Apparatus and method allowing for gas flow into and/or out of container assemblies

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method and apparatus allowing for gas flow into and/or out of a container assembly. The container assembly comprises a container having a sealing surface, and a cap having a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the container, the cap, or both is prepared by either being made of a coarse texture or polished so that the sealing surface of the container and the cap may cooperate with one another to form a seal, yet allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly, as required.

1 . A method for controlling gas flow into or out of a container assembly that is comprised of a cap and a container, the container and the cap each having a sealing surface and the sealing surfaces cooperating with one another; the method comprising steps of: 
 preparing the texture of at least one of a group consisting of the sealing surface of the cap and the sealing surface of the container, and    adjusting the texture to allow for a sufficient amount of gas to flow into or out of the container assembly as required.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein only the sealing surface of the cap is prepared.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein only the sealing surface of the container is prepared.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein both the sealing surface of the container and the sealing surface of the cap are prepared.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the group consisting of the sealing surface of the cap and the sealing swine of the container is prepared to have a surface ranging from about high. gloss polish to a coarse surface.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the surface may be prepared to have a texture ranging from 1201 E. to 3104 E., or a texture ranging from DME 1 to DME 4.  
     
     
         7 . A container assembly comprising: 
 a container including a sealing surface;    a cap including a sealing surface;    wherein the sealing swine of at least one of a group consisting of the container and the cap is prepared to have a desired texture, and wherein the sealing surface of the container and the cap cooperate with one another to allow for a substantial seal and to allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly as required.    
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 7  wherein only the sealing surface of the container is prepared.  
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 7  wherein only the sealing surface of the cap is prepared.  
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 7  wherein the sealing surface of both the container and the cap are prepared.  
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 7  wherein the container includes a base and a neck, a portion of the neck being the sealing surface of the container; and wherein the cap includes a protrusion, at least a portion of the protrusion being the sealing surface of the cap.  
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 11  wherein the cooperation of the sealing surfaces temporarily deforms a shape of at least one of a group consisting of the cap and the neck, and forms a seal between the cap and the container; and wherein an extent of said b deformation can be limited by contact etween stopping surfaces blocking tighter engagement of the cap with the container.  
     
     
         13 - 20  (Cancelled).