Covered containers and related dispensing systems

Abstract

A container according to various embodiments of the invention includes a bottle, and a cap that is adapted to be attached adjacent the bottle (e.g., over the bottle's finish) to form an integrated container that is substantially in the form of a can. The integrated container may, for example, have dimensions that are substantially the same as the dimensions of a standard beverage can, such as a 12-ounce, 8.3-ounce, or 24-ounce beverage can. The container may be adapted, for example, to receive a beverage, food items, or toiletries. In addition, a method for dispensing the container from a standard beverage can dispenser is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of filling the bottle with a product, securing the cap adjacent to the bottle after filling the bottle with a product, and dispensing the resulting container from a standard can dispenser, such as a coin-operated automated vending machine.

1 . A container comprising: 
 (A) a base portion that comprises: 
 (1) a substantially tubular body portion,  
 (2) a neck-type outlet, and  
 (3) a shoulder portion extending between an upper portion of said body portion and said neck-type outlet; and  
   (B) a cap portion defining an internal cavity, said internal cavity being dimensioned to receive said neck-type outlet, wherein: 
 said container is adapted for assembly into an assembled configuration in which: (1) said cap portion is removably secured adjacent said base portion; (2) said neck-type outlet is disposed within said internal cavity of said cap portion; and (3) said cap portion covers, and restricts access to, both said outlet and at least a portion of said shoulder portion.  
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said body portion has a substantially uniform, substantially circular cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, when said container is in said assembled configuration: 
 said shoulder portion is disposed within said internal cavity; and    said cap portion covers, and restricts access to, both said neck-type outlet and said shoulder portion.    
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said cap portion comprises a first substantially vertical wall;    said base portion comprises a second substantially vertical wall; and    said first vertical wall is substantially vertically flush with said second vertical wall when said container is in said assembled configuration and in an upright position.    
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 said cap portion further comprises a fastening portion that is disposed within said internal cavity of said cap portion;    said fastening portion extends downwardly from an upper interior surface of said cap portion; and    said fastening portion is adapted to facilitate fastening said cap portion adjacent said base portion when said container is in said assembled configuration.    
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a lower portion of said first vertical wall has a substantially circular horizontal cross section when said container is in said assembled configuration and said container is in an upright position;    an upper portion of said second vertical wall has a substantially circular horizontal cross section when said container is in said assembled configuration and said container is in said upright position; and    said lower portion of said first vertical wall is dimensioned to fit substantially horizontally flush with said upper portion of said second vertical wall when said container is in said assembled configuration and said container is in said upright position.    
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said cap portion further comprises a fastening portion that is disposed within said internal cavity of said cap portion;    said fastening portion extends downwardly from an upper interior surface of said cap portion; and    said fastening portion is adapted to facilitate fastening said cap portion adjacent said base portion when said container is in said assembled configuration.    
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said fastening portion comprises a first threaded portion;    said neck-type outlet comprises a second threaded portion; and    said first threaded portion is adapted to be rotated into a threadedly mating relationship with said second threaded portion, and to thereby removably secure said cap portion adjacent said base portion.    
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said first threaded portion is an internally threaded portion;    said second threaded portion comprises an externally threaded portion;    said first threaded portion is adapted to gradually engage said second threaded portion when said first threaded portion is rotated in a first direction relative to said second threaded portion; and    said first threaded portion is adapted to gradually disengage from said second threaded portion when said first threaded portion is rotated in a second direction relative to said second threaded portion, said second direction being opposite to said first direction.    
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein said fastening portion is adapted to form a snap-fit connection with said neck-type outlet.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container are substantially the same as the external dimensions of a standard 12-ounce beverage can.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 2 and 3 inches, and a height of between about 4 and 6 inches.    
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of about 2.6 inches, and a height of between about 4 and 6 inches.    
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 2 and 3 inches, and a height of about 4.83 inches.    
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 2.6 inches, and a height of about 4.83 inches.    
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, said container is adapted to be dispensed from an automated beverage can dispenser that is configured to dispense standard 12-ounce beverage cans.    
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, said container is adapted to be dispensed from an automated, coin-operated beverage can dispenser that is configured to dispense standard 12-ounce beverage cans.    
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container are substantially the same as the external dimensions of a standard 8.3 ounce beverage can.    
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of about 2.09 inches, and a height of about 5.3 inches.    
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container are substantially the same as the external dimensions of a standard 24 ounce beverage can.    
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 when said container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of about 2.87 inches, and a height of about 7.63 inches.    
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said body portion defines at least two substantially curved recesses having a first radius of curvature;    said body portion comprises at least two substantially arcuate portions having a second radius of curvature;    said first radius of curvature is different from said second radius of curvature; and    said substantially curved recesses are disposed in an alternating arrangement with said substantially arcuate portions.    
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said body portion defines a plurality of vertical ribs positioned circumferentially around said body portion, wherein each rib has a substantially arcuate cross-section.  
   
   
       24 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said body portion defines a recessed portion, said recessed portion comprising an extended smooth surface on which a label may be applied.  
   
   
       25 . A method of distributing a product, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) providing a plurality of containers, each of which comprises: 
 (1) a base portion that comprises: 
 (a) a substantially tubular body portion,  
 (b) a neck-type outlet, and  
 (c) a shoulder portion extending between an upper portion of said body portion and said neck-type outlet; and  
 
 (2) a cap portion defining an internal cavity, wherein: 
 said container is adapted for assembly into an assembled configuration in which: (1) said cap portion is removably secured adjacent said base portion; (2) said neck-type outlet is disposed within said internal cavity of said cap portion; and (3) said cap portion covers, and restricts access to, both said neck-type outlet and at least a portion of said shoulder portion;  
 
   (B) filling each of said containers with said product;    (C) assembling each of said containers into said assembled configuration; and    (D) after said step of assembling said containers into said assembled configuration, dispensing said assembled containers from an automated dispenser.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said body portion is substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said automated dispenser is a refrigerated dispenser.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said product is a beverage.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said product is a food item.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said product is a toiletry item.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein, for each particular one of said containers: 
 said particular container is configured so that when said particular container is in said assembled configuration, the external dimensions of said particular container are substantially the same as the external dimensions of a standard 12-ounce beverage can.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein, for each particular one of said containers: 
 said particular container is configured so that, when said particular container is in said assembled configuration, said particular container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of about 2.6 inches, and a height of about 4.83 inches.    
   
   
       33 . A container comprising: 
 a bottle, said bottle comprising a finish; and    a cap that is adapted to be attached adjacent said bottle to form an integrated container that is substantially in the form of a can.    
   
   
       34 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein said bottle comprises a shoulder portion adjacent said finish.  
   
   
       35 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said cap defines an internal cavity; and    said container is adapted so that when said cap is attached adjacent said bottle to form said integrated container, said finish is disposed within said internal cavity.    
   
   
       36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein: 
 said container is adapted so that when said cap is attached adjacent said bottle to form said integrated container, said shoulder portion is disposed within said internal cavity.    
   
   
       37 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said container is adapted so that when said cap is attached adjacent said bottle to form said integrated container, the external dimensions of said integrated container are substantially the same as the external dimensions of a standard 12-ounce beverage can.    
   
   
       38 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 when said cap is attached adjacent said bottle to form said integrated container, said container is substantially in the form of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 2.6 inches, and a height of about 4.83 inches.    
   
   
       39 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein said container further comprises an external seal that: (A) extends circumferentially around both a portion of said cap portion and at least a portion of said base portion; and (B) covers an interface between said cap portion and said base portion.