Patent Publication Number: US-6981608-B2

Title: Beverage can

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a beverage can, such as a generally-cylindrical aluminum soda can. The can has a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween. A generally round first weakening score is formed in the top end, and another is formed near the bottom end of the can. The beverage can will also have a first tab selectively displaceable between initial position wherein the first tab is generally parallel to the can a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the first weakening score to fail, thereby forming a first opening. 
   The beverage can will also have a second tab with features similar to the first tab. Specifically, the second tab is selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the second tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the second weakening score to fail, thereby forming a second opening. Beverage may exit the can from either the first or second opening. 
   Each of the first tab, the second tab, and the can will be configured to bear distinct respective longitudinal axes. A plane that contains the longitudinal axis of the can and the first tab will be generally orthogonal to the plane that contains the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the second tab. 
   The second weakening score may be positioned either on the side wall adjacent the bottom end, and may intersect the bottom end itself. Additionally, the second weakening score may be positioned within a flattened area on the can. 
   The first tab may have a first end that extends over the first weakening score and a second end extending away from the first score with a fulcrum therebetween. Generally, the fulcrum should be attached to the can at a position displaced from the first score. Like the first tab, the second tab may also have a first end that extends over the second weakening score and a second end that extends away from the second score, and a fulcrum therebetween. Analogously, the fulcrum of the second tab is preferably attached to the can at a position displaced from the second score. 
   The can may also bear a depression formed on the can beneath the second end of either or both of the first and second tabs. 
   In another embodiment of the inventive beverage can, either or both of the first or second tabs may be removable from the can. In this embodiment, the respective tab is bound by the respective weakening score. In this embodiment of the invention, one causes the respective weakening score to fail by displacing the tab, starting at its second end, and pulling the tab from the can, thereby creating an opening. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive beverage can, according to the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventive beverage can, according to the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the top of the beverage can. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the view of the beverage can. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective and exploded view of the top portion of the inventive beverage can. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows the beverage can  10  having a side wall  12  extending between a top end  14  and a bottom end  16 . The can  10  includes a first tab  20  positioned at the top end  14 , and a second tab  32  positioned near the bottom end  16 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the first tab  20  has a first end  22  and a second end  24  distal the first end, and a fulcrum  26  positioned between the ends  22 , 24 . In this embodiment, the first tab  20  is selectively displaceable from an initial position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) wherein the tab  20  is generally parallel to the top  14  of the can  10 , to a position wherein the second end  24  is raised, causing the tab  20  to pivot about its fulcrum  26 , thereby forcing the first end  22  downwardly to engage the area  31  bound by the first weakening score  30 . In this embodiment, the area  31  will remain attached to the can  10 , even after the weakening score  30  fails. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first end  22  of the first tab  20  should extend over the weakening score  30 . Thus, as the first end  22  is raised, the second end  22  causes the score  30  to fail, thereby creating a first opening in the can  10 . The top  14  of the can  10  may also bear a depression  28  positioned beneath the second end  24  of the first tab  20 . The depression  28  makes the beverage can  10  easier to open by allowing a small space for one to wedge a finger or other object between the tab  20  and the top  14  of the can  10 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the can  10  will also have a second tab  32  positioned near the bottom  16  of the can. In one embodiment (not shown) the second tab  32  is positioned on the base  18  of the can. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , however, the second tab  32  is positioned on the side wall  12  adjacent the base  18 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the second tab  32 , in many ways, is similar to the first tab  20 . Specifically, the second tab  32  has a first end  34  and a second end  36  and a fulcrum  38  therebetween. The first end  34  of the second tab  32  should extend over the area  41  bound by the second weakening score  40 . In order to create a second opening, the second end  36  of the second tab  36  is raised from the can  10 , thereby pivoting the tab  32  about fulcrum  38  and forcing the first end  34  to engage the area  41  bound by the second weakening score  40 . As the second end  35  is raised, the first end  34  causes the weakening score  40  to fail, thereby creating a second opening near the bottom  16  of the can  10 . In this embodiment, the area  41  within the weakening score  40  will remain attached to the can  10 , even after the weakening score  40  fails. 
     FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. For the purpose of clarity, analogous parts have been given identical reference numbers, even though the precise structure of the referenced part may differ. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , note that the structure of the top  14  of the can  10  is substantially identical to the top  14  that is shown in FIG.  1 . In contrast, however, the second tab  32  positioned near the bottom  14  differs. In this embodiment, the second tab  32  is similar to a pull-type tab that is removable from the can. Specifically, the second tab  32  bears a first end  34  that is generally integral with the side wall  12  and is bound by the second weakening score  40 . As in other embodiments, the second end  36  of the tab  32  is connected to the first end  34 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second end  36  of the second tab  32  may include a ring  37 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the second tab  32  may be removed from the can  10  by displacing the first end  36  from the side wall  12 , thereby causing the weakening score  40  to fail. One continues to displace the second end  36  until the weakening score  40  fails entirely. When this occurs, the entire second tab  36  is removed from the can, and a second opening is formed. 
   Of course, the pull-type tab arrangement, shown by the second tab  32  in  FIG. 2 , may also be used in place of the first tab  20 . Thus, the pull-type tab (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the punch-type tab (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) are considered interchangeable. Other types of tabs may be used, such as an adhesive-type tab that covers a pre-formed opening in the can, provided the principles of the invention are not destroyed. 
   Each of the first tab, the second tab, and the can have distinct respective longitudinal axes. One plane will contain the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the first tab. Another plane will contain the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the second tab. It has been found that, in order to facilitate the easy opening of both tabs, these distinct planes should be generally orthogonal to one another. 
     FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the top  14  of the can. As shown, the can is generally cylindrical, and the top  14  is generally round. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second end of the tab  28  is positioned over a depression  18  in the top  14 . The first end  24  of the first tab  22  extends over the area  31  bound by the weakening score  30 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the depression  28  should be positioned at least beneath the second end  22 , but in fact the depression  28  may extend to include the entire tab  22  and the weakening score  31  as well. 
     FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view, as viewed from the plane as shown in FIG.  3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fulcrum  26  may include a spacer that slightly elevates the tab  20  from the top  14  of the can  10 . The fulcrum  26  attaches to the can  10  at a location slightly displaced from the area  31 . The area  31  bound by the weakening score (viewable in  FIGS. 1-3 , but not viewable in  FIG. 4 ) is shown in a “punched in” position, wherein the first score has almost entirely failed, but a small portion of the score  30  remains intact, thereby retaining the area  31  in contact with the can  31 , which may prevent accidental ingestion. 
     FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the top portion  14  of the can  10 . For the ease of viewing, the first tab  20  is shown removed from the top  14 . In this view, the fulcrum  26  is shown to attach the tab  20  to the can  10  at a location displaced from the weakening score  30 . 
   Each of the embodiments show the top  14  to include a rim-like structure around its perimeter. This rim-like structure, while not mandatory or required, assists in protecting the tab  20 , which must extend slightly above the upper surface of the top. 
   Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.