Receptacles – End wall structure – Joint or seam between sidewall and end wall
Patent
1998-05-20
2000-08-15
Castellano, Stephen
Receptacles
End wall structure
Joint or seam between sidewall and end wall
220608, 220916, 206509, B65D 120
Patent
active
06102242&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a can, in particular a metal can, for drinkable liquids, consisting of a body part having a peripheral wall and base panel and which is connected liquid-tightly on the edge remote from the base to the edge of a cover panel which is provided with a closable aperture having a pouring edge facing toward the wall.
Such a can is generally known and described for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,815. This is usually a two-part can, i.e. a can whereof the can body is manufactured by deep-drawing, for beer or other drinks which may or may not be under overpressure, and a cover panel whereof the peripheral edge is seam-folded to that of the body part, thus resulting in a seamed edge.
The known beer or soft drink can is further provided on the top part with a pouring aperture which is opened by lifting a pull ring resting against the top part, wherein a portion of the top part is pulled loose along a prearranged score line while opening the pouring aperture.
Because of the seamed edge, the consumption of the contents directly from the can is perceived as awkward by users of such a can since the lips do not make good contact with the can rim, whereby part of the liquid can leak out at the sides and can fall for instance onto the clothing of the user.
The object of the invention is to provide a can for drinks which is adapted ergonomically to the mouth, so that the contents thereof can be consumed without the above stated drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved according to the invention with a can of the type stated above which is distinguished in that at least on the portion between the pouring edge of the aperture and the cover rim an inward curved surface is arranged to enable placing thereagainst the lower lip of the user.
In a can according to the invention the user, after opening the pouring aperture, can press his lower lip against the curved surface at the position of the pouring aperture and then consume the contents without spillage.
The seamed edge groove is herein no longer filled with liquid, thus contributing to a more hygienic use. Nor can dirt become mixed with the liquid in the groove.
In a further embodiment the curved placing surface extends in a circle and co-axially with the body axis along the peripheral edge of the cover.
In preference the cover panel consisting of the curved surface and the surface with the pouring aperture is arranged recessed such that it extends as far as or close to the plane through the cover rim, whereby the cover panel with the pull tab of the pouring aperture lies in a protected position.
This is particularly important in the case of a group of cans packed in cardboard and stacked on top of one another in storage. The large pressure forces are then transmitted via the edge of the body part and not via the cover panel.
In a further embodiment the base in a can according to the invention has a substantially concave form from outside which is complementary to the form of the cover such that a first such can is stackable in stable manner on a second such can.
In the case of a recessed cover panel, the base panel can therein likewise take a relatively shallow form, which is advantageous in the applying of a protective coating on the inside.
In one embodiment the base panel is provided in an edge zone located close to the transition to the body with a peripheral edge bulging downward such that the bulging peripheral edge of the base of a first can, when stacked on a second can, falls into the upper edge thereof.
The invention will be further elucidated in the following figure description of a number of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A shows an axial section of a first embodiment of a can for drinks according to the invention in oblique position with the curved surface pressed against the lower lip of a user.
FIG. 1B is a top view of the can of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 shows an axial section of parts of two drinks cans according to a second embodiment of
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4976368 (1990-12-01), Klein
patent: 5301830 (1994-04-01), Muller
patent: 5346087 (1994-09-01), Klein
patent: 5680952 (1997-10-01), Chasteen
patent: 5813561 (1998-09-01), Chang et al.
Hosford, William F. et al., "The Aluminum Beverage Can", Scientific American, Sep. 1994, pp. 34-39.
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