U.S. patent application number 10/642923 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for multi-component packaging system and method for manufacture.
Invention is credited to Fox, Robert W., Gross, Richard A., Lay, Dieter F..
Application Number | 20040031798 10/642923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31888345 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fox, Robert W. ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
Multi-component packaging system and method for manufacture
Abstract
A storage means provides sealed storage for contents. A closure
means is fused to a container by application of an electromagnetic
field providing a permanent and hermetic seal between the closure
and the container. The closure further includes a removable panel
to provide access to the contents of the container.
Inventors: |
Fox, Robert W.;
(Williamsburg, VA) ; Lay, Dieter F.; (Oconomowoc,
WI) ; Gross, Richard A.; (Oconomowoc, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAMS MULLEN
1 OLD OYSTER POINT ROAD
SUITE 210
NEWPORT NEWS
VA
23602
US
|
Family ID: |
31888345 |
Appl. No.: |
10/642923 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60404227 |
Aug 16, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/359.1 ;
206/508; 220/270; 220/359.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 65/00 20130101;
B29C 65/4815 20130101; B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B29C 66/72341
20130101; B29K 2105/0044 20130101; B29C 65/3612 20130101; B29C
66/71 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B65D
2543/00027 20130101; B29C 45/0013 20130101; B29C 65/3644 20130101;
B65D 2543/00425 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 65/48 20130101;
B29C 66/727 20130101; B29C 45/14778 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101;
B29C 45/16 20130101; B65D 41/50 20130101; B29C 66/72343 20130101;
B29L 2031/772 20130101; B29C 65/489 20130101; B65D 43/0235
20130101; B65D 2543/0024 20130101; B29K 2995/0008 20130101; B29C
66/12441 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101;
B29K 2995/0013 20130101; B29C 65/4885 20130101; B29C 65/4855
20130101; B29C 65/3696 20130101; B29C 65/4875 20130101; B65D
2577/2058 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 66/542 20130101; B65B
7/2842 20130101; B29C 66/545 20130101; B65D 77/2024 20130101; B29C
45/1671 20130101; B29C 66/71 20130101; B29C 65/368 20130101; B65D
2543/00092 20130101; B29K 2027/08 20130101; B29K 2077/00 20130101;
B29K 2067/00 20130101; B29K 2023/12 20130101; B29K 2023/06
20130101; B29K 2023/086 20130101; B29K 2033/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/359.1 ;
220/270; 220/359.2; 206/508 |
International
Class: |
B65D 041/00; B65D
017/34 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A sealable storage container, comprising: a container having an
upper edge, sides and a bottom; a closure comprising: a frame; a
cover panel which is at least partially removable; and a means for
bonding the closure to the upper top edge of the container.
2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a
means for facilitating the placement of the closure on the
container.
3. The storage container of claim 2 wherein the means for
facilitating the placement of the closure on the container is a
pair of downwardly extending legs which form a channel into which
the upper edge is inserted.
4. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a
means for facilitating stacking a plurality of storage
containers.
5. The storage container of claim 4 wherein the means for
facilitating stacking a plurality of storage containers comprises
an upwardly extending peripheral rim which accepts the bottom of
one of the plurality of storage containers.
6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the cover panel is a
flexible membrane which is releasably bonded to the closure
frame.
7. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the cover panel is made
from a thermoplastic polymeric material.
8. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the cover panel
includes a grip means for removing at least a portion of the cover
panel.
9. The storage container of claim 8 wherein the grip means is a
pull tab which extends from the cover panel.
10. The storage container of claim 8 wherein the grip means is a
ring pull which is attached to the surface of the cover panel.
11. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the means for bonding
the closure to the container comprises a fusion ring.
12. The storage container of claim 11 wherein the fusion ring is
made from an electromagnetic, polymeric, fusible material.
13. The storage container of claim 11 wherein the fusion ring bonds
the closure to the container by means of the non-contact
application of an electromagnetic field.
14. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the means for bonding
the closure to the container is the application of an
electromagnetic field.
15. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the cover portion
includes means for removing a portion of the cover panel.
16. The storage container of claim 15 wherein the means for
removing a portion of the cover panel is selected from the group
consisting of opposing pre-scored cuts in the cover panel; offset
pre-scored cuts in the cover panel; and aligned, pre-scored cuts in
the cover panel.
17. A sealable storage container, comprising: a container having an
upper edge, sides and a bottom; a closure comprising: a frame
including a pair of downwardly extending legs which form a channel
into which the upper edge is inserted and an upwardly extending
peripheral rim; a cover panel which is at least partially
removable; and a fusion ring made from fusible material for bonding
the closure to the upper top edge of the container by means of the
non-contact application of an electromagnetic field.
18. The storage container of claim 17 wherein the cover portion
includes means for removing a portion of the cover panel, wherein
the means is selected from the group consisting of opposing
pre-scored cuts in the cover panel; offset pre-scored cuts in the
cover panel; and aligned, pre-scored cuts in the cover panel.
19. A sealable storage container, comprising: a container having an
upper edge, sides and a lower edge; at least one closure, each at
least one closure comprising: a frame; a cover panel which is at
least partially removable; and a means for bonding the closure to
the upper top edge of the container.
20. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the cover panel is a
flexible membrane which is releasably bonded to the closure
frame.
21. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the cover panel is
made from a thermoplastic polymeric material.
22. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the cover panel
includes a grip means for removing at least a portion of the cover
panel.
23. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the means for bonding
the closure to the container comprises a fusion ring.
24. The storage container of claim 23 wherein the fusion ring is
made from an electro-magnetic, polymeric, fusible material.
25. The storage container of claim 24 wherein the fusion ring bonds
the closure to the container by means of the non-contact
application of an electromagnetic field.
26. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the means for bonding
the closure to the container is the application of an
electromagnetic field.
27. The storage container of claim 19 wherein the cover portion
includes means for removing a portion of the cover panel, the means
selected from the group consisting of opposing pre-scored cuts in
the cover panel; offset pre-scored cuts in the cover panel; and
aligned, pre-scored cuts in the cover panel.
28. A method for manufacturing a sealable container closure,
comprising: providing a membrane with a peelable coating on one
side; inserting the membrane into a first mold section; mating the
first mold section containing the membrane with a second mold
section to form a cavity area; injecting a thermoplastic polymeric
material into the cavity area to form a frame; filling the cavity
area with the thermoplastic polymeric material causing the peelable
coating to bond to the frame; replacing the second mold section
with a third mold section; and injecting a fusible polymeric
material into the third mold section to form a fusible ring,
wherein the membrane, frame and fusible ring form the closure.
29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the fusible polymeric
material is an electromagnetic material.
30. The method according to claim 28 wherein the fusible polymeric
material is an oxygen scavenger.
31. The method according to claim 28 wherein the thermoplastic
polymeric material includes one or more compounds selected from the
group consisting of fumed silica, glass micro-spheres, talc,
nano-clay, mica, calcium carbonate, iron powder, nylon, and
EVOH.
32. The storage container of claim 28 wherein the membrane includes
a grip means for removing at least a portion of the membrane.
33. The storage container of claim 32 wherein the grip means is a
pull tab which extends from the membrane.
34. The storage container of claim 32 wherein the grip means is a
ring pull which is attached to the surface of the membrane.
35. A method for manufacturing a sealable container closure,
comprising: providing a first mold section and a second mold
section; mating the first mold section with the second mold section
to form a first cavity area injecting a fusible polymeric material
into the first cavity area to form a fusible ring having a shelf,
removing the second mold section; placing a panel on the shelf of
the fusible ring; mating a third mold section with the first mold
section to form a second cavity area; and injecting a thermoplastic
polymeric material into the second cavity area to form a frame, the
panel, frame and fusible ring forming the closure.
36. The method according to claim 35 wherein the fusible polymeric
material is an electromagnetic material.
37. The method according to claim 35 wherein the fusible polymeric
material is an oxygen scavenger.
38. The method according to claim 35 wherein the thermoplastic
polymeric material includes one or more compounds selected from the
group consisting of fumed silica, glass micro-spheres, talc,
nano-clay, mica, calcium carbonate, iron powder, nylon, and
EVOH.
39. The storage container of claim 35 wherein the membrane includes
a grip means for removing at least a portion of the membrane.
40. The storage container of claim 39 wherein the grip means is a
pull tab which extends from the membrane.
41. The storage container of claim 39 wherein the grip means is a
ring pull which is attached to the surface of the membrane.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/404227, filed Aug. 16,
2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is generally related to providing
protection for various products such as foods, drugs, chemicals
including dry, semi-moist and wet products as well as products
which contain particulate of varying sizes and shapes.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] The methods used to package and protect foods, drugs and
chemicals today include cans, bottles, jars, laminated canisters,
and pouches as well as semi-rigid plastic containers.
[0004] Additionally, most food, beverage and pharmaceutical
products require more product protection that can be achieved by a
single polymeric material. It is known that different combinations
of materials can be used together to achieve desired protection in
the areas of gas, moisture, chemical and thermal as well as
physical properties that cannot be achieve economically by other
means. In some instances desired properties can be achieved by a
physical blend of various materials such as Dupont's Sclair.TM.
films which are an alloy or blend of nylon and polyethylene used in
the packaging of fluid milk and other food products. Recently,
inorganic nano sized particles (1 billionth of a meter=nano) have
been found to make significant improvements in the gas barrier
properties of most polymers in which they are dispensed (JP
89308879.9). By themselves these alloys have been useful in
providing some additional shelf life for refrigerated products or
for products that are fairly tolerant of oxygen.
[0005] In some instances nano particles have been used in
conjunction with oxygen scavengers to improve the gas barrier of
the carrier polymer and provide a source of moisture for an
anti-oxidant of oxygen scavenger that make up the alloy (JP
63281964). These blends containing both inorganic platelets to
create a tortuous path and an oxygen scavenger are an improvement
but do not, by themselves, provide the cost nor esthetics and
continuing protection required for extended shelf life or shelf
image of most oxygen intolerant, shelf stable foods.
[0006] For those critical packaging requirements the solution had
been metal cans, or glass jars until the commercialization of
semi-rigid, multi-layer, high-barrier plastics which occurred in
earnest in the mid 1980's with the wide spread acceptance of such
products as puddings, fruit compotes and single serve entrees.
Previously, multi-layer, adhesive laminated, high-barrier
thermoformed sheet technology had been used for small containers to
package jams and jellies for single-serve, ready to use packs.
These packs were produced based upon aqueous coating technology
utilizing Poly-Vinylidene Chloride (PVDC). The PVDC coating, while
very effective in a flat film form, is not capable of being stretch
more that 10% without breaking apart. This prevents aqueous PVDC
coatings from being used for larger sized or deeper packages. To
over come extensibility problems, Dow Chemical Company developed an
extrudable version and the method of combining it in a laminar
method through a process known as coextrusion (U.S. Pat. No.
3,557,265).
[0007] Coextrusion was used in the creation of packages for both
high and low acid foods with the first publicized application of
"plastic cans" being thermally processed (retorted) in the
mid-1970's by the Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Ga. "Plastic
cans" are prevalent today and the most common method of producing
them is by a process known as solid-phase, pressure-forming. This
process was developed in the early 1970's by the Shell Chemical
Company in an effort to create sales opportunities for a newly
commercialized plastic polymer known as polypropylene. Johnson in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,546,746 taught us that we could thermoform plastic
articles not only from flat sheet but also from pre-cut shape
called billets or blanks. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,310 Coffman
demonstrated how to improve the process by heating the billets
continuously and forming several simultaneously.
[0008] The primary advantage of forming articles and specifically
containers from pre-formed plastic billets did not become obvious
until the mid 1980's when multi-layered plastic sheeting began to
be used for the packaging and preserving of processed shelf stable
foods. Plastic barrier containers have now become common and the
primary methods of producing containers for shelf-stable
applications are described below.
[0009] Adhesively laminated or coextruded sheet that is web or
sheet fed through a radiant or contact heating oven and then
thermoformed into its final shape by means of vacuum and or
pressure with an additional assist from a movable plug to help
distribute material for deep or tall containers, where required.
Containers are then trimmed out of the web or sheet by trim
tooling. Said trim tooling can either be a trim in place style
which removes the part from the web as part of the forming process
or, parts can be trimmed out of the web or sheet by a secondary
(off-line) trimming process. Web scrap generated in this process
typically exceeds 40% of the total web used in the process and is
not uncommon to see scrap losses of 50% on round container shapes.
This high scrap increases the cost of the finnished parts as not
all of the scrap will be able to be recovered and that portion that
is recoverable is valued at the cost of the lowest priced material
in the web as it's only real value is as a structural component.
The benefit of the more expensive barrier materials are lost when
the web skeleton is ground up to make regrind.
[0010] To maintain the barrier characteristics of the original
individual layers or phases of the sheet the individual materials
must maintain their individual integrity. Grinding the web skeleton
into regrind destroys the integrity of the individual layers. The
resulting blended materials when extruded into a sheet have none of
the gas barrier characteristics of the original multilayered
sheeting and in fact will have lost some of the physical properties
of the initial structural material used in the original sheet
manufacture. Additionally, some of the components in the original
multilayered sheet were approved for indirect food contact only in
high temperature food processing conditions. As these materials are
no longer sandwiched into the center portion of the sheet, it is
now necessary to place a separate food contact layer between the
regrind component and the food product to insure that the
materials, which are only acceptable for indirect food contact, are
kept in that position.
[0011] In addition, if the initial multilayered sheet was clear,
the use of regrind will diminish the clarity in direct proportion
to the amount of regrind being used in the sheet. For containers
which contain both polypropylene and EVOH (EVOH @ 3% or more) it
has been commercially demonstrated that structures which
incorporate web scrap of 15% or more are noticeably cloudy and at
levels of 20% become unacceptable for most applications. The web
skeleton that is not recovered and reused back into the manufacture
of sheet is then sold of as waste with a salvage value less than
half that of the reused regrind, further increasing the cost of the
original parts produced from the web.
[0012] Reduced Scrap thermoforming has been developed to a
commercial state in the U.S. by two patented methods the first
being the Dow "Scrapless Forming Process" (U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,204)
followed the Shell "Billet Forming Process" (U.S. Pat. Nos.,
3,502,310; 3,546,746; 3,538,997). Both patents benefit from the
process benefits described by Briston, et al., in PLASTICS IN
CONTACT WITH FOODS, 466 pages, received in the PTO scientific
library 12-31-74, as well as the process improvements for
transporting the billets identified in Frados et al., PLASTICS
ENGINEERING HANDBOOK, ISBN 0-442-22469-9, Library of Congress
Catalog Card Number 75-26508 pages 315 & 316, describing the
Hoffco/Beloit Forming System. The original Dow and Shell forming
processes also benefited from Christine's et al., teachings in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,538,997 which allows the individual transportation of
the billets through the oven and into the forming station wherein
the carrier becomes a central part of the forming tool. Once
formed, the carrier tray transports the finished parts to the
removal station and begins the cycle again. Parkinson, in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,836,764, adapted this process.
[0013] Plastic containers used in the packaging of shelf stable
foods required not only adequate barrier to prevent the oxidation
of the products contained within but also had to prevent the gain
or loss of moisture as well. As discussed, it is possible to design
a multilayered package with the required barrier properties.
However, the closures for these types of packages require a
different approach or method so as to allow easy access to the
product. Initially, metallic foils laminated and/or extrusion
coated with polymeric thermal sealing compounds were developed to
provide controllable seal strengths for ease of opening. In order
to utilize these flexible-sealing membranes a sealing surface or
flange had to be designed into the package. These sealing surfaces
typically were flat although some exceptions were found to be
workable such as that created by Embro in U.S. Pat. No.,
4,282,699.
[0014] Metal can ends have also been used to seal these newer
plastic containers with some success. However the can ends require
that the plastic container have a flange, which is approximately
0.021" thick. As the starting thickness of the sheet is greater
that 0.080" and can be as thick as 0.115". The plastic container
flanges required that they be significantly reduced in thickness in
order to meet the metal ends specifications. Reducing the sheet
thickness by this much typically creates adhesion and other
problems. Adhesion of the double seamable flange can cause
operational problems if the problems are not caught before they
appear on the production floor. Additionally the cut edge exposes
the hydroscopic barrier materials to a high level of moisture
pickup thereby diminishing it barrier properties.
[0015] Lastly, removable panels in metal can ends typically leave a
sharp edge. To minimize this problem and resultant litigation, can
ends have been developed which have additional folds over the top
of the cut edge to make direct contact with the sharp surface
difficult. This requires several additional steps in the
manufacturing process and increases the number of rejects, which
occur as a result of the increased metalworking. It has been found
to be easier to use a metal end without the safety rim by putting a
step or shoulder in the plastic containers so the can end is in
immediate proximity to the upper, interior surface of the step or
shoulder and slightly inboard of it as well. This creates a
condition where it is again very difficult to contact the sharp
surface of the metal end.
[0016] In another approach, the membranes are attached to
pre-molded frames that are then affixed to the containers by
several methods, an example of which is frictional or spin welding.
This technique developed by Brown et al (U.S. Pat. No., 3,297,504)
is in commercial use. A major problem with spin welding is that it
is subject to moisture or other contamination at the interface
where the separate parts of the container are to be joined. These
contaminates can act as a lubricant preventing sufficient heat from
developing to create the welded joint or they can prevent a
complete intermixing of the two surfaces from taking place.
Additionally, the weld, which results, is highly oriented in the
direction of the spinning component or container half. This creates
an impact or notch sensitivity/weakness in the transverse or
opposite direction, making the integrity of the weld subject to
impacts in the transverse direction. Additionally, spin welding is
restricted to round containers or mating surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A sealable storage container is provided which includes a
container having an upper edge, sides and a bottom or open end. A
closure for the container has a frame, a cover panel which is at
least partially removable and a means for bonding the closure to
the upper top edge of the container, or, if the container has two
open ends, a closure can be used on both ends. The frame is
preferably made from a plastic such as a thermoplastic polymeric
material although other materials may be appropriate depending on
the desired use. Preferably, the closure includes a structure to
facilitate the placement of the closure on the container, such as a
pair of downwardly extending legs which form a channel into which
the upper edge (or both edges) is inserted. The closure may further
include an upwardly extending peripheral rim which accepts the
bottom of one of the plurality of storage containers to aid in
stacking a plurality of the storage containers. The cover panel
portion of the closure is a panel which can either be flexible or
substantially rigid and is preferably made from a thermoplastic
material. The cover panel can be releasably bonded to the closure
frame or can be permanently bonded but designed such that an
interior portion can be removed. Opposing pre-scored cuts, offset
pre-scored cuts or aligned, pre-scored cuts can be made in the
cover panel to remove just a portion of the cover panel. The
preferred embodiment includes a structure for removing the cover
panel or a portion there of in the form of a grip. This grip can be
a pull tab which extends from the cover panel, a ring pull which is
attached to the surface of the cover panel or other appropriate
structure. The closure is bonded to the container preferably by
means of a fusion ring which becomes molten when heated by, for
example, the non-contact application of an electromagnetic
field.
[0018] The closure is manufactured by an injection molding process.
A membrane, which forms the cover panel discussed previously,
includes a peelable coating on one side. The membrane is placed
into a first mold section which is mated with a second mold section
to form a cavity area. A thermoplastic polymeric material is
injected into the cavity area to form a frame when the cavity is
filled, also causing the peelable coating on the membrane to bond
to the frame. A third mold section replaces the second and a
fusible polymeric material is injected into the third mold section
to form a fusible ring, thus completing the closure. Alternatively,
first and second mold sections may be used to form a fusible ring
which has a shelf The first mold section is removed and the cover
panel is placed on the shelf of the fusible ring. A third mold
section is mated with the first mold section and a thermoplastic
polymeric material is injected to form a frame, thus completing the
closure.
[0019] The fusible polymeric material is preferably an
electromagnetic material and may also be an oxygen scavenger. If
desired, the thermoplastic polymeric material may includes one or
more of the following compounds: fumed silica, glass micro-spheres,
talc, nano-clay, mica, calcium carbonate, iron powder, nylon, and
EVOH.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the container closure with
the peel-away membrane seal.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the package which consists of
a can, shaped container and the container closure, with the
peel-away membrane attached, fused to the container.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the package with the
peel-away membrane of the container closure removed.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container closure with the
peel-away membrane seal.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the container closure with the
peel-away membrane seal taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 5 at circle 6
showing the manner in which the membrane pull-tab is fixed to the
side of the frame.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 5 at circle 7
showing the fusion ring in relation to the frame and the peel-away
membrane.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of one container closure with
the peel-away membrane seal stacked on another container closure
with the peel-away membrane seal.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at line 9-9 of FIG. 8
showing the manner in which the container closure with the
peel-away membrane seal can be stacked for rapid and reliable
dispensing onto containers prior to heating the fusion ring.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 9 at circle
10.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an elevated view of the can shaped container with
the container closure above the container prior to the placement of
the closure on the container.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken at line 12-12 of FIG. 11
showing the manner in which the extended inner leg of the closure
guides the frame to a correct position for proper fusion to the
container body.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the container closure with the
peel-away membrane seal assembled to a can shaped container.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken at line 14-14 of FIG.
13.
[0034] FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 14 at circle
15 after the container's flangeless sidewall is embedded into the
fusion ring and shows the fusion ring in relation to the embedded
container section.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a top plan view showing the closure on the
container after the peel-away membrane has been removed.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken at line 17-17 of FIG.
16.
[0037] FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 17 at circle
18 showing the area where the membrane pull-tab had been affixed to
the sidewall of the frame prior to the removal of the membrane.
[0038] FIG. 19 is an elevated view showing the stacking of one
package on another package.
[0039] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken at line 20-20 of FIG. 19
showing the manner in which the bottom of the container above nests
into and on top of the frame of the container below.
[0040] FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 20 at circle
21.
[0041] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the container closure with
the breakaway pullout panel and the lever acting ring-pull
device.
[0042] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the package, which consists
of a bowl, shaped container and the container closure, with the
breakaway pullout panel and the lever acting ring-pull device,
fused to the container.
[0043] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the package with the
breakaway pullout panel and the lever acting ring-pull device of
the container closure removed.
[0044] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the fusion ring showing the
support shelf for the pullout panel with a series of channels to
allow for the easy transport through and around the fusion ring of
injected polymeric material that makes up the frame and ring-pull
features.
[0045] FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the fusion ring.
[0046] FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken at line 27-27 of FIG.
26.
[0047] FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 27 at circle
28 showing the support shelf portion of the fusion ring.
[0048] FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 27 at circle
29 showing the channel portion of the fusion ring.
[0049] FIG. 30 is a top plan view of container closure with the
breakaway pullout panel and the lever acting ring-pull device.
[0050] FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken at line 31-31 of FIG.
30.
[0051] FIG. 32 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 31 at circle
32 showing the cut view of the fusion ring at the support shelf and
the relation to the frame and the breakaway panel insert.
[0052] FIG. 33 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 31 at circle
33 showing the cut view of the fusion ring, the frame, the
breakaway panel insert and the pull tab lever at the frangible
attachment of the pull tab lever to the frame.
[0053] FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken at line 34-34 of FIG.
30.
[0054] FIG. 35 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 34 at circle
35 showing the cut view of the fusion ring at the channel and the
relation to the frame and the breakaway panel insert.
[0055] FIG. 36 is a bottom plan view of one container closure
stacked on another container closure.
[0056] FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken at line 37-37 of FIG. 36
showing the manner in which the container closures can be stacked
for rapid and reliable dispensing onto containers prior to heating
the fusion ring.
[0057] FIG. 38 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 37 at circle
38.
[0058] FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the container closure
assembled to a bowl shaped container.
[0059] FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken at line 40-40 of FIG.
39.
[0060] FIG. 41 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 40 at circle
41 after the container's flangeless sidewall is embedded into the
fusion ring, showing the fusion ring in relation to the embedded
container section and the relation of the extended inner leg of the
closure to the upper stepped out wall portion of the container.
[0061] FIG. 42 is a top plan view showing the closure on the
container after the pullout panel and the ring-pull device have
been removed.
[0062] FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken at line 43-43 of FIG.
42.
[0063] FIG. 44 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 43 at circle
44 showing the portion of the breakaway panel remaining imbedded in
the frame.
[0064] FIG. 45 is an elevated view showing the stacking of one
package on another package.
[0065] FIG. 46 is a sectional view taken at line 46-46 of FIG. 45
showing the manner in which the pedestal bottom of the container
above nests into and on top of the frame of the container
below.
[0066] FIG. 47 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 46 at circle
47.
[0067] FIG. 48 is a top plan view showing the closure on the
container with an optional, removable overcap snapped onto and
covering the closure.
[0068] FIG. 49 is a sectional view taken at line 49-49 of FIG.
49.
[0069] FIG. 50 is an enlarged fragmentary area of FIG. 49 at circle
50 showing the relation of the overcap to the closure and the
container.
[0070] FIG. 51 is an isometric view of the high barrier, semi rigid
plastic panel prior to it being inserted into the mold.
ELEMENT LIST
[0071] 100 closure
[0072] 102 frame
[0073] 104 peel-away membrane
[0074] 106 fusion ring
[0075] 108 rim
[0076] 110 container
[0077] 112 pull-tab
[0078] 114 outer leg
[0079] 116 inner leg
[0080] 200 closure
[0081] 202 frame
[0082] 204 plastic panel
[0083] 206 fusion ring
[0084] 208 rim
[0085] 210 container
[0086] 212 ring-pull
[0087] 214 outer leg
[0088] 216 inner leg
[0089] 218 overcap
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0090] The following is a detailed description of the preferred
embodiment of the invention. It is important to note that the
invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes and proportions shown
in the figures and discussed in the following description. Even
though the embodiments shown and discussed are in the form of round
or cylindrical packages and package components, it is anticipated
that other shapes such as square, rectangular, oval, triangular,
and polygonal, etc. could be used. Further, while the description
below describes a container with a single opening, a container with
openings at both ends is also contemplated. Likewise it is
anticipated that other features of the design, such as the
ring-pull or the pull-tab could also have a multitude of shapes,
sizes and proportions. The preformed containers shown in use with
these two closure embodiments are not restrictive to the specific
embodiment with which they are associated in the figures. For
example, the container shown in the first embodiment could also be
used with the closure of the second embodiment and vice versa.
[0091] This invention seeks to replace the more energy intensive
packages with packages which provide the same relative amount of
product protection while consuming much less energy in their
comparative total life cycle. Additionally, the package seeks to
provide improvements or benefits not possible with current forms of
packaging. These improvements relate both to the manufacturing
processes as well as more use-oriented benefits. While it may be
possible to obtain packages which contain one or more of these
improvements or benefits, our system is the first to offer all of
these benefits to the manufacturer and/or consumer at one time, in
a cost effective manner.
[0092] The present invention is not material specific. It is based
upon the interface of the closure and the container along with the
manufacturing method, which includes multi-shot injection molding
with either an insert molding step or the application of a
heat-sealed membrane onto one surface of the mold prior to the
injection of a polymeric material, which makes up the frame. Upon
injection of the polymeric frame material the inserted closure
component (breakaway, pull-out panel or peel-away membrane) is
bonded to the frame in a controlled condition. For the breakaway
panel the bond where the panel meets the frame is inseparable. The
bond that is developed with the peelable membrane is controllable
and can be developed to predetermined peel strength. The equipment
which allows these steps to be performed includes large rotary
turntable injection molding systems as produced and sold by
PHF/Trueblood of Columbus, Ohio and others as well as the patented
(WIPO # WO 00/73040 A1) Gram (Spin-Stack) co-injection/insert
tooling technology.
[0093] To be considered as possible replacements for traditional
metal, double seamed ends, it is necessary for plastic closures to
provide the same product protection, food process compatibility and
ease of container access offered by traditional closures. Today,
using the molding technologies identified above, it is possible to
produce all-plastic closures that meet the minimum criteria
established by the traditional closures. Both the rotary turntable
molding process and the spin-stack technology will allow multiple
materials (frame and adhesive ring) to be co-injection molded in
conjunction with insert molding (pull-out panel or peelable
membrane) and/or heat-sealing of a membrane onto the upper surface
of the molded part while it is still retained in the injection
molding tooling.
[0094] Combining these normally separate processes has some very
specific advantages over separate manufacturing steps, which
include:
[0095] Improved repeatability and consistency in the seal strength
of flexible membranes bonded to the sealing surface of the
frame;
[0096] The ability to pre-treat plastic pullout panels which would
not be commercially viable in the final molded part. These
pretreatments would include but not be limited to:
[0097] Pre-forming to accommodate container, closure or consumer
needs,
[0098] Pre-printing,
[0099] Pre-coating with a release agent to allow over-molding of
one or more plastic materials of a similar type over another with
out bonding, or
[0100] Pre-scoring of the tear notch; and
[0101] Utilizing coextruded multi-layered plastic sheeting to
achieve the desired combination of barrier and physical properties
required by the product or commercial sterilization process.
Previous patents, which identify insert molding of barrier
materials (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,114,507; 6,258,312 B1; 5,697,514;
5,950,861 refer to laminated materials. The process of lamination
requires that two or more materials be produced and physically
bonded together. This process increases the manufacturing cost by
requiring several separate steps as opposed to coextrusion, which
requires only one. Additionally, our preferred material will
include one or more foamed polypropylene layers which utilize the
now abandoned patent identified in GB Pat No. 2 263 435 A.
[0102] This capability to mold multiple materials (in addition to
insert molding and in-mold heat-sealing) allows for plastic ends to
be developed which can be designed to provide adequate keeping
properties in terms of gas and moisture barriers. Additionally, the
closures can be designed to thermally weld to the contacted
surfaces of the container by the use of ultra-sonic or
electromagnetic heating of the fusion bonding system. Heating of
the bonding system by either of these means will raise the
temperature of the fusion bonding material and the materials it
contacts to their fusion temperature. Once this temperature is
achieved the similar materials contained in both the container and
the closure exchange molecules at the interface of these adjacent
articles to be joined and a thermal/fusion weld is made. The
preferred process of induction is not new but previously had
required the insertion of electro-magnetically excitable or
conductive materials such as wire, metal foil or a metal-powder
filled gasket or liquid adhesive between the parts to be welded
(U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,114,507; 6,258,312; 3,620,875; 3,620,876;
4,201,306).
[0103] The electromagnetic and/or conductive materials that may
used in our fusion ring may include powders of stainless steel, tin
oxide, iron, carbon black, carbonaceous or other materials. The
preferred material will include iron powder similar to those
described in expired U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,620,876 and 3,620,875 except
that any and all materials will be required to be acceptable for
direct food contact by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when
the fusionable ring is to be used in a package containing human or
non-human food. The preferred materials which meet this criteria
include both a sponge iron powder (FG 100) as manufactured by the
Hoeganaes Company, Inc of Ramsey, N.J. or a carbonyl iron powder
(Ferronyl) as produced by ISP Technologies Inc. of Freehold, N.J.
or other similar food grade iron powders.
[0104] An additional benefit of iron powder is that in the presence
of moisture and air, iron powder is an effective oxygen scavenger.
As a result of our multi-material molding process where iron powder
is used, it will be molded and stored in a dry condition. However,
when the fusion ring is activated as a result of hot filling of wet
food products into the container or by the thermal pasteurization
or retorting (autoclaving), this activation will occur with the
fusion ring in the presence of moisture or high relative humidity.
Activation of the ring occurs when the temperature of the ring
rises to a point (above 140.degree. F.) where moisture vapor is
allowed to enter and pass through the molecular free space within
the polymer making up the matrix of the fusion ring. This water
vapor is then absorbed by inorganic fillers and/or pigments
contained in the polymer. These inorganic fillers and pigments are
in direct and indirect contact with the iron powder and as such
provide the moisture necessary to activate the oxygen scavenging
capabilities of the iron powder and/or iron oxide, providing the
final component in the iron scavenging process. As the polymer in
the fusion ring cools, the moisture contained within the fusion
ring is trapped, providing a source of moisture required for the
oxygen scavenging process.
[0105] Oxygen which permeates through polypropylene at the average
rate of 150 cc's/mil/100 sq"/24 hrs @ 73.degree. F. @75% RH, is
blocked by the use of gas barrier materials in both the pullout or
the peel-able membrane inserts of the closure. A similar barrier
material is contained within the coextruded material that makes up
the container body. That portion of the closure that makes up the
frame has minimal gas barrier capability. To enhance its gas
barrier potential, inorganic fillers such as fumed silica, glass
micro-spheres, mica, and talc as well as nano particles of clay or
barrier polymers themselves are added to polymeric frame material
to create a torturous path that provides the same benefit as
significantly increasing the thickness of the frame member. While
the addition of one or more of those components will make a
significant improvement in the gas barrier and specifically the
oxygen barrier potential of the frame it is not enough. To
supplement the improved gas barrier of the frame member, an oxygen
scavenger is included in the fusion ring that runs between the
frame member and the peel-able or pull-out barrier inserts and also
is exposed directly to the headspace area inside of the sealed
container. The placement of the oxygen scavenger effectively
eliminates the ingress of oxygen from the frame and also consumes
oxygen that is available within the headspace of the container as a
result of air being carried into the pack during the filling
operation.
[0106] The purpose of using iron powder as an oxygen scavenger by
itself or in combination with other electromagnetic or conductive
additives is to:
[0107] Reduce or eliminate oxygen from the headspace of the
container, and
[0108] Minimize the ingress of oxygen into the container in areas
not protected by barrier polymers such as EVOH, nylon, MDX6 nylon
or Poly-Vinylidene Chloride (PVDC), Liquid Crystal Polymers,
Polyester, and Acrylonitrile based or other barrier materials.
[0109] Containers may be made of polymeric materials typically used
for packaging and would included polyethylene, polystyrene,
polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate,
acrylonitrile-butydene-styrene, acrylic-terpolymers, nylon or
polyvinyl-chloride as well as other materials used in the
manufacture of packages.
[0110] The first embodiment (FIGS. 1-21) of the closure 100, shown
generally in FIGS. 1-4, consists of a frame 102 made from a
thermoplastic polymeric material, a pre-treated, multi-layered,
semi-flexible, high-barrier plastic peel-away membrane 104 and a
fusion ring 106 (see FIGS. 5-7) made from an electromagnetic,
polymeric, fusible material suitable for bi-injection molding.
These three components of the closure 100 have features, which in
combination, offer unique functional and handling characteristics.
The frame 102 includes a platform with a surface area for the
releasable bonding of the membrane 104. Outside and extending above
this platform is a rim 108. In combination, the rim 108 and
platform serve to provide a means for the controlled stacking of
the closures 100 one on top of the other (as shown in FIGS. 8-10)
for improved handling prior to the closure 100 being placed on the
container 110. This combination also serves to provide a "nest"
area for the controlled stacking of one package on top of the other
with the bottom of the container 110 sitting on the portion of the
membrane 104 immediately above the platform of the frame 102 and is
controlled from lateral movement by the relationship of the outside
surface of the container 220 being contained within the inner
surface of the rim 108 (as shown in FIGS. 19-21). This rim 108 has
an opening through which the pull-tab 112 feature of the membrane
104 passes. The pull-tab 112 bends downward and is releasably
bonded to the sidewall of the frame 102 (as shown in FIG. 6).
[0111] Below the frame 102 platform is a channel containing the
fusion ring 106. Outward and inward of this channel and extending
downward are legs 114 & 116. The inner leg 116 is of sufficient
length to contain within the inner surface any melted residue from
the fusion ring 106 as the closure 100 is bonded to the container
110 in order to minimize contact between the product and the
electromagnetic, polymeric, fusible material of the fusion ring
106. The outer leg 114 may be shorter, the same length or longer
than the inner leg 116 depending on aesthetic and any additional
functional requirements such as during the closure 100 application
to the container 110. These legs 114 & 116 are the primary
means for providing an accurate location and placement of the
closure 100 on the upper flangeless rim of the container 110 on a
high speed filling line. During application (after the container
110 is filled), the closure 100 is positioned above the moving
container 110 in a feeder trough and is dropped onto the top of the
container 110. These legs 114 & 116 guide the closure 100 onto
the rim 108 of the container 110 until the top surface of the
container 110 contacts the bottom-exposed surface of the fusion
ring 106. If the outer leg 114 were longer than the inner leg 116
then the closure 100 could be presented to the container 110 at an
angle. As the closure 100 is lowered, the outer leg 114 catches
onto the rim 108 of the moving container 110, extracting it from
the feeder trough and guiding it into place on top of the container
rim 108.
[0112] Once the closure 100 is placed on top of the container 110,
there is contact between the top surface of the container rim 108
and the exposed bottom surface of the fusion ring 106. The fusion
ring 106 is then exposed to an electromagnetic field while a
downward force is applied to the closure 100. As shown in FIGS.
11-15, the closure 100 is thus permanently and hermetically fused
to the opening of the flangeless container 110 by the heating of
the fusion ring 106 to a semi-molten state by the non-contact,
electromagnetic excitement of the metallic and/or carbonaceous
fillers contained within the fusion ring 106 and embedding the
upper portion of the flangeless container 110 into the semi-molten
fusion ring 106. Once the closure 100 is fused to the container
110, the only means to get to the contents of the container 110 is
by the removal of the peel-away membrane 104. The preferred and
intended method for the removal of the membrane 104 from the filled
package is to grasp the pull tab portion 112 of the membrane 104
pulling it upward and away from the package and thus separating the
membrane 104 from the frame 102 of the closure 100 (see FIGS.
16-18).
[0113] The membrane 104 is manufactured prior to the manufacture of
the frame 102 and the fusion ring 106 components of the closure
100. This membrane 104 has desired gas, moisture barrier and
physical properties required by the product or commercial
sterilization process of the package. This membrane 104 also has
printed or coated on one side a release agent in an area that will
contact the frame 102. Generally this membrane 104 is die cut from
a sheet in a shape to match the corresponding shape of the frame
102, and with a pull-tab extension 112, prior to it being inserted
into the mold.
[0114] The membrane may be a semi-flexible, multi-layered
high-barrier, all plastic membrane formed by coextrusion wherein
all layers are simultaneously extruded in a laminar fashion through
a common sizing die, and then cooled and rolled or sheeted in
preparation for the next procedure. The membrane may further
include a food contact surface made of a polymeric material
generally recognized as safe for food contact at use temperatures
which range between 145.degree. F. to 265.degree. F., by the
appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies and all other materials being
recognized as safe for indirect contact at the temperatures
specified. Other individual and discreet layers or phases of each
material are simultaneously coextruded through a common die with
each separate layer providing a specific benefit to the final
closure and complete package. The layers could include an polymeric
oxygen/gas barrier such as PVDC, MDX6 Nylon, Nylon, EVOH, PAN or
liquid crystal polymers or blends there of. In addition, the gas
barrier materials may contain inorganic fillers to enhance their
barrier and or physical properties. On either side of the gas
barrier layer will be compatibilizing polymers used to minimize the
flow related problems associated with coextrusion and at the same
time aid in bonding the gas barrier material to the materials on
either side. It is expected that the material outboard of the
compatibilizing or adhesive layer will be made up of a common
packaging resin such as polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene
and that those materials may be foamed to reduce weight and cost of
the semi-flexible lidding material.
[0115] The process for the manufacture of the closure 100 is as
follows. The first mold section, which includes features to form
the top side of the frame 102, receives the die cut peel-away
membrane 104 in such a manner that the pre-printed release agent
coating faces outward or away from the mold surfaces and is
positioned so that the pull tab portion 112 of the membrane 104
extends through and beyond the molding surfaces which will form the
opening in the rim 108 feature of the frame 102. The membrane 104
can be held and retained in position by a variety of methods
including, but not limited to, vacuum, a "tacky" substance applied
to the contact surface of the membrane 104 or the mold section, or
a slight undercut in the mold. The first mold section containing
the membrane 104 then mates with a second mold section forming a
cavity area for the molding of the frame 102. The release agent
coated area of the membrane 104 becomes a portion of the molding
surface for the frame 102. As the frame 102 is molded, a releasable
bond with the coated area of the membrane 104 is created. The
second mold section is then replaced with a third mold section
which, in conjunction with the frame, forms a channel for the
molding of the fusion ring 106. Once the fusion ring 106 is molded,
the closure 100 is released, ejected or removed from the mold.
[0116] The second embodiment (FIGS. 22-51) of the closure, shown
generally in FIGS. 22-24, consists of a frame 202 made from a
thermoplastic polymeric material, a pre-formed, pre-treated, and
pre-die-cut, multi-layered, semi-rigid, high-barrier plastic panel
204 and a fusion ring 206 made from an electromagnetic, polymeric,
fusible material suitable for bi-injection molding. These three
components of the closure 200 have features which, in combination,
offer unique functional and handling characteristics. The frame 202
includes a platform, which in conjunction with the fusion ring 206
retains the panel 204 in the closure 200. Outside and extending
above this platform is a rim 208 feature. In combination, the rim
208 and platform serve to provide a means for the controlled
stacking of the closures 200 one on top of the other (as shown in
FIGS. 36-38) for improved handling prior to the closure 200 being
placed on the container 210. This combination also serves to
provide a "nest" area for the controlled stacking of one package on
top of the other with the bottom of the container 210 sitting on
the platform of the frame 202 and is controlled from lateral
movement by the relationship of the outside surface of the
container 210 being contained within the inner surface of the rim
208 (as shown in FIGS. 45-47). Inside of the platform, and
connected to it at one or more points, is the ring-pull 212
feature. The ring-pull 212 feature is formed over the top surface
of the tear-away panel 204 and includes a gripping area and an area
that is anchored or bonded to the panel 204. The gripping area is
not bonded to the panel 204. This ring-pull 212 feature is used to
promote the separation and removal of a portion of the tear-away
panel 204 from the closure 200. Below the platform are the locator
legs 214 & 216, the fusion ring channel and the fusion ring
206. These features are of a similar design and have the same
function as the corresponding features of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 39-41 show the fusion of the closure 200 to the container 210
by means for the fusion ring 206 as described above for the first
embodiment. The opening of the package, however, after the closure
200 has been fused to the container 210 is different.
[0117] To open this package, the grip area of the ring-pull 212
feature is lifted upward. The anchored portion remains connected to
the tear panel 204. This results in a pivotal action that breaks
the frangible connection(s) of the ring-pull 212 to the frame
platform. As the grip area continues to be lifted upward, the panel
204 bends and through the resulting leveraging action, the tip of
the pull-ring 212 continues to drive downward with a sharp edge on
the underside of the pull-ring 212 near the frangible connection(s)
breaking through the pre-scored cuts in the panel 204 which create
a predetermined tear path around the area to be removed. The
ring-pull 212 is lifted up and away from the package bringing the
tear-away panel 204 with it thus opening the package, see FIGS.
42-44.
[0118] The panel component 204 (shown in FIG. 51) is manufactured
prior to the manufacture of the frame 202 and the fusion ring 206
components of the closure 200. This panel 204 has desired gas,
moisture barrier and physical properties required by the product or
commercial sterilization process of the package. This panel 204
also has printed or coated on one side a release agent in an area
that will contact the grip area of the ring-pull 212 feature.
Generally this panel 204 is die cut from a sheet in a shape to
match the corresponding shape of the frame and includes opposing,
offset or aligned, pre-scored cuts in the panel 204 that create a
pre-determined tear path around the area to be removed. The panel
204 is formed with a topology to match the shape of the grip area
of the ring pull 212 feature. Outside of the pre-scored cuts there
is a flange that will provide the non-removable attachment of that
portion of the panel 204 to the frame 202.
[0119] The process for the manufacture of the closure 200 is as
follows. A first mold section and a second mold section form a
cavity for the molding of the fusion ring 206 (shown in FIGS.
25-29). This ring 206 includes a shelf feature for receiving the
flange of the panel 204 and openings below the shelf. The second
mold section is removed and the panel 204 is placed onto the ring
206 with the flange of the panel 204 contacting the shelf of the
ring 206. A third mold section, in conjunction with the first mold
section, the fusion ring 206 and the panel 204 forms the cavity for
the frame 202 and the ring-pull 212. It is important to note that
the passageway(s) in the fusion ring 206 below the shelf and the
panel 204 flange allows for the flow through of the thermoplastic
polymeric material for a complete molding of the frame 202 and
ring-pull 212. Once the frame 202 and ring-pull 212 are molded, the
closure 200 is released, ejected or removed from the mold.
[0120] The container 210 shown in FIGS. 23, 24 and 39-50 has
features which enhance the function of the package. The container
210 sidewall steps inward just below the inner locator leg of the
frame 202 so that the inside surface wall of the container 210 is
in line with or inward of the inside surface of this leg 216. This
allows for the easy removal of semi-solid or solid contents without
the contents being caught on the locator leg. The bottom of the
container 210 flares outward in order to be able to rest on the
frame platform allowing the packages to be stacked (as shown in
FIGS. 45-46). This flare out portion can be of any profile. It can
be a continuous profile or can be a multitude of projecting
features.
[0121] Either embodiment of the package may also be fitted with an
optional, removable, snap-on overcap 218 (shown in FIGS. 48-50) to
serve a variety of purposes. The outer wall of the overcap 218 fits
over the outside leg of the closure 200. A bead on the inside
surface of the overcap's 218 outer wall locates below the bottom
outside edge of the outer leg 214 of the closure 200. The overcap
218 also includes a rim to act substantially the same as the rim
208 on the frame of the closure 200. In fact, it could be
anticipated that if an overcap 218 with a rim is used on the
package, it could eliminate the need for a rim 208 on the frame 202
of the closure 200. The overcap 218 could act as a protective cover
for the package or the remaining contents of the package after the
package has been opened and the tear-away membrane 104 or tear-away
panel 204 has been removed and discarded. Optional opening(s) in
the overcap 218 may serve as a means for venting heat and steam
from the package during microwaving or cooking of the opened
package's contents or to promote the drinking of a liquid product
from the package.
[0122] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *