Dual mouth shotgun can

Abstract

The dual mouth shotgun can may combine the advantages of a standard aluminum beverage can with a second opening to allow for a high rate of air flow and displacement resulting in a high rate of fluid flow from the can. The can may implement a stay-tab mechanism, or any other appropriate mechanism, for ease of use and familiarity, on the standard top opening, and may further implement a stay-tab mechanism, or other appropriate mechanism on the bottom or lower side of the can for shotgunning the fluid in the can. The dual mouth shotgun can may provide a user with a single opening mechanism on its top surface for normal drinking, and a second opening mechanism on its bottom or lower side surface for drinks shotgunning. In one embodiment the can may comprise an upper and a lower body that may be twisted relative to one another to expose an opening in the side of the can that allows for drinks shotgunning. In another embodiment the can may further comprise a pushrod that leverages the second opening open when the first opening is opened. In another embodiment the can may require that the upper and lower bodies must be rotated to align outer and inner holes that then allow the pushrod to push open the second opening.

Claims

1. A dual mouth shotgun can, comprising: a pushrod; an upper body; and a lower body; wherein said upper body comprises a top surface and a perimeter wall; wherein said top surface further comprises a top mouth; wherein said perimeter wall of said upper body further comprises a lower mouth; wherein said lower body comprises a bottom surface and a perimeter wall; wherein said perimeter wall of said lower body further comprises an outer opening; wherein said upper body is inserted into said lower body to create a closed fluid container; wherein said upper body is twistably attached to said lower body; wherein said lower mouth is aligned with said outer opening when said upper body is twisted relative to said lower body; wherein said lower mouth comprises a scored area in said perimeter wall of said upper body; wherein said outer opening comprises an opening through said perimeter wall of said lower body; wherein a first end of said pushrod is attached to said top mouth; and wherein a second end of said pushrod is attached to said lower area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a rear isometric perspective view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 is an exploded component view of a first embodiment of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 is an exploded component view of a second embodiment of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Certain terminology is used in the following description for reference only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “upper,” “lower,” “outer,” “inner,” and “interior” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the invention, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

(15) The dual mouth shotgun can may combine the advantages of a standard aluminum beverage can with a second opening to allow for a high rate of air flow and displacement resulting in a high rate of fluid flow from the can. The can may implement a stay-tab mechanism, or any other appropriate mechanism, for ease of use and familiarity, on the standard top opening, and may further implement a stay-tab mechanism, or other appropriate mechanism on the bottom or lower side of the can for shotgunning the fluid in the can. The dual mouth shotgun can may provide a user with a single opening mechanism on its top surface for normal drinking, and a second opening mechanism on its bottom or lower side surface for drinks shotgunning. In one embodiment the can may comprise an upper and a lower body that may be twisted relative to one another to expose an opening in the side of the can that allows for drinks shotgunning. In another embodiment the can may further comprise a pushrod that leverages the second opening open when the first opening is opened. In another embodiment the can may require that the upper and lower bodies must be rotated to align outer and inner holes that then allow the pushrod to push open the second opening.

(16) The illustrations of FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a dual mouth shotgun can, as contemplated by the present disclosure. The device may comprise, generally, a main body having an upper body 106 and a lower body 104. The upper body 106 may comprise, generally, the upper half of a substantially cylindrical beverage can having a top surface 102, and a perimeter wall. The lower body 104 may comprise, generally, the lower half of a substantially cylindrical beverage can having a perimeter wall and a bottom surface 116. The upper body 106 may fit tightly inside the lower body 104, and the fitting may comprise a water-tight and air-tight seal while allowing for a twisting or rotating range of motion between the upper body 106 and the lower body 104. In this combination the top surface 102 and bottom surface 116 may be orientated substantially parallel to one another, and the perimeter wall may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the top surface 102 and bottom surface 116.

(17) The top surface 102 of the upper body 106 may further comprise a top mouth 108, which may comprise any appropriate openable mouth in the top surface 102 such as, for example, a pull tab or a stay tab. The top mouth 108 may generally comprise an armature or tab that may be leverage against a scored area in the top surface 102 to pop open a mouth or opening in the top surface 102.

(18) The upper body 106 may further comprise a lower mouth 112 which may comprise any appropriate openable mouth in the perimeter wall of the upper body 106. In one embodiment the lower mouth 112 may comprise an opening through the perimeter wall of the upper body 106. In another embodiment the lower mouth 112 may comprise a scored area in the perimeter wall of the upper body 106 that may be popped open to create a mouth or opening in the perimeter wall of the upper body 106.

(19) The lower body 104 may further comprise an outer opening 110 which may comprise any appropriate openable mouth in the perimeter wall of the lower body 104. In one embodiment the outer opening 110 may comprise an opening through the perimeter wall of the lower body 104.

(20) To assemble the dual mouth shotgun can the upper body 106 may be inserted into the lower body 104 to create a water-tight and air-tight seal and substantially create a closed drinks container. The seal may be formed by any appropriate means such as, for example, an o-ring, flat seal, or the like. The lower mouth 112 of the upper body 106 and the outer opening 110 of the lower body 104 may be positioned such that they are at the same height relative to the dual mouth shotgun can, but offset at an angle such that the two openings do not overlap. A user may then twist the upper body 106 relative to the lower body 104 to align the lower mouth 112 with the outer opening 110.

(21) In one embodiment the lower mouth 112 of the upper body 106 may comprise an opening and the outer opening 110 of the lower body 104 may comprise an opening. In such an embodiment the twisting of the upper body 106 relative to the lower body 104 may align the two openings and allow for the free flow of air into the dual mouth shotgun can.

(22) In one embodiment the lower mouth 112 of the upper body 106 may comprise a scored area and the outer opening 110 of the lower body 104 may comprise an opening. In such an embodiment the twisting of the upper body 106 relative to the lower body 104 may align the two openings. A user may then apply leverage to the lower mouth 112 to pop open the scored area to create a mouth and allow for the free flow of air into the dual mouth shotgun can.

(23) In one embodiment the dual mouth shotgun can may further comprise a pushrod 114. The pushrod 114 may be any appropriate rod having a first end attached to the top mouth 108 and a second end attached to the lower mouth 112. The lower mouth 112 of the upper body 106 may comprise a scored area and the outer opening 110 of the lower body 104 may comprise an opening. In such an embodiment the twisting of the upper body 106 relative to the lower body 104 may align the two openings. A user may then apply leverage to the top mouth 108 to pop open the scored area of the top surface 102, and this action may push the pushrod 114 against the lower mouth 112, popping it open simultaneously to create a mouth and allow for the free flow of air into the dual mouth shotgun can. In such an embodiment if the user does not twist the upper body 106 relative to the lower body 104 to align the two openings, the perimeter wall of the lower body 104 may prevent the opening of the lower mouth 112, and the opening of the top mouth 108 would cause the pushrod 114 to bend or collapse so that the dual mouth shotgun can may only have one open mouth, as desired.

(24) The dual mouth shotgun can may vary in size and capacity as desired. By way of example, a beverage can in Australia may be standardized to hold 375 milliliters (ml) of fluid. A beverage can in China, on the other hand, may be standardized to hold 330 ml of fluid. In the United States the most common sizes of beverage cans are approximately 355 ml and 4.83 inches in height and 2.6 inches in diameter.

(25) The dual mouth shotgun can may vary in materials composition and combinations as desired. By way of example, most beverage cans manufactured in the United States are made of aluminum, whereas in some parts of Europe and Asia approximately 55 percent of beverage cans are made of steel and 45 percent are aluminum alloy. Steel cans often have a top surface made of aluminum. The aluminum used in the United States and Canada are alloys containing 92.5% to 97% aluminum, <5.5% magnesium, <1.6% manganese, <0.15% chromium, and some trace amounts of iron, silicon, and copper.

(26) The dual mouth shotgun can may be manufactured in any appropriate manner. By way of example, most beverage cans may be generally produced through a mechanical cold forming process that starts with punching a flat blank from very stiff cold-rolled metal sheet. This sheet may be an aluminum alloy with about 1% manganese and 1% magnesium to give it strength and formability. The flat blank may be first formed into a cup about three inches in diameter. This cup may then then pushed through a different forming process called ironing which forms the can. The bottom of the can may also be shaped at this time. The malleable metal may deform into the shape of an open-top can. Plain top surfaces may be stamped from a coil of aluminum alloy and transferred to another press that converts them to easy-open ends. This press is known as a conversion press and may form an integral rivet button in the lid and score the opening, while concurrently forming the tabs in another die from a separate strip of aluminum.

(27) The dual mouth shotgun can may be substantially constructed of any suitable material or combination of materials, but typically is constructed of a resilient material or combination of materials such that the device is resistant to damage as a result of compression, twisting, heating, or submersion in water. As an example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments of the dual mouth shotgun can may be substantially constructed of one or more materials of aluminum, steel, metal alloys, plastic, acrylic, polycarbonate, brass, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments the various components of the device may be coated, lined, or otherwise insulated to prevent contamination of the device. In one embodiment the material of construction may vary from one component to the next within the system.

(28) In one embodiment the dual mouth shotgun can may comprise a resilient material of construction that either comprises a material having antimicrobial properties or comprises a layering of antimicrobial material or coating. Antimicrobial properties comprise the characteristic of being antibacterial, biocidal, microbicidal, anti-fungal, anti-viral, or other similar characteristics, and the oligodynamic effect, which is possessed by copper, brass, silver, gold, and several other metals and alloys, is one such characteristic. Copper and its alloys, in particular, have exceptional self-sanitizing effects. Silver also has this effect, and is less toxic to users than copper. Some materials, such as silver in its metallic form, may require the presence of moisture to activate the antimicrobial properties.

(29) While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.