Beverage Container

Abstract

A beverage container for holding pressurized beverages, comprising a cylindrical metal construction, wherein the container side wall includes one or more indentations or indented shapes proximate the container bottom, wherein the indentations or shapes define the shape of a second pouring aperture when ruptured.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of beverage containers, specifically, the structure and manufacturing process of aluminum cans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional beverage cans utilize a single aperture at the top lid of the can for dispensing the liquid contained in the can, usually a carbonated beverage. For the beverage contained in the can to flow outward, air must enter the container. Because the single opening cans need to both allow for outward flow of liquid and inward flow of air, the outward flow of the beverage is often inconsistent or restricted. Also, for the release of carbonated beverage, the limitations of the single opening often results in the creation of foam. Many consumers of such beverages seek a more rapid and smooth dispensation of the liquid from the can than the single aperture provides.

In the related art, numerous devices are disclosed which attempt to address this venting problem. Generally, these devices provide for two openings on the top of the can, one for pouring and one for venting. These devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,184, issued in the name of Noguchi et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,014, issued in the name of Aydt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,919, issued in the name of Recchia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,037, issued in the name of Moen et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,597, issued in the name of Hanafusa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,306, issued in the name of Kelsey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,212, issued in the name of Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,914, issued in the name of Slade, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,168, issued in the name of Fraze. Other attempts to address this issue have included wider openings on the top of the can or openings designed with a channel allowing for increased air flow.

Despite these many attempts to improve beverage flow from cans, consumers still often times attempt to puncture the wall of the can with keys, screwdriver, knives, or other sharp objects to create a second opening in the can, thereby creating a second aperture to increase the air flow through the can and allowing the beverage to flow from the can more rapidly and with a consistent flow. However, consumers often fail in their attempt to create a second aperture in the wall of existing beverage containers. Common mishaps include injury from the sharp object slipping, creation of an aperture that is too small, or rupturing of the beverage container in an uncontrolled way resulting to the beverage exploding out of the container. This consumer behavior demonstrates a continued need in the art to improve beverage flow from containers by allowing consumers to create a second aperture in the wall of the beverage container in a controlled and safe way.

Others in the art have disclosed beverage containers that include a second scored aperture on the wall or bottom of the container. These devices include U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,060 issued in the name of Rightenour and Publication No. 2015/0183547 in the applicant name of Langheinrich. These devices, however, fail to account for the diminished structural integrity to the beverage can resulting from scoring the container wall, which is typically composed of an aluminum sheet thinner than the container lid. Further, these devices fail to consider the increased cost and difficulty to the manufacturing process for including a second scored aperture on the beverage container wall, including how to align the first and second apertures during the manufacturing process to optimize consumer convenience.

Accordingly, a beverage container that facilitates a more controlled, efficient, puncturing of the beverage container side wall without compromising the structural integrity of the container or materially increasing cost or complexity of the manufacturing process is desired. This is especially advantageous for the beverages that are carbonated or malt beverages, such as beer. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an improved, beverage container that is novel in design, combining existing art with new, allowing for users to puncture a second aperture for venting with a novel, new beverage container wall design, thereby creating a new and unique combination of technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container that is novel in design, and which facilitates the quick, efficient and controlled rupturing of the side wall of the beverage container to allow a consumer to create a second aperture in the container wall for the rapid and smooth dispensing of carbonated and malt beverages in a novel, fun and festive manner.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape, with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of the container, such as a scored section and a tab. Located along the side wall of the container are one or more indentations or dimples of a defined size and shape. The indentations or dimples allow the user to rupture the side wall of the container with a pointed object, such as keys with decreased risk of the pointed object sliding off the side of the wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolled opening. In certain preferred embodiments, the indentations or dimples are spaced periodically in a row around the circumference of the can at a height slightly above the bottom of the can. The size and shape of the indentations or dimples may vary. For example, certain embodiments may include rounded or elliptical indentations or dimples. Other embodiments may include triangular or rectangular indentations or dimples. Other embodiments may include a variety of shapes and sizes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape, with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of the container, such as a scored section and a tab. Located along the side wall of the container are one or more embossed or stamped shapes, for example an asterisk, star or “x” shape. The embossed or stamped symbols allow the user to rupture the side wall of the container with a pointed object, such as keys with decreased risk of the pointed object sliding off the side of the wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolled opening. In certain preferred embodiments, the embossed or stamped shapes are spaced periodically in a row around the circumference of the can at a height slightly above the bottom of the can. The size and shape of the embossed or stamped shapes may vary.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the beverage container consists of an aluminum can of traditional cylindrical shape, with a traditional pouring aperture assembly on the top of the container, such as a scored section and a tab. A portion of the side wall of the container defines an indented ring or trench around the circumference of the can. The indented ring or trench allows the user to rupture the side wall of the container with a pointed object, such as keys with decreased risk of the pointed object sliding off the side of the wall or creating an undesirable or uncontrolled opening.

Alone or in combination with other embodiments disclosed herein, other embodiments of the present invention may include latitudinal or longitudinal ribbing along the side wall of the beverage container to improve the structural properties beverage container to allow for users to puncture a hole in the side wall. The ribbing may traverse the entire circumference or length of the container, or the ribbing may be shorter.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a process for manufacturing embodiments of the beverage containers disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a beverage container consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the manufacturing process for a beverage container consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the manufacturing process for a beverage container consistent with the invention disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a dimpled-wall beverage container 10 is shown, according to the present invention, comprising a container 20 of traditional cylindrical configuration, constructed of aluminum or other metal, and used to hold beverages, particularly carbonated beverage. The container 20 consists of a container rim 30, container body 40, a container top or lid 50 and container bottom 60, as found in traditional beverage containers of this sort. The body 40 of the can is commonly narrowed to form a neck 45 to accommodate a lid 50 having a smaller radius than the body 40 to reduce the amount of metal used in forming the container. The container bottom 60 commonly assumes a dome shape in order to resist internal pressure. The container top or lid 50 is commonly secured to the container body 40 through the flanged rim 30 formed by bending and seeming the lid 50 after filling of the body 40 with the beverage. Located along the container top or lid 50 is a traditional beverage pouring assembly, including a pouring scored portion 70 with a tab 80 attached to the container top 50 near the scored portion 70 such that the tab 80 acts as a fulcrum to open the pouring scored portion 70 to create a pouring aperture. The tab is commonly secured to the top 50 through a rivet 85.

In one embodiment of the present invention, located on the container body 40 are one or more indentations 90. The indentations 90 provide a target for which a user may use to apply force to the container body 40, for example with keys or a screwdriver, to allow the rupturing of the container body 40 to form a second pouring aperture within the indentation 90 structure. The structure of the indentations 90 facilitates the application of focused force to the container body 40 to form a controlled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the indentations 90 are located near the container bottom 60 and are of a size sufficiently large to form a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, the indentations 90 may be located further from or closer to the container bottom 60. The indentations 90 in FIG. 1 are depicted as round indentations, but is understood that in other embodiments the indentations may be of other shapes, including for example triangular, rectangular, or elliptical shapes. It is also understood that in other embodiments the shapes of the indentations 90 may vary and need not be of a uniform shape throughout the container body 40.

Certain embodiments may include a single indentation 90, whereas other embodiments may include multiple indentations 90 spaced around the circumference of the container body 40. One advantage of multiple indentations spaced around the circumference of the body 40 is to more easily ensure that at least one indentation 90 is substantially aligned with the scored portion 70 on the container top 50. The embodiment in FIG. 1 further includes longitudinal ribs 95 to provide additional structural reinforcement for the container body 40 both during manufacturing and when being punctured by a consumer. The ribs may also be provided latitudinally and may be of any length.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a beverage container 210 is shown having radial shapes 290 in the container body 240, according to the present invention. The container 220 comprises the common elements of beverage containers discussed in connection with FIG. 1, including a container rim 230, container body 240, container bottom 260, a neck 245, a container top or lid 250 having a pouring scored portion 270 with a tab 280 secured to the top 250 through a rivet 285.

The container body 240 includes radial shapes 290 that are either scored, embossed or stamped into the container body 240. The radial shapes 290 provide a target for which a user may use to apply force to the container body 240, for example with keys or a screwdriver, to allow the rupturing of the container body 240 to form a second pouring aperture when one of the radial shape 290 collapses internally into the container body 240. The structure of the radial shapes 290 facilitates the application of focused force to the container body 240 to form a controlled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the radial shapes 290 are located near the container bottom 260 and are of a size sufficiently large to form a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, the radial shapes 290 may be located further from or closer to the container bottom 260. The radial shapes 290 in FIG. 2 are depicted as star or asterisk shapes, but is understood that in other embodiments the radial shapes 290 may be of other shapes, forms or combined with other types of indentations. It is also understood that in other embodiments the form of the radial shapes 290 may vary and need not be of a uniform shape throughout the container body 240.

Certain embodiments may include a single radial shape 290, whereas other embodiments may include multiple radial shapes 290 spaced around the circumference of the container body 240. The embodiment in FIG. 2 further includes a latitudinal rib 295 to provide additional structural reinforcement for the container body 240 both during manufacturing and when being punctured by a consumer. The ribs may also be provided longitudinally and may be of any length.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a beverage container 310 is shown having and indented ring 390 in the container body 340, according to the present invention. The container 320 comprises the common elements of beverage containers discussed in connection with FIG. 1, including a rim 330, container body 340, container bottom 360, a neck 345, a container top or lid 350 having a pouring scored portion 370 with a tab 380 secured to the top 350 through a rivet 385.

The container body 340 includes indented ring 290 or trench around the circumference of the container body 240. The indented ring 290 may include vertical ribs 295 defining a series of ridges within the indented ring 290. The indented ring 290 with the vertical ribs 295 provides multiple targets for which a user may use to apply force to the container body 340, for example with keys or a screwdriver, to allow the rupturing of the container body 340 to form a second pouring aperture when one of the gaps between the vertical ribs 395 collapses internally into the container body 340. The structure of the indented ring 390 with the vertical ribs 395 facilitates the application of focused force to the container body 340 to form a controlled and defined second aperture.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the indented ring 390 is located near the container bottom 360 and is of a width sufficiently large to form a second aperture when punctured. In other embodiments, the indented ring 390 may be located further from or closer to the container bottom 360. The vertical ribs 390 in FIG. 3 are depicted as forming a series of squares within the indented ring 390, but is understood that in other embodiments the ribs 390 may form other shapes and be angled. It is also understood that in other embodiments the form of the indented ring 390 may vary and need not be of a uniform shape throughout the container body 340.

Referring to FIG. 4, a common technique for manufacturing aluminum cans involves a process known as two-piece drawing and wall ironing. Aluminum sheets are made in rolling mills. Circular blanks 410 are cut from the aluminum sheet of approximately 5.5 inches in diameter. Next, a punch 420 strokes the blanks 410 into a mold 425 to form the cup shape for the container 430.

In certain embodiments, the punch 420 and mold 425 may be configured to form indentations 90 such as those disclosed in FIG. 1 by including the shapes of the desired indentations 90 at the end of the punch 420 and corresponding shapes in the mold. For example, the end of the punch 420 may include the female portion of one or more circular indentations to be formed in the cup shape 430, while the mold 425 includes corresponding male portions for those indentations. When the punch 420 strokes the blanks 410 into the mold 425, the desired indentations near the bottom of the cup shape 430 will be formed.

Then, a sequence of ironing operations thins and stretches the container walls so that the container body reaches a height of about five inches. A sleeve 440 holds the cup 460 in place as iron rings 450 stretch and thin the cup 460 wall. The bottom of the can body is then pressed against a metal dome, giving the bottom of the can its inward bulge. Machinery then trims a slice from the top of the body to ensure a flat top. The top portion of the body is “necked down” and flanged to accommodate the lid. As shown in FIG. 1, an integral rivet 85 is formed to connect the tab 80 to the lid 50. The lid is scored 70 so that the can opens easily.

In certain embodiments, the indentations 90, 390 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 or shapes 290 shown in FIG. 2 may be formed during the ironing process through embossing. The sleeve 440 surface may include patterns for forming the desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290. When the iron rings 450 iron the cup 460 against the sleeve 440, the desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290 will be formed according to the patterns on the sleeve 440. In this way, the desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290 are then formed through an embossing or pressing process.

In other embodiments, an additional ironing step or steps may be added with a specialized ironing ring 450, where the ironing ring 450 also includes patterns that correspond to the patterns on the sleeve 440. The iron rings the traverse only the lower portion of the cup 460 to create the desired indentations 90, 390 or shapes 290 in the desired locations, for example near the bottom of the cup 460.

Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment for creating the structure for a beverage container consistent with the present invention, the container body 510 is held by a sleeve 540 in place as one or more punches 520 having the desired shape at the end 530 strike the container body 510 with a force sufficiently strong to form indentations or other shapes in the container body 710 without rupturing the container wall. The sleeve includes a female portion 550 corresponding to the shape or form to be stamped into the container body 510. The female portion 550 of the sleeve 540 is aligned with each punch 520 so that the punch end 530 strikes the corresponding female portion 550 of the sleeve 540. The punches around the circumference of the container body 510 may occur in sequence or simultaneously. The punching process may occur after the ironing process is completed, or may be integrated into the ironing process.

Claims

1. A beverage container for holding pressurized beverages, comprising:

a cylindrical metal construction forming the wall of said container;

a container top coupled to said wall, said container top comprising a pouring aperture assembly that opens a pouring aperture from which liquids can be poured;

a container bottom opposite said container top;

wherein said container wall has one or more indentations proximate said container bottom, said indentations maintaining one or more fixed indentations in said container side wall when said beverage container is sealed and pressurized,

wherein said one or more indentations define the shape of a second pouring aperture when ruptured.

2. The beverage container described in claim 1 wherein one or more of said indentations are a circular shape having a less than two-inch diameter.

3. The beverage container described in claim 1 wherein one or more of said indentations are a rectangular shape.

4. The beverage container described in claim 1 wherein said container wall has four indentations spaced approximately ninety-degrees apart along the circumference of said beverage container.

5. The beverage container described in claim 1 wherein said container wall further comprises longitudinal ribbing.

6. The beverage container described in claim 1 wherein said indentation is contiguous around the circumference of said container wall.

7. The beverage container described in claim 6 wherein said container wall further comprises longitudinal ribbing.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

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13. (canceled)