And IMHO, they sold a LOT of so called "improved" cans without really improving them.
Neighbor (a non-mechanical doctorate) calls me regularly when he can't get his lawnmower started. Usually he's left either the lawnmower, the can, or both out in the rain so his gasoline is contaminated thereby killing the lawnmower.
New "idiot-proof" cans are the primary cause of contamination. Water is caught by the open-ended nozzle pipe and sits on top of the proprietary "valve" built into all of these now. You go to use the can and OF COURSE in picking it up you have to put your hand around the toggle/lever which releases the valve and opens the can - and thereby cause the caught water to drop by gravity into the can.
Next refill, the lawnmower stops.
So after struggling for the afternoon he hands it all over to me - the mechanically inclined - to straighten out.
Then he buys a new lawnmower and gas can (Doctorates make good money I guess) and next season proceeds to do similar.
I have at least four of his gas cans I've converted to the simple spout. Probably close to three gallons of fuel cleared/water washed/separated and run in my own mower. And (bonus) a lawnmower he got tired of trying to start and headed to the dump which I have now cleared of water and runs fine.
I'm not sure if this post is a gloat, a complaint, or just life among the mechanically incompetent in our US today?
Joe K