Abstract: A closure for a container of food or the like sold under vacuum comprises a domed lid of sheet material and a screw-top cover adapted to hold the lid in sealing engagement over the mouth of the container. The top panel of the cover has a central opening up into which extends in depressible fashion a button having a flange about its base, the flange being retained between the lid and cover. When the closure is applied to a product under vacuum, the dome of the lid is drawn down. The button will appear "down," and it will feel down and not depressible. If vacuum is lost, the dome is up, and the button will appear "up" and will feel "up" and depressible. Further, when pressed, the button causes the lid to snap or "oil can" audibly to indicate loss of vacuum.

Abstract: A thin flexible fluid-tight cover of PVC is bonded to a rigid port of a diluent container which is to be subjected to heat sterilization. The cover includes an outer flange for bonding to a complementary surface around the port, and a removable section for spanning the port. The removable section includes a central flexible diaphragm portion and a cylindrical wall portion. The diaphragm portion has at least one annular convolution whereby the diaphragm section is axially expandable by flexing of the convolution. A tear line is provided in a frangible section which joins the cylindrical wall portion to the outer flange. The cylindrical wall portion of the cover is disposed adjacent the outer surfaces of an abutment wall on the port to provide stress relief against rupture of the tear line from stresses generated in the cover during sterilization. A narrow post element is located adjacent the wall portion for concentrating manual pulling forces from an attached pull ring to a limited segment of the tear line.

Abstract: A tamper detector cap which is characterized by an internally-threaded inner cap adapted to thread on the neck of a bottle, jar or other container and provided with a flexible diaphragm and spaced wall grooves located in the outer circumference thereof. An outer cap fitted with a transport window and internal, spaced retainer thread segments for threadibly engaging the wall grooves in the inner cap, is also provided. When the inner cap is threadibly attached to the neck of the container and a vacuum is created in the container, the diaphragm is depressed inwardly and the outer cap is threadibly secured to the inner cap by means of the retainer thread segments and cooperating wall grooves, such that the outer cap is sealed on the inner cap. Application of a counterclockwise torque to the outer cap first loosens the outer cap on the inner cap and then loosens the inner cap and breaks the seal between the inner cap and the threaded neck of the container, causing the diaphragm to assume a neutral position.

Abstract: Vacuum containers of synthetic polymeric resins include a wall portion deformable under vacuum containing conditions, to give a visual indication of the vacuum integrity. The containers by virtue of the deformable portion resist paneling.

Abstract: A vacuum indicating thermoplastic closure for a container for the packaging of a vacuum-packed product, the top panel of the closure containing a circular inner portion which is connected to an outer annular portion by an inner annular portion with a circular hinge on the outside of the closure along a first interrupted line between the circular inner portion and the inner annular portion and another circular hinge on the inside of the closure along a second interrupted line between the inner annular portion and the outer annular portion to permit the circular inner portion to be moved relative to the outer annular portion from a first position which indicates the presence of a vacuum in the container to a second position which indicates the absence of a vacuum in the container without developing substantial tensile stresses in the top panel of the closure when the circular inner portion is in either such position, except for compressive stresses in the bridges formed by the interruptions in the first interru

Abstract: A container closure includes a closure member having a top panel and a liner retained rotatively in the closure member, the liner having an upper surface in facing relation to the top panel and a lower surface opposite such first liner surface. The liner has configuration in its upper surface for limiting engagement between same and the top panel to a fraction of interfacing surfaces thereof. The liner has a member depending from its lower surface for sealing engagement with a container.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant package for articles such as pharmaceuticals and medicine which are themselves first enclosed within a first closed and sealed container. The first container is then enclosed within a second container, there being a void between the two containers. The second container includes a lid which is secured over its opening. Positioned between the lid and the opening of the second container is a permanently adhered thin sheet of elastic material or membrane which is impermeable to gas or liquid. This membrane is permanently adhered to the opening of the second container after the sealed first container and a portion of solid chemical material possessing the physical property of sublimation is placed into the void.

Abstract: A vacuum indicating thermoplastic closure for a container for the packaging of a vacuum packed product, the top panel of the closure containing a circular inner portion which is connected to an outer annular portion by an inner annular portion with a circular hinge between the circular inner portion and the inner annular portion and another circular hinge between the inner annular portion and the outer annular portion to permit the circular inner portion to be moved relative to the outer annular portion from a first dimensionally stable position which indicates the presence of a vacuum in the associated container to a second dimensionally stable position which indicates the absence of a vacuum in the container without developing substantial tensile stresses in the top panel of the closure when the circular inner portion is in either such position.

Abstract: This relates to a closure cap for containers wherein the end wall of the closure cap and more particularly an end panel thereof may be subjected to a vacuum which will determine the condition within the container. The closure cap involved is of a small diameter and is specifically intended for use in conjunction with neck finishes having diameters ranging from 27 mm to 43 mm. The end panel of the closure cap is of a specific configuration so that a small diameter central portion in the form of a button will evert under the existing vacuum conditions so as to present a substantially plain end panel when the vacuum condition exists within the container and which will show a popped up button when the vacuum has been relieved. The button will be indicative of product condition or possible tampering.

Abstract: An improved closure for a bottle containing a gas-emitting solution. The closure is screwed onto the bottle and includes a disk member having a centrally disposed opening. The opening is sealed with a rupturable seal member. Two concentric, cylindrical members are disposed about the opening. A ballon-like member is fixedly secured to the open end of the cylindrical member next adjacent the opening so that when the gas emitting from the solution ruptures the seal member, the balloon is inflated to indicate excessive pressure.

Abstract: A readily penetrable vacuum indicator closure for sealing an open end of an air evacuated blood collection tube. The closure comprises a flexible tubular body with an open first end and a closed second end formed by a penetrable, flexible end wall, with the end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. When pressure on the inner and outer surfaces is substantially equal, the outer surface is convexly curved and the inner surface is concavely curved. This end wall is sufficiently flexible to deflect under the influence of a pressure differential on the end wall, such as may be perceived when the closure seals an evacuated blood collection tube. The outer surface of the flexible end wall is readily visible, thus serving as an indicator of relative pressures on opposite sides thereof. A flange is annularly disposed about the periphery of the tubular body adjacent to the second end.

Abstract: Provided is a device for preventing the inward deformation of a hollow plastic container which would normally inwardly deform after closure due to the cooling of hot liquids therein. The device comprises a membrane extending across the container spout for sealing the spout, which membrane is more flexible than the walls of the container, means for securing the membrane into sealing engagement with the spout, and means for applying the ambient pressure existing on the outside of the container to the outside of the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The neck of a bottle is closed and sealed by a one-piece cap having a cylrical portion which surrounds the neck, a deformable end wall which extends across the open end of the neck, and a flexible hose which is integral with the end wall. The inner side of the end wall has an annular bead which sealingly engages the inner surface of the neck when the pressure in the interior of the bottle is reduced below atmospheric pressure. An annular groove at the inner side of the end wall surrounds the bead and communicates with the atmosphere by way of at least one channel in the cylindrical portion. The groove communicates with the atmosphere during expulsion of air from the bottle, for example, in response to heating, but is sealed from the interior of the bottle when the end wall bulges inwardly and maintains the bead in sealing engagement with the neck.

Abstract: In champagne and other types of effervescent wines which generate gases when bottled and enclosed by a cork which is used as a stopper, the cork is usually wired to the mouth of the bottle to prevent it from being blown therefrom should the pressure build up sufficiently therewithin. When the wire is removed and the cork moved from side to side, it will be released from the neck of the bottle and shot therefrom with a substantial force. A towel is usually wound over the cork and neck of the bottle before being released to prevent someone from being injured when the cork is blown from the bottle neck. The wire was eliminated when a hollow plastic stopper was developed as the pressure within the stopper was applied in all directions forcing the side against the inner surface of the bottle neck an amount corresponding to the increase in pressure.

Abstract: A one-piece reusable closure for home canning. The closure is adapted for sealing home canning containers, such as "Mason Jars." The closure has a one-piece threaded cap with a bonded annular closed-cell foam gasket at the periphery of a central cover section positioned to seal against the jar lip. The central cover portion is dished outwardly and moves to an inwardly dished configuration when a partial vacuum is developed in the container. When the closure is unscrewed, the central cover section springs with an audible click to the outwardly dished configuration. The closure incorporates a one-way pressure relief mechanism to limit the pressure in the container. The mechanism comprises a resilient sealing member overlying an orifice in the central cover section of the lid. As the container contents are heated, gas pressure in the container will increase and force the resilient sealing member from the orifice. Gases will then be vented through the orifice under the resilient sealing member.

Abstract: A ventible closure for a container adapted to hold sterile fluids wherein the container has a neck with an open end surrounded by a beaded rim. The closure includes a rigid plug which fits down into the container neck and an elastic cap fitting over the open end of the neck in engagement with the rigid plug and the beaded rim to seal the container. For venting, internal pressure within the container causes outward flexing of the elastic cap to break the seal and establish flow paths for the fluid to escape from the container.

Abstract: A one-piece reusable closure for home canning. The closure is adapted for sealing home canning containers, such as "Mason Jars." The closure has a one-piece threaded cap with a bonded annular closed-cell foam gasket at the periphery of the central cover panel positioned to seal against the jar lip. A central cover portion is dished outwardly and moves to an inwardly dished configuration when vacuum is developed in the container. When the closure is unscrewed, the central panel portion springs with an audible click to the outwardly dished configuration. Limiting projections extending downwardly into the gasket bear and compress the gasket material against the lip of the jar to control tightening of the closure on the jar so that, when the jar contents are heated, gases will be vented under the circumferentially spaced portions of the gasket.

Abstract: A bottle closure of flexible thermoset synthetic material has a corrugated annular insert and an outer wall depending from its base. A thinned portion in the base is of a thickness and geometry adapted to burst at a predetermined pressure within the bottle. An annular shoulder on a severable skirt extends laterally beyond the outer wall which fits against the end of a plunger for urging an internal annular bevel groove in the skirt over an external annular bead near the mouth of the bottle.