Closure for a retort processed container having a peelable seal

A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a thermal sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;
• at least one retaining bead extending radially inward from said annular skirt;
• a reseal structure rotatably disposed above said retaining bead and adjacent said top wall;
• an inner seal rotatably disposed above said retaining structure and beneath a lower surface of said reseal structure;
• said reseal structure including a smooth polymeric slip layer affixed to at least one surface thereof.

A closure-container combination for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a container having an upstanding container neck finish;
• said container neck finish having at least one thread helically extending about said neck finish;
• a closure threadably disposed on said container neck finish;
• said closure having a top wall and a skirt depending from said top wall;
• a retaining structure extending along an inner surface of said closure and defining a space between said top wall and said retaining structure;
• a reseal structure of rubber and synthetic olefin rubber rotatably positioned above said retaining structure and adjacent said top wall, said reseal structure having a slip layer of polypropylene material affixed to an upper surface thereof;
• an inner seal rotatably positioned above said retaining structure and beneath said reseal structure;
• wherein said inner seal engages a container neck and said inner seal and said reseal structure stop rotating relative to said container neck.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;
• a retaining structure extending radially inward from an inner surface of said annular skirt;
• a reseal structure adjacent said top wall of said closure above said retaining structure;
• and,
• an inner seal positioned above said retaining structure and abutting a lower surface of said reseal structure, said inner seal rotatable relative to said closure.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;
• a retaining structure extending radially inward from an inner surface of said annular skirt;
• a reseal structure integral with an inner surface of said top wall;
• and, an inner seal positioned above said retaining structure and abutting a lower surface of said reseal structure.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;
• a retaining structure extending radially inward from an inner surface of said annular skirt;
• a reseal structure rotatably positioned above said retaining structure, said reseal structure having a first slip layer on an upper surface and a second slip layer on a lower surface;
• an inner seal positioned above said retaining structure and abutting said second slip layer;
• said reseal layer rotatable relative to said closure top wall.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall;
• a thread extending along an inner surface of the closure skirt and defining a retaining structure;
• a reseal liner compression molded into said closure and abutting said top wall;
• a slip agent formed integral with said reseal liner;
• an inner seal disposed against a lower surface of said reseal liner and above said thread.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and a skirt depending from said top wall;
• at least one retaining structure extending inwardly from said skirt;
• a crab claw seal depending from an inner surface of said top wall, said seal having a slip agent formed integral therewith;
• said crab claw abutting an inner seal disposed above said retaining structure and beneath said crab claw seal.

A closure for maintaining pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip during a sterilization process, comprising:

• a closure having a top wall and a skirt depending from said top wall;
• a plug seal depending from said top wall;
• a reseal liner extending about the outer circumference of said plug seal;
• at least one retaining structure beneath said reseal liner;
• an inner seal disposed beneath said reseal liner and above said retaining structure;
• said reseal liner and inner seal having a coefficient of friction less than said inner seal and a container neck.