BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to the field of containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to cans and can ends for container assemblies which provide a content straining function.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the invention relates to a container assembly, including a can, a can end, and a sheet. The can has an open end and an internal volume. The can end is fastened to the open end of the can, and has a first opening and a second opening. The sheet forms a closure to the first and second openings of the can end when the container assembly is in a closed configuration. The sheet is fastened to the can end around the perimeter of the sheet, and is also fastened to the can end proximate to the center of the sheet.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a container assembly, including a can, a can end, and a sheet. The can has an open end and an internal volume. The can end is fastened to the open end, and has a first opening and a second opening. The sheet forms a closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in a closed configuration. The sheet is integrally formed from a flexible material, and peelable from the can end such that the sheet no longer forms the closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in an open configuration.
Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a container assembly, including a can, a can end, and a sheet. The can has an open end and an internal volume. The can end has a first opening and a second opening, and is fastened to the open end of the can by overlapping a portion of the can with a portion of the can end and bending the portions into a sealed joint. The sheet forms a closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in a closed configuration.
Still another embodiment of the invention relates to a metal container assembly including, a metal can, a metal can end, and a sheet. The metal can has an open end. The metal can end has a large opening and a plurality of small openings. The sheet is sealed to the can end, to cover and hermetically seal closed the openings.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container assembly in a first configuration according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the container assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 in a second configuration.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 in a third configuration.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 in the third configuration.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the container assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another portion of the container assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container assembly in a first configuration according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 in a second configuration.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 in a third configuration, in a first orientation.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 in the third configuration, in a second orientation.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 in the third configuration, in a third orientation.
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly of FIG. 11, taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly of FIG. 11, taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 18 is a top view of a can end according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a top view of a can end according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a top view of a can end according to yet another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a top view of a can end according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a top view of a can end according to still another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a top view of a can end according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a top view of a can end according to a further exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a top view of a can end according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a portion of the container assembly according to yet another exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a container assembly 110 includes a can 112 (e.g., can body) and a can end 114 (e.g., top) (FIG. 5). By way of example, the can end may be configured for a 300 diameter can and the container assembly 110 is assembled to include brine pack vegetables. The can 112 includes a bottom 116 (FIG. 3) (e.g., second can end) and sides 118 (FIG. 2) extending vertically from the bottom 116. In some embodiments, the sides 118 form a cylindrical tube and include ridges 120. The can 112 defines a volume 122 (see FIG. 5) internal thereto, in which contents (see, e.g., solid items 226 and liquid 228 as shown in FIG. 14), such as cut fruit suspended in syrup or beans in water, of the container assembly 110 may be stored. A label (not shown) may be printed and/or adhered to the sides 118 of the can 112, identifying the contents of the container assembly 110.
The can end 114 includes a first opening 124 (e.g., large opening, hole, aperture, etc.) and one or more second openings 126 (e.g., a plurality of small openings). The first opening 124 is wide enough to pour solid contents of the container assembly 110 therethrough. In some embodiments, the first opening 124 has an area that is slightly less than half the area of the can end 114, and is formed in a crescent shape, a half-circle, or otherwise shaped. Each second opening 126 is sized for straining, such that the solid contents of the container assembly 110 are generally too large to fit therethrough. In some embodiments, each second opening 126 is less than one fifth the size of the first opening 124, such as less than one tenth the size of the first opening 124. However, in other embodiments the first and second openings are the same size (see, e.g., openings 614, 616 as shown in FIG. 21).
Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, a sheet 128 is selectively coupled (e.g., fastened, adhered, connected, glued, etc.) to the can end 114, such as for hermetically sealing the first and second openings 124, 126 when the container assembly 110 is in a closed configuration (e.g., FIG. 1). By way of non-limiting example, the sheet 128 may be generally circular, substantially covering the can end 114. In some embodiments, the sheet 128 includes a tab 130 or other lifting surface extending therefrom. In other embodiments, the sheet 128 may be otherwise shaped (e.g., rectangular, hourglass-shaped, oval, etc.). In contemplated embodiments, two or more separate sheets are used to cover different openings, or the same opening.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the sheet 128 may be fastened to the can end 114 with an adhesive 132 (FIG. 4) (e.g., adhesive layer, coating, glue, etc.) coupled to the sheet 128 and/or to the can end 114. In some embodiments, the adhesive 132 includes a thermoplastic layer or coating on the sheet 128—such as on a side of the sheet 128 that is to be fastened to the can end 114. Heating of the adhesive 132, such as by a heated press, temporarily melts the adhesive 132, which subsequently solidifies, bonding the sheet 128 to the can end 114. In some embodiments, the sheet 128 seals the can end 114 such that the container assembly 110 is hermetically sealed, helping to preserve perishable contents of the container assembly 110.
During operational use of the container assembly 110, the container assembly 110 may be converted from the closed configuration (FIG. 1) to the open configuration (FIG. 5) by decoupling (e.g., removing, peeling, lifting, separating, etc.) the sheet 128 from the can end 114. In some embodiments, the sheet 128 is coupled to the can end 114 such that the tab 130 is closer to the second opening 126 (or openings) than to the first opening 124. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, the tab 130 may be gripped by a user of the container assembly 110, and pulled upward and/or away from the can end 114. As the tab 130 is pulled, the sheet 128 allows access to and from the second opening 126 before then allowing access to the first opening 124. Depending upon the particular use and configuration of the can end 114 and/or container assembly 110 the various configurations of the sheet 128 may include a second tab 131 (as shown in FIG. 7) to permit selective and independent opening of either the strainer side or access side of the can end. While a second tab 131 is only shown in the sheet 128 of FIG. 7, it is contemplated that it may be used and placed on any of the other sheets 128 shown in other figures. In embodiments with two or more sheets 128, each sheet 128 may be provided with a tab 130 and may be further provided with a second tab 131.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the container assembly 110 is formed from metal, such as tin-coated steel or aluminum. In some embodiments, the can 112 is formed from aluminum and the can end 114 is formed from tin-coated steel. In other embodiments, other metals or materials (e.g., high-temperature plastic, ceramic, etc.) are used to form some or all of the container assembly 110. In some embodiments, the sheet 128 is a metal foil (e.g., aluminum foil, steel foil, etc.), having a thickness substantially between 1/1000 to 1/100-inch. The metal foil includes an outer (top, outside, etc.) layer (e.g., coating) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a middle layer (e.g., substrate) of foil, and a bottom layer (e.g., 70 microns thick) of polypropylene, where the outer layers are applied via a coextrusion process. The polypropylene is configured to be heated and used as an adhesive. In other embodiments, the metal foil includes additional layers of different materials, and/or layers of similar materials in different arrangements (e.g., order). In still other embodiments, the sheet 128 is plastic or composite (e.g., plastic foil with one or more coatings thereon).
Depending upon the use and application of assembly 110, the material used to adhere the foil of sheet 128 to can end 114 may not be uniform in adherence strength and/or material type. By selective placement of adhesive types, the peeling and pressure handling characteristics of the sheet 128 can be controlled. For example, it may be desirable to use a stronger adhesion at the adhesive areas 132 (see FIG. 8) to prevent peeling of sheet 128 and better hold pressure during the retort process.
In some embodiments, the container assembly 110 is a three-piece assembly, formed from three main parts. The bottom 116 and sides 118 are separately stamped and fastened together, such as by forming the sides 118 into a cylindrical tube, and crimping an end of the tube to the bottom 116. According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealant or gasket (e.g., rubber coating) may be positioned between the crimped portions, to improve the seal therebetween. With the bottom 116 and sides 118 fastened together, the can 112 includes an open end 138 (FIG. 9), which may be covered by the can end 114. According to an exemplary embodiment, the can end 114 is also formed via stamping from a single metal sheet, and is fastened to the can 112. Edges internal to the openings may be rolled (see, e.g., rolled edges as shown in FIGS. 10 and 17). In other embodiments a container assembly is a two-piece assembly, where a can body (e.g., having sides and a bottom) is formed by a stamping process, from a single sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum), and a can end is separately formed, stamped from another sheet of metal. In some embodiments, components or features of a container assembly are formed by molding, die cast, blown, or otherwise formed.
The container assembly 110 may be fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 1, partially assembled (e.g., open configuration shown in FIG. 5), or may be an assembly that is configured to be, but not yet fastened together (e.g., assembly of kit components). For example, some embodiments may include a container assembly including a can end and a sheet configured to be coupled thereto. Other embodiments may include a container assembly including a can (e.g., body) and a can end, fastened together, but without a sheet coupled to the can end. Other contemplated embodiments include still other container assemblies, having components that are fastened together and separate components that are unfastened kits.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the can end 114 includes first and second fastening areas 134, 136 to which the sheet 128 may be fastened. The first fastening area 134 extends around the periphery of the can end 114 (and/or of the sheet 128), sealing both the first and second openings 124, 126 of the can end 114. The second fastening area 136 includes at least a portion thereof that is proximate to the center of the can end 114 (and/or of the sheet 128). In some embodiments, the second fastening area 136 connects (e.g., is continuous with) with the first fastening area 134 (see, e.g., fastening areas 418 as shown in FIG. 19).
Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the second fastening area 136 helps to allow the sheet 128 to remain fastened to the can end 114 when pressure in the container assembly 110 (e.g., within the volume 122) exceeds pressure exterior to the container assembly 110 (e.g., atmospheric pressure, outside air pressure), such as during a retort process (e.g. heated and internally pressurized sterilization process). For processing it is desirable to avoid over-pressure during the retort process. It is believed that the second fastening area 136 helps to mitigate shear forces between the sheet 128 and the can end 114 at the first fastening area 134, helping the sheet 128 to remain fastened to the can end 114 when gauge pressure (i.e., internal pressures relative to exterior pressure) within the container assembly is at least 10 pounds per square inch (psi), at least 15 psi, at least 25 psi, or more.
Referring to FIGS. 9-10, sides 118 of the can 112 extend upward to form an open end 138 of the can 112, to which the can end 114 is fastened. According to an exemplary embodiment, the can end 114 is fastened to the open end 138 of the can 112 by overlapping a portion of the can 112 with a portion of the can end 114, and bending (e.g., crimping) the portions into a sealed joint 140 assembly and a rim 142 of the container assembly 110. A sealant or gasket may be positioned between the portions, such as via a coating of sealant material (e.g., elastic material, pliable material, rubber, plastic, etc.) on either or both of the portions. Although the sealed joint 140 of FIGS. 9-10 shows a particular arrangement of bending and overlapping, other arrangements of bending and overlapping may be used for fastening the can end 114 to the sides 118 of the can 112. In still other contemplated embodiments, the can end 114 is otherwise fastened to the can 112 (e.g., glued, welded, pressure fit, etc.) or formed integrally therewith. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sheet 128 is then fastened to the can end 114, forming a closure to the first and second openings 124, 126 (FIG. 10).
Referring now to FIGS. 11-17, a container assembly 210 according to another exemplary embodiment includes a can 212 (e.g. can body) and a can end 214 fastened thereto. The can end 214 includes a first opening 216 and a second opening 218 (FIG. 13). A sheet 220 is fastened (e.g., adhered) to the can end 214, forming a closure to the first and second openings 216, 218. A tab 222 (e.g., pull tab, foil ring, pop top tab) may be used to pull the sheet 220 away from the can end 214, to open the openings 216, 218. In some embodiments, the sheet 220 is a foil sheet adhered to the can end 214 with a thermoplastic adhesive.
In FIGS. 11-15 the container assembly 210 is shown in various configurations. In FIG. 11, the container assembly 210 is in a closed configuration, with the sheet 220 hermitically sealing the openings 216, 218, and contents of the container assembly 210 stored therein. In FIG. 12, the sheet 220 has been partially removed (e.g., decoupled) from the can end 214, such that at least one of the first and second openings 216, 218 is at least partially exposed. In FIG. 13, the sheet 220 has been fully removed from the can end 214, opening both the first and second openings 216, 218. The volume 224 (FIG. 13) of the container assembly 210 is configured to hold at least one solid item 226 and a liquid 228 (FIG. 14) as contents therein. As shown in FIG. 14, when the container assembly 210 is in the open configuration (either partially, as shown in FIG. 12, or fully, as shown in FIG. 13) the can end 214 facilitates straining, such that the liquid 228 is pourable out of the volume 224 through the second opening 218 while the solid item 226 is generally blocked from passing through the second opening 218. In FIG. 15, the solid item 226 is pourable out of the first opening 216.
Referring now to FIGS. 16-17, the container assembly 210 includes sides 230 of the can 212 extending vertically to form an open end 240 of the can 212. A portion of the open end 240 is folded (e.g., crimped) with a portion the can end 214 to form a joint assembly 232. A sheet 220 is fastened to the can end 214 at first and second fastening areas 234, 236, forming a closure to the first and second openings 216, 218 in the can end 214. The can end 214 at the first fastening area 234 includes an angled ledge 238 (e.g., flange, extension, etc.). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that angling the ledge 238 and using the angled ledge 238 as the fastening area 234 may support (e.g., strengthen, help, etc.) maintaining a sealed fastening between the sheet 220 and the openings 216, 218 of the can end 214 when pressures in the container assembly 210 exceed pressures exterior thereto, such as by aligning the plane of adhesion with the plane of maximum shear stress. The second fastening area 236 may be positioned proximate to the center of the can end 214. In other embodiments, a second contact area on the can end is also angled, indented, dimpled, or otherwise contoured, so as to facilitate maintaining a sealed fastening between the sheet 220 and the can end 214 during a retort process, such as by aligning the fastening to effectively withstand predicted loadings.
In contemplated embodiments, the sheet 220 is a single, integral metal sheet that has been crimped to the can to seal the can end having the openings 216, 218 therein. The metal sheet includes a tear path extending, for example, around a periphery thereof, and configured to allow for an interior portion of the metal sheet to be controllably torn free from the can end 214, unsealing the openings 216, 218. The metal sheet may be stamped from sheet metal (e.g., aluminum, tin-coated steel, etc.) of a similar type and thickness as the can end 214 and/or the can 212. The tab 222 (e.g., single pull tab) may be used to remove the entire metal sheet, and thereby simultaneously opening both openings 216, 218. In some embodiments, a tab may be riveted to the sheet, formed integrally therewith, or otherwise coupled to the sheet. In other embodiments, a tab 222 may be configured to allow for a first interior portion of the metal sheet to be controllably torn free from the can end 214, and a second tab may be configured to allow for a second interior portion of the metal sheet to be controllably torn free from the can end 214, thereby selectively unsealing the openings 216, 218.
While the container assemblies 110, 210 are shown with the proportions in the FIGURES, other container proportions may be used. For example, contemplated embodiments include ⅞ size, 1—“picnic” size, size 303, size 10, and other size cans, such as those standard sizes and shapes that are commercially available in the United States and abroad. Such cans may be configured to hold 4 ounces, 10.5 ounces, and even over 100 ounces of liquid. Some embodiments are cylindrical, while other embodiments are rounded-rectangular (e.g., box container), and still other embodiments include other container assembly geometries.
FIGS. 18-25 show can ends for container assemblies according to various exemplary embodiments, which may be used for the purposes of (1) maintaining a closure between a sheet (e.g., foil cover) fastened to one of the can ends, during a retort process where pressure in the container assembly exceeds pressure external to the container assembly, and also (2) facilitating straining of solid contents of the container assembly from liquid contents thereof.
Referring to FIG. 18, a can end 310 includes a circular periphery 312 configured to be fastened (e.g., crimped) to a cylindrical can (see, e.g., can 112 as shown in FIG. 1), forming a container assembly. The can end 310 further includes a first opening 314 and at least one second opening 316. The first opening 314 is a large opening sized to allow solid contents of the container assembly to pass therethrough, the second opening 316 is at least one of a plurality of small openings configured to strain liquid from the solid contents of the container assembly. The first opening 314 is generally crescent-shaped, and has an area that is less than half the area of the overall can end 310. The can end 310 includes a first fastening area 318 and a second fastening area 320 to which a sheet (e.g., foil with thermoplastic adhesive layer) may be fastened, so as to hermetically seal the openings 314, 316. The first fastening area 318 extends around the periphery 312 of the can end 310, while the second fastening area 320 is positioned proximate to a center of the can end 310.
Referring to FIG. 19, a can end 410 includes a circular periphery 412 configured to be fastened to a cylindrical can to form a container assembly. The can end 410 includes a first opening 414 and a second opening 416. The first opening 414 is generally triangular and is sized to allow solid contents of the container assembly to pass therethrough. The second opening 416 is a curved slot, sized to block the solid contents from passing therethrough, but to allow liquid contents of the container assembly to pour therethrough. A sheet (see, e.g., sheet 128 as shown in FIG. 1) may be fastened to the can end 410 along a fastening area 418, which continuously extends around the periphery 412 of the can end 410 and across the diameter of the can end 410, between the first and second openings 414, 416.
A can end 510 shown in FIG. 20 includes first and second openings 512, 514, where the second opening 514 is a straight slot configured to allow liquid contents of a container assembly to pour therethrough. One or both of the openings 512, 514 may include rolled edges. A fastening area 516 extends around a periphery 518 of the can end 510, allowing a sheet to seal the openings 512, 514.
Referring to FIG. 21, a can end 610 includes a circular periphery 612 configured to be fastened to a cylindrical can, forming a container assembly. The can end 610 includes first and second openings 614, 616, both large enough to allow solid contents of the container assembly to pass therethrough. Dividing the openings 614, 616, a strip 618 of solid material extends to a center platform 620, which may be used as a fastening surface 622. As such, a sheet may be fastened (e.g., glued) to the can end 610 via another fastening surface 624 around the periphery 612 of the can end 610 to seal the openings 614, 616, and in a center of the can end 610 on the platform 620.
Referring to FIG. 22, a can end 710 includes a circular periphery 712 with an opening 714 therein, the can end 710 being configured to be fastened to a can, forming a container assembly. The opening 714 is generally crescent-shaped and is large enough to allow contents of the can to pass therethrough. The can end 710 includes first and second fastening areas 716, 718. The first fastening area 716 extends generally around the periphery 712 of the can end 710, however a portion 720 of the periphery 712 extends outside of the first fastening area 716. The portion 720 may allow for use of a sheet that is smaller in area than the full can end 710, or may allow for a corresponding portion of the sheet to be easily lifted from the can end 710 facilitating opening of the can end 710. The second fastening area 716 is proximate to a center of the can end 710—however, in other embodiments, a second fastening area is not positioned proximate to a center of a can end, or is not included (see, e.g., can end 610 as shown in FIG. 21).
Referring to FIG. 23, a can end 810 includes a circular periphery 812 with an opening 814 therein, the can end 810 being configured to be fastened to a can to form a container assembly. The opening 814 may be functionally separated into first and second openings 816, 818, where the first opening 816 is wide enough to allow solid contents of the container assembly to pass therethrough and the second opening 818 is narrow enough to block the solid contents, for straining. A first fastening area 820 extends around the periphery 812 of the can end 810, and one or more second fastening areas 822 are positioned proximate to the center of the can end 810.
A can end 910 shown in FIG. 24 also includes an opening 912 that can be functionally separated into a strainer opening 914 and a main opening 916, for a container assembly. Fastening areas 918, 920 around the opening 914 and proximate to a center of the can end 910 may be used to fasten a sheet to the can end 910.
Referring to FIG. 25, a can end 1010 includes a generally rectangular periphery 1012 configured to be fastened to a rectangular container, forming a container assembly. The can end 1010 includes a first opening 1014 through which solid contents of the container assembly may be poured, and at least one second opening 1016 through which liquid contents of the container assembly may be strained from the solid contents. Fastening areas 1018, 1020 may be used to fasten a sheet (e.g., square foil sheet) to the can end 1010.
Referring to FIG. 26, a container assembly 1110 (e.g., two-piece or three-piece container assembly) includes sides 1118 of a can 1112 that extend upward to form an open end 1138 of the can 1112, to which a can end 1114 is fastened. According to an exemplary embodiment, the can end 1114 is fastened to the open end 1138 of the can 1112 by overlapping a portion of the can 1112 with a portion of the can end 1114, and bending (e.g., crimping) the portions into a sealed joint 1140 assembly and a rim 1142 of the container assembly 1110. A sealant or gasket may be positioned between the portions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sheet 1128 is then fastened to the can end 1114 with adhesive 1132 at fastening areas 1134, forming a closure to first and second openings formed by outward rolling of portions 1124, 1126 of the can end 1114. A tab 1130 may be pulled to help remove the sheet 1128 to access content stored in the volume 1122 of the container assembly 1110.
Referring to FIG. 27, another container assembly 1210 includes sides 1218 of a can 1212 that form an open end 1238 of the can 1212, to which a can end 1214 is fastened. The can end 1214 is fastened to the open end 1238 of the can 1212 by overlapping a portion of the can 1212 with a portion of the can end 1214, and crimping the portions into a sealed joint 1240 and a rim 1242. A sealant may be positioned between the portions. The sheet 1228 is then fastened to the can end 1214 with adhesive 1232 at fastening areas 1234, forming a closure to first and second openings formed by inward folding of portions 1224, 1126 of the can end 1214. A tab 1230 may be pulled to help remove the sheet 1228 to access content stored in the volume 1222 of the container assembly 1210.
Referring now to FIG. 28, yet another container assembly 1310 includes sides 1318 of a can 1312 that form an open end 1338 of the can 1312, to which a can end 1314 is fastened. The can end 1314 is fastened to the open end 1338 of the can 1312 by overlapping a portion of the can 1312 with a portion of the can end 1314, and crimping the portions into a sealed joint 1340 and a rim 1342. A sealant may be positioned between the portions. The sheet 1328 is then fastened to the can end 1314 with adhesive 1332 at fastening areas 1334, forming a closure to first and second openings formed by inward curling of portions 1324, 1326 of the can end 1314. A tab 1330 may be pulled to help remove the sheet 1328 to access content stored in the volume 1322 of the container assembly 1310.
The construction and arrangements of the container assembly, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Patent Application
20110226771
