Beverage Containers With Tactile Elements

Abstract

A beverage container has an image on its exterior surface that includes at least one graphic element. At least one tactile element is provided on the exterior surface of the container, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements. This tactile element is formed of at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/504,227 filed on May 10, 2017 and 62/504,530 filed on May 10, 2017. The disclosures of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to BEVERAGE CONTAINERS WITH TACTILE ELEMENTS.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] This invention relates to containers, and in particular to beverage containers such as aluminum cans and bottles.

[0005] Beverage cans and bottles are typically decorated with printed graphics and/or applied labels to make the container more attention-getting and attractive to potential purchasers. Sometimes the container shape and/or coloring of various container parts is used to make a container stand out. Beverage container designs are constantly evolving as users try to make their container more unique and distinctive.

SUMMARY

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide beverage containers of unique and distinctive appearances. A preferred embodiment provides a container having an exterior surface with an image on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one graphic element. There is at least one tactile element on the exterior surface of the container, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements. This tactile element preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image on the exterior of the container, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. The container is preferably an aluminum can or bottle or a glass bottle, but could be a can or bottle or other container of some other material.

[0008] The at least one graphical element preferably depicts a structure projecting from the surface of the container, such as an ice cube or water droplet, and the at least one tactile element overlying the graphical element has a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the depicted structure projecting from the surface of the container. Thus, in the case of an image of an ice cube, the tactile element would have the shape of the corner or edge of the ice cube; in the case of an image of a droplet, the tactile element would have the shape of a droplet; and in the case of an image of a piece of fruit, the tactile element would have the shape of the fruit peel. The image could be any printable image, and the corresponding tactile element would have the corresponding shape.

[0009] The tactile element can be built up using an overvarnish, which is conventionally used to protect the printed graphical elements during the remainder of the life cycle of the container. These overvarnishes are typically UV curable (i.e., curable upon exposure to UV light). Each layer is preferably at least partially cured after it is applied and before the next layer is applied, but this is not essential.

[0010] There are preferably a plurality of tactile elements on each beverage container. In some embodiments, the plurality of tactile elements are positioned to define a preferred area for grasping the container such that a particular portion of the container, such as that portion bearing a label element, is oriented in a preselected orientation when grasped by a user in the preferred area.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements may be designed to be uncomfortable to the touch, and these tactile elements are distributed outside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby discourage grasping the container outside of the preferred area. In other embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements may be designed to be comfortable to the touch, and these tactile elements are distributed inside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area. In still other embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements are positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.

[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a third preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a sixth preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a seventh preferred embodiment of a container constructed according to the principles of this invention; and

[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a system for manufacturing containers of the preferred embodiment.

[0022] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention provide beverage containers of unique and distinctive appearances. A first preferred embodiment of such a container is indicated generally as 20 in FIG. 1. The container 20 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0025] The container 20 has an exterior surface 22 with an image 24 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include graphic elements 26. There is at least one tactile element 28 on the exterior surface 22 of the container 20, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements 26. This tactile element 28 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 22 on the exterior 22 of the container 20, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile element 28 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile element 28 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0026] In this first preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 26 are images of droplets printed on the surface 22 of the container 20, and the tactile elements 28 are shaped like the portion of a droplet that would project from the surface of the container.

[0027] A second preferred embodiment of a container is indicated generally as 30 in FIG. 2. The container 30 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0028] The container 30 has an exterior surface 32 with an image 34 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements 36 and 38. There is at least one tactile element on the exterior surface 32 of the container 32, overlying at least one graphic elements 36 and 38, and in this preferred embodiment there are at least two tactile elements 42 and 44 overlying at least one of the graphic elements 36 and 38, respectively. These tactile elements 40 and 42 preferably comprise at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 34 on the exterior of the container 30, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile elements 40 and 42 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile elements 42 and 44 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0029] In this second preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 36 are images of droplets printed on the surface of the container 30 and the graphic elements 38 are images of ice chips, and the tactile elements 40 are shaped like the portion of a droplet that would project from the surface of the container 30 and the tactile elements 42 are shaped like the portion of an ice chip that would project from the surface of the container 30.

[0030] A third preferred embodiment of such a container is indicated generally as 50 in FIG. 3. The container 50 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0031] The container 50 has an exterior surface 52 with an image 54 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include graphic elements 56. There is at least one tactile element 58 on the exterior surface 52 of the container 50, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements 56. This tactile element 58 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 54 on the exterior 52 of the container 50, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile element 58 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile element 58 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0032] In this first preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 56 are images of foam printed on the surface 52 of the container 50, and the tactile elements 58 are shaped like the portion of the foam that would project from the surface of the container.

[0033] A fourth preferred embodiment of such a container is indicated generally as 60 in FIG. 4. The container 60 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0034] The container 60 has an exterior surface 62 with an image 64 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include graphic elements 66. There is at least one tactile element 68 on the exterior surface 62 of the container 60, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements 66. This tactile element 68 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 64 on the exterior 62 of the container 60, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile element 68 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile element 58 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0035] In this fourth preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 66 are an image of a fish printed on the surface 62 of the container 60, and the tactile element 68 is shaped like the portion of the fish that would project from the surface of the container. The tactile element 68 can have a texture like fish scales over appropriate portions to enhance the representation of the fish.

[0036] A fifth preferred embodiment of such a container is indicated generally as 70 in FIG. 5. The container 70 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0037] The container 70 has an exterior surface 72 with an image 74 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include graphic elements 76. There is at least one tactile element 78 on the exterior surface 72 of the container 70, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements 76. This tactile element 78 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 74 on the exterior 72 of the container 70, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile element 78 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile element 78 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0038] In this fifth preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 76 are images of mountains printed on the surface 72 of the container 70, and the tactile element 78 is shaped like the portion of the mountain that would project from the surface of the container.

[0039] A sixth preferred embodiment of such a container is indicated generally as 80 in FIG. 6. The container 80 is an aluminum can, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0040] The container 80 has an exterior surface 82 with an image 84 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements. The graphic elements include graphic elements 86. There is at least one tactile element 88 on the exterior surface 82 of the container 80, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements 86. This tactile element 88 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 84 on the exterior 82 of the container 80, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile element 88 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile element 88 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0041] In this sixth preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 86 are images of frost printed on the surface 82 of the container 80, and the tactile element 88 is shaped like the portion of the frost that would project from the surface of the container.

[0042] A seventh preferred embodiment of a container is indicated generally as 90 in FIG. 7. The container 90 is a glass bottle, but the container could be some other type of container, and could be made of some other material.

[0043] The container 90 has an exterior surface 92 with an image 94 on the exterior surface of the beverage container that comprises at least one, and in this preferred embodiment a plurality of graphic elements 96, 98 and 100. There is at least one tactile element on the exterior surface 92 of the container 90, overlying at least one graphic elements 96, 98 and 100, and in this preferred embodiment there are at least three tactile elements 102, 104, and 106 overlying at least one of the graphic elements 96, 98 and 100, respectively. These tactile elements 102, 104, and 106 preferably comprises at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over the image 94 on the exterior of the container 90, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container. It has been reported that humans can detect surface features as small as 13 mm. The thickness of a tactile elements 102, 104, and 106 may not be uniform, and it is preferably at least about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm), and more preferably at least about 0.04 inches (1 mm), and most preferably at least about 0.05 inches (1.4 mm thick). In this preferred embodiment it is desirable that the tactile element be both visually and tactilely discernable, but in other embodiments it is sufficient that the tactile elements 42 and 44 can be tactilely discerned, i.e., sensed by touch.

[0044] In this seventh preferred embodiment, the graphic elements 96 are images of droplets printed on the surface of the container 90 and the graphic elements 98 are images of ice chips printed on the surface of the container, and the graphic elements 100 is a lime twist, and the tactile elements 102 are shaped like the portion of a droplet that would project from the surface of the container 90, the tactile elements 104 are shaped like the portion of an ice chip that would project from the surface of the container 90, and the tactile element 106 is shaped like the portion of the lime twist that would project from the container 90, optionally including a textured rind.

[0045] There are preferably a plurality of tactile elements on each beverage container. In some embodiments, the plurality of tactile elements are positioned to define a preferred area for grasping the container such that a particular portion of the container, such as that portion bearing a label element, is oriented in a preselected orientation when grasped by a user in the preferred area.

[0046] In some embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements may be designed to be uncomfortable to the touch, and these tactile elements are distributed outside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby discourage grasping the container outside of the preferred area. In other embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements may be designed to be comfortable to the touch, and these tactile elements are distributed inside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area. In still other embodiments, at least some of the tactile elements comprise are positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.

[0047] The tactile elements described above can be built up using an overvarnish, which is conventionally used to protect the printed graphical elements during the remainder of the life cycle of the container. These overvarnishes are typically colorless and either transparent or translucent, but they could include color as well. These overvarnishes are typically UV curable (i.e., curable upon exposure to UV light). Each layer is preferably at least partially cured after it is applied and before the next layer is applied.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of a system for making the containers of the preferred embodiment is shown schematically as 120 in FIG. 8. System 120 comprises a turntable 122 for rotating a container on which a image comprising at least one graphical element has been applied. The system 120 further comprises an applicator 124, which may be similar to an ink jet print head, or other suitable application system. The applicator 124 may extend over the entire vertical height of the container to which the tactile elements are applied, or it can be indexed vertically so that tactile elements can be applied to along the vertical height of the container. A curing system 126, such as a UV curing system, is provided to cure the varnish after it has been applied to the surface of the bottle. The curing system 126, like the applicator 124, may extend over the entire vertical height of the container to which the tactile elements are applied, or it can be indexed vertically so that tactile elements can be applied to along the vertical height of the container.

[0049] A camera or similar optical scanning system can be provided to confirm that the system 120 is in proper registration with the container, and/or to inspect the tactile elements as they are built up on the exterior of the container.

[0050] The components of the system 120 are under the control of a control 130, which operates the turntable 112, the applicator 124, and curing system 126, preferably with feedback from the camera 128 to ensure that the tactile elements are properly aligned with their respective graphic elements.

[0051] The tactile elements described herein are preferably between about 0.004 inches (0.1 mm) and about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm); more preferably between about 0.04 inches (1 mm) and about 0.2 inches (5 mm) and most preferably about 0.1 inch (2.5 mm). Typically printing thicknesses range from about 0.002 inches (0.05 mm) and about 0.013 inches (0.33 mm), thus multiple layers may be required to form the tactile layers.

[0052] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A beverage container has an image on its exterior surface that includes at least one graphic element. At least one tactile element is provided on the exterior surface of the container, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements. This tactile element is formed of at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container.

2. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the beverage container is an aluminum can.

3. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the beverage container is a glass bottle.

4. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the beverage container is an aluminum bottle.

5. The beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one graphical element depicts a structure projecting from the surface of the container, and wherein the at least one tactile element overlying the graphical element has a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the depicted structure projecting from the surface of the container.

6. The beverage container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of a droplet, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like a droplet.

7. The beverage container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of ice, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like ice.

8. The beverage container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of at least a portion of a piece of fruit, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element feels like the skin of the piece of fruit.

9. The beverage container according to claim 5, wherein the at least one graphic element is a label, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like the label.

10. The beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the overvarnish is UV curable, and wherein each layer of overvarnish is at least partially cured before the next layer is applied.

11. The beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the ink is UV curable, and wherein each layer of overvarnish is at least partially cured before the next layer is applied.

12. A beverage container having an exterior surface; an image on the exterior surface of the beverage container, the image comprising at least one label element; and a plurality of tactile elements on the exterior surface of the container, the tactile elements having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container, and being positioned to define a preferred area for grasping the container such that the label element is oriented in a preselected orientation when grasped by a user in the preferred area.

13. The container according to claim 12 wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements that are uncomfortable to the touch, and wherein these tactile elements are distributed outside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby discourage grasping the container outside of the preferred area.

14. The container according to claim 12 wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements that are comfortable to the touch, and wherein these tactile elements are distributed inside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.

15. The container according to claim 12 wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.

16. The container according to claim 13 wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.