Abstract: A method of fabricating a container is provided. The container includes multiple sidewalls extending in a substantially vertical direction and a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a central portion, a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion includes a first radius of curvature with a first center of curvature located on a first side of the bottom wall of the container, while the second curved portion terminates at the sidewalls and include a second radius of curvature with a second center of curvature located on a second side of the bottom wall of the container. The container further includes multiple reinforcing ribs located on the second side, each of the reinforcing ribs having a minimum height proximate the first curved portion and a maximum height proximate the second curved portion.

Abstract: A spout fitment and cap assembly for a dispensing container is provided. The spout fitment and cap assembly includes a fitment and a cap. The fitment includes a generally tubular shape surrounding a central axial passage and multiple horizontal sealing ribs configured to secure the fitment to the dispensing container. The cap includes a generally tubular shape with an annular wall extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of the tubular shape, a central plug portion, and multiple flow openings surrounding the central plug portion. The cap is slidably coupled to the fitment and is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position through an application of force to the annular wall.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container includes multiple sidewalls extending in a substantially vertical direction and a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a central portion, a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion includes a first radius of curvature with a first center of curvature located on a first side of the bottom wall of the container, while the second curved portion terminates at the sidewalls and include a second radius of curvature with a second center of curvature located on a second side of the bottom wall of the container. The container further includes multiple reinforcing ribs located on the second side, each of the reinforcing ribs having a minimum height proximate the first curved portion and a maximum height proximate the second curved portion.

Abstract: A container for a retorting process includes a body. The body is configured to be coupled to a lid such that the lid and the body define an internal volume of the container. The body includes a lip, a wall, a support, a hinge, and an expansion panel. The lip is configured to be coupled to the lid. The wall is contiguous with the lip. The support is contiguous with the wall. The support is configured to interface with a surface to support the container on the surface. The hinge is contiguous with the support opposite the wall. The expansion panel is contiguous with the hinge. The hinge is configured to facilitate displacement of the expansion panel relative to the support to selectively increase the internal volume of the container.

Abstract: A system for coinjection molding a multi-layer container includes an injection molding apparatus, a camera, and a controller. The injection molding apparatus is configured to coinject a plurality of polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a multi-layer container including an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer located between the inner layer and the outer layer. The camera is configured to capture an image indicating a location of the barrier layer within the multi-layer container. The controller is configured to monitor the location of the barrier layer using the image captured by the camera, compare the location of the barrier layer to a threshold location, and provide a control signal to the injection molding apparatus based on the location of the barrier layer relative to the threshold location.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispensing container includes a closure body detachably coupled to a co-injected valve. The closure body includes a main closure body coupled to a closure cap via a flexible hinge. The co-injected valve includes a valve head and a valve frame. The valve head includes a valve head portion with multiple valve head slits, a sleeve portion, and a peripheral sealing flange. The valve frame is permanently coupled to the valve head and includes a radial ledge and a radial wall that support the peripheral sealing flange of the valve head. The co-injected valve is fabricated via a two-step injection molding process. The first step includes fabricating the valve frame from a first injection material, and the second step includes fabricating the valve member from a second injection material.

Abstract: A method of sealing a container includes filling a receptacle with dispensable contents, coupling a closure to the receptacle to cover an open mouth of the receptacle, sealing the open mouth with a liner; engaging a pressure source to a sealing rib on a top face of the closure; and using a pressure source to force air through the openings and an air passage formed between a skirt of the closure and a neck of the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection molded container includes operating an injection molding apparatus to inject one or more polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a container. The container includes an energy director ring protruding from an inside surface of the container and extending circumferentially along the inside surface. The method includes welding a filter onto the inside surface by applying a welding force to the inside surface. The energy director ring causes the welding force to be concentrated at a location of the energy director ring, thereby forming a circumferential weld that secures the filter to the inside surface the location of the energy director ring.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispensing container includes a closure body detachably coupled to a co-injected valve. The closure body includes a main closure body coupled to a closure cap via a flexible hinge. The co-injected valve includes a valve head and a valve frame. The valve head includes a valve head portion with multiple valve head slits, a sleeve portion, and a peripheral sealing flange. The valve frame is permanently coupled to the valve head and includes a radial ledge and a radial wall that support the peripheral sealing flange of the valve head. The co-injected valve is fabricated via a two-step injection molding process. The first step includes fabricating the valve frame from a first injection material, and the second step includes fabricating the valve member from a second injection material.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container includes multiple sidewalls extending in a substantially vertical direction and a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a central portion, a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion includes a first radius of curvature with a first center of curvature located on a first side of the bottom wall of the container, while the second curved portion terminates at the sidewalls and include a second radius of curvature with a second center of curvature located on a second side of the bottom wall of the container. The container further includes multiple reinforcing ribs located on the second side, each of the reinforcing ribs having a minimum height proximate the first curved portion and a maximum height proximate the second curved portion.

Abstract: A pod assembly for use in a beverage machine is provided. The pod assembly includes a container and a filter disc that is detachably coupled to the container. The container includes a base, a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base, and a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim. The filter disc includes a central portion with multiple central openings, an inclined portion with multiple secondary openings, and an outer flange situated at a perimeter of the inclined portion and having a substantially square shape.

Abstract: A pod assembly for use in a beverage machine is provided. The pod assembly includes a container and a filter disc that is detachably coupled to the container. The container includes a base, a side wall having a lower rim coupling the side wall to an outer perimeter of the base, and a flange coupled to an upper rim of the side wall and extending radially outward from the upper rim. The filter disc includes a central portion with multiple central openings, a dome-shaped portion with multiple secondary openings, an annular portion extending radially outward from the dome-shaped portion, a foot portion extending vertically from the annular portion in a first direction, and a retention flange extending vertically from the annular portion in a second direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection molded container includes operating an injection molding apparatus to inject one or more polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a container. The container includes an energy director ring protruding from an inside surface of the container and extending circumferentially along the inside surface. The method includes welding a filter onto the inside surface by applying a welding force to the inside surface. The energy director ring causes the welding force to be concentrated at a location of the energy director ring, thereby forming a circumferential weld that secures the filter to the inside surface the location of the energy director ring.

Abstract: A spout fitment and cap assembly for a dispensing container is provided. The spout fitment and cap assembly includes a fitment and a cap. The fitment includes a generally tubular shape surrounding a central axial passage and multiple horizontal sealing ribs configured to secure the fitment to the dispensing container. The cap includes a generally tubular shape with an annular wall extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of the tubular shape, a central plug portion, and multiple flow openings surrounding the central plug portion. The cap is slidably coupled to the fitment and is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position through an application of force to the annular wall.

Abstract: A closure includes a body having an open bottom formed of a skirt that defines an outer periphery of the body and an end wall defining a body dispensing aperture and a raised body portion providing a closed barrier. The closure also includes a cover coupled to the end wall of the body and having a cover dispensing aperture, the cover being rotatably movable relative to the body between a dispensing position with the cover dispensing aperture substantially aligned with the body dispensing aperture, and a closed position with the cover dispensing aperture substantially aligned with the raised body portion, wherein the cover dispensing aperture includes one or more dividers defining sub-apertures.

Abstract: A method of sealing a container includes filling a receptacle with dispensable contents, coupling a closure to the receptacle to cover an open mouth of the receptacle, sealing the open mouth with a liner; engaging a pressure source to a sealing rib on a top face of the closure; and using a pressure source to force air through the openings and an air passage formed between a skirt of the closure and a neck of the receptacle.

Abstract: A closure includes a skirt defining an outer periphery of the closure and having an open bottom end configured to fit over the mouth of a receptacle, an end wall positioned atop the skirt to close a top end of the skirt and form a top face of the closure, one or more openings formed through the end wall, and a sealing rib formed on the top face and diametrically disposed outboard the one or more openings.

Abstract: A container for storing dispensable contents includes a tub. The tub includes a body having one or more walls extending from a base, an opening, a neck formed around the opening and extending out from the body to form a lip, and a shelf disposed on an inner perimeter of the neck and below the lip. The container also includes a removable insert disposed below the lip and above the contents. The removable insert includes a scoop implement for dispensing the contents, and an outer frame removably coupled to the scoop implement, the outer frame configured to rest on the shelf and support the scoop implement above the contents. The container also includes a closure configured to removably cover the opening.