Container

What is this patent about?

’441 is related to the field of containers, specifically those used for storing liquids or solids. The background acknowledges the prevalence of metal containers with easy-open ends, particularly for beverages. However, metal forming is limited in design flexibility and cost-prohibitive for rapid prototyping. Plastic containers offer greater design freedom but traditionally lack the consumer appeal and convenience of a metal pop-top lid.

The underlying idea behind ’441 is to combine the advantages of both materials by creating a container with a plastic body and a metal lid with a pop-top opening mechanism . This allows for complex and attractive container shapes through plastic molding, while retaining the familiar and convenient opening of a metal can.

The claims of ’441 focus on a container comprising a resin-based (e.g., PET) body and a metal lid. The body features a side wall, a base with a central element and a depression, and a circular neck with a lip. The metal lid includes a weakened (scored) area and a pivoting arm for opening. The geometry of the container body is specifically defined by angles between the upper, middle, and lower portions of the side wall relative to the base.

In practice, the plastic body can be manufactured using standard molding techniques like blow molding or injection molding, allowing for complex shapes and designs. The metal lid, with its pre-scored opening and pull-tab, is attached to the plastic body's neck, creating a liquid-tight seal . The user then opens the container by pulling the tab, deforming the weakened area and creating an opening for dispensing the contents.

The key differentiation lies in the hybrid construction. Prior art containers were typically either all-metal or all-plastic. By combining a plastic body with a metal pop-top lid, ’441 achieves a balance of design flexibility, manufacturing cost-effectiveness, and consumer appeal. The specific geometric features of the base, such as the depression and central element, likely contribute to the container's structural integrity and stability.