Patent Publication Number: US-9428292-B2

Title: Fluid injection system and method for supporting container walls

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of container production. The present invention relates specifically to production of a container including injection of a fluid into the container to support the container wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a fluid injection method for pressurizing a filled and sealed food container. The method includes providing a container having an opening and cavity. The method includes filling the container cavity through the opening with a food product. The method includes sealing the opening with a closure. The method includes injecting a pressurizing fluid through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a fluid injection method for pressurizing a filled and sealed plastic beverage container. The method includes providing a plastic container having an opening and cavity. The method includes filling the container cavity through the opening with a food product. The method includes providing an injection molded thermoplastic closure, the closure includes a top panel, a skirt extending downward away from the top panel and thermoplastic elastomer liner coupled to a lower surface of the top panel. The method includes sealing the container opening with the closure, and the container has a first internal pressure following sealing of the container with the closure. The method includes inserting a nozzle through the thermoplastic elastomer liner and into the cavity of the plastic container. The method includes injecting a pressurizing fluid through the nozzle into the container cavity after sealing and filling. The method includes removing the nozzle from the thermoplastic elastomer liner. The thermoplastic elastomer liner self-seals forming a hermetic seal, and the container has a second internal pressure after injection of the pressurized fluid and removal of the nozzle. The second internal pressure is greater than the first internal pressure. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed plastic beverage container. The system includes an injection nozzle, a pressurized fluid source containing a pressurizing fluid and a conduit coupling the injection nozzle to the fluid source. The system includes an actuator coupled to the injection nozzle and configured to move the injection nozzle toward a closure sealing the plastic beverage container. The injection nozzle is configured to inject the pressurizing fluid through the closure into the plastic beverage container. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a fluid injection system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a method of injecting fluid into a filled container according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a closure used with the system of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a system and of a method for injecting a fluid (e.g., a sterile liquid, a sterile gas, an inert gas, nitrogen, etc.) into a filled and sealed container are shown. In addition, closures configured to facilitate fluid injection are also shown. In general, a container (e.g., a plastic beverage bottle) is filled with a fluid (e.g., a consumable beverage) and is then sealed by coupling a closure over the filling opening of the container. Following sealing of the container, an injection device injects a fluid through the closure into the cavity of the container. The injected fluid increases the pressure within the cavity of the container, and thereby the injected fluid acts to support the container walls against the inwardly directed forces that the walls of the container may experience (e.g., grasp force of the end user, air pressure, forces due to stacking in storage and transportation of the filled container). The closure used to seal the container may also include one or more elements or features configured to facilitate injection of the fluid through the closure. It is believed that by pressurizing the content cavity of the container following filling and sealing, improved sidewall support and more precisely controlled pressurization can be achieved as compared to pressurization methods in which the container is pressurized prior to sealing of the container with the closure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fluid injection system  10  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. System  10  includes an injection nozzle, shown as piercing nozzle  12 . Nozzle  12  is coupled to a pressurized fluid supply, shown as inert gas supply  14 , via a conduit  16 . Nozzle  12  is coupled to an actuator  18  configured to move nozzle  12  both toward and away from container  20  in the direction shown by arrow  22 . Actuator  18  is a device configured to drive nozzle  12  downward with sufficient force to pierce a closure on a filled and sealed container. In various embodiments, actuator  18  is a machine driven actuator, and in one embodiment, is a hydraulic piston and in another embodiment is a gas piston. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , fluid injection system  10  is configured to inject fluid into a sealed and filled container  20 . In the embodiment, shown container  20  includes a cavity  24 , and content, shown as fluid  26 , is located within cavity  24 . Container  20  includes a neck  28 , and a closure  30  is coupled to neck  28 . The filling opening located at the upper end of neck  28  of container  20  is sealed by closure  30  after container  20  is filled with fluid  26 . Closure  30  includes a top wall, shown as upper panel  32 , and a skirt  34  extending downward away from and substantially perpendicular to upper panel  32 . Closure  30  includes threads  38  formed on the inner surface of skirt  34  that engage mating threads  36  formed on the outer surface of neck  28 . 
     Closure  30  includes a seal or gasket  40  coupled to the lower surface of upper panel  32 . Gasket  40  is formed from a compliant polymer material capable of forming a fluid and air tight seal against the upper rim of container neck  28 . In various embodiments, gasket  40  is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, and upper panel  32  and skirt  34  are formed from a relatively rigid thermoplastic material (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.). 
     To inject fluid into container  20  using fluid injection system  10 , container  20  is placed beneath nozzle  12  when nozzle  12  is in a refracted position. With container  20  in place beneath nozzle  12 , actuator  18  drives nozzle  12  downward, piercing upper panel  32  and gasket  40  with nozzle  12 . In various embodiments, actuator  18  is a mechanically operated machine configured to move the tip of nozzle  12  a precise distance to pierce upper panel  32  and gasket  40 . Thus, actuator  18  is configured to move the tip of nozzle  12  at least the combined thickness of upper panel  32  and gasket  40 . In various embodiments, actuator  18  is configured to move the tip of nozzle  12  0.010 inches more than the combined thicknesses of the panel and liner embodiments discussed herein. In various embodiments, actuator  18  is configured to move the tip of nozzle  12  between 0.020 inches and 0.150 inches, specifically between 0.020 inches and 0.120 inches and more specifically between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , nozzle  12  passes through upper panel  32  and gasket  40 , and tip  42  of nozzle  12  is located within cavity  24  following piercing of upper panel  32  and gasket  40 . Following insertion of nozzle  12 , gas supply  14  is operated to inject gas through conduit  16  and nozzle  12  into cavity  24  to pressurize cavity  24  of container  20 . In one embodiment, a valve  44  is provided at the input side of nozzle  12 , and valve  44  is opened to allow gas from gas supply  14  to flow into cavity  24 . In one embodiment, gas supply  14  is a pressurized container of gas such that opening of valve  44  allows the gas from gas supply  14  to flow into container  20 . In another embodiment, gas supply  14  includes a high pressure pump or compressor configured to pressurize the gas, and in this embodiment the pump is configured to pressurize the gas once nozzle  12  is placed into cavity  24  to deliver gas from gas supply  14  to cavity  24 . In various embodiments, valve  44  is an electronically controlled valve controlled to open following insertion of the nozzle into container  20 . In one such embodiment, valve  44  is a solenoid actuated check valve controlled by an electronic control system (e.g., one or more computers, processing circuitry, microprocessors, etc.) that is configured to control system  10  to provide the functionality discussed herein. 
     Once the desired volume of gas has been delivered, nozzle  12  is retracted by actuator  18 . With nozzle  12  removed, the compliant material of gasket  40  self-seals forming an air tight seal. The injected gas acts to fill the volume of the container not filled by fluid  26 , and in some embodiments may bring the pressure within container  20  slightly above atmospheric pressure. In such embodiments, addition of the fluid injected through nozzle  12  acts to raise the pressure within the container to support the walls of container  20 . Thus, container  20  after filling and sealing, but prior to injection of the fluid has an internal pressure (a first internal pressure), and container  20  has an internal pressure (a second internal pressure) after injection of the fluid that is greater that the first internal pressure. 
     In certain thin-walled containers, the containers may be originally filled with a content fluid (e.g., fluid  26 ) at atmospheric pressure, but the radial strength of the sidewall of the container is too low to prevent inward buckling of the sidewall when the container is handled by the end user, handling during shipping or stacking. In addition, some containers are originally filled with a hot or warm content fluid (e.g., fluid  26 ), and in such containers, the pressure within the sealed container decreases as the temperature of the contents of the container cool following sealing by the closure. In these embodiments, the gas injected by system  10  acts to support the walls of the container from the various radially inwardly directed forces. 
     In the embodiment shown, system  10  is configured to deliver a gas into container  20 . In various embodiments, the gas delivered by system  10  is a sterile inert gas, and in one specific embodiment, is sterile nitrogen gas. In another embodiment, system  10  is configured to deliver a sterile non-oxygen-containing gas into container  20 . In another embodiment, the fluid supplied by system  10  is a liquid fluid delivered in sufficient volume to fill the remaining volume of container  20  above fluid  26 . 
     In various embodiments, the volume of fluid delivered is selected to fill the remaining empty volume of container  20  above fluid  26 . In various embodiments, the amount of fluid injected into container  20  varies based on the size of container  20  and the fill level of fluid  26  within container  20 . In one embodiment, system  10  is configured to deliver approximately 30 cubic centimeters (as measured at standard temperature and pressure) of inert gas, specifically nitrogen, into container  20 . In another embodiment, system  10  is configured to deliver between 20 cubic centimeters and 40 cubic centimeters (as measured at standard temperature and pressure) of inert gas, specifically nitrogen, into container  20 . 
     While the disclosure herein relates primarily to plastic beverage containers, the systems, structures and methods discussed herein could be used to inject a fluid or inert gas into a wide variety of sealed containers. For example, in one embodiment, structures and methods discussed herein could be used to inject a fluid or inert gas into a hermetically sealed pouch container (e.g., a juice pouch container). Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , nozzle  12  is a needle shaped piercing nozzle. In other embodiments, other nozzles may be used. In one embodiment, closure  30  includes a valve through the upper panel, and the nozzle of system  10  is configured to open the valve to inject fluid into container  20 . In another embodiment, system  10  is configured to generate a high-speed fluid jet that directly pierces upper panel  32  and gasket  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a process  50  for injecting a fluid into a filled and sealed container is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. At step  52 , a container, such as plastic container  20  discussed above, is filled and hermetically sealed. In one embodiment, the container is sealed with a closure such as closure  30  discussed above. 
     At step  54 , the closure is sterilized prior to injecting fluid through the closure. Sterilization at step  54  can be implemented through exposure of the filled container and closure to UV light, an antiseptic chemical wash (e.g., antimicrobial fluid), flame, plasma, steam and/or hot water. 
     At step  56  fluid is injected through the closure as discussed above regarding  FIG. 1  to support the walls of the container. In one embodiment, a predetermined volume of fluid is injected into the container utilizing a positive displacement meter to measure the volume of fluid injected. In various embodiments the fluid injected is an inert gas, such as nitrogen. In other embodiments, the fluid injected is a displacement liquid. In various embodiments, injection occurs via piercing the top panel of the closure with a needle-like piercing nozzle, via high-pressure liquid jet, or via nozzle engagement with valve in closure. 
     At step  58  the injection nozzle used to inject fluid through the closure is inspected for defects. In one embodiment, step  58  is performed after each step  56 . In various embodiments, inspection of the nozzle may be via an electronic vision system, laser scan device, proximity sensor or contact sensor. In this embodiment, if a defect, such as a broken, cracked or missing injection nozzle is detected an error message may be provide to the operator of the injection system or the system may be stopped allowing the appropriate repairs to be made. 
     At step  60 , in those embodiments that involve piercing of the closure via the nozzle, the container and closure are inspected for defects that might occur during the injection step. Specifically, in one embodiment, step  60  checks to confirm that no portion of the injection nozzle has broken into the container or has been left in the closure. In various embodiments, the inspection at step  60  occurs via use of a vision system, magnetic metal detection, x-ray scanning or RF scanning to detect whether any portion of the injection nozzle has been left in the container or closure. 
     At step  62 , in those embodiments that involve piercing of the closure via the nozzle, the top panel of the closure may be modified to remove visual indication of piercing. In one embodiment, the hole created through the upper panel of the closure by the nozzle (e.g., the injection hole) may be sealed by melting the thermoplastic material adjacent the hole. In various embodiments, melting may be generated via use of a laser welding tool, a heat-based welding tool or an ultrasonic welding tool. In another embodiment, at step  62 , a melted thermoplastic or adhesive may be applied to cover the injection hole. It should be noted that in an embodiment in which the closure includes a self-sealing gasket, such as gasket  40  discussed above, filling of the injection hole at step  62  is not needed to hermetically seal the closure because, as discussed above, the hermetic seal of the container is reformed upon withdrawal of the piercing nozzle due to the self-sealing characteristic of gasket  40 . 
     In various embodiments, the system shown in  FIG. 1  and the process shown in  FIG. 2  is implemented via automated container processing equipment. In one specific embodiment, the system shown in  FIG. 1  and the process shown in  FIG. 2  is implemented via rotating continuous motion machinery. 
     In various embodiments, the closures of the containers used in the systems and methods discussed herein include one or more features configured to facilitate injection of fluid through the closure into the container. For example, in various embodiments, the thickness of the relatively rigid thermoplastic top panel of the closure is made to permit piercing by the piercing nozzle of the injection system, and/or the thickness of the compliant liner or gasket is made to effectively self-seal to form a hermetic seal upon withdrawal of the piercing nozzle. In other embodiments, the closure may include an injection window or area that is a thinned central portion of the closure top panel made to permit piercing by the piercing nozzle of the injection system. In other embodiments, the closure may include an injection window or area that is a central bore formed through the closure top panel filled with the compliant gasket material made to permit piercing by the piercing nozzle of the injection system and to provide self-sealing. Various exemplary embodiments of such closures are shown in  FIGS. 3-13 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , a closure  80  is shown. Closure  80  includes a top panel  82  and a skirt  84  extending downward away from top panel  82 . Closure  80  includes a gasket or liner  86  coupled to the lower surface of top panel  82 . In various embodiments, liner  86  is formed from a compliant polymer material that self-seals (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer material), and upper panel  82  and skirt  84  are formed from a relatively rigid thermoplastic material (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.). In the embodiment shown, the thickness of top panel  82  is selected such that the piercing nozzle (e.g., piercing nozzle  12 ) is able to easily penetrate through top panel  82 . In various embodiments, the thickness of top panel  82  is substantially the same across the diameter of closure  80  and is between 0.010 inches and 0.060 inches and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.040 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of top panel  82  is substantially the same across the diameter of closure  80  and is 0.050 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another embodiment, the thickness of top panel  82  is substantially the same across the diameter of closure  80  and is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another embodiment, the thickness of top panel  82  is substantially the same across the diameter of closure  80  and is 0.010 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches 
     In the embodiment shown, the thickness of central liner portion  88  of liner  86  is selected to provide for hermetic self-sealing upon withdrawal of the piercing nozzle of the fluid injection system. In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion is 0.010 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a closure  90  is shown. Closure  90  includes a top panel  92  and a skirt  94  extending downward away from top panel  92 . Closure  90  is substantially the same as closure  80  except for the design of self-sealing liner  96 . Liner  96  is formed from a compliant polymer material that self-seals (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer material). Liner  96  includes an thin outer portion  98  and a thick central portion  100 . Thick portion  100  of liner  96  is centrally located below the central region of top panel  92  through which the injection nozzle passes. Thick portion  100  is thickened in the region of piercing to provide improved self-sealing of liner  96 . 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of thickened liner portion  100  is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of liner portion  100  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of liner portion  100  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of liner portion  100  is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  100  is more than twice the thickness of outer liner portion  98 . In various embodiments, the thickness of thickened liner portion  100  is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the thickened liner portion  100  is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a closure  110  is shown. Closure  110  includes a top panel  112 , a skirt  114  extending downward away from top panel  112 , and a liner  116 . Liner  116  includes a thin outer portion  118  and liner center portion  120 . Closure  110  is substantially the same as closure  90  except for the thickness of top panel  112 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , top panel  112  is thinner relative to the liner center portion  120  than the corresponding portions of closure  90 . In this embodiment, top panel  112  has substantially the same thickness as liner center portion  120 . In various embodiments, the thickness of top panel  112  and of liner center portion  120  are substantially the same as each other (e.g., within 0.003 inches of each other), and the thickness of both is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of both top panel  112  and liner center portion  120  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of both top panel  112  and liner center portion  120  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of both top panel  112  and liner center portion  120  is 0.010 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a closure  130  is shown. Closure  130  includes a top panel  132 , a skirt  134  extending downward away from top panel  132 , and a liner  136 . Closure  130  is substantially the same as closure  80  shown in  FIG. 3  except that top panel  132  includes a thinned central portion  138 . Relative to the lower surface of top panel  132 , thinned central portion  138  is a recess formed at the center of top panel  132 . As shown, the lower surface of liner  136  is substantially planar, however a central portion  140  of liner  136  is thicker than outer portion  142 , and central portion  140  fills in the recess formed by the thinned central portion  138 . 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of thinned central portion  138  is less than one half the thickness of the outer portion of top panel  132 . In such embodiments, the thickness of central portion  138  is between 0.005 inches and 0.040 inches, and more specifically is between 0.005 inches and 0.025 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of central portion  138  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another embodiment, the thickness of central portion  138  is 0.010 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  140  is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  140  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the central liner portion  140  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness central liner portion  140  is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  140  is more than twice the thickness of outer liner portion  142 . In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  140  is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the central liner portion  140  is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a closure  150  is shown. Closure  150  includes a top panel  152 , a skirt  154  extending downward away from top panel  152 , and a liner  156 . Closure  150  is substantially the same as closure  130  shown in  FIG. 6  except that top panel  152  includes a central bore  158 . Liner  156  includes a central portion  160  that extends through the central bore  158  such that the outer surface of central liner portion  160  is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of top panel  152 . This embodiment provides a central window or passage filled with the compliant polymer material of the liner to facilitate the passage of the injection nozzle into the container. 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is 0.050 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is more than twice the thickness of the outer liner portion and more than twice the thickness of top wall  152 . In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  160  is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the central liner portion  160  is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a closure  170  is shown. Closure  170  includes a top panel  172 , a skirt  174  extending downward away from top panel  172 , and a liner  176 . Closure  170  includes a recess  178  formed in top panel  172  that is recessed below the upper most edge of shoulder  180 . Closure  170  also includes a peripheral sealing rib  182 . Similar to the embodiments discussed above, liner  176  acts as a self-sealing structure to reseal closure  170  following the withdrawal of the injection nozzle. 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of at least the center portion of liner  176  is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of liner portion  176  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of liner  176  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of liner  176  is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  176  is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the central liner portion  176  is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a closure  190  is shown. Closure  190  includes a top panel  192 , a skirt  194  extending downward away from top panel  192 , and a liner  196 . Closure  190  includes a recess  198  formed in top panel  192  that is recessed below the upper most edge of shoulder  200 . Closure  190  also includes a peripheral sealing rib  202 . Similar to the embodiments discussed above, liner  196  acts as a self-sealing structure to reseal closure  190  following the withdrawal of the injection nozzle. 
     Similar to closure  160  shown in  FIG. 7 , top panel  192  includes a central bore  204 . Liner  196  includes a central portion  206  that extends through the central bore  204  such that the outer surface of central liner portion  206  is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of top panel  192 . This embodiment provides a central window or passage filled with the compliant polymer material of the liner to facilitate the passage of the injection nozzle into the container. 
     In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is between 0.015 inches and 0.060 inches, and more specifically is between 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches. In one specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is 0.020 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is 0.030 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is 0.040 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In another specific embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is 0.050 inches plus or minus 0.003 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is more than twice the thickness of the outer liner portion and more than 1.5 times the thickness of top wall  192 . In various embodiments, the thickness of central liner portion  206  is between 0.010 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches, and more specifically is between 0.010 inches and 0.030 inches. In various embodiments, the central liner portion  206  is between 0.020 inches and 0.110 inches, specifically 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches, and more specifically is between 0.020 inches and 0.080 inches. 
     As noted above, in some embodiments, injection system  10  may be configured to inject fluid into a sealed container without piercing the top wall or the liner of the closure. In some embodiments, the injection nozzle of system  10  may engage with a valve structure located in the top wall of the closure. In such embodiments, the valve structure is a one way valve that permits fluid to be injected through the valve but prevents fluid from escaping out of the container. In one embodiment, the valve in the closure is configured to only open a single time, and, in this embodiment, the valve will permanently seal closed following injection of the pressurizing fluid through the valve and into the container. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , closure  210  includes a top panel  212 , a skirt  214  extending downward away from top panel  212  and a liner  216 . Closure  210  is substantially the same as closure  80 , shown in  FIG. 3 , except that closure  210  includes a valve, shown as flap valve  220 , coupled to a through bore  222  formed in top panel  212 . Valve  220  includes flaps  224  that are biased to the closed position shown  FIG. 10 . Upon application of sufficient pressure to the outer surface of valve  220  by the fluid injection nozzle of system  10 , flaps  224  open allowing the injected fluid to flow into the container. Once filling is completed and the pressure supplied by the injection nozzle is removed, flaps  224  snap back to the closed position shown in  FIG. 10  hermetically sealing closure  210 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , closure  230  includes a top panel  232 , a skirt  234  extending downward away from top panel  232  and a liner  236 . Closure  230  is substantially the same as closure  80 , shown in  FIG. 3 , except that closure  230  includes a valve, shown as ball check valve  240 , coupled to a through bore  242  formed in top panel  232 . Valve  240  includes an outer collar  244  and a ball  246 . Outer collar  244  couples to the inner edge of bore  242 , and collar  244  includes a central channel  248 . Ball  246  is located within central channel  248  and is moveable between opened and closed positions. Ball  246  is biased to the closed position shown  FIG. 11 . Upon application of sufficient pressure to the outer surface of valve  240  by the fluid injection nozzle of system  10 , ball  246  moves downward to the open position allowing the injected fluid to flow into the container. Once filling is completed and the pressure supplied by the injection nozzle is removed, ball  246  snaps back to the closed position shown in  FIG. 11  hermetically sealing closure  230 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a closure  260  is shown. Closure  260  is substantially similar to closure  170  shown in  FIG. 8  except closure  260  includes no liner and includes flap valve  220  coupled to a bore through the top panel of closure  260 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , closure  270  is shown. Closure  270  is substantially similar to closure  170  shown in  FIG. 8  except closure  270  includes no liner and includes ball check valve  240  coupled to a bore through the top panel of closure  260 . 
     In various embodiments, the containers discussed herein are any hermetically sealed or sealable container. In various embodiments, the containers discussed herein are containers configured to hold consumable or edible products (e.g., beverages, water, food, etc.). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the container is a molded (e.g., blow-molded) thermoplastic beverage container configured to hermetically hold a beverage (e.g., soda, water, juice, fortified or nutrient water, tea, sports drink, energy drink, milk, milk-based beverages, etc.). In addition, the closures discussed herein are closures suitable for maintaining a hermetic seal. In particular embodiments, the closures discussed herein are injection molded thermoplastic closures. 
     It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.