Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6443324
-
Patent Number
6,443,324
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, July 12, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 3, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Young; Lee
- Merek; Joseph C.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 220 705
- 220 706
- 220 707
- 220 709
- 220 710
- 220 906
- 222 566
- 222 567
- 222 530
- 222 527
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tab top beverage can has a compressible drinking straw held between the can bottom and an upwardly extending detachable closed cavity formed in the can top. Detachment of the cavity by a pivoting tab top uncovers a straw access orifice through which the straw is projected by the force of a previously compressed corrugated spring section formed in the straw wall. A bulge located on the straw prevents passage of the straw from the can and facilitates extension of the straw. The tab is attached to the can top by outwardly projecting lips formed on upwardly projecting closed cavities defined in the can top. The cavities extend through openings in the tab and the lips extend beyond the opening perimeters to secure the tab to the cavities and top.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to tab top beverage cans and, more particularly, to a self-contained self-presenting drinking straw for use in beverage cans.
2. Description of Related Art
Beverage cans have been used for decades with more recent developments including the pull tab opening that removably tears away from the can top to provide access, replacing the need for a separate opener; and more recently, in response to environmental concerns, the access tab that is bent down into the can by a pivot, with both the tab and pivot remaining attached to the can to reduce the debris and pollution and to minimize hazards to wildlife.
Throughout this design evolution, the shape of the can top has remained generally unchanged, with an annular groove formed by raised flange around the can top perimeter acting, unfortunately, as a dirt, dust and residue trap. As a result, drinking directly from such a can is unsanitary and distasteful and results in a situation where the choices left to the consumer are to inconveniently obtain a sanitary packaged straw, with the accompanying costs to the economy and the ecology, or risk the potential health consequences.
In response to this dilemma, a number of inventions have been directed toward the design of a completely self-contained straw that would be stored within the can until use and would reliably present itself to the user upon opening of the tab top.
A number of approaches were suggested in the 1970's and early 1980's when tab tops were completely removed from the can top upon opening which have been replaced with other alternatives by most can manufacturers due to environmental concerns over the discarding of the separated tab tops. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,656,654 (Brinkley), 4,078,692 (Stein), 4,109,817 (Payne et al), 4,226,356 (Lemalson) and 4,228,913 (Mack et al) are representative of such devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,927 (Cooper et al) shows a resiliently bent straw held in position in the bottom of the can in a concave slot and at the top by a dimple projecting downward from the tab. The straw is weakly positioned at the top and not secured; moreover, the radical redesign of the pressure-resisting can bottom is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No.4,712,702 (Ayabe et al) discloses a self-contained straw that must be manually removed from the tab after opening, compromising the desired improvements in sanitation and convenience.
Various other methods have been developed relating to the presentation of the straw held in a can requiring expensive alterations in the manufacturing process. U.S. Pat. No. 5,054, 639 (Ahn) teaches a floating straw requiring a straw holder and guide to be attached to the interior of the beverage can. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,827 (Clang et al) a complex mechanism to pivot a compound curved straw through a pair of adjacent can top tab panels is shown. U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,729 (Lee) presents a resilient telescoping straw requiring a can top surface sloping upward to the top opening.
Despite these efforts, no viable reliable solution has heretofore been presented to provide the consumer with the option of drinking from a sanitary self-contained and convenient beverage can straw or traditional pour spout at a production cost acceptable to the marketplace.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a beverage can having a self-contained self-presenting drinking straw that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a self-contained beverage can straw that accessibly presents itself to the consumer upon opening of the can tab top without requiring the consumer to handle the straw.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly with a self-presenting drinking straw that pops-up from a beverage can but is retained partially within the can to prevent loss.
Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the likelihood of transmitting unsanitary materials from beverage can tops to consumers.
It is also an object to provide an improved beverage can while retaining the essential design elements, fabrication methods, and tooling requirements of the traditional tab top beverage can and the existing techniques for the manufacture of pleated plastic straws without increasing metal material costs.
A supplemental object of the present invention is to provide a method for making a beverage can by simultaneously forming a tab rivet post in the can top during formation of the scored removable cylinder in the can top.
A still further objective of the present invention is to reduce the waste paper and plastic pollution associated with the handling and packaging of individually wrapped straws.
The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination and it is not intended that the invention be construed as requiring that two or more of said objects be combined.
In accordance with the present invention, a telescoping drinking straw is secured in resilient compression between the top and bottom of a beverage can. The top of the straw is releasably retained in a cylindrical chamber formed in a pivoting pull tab at the center of the can top. A bulge or bubble, having a cross-sectional area slightly larger than the tab-formed drinking orifice in the can top, is formed in the straw to prevent inadvertent loss or removal of the straw from the opened can. A centering concave dimple is preferably formed in the can floor to guide and constrain the straw during filling and handling.
The present invention provides an inexpensive, user-friendly and effective means for providing the consumer with a sanitary and convenient alternative to current non-hygienic beverage cans without imposing economically unfeasible demands on current manufacturing procedures.
The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, particularly when viewed in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in various figures are utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an elevation view in cross-section of an unopened beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting drinking straw according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is an elevation view in cross-section of the beverage can of
FIG. 1
after the tab has been opened.
FIG. 4
is a top view in plan of the open beverage can of FIG.
3
.
FIG. 5
is a detailed partial side view in cross-section of the top of the beverage can and affixed tab of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 6
is a view in section taken through lines
6
—
6
of FIG.
5
.
FIG. 7
is an elevation view in cross-section of an unopened beverage can according to a second embodiment of the present invention, whereby the consumer can choose to sip from a) a self-presenting straw and/or b) a traditional pour spout opening.
FIG. 8
is a top view in plan of the unopened beverage can of FIG.
7
.
FIG. 9
is an elevation view in cross-section of the beverage can of
FIG. 7
after the tab has been fully pivoted for straw access.
FIG. 10
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
9
.
FIG. 11
is an elevation view in cross-section of the beverage can of
FIG. 9
after the tab has been pushed back to expose the pour spout and crimp the straw.
FIG. 12
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
11
.
FIG. 13
is an elevation view in cross-section of a beverage can having separate pour and straw tabs according to a third embodiment of the present invention, whereby the consumer may choose between a straw or a traditional pour spout or both.
FIG. 14
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
13
.
FIG. 15
is a side view in cross-section of the beverage can of
FIG. 13
after the straw tab is opened.
FIG. 16
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
15
.
FIG. 17
is an elevation view in cross-section of the beverage can of
FIG. 13
after the pour tab is opened.
FIG. 18
is a top view in plan of the beverage can of FIG.
17
.
FIG. 19
is a sequence of steps in assembly of a tab top beverage can using a clamp to position and hold the straw.
FIG. 20
is a sequence of steps in assembly of a tab top beverage can using dimples in the can top cylinder to position and hold the straw.
FIG. 21
is a top view of beverage can in claim
1
using an elongated tear-away seam extending around a projection oriented under the tab top.
FIG. 22
is a detailed partial side view in cross-section of the top of the beverage can, affixed tab of
FIG. 1
, and a projection extending from the top of the beverage can and oriented under the tab top.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The terms upwardly, downwardly, top, bottom, etc. are used herein to facilitate the following description and are not intended to be limitations on the structure or orientation of the present invention.
As illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6
, a drinking straw
10
is retained at its respective ends within an unopened beverage can
12
between a positioning depression
14
formed at the center of can bottom
16
and the interior of an upwardly extending short hollow cylindrical projection
18
, defined in the can top
20
. Projection
18
is closed at its upper end and open at its lower end to receive the upper end of the straw. Projection
18
is preferably coaxial with can
12
. Circumscribing side wall
19
extends from can bottom
16
to can top
20
to define the can periphery.
An upwardly extending cylindrical rivet projection
22
is also formed in can top
20
by means, for example, of a stamping process. A tab top
24
having an aperture or opening
25
defined therein is sized to fit snugly over projection
18
. A second aperture or opening
26
defined through tab top
24
is sized to fit over projection
22
. During fabrication of the can top, tab top
24
is positioned such that projections
18
and
22
extend through respective apertures
25
and
26
. The tab top is then secured in place by a stamping process, or the like, whereby radially projecting annular lips
27
and
28
are formed at prospective upper edges of projections
18
and
22
, respectively, to extend beyond the boundaries of apertures
25
and
26
of tab
24
. Lips
27
and
28
engage tab
24
to the two projections and, thereby, to the can top. One or more inwardly extending dimples
29
are formed on the interior peripheral wall of cylindrical projection
18
and a tear-away seam or score line
30
is defined on the can top
20
around the perimeter of projection
18
. One or more flared extensions
31
aligned in registry with protruding angles or corners
32
formed on each side of tab
24
between cylinder
18
and cylinder
22
, defining an access orifice
33
. Dimples
29
are sized to lightly grasp the outer wall of the top of straw
10
during assembly and filling as will be described hereinafter.
Alternatively, tab
24
can be affixed to can top
20
by a conventional rivet mechanism in lieu of cylinder
22
and projection
28
.
A retention bulge
34
formed near the midlength of straw
10
is sized to prevent passage of the straw from the beverage can through access orifice
33
and to facilitate extension and use of the straw by a consumer.
A pleated extension zone
36
is formed of small crimps in the upper portion of the straw, to permit the straw to be bent easily toward the consumer, and to allow some lengthening of the straw as the pleated crimps are pulled straight. A bellows spring section
38
, formed of relatively large resilient accordion pleats or corrugations in the lower portion of the straw sidewall, is held in longitudinal compression between the can top
20
and the depression
14
. This compression serves to position and stabilize the straw between cylinder
18
and depression
14
in the unopened beverage can during transportation and handling.
Pivoting of pull tab
24
around cylinder
18
, leveraging tab top
24
against the can top
20
generates sufficient force on the scoring around access orifice
33
to fully separate or detach cylinder
18
and rim or lip
27
from can top
20
at tear away seam or score line
30
, exposing straw access orifice
33
, and lifting straw
10
due to the grasping effect of cylinder dimples
29
. The release of compressive force on the straw allows the resilient bellows spring section
38
to expand and lengthen as the accordion sections relax. The straw, previously constrained to a length dictated by the can height, about 4.50 inches, extends to a relaxed length of approximately 5.00 inches, and projects upward through access orifice
33
and subsequently separates from cylinder
18
and dimples
29
thereby presenting itself in a position convenient to the consumer for grasping, for pulling to further stretch the straw by elongating the pleated extension zone
36
, and for bending and positioning the straw top for easy use.
In another embodiment, illustrated in
FIGS. 7-12
, a second scored panel
40
located in the can top on the rivet cylinder side of pull tab
24
, has a hinge
42
located under the rivet end of tab
24
. In other respects, the features of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-6
are unchanged. Pivoting of tab
24
against can top
20
around cylinder
18
in this embodiment simultaneously separates cylinder
18
from the can top around tear-away seam or score line
30
to expose straw access orifice
33
and release the upwardly extending straw
10
while the rivet end of tab
24
exerts leverage on the scoring around panel
40
. The scored panel
40
pivots downward around hinge
42
exposing a separate pouring orifice
44
in the top. The tab can then be rotated back toward the unopened position to compress and effectively disable the outwardly extending portion of the straw. This embodiment allows the consumer to selectively sip the beverage through the straw or, alternatively, pour or drink directly from the can.
In a third embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 13-18
, two separate nested tabs,
24
and
50
, are each pivotably attached to the beverage can top by rivet cylinder
22
. Pivoting of tab
24
disengages cylinder
18
from the can top releasing straw
10
through straw access orifice
33
, but the short shank
52
of tab
24
does not extend to scored access panel
40
and thus does not deflect panel
40
to expose pouring orifice
44
. Tab
50
is formed with a cut-out
54
sized to allow tab
50
to be pivoted around rivet cylinder
22
without interfering with straw access tab
24
, but with a shank section
56
extending to the hinge
42
of pour access orifice
44
. Thus, either tab can be pivoted independently of the other to allow the consumer to select the mode of consumption.
In yet another embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22
, the amount of force required to tear-away cylinder
18
at seam or score line
30
may be reduced through utilization of one or more projections
60
positioned between tab
24
and the can top. In other respects, the features of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-6
are unchanged. The projections
60
extend from either the body of can top
20
toward tab
24
or from the body of tab
24
toward can top
20
. The projections
60
may be located outside of the tear-away seam or score line
30
or within an extended tear-away seam or score line
62
. The projections
60
serve as fulcrums as one end of tab
24
is lifted causing the force to be applied directly to the tear-away seam or score line
30
at the opposing end of tab
24
. Direction of the force applied eases the removal of cylinder
18
at tear-away seam
30
, exposing the straw access orifice
33
, and lifting straw
10
due to the grasping effect of cylinder dimples
29
as in the previous embodiments.
Assembly of the beverage can is accomplished, as shown in
FIG. 19
, by positioning straw
10
over indentation
14
in can bottom
16
and positioning cylinder
18
of can top
20
over the clamped straw, then lowering the can top onto the top of straw, then the top and the straw
10
, now grasped by dimples
29
in cylinder
18
, is lowered onto the can
12
. The top descends until the bellows spring section
38
begins to compress against the resistance of the can bottom at which point the clamp releases the straw and is withdrawn, and the can top descends to the can and is sealed to the can wall. In an alternative mode of assembly, shown in
FIG. 20
, the straw top is inserted into cylinder or cavity
18
and held therein by the resilient compression of the straw wall by dimples
29
formed in the cavity peripheral wall shown in FIG.
6
. The clamp means is removed and the top with the engaged straw is lowered onto the can with the straw bottom positioned in indentation
14
and bellows spring section
38
held in compression as the top is lowered and sealed.
From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the invention makes available a novel method and apparatus for providing a practical sanitary self-contained self-presenting straw integrally included with tab top beverage cans as well as a new fabrication technique for tab top beverage cans.
Having described preferred embodiments of the beverage can and straw assembly and methods of fabrication, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes are properly within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw comprising:a can body having a circumscribing side wall, a bottom connected to said side wall and a top secured to the upper end of said side wall and serving to seal liquid contents within said can; wherein said top includes an upwardly extending hollow projection having a peripheral wall defining a cavity closed at its upper end, open at its lower end and defining a straw access orifice in said top, said projection having a scored perimeter; a drinking straw having an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate compressible accordion bellows spring section, said straw having a length greater than the height of said can when said spring section is relaxed, the upper end of said straw extending through the open lower end of the cavity into contact with the closed upper end of the cavity, said lower end of said straw extending into contact with said bottom such that said straw is held between the upper end of said cavity and said bottom by resilient compression of said bellows spring section; tab means for applying force to and detaching said peripheral wall from said top to permit said resilient accordion pleats to expand and project said straw upper end upwardly through said straw access orifice; and an outwardly extending retention bulge formed in said straw between the upper end and spring section of the straw, said bulge having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of said straw access orifice to prevent passage of said straw entirely out of said can and to facilitate longitudinal expansion of said straw.
- 2. The beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw of claim 1 further comprising:a pleated extension section formed near the upper end of said straw permitting said straw to be easily extended or bent.
- 3. The beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw of claim 1 further comprising:a depression formed in said bottom for positioning and stabilizing the straw lower end during fabrication and handling.
- 4. A beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw comprising:a can body having a circumscribing side wall, a bottom connected to said side wall and a top secured to the upper end of said side wall and serving to seal liquid contents within said can; wherein said top includes an upwardly extending hollow projection having a peripheral wall defining a cavity closed at its upper end, open at its lower end and defining a straw access orifice in said top, said projection having a scored perimeter; a drinking straw having an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate compressible accordion bellows spring section, said straw having a length greater than the height of said can when said spring section is relaxed, the upper end of said straw extending through the open lower end of the cavity into contact with the closed upper end of the cavity, said lower end of said straw extending into contact with said bottom such that said straw is held between the upper end of said cavity and said bottom by resilient compression of said bellows spring section; and tab means for applying force to and detaching said peripheral wall from said top to permit said resilient accordion pleats to expand and project said straw upper end upwardly through said straw access orifice; wherein said cavity peripheral wall has at least one inwardly projecting dimple for grasping said straw upper end.
- 5. A beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw comprising:a can body having a circumscribing side wall, a bottom connected to said side wall and a top secured to the upper end of said side wall and serving to seal liquid contents within said can; wherein said top includes an upwardly extending hollow projection having a peripheral wall defining a cavity closed at its upper end, open at its lower end and defining a straw access orifice in said top, said projection having a scored perimeter; a drinking straw having an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate compressible accordion bellows spring section, said straw having a length greater than the height of said can when said spring section is relaxed, the upper end of said straw extending through the open lower end of the cavity into contact with the closed upper end of the cavity, said lower end of said straw extending into contact with said bottom such that said straw is held between the upper end of said cavity and said bottom by resilient compression of said bellows spring section; tab means for applying force to and detaching said peripheral wall from said top to permit said resilient accordion pleats to expand and project said straw upper end upwardly through said straw access orifice; and a scored bend-down panel formed in said top, said panel having a scored perimeter defining a pouring access orifice in said top, said panel being bent down to uncover said pouring access orifice by said tab means simultaneously with detachment of said cavity to uncover said straw access orifice.
- 6. The beverage container with a self-contained self-presenting straw of claim 5 wherein said tab means is positionable to crimpingly seal said upwardly projecting straw while leaving said pouring access orifice uncovered.
- 7. A beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw comprising:a can body having a circumscribing side wall, a bottom connected to said side wall and a top secured to the upper end of said side wall and serving to seal liquid contents within said can; wherein said top includes an upwardly extending hollow projection having a peripheral wall defining a cavity closed at its upper end, open at its lower end and defining a straw access orifice in said top, said projection having a scored perimeter; a drinking straw having an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate compressible accordion bellows spring section, said straw having a length greater than the height of said can when said spring section is relaxed, the upper end of said straw extending through the open lower end of the cavity into contact with the closed upper end of the cavity, said lower end of said straw extending into contact with said bottom such that said straw is held between the upper end of said cavity and said bottom by resilient compression of said bellows spring section; tab means for applying force to and detaching said peripheral wall from said top to permit said resilient accordion pleats to expand and project said straw upper end upwardly through said straw access orifice; and a scored bend down panel formed in said top, said panel having a scored perimeter defining a pouring access orifice in said top, and means for bending said panel downward independently of said tab means for detaching said cavity.
- 8. The beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw of claim 7 wherein said panel bending means is a second tab co-located in a non-interfering manner with said first tab means.
- 9. A beverage can with a self-contained self-presenting straw comprising:a can body having a circumscribing side wall, a bottom connected to said side wall and a top secured to the upper end of said side wall and serving to seal liquid contents within said can; wherein said top includes an upwardly extending hollow projection having a peripheral wall defining a cavity closed at its upper end, open at its lower end and defining a straw access orifice in said top, said projection having a scored perimeter; a drinking straw having an upper end and a lower end and an intermediate compressible accordion bellows spring section, said straw having a length greater than the height of said can when said spring section is relaxed, the upper end of said straw extending through the open lower end of the cavity into contact with the closed upper end of the cavity, said lower end of said straw extending into contact with said bottom such that said straw is held between the upper end of said cavity and said bottom by resilient compression of said bellows spring section; and tab means for applying force to and detaching said peripheral wall from said top to permit said resilient accordion pleats to expand and project said straw upper end upwardly through said straw access orifice; “an outwardly extending retention bulge formed in said straw between the upper end and spring section of the straw, said bulge having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of said straw access orifice to prevent passage of said straw entirely out of said can and to facilitate longitudinal expansion of the straw; wherein a projection is fixed in said tab means serving as a fulcrum to provide a mechanical advantage when the tab means applies force to said peripheral wall.
US Referenced Citations (30)