Carbonated beverage container

Abstract

When dispensing carbonated beverages, particularly beer and draught stout, it is desirable to obtain a close-knit creamy head. This contributes to a creamy taste and adds considerably to the customer appeal. To obtain this effect when dispensing from a can (1) it includes a lid (2) having a secondary compartment (4) formed on it and a non-resealable closure (3) in communication with the secondary compartment. At least one orifice (5) extends between the secondary compartment (4) and the inside of the container (1), and a liquid (8) is held in the secondary compartment. The container is arranged so that on opening of the closure (3) the pressure in the secondary compartment (4) is reduced to atmospheric with the result that gas or liquid from the main body of the container (1) is jetted through the at least one orifice (5) into the liquid (8) in the secondary compartment (4) to generate a foam in the secondary compartment. Complete opening or removal of the closure (3) enables the contents of both the secondary compartment (4) and the remainder of the can (1) to be mixed and dispensed together so that the foam produced in the secondary compartment acts to seed the generation of small bubbles throughout the beverage (8) in the can (1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.