US20020125261A1

US20020125261A1 - Beverage container

Info

Publication number: US20020125261A1
Application number: US09/753,960
Authority: US
Inventors: Sung Suk Kim
Original assignee: Sung Suk Kim
Current assignee: SUNG SUK KIM
Priority date: 2001-01-04
Filing date: 2001-01-04
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: US6945425B1

Abstract

An internal to external self buoyancy lifted drinking straw system and its assembly for lift tab opening aluminum can beverage containers is provided for which consists of a aluminum straw guidance stationary holding frame affixed to or near its bottom to a cylindrical drinking straw of aluminum at an angle, upon which vertically slides with close tolerance through a perpendicular integral straw guidence ring connected and integral of the straw guidance stationary holding frame, a cylindrical aluminum drinking straw with an integral float at its bottom having further up towards its top a bendable straw segment and at its top a rolled end segment which driven by its integrated float will raise by floatation upward to drinking access level when the aluminum can beverage container is opened by lift tab.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to aluminum can lift tab beverage containers used for holding high-viscosity beverages, such as soda-pop, teas, and other drinkable beverages consumed from aluminum can-beverage containers.

2. Description of Prior Art

Several containers for beverages have been provided in prior art that are adaptable to include integral straws which will extend up to drinking level when the lift tab of the aluminum can container is opened for drinking. While these units might be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

A primary object of the present invention is to provide as an improvement for an aluminum can beverage container a buoyancy driven self-to-drinking-level raising aluminum straw that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object is to provide for as an improvement of current art strawless aluminum can beverage containers a built-in aluminum straw that is anchored to a portion of the top wall of the aluminum can beverage container. This will be accomplished with an adhesive so as not to interfere with the current construction and design of aluminum can beverage containers. In addition, it will not be necessary to alter the design or construction method used in making the aluminum can beverage container lids.

It will not interfere with the current manufacturing techniques for cold rolled or ironed sheet processes used in making aluminum cans. When the container is opened by, the lift tab, the aluminum straw will rise by its own buoyancy to drinking access level.

An additional object is to provide as an improvement for current art an all aluminum integral straw system wich will not interfere with the current six-stage low temperature acid cleaning and sanitation processes used to remove residues and aluminum fines. It will also not interfere with the coating of the aluminum with protective plastic materials currently in use.

Another additional object is to provide for as an improvement over current art aluminum can beverage containers that the angle and length of the integral straw is adjustable, while the straw itself is retained in place by a built-in holding bracket anchored to the top wall, so as not to be able to be accidentally discharged and lost from the container.

A further object is to provide for an improved integral straw system adopted aluminum can beverage container that is hygenic and sanitary. The consumer will drink from the buoyancy lifted aluminum straw instead of placing their mouth, tongue, or lips against the lid of the aluminum can beverage container.

A still further object is to provide for an improved integral aluminum strawed beverage container that is simple and easy to use for those persons who cannot lift or tilt aluminum can beverage containers, such as handicapped persons or others.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, with attention being called to the fact that, however, the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention an integral internal to external self-buoyancy lifted aluminum straw system for lift tab opening aluminum can beverage containers.

DRAWINGS

Drawing Figures [0017]
FIG. 1 at drawing {fraction (1/3)} is a Top View of the aluminum can beverage container showing where the instant invention becomes anchored with adhesive to the lid at [0018] 24.
FIG. 2 at drawing {fraction (1/3)} is a side view of the invention, the drinking straw system seperate from and before anchoring to the aluminum can beverage container lid at [0019] 24.
FIG. 3 at drawing {fraction (2/3)} is a perspective view taken at a slight angle showing the invention installed in the can. [0020]
FIG. 4 at drawing {fraction (2/3)} is a perspective view taken at an opposite angle from FIG. 3 showing the invention installed in the can. [0021]
FIG. 5 at drawing {fraction (3/3)} is a top 45° and side view of the of the aluminum can beverage container while being opened by the lift tab before the self-buoyant straw has risen through the top wall opening to drinking access level. [0022]
FIG. 6 at drawing {fraction (3/3)} is an opposit top 45° and side view of the invention and aluminum can beverage container, with the self-buoyant aluminum straw lifted through the lid opening to drinking access level.[0023]



Reference Numerals In Drawings

2	top rim edge	3	bottom rim edge
10	lift tab rivet	12	lift tab
13	straw guiding ring	14	top component of straw
15	buoyancy float	16	bottom straw component
17	lower bottom rim edge	18	holding frame anchor point
19	holding frame	20	outside of can
22	Bendable segment of straw	23	top segment of straw
24	straw system anchor point	25	lid opening
26	lid opening access	27	lid junction to can
28	rolled edge of straw

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is embodied in the aluminum mechanisms depicted by [0025] reference numbers 13, 14, 15, 16 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, and 28 of the drawings.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate an integral self-buoyancy lifting aluminum straw system by itself and as an improvement upon aluminum can beverage container which consists of a aluminum straw guidance stationary holding frame, [0026] 19, anchored with adhesive stationary at 18 to 16 bottom straw component upon which 14, vertically guided sliding aluminum drinking straw component and 15, buoyancy float fixed to as part of, to raise 14 to drinking access level slide vertically once beverage container is opened at 27, through 13, internal starw guiding ring, arm of which is an integral part of 19, anchored with adhesive at 24 to bottom side of beverage container lid at 24.
[0027] 16 bottom aluminum straw component which is hollow, the bottom of which is cut at an angle similar to that of the bottom of the aluminum can beverage container fits inside 14 top straw component of the drinking straw to facilitae easy entry of the beverage through the bottom of 16 upward through 16 and 14, facilitating unimpeded flow of beverage from and through the bottom of 16 upward through 16 and 14 and out of the top of 14 through 22 bendable segment of aluminum straw and finally through 28 top segment of aluminum drinking straw with 22 and 23 serving as integral part of 14 which is, as referenced above, lifted by integrally fixed float 15, which circles the circumference near the bottom of 14. 19 straw guidance holding-frame, 16, bottom fixed drinking straw component, and 13, internal straw guiding ring are fabricated from aluminum, all straw components being hollow and cylindrical.
[0028] Numbers 2, 3, 10, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, and 27 of the drawings are not part of this specific invention and therefore not sought to be patented by this applicant, depict relatively standard feature components generally of a lift tab opening aluminum can beverage container to which this invention was formulated as an integrally installed incorporated improvement thereof.
To use the improved aluminum can beverage container, the following steps should be taken: [0029]
1. lift up the [0030] tab 12 so that it will tip downwardly to push the lid opening acces panel 26 into the interior beverage chamber.
2. press the [0031] tab 12 back down flat.
3. after the self-rising aluminum straw extends past [0032] 25 lid opening, bend 23 so that top 28 is at a suitable angle to allow person to drink therefrom.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0033]
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the art of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics and the generic or specific aspects of this invention. [0034]
What I claim that my invention is that is new and that which I desire to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:[0035]

Claims

1. Depicted by numbers 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, and 28, of the drawings and referenced herein above and heretofore is the “Internal to External Self-Buoyancy Drinking Straw System” adaptable to and for standard aluminum lift tab opening high viscosity liquid aluminum can beverage containers said invention specifically consisting of components as listed above, as and described below:

13 Internal straw guiding ring integral to 19 made from aluminum straw guidence stationry holding frame.

14 Vertical guided sliding drinking straw.

15 Aluminum float affixed to or molded as part of 14.

16 Bottom aluminum drinking straw component cylindricaly shaped upon which 14 and 15 slide vertically.

18 Adhesive conecting 16 straw to 19 straw guidance stationary holding frame.

19 Straw guidance stationary frame.

22 Bendable segment of aluminum straw.

23 Top segment of aluminum straw.

24 Adhesive conecting 19 to top inside portion of can lid.

As applicable as an integral part of a lift tab aluminum can beverage container.

2. As described in claim 1, above, also an Internal to External Self Buoyancy Lifting Drinking Straw System which when installed are vertically parallel to the inside interior wall of the aluminum can beverage container.

3. As described in claims 1 and 2 above, and Internal to External Self Buoyancy Drinking Straw System, 19, straw guidance stationary holding frame which is affixed to 16 bottom drinking straw component at 18 parallel with 19, and in line with 19.

4. As described in claims 1 through 3 above, an Internal to External Self Buoyancy Lifting Drinking Straw System which has as an upper drinking straw 14, which intergrates 22 bendable segment of 14 drinking straw and 23 top segment of drinking straw, the whole of which has an affixed integral part, 15 float which spans the circumference of the diameter of 14 at its outside wall at the bottom, the whole of which drinking straw fits over 16 with close tolerance to facilitate its sliding vertically up and down on 16 and which passes through to slide vertically up and down through, as guided by 13, internal straw guiding ring which is connected by an arm as an integral part of 19 straw guidence holding frame, but which is positioned at 90 degrees to 19's vertical part which becomes adhered to the lid of the aluminum can beverage container at 24. 14 straw which is assembled on 16 and moved vertically to topmost 13 permitting position before 16 is affixed to 19 at 18, entire assembly of which is done before fugure 1, top lid, is assembled to the aluminum can beverage container at 2.

5. as described in claims 1 through 4 above, an Internal to External Self Buoyancy Lifting Drinking Straw System for aluminum can beverage containers, integral straw 14 of which slides vertically upon 16 driven by buoyancy provided by 15, through 13 and 26, lid opening to drinking access level at top of 23 when 12 lift tab is lifted to can opening position, permitting the consumer to bend 14 at 22 to desired angle to consume the contents of the container with all of the advantages of the invention above.