Anheuser-busch, Inc.

David H Henkelmann

David J Wiemann

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.

Controlled growth can with two configurations

Container bottom

A metal container for holding fluids is provided having a bottom wall including a externally convex dome portion and a plurality of supporting feet formed therein. The supporting feet are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and projected generally downward beyond the dome portion. Each supporting foot has formed thereon stand features and stacking features. The stand features are radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the container and disposed at downwardmost locations on the feet to alone support the container in an upright position on a flat horizontal surface when the container is not internally pressurized. The stacking features are disposed adjacent to the stand features and define, in cross-sectional elevation view, axial stacking surfaces and radial stacking surfaces. The axial stacking surfaces are axially positioned in relation to stand features and the radial stacking surfaces are radially positioned in relation to the longitudinal axis so as to interfit with an upper seamed edge of an adjacent below container to alone provide for stacking engagement when the container is not internally pressurized. Since the bottom wall does not rely on any large-radius externally concave mechanical features to resist internal pressurization, a thinner gauge metal can be used to satisfy design parameters and can achieve cost and metal reduction savings. The profile of the bottom wall also results in very small values for profile deformation and changes in can dimensions over a wide range of internal pressures.

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Imperial, MO, United States of America

David H Henkelmann