Resealable beverage containers and methods of making same

A beverage container comprising:

• a body having a closed end and an open end;
• a top disposed over the open end and closing the body to define an interior space;
• a socket formed in the top, and including a frangible area;
• a cap fitted into the socket and being movable between a storage position, an opening position, a drinking position, wherein the cap is removed from the socket, and a resealing position;
• a first linear drive mechanism, detachably and rotatably connecting the cap to the socket, and being operable by rotation of the cap to break the frangible area at least partially free from the top and force the frangible area into the interior space of the body;
• and
• a second linear drive mechanism in sliding engagement between the cap and the socket, and being operable by rotation of the cap to increase the linear motion of the cap into the socket and thereby increase the force imparted by the first linear drive.

A method of making a resealable can top, comprising:

• forming a lid from a substantially planar blank;
• forming a socket in the blank, the socket having a sidewall, a bottom wall, projections extending outwardly from the sidewall and ramps extending upwardly from the bottom wall;
• forming a first score line in the bottom wall of the socket, the first score line comprises a pair of parallel score lines joined at a first end and inscribed in an incomplete circular shape defining a tear panel;
• forming a cap having a sidewall, a bottom wall, at least one spiral groove formed in the sidewall, a grip on an upper end, ramps extending upwardly from the bottom wall;
• the cap being insertable into the socket so that the projections of the socket engage at least one spiral groove;
• and
• the tear panel being pushed linearly inwardly when the cap is rotated by a force generated by the ramps, projections and at least one spiral groove formed on the socket and cap.

A beverage container comprising:

• a body having a bottom wall and a side wall which defines an open top;
• a lid fitted into and sealingly engaging the open top, and having a socket;
• a cap fitted into the socket and being movable between pre-opened, opening, and resealing positions;
• and
• means for enhancing a force imparted to the cap for movement between the various positions.

A method of making a resealable can top, comprising:

• forming a lid from a substantially planar blank;
• forming a socket in the blank, the socket having a sidewall, a bottom wall, projections extending outwardly from the sidewall and ramps extending upwardly from the bottom wall;
• forming a first score line in the bottom wall of the socket, the first score line defining a tear panel;
• forming a cap having a sidewall, a bottom wall, at least one spiral groove formed in the sidewall, a grip on an upper end, ramps extending upwardly from the bottom wall;
• the cap being insertable into the socket so that the projections of the socket engage the at least one spiral groove;
• and
• the tear panel being pushed linearly inwardly when the cap is rotated by a force generated by the ramps, projections and at least one spiral groove formed on the socket and cap.

A beverage container comprising:

• a body having a bottom wall and a side wall which defines an open top;
• a lid fitted into and sealingly engaging the open top, and having a socket;
• a cap fitted into the socket and being movable between pre-opened, opening, and resealing positions;
• and
• means for enhancing a force imparted to the cap for movement between the various positions.