Abstract:
A beverage can end is provided herein which has a small opening preferably centrally disposed which is adapted for receiving a straw. Preferably, the small opening end is opened with a conventional pull tab, but which establishes a vent area positioned adjacent the small opening end which provides sufficient venting during use of the straw. It is further preferred that the pull tab be slightly elevated with rounded corners to provide a smooth, easily accessible pulling surface for the user of the beverage can.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to beverage can ends, and more specifically metallic beverage can ends with a small opening adapted for receiving a straw.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In recent years, beverage containers which are designed to receive a drinking straw have become increasingly popular. The straw is especially beneficial for small children to prevent spilling, and for the physically handicapped or disabled which have difficulty drinking from a standard cup, or larger opening beverage can end. One such product described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,779 to Lee combines a compressible straw disposed within the can body. Upon opening, the straw projects itself through a v-shaped panel for a user&#39;s benefit. Unfortunately, these types of products are undesirable since the flavor of the beverage becomes comprised from scalping as the straw is suspended for indefinite periods of time in the beverage. Additionally, it is possible for the straw to become obstructed and thus difficult to retrieve. Further, the opening disclosed in the &#39;779 is too large to make the container substantially spill-proof when the container is knocked over.  
           [0003]    Two of the more common types of beverage containers which are adapted to receive a straw include cardboard juice cartons and metallic cans having a foil pull tab. With respect to the cardboard juice cartons, a foil tab or other impermeable material is positioned over a hole and pierced with a sharpened end of the straw to provide entry into the beverage container. With regard to the metal cans, a foil pull tab is typically used which is removably interconnected to an upper surface of the metal juice can and positioned over an opening in the beverage can end.  
           [0004]    Both of the aforementioned foil opening mechanisms have inherent problems. With regard to the cardboard juice cartons, the nature of the squeezable cardboard makes the beverage container conducive to spilling and prone to damage during shipping and bulk storage. Additionally, when the foil is punctured with the sharpened straw, they often spill as a result of a small child or adult inadvertently squeezing the juice carton. Thus, the goal of preventing spilling is oftentimes exasperated by the collapsible nature of the cardboard storage carton. Additionally, the foil is often difficult to pierce with a plastic drinking straw, especially for the physically disabled. Thus, the goal of making a user friendly, spill-proof drink container is not realized. Further, the durability of the foil is significantly less than a typical metallic beverage can end, and is thus not suitable for high pressure applications, hot-fillable pasteurized liquids, and other beverage can applications which require a high degree of durability. Finally, flavor scalping may be an inherent problem as the enclosed beverages are in contact with the foil, which has a tendency to alter the taste of the beverage contained therein.  
           [0005]    With regard to metallic beverage cans which utilize a liquid impervious foil pull-tab, numerous additional problems exist. For example, small children and the elderly frequently cannot remove the pull tab from the upper surface of the beverage can end due to the adhesive materials required to hold the foil on the upper surface of the can end. Thus it is often impossible for these individuals to remove the pull tab, let alone insert the straw into the small hole. Additionally, these types of foil pull tabs require an adhesive bonding agent to interconnect the foil pull tab to the upper surface of the beverage can end which is both expensive and further likely to contaminate the taste of the beverage through scalping. Further, the leading edge of the small opening which is adapted to receive the straw and the associated pull tab is typically very sharp, and presents the risk of cutting the finger of a user, especially children.  
           [0006]    Finally, with the foil pull tab and the puncture type foil mechanisms used for drinking straws, there is an inherent venting problem since there is no significant size differential between the size of the straw and the opening to receive the straw. Thus, the beverage becomes difficult to withdraw from the beverage can.  
           [0007]    Thus, there is a significant need for a safe, durable metallic beverage can end which has an easy opening metallic pull tab with sufficient venting associated therein to allow a straw to be inserted and used by the handicapped, elderly, and small children, and which is substantially spill proof.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is thus one object of the present invention to provide an easy opening beverage can which is adapted to receive a drinking straw and which can be used by small children, the handicapped, and the elderly to dispense a liquid from a beverage can. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a can opening mechanism which is familiar to a user and which does not contaminate or alter the taste of the beverage.  
           [0009]    It is a further aspect of the present invention to locate the small opening in the beverage can end in a position which makes the beverage can end substantially spill proof. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention the small opening is positioned substantially in the center of the beverage can end, thus inhibiting spillage when a drinking straw is inserted therein and the beverage container is tipped over.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to create a durable beverage can end adapted for receiving a straw which can be used under pressure (75-100 psi) for storing certain types of carbonated liquids such as beer or soft drinks. Further, a metallic beverage can end is provided which is capable of holding hot-fill liquids such as pasteurized milk at the time the beverage is introduced into the can and which is durable enough to withstand shipping and mishandling during transportation and bulk storage.  
           [0011]    In another aspect of the present invention a metallic beverage can end is provided which can be manufactured with the use of existing production equipment in a beverage can end manufacturing facility. Thus, significant time and money are saved since the conventional production lines in a beverage plant do not need to be significantly modified to create a small opening beverage can end which uses a metallic pull tab.  
           [0012]    It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a beverage can end which is adapted for receiving a straw and which does not have a pull tab with any significant sharp edges to substantially decrease the likelihood of any type of finger injury to the user pulling the pull tabs. Thus, in one aspect of the present invention a pull ring is provided which has substantially rounded corners along all edges and which additionally is substantially non-detachable from the beverage can end to avoid littering. In one embodiment of the present invention a raised reinforcing bead is provided which substantially encircles the small opening and shrouds the opening to prevent inadvertent contact with a user&#39;s fingers.  
           [0013]    Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a small opening metallic beverage can end adapted for receiving a straw is provided, and which comprises:  
           [0014]    a circular end wall adapted for interconnection to a beverage can body;  
           [0015]    a central panel integrally interconnected to said end wall;  
           [0016]    a tab having a pull ring on one end and a nose on an opposite end, said nose hingedly interconnected to an upper surface of said central panel;  
           [0017]    a rupturable score line positioned proximate to a center point of said central panel and defining a substantially circular opening having a diameter no greater than about 0.4375 inches which is adapted for receiving a straw; and  
           [0018]    a vent opening positioned adjacent said substantially circular opening to provide adequate venting in said small opening beverage can end when a drinking straw is positioned within said substantially circular opening during use. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a beverage can end showing the pull tab and a centrally disposed small opening;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the beverage can end of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the small opening beverage can end of FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the small opening area and associated reinforcing bead of the beverage can end of FIG. 2;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the small opening beverage can end in an unopened position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the small opening beverage can end of FIG. 5 with a pull tab pulled to a 90° position of opening;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the small opening beverage can end of FIG. 5 with the pull tab shown in a fully opened position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention and showing the progression between FIGS.  8 A- 8 C of the opening process and identifying in a front elevation view in FIGS.  8 B- 8 F the respective position of a raised bead which substantially surrounds the small opening;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a top plan view showing a plurality of raised beads and/or score termination points used to inhibit the breakaway of the pull tab;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a plurality of small openings and identifying various possible shapes;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of two different shaped pull tabs and cross sectional views related thereto which identify the rounded edges of the pull tabs; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a typical drinking straw positioned in the small opening of the beverage can end, and identifying the vent opening.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a small opening beverage can end  2 . The beverage can end  2  is generally comprised of a circular end wall  24  which is interconnected to a center panel  4  with a countersink  46  positioned therebetween. The circular end wall  24  is adapted for interconnection to a beverage can body. A pull tab  8  is generally disposed on an upper surface of the center panel  4  and in one embodiment comprises a pull ring  10  interconnected to a pull tab  12  which is interconnected to the center panel  4  by means of a rivet  14 . To facilitate grasping the pull ring  10 , a recessed center panel  34  may be provided which allows a user&#39;s fingers to more easily grasp the pull ring  10 .  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIGS.  2 - 4 , additional detail is provided with regard to the small opening beverage can end. More specifically, FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention (without the pull tab) and identifying a rupturable score line  16  which defines the small opening  6 . Preferably the small opening  6  has a diameter of between about 0.1865 inches to 0.3125 inches. A smaller diameter small opening would not permit the insertion of a typical drinking straw, while a larger vent opening  6  would not allow the beverage can end  2  to be substantially spill proof when the drinking straw is inserted in the small opening  6 . The rivet  14  which interconnects the pull tab  8  to the top of center panel  4  is further seen positioned within the interior of the rupturable score line  16 . As further shown in FIG. 3, a recessed center panel  34  may be provided in the center panel  4  which provides additional spacing to allow a user to engage the pull ring  10  during use. FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the small opening  6  and which further defines a reinforcing bead  22  and the substantially circular rivet  14 . As appreciated by one skilled in the art, although a rivet is used in this particular application, other types of interconnection apparatus which are commonly known in the beverage industry for interconnecting a pull tab to a center panel may be provided herein.  
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pull tab  8  is designed for “one direction” opening. More specifically, as the pull tab ring  10  is pulled upwardly and away from the center panel  4 , the small opening  6  immediately opens around the rupturable score line  16  as the pull ring  10  is hingedly pulled to the opposing side of the center panel  4 . Thus, the pull tab  8  is hingedly connected along a pull tab hinge line  32  to prevent the pull tab  8  from becoming disengaged from the center panel  4 . By retaining the pull tab  8  on the center panel  4 , the pull tab  8  and beverage can end  2  remain interconnected after opening which prevents littering.  
         [0034]    As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the pull tab  8  is comprised of a pull tab nose  12  which is positioned proximate to the pull tab hinge line  32 . As a downward force is applied to the pull tab nose  12 , a small opening  6  is created around the rupturable score line  16  as an upward force is provided to the pull tab  8 . Thus, the metal ruptures along the rupturable score line  16  and provides the small opening  6  in the beverage can end. Although only one particular type of pull tab  8  has generally been depicted in the drawings, as appreciated by one skilled in the art there are multiple variations of pull tabs  8  which can be pulled in either one or two different directions to obtain the same result of creating an opening in the beverage can end  2 . Thus, the present application is not intended to be limited by the embodiment shown herein, but further encompasses all types of pull tab mechanisms commonly known in the beverage industry.  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIGS.  5 - 7 , a top plan view of one embodiment of the beverage can end  2  is provided herein. More specifically, a progression of opening steps is shown, with FIG. 5 representing the pull tab  8  in a closed position. In FIG. 6, the pull tab has been pulled upwardly to a 90° angle in relation to the center panel  4 , and in FIG. 7 the pull tab  8  has been pulled 180° from its position shown in FIG. 5, and thus fully opening the beverage can end  2  to expose the small opening  6 . As further seen in FIG. 7, the vent opening  20  is shown which provides adequate venting when a drinking straw  28  is positioned within said small opening.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 A- 8 B, a raised reinforcing bead  36  is shown which is raised above the small opening  6  once the beverage can end  2  is opened. The reinforcing bead  36  serves two distinct purpose. First, the raised reinforcing bead  36  serves to prevent the small opening  6  from extending beyond the boundaries provided by the rupturable score line. Second, the raised reinforcing bead  36  has been raised in this particular application to substantially encircle the small opening  6 . The raised reinforcing bead  36  serves to shroud the small opening  6  which further reduces the likelihood of a user engaging a sharp leading edge of the small opening  6  which could cut a user&#39;s finger. This additional safety feature is especially beneficial for small children attempting to insert the drinking straw  28  in the small opening  6 , or for the handicapped or elderly.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 8, a top plan view of the opening and associated raised bead  36  is shown and more specifically identifying the progression of opening. In FIGS.  8 A- 8 F, the pull tab  8  has been removed from the rivet  14  to provide additional detail. FIGS.  8 A- 8 C represent the opening progression from a fully closed position in FIG. 8A to a fully open position in  8 C. Additionally, FIGS.  8 D- 8 F represent a front elevation view of the detail shown in FIGS.  8 A- 8 C, and identifying the relative height of the components provided therein. More specifically, and referring to FIGS. 8A and 8D, a raised reinforcing bead  36  is shown substantially surrounding the small opening  6 . Additionally, a lowered reinforcing bead  38  is shown positioned between the raised reinforcing bead  36  and the small opening  6 .  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIGS. 8B and 8E, as the pull tab  8  is pulled, the small opening  6  begins to pull away along the rupturable score line  16 . However, the raised reinforcing bead  36  is maintained in its position substantially surrounding the small opening  6 . Referring now to FIGS. 8C and 8F, when the pull tab is pulled completely away from the central panel  4 , the small opening  6  is completely exposed to allow the insertion of a drinking straw  28 . As additionally seen in FIG. 8C, a vent opening  20  is provided which provides venting for the drinking straw when beverage content is removed from the beverage can. The vent opening  20  is preferably designed to be small enough to substantially prevent spilling if the beverage can is tipped when the drinking straw  28  is inserted in the small opening  6 , yet large enough to prevent adequate venting as a beverage is withdrawn through the drinking straw  28 . Although in this particular embodiment shown in FIG. 8C the vent opening  20  has a substantially triangular shape, it is understood that the vent opening could have any variety of shapes based on the type of pull tab and score configuration utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the vent opening has an area of at least about 0.0004 in 2 , which substantially prevents spilling when a straw is inserted in the small opening, yet provides adequate venting. Although the size of the vent opening may be increased, it is preferably no greater than about 0.25 in 2 .  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIGS.  9 A- 9 F, a plurality of different reinforcing beads or “coins” are shown which are used to provide additional strength in the hinge mechanism of the pull tab  8  as it is interconnected along a pull tab hinge line  32 . More specifically, and referring now to FIG. 9A, a plurality of reinforcing beads  44  may be positioned at a right angle along the hinge line  32  to provide reinforcement and prevent the pull tab  8  from being detached from the center panel  4 . Referring now to FIG. 9B, the same benefit may be obtained by providing a wavy reinforcing bead  44  and/or a rectangular shape reinforcing bead  44  as shown in FIG. 9C. In an alternative design to prevent the pull tab  8  from becoming detached from the center panel  4 , the pull tab hinge line  32  may be increased in length as shown in FIG. 9D, or provided at a substantially right angle as shown in FIG. 9E. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9F a dual score line  42  may be provided to further reinforce the pull tab hinge line  32  at the point of interconnection between the pull tab  8  and the center panel  4 . Depending on what type of reinforcing bead and/or score termination  40  is used, the size and shape of the vent opening  20  may be modified to be custom designed for various types of drinking straw  28  applications.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIG. 10, a plurality of different sizes and shapes of small openings  6  is provided herein. For example, the small opening  6  may be comprised of a square, triangle, diamond, oval, round, or a variety of odd shapes as shown in the bottom right hand corner. Based on the size and shape of a typically round drinking straw  28 , each of these particular embodiments provide different vent openings  20  which further enhance the ability of the beverage to be withdrawn from the drinking can.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIG. 11, a top plan view is provided in FIG. 11A and 11B of two different shaped pull rings. Cross-sectional views taken along line D-D are provided in FIGS. 11C and 11D, respectively which depict the rounded corners  48 . These rounded corners are specifically designed to eliminate sharp edges and to reduce the likelihood of a user cutting a finger when grasping the pull tab  8 . Further, as depicted in FIGS.  11 A- 11 B, a billboard  50  maybe printed directly on the outer (or inner) surface of the pull tab  8  which provides indicia in the form of instructions, advertising, etc.  
         [0042]    As seen in FIG. 12, a front elevation view is provided which shows the drinking straw  28  positioned within the small opening  6 . Mor specifically, the relative size and shape of the vent opening  20  is shown with respect to the drinking straw  28 . In the embodiment shown, the diameter of the drinking straw  28  is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the small opening  6 , and the drinking straw corrugations are engaged to an edge of the small opening  6  to prevent inadvertent removal. Thus, in this embodiment the beverage can opening is substantially spill-proof, yet has a vent opening  20  of sufficient dimension to provide adequate venting.  
         [0043]    The following components and numbers associated with the present invention are provided herein for clarity purposes.  
                                   #   Component                    2   Beverage can end        4   Center panel        6   Small opening        8   Pull tab       10   Pull ring       12   Pull tab nose       14   Rivet       16   Rupturable score line       18   Secondary score line       20   Vent opening       22   Reinforcing bead       24   Circular end wall       26   Score termination point       28   Drinking straw       30   Straw corrugated midsection       32   Pull tab hinge line       34   Recessed center panel       36   Raised reinforcing bead       38   Lowered bead       40   Opposing score termination       42   Dual score line       44   Reinforcing bead       46   Countersink       48   Pull tab rounded corners       50   Billboard                  
 
         [0044]    The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments or various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.