Patent Application
20250049238
The present invention relates generally to the field of metal containers. The present invention relates specifically to a metal shot cup. A typical shot cup is frequently fabricated from plastic and is designed to contain liquid. However, plastic shot cups are designed for single use. The production of such plastic cups not only creates carbon dioxide emissions, but also potentially negatively impacts the environment because a large proportion of plastic cups are sent to landfills and may end up adding to pollution of the environment. Additionally, some plastic cups are produced with chemicals (e.g., BPA) that may cause adverse health conditions in people who drink from the cups. Given the negative environmental and health impacts associated with single use plastic cups, metal would be a more desirable material from which to manufacture a reusable shot cup.
Furthermore, it is not just the use of metal which is important, it is also the selection of the metal and particular configuration changes from a typical plastic container which are important. In particular, the container must be configured to permit high speed, economical manufacturing, configured to permit dense packing for shipping, and configured to include a similar volume and/or have a volume indicator associated with the typical volume of liquid in a shot cup. In addition to the particular metal and configuration selection, the selection of coating for the container is also important because it affects the manufacturability of the container, the handling of the container and the impact of the container on the contained liquid.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a metal shot cup. The shot cup includes a first end and a second end that opposes the first end of the shot cup. The shot cup further includes a circular rim extending between an outside edge and an inside edge centered on a longitudinal axis. The circular rim has a radius less than 0.05 inches. The shot cup has a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end of the shot cup, the sidewall is centered on the longitudinal axis. The sidewall includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a plurality of tapered sections. The tapered sections extend between the first end and the second end of the shot cup. The shot cup includes a bottom with a circular surface generally parallel to the circular rim and centered on the longitudinal axis, the circular surface connects to a trough at an outside edge of the circular surface. The shot cup further includes a polymer coating on at least a portion of the sidewall.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a one-piece metal shot cup. The shot cup includes an open end with a bore and a closed end that opposes the open end of the shot cup. The shot cup further includes a rim extending between an outside edge and an inside edge centered on a longitudinal, central axis. The shot cup has a sidewall extending between the open end and the closed end of the shot cup, the sidewall is centered on the longitudinal, central axis. The sidewall includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first tapered section, a second tapered section, and an upper section. The first tapered section extends at a first angle relative to the longitudinal, central axis. The second tapered section extends at a second angle relative to the longitudinal, central axis. The shot cup further includes a bottom with a circular surface generally parallel to the rim and centered on the longitudinal, central axis. The circular surface connects to a trough at an outside edge of the circular surface. The first tapered section is positioned between the bottom and the second tapered section. The upper section is positioned between the second tapered section and the rim.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a one-piece metal shot cup kit. The one-piece metal shot cup kit includes a plurality of one-piece metal shot cups. Each one-piece metal shot cup includes an open end with a central bore and a closed end opposing the open end of the shot cup. The one-piece metal shot cup includes a circular rim extending between an outside edge and an inside edge centered on a longitudinal axis. The circular rim has a radius less than 0.05 inches. Each one-piece metal shot cup includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a plurality of tapered sections extending between the open end and the closed end. The plurality of tapered sections each extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Each one-piece metal shot cup further includes a bottom with a circular surface generally parallel to the circular rim and centered on the longitudinal axis. The circular surface connects to a trough at an outside edge of the circular surface. The one-piece metal shot cup kit further includes a container configured to hold the plurality of one-piece metal shot cups when the plurality of one-piece metal shot cups are stacked.
Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and/or shown in the accompany drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which:
Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a metal container, such as a metal shot cup, are shown. As discussed herein, Applicant has developed a one-piece multi-tapered metal shot cup with a number of improvements relative to single-use plastic cups. In one embodiment, the metal shot cup includes a wall thickness that is relatively small allowing for an overall smaller weight of the cup while the metal material creates a robust shot cup suitable for multiple uses. The metal shot cup includes one or more tapered sections allowing for dense packaging. The metal material, the reusable nature of the metal shot cup, and the tapered shape contribute to decreased negative health and environmental impact (i.e., less chemical ingestion by users, pollution, dense packing, etc.) compared to conventional plastic shot cups. Furthermore, the multi-tapered shape of the shot cup allows for improved grasping for users.
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Body 12 is at least partially defined by a sidewall 24. Body 12 further includes an exterior surface 28 and an interior surface 26. An inner edge 19 of rim 18 at least partially defines bore 22. Bore 22 extends along and is centered on longitudinal, central axis 20 between top end 14 and bottom end 16. In various embodiments, metal shot cup 10 may include a container lid or cover 30. The container cover may be any element that allows the metal shot cup 10 to be sealed such that the container is capable of enclosing a liquid (i.e., prevent spilling). In various specific embodiments, cover 30 is a snap top. In other specific embodiments, cover 30 is a formed from cellulose such as a cellophane cover. In other specific embodiments, cover 30 is a foil cover.
In various specific embodiments, metal shot cup 10 is formed as a single, unitary, integral, or one-piece cup. In various embodiments, metal shot cup 10 is formed from aluminum. In such an embodiment, metal shot cup 10 is formed from aluminum alloy 3104.
In various specific embodiments, metal shot cup 10 includes a polymer coating on at least a portion of sidewall 24. In various specific embodiments, metal shot cup 10 includes a polymer coating on at least one of the exterior surface 28 and interior surface 26. Applicant believes the use of a polymer coating provides protection to the surface of the metal shot cup and/or reduces metallic taste. In a specific embodiment, the polymer coating is a PPE (polyphenylene ether) coating. The polymer coating is not a PET coating (polyethylene terephthalate) that can oxidize and result in degradation of the coating and/or the taste of the liquid that interacts with the coating. Applicant believes the PPE coating provides durable protection with reduced likelihood of degradation and/or oxidization that may alter the taste of the liquid within the metal shot cup 10.
In various embodiments, the polymer coating is on both interior surface 26 and exterior surface 28 of metal shot cup 10. In such an embodiment, the coating on interior surface 26 has a first color and the coating on exterior surface 28 has a second color. The first color is different from the second color. In various specific embodiments, the first color is white and the second color is green. In other embodiments, the first color is white and the second color is one of various colors (e.g., green, red, yellow, blue, etc.). In other embodiments, the coating is on one of interior surface 26 and exterior surface 28. In various embodiments, the coating has a thickness defined between the exterior of the coating and the interior surface 26 or exterior surface 28 of metal shot cup 10. The coating thickness is between 35 and 15 microns, more specifically between 30 and 20 microns and in such an embodiment, the coating is about 25 microns ±5 microns. In various specific embodiments the coating thickness is less than 35 microns and specifically less than 30 microns.
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First tapered section 32 is positioned between bottom wall 40 and second tapered section 34. Second tapered section 34 is positioned between first tapered section 32 and upper section 36. Upper section 36 is positioned between second tapered section 34 and rim 18. Sidewall 24 includes an upper boundary or edge 44 of first tapered section 32. Upper boundary 44 is positioned between first tapered section 32 and second tapered section 34. Sidewall 24 further includes a lower boundary or edge 46 of upper section 36. Lower boundary 46 is positioned between upper section 36 and second tapered section 34. In various embodiments, upper section 36 is a third tapered section. In such an embodiment, metal shot cup 10 is entirely stackable due to the taper. In other embodiments, upper section 36 is generally vertical (i.e., perpendicular to bottom wall 40 and/or rim 18 plus or minus 10 degrees) extending along longitudinal axis 20.
In various specific embodiments, the lower boundary 46 of upper section 36 which is the upper boundary of second tapered section 34 is positioned to indicate a volume of 1 oz. In general, metal shot cup 10 and specifically bore 22 can contain 1.5 oz. of liquid.
In various specific embodiments, the tapered sections 32, 34, 36 of sidewall 24 may have varying angles relative to a reference parallel to longitudinal axis 20. A first angle, shown as A1 is defined as the angle between the wall of first tapered portion 32 and longitudinal axis 20. In a specific embodiment A1 is between 1 and 10 degrees, more specifically between 1 and 5 degrees and in such an embodiment A1 is about 2 degrees (i.e., 2 degrees ±0.5 degrees).
In various embodiments, second tapered section 34 includes a second angle A2, defined as the angle between the wall of second tapered section 34 and longitudinal axis 20. In various embodiments, A2 is greater than A1. In a specific embodiment A2 is between 30 and 38 degrees, more specifically between 32 and 36 degrees and in such an embodiment A2 is about 34 degrees (i.e., 34 degrees ±2 degrees). In various embodiments, upper section 36 includes a third angle A3, defined as the angle between the wall of upper section 36 and longitudinal axis 20. In various specific embodiments, A3 is less than A1 and A2. In a specific embodiment, A3 of upper section 36 is about 0 degrees (i.e., 0 degrees ±0.5 degrees). In various specific embodiment A3 is between 0 and 2 degrees, more specifically between 0 and 1 degrees and in such an embodiment A3 is about 0 degrees (i.e., 0 degrees ±1 degrees).
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At top end 14 of body 12, a first diameter shown as D1 is defined between opposing outside edges of rim 18. In a specific embodiment, D1 is between 1.5 and 2.1 inches, more specifically between 1.6 and 2 inches and in such an embodiment is about 1.8 inches ±0.02 inches. Bore 22 and interior surface 26 define a second diameter, shown as D2. Specifically, D2 is defined at top end 14 defining the diameter of upper section 36. In a specific embodiment, D2 is between 75% and 95% of D1, specifically between 80% and 90% of D2 and more specifically between 84% and 87% of D1. In a specific embodiment, D2 is between 1.4 and 1.7 inches and in such embodiments D2 is about 1.56 inches ±0.02 inches.
At bottom end 16 of body 12, defines a third diameter shown as D3. D3 is defined as an outside diameter between opposing portions of trough 42. In a specific embodiment, D3 is between 1.2 and 1.6 inches and in such embodiments D3 is about 1.4 inches ±0.02 inches. In a specific embodiment D3 is between 65% and 85% of D1, specifically between 70% and 80% of D1 and more specifically between 76% and 79% of D1.
Rim 18 is tightly curved and includes a thickness, shown as T1. In a specific embodiment, T1 is between 0.07 and 0.1 inches, more specifically between 0.085 and 0.095 and in such an embodiment is about 0.09 inches ±0.01 inches. In various specific embodiments, T1 is less than 0.1 inches. Rim 18 includes an outer curved surface 25. Outer curved surface 25 defines a first radius shown as R1. In various specific embodiments, R1 is less than 0.1 inches, specifically less than 0.075 inches, and more specifically less than 0.05 inches. In a specific embodiment, R1 is between 0.03 and 0.06 inches, more specifically between 0.04 and 0.05 inches and in such embodiments is about 0.045±0.01 inches. In other words, rim 18 has a small radius with a high curvature.
A wall thickness of sidewall 24 shown as T2 is defined between exterior surface 28 and interior surface 26 at upper section 36. In various specific embodiments, T2 is between 0.0062 and 0.0078 inches, more specifically between 0.0062 and 0.0070 inches and in such embodiments is about 0.0065±0.0005 inches. A wall thickness of sidewall 24 shown as T3 is defined between exterior surface 28 and interior surface 26 at first tapered portion 32. In various specific embodiments, T3 is between 0.0062 and 0.0078 inches, more specifically between 0.0062 and 0.0070 inches and in such embodiments is about 0.0065±0.0005 inches.
An internal curved surface 35 connects upper section 36 to second tapered section 34 along interior surface 26. Internal curved surface 35 has a radius shown as R2. In a specific embodiment, R2 is between 0.02 and 0.06 inches, more specifically between 0.03 and 0.05 inches and in such an embodiment R2 is about 0.04±0.01 inches.
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It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.
While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.
In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.
