US2361958A - Container - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 7, 1944. R NYDEN 2,361,958

CONTAINER Filed Aug. 21, 1941 INV NT OR.

' H @FA/frs Patented Nov. 7, -1944 2,361,958 CONTAINER Robert Nyden, Manhasset, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y.-,. a corporation of New Jersey Application August 21, 1941, Serial No. 407,835

This invention relates in general to containers which are closed by means of a friction plug and more particularly to `a novel friction plug construction which is adapted for easy opening and for dispensing of the contents of containers.

.An object of the invention is the provision of a novel improved friction plug closure for friction top containers which is adapted to tightly close the friction ring opening of such containers. thereby providing a tight seal, and which may may be readily moved from its tight frictional engagement with the friction ring. into different dispensing positions, without any special opening tool by pressure upon a portion of the friction plug such as mere finger pressure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a friction plug construction which has a novel fulcrum projection formed integrally with the friction plug, which projection is adapted to rock upon the friction ring when a portion of the plug is depressed, thereby raising another portion of the plug to move the same into a desired dispensing position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a friction plug construction which may be provided with one or more dispensing openings which are sealed when the plug is in properly closed position and which may be exposed for dispensing when the plug is rocked upon the said fulcrum projection.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a friction top construction having the enumerated and other advantages which may be economically produced by simple die or rolling operations on readily available equipment.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a substantially rectangular or oblong type of friction top container showing one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the plug showing a pouring opening in one end portion of the friction seat wall.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the plug showing the fulorum projection and stop lug projection.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the container top of Fig. 1 showing the friction plug pressed inwardly at one end and raised at the opposite end to expose a pouring opening, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-556) Fig. 4 and showing the friction plug depressed at the pouring opening end and raised at the opposite end to expose sifter openings.

Referring in more detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention exemplified in the drawing, Figs. 1 to 5 illustrate a ilbre body II which is closed at the bottom by means of a sheet metal end member I2 permanently crimped thereto. To the top marginal edge of the body I I is crimped a sheet metal end member or annular friction ring I3 in a permanent joint or seam I4. Inward of the joint I4 the ring I3 comprises a vertical wall which closely hugs the inner surface of the body II until it merges into a substantially horizontal countersink or panel I5, which preferably includes an inner raised wall portion I6 to provide an annular bearing portion or ridge. Thence the metal of the ring is bent downwardly at substantially a right angle to the raised wall portion I6 to provide a depending friction seat wall I1 terminating in a raw edge I8.

A dish shaped friction plug closure element or shell I9 is adapted to fit tightly within the opening defined by the depending wall l1 of the ring to provide atop seal. The friction plug I9 'is preferably a one piece shell of inverted dish shape and stamped or rolled or otherwise formed out of sheet metal and comprises a suitably panelled closed top wall 2l which merges Into a curved depending friction seat wall 23 which terminates in an annular bottom edge portion 24. The curved wall 23 has its largest diameter at its center between the top and bottom edges and gradually tapers into smaller diameter portions towards the top and bottom edges. The plug I9 in the preferred illustration is shown to be of oblong shape having longitudinal sides 25 which merge into rounded or curved ends 26 and 21. The metal of the wall 23 centrally of the longitudinal sides 25 and a shortdistance below the top wall 2l is projected outwardly into a pair of opposed elongated rocker or fulcrum and stop beads 28 which bear upon the inner raised wall portion I6 of the ring I3 when the plug is in sealing position. At the curved end 26, the friction wall 23 is further provided with a substantially rectangular elongated pouring opening 29 and at the opposite curved end 21 it is provided with a series of perforations or sifter openings 3 I The curved top portion of the depending wall 23 above the pouring opening 23 and sifter openings 3I provides the effective friction seat wall of the plug which is adapted to seal the ring opening by a tight metal to metal contact with the friction seat wall l1 of the ring. The metal of the marginal bottom edge 24 of the plug wall 2l is out at four places and bent outwardly to provide four corner stop lugs 32 when it is desired to hold the plug captive in the ring opening.

Fig. 1 shows the friction plug I9 in its closed or sealing position. In such position the rocker and stop beads 28 rest in flat engagement with and upon the raised wall portion I8 and the l upper portion of the annular curved wall 23 frictionally engages the depending wall l1 of the ring i3 providing a tight seal between friction ring and plug. When it is desired to dispense the contents from the container, pressure exerted against the edge of the top panel 2|, adjacent either of the curved ends 26 or 21 (which may be finger pressure) will depress this end of the plug and raise the opposite end according to whether it is desired to dispense the contents through the pouring opening 29 or the sifter openings 3|. In other words, a lever or rocking movement of the plug I9 upon the ring I3 takes place and is accomplished by the opposed elongated rocker and stop beads 28 of the plug rocking or fulcruming on the ring I3, preferably upon the reenforced raised wall portion I6 of the ring. The curvature of the depending wail 23 of the plug assists in clearing it in its movement within the ring.

Fig. 4 shows the relative position of the plug and ring after pressure is exerted upon the top wall 2| of the plug adjacent the curved end 21. When the plug is in this position the curved end 26 is raised sufficiently to expose the pouring opening 29 so that the contents may be dispensed through this relatively large opening. When the plug is depressed at the pouring opening end, as shown in Fig. 5, the sifter opening end is raised to a height sufficient to expose the sifter openings 3| and the contents may then be dispensed through the s'ifter openings, In either of these positions the plug is held within the opening of the friction ring by means of the stop lugs 32 hereinabove described.

It is conceivable that in some cases, depending upon the nature of the contents, it may be desirable to take advantage of the full opening of the friction ring to dispense the contents, in which case the stop lugs 32 may be omitted and frictional engagement of the upper portion of the depending wall 23 with the adjacent end of the depending wall Il of the ring and frictional engagement of the opposed lower portion of the wall 23 with the adjacent end of the depending wall of the ring may be relied upon for holding the plug in proper pouring position.

It will be understood of course that while the ring I3 and plug I! have been illustrated and described as being made of sheet metal, either or both of them may be made of any other suitable material. For instance, the plug would function in a similar manner if it were made of plastic. Also, of course, the container body, instead of being made offibre, as illustrated and described, might be made of sheet metal.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages. the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

A friction plug container comprising a container body having an end member secured thereto, said end member having an annular depending friction seat wall defining an opening, a tiltable friction plug seated within and normally closing said opening when the plug is in horizontal po sition, said plug having an annular depending friction seat wall sealingly engaging the friction seat wall of said end member, a dispensing opening in said friction seat wall of said plug, said plug also having a pair of opposed substantially ilat elongated fulcrum projections disposed at intermediate peripheral portions thereof for pivotal engagement against the outer surface of said end member, said opposed fulcrum projections being located on said plug friction seat wall in a horizontal plane spaced vertically above the upper edge of said dispensing opening so that the container will be sealed when the plug is in normal substantially horizontal position on and relative to said end member. said dispensing opening of the plug being elevated and exposed for dispensing the container contents therethrough when pressure is exerted on the plug at a point opposite to said dispensing opening to rock said plug on its said fulcrum projections on and relative to said end member.

ROBERT NYDEN.

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