Laminated container

A container is provided with grip enhancing protrusions of various shapes and sizes, which are raised and integrally formed on the container. The surface provides protrusions to enhance the ornamentation. The container is formed of two body portions which are laminated. The first body portion is of a flexible material which could formed of aluminum or plastic, and protrudes through protrusions provided in the second body portion which could be formed of a more solid material. The second body portion may be of a metal, cellulose, or plastic material.

BACKGROUND 
This invention relates to an enhanced container for fluids. 
In particular, this invention relates to a can for beverages. The can is 
physically relatively stronger, and can be relatively larger than a 
standard size can. Further, the container can provide a relatively 
enhanced construction for temperature conduction and also be relatively 
more attractive than existing cans. 
The invention also relates to a container using a combination of materials 
for its construction which is environmentally and economically 
advantageous. 
Traditional beverage containers typically have smooth cylindrical surfaces, 
the container being of a size that can easily be grasped by a user. 
However, because containers of beverages are often immersed in ice 
coolers, or naturally accumulate condensation, which renders the outer 
surface slippery to handle, containers can become difficult to hold. 
Moreover, in an attempt to keep the container of a size that can easily be 
held by a normal user, the beverage container is often relatively tall, to 
ensure that the proper amount of volume is maintained. The additional 
height of each beverage container can, cumulatively, cause storage 
problems as each beverage container takes up additional vertical space. 
There is a need for a beverage container having a surface that offers a 
better grip to the user, while permitting the height of the beverage 
container to be relatively shorter, to make more efficient use of storage 
space. 
There is also a need to have a container which has inherent insulating 
characteristics, so as to provide thermal insulation between the user and 
the container. Because many containers of the aluminum variety conduct 
heat freely, it would be advantageous to have a beverage container which 
actually decreases conduction. 
It would be advantageous to provide a beverage container having unique 
visual effects and be environmentally and economically efficient, and 
which would distinguish the product over others. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention provides a can which seeks to minimize the 
disadvantages presented by the prior art. 
By this invention, there is a provided a container which has at least the 
sides formed by two body portions. The first body portion is a relatively 
flexible material and the second body portion is a relatively more solid 
material and fits about the first body portion. The first body portion and 
second body portion are in a mating relationship which, preferably, forms 
a relatively laminated structure. 
By the term "laminated" the Applicant means a bonding process where two or 
more layers are combined into a firmly united material. The superposed 
layers may also be bonded with an appropriate resin or glue. Preferably, 
the bonding is effected under heat or vacuum by a compression process. The 
container may be formed by a punching process which is performed either 
hot or cold and with the two materials forming the first body portion and 
the second body portion so that the materials effectively become sealed 
together. The laminated container provides an appropriate look, structure 
and texture. 
The first body portion has first and second ends and there is a bottom 
portion sealing the first end and a top portion sealing the second end and 
having an aperture. A cover member is releasably secured to the top 
portion seals the aperture thereby providing a closed cavity for 
containing fluid. 
The first body portion cooperates with the second body portion to provide a 
pattern of apertures in the second body portion, which are filled by the 
first body portion and which can be protrusions formed by the first body 
portion through the apertures. The apertures and protrusions when they are 
present are of a preselected shape, height configuration and arrangement. 
The protrusions are formed through apertures provided in the second body 
portion and the protrusions extend outwardly from the second body portion. 
When the first material extends through the apertures they appear 
essentially as bubbles extending from the surface of the second body 
portion. By having the first material as an essentially transparent nature 
the contents of the container can be viewed through the apertures and the 
protrusions. Further, by having the composite first and second body 
portions or at least the second body portion sufficiently rigid any kind 
of printing can be effected to the surface of at least the second body 
portion. The printing can also cover those portions of the first body 
portion that extend in or through the apertures of the second body 
portion. 
By having the apertures in the second body portion extend for about 50 of a 
surface formed by the second body portion, the protrusions extend for 
about 50% of the effective surface of the second body portion. 
This combination of a first body portion of a first material and a second 
body portion of a second material creates a container which is unique. 
There is an efficient use of a first material and a second material 
respectively for the first body portion and second body portion. In some 
cases these materials may be the same kind of materials but may be simply 
of different colors or different consistencies or rigidities. Thus, a 
first form of plastic can form the first material for the first body 
portion and a second form of plastic a second material for the second body 
portion. 
In other forms of the invention, the first body portion can selectively be 
formed from a plastic, cellulose or a metallic material, and the second 
body portion from a plastic, cellulose or a metallic material. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the second body portion acts 
effectively as a shirt and provides the rigidity to the container and the 
first body portion which would be flexible. As such, the first body 
portion can extend outwardly under the effect of a fluid or liquid 
contents of the container. 
The first body portion can be formed of the material which is relatively 
transparent or clear. This provides a means for visually determining the 
contents of the material and in the container, and its quantity in the 
container. 
A suitable lamination means may be provided to effectively bond the first 
material for the first body portion and the second material for the second 
body portion together. 
Further according to the invention the exterior of the container is 
provided with various protrusions integral with the container, which 
provide additional grip so that the container can be better held when wet 
or cold. The protrusions can be of any shape, and any texture, and can be 
randomly interspersed throughout the perimeter of the container, or 
organized in a pattern. The effect of these protrusions is to increase the 
volume of the container and to provide proper gripping means. 
The increase in volume provided by the protrusions also facilitates the 
manufacture of containers of a shorter height, if it is desired to retain 
the same volume for the standard container. Because the protrusions 
provide the proper gripping means, and also increase the volume of the 
container, the container can be made shorter. The containers can also be 
made wider without affecting the user's ability to grasp the container 
properly as the protrusions actually enhance the grippability of the 
container. By making the containers slightly shorter than a standard shape 
container, the containers can be more efficiently stored and/or displayed, 
especially in refrigerator display units having limited height. 
In addition, the protrusions are situated around the perimeter of the 
container such that less heat is conducted between the user's hand and the 
container. Because the user's hand comes into contact primarily with the 
protrusions, which have limited surface area, less surface area contact 
between the user's hand and the container is provided. Not only does this 
help prevent the cold liquid in the container from being heated by 
conduction from the user's warm hands, but also helps prevent the cold 
temperature of the liquid in the container from being transferred by 
direct conduction to the user's hand, providing more comfort to the user. 
In addition, these protrusions can be made in any shape or texture, 
including shapes identifying the product with the consuming public, 
including logos, trademarks, trade names and lettering. The protrusions 
are preferably a shape selected to be at least one of repetitive triangle, 
star, rectangle, circle or recognizable form. 
The body of the container includes an outside surface which includes a 
layer which can be a printing of an ornamental representation on the 
outside surface. The ornamental representation extends at least in part 
over the protrusions thereby to enhance the ornamental effect of the 
surface by providing a three-dimensional or embossing effect of the 
ornamentation on the surface. 
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper portion of 
the fluid container is collapsible, preferably due to its construction at 
this location which is corrugated or accordion-like. The corrugation of 
the surface of the container at this location allows it to be manually 
collapsed by the consumer. Furthermore, the accordion-like construction of 
the collapsible portion of the container of the present invention can be 
located anywhere on a particular container. For example, the collapsible 
portion may be found on the bottom, sides, or center of the container. 
The invention applies to all types of containers having various 
configurations and materials. For example, these principles apply equally 
well to containers having circular, square, or rectangular, 
cross-sectional configurations. They also apply to a variety of container 
materials, such as aluminum, plastic, glass, or cardboard paper. 
The container of the present invention has applications in a number of 
industrial, consumer, and recreational settings, and should not be 
considered limited to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings or 
described herein.

DESCRIPTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a container 10 constructed in 
accordance with the present invention, including an exterior collapsible 
cylindrical surface 12, a bottom surface 14 and a top surface 16. A rigid 
upper rim 25 connects the top surface 16 with the cylindrical side 12, 
and, in a similar fashion, a rigid lower rim 33 connects the cylindrical 
side to the bottom surface 14. Although the invention is illustrated in 
connection with a cylindrical container, the principles of the present 
invention, as pointed out above, are equally applicable to containers of 
all configurations and dimensions, and should not be construed as being 
limited to those shown in the drawings. Also shown on the exterior of the 
cylindrical side surface of the container are raised protrusions 18 which 
provide several advantages, as described more fully below. 
Shown in FIG. 1 is a collapsible portion 20 of the container 10 located 
near the top surface 16. This collapsible portion 20 can be manually 
manipulated by the consumer to reveal a drinking straw 22, shown in dashed 
lines in FIG. 1. The collapsibility of this portion 20 of the container 10 
is provided by the nature of its construction in which it is structurally 
less rigid on the vertical axis than the other portions around the 
circumference of the container side 12. This decreased rigidity can be 
provided in a number of ways, for example, by providing a plurality of 
corrugations 21 in the container side 12, in an accordion-like fashion, as 
shown in FIG. 1. 
Preferably, the corrugated portion 20 is arranged at a downward angle along 
one side of the container 10 so that in its collapsed state, as shown in 
FIG. 2, the container top surface 16 becomes inclined. This inclined 
nature of the container corrugated portion 20 provides for vertical 
structural rigidity along a non-corrugated side 19 of the container 10, as 
shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, in one embodiment, the drinking straw 22 is 
mounted within the container 10 on the opposite corrugated side so as to 
act as a vertical strut or support when the container is in its 
non-collapsed state, as will be described further below. This permits the 
container 10 of the present invention to be stacked, packaged and handled 
like other containers as is common in the beverage industry, without 
resulting in premature collapse. 
Shown on the top surface 16 of the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, 
is an opening 24. In the original construction of the container 10, the 
opening 24 is closed or sealed by a portion of material comprising a cover 
26 having the same configuration as the opening 24. This cover 26 is 
attached to the opening 24 on the container 10 by any means sufficient to 
cause a weakened state around the periphery of the cover which can be 
readily penetrated. For example, the opening 24 can preferably be formed 
simply by perforating the container top 16 in the configuration of the 
opening so that the perforations weaken the attachment of the cover 26 to 
the container. 
Referring to FIG. 3, an upper portion 23a of the drinking straw 22 has two 
primary positions A and B. These two positions are also shown in FIGS. 4 
and 6. Initially, the upper portion 23a of the drinking straw 22 is at A, 
proximate and parallel to the interior of side 12 of the container 10. The 
edge of the opening 24 is disposed slightly radially inward of the 
container rim 25 such that in position A, the upper portion 23a of the 
drinking straw 22 will contact the interior of the top surface 16 directly 
between the opening and the upper rim. Preferably, the lower portion 23b 
of the straw 22 is pivotally mounted adjacent the interior of the bottom 
surface 14 by means of an extended hinge tab 31, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 
11. Preferably, this attachment provides some pivoting movement at a bend 
31a while preventing vertical movement. The straw 22 is itself constructed 
from a relatively rigid material so as to be capable of structurally 
supporting the corrugated section 20 of the container 10 when subjected to 
normal vertical loads such as those experienced during shipping and 
distribution. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the straw 22 can be moved to the second position B by 
pressing radially inward on the container side surface 12 nearest the 
straw. The upper portion 23a of the drinking straw 22 is laterally moved 
away from the side as it pivots about its lower end 23b, and into a 
position directly below the opening 24 (also seen in FIG. 6). A raised 
U-shaped ridge 42 adjacent the opening 24 on the inside surface of the 
container top 16 prevents the straw 22 from being pushed past the opening. 
In this regard, the straw 22 may be moved into position beneath the 
opening 24 between the legs of the U-shaped ridge 42 and thus be 
constrained from further movement by the closed end of the ridge. At the 
same time, the straw 22 is allowed to hinge at its lower portion 23b and 
rotate slightly. Once the drinking straw 22 is in position, it is rigid 
enough to be capable of penetrating the weakened opening 24 on the 
container top 16. The rigidity of the drinking straw 22 allows the 
container 10 to be shipped without risk of the container prematurely 
collapsing, yet its pivoting connection provides for movement of the straw 
to facilitate puncture of the opening 24 and collapse of the corrugated 
section 20. 
In use, once the straw 22 is moved to position B, the consumer manually 
manipulates the container 10 near the corrugated portion 20 by grasping 
the cylindrical container side 12 with two hands and placing both thumbs 
on the container top 16 above the corrugated portion 20, but away from the 
opening 24. The thumbs could then be used to exert the manual pressure 
necessary to collapse the container 10. The opening 24 should not be 
blocked by the hands of the consumer so that the straw 22 can freely 
penetrate therethrough and become exposed above the container top 16. A 
little extra manual force is required to overcome the initial rigidity 
provided by the corrugations 21. Thereafter, the corrugations 21 permit 
the container 10 to be readily collapsed in a downwardly inclined fashion, 
as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. 
As the container top 16, above the corrugated portion 20, moves downwardly, 
the upper portion 23a of the straw 22 comes into contact with the weakened 
cover 26 of the opening 24, thus causing the cover to fail. The straw 22 
engages and displaces the cover 26 and then penetrates the opening 24 and 
becomes exposed. FIGS. 2 and 7 illustrate the container 10 of the present 
invention in its collapsed state in which the upper portion of the straw 
22 is exposed beyond the container top surface 16. Yet another aspect of 
this invention would involve the use of horizontal corrugations (not 
shown) formed circumferentially around the entire container 10, so that in 
its collapsed state, the top 16 of the can remains horizontal or flat. 
It should be pointed out that the inclined nature of the corrugations 21 
causes the collapsible portion 20 to follow a slight arc along the radius 
defined by the diameter of the container. This means that as the top 
surface 16 is collapsed, the container top 16 will hinge about the 
non-corrugated top side 19 of the container, in which case the opening 24 
will shift gradually radially inward as the top is depressed. Because of 
the hinge tab bend 31a, the straw 22 continues to rotate about its lower 
portion 23b inward, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
A sponge-like ring member 44 is positioned at the very tip of the upper 
portion 23a of the straw 22, such that when the straw penetrates the 
opening 24 at the top of the container 10, the sponge-like ring member 
fits snugly within the opening to provide a seal. The sponge-like ring 
member 44 prevents liquid from being spilled out between the straw 22 and 
the opening 24 as the corrugated portion 20 is pressed downward, and 
slides easily down the straw so that it remains within the opening. 
In order to prevent the collapsed portion 20 of the container 10 from 
springing back upwardly toward its original position, the straw 22 is 
provided with a stopping mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The 
stopping mechanism is comprised of a collar 29 mounted around the straw 22 
near its upper portion 23a but under the sponge-like ring member 44. After 
the straw 22 has penetrated the opening 24 and the corrugated portion 20 
is compressed to expose the upper portion 23a of the straw, the 
sponge-like ring member 44 slides down and engages the collar 29. The 
collar 29 then engages the sponge-like ring member 44 with the edges of 
the opening 24 in a friction-fit or press-fit relationship. This 
engagement causes the container top 16 to be held in its collapsed 
position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, with the sponge-like ring member 44 
wedged between the collar 29 and opening 24, as seen in FIG. 7. The collar 
29 can be constructed from any suitable elastic material which can 
frictionally engage the edges of the opening 24. 
As seen best in FIG. 11, the drinking straw 22 is mounted to the bottom 14 
of the container 10 by the bottom tab 31 which is rigidly attached 
proximate and between container the lower rim 33 and side 12. Various 
fixing means may be used that are well known in the art. The lower portion 
23b of the straw 22 terminates in an angled opening 35. The opening 35 is 
angled upward and away from the container side 12 to facilitate passage of 
liquids therethrough. The tab 31 is integral with the straw 22 and extends 
vertically downward from the lowermost portion 23b of the straw on the 
side closest to the cylindrical container side 12. The tab 31 is 
relatively narrow to enable it to extend vertically from the straw 22 and 
include the transition bend 31a to a horizontal mounting orientation. 
In the initial configuration, shown in FIG. 4, the straw 22 is vertically 
disposed and extends the full length of the container 10 height from the 
bottom 14 to the top surface 16. The tab 31 is sufficiently strong to 
support nominal compressive stresses transmitted through the straw 22 from 
the container top surface 16. FIG. 6 shows the straw 22 in a tilted 
posture prior to collapsing the corrugated portion 20 of the container 
with the straw pivoting about the bend 31a in the tab 31. As the 
corrugated portion 20 is depressed to force the upper portion 23a of the 
straw 22 through the opening 24, the straw 22 will be tilted further due 
to the arcuate path followed by the opening 24, as seen in FIG. 7. The 
flexible bend 31a in the tab 31 allows this further tilt. 
FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a flexible portion 36 of the drinking straw 22. 
Horizontal accordion-like creases 37 are disposed around the straw 22 
slightly above the stopping collar 29. Initially, as seen in FIG. 8, the 
creases 37 are compressed to allow the straw 22 to fit inside the 
container 10. Upon puncture of the opening 24, the upper portion 23a of 
the straw 22 may be pulled to extend the straw by unfolding of the creases 
37 (FIG. 9). A further convenience to the consumer is provided by the 
creases 37 which allow bending of the straw 22 toward the horizontal, as 
seen in FIG. 10. 
The aforementioned protrusions 18 formed integrally on the exterior of the 
cylindrical side 12 of the container 10 may be hemispherically shaped, as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but can also be formed into any other shapes or 
configurations, including, but not limited to, stripes, diamonds, 
triangles, stars, animal shapes, etc., as partially shown in FIG. 4. 
Indeed, the protrusions can take the shape of a logo, trademark or trade 
name, thereby enhancing its identifiability with the consuming public. 
A preferred arrangement of the protrusions 18 would concentrate a number of 
them in the regions of the container side 12 whereby a consumer would 
grasp the container and contact a plurality of protrusions, which are 
raised with respect to the side surface. The plurality of protrusions will 
enhance the ability of the user to grasp the container, the protrusions 
providing a gripping means to reduce the possibility providing a gripping 
means to reduce the possibility of slippage. Because the immersion of 
beverage containers in ice water or when condensation occurs in the 
ambient air leave smooth-sided containers wet and prone to droppage, the 
present invention advantageously improves the grip on the container 
without adding additional weight and without affixing friction-like 
members to the container. The raised protrusions 18 of the present 
invention substantially increases the traction afforded by the exterior of 
the sides 12 of the container 10 and leads to a reduction of the instances 
of dropping or spilling. 
In addition, because the protrusions 18 are integrally formed on the 
exterior side surface 12 of the container 10 and project outward, the 
protrusions advantageously increase the volume within the container. Thus, 
an increased volume of fluids can be stored in the container 10, making 
each container more efficient. The volume of the container can be 
increased up to a full 10% or more, i.e., a 12-ounce container can be 
increased a full ounce or more. 
The increase in volume of each container also permits the container to be 
manufactured slightly shorter than other conventional standard volume 
beverage containers. Typically, beverage containers are constructed to be 
collapsible and are made from aluminum. The standard container has a 
smooth cylindrical surface, shaped to allow a user to grasp the container 
easily. The container, therefore, must be of sufficiently narrow size, 
although the container can be made taller to provide the sufficient volume 
needed. Because the protrusions 18 of the present invention provide 
additional volume to the container, the container can be manufactured 
slightly shorter without increasing the width of the container, although 
the improved gripping of the container will allow the container to be made 
slightly wider than convention containers. By making each container 
shorter, the containers can be stacked and stored more efficiently. The 
shorter size of the containers can also be displayed in areas where 
vertical space is limited. The protrusions can also be configured such 
that when the containers are stored side by side, the protrusions of each 
adjacent container can interlock, or at least be positioned so that the 
containers do not take up additional space. 
In the manufacturing process, the container is made of a thin sheet of 
metal or metal-like material, such as aluminum, which is pressed and 
rolled to the proper thickness. The protrusions 18 of the present 
invention can easily be formed on the sheets by a stamping process which 
pushes the protrusions 18 outward on one side and creates indentations on 
the other side. The protruding side will be positioned on the outer 
surface, to provide the improved gripping means, and the indentation side 
shall be provided on the inside of the container, to increase the fluid 
volume therein. Unlike the prior containers, made of styrofoam or glass, 
which must be formed by a vacuum injection process, permitting only 
protrusions on one side without indentations on the other side, the 
present invention contemplates use of materials which can physically be 
stamped to provide the combination of an indentation on one side and a 
protrusion on the other side. This manner of manufacturing can also 
achieve cost savings, as the volume of the container can be increased 
without increasing the amount of material used or the size of the 
container. 
In addition, because the protrusions 18 project outward, the hand of the 
consumer will predominantly come into contact with the protrusions, 
without substantially touching the cylindrical side 12 of the container, 
which reduces the amount of surface area contact between the user's hand 
and the container side. By reducing the contact surface area between the 
user's hand and container 10, and isolating the contact to the protrusions 
18 only, a decrease in conductive heat transfer from the hand of the 
consumer to the container, and vice versa, can be achieved. The beverage 
in the container 10 of the present invention thus remains colder longer, 
while the consumer experiences less discomfort when handling extremely 
cold containers. 
A further advantage of the protrusions 18 is that they can be shaped and 
arranged to convey any message to consumers. The exterior side surface 12 
of the container 10 can be designed with various shapes which can be 
incorporated into the trademark or trade dress of the product. Each 
protrusion 18 can be colored with patterns or designs or made into a 
texture to make the container 10 aesthetically distinct and recognizable. 
One incidental benefit of having the protrusions 18 is that they may also 
convey particular messages to the blind. Various messages can be placed on 
containers which can be identified by the blind, such as, for instance, 
containers containing toxic substances, etc. 
The protrusions 18 on the side of the container also provide additional 
strength to the container. The protrusions 18 can be configured into 
shapes, including ribs, to provide structural rigidity to the container, 
which permits the containers to be stacked more readily. 
In the embodiments of FIGS. 12 to 16 there are shown configurations of the 
can with different embossing on the surface. In FIGS. 12 to 15 the 
embossing of a recognizable form is effected on a thin gauge collapsible 
aluminum can of relatively standard dimensions in height relative to 
diameter for a conventional beverage can, for instance, for dispensing 
cool drinks such as a soda. Such a can is crushable under the action of 
finger pressure when there is no fluid present in the interior of the can. 
The size of such a standard volume can for 12 fluid ounces would be a 
height of about 5 inches and a diameter of about 2.5 inches, namely a 
ratio of about 2:1 between the height and the diameter. In these 
embodiments, the embossed effect allows the contents of the same overall 
size can to be increased in volume so that, for instance, an extra 0.5 to 
1 fluid ounce of liquid can be contained in the can. This would depend on 
the number of protrusions and the overall depth of the protrusions from 
the basic surface of the can. 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the can illustrated is relatively 
squatter, namely the can is made shorter in height and larger in diameter. 
As such the can may have a height of about 4.5 inches and diameter of 
about 2.5 inches to contain the same 12 ounces of liquid. In such a 
manner, the ratio of the height to the diameter can change top be less 
than about 2:1. Alternatively the dimensions can change to form a can of a 
different structure wherein the ratio of the height to the diameter 
changes to less than 2:1 to about 1:1. 
By having a can of the greater diameter and less height, and with the 
protrusions, there is less of the contents of the can which is exposed to 
contact with the hand of a user, particularly where the hand of the user 
contacts essentially only the protrusions about the surface. Less of the 
fluid content of the can is in potential contact with the surface of the 
inner surface of the can. Thus, less heat transmission through the 
material is effected by the contact with the outside opposite surface 
through the hand. There is, thus, less possibility for conduction of heat 
from the hand to penetrate through the surface into the fluid, and cause 
an undesirable warming of the fluid. There is less likelihood of 
temperature conduction between the hand and the contents of the can. 
In the can of FIG. 16, there is shown a printed layer on the surface of the 
can of the lettering of a trademark. These letters and representations 
rise and fall relative to the overall flat surface of the can. In this 
manner, the printed lettering forms a generally three-dimensional effect 
which substantially enhances the can. A similar effect is achieved with 
the repeating art work designs and logo that are printed and embossed onto 
the can surface in the embodiments having the protrusions. Such artwork 
can also have a printed layer on the surface of different coloring over 
the protrusions to enhance the can. 
In another embodiment of the present invention, the drinking straw can be 
replaced by a funnel or pour spout (not shown). Such a funnel or spout can 
be utilized to dispense a wide variety of fluids, as well as other 
materials, for consumer or industrial use. As the container is collapsed 
in the same fashion described above, the top of the funnel or spout comes 
into contact with the weakened opening (not shown) of the container top, 
thus causing the funnel or spout to be exposed. The funnel or spout is 
also provided with a collar or stopping mechanism for holding the 
container top in its collapsed state. 
It should also be pointed out in connection with this invention that the 
relative strength and rigidity of the container 10, its corrugated portion 
20, and the opening 24 can be adjusted to accommodate different container 
materials and fluids. For example, in certain applications, it may be 
preferable for the top portion 23a of the straw 22 or spout to form its 
own opening 24 by perforating the top surface 16 of the container 10 which 
surface is completely comprised of a weakened material such as paper or 
cellophane. Thus, it may not be necessary to have a discrete perforated 
opening 24, as described above. 
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 the first body portion 100 is contained within 
a cylindrically shaped container as formed by a second body portion shirt 
101. The first portion 100 is formed of a plastic sheeting material which 
can be blow molded or formed within the second body portion 101. The 
second body portion 101 is made of a thin gauge aluminum material which is 
crushable under finger pressure when there is no fluid or the like within 
the body 102 of the container. The second body portion 101 contains at 
spaced intervals apertures 103 along the surface 104 of the second body 
portion 101. The apertures 103 can be spaced circumferentially around the 
surface of the second body portion 101. 
By forming the first body portion 100 inside of the second body portion 
101, and filling the container with its contents, protrusions 105 are 
formed to extend outwardly from the surface 104 of the second body portion 
101. The protrusions 105 can form any geometric shape that is desired. 
As illustrated in FIG. 17, there are hemispherical type bubbles as shown on 
the left hand side of the body portions of the figure. On the right hand 
side of the figure the portions are formed so that the protrusion 105 have 
an irregular shape. 
A suitable laminating process can be provided to effectively adhere the 
first body portion 100 with the second body portion 101. Although 
illustrated in FIG. 18 to be a collapsible can, the can may not be 
collapsible in either the first body portion or second body portion and 
likewise there may not be a straw 22 within the can. The can may simply be 
collapsible under the pressure of a hand or finger when the contents are 
no longer within the can. 
By having the second body portion 101 formed in this manner, there can be 
about 50% of the surface 104 of the second body portion 101 provided with 
spaces for the apertures through which the first body portion 100 can 
project. In this manner, the second body portion would need to constitute 
about 50% of the material normally used in a can with only a single body 
portion for the can. 
With the invention there can thus be a relative reduction of the amount of 
material constituting the second body portion 101. In turn, plastic or the 
like which may be relatively less expensive can be provided as the first 
body portion 100 and it can effectively constitute the fluid tight seal 
for the fluid within the can. The second body portion 101 thus acts as a 
shirt to provide rigidity to the plastic effectively forming the 
container. As such, a relatively thin gauge plastic material can 
constitute the first body portion 100 for the container for the fluid, and 
the outer second body portion 101 would provide sufficient rigidity to 
that container. 
As illustrated in FIG. 18, the protrusions 105 form straight angulated 
formations with an apex 106 for each of the protrusions 105. In FIG. 17 
the curved formations provide the hemispherically type protrusion shapes 
105. 
The cutout aperture formations in the surface 104 of the second body 
portion 101 can be shaped to any desired form so that different shapes of 
protrusions can extend beyond the surface 104 of the second body portion 
101. The protrusions can form an array arranged axially and 
circumferentially about or around the container. 
In different forms of the invention, different combinations of materials 
can constitute the first body portion and second body portion. 
In the arrangements illustrated in the above Figures where the protrusions 
are spherical or are like a bubble 105 it is desirable that a radius for 
the bubble is in the range between 0.05 to 0.020 inches, and preferably 
about 0.15 inches. The same size of bubble should be provided to the 
embodiments of the invention as illustrated where the bubble is used on 
the side wall of the container as illustrated in situations, for instance 
in FIGS. 1 and 2. This will ensure that there will be effective strength 
in the can. 
The present invention provides a simple, yet reliable method for providing 
an enhanced container using multiple materials. By having the materials 
selected in the nature to be most economical and environmentally 
advantageous an effectively desirable container is provided. The first 
body portion 100 can selectively be formed from a synthetic resinous, 
plastic, cellulose such as a paper or board material, or a metallic 
material. The second body portion 101 can be formed from a synthetic 
resinous, plastic, cellulose or a metallic material. In some situations 
the second body portion may be formed of a foam material or paper. This 
can provide the additional advantages of providing an insulation affect 
for the container. In yet other forms the materials for either one of the 
body portions may be a paper or board. Different degrees of visibility or 
clarity can be provided to the first body portion and the second body 
portion. 
Many other forms of the invention can be provided. The shape of the 
container can be a regular cylinder form, square or the like. It could 
have a neck with a screw or interlocking top, cover or cap for the closure 
in or with the top portion. The laminated container of the invention can 
provide hygienic advantages, and avoid internal protective coating usually 
used in cans. Different methods can be used for laminating the first body 
portion and the second body portion. There can be a heat or pressure 
sealing or other interlocking system. In other situations the first body 
portion and the second body portion are relatively loose. Thus when there 
is no fluid in the container the body portions may be separable. 
In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 20A to 20D there 
are shown situations where different corrugation profiles are provided to 
the second body portion 101. In FIG. 20A the corrugations are a regular 
sinuous form about the perimeter of the can. In FIG. 20B the sinuous form 
is irregular in the sense that the format is angulated. In FIG. 20C the 
body portion 101 is curved inwardly in the center to form a waist line. In 
FIG. 20D there is angulated saw tooth pattern for the body portion 101. 
On the face of the body portion 101 there are apertures 103 through which 
the first body portion is visible. The apertures 103 can have different 
artistic shapes, for instance, a sheep, a human figure, an abstract shape, 
or a fish as shown in the FIGS. 20A to 20D respectively. The first body 
portion 100 inside the second body portion 101 can protrude beyond the 
surface of the second body portion 101, or be flush against the inside 
surface of the second body portion 101. By having the first body portion 
formed of a material which is at least partly translucent the contents of 
the can be seen as required. There are different embodiments where it 
would be desirable for the first body potion 100 to be contained wholly 
within the second body portion 101. In other situations the first body 
portion can extend as protrusions through at least some of the apertures. 
In other forms of the invention the cross section of the containers of the 
invention when viewed from the top of bottom may be different to 
cylindrical. Thus the cross-sectional shape may be triangular, 
rectangular, square, oval, or any other polygonal shape. These views are 
shown respectively in FIGS. 21 to 25. The container may also be a 
conventional bottle type shape, namely with a narrow neck. 
In some cases the second body portion does not extend to fully cover the 
first body portion. In such situations the first body portion could be 
made of different strengths and thickness over its surface so as that in 
the areas where there is only the first body portion, that body portion is 
sufficiently strong to hold the contents of the container. 
The overall rigidity to the can be provided by a combination of the first 
and second body portions or by either one of the body portions. In some 
cases the second body portion is essentially ornamental and provides 
little of the structural strength to the can. The first body portion and 
the second body portion can be joined by a suitable heating or vacuum 
forming process. 
In different aspects of the container of the invention, the container can 
be for holding different contents and fluids. The thickness and strength 
of the walls of the first and second body portions respectively can be 
established according to the weight to be held by the container. 
In other forms of the invention as shown in FIG. 21 there can be 
protrusions on the surface of the second body in addition to the apertures 
in the surface of the second body. In this manner there is a combination 
of protrusions provided by both the first body portion and the second body 
portion. In some cases the first body portion acts as an internal type 
vest and the second outer body portion is the container for the fluid. 
The invention is to be determined in terms of the following claims.