Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal

• US 7,766,178 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation (Berry Global Group Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rexam Plastic Packaging Inc. (Ball Corporation)
• Inventors: Montgomery, Gary V., Robinson, Clayton L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US11/668,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 215/232, 215/341, 215349-351, 215/252, 428 366- 368
• US Class Current: 215/349
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/023 Neck construction
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0246 Closure retaining means, e.g. beads, screw-threads
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0015 of the 41-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2577/205 integral with the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/045 Discs B65D41/0457 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/3428 the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/20 Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28

Abstract

A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a thermal sterilization process includes a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall, at least one retaining structure extending from the annular skirt, a reseal structure rotatably disposed above said retaining structure and adjacent said top wall, an inner seal rotatably disposed above the retaining structure and beneath a lower surface of said reseal structure, wherein said inner seal and said reseal structure are both rotatable relative to said closure.

Claims

1. A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;

a retaining structure extending radially inward from an inner surface of said annular skirt;

a reseal layer adjacent said top wall of said closure above said retaining structure and including a compressive thermoplastic material; and

,

an inner seal positioned above said retaining structure and abutting a lower surface of said reseal structure,

wherein said reseal layer has a slip layer on a top surface facing said top wall;

said slip layer allowing said reseal layer and said inner seal layer to rotate relative to said closure during application of the closure to the container.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein said compressive thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic elastomeric material.

2. A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;

a retaining structure extending radially inward from an inner surface of said annular skirt;

a reseal structure rotatably positioned above said retaining structure, said reseal structure having a first slip layer on an upper surface and also including a compressive thermoplastic material;

an inner seal positioned above said retaining structure and below said reseal structure;

said reseal structure and said inner seal rotatable relative to said closure top wall by said slip layer allowing said reseal structure to rotate relative thereto.

3. The closure of claim 2, said reseal structure

being compression molded and integral with said closure.

5. The closure of claim 2 wherein said compressive thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic elastomeric material.