Unibody sanitary can with multiple storage compartments

Abstract

A container for foods or beverages is provided which includes in one embodiment at least one inwardly extending ledge which is formed by creating a bend in the container body proximate to an upper end, and which is adapted to receive a removable sealing membrane to provide multiple storage compartments.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 524,945, filed on Nov. 24, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically food and beverage containers with one or more distinct compartments, and including in one embodiment an integral ledge with an easy pour feature which is adapted to support a sealing membrane. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Due to the vast variety of food and beverage items available to the consuming public, it is desirable to have a storage container which is durable, generally airtight, safe, and which is capable of storing multiple associated products in one compact, easy opening container. This type of container helps alleviate the problem of limited shelf space, allows stacking without causing package and / or product deformation, and keeps associated products in close proximity. Thus, products such ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a container opening which restricts the flow rate of the product being poured from the container, and thus helps prevent spillage. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a restricted diameter, funnel shaped neck portion is provided which is integral to the body of the container, and may include a number of different shapes or diameters depending on the specific application. In one embodiment, an integral ledge is provided which has a smooth, easy pouring geometry, yet provides sufficient surface area on an upper surface to allow the removable attachment of a sealing closure such as a heat sealed plastic material.

[0009] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a restricted diameter neck portion, with the upper end of the container having substantially the same diameter as the lower end, and utilizing a geometric profile which facilitates stacking and shipping. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the reduced diameter funnel shaped neck portion is formed by at least one inwardly extending ledge, yet the upper end of the container has a sufficient diameter to allow stacking.

[0010] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a multi-compartment container which can be manufactured with well known metal container manufacturing equipment. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a container with multiple compartments is originally formed from a blank piece of metal such as aluminum, steel or tin and which is selectively formed to have one or more inwardly oriented ledges which are adapted to support a sealable membrane and / or a sealed end closure.

Problems solved by technology

Although it is known in the art to provide plastic containers with multiple compartments, these types of containers are not durable, and are susceptible to breaking and cracking during shipping.

Additionally, depending on the type of food product being stored, it is possible for the taste of the food to become tainted due to scalping from the plastic materials.

Further, since plastic and cardboard products can be squeezed and the shape altered, the internal components can easily become damaged or inadvertently mixed, and based on the limited compressive strength, the materials are generally not conducive to stacking in large volumes.

This shape allows for stacking, which is highly beneficial and problematic with bottle shaped containers.

However, when beverages or flowable food items or powders are poured with a conventional cylinder shaped container, there is often spillage due to the non-controlled rate of flow.

It is a further problem in the container industry to change the geometric shape and features of a food or beverage container without having to invest significant capital in machinery, tooling and production lines.

Thus, it is significant challenge to make major container design revisions, yet utilize existing container manufacturing equipment and processes.

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