U.S. patent application number 10/598358 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for hygiene cap for can.
Invention is credited to Eun-Ho Kim.
Application Number | 20080230544 10/598358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35502950 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Eun-Ho |
September 25, 2008 |
Hygiene Cap for Can
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hygiene cap detachably
provided for a can having a lid formed with an outlet and an opener
for opening the outlet, the hygiene cap comprising a cap body
interposed between an outer surface of the lid and the opener and
rotating about the lid; and a cleaner attached under the cap body
and cleaning the outer surface of the lid as the cap body rotates.
Thus, the present invention provides a hygiene cap for a can, which
minimizes contaminants of the can while it is produced, distributed
and taken in custody, and allows a user to easily clean an outlet
of the can and then drink a beverage from the can.
Inventors: |
Kim; Eun-Ho; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLA P.A.
3580 WILSHIRE BLVD., 17TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90010
US
|
Family ID: |
35502950 |
Appl. No.: |
10/598358 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR05/01767 |
371 Date: |
August 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.7 ;
220/258.2; 220/87.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/20 20130101;
B65D 2517/0098 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.7 ;
220/87.1; 220/258.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00; B65D 51/20 20060101
B65D051/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0042768 |
Claims
1. A hygiene cap detachably provided for a can having a lid formed
with an outlet and an opener for opening the outlet, the hygiene
cap comprising: a cap body interposed between an outer surface of
the lid and the opener and rotating about the lid; and a cleaner
attached under the cap body and cleaning the outer surface of the
lid as the cap body rotates.
2. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body
comprises: a contact plate covering the lid and being thinner than
a space between the opener and the lid; and an opener through
portion formed in a predetermined region of the contact plate.
3. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body
comprises: a contact plate covering the lid and being thinner than
a space between the opener and the lid; a contact maintaining
portion formed in a circumferential region of the contact plate and
fitted to a circumferential rim of the lid; and an opener through
portion formed in a predetermined region of the contact plate.
4. The hygiene cap according to claim 3, wherein the contact
maintaining portion is at least partially formed with a grip
pattern along a circumferential direction thereof.
5. The hygiene cap according to claim 3, further comprising an
extended part extended downward from the contact maintaining
portion and surrounding an outer circumference of the can, wherein
the cleaner is extended to an inner side of the extended part.
6. The hygiene cap according to claim 2, wherein the contact plate
is formed with at least one rotation grip rib.
7. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body is
formed with at least one cap-removing tip projected from a
predetermined region thereof.
8. The hygiene cap according to claim 2, wherein the opener through
portion is formed by penetrating a surface of the contact portion
or partially cutting away the cap body to have a shape
corresponding to the opener.
9. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body
includes one of synthetic resin, a metal plate, and paper.
10. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap body
includes an advertisement design on at least one region
thereof.
11. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner
includes one of a fabric material or paper.
12. The hygiene cap according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner
contains at least one of an antibacterial agent, a deodorizer and
an aromatic agent.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hygiene cap for a can,
and more particularly, to a hygiene cap for a can, which allows a
user to easily clean an outlet of the can and then drink a beverage
from the can.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, various beverage or alcohol cans (hereinafter,
referred to as a "can") comprises a can body 101 to be filled with
a beverage, and a lid 103 to seal up a top of the can body 101.
Here, the lid 103 is formed with an outlet 105 through which the
beverage can flow outward, and the outlet 105 is covered with an
outlet cover 107 (refer to FIGS. 8 and 9).
[0003] Further, the lid 103 is provided with an opener 108 to open
the outlet 105 by pushing the outlet cover 107 like leverage. As
shown in FIG. 9, the opener 108 is spaced from a top surface of the
lid 103 at a predetermined distance of "A", thereby allowing a user
to hold the tab 108 with his/her fingertip.
[0004] Meanwhile, such can 100 is exposed to contaminants such as
dust, foreign material, bacteria, and the like while it is
produced, packaged, and taken in custody for distribution.
[0005] In particular, the outlet 105 of the lid 103 and its
circumference need strict hygienics because they come in direct
contact with a user's mouth. However, such hygienics is not
actually realized at all.
[0006] Therefore, a user is likely to drink a beverage along with
contaminants such as dust, foreign material, bacteria and the like,
which are adhered to the outlet 105 of the lid 103 and its
circumference. In this case, a user may be struck by food poisoning
or the like, which is very dangerous.
[0007] To solve this problem, a transparent hygiene cover for a
beverage can and a hygiene cap for an aluminum can (hereinafter,
referred to "a hygiene cap for a can"), which can cover a lid of
the beverage can, have been disclosed in Korean Utility Model Nos.
20-0307944 and 20-032649.
[0008] However, the conventional hygiene cap for the can has a
structure of just covering a lid top of the can, so that the outlet
of the lid and its circumference are not prevented from being
contaminated while being produced or before covering the lid.
[0009] Therefore, under low reliability of hygienic safety, a user
has no choice but to drink a beverage along with contaminants such
as dust, foreign material, bacteria and the like, which are adhered
to the outlet of the lid and its circumference.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a hygiene cap for a can, which minimizes contaminants of
the can while it is produced, distributed and taken in custody, and
allows a user to easily clean an outlet of the can and then drink a
beverage from the can.
[0011] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are
achieved by providing a hygiene cap detachably provided for a can
having a lid formed with an outlet and an opener for opening the
outlet, the hygiene cap comprising a cap body interposed between an
outer surface of the lid and the opener and rotating about the lid;
and a cleaner attached under the cap body and cleaning the outer
surface of the lid as the cap body rotates.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap
body comprises a contact plate covering the lid and being thinner
than a space between the opener and the lid; and an opener through
portion formed in a predetermined region of the contact plate.
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap
body comprises a contact plate covering the lid and being thinner
than a space between the opener and the lid; a contact maintaining
portion formed in a circumferential region of the contact plate and
fitted to a circumferential rim of the lid; and an opener through
portion formed in a predetermined region of the contact plate.
[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, the contact
maintaining portion is at least partially formed with a grip
pattern along a circumferential direction thereof.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, the hygiene
cap further comprises an extended part extended downward from the
contact maintaining portion and surrounding an outer circumference
of the can, wherein the cleaner is extended to an inner side of the
extended part.
[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, the contact
plate is formed with at least one rotation grip rib.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap
body is formed with at least one cap-removing tip projected from a
predetermined region thereof.
[0018] According to an aspect of the present invention, the opener
through portion is formed by penetrating a surface of the contact
portion or partially cutting away the cap body to have a shape
corresponding to the opener.
[0019] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap
body includes one of synthetic resin, a metal plate, and paper.
[0020] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cap
body includes an advertisement design on at least one region
thereof.
[0021] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cleaner
includes one of a fabric material or paper.
[0022] According to an aspect of the present invention, the cleaner
contains at least one of an antibacterial agent, a deodorizer and
an aromatic agent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for a can
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the hygiene cap for the can,
taken along line II-II in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIGS. 3A through 3C are perspective views illustrating usage
of the hygiene cap for the can of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a typical can.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a lid region of the can, taken
along line IX-IX in FIG. 8.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0032] Hereinbelow, preferable embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for a can
according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
2 is a sectional view of the hygiene cap for the can, taken along
line II-II in FIG. 1. As shown therein, a hygiene cap 1 for a can
100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
includes a cap body 10 rotatably covering a lid 103 of the can 100
between the lid 103 and an opener 108, and a cleaner 20 attached
under the cap body 10 and cleaning the surface of the lid 103 as
the cap body 10 rotates.
[0034] The cap body 10 includes a contact plate 11 covering a top
surface of the lid 103, a contact maintaining portion 13 formed in
a circumferential region of the contact plate 11 and fitted to a
circumferential rim 109 of the lid 103, and an opener through
portion 15 formed in a predetermined region of the contact plate
11.
[0035] The contact plate 11 is provided to be thinner than a space
A between the opener 108 and the lid 103, so that the cap body 10
can rotates between the lid 103 and the opener 108 with respect to
the lid 103.
[0036] The contact maintaining portion 13 has a "U"-shaped section
to be fitted to the circumferential rim 109 of the lid 103 as shown
in FIG. 2. The contact maintaining portion 13 maintains that the
cap body 10 covers the lid 103 of the can 100, and at the same time
allows a user to grip and rotate the cap body 10. Here, the contact
maintaining portion 13 is at least partially formed with a grip
pattern 17 on the outer surface thereof along a circumferential
direction, thereby enhancing grip characteristics. The grip pattern
17 may be achieved by a structure repeatedly alternating between a
concave and a convex.
[0037] The opener through portion 15 is formed by cutting it away
from the contact portion 11 and has a shape corresponding to the
opener 108, thereby allowing the opener 108 of the can 100 to pass
therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 3A through 3C, the opener through
portion 15 passes the opener 108 therethrough to be placed above
the contact portion 11 when the lid 103 of the can 100 is covered
with the cap body 10.
[0038] Preferably, the cap body 10 with this configuration is made
of synthetic resin or paper, which is excellent in
environment-friendly decomposition, unharmful to a human body, and
shape maintenance. Alternatively, the cab body 10 may be made of a
metal plate, which can be collected after use and recycled by
cleaning and sterilizing it.
[0039] Further, the cap body 10 is preferably formed with a
cap-removing tip 16 projected from the cap body 10 and allowing a
user to easily remove the cap body 10 from the lid 103.
[0040] Also, the cap body 10 may be used for corporate public
relations by printing it with various advertisement designs.
[0041] Meanwhile, the cleaner 20 is attached under the cap body 10
and cleans the surface of the lid 103 including the outlet 105 and
its circumference as the cap body 10 rotates. At this time, the
cleaner can be attached under the whole area of the cap body 10
except the opener through portion 15, or attached under an area
from the center to one side of the cap body 10 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0042] Here, the cleaner 20 can be made of a fabric material or
paper, which is excellent in environment-friendly decomposition,
adsorptive characteristics for water and a foreign material so as
to effectively remove contaminants such as dust, polluted water and
the like adhered to the surface of the lid 103. Further, the
cleaner 20 preferably contains at least one of an antibacterial
agent, a deodorizer and an aromatic agent, which are unharmful to a
human body, so as to remove various bacteria and a bad smell from
the surface of the lid 103.
[0043] With this configuration, the hygiene cap 1 for the can
according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as
follows. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the hygiene cap 1 is put on
the lid 103 of the can 100, aligning the opener through portion 15
of the cap body 10 with the opener 108 of the can 100. At this
time, the contact maintaining portion 13 is disposed corresponding
to the circumferential rim 109 of the lid 103
[0044] Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the hygiene cap 1 is pressed
toward the lid 103 of the can 100, the contact maintaining portion
13 is fitted into the circumferential rim 109 of the lid 103 of the
can 100, and at the same time the opener 108 passes the opener
through portion 15 of the cap body 10, so that the contact plate 11
is placed within the space "A" between the opener 108 and the lid
103. At this time, the cleaner 20 is in contact with the surface of
the lid 103.
[0045] In this state, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the cap body 10 is
rotated in one direction or two directions, the cleaner 20 cleans
the surface of the lid 103 including the outlet 105 and its
circumference.
[0046] After cleaning the surface of the lid 103 including the
mouth 105 and its circumference, a user removes the hygiene cap 1
from the can 100 and opens the outlet 105 of the can 100 by pulling
the opener 108 to drink a beverage.
[0047] Thus, a user can sanitarily drink a beverage from the can
100 because contaminants such as dust, foreign material, bacteria,
and the like generated while the can 100 is produced, packaged, and
taken in custody for distribution are cleanly removed from the can
100.
[0048] In the meantime, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hygiene
cap for the can according to a second embodiment of the present
invention. As shown therein, a hygiene cap for a can 1a according
to the second embodiment of the present invention has a similar
structure to the foregoing hygiene cap shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and
further includes an extended part 18 extended from a contact
maintaining portion 13 and surrounding the lateral surface of the
can 100.
[0049] The extended part 18 surrounds the lateral surface of the
can 100 to be touched by a hand of a user. Preferably, the cleaner
20 is attached along the inner side of the extended part 18.
[0050] Such extended part 18 removes contaminants adhered along the
lateral surface of the can 100, thereby giving a user a pleasant
feeling when a user touches the can 100 with his/her hand.
[0051] Here, the length of the extended part 18 can be varied as
necessary.
[0052] Further, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for
the can according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
As shown therein, a hygiene cap 1b for a can according to the third
embodiment of the present invention includes an opener through
portion 15 having an opened structure formed by partially cutting
away the cap body 10, and the other configurations similar to those
of the first embodiment.
[0053] Such opened opener through portion 15 allows the opener 108
to be easily placed above a contact plate 11 through its opened
structure when a hygiene cap 1b is fitted to the lid 103. Thus,
contrary to the first embodiment, there is no necessity for
complicatedly aligning the opener 18 with the opener through
portion 15 and then passing the opener 18 through the opener
through portion 15.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
7 is a perspective view of a hygiene cap for the can according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, in a
hygiene cap 1c, 1d for the can according to the fourth and fifth
embodiments, a contact plate 11 of a cap body 10 is formed with
only an opener through portion 15 without the contact maintaining
portion 13, and a cleaner 20 is attached under the contact plate
11.
[0055] In this structure, a rotation grip rib 17' preferably
protrudes from the surface of the contact plate 11. Thus, the
hygiene cap 1 is rotated along with the rotation grip rib 17.
[0056] According to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the hygiene
cap 1c, 1d has the simplest structure to clean the outlet 105 and
the top surface of the lid 103 requiring the basic hygienics.
[0057] Thus, the hygiene cap includes the cap body interposed
between the lid and the opener of the can and rotating relative to
the lid, and the cleaner attached under the cap body and cleaning
the outer surface of the lid as the cap body rotates, thereby
preventing the can 100 from being exposed to contaminants such as
dust, foreign material, bacteria, and the like while it is
produced, packaged, and taken in custody for distribution.
[0058] Further, the outlet and its circumference of the can can be
cleaned even though the can is contaminated, so that a user
reassuredly drinks a beverage.
[0059] Also, high reliability of hygienic safety is given to a
user, so that it will be expected that the sales in beverage
business be increased.
[0060] The hygiene cap for the can is not limited to the foregoing
embodiments, and may vary without departing from the principles and
spirit of the invention.
[0061] As described above, the present invention provides a hygiene
cap for a can, which minimizes contaminants of the can while it is
produced, distributed and taken in custody, and allows a user to
easily clean an outlet of the can and then drink a beverage from
the can.
* * * * *