[54] CONTROLLED GROWTH CAN WITH TWO CONFIGURATIONS
[75] Inventors: David J. Wiemann, O'Fallon; David H. Henkelmann. Imperial, both of Mo.
[73] Assignee: Anheuser-Busch Incorporated. St.
Louis, Mo.
[21] Appl. No.: 818,599
[22] Filed: Mar. 14, 1997
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 451,890, May 26, 1995, abandoned.
[51] Int CI.6 B65D 21/00
[52] U.S. CI 220/609; 220/606
[58] Field of Search 220/604. 605.
220/606, 609. 628. 629
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,409,167 11/1968 Blanchard 220/66
3,904,069 9/1975 Toukmanian 220/66
3,979,009 9/1976 Walker — 220/66
4,037,752 7/1977 Dulmaine et al 220/70
4,120,419 10/1978 Saunders 220/609
4,125,632 11/1978 Vosti et al 220/606 X
Primary Examiner—Steven M. Pollard
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sidley & Austin
[57] ABSTRACT
A drawn and ironed can having a generally cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom including two annular rims is provided. The bottom of the can has a reduced volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an outer annular rim known as the heel, and an expanded volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an inner annular rim known as the nose. When a can in the reduced volume configuration is subject to an elevated internal pressure substantially less than the maximum working pressure, a portion of the can bottom comprising the nose moves axially downwardly relative to the rest of the can to serve as a new base, thus transitioning the can into the expanded volume configuration.
18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
