GB2099395A - Easy-open metallic containers - Google Patents

Abstract

In a metallic container comprising a body 1, a base 2 closing a first end of the body, and an easy-opening lid 3 closing the second end of the body, the lid having a central removable portion (not shown) and a peripheral remainder portion 5 separated by a line of weakness, the lid 3 and body 1 are joined by a widened part 4 extending outwardly from the body to the lid, the radial extent of the widened part being at least as great as the radial extend of the remainder portion 5 of the lid 3 to facilitate removal of the container contents intact. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A metallic container The present invention refers to metallic containers, and is particularly concerned with metallic containers having easy-opening closures, for example, of the "rug-pull' type.

Easy-opening closures have been successfully used on containers for a variety of food products, principally beveridges. However, this type of closure has hitherto not been applied to container for foodstuffs which are intended to be removed from the container as a solid mass, for example, corned beef or other similar processed meat products.

The inherent difficulty in this application is that, when a "rug-pull" type closure is opened, a peripheral ledge or lip of the closure material is left attached to the container, extending inwardly from the bead joining the closure to the container body. It is this ledge or lip which prevents the exit intact of the container contents.

The present invention provides a container construction which allows an easy-opening closure to be used in conjunction with a container for processed meat products or the like, avoiding the problem outlined above.

According to the present invention, a metallic container for a food product comprises a body, a base closing a first end of the body, and an easy-opening lid closing the second end of the body, the lid having a central removable portion and a peripheral remainder portion separated by a line of weakness, and is characterized in that the lid and body are joined by a widened part extending outwardly from the body to the lid, the radial extent of the widened part being at least as great as the radial extent of the remainder portion of lid 3.

A container according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of the container, the easy-opening closure having been opened.

Figure 2 is a cross-section taken in the plane ll-ll of Figure 1.

As may be seen from the Figures, the embodiment described has a tapered, substantially, rectangularly cross-sectioned body 1, closed at its smaller end by a base 2.

At its wider end, the body is formed with an outwardly extending widened part 4, to the larger end of which is attached a lid 3 having an easy opening closure which allows the majority of the planar part of lid 3 to be removed without the aid of opening devices. This is done in the usual way by providing a line of weakness bounding the part of the lid to be removed, and furnishing the part to be removed with finger grip means (not shown).

The lid 3 and base 2 are joined to the body 1 by conventional means, in this case beads 3a, 2a respectively.

As is readily apparent from Figure 2, removal of the closure leaves a ledge or lip 5, extending radially inwardly from the bead 3a at the larger end of widened part 4.

In use, the container is filled up to about the level of the join 6 between the widened part 4 and the body 1 with a food product, and the lid 3 is applied.

Thus, the largest cross-sectional extent of the food product corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the container at join 6.

As is apparent from the Figure, the cross-sectional area at join 6 is less than the areas available for the exit of the product, as the radially outward extent of widened part 4 is arranged to be equal to, or preferably greater than, the radially inward extent of the ledge or lip 5. Thus the solid food product may exit intact from the container.

It will be readily imaginable by those skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to containers of circular or other cross-sections either cylindrical or tapered.

1. A metallic container comprising a body la base 2, closing a first end of the body, and an easy-opening lid 3 closing the second end of the body, the lid having a central removable portion and a peripheral remainder portion 5 separated by a line of weakness, and characterized in that the lid 3 and body 1 are joined by a widened part 4 extending outwardly from the body to the lid, the radial extent of the widened part being at least as great as the radial extent of the remainder portion 5 of the lid 3.

2. A metallic container according to claim 1, characterized in that body 1 is tapered, and the widened part extends from the larger end of the body.

3. A metallic container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the body is substantially rectangular.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A metallic container The present invention refers to metallic containers, and is particularly concerned with metallic containers having easy-opening closures, for example, of the "rug-pull' type. Easy-opening closures have been successfully used on containers for a variety of food products, principally beveridges. However, this type of closure has hitherto not been applied to container for foodstuffs which are intended to be removed from the container as a solid mass, for example, corned beef or other similar processed meat products. The inherent difficulty in this application is that, when a "rug-pull" type closure is opened, a peripheral ledge or lip of the closure material is left attached to the container, extending inwardly from the bead joining the closure to the container body. It is this ledge or lip which prevents the exit intact of the container contents. The present invention provides a container construction which allows an easy-opening closure to be used in conjunction with a container for processed meat products or the like, avoiding the problem outlined above. According to the present invention, a metallic container for a food product comprises a body, a base closing a first end of the body, and an easy-opening lid closing the second end of the body, the lid having a central removable portion and a peripheral remainder portion separated by a line of weakness, and is characterized in that the lid and body are joined by a widened part extending outwardly from the body to the lid, the radial extent of the widened part being at least as great as the radial extent of the remainder portion of lid 3. A container according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of the container, the easy-opening closure having been opened. Figure 2 is a cross-section taken in the plane ll-ll of Figure 1. As may be seen from the Figures, the embodiment described has a tapered, substantially, rectangularly cross-sectioned body 1, closed at its smaller end by a base 2. At its wider end, the body is formed with an outwardly extending widened part 4, to the larger end of which is attached a lid 3 having an easy opening closure which allows the majority of the planar part of lid 3 to be removed without the aid of opening devices. This is done in the usual way by providing a line of weakness bounding the part of the lid to be removed, and furnishing the part to be removed with finger grip means (not shown). The lid 3 and base 2 are joined to the body 1 by conventional means, in this case beads 3a, 2a respectively. As is readily apparent from Figure 2, removal of the closure leaves a ledge or lip 5, extending radially inwardly from the bead 3a at the larger end of widened part 4. In use, the container is filled up to about the level of the join 6 between the widened part 4 and the body 1 with a food product, and the lid 3 is applied. Thus, the largest cross-sectional extent of the food product corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the container at join 6. As is apparent from the Figure, the cross-sectional area at join 6 is less than the areas available for the exit of the product, as the radially outward extent of widened part 4 is arranged to be equal to, or preferably greater than, the radially inward extent of the ledge or lip 5. Thus the solid food product may exit intact from the container. It will be readily imaginable by those skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to containers of circular or other cross-sections either cylindrical or tapered. CLAIMS

1. A metallic container comprising a body la base 2, closing a first end of the body, and an easy-opening lid 3 closing the second end of the body, the lid having a central removable portion and a peripheral remainder portion 5 separated by a line of weakness, and characterized in that the lid 3 and body 1 are joined by a widened part 4 extending outwardly from the body to the lid, the radial extent of the widened part being at least as great as the radial extent of the remainder portion 5 of the lid 3.

2. A metallic container according to claim 1, characterized in that body 1 is tapered, and the widened part extends from the larger end of the body.

3. A metallic container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the body is substantially rectangular.