Sealable containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to containers and methods suitable for uses such as liquid hot-fill processes. More specifically the invention relates a containers having gas permeable vents with an integral sealing means that is externally activatable by non-mechanical means to effect hermetic sealing of the containers after filling.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for hot-filling and sealing a container comprising the steps of:
 i. providing a container comprising:
 a container body formed by a container wall defining an interior space and an exterior environment; wherein the container body comprises a closable opening, a container closure mated to the closable opening and a gas permeable vent component, comprising a porous material providing gaseous communication between the interior space of the container body and the exterior environment, wherein the vent component further comprises a vent component sealing composition and an energy absorbing layer that is externally activatable by an electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing; 
   ii. filling the container with hot liquid;   iii. allowing the hot liquid to cool; and   iv. externally activating the energy absorbing layer with the electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gas permeable vent component is disposed within the container closure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gas permeable vent component is disposed within in the container wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous material comprises a porous membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous material has a pore diameter in the range of 0.01 μm to 350 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous material has a pore diameter in the range of 5 μm to 40 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vent component sealing composition comprises a porous fusible material. 
     
     
         9 . The sealable container of  claim 8  wherein the porous fusible material is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the thermoplastic is a hot-melt adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the gas permeable vent component further comprises a non-fusible porous matrix or membrane disposed directly above or below and in intimate contact with the porous fusible material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the vent component further comprises an energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vent component has a laminate structure comprising a first porous matrix and a second porous matrix, wherein the vent component sealing composition is interposed there between. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic induction source has a frequency from 5 kHz to 100 GHz. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic induction source has a frequency from 800 MHz to 900 MHz. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the porous material comprises a first porous matrix, the vent component sealing composition comprises a second porous matrix and wherein the vent component has a laminate structure comprising the first porous matrix, the second porous matrix and a porous metal foil disposed there between such that the first porous matrix and the second porous matrix maintain intimate contact with the porous metallic foil. 
     
     
         17 . A method for hot-filling and sealing a container comprising the steps of:
 i. providing a container comprising:
 a container body formed by a container wall defining an interior space and an exterior environment; wherein the container body comprises a threaded closable opening, a threaded container cap having interior top surface and interior annular surface wherein the threaded container cap is mated to the closable opening; and a gas permeable vent in the form of a ring sized and positioned within the threaded container cap such that it is in contact with the interior top surface and interior annular surface of the container cap, wherein the gas permeable vent comprises a porous material and a vent sealing composition and an energy absorbing layer that is externally activatable by an electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing; 
   ii. filling the container with hot liquid;   iii. allowing the hot liquid to cool; and   iv. externally activating the energy absorbing layer with the electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the vent sealing composition comprises a hot-melt adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the container further comprises a layer of metallic foil or film disposed within the threaded container cap between the interior top surface and the gas permeable vent such that the metallic foil or film maintains in intimate contact with the interior top surface of the container cap and with the vent sealing composition of the gas permeable vent. 
     
     
         20 . A method for hot-filling and sealing a container comprising the steps of:
 i. providing a container comprising:
 a container body formed by a container wall defining an interior space and an exterior environment; wherein the container body comprises a closable opening, a container closure mated to the closable opening and a gas permeable vent component, comprising a porous material providing gaseous communication between the interior space of the container body and the exterior environment; wherein the vent component further comprises a vent component sealing composition and an energy absorbing material in the form of particles dispersed throughout the sealing composition, such that the sealing composition is externally activatable by an electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing. 
   ii. filling the container with hot liquid;   iii. allowing the hot liquid to cool; and   iv. externally activating the energy absorbing material with the electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the gas permeable vent component is disposed within the container closure. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the gas permeable vent component is disposed within in the container wall. 
     
     
         23 . A method for hot-filling and sealing a container comprising the steps of:
 i. providing a container comprising:
 a container body formed by a container wall defining an interior space and an exterior environment; wherein the container body comprises a threaded closable opening, a threaded container cap having interior top surface and interior annular surface wherein the threaded container cap is mated to the closable opening; and a gas permeable vent in the form of a ring sized and positioned within the threaded container cap such that it is in contact with the interior top surface and interior annular surface of the container cap, wherein the gas permeable vent comprises a porous material, a vent sealing composition and an energy absorbing material in the form of particles dispersed throughout sealing composition such that the vent sealing composition is externally activatable by an electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing 
   ii. filling the container with hot liquid;   iii. allowing the hot liquid to cool; and   iv. externally activating the energy absorbing material with the electromagnetic induction source to effect hermetic sealing.