Beverage container and method for making same

Abstract

The present invention teaches a container that enjoys the advantages of aluminum cans and plastic bottles by creating a symbiotic hybrid container with a plastic body and an aluminum pop top lid. The method of utilizing injection molding in combination with blow molding enables the much desired elements and characteristics of the present hybrid container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a plastic body; and    a metal top joined to said plastic body to form an impermeable container for liquids.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal top includes a “pop-top” for access to the liquid contents of the container.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the plastic is formed by an injection molding process.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic body is formed by a blow-molding process.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein a gasket is inserted between said aluminum top and said plastic body prior to joining said metal top to said plastic body.  
     
     
         6 . The method of making a container comprising: 
 a first step of injection molding a precursor unit with a preformed top accepting portion and a body portion; and    a second step of blow molding said body portion to a predetermined configuration while protecting said top accepting portion, whereby said top accepting portion is unchanged by said second step.    
     
     
         7 . A method of making a container according to  claim 6 , wherein said preformed top accepting portion is made to accept a metal top.  
     
     
         8 . A method of making a container according to  claim 6 , wherein a metal top is adjoined to said container using seam rolling techniques, sandwiching an edge of said top accepting portion between folded edges of said metal top.