Metal containers and friction coating thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a can base having a friction coating adhered thereto, the can base including a seating structure configured to cooperate with an outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface. The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the seating structure and the outer surface relative to friction if the seating structure is not coated with the friction coating.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 18 / 107,672, filed on February 9, 2023, entitled “Metal Container, Friction Coating Therefor, And Associated Methods.” Technical Field

[0003] The disclosed concept relates generally to metal containers, such as beer / beverage cans and food cans, and more particularly to friction coatings for metal containers and related methods. Background Art

[0004] Metal containers (eg, cans) for holding products such as liquids, beverages, or food products typically have one end that serves as a base configured to sit on a surface when not being held by a consumer.

[0005] The contents of a can are consumed in a variety of settings, and in any given setting, the can may be placed on a surface that may be uneven, slippery, vibrating, moving, or otherwise unstable. Common solutions to address the unpredictability of surfaces on which a can may be placed include the use of external devices (such as insulated sleeves) and the provision of designated cup holders in specific environments (such as chairs, cars, boats, etc.). However, consumers may not always have external devices such as insulated sleeves available, or may not be in a location where a cup holder is present when consuming the contents of a can. Therefore, there is an unmet need for a means to stabilize their can in a variety of situations and prevent undesirable sliding or movement of the can.

[0006] Thus, there is room for improvement in metal containers, such as beer / beverage cans and food cans, and friction coatings and related methods therefor. Summary of the Invention

[0007] These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are directed to friction coatings for metal containers, such as beer / beverage cans and food cans.

[0008] In one aspect of the disclosed concept, a base for a can includes a landing structure and a friction coating adhered to the landing structure. The landing structure is configured to cooperate with an outer surface when the base is positioned on the outer surface. The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the landing structure and the outer surface relative to friction that would otherwise occur if the landing structure were not coated with the friction coating.

[0009] In another aspect of the disclosed concept, a container includes a sidewall and a base. The base includes a seating structure and a friction coating adhered to the seating structure. The seating structure is configured to cooperate with an outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface. The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the seating structure and the outer surface relative to friction in the absence of the friction coating being applied to the seating structure.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of stabilizing a container includes providing a container having a base including a seating structure and adhering a friction coating to a portion of the seating structure. The seating structure is configured to cooperate with an outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface, and the friction coating is configured to increase friction between the seating structure and the outer surface relative to friction in the absence of the friction coating being applied to the seating structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] A complete understanding of the application will be obtained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a can body including a friction coating according to an embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a can body and friction coating of Figure 1

[0014] Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the can body and friction coating shown in Figure 2

[0015] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another can body and friction coating thereof according to another embodiment of the disclosed concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the disclosed concept will be described as applied to a base of a beer / beverage can, although it will be apparent that the base can also be used for other containers, such as but not limited to cans for liquids other than beer and beverages.

[0017] It should be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated herein and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept and are provided for purposes of illustration only. Accordingly, specific dimensions, orientations, and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0018] ​​Directional phrases used herein (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, over, under, and derivatives thereof) relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the figures and are not limiting unless specifically so stated herein.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "can" and "container" are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container configured to hold a substance (e.g., but not limited to, a liquid; a food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, food cans and beverage cans (such as beer and soda cans).

[0020] As used herein, the term "can end" refers to a lid or closure configured to be coupled to a can to seal the can.

[0021] As used herein, the term "a number" shall mean an integer of one or greater (i.e., a plurality).

[0022] Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 each illustrate a portion of a can body 2 including a friction coating 4 (shown in the figures with dotted lines for ease of illustration) in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concepts. It should be noted that the exact location and appearance of the friction coating 4 can differ from that shown in the figures without departing from the scope of the disclosed concepts. The can body 2 is part of a can 100 (shown in simplified form in dashed lines in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). It should be appreciated that only a portion of the can 100 is shown in the figures for ease of illustration. The can body 2 includes a sidewall 5 and a can base 6. It should be understood that the can 100 also includes a can end (not shown in the figures) disposed opposite the can base 6 such that the sidewall 5 extends between the can base 6 and the can end (not shown), and it should be further understood that the can end can optionally include a mechanism for accessing the contents of the can, such as a tab (not shown).

[0023] In the example shown, the can body 2 is a unitary body such that the can base 6 is formed from the same piece of material that forms the sidewall 5. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the disclosed concepts, the base can alternatively be composed of a separate member or component (e.g., an end panel) that is formed separately and coupled (e.g., by a seam joint) to the sidewall, as is the case with some three-piece food cans, for example. The can base 6 includes a ridge 8 that is typically formed on beverage cans, and the ridge is formed so as to arch the can base 6, the purpose being to increase the pressure that the can base 6 and can body 2 can withstand. An arched portion 10 of the can base 6 is best shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0024] The domed portion 10 of the can base 6 is formed such that when the can 100 is disposed (e.g., seated) on the outer surface 200 (shown in simplified form in dashed lines in Figure 1 FIG. 1), the concave outer surface 12 of the domed portion 10 faces the outer surface 200 on which the can 100 is seated, and the convex inner surface (not visible or numbered in the figures) of the domed portion 10 faces the interior of the can body 2. The ridge 8 of the can base 6 forms the outer circumferential portion of the domed portion 10, and the ridge 8 is the only portion of the can 100 that contacts the outer surface 200 when a user places the can 100 on the outer surface 200. Thus, the ridge 8 can also be referred to as a seating structure 8 of the can 100, since it is the only portion of the can 100 that seats on the outer surface 200 when the can 100 is placed on the outer surface 200.

[0025] The friction coating 4 is adhered to the ridge 8 of the can base 6, and the material of the friction coating 4 is adapted to increase the friction between the ridge 8 and the outer surface 200 on which the can 100 is placed, the increase in friction being relative to the friction in the absence of the friction coating 4 being applied to the ridge 8. The friction coating 4 can include any known or suitable material that increases the friction between the ridge 8 and the outer surface 200. Furthermore, the material for the friction coating 4 can be applied to the ridge 8 using any known or suitable method that is suitable for properly adhering the aforementioned material to the desired portion of the outer surface of the can 100 (e.g., without limitation, the ridge 8). Non-limiting examples of materials that include the friction coating 4 can include a rubber coating, a silicone coating, a polymer coating, or include any other material that increases the friction of a surface. In other words, the friction coating 4 has an associated coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction of the friction coating 4 is greater than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the can 100 itself. According to one non-limiting example embodiment, the coefficient of friction of the friction coating 4 is preferably between 0.5 and 1.3, and more preferably between 0.7 and 1.0. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned values are provided with reference to the static friction, and are provided only with respect to one example embodiment of the disclosed concept. Other coefficients of friction (both static and dynamic) are also within the scope of the disclosed concept. Non-limiting examples of methods that can be used to apply the material of the friction coating 4 to the desired portion of the can 100 (e.g., the ridge 8) include dipping, spraying, brushing, and pad transfer.

[0026] Most beer / beverage cans (e.g., the can 100) are designed such that when the can 100 is placed on an outer surface (e.g., the outer surface 200 of a Figure 1 beer / beverage can 100), only a small portion of the can (e.g., the ridge 8 of the can base 6) contacts the outer surface. For example, Figure 4 another can 100' is shown according to another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosed concept, although it has a similar design to the can 100 shown in FIG. 1. Figures 1-3The illustrated can 100 differs in scale, but it also includes a sidewall 5', a can base 6', and a ridge 8' that respectively correspond to the sidewall 5, the can base 6, and the ridge 8 discussed above herein. In Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 1 1, the friction coating 4' is applied to the ridge 8' in the same manner as the friction coating 4 is applied to the ridge 8. As with the friction coating 4, the friction coating 4' is shown in dotted line in Figure 4 FIG. 1 1 to facilitate illustration, and it should be noted that the exact location and appearance of the friction coating 4' can differ from the exact location and appearance shown in Figure 4 FIG. 1 1 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. As with the ridge 8, the ridge 8' is the only portion of the can 100' that contacts the outer surface 200' when the user places the can 100' on the outer surface 200'.

[0027] Other advantages of the friction coating (e.g., 4( Figures 1-3 ); 4'( Figure 4 )) according to the disclosed concept are that, for example, by reducing unwanted slippage or movement of the can (e.g., 100( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ); 100'( Figure 4 )) relative to the associated surface (e.g., 200( Figure 1 ); 200'( Figure 4 )) on which the can is disposed, while only requiring a relatively small amount (e.g., volume) of friction coating material to be adhered to a selected and predetermined desired portion (e.g., the ridge 8( Figures 1-3 ); the ridge 8'( Figure 4 )) of an existing can, is very effective for increasing surface friction and, thereby, stability. In addition, the above-described method for applying the friction coating is relatively simple. The relatively small amount of material and minimal time required to apply the friction coating, as well as the relative ease of applying the friction coating, makes the disclosed concept a highly effective solution to addressing known problems associated with prior art cans.

[0028] Furthermore, existing attempts to address the stability issue of cans on exterior surfaces rely on the use of additional devices such as heat shields or the presence of designated cup holders that are set at locations where a user can want to place a can. The disclosed and claimed concept mitigates or even eliminates the need for such additional devices or cup holders because the friction coating provided in accordance with the present application increases the tendency of the metal container itself to be frictional and thus increases stability without the need for any external components, structures or devices to interact with and secure the container. While the friction coating has been described herein as being applied (e.g., adhered) to the ridge of the base of a typical domed beverage / brew can, it should be appreciated that the friction coating can be included on other beverage or food containers that can not contain such a ridge and that need additional stability, and that the friction coating can simply be applied to any portion of the can or container that is used to seat the can or container on an exterior surface without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0029] While specific embodiments of the application have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the concept disclosed, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A base for a tank, comprising: a seating structure configured to cooperate with the outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface; and a friction coating adhered to the seating structure, The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the setting structure and the outer surface relative to friction when the setting structure is not coated with the friction coating.

2. The base according to claim 1, in, The outer surface of the base has a first coefficient of friction; wherein the friction coating has a second coefficient of friction; and Wherein, the second friction coefficient is greater than the first friction coefficient.

3. The base according to claim 1, in, The base is configured such that when the base is placed on the outer surface, a portion of the base other than the seating structure does not contact the outer surface.

4. The base according to claim 1, in, The seating structure includes a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of the domed portion; and wherein the domed portion is formed such that when the base is placed on the outer surface, only the ridge of the base engages the outer surface.

5. The base according to claim 1, in, The friction coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and a polymer coating.

6. A container, comprising: sidewalls; as well as A base, comprising: a seating structure configured to cooperate with the outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface; and a friction coating adhered to the seating structure, The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the setting structure and the outer surface relative to friction when the setting structure is not coated with the friction coating.

7. The container according to claim 6, in, The outer surface of the base has a first coefficient of friction; wherein the friction coating has a second coefficient of friction; and Wherein, the second friction coefficient is greater than the first friction coefficient.

8. The container according to claim 6, in, The base is configured such that when the base is placed on the outer surface, a portion of the base other than the seating structure does not contact the outer surface.

9. The container according to claim 6, in, The seating structure includes a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of the domed portion; and wherein the domed portion is formed such that when the base is placed on the outer surface, only the ridge of the base engages the outer surface.

10. The container according to claim 6, in, The friction coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and a polymer coating.

11. A method of stabilizing a container, the method comprising: providing a container having a base including a seating structure, and adhering a friction coating to a portion of the seating structure, wherein the seating structure is configured to cooperate with the outer surface when the base is disposed on the outer surface, and The friction coating is configured to increase friction between the setting structure and the outer surface relative to friction when the setting structure is not coated with the friction coating.

12. The method according to claim 11, in, The seating structure includes a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of the domed portion; and wherein the domed portion is formed such that when the base is placed on the outer surface, only the ridge of the base engages the outer surface.

13. The method according to claim 11, in, Adhering the friction coating to a portion of the setting structure further comprises any of: dipping a portion of the setting structure into the friction coating; The friction coating is sprayed onto a portion of the setting structure; the friction coating is brushed onto a portion of the setting structure; or the friction coating pad is transferred onto a portion of the setting structure.

14. The method according to claim 11, in, The friction coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and a polymer coating.

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