Carbonated soft drink finish modification

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for a finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened. The finish comprises a cylindrical body having a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends. The first edge defines a first opening and is configured to receive a container cap. The second edge defines a second opening and is configured to receive a neck of the container. The first and second openings are in fluid communication. Threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion are configured to rotatably engage with threads of the container cap. At least one notch is disposed on the first edge and comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to reduce foaming of the contents during loosening of the container cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A finish configured to define an opening to an interior of a container and to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the finish comprising:
 a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion with a first edge and a second edge disposed at opposite ends, the first edge defining an opening and configured to receive a container cap, the second edge configured to receive a neck of the container, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the interior;   one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap; and   at least one notch disposed on the first edge and comprising a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of the contents.   
     
     
         2 . The finish of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge is configured to couple with a seal of the container cap, such that pressurized contents are maintained within the interior. 
     
     
         3 . The finish of  claim 2 , wherein the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the first edge so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     
     
         4 . The finish of  claim 2 , wherein the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the first edge so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     
     
         5 . The finish of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one notch comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the finish. 
     
     
         6 . The finish of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. 
     
     
         7 . The finish of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is configured to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap. 
     
     
         8 . A container configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the container comprising:
 a base extending upward to a sidewall of the container;   a shoulder connected between the sidewall and a bell, a diameter of the bell decreasing as the bell extends upward to a neck of the container;   a finish connected to the neck and configured to receive a container cap, the finish defining an opening to an interior of the container; and   at least one notch disposed at the top of the finish and configured to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.   
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the top of the finish is further configured to receive a seal of the container cap. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the seal comprises a plug seal disposed within an interior of the container cap and configured to tightly engage the finish so as to maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the seal comprises a liner seal disposed between the container cap and the finish so as maintain the pressurized contents within the interior. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the top of the finish comprises two notches disposed on opposite sides of the opening to the interior of the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one notch comprises a cross-sectional shape suitably formed to substantially reduce foaming of contents. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is any one of a half-circle, a square, and a triangle. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is configured so as to produce an audible sound when the container cap is twisted. 
     
     
         16 . A method for a container to substantially reduce foaming of contents when the container is opened, the method comprising:
 extending a base upward to a sidewall of the container;   connecting a shoulder between the sidewall and a bell;   extending the bell from the shoulder to a neck of the container, such that a diameter of the bell decreases as the bell extends to the neck;   connecting a finish to the neck, such that the finish defines an opening to an interior of the container;   configuring the finish to receive a container cap; and   forming at least one notch at the top of the finish so as to substantially reduce foaming of contents during opening of the container.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein configuring the finish further comprises forming a cylindrical body comprising a peripheral portion disposed between a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive the container cap and the second end configured to couple with the neck. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein configuring the finish further comprises forming one or more threads on an exterior of the peripheral portion, the threads configured to rotatably engage with one or more threads of the container cap. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch comprising any one of a square, a half-circle, and a triangle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the at least one notch comprises configuring a cross-sectional shape of the at least one notch to produce an audible sound when pressurized gases exit through the at least one notch during loosening of the container cap.