Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal
First Claim
1. A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip as a sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions, said closure comprising:
- a. a cap, having a top with an interior surface and a skirt depending from the top and defining a skirt interior surface, and having at least one thread affixed to the interior skirt surface in a spiral; and
b. a liner, proportioned to fit firmly within said cap and abutting the top interior surface thereof, said liner defining a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, and said liner being made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and being capable of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow said liner to maintain a positive pressure against said cap and against said seal when said closure is affixed to said container.
21 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present development is for a closure which provides a means for maintaining an effective pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip as the sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions. The closure includes a liner which abuts a surface of the seal so as to sandwich the seal between the liner and the container lip. The liner defines a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions and is made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow the liner to maintain a positive pressure against the seal upon exposure to elevated temperatures, elevated pressure, or a combination of elevated temperature and elevated pressure.
68 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip as a sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions, said closure comprising:
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a. a cap, having a top with an interior surface and a skirt depending from the top and defining a skirt interior surface, and having at least one thread affixed to the interior skirt surface in a spiral; and
b. a liner, proportioned to fit firmly within said cap and abutting the top interior surface thereof, said liner defining a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, and said liner being made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and being capable of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow said liner to maintain a positive pressure against said cap and against said seal when said closure is affixed to said container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A closure for use with a sealed container having a peelable seal wherein the sealed container is sterilized using a retort process, said closure comprising:
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a. a cap, having a top with an interior surface and a skirt depending from the top and defining a skirt interior surface;
b. at least one thread affixed to the skirt interior surface and circumscribing the skirt in a spiral such that a thread receiving groove is formed, said thread having an upper edge wherein an angle θ
is defined between the upper edge and a horizontal plane, and the angle θ
is less than about 45°
; and
c. a liner, proportioned to fit firmly within said cap and abutting the top interior surface thereof, said liner defining a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions and said liner being made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and being capable of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow said liner to maintain a positive pressure against said cap and against said seal when said closure is affixed to said container. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip as a sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions, said closure comprising:
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a. a cap, having a top with an interior surface and a skirt depending from the top and defining a skirt interior surface, and having at least one thread affixed to the interior skirt surface in a spiral; and
b. a liner, having a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions, said liner being made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and being capable of recovering to a recovery thickness in a sealing zone such that said seal is sandwiched between said liner and said container lip at a pressure sufficient to retain said seal against said lip when said sealed container is subjected to retort processing conditions. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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- 24. A method for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip as a sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions, said method comprising reversibly affixing a closure to said container such that a liner of said closure abuts a surface of said seal so as to sandwich said seal between said liner and said container lip, said liner defining a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions and said liner being made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow said liner to maintain a positive pressure against said seal upon exposure to elevated temperatures, elevated pressure, or a combination of elevated temperature and elevated pressure.
Specification