Apparatus and method for dispensing content from a container
The present invention is an apparatus and method for rapidly dispensing contents retained within a container. In one embodiment, the present invention is a content container which resembles conventional beverage cans (such as, for example, soda and beer cans) and having an additional hole or orifice located substantially near or on a bottom surface of the container for dispensing the liquid contained within the container. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises container having a conventional opening on a top surface adapted to provide gas pressure relief, and an additional hole located adjacent to or concurrent with a bottom surface of the container, thereby allowing the liquid contained within the container to be rapidly expelled from the container.
The present invention claims priority based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/541,663, filed Feb. 4, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention applies broadly to the area of containers and methods for rapidly dispensing the contents from such containers. More specifically, the present invention comprises an apparatus and method which is optimized for rapidly dispensing content, such as liquid, from the container and in to a consumer's mouth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFood and drink containers exist for a variety of products and for a variety of reasons. For example, such containers are easy to store, and good for packaging and shipping beverages in large quantities.
Typical beverage containers or cans have long been used to store liquids, such as soda, beer, soup, carbonated beverages, water, fruit juices and other beverages or liquids. Typical containers (or cans) for liquids such as soda or beer, are generally designed to have a pair of opposed spaced apart end surfaces (top and bottom), with a cylindrical wall joining the opposed spaced apart end surfaces. Usually, on one end of each container (e.g., the top surface), there is placed some form of pull, push, ring or pop tab which will allow the consumer to create an opening in the can for dispensing and consuming the liquid within the can. In some embodiments, the tab is removable from the can, while in other embodiments, the tab is designed to remain substantially on, or a part of, the can.
Typically, soda or beer cans are formed such that the cylindrical side wall tapers inward into an axially outward circular lip or rim near the top surface of the can. Depending upon the manufacturing process, this rim may be the bead where the side wall and top surface wall was compressed together during manufacture, but in any case, this rim is also used for stacking, as the upper rim is usually of a larger diameter than the lower rim (e.g., the rim which lacks a tab or access opening area), thereby allowing each can to be stacked upon one another. Each end surface wall of a can (e.g., the top and bottom) is generally perpendicular to the circular lip or rim, offset axially into the can to define an indented end pocket that serves as a seat for receiving another can. Typically, the top surface of each can includes a circular trough adjacent to the rim or lip which is formed as part of the can making process.
These types of cans encounter dirt and other contaminants during the manufacture, assembly, filling or shipping of these cans. Usually, dirt or other contaminants are deposited in the indented end pocket on the end wall, and more usually, within the trough adjacent to the top surface lip. This can become a large problem to the consumer, who must wipe away such contaminants prior to dispensing content from the can (since the trough is located right next the dispensing port on the top surface of a can). Further, this problem results in waste, as consumers are unable to consume the contents of the can completely.
Moreover, a common problem with conventional can design is that the liquid is not fully dispensed from the can when emptied, so that the can retains some small amount of liquid or “drops”, thereby resulting in the potential of liquid spillage should the can be overturned.
Prior to the present invention, there did not exist an apparatus and method for smoothly dispensing the liquid from within the can without generating a large amount of foam (or, “head” or “froth”) from the carbonated liquid residing in the can. While conventional cans usually contain the small pull or pop tab on a top surface to dispense the liquid from a corresponding opening or hole formed in or through the can, the opening is usually not large enough to rapidly dispense the liquid efficiently and smoothly to prevent foam from resulting (rather, one must slowly pour the liquid from the can to prevent excessive foam from occurring). Additionally, the size of the tab opening on the top surface is the only formation on the can which will allow the dispensing of liquid while at the same time, which will receive air flow back in to the can to maintain proper gas and liquid pressure, thereby resulting in poor, slow or non-continuous liquid dispensement from the can. This arrangement is a poor solution to consumers who desire to consume the contents of the can rapidly.
There is a need for a liquid container or can which can rapidly dispense liquid stored in the can which reduces the chance of ingesting contaminants, which substantially reduces the foaming effect of carbonated liquid, which provides an easy opening and pressure relief for dispensing of the liquid and which is aesthetically pleasing to the consumer of such liquid containers. The present invention satisfies this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention, and is not intended to be a full description of variations that may be apparent to those of skill in the art. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained from the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract taken as a whole.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for rapidly dispensing contents from a container. In one embodiment, the present invention is a container for liquid which resembles conventional beverage cans (such as, for example, soda and beer cans) which contains an additional hole, orifice or dispenser for dispensing the liquid contained within the container. In one embodiment, the present invention is formed to resemble a conventional shotgun shell as illustrated in the attached drawings. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a conventional opening on a top surface adapted to provide gas pressure relief, and an additional hole located adjacent to or concurrent with a bottom surface of the container as seen in the attached drawings, thereby allowing the liquid contained within the container to be rapidly expelled from the container.
The novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment or can be learned by practice of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the specific examples presented, while indicating certain embodiments of the present invention, are provided for illustration purposes only because various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the detailed description, drawings and claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying figures further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, assist to explain the general principles according to the present invention.
Additional aspects of the present invention will become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification and the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus and method for dispensing content (such as, for example, liquid) from a container. As seen in
In one preferred embodiment, the top surface 101, side wall surface 103 and bottom surface 105 may be formed from aluminum or an aluminum compound, and in other embodiment, such structures may be formed from plastic or plastic-like material. In still another embodiment, the structures may be formed from a combination of plastic and/or aluminum compounds, or other material which is suitable for retaining, maintaining and dispensing the contents placed in to the can 100 according to the present invention.
In the embodiment depicted in
As seen in
Despite the placement of the at least second orifice 109 or 119 on the can 100, the relationship between the first orifice 107 and at least the second orifice (as variously illustrated in
Turning now to
For additional novelty and ornamentation, as seen in
Thus, as seen in
As seen in
As seen in
In either configuration illustrated in
As disclosed above, the at least second dispensing orifice 109 or 209 may be located in any number of areas on the can's side surface wall 103 or 203 according to the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, the second orifice 109 or 209 may be located in a vertical direction and in axially alignment with the first orifice 107 or 207, along the side and adjacent to the bottom of the container 100 or 200. In this configuration, the second dispensing orifice 109 or 209 does not necessarily have to be on the same side as the first orifice 107 or 207 on the top of the can (as illustrated in, for example,
The present invention may be embodied as a method for manufacturing a dispenser, a process for manufacturing a dispenser, an apparatus, an article of manufacture, or a product by process or method. Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and is not limited except by the appended claims. The particular values and configurations discussed above can be varied, and are cited to illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention. It is contemplated that the use of the present invention can involve components having different characteristics as long as the principles disclosed herein are followed.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a container for rapidly dispensing content, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a container having a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface, the container adapted to retain, maintain and store content;
- forming a first orifice on the top surface;
- forming a second orifice on at least the container side wall, the second orifice adapted to rapidly dispense content from the container in relationship to the first orifice;
- removably sealing the second orifice;
- filling the container with predefined content; and
- removably sealing the first orifice.
2. The method according to claim 1, the first orifice being formed in substantial axial alignment with the second orifice.
3. The method according to claim 2, the step of removably sealing the first orifice further comprises the step of placing a first access upon the first orifice, the first access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the can to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the can, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
4. The method according to claim 3, the step of removably sealing the second orifice further comprises the step of placing a second access upon the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
5. The product produced according to the method of claim 2.
6. The method according to claim 4, the step of forming a second orifice on at least the container side wall further comprises the step of forming the second orifice in an area where the container side wall surface and the bottom surface intersect.
7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a dispenser upon the side wall, the dispenser comprising a coupling end and a dispensing end, the coupling end being attached to the container by a pivot, the dispenser adapted to gain access to the contents of the container.
8. The product produced according to the method of claim 7.
9. The product according to claim 8, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
10. The product according to claim 8, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base.
11. The method according to claim 1, the first orifice being formed in non-substantial axial alignment with the second orifice.
12. The method according to claim 11, the step of removably sealing the first orifice further comprises the step of placing a first access upon the first orifice, the first access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the can to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the can, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
13. The method according to claim 12, the step of removably sealing the second orifice further comprises the step of placing a second access upon the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
14. The product produced according to the method of claim 11.
15. The method according to claim 11, the step of forming a second orifice on at least the container side wall further comprises the step of forming the second orifice in an area where the container side wall surface and the bottom surface intersect.
16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of forming a dispensing means upon the side wall, the dispensing means comprising a coupling end and a dispensing end, the coupling end being attached to the container by a pivoting means, the dispensing means adapted to gain access to the contents of the container.
17. The product produced according to the method of claim 16.
18. The product according to claim 17, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
19. The product according to claim 17, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base.
20. A container for rapidly dispensing content, the container comprising:
- a top surface having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough;
- a bottom surface;
- a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface; and
- a sealable second orifice formed through at least the container side wall, the second orifice adapted to rapidly dispense content from the container in relationship to the first orifice;
- wherein the container is adapted to retain, maintain and store content.
21. The container according to claim 20 further comprising a first access removably coupled to the first orifice.
22. The container according to claim 21, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
23. The container according to claim 21 further comprising a second access removably coupled to the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container.
24. The container according to claim 23, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
25. The container according to claim 23 wherein the second orifice is formed in an area where the container side wall surface and the bottom surface intersect.
26. The container according to claim 20 further comprising a dispenser formed upon the side wall, the dispenser comprising a coupling end and a dispensing end, the coupling end being attached to the container by a pivoting means, the dispenser adapted to allow a user to gain access to the contents of the container.
27. The container according to claim 20, the container further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
28. The container according to claim 20, the container further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base.
29. An apparatus for dispensing content within the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a main surface having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough,
- a first access removably coupled to the first orifice, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab;
- a foundation;
- an elongated side wall disposed and coupled between the main surface and the foundation; and
- a sealable second orifice formed through at least the apparatus side wall at a predetermined location, the second orifice adapted to rapidly dispense content from the apparatus in relationship to the first orifice; and
- a second access removably coupled to the second orifice, the second access adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the apparatus to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the apparatus, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
30. The container according to claim 29, the side wall further having an exterior surface, the exterior surface adapted to receive advertising material.
31. A method for manufacturing a container for rapidly dispensing content, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a container having a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface, the container adapted to retain, maintain and store content;
- forming at least a first orifice on the top surface;
- forming at least a second orifice on at least the bottom surface, the second orifice adapted to dispense content from the container in pressure relationship with the first orifice;
- removably sealing the second orifice;
- Filling the container with predefined content; and
- removably sealing the first orifice.
32. The method according to claim 31, the first orifice being formed in substantial axial alignment with the second orifice.
33. The method according to claim 31, the step of removably sealing the first orifice further comprises the step of placing a first access upon the first orifice, the first access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the can to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the can, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
34. The method according to claim 31, the step of removably sealing the second orifice further comprises the step of placing a second access upon the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
35. The product produced according to the method of claim 31.
36. The product according to claim 35, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
37. The product produced according to the method of claim 32.
38. The product according to claim 37, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
39. The product produced according to the method of claim 33.
40. The product according to claim 39, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
41. The method according to claim 31, the first orifice being formed in non-substantial axial alignment with the second orifice.
42. The method according to claim 41, the step of removably sealing the first orifice further comprises the step of placing a first access upon the first orifice, the first access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the can to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the can.
43. The product produced according to the method of claim 42.
44. The product according to claim 43, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
45. The method according to claim 42, the step of removably sealing the second orifice further comprises the step of placing a second access upon the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container.
46. The product produced according to the method of claim 45.
46. The product according to claim 46, the product further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
50. A container for rapidly dispensing content, the container comprising:
- a top surface having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough;
- a bottom surface;
- a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface; and
- at least a sealable second orifice formed through at least the bottom surface, the second orifice positioned on the bottom surface to optimally dispense content from the container in relationship to the first orifice;
- the container being adapted to retain, maintain and store content.
51. The container according to claim 50 further comprising a first access removably coupled to the first orifice.
52. The container according to claim 51, the first access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
53. The container according to claim 51 further comprising a second access removably coupled to the second orifice, the second access being adapted to securely adhere or removably couple to the container to prevent the spillage or leakage of the contents of the container.
54. The container according to claim 53, the second access being selected from the group of a pull tab, a push tab, a peel tab, a ring pull and a pop tab.
55. The container according to claim 50, the container further having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being substantially formed in the shape of a shotgun shell base and the lower portion being substantially formed in the shape of a shotgun shell husk.
56. A container for rapidly dispensing content, the container comprising:
- a top surface having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough;
- a bottom surface;
- a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface; and
- at least a sealable second orifice formed through the top surface, the second orifice positioned on the top surface to optimally dispense content from the container in pressure relationship with the first orifice;
- the container being adapted to retain, maintain and store content.
57. A container for rapidly dispensing content, the container comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough;
- a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface; and
- at least a sealable second orifice formed through the top surface, the second orifice positioned on the top surface to dispense content from the container in pressure relationship with the first orifice;
- the container being adapted to retain, maintain and store content.
58. A container for rapidly dispensing content, the container comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface;
- a generally cylindrical side wall disposed and coupled between the top surface and the bottom surface and having a sealable first orifice formed therethrough; and
- at least a sealable second orifice formed through the side wall, the second orifice positioned on the side wall to dispense content from the container in pressure relationship with the first orifice;
- the container being adapted to retain, maintain and store content.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 4, 2005
Inventors: Mauricio Botero (Miami, FL), Robert Garner (Miami, FL), Ernesto Morales (Miami, FL)
Application Number: 10/819,872