# US 5,348,217 A · Beverage container with novel dispensing means

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- Number: US 5,348,217 A
- Document ID: US5348217A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/966,729
- Filed: 1992-10-26
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1990-08-21
- Assignees: Tropicana Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Griscom Bettle, Jr.; Griscom Bettle, III; Patricia Jeruzal
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348217A

## CPC

- B65D 5/70: Break-in flaps, or members adapted to be torn-off, to provide pouring openings (B65D5/74 takes precedence)
- B65D 2231/02: Precut holes or weakened zones
- Y10S 215/902: Vent
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A container for dispensing beverages through a straw, the container including an opening with one or more cuts radiating away therefrom. The opening is smaller than the straw to provide venting.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A beverage container comprising:
sidewall means and a top wall cooperating to form an enclosure for a beverage; and
dispensing means formed on said top wall for dispensing said beverage through a straw having a circular cross section, said dispensing means being defined by a cut made in said top wall, said cut including an arcuate section in the shape of an arc of circle conforming in radius to said circular cross section and extending over no more than 180.degree., and two straight sections extending away from said arcuate section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1 wherein said straight sections are tangent to said arcuate section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The container of claim 2 wherein said straight sections are convergent toward said arcuate section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1 wherein said arcuate section includes an arcuate portion terminating at a first and a second end and a straight portion extending between said first and second ends.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The container of claim 4 wherein said straight sections extend away from said first and second ends respectively.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The container of claim 1 wherein said cut is continuous.

### Claim 7

A beverage container comprising:
sidewall means and a top wall cooperating to form an enclosure for a beverage; and
dispensing means formed on said top wall for dispensing said beverage through a straw having a circular cross section, said dispensing means being defined by a cut made in said top wall, said cut including an arcuate section conforming in radius to said circular cross section and extending between a first and a second end, a straight portion extending between said first and second ends and two straight sections extending away from two respective points, said two respective points being disposed radially inwardly of said first and second ends respectively.

### Claim 8

A beverage container comprising:
sidewall means and a top wall cooperating to form an enclosure for a beverage; and
dispensing means formed on said top wall for dispensing said beverage through a straw having a preselected cross section, said dispensing means being defined by a cut made in said top wall, said cut including a curved section conforming in shape to said preselected cross section and extending between a first and a second end, and two straight sections extending away from said ends, said straight sections being convergent toward and tangent to said curved section.