Metal container and end closure with seal

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include food and beverage packaging utilizing heat seal technology, and specifically include food and beverage containers with end closures having seals or liners and snap-fit closure mechanisms. In some embodiments, the food and beverage containers and the end closures are metal. In further embodiments, the food and beverage containers include a domed portion on the bottom closed end. The end closures can snap onto the food and beverage containers such that the packaging is reclosable. Moreover, the sealed packaging with reclosable features can retain a variety of internal pressures including pressures higher than possible with the heat seal alone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metallic container and reclosable lid, comprising:
 the metallic container, comprising:
 a sidewall have an upper end and a lower end; 
 a closed bottom end extending from the lower end of the sidewall; 
 an opening at the upper end opposite the closed bottom end; and 
 a container curl around a perimeter of the upper end; 
   the reclosable lid, comprising:
 a central panel with an upper surface and a bottom surface, the central panel being substantially flat; 
 a substantially vertical portion extending downwardly from a perimeter of the central panel; 
 a lid curl extending outwardly from a lower end of the substantially vertical portion and extending around a circumference of the reclosable lid; and 
 a liner operably interconnected to the bottom surface of the central panel, the liner having a securing bead, wherein the securing bead is operatable to engage the container curl to secure the reclosable lid to the metallic container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the liner has a pull ring that extends from a portion of a perimeter of the liner and extends out beyond a perimeter of the closure. 
     
     
         3 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 2 , wherein the liner is pliable, the securing bead is pliable, and the pull ring is pliable. 
     
     
         4 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is pliable and the securing bead is pliable. 
     
     
         5 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic container further comprises a domed portion in the closed bottom end. 
     
     
         6 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 5 , wherein the metallic container further comprises a well extending downwardly from the lower end of the sidewall, the well having an interior wall interconnected on an upper end to a perimeter of the domed portion. 
     
     
         7 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosable lid has a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the liner. 
     
     
         8 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosable lid is formed of a metallic material. 
     
     
         9 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic container further comprises a neck between proximate to the upper end of the sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 1 , wherein a free end of the lid curl is proximate to the substantially vertical portion of the reclosable lid. 
     
     
         11 . A metallic reclosable lid to seal a container, comprising:
 a central panel with an upper surface and a bottom surface, the central panel being substantially flat;   a substantially vertical portion extending downwardly from a perimeter of the central panel;   a curl extending outwardly from a lower end of the substantially vertical portion and extending around a circumference of the metallic reclosable lid; and   a liner attached to the bottom surface of the central panel, the liner having a securing bead around at least a portion of a perimeter of the liner and a pull ring.   
     
     
         12 . The metallic reclosable lid of  claim 11 , wherein the securing bead is configured to engage a peripheral curl of the container to secure the metallic reclosable lid to the container. 
     
     
         13 . The metallic reclosable lid of  claim 11 , wherein the pull ring extends outwardly beyond a perimeter of the curl. 
     
     
         14 . The metallic reclosable lid of  claim 11 , wherein the liner is pliable, the securing bead is pliable, and the pull ring is pliable. 
     
     
         15 . The metallic reclosable lid of  claim 11 , further comprising an indentation in the liner to strengthen the liner. 
     
     
         16 . A metallic container and reclosable lid, comprising:
 the metallic container, comprising:
 a sidewall having an upper end and a lower end; 
 a closed bottom end extending from the lower end of the sidewall; 
 an opening at the upper end opposite the closed bottom end; and 
 a container curl around a perimeter of the upper end; 
   the reclosable lid, comprising:
 a central panel with an upper surface and a bottom surface, wherein the central panel is substantially flat; 
 a substantially vertical portion extending downwardly from a perimeter of the central panel; 
 a lid curl extending outwardly from a lower end of the substantially vertical portion and extending around a circumference of the metallic reclosable lid; and 
 a liner operably interconnected to the bottom surface of the central panel, the liner having a securing bead. 
   
     
     
         17 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 16 , wherein the liner has a pull ring that extends from a portion of a perimeter of the liner and extends out beyond a perimeter of the lid. 
     
     
         18 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 13 , wherein the liner is pliable, the securing bead is pliable, and the pull ring is pliable. 
     
     
         19 . The metallic container and reclosable lid of  claim 16 , wherein the securing bead engages the container curl to secure the metallic reclosable lid to the metallic container.