(19)
(11) EP 1 584 567 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
02.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/44

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.10.2005 Bulletin 2005/41

(21) Application number: 04257809.6

(22) Date of filing: 15.12.2004
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65D 17/50(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30) Priority: 05.01.2004 US 751756

(71) Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Williams, Alan
    Camden South Carolina 29020 (US)
  • Nelson, Brian E.
    Camden South Carolina 29020 (US)
  • Morin, Jeremy E.
    Florence South Carolina 29505 (US)

(74) Representative: Kinsler, Maureen Catherine et al
Marks & Clerk, 19 Royal Exchange Square
Glasgow G1 3AE
Glasgow G1 3AE (GB)

   


(54) Easily openable closure for a retortable container


(57) A retortable, easily openable closure of the type having a metal end and a membrane closure heat-sealed thereto, wherein the metal end has a coating of a heat-seal composition (24) comprising a food-compatible metal-coating composition blended with polypropylene. The polypropylene disperses within the food-compatible metal-coating composition during curing of the coating on the metal end such that an outer surface of the coating defines a multitude of separate, spaced islands (26) of polypropylene dispersed within the food-compatible metal-coating composition so as to form bonding sites. The membrane closure's lower surface has a heat-seal layer of polypropylene for sealing to the coating on the metal end.







Search report