CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS

Abstract

A container for liquids, having an opening and, proximate the opening, a protrusion extending from the wall of the container into the interior of the container. In thin-walled containers the protrusion can be formed by making an indentation in the outside of the container wall. The protrusion causes the liquid contents of the container to flow smoothly out of the opening.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to containers for liquids, especially containers from which liquids are poured.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years people have been consuming carbonated beverages from cans, (e.g. soft drinks, beer, etc.). The shape of the cans and the can openings cause carbonated beverages to foam or fizz excessively when the beverage is poured or drunk from the can. Among other drawbacks, this excessive foaming can cause the beverage to foam over the edge of the glass or cup into which it is being poured, or to go up the nose of the person drinking the beverage directly from the can (presenting a choking hazard). Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved beverage container that reduces or eliminates such drawbacks and hazards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a container for liquids, having an opening and, proximate the opening, a protrusion extending from the wall of the container into the interior of the container. In thin-walled containers the protrusion can be formed by making an indentation in the outside of the container wall.

The distance between the protrusion and the opening can vary, as can the size, shape and form of the protrusion. The determinant factor is that the protrusion causes the liquid contents of the container to flow smoothly over the protrusion toward the opening. The invention, in the case of carbonated beverages, has the effect of reducing the amount of foam or head formed when pouring or drinking from the container. The invention also makes it easier to pour the liquid contents out of the container into a second container because the liquid flows smoothly.

The invention can be applied to many kinds of containers, including cans, bottles, jars, jugs, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself both as to organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a beer can according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 2(a-c) shows front, top and side views of a beer can according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3(a-c) shows front, top and side views of a beer can according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4(a-c) shows front, top and side views of a beer can according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2(a-c) a can 10 is shown, having an opening 20 and a tab 30. In the preferred embodiment the can 10 is a can for holding a carbonated beverage, such as a beer can or a pop can. The opening 20 is unsealed and opened by lifting tab 30. There is an protrusion 40 on the wall of the can 10 proximate the opening 20. The distance between the protrusion 40 and the opening 20 can vary and the protrusion 40 can have any one of a variety of different sizes, shapes and forms. The size, shape, form and position of the protrusion 40 is determined by the fact that its function is to cause the contents of the can 10 to flow more smoothly through the opening 20. In the preferred embodiment the protrusion 40 forms a smooth rounded feature extending into the interior of the can 10 that prevents turbulent flow (turbulent flow—a fluid flow in which the velocity at a given point varies erratically in magnitude and direction) of liquid and promotes laminar flow (laminar flow—streamline flow in a fluid near a solid boundary) toward the opening 20. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a-c), in the case of thin-walled containers, such as beer or pop cans, the protrusion 40 will preferably take the form of an indentation formed in the outside surface of the wall of the can.

In alternative embodiments the protrusion 40 may take the form of one or more elongated ridges having one end proximate the opening 20 and extending linearly away from the opening.

In a further alternate embodiment the protrusion is hemispherical in form. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an alternate embodiment, the can 10 is manufactured having a preformed, partially functional or non-functional, feature 50. The preformed feature 50 becomes a fully functional protrusion when it is pushed or pressed by a user (e.g. like a button). Both FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the feature 50 having a button 55. FIG. 3(a-c) shows the feature 50 (and button 55) in its original state, and FIG. 4(a-c) shows the feature 50 after the button 55 has been pressed in by the user. When the button 55 has been pressed in it forms a protrusion on the inside of the can 10 and performs the same function as the protrusion 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The protrusion 10 and the feature 50 may form either a permanent part of the container, or it may take the form of an insert or attachment that is connected, inserted or attached into the container.

The present invention has several benefits when applied to carbonated beverage containers:

• reduces the amount of gas released from the carbonated beverage;
• reduces the amount of foam or head from a poured beverage;
• less gas builds up in the user's stomach, which reduces belching and the bloated feeling;
• beverages poured from such containers will take longer to “go flat” after being poured from the container; and
• reduced choking risk when the beverage is consumed quickly because the beverage is less likely to foam in the user's mouth.

The present invention can be applied to plastic bottles by creating a dent in the bottle or by creating a sleeve to be inserted in the bottles mouthpiece. Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container for liquids, comprising: an opening; a protrusion proximate said opening, wherein said protrusion extends from a wall of said container toward an inside of said container, said protrusion operative to promote laminar flow of liquid toward said opening.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is one of a beer can and a pop can.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said protrusion is an indentation formed in an outer surface of said container.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein said protrusion is a hemispherical protrusion.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is a container for a carbonated beverage and wherein said protrusion prevents foaming of said carbonated beverage when said carbonated beverage is poured from said container.

6. A container for liquids, comprising: an opening; a feature proximate said opening, said feature operative, in response to force applied by a user, to form a protrusion, wherein said protrusion extends from a wall of said container toward an inside of said container, said protrusion operative to promote laminar flow of liquid toward said opening.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein said container is one of a beer can and a pop can.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein said feature is an indentation formed in an outer surface of said container.

9. The container of claim 6, wherein said protrusion is an indentation formed in an outer surface of said container.

10. The container of claim 6, wherein said protrusion is a hemispherical protrusion.

11. The container of claim 6, wherein said container is a container for a carbonated beverage and wherein said protrusion prevents foaming of said carbonated beverage when said carbonated beverage is poured from said container.