Abstract: A pressurised can (1) having a body (2) with an open end, through which a product (5) is inserted into the can, and a cover (3) arranged to cover and seal the open end of the body (2). The can is filled to a predetermined height such that the cover (3) is spaced from the product surface (55) to leave a headspace (7). The can (1) is adapted to minimise the volume of the headspace (7), whilst maximising the height (h) of the headspace (7) at the point at which the can (1) is first opened.

Abstract: A can end (10) of the full aperture easy open end type, which comprises a seaming panel (12), a wall (14) depending from the seaming panel, a radiussed portion or “countersink” (16) and a centre panel (20). The end of the invention further includes a flat annulus or stepped portion (19) between the wall (14) and the countersink (16) such that, in the alternative, the can end is openable by engaging the blade of a can opener with the stepped portion.

Abstract: A multilayer plastics sheet destined to be formed into foodstuff containers by thermoforming has a barrier layer for low oxygen permeability, and incorporates reclaim material for providing desired mechanical properties to the sheet. The reclaim material represents 40-60% of the sheet by volume, and in order to incorporate these high reclaim levels without concomitant organoleptic problems the reclaim material is formed as a single layer adjacent what is to be the outside surface of the container. The sheet is accordingly highly asymmetric, but any substantial polymer melt instability during coextrusion tending to cause layer thickness variation and lack of visual appeal of the sheet is prevented by forming the sheet as two substantially symmetrical components which are individually and separately coextruded, and subsequently extrusion laminated together. Of the components one includes, and is symmetrical in relation to, the barrier layer, and the other likewise incorporates the reclaim layer.

Abstract: A retortable, hydraulically solid, sealed package (10) containing a liquid or semi-liquid food product (24) comprises a thermoplastics container (12) formed by a thermo-forming process and a heat-shrinkable thermoplastics closure diaphragm (20). The closure diaphragm is heat-sealed to a rim (18) of the container after the headspace above the product has been evacuated, and is subsequently subjected to external pressure so as to be non-elastically stretched and made to lie wholly in contact with the enclosed product. When retorted (e.g. for sterilization) the package suffers no visible deformation of the container (12), despite the considerable volume shrinkage of the container which may occur. The loss of volume caused by this volume shrinkage is accommodated by a reduction in the concavity of the diaphragm (20) caused by a corresponding heat-induced shrinkage of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: A multilayer plastics sheet destined to be formed into foodstuff containers by thermoforming has a barrier layer for low oxygen permeability, and incorporates reclaim material for providing desired mechanical properties to the sheet. The reclaim material represents 40-60% of the sheet by volume, and in order to incorporate these high reclaim levels without concomitant organoleptic problems the reclaim material is formed as a single layer adjacent what is to be the outside surface of the container. The sheet is accordingly highly asymmetric, but any substantial polymer melt instability during coextrusion tending to cause layer thickness variation and lack of visual appeal of the sheet is prevented by forming the sheet as two substantially symmetrical components which are individually and separately coextruded, and subsequently extrusion laminated together. Of the components one includes, and is symmetrical in relation to, the barrier layer, and the other likewise incorporates the reclaim layer.