HK1115358A - Packaging process employing a closure orifice seal vent - Google Patents

Description

Packaging process adopting sealing cover hole sealing exhaust structure

Cross Reference to Related Applications

Not applicable.

Declaration relating to federally sponsored research or development

Not applicable.

Reference to the Mini appendix

Not applicable.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packaging processes that utilize a ventable closure system for containers.

Technical problems posed by the background of the invention and the prior art

The upper portion of a conventional package 30 is shown in fig. 1 and includes a container 32 that has been filled with a fluent product (not visible). The container 32 has an upper opening 33 (fig. 2 and 5) and the top of the container 32 is covered or closed by a closure system or closure 36 (fig. 1) mounted on the container 32.

An optional "gasket" sealing member 38 (fig. 2 and 5) may be used as part of the capping system. Typically, such an optional liner 38 is a membrane comprising at least one layer of thermoplastic material that is heat sealable to the top rim of the container 32 around the container opening 33. Such heat sealing is schematically illustrated in fig. 5 by small triangles 40. If such an optional heat seal 38 is employed, the user of the package 30 (FIG. 1) must initially remove the closure 36 from the top of the container 32 and cut or peel the liner 38. The user may then reinstall the closure 36 on top of the container 32.

The illustrated form of the conventional closure 36 is mounted on the container 32 using a threaded engagement system. To this end, the container 32 typically includes conventional threads 44 (fig. 2 and 5) for threaded engagement with the closure 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the closure 36 includes a closure body or base 46 having a peripheral skirt 48 depending downwardly from a floor 50. The center of the floor 50 merges into an upwardly projecting spout 52, the spout 52 defining a dispensing aperture 54.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the skirt 48 of the closure body 46 has an inner surface with threads 58 formed thereon for threaded engagement with the container threads 44. The closure body 46 may be mounted on the container 32 using other attachment systems, such as cooperating releasable beads, or beads and grooves, to hold the closure body 46 and container 32 together in a sealing relationship. In other designs, the closure body 46, although manufactured separately from the container 32, may then be permanently attached to the top of the container 32 by induction welding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, or the like, depending on the material used for the container and closure body 46. In some applications, the closure body 46 may be molded as an integral part of the container 32 or an extension thereof.

In a conventional type of closure 36 shown in fig. 2 and 5, the closure body 46 includes a pressure-actuatable, flexible, slit-type valve 60 that is retained inside the spout 52 by an annular snap ring 62 that snap fits into the spout 52. The valve 60 may be of the type well known and sold in the United states by Liquid Molding Systems, 2202 Ridgewood Dr., 48642 Midland, Mich.

The particular form of valve 60 shown is a unitary structure molded from a material that is flexible, plastic, resilient and resilient. This may include elastomers such as synthetic thermoset polymers including silicone rubbers such as those sold under the trade name d.c.99-595-HC in the united states by the Dow corning company. Another suitable Silicone rubber material is Wacker 3003-40, a commercial product sold by Wacker Silicone company in the United states. These materials have a hardness rating of 40 on the shore a scale. The valve 60 may also be molded from other thermoset materials or other elastomeric materials, or from thermoplastic polymers or thermoplastic elastomers, including those based on, for example, thermoplastic propylene, ethylene, urethane, and styrene, including halogenated counterparts thereof.

The design structure of the valve 60 and its operating features are substantially similar to those of the valve shown at 3d in U.S. Pat. No.5,409,144. The specification of this U.S. patent is incorporated herein by reference to the extent appropriate and consistent herewith.

The valve 60 includes a recessed central valve head that is flexible and has an outwardly recessed configuration (when the valve 60 is mounted in the spout 52, as viewed from outside the valve 60). The valve head defines two mutually perpendicular intersecting slits of equal length which pass through the valve head to define a normally self-sealing closed orifice. The intersecting slits define four generally fan-shaped flaps or petals in the valve head. In a known manner, as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,409,144, discussed above, the flap opens outwardly from the intersection of the slits in response to an increasing pressure differential of sufficient magnitude.

The valve 60 has an inner side for generally inwardly facing the spout 52 and an outer side for generally outwardly facing the spout 52. The inside of the valve 60 is adapted to be in contact with the fluent product in the container 32, and the outside of the valve 60 is exposed to the surrounding external environment when the lid 70 is opened.

The valve 60 includes a thin skirt extending axially and radially outward from a centrally recessed valve head. The outer end of the skirt terminates in an enlarged, much thicker peripheral flange having a generally dovetail-shaped cross-section and which is clamped by a snap ring 62 to retain the valve 60 in the closure.

When the valve 60 is properly positioned in the spout 52 with the valve head in a closed condition, the valve head is recessed relative to the end of the spout 52 (fig. 5). However, when the valve head is forced outwardly from its recessed position due to a sufficiently large pressure differential across the valve, the valve 60 opens. More specifically, after the closure cap 70 has been opened (as described in detail below), and when the pressure inside the valve 60 exceeds the external ambient pressure by a predetermined amount, the valve head is forced outwardly from the recessed or retracted position to an extended open position (not shown).

During valve opening, the valve head initially moves outwardly while still maintaining its normally concave closed state. The initial external displacement of the recessed valve head is accommodated by the relatively thin flexible skirt. The skirt moves from a recessed rest position to a pressurized position wherein the skirt extends outwardly toward the open end of the spout 52. However, the valve 60 does not open (i.e., the slit does not open) until the valve head has moved substantially all the way to the fully extended position. Indeed, when the valve head is moved outwardly, the valve head is subjected to a radially inwardly directed compressive force which will further resist opening of the slit. Furthermore, the valve head generally maintains its outwardly concave condition as it moves forward, even after the sleeve reaches the fully extended position. However, when the internal pressure becomes sufficiently great compared to the external pressure, the slit in the extended valve head rapidly opens to dispense product.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the closure 36 includes a lid 70 that is hinged to the closure body 46 by a snap-action type hinge 72 in a typical conventional arrangement. One form of this fast-acting type of hinge 72 is described in U.S. patent No.6,321,923. Other types of hinges may also be used. In some applications, the hinge may be omitted and the lid need not be attached to the closure body at all.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the cap includes a peripheral skirt 74 depending from a top wall 76. Projecting inwardly from the top wall 76 is a sealing collar 78 having a radially inwardly projecting annular sealing bead 80. Sealing bead 80 is an uninterrupted, raised structure that is adapted to engage the exterior of spout 52, and the exterior of spout 52 may have features that define a first engagement surface 82 (fig. 4). The lid sealing collar 78 may have a closure member for closing the spout 52 having a second engagement surface of the lid sealing collar 78 for engaging the first engagement surface 82 of the spout. In the illustrated embodiment, the second engagement surface is an annular seal bead 80.

The lid 76 of the conventional closure 36 also includes a downwardly projecting member 86 (fig. 4 and 5). When the cover 76 is closed, the member 86 is positioned just above the central head of the valve 60. If the package is subjected to an over-pressure condition when the lid is closed (e.g., if the container 32 is impacted or squeezed after the liner 38 has been removed), upward outward movement of the valve head of the valve 60 due to such an internal over-pressure condition will be limited by engagement with the lid member 86, thereby preventing the valve 60 from opening the closed lid 70.

The package 30 described above may be used to package a variety of products. However, it has been found that such a package 30 may be less suitable for some types of products that are subjected to some type of treatment. In particular, some products are packaged in a high heat state. That is, the open container 32 is filled with a high heat product by the product manufacturer prior to installing the closure 36 on the open container 32, after which the liner 38 is installed on the container, and the closure 36 is installed on the container 32. In other packaging processes for certain food products, the product is not heated prior to introduction into the container; instead, after the closure is mounted on the filled container, the entire package is moved to a pasteurization station where the package is subjected to heat from an external source, thereby raising the temperature of the product in the package to a sufficient level and for a sufficient amount of time to perform pasteurization of the food product.

In any event, whether the product is hot filled into the container and then closed with a closure, or cold filled into the package and then closed with a closure and then heated as part of the pasteurization process, the heat may cause the internal atmosphere in the package to expand. Even with the use of the sealing gasket 38 and valve 60, as shown in fig. 5, the closure internal atmosphere between the cap sealing collar 78 and the valve 60 may become heated, causing its pressure to increase, and the internal atmosphere to attempt to expand. It has been found that in conventional inexpensive disposable thermoplastic closures, the conventional sealing engagement between the closure cap and the closure spout is not hermetic during such over-pressure conditions. Even an annular sealing bead, such as sealing bead 80 (fig. 5), does not provide an air-tight seal between the closure lid and closure body spout when a pressure differential exists across the sealing area due to a heat-induced transient pressure increase within the enclosed area in the sealing collar 78. Because there is a significant gap (indicated by reference numeral 90 in fig. 3) at the hinge end region of the hinge 72, the pressure under the lid 70 on the exterior of the sealing collar 78 is substantially the same as the ambient atmospheric pressure of the exterior surrounding the closure 36. The thermally expanded internal atmosphere in the lid collar 78 leaks out from between the lid annular seal 80 and the spout outer surface 82 (fig. 5). The pressure around the lid collar 78 under the lid 70 remains substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure of the external environment outside the closure 36 (fig. 3) due to the significant openings at the respective edges 90 of the hinge 72.

Heated packages (whether heated due to initial hot filling of the product or subsequent pasteurization of cold filled products) are typically rapidly cooled in a subsequent step process. It is desirable to cool the packages rapidly to facilitate subsequent handling operations, such as applying labels to each package and/or stacking the packages for further handling or transport. If the packaging container 32 is made of a thermoplastic material, the heated container material will lose much of its strength when it is hot, and the container walls may be prone to bulging or collapsing during the labeling process or stacking process. Thus, in a typical high speed packaging process line, heated packages are rapidly moved through a station where the packages are rapidly cooled prior to labeling and/or stacking.

A typical station for cooling such packages includes a cooling tunnel in which cooling water sprays are sprayed onto the packages. The cooling water sprays lower the temperature of the package. However, as the package temperature decreases, the internal atmosphere within the closed spout cools and the internal pressure begins to decrease. As a conventional package, such as the package 30 shown in fig. 5, cools, the temperature of the interior of the package, including the temperature of the atmosphere inside the spout in the region beneath the valve and in the region between the valve 60 and the closure lid sealing collar 78, decreases. This temperature drop results in a drop in the internal atmospheric pressure in the closed spout 52. This results in a partial vacuum (i.e., lower pressure) being formed inside the closure lid sealing collar 78 relative to the external ambient atmosphere. However, the pressure differential between the higher external ambient atmospheric pressure and the lower internal atmospheric pressure draws some of the external ambient atmosphere past the sealing surface between the lid collar 78 and the spout 52. Because the external ambient atmosphere in the cooling tunnel includes moisture in the form of water and water vapor, such water and/or water vapor may be drawn under the lid 70 into the interior space of the lid sealing collar 78. In addition, some water may have been sprayed directly into the lid 70 through the hinged open edge 90 and onto the exterior of the spout 52 outside of the lid collar 78. Even when the package 30 has left the cooling tunnel, water from the cooling water spray can remain on and around the outer surface of the package lid, particularly at the edge 90 where the lid hinge is open (fig. 3). As the internal atmosphere in the lid collar 78 cools and contracts, the difference between the greater atmospheric pressure outside the lid collar 78 and the lower atmospheric pressure inside the lid collar 78 tends to draw moisture or water vapor through the annular sealing bead 80 and into the interior volume in the lid sealing collar 78. Some of the moisture or water vapor drawn from the external ambient atmosphere may collect as water on the top surface of the floor 50 beneath the cover 70 and some of the moisture or water vapor is drawn all the way through the sealing collar 78. Some of the moisture or water vapor drawn through the sealing collar 78 may then eventually accumulate as liquid water in and around the spout apertures 54 and on the outwardly facing surface of the valve 60. If the package is of the type that does not have a valve 60, such permeated water and water vapor may reach directly onto or over the pad 38. If the liner 38 is not used, water and water vapor may come into contact with the product in the container 32.

The cooling shower water that has been drawn through the lidding lid 70 (and deposited on the base 50 and/or in the area of the package within the other lid sealing ring 78) presents an undesirable condition for packaging. The spray water of the cooling tunnel is typically treated to inhibit the growth of fungi, bacteria, etc. However, the presence of water or water vapour on the base plate 50 beneath the lid 70 and inside the lid spout sealing area is undesirable in terms of the consumer's perception when the consumer later opens the package by lifting the lid 70. Water in the area of the dispensing orifice beneath the closure lid may be perceived by the consumer as a problem with product quality or sanitary conditions. The presence of water in the inner portion of the closure may lead to the growth of fungi, bacteria etc. if the product manufacturer does not properly treat the cooling spray to inhibit the growth of fungi, bacteria etc.

The inventors of the present invention, as well as others, have investigated ways to minimize or eliminate the penetration of cooling tunnel spray water onto the surface of the base plate 50 below the lid 70 and into the interior of the closure beyond the closure lid seal. With typical low cost single use closures molded from thermoplastic materials, the present inventors have been unable to design an easy to manufacture closure that is easy to open by the consumer and has nearly 100% leak-proof sealing properties to prevent cooling water from entering the package in response to a partial vacuum in the package during cooling of the package.

Summary of the invention

Contrary to conventional wisdom associated with improved sealing techniques, the inventors of the present invention have discovered that by breaking the conventional lid/spout seal during the packaging process, a venting system is introduced that functions in a specific manner to eliminate or significantly reduce the infiltration of cooling water. Surprisingly, it has been found that, contrary to the initial expectations, venting of the closure system during the packaging process eliminates or greatly reduces the infiltration of cooling water.

The process of the present invention is particularly suitable for use with food products that are packaged into containers by hot filling and/or heat pasteurized in the package.

The process of the present invention can accommodate containers having various shapes and constructed of various materials.

The process of the present invention is adaptable to efficient, high quality, high speed, high volume manufacturing techniques and reduces product reject rates.

The present invention provides a process for minimizing moisture accumulation in product packaging. The process comprises the following steps:

(A) placing a quantity of product into a container having an opening;

(B) mounting a dispensing closure over the opening of the container to form a package, wherein the closure comprises:

(1) a closure body having a spout which (a) defines a dispensing aperture and (b) has an exterior and an interior,

(2) a closure lid having a closure member for closing the spout,

(3) a first engagement surface located outside or inside the spout,

(4) a second engagement surface on the closure member for engaging the first engagement surface of the spout, and

(5) a vent channel defined through one or both of the first and second engagement surfaces;

(C) heating the product before and/or during step a, and/or after step a, and/or during step B, and/or after step B;

(D) allowing some of the internal atmosphere in the closed spout to expand from the heat and vent to the external ambient atmosphere through the vent channel;

(E) cooling the package with a cooling water spray; and

(F) allowing external ambient atmosphere to enter the closed spout through the vent channel as the package cools and the internal atmospheric pressure within the closed spout begins to fall, whereby the entering external ambient atmosphere will minimize the instantaneous pressure differential between the internal atmosphere within the closed spout and the external ambient atmosphere, thereby minimizing the amount of water and/or water vapor passing through the closed lid and through the first and second engagement surfaces and/or through the vent channel into the closed spout, and after reaching equilibrium between internal atmospheric pressure and external ambient atmospheric pressure, the water vapor within the internal atmosphere of the closed spout may be responsive to a water vapor gradient established when external ambient atmospheric humidity is less than internal atmospheric humidity, and out of the closed spout through a vent channel.

Various other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an upper portion of a package which may be assembled from conventional components and filled with product in a conventional manner;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closure of the package of FIG. 1, with the closure shown in a condition prior to assembly to a container in the package of FIG. 1, and showing the closure in an open, substantially molded condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but FIG. 6 shows an improved closure structure for use in packages treated in accordance with the process of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the portion of FIG. 7 circled within the circle designated "FIG. 8";

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but FIG. 9 shows an improved closure as shown in FIGS. 6-8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 11-11 in FIG. 10;

description of the preferred embodiments

The specification and drawings disclose only one particular form of the process of the invention. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the described embodiments. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims.

The process of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or specialized vessels having a variety of designs, the details of which, although not shown or described, should be apparent to those skilled in the art having knowledge of such vessels. Thus, the particular containers shown and described herein are not intended to limit the broadest aspects of the present invention.

In accordance with the process of the present invention, products can be provided and treated in packages that can utilize a closure with a venting system that will surprisingly function to minimize moisture accumulation inside the package when the package is treated by a cooling water spray, such as in a cooling tunnel, that is used to cool the package. Fig. 9 shows a closure 36A similar to the closure 36 shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The closure 36A includes a closure body 46A having a skirt 48A and a deck 50A with an upwardly projecting spout 52A defining a dispensing opening or aperture 54A. Spout 52A has a surface 82A (fig. 6) that functions as a sealable or sealing surface or first engagement surface, as described below. The terms "sealable surface", "sealing surface" and "engagement surface" have the same meaning and are used interchangeably herein. As used in this specification and in the claims, the term "spout" includes any sealable structure that defines a dispensing aperture, and such structure need not necessarily project upwardly from the floor 50A or other portion of the lid.

The closure body 46A includes a flexible, pressure-actuated, slit-type valve 60A that is retained within the closure body spout 52A by an annular snap ring 62A that forms a snap-fit engagement with the inner surface of the spout 52A. Valve 60 is a "pressure openable" valve that opens when a sufficient pressure differential is applied across the valve (e.g., by increasing the pressure on one side and/or decreasing the pressure on the other side).

The closure body 46A is attached by a hinge 72A to a lid 70A having a skirt 74A and a top wall 76A. The member 86A projects from the interior of the lid top wall 76A.

As so far described, the closure 36A may be identical to the closure 36 described above with reference to fig. 1-5. Elements of the closure 36A that are identical to elements of the closure 36 are identified with the same reference numerals suffixed with an uppercase "a". Elements of the cover 36A that are identical to elements of the cover 36 have the same structure and function in the same manner as the corresponding elements of the cover 36 described above with reference to fig. 1-5.

The difference between the closure 36A and the closure 36 is the lid sealing collar. The closure 36A has a lid sealing collar 78A 'which includes a radially inwardly projecting bead 80A', but the bead 80A 'does not extend in a complete circumferential ring or annular path around the interior of the collar 78'. Instead, as can be seen in fig. 9, the bead 80A 'is interrupted at one or more locations by a vent channel 81A'. As can be seen in fig. 10, in the preferred embodiment, there are three vent channels 81A 'that are equally spaced around the inner circular path defined by the sealing ring 78A'. As can be seen in fig. 11, each vent channel 81A 'is a relatively shallow channel in the inner surface or wall of the sealing ring 78A', and each channel 81A 'extends through the bead 80A' to define three segments, each segment lying on an arc of a circle. Fig. 6 and 7 show a closure 36A mounted on the container 32 and sealed with a gasket 38. The container 32 and liner 38 are identical to the container 32 and liner 38, respectively, described above with reference to the package 30 shown in fig. 1-5.

When the closure 36A is properly installed on the container 32 as shown in fig. 6, the closure lid 70A is initially closed such that the lid collar 78A' engages around the spout 52A. Spout exterior surface 82A, which engages lid collar 78A', is characterized by a first engagement surface on the exterior of spout 52A. The lid collar 78A ' may be broadly characterized as a closure member, and the three-piece bead 80A ' may be characterized as a second engagement surface on the lid collar or closure member 78A ' for engaging the spout first engagement surface 82A. The vent channels 81A 'may be characterized as each being formed through a second engagement surface or bead segment 80A'.

In other embodiments of closures that may be used in the process of the present invention, the lid collar 78A' may be replaced by a smaller diameter member or plug for engaging the inner surface of the spout aperture 54A of the closure body. In such an alternative embodiment, the outwardly facing outer cylindrical surface of the smaller diameter cap plug may be provided with a bead segment interrupted by a vent channel similar to the vent channel 81A' described above.

In yet another embodiment, the bead segment 80A' may be eliminated from the lid and a similar bead segment may be provided on the spout, i.e., on the outer surface 82A or the inner opening surface 54A of the spout, instead, depending on whether a collar or plug is provided on the lid for engagement with the outer surface of the spout or the inner surface of the spout, respectively.

In yet another embodiment, the sealing bead segment may be eliminated entirely from the cap closure member (collar or plug) and spout. In such an alternative arrangement, the adjacent facing surfaces of the closure spout and the lid closure member would define a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, respectively. One or both of these engagement surfaces may be generally cylindrical (or slightly tapered), but one or both of these engagement surfaces will be provided with one or more vent channels similar to the vent channel 81A' described above.

A process employing the above-described vent channel structure will now be described in detail with reference to the specific embodiment shown in figures 6-11. Initially, a closure 36A is provided as a separate component that is mountable on the container 32. The closure 36A is provided to the product manufacturer or packaging machine in a closed condition with the valve 60A mounted and retained on the spout 52A by a retainer 62A. In some applications, the valve 60A may be omitted, and in such applications, the internal structure of the spout may be modified to provide a smooth inner surface along the underside of the floor 50A. In any event, the closure flap 36A is provided to the packaging machine with the lid 70A in the closed position so that the closure flap may be subsequently mounted on the container 32.

The packaging machine places a quantity of product in the container 32. This may be a hot fill process in which the product has been heated prior to placement in the container 32. An optional liner or seal 38 may then be placed over the container and heat sealed to the top of the container 32.

Next, the closure flap 36A is installed on the container 32. Typically, the closure flap 36A is installed using an automatic capping machine employing well known techniques, the details of which form no part of the present invention.

The installation of the closure 36A on the container 32 completes the formation of the package. If the product placed in the container 32 was not previously heated, the product may now be heated in the finished package. This heating of the finished package may be employed in typical conventional pasteurization processes, the details of which form no part of the present invention.

In any event, heat from the product in the container and/or heat applied externally to the closed package may cause the inside atmosphere under the closure within the closure lid collar 78' to be heated. For example, the internal atmosphere below and above the valve 60A may increase in temperature due to heating, and may increase slightly as the pressure increases due to the temperature, such that expansion of the internal atmosphere occurs. However, due to the vent channel 81A', the expanding internal atmosphere can easily exit the spout 52A.

Next, the packages are cooled in a cooling tunnel with cooling water sprays in order to accommodate further processing of the packages. For example, if the container is made of a thermoplastic material, such cooling allows for easier application of the label to the container, as the cooler container wall will be less susceptible to bulging or deformation due to applied forces during the labeling process. Furthermore, if the packaging container is made of thermoplastic material, the cooler container will be stronger and less likely to bulge than the container during subsequent handling and stacking when vertical or other loads are applied to the package.

Cooling water sprayed against the packages in the cooling tunnel may enter the lid through openings, such as in the area of hinge 72A. However, when the vented lidded package is subjected to this process, the amount of water introduced into and remaining in the interior of the lid 70A of the base 50A and/or in the interior spout area of the package is eliminated or at least greatly reduced. Thus, when the consumer opens the closure on the package for the first time, the consumer will not notice any significant moisture present around the outside of the spout area covered by the lid or in the spout area surrounded by the closure lid collar 78A'.

This is a surprising result. The inventors do not initially believe that treating the package with the vent channels will eliminate or minimize water from seeping under the lid 70A and/or into the interior of the lid collar 78'. In contrast, the present inventors have recognized that treating a heat pack with a vented closure by a cooling water spray will result in a greater amount of water penetration rather than a lesser amount of water penetration.

Without being bound by any theory or explanation, the inventors give the following explanation of this advantageous structure. When the internal atmosphere within the closed spout cools, the pressure in the closure will drop and fall below the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere. This pressure differential can draw external ambient atmosphere through the vent channel 81A'. However, the vent channel 81A 'provides a cross-sectional flow area sufficient to substantially reduce the instantaneous pressure differential between the internal atmosphere and the external ambient atmosphere in the closed closure, and this substantially reduces or eliminates the amount of water and/or water vapor that may be drawn into the closed closure, under the lid 70A on the floor 50A, and/or past the interface of the lid collar 78A' and spout 52A. Due to the large cross-sectional flow area provided by the vent channel 81A ', the pressure inside the lid collar 78A' drops significantly below the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere. Thus, the pressure differential between the interior of spout 52A and the exterior of spout 52A is minimized. Thus, little or no significant pressure differential causes water or water vapor to flow into the lid 70A and past the lid collar 78A' and into the spout 52A. This absence of a significant pressure differential minimizes or eliminates the ingress of water or water vapor from outside the closure cap into the deck 50A, and this also eliminates or at least significantly reduces the ingress of water or water vapor past the closure cap collar 78A' into the spout area.

Due to the vent channel 81A ', the pressure of the internal atmosphere in the lid collar 78A ' remains substantially equal to the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere, or at least the pressure of the internal atmosphere is not significantly lower than the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere, so that the pressure of the internal atmosphere in the lid collar 78A ' will very quickly become equal to the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere. Because the atmospheric pressure inside the lid collar 78A 'is substantially equal to, or quickly becomes equal to, the pressure of the external ambient atmosphere, any small amounts of water vapor that may have penetrated into the spout area through the lid collar 78A' can escape through the vent channels in response to the water vapor gradient established when the humidity of the external ambient atmosphere is less than the humidity of the internal atmosphere.

In the presently preferred closure design for use with the process of the present invention, three vent channels 81A' are employed. Each vent channel 81A' has a width of about 1.524 mm. The segments of the lid collar sealing bead 80A 'protruding from the cylindrical inner surface of the lid collar 78A' having a diameter of about 14.43mm have a radial thickness of about 0.51 mm. The depth of each vent channel 81A 'relative to the cylindrical inner surface of the cover collar 78A' is about 0.127 mm.

In the present description and claims, the term "internal atmosphere" refers to the atmosphere within the interface (e.g., sealing surface) of the cooperating spout and lid closure components (e.g., spout 52A and lid collar 78A' shown in FIG. 6). In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the cap collar 78A' is replaced by the internal cap plug described previously to engage the internal surface of the spout 52A, and the "internal atmosphere" is then the atmosphere within the cooperating circumferential engagement surface of the cap plug and the engagement surface within the spout.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims (4)

1. A process for minimizing moisture accumulation in product packaging, said process comprising the steps of:

(A) placing a quantity of the product in a container having an opening;

(B) mounting a dispensing closure over the opening of the container, thereby forming a package, wherein the closure comprises:

(1) a closure body having a spout that (a) defines a dispensing orifice and (b) has an outer surface and an inner surface,

(2) a closure lid having a closure member for closing the spout,

(3) a first engagement surface on the exterior or interior of the spout,

(4) a second engagement surface on the closure member for engaging the first engagement surface of the spout, and

(5) a vent channel defined through one of the first and second engagement surfaces;

(C) heating the product before and/or during and/or after step a, and/or during and/or after step B;

(D) allowing some of the internal atmosphere within the closed spout to expand from the heating and vent to the external ambient atmosphere through the vent channel;

(E) cooling the package with a cooling water spray; and

(F) allowing the external ambient atmosphere to enter the closed spout through the vent channel as the package cools and the internal atmospheric pressure within the closed spout begins to fall, whereby the entering external ambient atmosphere will minimize the instantaneous pressure differential between the internal atmosphere within the closed spout and the external ambient atmosphere, thereby minimizing the amount of water and/or water vapor that passes through the closed lid and through the first and second engagement surfaces and/or through the vent channel into the closed spout, and after reaching equilibrium between the internal atmospheric pressure and the external ambient atmospheric pressure, the water vapor within the internal atmosphere within the closed spout may be responsive to a water vapor gradient established when the external ambient atmospheric humidity is less than the internal atmospheric humidity, and out of the closed spout through the vent channel.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein step (C) is performed before step (B).

3. The process of claim 1, wherein step (C) is performed after step (B).

4. The process of claim 1 wherein step (E) includes moving the packages in a cooling tunnel where the packages are subjected to cooling water jets.