Patent Grant
11505394
Not applicable
Not applicable
The present disclosure relates to beverage container enclosures and methods of manufacturing and use therefore, including an enclosure for beverage cans.
Beverage containers are frequently packaged in lightweight containers to be convenient for consumers and cost-effective in distribution. Many beverages are distributed in thin, metal cans such as aluminum or tin-plated steel. These metal cans are lightweight and durable, but the containers offer little in the way of thermal insulation to the can contents, efficiently transferring heat directly from a consumer's hand or the surrounding environment to the stored beverage, which can make holding a cold beverage uncomfortably cold for a consumer. Another side-effect of the thermal conductivity issues of metal cans highlighted above is that condensation quickly forms along outer surfaces of cold cans when in an environment having a high temperature differential, and condensation further increases the transfer of environmental heat to the stored beverage. In addition to the issues highlighted above, the thin metal of commercially available beverage cans provide little to no protection against bumps and pierces of the metal can.
External enclosures for beverage containers can be useful to both physically protect and/or thermally insulate beverage cans so as to improve the durability and enjoyment of beverages from those cans. In addition to thermal and protective functionality, a beverage container enclosure can be used as a form of expression, e.g., to convey a message, to identify team affiliation, or to advertise corporate branding.
One conventional beverage can enclosure is the can koozie, which is often a flexible, foam envelope that surrounds and insulates a bottom and the sidewalls of a beverage can. A foam koozie can effectively shield a beverage can from the heat of a consumer's hands and/or the environment, but often leaves a top of the beverage can exposed to radiative and convective heat transfer. Additionally, a koozie provides only limited physical protection to the can and its contents, and leaves the top of the can exposed and vulnerable.
Accordingly, it is recognized that a continued need exists to overcome and improve upon such shortcomings in conventional beverage container enclosures. The inventors of the present disclosure have found a superior solution that better protects the beverage can from physical damage and heat transfer, while offering a more attractive and comfortable exterior and a more enjoyable experience for beverage consumers.
Various aspects are described in connection with an illustrative implementation of a beverage container enclosure disclosed herein. The various aspects are disclosed in the written specification including the drawings, and claims, and may be combined to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or use in any way, consistent with the teachings herein, without limitation.
In some embodiments, a container enclosure for removably enclosing a container is provided. The enclosure may include a base component that includes an outer shell having a base wall and a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, a support ring, and an interior sleeve. The enclosure can further include a cap component that includes a lower annular wall and a gasket. The gasket may be disposed within a second cavity defined by the cap, and the gasket may include an aperture that is aligned with an opening of the cap component. The lower wall of the cap can be configured to be inserted into the first cavity of the base component and the cap component may be configured to be removably attached to the base component. The support ring can be disposed around an upper end of the interior sleeve and configured to removably couple the interior sleeve to the outer shell. The interior sleeve may be configured to receive a beverage container.
In some embodiments, the first cavity can have a larger volume than the second cavity. The sleeve sidewall of the interior sleeve may define a circular cross-section. The interior sleeve can be configured to be rotated within the interior cavity. The interior sleeve and the outer shell of the base component may comprise different materials. The interior sleeve can be disposed entirely within the base component.
In some embodiments, the interior sleeve includes a plurality of locking features evenly and radially spaced along the upper end. The plurality of locking feature may further include a ramped surface and a notch. The base component may include a first gap between at least a portion of an exterior wall of the interior sleeve and an interior wall of the outer shell. The base component may include a second gap between a lower surface of the interior sleeve and a lower surface of the outer shell. The gasket can be a disc-shaped gasket having a gasket ring seal, a first gasket mouth seal, and a second gasket mouth seal.
In some embodiments, a container enclosure for removably enclosing a container is provided. The enclosure may include a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component further includes an outer shell having a base wall and a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, a support ring positioned at a top end of the base component and coupled to the outer shell, and an interior sleeve configured to be removably inserted within an interior cavity of the base component. The interior sleeve can include an upper end, the upper end having a plurality of locking features extending from an upper surface thereof. Further, the cap component includes an opening and a closure configured to transition between an open position and a closed position to open and close the opening, respectively. A gasket can be disposed within a cap cavity formed by the cap component.
In some embodiments, the interior sleeve may further comprise a lower end that is spaced apart from the base wall of the base component. Both the upper end and the lower end of the interior sleeve may be spaced apart from the outer shell of the base component. The interior sleeve can further comprise a plurality of locking features that include a ramped surface and a notch, the plurality of locking features being evenly spaced apart from each other. The interior sleeve may be configured to receive and maintain a beverage container. Further, the interior sleeve can be configured to rotate with the base component. In some embodiments, the support ring can be configured to couple the interior sleeve to the outer shell of the base component. The interior sleeve may be formed of a less rigid material than the material of the outer shell of the base component.
In some embodiments, a container enclosure for removably enclosing a container is provided. The container may include a base component having a support ring disposed at an upper end of an interior sleeve within an interior cavity within an outer shell of the base component. The support ring can be configured to removably couple the interior sleeve to the outer shell of the base component. A cap component may be configured to be removably secured to the base component. The interior sleeve can include an upper end, a lower end, and a sleeve wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The upper end may include a plurality of locking features evenly spaced apart from each other. The exterior surface of the sleeve wall can be spaced apart from an interior side of the outer shell, and the interior surface of the sleeve wall may be configured to fit around a beverage container. Further, the cap component includes an open bottom defined by a lower annular wall. The lower annular wall can be configured to fit within the base component. A cap cavity may extend between a top surface and the open bottom, the cap cavity having a smaller volume than the volume of the interior cavity. An opening and a closure can be configured to transition between an open position and a closed position to open and close the opening, respectively. Still further, a gasket may be coupled to the top surface within the cap cavity. The gasket can have an aperture that is configured to be aligned with the opening of the cap component. The container enclosure may be configured to conceal the beverage container.
In another aspect, a container enclosure for removably enclosing a container is disclosed. The container enclosure includes a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. The cap component includes an opening and a sliding tab configured to transition between a rearward position and a forward position to open and close the opening, respectively.
In related aspects, the base component may further include a support ring positioned between the outer shell and the interior sleeve, and the interior sleeve may be seated on the support ring. The base component may also include a plurality of locking features that include a ramped surface, a notch, and an end wall, and the cap component may also include a lower annular wall that includes a plurality of tabs. In such embodiments, the tabs may be configured to interact with the locking features to secure the cap component to the base component. In one example, the interior sleeve of the base component includes the locking tabs.
In some examples, the base component may include a spacing between at least a portion of an exterior wall of the interior sleeve and an interior wall of the outer shell. Further, the base component may also include a second spacing between a lower surface of the interior sleeve and an interior surface of the base wall. The cap component may further include a gasket having a gasket ring seal, a first gasket mouth seal, and a second gasket mouth seal.
In still another aspect, a container for removably enclosing a container is provided. In this example, the container includes a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. The cap component includes a gasket, an opening, and a sliding tab configured to transition between a rearward position and forward position to open and close the opening, respectively. Further, the base component and the cap component define an interior cavity sized and shaped to at least partially enclose the container when coupled together, and the gasket includes a mouth seal configured to surround and provide a seal around a mouth of the container enclosed within the container enclosure.
In some embodiments, the interior sleeve further includes a plurality of locking features that comprise a ramped surface, a notch, and an end wall. The cap component also includes a lower annular wall with a plurality of tabs. In such embodiments, the tabs are configured to interact with the locking features to secure the cap component to the base component. The base component may also include a spacing between at least a portion of an exterior wall of the interior sleeve and an interior wall of the outer shell. Further, the base component may include a second spacing between a lower surface of the interior sleeve and an interior surface of the base wall. In some aspects, the base component may further include a spring assembly connected to the lower surface of the interior sleeve, and the gasket may include a gasket ring seal and a second mouth seal. The gasket ring seal may be configured to surround the opening of the cap component and provide a seal between the gasket and a top surface of the container, and the second mouth seal may be configured to provide a second seal around the mouth of the container.
In yet another aspect, a container enclosure for removably enclosing a container is disclosed. The container includes a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. The cap component includes a cap shell, a gasket, a ring assembly, and a sliding tab. The interior shell is positioned within and partially surrounded by the outer shell, and includes a plurality of locking features. The cap shell includes an opening and a depression configured to surround the sliding tab. The sliding tab is configured to transition between a rearward position and forward position to open and close the opening, respectively. Further, the ring assembly includes a plurality of tabs configured to interact with the locking features to secure the cap component to the base component, and the gasket is positioned within and attached to an interior wall of the cap shell, and includes a first gasket seal and a second gasket seal.
In a further aspect, a beverage container enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure includes a base component and a cap component configured to attach to the base component, enclosing a beverage container such as a metal can. The base component includes a relatively more rigid external shell and a relatively less rigid internal thermal insulating sleeve. The cap components include a relatively more rigid external cap shell, a relatively less rigid internal insert or gasket, and a sliding tab. The insert includes rings that form a seal with the top of the beverage container so the container contents do not leak out between the beverage container and the enclosure. The cap shell and insert both include mouths, through which the container contents can exit the beverage container through the enclosure. The sliding tab covers the mouth of the cap component.
The beverage container enclosures disclosed herein comprise uniquely configured and constructed base and cap components. In some examples, the base component is a rigid material formed into a rigid exterior base shell that is generally cylindrical with an open top and a closed bottom surface, which is dimensioned and configured to hold a beverage can. The base component may be formed of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum.
In one aspect, the base portion may additionally incorporate an internal sleeve component that comprises a thermally insulating material formed into a generally cylindrical shape with an open top and a closed bottom, matching the interior shape and lining the interior of the rigid exterior shell of the base component. The sleeve aids in securing the beverage can in the base component and thermally insulating the beverage can from outside temperatures. In one aspect, the sleeve may be constructed of foam, such as a closed cell neoprene foam. In one aspect, the sleeve may be removable from the rigid material of the base portion. In a separate aspect, the sleeve may be secured to the rigid material of the base portion with an adhesive. In some examples, a vacuum-sealed double wall enclosure provides insulation for a can. In some aspects, the cap component is rotatably secured via a locking tab with the base component.
In some examples, the cap component is dimensioned and configured to removably connect to the base component, enclosing a beverage container between the cap and base. The cap component may include a relatively more rigid exterior cap shell in the shape of an inverted cup (generally cylindrical with an open bottom and a generally closed, generally flat upper surface). In one aspect, the cap includes securing hooks configured to secure the cap component to the base component. In another aspect, the cap component may include indicators guiding a user where to apply pressure to disengage the securing hooks from the base component. In another aspect, the cap component may include structural ribs to increase the durability of the cap component. The cap includes an opening through the upper surface, the opening being generally positioned to align with the usual location of a can opening in a beverage can, enabling a user to consume a beverage from an enclosed beverage can through the cap opening without removing the can from the enclosure. The cap includes a sliding tab that covers and seals the cap mouth, protecting against spilled liquid exiting or external objects entering the beverage container through the cap mouth.
The cap and base components are configured so that they are secured to one another to facilitate and maintain a bias toward the closed position. The cap and base components are further dimensioned and configured to enable a beverage can to be inserted into and removed from the interior of the base when the cap is removed from the base.
In another aspect, the cap portion may include a relatively less rigid insert or gasket to form a seal around the top of a can enclosed in the beverage container enclosure. The gasket includes a gasket mouth that aligns with the cap mouth and the can mouth. In one aspect, one or more gasket hooks extend from the cap sidewall, and are hooked around a gasket edge to support the gasket. In another aspect, one or more cap protrusions extend from the underside of the upper cap surface into one or more gasket divots minimizing relative rotation between the cap shell and the gasket. In one aspect, the gasket portion may include a gasket ring seal providing a seal with the can ring depression inside of the can lip. In another aspect, the gasket portion may additionally or instead include a gasket mouth seal providing a seal around the can mouth depression. In one aspect, the base portion and the cap portion together resemble a beverage can. In another aspect, the sliding tab resembles a pull-tab from a beverage can, giving the entire enclosure a beverage can-like appearance.
Various alternative implementations of the foregoing aspects are disclosed. The foregoing various aspects may be combined in any manner without limitation. The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred configuration of the disclosure. Such configuration does not necessarily represent the full scope of the disclosure, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the disclosure.
The present disclosure will be better understood and features, aspects, and advantages other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such detailed description makes reference to the following drawings.
Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a beverage container enclosure that may be configured to enclose a beverage container, such as a can.
The features, aspects and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the present disclosure. Multiple embodiments are provided within the disclosure. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the drawings.
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
Referencing
The base sidewall 110 extends generally straight upward or perpendicular from the circular base 108 to a shoulder 114. In some embodiments, the base sidewall 110 may taper near a top region thereof and, as shown in
Further, in this embodiment, the base sidewall 110 may have a diameter D1 (see
The base component 104 may be pressed, rolled, or molded from a metal. In some embodiments, the base component 104 may comprise a 304 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel material. In other embodiments, the base component 104 may comprise an aluminum, a copper, a zinc, a titanium, or magnesium material, or combinations thereof. The base component 104 may also be constructed or formed from a natural material, such as a rubber, wood, bamboo, or stone, or a crafted material, such as a ceramic, glass, or pottery material. In further embodiments, the base component 104 may be constructed or formed from a synthetic material, such as a synthetic rubber, a plastic, or a carbon fiber. It should be understood that the materials listed above are merely representative and non-limiting. The base component 104 may also be constructed from alternative materials. The base component 104 may be formed of a single unitary piece of material, or in alternative embodiments, the base component 104 may comprise multiple materials or multiple separate pieces joined together.
As briefly discussed above, the cap component 106 is configured to attach and detach from the base component 104. As such, when in an assembled configuration such as that shown in
As best shown in
With particular reference to
The cap component 106 may also include an opening or mouth 124 that may transition between an open configuration (e.g., see
With continued reference to
The cap component 106 may be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. In this illustrated embodiment, the cap component 106 is molded from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). In other embodiments, the cap component 106 may be constructed or formed from natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, stone, crafted materials, e.g., pressboard or glass, or other synthetic material, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon, silicon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), or other thermoplastics. It should be understood that the aforementioned materials are merely representative and non-limiting. The cap component 106 may be constructed from other materials or a combination of elements or a combination of materials. For example, in some embodiment, the tapered neck 120, the sidewall 118, and/or the top surface 122, may be molded as separate pieces and/or individual materials, and subsequently joined to form the cap component 106. In alternative embodiments, the cap component 106 is molded as a single, unitary piece.
Turning to
With particular reference to
With reference to
As discussed above in connection with the base component 104, the shell 160 may be pressed, rolled, or molded from metal. In some embodiments, the shell 160 comprises a 304 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel material. In another embodiment, the shell 160 comprises aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, or magnesium materials. The shell 160 may instead be made of natural materials, e.g., rubber, wood, bamboo, or stone, crafted materials, e.g., ceramic, glass, or pottery, or synthetic materials, e.g., synthetic rubber, plastic, carbon fiber. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and non-limiting. The shell 160 may be constructed of other materials. The shell 160 may be formed of a single unitary piece of material. The shell 160 may alternatively comprise multiple materials or multiple separate pieces joined together.
The sleeve 162 may also comprise a bottom surface 180, and a generally cylindrical sleeve sidewall 182 having the exterior surface or outer surface 164 and an interior surface 184, and extending upward from the bottom surface 180 to an upper lip 186. As shown in
In some embodiments, the sleeve 162 is free to rotate within the shell 160 and, in other embodiments, the sleeve 162 may be secured to the shell 160 by injection molding or with an adhesive, for example. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve 162 is a thermally insulating tube, but does not include the bottom surface 180. In such embodiments, the beverage container 102 may rest directly on a bottom base surface 190 (see
The sleeve sidewall 182 may be a rectangular strip of material with two opposite sides sewn, adhered, bonded, or heat-pressed together, and optionally, further sewn, adhered, bonded, or heat-pressed together with the bottom surface 180. In other embodiments, sleeve 162 may be molded as a unitary piece that does not require any bonding.
The sleeve 162 may also be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. For example, in this illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 162 is made of closed-cell neoprene foam. The sleeve 162 may be alternatively constructed or formed from natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, leather, or suede, crafted materials, e.g., fabric, paper, cardboard, or synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon. The sleeve 162 may also be constructed of a thermally insulating material. It should be understood that this material list, and all material lists anywhere in this application, are merely representative and non-limiting. In other embodiments, the sleeve 162 may be constructed of other materials.
With continued reference to
Turning to
As best shown in
With particular reference to
The cap shell 202 may also include one or more gasket hooks 224 that extend from the interior wall 214 of the cap shell 202, and hook around a gasket edge 226 to support and couple the gasket 204 to and within the cap shell 202. In particular embodiments, such as that shown in
Turning back to
As previously discussed herein in connection with the cap component 106, the cap shell 202 may be similarly molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap shell 202 is molded from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The cap shell 202 may also be constructed from natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, stone, crafted materials, e.g., pressboard or glass, or other synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon, silicon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), or other thermoplastics. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and non-limiting. The cap shell 202 may be constructed of other materials or a combination of elements or a combination of materials.
In some embodiments, the gasket 204 may be molded, pressed, or constructed. In some embodiments, the gasket 204 is molded from silicon with a flexible 30A Shore hardness. The gasket or insert 204 may also be constructed of natural materials, e.g., rubber, wood, bamboo, plant fiber, sponge, crafted materials, e.g., fabric or pressed paper, or synthetic materials, e.g., synthetic rubber, plastic, nylon, or any other material with sufficient durability and flexibility to function as a gasket. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and not limiting. The sleeve may be constructed of other materials.
Once assembled, the cap component 106 may include a mouth or opening 124 that transitions between an open position (see
The sliding tab 126 may also be molded to physically resemble a can tab, such as the can tab 156, and may slide forward to a closed position and backward to an open position in the mouth depression 244, which is an approximately rounded rectangular depression around the opening 124 and the sliding tab 126. Although a top 248 of the sliding tab 126 is molded or decorated to resemble the can tab 156 in the present embodiment, the sliding tab 126 may take other decorative or functional shapes without departing from the present disclosure, as will be further discussed herein. However, in preferred embodiments, an outer surface of the sliding tab 126 mimics the outer surface of the depression 244 or vice versa.
During use, the sliding tab 126 can provide a boundary against excessive spills into or out of the beverage can enclosure when in a closed position. In some embodiments, the sliding tab 126 creates a watertight seal over the cap mouth, preventing any external spills. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 252 of the sliding tab 126 may also include a gasket (not shown) configured to create a watertight seal around the mouth 128 of the beverage container 102 when the sliding tab 126 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, sliding tab 126 may also include a tab lock (not shown), which maintains the sliding tab 126 in a closed position unless the tab lock is disengaged. In some embodiments, the sliding tab 126 may also include an opener (not shown), such that when the sliding tab 126 is initially moved from the closed position to the open position, the opener extends through the gasket opening 208, applying pressure to the metal flap over the mouth 128 of the beverage container 102, and automatically opening the beverage container 102 inside the container enclosure 100.
The sliding tab 126 may be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. In one illustrated embodiment, the sliding tab 126 is molded from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) in a similar fashion as the cap shell 202. The sliding tab 126 may be constructed from the same material as the cap shell 202 or a different material from cap shell 202. The sliding tab 126 may also be made of natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, or stone, crafted materials, e.g., pressboard or glass, or other synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon, silicon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), or other thermoplastics. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and non-limiting. The sliding tab 126 may be constructed of other materials or a combination of materials.
Referencing now to
As shown in
The base sidewall 410 extends generally straight upward or perpendicular from the circular base 408 to a shoulder 414; however, as best shown in
Further, as shown in
The base component 404 may be pressed, rolled, or molded from a metal. In some embodiments, the base component 404 may comprise a 304 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel material. In other embodiments, the base component 404 may comprise an aluminum, a copper, a zinc, a titanium, or magnesium material, or combinations thereof. The base component 404 may also be constructed or formed from a natural material, such as a rubber, wood, bamboo, or stone, or a crafted material, such as a ceramic, glass, or pottery material. In further embodiments, the base component 404 may be constructed or formed from a synthetic material, such as a synthetic rubber, a plastic, or a carbon fiber. It should be understood that the materials listed above are merely representative and non-limiting, and the base component 404 may also be constructed from alternative materials. The base component 404 may be formed of a single unitary piece of material, or in alternative embodiments, the base component 404 may comprise multiple materials or multiple separate pieces joined together. For example, the base sidewall 410 may be constructed from a 304 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel material and the annular groove 416 may be constructed from a synthetic material, e.g., a synthetic rubber, to assist with gripping the container enclosure 400.
As briefly discussed above, the cap component 406 may be configured to attach and detach from the base component 404. As such, when in an assembled configuration such as that shown in
Turning back to
With particular reference to
The cap component 406 may also include an opening or mouth 430 that may transition between an open configuration (e.g., see
The cap component 406 may be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. In this illustrated embodiment, the cap component 406 is molded from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). In other embodiments, the cap component 406 may be constructed or formed from natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, stone, crafted materials, e.g., pressboard or glass, or other synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon, silicon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), or other thermoplastics. It should be understood that the aforementioned materials are merely representative and non-limiting. The cap component 406 may be constructed from other materials or a combination of elements or a combination of materials. For example, in some embodiment, the tapered neck 422, the sidewall 420, and/or the top surface 424, may be molded as separate pieces and/or individual materials, and subsequently joined to form the cap component 406. In alternative embodiments, the cap component 406 is molded as a single, unitary piece.
Turning now to
When the base component 404 and the cap component 406 are separated, the interior cavity 448 of the base component 404 (see
In particular, as shown in
The locking features 504 may be evenly spaced around a circumference of the interior wall 506 and, as best shown in
During use, the one or more notches 512 may allow for one or more secure positions of the cap component 406 with the base component 404, as the cap component 406 is rotated relative to the base component 404. As such, the notches 512 allow the cap component 406 to be rotated so that the opening 430 may be properly and easily aligned with the mouth 494 of the beverage container 402, while still maintaining a secure connection with the base component 404. In this particular embodiment, the locking features 504 include three notches 512, which provide three secure positions or three degrees of rotation of the cap component 406, once the cap component 406 engages the locking features 504. However, in alternative embodiments, the locking features 504 may include any number of notches. Further, the end wall 514 of the locking features 504 prevents over rotation of the cap component 406 relative to the base component 404, and may cease clockwise rotation of the cap component 406 relative to the base component 404.
With particular reference to
As previously discussed herein, the support ring 452 may fit around an upper end 520 of the interior sleeve 454 and, as best shown in
As discussed above in connection with the base component 404, the outer shell 450 may be pressed, rolled, or molded from metal. In some embodiments, the outer shell 450 comprises a 304 stainless steel or 18/8 stainless steel material. In another embodiment, the outer shell 450 comprises aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, or magnesium materials. The outer shell 450 may instead be made of natural materials, e.g., rubber, wood, bamboo, or stone, crafted materials, e.g., ceramic, glass, or pottery, or synthetic materials, e.g., synthetic rubber, plastic, carbon fiber. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and non-limiting. The shell 450 may be constructed of other materials. The outer shell 450 may be formed of a single unitary piece of material, or alternatively, the outer shell 450 may alternatively comprise multiple materials or multiple separate pieces joined together.
In some embodiments, the interior sleeve 454 is free to rotate within the outer shell 450 and, in other embodiments, the interior sleeve 454 may be secured to the outer shell 450 (or the support ring 452) by injection molding or with an adhesive, for example. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve 454 is a thermally insulating tube. Further, as shown in
The interior sleeve 454 may be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. For example, in this illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 454 is made of closed-cell neoprene foam. The interior sleeve 454 may be alternatively constructed or formed from natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, leather, or suede, crafted materials, e.g., fabric, paper, cardboard, or synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon. The interior sleeve 454 may also be constructed of a thermally insulating material. It should be understood that this material list, and all material lists anywhere in this application, are merely representative and non-limiting. In other embodiments, the sleeve 454 may be constructed of other materials.
As previously discussed herein, the annular wall 500 of the lower ring assembly 458 includes one or more tabs 502 that cooperate with the locking features 504 of the base component 404. With particular reference to
Referencing
Turning to
With continued reference to
Turning back to
In some embodiments, the gasket 460 may be molded, pressed, or constructed. In some embodiments, the gasket 460 is molded from silicon with a flexible 30A Shore hardness. The gasket or insert 460 may also be constructed of natural materials, e.g., rubber, wood, bamboo, plant fiber, sponge, crafted materials, e.g., fabric or pressed paper, or synthetic materials, e.g., synthetic rubber, plastic, nylon, or any other material with sufficient durability and flexibility to function as a gasket. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and not limiting. The sleeve may be constructed of other materials.
Once assembled, the cap component 406 may include a mouth or opening 430 that transitions between an open position (see
The sliding tab 432 may slide forward to a closed position and backward to an open position in the depression 488, which is an approximately rounded rectangular depression around the opening 430 and the sliding tab 432. During use, the sliding tab 432 can provide a boundary against excessive spills into or out of the beverage can enclosure when in a closed position. In some embodiments, the sliding tab 432 creates a watertight seal over the cap mouth, preventing any external spills. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the sliding tab 432 may also include a gasket (not shown) configured to create a watertight seal around the mouth 494 of the beverage container 402 when the sliding tab 432 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, sliding tab 432 may also include a tab lock (not shown), which maintains the sliding tab 432 in a closed position unless the tab lock is disengaged. In some embodiments, the sliding tab 432 may also include an opener (not shown), such that when the sliding tab 432 is initially moved from the closed position to the open position, the opener extends through the gasket opening 550, applying pressure to the metal flap over the mouth 494 of the beverage container 402, and automatically opening the beverage container 402 inside the container enclosure 100.
The sliding tab 432 may be molded, pressed, or sewn from an open or closed-cell foam. In one illustrated embodiment, the sliding tab 432 is molded from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) in a similar fashion as the cap shell 462. The sliding tab 432 may be constructed from the same material as cap shell 462 or a different material from cap shell 462. The sliding tab 432 may also be made of natural materials, e.g., wood, bamboo, or stone, crafted materials, e.g., pressboard or glass, or other synthetic materials, e.g., rubber, plastic, nylon, silicon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), or other thermoplastics. It should be understood that this material list is merely representative and non-limiting. The sliding tab 432 may be constructed of other materials or a combination of materials.
Although various aspects are herein disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments, implementations, and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventive aspects and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the aspects have been noted, other modifications, which are within their scope, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of this disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation and operation, and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with or substituted for one another. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments or implementations described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.
Similarly, this method of disclosure, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/440,603, filed on Jun. 13, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/684,638, filed on Jun. 13, 2018, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
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| Entry |
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| International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in corresponding International Application No. PCT/US2019/037043, dated Sep. 26, 2019, 15 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210114795 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62684638 | Jun 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16440603 | Jun 2019 | US |
| Child | 17113370 | US |
