Metal Container for Beverages

The present invention relates to a metal beverage container, of the type commonly called “can” and made up of a cylindrical body with two bases. One of the bases comprises an improved opening system.

The use of cylindrical cans, often utilized with beverages: beer, soft drinks, isotonic drinks . . . , is known in the state of the art. They comprise a cylindrical-walled container or tube, with a concave lower base and a generally flat upper base. They possess a lid in the form of a tab that is inserted inward when a ring is lifted. A relevant example can be appreciated in ES1282759U and is considered the closest prior art to the invention.

The utility model system is highly effective, enabling the can to be emptied completely and without the risk of contamination. There is still room for improvement, as will be shown in this utility model.

On the other hand, cans are generally made of aluminum, aluminum alloy or tin-plated steel, using a stronger material in the upper base where the opening is performed by means of a tab. This material is thicker or has a different alloy, and is considerably more expensive.

The applicant is not aware of any other container similar to that being claimed.

The invention consists of a metal container according to the independent claim. Different variants thereof solve the problems of the state of the art.

The metal container, for beverages, is made up of an approximately cylindrical wall with a concave lower base and a convex upper base. At its maximum, this upper base has a tab with a frangible perimeter (all or part thereof) fixed to a ring. It also comprises a flange fitted snugly around the tab.

Preferably, the wall has a neck with a reducing diameter in the area close to the upper base.

The portion of the upper base within the flange is preferably flat to make the construction of the flange and tab easier.

The can of the present invention is suitable for holding beverages. For example, beer or other fermented alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, such as cider, low-malt beer-type beverages, sparkling wine and the like, soda, tonic, juices, energy drinks, alcoholic pre-mixed cocktails from an alcoholic beverage and soda, milk, condensed milk, soup, sauce and the like.

Other particular solutions are included in the dependent claims and described in detail below.

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be briefly described as an illustrative, non-limiting example thereof.

In, an example embodiment made up of a container with an approximately cylindrical wall (), a lower base () and an upper base () can be seen. The two bases (,) have a matching shape so that similar containers can be stably stacked. The lower base () is concave, and the upper base () is convex and protrudes at a shorter distance than the lower base () to allow it to be inserted in the lower base () of a can placed thereon. Generally, the upper base () is surrounded by an indentation, as is typical for this type of container.

Similar to the above-mentioned utility model, the can's opening tab () is located at the maximum of the upper base () and possesses an opening pull ring (). The edge of the tab () is frangible along all or part of its perimeter to define the pouring aperture.

A flangeis arranged around the tab (), useful both to increase the mechanical resistance and to serve as a pouring edge, in such a way that the indentation in the upper base () does not come into contact with the liquid. The portion of the upper base () within the flange () is preferably flat. The flange can be made similarly to the flange of each base (,), i.e., by overlapping and folding the edges of each part. Thus, the upper base () is made in two pieces, one in the form of an annulus () between the wall () and the flange () and a circular one or the lid () where the aperture is defined (). The annulus can be made of a different material from the inside of the flange (), which requires a more carefully selected material. That is, the material of the annulus

As can be seen in the figures, the wall () is not cylindrical, but has a neck () with a reducing diameter in the area close to the upper base (). The neck () is made by means of rollers prior to producing the can.

To open the can, the ring () is lifted, on the side opposite to its attachment to the tab (), which allows the can to be ventilated. Subsequently, the ring () is pulled and the tab () breaks along its perimeter through a fracture or weakening line. The tab () and the ring () can be positioned on the other side of the flange (). At this point, the liquid can be dispensed, not coming in contact with the outside of the can at any time and avoiding contamination. In particular, impurities built up at the junction of the upper base () and the wall () are prevented.

Furthermore, due to the definition of the annulus () and the lid (), different materials can be used in each portion, leaving the high-performance material solely for the lid (). For example, 5XXX series aluminum can be used for the lid () and 3XXX series aluminum for the remaining parts.

The force needed to open the lid () can be made using the ring () with a single movement and only one hand.