Sealing surfaces for container end panels
A tubular container is provided with an angled sealing surface extending outwardly and downwardly around the upper periphery of the container. A flexible end panel, such as plastic film, metal foil, or thin plastic, or coated paper stock is heat or adhesively sealed to the angled surface of the container. This combination of container and end panel is particularly effective for food products and the like that are subjected to heat treatment, such as in a retort, following a filling operation of the container and sealing of the end panel thereto. The angled sealing surface retains the end panel in shear, rather than in peel, as the end panel bulges upwardly because of increased internal pressure. The integrity of the seal, at the interface of the container and the overlying end panel, is greatly enhanced.
The invention relates to containers of the type used for packaging food products and the like and, more particularly, to the shape of sealing surfaces on or at the ends of containers for accommodating the application of closures in the form of end panels for sealing the containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEnd closures, or end panels, or lids, for containers expand or bulge axially outwardly from a container during a retort operation wherein fluids contained therein expand and create internal pressure. Particularly with flexible end panels, i.e., usually films, foils, or thin plastic closures and the like, and more particularly with such closures that are heat-sealed or adhesively secured to the peripheral rim of the container, increased pressure and the resultant outward bulging of the end closure is likely to cause leaks or ruptures in the seal. Any such leaks, ruptures, discontinuities, and the like are highly undesirable because they will very likely result in contamination and spoilage of the products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn important feature of the invention relates to its use for preventing damage to the container seal with containers formed of molded or extruded plastic, of the type referred to as tubs or bowls, which are subjected to being heated to treat the container contents, such as in a retort.
The present invention provides very substantial improvements in the securing of end panels to containers and reduces potential damage to heat-seals or adhesive seals during and after retort operations. Instead of a rounded, or beaded, or horizontally disposed sealing surface at the upper end of a container of the type known in the prior art, the invention provides a substantial, peripheral sealing area, and more particularly one wherein the sealing surface extends radially outwardly and downwardly at an inclined angle for placing the end panel and sealing surface of the container in shear, rather than in peel, during a retort operation thereby minimizing or precluding development of pin hole leaks or tears in the seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention provides for improved sealing of container bodies and end panels to overcome the deficiencies in prior art devices of the type shown in
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The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art discussed above and shown in
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It is to be understood that the foregoing description illustrates the invention for those skilled in the art and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the described embodiments thereof.
Claims
1. A container, said container comprising a tubular side wall terminating at an upper periphery thereof, an outwardly extending flange extending about said periphery and including a sealing surface thereon, said sealing surface being adapted for providing sealing engagement with a container end panel, characterized in that said sealing surface on said container extends radially outwardly and downwardly about said periphery for maintaining an interface of said end panel and said sealing surface in shear rather than peel.
2. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said container is constructed of thermoplastic material.
3. A container as defined in claim 2 wherein said flange extends outwardly from said tubular side wall and includes a lower surface for being engaged by a sealing tool.
4. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange includes an uppermost, horizontal sealing surface extending radially outwardly and joining with said outwardly and downwardly sealing surface.
5. A container as defined in claim 3 wherein said flange includes an uppermost, horizontal sealing surface extending radially outwardly and joining with said outwardly and downwardly sealing surface.
6. A container as defined in claim 3 wherein said lower surface (25) extends horizontally outwardly from said tubular side wall of said container.
7. A container as defined in claim 3 wherein said lower surface (125) extends downwardly and outwardly from said tubular side wall essentially parallel with said sealing surface.
8. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing surface and a peripheral portion of said end panel are located inwardly of an outermost edge (240) of said container side wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 31, 2006
Inventor: William Heyn (New Canaan, CT)
Application Number: 11/362,008
International Classification: B65D 41/00 (20060101); B65D 43/14 (20060101); B65D 43/02 (20060101);