(12) United States Patent
`Gardiner
`
`USOO6729495 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,729,495 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*May 4, 2004
`
`(54) BEVERAGE CONTAINER
`(75) Inventor: James Lee Gardiner, North Mission
`Beach (AU)
`(73) Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies
`Corporation, Alsip, IL (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 65 days.
`
`patent is extended O adjusted under 35
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/095,203
`(22) Filed:
`Mar 11, 2002
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0134787 A1 Sep. 26, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/530,927, filed as appli
`cation No. PCT/AU98/00946 on Nov. 12, 1998, now Pat.
`No. 6,425,493.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Nov. 12, 1997 (AU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PPO330
`Dec. 9, 1997 (AU) .............................................. PPO804
`Mar. 10, 1998 (AU) .............................................. PP2249
`Oct. 19, 1998 (AU) .............................................. PP6558
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................. B65D 1/16; B65D 8/00;
`B65D 17/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 220/733; 220/906; 220/646
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 220/733, 269,
`220/906, 646, 655, 797, 698, 640, 641,
`642, 648
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,704805. A 12/1972 Sheafe, III .................. 220/906
`5,244,111 A 9/1993 Merom ....................... 220/906
`5,497.896 A 3/1996 Shand ........................ 220/269
`5,501,362 A 3/1996 Cudzik ....................... 220/612
`5,645,190 A 7/1997 Goldberg .................... 220/674
`5,655,678 A 8/1997 Kobayashi .................. 220/269
`5,813,561 A 9/1998 Chang et al. ............... 220/269
`5,967,363 A 10/1999 Allen ......................... 220/806
`6.425,493 B1
`7/2002 Gardiner ..................... 220/733
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,715,964 A 2/1998 Turner et al. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 220/269
`
`DE
`2 318 669
`11/1974
`DE
`32 22 894
`1/1984
`DE
`195 24427
`1/1996
`EP
`O 165 639
`12/1985
`JP
`4-311450
`11/1992
`JP
`09-058681
`3/1997
`Primary Examiner Nathan J. Newhouse
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Woodcock Washburn LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A beverage can cap member (16,100) is configured so that
`its exterior surface (28) extending radially inwardly from the
`rim (18) or rim forming portion (140) is substantially flat or
`continuous, or has a slight curve from apposition adjacent
`from the rim (18) or rim forming portion (140). The cap
`member (16, 100) may have a countersink (160) which is
`filled with a filler material including a curable adhesive, an
`insert (180) of a natural or synthetic material or the like. The
`filler material increases the Structural Strength of the cap
`member (16, 100) to an extent that it can be made of a
`relatively thinner material and still complies with the mini
`mum peaking pressure of the industrial Standard.
`
`18 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 1 of 12
`Sheet 1 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
`US 6,729,495 B2
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`12
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`28
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`26 24 16
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`
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`F. G. 1
`FIG. 4
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`12
`12
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`14
`14.
`
`FIG. 2
`F. G. 2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 2 of 12
`Sheet 2 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`F. G. 3
`FIG. 3
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 3 of 12
`Sheet 3 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`28
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`22
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`| 26
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`4 1
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`/
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`° 18
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`S
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`FIG. 4
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`FIG.S
`FIGS
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`US 6,729,495 B2
`US 6,729,495 B2
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`Sheet 4 of 12
`Sheet 4 of 12
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`FIG.6
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 5 of 12
`Sheet S of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`FIG.9
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`FIG.8
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`100
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`\ – it — —-
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`80
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`160
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`140 -------
`-1
`120
`
`F.G. 10
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`resswa-lae
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`-
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`220
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`Wa — — \- --g
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`F.G. 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`100
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`%
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`F.G. 13
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`w-w F.G. 14
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`FG 15
`SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (ROAU)
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 8 of 12
`Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`100
`100
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`G7
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`\ F
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`FG 16
`IG. 16
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`F. G. 17
`FIG. 17
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 9 of 12
`Sheet 9 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`100
`1 OO
`\
`Y.
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`280
`280
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`180
`180
`a
`1.
`300
`300
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`260
`260
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`F.G. 19
`FIG. 19
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`F. G. 20
`FIG. 20
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 10 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`100 y
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`E N320
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`FG. 21
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`F. G. 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 6,729,495 B2
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 4, 2004
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`a
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`1
`BEVERAGE CONTAINER
`
`US 6,729,495 B2
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
`This application is a continuation of patent application
`Ser. No. 09/530,927 filed May 8, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,425,493, which was the National Stage of International
`Application No. PCT/AU98/00946 filed Nov. 12, 1998
`which claims priority to Australian patent application NoS.
`PP0330 filed Nov. 12, 1997, PP0804 filed Dec. 9, 1997,
`PP2249 filed Mar. 10, 1998, and PP6558 filed Oct. 19, 1998,
`the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`This invention relates to a beverage container having a
`cap of a Suitable material and the cap is configured for easy
`cleaning, and in particular but not limited thereto the cap is
`arranged with a ring of countersink adjacent to its peripheral
`and a filler material is fixed in the counterSink So that the cap
`has a relatively reduced cap material yet is able to withstand
`normal internal pressure exerted on the cap when the con
`tainer is filled with a carbonated drink.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The applicant has observed that beverage containers,
`especially aluminium alloy drink cans, have a deep coun
`tersink in their caps at a position adjacent to their rims.
`AS these containers are normally Stored in an upright
`position, foreign materials Such as dirt and other undesired
`matters find their way in the countersinks. Where the con
`tainers are kept with foods Such as meat or fish in a
`refrigerator or, cooler drips from Such foods may fall in the
`countersinkS. AS the countersinks are relatively deep the
`foreign materials therein are not easily noticeable and are
`difficult to clean.
`Further, for containers with beverage pouring apertures in
`their caps, beverage Spillage tends to Settle in the counter
`SinkS and on other parts of the caps.
`Many people drink beverages directly from pour apertures
`in the caps. Bacteria, germs and diseases in the countersinkS
`can come in contact with the drinkers. Accordingly these
`containers are not only unhygienic but also a health hazard.
`The applicant has also noted that the caps of the beverage
`cans are normally Secured to the can bodies by Seaming with
`or without the assistance of an adhesive. For carbonated
`drinks the caps must have a minimum thickness in order that
`the Seaming Securement is Sufficiently Strong to prevent
`Separation by internal pressures exerted by the carbonated
`drinkS. This limitation is costly to can manufacturers as the
`use of thinner materials for the caps is currently not an
`option.
`
`OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the present invention to alleviate or at
`least reduce to a certain level one or more of the above prior
`art disadvantages.
`
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In one aspect the present invention resides in a beverage
`container having a hollow body member with opposed ends,
`a bottom member at one end and a cap member covering an
`opening at the opposite end thereof. The cap member is
`Sealingly fixed to the body member at Said opposite end and
`in a manner forming a rim at about the periphery of Said
`opposite end. The cap member is configured So that its
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`60
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`65
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`2
`exterior Surface extending radially inwardly from the rim is
`Substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature
`from a position adjacent to the rim.
`In a further aspect therefore the present invention resides
`in a cap member for covering an open end of a beverage
`container. The cap member is configured with a rim forming
`portion at its periphery and So that its exterior Surface
`extending radially inwardly from the rim forming portion is
`Substantially flat or continuous, or has a slight curvature
`from a position adjacent to the rim forming portion.
`It is preferred that the cap member has a Substantially
`ring-shaped countersink at a position adjacent to the rim or
`rim forming portion and a filler material arranged in the
`countersink.
`The cap member and the body member may be arranged
`for removably fixing the cap member to the body member.
`The removably fixing arrangement may include a thread
`on Said opposite end and a complementary thread on a
`periphery of the cap member So that the cap member can be
`threadably fixed to the body member.
`The beverage container can be made of any Suitable
`material. Aluminium, aluminium alloy, Steel and plastic are
`examples of the Suitable materials. Different components of
`the container can be made of different ones of the materials.
`For example the body member can be made of steel and the
`cap member made of plastic. Preferably the cap member is
`configured So that its mid-point is relatively higher than its
`portion adjacent to the rim or rim forming portion.
`The cap member may have one or more ribs or ridges
`formed on its interior Surface and/or exterior Surface for
`improving its structural Strength. Other ribs or ridges may
`also be formed adjacent to a pour aperture in the cap
`member. The filler material preferably extends to about the
`Same level as a region of the cap member radially inward
`therefrom.
`Typically the cap member has a Scored region and means
`for assisting Separation of the Scored region from the rest of
`the cap member. When the Scored region is separated the cap
`member presents the pouring aperture for dispensing bev
`erage contained in the container.
`The assisting means can be a ring-pull tab, a preSS button
`or any other Suitable means.
`One or more parts of the cap member Surrounding the
`pour aperture may be shaped So that any Spillage of beverage
`may flow automatically back into the container through the
`aperture.
`The filler material can be a natural or Synthetic material.
`Desirably it is a material approved by the relevant authority
`for use in or on a drink container.
`The filler material preferably extends to about the same
`level as a region of the cap member radially inward there
`from.
`It is also preferred that the filler material is an adhesive
`material provided in the counterSink and Set therein.
`In an alternative form the filler material is a ring of rubber
`or plastic insert element adapted for insertion in the coun
`tersink and fixed therein by fixing means.
`The fixing means may include an adhesive and/or
`mechanical deformation of the cap at the counterSink or of
`the filler material.
`In one form the mechanical deformation comprises one or
`wedge portions projecting into the filler material. The or
`each wedge portion may be arranged to project into one side
`or opposite sides of the filler material. The wedge portion or
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`3
`portions may also extend laterally or longitudinally or at any
`angular direction, or in a combination of alternate lateral
`and/or longitudinal directions and/or angular directions.
`In another form the mechanical deformation comprises
`one or more deformable portions on the filler material and
`the deformable portion(s) are arranged so that upon insertion
`of the filler material into the countersink they flow or deform
`in a manner which in cooperation with the Sides of the
`countersink fixes the filler material therein.
`In a further form the mechanical deformation comprises a
`Suction portion formed on the material. The Suction portion
`upon insertion in the counterSink fixes to a Surface of the
`countersink and thereby fixes the filler material in the
`countersink.
`The applicant has found that the cap member with a filler
`material Surprisingly increases the peaking pressure (i.e. a
`preSSure at which the cap member fails or Separates from the
`can body) Substantially higher than the industrial Standard
`peaking pressure of 620 Kpa or 6.32 Kg/cm for Aluminium
`alloy cap member. It follows that a relatively thinner mate
`rial can be utilized for the cap member and at the same time
`complying with the industrial requirements. AS millions if
`not billions of beverage containers are consumed each day
`the applicant's invention will Save the can manufacturers
`Substantial material costs. It will also reduces reduce energy
`consumption as aluminium alloy manufacturing which uses
`large amount of energy will have no need to maintain the
`current production rate.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`In order that the invention can be clearly understood and
`put into practical effect the invention will now be described
`in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate
`non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and
`wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a section view of the container shown on FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view 6f the
`container shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a beverage container
`according to another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container shown in
`FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a beverage container
`according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the
`container shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a beverage container
`according to another further embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the
`container shown in FIG. 8:
`FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a cap member
`according to yet another embodiment of the present
`invention, with a form of the insert element about to be
`inserted in the counterSink,
`FIG. 11 is a section view of the cap member shown in
`FIG. 10 with the insert element fully inserted in the coun
`tersink,
`FIG. 12 is a blown-up partial cross sectional view of the
`cap member shown in FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 13 to 15 are respectively similar to FIGS. 10 to 12
`except for the mechanical deformation arrangement for
`fixing the insert element;
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`FIGS. 16 to 18 are respectively similar to FIGS. 1 to 3
`except for the mechanical deformation arrangement for
`fixing the insert element;
`FIG. 19 is a partial schematic cross-section view of
`another form of a cap member for a beverage container
`according to the present invention, with a form of the insert
`element about to be inserted in the countersink,
`FIG. 20 is a section view of the cap member shown in
`FIG. 19 with the insert element fully inserted in the coun
`tersink,
`FIG. 21 is a partial Schematic cross-section view of a cap
`member for a beverage container as shown in FIG. 19 except
`with the addition of a Suction portion in the insert element;
`FIG. 22 is a section view of the cap member shown in
`FIG. 21 with the insert element fully inserted in the coun
`tersink,
`FIG. 23 is a comparison chart showing deformation in the
`cap members with and without Araldite F as a filler material;
`and
`FIG. 24 is a comparison chart showing deformation in the
`cap members with and without Araldite 2015 as a filler
`material.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3 there is shown a
`beverage container 10 which in this case is in the form of an
`aluminium alloy beverage can, for beer, carbonated drink,
`fruit juice and the like. It should be noted that the container
`10 can also be made of steel or plastic.
`The can 10 has a tubular body member 12 with a top end
`and a bottom end. AS can be seen in FIGS. 2 an end member
`14 is formed at the bottom end and a cap member 16 is
`Sealingly fixed to the periphery of the top open end by
`Seaming in this case. A rim 18 is formed at the Seam.
`Alternative the top end may be threaded,(not shown) and the
`cap member 16 may have a complementary threaded periph
`ery (not shown) so that the cap member 16 can be threadably
`fixed to the top end and easy removal of the cap member 16
`from the top end.
`While it is not shown it should be understood that a
`Sealing compound can be applied at the Seam.
`The can 10 has a tubular body member 12 with a top end
`and a bottom end. AS can be seen in FIG. 2 an end member
`14 is formed at the bottom end and a cap member 16 is
`Sealingly fixed to the periphery of the top open end by
`Seaming in this case. A rim 18 is formed at the Seam.
`Alternatively the top end may be threaded (not shown) and
`the cap member 16 may have a complementary threaded
`periphery (not shown) So that the cap member 16 can be
`threadably fixed to the top end and easy removal of the cap
`member 16 from the top end.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly show that the exterior Surface 28 of
`the cap 16 has a slightly conveX curvature radially inward
`from the rim 18. Any foreign material on the exterior surface
`28 and the portion 20 can be easily noticed and cleaned.
`Cleaning the surface 28 and the portion 20 is simply done
`by a wiping motion with a cleaning cloth or other Suitable
`material for cleaning.
`A portion 30 of the cap 16 is shaped to allow spillage of
`the beverage to flow back into the can 10 through the pour
`aperture.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1 the portion 30 extends from near
`the rim 18 and around to substantially embrace the portion
`20 and to about the tip of the tab portion 24. The portion 30
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`(see FIGS. 2 and 3) slopes downwardly from the rim 18 to
`the Score line 22.
`FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a beverage can 50
`according to the present invention. The can 50 is substan
`tially similar to the can 10 described with reference to FIGS.
`1 to 3 and features which are the same as or similar to those
`of the can 10 are given the same numeral references.
`In this embodiment the shaped portion 52 extends from
`near the rim 18 to about halfway of the separable portion 20.
`Ribs or ridges may be formed on the interior surface
`and/or the exterior surface of cap members 16 of the cans 10,
`50 for improving structural strength of the cap members 16
`10, 50. One or more other ribs or ridges may also be formed
`adjacent to the Score line 22 for preventing deformation
`when Separating the portion 20.
`FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment 60 of the
`beverage can according to the present invention. The can 60
`is substantially similar to the cans 10 and 50 described
`earlier except for the configuration of the cap member 16.
`The cap member 16 of the can 60 has a rib 62 on the
`exterior Surface thereof. The rib 62 is radially inward of the
`rim 18 and extends from adjacent to one side of the scored
`portion and around the tab 24 to adjacent the other Side of
`the portion 20.
`The rib 62 joins to spaced further ribs 64 on either side of
`the portion 20.
`As can be seen in FIG. 6 each further rib 64 is spaced from
`the scored portion 20 and follows substantially the shape of
`the scored portion 20 at each side thereof.
`FIGS. 8 and 9 show another further embodiment 70 of the
`beverage can according to the present invention. The can 70
`in this case is Substantially the Same as the can 60 shown in
`FIGS. 6 and 7, except that it has its rib 72 and further ribs
`74 on the interior surface of the cap member 16.
`It should be noted that the present invention anticipates
`that a can of the present invention can incorporate both ribs
`62 and 72, and further ribs 64 and 74 on a single cap member
`16. Alternatively, the can may have either rib 62 or rib 72
`and either further rib 74 or 64 respectively arranged on the
`cap member 16.
`Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12 there is shown a cap
`member 100 for a beverage can (not shown for clarity). The
`cap member 100 has a cap body 120 with a peripheral 140
`which is shaped to be positioned to position over an open
`end of a can body and Seamed thereat to join to the can body
`for forming a rim of the can. Adjacent to the peripheral 140
`is formed a countersink 160.
`An insert element 180 of a plastic material such as PET
`is inserted in the countersink 160 and fixed therein by wedge
`portions 200 which in this case are nibs pressed into the
`insert element 180.
`The insert element 180 when fully inserted is substantially
`level with the radially inner part 220 of the cap 10. The cap
`10 can therefore be easily cleaned. It also allows a relatively
`thinner cap material to be used as it improves the overall
`strength of the cap 100.
`FIGS. 13 to 15 show another embodiment of the cap 100
`according to the present invention. The only difference from
`the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is that the wedge
`portions 200 are now in the form of a combination of
`alternating laterally directed and longitudinally directed
`indentions.
`FIGS. 16 to 18 show yet another embodiment of the cap
`100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment
`the insert element 180 has recesses 240 on both its sides and
`the wedge portions 200 are indentations pressed into the
`recesses 240.
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`6
`FIGS. 19 and 20 show an embodiment of the cap 100
`according to the present invention. In this embodiment the
`insert element 180 has a stem position 260, a top portion 280
`joined to an end of the stem portion 280 and a number of
`spaced rings 300 extending around the stem portion 260. In
`use the rings 300 are deformed upwardly as shown in FIG.
`20, when inserting into the countersink 160 and thereby
`fixing the insert 180 within the countersink 160.
`FIGS. 21 and 22 show another embodiment of the present
`invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to that
`shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. In this embodiment 30 the free
`end of the stem portion 260 has a suction portion 320 which
`further assists in the fixing of the insert element 180 in the
`countersink 160.
`It should be noted that the cap 100 of the embodiments
`shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 can have their insert elements 180
`inserted in the countersink 16 before or after the cap body 12
`is Seamed to the can body.
`The chart in FIG.23 shows that an industrial standard B64
`alloy beverage can with a cap member of 0.25mm thickness
`currently in use in Australia Subjecting to 50 KPa incremen
`tal internal pressures peaks at 675 KPa. When the counter
`sink in the cap member of the same can is filled with a filler
`material of 5 part Araldite(RF (a Ciba-Geigy product) and 1
`part hardener HY2404 (a Ciba-Geigy product), the same test
`shows that the peaking preSSure increases to about 725 KPa.
`In fact the filled cap member has less deformation through
`out the whole range of the test pressures.
`The test for the FIG. 23 comparison is repeated with a
`filler material represented by Araldite(R2015 (a Ciba-Geigy
`product) which is a mixture of 1 part of AV 5308 adhesive
`to 1 part of HV 5309-1 hardener. As can be seen in FIG. 24
`the peaking pressure increases to about 800 KPa.
`The comparison results in FIGS. 23 and 24 Support the
`finding that beverage cans with a thinner grade alloy cap
`member of the present invention can be used without
`degrading the peaking pressure requirement of the industry.
`Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative
`examples of the present invention many variations and
`modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the
`art without departing from the broad ambit and Scope of the
`invention as herein Set forth.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A cap member for covering an open end of a beverage
`container, the cap member comprising:
`a rim portion at its periphery;
`a Substantially ring-shaped countersink at a position
`proximate to the rim forming portion;
`a filler material disposed in the counterSink, and
`a base extending Substantially radially inwardly from the
`countersink, the base including an interior Surface and
`an opposing exterior Surface; wherein the filler material
`comprises at least one of a plastic material and a rubber
`material.
`2. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the
`plastic is a polyester.
`3. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the filler
`material is Substantially even.
`4. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the base
`includes at least one rib formed therein.
`5. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the base
`includes at least one ridge formed therein.
`6. The cap member according to claim 1, wherein the base
`exterior Surface is conveX.
`7. The cap member according to claim 6, wherein a base
`mid-point is relatively higher than regions of the base
`proximate the rim forming portion.
`
`EX-1012 PGR2024-00035
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`

`7
`8. A cap member for covering an open end of a beverage
`container, the cap member comprising:
`a rim portion at its periphery;
`a Substantially ring-shaped countersink at a position
`proximate to the rim forming portion;
`a filler material disposed in the counterSink, and
`a base extending Substantially radially inwardly from the
`countersink, the base including an interior Surface and
`an opposing exterior Surface;
`wherein the filler material is substantially even and
`extends to approximately the same level as a region of
`the cap member radially inward therefrom.
`9. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the base
`includes at least one rib formed therein.
`10. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the
`base includes at least one ridge formed therein.
`11. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the
`base exterior Surface is convex.
`12. The cap member according to claim 11, wherein a
`base mid-point is relatively higher than regions of the base
`proximate the rim forming portion.
`13. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the
`filler material comprises a plastic.
`14. The cap member according to claim 13, wherein the
`plastic comprises PET.
`15. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the
`filler material comprises a rubber material.
`16. The cap member according to claim 8, wherein the cap
`member is made from a material comprising aluminum.
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`25
`
`US 6,729,495 B2
`
`8
`17. A cap member for covering an open end of a beverage
`container, the cap member comprising:
`a rim portion at its periphery;
`a Substantially ring-shaped countersink at a position
`proximate to the rim forming portion;
`a filler material disposed in the counterSink, and
`a base extending Substantially radially inwardly from the
`countersink, the base including an interior Surface, an
`opposing exterior Surface, and at least one of a rib and
`a ridge formed therein, wherein the filler material is
`Substantially even and extends to approximately the
`Same level as a region of the cap member radially
`inward therefrom.
`18. A cap member for covering an open end of a beverage
`container, the cap member comprising:
`a rim portion at its periphery;
`a Substantially ring-shaped countersink at a position
`proximate to the rim forming portion;
`a filler material disposed in the counterSink and compris
`ing at least one of a plastic material and a rubber
`material; and
`a base extending Substantially radially inwardly from the
`countersink, the base including an interior Surface and
`an opposing exterior Surface, wherein the filler material
`is Substantially even.
`
`EX-1012 PGR2024-00035
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`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO. : 6,729,495 B2
`DATED
`: May 4, 2004
`INVENTOR(S) : James Lee Gardiner
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Title page,
`Item 57, ABSTRACT,
`Line 4, delete "appOsition' and insert -- a position --;
`
`Column 2.
`Lines 64-65, delete “comprises one or wedge” and insert -- comprises one or more
`Wedge --,
`Lines 65-66, delete “The or each wedge portion” and insert -- The wedge portion --;
`
`Column 3,
`Line 25, delete “reduces':
`Line 27, delete “amount' and insert -- amounts --,
`
`Column 4,
`Line33, delete “FIGS. 2' and insert -- FIG. 2 --
`Line37, delete “Alternative' and insert -- Alternatively --;
`Delete the paragraph beginning at lines 44-53 and replace with the following paragraph,
`-- The can 10 as Shown is an easy open type. Its cap 16 has a Separable portion 20
`defined by a Score line 22. A ring pull tab 24 fixed to the cap 16 by a rivet 26 is
`pivotally movable for Separating the portion 20 and thereby presenting a pour aperture
`for dispensing the beverage in the can 10. --.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Third Day of August, 2004
`
`WDJ
`
`JON W. DUDAS
`Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`EX-1012 PGR2024-00035
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`