Container

Abstract

Containers and methods of making them are disclosed. The containers comprise a closure system comprising a fixed element and a removable closure element. The containers may be constructed to improve sanitary conditions of the dispensing portion and allow for easier opening with the ability to be reclosed, over a conventional container.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container body having an opening positioned at a first end portion and surrounded by an edge portion; and   a closure system, comprising:
 a removable closure element; 
 a fixed element comprising a dispensing portion constructed and arranged to be mated with the removable closure element and having an edge portion opposite the dispensing portion; and 
 a sealing portion having an outer flange and an inner flange, the outer flange crimped to the edge portion of the container body, and the inner flange crimped to the edge portion of the fixed element. 
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed element comprises a dispensing portion positioned above the edge portion of the container body. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inner flange and the edge portion of the fixed element form a seam. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange and the edge portion of the container body form a seam. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inner flange is curved around the edge portion of the fixed element. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the outer flange is curved around the edge portion of the container body. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion comprises an opening having a pre-determined cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the sealing portion is an annular ring. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein a cross-section of the sealing portion is S-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer flange of the sealing portion is positioned higher than the inner flange of the sealing portion. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion is made of a material that is the same as the container body. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the material is aluminum. 
   
   
       13 . A closure system for a container comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a dispensing portion and an edge portion opposite the dispensing portion; and   a sealing portion having an outer flange and an inner flange, the inner flange crimped to the edge portion of the fixed element.   
   
   
       14 . The closure system of  claim 13 , further comprising a removable closure element. 
   
   
       15 . The closure system of  claim 14 , wherein the dispensing portion is constructed and arranged to be mated with the removable closure element. 
   
   
       16 . The closure system of  claim 13 , wherein the inner flange and the edge portion of the fixed element form a seam. 
   
   
       17 . The closure system of  claim 16 , wherein the outer flange is constructed and arranged to be crimped to an edge portion of a container body of the container. 
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the inner flange is curved around the edge portion of the fixed element. 
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the outer flange is constructed and arranged to be curved around the edge portion of the container body. 
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the outer flange of the sealing portion is positioned higher than the inner flange of the sealing portion. 
   
   
       21 . A method of making a closure system for mating to a container body comprising:
 providing a fixed element having an edge portion;   providing a sealing portion having an inner flange and an outer flange constructed and arranged to be crimped to an edge portion of the container body; and   crimping an edge portion of the fixed element to the inner flange of the sealing portion.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein crimping the edge portion of the fixed element to the inner flange of the sealing portion comprises curling the inner flange around the edge portion of the fixed element to form a first seam. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising flattening the first seam to form a hermetic seal. 
   
   
       24 . A method of facilitating sealing of a filled container body of a container comprising:
 providing a closure system comprising:
 a fixed element comprising a dispensing portion and an edge portion opposite the dispensing portion; and 
 a sealing portion comprising an inner flange crimped to the edge portion of the fixed element and an outer flange constructed and arranged to be crimped to an edge portion of a container body. 
   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the step of providing further comprises providing a removable closure element constructed and arranged to be mated to the dispensing portion.