Tamperproof beverage container with rotatable lid, and method of assembling and unsealing same

A tamperproof beverage container unsealed by rotation of a lid is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, the beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering at least one body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the at least one body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a tamperproof beverage container with a rotatable lid, and more specifically to a beverage container which utilizes the rotation of the lid to open a tamperproof seal, for example, to enhance the freshness of a beverage such as refrigerated coffee.

BACKGROUND

Various beverage containers for storing beverages are available on the market. Two of the most common styles of beverage containers are: (1) a bottleneck container, which opens with a twist-off cap; and (2) an aluminum can, which opens with a pull tab. Certain beverages that may be contained in such beverage containers, however, either taste differently through the typical bottleneck or aluminum opening based on the geometry of the opening, or taste differently because the ingredients are negatively affected by the metallic taste of the aluminum or other material around the opening.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an improved beverage container, which allows a beverage to be stored in a sealed manner, and which may be quickly unsealed and consumed by rotating the lid. In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface, a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture, and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including (i) a first projection which unseals the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body, and (ii) a second projection which unseals the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection and at least one lid aperture, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to the body is configured to cause: (i) the at least one projection to unseal the sealing surface to reveal the body aperture; and (ii) the at least one lid aperture to align with the at least one body aperture so that the beverage may be poured from the body through the at least one body aperture and the at least one lid aperture.

In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface, a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture, and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including: (i) a first lid aperture configured to align with the first body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body to unseal the first sealing surface from the first body aperture; and (ii) a second lid aperture configured to align with the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body to unseal the second sealing surface from the second body aperture.

In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, at least one side surface, and a bottom surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, wherein the at least one sealing surface may be unsealed to reveal the body aperture by applying a force to the at least one sealing surface, the force applied in a rotational direction around a center point of the top surface of the body.

In a general example embodiment, a lid for a beverage container includes a top surface including at least one aperture, a protrusion configured to attach the top surface to a body containing a sealed beverage, and a projection configured to unseal the beverage as the top surface is rotated with respect to the body while the protrusion attaches the lid to the body, such that a user may thereafter pour the beverage through the at least one aperture of the top surface.

In a general example embodiment, a method of sealing a beverage container for a user to thereafter unseal to consume a beverage provided therein includes sealing a beverage into a body having a top surface including at least one sealing surface, attaching a lid including a projection to the top surface of the body, and enabling the lid to be rotated with respect to the body to cause the projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In a general example embodiment, a method of unsealing a beverage container includes rotating a lid with respect to a body containing a sealed beverage so that a projection of the lid unseals at least one sealing surface of the body so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In a general example embodiment, a liquid container includes a body configured to seal a liquid therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is translated towards the body and/or rotated with respect to the body.

In a general example embodiment, a liquid container includes a body configured to seal a liquid therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection and at least one lid aperture, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to the body is configured to cause: (i) the at least one projection to unseal the sealing surface to reveal the body aperture; and (ii) the at least one lid aperture to align with the at least one body aperture so that the liquid may be poured from the body through the at least one body aperture and the at least one lid aperture.

In a general example embodiment, a lid for a beverage container includes a top surface including at least one aperture, a protrusion configured to attach the top surface to a body containing a sealed beverage, and a projection configured to unseal the beverage as the top surface is translated towards the body while the protrusion attaches the lid to the body, such that a user may thereafter pour the beverage through the at least one aperture of the top surface.

In a general example embodiment, a method of sealing a beverage container for a user to thereafter unseal to consume a beverage provided therein includes sealing a beverage into a body having a top surface including at least one sealing surface, attaching a lid including a projection to the top surface of the body, and enabling the lid to be translated towards the body to cause the projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In a general example embodiment, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is translated towards the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular apparatuses and methods described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only to the appended claims.

As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may lack any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate an example embodiment of a beverage container10according to the present disclosure.FIGS. 1A and 2Aillustrate beverage container10in a sealed configuration wherein a beverage is sealed from the outside environment, whileFIGS. 1B and 2Billustrate beverage container10in an unsealed configuration wherein a user may drink the beverage therein.

In the illustrated embodiment, beverage container10includes a body12and a lid14. Lid14may be removably attached to body12by pushing lid14towards body12and/or rotating lid14with respect to body12(e.g., rotating lid14with respect to body12in the direction D1around the rotational axis AR1through the center of lid14and/or body12). Attachment of lid14to body12is discussed in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage within body12is sealed from the outside environment until after lid14is attached to body12and used to unseal the beverage.

FIGS. 3 to 6illustrate an example embodiment of lid14in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, lid14includes one or more of a top surface20, one or more side surface21, a lip22, one or more aperture structure24, and one or more protrusions26. Lid14may be formed, for example, from plastic, a metal such as aluminum, another suitable material, or a combination of multiple suitable materials.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one aperture structure24includes a first aperture structure24aand a second aperture structure24b(shown generally as reference number24in some figures). First aperture structure24ais configured to provide a drinking aperture for the user, while second aperture structure24bis configured to enable air to pass from the outside environment into contact with the beverage within beverage container10so that the beverage may flow freely to the user through first aperture structure24a. In an embodiment, first aperture structure24ais larger than second aperture structure24b, but the shapes and sizes of first aperture structure24aand second aperture structure24bmay vary in different embodiments. In an embodiment, beverage container10may be formed with only first aperture structure24a.

In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture structure24aincludes a first aperture32athrough top surface20. In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture32ais surrounded by at least one outer wall34a. In an embodiment, the at least one outer wall34amay create a conical or cylindrical structure surrounding aperture32aand may extend between a first or top aperture portion36aof first aperture32aand a second or bottom aperture portion38aof aperture32a. In the illustrated embodiment, second portion38ais larger than first aperture portion36ato create a conical structure, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that different shapes and sizes for first aperture portion36aand second aperture portion38aare suitable for use with the beverage containers disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture portion36ais located near a user's lips when the user is drinking the beverage from beverage container10, while second aperture portion38ais placed near body12to receive the beverage and enable the beverage to flow through aperture32ato the user. An advantage of the present disclosure is that different types of lids14with different types of aperture structures24for different types of beverages may be easily interchanged with different types of bodies12.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the at least one outer wall34aincludes a projection40awhich extends a distance D below a bottom surface35aof outer wall34a. Projection40amay further include a piercing tip42aconfigured to pierce a sealing surface74ato unseal the beverage within beverage container10. In an embodiment, projection40amay further be angled outwardly or inwardly to facilitate piercing of sealing surface74awhen lid14is rotated with respect to body12. In an embodiment, projection40amay protrude from top surface20and/or side surface21instead of from outer wall34a.

In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture structure24bincludes a second aperture32bthrough top surface20. In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture32bis surrounded by at least one outer wall34b. In an embodiment, the at least one outer wall34bmay create a conical or cylindrical structure surrounding second aperture32band may extend between a first or top aperture portion36bof second aperture32band a second or bottom aperture portion38bof aperture32b. In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture portion38bis larger than first aperture portion36bto create a conical structure, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that different shapes and sizes for first aperture portion36band second aperture portion38bare suitable for use with the beverage containers disclosed herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the at least one outer wall34bincludes a projection40bwhich extends a distance D below a bottom surface35bof outer wall34b. Projection40bmay further include a piercing tip42bconfigured to pierce a sealing surface74bto unseal the beverage within beverage container10. In an embodiment, projection40bmay further be angled outwardly or inwardly to facilitate piercing of sealing surface74bwhen lid14is rotated with respect to body12. In an embodiment, projection40bmay protrude from top surface20and/or side surface21instead of from outer wall34b.

In the illustrated embodiment, lip22includes a bottom surface44which may be pressed against an outer rim62of body12when beverage container10is unsealed and/or when lid14is attached to body12. In the illustrated embodiment, lip22is shown as a straight horizontal surface, but lip22and/or bottom surface44may also be angled to improve the contact between bottom surface44and outer rim62of body12when beverage container10is unsealed and/or when lid14is attached to body12.

One or more protrusion26may extend inwardly from outer wall21of lid14. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions26are inwardly facing round or cylindrical protuberances which extend into and interact with a corresponding outer tab80of body12, as explained in more detail below. Other suitable shapes besides a round or cylindrical protuberance may also be used. In the illustrated embodiment, lid14includes four protrusions26, equidistantly spaced 90° apart on the inner perimeter of lid14, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that more or less protrusions26may be used, and that the spacing between protrusions26may be altered besides as shown in the illustrated example. In use, the one or more protrusions26protrude to contact a track of a corresponding outer tab80of body12and enable at least one of: (i) lid14to be attached to body12; and/or (ii) body12to be unsealed.

In the illustrated embodiment, body12includes a top surface66, at least one side surface68, and a bottom surface70, which surfaces may seal a beverage within body12in an airtight manner. Body12may be formed, for example, from plastic, a metal such as aluminum, or another suitable material. Body12may further be formed in other shapes and sizes besides as shown in the illustrated embodiment, with additional surfaces added.

FIG. 7illustrates the top surface66of body12. In the illustrated embodiment, top surface66includes a main surface72and at least one sealing surface74which covers at least one body aperture73. The at least one sealing surface74may be made of the same material as main surface72, or may be made of a different material than main surface72. In an embodiment, at least one sealing surface74may include a breakaway plastic seal, for example, a plastic membrane material, or may include an aluminum material. In an embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74is integrally formed with the main surface72.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74is attached to main surface72by at least one break line76, wherein the at least one sealing surface74on one side of break line76may break away from main surface72on the other side of break line76when a force is applied to the at least one sealing surface74and/or main surface72. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74is broken from main surface72across the at least one break line76when a downward force is applied to the at least one sealing surface74by projection40(e.g. first projection40aor second projection40b). In an alternative embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74may be broken from main surface72across the at least one break line76when an upward and/or sideways force is applied to the at least one sealing surface74by projection40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74includes three break lines76and a fold line78. Fold line78is configured to enable the at least one sealing surface74to bend and/or rotate with respect to main surface72while remaining attached to main surface72. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74breaks along the three break lines76and bends into body12along fold line78when a force is applied to the at least one sealing surface74by projection40. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74breaks along the three break lines76and bends upwardly from body12along fold line78when a force is applied to the at least one sealing surface74by projection40. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that more or less break lines76and/or fold lines78may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface74includes a first sealing surface74aand a second sealing surface74b(shown generally as reference number74in some figures). First sealing surface74ais configured to align with first aperture structure24awhen beverage container10is unsealed, enabling a user to drink the beverage through first aperture structure24a. Second sealing surface74bis configured to align with second aperture structure24bwhen beverage container10is unsealed, enabling air to pass from the outside environment into contact with the beverage within beverage container10so that the beverage may flow freely to the user through first aperture structure24a.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of first sealing surface74aand second sealing surface74bare formed as trapezoids with top and bottom break lines76which curve with different radiuses taken from the center of top surface66. This configuration is advantageous, for example, because a projection40may sweep through a sealing surface74as lid14is rotated with respect to body12. It should be understood, however, that sealing surfaces74may be formed with other shapes as well.

In the illustrated embodiment, body12includes at least one outer tab80projecting outwardly from at least one side surface68and/or from top surface66. In the illustrated embodiment, body12includes four outer tabs80equidistantly spaced 90° apart along the outer perimeter of at least one side surface68, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that more or less outer tabs80may be used, and that the spacing between outer tabs80may be altered besides as shown in the illustrated example. In use, the outer tabs80each receive a corresponding protrusion26of lid14and enable at least one of: (i) lid14to be attached to body12; and/or (ii) body12to be unsealed.

FIG. 8illustrates an example embodiment of an outer tab80in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, outer tab80includes a first side surface82, a second side surface84, and one or more lower track surface86extending between first side surface82and second side surface84. In the illustrated embodiment, track surface86includes a first angled portion88, a first indentation89, a second angled portion90, and a second indentation91. In use, a protrusion26translates along track surface86to enable at least one of: (i) lid14to be attached to body12; and/or (ii) body12to be unsealed.

FIGS. 9A to 11Billustrate an example embodiment of how lid14may be attached to body12via rotation of lid14with respect to body12, and how beverage container10may be unsealed by additional rotation of lid14with respect to body12. In the illustrated embodiment,FIGS. 9A, 10A and 11Ashow the relationship between cross-sections of lid14and body12to unseal beverage container10, whileFIGS. 9B, 10B and 11Billustrate the corresponding relationship of protrusion26and outer tab80which cause the movement shown inFIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11A, respectively. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that modifications may be made to the methods and structures shown herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the beverage containers discussed herein.

FIG. 9Aillustrates beverage container10once lid14has been initially attached to body12. At this point, beverage container10is still sealed. Lid14may be attached to body12, for example, by (i) aligning protrusion26with first side surface82of outer tab80, (ii) pressing lid14downward towards body12as protrusion26slides along first side surface82, and (iii) rotating lid14with respect to body12such that protrusion26slides along first angled portion88of track surface86and into first indentation89.

InFIGS. 9A and 9B, protrusion26is held within first indentation89, for example, by the force of lid14pressing against body12. In the illustrated embodiment, projection40(e.g. first projection40aor second projection40b) lies against main surface72, and the force of projection40pushing against main surface72holds lid14to body12with beverage container10still sealed.

FIG. 10Aillustrates beverage container10just as the seal is broken between the beverage therein and the outer environment. The seal may be broken, for example, (i) by pushing lid14towards body12to dislodge protrusion26from first indentation89; and/or (ii) by rotating lid14with respect to body12such that protrusion26translates along second angled portion90. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal breaks when projection40presses against the at least one sealing surface74, causing the at least one sealing surface74to be broken away from main surface72along at least one break line76.

FIG. 11Aillustrates beverage container10once lid14has been fully rotated with respect to body12to completely unseal the beverage within body12. As illustrated, as projection40is swept to the side (e.g., around rotational axis AR1inFIGS. 1A and 2A) while protrusion26translates along second angled portion90, projection40sweeps the at least one sealing surface74to the side, rotating the at least one sealing surface along fold line78, so that the at least one sealing surface74does not disrupt flow of the beverage through aperture73and/or aperture structure24. When protrusion26reaches a second indentation91, as illustrated inFIG. 11B, lid14and body12are locked into the configuration shown inFIG. 11A, wherein aperture structure24is aligned with a corresponding body aperture73in main surface72where the at least one sealing surface74used to be.

As protrusion26travels along second angled portion90between the configurations shown inFIGS. 10B and 10C, the angled nature of second angled portion90pulls lid14towards body12, causing one or more of: (i) bottom surface44of lip22to press against outer rim62of body12, thus sealing the outer perimeter of beverage container10; and/or (ii) causing bottom surface35of the at least one outer wall34to press against main surface72, thus sealing the outer perimeter of aperture structure24around body aperture73so that the beverage and/or air may pass therethrough.

It should be understood from this disclosure thatFIGS. 9 to 11illustrate the unsealing of first sealing surface74aand/or the unsealing of second sealing surface74b, which may both be opened simultaneously by the rotation of lid14with respect to body12due to the positioning and configuration of first sealing surface74aand second sealing surface74bon opposite sides of top surface66of body12. Looking from the same side view at first sealing surface74aand second sealing surface74b, first sealing surface74awould open in one direction, and second sealing surface74bwould open in the opposite direction, with both directions being the same rotational direction around the center of lid14and/or body12(e.g., around direction D1inFIGS. 1A and 2A).

In an embodiment, all or a portion of lid14may be made transparent, so that a user may inspect the at least one sealing surface74prior to opening the beverage container10to ensure that the at least one sealing surface74has not been compromised and that the beverage within beverage container10is safe to drink. In another embodiment, lid14may include one or more additional aperture to allow visual inspection of at least one sealing surface74.

In an embodiment, body12and lid14may be formed of different materials. For example, body12may be formed of a metal such as aluminum which may assist in keeping the beverage therein colder for a longer period of time, while lid14may be formed of another material such as plastic so that the user does not have to press his or her lips up against a metal to drink the beverage. This configuration may be advantageous, for example, because certain beverages may taste differently when consumed directly from metal such as aluminum. In an alternative embodiment, body12and lid14may be formed from the same material.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate another example embodiment of a beverage container110according to the present disclosure.FIGS. 12A and 13Aillustrate beverage container110in a sealed configuration wherein a beverage is sealed from the outside environment, whileFIGS. 12B and 13Billustrate beverage container110in an unsealed configuration wherein a user may drink the beverage. It should be understood that any of the features of beverage container10may be combined with the features of beverage container110, and vice versa.

In the illustrated embodiment, beverage container110includes a body112and a lid114. Lid114may be removably attached to body112by pushing lid114towards body112and/or rotating lid114with respect to body112(e.g., rotating lid114with respect to body112in the direction D2around the rotational axis AR2through the center of lid114and/or body112). Attachment of lid114to body112is discussed in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage within body112is sealed from the outside environment until after lid114is attached to body112and used to unseal the beverage.

FIGS. 14 to 16illustrate an example embodiment of lid114in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, lid114includes one or more of a top surface120, one or more side surface121, a lip122, one or more aperture structure124, one or more protrusion126, and one or more projection140. Lid114may be formed, for example, from plastic, a metal such as aluminum, another suitable material, or a combination of multiple suitable materials.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one aperture structure124includes a first aperture structure124aand a second aperture structure124b(shown generally as reference number124in some figures). First aperture structure124ais configured to provide a drinking aperture for the user, while second aperture structure124bis configured to enable air to pass from the outside environment into contact with the beverage within beverage container110so that the beverage may flow freely to the user through first aperture structure124a. In an embodiment, first aperture structure124amay be larger than second aperture structure124b, but the shapes and sizes of first aperture structure124aand second aperture structure124bmay vary in different embodiments. In an embodiment, beverage container110may be formed with only a single aperture structure124a.

In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture structure124aincludes a first aperture132athrough top surface120. In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture132ais surrounded by at least one outer wall134a, which extends from top surface120to a bottom surface135a. In an embodiment, the at least one outer wall134amay create a conical or cylindrical structure surrounding first aperture132aand may extend between a first or top aperture portion136aof first aperture132aand a second or bottom aperture portion138aof first aperture132a. In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture portion138ais larger than first aperture portion136ato create a conical structure, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that different shapes and sizes for first aperture portion136aand second aperture portion138aare suitable for use with the beverage containers discussed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, first aperture portion136ais located near a user's lips when the user is drinking the beverage from beverage container110, while second aperture portion138ais placed near body112to receive the beverage and enable the beverage to flow through aperture132ato the user. An advantage of the present disclosure is that different types of lids114with different types of aperture structures124for different types of beverages may be easily interchanged with different types of bodies112.

In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture structure124bincludes a second aperture132bthrough top surface120. In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture132bis surrounded by at least one outer wall134b, which extends from top surface120to a bottom surface135b. In an embodiment, the at least one outer wall134bmay create a conical or cylindrical structure surrounding second aperture132band may extend between a first or top aperture portion136bof second aperture132band a second or bottom aperture portion138bof second aperture132b. In the illustrated embodiment, second aperture portion138bis larger than first aperture portion136bto create a conical structure, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that different shapes and sizes for first aperture portion136band second aperture portion138bare suitable for use with the beverage containers discussed herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more projection140includes a first projection140aconfigured to open first sealing surface174aby causing a first pull tab175ato apply pressure to first sealing surface174a, and includes a second projection140bconfigured to open second sealing surface174bby causing a second pull tab175bto apply pressure to second sealing surface174b. The method for opening the first and second sealing surfaces174a,174busing the first and second projections140a,140boccurs when lid114is rotated with respect to body112and is discussed in more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, lip122includes a bottom surface144which may be pressed against an outer rim162of body112when lid114is attached to body112and/or when body112is unsealed. In the illustrated embodiment, lip122is shown as a straight horizontal surface, but lip122may also be angled to improve the contact between bottom surface144and outer rim162of body112when lid114is attached to body112and/or when body112is unsealed.

The one or more protrusion126may include, for example, a ring that extends inwardly from outer wall121of lid114. In the illustrated embodiment, a ring extends all the way around the inner perimeter of outer wall121, but ring146may also be broken into smaller, alternating protrusions126. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more protrusions126enable lid114to snap-fit over outer rim162of body112, which in an embodiment may be the standard outer rim of an aluminum can. In use, the one or more protrusion126may snap-fit lid114onto body114and enable at least one of: (i) lid114to be attached to body112; and/or (ii) body112to be unsealed. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more protrusion126enables lid114to be rotated with respect to body112once lid114has been attached to body112, so that lid114may be used to unseal the beverage within body112.

In the illustrated embodiment, body112includes a top surface166, at least one side surface168, and a bottom surface170, which surfaces may seal a beverage within body112in an airtight manner. Body112may be formed, for example, from plastic, a metal such as aluminum, or another suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, body112is formed as a standard aluminum can. Body112may further be formed in other shapes and sizes besides as shown in the illustrated embodiment, with additional surfaces added.

FIG. 17illustrates the top surface166of body112. In the illustrated embodiment, top surface166includes a main surface172, at least one sealing surface174(shown as174aand174bin some figures) which covers a body aperture173, and at least one pull tab175(shown as175aand175bin some figures). The at least one sealing surface174may be made of the same material as main surface172, or may be made of a different material than main surface172. In an embodiment, at least one sealing surface174may include a breakaway plastic seal, for example, a plastic membrane material. In another embodiment, the main surface and the at least one sealing surface may both be made of the same material (e.g., aluminum or plastic) and separated by at least one break line176.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface174is attached to main surface172by at least one break line176, wherein the at least one sealing surface174on one side of break line176may break away from main surface172on the other side of break line176when a force is applied to the at least one sealing surface174and/or main surface172. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface174is broken from main surface172across the at least one break line176when a downward force is applied to the at least one sealing surface174by pull tab175. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one sealing surface174may be broken from main surface172across the at least one break line176when an upward and/or sideways force is applied to the at least one sealing surface174by pull tab175.

In the illustrated embodiment the at least one sealing surface174includes three break lines176and a fold line178. Fold line178is configured to enable the at least one sealing surface174to bend and/or rotate with respect to main surface172while remaining attached to main surface172. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface174breaks along the three break lines176and bends into or away from body112along fold line178when a force is applied to the at least one sealing surface174by pull tab175. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that more or less break lines176and/or fold lines178may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one sealing surface174includes a first sealing surface174aand a second sealing surface174b(shown generally as reference number174in some figures). First sealing surface174ais configured to align with first aperture structure124awhen beverage container110is unsealed, enabling a user to drink the beverage through first aperture structure124a. Second sealing surface174bis configured to align with second aperture structure124bwhen beverage container110is unsealed, enabling air to pass from the outside environment into contact with the beverage within beverage container110so that the beverage may flow freely to the user through first aperture structure124a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one pull tab175includes a first pull tab175aand a second pull tab175b(shown generally as reference number175in some figures). In the illustrated embodiment, first pull tab175ais mounted to first sealing surface174a, and second pull tab175bis mounted to second sealing surface174b. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of first pull tab175aand/or second pull tab174bmay be attached to main surface172. In an embodiment, one or both of first pull tab175aand/or second pull tab174bmay be attached to a sealing surface174and/or main surface172using a rivet. In another embodiment, pull tab175may be integrally formed with sealing surface174. As explained in more detail below, pull tab175amay be caused to open first sealing surface174aby a force applied by first projection140awhen lid114is rotated, while pull tab175bmay be caused to open second sealing surface174bby a force applied by second projection140bwhen lid114is rotated.

FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate body114in more detail. As illustrated, top surface166and the at least one side surface168may be formed of separate materials, e.g. aluminum or plastic, wherein outer rim162of body112is created by forming top surface166over the at least one side surface168using suitable manufacturing methods known in the art.

FIGS. 20A to 20Dillustrate an example embodiment of how lid114may be rotated with respect to body114to unseal the beverage within beverage container110. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that modifications may be made to the methods and structures shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the beverage containers discussed herein.

FIG. 20Aillustrates beverage container110once lid114has been initially attached to body112. At this point, beverage container110is still sealed. Lid114may be attached to body112, for example by snap-fit as explained above, so as to allow lid114to rotate fully or at least partially with respect to body112. InFIG. 20A, projection140is aligned with pull tab175but not yet applying a force to pull tab175.

FIG. 20Bshows lid114slightly rotated with respect to body112in comparison withFIG. 20A, such that projection140has entered an aperture of pull tab175and caused pull tab175to break the seal between the beverage within body112and the outer environment.FIG. 20Billustrates beverage container110just as the seal is broken between the beverage within body112and the outer environment. The seal may be broken, for example, by using projection140to push pull tab175into the sealing surface174(e.g., pushing the top of pull tab to the right inFIG. 20B, thus forcing the bottom of pull tab175downward). In the illustrated embodiment, the seal is broken when pull tab175presses downwardly against the sealing surface174, causing the sealing surface174to be broken from main surface172along break line176. In an alternative embodiment, pull tab175may not push downwardly onto the sealing surface174, and may instead unseal the beverage by pulling upwardly on the sealing surface174as illustrated inFIG. 20C(e.g.,FIG. 20Bmay be skipped).

FIG. 20Cshows lid114slightly rotated with respect to body112in comparison withFIG. 20B, such that projection140has pulled pull tab175to the right, thereby causing pull tab175to pull upwardly on the sealing surface174, thus also pulling the sealing surface174to the right.

FIG. 20Dshows lid114slightly rotated with respect to body112in comparison withFIG. 20C, such that projection140has pulled pull tab175and the sealing surface174all the way to the right, thereby completely unsealing the beverage within body112and aligning aperture structure124with a corresponding aperture173in main surface172where the sealing surface174used to be. With the sealing surface174pulled all the way to the side, the sealing surface174does not disrupt flow of the beverage through aperture173and/or aperture structure124.

It should be understood from this disclosure thatFIGS. 20A to 20Dillustrate the opening of first sealing surface174aand/or the opening of second sealing surface174b, which may both be opened simultaneously by the rotation of lid114with respect to body112due to the positioning and configuration of first sealing surface174aand second sealing surface174bon opposite sides of top surface166of body112. Looking from the same side view at first sealing surface174aand second sealing surface174b, first sealing surface174awould open in one direction, and second sealing surface174bwould open in the opposite direction, as illustrated for example byFIG. 13B, with both directions being the same rotational direction around the center of lid114and/or body112.

FIGS. 21A to 21Cillustrate an alternative embodiment ofFIGS. 20A to 20Din which pull tab175is oriented in the opposite direction to overlay sealing surface174when viewed from above (e.g., when viewed from the perspective ofFIG. 17). As illustrated, projection140causes pull tab175to pull upwardly on sealing surface174when projection140pulls pull tab175to the side as lid114is rotated with respect to body112.

In an embodiment, all or a portion of lid114may be made transparent, so that a user may inspect the at least one sealing surface174prior to opening the beverage to ensure that the at least one sealing surface174has not been compromised and that the beverage within beverage container110is safe to drink. In another embodiment, lid114may include one or more additional aperture to allow visual inspection of at least one sealing surface174.

In an embodiment, body112and lid114may be formed of different materials. For example, body114may be formed of a metal such as aluminum which may assist in keeping the beverage therein colder and/or fresher for a longer period of time, while lid114may be formed of another material such as plastic so that the user does not have to press his or her lips up against a metal to drink the beverage. This configuration may be advantageous, for example, because certain beverages may taste differently when consumed directly from metal. In an alternative embodiment, body112and lid114may be formed from the same material.

It should be understood that modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.FIGS. 22, 23 and 24illustrate a few such modifications.

FIGS. 22A to 22Cillustrate an example embodiment in which the at least one sealing surface74/174is placed on top of and/or partially overlaps the main surface72/172, and wherein the projection40/140includes a wedge shape which protrudes outwardly from the outer wall34/134of aperture structure24/124. As lid14/114rotates with respect to body12/112, projection40/140wedges underneath the at least one sealing surface74/174, lifting and rotating the at least one sealing surface to unseal the beverage and reveal a body aperture73/173.

FIGS. 23A to 23Cillustrate an example embodiment in which the at least one sealing surface74/174is placed on top of and/or partially overlaps the main surface72/172and slides parallel to main surface72/172when pushed to the side by the outer wall34/134of aperture structure24/124. As lid14/114rotates with respect to body12/112, outer wall34/134displaces the at least one sealing surface74/174, pushing the at least one sealing surface74/174over the main surface to reveal a body aperture73/173.

In an alternative embodiment, rotation of lid14/114with respect to body12/112may not unseal at least one sealing surface74/174. Rotation of lid14/114with respect to body12/112may simply align one or more aperture or aperture structure24/124with one or more sealing surface74/174, so that the user may manually unseal the sealing surface74/174, for example, by pulling a pull tab or poking a straw through the one or more sealing surface.

The embodiments disclosed herein further show projection40/140protruding from a top surface20/120or another element attached thereto. It should further be understood that embodiments may be constructed with the projection40/140protruding from aside wall21/121.

In an embodiment, a lid14/114according to the present disclosure may be formed to assist the user with rotation of the lid14/114with respect to the body12/112.FIG. 24illustrates an example embodiment of a lid14/114including one or more gripping protuberances52/152that a user may grip to rotate lid14/114.

In an embodiment, projection40/140may break the seal of sealing surface when lid14/114is pushed or translated downwardly towards body12/112without rotation, for example, by applying a force to sealing surface74/174to push sealing surface74/174into body12/112. Rotation of lid14/114with respect body12/112may occur before or after the downward translation to align certain elements as described above. In an embodiment, rotation may be excluded, and lid14/114may only be attached to body12/112in a configuration which enables projection40/140to break the seal of sealing surface74/174when lid14/114is pushed or translated downwardly towards body12/112.

It should be understood from the present disclosure that the embodiments described herein may also be used to seal liquids besides drinkable beverages.

Modifications in addition to those described above may be made to the structures and techniques described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting on the scope of the disclosure.

Additional Aspects of the Disclosure

Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be useful alone or in combination with any one or more of other aspect described herein. Without limiting the foregoing description, in a first aspect of the present disclosure, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sealing surface includes a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and the at least one projection unseals the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture and the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are located on opposite sides of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection unseals the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface simultaneously.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are unsealed along a same rotational direction around a center of the body

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection includes a first projection and a second projection, the first projection configured to unseal the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture and the second projection configured to unseal the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first projection and the second projection are located on opposite sides of the lid.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, wherein the at least one projection is configured to cause the at least one sealing surface to detach from the main surface along at least one break line.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection is configured to cause the at least one sealing surface to rotate with respect to the main surface along a fold line.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection is configured to apply a force to a pull tab to cause the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes downwardly from a top surface of the lid.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes at least one aperture structure, and the at least one aperture structure includes at least one lid aperture and at least one sidewall surrounding the at least one lid aperture.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes downwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and outwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to increase in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and inwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to decrease in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one aperture is smaller at a top surface of the lid than near the body when the lid is attached to the body.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one aperture is larger at a top surface of the lid than near the body when the lid is attached to the body.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab to cause at least one of: (i) the lid to be attached to the body; and/or (ii) the at least one projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one outer tab includes a track, wherein movement of the lid with respect to the body causes the at least one protrusion to move along the track.

In accordance with a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes at least one angled portion configured to cause the lid to be pulled closer to the body as the at least one protrusion moves along the angled portion.

In accordance with a twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes at least one indentation configured to cause the lid to be rotationally stationary with respect to the body unless a user pushes the lid into the body to release the at least one protrusion from the at least one indentation.

In accordance with a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes a first angled portion, a first indentation, a second angled portion, and a second indentation.

In accordance with a twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid is attached to the body by translating the at least one projection of the lid along the first angled portion and into the first indentation.

In accordance with a twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sealing portion is caused to be unsealed by translating the at least one projection of the lid along the second angled portion and into the second indentation.

In accordance with a twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and wherein the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab, wherein interaction between the outer tab and the at least one protrusion causes the lid to be pulled closer to the body when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a twenty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and wherein the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab, wherein interaction between the outer tab and the at least one protrusion causes the at least one projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pushes the at least one sealing surface into the main surface to unseal the at least one sealing surface when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pushes the at least one sealing surface into the main surface by applying a force to a pull tab configured to push the at least one sealing surface into the main surface.

In accordance with a thirtieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pulls the at least one sealing surface upwardly from the main surface to unseal the at least one sealing surface when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pulls the at least one sealing surface upwardly by applying a force to a pull tab configured to pull the at least one sealing surface upwardly from the main surface.

In accordance with a thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body is formed from aluminum, and the lid is formed from a material other than aluminum.

In accordance with a thirty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body and the lid are formed from different materials.

In accordance with a thirty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body and the lid are formed from a same material.

In accordance with a thirty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid is at least partially transparent or includes a viewing aperture to enable a user to view the at least one sealing surface to ensure that the at least one sealing surface is not compromised prior to unsealing.

In accordance with a thirty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface, a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture, and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including (i) a first projection which unseals the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body, and (ii) a second projection which unseals the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a thirty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, rotation of the lid with respect to the body causes the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface to be unsealed simultaneously

In accordance with a thirty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the first projection unseals the first sealing surface by applying a force to a pull tab attached to or located adjacent to the first sealing surface.

In accordance with a thirty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the second projection unseals the second sealing surface by applying a force to a pull tab attached to or located adjacent to the second sealing surface

In accordance with a fortieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are located on opposite sides of the top surface.

In accordance with a forty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are opened in the same rotational direction.

In accordance with a forty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection and at least one lid aperture, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to the body is configured to cause: (i) the at least one projection to unseal the sealing surface to reveal the body aperture; and (ii) the at least one lid aperture to align with the at least one body aperture so that the beverage may be poured from the body through the at least one body aperture and the at least one lid aperture.

In accordance with a forty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sealing surface includes a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and the at least one projection unseals the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture and the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body

In accordance with a forty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are located on opposite sides of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with a forty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection unseals the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface simultaneously.

In accordance with a forty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are unsealed along a same rotational direction around a center of the body.

In accordance with a forty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection includes a first projection and a second projection, the first projection configured to unseal the first sealing surface to reveal the first body aperture and the second projection configured to unseal the second sealing surface to reveal the second body aperture.

In accordance with a forty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first projection and the second projection are located on opposite sides of the lid.

In accordance with a forty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection is configured to cause the at least one sealing surface to detach from the main surface along at least one break line.

In accordance with a fiftieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection is configured to cause the at least one sealing surface to rotate with respect to the main surface along a fold line.

In accordance with a fifty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection is configured to apply a force to a pull tab to cause the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture.

In accordance with a fifty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes downwardly from a top surface of the lid.

In accordance with a fifty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes at least one aperture structure, and wherein the at least one aperture structure includes at least one lid aperture and at least one sidewall surrounding the at least one lid aperture.

In accordance with a fifty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes downwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a fifty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection protrudes outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a fifty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and outwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to increase in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a fifty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and inwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to decrease in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a fifty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one aperture is smaller at a top surface of the lid than near the body when the lid is attached to the body.

In accordance with a fifty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one aperture is larger at a top surface of the lid than near the body when the lid is attached to the body.

In accordance with a sixtieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab to cause at least one of: (i) the lid to be attached to the body; and/or (ii) the at least one projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body

In accordance with a sixty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one outer tab includes a track, wherein movement of the lid with respect to the body causes the at least one protrusion to move along the track.

In accordance with a sixty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes at least one angled portion configured to cause the lid to be pulled closer to the body as the at least one protrusion moves along the angled portion.

In accordance with a sixty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes at least one indentation configured to cause the lid to be rotationally stationary with respect to the body unless a user pushes the lid into the body to release the at least one protrusion from the at least one indentation.

In accordance with a sixty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the track includes a first angled portion, a first indentation, a second angled portion, and a second indentation.

In accordance with a sixty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid is attached to the body by translating the at least one projection of the lid along the first angled portion and into the first indentation.

In accordance with a sixty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sealing portion is caused to be unsealed by translating the at least one projection of the lid along the second angled portion and into the second indentation.

In accordance with a sixty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and wherein the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab, wherein interaction between the outer tab and the at least one protrusion causes the lid to be pulled closer to the body when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a sixty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body includes at least one outer tab, and wherein the lid includes at least one protrusion configured to protrude into the at least one outer tab, wherein interaction between the outer tab and the at least one protrusion causes the at least one projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a sixty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pushes the at least one sealing surface into the main surface to unseal the at least one sealing surface when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a seventieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pushes the at least one sealing surface into the main surface by applying a force to a pull tab configured to push the at least one sealing surface into the main surface.

In accordance with a seventy-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pulls the at least one sealing surface upwardly from the main surface to unseal the at least one sealing surface when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a seventy-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one projection pulls the at least one sealing surface upwardly by applying a force to a pull tab configured to pull the at least one sealing surface upwardly from the main surface.

In accordance with a seventy-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body is formed from aluminum, and the lid is formed from a material other than aluminum.

In accordance with a seventy-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body and the lid are formed from different materials.

In accordance with a seventy-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body and the lid are formed from a same material.

In accordance with a seventy-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid is at least partially transparent or includes a viewing aperture to enable a user to view the at least one sealing surface to ensure that the at least one sealing surface is not compromised prior to unsealing.

In accordance with a seventy-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface, a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture, and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including: (i) a first lid aperture configured to align with the first body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body to unseal the first sealing surface from the first body aperture; and (ii) a second lid aperture configured to align with the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body to unseal the second sealing surface from the second body aperture.

In accordance with a seventy-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, rotation of the lid with respect to the body causes the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface to be unsealed simultaneously.

In accordance with a seventy-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes a first projection and a second projection, wherein the first projection is configured to unseal the first sealing surface from the first body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body, and wherein the second projection is configured to unseal the second sealing surface from the second body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with an eightieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first projection unseals the first sealing surface by applying a force to a pull tab attached to or located adjacent to the first sealing surface.

In accordance with an eighty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the second projection unseals the second sealing surface by applying a force to a pull tab attached to or located adjacent to the second sealing surface.

In accordance with an eighty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are located on opposite sides of the top surface.

In accordance with an eighty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are opened in the same rotational direction.

In accordance with an eighty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including a top surface, at least one side surface, and a bottom surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, wherein the at least one sealing surface may be unsealed to reveal the body aperture by applying a force to the at least one sealing surface, the force applied in a rotational direction around a center point of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with an eighty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the beverage container includes a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid applying the force to unseal the at least one sealing surface.

In accordance with an eighty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sealing surface includes a first sealing surface covering a first body aperture and a second sealing surface covering a second body aperture.

In accordance with an eighty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are located on opposite sides of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with an eighty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface are unsealed along a same rotational direction around a center of the body.

In accordance with an eighty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the beverage container includes a pull tab configured to apply the force to the at least one sealing surface in the rotational direction around the center point of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with a ninetieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the pull tab is attached to the at least one sealing surface.

In accordance with a ninety-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the pull tab is attached to the main surface.

In accordance with a ninety-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the body is formed from aluminum.

In accordance with a ninety-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a lid for a beverage container includes a top surface including at least one aperture, a protrusion configured to attach the top surface to a body containing a sealed beverage, and a projection configured to unseal the beverage as the top surface is rotated with respect to the body while the protrusion attaches the lid to the body, such that a user may thereafter pour the beverage through the at least one aperture of the top surface.

In accordance with a ninety-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the projection protrudes downwardly from the top surface.

In accordance with a ninety-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes at least one sidewall extending downwardly from the top surface, wherein the protrusion protrudes inwardly from the at least one side wall

In accordance with a ninety-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes at least one sidewall extending downwardly from the top surface, wherein the projection protrudes inwardly from the at least one side wall.

In accordance with a ninety-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes a first projection and a second projection, the first projection configured to unseal a first sealing surface on the body and the second projection configured to unseal a second sealing surface on the body.

In accordance with a ninety-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, wherein the first projection and the second projection are located on opposite sides of the top surface.

In accordance with a ninety-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the projection is configured to apply a force to a pull tab to unseal the beverage.

In accordance with a one-hundredth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid includes at least one aperture structure, and wherein the at least one aperture structure includes the aperture and at least one sidewall surrounding the aperture.

In accordance with a one-hundred-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the projection protrudes downwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a one-hundred-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the projection protrudes outwardly from the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a one-hundred-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and outwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to increase in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a one-hundred-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the at least one sidewall is angled downwardly and inwardly from the top surface to cause the aperture to decrease in size from top to bottom.

In accordance with a one-hundred-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the aperture is smaller at the top surface at the bottom of the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a one-hundred-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, wherein the aperture is smaller at the top surface at the bottom of the at least one sidewall.

In accordance with a one-hundred-seventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the protrusion attaches the top surface to the body when a user pushes the top surface into the body.

In accordance with a one-hundred-eighth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the protrusion attaches the top surface to the body when a user rotates the top surface with respect to the body.

In accordance with a one-hundred-ninth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the protrusion attaches the top surface to the body when a user pushes the top surface into the body and rotates the top surface with respect to the body.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-tenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the protrusion causes the top surface to move closer to the body as the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a one-hundred-eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the projection is caused to unseal the beverage as the top surface moves closer to the body during rotation.

In accordance with a one-hundred-twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the lid is at least partially transparent or includes a viewing aperture to enable a user to view the body with the lid attached to ensure that the body is not compromised prior to unsealing.

In accordance with a one-hundred-thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a method of sealing a beverage container for a user to thereafter unseal to consume a beverage provided therein includes sealing a beverage into a body having a top surface including at least one sealing surface, attaching a lid including a projection to the top surface of the body, and enabling the lid to be rotated with respect to the body to cause the projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In accordance with a one-hundred-fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method includes creating a break line between the at least one sealing surface and a main surface, and enabling the lid to be rotated with respect to the body to cause the at least one sealing surface to be separated from the main surface along the break line.

In accordance with a one-hundred-fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method enabling the at least one sealing surface to be unsealed in a rotational direction around a central point of the top surface of the body.

In accordance with a one-hundred-sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method includes configuring the lid to snap fit over the body.

In accordance with a one-hundred-seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method includes enabling rotation of the lid with respect to the body to cause the lid to be pulled closer to the body

In accordance with a one-hundred-eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method includes enabling the lid to be rotated with respect to the body to cause the projection to apply a force to a pull tab to unseal the at least one sealing surface so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In accordance with a one-hundred-nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, the method includes configuring the lid to attach to a standard aluminum can.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a method of unsealing a beverage container includes rotating a lid with respect to a body containing a sealed beverage so that a projection of the lid unseals at least one sealing surface of the body so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to a body causes the lid to be pulled closer to the body.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a liquid container includes a body configured to seal a liquid therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is rotated with respect to the body.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a liquid container includes a body configured to seal a liquid therein, the body including a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection and at least one lid aperture, wherein rotation of the lid with respect to the body is configured to cause: (i) the at least one projection to unseal the sealing surface to reveal the body aperture; and (ii) the at least one lid aperture to align with the at least one body aperture so that the liquid may be poured from the body through the at least one body aperture and the at least one lid aperture.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a lid for a beverage container includes a top surface including at least one aperture, a protrusion configured to attach the top surface to a body containing a sealed beverage, and a projection configured to unseal the beverage as the top surface is translated towards the body while the protrusion attaches the lid to the body, such that a user may thereafter pour the beverage through the at least one aperture of the top surface.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a method of sealing a beverage container for a user to thereafter unseal to consume a beverage provided therein includes sealing a beverage into a body having a top surface including at least one sealing surface, attaching a lid including a projection to the top surface of the body, and enabling the lid to be translated towards the body to cause the projection to unseal the at least one sealing surface so that the beverage may be dispensed through the lid.

In accordance with a one-hundredth-twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which may be used in combination with any other aspect or combination of aspects listed herein, a beverage container includes a body configured to seal a beverage therein, the body including at least a top surface, the top surface including a main surface and at least one sealing surface covering a body aperture, and a lid configured to at least partially cover the top surface of the body, the lid including at least one projection which unseals the at least one sealing surface to reveal the body aperture when the lid is translated towards the body.