Metal container, friction coating therefor, and associated methods

Abstract

A can base with a friction coating adhered thereto is provided, with the can base including a seating formation structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface. The friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

Description

METAL CONTAINER, FRICTION COATING THEREFOR, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 107,672, filed February 9, 2023, entitled, Metal Container, Friction Coating Therefor, And Associated Methods. FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0002] 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 associated methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

[0003] Metallic containers (e.g., cans) for holding products such as, for example, liquids, beverages, or food products, are typically provided with one end that serves as a base, with the base being structured to sit on a surface when not being held by a consumer.

[0004] The contents of cans are consumed in a wide variety of settings, and the surfaces on which a can may be placed in any given setting may be uneven, smooth, vibrating, moving, or otherwise unstable. Common solutions for addressing the unpredictability of the surfaces on which a can may be placed include using external devices, such as koozies, and providing designated cupholders in specific environments, such as chairs, cars, boats, etc. However, a consumer may not always have an external device such as a koozie available, or may not be located in a setting where a cupholder is present when consuming the contents of a can. Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a way to stabilize their cans and avoid undesirable sliding or movement of cans under a variety of circumstances.

[0005] There is, therefore, room for improvement in metal containers, such as beer / beverage cans and food cans, and in friction coatings therefor, and associated methods.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0006] These needs, and others, are met by embodiments of the disclosed concepts, which are directed to a friction coating for metal containers, such as for example, beer / beverage cans and food cans.

[0007] In one aspect of the disclosed concept, a base for a can comprises: a seating formation and a friction coating adhered to the seating formation. The seating formation is structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface. The friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

[0008] In another aspect of the disclosed concept, a container comprises: a side wall and a base. The base comprises: a seating formation and a friction coating adhered to the seating formation. The seating formation is structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface. The friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

[0009] In a further aspect of the disclosed concept, a method of stabilizing a container comprises: providing the container with a base comprising a seating formation, and adhering a friction coating to a portion of the seating formation. The seating formation is structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface, and the friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0010] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a portion of a can body including afriction coating, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept;

[0012] Figure 2 is a rotated perspective view of the can body and friction coating of Figure 1;

[0013] Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the can body and friction coating shown in Figure 2; and

[0014] Figure 4 is a side elevation view of another can body and friction coating therefor, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

[0015] For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the disclosed concept will be described as applied to bases of beer / beverage cans, although it will become apparent that they could also be employed to other containers such as, for example and without limitation, cans for liquids other than beer and beverages.

[0016] It will be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.

[0017] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, front, back, top, bottom, upper, lower and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

[0018] As employed herein, the terms “can” and “container” are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, food cans, as well as beverage cans, such as beer and soda cans.

[0019] As employed herein, the term “can end” refers to the lid or closure that is structured to be coupled to a can, in order to seal the can.

[0020] As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

[0021] Figures 1, 2, and 3 each show a portion of a can body 2 that includes afriction coating 4 (shown with stippling in the figures for ease of illustration), in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept. It is noted that the exact position and appearance of the friction coating 4 may differ from what is shown in the figures, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. The can body 2 is part of a can 100 (partially shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing in Figure 1 and Figure 2). It will 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 side wall 5 and a base 6. It is understood that the can 100 also comprises a can end (not shown in the figures) disposed opposite the can base 6, such that the side wall 5 extends between the can base 6 and the can end (not shown), and it is further understood that the can end may optionally include a mechanism, such as a pull tab (not shown), for accessing the contents of the can.

[0022] 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 from which the side wall 5 is formed. It will be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments of the disclosed concept, the base could alternatively be comprised of a separate member or component (e.g., end panel) separately formed and coupled (e.g., seamed) to the side wall such as, for example, is the case with some three piece food cans. The base 6 includes a ridge 8 that is typically found on beverage cans, and is formed as a result of doming the base 6 for the purpose of increasing the pressure the base 6 and can body 2 can withstand. The domed portion 10 of the can base 6 is best shown in Figures 2 and Figure 3.

[0023] The domed portion 10 of the can base 6 is formed such that, when the can 100 is disposed on (e.g., seated on) an external surface 200 (shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing in Figure 1), the concave exterior surface 12 of the domed portion 10 faces the external surface 200 on which the can 100 is seated, and the convex interior 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 circumference of the domed portion 10, and the ridge 8 is the only portion of the can 100 that contacts an external surface 200 when a user sets the can 100 down on the external surface 200. Accordingly, because the ridge 8 is the only portion of the can 100 on which the can 100 is seated when the can 100 isdisposed on an external surface 200, the ridge 8 can also be referred to as the seating formation 8 of the can 100.

[0024] The friction coating 4 is adhered to the ridge 8 of the can base 6 and comprises a material adapted to increase the friction between the ridge 8 and an external surface 200 on which the can 100 is set down, the increase being relative to what the friction would be if the ridge 8 were not coated with the friction coating 4. The friction coating 4 can comprise any known or suitable material that increases friction between the ridge 8 and an external surface 200. Further, the material used for the friction coating 4 can be applied to the ridge 8 using any known or suitable method appropriate for suitably adhering the aforementioned material to the desired portion (e.g., without limitation, ridge 8) of the exterior surface of the can 100. Non-limiting examples of the material that comprises the friction coating 4 may include rubber, silicone, polymer coatings, or any other material that increases surface friction. 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 exterior surface of the can 100 itself. In accordance with 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 will be appreciated that the foregoing values are provided with reference to static friction and are solely provided for purposes of one example embodiment in accordance with the disclosed concept. Other coefficients of friction, both static and dynamic, are also within the scope of the disclosed concept. Non-limiting examples of the methods that can be used to apply the material of the friction coating 4 to the desired portion (e.g., the ridge 8) of the can 100 include dipping, spraying, brushing, and pad transferring.

[0025] Most beer / beverage cans (e.g., can 100) are designed so that only a relatively small portion of the can (e.g., the ridge 8 of the can base 6) will make contact with an external surface (e.g., external surface 200 of Figure 1) when the can 100 is set GRZQ^RQ^VDLG^H[WHUQDO^VXUIDFH^^ ^)RU^H[DPSOH^^)LJXUH^^^VKRZV^DQRWKHU^FDQ^^^^ƍ^LQ^ accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosed concept that, although having different proportions than the can 100 shown in Figures 1-3, also LQFOXGHV^D^VLGH^ZDOO^^ƍ^^D^EDVH^^ƍ^^DQG^D^ULGJH^^ƍ^WKDW^FRUUHVSRQG^UHVSHFWLYHO\^WR^WKH^ wall 5, base 6, and ridge 8 discussed hereinabove. In the example of Figure 4, thefriction cRDWLQJ^^ƍ^DSSOLHG^WR^WKH^ULGJH^^ƍ^LQ^WKH^VDPH^PDQQHU^WKDW^WKH^IULFWLRQ^FRDWLQJ^ 4 is applied to the ridge 8. $V^ZLWK^WKH^IULFWLRQ^^FRDWLQJ^^^^WKH^IULFWLRQ^FRDWLQJ^^ƍ^LV^ shown with stippling in Figure 4 for ease of illustration, and it is noted that the exact position and appearance of the friction coating ^ƍ^may differ from what is shown in Figure 4, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 7KH^ULGJH^^ƍ^^ OLNH^WKH^ULGJH^^^^LV^WKH^RQO\^SRUWLRQ^RI^WKH^FDQ^^^^ƍ^WKDW^FRQWDFWV^DQ^H[WHUQDO^VXUIDce ^^^ƍ^ZKHQ^D^XVHU^VHWV^WKH^FDQ^^^^^GRZQ^RQ^WKH^H[WHUQDO^VXUIDFH^^^^ƍ.

[0026] Among other advantages, the friction coating (e.g., 4 (Figures 1-^^^^^ƍ^ (Figure 4)) in accordance with the disclosed concept is highly effective for increasing surface friction and thus increasing stability, for example, by reducing XQGHVLUHG^VOLGLQJ^RU^PRYHPHQW^RI^WKH^FDQ^^H^J^^^^^^^^)LJXUHV^^^DQG^^^^^^^^ƍ^^)LJXUH^ ^^^^ZLWK^UHVSHFW^WR^DQ^DVVRFLDWHG^VXUIDFH^^H^J^^^^^^^^)LJXUH^^^^^^^^ƍ^^)LJXUH^^^^^RQ^ which the can is disposed while only requiring only a relatively small quantity (e.g., volume) of friction coating material to be adhered to only a select and predetermined desired portion (e.g., ridge 8 (Figures 1-^^^^^ƍ^^)LJXUH^^^) of an existing can. In addition, the aforementioned methods for applying the friction coating are relatively simple. The relatively small amount of material and minimal time needed to apply the friction coating, and the relative ease with which the friction coating can be applied, render the disclosed concept a highly efficient solution to known problems associated with prior art cans.

[0027] Moreover, existing attempts to address the problem of stabilizing cans on external surfaces rely on the use of additional devices such as koozies or the existence of designated cupholders being provided in the location in which a user may want to set a can down. The disclosed and claimed concept mitigates and even eliminates the need for such additional devices or cupholders, as providing the friction coating in accordance with the instant invention increases the frictional propensity and thus stability of the metal container itself, without requiring any external component, structure, or device to interact with and secure the container. While the friction coating has been described herein as being applied to (e.g., adhered to) the ridge of the base of a typical domed beverage / beer can, it will be appreciated that the friction coating can be included on other beverage or food containers that may not contain such a ridge and for which additional stability is desired, and that the friction coating can simply be applied to any portion of thecan or container that is used to seat the can or container on an external surface, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept .

[0028] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art 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 disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A base for a can, the base comprising: a seating formation structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface; and a friction coating adhered to the seating formation, wherein the friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

2. The base of claim 1, wherein the base has an exterior surface having a first coefficient of friction; wherein the friction coating has a second coefficient of friction; and wherein the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

3. The base of claim 1, wherein the base is structured such that, when the base is disposed on the external surface, no portion of the base other than the seating formation contacts the external surface.

4. The base of claim 1, wherein the seating formation comprises a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of a domed portion; and wherein the domed portion is formed such that, when the base is disposed on the external surface, only the ridge of the base engages the external surface.

5. The base of claim 1,wherein the friction coating comprises a material that is selected from the group consisting of a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and a polymer coating.

6. A container comprising: a side wall; and a base comprising: a seating formation structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface; and a friction coating adhered to the seating formation, wherein the friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the base has an exterior surface having a first coefficient of friction; wherein the friction coating has a second coefficient of friction; and wherein the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein the base is structured such that, when the base is disposed on the external surface, no portion of the base other than the seating formation contacts the external surface.

9. The container of claim 6, wherein the seating formation comprises a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of a domed portion; andwherein the domed portion is formed such that, when the base is disposed on the external surface, only the ridge of the base engages the external surface.

10. The container of claim 6, wherein the friction coating comprises a material that is 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 the container with a base comprising a seating formation, and adhering a friction coating to a portion of the seating formation, wherein the seating formation is structured to cooperate with an external surface when the base is disposed on the external surface, and wherein the friction coating is structured to increase friction between the seating formation and the external surface relative to what the friction would otherwise be if the seating formation were not coated with the friction coating.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the seating formation comprises a ridge; wherein the ridge defines an outer circumference of a domed portion; and wherein the domed portion is formed such that, when the base is disposed on the external surface, only the ridge of the base engages the external surface.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein adhering the friction coating to the portion of the seating formation further comprises one of: dipping the portion of the seating formation into the friction coating, spraying the friction coating onto the portion of the seating formation, brushing the friction coating onto the portion of the seatingformation, or pad transferring the friction coating onto the portion of the seating formation.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the friction coating comprises a material that is selected from the group consisting of a rubber coating, a silicone coating, and a polymer coating.

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