Composite closure with barrier end panel

Abstract

Composite closures for plastic containers are disclosed. The composite closures include an end panel with oxygen barrier properties. The liner includes a sealing liner or gasket for sealing engagement with a container finish.

1 . A composite closure cap for a container comprising: 
 an end panel disk made substantially of one or more plastic materials and having oxygen barrier properties, said disk including upper and lower surfaces, and a central portion and an outer peripheral portion terminating in an outer edge;    a shell including a cylindrical, downwardly extending skirt and an annular top flange overlying and in contact with the upper surface of said outer peripheral portion of said disk;    a sealing liner on at least the outer peripheral portion of said lower surface of said disk.    
   
   
       2 . The composite closure of  claim 1  wherein said disk comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one of said sheets is made at least in part from a material that is a substantial barrier to oxygen.  
   
   
       3 . The composite closure of  claim 2  wherein said disk includes top, middle and bottom sheets, wherein at least one of said top or middle sheets is made at least in part from a material that is a barrier to oxygen.  
   
   
       4 . The composite closure if  claim 3  wherein said disk comprises a top layer made at least in part of polypropylene or copolymer thereof, a middle sheet made at least in part of EVOH, and a bottom sheet made at least in part of polypropylene or copolymer thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The composite closure of  claim 3  wherein said disk comprises a top sheet made at least in part of a material that is a barrier to oxygen, said bottom sheet is made at least in part of polypropylene or copolymer thereof, and said middle sheet is made of a material selected to adhere to said top and bottom sheets.  
   
   
       6 . The composite closure of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said sheets includes an oxygen scavenger.  
   
   
       7 . The composite closure of  claim 1  wherein said flange defines a central opening in said shell.  
   
   
       8 . The composite closure of  claim 1  further including a panel overlying and being spaced from said inner portion of said central portion of said end panel disk.  
   
   
       9 . The composite closure of  claim 8  wherein said overlying panel is integrally formed with said shell.  
   
   
       10 . The composite closure of  claim 9  wherein said overlying panel is joined to said flange by a plurality of annularly spaced connecting arms.  
   
   
       11 . The composite closure of  claim 1  wherein said skirt includes at least one preformed thread on the inner circumferential surface of said skirt.  
   
   
       12 . The composite closure of  claim 1  including at least one preformed thread and a preformed bead on the inner circumferential surface of said skirt, wherein said bead is spaced above the upper terminal end of said thread.  
   
   
       13 . The composite closure of  claim 12  wherein said bead is continuous.  
   
   
       14 . The composite closure of  claim 12  wherein said bead extends for less than 360°.  
   
   
       15 . The composite closure of  claim 12  wherein said preformed bead is non-continuous.  
   
   
       16 . The composite closure of  claim 12  wherein said the outside diameter of said end panel disk is greater than the diameter of said preformed bead.  
   
   
       17 . The composite closure of  claim 1  including a plurality of annularly spaced vents in said flange.  
   
   
       18 . A composite closure cap for a container comprising: 
 an end panel disk made substantially of one or more plastic materials and having oxygen barrier properties, said disk including a upper and lower surfaces, and a central portion and an outer peripheral portion terminating in an outer edge;    a shell including a cylindrical, downwardly extending skirt including an annular top flange including a top surface a bottom surface and a radially inner surface between said top and bottom surfaces, said flange overlying at least the outer peripheral portion of said disk such that said bottom surface of said flange is in contact with the upper surface of said outer peripheral portion of said disk;    wherein at least part of said disk upper surface is exposed to the outside environment; and    a sealing liner on at least the outer peripheral portion of said lower surface of said disk.    
   
   
       19 . The composite closure of  claim 18  including a panel overlying said inner portion of said central portion of said end panel disk.  
   
   
       20 . The composite closure of  claim 19  wherein said overlying panel is integrally formed with said shell.  
   
   
       21 . The composite closure of  claim 19  wherein said overlying panel is joined to said flange by a plurality of annularly spaced connecting arms.  
   
   
       22 . The composite closure of  claim 18  including a plurality of annularly spaced vents in said flange.  
   
   
       23 . The composite closure of  claim 22  wherein said vents are located on said radially innermost surface of said flange.  
   
   
       24 . The composite closure of  claim 22  wherein said vents are located in said top surface of said flange.  
   
   
       25 . A composite closure cap for a container comprising: 
 a shell including a downwardly extending skirt portion and an annular top flange, said flange including a top surface and a bottom surface wherein at least said bottom surface of said flange has a generally C-shaped profile whereby said flange bottom surface includes a radially inner downwardly extending inner portion, a radially outer downwardly extending portion and a curved portion between said radially inner and outer portions;    said end panel disk made substantially of one or more plastic materials and having oxygen barrier properties, said disk including upper and lower surfaces, and a central portion and an outer peripheral portion terminating in a free edge, wherein said outer peripheral portion of said disk is substantially conformed to and in contact with at least said downwardly extending and curved top portions of said flange bottom surface; and    a sealing liner on at least the outer peripheral portion of said lower surface of said disk where said disk is substantially conformed to said radially downwardly extending and curved top portions of said flange bottom surface.    
   
   
       26 . The composite closure of  claim 25  wherein said disk comprises a plurality of layers and wherein at least one of said layers is made at least in part from a material that is a barrier to oxygen.  
   
   
       27 . The composite closure of  claim 25  wherein said disk includes a top, middle and bottom layers wherein at least one of said top or middle layers is made at least in part from a material that is a substantial barrier to oxygen.  
   
   
       28 . The composite closure of  claim 27  wherein said disk comprises a top layer made at least in part of a polypropylene or copolymer thereof, a middle sheet made at least in part of EVOH, and a bottom sheet made at least in part of a polypropylene or copolymer thereof.  
   
   
       29 . The composite closure of  claim 25  wherein said flange top surface has a generally C-shaped profile, whereby said top surface includes a radially inner downwardly extending inner portion, a radially outer downwardly extending portion and a curved portion between said radially inner and outer portions.  
   
   
       30 . The composite closure of  claim 29  including a plurality of annularly spaced vents in said flange.  
   
   
       31 . The composite closure of  claim 30  wherein said vents comprise openings in between said bottom and top surfaces of said flange.  
   
   
       32 . The composite closure of  claim 31  wherein said vents are located between said curved and radially outer portions of said flange top and bottom surfaces.  
   
   
       33 . The composite closure of  claim 25  wherein said gasket is made of a material selected to sealingly engage a container finish made of a material that is susceptible to shrinkage during cooling following exposure to temperatures in excess of 220° F.  
   
   
       34 . The composite closure of  claim 25  wherein said gasket is made of a material selected to adhere to a container finish made of a polyethylene terephthalate.  
   
   
       35 . A method of making a composite closure cap comprising: 
 molding an outer plastic shell including a cylindrical skirt and an annular top flange, said skirt defining a central mouth and said flange having a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally C-shaped cross-section profile whereby said bottom surface includes a radially downwardly extending inner portion, a radially downwardly outer portion, a curved portion between said radially inner and outer portions;    providing a circular disk having a top surface and a bottom surface, said disk including a central portion and a outer peripheral portion;    applying a sealant material to at least the outer peripheral portion of said disk bottom surface;    introducing said disk into said shell through said central mouth.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  comprising providing a generally flat, flexible circular disk.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising providing an area of weakening in said disk between said disk central portion and said outer peripheral portion.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  comprising providing said area of weakening in said disk by forming a notch in said disk between said central portion and said outer peripheral portion.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37  comprising pressing said outer peripheral portion of said disk against said flange to substantially conform said outer peripheral portion to the shape of said inner radial and top portions of said flange bottom surface.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 35  comprising providing a disk having a central portion and outer peripheral portion, said outer peripheral portion having a generally C-shaped cross-section and including a radially inner, downwardly extending surface and a radially outer curved surface.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  comprising thermoforming said disk to provide disk having an outer peripheral portion with a generally C-shaped cross-section, including a radially inner, downwardly extending surface and a curved surface.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  comprising applying said sealant prior to said thermoforming.  
   
   
       43 . A composite closure cap for a container comprising: 
 an end panel disc substantially made of one or more plastic materials and having oxygen barrier properties;    a plastic ring including a downwardly extending skirt and upper radially inwardly extending flange, said flange overlying the outer periphery of said disc;    a sealant applied to the bottom surface of said disc.    
   
   
       44 . The composite closure of  claim 43  wherein said sealant is applied to the outer peripheral portion of said disc bottom surface as a gasket.  
   
   
       45 . The composite closure of  claim 43  wherein said end panel comprises a single sheet of one or more plastic materials.