U.S. patent application number 11/824633 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for sanitary beverage can cover.
Invention is credited to Frank Domenick Messina.
Application Number | 20080006630 11/824633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38918247 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Messina; Frank Domenick |
January 10, 2008 |
Sanitary beverage can cover
Abstract
A sanitary cover is provided for a beverage can of the type
having a top defined by a ridge with an outwardly extending lip.
The cover includes a body portion with an edge and a wall extending
downwardly from the edge of the body portion. The wall has a
channel with an inwardly directed opening. The cover is adapted to
mount on a can with the body portion proximate the can top and the
wall received around the can ridge with the can lip received within
the channel.
Inventors: |
Messina; Frank Domenick;
(Millington, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EPSTEIN DRANGEL BAZERMAN & JAMES, LLP
60 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 820
NEW YORK
NY
10165
US
|
Family ID: |
38918247 |
Appl. No.: |
11/824633 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60819271 |
Jul 6, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/257.2 ;
220/269; 220/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0041 20130101;
B65D 17/4012 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/257.2 ;
220/269; 220/270 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/62 20060101
B65D041/62; B65D 17/34 20060101 B65D017/34; B65D 41/48 20060101
B65D041/48 |
Claims
1. A cover for a can of the type having a top defined by a ridge
with an outwardly extending lip, said cover comprising a body
portion with an edge and a wall extending downwardly from said edge
of said body portion, said wall having a channel with an inwardly
directed opening, said cover being adapted to mount on a can with
said body portion proximate the can top and said wall received
around the can ridge with the can lip received within said
channel.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said body portion is formed of
flexible material.
3. The cover of claim 1 wherein said body portion is arcuate prior
to mounting on the can.
4. The cover of claim 1 wherein said body portion is flexed as the
cover is mounted on the can to permit said wall to be received
around the can ridge.
5. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a tab extending from
said wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed on Provisional Patent Application No.
60/819,271, filed Jul. 6, 2006.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING", A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention related to beverage cans and the like,
and more particularly to a sanitary cover for beverage cans.
[0006] 2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed
Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] Beverages such as soda, juices and beer are normally
packaged in multiple can packs and stored in various places for
periods of time. Such cans can be exposed to dust and other
contaminants over the storage period.
[0008] After storage and prior to their consumption, the cans are
shipped in various vehicles and distributed to stores and
restaurants for sale. In addition, these cans may be handled by
others, in addition to the consumer prior to drinking.
[0009] Finally, the can is opened and the beverage consumed by
mouth, usually without ever cleaning or wiping the top surface of
the can. As a result, bacteria and other contaminants present on
the top of the can may be ingested and may cause illness or
infection.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a simple membrane cover
made of plastic or other similar flexible material designed to
enclose the tops of cans used for various beverages. The cover is
installed at the factory during the can filling and sealing process
where a final operation presses a molded plastic cover down onto
the can top.
[0011] The cover is designed to fit snugly over the lipped top of
the beverage can. The cover firmly attaches to the top of the can
such that dust or contaminants are unable to reach the drinking
surface until the consumer is ready to open the can.
[0012] After the can has been opened by the consumer, if the entire
contents of the can have not been consumed, the cover can be
reinstalled on the top of the can to keep the top of the can clean
and the beverage fresh. The reinstalled cover will allow the unused
portion of the beverage to be stored additionally with only some
loss of carbonation and taste.
[0013] Moreover, because the cover is made of plastic, it can be
recycled after it is no longer needed. Hence, the cover of my
invention is environmentally friendly.
[0014] It is therefore, a prime object of the present invention to
provide a sanitary cover for a beverage can.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sanitary cover for a beverage can designed to enclose the tops of
cans used for various beverages
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sanitary cover for a beverage can to prevent dust or other
contaminants from reaching the drinking surface of the top of the
can until the consumer is ready to open the can.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sanitary cover for a beverage can that is installed at the factory
during the can filling and sealing process where a final operation
presses a molded plastic cover down onto the can top.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sanitary cover for a beverage can that can be reinstalled on the
top of the can after the can has been opened to keep the top of the
can clean and the beverage fresh, allowing the unused portion of
the beverage to be stored additionally with only some loss of
carbonation and taste.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sanitary cover for a beverage can that can be recycled after it is
no longer needed.
[0020] In general, the above objects are achieved by the present
invention by providing a cover for a can. The can is the type that
has a top defined by a ridge with an outwardly extending lip. The
cover includes a body portion. A wall extends downwards from the
edge of the body portion. The wall has a channel with an inwardly
directed opening. The cover is adapted to be mounted on the can
with the body portion proximate the can top and the wall received
around the can ridge with the can lip received within the
channel.
[0021] Preferably, the cover is formed of flexible material, such
as plastic, to enable the body portion of the cover to flex as the
cover is pressed down over the top of the can. For that reason, the
cover body portion of the cover is formed to be slightly arcuate,
prior to mounting on the can. During mounting, the body portion
flexes to permit the wall to be received around the can ridge and
the lip inserted into the channel.
[0022] Preferably, a tab extending outwardly from the wall is
provided to facilitate removal of the cover from the can.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS
[0023] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter
appears, the present invention relates to a sanitary beverage can
cover as described in detail in the following specification and
recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the top of a beverage can with the
sanitary cover of the present invention mounted thereon;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the side of a beverage can with the
sanitary cover of the present invention mounted thereon, the cover
being shown with a cut-away portion, with an insert section showing
an enlarged view of the wall of the cover received around the ridge
and the lip within the channel in the wall;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of the side of the upper
portion of a beverage can showing the cover of the present
invention before and after mounting; and
[0027] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the beverage can of FIG. 2
showing a portion of the cover cut away and the tab used to
facilitate removal of the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] As illustrated in the drawings, the sanitary cover of the
present invention, generally designated A, is designed for use on a
can, such as a standard beverage can, generally designated B, made
of metal, such as aluminum. Such cans are standard throughout the
beverage industry and are sold in great quantities around the
world. However, the present invention could be used on cans with
different shapes, with only slight modification, if required.
[0029] Can B includes a top surface 10 with a conventional opening
system in the form of a removable pull tab 12. Surface 10 is
defined in part by an upstanding circular ridge 14 which surrounds
pull tab 12. Ridge 14 has an outwardly extending lip 16.
[0030] Cover A includes a body portion 18. A wall 20 extends
downwardly from the edge of body portion 18. Wall 20 has a channel
22 with an inwardly directed opening.
[0031] Cover A is adapted to mount on the top of can B over surface
10 with body portion 18 proximate surface 10 and wall 20 received
around can ridge 14 with lip 16 received within channel 22, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.
[0032] As best seen in FIG. 3, cover A, including body portion 18
is formed of flexible material, such as plastic such that it can
flex as it is pressed downwardly over the top of the can. Body
portion 18, as shown in FIG. 3 is arcuate prior to mounting on the
can. The body portion is flexed as the cover is mounted on the can
to permit wall 20 to be received around ridge 14 and lip 16 to seat
within channel 22.
[0033] Thus, cover A is shaped in such a way that the cover starts
out convex with respect to the can top. When pressed into place
over the can the camber in the cover releases and the cover is
stretched over can ridge 14 to create the desired seal over the
can. A slight amount of over pressure provides out gassing of any
air trapped between the top of the can and the cover so that upon
release of the pressure from the mounting equipment, the desired
seal is obtained. The body portion 18 of the cover will be in a
substantially planar state subsequent to installation. The flat
upper surface of the cover will enhance the ability to stack the
cans more easily during storage.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, an optional tab 24, extending
outwardly from the exterior surface of wall 20, may be provided to
assist removal and reinstallation of the cover. Preferably, tab 24
is integral with cover A and formed with the cover as it is
injection molded.
[0035] It will now be appreciated that the present invention
relates to a sanitary cover for a beverage can having a top defined
by a ridge with an outwardly extending lip. The cover includes a
body portion with an edge and a wall extending downwardly from the
edge of the body portion. The wall has a channel with an inwardly
directed opening. The cover is adapted to mount on a can with the
body portion proximate the can top and the wall received around the
can ridge with the can lip received within the channel.
[0036] The sanitary cover can be used on any standard beverage can
or modified to fit cans have different configurations. It is
designed to enclose the top of a can to prevent dust or other
contaminants from reaching the drinking surface of the top of the
can until the consumer is ready to open the can. It can be
installed at the factory during the can filling and sealing process
where a final operation presses a molded plastic cover down onto
the can top. Subsequent to installation, the flat top surface of
the cover will facilitate stacking of the cans for storage.
[0037] The cover can be reinstalled on the top of the can after the
can has been opened to keep the top of the can clean and the
beverage fresh, allowing the unused portion of the beverage to be
stored additionally with only some loss of carbonation and taste.
Further, the sanitary cover can be recycled after it is no longer
needed.
[0038] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present
invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is
obvious that many modifications and variations could be made
thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and
variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as
defined by the following claims.
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