GB2583720A

GB2583720A - A can assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2583720A
Application number: GB1906161.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dogar Mazhar
Original assignee: M K Dogar Design & Innovation Ltd
Current assignee: M K Dogar Design & Innovation Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-02
Filing date: 2019-05-02
Publication date: 2020-11-11
Also published as: GB201906161D0; WO2020222017A1

Abstract

A can assembly has a can with wall (12, fig. 1a), base 14 and top 16, and a cover 100 for the can. The cover can be removably fitted to the top or the base of the can. The cover may include a first cover formation (120, fig. 6) for preferably fluid-tight engagement with a corresponding first formation (20) on the top of the can or a second formation on the base of the can. Alternatively, a second cover formation (140’, fig. 7) may be provided to engage with the second formation (40’) on the base. Each cover formation may be a recess that engages with a projection on the can. The recess may be annular. A plurality of can assemblies may include a second can assembly stacked on top of the first.

Description

Title: A can assembly

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a can assembly.

Aluminium cans are well known and are, most typically, used for storing soft drinks. Current soft drinks cans are used worldwide and are made primarily of metal (usually, 92-97% Aluminium) with an epoxy coating to protect the can against corrosion from the soft drink stored inside (which is often acidic).

Typically, such cans include a ring pull opening located in the top of the can, which allows the consumer to open the can and access the contents. Such ring pull openings are for single use and once the can has initially been opened there is no mechanism for closing the can again. The soft drink contents must be consumed relatively quickly and in one sitting. If the contents are not consumed in one sitting there is no mechanism for the consumer to keep the remaining drink for drinking at a later time (unless it is decanted to another sealable container). Furthermore, the longer the soft drink is exposed to atmosphere the more likely it is to lose carbonation (if it is a carbonated soft drink) and/or flavour.

Aspects of the present invention aim to alleviate problems associated with the

prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention we provide a can assembly including: a can having a wall, a base portion and a top portion, which define an internal volume for holding a food product and/or liquid, said top portion including a mechanism for opening the can, and a cover which is configured to be removably engaged with the base portion and is also configured to be removably engaged with the top portion.

The cover may include a first cover formation which is engageable with a corresponding one of a first formation on the top portion of the can or a second formation on the base portion of the can.

The first cover formation may provide a fluid tight seal with the corresponding one of the formations on the can. The first cover formation may be engageable with the corresponding one of the formations on the can via a friction fit.

The first cover formation may include a recess and the corresponding one of the formations on the can may include a projection so that, when the cover is engaged with the can, the recess receives the projection. The recess may be annular and the projection may have an annular rim and the annular rim is received by the annular recess when the first cover formation and the corresponding one of the formations on the can engage each other.

The cover, when the first cover formation is engaged with the corresponding one of the formations on the can, may provide a cavity between a surface of the cover and the can.

The first cover formation may extend at least partially around and adjacent the periphery of the cover. The first cover formation may be engageable with both the first formation on the top portion of the can and with the second formation on the base portion of the can.

The cover may provide a second cover formation that is distinct from the first cover formation, wherein the first cover formation is engageable with the first formation on the top portion of the can, and the second cover formation is engageable with the second formation on the base portion of the can.

The second cover formation may be engageable with the second formation via a friction fit.

The second cover formation may include a recess and the second formation includes a projection so that, when the cover is engaged with the base portion, the projection is received by the recess. The recess may be annular and the projection may be an annular rim and the annular rim is received by the annular recess when the second cover formation and the second formation engage each other.

The cover, when the second cover formation is engaged with the second 15 formation, may provide a cavity between a domed portion of the base portion and a surface of the cover.

The first cover formation may be on a first surface of the cover and the second cover formation may be on a second, opposing, surface of the cover.

The first cover formation may extend at least partially around the periphery of the cover and the second cover formation extends adjacent the first cover formation and spaced from the periphery of the cover.

The first cover formation and/or the second cover formation may include an area of adhesive.

The cover may include a substantially planar central part or a curved / domed central part. The cover may include a gripping formation which may optionally include a graspable projection. The gripping formation may include a gripping surface and where optionally the gripping surface may include at least one circumferentially extending ridge.

The cover may be manufactured of the same material as the can. The cover may comprise aluminium.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a plurality of can assemblies including: a first can assembly according to any of the features recited with respect to the first aspect of the invention and wherein the cover is engaged with the top portion of the can, and a second can assembly according to any of the features recited with respect to the first aspect of the invention and wherein the cover is engaged with either the base portion or top portion of the can, and wherein the second can assembly is stacked stably on top of the first can assembly.

According to a third aspect of the present invention we provide a cover for a can of the type having a wall, a base portion and a top portion, which define an internal volume for holding a food product and/or liquid, said top portion including a mechanism for opening the can, the cover being configured to be removably engaged with the base portion of the can and configured to be removably engaged with the top portion of the can.

The cover of the second aspect of the invention may include any of the features that are recited in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

Some embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying figures of which: Figures 1 a and 1 b show a perspective view of a soft drinks can (where lb is a cutaway view); Figure 2 show a perspective view of a cover in accordance with an 30 embodiment; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of the cover shown in figure 2; Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the cover and a top portion of a can; Figure 5 shows a cutaway view of the cover, top portion of a can and a base portion of a can; Figure 6 shows a cutaway view of the cover, top portion of a can and base portion of a can; Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of the cover engaged with a top portion of a can and a base portion of a can in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 8 shows a cutaway view of the cover engaged with a top portion of a can and the base portion of a can; Figure 9 shows a perspective cutaway view of a cover engaged with a top portion of the can in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 10 shows a perspective cutaway view of the cover engaged with a base portion of the can; Figure 11 shows a cutaway view of a cover engaged with a top portion of a 15 can and a cover engaged with a base portion of a can; Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of part of a cover in accordance with another embodiment; Figure 13 shows a perspective cutaway view of the cover engaged with a top portion of a can; Figure 14 shows a perspective cutaway view of the cover engaged with a base portion of a can; Figure 15a shows a perspective cutaway exploded view of a cover with a top portion and a base portion of a can; Figure 15b shows a perspective cutaway view of a cover engaged with a top portion and a base portion of a can; Figures 16a, 16b and 16c show different views of a cover in accordance with another embodiment; Figures 17a, 17b and 17c show different views of a cover in accordance with another embodiment; and Figures 18a, 18b and 18c show different views of a cover in accordance with another embodiment.

With reference to figure la and 1 b, a can 1 is illustrated. The can 10 includes a wall 12, a base portion 14 and a top portion 16. The wall 12 extends between the base portion 14 and the top portion 16 so that a volume is defined and enclosed between the wall 12, base portion 14 and top portion 16. Generally, the can 10 is cylindrical and the top portion 16 and the base portion 14 are both circular. The top portion 16 of the can 10 may be shaped to have a raised peripheral rim and a recessed (with respect to the rim) central surface.

The can 10 is of the type that holds drinks and/or food products. Hence the volume is suitable to hold a food product and/or liquid -for example, soup, soft drinks or alcoholic drinks / mixers. The invention could be applied to a broad range of food / drinks cans, which include, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, soup, sauces, soft drinks, cordials, alcoholic drinks, etc. (although it should be appreciated that this is not an exhaustive list).

The top portion 16 includes a mechanism 18 for opening the can 10 (which allows a consumer to access the contents held in the volume). The opening mechanism 18 may be a ring pull or some kind of frangible portion or another type of mechanism for opening a can as is well known in the art.

With reference to figures 2 to 15, a cover 100 is shown. The cover 100 is configured to be removably engaged with the base portion 14. The cover 100 is also configured to be removably engaged with the top portion 16. In this way, the cover 100 can be attached to the can 10 so as to be supplied with the filled can 10, and then removed from the can 10 by a user once the can has been opened, to act as a 'cap' effectively to seal the can 10 for reuse.

In embodiments, the cover 100 provides a formation which is configured to be engaged with a corresponding formation of the can 10, referred to herein as a "cover formation". In some embodiments, the cover 100 provides two distinct cover formations, one to engage a corresponding formation on the base portion 14 of the can 10, and another to engage another respective corresponding formation on the top portion 16 of the can 10. Figures 2 to 8 and 12 to 15b, for example, all show covers with such a configuration and are described in more detail below.

In other embodiments, the cover 100 provides a single cover formation that is engageable with the corresponding formations on both the top portion 16 and the base portion 14 of the can 10. Such a cover configuration is shown, for example, in figures 9 to 11 and is also described in more detail below.

In broad terms, the cover 100 includes a first cover formation 120 which is engageable with a corresponding one of a first formation 20 on of the top portion 16 of the can 10 or a second formation 40 of the base portion 14 of the can 10. In other words, the cover 100 is shaped or formed to be capable of engagement with both the top portion 16 and base portion 14 of the can 10 (i.e. removed from one and then engaged with the other).

In some embodiments (for example, the configuration shown in figures 2 to 6), the first cover formation 120 is configured to engage with the first formation 20 on the top portion of the can 10.

The first cover formation 120 is pushed over the first formation 20 on the top portion 16 of the can 10, so that the cover 100 fits to the can 10 with a friction fit. The fit of the first cover formation 120 to the first formation 20 on the top portion of the can 10 may be tight enough to provide a substantially fluid tight seal. This allows the cover 100 to prevent or at least inhibit liquid which has been left in the can 10 from spilling or leaking.

It should be appreciated that there may be other/additional methods by which the cover 100 fits to or engages with the can 10. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be provided in a suitable location on the cover 100 to provide an additional connection between the cover 100 and the can 10 (for example, an area of adhesive could be provided on the first cover formation 120).

In some embodiments, and as shown in figures 2 to 4, for example, the first cover formation 120 includes a recess 122 and the first formation 20 on the top portion 16 of the can 10 includes a projection 22. The recess 122 and the projection 22 share a mutual / corresponding profile, so that the projection 22 is shaped to fit snugly within the recess 122. In use, the cover 100 engages the top portion 16 of the can 10; the recess 122 of the first cover formation 120 receives the projection 22 of the first formation 20. One or both of the first cover formation 120 and the first formation 20 exhibits a degree of resilience against deformation, so that the formation(s) return to an original shape / positon once in engagement with each other. For example, the recess 122 may be formed as a "U"-shape with a mouth that is smaller in width than a main part of the recess 122. As the projection 22 engages the recess 122, the mouth part is caused to flex outwardly and once fully engaged, returns to its original position. Therefore, the mouth of the recess 122 acts to resist removal of the projection 22 from the recess 122.

In the illustrated case, the recess 122 extends around the periphery of the entire cover 100. Therefore, the recess 122 forms an annular channel. The projection 22 of the top portion 16 of the can 10 is an annular rim that also extends around the periphery of the entire top portion 16 of the can 10. In this example, when the can 10 is engaged with the cover 100, the peripheral rim is received by the annular channel. However, it should be appreciated that the annular recess and the annular rim may not extend around the entirety of the cover 100 and top portion 16, respectively.

In some embodiments, the cover 100 may be shaped to fit the corresponding shape of the can 10. For example, in figure 6, the cover 100 includes a central surface 130 which is planar (and which may correspond to the shape of the top portion 16 of the can 10).

It should be appreciated that the central surface 130 may form a different shape depending on the contours of the can 10 for which it is designed. For example, the central surface 130 may provide a curved surface or dome that corresponds to the base portion 14 of the can 10 (but which still allows the cover 100 to engage with the top portion 16).

The cover 100 also includes a contoured side portion 132, which also corresponds to the contours of a side part of the top portion 16 of the can 10. In some embodiments, the contoured side portion 132 may be substantially frustoconical or may include a concave decline when considered from the inner most part of the contoured side portion 132 and moving outwards.

In some embodiments, the cover 100 includes a second cover formation 140. The second cover formation 140 is distinct from the first cover formation 120, and engages with a second formation 40 on the base portion 14 of the can 10.

In the example illustrated in figure 2 to 6, the second cover formation 140 also has a push fit / friction fit engagement with the second formation 40. Although it should be appreciate that the fit may be less strong than the fit between the first cover formation 120 and the first formation 20 on the top portion 16 of the can 10. This is because there is no opening mechanism 18 that needs to be sealed to prevent spillage (i.e. the engagement with the base portion 14 of the can 10 is for storing the cover 100 until it is needed and not for sealing the contents in the can 10).

In the present example, the second cover formation 140 includes an annular surface 142 (which in this case is on an outer surface of the recess of the first cover formation 120). So, the first cover formation 120 and the second cover formation 140 are adjacent each other. The second formation 40 on the base portion 14 of the can 10 includes a projection 42(and in this example, provides an outwardly facing surface). The annular surface 142 of the second cover formation 140 and the outwardly facing surface of the projection 42 on the base portion are shaped so that when the base portion 14 is moved towards engagement with the cover 100, the force between the two surfaces of the corresponding formation 140, 40 will hold the cover 100 and the can 10 together.

In the present example being described, when the cover 100 is engaged with the base portion 14 of the can 10, the central surface 130 of the cover 100 defines a cavity between the cover 100 and a central domed portion of the base portion 14.

It should be appreciated that, in the presently described configuration, the top portion 16 of the can 10 engages a first (e.g. lower) surface of the cover 100 and the base portion 14 of the can 10 engages a second (e.g. upper) surface of the cover 100. This may not always be the case and a different configuration is described below in relation to figures 9 to 11.

It should be appreciated that the cover 100 may be used with a standard soft drinks can. In some embodiments (for example, the design illustrated in figures 7 and 8), the can 10 may be modified to improve the engagement of the cover 100 with the can 10.

It should be appreciated that a number of different embodiments from that described above are described below. It should be assumed that the features of the cover / can are the same unless they are explicitly recited as being different. In other words, the differences are described below. Where features are altered with respect to the features described above, a prime symbol is used (for example the cover 100 is denoted as cover 100').

In this example, the shape of the second formation 40' on base portion 14' of the can 10' has been altered to provide a better frictional engagement with the second cover formation 140' of the cover 100'. More specifically, the outwardly facing surface of the projection 42' is altered slightly, to achieve better engagement with the annular surface 142' of the cover 100'.

In some embodiments, this alteration of the base portion 14' on the can 10' provides better stability when stacking cans with covers interleaved between each can 10' (because the base portion 14' on the can 10' has better engagement with the cover 100').

In some embodiments (for example, shown in figures 9 to 11 -each part is now denoted with a double prime symbol), the cover 100" has a single formation 120" that connects to both the top portion 16 of the can 10 and the base portion 14 of the can 10. In the example shown, the cover 100" has a first cover formation 120", which engages both the first formation 20" on the top portion 16" of the can 10" and the second formation 40" on the base portion 14" of the can 10".

In some embodiments, the single formation 120" includes a recess 122". The recess 122" extends around the entire periphery of the cover 100" and forms an annular channel (as for some other embodiments).

The cover 100" engages the top portion 16" on the can 10" in a first orientation and is flipped upside down (i.e. rotated by 180 degrees about an axis that extends through the centre and periphery of the cover 100") in order to engage the base portion 14" on the can 10".

Figure 11, in particular, illustrates this principle. The base portion 14" is illustrated at the top of the figure. The cover 100" is engaged with the base portion 14" on the can 10" in an "upside down" configuration.

The same embodiment of the cover 100" is illustrated immediately below and is engaged with the top portion 16" on a second can. As discussed above, the cover 100" is 'flipped' with respect to the first cover 100".

In some embodiments (for example, figures 12 to 15b -each part is now denoted with a triple prime symbol), the cover 100"' has a first cover formation 120-and a second cover formation 140". The first cover formation 120"' engages with the top portion 16"' of the can 10"' and the second cover formation 140"' engages with the base portion 14"' of the can 10"'.

In some embodiments, the first cover formation 120-and the second cover formation 140"' are located adjacent to each other. The first cover formation 120-may include a recess 122"' (in the present example, the recess 122"' is annular and extends around the periphery of the cover 100"'). The second cover formation 140-also includes a recess 142"' (which in this example, is also annular and extends around the cover 100"'). It should be appreciated that each "recess" is defined with respect to opposing surfaces of the cover 100-, and that the recess 122"' of the first cover formation 120"' faces the can 10"' when placed / fitted on the top of the can 10"' (and the recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140"' faces away). Similarly, the recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140"'faces the underside of the can 10"' when placed / fitted on the base of the can 10-(and the recess 122"' of the first cover formation 120-faces away). In effect, the recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140"' is a projection when considered from the same side of the cover 100"' as the annular recess 122"' (i.e. the lower surface of the cover 100-) of the first cover formation 120"'. And, vice versa, the annular recess 122-appears as a projection when considered from the same side of the cover 100"' (i.e. the upper surface of the cover 100"') as the recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140"'.

The second cover formation 140-in this example, includes a "channel-style" recess (i.e. the recess is enclosed on both sides rather than an angled surface as in some other embodiments). The recess 142"' engages with a projection 42-(in this case, an annular projection) of the second formation 40-on the base portion 14"' of the can 10"'.

In some embodiments, the first cover formation 120"' extends at least partially around the periphery of the cover 100"' and the second cover formation 140"' extends adjacent the first cover formation 120"' and spaced from the periphery of the cover 100"' (and positioned radially inward from the periphery).

In the embodiment of figure 12, for example, the recess 122"' of the first cover formation 120"' is formed as an inverted "U"-shape channel lying around the periphery of the cover 100"'. The recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140-is formed as a "U"-shape channel lying radially inward of the first cover formation 120"'. Thus, the two channels may share a wall 143"' between them.

In some embodiments, the first cover formation 120-and the second cover formation 140"' form a continuously undulate surface between the edge or periphery of the cover 100-and the central surface 130".

In this example (see figure 13), the central surface 130"' of the cover 100"' is positioned at substantially the same or similar height to the top of the annular recess 122"' that engages the first formation on the top portion 16"' of the can 10"'. In other words, the cover 100 is shaped to provide a cavity 200-between a surface 130-of the cover 100"' and the top portion 16"' of the can 10"', when first cover formation 120-is engaged with the first formation 20"' of the top portion 16"' of the can 10"'.

Figure 14 illustrates the cover 100-engaged with the base portion 16"' on the can 10"'. The recess 142"' of the second cover formation 140"' engages a projection 42-of the second formation 40"' of the base portion 14"' of the can 10".

Figure 15a and 15b illustrate the configuration of the cover 100"' in relation to the base portion 14"' and the top portion 16-of the can 10"'. The contours / shape of the upper surface of the cover 100"' are configured to engage with the second formation 140"' on the base portion 14-on the can 10"'. The contours / shape of the lower surface of the cover 100"' are configured to engage with the first formation 120"' on the top portion 16"' of the can 10"'. Thus, the cover 100"' engages with both the top of one can 10-and the base of a second can 10"' simultaneously. This way the cover 100"' can be included with the can at a manufacturing stage and there is no drawback in the tessellation of the cans even when they include a cover 100"'.

Thus, a cover according to the invention can be provided by the can manufacturer and the cans will still stack stably with the cover interleaved between cans.

In some embodiments, the cover 100 includes a gripping formation 200. The gripping formation 200 is provided to assist a user when removing the cover 100, 100', 100", 100"' from the can 10. Some embodiments of the gripping formation 200 are illustrated in figures 16a to 18d.

In some embodiments (for example, as illustrated in figures 16a, 16b and 16c), the gripping formation 200 includes a handle or graspable projection 210. The projection 210 extends from the periphery of the cover 100 (and, in this example, extends generally downwards -and, when attached to the can 10, alongside the wall 12 of the can 10). In some embodiments, the projection 210 is resiliently deformable, so that the projection 210 can be deflected / moved when being used (i.e. when a user grasps the projection to remove the cover 100) and then the projection 210 returns to its original position relative to the cover 100 once it is not in use.

In some embodiments, the projection 210 is curved outwards from the contour of the wall 12 of the can 10. In other words, a distal end 212 from the cover 100 extends away from the wall 12 of the can 10 and provides an easily graspable portion set away from the can 10.

In some embodiments (such as those illustrated in figures 17a through to 18c), the gripping formation 200', 200" includes a gripping surface 220', 220". The figures 17 and 18 illustrate two different configurations that both have a gripping surface which has ridges extending around the cover 100. The references for the first configuration include a single prime to denote them as such and the references for the second configuration include a double prime.

The gripping surface 220', 220" extends circumferentially around the periphery of the cover 100 (in the illustrated case, the gripping surface 220', 220" is formed on / adjacent the radially outermost part / wall 230', 230" of the first cover formation 120). Although it should be appreciated that the gripping surface 220', 220" is not required to extend around the entire cover 100 and may only extend partially around the cover 100.

In some embodiments (for example, figures 17a, 17b and 17c), the gripping surface 220' includes three circumferential ridges 222' and a circumferential flange 224'. The ridges 222' and the flange 224' all extend (radially) outwards from the cover 100 (and from the can 10 when the cover is engaged with the can 10).

It should be appreciated that the ridges need not necessarily be circumferential and could lie substantially vertically (with respect to the cover 100 / can 10 in a "normal" upright orientation). The gripping surface 220', 220" could be a patterned or textured surface -the important part is that it fulfils its function of providing enhanced frictional engagement between the cover 100 and the user (for example, when the user is removing the cover 100 from the can 10).

In some embodiments, the outermost wall 230' extends downwards and is folded back on itself (so, the outermost wall 230' essentially becomes double thickness). The gripping surface 220' is formed in the outer layer. The circumferential ridges 222' may be formed by concertinaed material and the flange 224' may be formed from turning the end of the material outwards (i.e. by turning the end of the outermost layer by substantially 90 degrees).

It should be appreciated that the outermost wall 230' may not be made double thickness and the gripping surface 220' may be provided by shaping a single thickness wall instead (i.e. the wall that forms part of the first cover formation 120).

In some embodiments (for example, figures 18a, 18b and 18c), the gripping surface 220" includes two circumferentially extending ridges 222". Again, the ridges 222" extend radially outwards from the cover 100.

In some embodiments, the outermost wall 230" extends downwards and is folded on itself (as discussed above). However, in this example, there is no flange and the end of the outermost wall 230" is folded "inside". In other words, the end of the outermost wall 230" lies parallel against the end of the first cover formation 120 / the start of the wall 230". The circumferential ridges 222" are, again, formed by concertinaed material.

It should be appreciated that the gripping surface 220', 220" may include at least one ridge to aid a user grasping the cover100. The gripping surface 220', 220" provides an area that aids purchase on the cover 100 when a user is attempting to remove the cover 100 from a can 10.

It should be appreciated that the gripping surface 220', 220" could be formed by one or more of a stamping process, a forming process and a bending process.

It should be appreciated that the features of the different embodiments of the gripping formation 200, 200', 200" may be combined together if desired. For example, the gripping surface 220', 200" could easily be combined with a graspable projection 210 if it was desired.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the gripping formation 200, 200', 200" is, for simplicity, only described with respect to one specific embodiment of cover (i.e. cover 100). The gripping formation 200, 200', 200" could be combined with any of the features or combination of features of the cover 100, 100', 100", 100"' described elsewhere in this description.

In some embodiments, the cover 100, 100', 100", 100"' is manufactured from the same material as the can 10, 10', 10", 10"'. Therefore, the cover 100, 100', 100", 100"' may comprise between 92-97% comprises aluminium. This has the advantage of making the cover easily recyclable with the rest of the can whether it is used to seal the can or not.

In some embodiments, the cover 100, 100', 100", 100"' is manufactured from another material, for example, steel or a plastics material.

It should be appreciated that all the features described above in relation to different embodiments could be combined and all features, unless explicitly stated otherwise, could be combined together.

Although the description above primarily considers the possibility of using a cover according to an embodiment of the invention with a soft drink can or similar, it should be appreciated that the contours of the cover could be selected so as to be usable with other types of can. For example, the first and second cover formations could be shaped to engage corresponding formations that are found on cans of tinned food or similar.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A can assembly including: a can having: a wall, a base portion and a top portion, which define an internal volume for holding a food product and/or liquid, said top portion including a mechanism for opening the can, and a cover which is configured to be removably engaged with the base portion and is also configured to be removably engaged with the top portion.
2. A can assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a first cover formation which is engageable with a corresponding one of a first formation on the top portion of the can or a second formation on the base portion of the can.
3. A can assembly according to claims 2 wherein the first cover formation provides a fluid tight seal with the corresponding one of the formations on the can.
4. A can assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the first cover formation of the cover is engageable with the corresponding one of the formations on the can via a friction fit.
5. A can assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first cover formation includes a recess and the corresponding one of the formations on the can includes a projection so that, when the cover is engaged with the can, the recess receives the projection.
6. A can assembly according to claim 5 wherein the recess is annular and the projection is an annular rim and the annular rim is received by the annular recess when the first cover formation and the corresponding one of the formations on the can engage each other.
7. A can assembly according to any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the cover, when the first cover formation is engaged with the corresponding one of the formations on the can, provides a cavity between a surface of the cover and the can.
8. A can assembly according to any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the first cover formation extends at least partially around and adjacent the periphery of the cover.
9. A can assembly according to claims 2 to 8 wherein the first cover formation is engageable with both the first formation on the top portion of the can and with the second formation on the base portion of the can.
10. A can assembly according to claims 2 to 8 wherein the cover provides a second cover formation that is distinct from the first cover formation, wherein the first cover formation is engageable with the first formation on the top portion of the can, and the second cover formation is engageable with the second formation on the base portion of the can.
11. A can assembly according to claim 10 wherein the second cover formation is engageable with the second formation via a friction fit.
12. A can assembly according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the second cover formation includes a recess and the second formation includes a projection so that, when the cover is engaged with the base portion, the projection is received by the recess.
13. A can assembly according to claim 12 wherein the recess is annular and the projection is an annular rim and the annular rim is received by the annular recess when the second cover formation and the second formation engage each other.
14. A can assembly according any of claims 10 to 13 wherein the cover, when the second cover formation is engaged with the second formation, provides a cavity between a domed portion of the base portion and a surface of the cover.
15. A can assembly according to any of claims 10 to 14 wherein the first cover formation is on a first surface of the cover and the second cover formation is on a second, opposing, surface of the cover.
16. A can assembly according to any of claims 10 to 15 wherein the first cover formation extends at least partially around the periphery of the cover and the second cover formation extends adjacent the first cover formation and spaced from the periphery of the cover.
17.A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first cover formation and/or the second cover formation includes an area of adhesive.
18. A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover includes a substantially planar central part or a curved / domed central part.
19. A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover includes a gripping formation including a graspable projection.
20. A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover includes a or the gripping formation including a gripping surface and where optionally the gripping surface includes at least one circumferentially extending ridge.
21. A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover is manufactured of the same material as the can.
22. A can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover comprises aluminium.
23. A plurality of can assemblies including: a first can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover is engaged with the top portion of the can, and a second can assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cover is engaged with either the base portion or top portion of the can, and wherein the second can assembly is stacked stably on top of the first can assembly.
24. A cover for a can of the type having a wall, a base portion and a top portion, which define an internal volume for holding a food product and/or liquid, said top portion including a mechanism for opening the can, the cover being configured to be removably engaged with the base portion of the can and configured to be removably engaged with the top portion of the can.
25. A cover according to claim 24 wherein the cover includes any of the features of the cover recited in claims 2 to 22.