embodiment. Closure  105  is adapted to close container  110 . Container  110  comprises a body  120  and a neck  130 . In one embodiment, neck  130  is generally cylindrical in shape, and container  110  is symmetric about longitudinal axis C. In other embodiments, container  110  may be non-symmetric, or symmetric about one or more axis. Container  110  may be any shape that allows the closures to function as described herein. Neck  130  includes a set of threads  135  on an outer surface  140  thereof. As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer” may refer generally a radial direction of container  100  and/or closure  105 . Set of threads  135  may include one or more threads that helically wrap at least partially around outer surface  140 . Neck  130  includes an inner surface  145  that connects to outer surface  140  at a rim  150 , which defines container opening  155 . Container  110  may contain a substance, such as a liquid substance. 
         [0038]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , closure  105  is a single piece closure fitted to neck  130  of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ). In the exemplary embodiment, closure  105  includes threads  160  that couple closure  105  to container  110  by threaded engagement with threads  135 . In one embodiment, to provide anti-backoff or tamper evidence for container  110 , a tamper band  170  is connected to closure  105  by one or more frangible bridges  175 . Tamper band  170  includes one or more ramps  180  that engage one or more locking projections  185  which are disposed on neck outer surface  140 . In this embodiment, ramps  180  are engaged with locking protrusion  185  to prevent unintentional opening rotation of closure  105 . Locking protrusion  185  may be rectangular, square, ramp shaped or the like for uni-directional engagement with ramps  180 . 
         [0039]    As used herein, the terms “closing rotation” and “opening rotation” refer to clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of one element with respect to another element. In one non-limiting example, for right-handed threads, closing rotation refers to clockwise rotation and opening rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation. In another non-limiting example, for left-handed threads, closing rotation refers to counterclockwise rotation and opening rotation refers to clockwise rotation. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the orientations of the threads in the embodiments discussed herein can be switched if desired so long as the relationships described herein are preserved, thus allowing the closures to function as described herein. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , closure  105  includes a top  190  and a substantially cylindrical sidewall  195 . In one embodiment, an annular lip  200  is provided on a lower surface of top  190 . In order to seal opening  155  of container  110 , closure  105  is first placed over opening  155  such that a center of closure  105  is substantially aligned with central axis C. Closure  105  is then press-fit onto neck  130  by applying a force to closure  105  in the longitudinal (i.e., axial) direction of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) (e.g., the downward direction when the container and closure are in the upright position). As the closure  105  is pressed onto neck  130 , sidewall  195  is configured to flex radially outward such that ramps  180  pass over threads  135  and locking projection  185 . Sidewall  195  also flexes to allow threads  160  to pass over threads  135 . The closure is pressed onto container  110  until a lower surface of top  190  contacts rim  150 . At this point, closure  105  is considered to be “snap-fit” onto container  110 . The snap-fit may make a “snapping” noise or other audible indication as one or more elements of closure  105  pass over and engage with elements of container  110 . However, even if no audible indication occurs, closure  105  is still considered to be snap-fit to container  110  when pressed thereon and sealed thereto. The closure is sized and configured such that top  190  is in sealing engagement with rim  150  when fully pressed on, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In one suitable embodiment, closure  105  may be determined to be snap-fit to container  110  by sensing a force applied to closure  105  or the displacement of closure  105 . For example, a sensor may measure and compare the applied force to closure  105  to a predetermined force, and when the applied force is within a certain range of the predetermined force, the closure is determined to be snap-fit. In another example, closure  105  may be determined to be snap-fit to container  110  after the closure has moved longitudinally a predetermined distance along neck  130 . The distance closure  105  moves along neck  130  is measured and compared to a predetermined distance, and if the measured distance is within a range of the predetermined distance, the closure  105  is determined to be snap-fit to container  110 . 
         [0041]    In order to remove closure  105  from neck  130  of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ), a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to closure  105 . The torque in the opening direction causes closure  105  to threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container  110 , which breaks the sealing engagement of top  190  with rim  150 . In embodiments wherein closure  105  is fitted with tamper band  170 , the applied torque in the opening rotation direction causes frangible bridges  175  to break, indicating that the closure has been opened. In one embodiment, closure  105  is fabricated from plastic and may include a barrier layer  205  disposed on one or more of an outer surface or inner surface of top  190 . In another embodiment, barrier layer  205  may be fabricated as a layer within closure  105 . Barrier layer  205  may be an oxygen barrier or the like. In another embodiment, barrier layer  205  may include a design or decorative label. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, closure  105  includes gasket material  210  disposed on a lower or inner surface of top  190 . Gasket material  210  is disposed annularly around a perimeter of top  190  such that it contacts rim  150 . Gasket material  210  may be fabricated from a single or multi-layer film, plastisol, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, foil, paper, plastic, laminate, other suitable sealing material or combinations thereof that is used to seal a substance within a container. In some embodiments, the gasket material  210  may be used to hermetically or aseptically seal container  110 . In yet other embodiments, gasket material  210  is an adhesive or sealing compound, which may be activated/cured by one or more of temperature, light or the like. 
         [0043]    The closure  105  may also include a hole  215 , for example as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, closure  105  does not include a hole  215 . Hole  215  may be used for cleaning, rinsing, drying or inspection of threads  135  and  160  after filling of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) and hermetic sealing has been created with closure  105 , so as to help ensure threads  135  and  160  are clean when the container is later opened and consumed by the end user. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  illustrate another embodiment of a suitable single piece closure  105  similar to the closure  105  of  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the closure  105  includes gasket material  210  disposed on a lower surface of the top  190  of closure  105 . Gasket material  210  is disposed annularly around a perimeter of the top  190  such that the gasket material  210  contacts the rim  150  when closure  105  is sealed on neck  103  of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, gasket material  210  is also provided on annular projection  200  to improve the seal of container  110 . In one particularly suitable embodiment, the annular projection  200  assists in alignment of the closure  105  on container  110  by guiding the rim  150  between the space between the sidewall  235  and the annular lip  200 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4 and 4A  illustrate another embodiment of a closure  105 , which is a two piece closure. In this embodiment, closure  105  is a two piece closure, including a sealing member  220  and a cap member  225  that is separate from the sealing member  220 . The sealing member  220  is configured to be press-fit onto rim  150  to seal opening  155 . Sealing member  220  may be fabricated from metal, plastic, composites or combinations thereof. The sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly around a perimeter of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner surface) of sealing member  220  such that it contacts rim  150  when press-fit onto neck  130  of container  110  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0046]    In this embodiment, in order to seal container  110 , sealing member  220  is first placed over opening  155  such that the center of sealing member  220  substantially aligns with the center of opening  155 . Sealing member  220  is then press-fit down onto neck  130  by applying a force to sealing member  220  in the longitudinal (i.e., axial) direction of container  110 . As sealing member  220  is pressed onto neck  130 , outer wall  227  of sealing member  220  presses tightly (e.g., snap-fit) against outer rim edge  230  to hold sealing member  220  in sealing engagement with rim  150 . In one embodiment, sealing member  220  is press-fit onto container  110  in a sterile zone of a capping operation after container  110  has been aseptically filled with a substance. Subsequent to sealing member  220  being press-fit onto container  110 , cap member  225  is fit over sealing member  220  and threadably coupled to container  110 , either inside or outside of the sterile zone. In the exemplary embodiment, cap member  225  is substantially cylindrical and includes an upper ledge  230  and a sidewall  235  extending downward from ledge  210 . Sidewall  235  includes threads  160  disposed on an inner surface thereof for threadable engagement with threads  135  of container  110 . 
         [0047]    In one suitable embodiment, cap member  225  is coupled to container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) by applying a torque to cap member  225  causing a closing rotation of cap member  225  with respect to container  110 . As such, cap member  225  is capable of rotating independently of sealing member  220 . As used herein, independent rotation refers to the sealing member and the cap member being configured such that the cap member may rotate, at least for a partial turn, without causing rotation of the sealing member. Cap member  225  is rotated in the closing direction until ledge  230  is firmly pressed against upper edge  240  of sealing member  220 . An engagement member  245  passes over upper edge  240  of sealing member  220 , and is positioned below and apart from sealing member  220  when cap member  220  is fully seated (i.e., press-fit) on container  110 . In one embodiment, cap member  225  includes a tamper band  170 . Cap member  225  thus substantially ensures that sealing member  220  remains sealed on container  110  until desired opening of the container. 
         [0048]    In order to remove closure  105  from container  110 , a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member  225 . The torque in the opening rotation direction causes closure cap member  225  to rotate in the opening rotation direction independently of sealing member  220  and threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container  110 . As cap member  225  continues to move in the longitudinal direction, an engagement member  245  presses against lower part  250  of outer wall  227  (i.e., in a longitudinal direction away from the center of container  110 ) which breaks the sealing engagement of sealing member  220  with rim  150 . The engagement member  245  also functions to couple sealing member  220  to cap member  225  so that cap member  225  and sealing member  220  may be removed conjointly in a single operation. In embodiments wherein cap member  225  is fitted with tamper band  170 , the applied torque in the opening rotation direction causes frangible bridges  175  to break, indicating that the closure has been opened. 
         [0049]    The removal torque necessary to remove closure  105  may be reduced as compared to conventional closures. For example, upon initiating removal of closure  105 , a user need only impart a torque necessary to overcome the frictional forces of threads  160  sliding against threads  135 , which in one embodiment may be approximately 5 in·lbs. In embodiments wherein cap member  225  includes tamper band  170 , a user must also initially impart enough torque to break frangible bridges  175 , which may be an additional approximately 5 in·lbs. Thus, for example, if tamper band  170  is included, a user would need to only impart approximately 10 in·lbs of torque to cap member  225  in the opening rotation direction to initiate removal of closure  105 . After the frangible bridges have broken the user no longer is required to impart the torque necessary to break bridges  175 , thus reducing the torque back down to approximately 5 in·lbs. As a user continues to rotate the cap member  225  in the opening rotation direction, a user may encounter a slight increase in torque needed to unseat sealing member  220  from rim  150 . Due to the helical shape of the threads  160  and  135 , the sealing member  220  is unseated in a helical manner (rather than all at once), which reduces the torque necessary to unseat sealing member  220  from rim  150 . Thus, in one embodiment, the torque necessary to unseat sealing member  220  from rim  150  is approximately 5 in·lbs. As such, in some embodiments, a user may not be required to impart more than approximately 10 in·lbs for closure removal. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate another embodiment of a closure  105 , which is a two piece closure including a sealing member  220  and a cap member  225  that is separate from the sealing member  220 . Sealing member  220  is configured to be press-fit onto rim  150  to seal opening  155 . Sealing member  220  may be fabricated from metal, plastic, composites or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly around a perimeter of a first surface (i.e., a lower or inner surface) of sealing member  220  such that it contacts rim  150  when press-fit onto container  110  ( FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, rim  150  includes an annular bead portion  255  that projects radially inward from an inner surface of rim  150 . 
         [0051]    In the exemplary embodiment, gasket material  210  includes an annular groove  260  that corresponds to annular bead portion  255 . In this embodiment, in order to seal container  110 , sealing member  220  is first placed over opening  155  such that a center of sealing member  220  substantially aligns with a center of opening  155 . Sealing member  220  is then press-fit onto neck  130  by applying a force to sealing member  220  in the longitudinal direction of container  110 . As sealing member  220  is pressed onto neck  130 , groove  260  of gasket material  210  engages with annular bead portion  255  to hold sealing member  220  in sealing engagement with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  is press-fit onto container  110  in a sterile zone of a capping operation after container  110  has been aseptically filled with a substance. In one embodiment, sealing member  220  is sterilized in an aseptic area of a filling machine. The sealing member  220  may be sterilized using one or more of liquid hydrogen peroxide, vapor hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, electron beam radiation or other direct or indirect radiation or the like. Subsequent to sealing member  220  being press-fit onto container  110 , cap member  225  is fit over sealing member  220 . 
         [0052]    In the exemplary embodiment, cap member  225  is substantially cylindrical and includes an upper ledge  230  and a sidewall  235  extending downward from ledge  230 . Sidewall  235  includes threads  160  disposed on an inner surface thereof for threadable engagement with threads  135  of container  110 . Cap member  225  is coupled to container  110  by applying a torque to cap member  225  causing a closing rotation of cap member  225  with respect to container  110 . As such, cap member  225  is capable of rotating independently of sealing member  220 . Cap member  225  is rotated in the closing rotation direction until ledge  230  is firmly pressed against upper edge  240  of sealing member  220 . An engagement member  245  passes over upper edge  240  of sealing member  220 , and is positioned below and apart from sealing member  220  when cap member  220  is fully seated on container  110 . In one embodiment, cap member  225  includes a tamper band  170 . In yet another embodiment, cap member  105  includes knurling  265  (shown also in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0053]    In order to remove closure  105  from container  110 , a user applies a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member  225 . The torque in the opening rotation direction causes cap member  225  to rotate in the opening rotation direction independently of sealing member  220  and threadably move in the longitudinal direction away from container  110 . As cap member  225  continues to move in the longitudinal direction, engagement member  245  presses against lower part  270  of sealing member  220  which breaks the sealing engagement of sealing member  220  with rim  150 . The engagement member  245  also functions to couple sealing member  220  to cap member  225  so that cap member  225  and sealing member  220  may be removed conjointly in a single operation. In embodiments wherein cap member  225  is fitted with tamper band  170 , the applied torque in the opening direction causes frangible bridges  175  to break, indicating that the closure has been opened. 
         [0054]    Although  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate cap member  225  including sidewall threads as the attachment member for engagement with the container  110  ( FIG. 1 ), any suitable attachment member may be used for engagement with the container, such that the container and closure assembly functions as described herein. For example, the cap member  225  may be engaged with the container by way of a bayonet assembly, clip, pin, hook or other suitable attachment means. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 6-16  illustrate alternative embodiments of sealing member  220 . For ease of understanding,  FIGS. 6-16  omit the cap member  225 . However, each of the closure embodiments  FIGS. 6-16  may include a cap member  225  as described above, and illustrated for example in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  275  formed in sidewall  280  of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove  285  that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  275  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . In one embodiment, sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention member  290  formed in sidewall  280  of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove  295  that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  290  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . In this embodiment, positive retention bead  290  is fabricated by rolling the lower edge of sidewall  280  such that it forms a positive retention bead  290 . Sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a hook retention member  300  fabricated from gasket material  210 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes an inner lip  305  that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member  300  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes additional gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention member  305  formed by a substantially rectangular rolled edge  310  of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member  315  sized and configured to retain positive retention member  305  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes additional gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  illustrates a partial cross section of another embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention member  320  formed by a bent edge portion  325  of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member  315  sized and configured to retain positive retention member  320  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes additional gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  330  formed by a rounded curled edge portion  335  of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove  340  that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  330  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  220  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  345  formed by inwardly protruding bead portion of sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a negative retention groove  350  that is sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  345  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes gasket material  210  disposed annularly about the periphery of a lower surface of sealing member  220 , such that gasket material  210  seals against rim  150  when press-fit to container  110 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 13  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  355  formed by a portion of gasket material  210  applied to sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member  315  sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  355  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes additional gasket material forming hook retention member  300  formed fabricated from gasket material  210 . In this embodiment, container  110  includes an inner lip  305  that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member  300  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . In this embodiment, lower edge  250  is curled radially inwardly and substantially covers positive retention bead  355 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 14  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  355  formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a retention member  316  sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  355  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . Sealing member  220  includes additional gasket material forming hook retention member  300  fabricated from gasket material  210 . In this embodiment, container  110  includes an inner lip  305  that is sized and configured to engage hook retention member  300  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . In this embodiment, lower edge  250  is curled radially outwardly such that it does not substantially cover positive retention bead  355 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 15  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  355  formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a ramped retention member  315  sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  355  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13 , but does not include additional gasket material forming a hook retention member. In this embodiment, lower edge  250  is curled radially inwardly and substantially covers positive retention bead  355 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 16  illustrates a partial cross section of an embodiment of sealing member  220  that includes a positive retention bead  355  formed by a portion of gasket material applied to sealing member  220 . In this embodiment, container  110  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a retention member  317  sized and configured to retain positive retention bead  355  such that sealing member  220  maintains a seal with rim  150 . This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , but does not include additional gasket material forming a hook retention member. In this embodiment, lower edge  250  is curled radially outwardly such that it does not substantially cover positive retention bead  355 . 
         [0067]    For each of the described embodiments, sealing member  220  may be press-fit onto container  110  and form a hermetic seal with container  110  in a sterile zone of a capping operation, after container  110  has been aseptically filled with a substance. After sealing member  220  has been press-fit onto container  110 , the threads  135  and optionally other portions of container  110  may be cleaned, rinsed and/or dried to ensure the threads  135 , and other portions of container  110 , are clean before the bottle is opened. Subsequent to sealing member  220  being press-fit onto container  110  and the threads  135  being cleaned, rinsed and dried, cap member  225  is fit over sealing member  220  and threadably coupled to container  110 , either inside or outside of the sterile zone. The use of the two piece closures described herein thus may reduce the complexity of the sterile zone of a filling and capping operation because the threaded cap member  225  may be applied outside of the sterile zone, which may improve efficiency, downtime and maintenance, and thereby reduce cost. 
         [0068]    In another embodiment, closure  105  is fitted onto container  110  in a container filling and system utilizing one or more sterilization processes such as, for example, heating, retort processing, hot filling and high acid hot or cold filling of container  110 . 
         [0069]    In yet other embodiments, sealing member  220  is press-fit onto container  110  using a typical foil lid sealing system or snap cap sealing system using the compression portion of the sealing system to press-fit the sealing member  220 . Such sealing system may press-fit sealing member  220  onto container  110  with or without a partial heat, conduction or induction heating function turned on to allow for softening of gasket material  210  to assist with press-fitting and sealing of sealing member  220  onto container  110 . In still other embodiments, sealing member  220  may be adhered to container  110  using a contact adhesive layer or a heat sealable layer in conjunction with, or as an alternative to gasket material  210 . As used herein, the term heat sealable layer refers to a material capable of forming a seal with container  110  upon application of sufficient heat. Heat applied to sealing member  220  may soften gasket material  210  such that gasket material  210  and or the adhesive layer at least partially melts to adhere the sealing member  220  to container  110 . In one suitable embodiment, the additional adhesive layer is strong enough to adhere sealing member  220  to the container  110 , yet does not provide significant additional resistance when a user desires to remove the sealing member  220  by applying a torque in an opening rotation direction to cap member  225 . 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, one or more elements of closure  105  and container  110  may be fabricated from plastic, such as a substantially transparent plastic material allowing a user to view the threads before opening to ensure cleanliness. In other embodiments, one or more elements of closure  105  or container  110  are fabricated from substantially opaque materials, thus preventing light from entering container  110 , and possibly degrading a substance contained therein. One or more elements of closure  105  and container  110  may be made from a suitable plastic, such as high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or other suitable plastics, or may be made from other materials such as metal, paper, various resiliently flexible laminates and other suitable resiliently flexible materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. High density polyethylene, for example, can be formed to be suitably resiliently flexible and to allow for generally resilient deformation when a pressure is applied in a longitudinal direction. Container  110  can be molded, such as by blow molding, injection molding or formed in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment, container  110  may be generally resiliently deformable when a pressure is applied in a radially inward direction (i.e., toward the axis C). By being resiliently deformable, the container  110  resists denting and other physical defects which may occur during shipping and storage. Moreover, a user may more readily “squeeze” the container  110  with his or her hand, causing the container to resiliently deform. In one embodiment, the resiliency of the container facilitates easier removal of the substance contained therein from the container upon squeezing of container  110 . Providing such resiliency of the container  110  may also enhance the user&#39;s grip on the container. When the user releases the container  110 , the sidewall thereof will substantially rebound to its original shape, without denting, creasing, or other permanent and readily visible deformation. 
         [0072]    In another suitable embodiment, sealing member  220  is fabricated from metal, which allows for heating of the sealing member  220  for sterilization, which may eliminate the need for secondary sterilants, such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid or electron beam sterilization. 
         [0073]    The above described closure  105  may reduce the amount of a liquid sterilant required to sterilize a container and closure assembly as compared to a traditional screw cap due to a reduced size, surface area and complexity of the closures described herein. 
         [0074]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.