Innovation watch: Beverage can tab that can be used as a whistle

Brands can adjust the patented sound-tab to create noises ‘like a funny tweet or an impressive whoot’, inventor Andreas Höflinger told BeverageDaily at drinktec this month.

Höflinger sees huge potential for brands to use sound as a marketing feature, in the same way that a name, logo or color offer branding cues.

 “The idea’s quite simple,” ​he told this publication. “I put a whistle instead of the usual tab on the can’s end. And the can is the best promotion can ever, because it combines sound with a brand. ​

“If you’re able to own the sound of the stadium, for example, that would be the championship, Olympic gold, or Superbowl in marketing.”​

Meanwhile, the base characteristics of the can remain the same as standard cans, says Höflinger: the opening mechanism remains unchanged, the can is stackable  - important for storage and retail shelves – and is recyclable.