Glass Closure Package Sealing Elevated Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass container packages are not adequately suited for elevated temperature applications such as hot-fill and retort processes, as they lack effective sealing and securement mechanisms that can withstand high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A closure and container package design featuring a glass container with an annular neck and a non-rotatable plastic or rubber finish, paired with an annular plastic skirt that removably secures a glass closure, utilizing internal and external thread segments or snap-fit features for secure sealing, and a radially inwardly directed flange for enhanced sealing engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a glass container with glass lid and metal cover is used, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a glass closure for sealing, a plastic skirt for removable attachment, and a finish with attachment features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall assembly and disassembly process compared to integrated metal covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a plastic skirt and finish that can be removed and replaced, suggesting a design where the plastic components serve as disposable or easily replaceable elements to protect the more valuable glass components and enable efficient repackaging or reclosure operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional sealing mechanisms are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability at elevated temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system combines glass (closure) with plastic materials (skirt and finish) that have been selected for their thermal properties. This composite approach allows the sealing interface to withstand elevated temperatures through hot-fill and retort processes while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard plastic molding techniques for the skirt and finish components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the sealing interface parameters by incorporating specific attachment features (threads, snap-fit mechanisms, bayonet features) that maintain sealing integrity under thermal stress. The plastic components are designed with specific geometric parameters that enable reliable sealing at elevated temperatures while remaining manufacturable using conventional processes.
3Ease of operation
If a removable closure system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability at elevated temperatures worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is designed with dynamic attachment and detachment capabilities through the plastic skirt and finish combination. The skirt can be easily removed and reattached to the finish using simple operational mechanisms (threading, snapping, or bayonet engagement), providing ease of operation while maintaining sealing reliability through proper design of the attachment features to prevent leakage during thermal processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A closure, and container package (10) mclwtes a glass container (12) having an open mouth surrounded by an annular neck ( 14), An annular finish (20) has at least one external attachment feature (24) and is non-rotatably secured to the neck of container. An annular skirt (32) has at least one Internal attachment feature (36) for removable securement to the finish and a glass closure (40) has a circular per?phery (42) coupled to the skirt such that the skirt removably mount the glass closure to the glass container. The finish can be of plastic or rubber, and the skirt preferably has a radially inwardly directed flange. The circular periphery of the glass closure preferably has a peripheral edge captured between the flange and a retention feature est the skirt. The peripheral edge of the glass closure preferably is annular and planar.