Container closure with a vent seal

Abstract

A container closure includes an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downwardly from the top wall. The inner cap is fixed within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The seal is fixed to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and a rim extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the inner sidewall and the rim sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The inner cap and the seal together define an air passage that is in fluid communication between a space between the outer cap and the inner cap and an air opening formed in the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the rim.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container closure having a vent seal. Background Art

[0002] Liquid containers can become overpressurized or underpressurized, and the container can be damaged depending on the liquid to be contained and the ambient temperature. Known types of container closures are caps having a non-airtight thread for engagement with a complementary threaded neck of the container and a seal in the cap to form a substantially airtight and liquidtight seal with the container neck. One solution for an undesired negative pressure in the container is to incorporate a vent in the seal and / or the cap for venting between the ambient atmosphere and the interior of the container through an opening present between the threads of the cap and the threads of the container neck. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, a container closure includes an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downwardly from the top wall. The inner cap is fixed within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The inner sidewall is offset from the outer sidewall to define a space between the outer cap and the inner cap for receiving a relevant neck of a relevant container. The seal is fixed to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and an edge extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The seal sidewall sealingly engages the inner sidewall and the edge sealingly overlaps the bottom wall. The inner cap and the seal together define an air passage fluidly communicating between the space between the outer cap and the inner cap and an air opening formed in the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the edge.

[0004] According to another aspect, a container assembly includes: a container including a body portion and a neck having a mouth; and a container closure that is convertible relative to the container neck between an attached configuration and a detached configuration. The container closure includes an outer cap, an inner cap, and a seal. The outer cap includes a top wall and an outer sidewall extending downwardly from the top wall. The inner cap is fixed within the outer cap and includes a bottom wall and an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The inner sidewall is offset from the outer sidewall to define a space between the outer cap and the inner cap for receiving the neck of the container. When the closure is attached to the neck, the seal forms a sealed connection between the neck and the closure. The seal is fixed to the inner cap and includes a seal sidewall and an edge extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. The edge sealingly engages the bottom wall. The inner cap and the seal together define an air passage fluidly communicating between the space between the outer cap and the inner cap and an air opening formed in the bottom wall of the inner cap and covered by the edge. The edge is configured to be lifted off the bottom wall when a vacuum is formed within the container, thereby allowing ambient air to flow through the air passage and through the air opening into the container to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Figure 1Is an exploded perspective view of a container assembly including a container and an exemplary container closure according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 2 And Figure 3 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of the closure.

[0007] Figure 4 Is Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the closure.

[0008] Figure 5 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of the seal of the closure.

[0009] Figure 6 Is Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of

[0010] Figures 7 to 9 Is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the closure.

[0011] Figure 10 Is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary container closure according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 11 And Figure 12 Is Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of.

[0013] Figure 13 Is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal in a state where the internal pressure of the container is greater than or substantially equal to the external ambient air pressure.

[0014] Figure 14 Is a detailed cross-sectional view in a state where the internal pressure of the container is less than the external ambient air pressure.

[0015] Figure 15 Is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary container closure according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 16 And Figure 17 Is Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of.

[0017] Figure 18 Is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal in a state where the internal pressure of the container is substantially equal to the external ambient air pressure.

[0018] Figure 19 Is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal in a state where the internal pressure of the container is less than the external ambient air pressure.

[0019] Figure 20It is a detailed cross-sectional view of a seal in a state where the internal pressure of the container is greater than the external ambient air pressure. Detailed implementation

[0020] Of course, it should be understood that the descriptions and drawings herein are illustrative only, and various modifications and changes can be made to the disclosed structures without departing from the present disclosure. For the purposes of illustration herein, spatial relative terms (such as "upper" and "lower", etc.) can be used to describe the relationship of one element and / or feature to another or more elements and / or features, such as as shown in the drawings of the present disclosure.

[0021] Now referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like components throughout several views, Figures 1 to 3 a container assembly 100 is shown, which container assembly includes a container 102 and an exemplary closure 104 complementary to the container according to the present disclosure. The container 102 can be configured to hold a desired substance, and specifically can be configured to hold the desired substance at a temperature above or below ambient temperature. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the container 102 is configured to be used as a beverage container and can correspond to or be similar to a bottle, jug, beer measure, vessel, glass bottle or similar beverage container. The container 102 can be formed of any material having the desired properties for a beverage container, such as stainless steel or a plastic formulation (e.g., a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer). In one aspect of the present disclosure, the container 102 can incorporate a double-wall construction, where the intervening space between the walls is substantially evacuated, such that the container is a vacuum-insulated container 102. Examples of suitable vacuum-insulated containers are commercially available from HYDRO FLASK (Bend, Oregon).

[0022] Container 102 includes a body portion 110 and a neck 112 having an opening 114 that provides an entrance to the interior 118 of the container 102. Closure 104 is convertible between an attached configuration and a detached configuration relative to container neck 112. Closure 104 (which may alternatively be referred to as a cap or lid) may include one or more suitable structures and components configured to provide a sealed closure for the opening 114 of container 102. By way of example, closure 104 may include a first securing element (i.e., first thread 120) complementary to a second securing element (i.e., second thread 122) disposed on neck 112. That is, the first thread may be configured to mate with the second thread such that closure 104 may be secured to neck 112 and thereby to opening 106 and against the opening. It should be understood that additional and / or alternative securing element configurations may be used to secure closure 104 against container 102, such as snap fits or crimps. In such cases, closure 104 and neck 112 of container 102 need not be circular. When closure 104 is secured to container 102, the contents of container assembly 100 are not likely to leak during normal handling and / or transportation. However, as further described below, the threaded connection does not form an airtight seal between closure 104 and neck 112 to allow gas venting and pressure equalization.

[0023] Additionally referring to Figure 4 , exemplary closure 104 includes an outer cap assembly 130, an inner cap assembly 132 secured to the outer cap assembly, and a seal 134 secured to the inner cap assembly. Outer cap assembly 130 may include an outer cap 140 and an optional cap member 142. Outer cap 140 includes a top wall 146 and an outer side wall 148 extending downwardly from the top wall. The inner surface 150 of outer side wall 148 includes a first thread 120. Cap member 142 having a shape complementary to outer cap 140 includes a top wall 154 and an outer side wall 156. The top wall may include an opening 158 for exposing a portion of top wall 146, which may be molded or cut out to provide an aesthetic, guiding, or functional interface for the user of container assembly 100. Cap member 142 is fixedly attached to the outer cap, e.g., cap member 142 may be overmolded onto outer cap 140. Each of outer cap 140 and cap member 142 may be formed of a plastic such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer. The outer side wall 156 of cap member 142 may further include a grippable and / or manipulable surface configured to assist in attaching and / or detaching closure 104 from container 102.

[0024] The inner lid assembly 132 is fixedly fastened within the outer lid assembly 130. According to the present disclosure, the inner lid assembly 132 includes an inner lid 170, an insulating member 172, an insert 174, and a support member 176. The inner lid 170 includes a bottom wall 180 and an inner side wall 182 extending upward from the bottom wall. Similar to the top wall 146, the bottom wall 180 may be molded or inset to provide an aesthetic, guiding, or functional interface for a user of the container assembly 100. The inner side wall 182 is offset from the outer side wall 156 of the outer lid 140 to define a space 186 between the outer lid 140 and the inner lid 170 for receiving the neck 112 of the container 102. As Figures 7 to 9 best depicted, at least one groove or channel is formed in the inner lid 170. In the present embodiment, the at least one groove includes a first groove or channel 190 and a second groove or channel 192 that communicates with the first groove or channel 190. The first groove or channel 190 is formed in the inner side wall 182 and extends circumferentially along the perimeter of the inner side wall relative to the longitudinal axis CA of the closure 104 (the longitudinal axis is best depicted in Figure 7 and Figure 8 ). The second groove or channel 192 is also formed in the inner side wall 182 and extends axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA that intersects the first groove or channel 190. More specifically, the inner side wall 182 includes a first upper portion 196 and a second lower portion 198. The second lower portion 198 is offset inwardly (i.e., in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis CA) from the first upper portion 196 to define a first upper ledge 200 and a second lower ledge 202. The second ledge may be slightly offset upward from the bottom wall 180 and forms a radial extension of the bottom wall 180 that extends beyond the second lower portion 198. The first groove or channel 190 is defined by the second lower portion 198 and the first and second ledges 200, 202. The cross-section of the second lower portion 198 may be convex inwardly to define the second groove or channel 192 (see Figure 9 ).

[0025] In Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8In the depicted embodiment, the spacer member 172 and the insert 174 are positioned within the inner cover 170. According to one aspect, the insulating member 172 includes a base 210 and a post 212 extending from the base. A first positioning feature 204 for a second recess or channel 192 may be formed in the base 210. The insert 174 is connected to the insulating member 172. The insert 174 includes an outer sidewall 220 having an upper section 222 and a lower section 224 that are complementary in shape to the upper portion 196 and the lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner cover 170. The insert 174 further includes an inner sidewall 226 connected to the outer sidewall 220. The inner sidewall 226 and the lower section 224 together define an internal hub having a bore 230 that is complementary in shape to the insulating member 172. This allows the insert 174 to be fitted or received onto the insulating member 172. As shown, a second positioning feature 232 of the second recess or channel 192 may be formed in the lower section 224 and is received by the first positioning feature 204 (see Figure 9 ). The insert 174 may be further provided with a plurality of spaced-apart reinforcing tabs 236 that interconnect the internal hub and the outer sidewall 220. Further shown, the support member 176 is received above the inner cover 170, specifically above the upper portion 196 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner cover 170. In the depicted aspect, the support member 176 is annular and has a sidewall 240 having an upper outwardly extending armrest 242 and a lower inwardly extending armrest 244. In the assembled state of the closure 104, the insulating member 172 is sandwiched between and covered by the top wall 146 of the outer cover 140 and the bottom wall 180 of the inner cover 170, where the base 210 contacts the bottom wall 180 and the post 212 contacts the top wall 146. Additionally, the distal end 250 of the reinforcing tab 236 is spaced from the upper portion 196 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner cover 170 to define an offset region 252 for positioning a flange 254 that overhangs from the top wall 146 of the outer cover 140.

[0026] A seal 134 is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck 112 of the container 102 and the closure 104 when the closure is attached to (i.e., threadedly connected to) the neck. With particular reference to Figures 4 to 6 , the seal 134 includes a seal sidewall 260 and an edge 262 extending inwardly from the seal sidewall, the edge 262 defining an opening 264. According to the depicted aspect, the seal sidewall 260 has an inverted U-shaped cross-section and includes an outer portion 270, an inner portion 272, and a top 274 interconnecting the outer and inner portions. The edge 262 extends inwardly from the lower free end of the inner portion 272. A circumferential shoulder 276 extends inwardly from the connected upper end of the inner portion 272. Additionally, at least one groove or channel 280 may be formed in the top 274, the at least one groove or channel 280 being relative to the longitudinal axis CA (seeFigure 7 and Figure 8 ) extend radially on the top. In the present disclosure, a pair of grooves or channels 280, 282 may be formed on the top 274, and the grooves or channels 280, 282 are angularly spaced apart from each other with respect to the longitudinal axis (e.g., diametrically spaced apart). In Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the interior 272 of the sealing sidewall 260 is fixed to the lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 170. The top 274 engages against the upper armrest 200 of the lower portion 198, and the lower armrest 202 of the lower portion 198 is received between the edge 262 and the shoulder 276. In addition, the edge 262 engages sealingly to the second lower armrest 202 of the bottom wall 180 of the inner lid 170, wherein the bottom wall 180 extends at least partially through the opening 264.

[0027] Each of the inner lid 170, the insert 174, and the support 176 may be formed of a plastic such as a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer. The insulating member 172 may comprise any suitable material, structure, or device configured to reduce heat transfer between the upper and lower surfaces of the insulating member. For example, the insulating member may include one or more plastics, which may be the same as or different from the plastics used for other components of the closure 104. In addition to introducing insulating materials, the insulating member 172 may include a plurality of internal voids or holes configured such that the space formed by the voids reduces heat transfer due to conduction through the material of the insulating member 172. The seal 134 may include any material that creates or enhances an airtight seal between the container 102 and the closure 104.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, the inner lid 170 together with the seal 134 defines an air passage 300 that provides fluid communication between a space 186 between the outer lid 140 and the inner lid 170 and an air opening 302 formed on the bottom wall 180 of the inner lid 170 and selectively covered by the edge 262 of the seal 134 (see Figure 8 ) (see Figure 9) As shown, the air opening 302 is formed from the second lower ledge 202 of the bottom wall 180 outside the lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182. Further depicted is a recessed portion 310 formed in the bottom wall near the air opening 302, which allows for easy removal of the seal 134 from the inner lid 170. According to this embodiment, the air passage 300 is defined by a first groove or channel 190 formed in the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 170 and covered by the seal 134 and a second groove or channel 192. The air passage 300 may also be defined by each of the grooves or channels 280, 282, which are optionally formed in the top 274 of the seal 134 and covered by the inner lid 170. More specifically, the air passage includes a first air passage and a second air passage. The first air passage extends circumferentially around the longitudinal axis CA and is formed by the first groove or channel 190 and the seal shoulder 276. The second air passage extends axially with respect to the longitudinal axis CA and is formed by the second groove or channel 192 and the seal shoulder 276. Due to the tolerance between the inner lid 140 and the seal 134 connected to the inner lid, ambient air can flow between the top 274 of the seal 134 and the first upper ledge 200 of the second lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 140. To facilitate this air flow, grooves or channels 280, 282 may be provided on the top 274. Thus, a third air passage extending radially with respect to the longitudinal axis CA may be formed by the top 274 of the inner lid 170 (and optionally each of the grooves or channels 280, 282) and the first upper ledge 200. The second air passage intersects the first air passage and the air opening 302, and the third air passage intersects the first air passage and is circumferentially spaced from the second air passage.

[0029] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 depicted, the lower ends or ledges 244 of the support 176 received above the upper portion 196 of the inner sidewall 182 each contact the top 274 of the seal 134 and may define the extensions of each of the grooves or channels 280, 282. In Figures 7 to 9In [the figure], the grooves or channels 280, 282 are angularly spaced from the second groove or channel 192 relative to the longitudinal axis CA. Similarly, the first groove or channel 190 extends circumferentially along the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 170, the second groove or channel 192 extends axially relative to the first groove or channel 190 relative to the longitudinal axis CA and terminates at the air opening 302, and the grooves or channels 280, 282 of the seal 134 extend radially from the first groove or channel 190 relative to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the inner dimension of the sealing sidewall 260 is smaller than the outer dimension of the lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182, such that when the seal 134 is assembled on the lower portion 198, the edge 262 is tensioned and biased against the second lower armrest 202 of the bottom wall 180 of the inner lid 170. This ensures that the air opening 302 is normally closed or sealed by the edge 262 of the seal 134.

[0030] Accordingly, the closure 104 is provided with an air passage 300 that permits air flow between the interior 118 of the container 102 and the labyrinth void formed by the threaded connection of the closure 104 and the container 102. When the container 102 is under pressure relative to the external ambient air pressure, the vacuum formed within the interior 118 lifts the portion of the edge 262 that covers the air opening 302, thereby permitting ambient air to flow through the air passage 300 and into the container through the air opening 302. Specifically, ambient air within the space 186 flows between the threaded connections, between the tops 274 (and optionally through each of the grooves or channels 280, 282) and the first upper flange 200 of the inner lid 170, enters and passes through the first groove or channel 190, enters and passes through the second groove or channel 192, and then enters and passes through the air opening 302. This permits the interior air pressure of the container 102 to equalize with the external ambient air pressure.

[0031] Figures 10 to 12Depicts another embodiment of an exemplary closure 350 for a container component 100. The closure 350 includes an outer lid assembly 130 having an outer lid 140 and a lid member 142, an inner lid 170 fixed to the outer lid 140, a seal 134 fixed to the inner lid 170, and an insulating member 356. The insulating member 356 is positioned within the inner lid 170. According to one aspect, the insulating member 356 includes a first cylindrical portion 360 having a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion 362 having a second smaller diameter positioned below the first cylindrical portion. As depicted, the first cylindrical portion 360 and the second cylindrical portion 362 are complementary in shape to corresponding upper 196 and lower 198 portions of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 170. Positioning features 366 for a second groove or passage 192 of the inner lid 170 may be formed in the second cylindrical portion 362. In the assembled state of the closure 104, the insulating member 356 is sandwiched between the top wall 146 of the outer lid 140 and the bottom wall 180 of the inner lid 170 and is covered by the top wall of the outer lid and the bottom wall of the inner lid, with the first cylindrical portion 360 in contact with the top wall 146 and the second cylindrical portion 362 in contact with the bottom wall 180. The insulating member 356 may be formed similarly to the insulating member 172.

[0032] Also refer to Figure 13 and Figure 14 , the seal 134 is mounted to the lower portion 198 of the inner sidewall 182 of the inner lid 170 and is provided to form a sealed connection between the neck 112 of the container 102 and the closure 350 when the closure is attached to (i.e., threadedly connected to) the neck. Similarly, the inner lid 170 and the seal 134 together define an air passage 300 that provides fluid communication between a space 186 between the outer lid 140 and the inner lid 170 and an air opening 302 formed in the bottom wall 180 of the inner lid 170 (see Figure 11 and 12 ). The air passage 300 includes a first air passage (i.e., a first groove or passage 190) that extends circumferentially about a longitudinal axis CA, a second air passage (i.e., a second groove or passage 192) that extends axially with respect to the longitudinal axis CA and intersects the first air passage and the air opening 302, and a third air passage (i.e., between the seal 134 and the inner lid 170 and optionally between grooves or passages 280, 282) that extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis CA, intersects the first air passage, and is circumferentially spaced from the second air passage. The closure 350 is adapted such that in a state where the internal pressure of the container 102 is greater than or equal to the external ambient air pressure, the air opening 302 is normally closed or sealed by an edge 262 of the seal 134 (see Figure 13)。The closure 350 is adapted such that in a state where the internal pressure of the container 102 is less than the external ambient air pressure, the portion of the edge 262 covering the air opening 302 is lifted (see Figure 14 ) and ambient air flows through the air passage 300, through the air opening 302 and into the container, again allowing the internal air pressure of the container to balance with the external ambient air pressure.

[0033] Figures 15 to 17 Depicts another embodiment of an exemplary closure 400 for a container assembly 100. The closure 400 includes an outer lid assembly 130 having an outer lid 140 and a lid member 142, an inner lid assembly 410 fixed to the outer lid 140, and a seal 414 fixed to the inner lid assembly. Similar to the previous embodiments, an insulating member (not shown) may be positioned within the inner lid assembly 410. According to the present disclosure, the inner lid assembly 410 includes an inner lid 420 and a support 426. The inner lid 420 includes an inner sidewall 430 and a bottom member 432. The inner sidewall 430 is offset from the outer sidewall 156 of the outer lid 140 to define a space 436 between the outer lid 140 and the inner lid 420 for receiving the neck 440 of a container 442, which may be similar to the container 102 having a double-wall construction.

[0034] As shown, the inner lid 420 has a first groove or channel 450 formed therein and a second groove or channel 452 in communication with the first groove or channel 450. The first groove or channel 450 is defined by a sidewall portion 456 that is offset inwardly (i.e., offset in the inward radial direction with respect to Figure 16 and Figure 17 the longitudinal axis CA of the closure 400 best depicted in) and is formed in the inner sidewall 430 and extends circumferentially along the perimeter of the inner sidewall 430 with respect to the longitudinal axis CA. The sidewall portion 456 defines an upper armrest 460 and a lower armrest 462. The bottom member 432 may be generally dish-shaped and includes a sidewall 464 and a bottom wall 466. The lower armrest 462 extends outwardly (i.e., in the outward radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis CA) and extends circumferentially along the perimeter of the sidewall 464. A recessed portion 470 is provided on the sidewall 464 of the bottom member 432, and an air opening 472 extends through the lower armrest 462 and into the recessed portion 470. The air opening 472 is in direct communication with the second groove or channel 452. In the depicted aspect, the support 426 is annular and has a sidewall 480 sized to be received on the inner sidewall 430 of the inner lid 420.

[0035] Similar to the seal 134 described above, the seal 414 includes a seal sidewall 492 and an edge 494 extending inwardly from the seal sidewall. According to the illustrated aspect, the seal sidewall 492 has an inverted U-shaped cross-section and includes an outer portion 496, an inner portion 498, and a top 502 interconnecting the outer and inner portions ( Figure 17 ). The edge 494 extends inwardly from the lower free end of the inner portion 498. A circumferential shoulder 506 extends inwardly from the connected upper end of the inner portion 498. A first groove or passage 450 is further defined by the shoulder 506 of the seal 414. In Figure 16 and Figure 17 , the seal 414 is fixed to the inner sidewall 430 of the inner lid 420, and the edge 494 is tensioned and biased against the sidewall 464 of the bottom member 422. Thus, in the case where the edge 494 sealingly engages the sidewall 464, the recessed portion 470 and the air opening 472 are generally enclosed or sealed by the seal 414.

[0036] Now referring to Figures 18 to 20 , similar to the previous embodiment, the inner lid 420 together with the seal 414 defines an air passage 520 providing fluid communication between the space 436 between the outer lid 140 and the inner lid 420 and the air opening 472 formed in the bottom member 422. The air passage 520 includes a first air passage (i.e., the first groove or passage 450) extending circumferentially about the longitudinal axis CA and a second air passage (i.e., the second groove or passage 452) extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis CA and intersecting the first air passage and the air opening 472. Similar to the previous embodiment, due to the tolerance between the inner lid 420 and the seal 414 connected thereto, an air flow can be formed between the top 502 of the seal 414 and the upper armrest 460 of the inner sidewall 430 of the inner lid 420. Thus, a third air passage extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis CA can be formed by the top 502 of the inner lid 420 and the upper armrest 460. The third air passage intersects the first air passage and the second air passage. Figure 18 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal 414 in a state where the internal pressure of the container 442 is substantially equal to the external ambient air pressure. As shown, the seal sidewall 492 sealingly engages the neck 440 of the container 442, and the edge 494 sealingly engages the sidewall 464 of the bottom member 422. The recessed portion 470 and thus the air opening 472 are covered and sealed by the edge 494. Figure 19It is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal 414 in a state where the predetermined internal pressure of the container 442 is less than the external ambient air pressure. In this state, the vacuum formed inside the container lifts the portion of the edge 494 that covers the recessed portion 470 and the air opening 472. This allows ambient air to flow through the air passage 520 described above, through the air opening 472, and into the container, thereby allowing the internal air pressure of the container to balance with the external ambient air pressure. In particular, after the edge 494 is lifted off the bottom member 422, the ambient air in the space 436 flows between the threaded connections, between the upper portions 502 of the seal 414 at the upper edge 460 of the inner lid 420, enters and passes through the first groove or channel 450, enters and passes through the second groove or channel 452, and enters and passes through the air opening 472 to reach the interior of the container. Figure 20 It is a detailed cross-sectional view of the seal 414 in a state where the predetermined internal pressure of the container 442 is greater than the external ambient air pressure. In this state, the portion of the edge 494 that covers the recessed portion 470 is at least partially deformed into the recessed portion, thereby lifting this portion of the edge 494 off the bottom member 422. This allows the air from inside the container to flow out of the air opening 472, through the air passage 520 described above, into the space 436, and from there to the surrounding environment, again allowing the internal air pressure of the container to balance with the external ambient air pressure.

[0037] It will be understood that the features and functions disclosed above, or their alternatives or variations, can desirably be combined into many other different systems or applications. In addition, those skilled in the art can subsequently make various substitutions, modifications, variations, or improvements that are currently unforeseen or unanticipated, and they are also intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A container closure, comprising: An outer lid, the outer lid including a top wall and an outer side wall extending downwardly from the top wall; An inner lid, the inner lid being fixed within the outer lid, the inner lid including a bottom wall and an inner side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the inner side wall being offset from the outer side wall to define a space for receiving a relevant neck of a relevant container between the outer lid and the inner lid; A seal, the seal being fixed to the inner lid, the seal including a seal side wall and an edge extending inwardly from the seal side wall, the seal side wall sealingly engaging the inner side wall and the edge sealingly overlapping the bottom wall; Wherein, the inner lid and the seal together define an air passage therebetween, the air passage being in fluid communication between the space between the outer lid and the inner lid and an air opening formed in the bottom wall of the inner lid and selectively covered by the edge.

2. The container closure according to claim 1, wherein the air passage is at least partially defined by at least one groove formed in the inner lid and covered by the seal.

3. The container closure according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one groove is a first groove formed in and along the perimeter of the inner side wall and a second groove formed in the inner side wall and intersecting the first groove.

4. The container closure according to claim 3, wherein, The air passage is at least partially defined by at least one passage formed in the seal and covered by the inner lid.

5. The container closure according to claim 4, wherein, The container closure defines a longitudinal axis, and the second groove is angularly spaced from the at least one passage relative to the longitudinal axis.

6. The container closure according to claim 4, wherein, The container closure defines a longitudinal axis, the at least one passage being a first passage and a second passage, the second passage being circumferentially spaced from the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis, and one of the first passage and the second passage intersecting the second groove.

7. The container closure according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one groove divides the inner side wall into an upper portion and a lower portion, and an inner dimension of the seal is smaller than an outer dimension of the lower portion such that when the seal is assembled on the lower portion, the edge is tensioned and biased against the bottom wall.

8. The container closure according to claim 1, wherein, The container closure defines a longitudinal axis, the air passage being defined by a first passage extending circumferentially along the inner lid and a second passage extending axially from the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis.

9. The container closure according to claim 8, wherein, The first passage extends circumferentially along the inner side wall and the second passage fluidly connects the first passage with the air opening in the bottom wall.

10. The container closure according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom wall includes a recessed portion, and the air opening is located in the recessed portion.

11. The container closure according to claim 1, which is combined with a container, the container includes a neck, and the container closure is capable of being converted between an attached configuration and a separated configuration relative to the neck, wherein, The edge is configured to be lifted off the bottom wall when a predetermined internal air pressure of the container is less than an external ambient air pressure, thereby allowing ambient air to flow through the air passage and enter the container through the air opening to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure.

12. The container closure according to claim 11, wherein, The bottom wall includes a recessed portion and the air opening is located in the recessed portion, and the edge is configured to at least partially deform into the recessed portion when the predetermined internal air pressure of the container is greater than the external ambient air pressure, allowing internal air to flow out to the surrounding environment through the air opening and through the air passage to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure.

13. The container closure according to claim 1, which is combined with a container, the container includes a neck, and the container closure is capable of being converted between an attached configuration and a separated configuration relative to the neck, wherein, When the predetermined internal air pressure of the container is greater than the external ambient air pressure, the edge is configured to be lifted off the bottom wall, thereby allowing internal air to flow out through the air opening and through the air passage to the surrounding environment to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure.

14. The container closure according to claim 13, wherein, The bottom wall includes a recessed portion and the air opening is located in the recessed portion, and the edge is configured to at least partially deform into the recessed portion when the predetermined internal air pressure of the container is greater than the external ambient air pressure.

15. A container assembly, comprising: A container, the container including a body portion and a neck having a mouth; And A container closure that is convertible between an attached configuration and a detached configuration relative to the neck, wherein the container closure includes: An outer cap, the outer cap including a top wall and a lateral wall extending downward from the top wall; An inner cap fixed within the outer cap, the inner cap including a bottom wall and a medial wall extending upward from the bottom wall, the medial wall being offset from the lateral wall to define a space therebetween for receiving the neck of the container; A seal fixed to the inner cap and forming a sealed connection between the neck and the closure when the closure is attached to the neck, the seal including a sealed lateral wall and an edge extending inward from the sealed lateral wall, the edge sealingly engaging the bottom wall, wherein the inner cap and the seal together define an air passage therebetween that is in fluid communication between the space between the outer cap and the inner cap and an air opening formed in the bottom wall of the inner cap and selectively covered by the edge, wherein the edge is configured to be lifted off the bottom wall when a vacuum is formed within the container, thereby allowing ambient air to flow through the air passage and through the air opening into the container to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure, wherein the bottom wall includes a recessed portion and the air opening is located in the recessed portion, wherein the edge is configured to at least partially deform into the recessed portion when the predetermined internal air pressure of the container is greater than the external ambient air pressure, the deformation of the edge lifting the edge off the bottom wall, thereby allowing internal air to pass through the air opening and through the air passage to the surrounding environment to balance the internal air pressure of the container and the external ambient air pressure.

16. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein, The air passage is at least partially defined by a first groove and a second groove, the first groove formed in the medial wall and formed along the perimeter of the medial wall, the second groove formed in the medial wall and intersecting the first groove and the air opening, the seal covering each of the first groove and the second groove.

17. The container assembly according to claim 16, wherein, The air passage is at least partially defined by at least one channel formed in the seal and covered by the inner cap, the at least one channel intersecting the first groove.

18. The container assembly according to claim 15, wherein the container defines a longitudinal axis, and the air passage includes a first air passage extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and a second air passage extending axially relative to the longitudinal axis and intersecting the first air passage and the air opening.

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