Perfect seal canning lid device and system

Abstract

A reusable canning lid device and system for a canning container includes a plastic lid, a seal, and a band. The lid or band includes a raised portion such that the seal is not circumferentially equal in compressed communication which allows relief of pressure built up in a typical pressure canning, water bath, or vacuum sealing application. This makes it safe to the risk of overpressure and scalding. It is an important advance in the technology of canning and other applications of pressure control in thermal situations. Safety is very important to a typical canner who has limited capability to prevent explosive pressures from building up due to steam pressure expansion and high forces causing container bursts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reuseable canning lid device comprising:
 a lid made of a plastic material; and   at least one raised portion on said lid adapted to provide a non-equal sealing force when affixed by a fastening device to a canning container.   
     
     
         2 . A reusable canning lid system comprising:
 a lid made of a plastic material;   a band adapted to mate with a canning container; and   at least one raised portion on said band adapted to provide non-equal sealing force on a lid when affixed to a canning container.   
     
     
         3 . A reusable canning lid device or system as set forth in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said at least one raised portion includes at least one sloping edge adapted to provide for planarity of a sealing surface of the lid to the canning container. 
     
     
         4 . A reusable canning lid device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said plastic material is BPA free. 
     
     
         5 . A reusable canning lid device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said plastic material is of a food grade type. 
     
     
         6 . A reusable canning lid device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said band is made of a metal material and/or a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . A reusable canning lid device comprising:
 a plastic lid; and   at least one thinned portion on said lid with a first portion of nominal thickness and a second portion thinner than said first portion and adapted to allow flexure when under pressure when affixed by a fastening device to a surface of a canning container.   
     
     
         8 . A reusable canning lid device comprising:
 a plastic lid; and   at least one indicator used in connection with said lid to provide a reference when loosening a band on a canning container.   
     
     
         9 . A reuseable canning lid system for a canning container comprising:
 a plastic lid adapted to close an opening of the canning container;   a seal adapted for forming a vacuum seal between said lid and the canning container;   a band adapted to be affixed to the canning container;   wherein said lid includes a non-thinned portion to receive pressure from said band and a thinned portion adapted to provide access for said seal, whereby said seal is compressed between said lid and an edge of the opening of the canning container from pressure applied by said band; and   wherein said seal is not circumferentially equal in compressed communication with said raised portion to allow a relief of pressure built up in a typical pressure canning, water bath, or vacuum sealing application.   
     
     
         10 . A reusable canning lid system comprising:
 a lid adapted to close an opening of a canning container;   a seal cooperating with said lid and adapted for forming a seal between said lid and the canning container;   a band cooperating with said lid and adapted to be affixed to the canning container; and   wherein said lid includes at least one thinned portion adapted to provide a non-equal sealing force on said seal when affixed by said band to the canning container.   
     
     
         11 . A reusable canning lid system comprising:
 a lid adapted to close an opening of a canning container;   a seal cooperating with said lid and adapted for forming a seal between said lid and the canning container; and   a band cooperating with said lid and adapted to provide a non-equal sealing force on said seal when affixed to the canning container.   
     
     
         12 . A reusable canning lid system as set forth in  claim 9 ,  10 , or  11  including a plurality of lids that are stackable one on the other. 
     
     
         13 . A reusable canning lid system as set forth in  claim 9 ,  10 , or  11 , wherein said lid and seal are integral. 
     
     
         14 . A reusable canning lid system as set forth in  claim 9 ,  10 , or  11 , wherein said lid has integral indexing features. 
     
     
         15 . A method of venting internal pressure when an outside of a solid vessel is heated, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a lid, a seal, and a band, the lid having at least one portion which contacts the band and at least one lower portion not in contact with the band;   contacting the solid vessel with the seal;   contacting the seal with the lid; and   contacting the lid and the solid vessel with the band to hold the lid in place to the solid vessel.   
     
     
         16 . A method of venting internal pressure when an outside of a solid vessel is heated, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a lid, a seal, and a band, the band having at least one raised portion which contacts the lid and at least one recessed portion not in contact with the lid;   contacting the solid vessel with the seal;   contacting the seal with the lid; and   contacting the lid and the solid vessel with the band to hold the lid in place to the solid vessel.   
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said lid is metal. 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said lid is plastic. 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said band is metal. 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said band is plastic. 
     
     
         21 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said band includes at least one thread adapted to threadably engage the solid vessel. 
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said band includes at least one snap adapted to snap on the solid vessel. 
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  or  16 , wherein said lid includes at least one indicator to allow for visual gauging of an amount of loosening of said band on the solid vessel. 
     
     
         24 . A canning lid kit comprising:
 a lid, a seal, and a band, the lid having at least one portion which contacts the band and at least one lower portion not in contact with the band.   
     
     
         25 . A canning lid kit comprising:
 a lid, a seal, and a band, the band having at least one raised portion which contacts the lid and at least one recessed portion not in contact with the lid.   
     
     
         26 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said lid is metal. 
     
     
         27 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said lid is plastic. 
     
     
         28 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said band is metal. 
     
     
         29 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said band is plastic. 
     
     
         30 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said band includes at least one thread adapted to threadably engage the solid vessel. 
     
     
         31 . A canning lid kit as set forth in  claim 24  or  25 , wherein said band includes at least one snap adapted to snap on the solid vessel.