Beverage can container

Abstract

The invention provides a beverage can container having inner dimension for enclosing and closely fitting a beverage can that is provided with a scored lip in an upper lid and a pull or press ring for assisting in opening the scored lip, the container comprising a lower container part and an upper container part comprising complementary attachment means, wherein the container upper part comprises a punch having a punch tip and extending a punch height from an inner surface, the attachment means having a first position such that in use with a beverage can included in the container the container encloses the beverage can and the punch tip is free from the upper lid, and a second position such that the punch tip applies pressure on the scored lip for opening the beverage can.

Description

[0001] Beverage can container

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a drinking can container

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Various drinking can or beverage can containers and aids for drinking from or handling a beverage can are known. Some provide a resealable beverage container, like US2014 / 042164, DE102011101609. Some provide a beverage can closure or a twist top can closure, like GB2514635, WO2010 / 115911, US3227317, EP269580. Others provide a container for holding a beverage can, see for instance US2015 / 0210465, US7284677 and US2010 / 0288723.

[0006] Summary of the invention

[0007] A disadvantage of prior art is that handling and opening of a drinking or beverage can may still leave much to ask.

[0008] Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative beverage can container, which preferably further at least partly obviates one or more of abovedescribed drawbacks.

[0009] There is provide a beverage can container of claim 1 and an assembly of claim 11.

[0010] The current container holds and encloses a beverage can and prevents spilling as it encloses the beverage can. It then does not require separate opening of the drinking / beverage can.

[0011] Generally, the contents of a can, such as a soft drink or beer, are poured and consumed through an opening that is formed in the lid of the can by pulling on an opening tongue or pressing on a specified area of the lid. In certain types of cans, the opening tongue may be removed from the lid by a simple yanking motion; in other types, the tongue remains attached to the lid and the opening for the removal of the liquid is obtained by pressing with the tongue itself on the diaphragm provided on the lid. Cans for soft drinks and the like are provided, as it is well known, with a lid. This lid usually is forged onto a circumferential wall, creating a top rim. In this lid, as mentioned, an opening can be created easily for pouring the liquid contents out of the can or drinking it from the can. The opening being defined by a tongue which is either removable from or fixedly attached to the lid of the beverage can. Often, a ring or tab is attached to the tongue. A thinned enclosure defines the tongue. Lifting the ring or tab presses the longue. Often the can is cylindrical, in particular a straight circle cylinder.

[0012] The beverage cans often have a standardized contents of 330 ml or 350 ml or 250 ml or 355 ml (12 fl oz). Most are made of aluminium or steel. Often, carbonization of the contents provides addition strength to the unopened beverage can.

[0013] A pull tab can have an integral rivet and pull-tab (also known as ring pull in British English), which had a ring attached at the rivet for pulling, and which would come off completely to be discarded.

[0014] Other cans use a separate tab attached to the upper surface or lid as a lever to depress a scored part of the lid.

[0015] Further embodiments having particular advantages are described in the depending claims and in the embodiments described below.

[0016] The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of’.

[0017] The term "functionally" will be understood by, and be clear to, a person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” as well as “functionally” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective functionally may also be removed. When used, for instance in “functionally parallel”, a skilled person will understand that the adjective “functionally” includes the term substantially as explained above. Functionally in particular is to be understood to include a configuration of features that allows these features to function as if the adjective “functionally” was not present. The term “functionally” is intended to cover variations in the feature to which it refers, and which variations are such that in the functional use of the feature, possibly in combination with other features it relates to in the invention, that combination of features is able to operate or function. For instance, if an antenna is functionally coupled or functionally connected to a communication device, received electromagnetic signals that are receives by the antenna can be used by the communication device. The word “functionally” as for instance used in “functionally parallel” is used to cover exactly parallel, but also the embodiments that are covered by the word “substantially” explained above. For instance, “functionally parallel” relates to embodiments that in operation function as if the parts are for instance parallel. This covers embodiments for which it is clear to a skilled person that it operates within its intended field of use as if it were parallel.

[0018] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0019] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0020] The invention further applies to an device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and / or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and / or shown in the attached drawings. The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which schematically is illustrated:

[0023] Figure 1 a side view of an embodiment of the beverage can container closed;

[0024] Figure 2 the container of figure 1 open;

[0025] Figure 3 a beverage can;

[0026] Figure 4 an upper container part viewed onto its inner surface;

[0027] Figure 5 the upper container part of figure 4 from below;

[0028] Figure 6 a cross sectional view of the beverage can container of figure 1 with the beverage can of figure 3 while closing the container;

[0029] Figure 7 the view of figure 5 with beverage can lid projected;

[0030] Figure 8 a cross sectional view like figure 6, with the container fully closed.

[0031] The drawings are schematically and not necessarily on scale.

[0032] Description of preferred embodiments

[0033] Figures 1-8 schematically depict a beverage can 10 (figure 3) and a beverage can container 1 (figs. 1-2 and 4-8) for holding such a beverage can 10.

[0034] The beverage can container 1, whose functionality is explained below, is in the embodiment described designed based on an inspiration by double-wall containers. In embodiment, a container 1 with one wall or multiple walls made from low heat conductivity material (or materials), hosts a beverage can 10 while its inner wall remains slightly away from the heat conductive wall of the can 10. The additional walls, and the trapped air between the container 1 and the can 10 provide insulation for the beverage can 10.

[0035] The beverage can 10 is lowered into a lower container part 2 of the insulating container 1 and an upper container part 3 or container lid is attached on the top of the lower container part 2 to create a seal, keep the can in place and provide an alternate dispensing method. In the embodiment discussed, the upper container part 3 and lower container part are attached by twisting. Attachment means hold the two parts together. In the discussed embodiment, the attachment means are a screw thread. Alternatively, for instance a bayonet closure may be used.

[0036] The two main components of the current container 1 are a lower container part 2, usually an insulating lower container part, and a screw-on upper container part 3 or lid 3. The container can be transparent (or translucent) and its inner diameter is slightly more than the diameter of the beverage can 10. The bottom of the container 10 conforms to the bottom of the beverage can 10 in such way to keep it right at the middle of the container 10 with minimal contact. The upper and lower container part in an embodiment provide a liquid tight container 1, sealing the beverage can 10 for leaking. The container 1 here has a dispensing opening 4, for instance a drinking opening, that can be closed by a closure, for instance a screw-on lid.

[0037] The lower container part 2 has threads 5 at the top where the upper container part 3 with complementary thread 8 would be screwed on it. Here, the lower container part 2 is double walled 7 for insulating.

[0038] Usually, a beverage can 10 is straight circle cylindrical. It has a lid 11 that is forged onto the circumferential wall, providing / resulting in a rim or edge 12. The lid comprises a peelable lip 13. Usually, a scored line 14 defines the peelable or impressable lip 13. In some embodiments, a ring 15 is attached to the lip 13 for aiding in peeling or removing. In current beverage cans 10, the ring 15 is in fact a lever, and lifting the ring-end urges the opposite end downward, pressing the lip 13 and opening the beverage can. The ring 15 is attached via rivet 16. The ring usually can rotate about the rivet 16 (in a plane parallel to the lid 11). Lifting the end remote from the rivet 16 will urge the opposite end downward, applying pressure on an end of the lip 13. In particular when the beverage is carbonized soda or beer, for instance, beverage can spray out. In particular when the can 10 is shaken or warm.

[0039] The container 1 has a receiving space or holding space 6 that matches the shape to the beverage can 10. In particular, the inner height of the receiving space of the container 1 closely matches the height of the beverage can 10 for which it is designed.

[0040] Figure 4 shows that the upper container part 3 has various parts and / or features. It comprises an outer ring with inner thread 8 matching the tread on the lower container part 2. It has an inner surface 22. On the inner surface 22, a sealing pad 21, for instance a silicon layer, can be provided that provides a sealing ring inside the rim 12 of the beverage can 10 and around the lip 13 and opening ring 15.

[0041] The inner surface 11 is provided in the current embodiment with a punch 17 for opening the beverage can 10 by applying pressure on the lip 13 when twisting the upper container part 3 and lower container part 2 fully onto one another. The punch 17 comprises a tip 18. The punch 17 extends a punch height above the upper container part 2 inner surface 22. A distance between a bottom of the lower container part 2 and the tip 18 of punch 17 when the upper container part 3 is fully attached to the lower container part 2 the tip 18 reaches into the can.

[0042] The inner surface 11 is furthermore provided in the current embodiment with a punch pawl 19 with pawl end 20. In rotational sense for attaching the upper container part 2, the pawl 19 is encountered first, and then the punch 17 (see figure 5). Furthermore, the pawl extends further from the inner surface 22. In other words, the pawl 19 is higher than the punch 17. In another embodiment, the pawl 19 is closer to the rotational axis R of the upper container part 3 than the punch 17 (figure 5).

[0043] In an embodiment illustrated in figure 6, the pawl 19 is in its a maximal extended position. It can be pressed parallel to radial R direction. It is prestressed or biased in its extended position of figure 6 using spring 24. Alternatively, when pressing the pawl 19 towards the inner surface 22, a spring 24 is compressed. In the position illustrated in figure 6, the upper container part 3 is twisted for instance only 1-2 turns onto the lower container part 2. In that way, the container 1 already encloses the beverage can 10. During that first trajectory, the end 20 of the pawl 20 will come into contact with the surface of the lid 11. The punch 17 will remain at least 1-2 mm above the lid 11, in order not to contact the ring 15.

[0044] When twisting further, the upper container part 3 will lower onto the lower container part 2. The inner surface 22 will come closer to the lid 11 of beverage can 10. The pawl 19 is now pressed, using the spring 24, with its tip 20 onto the lid 11 of the beverage can 10. It will encounter the side of the ring 15.

[0045] When twisting the upper container part 3 and lower container part 2 further onto one another, the tip 18 of the punch 17 will press onto the lid 11. During the twisting or turning, the punch 17 will align with the lip 13 and apply pressure onto it. It will then break the scored line 14, opening the beverage can 10. In an embodiment, the pawl 19 will rotate the beverage can 10 inside the container 1, in such a way that that tip 18 of punch 17 aligns with the lip 13 of the beverage can. This takes place when the tip 18 begins to apply pressure on the lip 13.

[0046] When the ring 15 is by accident rotated about rivet 16 and is aligned with the lip 13, the pawl 19 first rotates the ring away from the lip 13 before the tip 19 of punch 18 cones into contact and aligns with lip 13.

[0047] In an embodiment for 330 ml regular cans, the following dimensions are used.

[0048] At least 3 twists before pawl end encounters lid 11, max. for instance 6 twists

[0049] Thread on lower container part 2 starts for instance 5 mm below upper rim

[0050] Thread pitch of between 1 and 3 mm. In particular, the pitch is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. Good results were obtained with 1.9-2.1 mm, for instance 2 mm pitch.

[0051] For good grip, a thread height of 0.9-1.1 can be selected. For instance, 1mm can be used.

[0052] In an embodiment, a total “ gang” of 25-35 mm between an upper rim of the lower container part 2 and the engagement for a lower rim of the upper container part 2 is provided. In an embodiment, it is 26-32 mm. in a particular embodiment, it is substantially 29 mm.

[0053] In an embodiment, the pawl length is between 12 and 16 mm. In an embodiment it is between 13 and 15 mm. for instance, a pawl length is substantially 14 mm.

[0054] The rim of a beverage can 10 is usually about 3 mm heigh.

[0055] Pawl end 20 extends 2-5 mm beyond the punch tip 19. In an embodiment, the pawl end 20 extends between 2.5 and 3.5 mm beyond the punch tip 19. For instance, it extends substantially 3 mm beyond punch tip 19.

[0056] In an embodiment, the punch tip 18 is between 7 and 10 mm from the rotational axis of the beverage can. In an embodiment, it is between 8 and 9 mm from the rotational axis. For instance, it is substantially 8.5 mm from centre of lid 11.

[0057] In an embodiment, the punch height is between 9 and 13 mm. for instance, it is 10-12 mm. for instance, it is substantially 11 mm.

[0058] Usually, the dimensions are selected in such a way that the container parts are mutually twisted between 1 and 3 rotations before the pawl end 20 contacts the lid 11. Thus, a storage condition for the beverage can 10 in the container 1 is provided. Next, the container parts are twisted between 1 and 3 turns with the pawl end 20 contacting the lid 11. In the next 1-2 turns, the dimensions are selected such that the punch will align with the lip and starts breaking the scored line. Next, 1-3 turns the punch entered the opening in the beverage can, and the can 10 rotated with the turning, keeping the punch in the opening. The inner surface, in particular the sealing layer 21, is now pressed onto the lid 11. In an embodiment, the upper and lower container parts 2, 3 have indications showing when the container 1 is closed for storing the beverage can.

[0059] It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

[0060] Reference numbers

[0061] 1 beverage can container

[0062] 2 lower container end, insulating container

[0063] 3 upper container end, lid

[0064] 4 drinking opening

[0065] 5 sealing thread

[0066] 6 inner space

[0067] 7 insulation

[0068] 8 container upper part thread.

[0069] 9

[0070] 10 Beverage can

[0071] 11 Beverage can lid

[0072] 12 Beverage can flange / rim

[0073] 13 Beverage can scored lip

[0074] 14 Scored line

[0075] 15 Opening ring

[0076] 16 Opening ring attachment

[0077] 17 Punch

[0078] 18 Punch tip

[0079] 19 Pawl

[0080] 20 Pawl tip

[0081] 21 Container upper part inlay

[0082] 22 Container upper part inner surface

[0083] 23 Drinking opening

[0084] R rotational axis

[0085] RD rotation direction

Claims

Claims1. A beverage can container having inner dimension for enclosing and closely fitting a beverage can that is provided with a scored lip in an upper lid and a pull or press ring for assisting in opening the scored lip, the beverage can container comprising a container lower part and a container upper part comprising complementary attachment means, wherein the container upper part comprises a punch having a punch tip and extending a punch height from an inner surface, the attachment means providing a first position such that in use with a beverage can included in the container the container encloses the beverage can and the punch tip is free from the upper lid, and a second position such that the punch tip applies pressure on the scored lip for opening the beverage can.

2. The beverage can container according to claim 1, wherein the complementary attachment means require rotation of the upper container part and the lower container part with respect to one another, in which for going from the first position to the second position, the upper container part and the lower container part are rotated at least one turn with respect to one another.

3. The beverage can container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the complementary attachment means comprises a complementary screw threads on the upper and lower container part, in particular the complementary screw thread is dimensioned to require at least 1 turn, in particular 1-7 turns, before the punch tip contacts the beverage can, more in particular the thread has a pitch of 1 - 3 mm, in an embodiment requiring at least 1 additional turn after the punch opened the beverage can.

4. The beverage can container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surface of the upper container part further comprises a pawl which is spring biased in a longitudinal direction of the pawl and which has a pawl height extending further than the punch height, the pawl for engaging the ring of the can before the punch contacts the beverage can, and the spring biasing for pressing the pawl onto the beverage can lid when attaching the upper container part onto the lowercontainer part.

5. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower container part is double walled for insulation.

6. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper container part comprises a dispensing opening radially aligned with the punch and radially remote from the punch.

7. The container of any one of the preceding claims when depending on claim 4, wherein the pawl extends at least 2 mm beyond the punch end, in particular it extends 2-5 mm, in particular 2-4 mm, in particular the punch height is at least 5 mm, in particular 5-15 mm, in particular 8-13 mm.

8. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the punch is radially less than 11 mm from the center of the beverage can, in an embodiment 7-10 mm.

9. The container of any one of the preceding claims when depending on claim 4, wherein the pawl is closer to the center of the beverage can than the punch, in particular the pawl is 5-8 mm from the center.

10. The container of any one of the preceding claims when depending on claim 4, wherein in the rotational direction of applying the upper container part to the lower container part, first the pawl is encountered and then the punch, in particular the punch comes between 30 and 50 degrees after the pawl.

11. An assembly comprising the beverage can container of any one of the preceding claims and a beverage can that is provided with a scored lip in an upper lid and a pull or press ring for assisting in opening the scored lip, the beverage can and the beverage can container having mutually adapted dimensions.-o-o-o-o-o-

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