Beverage Containers, And Tabs And Lids For Use With Beverage Containers

Abstract

A container configured to hold fluid, and a lid and tab for use with the container, are provided that allow for venting the container when dispensing fluid therefrom. The lid includes scored portions configured to be severed from a surface of the lid for venting the container and dispensing fluid from the container. A scored venting portion of the lid has a protrusion, and the tab has a raised portion that generally aligns with the protrusion when the tab is coupled to the lid. To open and vent the container, the tab is moved to sever a scored pouring portion from a surface of the lid, and the raised portion of the tab is deformed to engage the protrusion of the lid to sever the scored venting portion from the surface of the lid.

1 . A tab suitable for use with a container, the tab comprising a raised portion configured to move between a convex position and a concave position for use in venting the container. 
     
     
         2 . The tab of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion including the raised portion. 
     
     
         3 . The tab of  claim 2 , wherein the raised portion is movable relative to the second end portion of the tab between the convex position and the concave position. 
     
     
         4 . The tab of  claim 3 , wherein the first end portion of the tab is operable to engage a scored portion of a lid of the container when coupled to the lid for severing at least part of the scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid through which fluid can be poured out of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The tab of  claim 3 , wherein the raised portion of the tab is operable to engage a scored portion of a lid of the container when coupled to the lid and when moved between the convex position and the concave position for severing at least part of said scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid for venting the container when pouring fluid out of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion defines a void at least partly within the raised portion capable of receiving at least part of a protrusion of a scored portion of a lid of the container within the void when the tab is coupled to the lid of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The tab of  claim 1 , wherein the raised portion is formed monolithically with the tab. 
     
     
         8 . A lid for a container, comprising the tab of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a first scored portion; and   a second scored portion;   wherein the tab includes a first end portion operable to engage the first scored portion for severing at least part of the first scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid through which fluid can be poured out of the container; and   wherein the raised portion of the tab is operable to engage the second scored portion when moved between the convex position and the concave position for severing at least part of the second scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid for venting the container when pouring fluid out of the container.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A container, comprising the tab of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a can; and   a lid;   wherein the lid includes a first scored portion and a second scored portion;   wherein the tab is operable to engage the first scored portion for severing at least part of the first scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid through which fluid can be poured out of the container; and   wherein the raised portion of the tab is operable to engage the second scored portion when moved between the convex position and the concave position for severing at least part of the second scored portion from the lid and thereby defining an opening in the lid for venting the container when pouring fluid out of the container.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A lid for a beverage container, the lid comprising:
 a surface;   a scored portion formed in the surface, the scored portion including a protrusion extending generally above the surface; and   a tab coupled to the surface, the tab operable to engage the protrusion of the scored portion and sever at least part of the scored portion from the surface to thereby define an opening in the surface.   
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the tab is configured to deform from a first position to a second position to engage the protrusion of the scored portion and sever the at least part of the scored portion from the surface to thereby define the opening in the surface. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 15 , wherein the tab remains in the second position after engaging the protrusion of the scored portion and severing the at least part of the scored portion from the surface. 
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 15 , wherein the scored portion is a scored venting portion, the lid further comprising a scored pouring portion, and wherein the tab is configured to pivot to engage the scored pouring portion and sever at least part of the scored pouring portion from the surface to thereby define an opening in the surface through which fluid can be poured out of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 14 , wherein the tab includes a raised portion configured to move between a convex position and a concave position to engage the protrusion of the scored portion and sever the at least part of the scored portion from the surface to thereby define the opening in the surface. 
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 18 , wherein the raised portion defines a void at least partly within the raised portion configured to receive at least part of the protrusion of the scored portion in the void. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A beverage container, comprising:
 a can;   a lid coupled to the can, the lid including a scored pouring portion and a scored venting portion, the scored venting portion including a protrusion extending generally above a surface of the lid; and   a tab coupled to the lid, the tab including a raised portion configured to move between a convex position and a concave position to engage the protrusion and sever at least part of the scored venting portion from the lid to thereby define an opening in the lid for venting the container when pouring beverage from the container.   
     
     
         23 . The beverage container of  claim 22 , wherein the tab is configured to pivot to engage the scored pouring portion and sever at least part of the scored pouring portion from the lid to thereby define an opening in the lid through which beverage can be poured out of the container. 
     
     
         24 . The beverage container of  claim 23 , wherein the raised portion defines a void at least partly within the raised portion configured to receive at least part of the protrusion of the scored venting portion in the void. 
     
     
         25 - 31 . (canceled)