GB2340811A

GB2340811A - Multiple cans

Info

Publication number: GB2340811A
Application number: GB9818497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Andrew Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-25
Filing date: 1998-08-25
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: GB9818497D0

Abstract

A can is divided into compartments by partitions extending axially and/or transversely of the can. Each compartment may have a respective ring-pull opener in an end or side of the can and a ring pull in the side of the can may detach an upper part of the can to give access to a lower compartment. Two or three axially aligned compartments or four compartments defined by intersecting partitions may be provided.

Description

2340811 DUAL, TRIPLE AND QUADRUPLE CANS.

(Technical field) 71fis invention relates to dual, triple, quadruple and other multiple cans for foodstuffs and other materials.

(Background) To date, all cans open at one end, by using a can-opener, or, as is becon-dng more common, by the ring-pull method. lle cans, for tuna fish, peas, salmon, pet food, etc, are then discarded, adding to the growing and pressing problems of rapid using up of the world's resources and of garbage disposal. The invention set out below makes it possible to combine the contents of two or more cans into one, thus effecting a substantial saving on raw materials and on transport costs. These multiple cans could contain the same foodstuff or different foodstuffs e. g. a dual can containing only tuna fish or only pet food in two sections, or a dual can containing peas in one section and carrots in another. It thus incorporates the advantages of versatility, convenience for shoppers and consumers, reduction of weight - thereby making for lower transport costs - and a saving on the metal used in manufacture. It can be fairly described as a completely environment-friendly invention.

(Essential Technical Features). The salient feature of the present invention is that two or more cans, as shown in Figures 1 (a) and 1 (b), are combined into one can (see Figure 2). The new can has two pull rings, one at each end, and each compartment has a common divider (shown as "F' in Figure 2). Thus instead of the necessity for four layers of metal (shown as "A", "B", "C" and "D" in Figures 1 a and 1 b) for two cans, it is possible to have in effect only three layers of metal ('E", 11F1 and "G" in Figure 2) to achieve the same result. Taking this a step finiher, what would have been four cans would be combined into one quadruple can (Figure 3) with four pull rings, one for each compartment. This would be especially suitable for the armed forces, mountain climbers, trekkers and others who need to carry fixed amounts of various foodstuffs but who would also be concerned to keep the weight they carry to a minimum.

As each compartment of the cans shown in Figures 2 and 3 is opened, the empty half or quarter is simply rinsed out to allow storage until the remainder is used. Alternatively, its possible after consumption of the contents of one compartment to dispose of the top half of the dual can by the use of a pull ring ('W') set in the middle of the can (see Figure 4). The top half of the dual can shown in Figure 4 could then be detached, as the pull ring CW') is placed so as to open,.,',^, can in the middle just below the surface ("I"), thus exposing the contents of the lower half of the can, of which the surface CT') would be the bottom of the can. A further dei;elopnient of this would result in a triple can working on the same principles, depicted as Figure 5. The foodstuffs that would normally be contained in three cans would be contained in one larger triple can (Figure 5).

Thus the number of upper and lower surfaces necessary would be reduced from six, in the case of three separate cans, to four in the case of the triple can shown in Figure 5. 'Me cost savings in metal, weight and therefore cost of transport, would be substantial. To get the full benefit of the invention, it would obviously be in the manufacturer's interest to make these new cans shallower and wider, thus effecting an even greater saving on the metal needed to make the cans' upper and lower surfaces e.g. "L", 1MT, 'W' and "'0" in Figure 5. A hypothetical saying of 0. 2 pence per can for one million cans would result in a saying of ú2000 per every one million cans. This is quite apart from the social benefits of slowing the rate of consumption of raw materials (tin, steel, etc.) and the consequent production of less garbage to be carted away, recycled, etc.

Claims

The CLAIMS are as follows: 1. A dual can having two separate compartments

divided by one common surface ('F'), and two pull rings at each end of the can. See Figure.
2. A dual can having two separate compartments divided by one common surface, to be opened by a can opener at either end of the can.
3. A quadruple can having four separate compartments, each compartinent to be opened by a pull ring, two pull rings being at each end of the can. (See Figure 3).
4. A dual can having two separate compartments, opened by a pull ring at the top surface (1T') and by a pull ring ("K") set in the middle of the can, the upper compartment being detachable after use, 'T being the lower surface of the upper compartment (see Figure 4).
5. A triple can having three separate compartments, being opened by three pull rings, one ("W') at the top surface ("L") of the can in Figure 5, and two others ("P" and "Q") set in the side of the can,, opening below surfaces "Nf ' and "N" respectively.
6. Any other multiple cans which are basically logical developments of the triple can shown in Figure 5.

1