Expandable closure for use in hot fill containers

Abstract

A closure for a hot-filled container may have a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at the outer diameter, the roof having: a plurality of substantially flat concentric panels elevated from the top side of the base, wherein each panel is elevated from the next outermost adjacent panel by a sidewall; and a substantially flat center coupled to an inner diameter of an innermost substantially flat panel and elevated therefrom

1 . A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
 a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and   a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
 a plurality of substantially flat concentric panels elevated from said top side of said base, wherein each panel is elevated from the next outermost adjacent panel by a sidewall; and 
 a substantially flat center coupled to an inner diameter of an innermost substantially flat panel and elevated therefrom. 
   
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is plastic. 
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled. 
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts such that said roof is substantially flat. 
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts such that said roof is concave. 
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting as a result of a vacuum being applied to the panels. 
   
   
       7 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels contracts when external pressure is applied to the closure. 
   
   
       8 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of substantially flat concentric panels are for contracting such that said roof contacts the contents of the container. 
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the closure is for changing color according to a temperature change in the contents of the container. 
   
   
       10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is substantially circular. 
   
   
       11 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein said base is threaded. 
   
   
       12 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters. 
   
   
       13 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering a portion of an outermost substantially flat concentric panel.   
   
   
       14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein said over-cap is metal. 
   
   
       15 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof. 
   
   
       16 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit. 
   
   
       17 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads. 
   
   
       18 . A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
 a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and   a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
 at least one area of a first thickness; and 
 at least one area of a second thickness. 
   
   
   
       19 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein said areas of said first and second thicknesses are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled. 
   
   
       20 . The closure of  claim 18 , wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters. 
   
   
       21 . The closure of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering an outermost portion of said roof.   
   
   
       22 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein said over-cap is metal. 
   
   
       23 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof. 
   
   
       24 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit. 
   
   
       25 . The closure of  claim 21 , wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads. 
   
   
       26 . A closure for a hot-filled container comprising:
 a base adapted to be coupled to the container, the base having a bottom side and a top side; and   a roof having an outer diameter, the roof being coupled to the top side of the base at said outer diameter, the roof having:
 at least one area comprised of a first material; and 
 at least one area comprised of a second material, 
   wherein said first and second materials have different deflection rates at a given temperature.   
   
   
       27 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein said areas of said first and second materials are for contracting when the closure is attached to a container that has been hot-filled. 
   
   
       28 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein the diameter of the closure is between 48 millimeters and 120 millimeters. 
   
   
       29 . The closure of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 an over-cap substantially surrounding said base and covering an outermost portion of said roof.   
   
   
       30 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein said over-cap is metal. 
   
   
       31 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein said over-cap is plastic having a heat deflection temperature higher than a heat deflection temperature of said roof. 
   
   
       32 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein said over-cap is coupled to said base via a press-fit. 
   
   
       33 . The closure of  claim 26 , wherein said base includes exterior threads, and where said over-cap is coupled to said base via said exterior threads.