Beverage containers with tactile elements

Abstract

At least one tactile element is provided on the exterior surface of the container, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements. This tactile element is formed of at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage container has an image on its exterior surface that includes at least one graphic element.
 At least one tactile element is provided on the exterior surface of the container, overlying at least one of the at least one graphic elements. This tactile element is formed of at least two distinct layers of an overvarnish applied over, and having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage container is an aluminum can. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage container is a glass bottle. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage container is an aluminum bottle. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one graphical element depicts a structure projecting from the surface of the container, and wherein the at least one tactile element overlying the graphical element has a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the depicted structure projecting from the surface of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of a droplet, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like a droplet. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage container according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of ice, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like ice. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage container according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one graphic element is a depiction of at least a portion of a piece of fruit, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element feels like the skin of the piece of fruit. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage container according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one graphic element is a label, and wherein the tactile element over the graphic element is shaped like the label. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage container according to  claim 1  wherein the overvarnish is UV curable, and wherein each layer of overvarnish is at least partially cured before the next layer is applied. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage container according to  claim 1  wherein the ink is UV curable, and wherein each layer of overvarnish is at least partially cured before the next layer is applied. 
     
     
         12 . A beverage container having an exterior surface;
 an image on the exterior surface of the beverage container, the image comprising at least one label element; and   a plurality of tactile elements on the exterior surface of the container, the tactile elements having a thickness that can be felt by a user touching the container, and being positioned to define a preferred area for grasping the container such that the label element is oriented in a preselected orientation when grasped by a user in the preferred area.   
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 12  wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements that are uncomfortable to the touch, and wherein these tactile elements are distributed outside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby discourage grasping the container outside of the preferred area. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 12  wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements that are comfortable to the touch, and wherein these tactile elements are distributed inside the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area. 
     
     
         15 . The container according to  claim 12  wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area. 
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 13  wherein the tactile elements comprise a plurality of tactile elements positioned around the perimeter of the preferred area for grasping the container, to thereby encourage grasping the container inside of the preferred area.