Cone top

Type of beverage can

A Neuweiler Pilsner cone top beer can from 1946

A cone top is a type of beverage can that was widely used in the United States from the 1930s to the 1960s. Unlike the more common flat-top cans, cone tops have a conical top that resembles the neck of a bottle, allowing them to be sealed with a standard crown cap.

History

The cone top can was introduced in the early 1930s as a solution to the challenges of packaging beer and other beverages. At the time, most breweries were equipped to fill bottles, not cans, and the cone top design allowed them to use their existing bottling equipment. This made the transition to canning more economical for many breweries.

Cone tops were produced in three main styles: the "low profile," "high profile," and "j-spout." The low profile cone top had a short neck, while the high profile had a longer neck, and the j-spout featured a distinctive spout-like shape. These variations allowed for different branding and marketing opportunities.

Manufacturing

Cone top cans were typically made of tinplate, a thin steel sheet coated with tin to prevent rusting. The manufacturing process involved forming the body of the can, attaching the cone top, and then sealing the can with a crown cap. This design was particularly advantageous for smaller breweries that could not afford to invest in new canning lines.

Decline

The popularity of cone top cans began to decline in the 1950s with the advent of the flat top can, which was easier to stack and store. The development of aluminum cans and the introduction of the pull-tab further accelerated the decline of cone tops. By the 1960s, most breweries had transitioned to flat top cans, and cone tops became a rarity.

Collectibility

Today, cone top cans are highly sought after by collectors of breweriana, the term for collectible beer-related items. Their unique shape and historical significance make them prized additions to collections. Some rare cone top cans can fetch high prices at auctions and collector shows.

Related pages

• Beer can
• Flat top can
• Pull-tab
• Breweriana