Abstract: A dispensing container assembly (10) includes a container having a top end (14) at which a valve member is located, a bottom end and a circumferentially extending sidewall that is positioned between the top end and the bottom end. An actuator assembly (34) is advantageously provided for permitting actuation of the valve member by a user without requiring the user's hand or finger to be positioned immediately adjacent to the valve member and the top end of the container. The actuator assembly (34) may include a flexible elongated band (40) that is spaced outwardly from a portion of the sidewall of the container (12). The valve member is actuated by squeezing the container (12) and the flexible elongated band (40), which mechanically transmits force via the band (40) to the valve member.

Abstract: A sheet metal can body 1 comprises an end wall 2 and a tubular side wall 3 which includes a plurality of flexible panels 4 recessed within the cylindrical envelope of the side wall and extending between plain cylindrical end portions 5 of the side wall. Each panel 4 is formed of a plurality of flutes 6 defined laterally on each side by a convex rib 7.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for forming a plurality of axially extending externally concave complete flutes defining a fluted profile in a cylindrical can body 1. The apparatus comprises a correspondingly profiled mandrel 11 of maximum diameter less than the minimum diameter of the cylindrical can body and comprising a whole number of complete flutes which is less than the number of flutes on the finished can body, an elongate rail 14, means 12 for locating a cylindrical can body over the mandrel, and means 10 for rolling the mandrel relative to the rail to deform a portion of the cylindrical can body between the mandrel and the rail into the fluted profile.

Abstract: A metal can body comprises an end wall and a tubular side wall. The side wall has upper and lower cylindrical portions joined by a plurality of concave flexible panel portions and ribs. The benefit arising from the flexible panels in the side wall is the ability to attenuate the internal pressure changes arising during thermal processing of lidded cans by providing a elastic mechanism which enhances the change in internal can volume.