U.S. patent application number 13/874767 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for beverage container with mouth opening and vent.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lance Fesler. Invention is credited to Lance Fesler.
Application Number | 20140325943 13/874767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51840680 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140325943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fesler; Lance |
November 6, 2014 |
BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH MOUTH OPENING AND VENT
Abstract
A container lid (10) includes a conventional main or pour
opening, a vent opening separate from the main opening, and a
mechanically attached tab (50) to create the openings. A vent score
(40) defines the shape of the vent opening, and a vent panel (38)
covers the vent opening. A mouth score (26) defines the shape of
the pour opening, and a mouth panel (28) covers the pour opening.
The action of creating the main opening using the tab (50) causes a
moustache score (46) to break and create a vent opening in the same
action. When the tab is returned to its original orientation the
vent opening may be further enlarged by engaging a raised section
on the vent panel (42) and the tab (50), by engaging a vent
depressing means (44) on the tab (50) to the vent panel (38), or a
combination of the two.
Inventors: |
Fesler; Lance; (Albuquerque,
NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fesler; Lance |
Albuquerque |
NM |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51840680 |
Appl. No.: |
13/874767 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/492 ;
220/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0014 20130101;
B65D 17/4012 20180101; B65D 17/401 20180101; B65D 2517/0094
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/492 ;
220/271 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/00 20060101
B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A container end comprising of: a peripheral rim for connecting
to a body of a container; a main panel formed interiorly of the
peripheral rim; a mouth panel formed on the main panel and having a
peripheral outer edge defined by a mouth score; a tab mechanically
fastened to the main panel located centrally on the container lid;
said tab including a handle end, a pressure applying end, and a
body interconnecting the handle end and the pressure applying end ;
and a vent panel formed on the main panel located opposite of the
mechanical fastener from said mouth panel and spaced from said
mouth panel and spaced from said mechanical fastener, said vent
panel having a peripheral outer edge defined by a score line
including a moustache score section proximal to said mechanical
fastener; whereby operating said tab to create a mouth opening
defined by said mouth panel additionally creates a vent opening
defined by said vent panel.
2. A container end, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said vent panel
having a raised convex interior portion; whereby said raised convex
interior portion provides means to further enlarge said vent
opening after said mouth opening has been formed.
3. A container end, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said tab having
a semi-circular shaped opening in said tab a predetermined distance
from, and partially surrounding said mechanical attachment; whereby
said semi-circular shaped opening allows said tab to bend
independent of said main panel.
4. A container end, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said tab having
a vent depressing means formed in physical association with said
body located at a predetermined distance from said mechanical
attachment to allow contact with said vent panel; whereby said vent
depressing means provides a means to further enlarge said vent
opening after said mouth opening has been formed.
5. A method of opening a container and venting the container,
providing: i. a peripheral rim for connecting to a body of a
container; ii. a main panel formed interiorly of the peripheral
rim; iii. a mouth panel formed on the main panel and having a
peripheral outer edge defined by a mouth score; iv. a tab connected
to said main panel by mechanical attachment centrally located on
said main panel; said tab including a handle end, a pressure
applying end, and a body interconnecting said handle end and said
pressure applying end; and v. a vent panel formed on said main
panel located opposite of the mechanical fastener from said mouth
panel and spaced from said mouth panel and spaced from said
mechanical fastener, said vent panel having a peripheral outer edge
defined by a score line including a moustache score section
proximal to said mechanical attachment; lifting said handle end of
the tab upward to force the contact of the pressure applying end
downward against the mouth panel thereby breaking the mouth score
and the moustache score and thereby creating a mouth opening and a
vent opening;
6. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said vent panel having
a raised convex interior portion; pushing down on the tab after
creating the mouth opening and vent opening to cause the tab to
contact the raised convex interior portion of the vent panel
thereby enlarging the vent opening.
7. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said tab having a vent
depressing area formed in physical association with said body
located at a predetermined distance from the mechanical attachment
to allow contact with said raised convex interior portion of said
vent panel; and pushing down on the tab after creating the mouth
opening and vent opening to cause the vent depressing area to
contact the vent panel thereby enlarging the vent opening.
8. A method, as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said tab is rotated to
align said vent depressing area and said vent panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No.
61/641,301 filed on May 2, 2012 by the present inventor, which is
incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] The invention relates generally to beverage containers
having an end including a main or pour opening for removing
contents of the container, the main opening created by a manually
operated tab attached to the can. More particularly, the invention
relates to a beverage or can end having a separate vent opening
formed on the can end to relieve the vacuum or pressure within the
container during pouring.
[0005] 2. Prior Art
[0006] There are numerous references that generally disclose
beverage containers having a main or pour opening and a separate
vent opening formed on the same end panel as the main opening. The
most common container, particularly for carbonated and malt
beverages, is one that includes a tab for creating the main opening
from a scored area that surrounds a mouth portion of the end panel.
The tab is typically secured by a rivet to the can end. The tab is
lifted from one end, and a contact portion on the opposite end of
the tab is lowered in contact with the end panel to impart a force
on the mouth portion. The score is broken and the mouth portion is
separated from the end panel by the force thus creating the mouth
opening.
[0007] One example of a prior art reference disclosing a container
end with a separate vent opening is U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,037 to Moen
et al. 1991 Apr. 3. This reference more particularly discloses a
container end member having a first severable tab portion defined
by a score line grove and an internal hinge for permanently
securing the tab to the container. A force applying tab is mounted
on the container end and is used to apply a force to the first
severable tab portion to form the main or pour opening. A second
severable tab portion has a raised surface projecting outwardly
from the end, so that a force may be more conveniently applied
thereto to sever the second severable tab portion and form a vent
opening in the container end. The container end described in the
aforementioned patent does not create the vent opening in the same
operation as creating the main opening nor does it provide a means
to sever the tab portion to create the vent opening.
[0008] Another example of a reference disclosing a container end
with a separate vent opening is U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,973 to Traub et
al. 1998 Oct. 13. This reference more specifically discloses a
container lid having a vent tab for creating a pour opening , and
also a vent hole for creating an air vent. A lift tab is pivotally
mounted upon the lid. The lift tab has a handle end and an abutment
end for exerting a downward force upon the panel covering the main
opening. The opposite end of the handle when raised exerts an
upward force to open a vent hole attached by a rivet to the lift
tab. This container end requires a large force to open the vent and
main openings while requiring an additional rivet operation making
production more costly.
[0009] Another example of a reference disclosing a container end
with a separate vent opening is U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2011/0266281
A1 to Thiemann et al. 2011 Nov. 13. This reference specifically
discloses a container lid having a main opening and a vent opening
that are operated separately by the tab on the container end. The
tab is lifted to open the main opening of the container, and is
then rotated to be above a raised section of the can end defining
the vent and a force is applied to the tab to open the vent
opening. This container end requires multiple steps to open the
vent opening and puts the user at a mechanical disadvantage to
create the required force necessary to depress the vent tab.
[0010] An example of a prior art reference disclosing a container
end for opening container ends that have pressurized contents is
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 2008/0067174 to Heinicke 2008 Mar. 20. This
reference discloses an alternative style of attaching the tab to
the container end, in which the container end is deformed to
facilitate the opening action using a moustache score and flex
line. This type of container end does not remain attached to the
container and removes the majority of the container end exposing
sharp metal edges creating hazards and pieces that must be
addressed by the user.
SUMMARY
[0011] While the prior art may be adequate for its intended
purpose, there is still a need for a conventional container lid or
can end in which a tab is used to create the main opening and a
vent opening in the same operation of the tab. There is yet another
need to provide a separate vent on a conventional container end
without having to reconstruct the basic design and functioning of
the conventional container end to reduce the cost of implementing
the design. There is yet another need to provide a method that
reduces the force necessary to open the vent opening.
[0012] The present invention provides a beverage container lid or
container end, preferably made of aluminum or other suitable
material, having a mouth opening, and a separate vent opening. The
container lid includes an opening tab having a central portion with
a rivet that connects the tab to the container lid. The main
opening is conventional, in which a mouth panel is pushed inward by
breaking a mouth score with a contact end of the tab. The vent
opening is created in the same motion that opens the mouth panel
opening. The vent panel has a portion that remains attached to the
can end, while the remaining portion of the vent panel may pushed
inward toward the interior of the container. Preferably the vent
panel has a raised section to allow for additional opening of the
vent panel. The raised section is preferably located at a desired
location that does not allow the vent to be opened before the tab
is used to open the container.
[0013] The tab is preferably constructed so that there is a section
around the rivet that attaches the tab to the container end, so
that when the tab is lifted it deforms the container end to break
the vent score. This section of the tab is preferably constructed
of metal, such as aluminum or other suitable material, so that it
does not break when opening the container end. Further it is
preferred that there is a section of the tab which is capable of
contacting the raised section of the vent opening to allow the vent
tab to be further depressed once initially opened.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is a method for opening a
container and venting a container using the same action. According
to the method, a tab has a pressure applying end that is used to
create the main opening by breaking a score in the main opening
panel and breaking a score in the vent panel, when the tab is used
in the conventional manner. The tab is then pushed back down toward
the original orientation and may be used to increase the vent
opening.
[0015] Additional features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from a review of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] This invention can be better understood when taken in
conjunction with the figures wherein like elements are numbered
alike:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the container lid of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2a is a plan view of the container lid with tab of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2b is a plan view of the container lid with tab after
the tab has been operated to open the mouth opening and break the
moustache score, and shows the section line I-I;
[0020] FIG. 2c is an enlarged section view about the section line
I-I shown in FIG. 2b showing the direction of operation and the
failure of the moustache score of the vent;
[0021] FIG. 2d is a plan view of the container lid with tab of the
present invention after the tab has been returned to the original
orientation, and shows the section line II-II;
[0022] FIG. 2e is an enlarged section view about the section line
II-II shown in FIG. 2d showing the direction of operation and the
further depression of the vent tab of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
container lid of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4a is a plan view of the embodiment of the container
lid shown in FIG. 3 with an alternative embodiment of the tab of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4b is a plan view of the embodiment of the container
lid shown in FIG. 4a with tab of the present invention after the
tab has been operated to open the mouth opening and break the
moustache score, and shows the section line III-III;
[0026] FIG. 4c is an enlarged section view about the section line
III-III shown in FIG. 4b showing the direction of operation and the
failure of the moustache score of the vent tab of this
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 4d is a plan view of the container lid with tab of the
present invention after the tab has been returned to the original
orientation, and shows the section line IV-IV; and
[0028] FIG. 4e is an enlarged section view about the section line
IV-IV shown in FIG. 4d showing the direction of operation and the
further depression of the vent tab;
[0029] This invention utilizes certain principals and/or concepts
as are set forth in the claim appended hereto. Those skilled in the
packaging and canning arts will realize that these principles
and/or concepts are capable of being utilized by embodiments which
may differ from the exact embodiment used for illustrative purposes
herein. For this reason this invention is not to be construed as
being limited solely to the illustrative embodiments, but should
only be construed in view of the claims appended hereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention
including a container end 10 with a mouth or pour opening defined
by a mouth panel 28, and a vent opening defined by a vent panel
38.
[0031] The container end 10 may include a peripheral seam or rim 12
that is secured to the body (not shown) of a container.
[0032] Further describing FIG. 1, located radially inside the
peripheral of the seam 12 is a peripheral channel or depression 14.
Located radially inward of a depression 14 may be one or more
ridges or forms 16, created in a concentric arrangement as shown.
Located within the ridges 16 is a main panel 18. Another ridge 20
is shown inside the main panel 18. The most interior portion of the
lid is defined by a depressed or lowered interior panel 22. A mouth
score 26 and a mouth panel bend area 48 define the peripheral
boundary of the mouth panel 28. Optionally, one or more additional
formed areas or ridges 24 may be located on the mouth panel 28. The
various formed areas or ridges provide additional strength for the
container end, and it shall be understood that the number and
configuration of these elements may be changed without departing
from the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that
the particular arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is but one example of
various formed areas and ridges that can be used.
[0033] Further describing FIG. 1, the vent panel 38 is defined by a
peripheral vent score 40 that includes a moustache score 46
section, and a vent panel bend area 47. It shall be understood that
the shape of the mouth score 26 and vent score 40 are for
illustrative purposes and any number of shapes or known designs
would be suitable for use without departing from the present
invention. Further the bend areas 47 and 48 of the container end
only need to be sufficiently sized and made of suitable material to
enable the vent panel 38 and mouth panel 28 to rotate inward
without failing. Preferably the moustache score 46 section of the
vent score 40 is of a conventional design, though it may include
known designs to improve the ease of use in opening the container
end. A raised vent area 42 located on the vent panel 38 is of
sufficient height and suitable shape to be used to further depress
the vent panel 38 inward after the container has been opened.
Further it is located a predetermined distance from the moustache
score 46 and vent score 40. The raised vent area 42 may be omitted
if the vent opening created by the initial opening of the container
end is sufficient to ventilate the container to allow the contents
to flow freely from the mouth opening.
[0034] FIG. 2a shows the preferred embodiment of the present
invention with an opening tab 50 located centrally on the container
end 10 attached by a rivet 30 or other attachment means. It shall
be understood that the shape of the tab 50 is for illustrative
purposes and any number of shapes or known designs would be
suitable for use without departing from the present invention. The
tab includes a handle end 32, a pressure applying end 34, a means
for depressing the vent tab 44, and a body 36 interconnecting the
ends. The tab 50 further includes a characteristic semi-circular
opening that enables a user to lift the handle 32 of the tab 50,
thereby placing the pressure applying end 34 in contact with the
mouth panel 28.
[0035] FIG. 2b shows the initial operation to open the container
end 10 using the tab 50 and the section line I-I which is further
detailed in FIG. 2c.
[0036] FIG. 2c shows a detailed section view about I-I shown in
FIG. 2b of the tab 50 which is preferably oriented on the can end
10 so that when the handle end 32 is lifted in the direction of the
arrow the pressure applying end 34 comes into contact with the
mouth panel 28 causing the mouth score 26 and the moustache score
46 to fail, thereby releasing pressure from the container and
initiating the vent opening and the mouth opening. With adequate
pressure applied, the mouth score 26 continues to fail, enabling
the mouth panel 28 to rotate inward toward the contents of the
container, thereby forming the mouth opening and causing the
moustache score 46 to fail and create the vent opening.
[0037] FIG. 2d shows the return operation of the tab 50 and the
container end 10 after the initial operation shown in FIG. 2b and
the section line II-II that further detailed in FIG. 2e.
[0038] FIG. 2e shows a detailed section view about II-II shown in
FIG. 2d wherein the vent panel 38 is further depressed by returning
the tab 50 to the original orientation whereby the vent depressing
means 44 contacts the raised vent area 42. With adequate pressure
applied in the direction indicated by the arrow, the vent score 40
continues to fail enabling the vent panel 38 to rotate inward
thereby creating an enlarged vent opening.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention including a container end 10 with a mouth or pour opening
defined by a mouth panel 54, and a vent opening defined by a vent
panel 58. The container end 10 may include a peripheral seam or rim
12 that is secured to the body (not shown) of the container.
[0040] Further describing FIG. 3, located radially inside the
peripheral of the seam 12 is a peripheral channel or depression 14.
Located radially inward of the depression 14 may be one or more
ridges or forms 16, created in a concentric arrangement as shown.
Located within the ridges 16 is the main panel 18. Another ridge 20
is shown inside the main panel 18. The most interior portion of the
lid is defined by a depressed or lowered interior panel 22. A mouth
score 52 and a mouth panel bend area 56 define the peripheral
boundary of the mouth panel 54. Optionally, one or more additional
formed areas or ridges 24 may be located on the mouth panel 54. The
various formed areas or ridges provide additional strength for the
container end, and it shall be understood that the number and
configuration of these elements may be changed without departing
from the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that
the particular arrangement shown in FIG. 3 is but one example of
various formed areas and ridges that can be used.
[0041] Further describing FIG. 3, the vent panel 58 is defined by a
peripheral vent score 60 that includes a moustache score 72
section, and a vent panel bend area 55. It shall be understood that
the shape of the mouth score 52 and vent score 60 are for
illustrative purposes and any number of shapes or known designs
would be suitable for use without departing from the present
invention. Further the bend areas 55 and 56 of the container end
only need to be sufficiently sized and made of suitable material to
enable the vent panel 58 and mouth panel 54 to rotate inward
without failing. Preferably the moustache score 72 section of the
vent score 60 is of conventional design, though it may include
known designs to improve the ease of use in opening the container
end. The raised vent area 42 located on the vent panel 58 is of
sufficient height and suitable shape to be used to further depress
the vent panel 58 inward after the container has been opened.
Further it is located a predetermined distance from the moustache
score 72 and vent score 60. The raised vent area 42 may be omitted
if the vent opening created by the initial opening of the container
end is sufficient to ventilate the container to allow the contents
to flow freely from the mouth opening.
[0042] FIG. 4a shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention with an opening tab 62 located centrally on the container
end 10 attached by a rivet 30 or other attachment means. It shall
be understood that the shape of the tab 62 is for illustrative
purposes and any number of shapes or known designs would be
suitable for use without departing from the present invention. The
tab includes a handle end 68, a pressure applying end 66, a means
for depressing the vent tab 70, and a body 64 interconnecting the
ends. The tab 62 further includes an uncharacteristic semi-circular
opening that enables a user to lift the handle 68 of the tab 62,
thereby placing the pressure applying end 66 in contact with the
mouth panel 54 then return it to its original orientation without
raising the mouth panel 54.
[0043] FIG. 4b shows the initial operation to open the container
end 10 using the tab 62 and the section line III-III to be further
detailed in FIG. 4c.
[0044] FIG. 4c shows a detailed section view about III-III shown in
FIG. 4b of the tab 62 which is preferably oriented on the can end
10 so that when the handle end 68 is lifted in the direction of the
arrow the pressure applying end 66 comes into contact with the
mouth panel 54 causing the mouth score 52 and the moustache score
72 to fail, thereby releasing pressure from the container and
initiating the vent opening and mouth opening. With adequate
pressure applied, the mouth score 52 continues to fail, enabling
the mouth panel 54 to rotate inward toward the contents of the
container, thereby forming the mouth opening and causing the
moustache score 72 to fail and create the vent opening.
[0045] FIG. 4d shows the return operation of the tab 62 and the
container end 10 after the initial operation shown in FIG. 4b and
the section line IV-IV that is further detailed in FIG. 4e.
[0046] FIG. 4e shows a detailed section view about IV-IV shown in
FIG. 4d wherein the vent panel 58 is further depressed by returning
the tab 62 to the original orientation whereby the vent depressing
means 70 contacts the raised vent area 42. With adequate pressure
applied in the direction indicated by the arrow, the vent score 60
continues to fail enabling the vent panel 58 to rotate inward
thereby creating an enlarged vent opening.
[0047] With the vent score and mouth score being caused to fail
using the same action, an effective vent and mouth opening are
created in the container lid. The vent opening may be enlarged by
use of some other implement to push the vent panel inward. Further
the design of the vent score, raised vent area, and vent depressing
means may be used to create a specific vent opening size. One
readily apparent advantage of the present invention is that it does
not require the user to have to create the opening by hand or by
using a separate action than would be used to create the mouth
opening. The moustache score section of the vent score used with
the mechanically attached tab provide an effective tool for
creating the mouth opening and the vent opening.
[0048] According to the method of the present invention, a user may
create both the mouth opening and the vent opening in the same
action by causing the vent score and mouth score to fail by using
the mechanically attached tab. The user may further enlarge the
vent opening by using another implement, the raised vent area and
tab, the vent panel depressing means on the tab, or in any
combination. Either the raised vent area or the vent panel
depressing means, or both, may be shaped to control and direct the
application of force and size of the vent opening.
[0049] In broad embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a
method, container end, and tab for creating mouth and vent openings
in container ends. Further both openings are created using the same
motion.
[0050] Though the invention has been described with respect to the
preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various changes
and modifications may be made considering the teachings of the
invention as a whole, and taking into consideration the scope of
the claims appended hereto. While the foregoing written description
of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what
is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of
ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of
variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific
embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should
therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method,
and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *