초록 ▼

A member that positions a vent disc in an end of a container is provided. The member has at least one projection extending from the vent disc virtually solely for positioning the vent disc in its secured position in the end of a container. The at least one projection is located in the center portion

A member that positions a vent disc in an end of a container is provided. The member has at least one projection extending from the vent disc virtually solely for positioning the vent disc in its secured position in the end of a container. The at least one projection is located in the center portion of the vent disc and can be one projection, which extends from the vent disc at the center point of the vent disc. The projection can be of a geometrical shape that facilitates gripping and the handling of the vent disc, including rectangular, ellipsoidal or cylindrical shapes.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A container assembly comprising: a container having an inner volume and top and bottom ends that are open, said top end being adapted for feeding; an end cap removably connected to said bottom end and having a center portion with an upper face; and a vent disc removably posit

What is claimed is: 1. A container assembly comprising: a container having an inner volume and top and bottom ends that are open, said top end being adapted for feeding; an end cap removably connected to said bottom end and having a center portion with an upper face; and a vent disc removably positioned in said end cap, said vent disc having an inner portion, a projection and an aperture, said inner portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being disposed substantially adjacent to said upper face of said end cap when said vent disc is positioned in said end cap, said projection extending from said upper surface of said inner portion, said aperture being disposed through said inner portion, wherein said projection extends a length and in a direction in relation to said vent disc and said end cap thereby being accessible and manipulatable when said vent disc is removably positioned in said end cap, wherein the container assembly permits flow into said inner volume through said aperture when a vacuum develops in said inner volume, wherein the container assembly substantially prevents flow out of said inner volume through said aperture, wherein said projection extends towards said top end, wherein said aperture is a plurality of apertures, wherein said center portion of said end cap has a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, and wherein the container assembly permits flow into said inner volume through said plurality of apertures and said plurality of holes when a vacuum develops in said inner volume. 2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said vent disc has a rim surrounding said inner portion, wherein said end cap has a peripheral portion surrounding said center portion, wherein said container has a neck, and wherein said rim of said vent disc is held between said neck and said peripheral portion of said end cap when said vent disc, said end cap and said container are assembled. 3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture through said vent disc is an elongated slit. 4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture through said vent disc is a plurality of apertures, and wherein said plurality of apertures are arranged in a substantially circular pattern along said vent disc. 5. The container assembly of claim 4, wherein said substantially circular pattern of said plurality of apertures is concentrically aligned with said vent disc. 6. A container assembly comprising: a container having top and bottom ends that are open, said top end being adapted for feeding; an end cap removably connected to said bottom end of said container and having a center portion with a hole; and a vent disc being removably positioned in said end cap, said vent disc having a plurality of projections, a resealable aperture, and an inner portion with a center area, wherein said plurality of projections extend from said inner portion towards said first open end and at least substantially traverse said center area, wherein said aperture is disposed through said inner portion, and wherein said resealable aperture vents said container. 7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein said plurality of projections extend a length and in a direction in relation to said vent disc and said end cap thereby being accessible and manipulatable when said vent disc is removably positioned in said end cap, wherein said aperture is a plurality of apertures, and wherein said hole is a plurality of holes. 8. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein said vent disc has a rim surrounding said inner portion, wherein said end cap has a peripheral portion surrounding said center portion, wherein said container has a neck, and wherein said rim of said vent disc is held between said neck and said peripheral portion of said end cap when said vent disc, said end cap and said container are assembled. 9. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said inner portion of said vent disc has a dome-shape, and wherein said center portion of said end cap has a dome-shape. 10. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said plurality of apertures through said vent disc are elongated slits. 11. The container assembly of claim 10, wherein said plurality of apertures through said vent disc are arranged in a substantially circular pattern along said vent disc. 12. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein said substantially circular pattern of said plurality of apertures is concentrically aligned with said center area of said vent disc. 13. A container assembly comprising: a container having top and bottom ends that are open; an end cap removably connected to said bottom end, said top end being adapted for feeding; and a vent disc removably disposed in said end cap and having an elastomeric inner portion, at least one projection extending from said inner portion and at least one resealable aperture disposed on said inner portion, wherein said at least one projection extends a length and in a direction in relation to said elastomeric inner portion and said end cap thereby being accessible and manipulatable when said vent disc is removably disposed in said end cap, wherein said container is vented by said at least one resealable aperture, wherein said inner portion has a curved dome shape, wherein said at least one projection extends towards said top end, and wherein said at least one resealable aperture is a plurality of elongated slits. 14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said inner portion has a surface, wherein a plurality of depressions are formed in said surface, and wherein each of said plurality of depressions are aligned with one of said plurality of slits. 15. The container assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of slits is formed along radii that form the curvature of said inner portion. 16. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said vent disc has a rim surrounding said inner portion, wherein said rim has a lower surface with a planar portion, and wherein said planar portion abuts said end cap when said vent disc is assembled with said end cap and said container. 17. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein said end cap has a peripheral portion with a planar upper portion, and wherein said planar upper portion has an upper portion that is disposed adjacent to said planar portion of said lower surface of said rim when said vent disc is assembled with said end cap and said container. 18. The container assembly of claim 17, wherein said end cap has a center portion with a curved dome shape, wherein said planar upper portion of said end cap surrounds said center portion, and wherein said center portion is substantially concentrically aligned with said inner portion of said vent disc when said end cap is assembled with said container. 19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein said end cap has a ridge about said center portion, wherein said planar upper portion of said end cap surrounds said ridge, and wherein said ridge abuts said vent disc when said end cap is assembled with said container. 20. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein said rim has an upper surface with a planar portion that abuts said container when said vent disc is assembled with said end cap and said container. 21. The container assembly of claim 20, wherein said container has a flat portion that abuts against said planar portion of said upper surface of said rim when said vent disc is assembled with said end cap and said container. 22. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one projection has a shape selected from the group consisting essentially of rectangular, ellipsoidal, and cylindrical. 23. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one projection is substantially orthogonal to said inner portion. 24. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one projection is made from a material selected from the group consisting essentially of polymeric, thermoset, and any combination thereof. 25. The container assembly of claim 24, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a thermoplastic, elastomer, thermoset rubber, silicone, and any combinations thereof. 26. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one projection is integrally molded with said inner portion. 27. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one projection has a hardness of about 70 durometers. 28. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said inner portion has a center portion, and wherein said at least one projection is at least partially disposed along said center portion. 29. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said bottom end has a lower neck with a first securing structure, wherein said end cap has a second securing structure, and wherein said first and second securing structures are engageable to assemble said end cap with said container. 30. The container assembly of claim 29, wherein said first and second securing structures are threads. 31. The container assembly of claim 29, wherein said lower neck has a reduced diameter compared to said container, wherein said container has a first outer surface above said lower neck, wherein said end cap has a second outer surface, and wherein said first outer surface is substantially contiguous with said second outer surface when said end cap is assembled with said container. 32. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein said end cap has a center portion with a curved dome shape, and wherein said center portion is substantially concentrically aligned with said inner portion of said vent disc when said end cap is assembled with said container.