US2062365A - Cover and dispenser for milk cans and the like - Google Patents

Description

R. H. LEHEW Dec. 1, 1936.

COVER AND DISPENSER .FOR MILK CANS AND THE LIKE Filed eat. 29, 1935 m m w m Patented Dec. 1, 1936 COVER AND DISPENSER FOR MILK CANS AND THE LIKE Robert H. Lehew, Highland Park, Mich.

Application October 29, 1935, Serial No. 47,277

2 Claims.

My invention relates to covers and dispensers for use in connection with metal containers of the type employed for condensed milk, syrups, and similar products, and its principal object is 5 to provide means whereby the contents of the container may be dispensed in such quantities as are required from time to time, the materials remaining in the container being in the meantime protected from contamination.

According to the present practice in handling products of the character referred to, two holes are punched in the lid of the container at diametrically opposed points, one of said openings being used for pouring out the contents while the other is employed for the admission of atmospheric pressure in order to facilitate the pouring action. After these holes have been Q made and a portion of the contents discharged from the container, the latter is stored in some 20 convenient place until such time as a further supply is required. In the meantime the residual contents are exposed to contamination by the entrance of dust and dirt through the openings as well as to the attacks of flies, ants, and other 25 insects, so that it is often necessary to discard the container while a portion of the contents are still retained therein.

According to the present invention I have provided means whereby the openings above referred 30 to are kept covered when the container is not in use, and I have at the same time provided a spout through which the contents may be more conveniently poured.

A further object of my said invention is to provide a device of the character referred to which is simple in construction and which can be produced economically in large quantities by modern methods of production.

With these and other objects in view, a preferred form of my device will be hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying tom member 2 and top member 3. 4 is the body of my device which consists essentially of a flat circular cover 4| having a dependent cylindrical rim 42 of an internal diameter suitable for fitting over the top of the can and provided with a resilient lining 43 of rubber or other suitable material so that the rim can be fitted tightly upon the can notwithstanding slight variations in the external diameter thereof. Secured to the upper surface of the member 4| is a member having at one end a. spout 5| which is formed integral with a fiat portion 52 which fits tightly against the upper surface of the supporting member. In the fiat portion 52 and located upon the median line :t-a: of the can are a pair of circular openings 6, the opening 6 being used for the ingress of atmospheric air, while the opening 1 is employed for egress of the liquid contained in the can in the manner well known in the art.

Within a rebate 53 in the member 5 is slidably mounted a strip 8 of metal or other suitable material which is adapted to form a movable closure for the openings 6 and 1. For this purpose there is provided a circular opening 8| which coincides with the opening 6 when the parts are in the relative positions shown in Figure 3, while at the same time the extremity 82 of the member 8 is moved away from the opening I. When, however, the member 8 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow y in Figure 3 so that the parts then occupy the positions shown in Figure 2, the holes 6 and l are closed. In order to facilitate movement of the member 8 there is provided an upturned portion 83; Connection of the member 5 to the member 4| is effected through integral tongues 54 which project through slots in the member 4| and are bent over as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, however, riveting or spot-welding may be employed for this purpose.

In operation, the device is placed over the top of the can as shown in Figure 1 and the member 8 moved into the open position as shown in Figure 3, leaving the top member 3 of the can exposed. Openings 3| are then made in the can by means of any convenient pointed instrument, so that when the can is tipped the required amount of liquid may be poured out through the spout 5|, after which the member 8 is moved into the position shown in Figure 2 and. the openings 6, l are covered, as before stated. 7

It will be observed from the foregoing description that I have provided a device which is well adapted for the purpose intended and which may be easily and quickly applied to the container. Moreover, my device will eifecutally prevent the admission of dust, dirt, or insects to the contents at all times, and while I have herein described a preferred embodiment of my invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the same refers that the same may be modified to suit any particular or peculiar requirements Without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, instead of employing the rubber lining 43, I may form the rim 42 of resilient material and slit the same vertically at one or more points as indicated in broken lines at 44 in Figure 1.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a cover having a substantially flat top and a cylindrical rim adapted to fit over a container, a, pair of diametrically opposed openings in said top, a member superposed upon said cover having openings coincident with said first-mentioned openings and having a pair of upstanding convergent walls adapted to form a spout, a

longitudinal, diametrically extending recess upon the underside of said member, and a strip of metal slidably received within said recess having a pair of openings adapted to be brought into coincidence with the openings in said cover and to be moved out of coincidence therewith to form a closure for said last-mentioned openings.

2. A device of the character described comprising a cover having a substantially fiat top and a cylindrical rim adapted to fit over a container, a pair of diametrically opposed openings in said top, a member superposed upon said cover having openings coincident with said firstmentioned openings and having a pair of upstanding convergent walls adapted to form a spout, a longtudinal, diametrically extending recess upon the underside of said member, and a strip of metal slidably received within said recess having a pair of openings adapted to be brought into coincidence with the openings in said cover and to be moved out of coincidence therewith to form a closure for said last-mentioned openings, one end of said strip being turned up at right angles and projecting through one of the openings in the spout member to form a handle.

' ROBERT H. LEI-IEW.

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