WO2019158968A1

WO2019158968A1 - Container for beverages

Info

Publication number: WO2019158968A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/050895
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio Pizzolo
Original assignee: Enoitalia S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-02-14
Filing date: 2018-02-14
Publication date: 2019-08-22

Abstract

A container (1) for beverages, comprising: - a can (10) comprising a first base surface (11) or lower portion, a second base surface (12) or openable surface and a lateral surface (13); - a receptacle (20) comprising a base (21), a lateral jacket (23) that extends from the base (21) and has a free rim (26) defining an opening (22) opposite the base (21). Moreover, the receptacle (20) is disposed in a configuration for sale, in which it is disposed on the can (10) with the base (21) facing the openable surface (12) of the can (10) and the lateral jacket (23) surrounding the lateral surface (13) of the can (10). The container (1) comprises a retaining element (30) disposed on the opposite side relative to the receptacle (20) and such as to contain at least the lower portion (11) of the can (10) and at least the rim (26) of the opening (22), being configured to maintain the receptacle (20) in the configuration for sale.

Description

“Container for beverages”

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DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for beverages.

In particular, the invention relates to a container comprising a first receptacle in which the beverage is contained and a second receptacle for serving and/or consuming said beverage. It should be noted that the present invention could also be suitable for being used to contain foods in liquid or semi-liquid form or still other items not expressly specified herein. Preferably, the field of use of the container is that of cans.

Specifically, the container is intended for any type of beverage and, in particular, alcoholic beverages, such as, for example, wine or beer, which are preferably consumed in a glass.

PRIOR ART

Generally, numerous different types of receptacles exist for the same beverage, e.g. glass bottles, cans, cartons ...

Substantially, the choice to keep a beverage in a specific receptacle, such as a glass bottle or a plastic bottle, for example, can depend on a reason related to cost, transport, storage or, possibly, a compromise among all these.

However, for a certain type of beverage, especially alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer and spirits, cans do not bring the best out of the contents for direct consumption, at least from the viewpoint of habits and customs.

There are mainly two reasons: the first is of a cultural type and regards the fact that a quality beverage, such as wine for example, is historically not stored in a can. The second regards the fact that it is normally preferable to consume wine or other alcoholic drinks after pouring them into a specific glass to obtain a maximum expression of flavour. In this manner, the wine will be able to oxygenate as time passes and release its secondary and tertiary aromas, not to mention the fact that the user will obtain a better tasting of the wine itself, or, for example the act of pouring beer into a glass will release the excess carbon dioxide.

In other words, although a can, in terms of materials, would be suitable also for storing alcoholic beverages, since aluminium is a material that has many qualities from a hygienic and storage viewpoint, the use of a can to drink an alcoholic beverage like wine tends to be infrequent among consumers.

SUMMARY

In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose a container for beverages enabling the beverage to be consumed directly in a way that is better suited to the habits and customs of consumers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for beverages endowed with structural unity, so that it can be marketed and used with ease.

A further object of the present invention is to ensure that maximum hygiene is maintained until the time of use, in particular as regards the sensitive parts that will come into contact with the lips during drinking.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to increase the opportunities for the consumption of beverages irrespective of the type of beverage and place where it is consumed.

The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a container for beverages which comprises the technical features disclosed in the independent claim. The dependent claims correspond to further advantageous aspects of the invention.

It should be highlighted that this summary introduces, in simplified form, a selection of concepts which will be further elaborated in the detailed description given below.

The invention relates to a container for beverages comprising a can for containing a beverage. The can comprises a first base surface, preferably a lower portion, a second base surface, preferably an openable surface and a lateral surface interposed between the lower portion and the openable surface. The can extends along a direction of extension for a length.

The container for beverages comprises a receptacle comprising a base, a lateral jacket that extends from the base and has a free rim defining an opening opposite the base. The receptacle is disposed in a configuration for sale, wherein it is disposed on the can with the base facing the second base surface of the can and the lateral jacket surrounding the lateral surface of the can. The receptacle extends along the direction of extension for at least a portion of the length.

Furthermore, the container for beverages comprises a retaining element fitted on the opposite side relative to the receptacle and extending from the first base surface towards the second base surface along the direction of extension up to a height equal to at least part of the length. The height is such as to contain at least the first base surface of the can and at least the rim of the opening, since the retaining element is configured so as to maintain the receptacle in the configuration for sale.

Substantially, the container comprises the can containing the beverage, which is disposed vertically in its classic positioning, and the receptacle wherein the beverage will be poured in order to be consumed, which is preferably positioned as a top covering of the can. The retaining element at least partially contains the can and receptacle in order to guarantee protection of the sensitive areas of the receptacle (whereupon the lips will rest for drinking) in the period preceding the consumption of the beverage and, moreover, it imparts unity to the structure so that it can be more easily transported and used.

In particular, the retaining element comprises one or more portions disposed around said rim of said opening so as to retain the receptacle. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the retaining element comprises several portions, each defined by a clasp. In other words, there is a plurality of clasps disposed around the rim of said opening of the receptacle and between the latter and said first base surface so as to impart structural unity.

In a second embodiment, the retaining element comprises a single portion defined by a strip of material (sleeve) wrapped between said rim of said opening and said first base surface.

In a third embodiment the retaining element comprises a box-like support. Preferably, the box-like support comprises a bottom, which defines a rest surface for the first base surface, preferably the lower portion, a covering and at least one lateral wall interposed between the bottom and the covering. The lateral wall extends for the height of the box-like support. According to one aspect of the invention, the covering of the box-like support has a through opening laterally containing the receptacle in the configuration for sale when the height of the box-like support is less than the length of the can.

Advantageously, in the event that the box-like support has a lower height than the can, but is nonetheless capable of simultaneously comprising a portion of the can and a portion of the receptacle, the covering of the box- like support has a through opening with a cross section size equal to that of the receptacle, so as to maintain the latter in the configuration for sale and ensure the container’s stability as well as imparting structural unity to it.

According to another aspect of the invention, the box-like support comprises a plurality of first safety elements disposed along the through opening and configured to interfere mechanically with the lateral jacket of the receptacle so as to maintain it in the configuration for sale.

Preferably, the first safety elements are defined by appendages projecting out towards the inside of the through opening.

The projecting appendages, advantageously, impart stability to the container by constraining the receptacle in the configuration for sale due to the interference they induce between them and the lateral jacket of the receptacle itself.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the box-like support comprises a plurality of second safety elements disposed along the through opening and configured to interfere mechanically with a protruding portion of the rim of the receptacle.

Preferably, the second safety elements are defined by tabs disposed towards the inside of the through opening and inclined towards the inside of the box-like support in order to apply, on the protruding portion, a direct force substantially along the direction of extension towards the bottom of the box-like support so as to maintain the receptacle in the configuration for sale.

Preferably, the inclined protruding tabs are disposed alternately with the aforesaid projecting appendages in order to ensure further elements of interference between the box-like support and the receptacle, in particular between the box-like support and the protruding portion characteristic of the receptaclees used, to ensure further stability of the structure and prevent an accidental separation between the receptacle and can.

Even more preferably, the tabs of the second safety elements are bendable between a starting condition and an engagement condition in which they are inclined towards the inside of the box-like support in order to apply force on the protruding portion when the receptacle is in the configuration for sale.

According to one aspect of the invention, the height of the lateral wall is greater than or equal to length of the can and the opening is positioned over the second base surface, so that the box-like support totally contains at least the can and at least the receptacle in the configuration for sale.

In the event that the height of the box-like support is at least equal to the height of the can, the box-like support is able, advantageously, to comprise the can and receptacle covering it completely, thus imparting maximum structural unity and safety during transport without the need to form through openings or any inclined protruding tabs and it is furthermore able to ensure protection against external agents.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the through opening has an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a portion of the lateral jacket of the receptacle disposed in correspondence with the covering of the box-like support itself. In other words, the through opening is narrower than the rim of the receptacle so that the latter does not come out.

Accordingly, the receptacle is inserted from below the through opening and the first safety elements and/or the second safety elements are not necessary (unless as a further safety element).

According to another aspect of the invention, the box-like support is dimensioned so as to contain a plurality of cans placed side by side and a respective plurality of receptaclees, each in the configuration for sale with the respective can.

Advantageously, a container according to this aspect is capable of containing more than one can with its respective receptacle.

Preferably, the covering of the box-like support comprises a plurality of through openings, each for laterally containing a specific receptacle in the configuration for sale.

In the event that the box-like support has a lower height than the can and, moreover, comprises more than one can and the respective receptacle, through openings will be fashioned on the covering of the box-like support itself so as to maintain each receptacle in the configuration for sale relative to the respective can.

Both in the event that the box-like support is lower than the can, and in the event that the box-like support is at least as high as the can, the embodiment wherein several cans are contained in the same box-like support can envisage that there be only one or more than one can over which a respective receptacle is fitted. For example, in a package with four cans, there could be only one can with a receptacle accompanying it and another three cans without a receptacle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the lateral wall has at least one passage for communication between the inside and outside of the box-like support itself.

The lateral wall preferably surrounds and entirely connects the bottom and the covering.

Even more preferably, the lateral wall comprises at least two closed faces and at least one open face interposed between the two closed faces along an outer perimeter of the box-like support.

The lateral jacket preferably extends substantially for the entire length of the can so that the rim of the receptacle is in correspondence with the first base surface of the can in the configuration for sale. In this manner, the receptacle extends along the whole length of the can and, advantageously, once turned over, it will be able to contain the whole contents thereof directly.

Alternatively, the lateral jacket extends for a shorter length than the can length so that the rim of said receptacle is set at a predefined distance (for example, at least 1 centimetre) from said first base surface of said can in the configuration for sale.

The lateral jacket of the receptacle preferably has a truncated cone shape, whose cross section narrows from the rim towards the base.

According to one aspect of the invention, the lateral jacket, in a coupling portion adjacent to the base, has a narrowing designed to create a shape interference between the coupling portion of the receptacle and a portion of the can disposed in proximity to the second base surface.

The portion of the can disposed in proximity to the second base surface is preferably flared and the coupling portion is countershaped to the flared portion of the can.

Advantageously, given the presence of flares at the openable surface of the can, the receptacle has a narrowing in a corresponding portion adjacent to the base thereof. In this manner, the shape of the receptacle will be able to mate with that of the can and ensure a greater stability of the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, the receptacle has a size matching that of the can so that the lateral jacket of the receptacle adheres at least partially to the lateral surface in the configuration for sale. In addition, between the base of the receptacle and the openable surface of the can, a “vacuum” condition can advantageously be established, which increases the stability of the container.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the base of the receptacle has a central flexible portion suitable for being pressed so as to move the second base surface of the can away from the base of the receptacle to pass from the configuration for sale to the use configuration, in which the can is extracted from the receptacle.

Advantageously, in the event that an excessive adhesion forms between the can and the receptacle and/or in the event that, due to an excessive length of the jacket, the points where the can may be grasped are reduced, the presence of a flexible portion enables the can to be moved partially away from the receptacle and facilitates its separation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first base surface is a lower portion of the can and the second base surface is an openable surface of the can.

According to one aspect of the invention, the box-like support is made of a paper material, preferably cardboard.

A material like cardboard has the advantage of ensuring resistance, but at the same time a light weight of the structure of the box-like support.

In the case of the embodiment with a strip of material (sleeve) wrapped between said rim of said opening and said first base surface, it is made of plastic material.

According to another aspect of the invention, the receptacle is made of a plastic material, preferably thermoformed polystyrene.

Advantageously, a receptacle made of plastic material is resistant but lightweight, such as not to excessively increase the total weight of the container, mainly encumbered by the weight of the beverage itself.

Preferably, the can is of the“slim” type.

A method for assembling a container for beverages, comprising the steps of:

- preparing a can for containing a beverage and having a lateral surface interposed between a first base surface and a second base surface and extending along a direction of extension for a length;

- preparing a receptacle comprising a base, a lateral jacket that extends from the base and has a free rim defining an opening opposite the base.

- fitting said receptacle over the can with the base facing the second base surface of the can and the lateral jacket surrounding the lateral surface of the can so that the receptacle extends along the direction of extension for at least a portion of the length.

Furthermore, the method for assembling a container for beverages comprises the following further steps of:

- preparing a retaining element having a height (H) such as to contain at least the first base surface and at least the rim of the opening;

- disposing the retaining element on the opposite side relative to the receptacle so that it extends from the first base surface towards the second base surface along the direction of extension for a height equal to at least part of the length, and so that the retaining element maintains the receptacle in the fitted position.

In the event that said retaining element is defined by a box-like body having a covering that has one or more through openings for containing one or more receptaclees disposed side by side, the step of disposing said retaining element on the receptacle is carried out by inserting said covering from below, that is, from the rim of the receptacle towards the base. Preferably, this sequence of steps is preferred when the box-like body has the first and/or second safety elements for retaining the receptacle.

Alternatively, the step of disposing said retaining element on one or more receptaclees is carried out by inserting said covering from below, that is, from the base of each receptacle towards the rim so that each receptacle fits in a respective through opening. Preferably, this sequence of steps is preferred when the box-like body does not have the first and/or second safety elements, but has a through opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the receptacle in proximity to the rim, so that the latter cannot come out.

In the event that the retaining element is made as a strip of material, the step of disposing the retaining element is carried out by wrapping the strip between said rim of said opening and said first base surface like a band.

According to the aforesaid method, the receptacle is preferably fitted in such a way that the base is facing an openable surface of the can which defines the second base surface thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an approximate, and thus non-limiting, description of a preferred, but non-exclusive embodiment of a container for beverages, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 illustrates a front sectional view of a container for beverages according to the present invention;

- figures 2a and 2b illustrate a front sectional view of two different aspects of the receptacle when disposed in the configuration for sale;

- figures 3a to 3e illustrate an axonometric view of different aspects of the box-like support of the container;

- figure 4 illustrates an axonometric view of a container for beverages, wherein the box-like support is such as to totally comprise the can and the receptacle;

- figures 5a and 5b illustrate an axonometric view of two different embodiments of a container for beverages capable of containing a plurality of cans and respective receptaclees in the configuration for sale;

- figure 6 illustrates an exploded axonometric view of a container for beverages according to the present invention.

With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a container for beverages or the like.

Any modifications or variants which, in the light of the description, are evident to the person skilled in the art, must be considered to fall within the scope of protection established by the present invention, according to considerations of technical equivalence.

With reference to the figures, a container for beverages has been generically indicated with the number 1.

The other numerical references refer to technical features of the invention which, barring indications otherwise or evident structural incompatibilities, the person skilled in the art will know how to apply to all the variant embodiments described.

Figure 1 illustrates a container 1 for beverages, which comprises a can 10 suitable for containing a beverage, a receptacle 20 suitable for covering the can 10 and a retaining element 30. In reference to figure 6, in which an exploded view of the container 1 is illustrated, the can 10 has a lower portion 11 which forms a first base surface of the can 10 and an openable surface 12 which forms a second base surface of the can 10. The can 10 further has a lateral surface 13 interposed between the lower portion 11 and the openable surface 12. The can 10, moreover, extends along a direction of extension 2 for a length L. The first base surface is defined by the bottom of the can 10, whilst the second base surface is defined by the head of the can 10, where an opening hole for drinking the beverage is present.

The can 10 preferably has a flared portion 14 in proximity to its openable surface 12. The flared portion 14 is due to the technique whereby aluminium is processed in the step of producing the can 10 itself.

Again in reference to figure 6, the receptacle 20 comprises a base 21 , and a lateral jacket 23, which extends from the base 21 and has a free rim 26 defining an opening 22 opposite the base 21. The rim 26 has a protruding portion 27.

The receptacle 20 is normally disposed in a configuration for sale, as shown in figures 2a and 2b, wherein the base 21 is facing towards the openable surface 12 of the can 10 and the lateral jacket 23 surrounds the lateral surface 13 of the can 10.

Specifically, as illustrated in figure 1 , it is dimensioned so that the lateral jacket 23 adheres at least partially to the lateral surface 13 of the can 10. According to one aspect of the invention, the receptacle 20, and more precisely the lateral jacket 23, extends along the direction of extension 2 for at least a portion of the length L of the can 10.

Preferably, however, the lateral jacket 23 extends for the length L of the can 10 so that the rim 26 of the opening 22 of the receptacle 20, when it is disposed in the configuration for sale, is in correspondence with the lower portion 11 of the can 10 itself (figure 2a). Alternatively, the receptacle 20, and more precisely the lateral jacket 23, extends along the direction of extension 2 for a portion of the length L of the can 10 (figure 2b) and thus the rim 26 is spaced from the first surface of the can by a predefined distance.

Furthermore, as illustrated in the appended figures 1 , 2a and 2b, the lateral jacket 23 of the receptacle 20 has a truncated cone shape whose cross section narrows from the rim 26 of the opening 22 towards its base 21 so as to increase the adhesion between the lateral surface 13 of the can 10 and the lateral jacket 23 of the receptacle 20, while nonetheless facilitating the insertion and slipping off of the receptacle 20 itself.

Alternatively, the receptacle 20 has a cylindrical shape analogous to that of the can lO.

Additionally, as may be better seen in figure 2a and in figure 2b, the lateral jacket 23, in a coupling portion 24 adjacent to its base 21 , has a narrowing 25 designed to create a shape interference between the coupling portion 24 of the receptacle 20 and a portion of said can 10 disposed in proximity to the second base surface 12.

The coupling portion 24 preferably is countershaped to the flared portion of the can 10; that is, the coupling portion has a curve that follows the shape of the flared portion of the can 10.

As a consequence of the shape complementarity between the receptacle 20 and the can 10, a“vacuum” condition is created between the openable surface 12 of the can 10 and the base 21 of the receptacle 20. This condition advantageously provides greater adhesion to the system shown in figure 2a and in figure 2b.

As shown in figure 6, the base 21 of the receptacle 20 has an elastically flexible central portion 28 suitable for being pressed so as to move the openable surface 12 of the can 10 away from the base 21 of the receptacle 20 and thus dispose it in the use configuration, wherein the can 10 is extracted from the receptacle 20 itself. This aspect is particularly advantageous if the receptacle 20 has an extension equal to that of the can 10 or such that the available lateral surface 13 of the can 10 is not sufficient to enable it to be grasped in order to extract the can 10 itself from the receptacle 20.

The receptacle 20 is preferably made of a plastic material, for example thermoformed polystyrene, advantageously capable of withstanding lateral stresses, hence resistant, easy to work with and also lightweight. In other embodiments the receptacle 20 is made of other materials not expressly mentioned here such as paper/cardboard ...

The can 10, as known, is made of aluminium or, in some cases, steel or more generally any metal material.

The container 1 for beverages comprises, in addition to the can 10 and receptacle 20, the retaining element 30 in order to impart stability to the entire structure, so as to define a structural unity of the container 1 , in order that it can be handled with greater simplicity and, finally, to protect the sensitive areas whereupon the lips will rest for drinking against polluting external agents.

The retaining element 30 can be made up of:

- box-like support as illustrated in the appended figures;

- strip of material wrapped between the first surface of the can 10 and the rim 26 of the receptacle 20;

- clasping portions disposed between the first surface of the can 10 and the rim 26 of the receptacle 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the retaining element 30 is made as a box- like support (hereinafter also indicated with the number 30 for the sake of simplicity) and may in turn be made according to different variant embodiments illustrated in figures 3a to 3e. The box-like support 30 comprises a bottom 31 upon which the lower portion 11 of the can 10 rests, a covering 32 and at least one lateral wall 33 interposed between the bottom 31 and the covering 32.

Advantageously, it is possible to use box-like supports having a cross section equal to any geometric shape. A cylinder-shaped box-like support 30 (figure 3e) reduces the overall volume compared to box-like supports

30 with a prismatic shape (figures 3a to 3d). The box-like support 30 and, specifically, its lateral wall 33, extends along the same direction of extension 2 as the can 10 and the receptacle 20, for a height H equal to at least part of the length L along which the can 10 extends. In this manner, the box-like support 30 will contain at least the lower portion 11 of the can 10 and at least the opening 22 of the receptacle 20, so as to maintain the receptacle 20 itself in the configuration for sale and protect the lateral jacket portion 23 from external polluting agents.

When the height H of the box-like support 30 is less than the length L of extension of the can 10, the covering 32 of the box-like support 30 has a through opening 34 for the lateral containment of the receptacle 20 disposed in the configuration for sale in order to improve the stability thereof and impart structural unity to the container 1 as a whole.

Disposed along the through opening 34, moreover, there is a plurality of first safety elements 35, which interfere mechanically with the lateral jacket 23 of the receptacle 20, and a plurality of second safety elements 36, which interfere mechanically with the protruding portion 27 of the rim 26. The plurality of first safety elements 35 and the plurality of second safety elements 36 are preferably disposed in an alternating manner along the through opening 34.

The plurality of first safety elements 35 comprises a plurality of projecting appendages. The appendages interfere mechanically with the lateral jacket 23, compressing the receptacle 20 towards the lateral surface 13 of the can 10, so as to maintain it in the configuration for sale. The appendages are coplanar with the covering 32.

The plurality of second safety elements 36 comprises a plurality of bendable tabs disposed towards the inside of the through opening 34 and inclined towards the inside of the box-like support 30. The tabs, being inclined towards the bottom 31 of the box-like support 30 when the receptacle is disposed in the configuration for sale, apply a direct force on the protruding portion 27 of the rim 26 substantially along the direction of extension 2 towards the bottom 31 in order to maintain the receptacle 20 solidly joined to the can 10, that is, in the configuration for sale.

According to a different aspect of the invention shown in figures 3c, 3d and 4, the lateral wall 33 has an extension at least equal to the length L of the can 10, so that the box-like support 30 totally contains the can 10 and the receptacle 20 in the configuration for sale.

According to a further aspect of the invention shown in figures 5a and 5b, the container 1 , and specifically the box-like support 30, is dimensioned so as to contain a plurality of cans 10 placed side by side and a respective plurality of receptaclees 20, each in the configuration for sale with the respective can 10.

In the event that the lateral wall 33 extends for the length L of the can 10, the box-like support 30 will be able to totally contain the plurality of cans 10 and the respective receptaclees 20 (figure 5b).

Whereas in the event that the lateral wall 33 extends for a height H less than the given length L of the can 10, the covering 32 of the box-like support 30 comprises a plurality of through openings 34, each for laterally containing a specific receptacle 20 in the configuration for sale (figure 5a). Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention shown in figure 3b and in figure 3d, the box-like support 30 has a plurality of lateral walls 33 spaced from one another so as to leave free at least one communication passage between the inside and outside of the box-like support itself 30. The box-like support 30 is preferably produced with a paper material, such as, for example, cardboard, which is lightweight and easily shapeable so as to impart to the bottom 31 and covering 32 of the box-like support itself any predetermined geometric form whatsoever. Alternatively, the box-like support 30 can be made of other materials, such as plastic or others, and not expressly described here.

According to a different aspect of the invention, the receptacle disposed in a configuration for sale is fitted over the can 10 in such a way that the base 21 is facing towards the lower portion 11 and the lateral jacket 23 surrounds the lateral surface 13 of the can 10. In this case, the box-like support 30 is disposed on the side of the openable surface 12, preferably with the bottom 31 resting upon it.

It should be noted that the present invention is preferably applied to cans of the “slim” type, with a diameter of about 50 millimetres and a containment volume of 150, 200, 250, 296 millilitres. Alternatively, the present invention is applied to cans of a“standard” type, with a diameter of about 53 millimetres and containment volume of 250, 330, 500, 568 millilitres.

Claims

1. A container (1) for beverages, comprising:

- a can (10) for containing a beverage and having a lateral surface (13) interposed between a first base surface and a second base surface and extending along a direction of extension (2) for a length (L);

- a receptacle (20) comprising a base (21), a lateral jacket (23) that extends from said base (21) and has a free rim (26) defining an opening (22) opposite said base (21), said receptacle (20) being disposed in a configuration for sale, wherein it is fitted over the can (10) with the base (21) facing the second base surface of the can (10) and the lateral jacket (23) surrounding the lateral surface (13) of the can (10), said receptacle (20) extending along said direction of extension (2) for at least a portion of said length (L);

characterised in that it comprises a retaining element (30) disposed on the opposite side relative to said receptacle (20) and extending from said first base surface towards said second base surface along said direction of extension (2) for a height (H) equal to at least part of said length (L), said height (H) being such as to contain at least said first base surface and at least said rim (26) of said opening (22), said retaining element (30) being configured so as to maintain said receptacle (20) in said configuration for sale.

2. The container (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said retaining element (30) comprises one or more portions disposed around said rim (26) of said opening (22) so as to retain the receptacle (20).

3. The container (1) according to claim 2 wherein said retaining element (30) comprises several portions, each defined by clasps.

4. The container (1) according to claim 2 wherein said retaining element (30) comprises a portion defined by a strip of material wrapped between said rim (26) of said opening (22) and said first base surface.

5. The container (1) according to claim 1 wherein said retaining element (30) comprises a box-like support.

6. The container (1) according to claim 5, wherein said box-like support (30) comprises a bottom (31) defining a rest surface for said first base surface, a covering (32) and at least one lateral wall (33) interposed between said bottom (31) and said covering (32); said lateral wall (33) extending for said height (H).

7. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said covering (32) of said box-like support (30) has a through opening (34) for the lateral containment of said receptacle (20) in the configuration for sale when said height (H) of said box-like support (30) is less than said length (L).

8. The container (1) according to claim 7, wherein said box-like support (30) comprises a plurality of first safety elements (35) disposed along said through opening (34) and configured to interfere mechanically with said lateral jacket (23) of said receptacle (20) so as to maintain it in the configuration for sale.

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, wherein said first safety elements (35) are defined by appendages projecting out towards the inside of said through opening (34).

10. The container (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said box-like support (30) comprises a plurality of second safety elements (36) disposed along said through opening (34) and configured to interfere mechanically with a protruding portion (27) of said rim (26) of said receptacle (20).

11. The container (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein said second safety elements (36) are defined by tabs disposed towards the inside of said through opening (34) and inclined towards the inside of the box-like support (30) in order to apply on said protruding portion (27) a direct force substantially along said direction of extension (2) towards said bottom (31) so as to maintain said receptacle (20) in the configuration for sale.

12. The container (1) according to claim 11 , wherein the tabs of the second safety elements (36) are bendable between a starting condition and an engagement condition, in which they are inclined towards the inside of the box-like support (30) in order to apply said force on said protruding portion (27) when the receptacle (20) is in the configuration for sale.

13. The container (1) according to claim 11 , wherein said through opening (34) has an inner diameter substantially equally to the outer diameter of a portion of the lateral jacket (23) of the receptacle (20) disposed in correspondence with the covering (32).

14. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said height (H) of said lateral wall (33) is greater than or equal to said length (L) and said covering (32) is positioned over the second base surface, so that the boxlike support (30) totally contains said can (10) and said receptacle (20) in the configuration for sale.

15. The container (1) according to any preceding claim depending on claim 5, wherein said box-like support (30) is dimensioned so as to contain a plurality of cans (10) placed side by side and at least one receptacle (20) disposed in the configuration for sale with at least one respective can (10).

16. The container (1) according to claim 14 when it depends on any of claims 7 to 12, wherein said covering (32) of said box-like support (30) comprises a plurality of through openings (34), each for the lateral containment of a specific receptacle (20) in the configuration for sale.

17. The container (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein said lateral wall (33) surrounds and entirely connects the bottom (31) and the covering (32).

18. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein said lateral wall (33) comprises at least two closed faces and at least one open face interposed between the two closed faces along an outer perimeter of the box-like support (30).

19. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said lateral jacket (23) extends substantially for the entire length (L) so that the rim (26) of said receptacle (20) is in correspondence with said first base surface of said can (10) in the configuration for sale.

20. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said lateral jacket (23) extends for a length that is less than the length (L) so that the rim (26) of said receptacle (20) is spaced from said first base surface of said can (10) in the configuration for sale.

21. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said lateral jacket (23) of said receptacle (20) has a truncated cone shape whose cross section narrows from the rim (26) towards the base (21).

22. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said lateral jacket (23), in a coupling portion (24) adjacent to the base (21), has a narrowing (25) designed to create a shape interference between said coupling portion (24) of said receptacle (20) and a portion of said can (10) disposed in proximity to said second base surface (12).

23. The container (1) according to claim 20, wherein said portion of said can (10) disposed in proximity to said second base surface (12) is flared and said coupling portion (24) is countershaped to said flared portion (14) of said can (10).

24. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said receptacle (20) has a size matching that of the can (10) so that said lateral jacket (23) adheres at least partially to said lateral surface (13) in the configuration for sale.

25. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said base (21) of said receptacle (20) has a central flexible portion (28) suitable for being pressed so as to move the openable surface (12) of the can (10) away from said base (21) of the receptacle (20) to pass from the configuration for sale to a use configuration, in which the can (10) is extracted from the receptacle (20).

26. The container (1) according to any preceding claim depending on claim 4, wherein said retaining element (30) is made of a plastic material.

27. The container (1) according to any preceding claim depending on claim 5, wherein said box-like support (30) is made of a paper material, preferably cardboard.

28. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said receptacle (20) is made of a plastic material.

29. The container (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said first base surface is a lower portion (11) of said can (10) and wherein said second base surface is an openable surface (12) of the can (10).

30. The container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein said can (10) is of the“slim” type.

31. A method for assembling a container (1) for beverages, comprising the steps of:

- preparing a can (10) for containing a beverage and having a lateral surface (13) interposed between a first base surface and a second base surface and extending along a direction of extension (2) for a length (L);

- preparing a receptacle (20) comprising a base (21), a lateral jacket (23) that extends from said base (21 ) and has a free rim (26) defining an opening (22) opposite said base (21),

- fitting said receptacle (20) over the can (10) with the base (21) facing the second base surface of the can (10) and the lateral jacket (23) surrounding the lateral surface (13) of the can (10) so that said receptacle (20) extends along said direction of extension (2) for at least a portion of said length (L);

characterised in that it comprises the following further steps of:

- preparing a retaining element (30) having a height (H) such as to contain at least said first base surface and at least said rim (26) of said opening (22),

- disposing said retaining element (30) on the opposite side relative to said receptacle (20) so that it extends from said first base surface towards said second base surface along said direction of extension (2) for a height (H) equal to at least part of said length (L), and so that said retaining element (30) maintains said receptacle (20) in a fitted position.

32. The method according to claim 31 , characterised in that said retaining element (30) is a box-like body having a covering (32) that has one or more through openings (34) for containing one or more receptaclees disposed side by side; said step of disposing said retaining element (30) on the receptacle (20) is carried out by inserting said covering (32) from the rim (26) of the receptacle towards the base (21).

33. The method according to claim 31 , characterised in that said retaining element (30) is a box-like body having a covering (32) that has one or more through openings (34) for containing one or more receptaclees disposed side by side; said step of disposing said retaining element (30) on one or more receptaclees (20) being carried out by inserting said covering (32) from the base (21) of each receptacle (20) towards the rim (26) so that each receptacle (20) fits in a respective through opening (34).

34. The method according to claim 31 , characterised in that said retaining element (30) is a strip of material and said step of disposing said retaining element (30) is carried out by wrapping the strip between said rim (26) of said opening (22) and said first base surface.

35. The method according to one of claims 31 to 34, characterised in that the receptacle (20) is fitted so that the base (21) is facing an openable surface (12) of the can (10) which defines said second base surface.