US Patent 7828197 Composite containers and methods for sealing the same

A container having an integrated bottom end closure subassembly. The container includes a top opening and bottom opening. The top opening is initially closed and sealed with a top membrane while the bottom opening is closed by the end closure subassembly. The subassembly includes an end cap and a bottom membrane. The subassembly is configured so that positioning the end cap onto the container to close the bottom opening positions the bottom membrane near the container. The bottom membrane may be sealed to the container. Once the bottom membrane is sealed to the container, the end cap may be removed from the container independently from the bottom membrane. The end cap provides protection to the bottom membrane during shipping and handling and then is used by the consumer to reclose the top opening once the top membrane is removed.