Abstract: A composite closure for a container has an outer ring with a half-toroidal lip which overhangs a bead around the periphery of an insert cover disk. As the closure is tightened on the container the lip bears downwardly on the bead of the disk and urges the disk against the container rim. Reaction force uncoils the lip like a watch spring, and a visible gap develops between the inner edge of the lip and the disk. This gap provides a visible on-line indicator that the lip is exerting sealing force on the disk. In a second aspect of the invention, a tamper-evidencing band on the closure has ratchets which engage angularly spaced groups of ratchets on the container. Unequal torque thereby acts on bridges which connect the tamper evidencing band to the closure, causing the bridges to break sequentially rather than simultaneously. As a result the bridges can be made stronger and premature breaking is reduced.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for applying closures to containers. Each closure is carried to a respective container in a chuck of a closure holder mounted on a closure conveyor. The holder has an axially movable spindle which is yieldably moved from a retracted position to an extended position as the closure conveyor moves. The spindle may be selectively rotated while in extended position, by a pulley which is coupled to it by a clutch. The closures are applied to containers moving on a straight run of a container conveyor. The closure conveyor carries the closures along a linear path parallel to the containers while the spindles are sequentially extended to apply the closures.

Abstract: A closure is provided with channels through which wash water can be injected to wash out food particles between the threads of a container after the closure has been applied and sealed. In a composite closure embodiment, a lid or insert disk is received in an annular shell beneath an overhanging top lip of the shell. Water wash channels are provided on the undersurface of the top lip, and extend from the inner edge of the lip outwardly past the edge of the disk. One or more stops on the underside of the top lip prevent the channels from being closed, as by over-tightening. The wash channels extend outwardly past the stop, and communicate with a spiral channel in the threaded region of the shell, which in turn communicates with an outlet. A water jet directed onto the lid of the closure flows through the wash channels outwardly over the edge of the lid and downwardly into the threaded region, to an outlet.

Abstract: A pressure venting package for foods has a container with both top and side seal areas, and a closure which can accept two different types of insert disks, one for packaging oxygen sensitive (meat) products and the other for packaging non-oxygen sensitive (non-meat) products. The insert disk used for meat products has a gasket of low oxygen permeability and forms a seal with both the top and side seal areas of the container; whereas the insert disk used for non-meat food products forms only a top seal.

Abstract: Inadvertent rupture of frangible tamper evidencing means during application of threaded closures is reduced by axially pressing the closure partially onto the container, without rotating the closure, until a downwardly tapered retaining means on the closure is engaged by an upwardly tapered locking rib around the container finish. This engagement centers and positions the closure so that the axis of the closure is aligned with the container axis. The closure is held in alignment to prevent cocking or misengagement of the threads until the closure is thereafter turned to tighten it on the container.

Abstract: A closure having an axially movable insert disk which is lifted by a bead around the inside of the closure shell to open a sealed container. When the closure is in sealing position on the container, the lifting bead lies below the top of external threading on the container, and at the top of cooperating internal threading of the closure skirt. The bead has an inside diameter greater than that of the closure threading, and can move upwardly past the external threading on the container. The overall heights of the closure and the container finish can thereby be reduced and less material used.

Abstract: A closure is provided with slots through which wash water can flow to wash food particles from the interthread space between the closure and a container, after the closure has been secured onto the container. At room temperature the washing slots are essentially closed to the ingress of dirt particles, but they open when the closure is heated so that water can flow through them and into the interthread space.

Abstract: A composite closure for a container vents internal gas pressure in excess of a pre-established maximum. An insert disk fits inside an overhanging top lip of the closure. The undersurface of the top lip is recessed to present a chamber into which excess gas pressure beneath the cover can deflect the disk and thereby provide a vent under the disk. A stop on a small area of the undersurface of the top lip positively abuts the disk to prevent blocking the chamber if the closure is overtightened.

Abstract: A composite closure having a metal shell with metal container engaging lugs and an attached molded plastic tamper evident insert band providing the combination of a pressure resistant seal with a plastic tamper evident indication.

Abstract: A closure cap is disclosed for sealing containers and particularly for sealing thin-walled vacuum formed containers with threaded rims. The closure cap is a composite closure having a molded plastic ring for engaging the container and for mounting a disc-like metal cover. The metal cover includes a vacuum indicating disc particularly adapted for providing a positive indication for relatively low vacuums and the closure cap is adapted for being sealed onto the container with a combination of press-on and screwing action to provide for high speed vacuum sealing. The vacuum indicating action of the vacuum button is improved by providing a channel in the plastic ring at the edge of the metal cover for stablizing the button operation at the desired low vacuum levels.

Abstract: A closure is described for sealing retortable containers. The closure has a disc shaped metal cover with a grooved sealing portion at its outer edge containing a sealant and a plastic ring for engaging the container. A clamping action holds sealant in the cover groove against a rim of the container and the relative dimensions of the closure groove and the container are chosen for providing a tight seal particularly after retorting.

Abstract: A composite closure cap is described comprising a molded plastic ring and a separate disc-like cover. The cover includes a gasket for sealing. Tapered friction surfaces on the plastic ring and on the cover interact to provide for the control of the closure cap removal torque.

Abstract: An improved molded closure cap is described which has a softer sealing portion and a relatively hard closure engaging portion. The cap is molded using two differing plastics where the container engaging portion is molded of a softer seal-forming plastic and the remaining portion or shell is molded of a harder plastic. The novel molding apparatus and method employ plunger or die movement to facilitate a successive molding of the soft and hard cap portions without changing the molding plunger or die.

Abstract: Improved means are described for sealing thin-walled and relatively flexible containers. The improvements are made in straight line sealing machines which include side belt arrangements which encapsulate the filled containers and which also provide means for heating and then for pressing on and for twisting composite closure caps into a finally sealed position on the encapsulated containers.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for receiving a supply of randomly oriented articles and for continuously feeding the articles into a single file line in a feed chute. The mechanism includes a rotating disc within a hopper with a series of air vents positioned around the disc edge for directing streams of air over the disc top to engage the articles and to cause the articles to move with the moving disc surface towards and into a single line feed chute.

Abstract: A metal closure cap is described for sealing containers. It is of the lug type having a metal shell with a flowed-in gasket. The cap differs from prior twist caps of this general type by having a tapered corner between the cap top and the cap skirt. This corner design permits a reduced amount of metal to be used and further provides a more rigid closure corner permitting the use of lighter-weight metal. Improved methods of forming the cap shell, including the corner portion are also described.

Abstract: A molded plastic closure is described for particular use on packages employing a metallic innerseal and where the package is sealed using induction heating for softening a heat sensitive adhesive on the under surface of the innerseal while pressure is applied to the cap top. The closure cap is formed of a deformable plastic with a relatively thin shell permitting the induction coils to be positioned close to the metallic innerseal and to permit portions of the closure cap to be wrapped closely around portions of the container finish during the induction sealing process.

Abstract: A tamperproof closure is described for sealing containers such as soda, liquor or other bottles. The closure is a unitary molded closure cap which includes a tamper indicating band. The indicating band is applied with the closure cap and is locked onto a bead on the container so that it is torn free from the upper sealing portion of the cap as soon as an attempt is made to turn the closure cap off of the container.