US3139211A - Containers and openers therefor - Google Patents

Description

June

Filed 1 III M 1 ll il :Wllllllllllllllgffl March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet l June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 960

June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9. 1960 June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 9, 1960 INVENTOR. 20 fifeflflyizer ma /271 a? June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 240 INVENTOR.

June 30, 1964 P. BOGNER 3,139,211

CONTAINERS AND OPENERS THEREFOR Filed March 9, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I l 1 Z35 1 j IAZENTORkeI Z5 BY?- United States Patent Filed Mar. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 13,883 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) The present invention relates to containers, particularly sheet metal containers of the type which are common- 1y called tin cans. The widespread and extensive use of such containers or cans in many phases of the economy has given rise to a large and highly active can making industry. This industry has devoted an enormous amount of eifort over a long period to improving cans and can making technology. Yet, conventional cans adapted for production and use on a mass production basis are subject to shortcomings, which are the concern of this invention.

In general, containers or cans of the type to which the present invention relates comprise a container body defining a peripheral wall which is usually cylindrical. At least one end of the container is closed by a cover which is attached to the container body by a peripheral scam in which an annular hook element on the cover is interfolded and interlocked with an annular hook element on the adjacent marginal edge of the body. Ordinarily, the other end of the container is closed by another cover similarly applied to the container body.

- One object of the invention is to provide a container of the above character having a new and improved construction which provides for opening of the container in a highly advantageous manner that can be performed effectively and efficiently by a very simple can opener.

Another object is to provide an improved container, of the character recited, which is adapted to beopened by a shearing cutter that moves radially inward across the axially outer end of a body hook of the container to shear off the hook of the adjoined cover as the cutter moves circumferentially around the container, and which has an improved construction that facilitates holding of the cutter in an optimum axial position for cutting by means of simple cutter operating structure while at the same time obviating problems of jamming of the cutter tainer.

Another object is to provide a container, as recited, in which an annular cutter reception space is defined in an end seam of the container adjacent the outer axial extremity of the coacting body hook by structure which provides for radial movement into the space of a shearing cutter which is only lightly held against axial displacement along the axis of the container while being moved circumferentially around the container in axial alinement with the cutter receiving space.

Another object is to provide a container having a new and improved end seam construction in which an annular shear cutter receiving space is defined adjacent the outer axial extremity of the coacting body hook, and by which guiding into the space of a circumferentially moving cutter lightly held against axial displacement'relative to the container is provided by an annular portion of the cover hook which is protected against deformation by either radial or axial blows.

Another object is to provide a container of the character recited, having an improved end seam construction which provides for a highly advantageous severing of the cover hook of the seam adjacent the axially outer portion of the coacting body hook by means of an inwardly directed shearing cutter which, by virtue of the improved construction of the end seam, is diverted over the body hook so as to skid along the body book without cutting and cutter operating structure during opening of the con- 4 3,139,211 Patented June 30, 1964 into the body hook surface or interfering with subsequent removal. of the cover even though the'cutter' extends radially inward of that portion of the cover hook which is severed by the cutter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the above character which has a new and improved peripheral seam construction that provides for efficient and unfailing opening of the container by movement of a cutter blade radially inward through the outer fold of the cover hook, the seam construction being such that movement of the cutter blade through and radially inward of the outer fold of the cover hook as the cutter is moved circumferentially around the container does not cause any interference with subsequent removal of the container cover.

Another object is to provide a container, as recited in the previous objects, which has a new and improved construction that provides, upon opening of the container by a special can opener, for convenient replacement of the cover to reclose thecontainer in a manner which afiords a highly advantageous, yieldable retention of the cover in place on the container.

A related object is to provide an improved container adapted to be opened in the manner recited in'the preceding object by means of a simple opener that need not be fabricated to exacting dimensional tolerances.

Another object is to provide in conjunction with the improved can recited a new and improved can opener which can be of simple, light weight construction, and which can be operated manually or by power with great ease and efficiency to open the improved cans to maximum advantage in the manner recited in preceding objects.

. Another object is to provide, for opening the improved container provided by the invention, an improved can opener which operates with great efiiciency and effectiveness to open the container in accordance with the invention, while at the same time functioning as an incident to opening the container to effect a circumferential swaging of the container cover and the adjacent end of the container wall to enact together to facilitate reclosure of the container by replacement of the cover and to effectively yet yieldably hold the replaced cover against dislodgment from the container.

Another object is to provide, for opening the improved container recited, a new and improved can opener which coacts with the container to sever the cover hook of the container in a highly advantageous manner which assures complete severing of the cover hook while at the same time providing for deflection of the cutting element 7 over the body hook to avoid cutting of the body hook or interference with removal of the cover after severance of the cover hook.

Another object is to provide an improved container or can as recited in the foregoing objects which can be easily opened by a simple can opener in a manner which completely avoids contamination'of the interior of the can by the can opener, the can cover, or any operation associated with the opening procedure, while at the same time completely avoiding entry of any part of the opener into the interior of the car, thus avoiding contamination of the opener by the contents of the can.

Another object is to provide an improved can in which the features and advantages recited in the above objects are provided by an improved construction which permits the can to be opened in a conventional manner by conventional can openers if desired.

Another object is to achieve the previously recited objects by means of new and improved container structure which is inherently well adapted to be manufactured by an inherently simple method that can be performed by conventional can making machinery on a mass production basis with the same efiiciency and economy that are characteristic of the manufacture of conventional cans lacking the features of the improved container.

Another object is to manufacture a can on a mass production basis in a manner which produces, for the same manufacturing cost as a conventional can, an improved "can that provides the features and advantages recited in preceding objects.

Other objects and advantages will 'be apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container forming an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the container on a greatly enlarged scale showing an end "seam in transverse section;

.FIG. 3A is a fragmentary radial sectional view showing'on a'greatly enlarged scale critical structural features of'the end seam of the can and the relationship of this structure to a shear cutter;

FIG. 4 is a fragmnetary radial sectional view of a partially formed cover for the container;

FIG. 5 is a radial sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating a second step in the fabrication of a cover;

FIG. 6 is a radial sectional view of a cover, similar to FIG. 5, and illustrating the rolling of an annular protuberance in the cover in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the formation of the annular protuberance in the cover by an optional pressing operation; FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating an optional creasing operation in the formation of the cover; FIG. 9 is a fragmentary radial sectional view illustrating a cover resting on the body element of the container in readiness to be sealed in place on the body element;

FIG. 10 is a radial sectional view illustrating a first sealing or rolling operation in securing the cover in place on the container;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but illustrating a second and final rolling operation in securing the cover on the container;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the container illustrating the opening of the container in accordance with the invention;

the positional relationship of the shear cutter to the body hook of the container when the shear cutter initially breaks through the cover hook; and

FIG. 24 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 23 illustrating the positional relationship of the shear cutter to the body hook after the shear cutter has moved radially inward after initially engaging the body hook.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the container 20 forming the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 has the same over-all appearance and is used for the same purposes as conventional sheet metal containers which are commonly known as and sometimes referred to as tin cans.

As will presently appear, the improved container or can 20 has a new and improved construction which provides all the features and advantages of conventional cans, while at the same time providing for easy opening of the improved can in an unconventional manner which affords many additional advantages to the user.

In general, the improved can 20 is formed of the same basic sheet metal components as a conventional can. Thus, the can 20 comprises a sheet metal body 22 which is closed at at least one end by a separately formed sheet metal cover 24. The shape and form of the particular can 20 illustrated is typical of most commonly used cans of this type. Thus, the can body 22 has the form of a right, circular cylinder which is fabricated from a rectangular piece of sheet metal fashioned into a cylindrical shape and having adjacent longitudinal edges secured together by a conventional longitudinal seam 26.

Opposite ends of the container body 22 are closed by two circular covers, the previously mentioned cover 24 and a second cover 28 on the other end of the can. One of the covers 24, 28 is secured to the body 22, usually by the can manufacturer, before the can is filled. The other cover is applied to the body by the canner after the can is filled.

Insofar as the present invention is concerned, the two ends of the container 20, including the two covers 24, 28,

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary radial sectional view of the container illustrating the removal of the cover after severing of the cover hook;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the coverreplaced on the container after having been removed;

FIG. 15 isa perspective view of an improved can opener provided by the invention for opening the improved container;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the opener of FIG. 15 showing the opener applied to a container;

' FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating the relationship to the container structure of coating elements of the opener;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of four containers stacked together; FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the improved can opener provided by the invention and illustrating the manner of application of the can opener to a can;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the can opener of FIG. 19 in a different position;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a simplified sectional view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view on a greatly enlarged scale corresponding to FIG. 21 and illustrating can be regarded as being identical in construction. It will be understood that in some instances the technique and material used in sealing the cover which is first applied to the body 22 may be slightly different from those used in applying the second cover after the container is filled. But, these differences vary from industry to industry and are not material to the invention here.

The circular cover 24 which closes the top end of the container 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a circular central portion 30 which is dimensioned diametrically to fit into the adjacent end of the can body 22. This central portion of the cover is similar to corresponding portions of conventional can covers.

Normally, the central portion 30 of the cover 24 is shaped to have in its structure a concentric series of shallow circumferential corrugations, which serve functions well understood in this art. However, for the purpose of the present application, this central portion of the can cover may be regarded as being generally flat.

The cover 24 is secured and sealed to the adjacent end of the container body 22 by a peripheral or end seam 32 which extends axially outward beyond the central portion 30 of the cover.

In accordance with this invention, the peripheral end seam 32 has a new and improved construction which provides many diverse and extremely worth while advantages in the manufacture and use of the improved can without increasing the manufacturing cost of the containers, as will presently appear.

The main portion of the container body 22, to which the cover 24 is attached, constitutes a peripheral wall of cylindrical shape extending between opposite ends of the container and identified for convenience in the drawings by the same reference number 22. For clarity in some instances, the peripheral wall 22 of the body will be referred to as the body wall. The end seam 32 anchors the periphery of the cover 24 to a body hook formed on the adjacent marginal edge of the body wall and identified generally in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the number 34.

The body hook 34 comprises a flange portion 36 of generally cylindrical shape and substantial axial Width which is turned back along the body wall in radially spaced relation to the wall, as shown in FIG. 3. The flange 36 is joined to the wall 22 through an annular connecting portion 38 of the body hook which is turned progressively'inward from the body hook flange through an angle of 180 to merge with the adjacent outer end of the wall 22, as shown in FIG. 3.

The central portion 30 of the cover 24 merges with a raised, generally cylindrical rim portion or chuck wall 40 of the cover which has an axial length somewhat longer than that of the seam 32. The cover rim portion 40, like the central portion 30, is dimensioned to fit within the adjacent outer end of the container body. For the purpose of description, the central portion 30 and the rim portion 40 of the cover may be referred to as the main portion of the cover. Moreover, the rim 40 can be regarded as a part of the seam 32.

As shown in the drawings, FIG. 2 for example, the generally cylindrical chuck wall 40 fits snugly against-the inner surface of theadjacent outer end portion of the body wall 22 from the juncture of the body hook 34 with the body wall 22 for a substantial distance inward of the juncture of the hook 34 and body wall 22. The end por tion of the body wall 22 which is engaged by the chuck wall has a shaping which avoids constriction in an axially.

outward direction of the transverse sectional area of the space encircled by said wall end portion. This relationship of the parts avoids confinement of the central portion 30 of the cover and the chuck wall 40 by the body wall 22 against axial movement out of the space encircled by the body wall 22 even though the chuck wall fits snugly inside the body wall as shown. v

The cover rim 40 is locked in place on the body 22 by means of a cover hook 42 which is interfolded with the body hook 34 in the construction of the seam 32, as will be described later. structurally, the cover hook 42 comprises an outer flange or fold 44 of a slightly rounded but generally cylindrical shape, which closely encircles the body hook flange 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This outer fold 44 of the cover hook is joined to the main portion of the cover by an annular connecting segment 46 of the cover hook which curves around the rounded connecting portion 38 of the body hook to merge with the rim portion 40 of the cover.

The cover hook 42 also includes an inner flange or fold 48 of generally cylindrical shape which is turned under the outer fold 44 to fit between the body hook flange 36 and the wall 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The inner and outer folds of the cover hook are connected together through a 180 turn 50 in the cover hook.

Thus, the body hook flange 36 fits between the inner and outer folds or flanges 48, 44 of the cover hook in a manner such that the three flanges mutually overlap for a susbtantial' axial distance along the container.

The cover hook 42 is shaped in relation to the body hook 34 to provide for eflicient and highly advantageous opening of the container by means of a simple can opener which operates to shear through the cover'hook adjacent the outer end of the seam 32. Moreover, the cover hook is shaped in relation to the body hook to facilitate severing of the cover hook, in the manner recited, by a shearing cutter which is only lightly held against axial movement, while being moved circumferentially around the seam 32, to open the container.

In view of the significance of the relationship to the body hook of the shaping of the cover hook, it is helpful to make certain observations concerning the shaping of the body hook. Note, with reference to FIG. 3, that the juncture 52 of the body hook flange 36 with the rounded connecting portion 38 of the body hook is located a substantial distance (with reference to the size of the seam 32) axially inward from the axially outermost extremity of the body hook. As viewed in radial section, FIG. 3, the connecting portion 38 of the body hook curves through an approximately one-half of a full turn from its juncture 52 with the body hook flange 36 to its merging connection with the body wall 22. This rounded connecting portion 38 of the body hook defines an outer rounded surface 54 which, in radial section, has a substantially semicircular shape and which breaks radially inward from the juncture 52 of the connecting portion 38 with the flange 36. I

The annular portion of the connecting segments 46 of the cover hook which encircles the rounded surface 54 of the body hook is shaped to define a narrow protuberance 56 rising outwardly from the surface 54, but externally confined radially within the radial limits of the outer fold 44 of the cover hook, .and externally confined axially within the axial limits of the structure of the connecting segment 46 of the cover hook, other than that portion of the connecting segment which forms the protuberance. Thus, the annular protuberance 56 and the curving surface 54 on the body hook define therebetween an annular space 58 which, as will presently appear, serves to accommodate the inner edge of a shearing cutter used to open the container.

The protuberance 56, as viewed in radial section, FIG. 3A; is sharply curved into an outwarldy convex shape anddefines an annular external surface 62 of convex shape. The opposite circumferential edges of the protuberance 56 are connected to the adjacent portions of the cover hook through two annular portions 64, 66 of the cover hook which are reversely curved with respect to the protuberance 56 to define two annular external surfaces 68, 70, which are concave in transverse section. The two concave annular surfaces 68, 70, thus define, respectively, two circumferential indentations, also denoted by the numbers 68 and 70,. for convenience, which adjoin the convex external surface 62 of the protuberance 56.

The indentation identified by the number 70 is located between the radially outermost extremity of the protuberance 56 and the outer fold 44 of the cover hook. The minimum radius of the indentation70 with reference to the axis of the container is somewhat less than the corresponding maximum radius of the external protuberance surface 62.

It is also significant that the annular indentation 70 has a minimum radius with respect to the axis of the container at a position along the axis of the container which is located axially beyond or outwardly from the juncture 52 of the body hook surface 54 with the body hook flange 36. Put another way, the low point of the indentation 70, as viewed in radial section, is located axially outward of the position in which the body hook surface 54 starts to turn radially inward The annular space 58 in the end seam 32 is encircled at least in part by a shear segment 74 of the connecting segment 46 of the cover hook. The annular shear segment 74 has a Width extending a substantial distance along the axis of the container and defines an external annular boundary surface 76 which has a Width extending from the trough of the indentation 70 up along a portion of the adjacent edge of the protuberance 56.

As will be described presently, the boundary surface 76 is adapted to be engaged by the edge of a shear cut-' ter which shears through the shear segment 74 toward the rounded surface 54 of the body hook to enter the annular space 58.

As viewed in transverse section, the boundary surface 76 has, a maximum slope with reference to the axis .of the container which is sufliciently gentle to provide for piercing of the boundary surface by a shear cutter which is only lightly held against movement along the axis of the container while being moved radially into engagement with the boundary surface. Put another way, the boundary surface 76 is inclined away from a perpendicular to the axis of the container to a degree which pro- 7 videsnfor' easy piercing of the boundary surface by 'a shear cutter which is onlylightly held against axial dis placement in relation to the container. The sifinificance of this construction has many aspects which will be referred to later.

The container or can just described is adapted to be opened in an unconventional manner which provides many extremely worth while advantages to the user. Moreover, the container is suited to be opened in this highly advantageous manner by means of an extremely simple manually operated can opener, which will be described later.

At this point, the significance of the improved construction of the container in providing for the highly advantageous unconventional opening of the can will be de-, scribed in relation to FIG. 12 which illustrates the relationship to the can of coacting components of a can opener.

As shown in 'FIG.'12, a rotary shear blade 80 is moved radially toward the end seam 32 of the container 20, to engage a pointed shearing edge 82 on the cutter with the previously described boundary surface 76 formed by the annular shear segments 74 of the cover book 42. See FIG.'3A.

Engagement of the cutter 80 with the end seam 32 is effected by a pair of end seam engaging rollers 84, 86. As shown, the cutter 80 is fixed to the top of the roller 86 which is designed to fit against the outer fold 44 of the cover hook. A radial shoulder 88 on the lower end of the roller 86 underlies the underside of the curved portion 50 of the cover hook which connects the inner and outer folds 48, 44 of the cover hook.

The other roller 84 comprises a barrel-shaped body 87 defining an external surface, convex in longitudinal section, which is forced radially against the rim 40 of the cover to support the end seam 32 against the cutter. The roller 84 effects an advantageous shaping of the rim 40, which will be described later. An annular flange 89 on the upper end of the roller 84 extends over the top of the cover hook, as shown.

Because of the previously described gentle slope of the boundary surface 76 along the axis of the container, only a relatively light axial force is required to hold the cutter 80 against axial displacement along the container and cause the cutter, when moved radially inward, to pierce the boundary surface 76 and shear radially through the boundary segment 74. Put another way, the tendency of the boundary surface 74, when engaged by the cutter 80, to jam the cutter along the axis of the container is not great and does not create problems of binding between the end seam 32 and the coacting parts which engage the end seam.

In moving radially inward through the shear segment 74, which encircles a portion of the annular space 58, the cutter edge 82 breaks through a shear segment 74 into the space 58 at a position along the axis of the container in which the cutter edge opposes the inwardly curving surface 54 of the rounded connecting segment 38 of the body hook. This is very significant in providing practical assurance that the cover hook is sheared all the way through, while at the same time avoiding interference with removal of the cover even if the cutter edge 82 continues a substantial distance radially inward after shearing through the shear segment 74. In appreciating the significance of this, it is necessary to bear in mind the problems involved. In the first place, it is necessary to provide assurance that the cutter shears all the way through the cover hook. If the cutter fails to completely sever the cover hook which may be approximately ten thousandths of an inch thick, the cover cannot be lifted off.v On the other hand, if the shearing edge 82 extends through the cover hook and pierces the outer flange 36 f the body hook, this can cause the severed edge of the cover hook to be swaged and locked into the indentation made by the cutter in the body hook. In this event,

the cover cannot be lifted off, even though the cover hook is completely severed.

It will be understood, in this connection, that the cover hook of the improved container is severed all the Way around the container by the shearing cutter which is, after being moved radially inward to shear through the cover hook edge, as described, moved circumferentially all the way around the end seam. .Moreover, the cutter rolls into engagement with the boundary surface 76 as the cutter progresses around the container.

Complete severing of the cover hook by the cutter 80 is assured by dimensioning the cutter in relation to the coacting roller '86 so that the cutter edge 82 extends through and somewhat inwardly of the shear segment 74 of the cover hook. Yet, because of the special construction of the cover hook in relation to the body hook, continued movement of the cutter edge 82 radially inward after severing the cover hook does not interfere with removal of the cover. edge 82 of the cutter, harmlessly enters the space 58 and opposes the curved body hook portion 54 which does not readily form an interlocking relationship with the severed cover hook edge;

1 Continued movement of the cutter edge 82 radially inward after the cutter edge breaks through the inner sur-' face of the shear segment 74 causes the shearing edge to engage the rounded surface 54 of the connecting segment 38 of the body hook. Because of the angle of the rounded body hook surface 54 relative to the shearing edge 82, the shearing edge does not cut into the body hook surface 54 but is diverted or cammed somewhat axially outward in relation to the body hook connecting portion 38. The pressure of the cutter 80 on the body hook connecting portion 38 depresses this portion of the body hook somewhat and displaces it out of the path of the shearing edge 82 as the shearing edge is diverted slidably across the body hook surface 54, so as not to burr into this portion of the body hook.

In this connection, it is noteworthy, with reference to FIG. 12, that a slight initial axial space between the cutter roller flange 88 and the inner turn 50 of the seam 32 provides clearance fora slight axial displacement of the cutter 80 to pass over the body hook connecting portion 38 after the shearing edge 82 has cut through the shearing segment 74 to engage thecurved body hook surface 54, as described. 7

Thus, the improved container structure and the container opening elements illustrated in FIG. 12 cooperate to assure severing of the cover hook in the manner described, while at the same time avoiding cutting of thebody hook and interlocking'the severed edge of the cover with the body hook in a manner such that the cover can not be removed. i

As shown in FIG. 12, the cutter 80'has a bevel sloping axially outward from the shearing edge 82. This causes'the protuberance 56, after being sheared off from theflange -44, to be flattened and cammed somewhat axially outward, as illustrated in FIG. 12. After the cutter 80 has been moved radially inward to shear through the shearing segment 74, as recited, the roller 86 and cuter 80 are rotated to carry the rollers 84 and 86 and cutter 80 circumferentially around the container. 'The effect of this is to progressively sever the connecting segment 46 of the cover hook circumferentially around the container at the juncture of the protuberance 56 with the cover hook fold 44. This progressive severing is caused by shearing of the cutter edge 82'through the shear seg-' ment 74 coupled with a tearing of the cover hook by the progressive upward displacement of the adjacent portion of the protuberance 56 as it is severed from the cover hook flange 44.

I Thus, circumferential movement .of the cutter 80 all the way around the container severs the cover hook connecting portion 46 from the cover hook flange 44, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14, to perrnit'the cover 24 to be'easily lifted from the, container. 1

This arises fromthe fact that the In this connection, it should be pointed out that the end seam 32 is sealed by a sealing compound 96 in a manner such that the sealing compound is confined to spaces between the outer fold 44 of the cover hook and the body wall 22. In particular, the sealing compound is kept out from between the body hook and the portion of the cover hook which remains attached to the central portion of the cover when the cover is severed from the outer cover hook fold 44, as described. Hence, the seal ing of the can is broken upon severing of the cover, allowing the cover to be easily removed, as recited.

Opening of the container in the manner described provides many worth while advantages to the user. In contrast to the manner in which such containers are conventionally opened, the cutter 80 moving radially into the space 58 is not contaminated by the contents of the container and does not contaminate the contents of the container. Moreover, the cover itself after being severed by a can opener remains in place, the connecting portion 46 of the cover hook flange projecting radially outward over the body hook 34-, as shown in FIG. 14. Hence, the cover does not drop into the can to become contaminated or to contaminate the'contents of the can.

Moreover, there are no sharp edges left on either the cover or the container when the container is opened. The outer fold 44- of the body hook is cut on smooth with the adjacent portion of the body hook. The severed edge of the cover hook connecting portion 4a is turned radially inward by the cutter into the interior of the protuberance 56 in a manner such that the raw edge of the cover is protected by the rounded protuberance.

Removal of the cover after opening of the container is illustrated in FIG. 13. If desired, the container can be subsequently used to serve the purpose of a covered canister, so that the cover serves as a convenient lid which can be readily replaced on the container, as illustrated in FIG. 14. This, of course, is of decided advantage in instances when it is desired to store a part of the contents of the can. The replaced cover fits snugly in place and serves as an excellent protector which keeps foreign matter out of the container.

Not only does the replaced cover 24 fit snugly in place, when replaced on the end of the container to serve as a cover, but it is yieldablyheld in place by a shaping of the cover rim 4% and the adjacent annular portion of the body 22, as an incident to opening the can.

Thus, as previously mentioned, the depending portion of the roller 84, FIG. 12, which engages the cover rim 40 in the can opening operation has a convex orbarrel shape. The force of this barrel shaped roller element applied radially outward against the rim 46 causes the rim to swell radially outward somewhat between the central portion 34) of the cover and the connecting segment 46 of the body hook. This produces a slight residual deformation of the rim 40, so that it has a diameter along its axial mid-portion which is slightly greater than that at its axially outer end, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

Moreover, the axially outward force of the roller element 87 is transmitted through the cover rim 4% to swell ,the body wall 22 radially outward below the body hook connecting portion 38.

The extent to which the rim 40 and the adjacent portion of the body wall are deformed in this manner as an incident to severing the cover hook is limited to produce only a very limited yieldable retention of the cover in place after the cover hook has been severed. Hence, the cover can be easily pulled out of the container.

Yet, when the cover is replaced, the residual deformation of the rim 40 to have its mid-portion swelled radially outward causes the cover to be yieldably held against dislodgement after it has been replaced on the container, as shown in FIG. 14.

The roller 84 which backs up the portion of the end seam 32 engaged by the cutter 80 rotates about its own axis as the opening progresses. This roller can be replaced by a sliding shoe designed to serve the same purthe adjacent containers.

10 pose. Such a sliding shoe would have a shape in transverse radial section generally similar to thatof the roller 84, as shownin FIG. 12. Thus, it would have a convex rirn engaging portion adapted to press slidably against the rim 40 and swage it outwardly below the cover hook segment 46 as the shoe moves circumferentiall-y around the end seam.

The great ease and reliability of the action of a simple can opener in opening the improved container in the manner described are of prime importance in providing widespread acceptability of the improved container which affords the many worthwhile advantages previously referred to.

A further and most significant consideration is the fact that the previously described construction of the container provides good protection for the protuberance 56 on th end seam against impact and other forces applied from either a radial or an axial direction. Thus, as previously recited, the protuberance 56, even though being. turned outwardly from the body hook to define the annular space .58, does not project radially beyond the outer fold 44 of the cover hook, and does not project axially beyond the remaining portion of the connecting segment 46 of the cover hook.

Thus, when a numberof containers are stacked together in side by side relation to-each other, as shown in the transverse sectional view of four containers stacked together in FIG. 18, none of the protuberances 56 on any of the containers is subject to abuse by engagement with Hence, the protuberances 56 on opposite ends of the containers will not be deformed or distorted out of shape during normal handling of the containers, including shipping of the containers in cartons, where adjacent containers rub against each other. Consequently, the shaping of the critical boundary surface 74 and the shaping of the protuberance 56 and indentation 79 on each end seam will not be distorted. i

It will be appreciated that a most significant consideration determining the over-all utility of a mass produced container of this type is the manufacturing cost of the container and its adaptability to be used on a mass production basis by canners. Herein lies one of the greatest virtues of the improved container. As will presentlyappear, it can be manufactured with the same speed and ease as a conventional can and at the same cost as a conventional can. Moreover, the improved container can be assembled by the canner wth the same machinery used in the assembling of conventional containers. As a consequence, the advantages of the improved container over conventional containers are a net gain.

In this connection, it should be noted specifically that the end seam 32 of the improved container has the same over-all shape and form as the end seam on conventional containers, thus providing for opening of the can, if desired, by conventional can openers in the conventional 'way.

The invention provides a method of manufacturing'the cans which does not increase the cost of the cans above that of the conventional cans.

As previously intimated, the body 22 of the improved container has the same physical construction as the body element in a conventional container. It is manufactured from a rectangular blank of sheet metal in the same manner asthe body element of a conventionalcan. That is, the body element blank-is curved into a cylindrical form and adjacent longitudinal edges are seamed together. Opposite ends of the body element are curled radially outward to form incipient body hooks. One such incipient body hook is illustrated in FIG. 9, and identified by the reference number 92.

The cover 24 is stamped from sheet metal and shaped by stamping dies to have the form in radial section illustrated in FIG. 4.

This stamping operation forms the rim 40 on the circular central portion 30 of the cover blank. The edgeof the rim 40 remote from the central portion 30 merges with a radially extending flange which is designated generally by the number 94 in FIG. 4. This over-all flange has a generally flat, annular inner portion 96 which is integrally joined through a 90 turn 98 with the rim 40. An outer, annular portion 100 of the flange 94 has a generally flat shape and is axially otfset from the inner flange portion 96 toward the plane of the central portion 30 of the cover blank.

The offset outer flange portion 100 is larger in diameter than the inner flange portion 96 and is connected with the inner flange portion through an intervening flange portion 102 which merges through reverse curves 104, 106 with the inner and outer flange portions. Because of this construction, the intervening flange portion 102 has a width between the inner and outer flange portions 96 and 100 which exceeds the spacing of the inner and outer flange portions along a radius from the axis of the cover. As will presently appear, the width of the intervening flange portion 102 which is in excess of the radial spacing between the inner and outer flange portions 96 and 100 provides material in the flange 94 for forming the annular protuberance 56 in the cover in a manner to be described.

The outer periphery of the flange 94, as shown in FIG. 4, is turned toward the plane of the central cover portion 30 to form an incipient hook portion 108.

In a succeeding step in the formation of the cover 24, the hook 108 is curled radially inward to a substantially greater degree, as illustrated in FIG. 5. At this stage, in the formation of the cover, the extreme edge of the hook 108 is turned radially inward of the radially outermost portion of the hook.

In a succeeding step in the formation of the cover, the annular protuberance 56, previously referred to in the description of the improved container, is rolled in the cover blank flange 94 adjacent the juncture of the inner portion 96 with the intervening portion 102 of the flange 94. Moreover, the protuberance 56 isformed by coacting dies which also shape the flange 94 to form the reverse bends 64, 66 located adjacent opposite circumferential edges of the protuberance, as previously described As shown in FIG. 6, the protuberance 56 and the adjoining bends 64, 66 are formed by a pair of opposed roller dies, including a female die roller 110 defining a groove 112 and a male die 114 defining a peripheral protuberance 116, designed to force the adjacent portion of the flange up into the female die groove 112. This rolling operation is a very simple procedure which can be readily carried out by can making technology well known to those skilled in the art.

As an alternative to rolling the protuberance 56 in the cover blank flange 94, the protuberance may be formed in a press by means of a pair of cylindrical dies 118, 120, shown in cross-section in FIG. 7. The die 120 is a female die defining an annular groove 122 which receives the cover hook protuberance 56 which is pressed upwardly into the die 120 by an annular die protuberance 124 formed on the coacting male die 118.

The two dies 118 and 120, which are designed to be moved endwise with respect to each other by a press, or the like, also form the reverse curves 64, 66 in the cover blank flange, This procedure, too, can be readily carried out by those skilled in the art, as an alternative to the protuberance forming step illustrated in FIG. 6.-

An optional step in the formation of the cover is illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows the curvature of the reverse curved portion 66 being sharpened by a creasing opera-.

Before the cover is applied to the body element 22, a sealing compound is applied in a conventional manner to the inner surface of the hook element 108 on the outer periphery of the cover flange 94. The manner of applying the sealing compound 90 is conventional. However, the compound is applied in such a manner that it is concentrated in the most concave portion of the hook 108, with no sealing compound being placed on the inner surface of the protuberance 56 or the cover surface radially inward of the protuberance 56. Preferably, the distribution of the sealing compound 90 along the inner surface of the flange 94 is such that the radially innermost extremity of the deposit of compound on the flange is spaced a substantial distance outward of the protuberance 56, as shown in FIG. 9. The purpose of this is to keep sealing compound from between the body hook and the portion of the cover which is removed from the can upon opening the can in the manner described.

Up to this point, the steps involved in manufacturing the improved container can be performed in the can manufacturing factory. The additional steps involved in forming the protuberance 56 in the cover blank are well adapted to be performed by automatic machinery at a high production rate which does not slow down the production of the covers. The efiiciency with which this can be accomplished reduces the cost of these additional steps to only a nominal value which does not significantly increase the cost of the covers.

The cover blank produced in the manner described, and illustrated in FIG. 9, is applied to the body element 22 of the container in the same manner that conventional covers are applied to identical body elements. Normally, one cover is applied to a double-ended can in the can factory. The fact that this cover can be applied in the same manner as a conventional cover is significant. However, the significance of this is overshadowed by the fact that the second cover can be applied by the canners by using the same machinery in the same manner as it is used in the attachment of conventional covers. Consequently, it is unnecessary for the canner to supply himself with additional machinery, or to modify his operating technique in order to obtain the advantages of the improved container. As will appear, the only changeover required by the canner is the replacement of cover sealing dies by special dies of a simple character, an operation which is quite easy to perform, and which involves only the nominal expense of new dies.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the first step in applying a cover to a container body element, after the cover is placed on the body element, as shown in FIG. 9, is illustrated in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hook element 108 on the cover flange 94 is turned further under the main portion of the flange, and the flange is swung bodily, radially inward toward the body wall 22 against the incipient body hook 92, by means of a first cover applying roller or die 130. The upper edge of the roller includes a radially projecting shoulder 132 adapted to fit slidably over the top of the end seam to be formed. A somewhat shorter radial shoulder 134 is designed to fit under the end seam to be formed. A somewhat concave annular pocket 136 formed in the roller 130 adjacent the shoulder 134 is adapted to engage the cover flange hook 108 and turn the hook under the main portion of the cover flange, as recited. An annular relief 138 formed in the roller 130 adjacent the shoulder 132 provides clearance for the protuberance 56 on the flange, to avoid distortion of the protuberance by the roller as the roller swings the flange bodily toward the body element 22 to the position shown in FIG. 10.

In general, the roller 130 is similar to that used to perform similar cover attaching steps in the attachment of a conventional cover, except that the roller 130 is specially shaped to avoid damaging the protuberance 56, as recited.

The second step in sealing the cover in place on the body element is illustrated in FIG. 11, in which a roller 140 is applied radially to the cover flange to force it firmly against the body element 22 to completion formation of the end seam 32. It may be noted that the roller 140 includes a radial shoulder 142 which projects across the outer end of'the seam 32 and an inner shoulder 144 which fits under the seam formed. A generally cylindrical intermediate surface 146 on the roller 140 forces the inner and outer folds 48, 44 of the cover hook and the flange 36 of the body hook into their final cylindrical form. An annular recess 148 formed in the roller 140 adjacent the outer shoulder 142 provides clearance for the cover hook protuberance 56.

As previously intimated, the two cover applying operations illustrated in FIGS. '10 and 11 are performed by the canner with the same ease and facility and by using the same machinery as that employed in the application of covers to conventional cans.

A simple and highly efiicient can opener, provided by the invention for opening the improved can in the manner described, is illustrated in FIGS. to 17.

In the preferred construction shown, the can opener 150 provided for this purpose comprises an end seam back-up roller 152 journalled on a laterally projecting car 154 formed on one end of an elongated handle 156. The back-up roller 152 itself comprises a generally cylindrical portion 157, FIG. 17, adapted to fit against the inner surface of the rim 40 of the can cover 24. An annular shoulder 158 on the roller 152 projects radially outward into overlying relation to the top of the seam 32.

A rotary shearing blade 160 is carried by the opener 150 in a position such that the cutter is engaged with the previously described boundary surface 76 on the container and caused to rotate about an axis 162 inclined away from the seam 32, as shown in FIG. 17. It will be understood that the inclined axis 162 is the axis of the cutter 160 and that the cutter rotates about its own axis as it progresses around the seam, as will be described.

The cutter 160 itself is a part of arotor indicated generally by the number 164. Preferably, the rotor 164 includes a truncated conical element 166 adapted to fittangentially against the outer cover hook fold 44 as the cutter 160 is engaged with the boundary surface 76. The cutter is immediately contiguous to the large end of the conical element 166 and projects radially outward beyond the conical element 166, to shear through the previously described shear segment of the cover hook.

The conical exterior surface of the element 166 is knurled axially to effect a non-slip engagement with the cover hook which propels the opener circumferentially around the container as the rotor 164 is rotated to open the container, as will be described.

An upper shoulder or flange 168 on the rotor 164 projects radially outward beyond the cutter 160 to overlie the end seam 32, as shown in FIG. 17. A lower shoulder 170 on the rotor 164 projects radially outward from the small end of the conical element 166 to underlie the seam 32, as shown in FIG. 17..

A conical tip 172 formed on the extreme lower end of the rotor 164 is designed to fit tangentially against the can body 22.

The rotor 164 is carried by the downwardly projecting end of an inclined shaft 174 journalled in a laterally projecting car 176 on a slide 178 which slidably receives the handle 156 for longitudinal movement along the handle. As shown, the shaft 174 projects above the slide 178 and connects with a winged operating handle 180 which is used to turn the rotor 164. A tension spring 182 connected between the slide 178 and the handle 156 urges the slide to a retracted position, shown in FIG. 15, to retract the rotor 164 away from the roller 152.

The slide 178 is advanced toward the roller 152 by means of a bifurcated cam lever 184 pivotally mounted on the handle 156 behind the slide. The cam lever 184 and handle 156 are adapted to be gripped simultaneously in one hand of the user, the grip of the users hand serving to swing the cam lever 184 toward the handle.

' l4 This movement'of the cam lever 184 causes a pair of cam surfaces 186 on the cam lever to act against the rear end of the slide 178 to force the rotor 164 toward the roller .152 to exert a powerful compressiveforce on a container seam 32 inserted between the roller 152 and the rotor 164.

To open the improved container by means of the simple manual opener 158 provided, the user grasps the handle 156 and lever 184 in one hand and places the opener in overlying relation to the end seam 32 of the container in the position, illustrated in FIG. 16, in which the roller 152 engages the inside of the seam and the rotor 164 engages the outer side of the seam, as recited.

This automatically engages the cutter with the critical boundary surface 76 which serves as a guide to locate the cutter in an optimum shearing position as it is progressed around the container by manual rotary force applied to the handle 180. It will be understood that the user rotates the handle with one hand, to open the can, whilegrasping the handle 156 and lever 184 with the other hand.

. It is noteworthy, in this connection, that because of the inclined relationship of the axis 162 of the cutter 160 relative to the axis of the container, any specific point on the shearing edge of the cutter approaches the critical boundary surface 76 by movement through a path which carries the specific point of the shearing edge axially outward along the axis of the container, as the point on the shearing edge moves'radially inward toward the axis of the container. Thus, the shearing edge of the cutter 160 moves through the previously mentioned shear segment 74 of the end scam in a path which is roughly tangent to the curved body hook surface 54 which is approached by the shearingedge, FIGS. 3 and 17.

This is of advantage in directing the shearing edge into the previously mentioned annular space 58 in a manner such that locking of the cover on the body hook after the cover hook is severed is avoided.

The improved can opener 158 is inherently well adapted to be manufactured at a cost comparing favorably with that of conventional can openers, and is well suited for use by the housewife.

It will be appreciated that the body 157 of the roller 158 can be modified to have the barrel shape of the body 87 illustrated in FIG. 12 and previously described in relation to the opener structure of that figure. This 'modification provides the previously mentioned advantages in adapting the cover'to serve as a reclosure lid.

Also, the can opener structure illustrated in FIG. 12

and previously described can be supported in a manual opener such as that illustrated in FIG. 15. In this instance, the shaft 174, FIG. 15, would be mounted parallel to the axis of the roller 152, which in this instance would be replaced by the roller 184 of FIG. 12.

Another modified form of the improved can opener provided by the invention for use in opening the improved container provided by the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 24, and designated generally by the number 190. In the preferred con truction shown, the opener 198 comprises two levers 192, 194 pivoted in scissoring relation to each other by a common pivot 196 extending through both levers, as shown.

The lever 192 includes a generally flat jaw portion 198, FIG. 19, which overlies a flat jaw portion 201) of the lever 194 when the opener is applied to a can 20, as shown in FIG. 19. Two handles 202, 204 formed by the ends of the respective levers 192, 194 opposite from the jaws 198, 200 are adapted to be grasped simultaneously in one hand of the user and swung toward each other by the grip of the users hand. 7

Both the levers 192 and 194 are quite simple in construction and well adapted to be economically fabricated from sheet metal.

The flat jaw portion 206 of the lever 194 has a width substantially greater than that of the jaw 198 of the lever 192, and has a flat bottom surface 208, FIG. 20, which is turned into a generally horizontal position when the opener is placed on a container to be opened, FIG. 19.

Before being placed on a container to be opened, the opener 190 is opened up to receive one end seam 32 of the improved container 20. This is effected by swinging the opposed handles 202, 204 away from each other to effect a similar opening or separation of the jaws 198, 200. The positional relationship of the two levers 192, L04 to each other, when the opener is in its spread or open position, is illustrated in FIG. 20. This effects, as shown, marked spreading of the coacting jaws 198, 200 so as to receive the container end seam 32, as will presently appear.

With the two levers 192, 194 disposed in spread relation to each other and the opener turned so that the jaw surface 208 is generally horizontal, the opener is lowered onto the container end seam 32 so that a heel or cheek surface 210, formed by a portion of the surface 208 located adjacent the lever 198, engages and rests on the upper edge of the seam 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 21, 23 and 24. This engagement of the cheek or heel surface portion 210 with the top of the end seam 32 locates the opener 190 vertically with reference to the end seam.

The jaw 198 of the lever 202 which overlies the jaw 200 of the other lever 204 includes a flange portion 212 depending from the edge of the jaw 198 more remote from both the pivot 196 and the jaw 200, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21.

This depending flange 212, which extends laterally across the adjacent edge of the jaw 200, carries a container seam engaging shoe 214 which projects toward the opposing jaw 200 in underlying relation to the latter. The projecting edge 216 of the shoe 214 has an arcuate shape designed to fit slidably against the inner surface of the rim portion 40 of the container cover'24. The conventional relationships of the parts are such that the shoe 214 engages an arcuate portion of the cover lid having a width along the axis of the container which is substantially less than the corresponding length of the end seam 32 along the axis of the container. Moreover, the cheek surface 210 on the jaw'200, which engages the end seam 32, and the flange 212 which supports the shoe 214 together position the shoe 214 along the axis of the can to engage the cover rim 40 in axial alinernent with the axial mid-portion of the end seam 32. The significance of this positional relationship of the shoe 214 to the end seam will be more fully developed presently.

The other jaw 200 carries a support bearing or bushing 220, FIGS. 19 and 21, which journals a rotary shaft 222 in generally perpendicular relation to the plane of the jaw. Hence, when the jaw 200 is placed in a generally horizontal position in overlying relation to a container end seam 32, the shaft 222 is disposed in a substantially vertical position. The shaft 222 is rotated by a winged grip or handle 224, adapted to be rotated by one hand of the user, who uses his other hand to grip the two previously mentioned lever handles 202, 204.

The shaft 222 extends downwardly below the jaw 200 and connects nonrotatably with a composite rotor 226. Scissoring of the two levers 192, 194 together, after the opener 190 has been placed on a container in the manner described, causes the shoe 214 to engage the inside of the end seam 32, as described, and swings the composite rotor 226 radially into engagement with the cylindrical exterior of the container.

The rotor 226 comprises two axially spaced rollers, 228, 230, adapted to simultaneously engage the container wall 22 below the seam 32.

The. rotor 226 and shaft 222 are mounted on the jaw 200 in a manner which provides a slight degree of axial play of the rotor relative to the jaw to enable the rotor to shift slightly along the. axis of the container in the course of opening the container, as will presently appear. Initially, the upper roller 228 is spaced slightly 16 below the adjacent edge of the seam 32, as shown in FIG. 23.

A main roller 232 fixed to the shaft 222 between the jaw 200 and the roller 228 defines a cylindrical face 234 of substantial axial length cut by axial serrations and adapted to engage the outer fold 44 of the end seam 32 below the protuberance 56.

The jaw end of the main roller 232 is fashioned to define a radially projecting circular shearing cutter 236.

The annular cutter 236 projects radially outward beyond the roller surface 234 and defines a circular shearing edge 238, and a bevel surface 240 extending radially inward from the edge 238 in a direction which slopes upwardly toward the jaw end of the roller 232, as shown.

Swinging of the cutter handles 202, 204 toward each other causes the cutter edge 238 to engage the annular indentation 70 in the end seam 32. Pressure on the handles 202, 204 causes the cutter 236 to shear radially inward through the previously described shearing segment of the cover hook to engage the curved surface 54 of the body hook 34.

The relative positions of the parts as the cutter breaks through the cover book are illustrated in FIG. 23.

The bevel 240 which is inclined upwardly from the cutter edge 238 displaces the shear portion of the protuberance 56upwardly into a relief 250 cut into the underside of the jaw 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 20, 23 and 24. This relief 250 allows the severed connecting portion 46 of the cover hook to rise above the normal lever of the end seam 32 while the surface 210 of the jaw 200 continues toride on the end seam, as described.

After engaging the curved body hook surface 54, the cutter 236 may continue to move somewhat radially inward, depending upon the degree to which the cutter 236 projects radially beyond the serrated cylindrical surface 234 of the roller 232. However, because of the curvature of the surface 54 and the angle of incidence of the radial movement of the cutter edge 238 relative to the surface 54, the surface 54 of the body hook is not pierced by the cutter edge 238, but diverts the cutter edge axially outward so that it harmlessly skids along the body hook.

The previously mentioned axial play of the rotor 226 relative to the jaw 200 enables the cutter 236 to slide axially outward relative to the body hook.

The opener is moved circumferentially around the container by rotation of the handle 224 to turn the rotor 226, whereby the opener is propelled by engagement of the roller surface 234 with the end seam. Thus produces a combined shearing and tearing action of the cutter 236 on the cover hook which shears it off along the previously described shear segment 74 of the cover hook.

The radially outward pressure of the shoe 214 which slides along the inner surface of the cover rim 40 causes the engaged portion of the cover rim to swell radially outward. This is facilitated by shaping the arcuate shoe 214- so that the edge 216 is slightly round, as viewed in radial section.

This is of advantage in deforming the rim 40 and the adjacent portion of the container 20, to facilitate retention of the cover on the container upon replacement of the cover on the container. This swaging action of the cover and container body is similar to that previously described in relation to the action of the opener illustrated in FIG. 12.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited to use of the exact, structure illustrated, but includes the use of variants and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A sheet metal container comprising, in combination, a right tubular body including a peripheral wall having at one end thereof an annular body hook turned back and encircling the adjacent'end of said body wall, said body hook including a flange radially offset outwardly from 17 the adjacent surface of said body wall and joined to the adjacent end of the body wall by a rounded connecting portion which turns radially and progressively inward from said flange to merge with the adjacent end of said body Wall, a cover extending across one end of the container and including a peripheral cover hook encircling said body hook, said cover hook comprising an outer fold whichencircles the body hook flange in closely embracing relationship and an inner fold turned under the body hook flange so that the body hook flange fits between the inner and outer folds of the cover hook, said cover being shaped to provide a closure portion offset substantially inwardly of the end of the container to provide a chuck wall having substantial axial length and fitting snugly against the inner surface of the adjacent end of the body Wall from the juncture of said body hook with the body wall for a substantial distance axially inward of said juncture to provide a complementary contact closure, the end portion of the body wall being shaped to avoid constriction in an axially outward direction of the transverse sectional area of the space encircled by the end portion of the body wall along the chuck wall, the outer fold of the cover hook being integrally joined to the cover through an intervening connecting segment which snugly overlies at least a portion of the rounded connecting portion of the body hook, said intervening connecting segment including a circumferential indentation adjacent the juncture of said segment with the outer fold of the cover hook and a circumferential protuberance bounding the axially outward side of said indentation and located toward and not beyond the axially outermost extremity of said connecting segment with the minimum radial dimension of said indentation being substantially less than the outermost radial dimension of the outer fold of the cover hook and with the outermost radial dimension of said protuberance being substantially no greater than the outermost radial dimension of the outer fold of the cover hook thereby protecting the protuberance and indentation against damage from impact, said protuberance defining interiorly thereof an annular space with the outermost radial dimension thereof substantially less than the outermost radial dimension of the outer fold of the cover hook.

2. A sheet metal container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chuck wall and the inner surface of the adjacent end of the body wall are provided with interengaging shaped portions to provide a snap action removable cover upon severing of the cover along said indentation.

3. A sheet metal container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sealing compound is provided between the body hook and the encircling portions of the cover hook.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS J/I owl 1535 OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CURRECTION Patent No, 3 l39 2ll v June 30 1964 Peter Bogner' deceased by Edward S, Foltz Jru D .Wadministrator It is hereby certified that error appears in the above'numbered patent requiring correction'and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2 line 61 for 'fcar! read can column 3 line 6O for coating read --qcoacting columno, line 12 for 'segments" read =--=segment ee-g column 7 line S for "sifinificance" read; -significance column 8 line 60 for "cuter" read -cutter g column le line 48 for "Thus" read This Signed and sealed this l7th day of November 19640 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W0 SWIDER Attosting Officer

Claims (1)

1. A SHEET METAL CONTAINER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RIGHT TUBULAR BODY INCLUDING A PERIPHERAL WALL HAVING AT ONE END THEREOF AN ANNULAR BODY HOOK TURNED BACK AND ENCIRCLING THE ADJACENT END OF SAID BODY WALL, SAID BODY HOOK INCLUDING A FLANGE RADIALLY OFFSET OUTWARDLY FROM THE ADJACENT SURFACE OF SAID BODY WALL AND JOINED TO THE ADJACENT END OF THE BODY WALL BY A ROUNDED CONNECTING PORTION WHICH TURNS RADIALLY AND PROGRESSIVELY INWARD FROM SAID FLANGE TO MERGE WITH THE ADJACENT END OF SAID BODY WALL, A COVER EXTENDING ACROSS ONE END OF THE CONTAINER AND INCLUDING A PERIPHERAL COVER HOOK ENCIRCLING SAID BODY HOOK, SAID COVER HOOK COMPRISING AN OUTER FOLD WHICH ENCIRCLES THE BODY HOOK FLANGE IN CLOSELY EMBRACING RELATIONSHIP AND AN INNER FOLD TURNED UNDER THE BODY HOOK FLANGE SO THAT THE BODY HOOK FLANGE FITS BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER FOLDS OF THE COVER HOOK, SAID COVER BEING SHAPED TO PROVIDE A CLOSURE PORTION OFFSET SUBSTANTIALLY INWARDLY OF THE END OF THE CONTAINER TO PROVIDE A CHUCK WALL HAVING SUBSTANTIAL AXIAL LENGTH AND FITTING SNUGLY AGAINST THE INNER SURFACE OF THE ADJACENT END OF THE BODY WALL FROM THE JUNCTURE OF SAID BODY HOOK WITH THE BODY WALL FOR A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE AXIALLY INWARD OF SAID JUNCTURE TO PROVIDE A COMPLEMENTARY CONTACT CLOSURE, THE END PORTION OF THE BODY WALL BEING SHAPED TO AVOID CONSTRICTION IN AN AXIALLY OUTWARD DIRECTION OF THE TRANSVERSE SECTIONAL AREA OF THE SPACE ENCIRCLED BY THE END PORTION OF THE BODY WALL ALONG THE CHUCK WALL, THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK BEING INTEGRALLY JOINED TO THE COVER THROUGH AN INTERVENING CONNECTING SEGMENT WHICH SNUGLY OVERLIES AT LEAST A PORTION OF THE ROUNDED CONNECTING PORTION OF THE BODY HOOK, SAID INTERVENING CONNECTING SEGMENT INCLUDING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL INDENTATION ADJACENT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID SEGMENT WITH THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK AND A CIRCUMFERENTIAL PROTUBERANCE BOUNDING THE AXIALLY OUTWARD SIDE OF SAID INDENTATION AND LOCATED TOWARD AND NOT BEYOND THE AXIALLY OUTERMOST EXTREMITY OF SAID CONNECTING SEGMENT WITH THE MINIMUM RADIAL DIMENSION OF SAID INDENTATION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OF THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK AND WITH THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OF SAID PROTUBERANCE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NO GREATER THAN THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OF THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK THEREBY PROTECTING THE PROTUBERANCE AND INDENTATION AGAINST DAMAGE FROM IMPACT, SAID PROTUBERANCE DEFINING INTERIORLY THEREOF AN ANNULAR SPACE WITH THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE OUTERMOST RADIAL DIMENSION OF THE OUTER FOLD OF THE COVER HOOK.

Images