Beverage Can (i.e., Beer, Soda, Etc.) Patents (Class 220/906)

Cross-Reference Art Collections

Collapsible (Class 220/907)
  • Patent number: 6425493
    Abstract: A beverage can cap member (16, 100) is configured so that its exterior surface (28) extending radially inwardly from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140) is substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curve from a position adjacent from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140). The cap member (16, 100) may have a countersink (160) which is filled with a filler material including a curable adhesive, an insert (180) of a natural or synthetic material or the like. The filler material increases the structural strength of the cap member (16, 100) to an extent that it can be made of a relatively thinner material and still complies with the minimum peaking pressure of the industrial standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James Lee Gardiner
  • Publication number: 20020096520
    Abstract: A beverage can lid with an easy opening feature comprises a scored lid, having a pull tab affixed to the lid by a rivet and an initial contact point on the lid which is pushed downward as the score line breaks at the puncture point adjacent the rivet. In the invention, the contact point is positioned in close proximity to the rivet to minimize the required lifting force, which is in proportion to the distance between the initial contact point and the rivet. Further, the puncture point is positioned close to the initial contact point so that the lifting force is also reduced. In one embodiment, the scoring radius at the puncture point is quite sharp so that the force required to break the seal at the puncture point is reduced. Also the gap between the puncture point and the end of the scored line is minimized to facilitate opening the lid. Furthermore, the pivot line is moved closer to the contact point to reduce the lifting force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Charles Chang, Lucy Chang
  • Publication number: 20020088802
    Abstract: A protective seal for beverage cans, etc. completely covers and seals the mouth contact area of the can, thereby protecting that area from contamination. The present seal comprises a thin, durable, impervious sheet applied to the top of the can surrounding the opening area, extending down the upper side of the can adjacent the top opening area for a short distance to cover the mouth contact area of the can. The seal is peripherally sealed to the can surface by a narrow strip of food grade adhesive. The tab attachment extension of the seal may include bushings, washers, etc. to provide clearance for the majority of the seal to pivot between the pop tab lever and can top, and/or may include a circumferential weakening line about the pop tab rivet to allow the majority of the seal to shear circumferentially to pivot about the captured rivet attachment portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mark V. DeRose
  • Patent number: 6405889
    Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
  • Patent number: 6391946
    Abstract: Carbonated beverages can have a substantially reduced concentration of water soluble materials derived from biaxially oriented thermoformed beverage containers. Such containers can comprise a permeant barrier and an active trap for water soluble materials that can be removed from the thermoplastic by extraction into the carbonated beverage. The improved container material comprises a blow molded thermoplastic polyester web comprising a compatible modified cyclodextrin material having pendent moieties or substituents that render the cyclodextrin material compatible with the container thermoplastic. The cyclodextrin material, after it is added to the polymer material, acts as a barrier and to trap extractable materials as they permeate through the thermoplastic polyester. The cyclodextrin molecule has a large center cavity having properties that increase the likelihood that organic molecules will be absorbed and trapped in the center pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Neil J. Beaverson
  • Patent number: 6378718
    Abstract: A beverage can. In order to obtain distribution in hygienic conditions of fluid contained in the can a protection element is provided, which has a first and a second laminar portion which are superimposed and connected in a manner which is hermetically sealed but which is separable by being pivoted around a hinge. An upper surface of the first laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for an upper lip, and the lower surface of the second laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for a lower lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Maggi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Maggi, Rosella Maggi
  • Patent number: 6375029
    Abstract: An improved can end, and method for making a can end, for pressurized beverage containers with a stay on tab. The tab incorporates a raised region with a hole. The raised region is positioned to receive the vapor vented from the can upon initial lifting of the tab. The raised region and hole are sized and shaped to discharge the vapor from the region, through the hole, and into the surrounding environment, appearing as a mist or cloud. Among other configurations, the raised region can be shaped as the top half of a bubble or a crescent, and the opening can be circular or elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Anthony, Eileen M. Smith, Andrew F. Clarke, George P. Kurzdorfer
  • Patent number: 6375032
    Abstract: By lifting the other end of a grip, one end of the grip presses down a can lid portion, and a can opening is formed in a can upper wall while a score line delimiting the can lid portion is torn. The can lid portion is moved into the beverage can, an edge of the can lid portion, which is opposed to the other end of the grip is moved and contacted to a connection piece thereby to bend the connection piece along its score line. Accordingly, the continuously moving can lid portion pulls the connection piece toward the center of the beverage can, and a rotating member integrally connected to the connection piece is rotated about the line connecting the centers of a pair of projections. As the rotating member is rotated, an upper end of the rotating member is moved toward the can opening, and a bellows part of a straw, which is prevented from upward expanding, projects through the can opening and beyond the can upper wall. Therefore, it is possible to drink beverage through the projected straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Il Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 6354458
    Abstract: A container for a fluid comprises an elongated body portion having first end and second end. There is a top portion sealing the second end and having an aperture. A cover member is provided for sealing the aperture. The top portion is movable between a first position in which the container is sealed and a second position for permitting removal of the cover member. The body portion is of a flexible material which could formed of aluminum or plastic. The top is a lid including a corrugated surface extendable between a compressed position contained in a first position in relation to the body portion and second position substantially relatively further removed from the body portion. The corrugated surface includes circular formations, the formations being eccentrically formed relative to the aperture. Alternatively the corrugated surface includes spiral formations substantially centered about the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Nini Policappelli
  • Patent number: 6347720
    Abstract: A resealable lid for beverage cans is provided. The can has a press-in tab for opening the pouring opening thereof via a press-in tip. A rotating lid is secured to the same pin or rivet as the press-in tab, and is rotatable over the pouring opening. When the rotating lid is over the pouring opening, and the press-in tab is pulled up, a support leg thereof catches against an arresting member on the surface of the can. In the catching position of the leg, the press-in tip of the press-in tab presses the rotating lid against the pouring opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Alexander Schley
  • Publication number: 20020005408
    Abstract: An easy-opening can end comprises: an end panel; a score which is formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the end panel; the score having a cross section of a curved surface; and a tab having a finger grasping portion. The tab is attached to the can end panel and is rotatable around tab-fastening device. The tab-fastening device is positioned offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: YUJI YAMASAKI, MASAYOSHI KURIHARA, MASAHISA FUJIKAKE, YOSHINORI YOMURA, REIKO SUGIHARA, YUTAKA MIHARA
  • Patent number: 6330955
    Abstract: A container filled with a freezable mixture for use in refrigeration or temporary cooling purposes. The container of the invention is generally one of the common metal cylindrical containers or cans but may also include both plastic and glass bottles. Normally such containers are unsuitable for holding a freezable mixture due to the expansion of the freezing mixture causing the deformation or rupture of said container. By using a fully soluble eutectic mixture, such as propylene glycol and water mixed at a ratio of 20% propylene glycol, an ice slurry is formed at the temperatures normally present in home freezers. A small gas space is also needed for expansion and contraction of the container contents. When a can or other inwardly flexible container is utilized, a positive pressure within the container, relative to the external pressure, can be maintained with a gas charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Vincent Michael Easler, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6330954
    Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can including a generally flat radially extending portion; a score panel defined in the generally flat radially extending portion by an arcuate score, the score panel having a central, longitudinal axis projecting in a first axial direction and a second axial direction opposite the first direction; an annular emboss bead formed in the score panel and projecting in a first axial direction; and an annular deboss bead formed in the score panel and projecting in the second axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Tim L. Turner, Robert L. Hurst
  • Patent number: 6321927
    Abstract: A seal for use on a container such as a beverage or food storage container and more specifically such as a soft drink, beer, or soup can where the seal prevents contamination of the rim or lip, trough and area adjacent to and surrounding the drinking aperture as well as between the drinking aperture and the nearest rim. The seal covers the inner surface of the rim but does not restrict use of 6-pack rings or the like, nor does the seal interfere with stacking of the cans. The seal further includes a peel tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Cavella
  • Patent number: 6311861
    Abstract: A container for a fluid comprises an elongated body portion having first end and second end. There is a top portion sealing the second end and having an aperture. A cover member is provided for sealing the aperture. The top portion is movable between a first position in which the container is sealed and a second position for permitting removal of the cover member. The body portion is of a flexible material which could formed of aluminum or plastic. The top is a lid including a corrugated surface extendable between a compressed position contained in a first position in relation to the body portion and second position substantially relatively further removed from the body portion. The corrugated surface includes circular formations, the formations being eccentrically formed relative to the aperture. Alternatively the corrugated surface includes spiral formations substantially centered about the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Nini Policappelli
  • Publication number: 20010032852
    Abstract: A tab type openable beverage container in the form of a can fitted with a tear opening facility in the form of a tab is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. In addition to being used for gaining access to the contents of the can 10 via the shearing of an integrally formed panel 14, the tab 12 is swivellably mounted to a pin 20. It is thus swivellable along an arc 26 into closing off the contents of the can against undesired ingress of insects, bees and other undesired matter once the integral panel 14 has been broken away. The tab 12 displays an area of perforation 28. The contents of the can 10 thus remain accessible without having to swivel the tab 12 out of registration with the dispensing aperture 16. The tab 12 is formed with an openable flap 30 of which the inward urging provides a straw access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Johannes Jurgens Naude
  • Patent number: 6302288
    Abstract: A variety of closures are provided for use with a drink cup or other container wherein the closures provide a compartment for receiving a digital media disk or other merchandise. Examples include various closures formed of inner and outer members connected by a hinge with the inner and outer members forming a compartment for closely receiving a digital media disk. Other examples include a closure having a single lid portion with a retaining mechanism for retaining a digital media disk to a top surface of the lid. The retaining mechanism includes, for example, elastic retaining bands or resilient tabs. In another example, the closure provides a curved compartment for receiving a booklet wherein a closure for the compartment includes snap-fit members for attaching the compartment closure to other portions of the container lid. Still other embodiments are provided for enclosing toys or the like including one embodiment wherein the closure is configured to retain both a compressible ball and a backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: East End, Inc.
    Inventors: John Nava, John Lyons, Donald Farnsworth
  • Patent number: 6293422
    Abstract: An aluminum one-piece container body, defining a sidewall and bottom, has a substantially hemispherical or otherwise convex, preferably curvilinear, surface surrounding a central concave panel. A plurality of feet extend downwardly from the convex region. The convex region provides strength advantages associated with containing pressurized material. A concave panel accommodates changes in differential pressures such as arising from pasteurization or other heating. The feet are preferably configured to provide substantial stackability and conveyability as well as support stability for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: K. Reed Jentzsch, Otis Willoughby, Dan A. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6293421
    Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of this bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: K. Reed Jentzsch, Otis H. Willoughby, Gary A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6290084
    Abstract: A rotatable circular beverage can rim cover having an up-standing loop-shaped outer periphery configured to receive and snap over a raised circular edge of a beverage can. The protective cover serves two main purposes. It is intended to provide a sanitary covering means and to prevent contaminating objects from entering the can after opening. The cover has a circular depressed planar area that has a detachable pull-ring segment assembly covering the punch key portion of a beverage can. Upon the removal of the section by pulling and removing the pull-ring assembly, the protective cover creates an opening through which the contents of the beverage container can be consumed. The remaining section of the protective cover can be rotated between an opened or closed position to all consumption of the soft drink when in an opened position, and to cover the container's opening to prevent insects and other contaminants from penetrating the beverage can when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chun Chiu Louie
  • Patent number: 6250491
    Abstract: A side openable can is disclosed. The side openable can has a bottom sealed end, a sidewall and a top sealed end. An opening means for producing an opening at the upper portion of the sidewall, is provided on the upper portion of the sidewall. In another embodiment, the opening means may have a tear flap formed integrally in the upper portion of the sidewall of the can and defined by a tear line. A tear lever is fixed to the outside surface of the tear flap and used for tearing the tear flap away from the can. A spout holder has a holding rim and a support rib. The spout holder is attached interiorly to the sidewall of the can with a front surface of the holding rim interiorly bonded to the sidewall of the can around the tear flap, the holding rim having an insertion slit along its inside edge. The support rib has a depression. In addition, a drinking spout has an insertion flange and an elastic expansion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Tae-young Lee
  • Patent number: 6247608
    Abstract: A beverage can lid comprises an outer peripheral groove adjacent the outer rim and an inner concentric groove separated therefrom by a dividing rim which is at a predetermined height relative to the outer rim. A center platform is connected to the dividing rim by walls which slope downwardly from said rim. The central pull tab area is approximately the same height as the height of the inner groove and is connected to the inner dividing rim at one end with an upwardly curving surface. The outer groove which may be shallow and permits entry of a crimping tool to mount the lid on a can is also easily cleaned to provide a sanitary can lid. The inner groove may be blocked in the pouring spout area to facilitate cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventors: Charles Chang, Lucy Chang
  • Patent number: 6244022
    Abstract: A method for filling a liquid filled container includes the steps of providing a container, placing a capsule defining a cavity in the container, filling the container with a liquid, and allowing a gaseous exchange between the liquid and the cavity to provide a benefit to one of the capsule and the liquid. The invention also includes a method for providing a retrievable payload in a liquid filled container that includes the steps of providing a capsule in a liquid filled container wherein the capsule has a cavity and is associated with the payload. The method further includes the step of pressurizing the cavity. The present invention also includes a capsule having a body defining a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity, a payload disposed in the cavity, sealing means for sealing the cavity which contains gas at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure when the cavity is sealed, and vent means for selectively venting the pressurized gas from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Cornell, Peter F. Murphy, David C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6244456
    Abstract: An identification system for a beverage container includes a beverage container; and a plurality of discrete areas associated with the container, each area being configurable from an original condition to a visibly different condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis J. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 6241114
    Abstract: A closure cap for a cylindrical drink can comprises a top surface provided with a tear-off or collapsible opening lid surrounded by a top ring with circular cross-section projecting outside the can, a base comprising a bottom ring with circular cross-section for stacking similar cans, the bottom ring enclosing a surface curved inwards relative to the can. The cap comprises a peripheral skirt capable of being clipped on the can top ring external periphery, and a central surface bordered with a shoulder linked to the peripheral skirt top edge, the shoulder being arranged to cooperate with the inner and/or outer edge of another can bottom ring. The invention is applicable to drink cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Alain Savino, Nicolas Pernikoff
  • Patent number: 6234336
    Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
  • Patent number: 6216904
    Abstract: The drink can has an off-center opening in its lid, which is firmly connected to the body surface, and is fastened to the body surface by a flanged rim. A closure cap is arranged in a rotatable but non-removable fashion, on this flanged rim. The closure cap has two annular beads that are directed towards the lid, and of which the second annular bead surrounds an opening which has the same eccentricity as the opening in the lid. The first annular bead surrounds a closed region that comprises a sealing ring and a deformable bulge. In the closed state of the drink can, the sealing ring rests on the apex of an annular bead that surrounds the opening. The annular bead is therefore also arranged to be off-center, so that it surrounds the annular bead when the closure cap is in the appropriate rotational position. After the convex bulge has been pressed into a permanent concave position, the closure cap can be rotated, so that the opening in the closure cap aligns with the opening in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Michael N. Cagan
  • Patent number: 6206222
    Abstract: An easy-open, reseable closure assembly for a beverage can (10) comprises a metal lid (12) and two threadedly connected molded plastic closure elements (40, 60) with engageable annular reseal surfaces (46, 76). The lid is scored (30) to define a circular tear panel (28) and a hinge (32). The spout element (40) is attached to the lid (12) with the bottom surface of the cap element (60) directly above and aligned with the periphery of the tear panel (28). Rotation of the cap element (60) by a user ruptures the tear panel and pivots the tear panel (28) downward about the hinge (32), providing a passage through the spout element (40) for pouring and driking. Initial rupture and rupture propagation of the tear panel (28) is controlled by the spacing of the cap element (60) from the tear panel (28) and their configurations. When the cap element (60) is replaced on the spout (40), reseal surfaces (46, 76) engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel F. Cudzik
  • Patent number: 6202880
    Abstract: An openable can end for a beverage can of usual type, having a first tear-out portion which seems to be openable, when a lever-type tab is operated. A second tear-out portion is also provided beside or outside the first portion, wherein the second tear-out portion tears out (or breaks in) instead of the expected first tear-out portion. Thus, it is possible to surprise the user upon opening such a beverage can, without impairing the simple and reliable opening of the beverage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Richard Reichinger
  • Patent number: 6202881
    Abstract: A beverage container includes an easy cleaning upper panel which has a flat opening portion and a lifting portion, wherein the flat opening portion can prevent the dirt from accumulating in the ring shaped indented groove formed around the upper panel of the conventional beverage container. Besides, an enlarged gap is sufficiently provided between a lifting portion on the upper panel and the lifting ring, so that the consumer can easily grip on the lifting ring. Moreover, a protective film is detachably attached on the upper panel so that the consumer may simply remove the protective film to obtain a clean panel surface for consuming the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Charles N. Chiang
  • Patent number: 6138856
    Abstract: A container end closure for facilitating the opening of a pressurized container. The container end closure includes a non-detachable tab having a bulbous end proximate a frangible section of the end closure and a recess in the end closure proximate an opposite end of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventors: Yongjae Ghim, Yongjin Ghim
  • Patent number: 6136395
    Abstract: A metal can body of improved impact resistance of the body wall is formed by drawing and/or pressing subsequent to preliminary coating of an organic resin on at least one side of the metal surface that becomes the inner surface of the can body. The main component of the organic resin coating is a polyester resin containing oriented crystals. The intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the polyester layer is 0.60 or higher. Parameter A representing the ratio of axial orientation in the direction of the can height is A.gtoreq.0.40. and Parameter B representing the degree of plane orientation of axially oriented crystals in the direction of the can height is B.gtoreq.0.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiko Tsurumaru, Hiroshi Matsubayashi, Kazuhisa Masuda, Masatsune Shibue
  • Patent number: 6136354
    Abstract: Carbonated beverages can have a substantially reduced concentration of water soluble materials derived from biaxially oriented thermoformed beverage containers. Such containers can comprise a permeant barrier and an active trap for water soluble materials that can be removed from the thermoplastic by extraction into the carbonated beverage. The improved container material comprises a blow molded thermoplastic polyester web comprising a compatible modified cyclodextrin material having pendent moieties or substituents that render the cyclodextrin material compatible with the container thermoplastic. The cyclodextrin material, after it is added to the polymer material, acts as a barrier and to trap extractable materials as they permeate through the thermoplastic polyester. The cyclodextrin molecule has a large center cavity having properties that increase the likelihood that organic molecules will be absorbed and trapped in the center pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Neil J. Beaverson
  • Patent number: 6112932
    Abstract: A beverage container with flow enhancing sidewall structure. The container is preferably provided in thin-walled aluminum for containment of carbonated or other beverages such as beer or carbonated soda. The container has a liquid outlet, and adjacent the liquid outlet, but in the substantially cylindrical sidewalls, a generally nose-shaped inwardly indented liquid flow enhancing structure is provided. The flow enhancing structure is provided with a generally reducing cross-sectional area when progressively examined in transverse cross-sectional area toward the liquid outlet end of the cylindrical sidewall. The generally nose-shaped structure may be offset from the centerline of the liquid outlet to further enhance liquid outflow. Although in a preferred embodiment the nose-shaped structure is substantially pyramidal in shape, the structure may alternately be provided as a section of an oblique circular cone, or other flow enhancing shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald E. Holdren
  • Patent number: 6105807
    Abstract: A container (40) has a body (41) having an open end (42) surrounded by an outwardly and downwardly extending flange (43). A closure (44) is adapted to be sealed to the container body (41). The closure (44) has a flange clamping portion (48) such that when the closure (44) is mounted to the body (41), the flange clamping portion (48) forms a seal with at least the outer surface of the flange (43) by exerting pressure inwardly against the flange (43). The flange clamping portion (48) can also be adapted to form a seal with the open end (42) of the body (41) and the inner surface of the container body (41) proximate its open end (42). A thread ring (10) adapted to be mounted to the open end of a container is also described. The thread ring has a retaining means comprising a continuous hook (13) that is adapted to sealingly engage the open end of the container and so provide a means for closures to be readily and sealingly attached to containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Radley Valley Pty Limited
    Inventor: Peter C McCrossen
  • Patent number: 6105806
    Abstract: A container opening device, container lid, or can top with a decorated feature, or in the case of an opening device, a symbolically shaped pull tab for attachment to a container to perform the dual functions of opening the container and decorating the container for equity, identification or promotional purposes. The pull tab may open the container by acting as a lever which presses against a tear strip in the container top defined by a tear line to separate the tear strip from the container top and open the container. The pull tab may perform a decorative and promotional function by having a decoration or a symbolic shape that is to be recognized as a picture, trademark, icon, character, or other symbolic item or logo. The decoration can be made by applying color, printing, embossing, laser removal of a coating and labels to the pull tab, lid or container. The pull tab or decoration can take the shape and design of corporate logos, trademarks, icons, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph W. Stasiuk
  • Patent number: 6098830
    Abstract: A resealable flip-top beverage can lid has a lid having a rim disposed on the periphery thereof; a swinging seal positioned to seal an opening in the lid; and a tab rotatably attached to the lid with a rivet. The tab has a hole punching lip and an extended lifting section on opposite sides of the rivet. The extended lifting section extending at least to the rim and is shaped to cover and substantially seal the opening in the lid. While it is preferred that the seal be strong enough to maintain any carbonation within the beverage can, a weaker seal is also beneficial in excluding insects and preventing or limiting spills. The extended lifting section preferably further includes a rim locking section to locks onto the rim of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Jamieson
  • Patent number: 6098832
    Abstract: A beverage container with increased strength includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is disposed around a vertical axis, and a bottom. The bottom provides a supporting surface and includes a bottom recess portion that is disposed radially inwardly of the supporting surface. The bottom recess portion includes a concave domed panel that is disposed a positional distance above the supporting surface by a dome positioning portion of the bottom recess portion. The domed panel includes a portion thereof with a curvature in the range wherein increases in the curvature decrease the static dome reversal pressure; and the dome positioning portion includes first and second parts thereof that are disposed at different radial distances from the vertical axis and that provide increases in both roll-out resistance and static dome reversal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: K. Reed Jentzsch, Otis H. Willoughby, Gary A. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6074736
    Abstract: A pull-top can protect the contents from the material of the body and lid without impairing the opening properties of the pull-top mechanism attached to the lid, and maintain the quality of the contents such as beverages, beer, and any other seafood for a long period of time. A pull-top can includes a body having an open top and an inner surface laminated with an organic resin film, and an aluminum lid caulked at the cut-open portion of the body and having a pull-top mechanism. The inner surface of the lid on the body side is laminated with a porous organic resin film having a large number of small through pores by an adhesive layer sandwiched between the inner surface of the lid and the porous organic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Seiji Kagawa
  • Patent number: 6065634
    Abstract: A can end (22) comprising a peripheral cover hook (23), a chuck wall (24) dependent from the interior of the cover hook, an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead (25) extending radially inwards from the chuck wall, and a central panel (26) supported by an inner portion (27) of the reinforcing bead, characterised in that, the chuck wall (24) is inclined to an axis perpendicular to the exterior of the central panel at an angle between 20.degree. and 60.degree., and the concave cross-sectional radius of the reinforcing bead (25) is less than 0.75 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mouayed Mamdooh Brifcani, Peter James Hinton, Mark Christopher Kysh
  • Patent number: 6062414
    Abstract: A container, particularly for drinks, comprising an end (5) in which a closed line of weakening (6) is formed defining the outline of a lid (7) and of a corresponding hole (8), and a lever (10) associated with the lid (7) and operable manually in order to tear the wall (5) along the line of weakening (6) and remove the lid (7) from the container wall is characterized in that it comprises a flexible tongue (9) which normally bears on the outer face of the end wall (5) and has one end (9a) fixed to the lever (10) and to the lid (7) and the other end (9b) fixed to the outer face of the end wall of the container, spaced from the lid, the tongue (9) being able, as a result of the manual removal of the lid from the container wall, to adopt 2 a bent configuration in which the associated lid is in a position of disengagement from the hole (8), restraining means (15; 19, 20) being provided for keeping the tongue in the bent configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cesare Mongarli
    Inventors: Cesare Mongarli, Alessandro Mongarli
  • Patent number: 6059137
    Abstract: A reclosable ring-pull opener (20) for a can (22) has a grippable ring (28). A closure (32) underlies the ring and extends above the top wall in parallel overlying relation to the top wall. The closure has a peipheral flange (34) and a downwardly depending skirt (37). A connecting nose (54) extends in folded, connecting relation from a peripheral edge (56) of the ring to an underlying peripheral edge (58) of the closure. A rivet (44) passes through the closure to movably mount the main body (27) on the top wall (26) of the can for upwardly directed, hinging movement of the ring toward the vertical, and for downward movement of the nose into opening urging contact with a scored, region (38), thereby to open the can. The rivet also mounts the main body atop the can for rotatable movement in the plane of the top wall to a position whereat the skirt overlies the opening, and for downwardly directed, movement of the closure, thereby releasably sealing the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Peter L. Westwood, Peter J. Knott
  • Patent number: 6053349
    Abstract: A technique for avoiding the risk of spreading communicable diseases in drinking inadvertently from another's open beverage can by applying distinctive user identification markers on the can top cover, positioned arcuately about the cover and identified by using the lever-opener also as an identification indicator through rotational alignment with and locking at a desired user's marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: Eugene S. Griggs, Jr., Joanne Hayes
  • Patent number: 6050440
    Abstract: An easy open can end has an improved structure for facilitating the opening operation of the tear panel, a method of further forming a can end to have the improved structure, and tooling for accomplishing the method. The further formation of the can end is particularly useful in easy-open can ends having enlarged tear panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: 6015060
    Abstract: A dual aperture beverage container is disclosed, consisting of a beverage container 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 container side wall is a second scored portion. A venting aperture opener is included which hooks onto the top container rim and opens the venting scored portion to reveal a venting aperture. The venting aperture container can be used to provide additional air to the pouring aperture, or can itself be used as a pouring aperture. Also disclosed is a venting scored portion and venting tab, located on the container bottom, serving the same purpose as the venting aperture located on the container side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Tim Rightenour, David Jordan
  • Patent number: 6010026
    Abstract: A thin wall metal can is described having a converging neck portion and cylindrical chimney with a threaded sleeve encircling the chimney and restrained from rotation on the chimney by splines on an inner surface of the sleeve firmly engaged against an outwardly projecting shoulder on the can between the neck portion and chimney. The sleeve receives a threaded closure for closing and sealing the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, Charles L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 5992677
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an improved container for holding a liquid and the manufacture thereof. The apparatus generally comprising at least two compartments wherein a first compartment may contain a readily dispensable liquid and a second compartment may contain a removable product, article, prize, or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Akemi Ebine
  • Patent number: 5984604
    Abstract: Can bodies are formed typically by drawing and wall-ironing a cup, introducing fluid between punch and dies as the cup exits the dies and then forming the desired base profile. The can bodies formed in the present invention are able to be produced from thin hard material such as double reduced steel and/or have stronger base profiles in terms of tighter radii and deeper countersinks than was hitherto possible without risk of splitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Carnaudemtal Box Inc.
    Inventor: Neil David McMahon
  • Patent number: 5934497
    Abstract: A flat end beverage can lid comprises a soda can lid wherein the inner platform is connected with the rim groove. The intent is to facilitate cleaning of the groove and nearby opening hole. The pull tab is located on the inner platform so that it can be readily cleaned by finger. The inner platform extends to the can edge and can be lower than or equal to the rim groove. With this design, it is also possible to use the existing crimping head on the filling line which represents a large cost savings for the filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: Charles Chang, Lucy Chang
  • Patent number: 5931331
    Abstract: A can end having an improved pour-type ecology opening mechanism includes a conventional can end wall that contains a score line that defines a displaceable panel. The score line includes an initial design rupture point, a radiused portion having a first tangent point and a second tangent point, and a main portion that terminates at a final transition point. The can end further includes a tab having a liftable heel portion and a tab nose portion, with the tab nose portion being positioned to apply downward pressure to the panel at a pressure point on the displaceable panel when the heel portion is lifted. The tab has a center line that is coincident with a radius of said can end wall. Advantageously, the pressure point is positioned a distance, taken in the direction of the center line, from the second tangent point of the radiused portion that is selected to prevent a buildup of force that would otherwise hasten propagation of separation along the main portion of the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Kirk, Michael C. Calhoun, David M. Hoffman, Jeffrey McFarland