# US 12,759,251 B2 · Polyester resin closures for containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,251 B2 - Document ID: US12759251B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/904,693 - Filed: 2024-10-02 - Published: 2025-01-23 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-20 - Assignees: Origin Materials Operating, Inc. - Applicants: Origin Materials Operating, Inc. - Inventors: Jay Clarke Hanan; Rachel Hess - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759251B2 ## CPC - B29D 99/0096: {Producing closure members for containers, e.g. closure caps or stoppers} - B29C 45/0001: {characterised by the choice of material} - B29C 45/0053: {combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping (injection-compression moulding B29C45/561)} - B29C 45/26: Moulds - B29C 51/002: {characterised by the choice of material} - B29C 51/10: Forming by pressure difference, e.g. vacuum - B29K 2023/08: {Copolymers of ethylene (B29K2023/16 takes precedence)} - B29K 2067/003: {PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate} - B29K 2105/0002: {monomers or prepolymers} - B29K 2105/0085: {Copolymers} - B29K 2905/02: Aluminium - B29K 2995/0041: Crystalline - B29L 2001/00: Articles provided with screw threads - B29L 2031/565: {for containers} - B65D 41/0414: {formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck} - B65D 41/3447: {the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges} - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract Thermoformed polyester resin closures for closing containers, the polyester resins including polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyethylene furandicarboxylate (“PEF”), or a copolymer including PET and PEF, are provided herein. Methods of making the thermoformed closures are further provided. Methods of sterilizing the thermoformed closures are further provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a closure that mounts onto a finish of a container; the closure comprising at least one layer that comprises: (a) an outer layer that comprises: (i) an outer layer annular wall; (ii) an outer layer outer cylindrical wall extending downward from the outer layer annular wall; (iii) an outer layer inner depression wall that extends downwardly from the outer layer annular wall; and (iv) an outer layer lower wall that extends across a bottom of the outer layer inner depression wall and; (b) an inner layer that comprises: (i) an inner layer annular wall configured to seat against a top surface of a rim of the finish; (ii) an inner layer outer cylindrical wall that extends downwardly from the inner layer annular wall; (iii) an inner layer inner depression wall that extends downwardly from the inner layer annular wall; and (iv) an inner layer lower wall that extends across a bottom of the inner layer inner depression wall; the method comprising thermoforming a sheet of a polyester resin into the closure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein thermoforming comprises applying the sheet of the polyester resin to a male mold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the male mold comprises aluminum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising demolding the closure from the male mold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein thermoforming further comprises applying a vacuum or pressure to motivate the sheet of the polyester resin into the male mold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the vacuum or pressure is applied at a range of from about 1 bar to about 10 bar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the vacuum or pressure is applied at about 4 bar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising cutting the closure from the sheet of polyester resin after the thermoforming. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the closure further comprises a plug seal configured to seal against an inner surface of the finish. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the closure further comprises a tamper evidence feature configured to engage with a tamper evidence ledge of the finish. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polyester resin comprises polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene furandicarboxylate, or a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene furandicarboxylate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer outer cylindrical wall comprises internal threads configured to engage with the finish. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the outer layer outer cylindrical wall comprises a plurality of knurls. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the inner layer outer cylindrical wall comprises internal threads configured to engage with the finish. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the closure further comprises a tamper evidence feature that comprises a tamper evidence band. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a different polyester resin than the inner layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is thermoformed from a first sheet of polyester resin, and the outer layer is thermoformed from a second sheet of polyester resin. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are thermoformed using different molds. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising combining the inner layer that is thermoformed from a first sheet of polyester resin and the outer layer that is thermoformed from a second sheet of polyester resin. ### Claim 20 A method of making a closure that mounts onto a finish of a container; the closure comprising at least one layer that comprises: (a) an annular wall configured to seat against a top surface of a rim of the finish; and (b) an outer cylindrical wall extending downward from the annular wall; the method comprising: thermoforming a sheet of a polyester resin into the closure, wherein thermoforming comprises applying the sheet of the polyester resin to a male mold, and applying a vacuum or pressure to motivate the sheet of the polyester resin into the male mold, wherein the vacuum or pressure is applied at a range of from about 1 bar to about 10 bar. ### Claim 21 A method of making a closure that mounts onto a finish of a container; the closure comprising at least one layer that comprises: (a) an outer layer that comprises: (i) an outer layer annular wall; and (ii) an outer layer outer cylindrical wall that extends downwardly from the outer layer annular wall; and (b) an inner layer that comprises: (i) an inner layer annular wall; and (ii) an inner layer outer cylindrical wall that extends downwardly from the inner layer annular wall; the method comprising thermoforming a sheet of a polyester resin into the closure; wherein the inner layer is thermoformed from a first sheet of polyester resin, and the outer layer is thermoformed from a second sheet of polyester resin; and wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are thermoformed using different molds.