The present invention relates to a container assembly that allows the storage and dispense of powder food products. The invention pertains to the art of can and closure means, more specifically to a system for selectively dispensing powders from a can or similar containers.
Containers for powdered and granular food products are known to the consumer. They are a convenient way of storing and preserving food and, of course, are well known in every household. Many of these containers are large and cylindrical in configuration and incorporate an aluminium foil or film to hermetically seal an open top of the container. The containers have usually a large top aperture. A typical can has a diameter of about 85 to 110 mm and has a storage capacity of about 200 to 500 grams depending upon the specific gravity of the granular material therein.
Millions of such containers are daily used throughout the world. When such containers are used for materials having a powder or granular consistency, such as baby formula, cereals, coffee, cocoa and the like, after the opening of the foil or film, the user may want to take a scoop to dose the desired quantity of food product. Sometimes, the scoop is already included inside the container. Another category of users wants to perform the dosing of the powder by directly pouring the powder through the large aperture generally causing imprecise and messy results. A significant loss of product can also be undergone when, for example, narrow necked baby bottles have to be filled with cereals, milk powder, etc.
US Patent 5,443,174 to Bauer relates to a zip-top can with a top having the contour of a spoon integral with upper surface of the top. The contour of the spoon is formed by a weakened edge and with the end of the spoon handle being attached to a pull-tab used for removing the spoon.
Australian patent 85964/82 relates to an easy opening can with two pull tabs. One pull tab is to open the hole for dispensing the beverage, the other pull tab is to open a little opening for drawing air.
US Patent 5,695,085 to Hadener relates to a beverage can with a single pull tab enable to open two different openings, one for beverage, the second for admitting air.
GB 2 204 554 relates to a compartment pull-open can separated into two compartments. Two pull tabs on the top and the bottom of the can enable to open separately the upper or the lower part of the can.
DE 36 18 836 relates to a drink can with sectioned construction. The can is separated vertically in two compartments. Two pull tabs on the top enable to open separately the right or the left part of the can.
DE 195 41 416 relates to a container or can for drinks having at least one dividing wall to form two or more useful cavities, each capable of being opened separately by the user.
GB 2 265 597 relates to a can with two chamber and one ring-pull. The can is separated vertically in two compartments. A single pull-tab enable to open separately the two parts of the can.
WO 9903742 relates to a device for opening beer and beverage cans which comprises a large pull tab to open the entire top can.
US 5,494,184 to Noguchi relates to a can top with an overturnable tab so as to allow two different portions of the can to be opened with that single tab.
US-A-4 936 494 shows a container for spices et condiments having a shake-and-spoon cap. The cap is provided with a spoon opening and a plurality of shaker openings, which are selectively closed by two hinged flaps. The preamble of claim 1 is based on this document.
None of the prior art set forth above shows or even suggests the invention described herein.
Notwithstanding the progress made in the canning art, it still does not exist a dispensing system that fulfils the various needs and habits of the users for such relatively large powdered food containers.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved container, which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the foregoing difficulties. In particular, one of the objects of the invention is to give the choice to the user to dispense the food product either by way of a dosing tool or by directly pouring the food product in an efficient and precise way.
For that the present invention provides a can type container assembly for storage and dosing a powdered or granular pourable food product wherein it comprises a container body (2) having a bottom wall (5), a peripheral wall (4) and a top wall (6); the top wall (6) having at least two separate apertures (80, 81); a first aperture (80) and the other second aperture (81) having a section larger than the first aperture so as to allow a dosing tool to be freely engaged therein,
at least one closure means (7) attached onto the top wall (6) arranged to cover the two apertures characterized in that
the first aperture (80) has a section adapted for dosing by pouring of the food product through the aperture and,
the closure means (7) comprises a removable foil hermetically and individually sealing the two apertures and in that means (71) for removing the closure means (7) are arranged in a position to uncover entirely the first aperture (80) before the second aperture (81) is uncovered so as to allow dosing from the first aperture (80) while the second aperture (81) remains hermetically sealed.
In a preferred embodiment, the closure means is unitary and covers both the first and second apertures. Therefore, the closure means can be easily pulled out so as to allow one of the apertures to be uncovered as desired while the other one remains properly covered by the closure means. This solution is more cost effective as it simplifies the arrangement and reduces the number of pieces.
In an alternative, each aperture is covered by a separate closure means. In this cleaner solution, it is avoided any > portion of closure means in an unsealed configuration attached to the top wall of the container.
Therefore, the user can have a first access to the smaller aperture so as to be able to pour the food product in a precise manner while keeping the larger access closed to prevent any accidental leak of product while pouring. The smaller access is preferably sized to properly fit narrowly necked containers such as baby bottles or similar items.
The closure means is a sealing foil. The foil is preferably sealed onto the upper surface of the top wall along at least a peelable sealing rim which encompasses the two apertures. Consequently, the closure means provides a suitable safety closure as well as an easy opening system. Storage of shelf stable food products can be contemplated as the closure means gives all guarantees of freshness of the container's content.
In another preferred aspect.of the container assembly of the invention, an inner peelable sealing cord is provided which extends between the first and second apertures while connecting the outer sealing rim. Therefore, two distinct hermetically sealed portions are defined on the top wall so as to permit the individual opening of one of the aperture while the other can remain hermetically sealed.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of specific embodiments thereof.
In the accompanying drawings,
With reference to FIG. 1, a container assembly according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 1. The container assembly will be named "can" in the following description for simplification of language of the description. However, it must be noted that the container assembly can have various shapes and dimensions other than those schematically depicted in FIG. 1.
The can 1 comprises a main body 2 and a removable lid 3. The body has a peripheral wall 4 which connects a bottom wall 5 to a top wall 6. The peripheral wall could be of any shapes such as cylindrical, cubic, rectangular, etc. The peripheral wall defines a single interior volume wherein the food product is stored. In the figure, the body is of a standard can design, generally used for powdered or granular air-sensitive materials. The can can be filled with about 200 to 500 grams of powder depending upon the size of the can and the specific gravity of the powder. The height of the can is generally comprised between about 118 to 159 mm and the diameter is about 90 to 110 mm. The body is generally made of metal, preferably tinplate or aluminium. The top wall is at least partly covered by a closure means, preferably a hermetically sealed foil 7 as it will be explained later on. The lid 3 is mounted in covering relation over the top of the container body. The lid generally comprises a substantially plate portion 30 extending downwardly by an annular edge 31, which is intended to engage the upper edge or seam 40 of the body. The lid so protects the sealed foil from accidental puncturing which would cause spoilage or deterioration of the food content.
As shown in FIG. 2, the top wall can be a tinplate part assembled to the peripheral wall by a folded or crimped arrangement well known in the art of can manufacturing. In the presently illustrated view, the wall is shown in a flat arrangement before being crimped to the peripheral wall. Therefore, the top wall comprises an edge 60 intended to be shaped like a sort of crook to join the peripheral wall with a complementary crook. The top wall further comprises a top surface 61 in a slightly lowered level with respect to the raised edge 60 when assembled to form the body.
A closure means 7, which is a peelable foil, is removably attached to the top surface 61 of the top wall. As shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the top surface is provided with two apertures 80, 81 spaced apart on the surface. The two apertures give access to the same interior volume of the can. A first aperture 80 has a small section adapted for dosing the pourable food product contained in the can. A second aperture 81 is provided which is greater than the first one. The section of it is adapted for the passage of a dosing tool. As dosing tool, it is intended items such as scoop, spoon, short stick, rod, etc. The first aperture will have a section between about 80 to 700 mm2 whereas the second aperture will have a section of about 1500 to 4000 mm2. The section may vary as a function of the granulometry of the food product and also as a function of the size and shape of the can.
As the second aperture is relatively large compared to the first aperture, it is desirable to protect the user from being cut by the edges of the aperture. For that the second aperture comprises inward rounded edges 82. The first aperture has preferably flat edges as the powder has to be poured in a continuous controllable flow. A rounded edge would break the flow that would lead to problems in ensuring an accurate dosage for the user.
The closure means 7 comprises a main covering portion 70 and a pull tab portion 71 which connects to the covering portion. The pull tab portion is preferably integral with the covering portion and made of the same material. In the storage configuration with the lid thereon, the closure means has its tab portion folded inwardly as shown in FIG. 2 and 5. When the closure means is opened, the tab portion is lifted and a traction force is exerted upon the closure means in the direction shown by arrow B of FIG. 3; i.e., in direction opposite to the direction of extension of the tab when outwardly deployed. The first aperture 80 is located in the vicinity of the tab portion; i.e., along the substantially same radial direction, so that when the pull tab portion is pulled upon removal, the first aperture is uncovered before the second aperture. It is advantageous that the pull tab comprises a ring or any other suitable prehension means.
Preferably, the shape of the first aperture 80 resembles an elongated slot radially oriented in the same direction as the pull tab portion. The first aperture could take many other various types of sections such as round, square, etc. A series of distinct smaller holes may also replace the single first aperture as an alternative to the invention. However, the size of the holes must be adapted to the type of powders to be dispensed so as to promote an efficient dosage.
In the event the closure means 7 is a sealed foil as shown in the figures, the foil is preferably sealed to the top surface 61 of the top wall by means of a peripheral sealing rim 90. The rim is a peelable seal which adheres to both the inner surface of the foil and to the top surface of the wall in a removable manner. The rim preferably encompasses the contour of the both apertures 80, 81 so as to keep an air-tight inner volume for the food product. Preferably the rim is a substantially circular rim positioned close to the external contour of the foil. The rim has a width of about 1 to 5 mm so as to confer sufficient adhering properties. Of course, the dimensions and size of sealing foil may vary depending on the dimensions and shapes of the apertures. The rim may also have shape slightly different from a round.
In an important feature of the invention, an additional inner peelable sealing cord 91 is provided which extends between the two apertures. The additional sealing cord 91 so defines a first individual hermetically sealed portion 92 encompassing the first aperture and a second individual hermetically sealed portion 93 encompassing the second aperture 82. Therefore, such an arrangement permits to open the first portion with the smaller aperture to perform the dosage of the food product by pouring while the second portion with the larger aperture remains impermeably closed. In an alternative (not shown), two separate independent sealing rims may be provided, each one individually surrounding an aperture.
In such configurations, the can may be so manipulated without risking spilling food product through the large aperture. A variety of foil materials which are currently available meets the demand of the present invention. Aluminium or aluminium alloy is preferred with or without an interior plastic coating. Means for marking the underlying location can advantageously be provided on the foil or closure means so that the user can instantaneously identify the location, contour and size of the apertures. FIG. 2 and 5 illustrates structural imprints 76, 77 made in the metal thickness of the foil. Other types of marking could be used such as designs or patterns produced in relief or not.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment in which the apertures are covered by separate closure means 7a, 7b. Each closure means can be a separate sealing foil independently sealed on the top surface 61. For that, each foil is removably connected to the surface by a continuous seal 90a, 90b which encompasses its respective aperture. This permits to ensure an air-tight arrangement of the can before the first use while authorising the choice for opening any of the two apertures as more desired by the user. It also eliminates the partly peeled portion 75 of the foil as depicted in FIG. 3. Preferably, each closure means comprises a separate tab portion 71a, 71b for independently removing each closure means. In an alternative, each closure means may closely be adapted to the dimensions and form or the aperture which it covers.
While the invention has been described with regard to specific embodiments, it should be noted that various modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the number, size and location of the apertures could vary depending upon various conditions such as the type of containers, the type of food products to be stored, etc.