RECLOSABLE LID FOR A VACUUM FOOD CONTAINER AND HAVING A VACUUM RELEASE BUTTON

摘要

A sheet metal lid has a rim portion with a resilient sealant for releasably coupling and sealing the lid to a glass or other container enclosing a vacuum food product. The lid is successively pressed with progressive dies to form an upwardly projecting and thinner dome-shape portion which is progressively formed into annular cavity surrounding a vacuum release vent button. The button has a sloping top wall with an upper edge portion connected to a substantially vertical arcuate wall portion adjacent an arcuate score line located in opposing relation to an arcuate reinforcing bead within the cavity. A sealant material is bonded to the inner surface of the button and overlies the score line. The vent button is preferably located below the rim both before and after the vacuum is released, and the sealant material reseats to cover the score line and protect the food product.

主权项

1. A method of adding a vacuum release button to a thin sheet metal lid having a vertical axis and a horizontal peripheral rim portion with a sealant material bonded to the lid and adapted to be releasably secured to the open end portion of a container having a vacuum enclosed food product, the method comprising the steps of
pressing a portion of the lid upwardly to form a rounded dome-shape portion having a sheet metal thickness less than the sheet metal thickness of a lid portion extending around the dome-shape portion, pressing the dome-shape portion downwardly to form an annular cavity surrounding an upwardly projecting vent button, forming the button with a non-horizontal sloping top wall extending upwardly to a top edge portion of the top wall with the top edge portion connected to a substantially vertical arcuate wall, and pressing an arcuate score line into the sheet metal lid portion forming the cavity and adjacent a bottom portion of the substantially vertical arcuate wall.