US 6,981,608 B2Granted

Beverage can

OwnerC. Brady Battmerinventor

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Abstract

A beverage can with a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween. A first weakening score is formed in the top end, and a second weakening score is formed near the bottom end of the can. The beverage can has a first tab selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the first tab is generally parallel to the can a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the first weakening score to fail, thereby forming a first opening. A second tab with features similar to the first tab is positioned near the second weakening score. Specifically, the second tab is selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the second tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the second weakening score to fail, thereby forming a second opening. Beverage may exit the can from either the first or second opening.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A beverage can, comprising:

a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween;
a generally round first weakening score formed in the top end;
a generally round second weakening score formed on the side wall and adjacent the bottom end;
a first tab having a first end extending over the first weakening score and a second end extending away from the first end, and is coupled to the can at a fulcrum positioned therebetween, the first tab being selectively displaceable between
an initial position wherein the first tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the first weakening score to fail, thereby forming a first opening;
a second tab having a first end extending over the second weakening score and a second end extending away from the first end, and is coupled to the can at a fulcrum positioned therebetween, the second tab being selectively displaceable between
an initial position wherein the second tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the second weakening score to fail, thereby forming a second opening;
wherein each of the first tab, the second tab and the can have distinct, respective longitudinal axes, and wherein,
a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the first tab is generally orthogonal to
a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the second tab, and
wherein, beverage may exit the can from at least one of the first and second openings.

8 more elements

A beverage can, comprising:

a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween;
a first weakening score formed in the top end;
a second weakening score formed adjacent the bottom end;
a first tab positioned adjacent the first weakening score and selectively displaceable to enable the first weakening score to fail and thereby form a first opening;
a second tab positioned adjacent the second weakening score and selectively displaceable to enable the second weakening score to fail and thereby form a second opening;
each of the first tab, the second tab, and the can have distinct respective longitudinal axes, and wherein, a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the first tab is generally orthogonal to
a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the can and the longitudinal axis of the second tab, and
wherein, as beverage exits the can from one of the first or second openings, the other opening provides a vent and enables expedited discharge of beverage from the can.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.