Can bodies

Abstract

New can bodies are provided that are stackable after manufacture, during shipment and before use. The new can bodies have slightly tapered sidewalls with small shoulders near open ends, which allow empty cans to stack together in a nested arrangement and to separate easily before filling. The stacking and nesting saves space during storage and transportation. The new structure of the can bodies incorporates small shoulders near the open ends of the can bodies to control depth of insertion of adjacent stacked can bodies and prevent the can bodies from sticking together when nested in a stack and when being separated prior to filling. Thus, cans are separated easily for further processing. The new, small shoulder structure permits a shallower and/or steeper sidewall, thereby maximizing the size of the bottom of the can body and the volume content of the can.

1 . A can body apparatus comprising: 
 a base,    one or more tapered side walls,    an open upper end,    a small shoulder near the open upper end, wherein the small shoulder further comprises an outward bend of the one or more side walls to a maximum dimension, an upward extension above the outward bend to an outward curve and an outward extending portion connected to the outward curve, and    wherein the outward extending portion forms a seam with a cover for closing the can.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more can bodies stack in a nested arrangement for storage and transportation.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stack of one or more can bodies resist sticking during separation.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein can bottom size and can capacity are increased.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein shapes are selected from the group consisting of circular, irregular, geometric, square, rectangular, and combinations thereof for a particular application.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein size of the can body is determined by the particular application.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a score line on the cover is positioned toward a chuck line, thereby maintaining a shelf for the weight support of stacked upper filled cans outside of the score line.