U.S. patent application number 11/167300 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for drink can lid.
Invention is credited to Jimmy L. SR. Himes, Wanda L. Himes.
Application Number | 20060016820 11/167300 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35656037 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060016820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Himes; Wanda L. ; et
al. |
January 26, 2006 |
Drink can lid
Abstract
A drink can lid includes a circular platform defining a
periphery. The platform has an interior surface. A peripheral wall
extends from the periphery of the platform. A plurality of ridges
can be formed on the interior surface of the platform. The drink
can lid can have a predetermined color. The platform and the
peripheral wall can include indicia displayed thereon for
associating a particular can with a user. A flip-top tab can be
defined in the platform. The tab can be at least partially
separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the
lid. The drink can lid can also include a flanged lip extending
from an end of the peripheral wall. A plurality of dimples can
extend from a surface of the peripheral wall proximate the flanged
lip. A plurality of drink can lids and a plurality of label sheets
can form a kit.
Inventors: |
Himes; Wanda L.; (Hensley,
AR) ; Himes; Jimmy L. SR.; (Hensley, AR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD
PO BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
35656037 |
Appl. No.: |
11/167300 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60590360 |
Jul 23, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/740 ;
220/254.3; 220/712; 220/713; 220/780; 40/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00046
20130101; A47G 23/03 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/740 ;
040/311; 220/254.3; 220/712; 220/780; 220/713 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A drink can lid comprising: a circular platform defining a
periphery, the platform having an interior surface; a peripheral
wall extending from the periphery of said platform; and a plurality
of ridges formed on the interior surface of said platform.
2. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can
lid has a predetermined color.
3. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said platform
and said peripheral wall include indicia displayed thereon for
associating a particular can with a user.
4. The drink can lid according to claim 3, wherein said indicia is
selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric character, a
phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a
photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.
5. The drink can lid according to claim 1, further comprising a
flip-top tab defined in said platform, the tab being at least
partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening
in the lid.
6. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can
lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in
an opened can from external debris.
7. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can
lid is configured to be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as
a coaster.
8. A drink can lid comprising: a circular platform defining a
periphery, the platform having an interior surface; a peripheral
wall extending from the periphery of said platform; a flanged lip
extending from an end of said peripheral wall; a plurality of
dimples extending from a surface of said peripheral wall proximate
said flanged lip.
9. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can
lid has a predetermined color.
10. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said platform
and said peripheral wall include indicia displayed thereon for
associating a particular can with a user.
11. The drink can lid according to claim 10, wherein said indicia
is selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric character,
a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a
photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.
12. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can
lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in
an opened can from external debris.
13. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can
lid is configured to be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as
a coaster.
14. A drink can lid kit comprising: a plurality of drink can lids,
each drink can lid having a circular platform defining a periphery,
the platform having an interior surface; and a peripheral wall
extending from the periphery of said platform; and a plurality of
label sheets, each label sheet having a plurality of labels.
15. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein each drink
can lid has a predetermined color.
16. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein said
platform and said peripheral wall of each drink can lid include
indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a
user.
17. The drink can lid kit according to claim 16, wherein said
indicia is selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric
character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a
picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.
18. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, further comprising
a flip-top tab defined in said platform of each drink can lid, the
tab being at least partially separable from said platform in order
to form an opening in the lid.
19. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, further
comprising: a flanged lip extending from an end of said peripheral
wall of each drink can lid; and a plurality of dimples extending
from a surface of said peripheral wall proximate said flanged lip
of each drink can lid.
20. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein each drink
can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining
in an opened can from external debris, and to be placed beneath a
beverage can and serve as a coaster.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,360, filed Jul. 23, 2004, which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to beverage container
accessories, and more particularly to a drink can lid that can be
placed over an open soda pop can to keep the contents fresh and
that can also be used as a coaster.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Carbonated beverages such as soda and beer are
conventionally stored in flip-top cans. A flip-top can includes a
tab affixed to its top that may be punctured to dispense the
beverage stored therein. Once the tab has been punctured, however,
it cannot be resealed. Thus, once a can has been opened, it is easy
for insects and other undesirable substances to enter the can, and
also for the carbon dioxide to evaporate, leaving the beverage
flat, especially when the can is left outdoors.
[0006] Beverage cans may potentially pose additional complications
to a user. When a can is left indoors, for example, condensed
moisture from the can may quickly travel to the tabletop or other
item of furniture upon which it is placed and cause significant
damage thereto. Additionally, when placed proximate other similar
cans, it becomes difficult for an individual to identify the
particular can he or she has been drinking from.
[0007] While many devices for closing off the top of a beverage
can, or for use as coasters, or as both, have been developed, these
devices do not provide a drink can lid which can be easily secured
to either the top or bottom of the drink can and which serves to
distinguish one can from another.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,558, issued Jun. 23, 1992 to John G.
Moloney, discloses a combination can cap and coaster. The
combination can cap and coaster includes a member having a support
surface surrounded by a rim to form a coaster for receiving a can
and for sealingly engaging a lip on the can. The rim includes a
plurality of grooves which allows the accumulation of moisture from
the can into the coaster but restricts fluid flow from the
coaster.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,869, issued Sep. 29, 1992 to Murray J.
Gould et al., discloses a multi-functional coaster. The coaster has
a platform and a flange extending from the periphery of the
platform. The flange is configured to allow the coaster to be used
as a bottle opener, a sealing lid for a beverage can, and/or a
can-opening tab lifter.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,182, issued Dec. 28, 1993 to Sidney C.
Laybourne, discloses a coaster for use with a beverage can or other
container, the coaster being provided with an absorbent member
having a seat sized to receive the bottom of the container and a
multiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces sized to receive
and safely retain any moisture present or dripping from the
container.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,088, issued Sep. 13, 1994 to Joseph
Brimo, II, discloses a reusable cap adapted to hermetically seal
the top of a standard beverage can to contain the carbonation
within the can and to prevent spills. The cap comprises a
flat-topped, resilient outer shell, and an elastomeric inner member
adapted to mate with the entire recessed top of the can to form a
liquid and airtight seal.
[0012] Other can covers or coasters are described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,246,786, issued Apr. 19, 1966 to Danforth Holley (coaster cup
lid); U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,271, issued Aug. 10, 1971 to Danforth
Holley (combination disposable cup lid and coaster); U.S. Pat. No.
4,127,211, issued Nov. 28, 1978 to John E. Zerbey (drinking cup and
support); U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,063, issued Oct. 4, 1988 to George W.
Godfrey (lid with detachable cover); U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,051,
issued May 15, 1990 to David H. Herbst (container lid for
open-mouthed containers having a peripheral curl about the rim of
the container); U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,832, issued Aug. 28, 1990 to
Brian J. Tenney et al. (multi-functional space saving container
system); U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,579, issued Nov. 24, 1992 to Bihari
Lund (detachable lid for a beverage can with a can opening tool);
U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,121, issued Dec. 5, 1995 to John R. Silano
(plastic lid with pour spout, vent and snap on cap); U.S. Pat. No.
5,531,353, issued Jul. 2, 1996 to Ronald K. Ward et al. (drinking
cup device); U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,797, issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Frank
Yeh (mug and multipurpose lid combination); U.S. Pat. No.
5,722,558, issued Mar. 3, 1998 to Troy N. Thompson (drink lid with
condiment reservoir); U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,551, issued Aug. 21, 2001
to Carol G. Miller, II (flexible cap for various drink containers
having an elastic peripheral region); U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,418,
issued Jan. 15, 2002 to Mark V. Derose (a protective seal for
covering the mouth contact area of a can made from a thin
impervious sheet); Japan Patent Application Publication No. JP
56-48967 A, published May 2, 1981; and World Intellectual Property
Organization Patent Application Publication WO 02/10025 A1,
published Feb. 7, 2002.
[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus a drink can lid solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is a drink can lid. The drink can lid
includes a circular platform defining a periphery. The platform has
an interior surface. A peripheral wall extends from the periphery
of the platform. A plurality of ridges can be formed on the
interior surface of the platform. The drink can lid can have a
predetermined color. The platform and the peripheral wall can
include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can
with a user. The indicia can be any desired image, such as
alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration,
an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, an
icon, or the like. A flip-top tab can be defined in the platform.
The tab can be at least partially separable from said platform in
order to form an opening in the lid. The drink can lid can also
include a flanged lip extending from an end of the peripheral wall.
A plurality of dimples can extend from a surface of the peripheral
wall proximate the flanged lip. The drink can lid is configured to
protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from
external debris. The drink can lid can also be placed beneath a
beverage can and serve as a coaster. A drink can lid kit can
include a plurality of drink can lids and a plurality of label
sheets. Each drink can lid of the kit has a circular platform
defining a periphery, the platform having an interior surface; and
a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the platform.
Each label sheet of the kit has a plurality of labels.
[0015] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a drink can
lid according to the present invention, showing its use as a
lid.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a drink can
lid according to the present invention being used as a coaster.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a drink can lid
according to the present invention, showing the interior of the
lid.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
drink can lid according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
drink can lid according to the present invention, showing the
interior of the lid.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a
drink can lid according to the present invention, showing the
interior of the lid.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drink can lid kit
according to the present invention.
[0023] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The present invention is a drink can lid. The invention
disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below
in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be
understood, however, that the present disclosure is an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not
limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
[0025] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a drink can lid 10
configured to fit on top of a conventional beverage can 22 to
protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in the can 22 from
insects or other undesirable substances, as well as reducing the
loss of carbonation from carbonated drinks. The beverage can 22 has
a vertical sidewall 24 that extends between a circular top surface
26 and bottom surface 25. The top surface 26 of the can 22 is
recessed and surrounded by a rim 28. The top surface 26 further
includes a snap opening 30 including a punch key 32. While a
conventional beverage can 22 is shown in the drawings, the drink
can lid 10 can be used for any type of container with similar
dimensions and structural features.
[0026] The drink can lid 10 includes a circular platform 12 and a
peripheral wall 14 extending from the periphery of the platform 12.
The drink can lid 10 is configured to receive the top or bottom of
the can 22. Preferably, the peripheral wall 14 is configured to
engage the rim 28 or sidewall 24 of the can 22 to removably secure
the lid 10 to the can 22. The drink can lid 10 may be made from any
suitable material, such as paper, plastic, rubber, metal,
combinations thereof. Such material can be configured to be
disposable. Alternatively, such material can be configured to be
washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans are of a standard
size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid 10 can be used on
cans containing a variety of different products.
[0027] The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink
can lid 10 can be provided with a desired color or indicia 16, such
as a design, decoration, emblem, picture, photograph, name, logo,
mark, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one
identical beverage can 22 from another. While the indicia 16 are
shown only on an outer surface of the lid 10, the indicia 16 may
appear on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be
provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in
accordance with the desires of the user.
[0028] As is shown in FIG. 2, the drink can lid 10 can also be used
to receive the bottom 25 of a beverage can 22 and serve as a
coaster for protecting a tabletop or other horizontal support
surface from rings formed by condensation or by beverage dripping
from the open mouth of the can 22. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be
seen that an interior surface of the drink can lid 10 can include
ridges 20 to minimize accumulation of condensed moisture beneath
the drink can lid 10 and thereby prevent adhesion of the lid 10 to
the can 22. Preferably, such ridges 20 extend radially from a
center of the platform 12.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts another drink can lid 40. As with the drink
can lid 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the drink can lid 40 includes a
circular platform 12 and a peripheral wall 14 extending from the
periphery of the platform 12. The drink can lid 40 is configured to
receive the top or bottom of a can. Preferably, the peripheral wall
14 is configured to engage the rim or sidewall of a can to
removably secure the lid 40 to the can. The drink can lid 40 may be
made from any suitable material, such as paper, plastic, rubber,
metal, combinations thereof. Such material can be configured to be
disposable. Alternatively, such material can be configured to be
washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans are of a standard
size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid 40 can be used on
cans containing a variety of different products.
[0030] The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink
can lid 40 can be provided with a desired color or indicia 16, such
as an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a
decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a
mark, an icon, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one
identical beverage can from another. While the indicia 16 are shown
only on an outer surface of the lid 40, the indicia 16 may appear
on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be
provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in
accordance with the desires of the user.
[0031] The drink can lid 40 can also be used to receive the bottom
of a beverage can and serve as a coaster for protecting a tabletop
or other horizontal support surface from rings formed by
condensation or by beverage dripping from the open mouth of the
can. An interior surface of the drink can lid 40 can include ridges
to minimize accumulation of condensed moisture beneath the drink
can lid 40 and thereby prevent adhesion of the lid 40 to the can.
Preferably, such ridges extend radially from a center of the
platform 12. The drink can lid 40 also includes a flip-top 34
formed by perforations in, or weakened areas of, the lid 40 so that
the flip-top can be raised or removed to form an opening in the lid
40. Thus, when the drink can lid 40 is disposed over an open can,
such that the flip-top 34 is aligned with the can opening, contents
within the can may be dispensed without removing the lid 40.
[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict another drink can lid 50. As with the
drink can lid 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the drink can lid 50 includes
a circular platform 12 and a peripheral wall 14 extending from the
periphery of the platform 12. The drink can lid also includes a
flanged lip 54 that extends from the away from an end of the
peripheral wall 14. A plurality of protruding dimples 52 can be
provided that extend from the surface of the peripheral wall 14
near the flanged lip 54. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show three dimples,
any number of dimples can be provided. The drink can lid 50 is
configured to receive the top or bottom of a can. Preferably, the
peripheral wall 14 is configured to engage the rim or sidewall of a
can to removably secure the lid 50 to the can. The dimples 54 act
to prevent the lid 50 from becoming stuck on the can by enhancing
the ability to easily remove the lid 50 from the can. The drink can
lid 50 may be made from any suitable material, such as paper,
plastic, rubber, metal, combinations thereof. Such material can be
configured to be disposable. Alternatively, such material can be
configured to be washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans
are of a standard size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid
50 can be used on cans containing a variety of different
products.
[0033] The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink
can lid 50 can be provided with any desired color or indicia 16,
such as a design, decoration, emblem, picture, photograph, name,
logo, mark, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one
identical beverage can from another. While the indicia 16 are shown
only on an outer surface of the lid 50, the indicia 16 may appear
on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be
provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in
accordance with the desires of the user.
[0034] The drink can lid 50 can also be used to receive the bottom
of a beverage can and serve as a coaster for protecting a tabletop
or other horizontal support surface from rings formed by
condensation or by beverage dripping from the open mouth of the
can. The flanged lip 54 serves as a mechanism to prevent
condensation from a can from dripping on support surfaces.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows an arrangement forming a drink can lid kit 100.
The kit 100 includes a plurality of drink can lids 110, 112, 114,
116, 118 and 120. The drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and
120 can each be provided with a different color. The kit also
includes a plurality of label sheets 130, 134, 136, 142, 146 and
150. Each sheet 130, 134, 138, 142, 146 and 150 carries a plurality
of associated labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152. Any number of
labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 can be provided to the
sheets 130, 134, 138, 142, 146 and 150. The labels 132, 136, 140,
144, 148 and 152 can be any configured in any type of manner (e.g.
self adhesive, cut away, perforated, etc.). The drink can lids 110,
112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 could also be configured with
pre-attached labels. Additional items could also be provided for
the kit 100, such as magic markers, crayons, etc., to enable a user
to mark the drink can lids as desired.
[0036] The purpose of the kit 100 is to enable a user to easily
purchase a plurality of drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and
120 for future use. By providing plural drink can lids 110, 112,
114, 116, 118 and 120 and plural labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and
152 the user could apply certain labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and
152 to certain drink can lids. For example, the labels 132, 136,
140, 144, 148 and 152 could include pictures of mountains, a
sunset, a waterfall, etc. A user could select a waterfall picture
and place it on a blue or green drink can lid as desired. The user
could also select the sunset label and place it on a yellow or
brown drink can lid as desired. As previously described, the labels
132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 could also include other indicia,
such as an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a
decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a
mark, an icon, etc.
[0037] In summary, the present invention is a drink can lid. The
drink can lid includes a circular platform defining a periphery.
The platform has an interior surface. A peripheral wall extends
from the periphery of the platform. A plurality of ridges can be
formed on the interior surface of the platform. The drink can lid
can have a predetermined color. The platform and the peripheral
wall can include indicia displayed thereon for associating a
particular can with a user. The indicia can be any desired image,
such as alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a
decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a
mark, an icon, or the like. A flip-top tab can be defined in the
platform. The tab can be at least partially separable from said
platform in order to form an opening in the lid. The drink can lid
can also include a flanged lip extending from an end of the
peripheral wall. A plurality of dimples can extend from a surface
of the peripheral wall proximate the flanged lip. The drink can lid
is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an
opened can from external debris. The drink can lid can also be
placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster. A drink can
lid kit can include a plurality of drink can lids and a plurality
of label sheets. Each drink can lid of the kit has a circular
platform defining a periphery, the platform having an interior
surface; and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the
platform. Each label sheet of the kit has a plurality of
labels.
[0038] While the invention has been described with references to
its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications
may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teaching of the invention without departing from its essential
teachings.
* * * * *