Abstract:
A drink can having both drinking and venting openings is provided. The two openings are positioned a distance from one another with respect to a central portion of a top end of a drink can. A single tab is attached to the central portion of the top end, and can be pulled upward to open the drink opening, then pushed downward to open the vent opening. To aid in opening the vent opening with the single tab, the venting portion is provided with a protrusion comprising opposed sloping sides to focus the force when the tab is pushed downward on a score line that defines the vent opening. Advantageously, the tab may be larger than the vent opening so that, upon breakage of the vent opening score line, the tab contacts the top end of the can, thereby preventing the user&#39;s finger from proceeding into sharp portions of the vent opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/276,373 filed on Sep. 10, 2009, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to an improved drink can. 
     Fluids such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, etc. may typically be transported from one location to another in a fluid tight can. The can may have an opening for pouring the fluid contained within the can either as the user is drinking the fluid or pouring the fluid into a separate container (e.g., glass). Unfortunately, during the pouring process, the fluid within the can blocks the entire opening through which the fluid is being poured out of. As a result, air must enter the drink can through such opening and may cause the fluid exiting the can to have a turbulent flow. Such turbulent flow may cause the fluid to splash and miss the glass or cause the user to spill the fluid on himself/herself. Moreover, such construction also reduces the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the opening since air must be reintroduced into the can to allow additional fluid to flow out of the can. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved drink can. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The improved can disclosed herein addresses the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art. 
     The improved can has a vent opening which is positioned opposite from a drink opening of a can. The vent opening when opened allows the fluid within the can to be poured out smoothly out of the drink opening by replacing the fluid exiting the drink opening with air entering by way of the vent opening instead of the drink opening. To this end, the top end of the can may have a tab (e.g., conventional tab, solid tab, etc.) for opening the can in a traditional manner. After the tab opens the drink opening, the tab is pushed back downward and on top of a ridge formed on the top end of the can. When the user presses down on the tab, the tab pushes down on the ridge and the ridge breaks a score line defining the vent opening. The user continues to press downward on the tab until the score line for the vent opening is broken thereby opening the vent opening. The tab is over sized with respect to the vent opening so that the tab contacts the top end of the can and the user&#39;s finger does not proceed through the vent opening. The user&#39;s finger resides safely on top of the top end of the can and does not proceed through into the vent opening which could cut the user&#39;s finger. The ridge is preferably disposed between the score line for the vent opening and a central portion of the top end of the can. Moreover, it is preferable that the ridge be positioned as close to the score line as possible and is preferably closer to the score line of the vent opening compared to the central portion of the top end of the can. Alternatively, the ridge may be formed on the underside of the tab instead of on the top end of the can. The ridge functions in a similar manner as the ridge in the first embodiment to apply leverage so as to break the score line to the vent opening. 
     More particularly, a can having fluid contained therein is disclosed. The can may comprise a bottom end, a cylindrical sidewall, a top end and a tab. The cylindrical sidewall may have the bottom end attached to a first side of the cylindrical sidewall. The top end may be attached to the sidewall on an opposed second side of the cylindrical wall to form an enclosed volume in which the fluid is contained. The top end may have a first score line defining a drinking periphery formed in the top end and a second score line defining a vent opening. The first score line may be positioned opposite the second score line with respect to a center portion of the top end. The top end may have a raised ridge interposed between the center portion of the top end and the second score line. The tab may define a drink opening portion and a vent opening portion. The drink and vent opening portions may be joined to each other at an intermediate portion wherein the intermediate portion is pivotally attached to the center portion of the top end. The drink opening portion is also disposed over the top end on an interior side of the first score line. The vent opening portion is disposed over the top end with a solid portion of the vent opening portion disposed over the raised ridge to provide leverage so that a user can press the vent opening portion of the tab into the top end to break the second score line. 
     The vent opening portion may also be disposed over the second score line to protect the user&#39;s finger from being cut from a sharp edge formed at the second score line after rupturing the second score line with the vent opening portion. The vent opening portion may cover the second score line to prevent insertion of the vent opening portion and the user&#39;s finger when the user depresses the ridge to break the score line. 
     The raised ridge may be stamped into the top end. The raised ridge may have opposed sloping sides that are joined to each other at a raised central ridge line. 
     A distal end of the drink opening portion of the tab may be closer to the center portion of the top end than the first score line so as to provide leverage when the user lifts the vent opening portion to break the first score line and provide for the drink opening. The raised ridge may be closer to the second score line compared to the center portion of the top end. 
     In another embodiment, a can having fluid contained therein wherein the can comprises a bottom end, a cylindrical sidewall, a top end and a tab is disclosed. The cylindrical sidewall has the bottom end attached to a first side of the cylindrical sidewall. The top end may be attached to the sidewall on an opposed second side of the cylindrical wall to form an enclosed volume in which the fluid is contained. The top end may have a first score line defining a drinking periphery formed in the top end and a second score line defining a vent opening. The first score line may be positioned opposite the second score line with respect to a center portion of the top end. The tab may define a drink opening portion and a vent opening portion. The drink and vent opening portions may be joined to each other at an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion may be pivotally attached to the center portion of the top end. The drink opening portion may be disposed over the top end on an interior side of the first score line. The vent opening portion may be disposed over the top end with a solid portion of the vent opening portion disposed over the second score line. An underside of the vent opening portion may have a raised ridge. The raised ridge may be aligned between the center portion of the top end and the second score line to provide leverage so that a user can press the vent opening portion of the tab into the top end to break the second score line. 
     The vent opening portion may be disposed over the second score line to protect the user&#39;s finger from being cut with a sharp edge formed at the second score line after rupturing the second score line with the vent opening portion. Also, the vent opening portion may cover the second score line to prevent insertion of the vent opening portion and the user&#39;s finger when the user depresses the vent opening portion to break the score line. 
     A method of opening a can containing a fluid is also disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of lifting a vent opening portion of a tab to pivot the tab about an intermediate portion of the tab so as to provide leverage to a drink opening portion of the tab; pressing the drink opening portion into the top end to break a first score line on a top end of the can; breaking the first score line on the top end of the can; contacting the vent opening portion into a raised ridge formed in the top end of the can; pushing the vent opening portion into the raised ridge formed in the top end of the can to break a second score line on the top end of the can; and breaking the second score line on the top end of the can. 
     The method may further comprise the step of limiting the movement of the vent opening portion to stay above the top end to prevent sharp edges of a vent opening from cutting the user&#39;s finger. 
     In another embodiment, another method of opening a can containing a fluid is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of lifting a vent opening portion of a tab to pivot the tab about an intermediate portion of the tab so as to provide leverage to a drink opening portion of the tab; pressing the drink opening portion into the top end to break a first score line on a top end of the can; breaking the first score line on the top end of the can; contacting a raised ridge of the vent opening portion into the top end of the can; pushing the vent opening portion so that the raised ridge of the vent opening portion breaks a second score line on the top end of the can; and breaking the second score line on the top end of the can. 
     In still a further embodiment, another method of opening a can containing a fluid is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of pressing downward on a vent opening portion of a tab; breaking a second score line to open the vent opening; lifting a vent opening portion of a tab to pivot the tab about an intermediate portion of the tab so as to provide leverage to a drink opening portion of the tab; pressing the drink opening portion into the top end to break a first score line on a top end of the can; and breaking the first score line on the top end of the can. 
     The method may further comprise the step of pressing a ridge formed on an underside of the tab into the top end of the can. Alternatively, the method may further comprise the step of contacting an underside surface of the tab into a raised ridge formed in the top end of the can. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an improved beverage can including a vent opening and a drink opening; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged exploded view of the top end of the improved can shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged exploded view of the top end of the improved can with the vent opening shown in an upside down configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the improved can shown in  FIG. 1  for providing smooth pouring of fluid out of the drink opening; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the improved can shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the improved can illustrating a tab being pulled upward to open the drink opening; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the improved can wherein the tab is pushed downward to open the vent opening; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the improved can shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a ridge for providing leverage to the tab to open the vent opening; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross sectional view of the ridge shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the ridge shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged exploded view of a top end of an improved can in accordance with a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged exploded view of a top end of an improved can in accordance with the second embodiment wherein a second score line is in an upside down configuration; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the tab shown in  FIG. 10  illustrating a raised ridge for breaking a second score line formed in a top end of the improved can shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a bottom perspective view of the tab shown in  FIG. 10A  illustrating a raised ridge for breaking the second score line formed in the top end of the improved can shown in  FIG. 10A ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of an assembled can shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a can  10  used to hold fluid  18 . The can  10  defines a bottom end  12 , a top end  14  and a sidewall  16 . The top end and bottom ends  14 ,  12  may be attached to the opposed ends of the sidewall  16  to form a container to hold fluid  18 . The can  10  may provide a fluid tight container so that the fluid  18  does not escape from the can  10  during transportation and prior to use. During use, the user may flip up a tab  20  to open drinking opening  22  (see  FIG. 5 ) so that the fluid  18  may be poured out of the can  10  (see  FIG. 3 ). The tab  20  may then be flipped back downward and pushed toward an upper panel  24  of the top end  16  to open the vent opening  26  (see  FIG. 6 ) so that fluid  18  may flow smoothly out of drink opening  22  when poured (see  FIG. 3 ). When the tab  20  is flipped back downward and pushed toward the upper panel  24  of the top end  16 , the tab  20  pushes upon the ridge  25  disposed closely to a score line  30  defining the vent opening  26 . The ridge  25  assists in providing the needed leverage so that the user can break the score line  30 . 
     The top end  14  of the can  10  may be fabricated from a stamping process. The stamping process may form the first and second score lines  28 ,  30  which are weakened areas in the top end  14  that define the vent opening  26  and the drink opening  22 . The score lines  28 ,  30  may be indentations formed by a die which promotes separation at the score lines  28 ,  30 . The stamping process may also form the ridge  25  in the top end  14 . The tab  20  may also be formed by the stamping process. The upper panel  24  of the top end  14  and the tab  20  may be attached to each other in a subsequent operation. Moreover, the top end  14  may be attached to the sidewall  16  in a separate operation. 
     More particularly, referring now to  FIG. 2 , an enlarged view of the top end  14  of the can  10  is shown. The tab  20  is exploded off of the upper panel  24  for the purposes of clarity. The upper panel  24  may be formed by a stamping process. During the stamping process, first and second score lines  28 ,  30  are formed in the upper panel  24 . The first and second score lines  28 , do not complete an entire circle so that the cut out portions  32 ,  34  of the upper panel  24  can remain attached to the central portion  36  after opening the drink opening  22  and the vent opening  26 . The first score line  28  may extend from the central portion  36  out close to the periphery  38  then back to the central portion  36  of the upper panel  24 . The first score line  28  may be curved and define the drink opening  22  when the cut off portion  32  is broken away from the upper panel  24  at the first score line  28 . The curved configuration of the first score line  28  may provide for sufficient flow output of the fluid  18  through the drink opening  22 . The first score line  28  extends close to the periphery  38  to facilitate drinking. 
     The vent opening  26  allows for smoother flow of fluid out of the drink opening  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In particular, when the vent opening  26  is opened, the fluid  18  flowing out of the can  10  through the drink opening  22  is shown by arrow  27 . Fluid is replaced with air through the vent opening  26  as shown by arrow  29 . This provides for a smoother flow of fluid  18  out of the drink opening  22  when pouring the fluid  18  out of the can  10 . 
     The second score line  30  may have a linear length shorter than the linear length of the first score line  28 . The vent opening  26  defined by the second score line  30  may be sufficiently large to provide an air inlet with sufficient flow rate to keep up with the output flow rate of the fluid  18  exiting the drink opening  22 . The vent opening  26  may be smaller than the drink opening  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the second score line  30  may extend from the central portion  36  toward the outer periphery  38  of the upper panel  24  but not as far as the first score line  28  then back to the central portion  36 . The second score line  30  defines the vent opening  26  which permits air to flow into the can  10  during pouring of the fluid  18  out of the drink opening  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the tab  20  may define a drink opening portion  40  and a vent opening portion  42 . The size of the drink opening portion  40  may be smaller than the size of the cut out portion  32  and the drink opening  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The drink opening portion  40  is smaller so that additional leverage can be placed upon the cut out portion  32  as the user lifts the vent opening portion  42 , as shown by arrow  43  in  FIG. 5 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a length  44  of the drink opening portion  40  is substantially smaller than a distance  46  measured from a pivot point  48  to the furthest part of the first score line  28 . The pivot point  48  of the tab  20  may be defined by rivet  50 , shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The rivet  50  attaches the tab  20  to the central portion  36  of the upper panel  24 . The rivet  50  is fed through hole  52  of the tab  20  and hole  54  of the upper panel  24 . The rivet  50  then attaches the tab  20  to the upper panel  24 . The tab  20  may additionally have a U-shaped cut out  56  formed about the hole  52 . The U-shaped cut out  56  enables the tab  20  to bend at attached portion  58  when the vent opening portion  42  is lifted up as shown in  FIG. 5  and pushed back downward as shown in  FIG. 6 . The tab  20  may be fabricated from an aluminum material which is fairly malleable. The tab  20  may be bent once up and down and is preferably not bent anymore than that to prevent breakage of the attached portion  58  of the tab  20 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the tab  20 , and more particularly the vent opening portion  42 , may be solid so that the vent opening portion  42  may make full contact with the ridge  25 . However, it is also contemplated that the vent opening portion  42  may have other configurations such as S-shaped, square shaped, triangular shaped, etc. The ridge  25  may also have other shapes. The ridge  25  and the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20  may have corresponding shapes so that the vent opening portion  42  places pressure on the ridge  25  and breaks the score line  30 . Once the score line  30  is broken, the vent opening portion  42  may be sufficiently large to prevent entry of the person&#39;s finger into the vent opening  26 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the vent opening portion  42  may have a length  60  that is greater than a distance  62  from the pivot point  48  to a second score line  30 . When the user pushes down on the vent opening portion  42  to open the vent opening  26  (see  FIG. 6 ), the vent opening portion  42  hits the upper panel  24  and does not proceed through the vent opening  26 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the vent opening portion  42  is substantially larger than the second score line  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the cut out portion  34  may be formed with the ridge  25  which may serve the function of providing leverage to assist the user in breaking the score line  30 . In particular, the user pushes downward on the vent opening portion  42 . As the user pushes down on the vent opening portion  42 , the vent opening portion  42  places pressure on the ridge  25 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The user increases pressure until the pressure applied to the ridge  25  is transferred to the score line  30  and is sufficient to break the score line  30  and open the vent opening  26 . Once the score line  30  is broken, the user&#39;s finger will accelerate toward the upper panel  24 . Fortunately, the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20  is sufficiently long to press against the upper panel  24  and prevent entrance of the person&#39;s thumb or finger into the vent opening  26 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . When the vent opening portion  42  contacts the upper panel  24 , the vent opening portion  42  continues to push and deflect the cut out portion  34  away from the upper panel  24 . This deflection permanently deforms the cut out portion  34  to increase the gap between the cut out portion  34  and the upper panel  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a top view of the upper panel  24  and the tab  20  are shown. As can be seen, the outer periphery  64  of the vent opening portion  42  may cover the second score line  30 . The vent opening portion  42  also covers the ridge  25  so as to be sure that the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20  contacts the ridge  25  as the user pushes down on the vent opening portion  42  to open the vent opening  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a top view of the cut out portion  34  and ridge  25  and a perspective view thereof are shown.  FIG. 8A  is a cross sectional view of the ridge  25  shown in  FIG. 8 . The ridge  25  is closely adjacent the second score line  30  so that sufficient leverage is applied to the cut out portion  34  as the user presses down on the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20 . The ridge  25  extends from the cut out portion  34  and is deformed upward in a stamping process. The ridge  25  defines a spine  66  which rises from feet  68   a, b  of the upper panel  24 , as shown in  FIG. 8A . The ridge  25  is preferably located as close as possible to the score line  30  to provide maximum leverage to the user. The distal end portions  70   a, b  are tapered and blended downward into the upper panel  24  so as to have a gradually declining ridgeline. The ridge  25  may have a horseshoe shape. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-12 , a second embodiment is shown. In particular, a raised ridge  72  having the same configuration as the ridge  25  is formed on an underside  74  of tab  20 . The raised ridge  72  may also have a spine  66  which may be closely aligned to the inner periphery of the second score line  30  formed in the upper panel  24  of the top end  14  of the can  10 . The raised ridge  72  may have a corresponding configuration as that of the second score line  30 . In the example shown in the Figures, the second score line  30  has a horseshoe configuration. The ridges  25 ,  72  may also have a horseshoe configuration. This is to allow the raised ridges  25 ,  72  to apply maximum leverage to break the score line  30  when the user compresses the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20 . The raised ridges  25 ,  72  attempt to apply as much pressure to the second score line  30  along as much of the length of the second score line  30  as possible. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the tab  20  may be pivotally attached to the upper panel  24  by way of rivet  50 . The user may initially pull up on the tab  20  as shown by arrow  76  to pivot the tab  20  about rivet  50 . The drink opening portion  40  presses down on the upper panel  24  to break the first score line  28 . After the first score line  28  is broken, the user may traverse the tab  20  back down in the direction of arrow  78 . The ridge  72  formed on the underside  74  of the tab  20  presses down on the upper panel  24  and applies pressure to the second score line  30 . The user continues to apply pressure until the second score line  30  is broken. Upon rupture, the distal end  80  of the vent opening portion  42  contacts the upper panel  24  to prevent the user&#39;s finger from being pushed in through the vent opening  26  which may have a sharp edge at the second score line  30  that could cut the user. 
     In the discussion above in relation to the embodiments of the improved can  10 , the tab  20  was initially raised upward to open the drink opening  22 , then rotated back downward to open the vent opening  34 . However, it is also contemplated that the reverse may also be performed. In particular, the user may press down on the vent opening portion  42  to apply pressure to the second score line  30  by way of ridges  25 ,  72 . After the second score line  30  is broken, the tab  20  will spring back upward and allow the user to grasp the underside  74  of the vent opening portion  42  of the tab  20  to pull upward on the tab  20  and apply pressure to and break the first score line  28  by way of the drink opening portion  40 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the second score line  30  has a horseshoe configuration wherein the cutout portion  34  is attached to the central portion  36  of the upper panel  24 . However, it is also contemplated that the second score line  30  may have an upside down horseshoe configuration as shown in  FIG. 2A . The tab  20  still pushes down on the raised ridge  25 . The overhang of the tab  20  beyond the raised ridge  25  provides a mechanical advantage to further provide leverage to apply pressure to the raised ridge  25  and break the second score line  30  to form the vent opening  26 . In this instance, the cutout portion  34  is not attached to the central portion  36  but attached to the peripheral portion of the upper panel  24 . The vent opening  26  is in the opposite direction. The same may also be implemented in the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . Referring now to  FIG. 10A , the second score line  30  is reconfigured in an upside down configuration. The cutout portion  34  is attached to the peripheral portion of the upper panel  24  not the central portion  36  thereof. The raised ridge  72  formed on the underside surface of the tab  20  is also reconfigured to be the minor images compared to  FIG. 11  (see  FIG. 11A ). 
     In the drawings and description above, the vent opening  26  was shown and described as being opposite (i.e., angularly displaced 180°) from the drink opening  22 . However, it is also contemplated that the vent opening  26  may be positioned on the upper panel  24  of the top end  14  at a different angular displacement with respect to the drink opening  22 . By way of example and not limitation, the vent opening  26  may be located 90° or 120° away from the drink opening  22 . Moreover, any angular displacement of the vent opening  26  from the drink opening  22  is contemplated. To open the vent opening  26 , the tab  20  may be rotated about rivet  50  so that the tab  20  is aligned to ridge  25  or score line  30  and the tab  20  can be pushed down and the ridge  25  or  72  may apply pressure to the second score line  30  to break or rupture the same. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8A , the ridge  25  is shown as being a triangular shape. However, other shapes for the ridge  25  are also contemplated. By way of example and not limitation, the ridge  25  may have a rounded configuration, a squared configuration, etc. Additionally, the ridge  25  may be formed by way of a folded bead instead of a stamping process. The same is also true for the ridge  72  formed in the tab  20  which is discussed as an alternative embodiment. The ridge  72  may also have other configurations such as triangular, squared, rounded, etc. Also, the ridge  72  may be formed by a bead of material. The ridges  25 ,  72  may be any type of raised surface including but not limited to a raised protrusion or any feature that extends above the upper panel  24  of the can  10  or below the underside surface  74  of the tab  20 . 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of attaching the tab  20  to the top end  24  of the can  10 . Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.