Selectively venting and load-sealing closure

A method of transporting a stack of cases holding containers filled with a gas evolving liquid, the method comprising:

• providing a vented closure for the container, the vented closure having an upper surface, The vented closure having a reference position allowing gas to escape from the container without building up pressure therein when no load is placed on the vented closure, the vented closure having a sealing position preventing gas from escaping from the container when a load is placed on the vented closure and thereby maintaining internal pressure when a load is placed on the vented closure, the vented closure being in the reference position in the absence of a load, the vented closure being in the sealing position in the presence of a load, such that the vented closure is responsive to a load irrespective an internal pressure of the container;
• placing at least one container having a vented closure into the cases to produce a filled case, the upper surface of each vented closure flush with a top wall of the filled case;
• forming the stack by vertically stacking a plurality of filled cases;
• receiving a load by the top wall, the load provided by a portion of the stack resting upon the filled case, the load distributed by the top wall to the upper surface of the vented closure of the at least one container within the case, the distributed load placing the vented closure into a sealing position;
• and
• maintaining an internal pressure of the at least one of the containers to thereby increase a load-bearing capacity of the at least one of the containers by virtue of distributing the load on the upper surface of the vented closure;
• supporting the stack for transportation, support being provided by the at least one container therein having its internal pressure maintained by the distributed load exerted upon the vented closure, whereby the internal gas pressure within the at least one container resists collapse of the container.

A method of transporting cases holding containers filled with a gas evolving liquid, the method comprising:

• filling each of a plurality of cases with at least one container having a vented closure, the vented closure having an upper surface, the vented closure having a reference position allowing gas to escape from the container without building up pressure therein when no load is placed on the vented closure, the vented closure having a sealing position preventing gas from escaping from the container when a load is placed on the vented closure and thereby maintaining internal pressure within the container, the vented closure being in the reference position in the absence of a load, the vented closure being in the sealing position in the presence of a load, such that the vented closure is responsive to a load irrespective an internal pressure of the at least one container;
• stacking the cases in a stack so that each case comprising the stack, excepting the topmost case, has a load exerted upon a top wall of the case, the load provided by the weight of a portion of the stack thereon;
• distributing the load exerted on the top wall of the case to the upper surface of the vented closure on the at least one container therein by placing the top surface flush and in contact with the top wall;
• allowing the distributed load to move the vented closure from the reference position to the sealing position, whereby internal pressure provided by the vented closure in the sealing position prevents collapse of the container and provides support for the stack;
• maintaining an internal pressure of the at least one of the containers to thereby increase a load-bearing capacity of the at least one of the containers by virtue of distributing the load on the upper surface of the vented closure;
• and
• transporting the stacked cases.