US2374384A - Can attachment - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr. 24, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN ATTACHMENT Marion D. Sansom, Rivulet, Mont.

Application December 23, 1943, Serial No. 515,455

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel attachment for tin and equivalent cans and containers, especially of the readily puncturable type used for merchandising and subsequently dispensing liquid commodities such as tomato juice, evaporated and condensed milk, and so on, commodities which are poured, generally speaking, in limited quantities for progressive consumption, and the attachment is both a can opening as well as closing device.

n Needless to say, I am full well aware that the sub-class to which the invention pertains is well developed by the existence therein of numerous types of attachments possessing corresponding features and advantages. It follows, therefore, that notwithstanding the admittedly active nature of the art to which` the invention pertains, I have nevertheless succeeded in devising for use another attachment in this category which, it is believed, is a novel contribution to this line of endeavor, and is possessed of readily recognizable refinements and improvements.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by an appropriate resilient snap-` on adapter device of general U-shaped form, this having appropriate detents at its ends to engage the adjacent portions of the can and further including diametrically opposed, outstanding, liplike extensions functioning as convenient pouring spouts.

Novelty is further predicated upon an adapter of the aforementioned type embodying a pair of bendable, struck-out limbs, the latter being provided with can piercing and closing elements and terminating at their outer ends in appropriately designed, quickly applicable and releasable detents or retainers.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like elements or parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an accessory or attachment constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, the same being applied to a conventional evaporated milk can or equivalent tin.

Figure 2 is an end view of the attachment, that is, a view observing either of the two ends seen in Figure 1, Figure 2 being at right angles to Figure l. l

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrally on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 showing the man- 55 ner in which the parts associate themselves when the puncturing and closing limbs are sprung out to open positions.

Figure 5 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the plane of the line 5 5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a. cross-section on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The adapter frame proper, which is of appropriate metal or equivalent material, and which is generally U-shaped in principal outline or form, is denoted by the numeral I. This is an elongated strap part whose median body portion 8 has struck out therefrom a pair of duplicate limbs 9. Before describing the specific construction of said limbs, attention is rst directed to the outer end construction, at each end, of the U-shaped adapter fitting 1. In this connection, and as brought out to advantage in Figure 5, the lateral downturned ends I0 are bent intermediate their ends, as at I I, to provide retention shoulders which engage beneath the overhanging ledge I2 formed by the can top. In some instances this is a rolled bead, and of course the dimensions and shapes will be changed slightly to accommodate said variations. The extremities of said downbent ends are directed outwardly at right angles in horizontal planes, as indicated at I 3. Then the intermediate portion. of this out-bent end portion is slightly channeled, as at I3a to provide a shallow pouring spout.

Reverting to the special formation and coni'lguration of the swingable limbs 9, these function, as before indicated, as can opening or puncturing devices, and, secondly, as satisfactory ways and means of closing the opening in the can, thus punctured. Each limb has formed at its inner end and an indentation I 4 which is of sufficient curvature that the crest or principal bend thereof functions as a sort of a spring. In other words, the tendency of this is to maintain the outer free -end of the limb under stress and when said outer end is released, to swing it to the open position disclosed in Figure 4. On the extreme outer end of the limb there is a suitable latch formed. 'I'his comprises a down-bent portion I5, a laterally and upwardly directed terminal and nger piece I6, and an intermediate, inwardly offset bend I'I which functions as a keeper. It; will be noticed that this keeper engages the aforementioned lip I2, the same lip which is engaged by the detents I I. The intermediate portion of the limb is provided with a downwardly struck tongue I8 which is triangular in form, as shown in Figure 6. This functions as a spur and serves to penetrate the can top to form the customary pouring hole. Due

to the nature of the hole punctured, the tongue serves also as a closure. Therefore, in order to clear the opening. it is necessary to release the latch or keeper l1 by way of the nger piece Il allowing the spring bend I4 to come into play and to spring the limb 9 and closure spur Il to open position.

I desire to stress again the simple and expedient formation from a single strip or strap of suitable metal, whereby to provide the three essential parts, namely, the adapter fitting 1 with its accessories, and the two complementa] limbs or members 9 with their respective inherent features and advantages. More particularly. the U'- shaped part l is characterized by the down-bent 'end portion I0, the retaining detents il and the outstanding pouring lip or spout I3. The respective limbs 9 are characterized by their self-opening springs Il, spurs I8 and finger piece equipped keepers IG and i1.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawing will enable the reader of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufilcient to clarify the construction of .the invenf tion as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

l. An attachment of the class described comprising a one-piece substantially U-shaped adapter including a. bight portion provided with can engaging detents and terminal pouring outstanding spouts at opposite outer ends, said bight portion being provided with resilient struck-out limbs, the inner adjacent ends of the respective limbs being provided with transverse indented bends providing tensioning springs, the outer ends of said' limbs being provided with downbent linger-pieces equipped with keeper elements, in the manner and for the purposes described.

2. A can attachment of the class described comprising a one-piece substantially U-shaped adapter embodying a central bight portion and laterally downbent ends fashioned to nt snugly down over one end portion of a can, said laterally downbent ends being formed into can-engaging, friction-retained detents. the terminal portions of said downbent ends being then bent laterally outward to form horizontal pouring spouts, said spouts being longitudinally channelled, said bight portion and downbent end portions having duplicate resilient limbs struck out therefrom, the outer ends of said limbs being formed into substantially V-shaped bends, the crotch portions oi' said bends being fashioned into keepers and the free ends into linger-pieces, said limbs inwardly of said downbent end portions having can penetrating spurs struck out therefrom.

3. A can attachment of the class described comprising a one-piece substantially U-shaped adapter embodying a bight portion and laterally downbent ends and fashioned to fit snugly over one end portion of a can, said laterally downbent ends being formed into can-engaging, friction-retained detents, the terminal portions of said downbent ends being then bent laterally outward to form horizontal pouring spouts, said spouts being longitudinally channelled, said bight portion and downbent end portions having duplicate resilient limbs struck out therefrom, the' outer ends of said limbs being formed into substantially V-shaped bends, the crotch portions of said bends being fashioned into keepers and the free ends into finger-pieces, said limbs inwardly of said downbent end portions having spurs struck out therefrom, the inner ends of said limbs constituting hinges, the hinges being disposed in close parallel proximity and having transversely disposed indentations forming springs and the crest portions of said springs resting in contact with the adjacent part of the can.

MARION D. SANBOM.

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