SMALL LIQUID CONTAINERS

A small volume metal beverage can is provided. The small volume metal beverage can has a diameter approximately equal to a convention, single serving beverage can, which is typically a diameter of between about 2.0 and 2.25 inches, and a length, significantly less than 2.0 inches but sufficient to contain the required volume of liquid for the small volume that comprises a typical single serving size, which single serving size may range from about 0.5 ounces to about 2.5 ounces. The small volume metal beverage can has a base and a top lid connected by a cylindrical sidewall. The base, top lid, and cylindrical sidewall forms a generally squat form taking a shape similar to an ice hockey puck. The top lid is generally formed with a removable opening, such as, for example, a pull tab or pop top. The small volume metal beverage can is stackable on a conventional beverage can.

BACKGROUND

The technology of the present application relates to small liquid containers and, more specifically, to small, metal beverage cans that may be provided individually, in combination with standard sized, metal beverage cans, or stacked in packages of similar or mixed beverages.

The conventional beverage can, in the United States, comprises a metal container, typically aluminum, to hold a fixed volume of a beverage. The beverage can typically has a base and a top lid connected by a cylindrical sidewall, which generally forms an elongated cylindrical tube (e.g., longer on its transverse access than it is wide based on its diameter). The top lid has a removable or openable portion on a top, such as a pull tab or a pop top. The capacity of the beverage can in the United States is typically around 12 US fluid ounces or about 355 milliliters.

Over time, many beverage companies introduced both larger and smaller offerings of beverages in metal cans. The metal cans to accommodate the changing volumes generally were narrower or wider but the proportional length to dimeter remained with the length greater than or equal to the diameter of the can. Generally, the volume of the metal beverage can is between about 5 fluid ounces to about 16 fluid ounces in the United States.

However, many single serving beverages are much smaller than even 5 fluid ounces. Also, many smaller sized single serving beverages are combined with a larger single serving beverage. Such as, for example, adding a shot of rum (about 1.5 ounces) to a conventional serving of a cola drink (about 12 ounces). This is problematic for todays conventional servings to combine as the small single servings (e.g., less than 5 fluid ounces) are typically provided in a plastic bottle. Even if provided in a small can, the traditional methods and production results in non-combinable units (as the small can has a diameter much less than the large can).

Thus, against this background, it would be desirable to provide a small, single serving, metal can with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of a conventional beverage can.

SUMMARY

In some aspects of the technology, a small volume metal beverage can is provided. The small volume metal beverage can has a diameter approximately equal to a convention, single serving beverage can, which is typically a diameter of between about 2.0 and 2.25 inches, and a length, significantly less than 2.0 inches but sufficient to contain the required volume of liquid for the small volume that comprises a typical single serving size, which single serving size may range from about 0.5 ounces to about 2.5 ounces. The small volume metal beverage can has a base and a top lid connected by a cylindrical sidewall. The base, top lid, and cylindrical sidewall forms a generally squat form taking a shape similar to an ice hockey puck. The top lid is generally formed with a removable opening, such as, for example, a pull tab or pop top.

In some embodiments, the small volume metal beverage can is combinable with a conventional metal beverage can having diameter of between about 2.0 and 2.25 inches and a length sufficient to hold approximately 12 fluid ounces in the United States, which may be between about 4.5 to 5 inches in length. The diameter and formation of the base and top lid of the small volume metal beverage can is sized and shaped to fit within the base and/or top lid of the conventional metal beverage can to form a stackable unit.

In some embodiments, several small volume metal beverage cans are stackable as a unit. The stackable unit of small volume metal beverage cans may comprise all cans of the same length or different lengths, although each of the lengths is less than the diameters of the cans, which are all equal. Moreover, each of the several small volume metal beverage cans in the stackable unit may have the same or different liquids. The same or different liquids may be combinable.

These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technology of the present application is described with specific reference to small volume aluminum beverage cans. However, the technology described herein may be used with applications other than those specifically described herein. Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described with relation to exemplary embodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, unless specifically identified otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.

With reference now toFIG. 1, a small volume aluminum beverage can100consistent with the technology of the present application is shown. The aluminum beverage can100has a top lid102and a base104. A cylindrical sidewall106couples the top lid102and the base104. The top lid102is formed by a depressed area108or cavity surrounded by an annular lip110.

With reference toFIG. 2, the top lid102has a diameter D. The cylindrical sidewall has a length L (seeFIG. 2). The diameter D is greater than, and in most instances substantially greater than, the length L. With reference toFIG. 7, the base104has an annular ridge702. The annular ridge702forms a depressed area704. The annular ridge702is generally formed by an outer wall706and an inner wall708that converge at a tip710. The outer wall706and the inner wall708may be straight or have an arch or radius of curvature. Generally, the annular ridge702and the lip110are both sized and shaped such that the small volume aluminum beverage can100can be stackable, as will be explained further below.

FIG. 6shows the top lid102in more detail. The top lid102has the depressed area108and the annular lip110. An etched seam602defines a openable tab604in the top lid102. A lever606is pivotably coupled to the top lid102at a pivot608proximal the etched seam602. The lever606has a push end610proximal the openable tab604and a pull end612distal the openable tab604. To open the small volume aluminum beverage can100, the pull end612of the lever606is pulled away from the top lid102. The lever606pivots about the pivot608such that pulling the pull end612causes the push end610to push into the openable tab604. The openable tab604separates along the etched seam602and the openable tab604moves into the volume defined by the small volume aluminum beverage can100.

FIG. 8shows a perspective view of the small volume liquid container100stacked with a conventional volume liquid container800consistent with the technology of the present application. As can be appreciated, the conventional volume liquid container800has a top lid802and a base804consistent with the top lid102and base104of the small volume liquid container100. Thus, the top lid802has a diameter D (not specifically shown). As is conventional, the conventional volume liquid container800has a length LL greater than, and in most instances much greater than, the diameter D. Also, as the top lid802and base804are similar to the top lid102and base104, the conventional volume liquid container800is stackable with the small volume liquid container100. As shown, the small volume liquid container800is stacked on the top lid802of the conventional volume liquid container800, but in other arrangements, the conventional volume liquid container800is stacked on the top lid102of the small volume liquid container100. While only one (1) small volume liquid container100is shown stacked with the conventional volume liquid container800, the combination unit810may include multiple small volume liquid containers800.

FIG. 9shows a perspective view of a stackable unit900of several small volume liquid containers100. As shown, the stackable unit900comprises four (4) small volume liquid containers100. While four small volume liquid containers100are shown, more or less are possible.

Although the technology has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and materials, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and materials described. Rather, the specific aspects are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).