초록 ▼

A pressure-motion compensating diaphragm for air and liquid tight sealing, in combination with a cap, of a container. The diaphragm has (1) an edge engaging at least one of the cap and the container, and positioning the diaphragm horizontally in the container proximate the neck of the container and

A pressure-motion compensating diaphragm for air and liquid tight sealing, in combination with a cap, of a container. The diaphragm has (1) an edge engaging at least one of the cap and the container, and positioning the diaphragm horizontally in the container proximate the neck of the container and under the cap; (2) a center deflector button; and (3) a plurality of silfon tori segments extending from the edge to the center deflector button. The dimensions and geometries of the edge, center deflector button, and tori segments are predetermined to compensate uniquely for forces applied to the diaphragm and created by pressure changes inside and outside the container that occur as the container is filled with a product and processed through filling, pasteurization, or cooling steps. Also provided is an apparatus including the cap, the container, and the diaphragm for releasably storing the product.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure-motion compensating diaphragm for air and liquid tight sealing, in combination with a cap, of a container having a neck and a top and a vertical centerline and housing a product having a top level below the diaphragm, wherein when the diaphragm is in an unstressed position, a cross-sec

1. A pressure-motion compensating diaphragm for air and liquid tight sealing, in combination with a cap, of a container having a neck and a top and a vertical centerline and housing a product having a top level below the diaphragm, wherein when the diaphragm is in an unstressed position, a cross-section of the diaphragm comprises: an edge adapted to engage at least one of the cap and the container, positioning the diaphragm horizontally in the container proximate the neck of the container and under the cap;a center deflector button; anda plurality of segments having substantially no straight portions extending from the edge to the center deflector button, each segment defined as a surface following a circle, and including a first segment having a concave surface with respect to the centerline and a second segment adjacent to the first segment and having a convex surface with respect to the centerline, the segments together defining an asymmetrical plurality of segments with a discrete transition peak between them,wherein in response to forces applied to the diaphragm and created by pressure changes inside the container that occur as the container is filled with the product by a filling process including one or more of filling, pasteurization, or cooling steps, the plurality of segments and the center deflector button translate the forces into motion to deflect the diagram into a stressed position. 2. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1 wherein the edge, center deflector button, and segments form an integral diaphragm. 3. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the segments bend and rotate, both vertically and horizontally, as required to protect the container from deformation imposed during manufacturing processes. 4. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the center deflector button is concave. 5. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the center deflector button is convex. 6. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is made of a multi-layered film. 7. The diaphragm as recited in claim 6, wherein the multi-layered film is a plastic film comprising: a first layer promoting the air and liquid tight seal;a second layer providing a physical barrier against the passage of fluids through the diaphragm and into the container; anda third layer carrying an additive selected from the group consisting of physical foaming agents, chemical foaming agents, gas scavengers, anti-oxidation agents, and a combination of such additives. 8. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the edge of the diaphragm comprises: a stem engaging a first of the plurality of segments and moving inward relative to the container to reduce pressure on the container;a top seal ring engaging the top of the container to maintain the air and liquid tight seal; anda side seal engaging the neck of the container to maintain the air and liquid tight seal. 9. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the diaphragm lacks any vents, openings, voids, apertures, holes, or passages that would permit fluid to pass into the container. 10. The diaphragm as recited in claim 1, wherein the diaphragm provides a dual audible effect, the first audible effect emanating from a first chamber between the cap and the diaphragm upon opening the cap and release of a first pressure differential, and the second audible effect emanating from a second chamber between the diaphragm and the top level of the product upon removing the diaphragm from the container and release of a second pressure differential. 11. An apparatus for releasably storing a product, the apparatus comprising: a container having a neck, a top, and a vertical centerline, the container housing the product with the product having a top level;a cap engaging the container to help form an air and liquid tight seal; anda diaphragm disposed in the container to help form the air and liquid tight seal, wherein when the diaphragm is in an unstressed position, a cross-section of the diaphragm has:(a) an edge adapted to engage at least one of the cap and the container, positioning the diaphragm horizontally in the container proximate the neck of the container and under the cap,(b) a center deflector button, and(c) a plurality of segments having substantially no straight portions extending from the edge to the center deflector button, each segment defined as a surface following a circle, and including a first segment having a concave surface with respect to the centerline and a second segment adjacent to the first segment and having a convex surface with respect to the centerline, the segments together defining an asymmetrical plurality of segments with a discrete transition peak between them,wherein in response to forces applied to the diaphragm and created by pressure changes inside the container that occur as the container is filled with the product by a filling process including filling, pasteurization, or cooling steps, the plurality of segments and the center deflector button translate the forces into motion to deflect the diagram into a stressed position. 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the apparatus defines a first chamber between the cap and the diaphragm, a second chamber between the diaphragm and the top level of the product, and a head space between the top level of the product and the top of the container. 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces about one third of the head space in its neutral position and about one half of the head space during the filling process with the cap on the container. 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces more than one third of the head space in its neutral position and more than one half of the head space when fully engaged. 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces about one half of the head space in its neutral position and more than one half of the head space when fully engaged. 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces more than one half of the head space in its neutral position and more than one half of the head space when fully engaged. 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces more than one half of the head space in its neutral position and more than three quarters of the head space when fully engaged. 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diaphragm displaces more than one half of the head space in its neutral position and about three quarters of the head space when fully engaged. 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the diaphragm is affixed to one of the cap or the container. 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the edge, center deflector button, and segments form an integral diaphragm and the diaphragm bends and rotates, both vertically and horizontally, to protect the container from deformation imposed during manufacturing processes.