Can with bottom venting structure
A can having a generally cylindrical hollow body, a top cover at one end and a bottom cover at the other end, said top cover being openable and said bottom cover having a pull-out tab for creating a vent hole for venting the can to the atmosphere. A pull tab can be fixed to the top cover for pulling the top cover away from the can.
The present invention relates to containers, namely, cans for foodstuffs, which have a bottom venting structure so that any jelled product in the can, can easily slide out of a can once the top of the can is removed and the venting structure at the bottom of a can is opened.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTPresent day cans of a jelled or a thick material has to be scooped out of the can with a spoon once the top of the can is opened. Such materials include soups, such as mushroom soup and tomato soup, jelled material such as jellied cranberries and other semi-liquid products. Because of the thick nature of the product in the can, the can is often shook or pounded to remove the contents and often a spoon must be used to remove some of the contents in the can from the can.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a can having a generally cylindrical hollow body, a top cover at one end and a bottom cover at the other end with the top cover being openable with a can opener or having a pull-out top to open the can and with the bottom cover having structure, such as a pull-out tab, for creating an opening in the bottom cover for venting the can to the atmosphere.
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in
It will be understood that the vent hole 24 or 44, in the bottom cover 14 or 34 of the can 10 enables the gel like material 50 in the can 10, such as tomato soup or jellied cranberries, to fall easily out of the can 10, often without the need for using a spoon to remove the jelled like material from the can 10.
From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the venting structure 16 or 36 and vent hole 24 or 44 formed therewith of the present invention has a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention.
Also from the foregoing description it will be apparent that modifications can be made to the venting structure 16 or 36 without departing from the teachings of the invention.
Claims
1. A can having a generally cylindrical hollow body, a top cover at one end and a bottom cover at the other end, said top cover being openable and said bottom cover having a pull-out tab for creating a vent hole for venting the can to the atmosphere.
2. The can of claim 1, wherein said vent hole is generally bean shaped.
3. The can of claim 1, wherein said vent hole is generally oval in shape.
4. The can of claim 1, wherein the vent hole is a small generally circular hole.
5. The can of claim 1, wherein said top cover has a score line adjacent an edge of the can and a pull tab fixed to the tab for pulling the top cover away from the can.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 8, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2009
Inventor: Michael Stude (Lake Forest, CA)
Application Number: 12/069,272
International Classification: B65D 25/00 (20060101); B65D 8/00 (20060101); B65D 17/40 (20060101); B65D 17/347 (20060101); B65D 17/34 (20060101); B65D 17/28 (20060101);