Patent Description:
Vacuum packages typically include containers sealed by closures. Containers often include a body and a neck finish extending axially from the body to accept a closure. The body usually includes a base, a sidewall extending axially away from the base, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the neck finish. The neck finish typically includes circumferentially extending threads to cooperate with corresponding threads of the closure, and a circular end surface to cooperate with a seal on an undersurface of the closure. <CIT> illustrates a glass container and closure of this type. <CIT> discloses a liquid container vacuum seal having a rigid cover with an opening sealed by a plug projection on a flexible holder for the rigid cover.

The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a closure includes an overcap, including an annular skirt extending along a longitudinal axis, and an annular flange extending radially inwardly from the annular skirt. Also, the closure includes a lid carried by the overcap radially within the annular skirt, and including a hub, and an annular margin extending radially outwardly with respect to the hub, and having upper and lower surfaces. An annular container seal extends circumferentially continuously around the annular margin. In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a package includes a container, and the above-described closure coupled thereto. The presently claimed subject matter is defined in claim <NUM>.

The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In general, a multi-piece closure is described below for sealed coupling to a container under vacuum and for vacuum venting upon initial rotational removal of the closure from the container. A unique lid is carried by an overcap radially within an annular axially extending skirt of the overcap and radially overlapped by a radially inwardly extending flange of the overcap. Uniquely, one or more vents extend through the annular margin between upper and lower surfaces thereof at a discrete circumferential location radially inward with respect to a circumferentially continuous annular container seal at the annular margin lower surface, and one or more vent seals disposed at the vent(s) at the upper surface of the annular margin.

With detailed reference to the drawing figures, <FIG> illustrates a package <NUM> including a container <NUM>, and a closure <NUM> coupled to the container <NUM> to close the container <NUM> and including a seal <NUM> between the container <NUM> and the closure <NUM> to seal the closure <NUM> to the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> may be a single, integral, article of manufacture. The closure <NUM> is a multiple piece closure, which includes an overcap <NUM> to couple to the container <NUM> and a separate lid <NUM> disposed between the overcap <NUM> and the container <NUM> to close the container <NUM>. The seal <NUM> is a multiple portion seal, which includes a container seal <NUM> and a vent seal <NUM> that may be coupled to the container seal <NUM>. As will be described in further detail herein below, upon rotation of the closure <NUM> on the container <NUM> in a loosening direction, the vent seal <NUM> becomes unseated from sealing engagement with the closure <NUM> such that vacuum may be released from within the package <NUM>.

The package <NUM> may be used to package pickles, baby food, salsa, peppers, sauces, jams, or any other hot-fill food product(s), or other food products generally. The package <NUM> also may be used to package other types of products including but not limited to liquids, gels, powders, particles, and the like. The package <NUM> may be suitable for hot-fill applications of product at <NUM>□F and above, and can be developed for retort applications at temperatures of <NUM>□DF and above. The package <NUM> includes a longitudinal axis A, about which the closure <NUM> may be rotated with respect to the container <NUM>.

The container <NUM> may be composed of glass, or any other material suitable for containing food products. The container <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, and a body <NUM> extending from the base <NUM>, and also may include a shoulder <NUM> extending from the body <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the container body <NUM> need not include the shoulder <NUM>. In any event, the container <NUM> also may include a neck <NUM> extending from the shoulder <NUM> (or directly from the body <NUM>). The neck <NUM> includes a neck finish <NUM> that may include any suitable features, for example, a capping flange or bead <NUM> (<FIG>), one or more external, or radially outwardly extending, closure securement elements <NUM> that may include lugs, bayonets, thread segments, or any other suitable features. As used herein, the phrase "thread segment" includes whole, partial, multiple, and/or one or more interrupted threads and/or thread segments. The closure securement elements <NUM> may include one, two, three, four, or any other suitable quantity of elements. In any case, the elements <NUM> collectively may extend completely circumferentially around the neck finish <NUM>. The neck finish <NUM> also includes an open mouth <NUM> surrounded by a sealing surface <NUM> of the neck finish <NUM>. The sealing surface <NUM> faces axially for engagement with a corresponding portion of the closure <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the closure <NUM> is of multiple-piece construction as illustrated. Also, the closure <NUM> may be provided in any suitable sizes, and may be a wide-mouth type of closure when the container <NUM> is a wide-mouth type of container. The components of the closure <NUM> may be composed of metallic material, polymeric material, glass, ceramic, and/or any other material(s) suitable for use with food products. The container <NUM>, with the closure <NUM> sealingly coupled thereto, establishes a package interior I to hold a product P within the package <NUM>, for instance, under vacuum.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the overcap <NUM> has an annular skirt <NUM> with one or more internal, or radially inwardly extending, container securement elements <NUM> for engagement with the external securement element(s) <NUM> on the finish <NUM>. The overcap <NUM> also has a radially inwardly directed wall extending radially inwardly from the annular skirt <NUM>, and may be a flange <NUM> establishing a central aperture of the overcap <NUM>. Notably, the overcap <NUM> does not include an imperforate base wall that transversely extends, completely and continuously, radially across the central longitudinal axis. The central aperture has an inner diameter that is <NUM>-<NUM>% of an outer diameter of the skirt <NUM>, including all ranges, sub-ranges, endpoints, and values therein. The overcap <NUM> further has a radially inwardly directed retainer <NUM> (<FIG>) extending radially inwardly from the skirt <NUM> between the securement elements <NUM> and the flange <NUM> to retain the closure lid <NUM> to the overcap <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may include one or more radially inwardly extending beads, steps, shoulders, or the like. The overcap <NUM> may be composed of a polymeric material, for instance, a thermoplastic, for example, polypropylene. In other embodiments, the overcap <NUM> may be composed of glass, metal, or any other material suitable for use in containing food products.

The lid <NUM> may be a disc or plate, and includes a central hub <NUM> (<FIG>), and an annular margin <NUM> extending radially outwardly with respect to the hub <NUM>. The annular margin <NUM> includes that portion of the lid <NUM> that extends radially outwardly with respect to the hub <NUM>, that is overlapped by the annular flange <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>, and that is established radially outwardly of the central aperture of the overcap <NUM>. For example, an inner diameter of the annular margin <NUM> may be <NUM>-<NUM>% of an outer diameter of the lid <NUM>, including all ranges, sub-ranges, endpoints, and values therein. The central hub <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is solid or imperforate, and can be of any suitable geometry, for instance, flat or slightly axially outwardly domed in a relaxed or vented state, and flat or slightly axially inwardly domed in an applied or vacuum state.

In contrast, and with reference to <FIG>, the margin <NUM> is perforate, including one or more vents <NUM> extending therethrough between upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, and may be planar and circular. Notably, the vent <NUM> is not located in the hub <NUM> (<FIG>) and, more specifically, is not centrally located intersecting the central longitudinal axis (<FIG>). The vent <NUM> is provided at a discrete circumferential location radially inward with respect to the circumferentially continuous annular container seal <NUM>. The vent <NUM> may include a throughbore <NUM>, and a pocket or counterbore <NUM> in the upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. Also, the lid <NUM> may include an annular channel or pocket <NUM> in the lower surface <NUM> thereof. The lid <NUM> may be transparent to facilitate visibility of the packaged product therethrough, and may be composed of a polymeric material, for example, a thermoplastic, for instance, a BPA-free copolyester, available from Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, TN and named TRITAN. In other embodiments, the lid <NUM> may be composed of glass, metal, or any other material suitable for use in containing food products.

The seal <NUM> may be carried by the closure lid <NUM>. The seal <NUM> includes the container seal <NUM> disposed for sealing engagement with the sealing surface <NUM> of the container <NUM> and with a lower surface of the lid <NUM>. More specifically, the container seal <NUM> may be carried in the annular pocket <NUM> in the lower surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. The seal <NUM> also includes the vent seal <NUM> disposed for sealing engagement with a lower surface <NUM> of the overcap flange <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. More specifically, the vent seal <NUM> may be carried in the counterbore <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. The illustrated vent seal <NUM> may surround the vent <NUM> by surrounding an upper portion of the throughbore <NUM>. In other embodiments, the vent seal <NUM> may radially cover the vent <NUM>, for instance, by covering the upper portion of the throughbore <NUM>. Also, the container seal <NUM> and the vent seal <NUM> may be connected via an extension portion <NUM> extending through a passage or runner <NUM> between the upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. Accordingly, the container seal <NUM> and the vent seal <NUM> effectively may constitute one component coupled to the lid <NUM>. The seal <NUM> may be composed of a polymeric or elastomeric material, for example, any thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) suitable for use in sealing containers for food products, for instance, GLS VERSAFLEX, available from PolyOne of Avon Lake, OH.

The seal <NUM> may be coupled to the lid <NUM> by integral molding, adhesive, welding, coupled mechanically using interlocking tabs, slots, pins, holes, or other fasteners, interference-fit assembly, or in any other suitable manner. In one particular example, the container seal <NUM> and/or the vent seal <NUM> may be overmolded (or insert molded) or co-molded (or co-injection molded) to the lid <NUM>, or molded according to any other suitable molding method(s). If co-molding, over-molding, or like methods are used, it is generally desirable that the polymer used to form the seal <NUM> be compatible with, and perhaps capable of adhering to, the polymer used to form the lid <NUM>. The seal material generally cannot be removed from the lid material without damage and remains durable for the lifetime of the closure.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the product P may be introduced into the container <NUM> while hot, and then the closure <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the container <NUM> and tightened thereto such that the closure lid <NUM> becomes sandwiched between the container <NUM> and the closure overcap <NUM>, wherein the vent <NUM> becomes sealed by way of compression of the vent seal <NUM> between the overcap <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. As the product P cools, it shrinks, thereby establishing a vacuum condition inside the package <NUM>. Ordinarily, such a vacuum can render it particularly difficult to remove a closure from a container, but with the presently disclosed package <NUM>, the vent <NUM> assists with closure removal as described below.

With reference to <FIG>, the closure <NUM> is adapted for vacuum venting of the package <NUM> upon initial rotational removal of the closure <NUM> from the container <NUM>, for instance, over <NUM> to <NUM> degrees of angular/circumferential rotation including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM> degrees, e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> degrees. In one example, there may be about <NUM> (eleven) degrees of lost motion between threads when removing the overcap <NUM> from the container <NUM>, and about <NUM> (seven) degrees of decompression of one or both of the seals <NUM>, <NUM>. As the closure <NUM> is rotated with respect to the container <NUM> in a removal direction, the lid <NUM> tends to remain in place but the securement elements <NUM>, <NUM> cooperate to lift the closure overcap <NUM> away from the container <NUM> such that the lower surface <NUM> of the overcap flange <NUM> will start to disengage from the vent seal <NUM>, thereby opening the vent <NUM> to allow external air to enter the package interior I and render it easier to continue removal of the closure <NUM>.

<FIG> show another illustrative embodiment of a package <NUM>. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of <FIG> and like numerals among the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and the description of subject matter common to the embodiments generally may not be repeated here.

With reference to <FIG>, the package <NUM> includes a closure <NUM> coupled to the container <NUM> and including a seal <NUM> carried by a lid <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, the seal <NUM> includes a container seal <NUM> substantially similar as that of the previous embodiment. The seal <NUM> also includes a vent seal <NUM> that is different from the embodiments of <FIG> in that it is basically a cylindrical member extending through a substantially cylindrical vent <NUM>, and an extension <NUM> connecting the container seal <NUM> and vent seal <NUM> and which may be a portion of the cylindrical vent seal <NUM>. An upper portion of the vent seal <NUM> may project into a corresponding pocket <NUM> in an upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, and may project axially beyond the upper surface <NUM> or a plane established thereby. The pocket <NUM> may have a flat surface through which the seal <NUM> extends, and a chamfered surface between the flat surface and the upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the upper end of the seal <NUM> will be compressed somewhat by the closure <NUM> within the pocket <NUM> when the closure <NUM> is fully applied to the container <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, as the closure <NUM> is rotated in a removal direction, the lid <NUM> tends to remain in place but the cooperating securement elements <NUM>, <NUM> will lift the closure overcap <NUM> away from the container <NUM> such that the lower surface <NUM> of the overcap flange <NUM> will start to disengage from the vent seal <NUM>, thereby opening the vent <NUM> to allow external air to enter the package interior I and render it easier to continue removal of the closure <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the package <NUM> includes a closure <NUM> coupled to a container <NUM>, for example, via snap fit. For instance, the container <NUM> may include a snap bead <NUM> and an overcap <NUM> of the closure <NUM> may include a corresponding snap bead <NUM> for snap fit cooperation with the container snap bead <NUM>. The closure <NUM> also includes a seal <NUM> carried by a lid <NUM>. The seal <NUM> includes a container seal <NUM> substantially the same as that of the previous embodiments. The seal <NUM> also includes a vent seal <NUM> that is different from the previous embodiments in that it is basically an O-ring that may be carried in a corresponding pocket <NUM> in an upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and at the top of a substantially cylindrical vent <NUM>. In another embodiment, the vent seal <NUM> instead may be carried by the lower surface <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>. In this embodiment, there is no extension connecting the container seal <NUM> and the vent seal <NUM>, in that the ring <NUM> and seal <NUM> are separate components. But this embodiment includes cooperating lugs <NUM>. The lugs <NUM> may extend within an annular pocket <NUM> in the lower surface <NUM> of the overcap <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the lugs <NUM> include overcap lugs <NUM> projecting away from a lower surface 266a of the overcap <NUM>, and lid lugs <NUM> projecting away from the upper surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lugs <NUM>, <NUM> have ramps that may face axially and circumferentially, and abutments that may face circumferentially and that are shown contacting one another. With reference to <FIG>, the lid lugs <NUM> are provided at a radially outer margin <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, spaced circumferentially around the lid <NUM>, radially outboard of the vent seal <NUM>, and radially overlapping the container seal <NUM> that is on the opposite side of the lid <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the closure <NUM> is adapted for vacuum venting of the package <NUM> upon initial rotational removal of the closure <NUM> from the container <NUM>, for instance, over <NUM> to <NUM> degrees of angular/circumferential rotation including all ranges, subranges, and values therebetween, for example, about <NUM> degrees, e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> degrees. When the closure <NUM> is rotated in a removal direction with respect to the container <NUM>, the ramps of the overcap lugs <NUM> ride on the ramps of the lid lugs <NUM>. The cooperation of the lugs <NUM>, <NUM> in this manner causes the overcap <NUM> to move or deflect axially such that the lower surface <NUM> of the overcap base <NUM> will start to disengage from the vent seal <NUM>, thereby opening the vent <NUM> to allow external air to enter the package interior I and render it easier to continue removal of the closure <NUM>. Accordingly, as the closure <NUM> is rotated with respect to the container <NUM> in a removal direction, the lid <NUM> tends to remain in place but the lugs <NUM>, <NUM> cooperate to lift the closure overcap <NUM> away from the container <NUM>, thereby opening the vent <NUM> to allow external air to enter the package interior I and render it easier to continue removal of the closure <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another illustrative embodiment of a package <NUM>. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of <FIG> and like numerals among the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another, and the description of subject matter common to the embodiments generally may not be repeated here.

With reference to <FIG>, the package <NUM> includes a closure <NUM> coupled to a container <NUM> holding a product P in an interior I of the package <NUM>. The closure <NUM> may include an overcap <NUM> and a lid <NUM>, and the lid <NUM> may have a vent <NUM>, which may include a throughbore <NUM>. Also, the closure <NUM> may include a seal, which may be carried by the lid <NUM> and may be comprised of a container seal <NUM> that may be circumferentially continuous. The closure seal also may be comprised of a vent seal <NUM> that may be separate from the container seal <NUM>, that may radially cover the vent <NUM>, and that may be carried by the overcap <NUM>, for example, in a pocket <NUM> in an undersurface of the overcap <NUM>. More specifically, the vent seal <NUM> may be overmolded to an annular flange of the overcap <NUM>. In other embodiments, the vent seal <NUM> may be a component produced separately from the overcap <NUM> and assembled thereto.

With reference to <FIG>, the package <NUM> includes a closure <NUM> coupled to the container <NUM> having one or more securement elements <NUM>. The closure <NUM> may include an overcap <NUM> and a lid <NUM>, which may be the lid <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> including the vent <NUM>. Also, the closure <NUM> may include a seal, which may be carried by the lid <NUM> and may be comprised of the container seal <NUM> that may be circumferentially continuous. The closure seal also may be comprised of the vent seal <NUM> that may be separate from the container seal <NUM>.

The overcap <NUM> has an annular skirt <NUM> with one or more internal, or radially inwardly extending, container securement elements <NUM> for engagement with the external securement element(s) <NUM> on the finish <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The overcap <NUM> also has a radially inwardly directed wall extending radially inwardly from the annular skirt <NUM>, and may be an imperforate base wall <NUM> that transversely extends, completely and continuously, radially across the central longitudinal axis. The overcap <NUM> further has a radially inwardly directed retainer <NUM> extending radially inwardly from the skirt <NUM> between the securement elements <NUM> and the wall <NUM> to retain the closure lid <NUM> to the overcap <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may include one or more radially inwardly extending beads, steps, shoulders, or the like. The securement elements <NUM> and the retainer <NUM> may be circumferentially interrupted, circumferentially spaced, or the like, so as to establish one or more gaps therebetween that may provide one or more vent paths.

As the closure <NUM> is rotated in a removal direction, the lid <NUM> tends to remain in place but the cooperating securement elements <NUM>, <NUM> will lift the closure overcap <NUM> away from the container <NUM> such that a lower surface <NUM> of the overcap wall <NUM> will start to disengage from the vent seal <NUM>, thereby opening the vent <NUM> to allow external air to flow through the one or more vent paths established by gaps in the retainer <NUM> and/or the securement elements <NUM>, between the lid <NUM> and the overcap <NUM>, and enter the package interior I and render it easier to continue removal of the closure <NUM>.

It is further disclosed a closure wherein the overcap is composed of a polymeric material, the lid is composed of a transparent polymeric material, and the container seal is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

It is further disclosed a closure wherein the one or more vent seals is an O-ring.

It is further disclosed a closure wherein the annular container seal is carried by the annular margin at the lower surface thereof, and the one or more vent seals is carried by the annular margin at the upper surface thereof.

It is further disclosed a closure wherein the annular container seal is carried by the annular margin at the lower surface thereof, and the one or more vent seals is carried by the annular flange.

It is further disclosed a package wherein the container seal and the one or more vent seals are connected to one another at a lower surface <NUM> of the lid.

It is further disclosed a package wherein the container seal and the one or more vent seals are separate, and not connected to one another.

It is further disclosed a package wherein the lugs includes cooperating ramps.

It is further disclosed a package wherein the lower surface of the overcap includes a plurality of first lug circumferentially spaced and the upper surface of the lid includes a corresponding plurality of the second lug circumferentially spaced for cooperation with the plurality of the first lug to displace the overcap from the lid to open the vent.

Claim 1:
A closure (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to be rotatably coupled to a container (<NUM>), the closure (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including:
an overcap (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), including:
an annular skirt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending along a longitudinal axis A, and
an annular wall (<NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>) extending radially inwardly from the annular skirt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a lid (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) carried by the overcap radially within the annular skirt, and including:
a hub (<NUM>), and
an annular margin (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending radially outwardly with respect to the hub, and having upper (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and lower surfaces (<NUM>); and
an annular container seal (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending circumferentially continuously around the annular margin,
wherein
the lid further includes one or more vents (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending through the annular margin between the upper and lower surfaces thereof at one or more discrete circumferential locations, wherein the container seal is disposed radially outwardly with respect to the one or more vents, and wherein
the closure further includes one or more vent seals (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed at the one or more vents between the lid and the overcap,
characterized in that,
upon rotation of the closure (<NUM>) on the container (<NUM>) in a loosening direction, the vent seal (<NUM>) becomes unseated from sealing engagement with the closure (<NUM>).