Abstract:
A container comprising a compartment and a closure, which hermetically seals the compartment. The closure comprises an active insert device that comprises one or more reactants that when initiated enter into a diazotization reaction produces nitrogen gas which is delivered to the compartment to increase the pressure of the compartment. The active insert device includes a filter that filters the gas and a vent port through which the gas is delivered to the compartment. A seal opens and closes the vent port based on a pressure difference between the compartment and the vent port side of the seal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 61/252,736, filed on Oct. 19, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a container comprising a compartment and a closure, which hermetically seals the compartment. The closure comprises an active insert device, which when excited by an external energy source delivers a gas to the compartment to increase the pressure of the compartment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    To prevent microbial spoilage, a hot fill process is often used to package many food and beverage products at high temperatures to sterilize both the product and container. When the liquid content of the container cools, it contracts and either creates an internal vacuum or causes the container to deform, as by shrinking, buckling or paneling. Currently, plastic bottles are designed with panels, ribs and additional resin to compensate for the contraction and prevent bottle deformation. When the smooth side wall of the bottle is replaced with these panels, flexible packaging shapes and designs are prevented, thereby making label application difficult. 
         [0004]    Known approaches to the bottle deformation problem add a gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, to the bottle after sealing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,374 discloses an active insert device that contains a reactant and that is affixed to the bottle cap. After sealing the reactant is initiated to a reaction that produces the gas, which is delivered to a headspace of the bottle. The active insert device includes a membrane that admits moisture from the bottle contents into the active insert device to initiate the reaction. The resulting gas then passes through the membrane into the headspace of the bottle. There is a risk that the membrane will loosen and fall into the bottle and contaminate the bottle contents. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a method that releases gas in a closed container to retain microbial stability without leaving a residue or a device that must be removed at time of consumption. 
         [0006]    There is also a need to eliminate buckling or paneling in closed hot filled containers in order to capture decorative, lightweight and flexibility benefits. 
         [0007]    There is also a need to sufficiently pressurize a closed hot filled container in order to capture structural benefits without deforming the container. 
         [0008]    There is a further need to release ingredients and functional components to closed containers on a time delayed basis to enhance functionality. 
         [0009]    There is still another need for a container in which gas can be released to pressurize the container after the container is sealed. 
         [0010]    There is yet another need for a closure or cap for a container that can release gas into the container after sealing to pressurize the container. 
         [0011]    There is yet a further need to substantially eliminate any residue from the active insert device from entering the compartment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0012]    In one embodiment the container of the present disclosure comprises a compartment and a closure that hermetically seals the compartment. An active insert device is disposed in the compartment and comprises one or more reactants that when initiated enter into a diazotization reaction to produce and deliver a gas to the compartment, thereby increasing a pressure of the compartment. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, a first one of the reactants comprises a primary amine selected from the group of R—NH 2 , where R is selected from the group consisting of: normal alkyl amines, aromatic amines, amides, and salts of sulfamates. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the primary amine is selected from the group consisting of: sodium sulfamate, n-propyl amine, anilene, propylamide, and o-propyl sulfamate. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, a second of the reactants comprises a proton donor and either a nitrite salt or a nitrite ester. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the nitrite salt is selected from the group of the salts of nitrous acid, consisting of: lithium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, and barium nitrite, and wherein the nitrite ester is selected from a group consisting of: nitrite esters of alcohols. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the proton donor is any organic acid or any non-organic acid. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: mono and dihydrogen citrates, citric, ascorbic, carboxylic and phenolic acids, and wherein the non-organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: hydrochloric, sulfuric and bisulfate. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the diazotization reaction is initiated in response to energy provided by an external energy source. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the energy creates contact between the reactants and initiates the diazotization reaction. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a plurality of layers, wherein the reactant is disposed between first and second layers of the plurality of layers. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a filter that filters the gas before delivery to the compartment. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the gas is nitrogen. The filter comprises a filter material that retains reaction products of the reaction while allowing the nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the filter material contains a mixture of permanganate, hydroxide and activated carbon that allows nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment while retaining any carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, formaldehyde, acid gases, amines, chlorine, cyanide, nitrates, nitrites and hydrocarbons of the reaction. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the filter further comprises the first layer and a third layer of the plurality of the layers. The filter material is disposed between the first and third layer. Each of the first and third layers provides a controlled porosity layer that allows the nitrogen gas to pass through while retaining other products of the reaction. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the plurality of layers is disposed on an interior surface of the closure either by bonding or by a retaining element. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, at least one vent port is disposed in a perimeter portion of at least one of the plurality of layers in fluid communication with the filtered gas. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, a vent seal that is sealed to the perimeter portion of the plurality of layers to cover the vent port. The vent seal comprises a material of elasticity that under pressure of the filtered gas moves the vent seal away from the at least one layer thereby opening the vent port so that the filtered gas flows into the compartment. Upon equalization of pressure between the active insert device and the compartment, the vent seal flexes back to cover the vent port, thereby preventing any back flow to the active insert device. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the vent port is one of a plurality of vent ports disposed in the perimeter portion, and wherein the vent ports are in fluid communication with the filtered gas via a space between the active insert device and the internal surface of the closure. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a sealing insert. The plurality of layers is disposed in an interior of the sealing insert. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the sealing insert forms a hermetic seal with either or both of an internal surface or a top surface of a neck finish of the container. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the active insert device comprises a backing that is hermetically sealed to a lip of the sealing insert such that the interior is hermetically sealed. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the sealing insert comprises a bottom with one or more vent ports in fluid communication with the gas. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a septum seal with one or more vent ports that are disposed either above or below the bottom. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment of the container of the present disclosure, the reactant is a first reactant. A second reactant is also disposed between the first and second layers. A third layer of the plurality of layers is disposed between the first and second reactants. The third layer is modified in response to energy provided by the external energy source to expose the first and second reactants to one another and thereby initiate the reaction. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, a gas is delivered to a container that includes a closure and a compartment. The method comprises: 
         [0037]    disposing an active insert device into the compartment, wherein the active insert device comprises one or more reactants; 
         [0038]    initiating the reactants into a diazotization reaction to produce a gas; and 
         [0039]    delivering the gas to the compartment, thereby increasing a pressure of the compartment. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, a first one of the reactants comprises a primary amine selected from the group of R—NH 2 , where R is selected from the group consisting of: normal alkyl amines, aromatic amines, amides, and salts of sulfamates. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the primary amine is selected from the group consisting of: sodium sulfamate, n-propyl amine, anilene, propylamide, and o-propyl sulfamate. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, a second of the reactants comprises a proton donor and either a nitrite salt or a nitrite ester. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the nitrite salt is selected from the group of the salts of nitrous acid, consisting of: lithium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, and barium nitrite, and wherein the nitrite ester is selected from a group consisting of: nitrite esters of alcohols. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the proton donor is any organic acid or any non-organic acid. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: mono and dihydrogen citrates, citric, ascorbic, carboxylic and phenolic acids. The non-organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: hydrochloric, sulfuric and bisulfate. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the diazotization reaction is initiated in response to energy provided by an external energy source. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the energy creates contact between the reactants and initiates the diazotization reaction. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a heat producing element in thermal transfer relationship to the reactant. The source of energy provides electromagnetic energy that induces an electrical current in the heat producing element so as to thermally initiate the diazotization reaction. 
         [0049]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the active insert device is disposed on the closure. The disposing step comprises fastening the closure to the container. 
         [0050]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the method further comprises filtering the gas before delivery to the compartment. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the gas is nitrogen. The filtering step uses a filter material that retains reaction products of the reaction while allowing the nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the filter material contains a mixture of permanganate, hydroxide and activated carbon that allows nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment while retaining any carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, formaldehyde, acid gases, amines, chlorine, cyanide, nitrates, nitrites and hydrocarbons of the reaction. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the gas is delivered to the compartment via at least one vent port. The vent port is closed when a pressure on the active insert device side of the vent port equalizes with a pressure of the compartment so as to prevent back flow. 
         [0054]    In an embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the closure is for a container having a neck finish and a compartment. The closure comprises a cylinder that is styled for fitting on the neck finish. The cylinder comprises a top having an internal surface. An active insert device, which is disposed in the cylinder, comprises one or more reactants that when initiated enter into a diazotization reaction to produce and deliver a gas to the compartment. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, a first one of the reactants comprises a primary amine selected from the group of R—NH 2 , where R is selected from the group consisting of: normal alkyl amines, aromatic amines, amides, and salts of sulfamates. 
         [0056]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the primary amine is selected from the group consisting of: sodium sulfamate, n-propyl amine, anilene, propylamide, and o-propyl sulfamate. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, a second of the reactants comprises a proton donor and either a nitrite salt or a nitrite ester. 
         [0058]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the nitrite salt is selected from the group of the salts of nitrous acid, consisting of: lithium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, and barium nitrite, and wherein the nitrite ester is selected from a group consisting of: nitrite esters of alcohols. 
         [0059]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the proton donor is any organic acid or any non-organic acid. 
         [0060]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: mono and dihydrogen citrates, citric, ascorbic, carboxylic and phenolic acids. The non-organic acid is selected from the group consisting of: hydrochloric, sulfuric and bisulfate. 
         [0061]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the diazotization reaction is initiated in response to energy provided by an external energy source. 
         [0062]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the energy creates contact between the reactants and initiates the diazotization reaction. 
         [0063]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a plurality of layers. The reactant is disposed between first and second layers of the plurality of layers. 
         [0064]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a filter that filters the gas before delivery to the compartment. 
         [0065]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the gas is nitrogen. The filter comprises a filter material that retains reaction products of the reaction while allowing the nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment. 
         [0066]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the filter material contains a mixture of permanganate, hydroxide and activated carbon that allows nitrogen gas to be delivered to the compartment while retaining any carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, formaldehyde, acid gases, amines, chlorine, cyanide, nitrates, nitrites and hydrocarbons of the reaction. 
         [0067]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the filter further comprises the first layer and a third layer of the plurality of the layers. The filter material is disposed between the first and third layer. Each of the first and third layers provide a controlled porosity layer that allows the nitrogen gas to pass through while retaining other products of the reaction. 
         [0068]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the plurality of layers is disposed on the internal surface either by bonding or by a retaining element. 
         [0069]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, at least one vent port is disposed in a perimeter portion of at least one of the plurality of layers in fluid communication with the filtered gas. 
         [0070]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, a vent seal is sealed to the perimeter portion of the plurality of layers to cover the vent port. The vent seal comprises a material of elasticity that under pressure of the filtered gas moves the vent seal away from the at least one layer thereby opening the vent port so that the filtered gas flows into the compartment. Upon equalization of pressure between the active insert device and the compartment, the vent seal flexes back to cover the vent port, thereby preventing any back flow to the active insert device. 
         [0071]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the vent port is one of a plurality of vent ports disposed in the perimeter portion. The vent ports are in fluid communication with the filtered gas via a space between the active insert device and the internal surface of the closure. 
         [0072]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a sealing insert. The plurality of layers is disposed in an interior of the sealing insert. 
         [0073]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the sealing insert forms a hermetic seal with either or both of the internal surface of the cylinder or a top surface of a neck finish of the container. 
         [0074]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the active insert device comprises a backing that is hermetically sealed to a lip of the sealing insert such that the interior is hermetically sealed. 
         [0075]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the sealing insert comprises a bottom with one or more vent ports in fluid communication with the gas. 
         [0076]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the active insert device further comprises a septum seal with one or more vent ports that is disposed either above or below the bottom. 
         [0077]    In another embodiment of the closure of the present disclosure, the reactant is a first reactant. The active device further comprises a second reactant that is also disposed between the first and second layers. A third layer of the plurality of layers is disposed between the first and second reactants. The third layer is modified in response to energy provided by the external energy source to expose the first and second reactants to one another and thereby initiate the reaction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0078]    Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and: 
           [0079]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a closure of a device embodying the present disclosure; 
           [0080]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line  2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0081]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an active insert device of the device of the present disclosure; 
           [0082]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along line  4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0083]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the insert device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0084]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged side view of the active insert device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0085]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view along line  7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0086]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0087]      FIG. 9  is an exploded side view of a device of the present disclosure with the active insert device of  FIG. 3  positioned in the closure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0088]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9  along line  10 ; 
           [0089]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a second embodiment of a closure of a device embodying the present disclosure; 
           [0090]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view along line  12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0091]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a second embodiment of an active insert device of the device of the present disclosure; 
           [0092]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view along line  14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0093]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the insert device of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0094]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged side view of the active insert device of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0095]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view along line  17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0096]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0097]      FIG. 19  is an exploded side view of a second embodiment of a device of the present disclosure with the active insert device of  FIG. 13  positioned in the closure of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0098]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 19  along line  20 ; 
           [0099]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a third embodiment of a closure of a device embodying the present disclosure; 
           [0100]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view along line  22  of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0101]      FIG. 23  is a side view of a third embodiment of an active insert device of the device of the present disclosure; 
           [0102]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view along line  24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0103]      FIG. 25  is a top view of the insert device of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0104]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged side view of the active insert device of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0105]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view along line  27  of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0106]      FIG. 28  is an exploded view of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0107]      FIG. 29  is an exploded side view of a second embodiment of a device of the present disclosure with the active insert device of  FIG. 23  positioned in the closure of  FIG. 21 ; and 
           [0108]      FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 29  along line  30 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0109]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. A closure  100  comprises a cap  101 , a pilfer band  102  and an active insert device  201 . Cap  101  is designed to accept and retain active insert device  201  that is bonded along the internal perimeter of an internal surface  103  of cap  101 . 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , active insert device  201  comprises a shroud  308 , a vent seal  309 , a backing membrane  301  and internal components  203 . Backing membrane  301 , shroud  308  and some of the internal components  203  are bonded together along the circumference of shroud  308  with a suitable bond  204  that provides a complete hermetic seal along the circumference of active insert device  201 . Active insert device  201  also has one or more vent ports  202  that are cut through bond  204  prior to vent seal  309  being bonded to an external face of shroud  308 . 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , active insert device  201  comprises a first reactant  307 , a metallic inductor  306 , a separator seal  305 , a second reactant  304 , a filter membrane  303  and a filter media  302 . Prior to assembly, separator seal  305  and metallic inductor  306  are bonded together through a suitable bond  310 . Upon assembly, shroud  308 , separator seal  305 , filter membrane  303  and a backing membrane  301  are all laminated together through bond  204  to form a laminated assembly in which first reactant  307  is between separator seal  305  and shroud  308 , second reactant  304  is between separator seal  305  and filter membrane  303 , and filter media  302  is between filter membrane  303  and backing member  301 . Upon completion of bond  204 , one or more vent ports  202  are cut through the laminated assembly of components at bond  204 . Vent seal  309  is then bonded to the external face of shroud  308 . 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , functional closure  100  is mounted onto a container neck finish  401  of a container  420 . Functional closure  100  serves two functions. First, functional closure  100  provides a hermetic seal to neck finish  401 . Second, functional closure  100  provides a housing for active insert device  201 , which can be initiated actively in order to provide gas  403  to container  420  or a headspace  402  while still maintaining the integrity of the hermetic seal on neck finish  401 . 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. A closure  1100  comprises a cap  1101 , a pilfer band  1102  and an active insert device  1201 . Cap  1101  is designed to accept and retain active insert device  1201  that is either bonded along the internal perimeter of the internal surface  1103  of cap  1101 , or is permanently retained behind a recess  1104  that acts as a locking clip around the external ring surface of active insert device  1201 . 
         [0114]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , active insert device  1201  comprises a sealing insert  1311 , a backing  1313  and internal components  1203 . Backing  1313 , sealing insert  1311  and some of the internal components  1203  are bonded together along the top lip  1317  of sealing insert  1311  with a hermetically sealed bond  1316  that provides a complete hermetic seal along the circumference of active insert device  1201 . 
         [0115]    Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , active insert device  1201  comprises backing  1313 , a first reactant  1307 , a metallic inductor  1306 , a separator seal  1305 , a second reactant  1304 , a filter membrane  1303 , a filter media  1302 , a backing membrane  1301 , a septum seal  1312  with score marks  1314  and sealing insert  1311  with perforations  1315 . Prior to assembly, separator seal  1305  and metallic inductor  1306  are bonded together through a suitable bond  1310 , and septum seal  1312  is bonded to the underside of sealing insert  1311  through a suitable bond  1318 . Filter media  1302  is sandwiched between filter membrane  1303  and backing membrane  1301 , which are bonded to one another with a suitable bond  1319 . Upon assembly, backing  1313 , first reactant  1307 , separator seal  1305  with metallic inductor  1306 , second reactant  1304 , filter membrane  1303  with filter media  1302  and backing membrane  1301 , are inserted into sealing insert  1311  and secured by a hermetically sealed bond  1316  across the top lip  1317  of sealing insert  1311 , thereby combining backing  1313 , separator seal  1305  and membranes  1301  and  1303  and sealing insert  1311  into a single unit. 
         [0116]    Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , functional closure  1100  is mounted onto a container neck finish  1401  of a container  1420 . Functional closure  1100  serves two functions. First, functional closure  1100  provides a hermetic seal to neck finish  1401  achieved through an internal lip  1421  of sealing insert  1311  contacting an internal surface  1422  of neck finish  1401  and through a landing surface  1423  ( FIG. 17 ) contacting a landing  1424  of neck finish  1401 . Second, functional closure  1100  provides a housing for active insert device  1201 , which can be initiated actively in order to provide gas  1403  to container  1420  or a headspace  1402  while still maintaining the integrity of the hermetic seal on neck finish  1401 . 
         [0117]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. A closure  2100  comprises a cap  2101 , a pilfer band  2102  and an active insert device  2201 . Cap  2101  is designed to accept and retain active insert device  2201  that is either bonded along the internal perimeter of an internal surface  2103  of cap  2101 , or is permanently retained behind a recess  2104  that acts as a locking clip around the external ring surface of active insert device  2201 . 
         [0118]    Referring to  FIGS. 23-25 , active insert device  2201  comprises a sealing insert  2311 , a backing  2313  and internal components  2203 . Backing  2313 , sealing insert  2311  and some of the internal components  2203  are bonded together along a top lip  2315  of sealing insert  2311  with a hermetically sealed bond  2316  that provides a complete hermetic seal along the circumference of active insert device  2201 . 
         [0119]    Referring to  FIGS. 26-28 , active insert device  2201  comprises backing  2313 , a first reactant  2307 , a metallic inductor  2306 , a separator seal  2305 , a second reactant  2304 , a filter membrane  2303 , a filter media  2302 , a backing membrane  2301 , a septum seal  2312  with score marks  2314  and sealing insert  2311  with vent ports  2320 . Prior to assembly, separator seal  2305  and metallic inductor  2306  are bonded together using a suitable bond  2310 , filter media  2302  is sandwiched between filter membrane  2303  and backing membrane  2301 , which are bonded to one another with a suitable bond  2319 . Upon assembly, septum seal  2312  and the sandwiched filter membrane  2303 , filter media  2302  and backing membrane  2301  are stretched over an internal raised lip  2317  and bonded to an internal surface  2318  of sealing insert  2311  with a suitable bond  2321 . Second reactant  2304 , separator seal  2305  with metallic inductor  2306 , first reactant  2307  and backing  2313  are inserted into sealing insert  2311  and secured by a hermetically sealed bond  2316  across the top lip  2315  of sealing insert  2311 . 
         [0120]    Referring to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , functional closure  2100  is mounted onto a container neck finish  2401  of a container  2420 . Functional closure  2100  serves two functions. First, functional closure  2100  provides a hermetic seal to neck finish  2401  achieved through an internal lip  2421  of sealing insert  2311  contacting an internal surface  2422  of neck finish  2401  and through a landing surface  2423  ( FIG. 24 ) contacting a landing  2424  of neck finish  2401 . Second, functional closure  2100  provides a housing for active insert device  2201 , which can be initiated actively in order to provide gas  2403  to container  2420  or a headspace  2402  while still maintaining the integrity of the hermetic seal on neck finish  2401 . 
         [0121]    While these arrangements are preferred embodiments, it is possible to conceive of other variations in design that provide the functions described above. In the first, second and third embodiments, the function of active insert device  201 ,  1201  or  2201  is to control the generation, purification and release of a gas  403 ,  1403  or  2403  into container headspace  402 ,  1402  or  2402  to hermetically inflate and or pressurize container  420 ,  1420  or  2420 . In the first step of the process, functional container closure  100 ,  1100  or  2100  is screwed onto neck finish  401 , 1401  or  2401  of container  420 ,  1420  or  2420  with a suitable torque to create a hermetic seal between vent seal  309  and the neck finish  401  or between sealing insert  1311  or  2311  and neck finish  1401  or  1401 . 
         [0122]    Referring again to the first, second and third embodiments, in the second step of the process, metallic inductor  306 ,  1306  or  2306  is heated by means of a current flow induced in it through the application of external electromagnetic energy  404 ,  1404  or  2404  provided by an external energy source  430 ,  1430  and  2430  as shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  20  and  30 , respectively. The heated metallic inductor  306 ,  1306  or  2306 , being in contact with separator seal  305 ,  1305  or  2305  through bond  310 ,  1310  or  2310 , causes separator seal  305 ,  1305  or  2305  to be modified (for example, by shrinking, tearing or delaminating) thereby allowing first reactant  307 ,  1307  or  2307  and second reactant  304 ,  1304  or  2304  to come into contact and begin reacting with one another. This reaction generates gases, which are forced through filter membrane  303 , 1303  or  2303  and come into contact with filter medium  302 ,  1302  or  2302 . 
         [0123]    Filter medium  302 ,  1302  or  2302  is designed to capture, retain and or convert certain vapors and gases and prevent them from passing through the backing membrane  301 ,  1301  or  2301  while allowing the desired components including desired gases  403 ,  1403  or  2403  to pass through the backing membrane  301 ,  1301  or  2301 . 
         [0124]    Referring to the first embodiment, the desired gas  403  passes between backing membrane  301  and the internal surface  103  of cap  101  thereby creating a pressure point at one or more vent ports  202 . The pressure of gas  403  trying to pass through one or more vent ports  202  causes vent seal  309  to release its bond to shroud  308  and separate in the area of vent port  202 . The small separation allows gas  403  to pass into headspace  402 . Gas  403  continues to pass through into headspace  402  until the pressure in headspace  402  equalizes with the pressure being generated inside the active insert device  201 . At this point, vent seal  309  stretches back into its original position, closing the separation between itself and shroud  308  and again creating a hermetic seal that prevents a reverse flow through one or more vent ports  202 . 
         [0125]    Referring to the second embodiment, the desired gas  1403  passes through backing membrane  1301  and exits sealing insert  1311  through perforations  1315 . The exiting gas  1403  from perforations  1315  creates a pocket behind septum seal  1312  thereby allowing score marks  1314  to open and allow gas  1403  to vent into headspace  1402 . Once the pressure in the headspace  1402  equalizes with that inside sealing insert  1311 , septum seal  1312  returns to its original state and the score marks close thereby sealing off headspace  1402  from insert device  1201 . 
         [0126]    Referring to the third embodiment, the desired gas  2403  passes through backing membrane  2301  and pushes down on septum seal  2312  thereby allowing score mark  2314  to open and allow gas  2403  to exit sealing insert  2311  through vent ports  2320  and vent into headspace  2402 . Once the pressure in headspace  2402  equalizes with that inside sealing insert  2311 , septum seal  2312  returns to its original state and score marks  2314  close thereby sealing off headspace  2402  from insert device  2201 . 
         [0127]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other embodiments may be conceived of that would result in the same outcome as those intended and contemplated within this disclosure. Therefore, without reference to any specific figure, the following should be noted. The first reactant  307 ,  1307  or  2307  and the second reactant  304 ,  1304  or  2304  can be made up of any substance or mixture of substances (in any phase, solid, liquid or vapor) that when coming into contact with one another causes a reaction to take place that produces a third product or products that are desirable for the specific function for which the functional closure device is designed. 
         [0128]    In the inflation and or pressurization embodiment described above, the reactants are selected for a diazotization reaction. First reactant  307 ,  1307  or  2307  is a primary amine, which is defined as an ammonia molecule with one hydrogen substituted by any organic or inorganic compound, usually represented by R; for example, R—NH 2 , where the primary amine can be selected from the following groups: normal alkyl amines (CH 3 (CH 2 ) n —NH 2 , where CH 3 (CH 2 ) n — represents straight-chain, normal alkyl groups of any length), for example, n-propyl amine; aromatic amines (AR-NH 2 , where AR represents any aromatic compound) for example aniline; amides (RCO—NH 2 , where RCO— represents any acyl group) for example propylamide; salts of sulfamates (XOSO 2 —NH 2 , where X represents any cation), for example, sodium sulfamate, and O-substituted sulfamates (ROSO 2 —NH 2 , where R represents any organic compound), for example, o-propyl sulfamate. 
         [0129]    Second reactant  304 ,  1304  or  2304  of the diazotization comprises a nitrite salt and a proton donor, or a nitrite ester and a proton donor. The nitrite salt can be selected from the group of the salts of nitrous acid, XNO 2  (where X represents any cation), for example, lithium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, calcium nitrite, and barium nitrite. An example of a group of nitrite esters is the nitrite esters of alcohols. One example is ethyl nitrite (CH 3 CH 2 ONO), which is the nitrite ester of ethyl alcohol. The proton donor is any organic acid, for example, mono and dihydrogen citrates, citric, ascorbic, carboxylic and phenolic acids, or any non-organic acid, such as mineral acids, for example, hydrochloric, sulfuric and bisulfate. 
         [0130]    When external energy  404 ,  1404  or  2404  is incident on active insert device  201 ,  1201  or  2201 , a reaction of the nitrite salt and the proton donor forms nitrous acid and ultimately a nitrosonium ion (NO + ). The nitrosonium ion reacts with the primary amine to produce an unstable diazonium intermediate, which readily decomposes in nitrogen gas. In this preferred embodiment, first reactant  307 ,  1307  or  2307  is preferably sodium sulfamate and second reactant  304 ,  1304  or  2304  is preferably sodium nitrite and di-sodium citrate. Other substances in the reactants may include but are not limited to catalysts, filers, binders, surfactants and antifoaming agents that do not participate directly in the reaction but provide other functionality such as catalyzing, enhancing and controlling the rate of reaction and or retaining certain reactant mixtures and reaction products. 
         [0131]    Filter membrane  303 ,  1303  or  2303 , filter media  302 ,  1302  or  2302  and backing membrane  301 ,  1301  or  2301  together form a filter system designed to capture, retain or filter out any undesirable reaction products. Filter media  302 ,  1302  or  2302  can be any substance or mixture of substances designed for the adsorption, absorption, oxidation, reduction or other reaction, retention and/or alteration of the characteristics of any specific reaction products or byproducts for which the functional closure device is designed. In the inflation and or pressurization embodiment described above, the filter media contains for example a suitable mixture of permanganate, hydroxide, and activated carbon so that any carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, formaldehyde, acid gases, amines, ammonia, chlorine, nitrates, nitrites and hydrocarbons are converted and retained within the filter system while allowing pure nitrogen gas to pass through into the headspace  402 ,  1402  or  2402 . 
         [0132]    An example of a suitable filter media is a mixture of &gt;50% potassium permanganate, &lt;30% Calcium Hydroxide, &lt;20% Activated Carbon, and &lt;2% Sodium Hydroxide, the remainder being made up of fillers and or binders such as Silicon Dioxide SiO 2 . Other substances in the filter media include but are not limited to filers, binders, activators and catalysts that do not necessarily participate in the filtration process but provide other functionality to the filter system such as, for example, controlling the rate of flow and dispersion of the reaction products and or surface area, concentration and texture of the filter media. 
         [0133]    Filter membrane  303 ,  1303  or  2303  and backing membrane  301 ,  1301  or  2301  can be any material or composition of materials that provide a controlled porosity layer suitable for the function of allowing certain products or mixtures of products to pass through while retaining or preventing other products or mixtures of products from passing through. 
         [0134]    Bond  204  is any suitable bond along the perimeter that joins backing membrane  301 , filter membrane  303 , separating seal  305  and shroud  308  together. Bond  204  can be formed using adhesives, heat welding or any other hot or cold process that achieves the desired hermetic seal. Bond  310 ,  1310  or  2310  is any suitable bond between separator seal  305 ,  1305  or  2305  and metallic inductor  306 ,  1306  or  2306  that ensures heat transfer between the materials that further allows the separator seal to tear, rupture, delaminate or become cut in a controllable manner. 
         [0135]    The securing of active insert device  201  into closure  101  along the perimeter of internal surface  103  can be achieved with any suitable bond that provides a hermetic seal along said perimeter without blocking access to one or more vent ports  202 . The bond secures active insert device  201  in such a way that it becomes a single unit with cap  101  and remains in place when cap  101  is removed from neck finish  401 . The bond is intended to be achieved such that active insert device  201  cannot be removed non-destructively from the cap  101 . This bond can be formed using adhesive or heat welding or any other suitable hot or cold bonding process. 
         [0136]    Vent seal  309  can be any material or combination of materials that allow it to become hermetically bonded to the external surface of shroud  308  while still allowing the bond to separate in the area of one or more vent ports  202 . This causes vent seal  309  to stretch away from shroud  308  in this area further allowing vent ports  202  to become open under pressure. Upon equalization of pressure between active insert device  201  and headspace  402 , vent seal  309  is allowed to flex back over the vent ports  202 , thereby closing them and preventing any back flow from the headspace  402  into the active insert device  201 . Vent seal  309  also forms a hermetic seal between active insert device  201  and neck finish  401  thereby containing the headspace gases  403  and allowing headspace  402  to become inflated and maintain a positive pressure. In the embodiment described above, vent seal  309  has the property of elasticity and may be constructed from materials selected from the group of saturated and unsaturated rubbers, elastomers and self healing elastomers. 
         [0137]    Septum seal  1312  or  2312  can be any material or combination of materials that allow it to act as a septum and allows for score marks to open and close at varying pressure differentials. In the second embodiment described above, the septum seal has the property of elasticity and may be constructed from materials selected from the group of saturated and unsaturated rubbers, elastomers and self healing elastomers. 
         [0138]    Bond  1316  or  2316  may be any suitable bond that forms a hermetic seal between the device layers and the sealing insert  1311  or  2311 . Bond  1316  or  2316  can be formed using adhesives, heat welding or any other hot or cold process that achieves the desired hermetic seal. Bond  1318  or  2321  is any suitable bond that bonds septum seal  1312  or  2312  to sealing insert  1311  or  2311  and allows it to stretch away and return to its original state. Bond  1318  or  2321  can be formed using adhesives, heat welding or any other hot or cold process that achieves the desired seal. 
         [0139]    Internal lip  1421  or  2421  is any lip that creates a seal when contacted with internal surface  1422  or  2422  and can be of any shape, texture or profile that best achieves that outcome. Landing surface  1423  or  2423  is any surface that creates a seal when contacted with landing  1424  or  2424  and can be any shape, texture or profile to achieve that outcome. 
         [0140]    The present disclosure having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.