Unibody sanitary can with multiple storage compartments

Abstract

A container for foods or beverages is provided which includes in one embodiment at least one inwardly extending ledge which is formed by creating a bend in the container body proximate to an upper end, and which is adapted to receive a removable sealing membrane to provide multiple storage compartments.

1 . A multi-compartment metallic container, comprising: 
 a substantially cylindrical container body having a lower end, an open upper end and side walls extending therebetween;    a first inwardly extending ledge integrally interconnected to said container body and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and    a peripheral, cover hook integrally interconnected to said open upper end of said container body and which is adapted for interconnection to an end closure; and    a sealable membrane removably interconnected to said upper surface of said first inwardly extending ledge and extending across said open upper end to define first compartment below said sealable membrane and a second compartment above said sealable membrane.    
   
   
       2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising a second inwardly extending ledge integrally interconnected to said upper end of said container body, said second inwardly extending ledge having an upper surface and a lower surface.  
   
   
       3 . The storage container of  claim 2 , further comprising a sealable membrane removably interconnected to said upper surface of said second inwardly extending ledge, and extending across said open upper end of said container.  
   
   
       4 . The storage container of  claim 3 , wherein a storage space is defined between said first inwardly extending ledge and said second inwardly extending ledge.  
   
   
       5 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising a selectively removable lid which extends over said peripheral cover hook, wherein said selectively removable lid can be repeatedly opened and closed.  
   
   
       6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said peripheral cover hook has a substantially circular cross sectional geometric profile with substantially no exposed edges.  
   
   
       7 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said upper end of said container body further comprises a tapered neck, wherein a funnel effect is created which restricts the rate of flow of materials poured from said container body.  
   
   
       8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said peripheral curled end section is curled outwardly with respect to an interior of said storage container, and a distal edge of said container material is bent inwardly toward an interior of said storage container.  
   
   
       9 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said sealable membrane is comprised of a substantially impermeable foil with an adhesive material positioned substantially along a peripheral edge.  
   
   
       10 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising an end closure which is sealingly interconnected to said peripheral cover hook, wherein said sealable membrane is substantially sealed from an exterior environment until said end closure is removed.  
   
   
       11 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said container body is comprised of at least one of an aluminum, a steel, and a tin material and combinations therein.  
   
   
       12 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said first inwardly extending ledge is created from a fold in said side walls of said container body.  
   
   
       13 . A two-piece container having at least two distinct storage compartments, comprising: 
 a container body having a closed end, an open end, and side walls extending therebetween;    a first inwardly extending ledge created by a fold in an upper portion of said side walls;    a peripheral cover hook positioned on said open end of said container body, said peripheral cover hook having substantially no exposed edges;    a first sealable membrane interconnected to said first inwardly extending ledge; and    an end closure interconnected to said peripheral cover hook, wherein a first compartment is created below said first sealable membrane and a second compartment is created between said removable lid and said first sealable membrane.    
   
   
       14 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein said end closure is double seamed to said peripheral cover hook.  
   
   
       15 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein said end closure is selectively removable for repeated use.  
   
   
       16 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , further comprises a second inwardly extending ledge adapted to retain a second sealable membrane, said second inwardly extending ledge created by a fold in an upper portion of said side walls and positioned above said first inwardly extending edge, wherein at least three distinct storage compartments are formed between said lid and said closed end of said two-piece container.  
   
   
       17 . The two-piece container of  claim 16 , further comprising a second sealable and removable membrane interconnected to said second inwardly extending ledge.  
   
   
       18 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein said one piece metal container further comprises a neck positioned proximate to said open end which has a reduced diameter from said container body.  
   
   
       19 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein at least said container body is comprised of at least one of an aluminum, a tin, and a steel material and combinations therein.  
   
   
       20 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein said first sealable membrane has a pull tab to facilitate removal.  
   
   
       21 . The two-piece container of  claim 13 , wherein said first sealable membrane is comprised of at least one of a metal, a plastic, and a paper material and combinations therein.  
   
   
       22 . A pourable, one piece container having a reduced diameter ledge adapted for supporting a sealable membrane, comprising: 
 a container body having a closed lower end, an open upper end and side walls extending therebetween;    a first inwardly extending ledge created by an inwardly oriented bend in said container side walls proximate to said open upper end, and comprising a substantially horizontally oriented upper surface, said first inwardly extending ledge having a transition area with an internal diameter which is generally less than an internal diameter of said container body positioned below said first inwardly extending ledge; and    a peripheral cover hook integrally interconnected to said upper end of said container body and formed by curling an upper edge of said container, wherein there are substantially no exposed edges.    
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22 , further comprising a removable end closure which is adapted for interconnection to said peripheral cover hook.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 22 , further comprising a first sealable membrane removably interconnected to said substantially horizontally oriented upper surface of said first inwardly extending ledge.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein said first sealable membrane extends upwardly along a chuck wall positioned between said peripheral cover hook and said first inwardly extending ledge.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein an external diameter of said closed lower end of said container is less than an internal diameter of said peripheral cover hook, wherein said container may be stacked on a second container.  
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein said transition area has a rounded geometric profile.  
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein said container is comprised of at least one of an aluminum, a tin, and a steel material, and combinations therein.  
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein said first sealable membrane is comprised of at least one of a metallic, a paper, and a plastic material and combinations therein.  
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 22 , further comprising a second inwardly extending ledge which is adapted to receive a second sealable membrane.  
   
   
       31 . The end closure of  claim 23 , wherein said end closure is comprised of a plastic material.