Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. In addition to its Starbucks retail stores, the company produces a wide range of branded consumer products globally, including ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffees and premium ice creams.
Such is the case with the crown cap, the ubiquitous, indispensable style of bottle cap found on beer and soft drink bottles around the world, created in 1891 by William Painter. Born in Ireland in 1838, Painter, at the age of 20, immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities.
The Crown Cork. On February 6, 1894 William Painter received a patent for a Capped Bottle Opener.. Two years earlier Painter had received three patents for a Bottle Sealing Device.. Prior to his 1892 invention, over 1500 types of bottle stoppers had been patented.