Container assemblies are described herein that include a metal closure and a container including a plastic finish. The container assemblies may be characterized by improved performance including reproducibility of force needed to remove the closure. Furthermore, the container assemblies described herein may be compatible for use with hot-fill packaging processes.

The Pressure Relieving Panel for a Caning Jar is a device that allows for the convenient use of a standard sized caning jar to be used for anaerobic, lactic acid fermentation, i.e. making homemade sauerkraut, pickles, or other ferments. The device is configured as a replacement, sealing panel or lid for a standard sized caning jar that allows the CO2 gas from the fermentation process to escape from the jar. This device makes use of a one-way, pressure-relieving check valve incorporated into the sealing panel that prevents outside air (oxygen) from getting back into the jar where the anaerobic fermentation process is taking place. The pressure relieving, sealing panel(s) of the instant invention do not require regular monitoring or refilling as required for water type, air lock devices.

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.

According to embodiments, a pressure relief mechanism comprises a case with an installation hole formed therein, and a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve comprises an insertion portion which comprising a vent path formed in an axial portion of the insertion portion and a slit formed in a peripheral wall portion of the insertion portion so as to communicate with the vent path, a pedestal portion provided at an outer end of the insertion portion, a locking portion provided at an inner end of the insertion portion and locked on an inner edge of the installation hole, and a ring-like seal member interposed between around the installation hole and the pedestal portion, the seal portion comprising an elastic member.

There is provided an apparatus for monitoring compliance, facilitating automatic dispensing and childproofing strip packaged medication. In one embodiment a dispenser advances a packet, controls advancement of the packet and detects the presence and absence of the packet, including electronic circuitry for recording events. A replicate for strip package medication can have packets with an open conductive trace, each packet being rupturable at a location to interrupt conductivity of the conductive trace. When the conductive trace of one of the packets completes an external circuit, the circuit is interrupted when the packet is ruptured. In another aspect, each packet has a tuned antenna that is tuned to an external transceiver which detects the detuning of each antenna. In a method of making a replicate for strip package medication, conductive ink is printed on a surface of each packet of the replicate and longitudinal edges of the replicate are reinforced.

There is provided an apparatus for monitoring compliance, facilitating automatic dispensing and childproofing strip packaged medication. In one embodiment a dispenser advances a packet, controls advancement of the packet and detects the presence and absence of the packet, including electronic circuitry for recording events. A replicate for strip package medication can have packets with an open conductive trace, each packet being rupturable at a location to interrupt conductivity of the conductive trace. When the conductive trace of one of the packets completes an external circuit, the circuit is interrupted when the packet is ruptured. In another aspect, each packet has a tuned antenna that is tuned to an external transceiver which detects the detuning of each antenna. In a method of making a replicate for strip package medication, conductive ink is printed on a surface of each packet of the replicate and longitudinal edges of the replicate are reinforced.

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish adapted to receive a closure, a lower portion including a base, and a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion, the lower portion, and the sidewall define an interior volume for storing liquid contents. The plastic container further comprises a pressure panel located on the container and moveable between an initial position and an activated position. The pressure panel is located in the initial position prior to filling the container, and is moved to the activated position after filling and sealing the container. Moving the pressure panel from the initial position to the activated position reduces the internal volume of the container and creates a positive pressure inside the container. The positive pressure reinforces the sidewall. A method of processing a container is also disclosed.

To modify the headspace in a container to remove vacuum pressure, a container has a seal or cap which may provide a temporary opening into the container which is sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of the internal pressure as the heated contents of the container cools. A sealing chamber (84) may enable the introduction of a fluid into the headspace (23b) to force the fluid level (40) lower. Other methods and apparatus are described.

A method of securing food in a delivery food container includes preparing food, placing the prepared food in the delivery food container, placing a tamper-evident seal across an opening of the delivery food container to secure the prepared food in the delivery food container, and delivering the sealed delivery food container. The tamper-evident seal may be a label, such as an adhesive label, and may display indicia when placed across the opening of the delivery food container. The indicia may include at least one of color, text, and a hologram. The delivery food container may include one of a box, a bag, and a wrapper.

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.