Canister with dispersing aperture

Abstract

A canister with a novel dispensing aperture is described. The aperture is located within a continuous surface opposite the seamed canister end. By thus locating the aperture, canister contents may be dispensed or sipped without the interference of debris-collecting grooves, seam edges, and sharp angles typical of canisters with dispensing apertures located on seamed ends.

Claims

1. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates, comprising a single-wall body formed from a single continuous sheet of metal; a sealed end located at the edges of said body; the body being concave conically formed at an end opposite said sealed end, the conically formed portion comprising a conical wall and rounded apex projecting inwardly toward the interior of the canister, and a dispensing aperture positioned through the conical wall and opposite said sealed end.

2. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 1 wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, tin, and copper.

3. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of metal and at least one plastic.

4. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 3 wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

5. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 1 wherein the aperture is present only after downward force is applied to a tear strip bordered by a continuous score which defines at least 60% of the borders of said aperture.

6. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 1 wherein the sealed end is formed from a second sheet material, the edges of which are joined to the edges of the body.

7. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulate as in claim 6 wherein the edges of the sealed end are joined to the edges of the body by rolling and crimping the edges together to form a tight seal.

8. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates, comprising a single-wall body formed from a single continuous sheet of metal; a sealed end located at the edges of said body; the body being concave conically formed at an end opposite said sealed end, the conically formed portion comprising a conical wall and rounded apex projecting inwardly toward the interior of the canister, and a dispensing aperture closed with a removable seal, the aperture being positioned through the conical wall and opposite said sealed end.

9. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 8 wherein the seal is a membrane comprised of a metal sheet adhered to the body with adhesive.

10. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 8 wherein the seal is a membrane comprised of a metal sheet adhered to the body with frangible solder.

11. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 8 wherein the seal is a membrane comprised of a metal sheet adhered to the body with a frangible weld.

12. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 8 wherein the seal is a plug seal comprised of a flat material having two sides, one side having a projection sized to fit tightly within the aperture.

13. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 8 wherein the seal is a membrane comprised of a polymer sheet adhered to the body with adhesive or thermally sealed.

14. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates, comprising: a single continuous sheet of material forming a body comprising a cylindrical shape having a rounded side wall and a concave conically formed dispensing end, the conically formed portion comprising a conical wall and rounded apex projecting inwardly toward the interior of the canister, the side wall and dispensing end being in continuous transition; a sealed end located at the edges of said body; and a dispensing aperture positioned through the conical wall of the dispensing end.

15. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 14 wherein the continuous transition between the side wall and the dispensing end is of a smooth and rounded construction to easily dispense the contents of the canister into a person's mouth.

16. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 14 wherein the continuous transition between the side wall and the dispensing end does not contain any continuous or semi-continuous annular grooves.

17. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 14 wherein the aperture is present only after downward force is applied to a tear strip bordered by a continuous score which defines at least 60% of the borders of said aperture.

18. A canister for dispensing liquids or granular particulates as in claim 17 wherein the downward force is applied to the tear strip by means of a pull tab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an improved canister in embodiment showing a conical dispensing end and dispensing aperture with membrane seal according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side cross sectional view of an improved canister taken at line A in FIG. 1 in embodiment showing a conical dispensing end and dispensing aperture according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of an improved canister according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of an improved canister with dispensing aperture according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of an improved canister in embodiment showing a conical dispensing end and dispensing aperture according to the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an improved canister in embodiment showing a conical dispensing end and dispensing aperture according to the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an improved canister in embodiment showing a conical dispensing end and dispensing aperture with tear strip according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an improved canister in embodiment showing a conical opening dispensing end and plug seal according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) This invention provides a canister for dispensing liquid or granular product without grooves near to the dispensing aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a beverage canister in which the canister body 9 is formed from a single continuous sheet of material. In a further preferred embodiment, the body is constructed of a metal such as aluminum, steel, tin, or copper. The body may also be constructed of a combination of a metal and a plastic such polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and low density polyethylene (LDPE). In a preferred embodiment, the body is a single wall body.

(10) As is shown in FIGS. 1-8, the body may be formed in the shape of cylinder with a rounded side wall 2, dispensing end 6 and a sealed end 5. A second sheet material 3 is applied to the sealed end 5 of the body in order to close the sealed end of the cylinder. The second sheet material may be comprised of a metallic substance, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the sealed end of the body. As shown in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the second sheet material is joined to the sealed end of the body by rolling and crimping together edges of the sealed end and edges of the second sheet material tightly to prevent the escape of liquids or granular contents from the sealed end. Joining the sealed end and body at the sealed end of the body creates a groove 14. However, as is noted throughout, the groove at the sealed end of the canister is opposite the dispensing end, and the mouth of a user will not come into contact the groove 14 when accessing the contents of the canister from the dispensing end.

(11) A dispensing aperture 1 is positioned within the dispensing end 6 for dispensing the contents of the canister. The joinder of the sealed end and the second sheet material may form grooves 14 as a result of the joining process. However, the aperture in the dispensing end is located away from the sealed end, and no grooves are formed in the proximity of the aperture where a user may place his mouth to drink or eat the contents of the canister. The dispensing end may be flat. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, the dispensing end may contain a slight conical concave configuration. The conical concave configuration may be directed inwardly toward the interior of the canister and may comprise a conical wall 7 forming an inwardly projected conical configuration ending at a rounded apex also projecting inwardly toward the interior of the canister. Nonetheless, because the body is formed from a single continuous sheet of material, the rounded side wall is in continuous transition with the dispensing end with no grooves or other deformations which would normally be formed when two or more pieces of material are joined. The transition between the side wall and the dispensing end may be smooth and rounded to easily dispense the contents of the canister into a person's mouth.

(12) The dispensing aperture 1 may be comprised of a hole cut into the dispensing end 6 to release the contents of the canister. To prevent the release of the contents of the canister prior to use, the dispensing aperture may be closed with a membrane seal 4. The membrane seal should be sized larger than the dispensing aperture 1 to cover the dispensing aperture. In operation, the user will remove the membrane seal to release the contents of the canister. The membrane seal may be constructed of a metal material and may be secured to the body 9 at the dispensing end 6 with an adhesive, a frangible weld, or a frangible solder. The membrane seal may alternatively be constructed of a polymer sheet and may be secured to the body at the dispensing end with an adhesive. Alternately, the polymer sheet may be thermally sealed and secured to body over the dispensing aperture at the dispensing end.

(13) In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the dispensing aperture 1 may be dosed with a plug seal 13. The plug seal may contain a projection which is sized the fit tightly within the aperture to prevent release of the contents of the canister. The user may pull the plug seal from the dispensing aperture to release the contents of the canister. However, the user may again close the canister by reinserting the plug seal into the dispensing aperture.

(14) In another alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the dispensing end 6 may be contain a score line 11 which roughly defines at least 60% of the boundaries of a tear strip 10. The tear strip is located adjacent to a pull tab 12, a portion of which covers the tear strip. The pull tab is attached centrally to the dispensing end 6 of the body 9. In operation, the user pulls on the pull tab which presses against the tear strip pushing it toward the canister to release the contents 8 of the canister. The tear strip breaks away from the body at the score line and is bent into the interior of the canister while still remaining partially attached to the body. Dispensing aperture 1 is formed when the tear strip is separated in part from the body at the score line and pushed downward. The score line may be formed by die stamping, hydroforming, waterjet cutting, laser cutting, or similar processes.

(15) The invention improves the user experience for beverage cans by locating the dispensing aperture away from the sealed end, and therefore away from the problems associated with dispensing from apertures within or adjacent to the unsanitary and uncomfortable contours of sealed ends. In the preferred embodiment, a dispensing aperture is located within the canister wall opposite the sealed end. The can is then filled in the traditional way, and a second sheet material applied at the sealed end of the body to close the canister.

(16) The invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments which fulfill all of the objects of the present invention and overcome the limitations of the prior art. Various changes, modifications, and alterations from the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.