United States Patent [19J
`Boyd
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,190,170
`Feb.26, 1980
`
`[54] SNUFF CAN AND THE LIKE
`Inventor: Eugene J. Boyd, Addison, Ill.
`[75]
`[73] Assignee: United States Tobacco Company,
`Greenwich, Conn.
`[21] Appl. No.: 3,748
`Jan. 15, 1979
`[22] Filed:
`Int. a.2 .............................................. B65D 51/16
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl . ..................................... 215/307; 220/367
`[58] Field of Search ................ 220/367, 306; 215/307,
`215/317, 321,365; 222/478
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,010,596 11/1961 Williams .............................. 215/307
`3,437,224
`4/1969 Williams .............................. 215/307
`3,811,592
`5/1974 Dye ...................................... 215/307
`4,098,421
`7/1978 Foster .................................. 215/321
`
`[56]
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1486483 6/1967 France ..................................... 215/307
`595392 8/1957 Italy ......................................... 215/307
`741872 12/1955 United Kingdom ..................... 215/307
`Primary Examiner-Ro E. Hart
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harold L. Stults
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A flat can of a size which will fit in a person's pocket
`which is suited particularly for snuff, but is adapted for
`
`use with other products. The can has a bottom wall and
`a cylindrical side wall, and there is a lid with a top wall
`and a downwardly-extending peripheral flange which
`fits snugly around the neck of the cylindrical side wall.
`The lid is held in place by circumferential rib structures,
`respectively on the outer surface of the neck of the side
`wall and on the inner surface of the lid flange. There are
`also vertical ribs on the can neck which extend up(cid:173)
`wardly from the peripheral rib and which provide vent(cid:173)
`ing when the lid is installed. The vertical ribs are in
`pairs spaced a short distance from each other and there
`is a gap in the peripheral rib on the neck between the
`bottom ends of each pair of vertical ribs. When the lid
`is being installed or removed, the circumferential rib on
`the lid flange rides upon the vertical ribs so as to facili(cid:173)
`tate the movement of the lid flange on the neck. The rib
`structure on the lid Cange is also formed by spaced
`segments with gaps between their ends. The arrange(cid:173)
`ment is such that a plurality of vertical vent passage(cid:173)
`ways between the respective pairs of vertical ribs are in
`alignment with gaps in the circumferential rib construc(cid:173)
`tion on the lid flange. Hence, when the lid is in place,
`the can is still vented, and the product in the can is
`properly vented when that is desirable. However, when
`the product in the can must be sealed, a circumferential
`label or wrapper of impervious material is placed on the
`can after the lid has been pu_t into place.
`
`6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 26, 1980
`
`4,190,170
`
`Fig. I
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`Fig.6
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`Fig.5
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`1
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`4,190,170
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`SNUFF CAN AND THE LIKEThis invention relates to
`containers and particularly to cans for snuff, and also to
`containers which are adaptable for use in packaging
`other granular products.
`
`2
`8. The top of the side wall has a neck 7 of reduced
`diameter, and a frusto-conical surface 9 extending be(cid:173)
`tween the outer surfaces of the neck and the bottom
`portion of wall 8. Lid 6 (see FIO. 3) has a top wall 10
`5 and a cylindrical flange 12. The main portion of the top
`wall is recessed below the edge portion 11. Lid 6 (see
`FIO. 2) fits snugly onto neck 7, and the bottom edge 27
`An object of this invention is to provide improved
`of flange 12 is tapered to form a frusto-conical surface
`containers for granular products. A further object is to
`provide improved plastic cans for use in packaging and
`29. The outer cylindrical surface of the lid is the same as
`distributing snuff, and thereafter for use by the con- 10 that of the portion of side wall 8 below neck 7. Hence,
`sumer. Another object is to provide cans which can be
`the can is compact and flat and is ideally suited to pack-
`closed and opened easily without sifting or spilling the
`age snuff and for the customer to carry in a pocket or
`product and which also provide for venting with the
`otherwise. The bottom edge 27 of the lid is so spaced
`with respect to surface 29 of the can that the lid flange
`can fully closed, when that is desirable. A further object
`is to provide a can for snuff which is properly vented 15 can be grasped along the surface 29 and flexed out-
`wardly so as to remove the lid with a smooth progres-
`when the lid is being installed and removed.
`The term "can" is used herein in the broad sense of
`sive action. That feature is important for products such
`being synonymous with "box" or "container". A plastic
`as snuff where the can is used by the customer who
`snuff can is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,421 which
`opens and closes the can frequently.
`·
`has the same general characteristics and certain of the 20
`Projecting from the outer surface of neck 7 (see FIO.
`4) is a circumferential rib structure formed by twelve
`specific characteristics of the illustrative embodiment of
`aligned arcuate rib segments 15, and twenty-four verti-
`the present invention. The illustrative cans disclosed in
`cal ribs 16. Each rib segment 15 is separated from the
`that patent and the present application are of plastic,
`next adjacent rib segment by a vent gap 13. Ribs 16 are
`and are flat and cylindrical. Also, they have lids with
`peripheral flanges, and the lids are held in place by 25 positioned respectively at the ends of the rib segments
`15 and extend to the top of neck 7. Hence, ribs 16 are in
`circumferential mating ribs on the can necks and the lid
`pairs spaced from each other the width of the gaps 13,
`flanges. In addition, there are vertical ribs on the necks
`and when lid 6 is in place, each pair of ribs 16 forms a
`of the cans which hold the lid flanges away from the
`vent passageway or slot 17 between the surfaces of neck
`can surfaces as the lids are being installed and removed.
`Those vertical ribs. vent the cans as the lid is moving 30 7 and lid flange 12 from the top of the can downwardly
`past rib segments 15. Projecting radially inwardly from
`toward and away from its installed position, but the can
`the inside cylindrical surface of flange 12 (see PIO. 3) is
`disclosed in that patent is sealed when the circumferen-
`tial ribs are moving to the mating relationship and then
`a circumferential rib structure which is formed by nine
`aligned arcuate rib segments 19, each of which extends
`with the lid fully closed. It is an object of the present
`invention to provide a plastic snuff can which provides 35 (see PIO. 5) through an arc of 20° around the vertical
`proper venting when the lid is fully seated where that is
`axis of the can and is separated from each of the next
`adjacent rib segments by a vent gap 21 which also ex-
`desirable.
`Cans constructed in accordance with the present
`tends through an arc of 20° around the flange.
`As shown in FIO. 6 and in the upper right-hand por-
`invention provide complete venting during the entire
`movement of the lid to and from the can body, and also 40 tions of FIOS. 2 and 3, top wall 10 of the lid has nine
`arcuate lands 23 which extend from flange 12 the width
`after the lid is in its fully installed position when that is
`of portion 11. Each of the lands extends arcuately 20°
`desirable. However, a circumferential label or wrapper
`can be placed around the periphery of the can covering
`around the vertical axis of the lid and they are equally
`the area. ~djacent the bottom of the lid flange. If it is
`spaced 20° arcuately from each other. When lid 6 is in
`desirable for the product in the can to be completely 45 place on can 4, lip 31 of the can rests against lands 23
`sealed, that label or wrapper is impervious to vapor and
`(see FIO. 2) so that the can lip is held away from the
`gas, so that the can is then completely sealed. However,
`bottom surface of the lid through the arcuate area be-
`venting is provided when the label or wrapper is pervi-
`tween the lands. That produces nine vent passageways
`33 around the top of the lip between the inside of the
`.ous to vapor and gases.
`50 can and passageways 17. Lands 23 are in vertical align-
`ment with the respective ribs 19 so that with the lid in
`a given position on the can, and with a certain passage-
`way 17 in alignment with one of the gaps 21 between
`ribs 19, that passageway 17 is also in alignment with a
`55 gap 33 between lands 23. That relationship is repre-
`sented schematically in FIO. 5, and it should be under-
`stood that the vent gaps 13 and the vent passageways 17
`are always in alignment and are identified by the nu-
`meral 13 in FIO. 5. With the relationship shown, each
`60 of a plurality of vent passageways 17 and its vent gap 13
`is in alignment with vent passageway 23 and also with
`vent gap 21. The vent gaps and passageways will now
`be referred to relative to the numerals of a clock, e.g.,
`the vent gap 13 at the top of PIO. 1 is at twelve o'clock
`65 and is in alignment with a vent passageway 33 and a
`vent gap 21, and the same is true at four o'clock and
`eight. o'clock. Therefore, those vent gaps 13 and their
`vent passageways 17 are fully open to venting the can.
`
`IN THE ORA WINOS
`FIO. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of
`the invention;
`. FIO. 2 is a greatly-enlarged vertical sectional view
`on the line 2-2 of FIO. 1;
`FIO. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lid
`only, and on the same line as PIO. 2;
`PIO. 4 is an enlarged fragmep.tary side elevation of
`the can with the right-hand wall and the bottom wall
`portion in vertical section;
`FIO. 5 is a schematic representation showing the
`relationship between the components of the can and lid
`which provide venting of the can; and,
`PIO. 6 is a reduced bottom fragmentary view of the
`portion of the lid at the right-hand side of PIO. 3.
`Referring to PIO. 1 of the drawings, a can 2 is formed
`by an open top can body 4 and a lid 6. Can body 4 has
`a bottom wall 5 (see PIO. 4) and a cylindrical side wall
`
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`4,190,170
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`4
`3
`be snugly received upon the top of said cylindrical side
`Vent gaps 13 at two, six and ten o'clock are positioned
`wall, said flange having a circumferential rib structure
`between vent gaps 21 so that they are fully blocked, but
`the other six vent gaps 13 and their vent passageways 17
`upon its inner surface projecting radially inwardly from
`adjacent its bottom edge, said side wall having a cir(cid:173)
`are half-open so that they provide additional venting. If
`the lid is rotated clockwise from the position shown 5 cumferential rib structure projecting radially outwardly
`through an arc of the orderof 1.4 ° to 8.6°, six of the vent
`from said side wall and positioned so that its bottom
`gaps 13 are in alignment with vent gaps 21 and vent
`edge mates with the top edge of the first-named rib
`passageways 17. If that rotation is continued, and the
`structure so as to hold said lid onto the top of said can,
`total movement from the position shown is from 8.6°
`said can and said lid being of plastic and being suffi-
`and 11.4°, or from 18.6° and 20°, the total cross-section 10 ciently deformable so that said flange can be flexed
`of vent gaps 13 which are open remain substantially the
`outwardly to remove the lid from the can and to flex
`same. When the arc of clockwise movement from the
`when the lid is being installed onto the can, said can
`position shown is between 11.4° and 18.6°, six of vent
`havingapluralityofverticalventpassagewaysfromthe
`gaps 13 are fully open. For continued turning of the lid
`top of said can and past the said rib structure on said
`with respect to the can, there is a repeat pattern of 15 side wall, said rib structure on said flange having a
`closing various of the vent gaps and opening others, but
`plurality of vent gaps which are so positioned that one
`there is no position where the venting is unsatisfactory.
`or more of said vent passageways is in alignment with
`In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the
`one or more of said vent gaps.
`2. A can as described in claim 1, wherein the bottom
`outside diameter of can 4 is 2.575 inches, and the thick-
`ness of the walls of the can and lid are 0.03 inch. The rib 20 edge of said flange is tapered to form an edge at the
`segments and ribs 16 are 0.002 inch high and 0.018 inch
`outer cylindrical surface of said flange, said cylindrical
`wide. Ribs .16 extend from 0.012 inch below the top
`side wall having a neck portion which is of reduced
`edge of wall 8 to rib segments 15, the bottoms of which
`diameter and is substantially coextensive with said
`are 0.15 inch from the top of the wall. Rib segments 15
`flange when said lid is positioned on said can, and
`and 19 and ribs 16 are flat-topped with tapered side 25 wherein the remainder of said side wall has substantially
`the same outside diameter as said flange, said side wall
`surfaces. The top edges of ribs segments 19 are 0.15 inch
`from the bottom surface of wall 10 of the lid so that
`having a frusto-conical surface at the bottom edge of
`their top surfaces mate with the bottom surfaces of rib
`said neck which is spaced from the bottom edge of said
`segments 15 when the lid is in position on the can. As
`flange to form a slot which can be grasped to draw the
`indicated above, rib segments 19 ride upon ribs 16 as the 30 bottom of said flange outwardly away from said side
`wall when removing said lid from said can.
`lid is moved onto and off the can. Hence, the lid rides
`3. A can as described in either claim 1 or claim 2,
`freely into place on the can and rib segments 19 snap in
`below rib segments 15. Lands 23 are 0.002 inch high.
`wherein said circumferential rib structure on said flange
`comprises nine rib segments each of which extends
`As indicated above, the annular recess at the bottom
`of flange 12 permits the user to engage the bottom of the 35 through an arc of the order of 20° with respect to the
`lid and flex it outwardly when removing it. It will be
`axis of said flange and which are in alignment around
`seen that the lid is easily removed and replaced without
`said flange and are separated from each other by the
`bottom ends of said vent passageways, said rib structure
`a jerking action which would result in spilling the prod-
`uct, and with proper venting to permit the passage of air
`on said side wall comprising twelve aligned arcuate
`from and to the can. The vent paths formed by passage- 40 segments which are separated from each other by gaps
`ways 33 and 17 are thin and relatively long so that any
`and are equally spaced around the periphery of said side
`product particles which are sifted over the top of the
`wall.
`·
`4. A can as described in either claim 1 or claim 2,
`can will tent to remain in the vent passageways. That
`insures against objectionable sifting of product particles
`wherein each of said vent passageways is formed by a
`from the can. Other venting arrangements involving the 45 pair of parallel ribs extending from adjacent the top of
`provision of vent holes in the lid can result in minute
`said side wall down to said rib structure on said side
`particles of the product escaping and soiling the outside
`wall and a gap in said rib structure on said side wall with
`of the can or clothing. The provision of means to pro-
`said parallel ribs forming the side edges of the said vent
`passageway and the coextensive surfaces of said side
`vide thin and relatively long vent passageways from the
`top of the can vertically to the bottom of the lid flange 50 wall and said flange forming side faces of the vent pas-
`is an important aspect of this invention. That involves
`sageway.
`providing one or more vertical passageways between
`5. A can which is suited for paoking granular prod.
`the mating surfaces of the lid flange and the can neck,
`ucts comprising, the combination of, an open top can
`and that must be done witout interfering with the
`having a bottom wall and an upwardly-extending cylin-
`smooth movement of the lid to and from the can. Each 55 drical side wall, and a lid positioned upon the open top
`of said can and having a top wall and a downwardly-
`pair of parallel ribs 16 in effect provides a vertical
`groove while supporting the lid flange during its sliding
`extending peripheral cylindrical flange which fits
`movement.
`snugly around the top of said side wall, the top portion
`It is understood that changes can be made in the
`of said side wall having a circumferential rib structure
`illustrative embodiment, and that other embodiments of 60 which is positioned a predetermined distance below the
`top edge of said side wall which distance is less than the
`the invention can be provided, all within the scope of
`width dimension of said flange, said rib structure com-
`the claims.
`What is claimed is:
`prising a plurality of arcuate rib segments which are
`1. A can construction comprising, the combination
`positioned end-to-end around said side wall with each
`of, a can formed by a bottom wall and an upwardly 65 end of each segment being separated from the adjacent
`end of another segment by a vent gap, said flange hav-
`extending cylindrical side wall, and a lid comprising a
`top wall and a downwardly extending peripheral flange
`ing a circumferential rib structure upon its inner cylin-
`having an inside diameter and configuration such as to
`drical surface which is formed by a plurality of arcuate
`
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`4,190,170
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`5
`rib segments which are positioned in spaced aligned
`relationship from each other around said surface to
`thereby form vent gaps, means forming a plurality of
`vent channels extending from the top of said cylindrical
`side wall to each of said vent gaps of the first-mentioned 5
`of said rib structures, the second-named of said circum(cid:173)
`ferential rib structures being positioned below and in
`cooperating relationship with the first-named of said rib
`
`6
`structures whereby said rib structures retain said lid on
`said can, said gaps in said rib structures providing vent
`passageways from said vent channels and thence from
`the top of said can.
`6. A can as described in claim 5, wherein said vent
`channels are formed by ribs upon said side wall and
`gaps in said circumferential rib structures.
`• • • • •
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`so
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`55
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`60
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`65
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