Container assembly with strainer

Abstract

A container assembly includes 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.

1 . A container assembly, comprising:
 a can having an open end, and a volume defined therein;   a can end coupled to the open end, and having a first opening and a second opening,   a sheet forming a closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in a closed configuration, wherein 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; and   a first tab joined to the sheet to be extendable from the can end.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is coupled to the can end such that the sheet maintains the closure of the first and second openings when gauge pressure in the volume is at least 10 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening has a greater area than the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first opening has an area greater than five times the second opening. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the volume is configured to hold a solid item and a liquid therein, and when the container assembly is in an open configuration the can end facilitates straining of the liquid such that the liquid is pourable out of the volume through the second opening while the solid item is generally blocked from passing through the second opening. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the can end 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. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the sheet is integrally formed from a flexible material, and peelable from the can end. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible material comprises a foil and an adhesive coupled thereto, the adhesive used to fasten the sheet to the can end. 
     
     
         9 . A container assembly, comprising:
 a can having an open end, and a volume defined therein;   a can end coupled to the open end, and having a first opening and a second opening; and   a sheet forming a closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in a closed configuration, wherein the sheet is integrally formed from a flexible material, the sheet includes a first pull-tab proximate the first opening and a second pull-tab proximate the second opening, and the sheet is peelable from the can end such that the sheet does not form the closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in an open configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material comprises a foil and an adhesive coupled thereto, the adhesive used to fasten the sheet to the can end. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sheet is generally circular and 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. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the sheet includes a tab extending therefrom, configured to facilitate peeling of the sheet from the can end. 
     
     
         14 . A container assembly, comprising:
 a can having an open end, and a volume defined therein;   a can end having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the can end 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; and   a sheet forming a closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in a closed configuration, the sheet including first pull-tab and a second pull-tab.   
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the sheet is integrally formed from a flexible material, peelable from the can end such that the sheet does not form the closure to the first and second openings when the container assembly is in an open configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The container assembly of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second openings includes a rolled edge. 
     
     
         17 . The container assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sheet is formed from a metal foil having an adhesive coupled thereto. 
     
     
         18 . The container assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the sheet is generally circular and 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. 
     
     
         19 . A metal container assembly comprising:
 a metal can having an open end;   a metal can end having a large opening and a plurality of small openings; and   a sheet including at least one pull-tab, the sheet being sealed to the can end to cover and hermetically seal closed the openings.   
     
     
         20 . The container assembly of  claim 19  further comprising a thermoplastic material for sealing the sheet to the can end, wherein the sheet is a metal foil, and the sheet is sealed to the can end to permit removal of the foil from the openings such that the small openings can serve to strain contents of the can. 
     
     
         21 . The container assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the can end is sealed to the open end of the metal can by overlapping a portion of the can with a portion of the can end and bending the portions into a sealed joint. 
     
     
         22 . The container assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the openings include a rolled edge.