Vented composite closure

A retortable closure package comprising:

• a container having a securement member formed thereon;
• and
• a closure including a metal disk and a molded plastic band;
• the disk having a center portion and an annular raised crown disposed around said center portion, the crown having a groove on an underside thereof that contains a gasket engageable with a rim of the container;
• the band having an inwardly extending semi-toroidal annular hook and a skirt extending downward from the hook, the skirt having a securement member engageable with the securement member on the container, the hook having a lower edge opposite the skirt that is spaced apart from the disk when said closure is secured to said container so as to define a gap between said disk and said lower edge, an underside of the hook including:
• a plurality of pads urging downward against the crown exerting downward force on the crown and not exerting radial clamping force across the crown in response to coupling together the closure and the container;
• an annular recess formed in the underside of the hook and defining an end of the pads;
• and
• a plurality of vents disposed between the pads, one end of the vents being in communication with the annular recess and another end of the vents being in communication with said gap,
• whereby the vents provide communication between the securement members and the environment to enable evaporation of liquids disposed within the closure.