Apparatus for preserving effervescence in canned beverage containers

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a beverage can for minimizing loss of effervescence of contents of such beverage can after such beverage can is opened. The apparatus comprises a first lid member having a first predetermined shape and formed from a first predetermined material. The first lid member is engageable with a top of such beverage can and has a first aperture formed therein. The first aperture is positioned closely adjacent an opening in a top of such beverage can. A second lid member is formed from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape. The second lid member has a second aperture formed therein and is rotatingly engageable with the first lid member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/604,128 filed Aug. 24, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a cover for beverage containers, and, more specifically the present invention relates to a two part snap on cover for canned beverages that helps preserve the effervescence and taste in the beverage after opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nearly everyone has opened a can containing an effervescent beverage and was not able to drink the beverage at a sitting for whatever reason, possibly a phone call, a door bell, or any other distraction or simply because the container contained more than the person wanted at the time. When the person returns to the beverage, the beverage may has lost much of the effervescence and possible the taste is lost. This happens frequently with canned beer and the beer is often described as being flat. There is a similar occurrence with canned soda such as colas or ginger ale. Thus, it would be desirable to be able to set a can containing an carbonated beverage down and have the can retain the carbonation so that when the user drinks it the contents will still taste fresh and bubbly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for use with a beverage can for minimizing loss of effervescence of contents of such beverage can after such beverage can is opened. The apparatus comprises a first lid member having a first predetermined shape and formed from a first predetermined material. The first lid member is engageable with a top of such beverage can and has a first aperture formed therein. The first aperture is positioned closely adjacent an opening in a top of such beverage can. A second lid member is formed from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape. The second lid member has a second aperture formed therein and is rotatingly engageable with the first lid member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use with canned effervescent beverages that a person can drink with and seal such can when not in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that snaps on to a beverage can.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that consists of two parts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which a simple twist of an upper part will align openings so that a user may drink the beverage in the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which another simple twist of an upper part will not align the openings in the two parts and substantially seal the opening in the beverage container.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a planer view of the underside of the lids according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a planer view of the top of the lids according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of lids shown in FIG. 2 taken across the lines of III-III.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view of the invention as it would be attached to a beverage can.

FIG. 5 is planer view of the second lid member.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the second lid member shown in FIG. 5 taken across the line VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is a planer view of the first lid member according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is cross sectional view of the first lid member shown in FIG. 7 taken across the line VIII-VIII.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

The present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for use with a beverage can 2 for minimizing loss of effervescence of contents of such beverage can 2 after such beverage can is opened. The apparatus 10 comprises a first lid member 4 having a first predetermined shape and formed from a first predetermined material. The first lid member 4 is engageable with a top of such beverage can 2.

The first lid member 4 has a first aperture 6 formed therein. The first aperture 6 is positioned closely adjacent an opening in a top of such beverage can 2.

A second lid member 8 is formed from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape. The second lid member 8 has a second aperture 12 formed therein and is rotatingly engageable with the first lid member 4.

When second lid member 8 of apparatus 10 is rotated so that the second aperture 12 is positioned substantially concentric with first aperture 6 of the first lid member 4, the apertures are aligned with the opening on the top of the beverage can 2 and the user is able to drink such contents from the beverage can 2.

However, when the second lid member 8 is rotated so that the second aperture 12 of the second lid member 8 is positioned such that the second aperture 12 is in misalignment with the first aperture 6 this substantially seals such beverage container so as to substantially minimize a loss of carbonation in such contents of such beverage can.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention such first lid member 4 has a circumferential groove 13 formed closely adjacent an outer edge of the first lid member 4. The second lid member 8 has a circumferential projection 15 formed closely adjacent an outer edge thereof. Thus, the circumferential projection 15 on the second lid member 8 engages the circumferential groove 13 formed closely adjacent the outer edge of the first lid member 4.

The first predetermined shape of first lid member 4 includes a wall like member 16 formed on an outer perimeter thereof and depending downward from the first lid member 4. The wall like member 16 of the first lid member 4 engages such beverage can 2 at a lip of such beverage can 2. The wall like member 16 of the first lid member 4 engages such beverage can 2 by snapping on to such rim of such beverage can 2. Such wall like member 16 sealingly engages an outer periphery of such beverage can 2 and the first lid member 4.

It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material used to form such first lid member 4 be a resilient material so as fit easily over the rim of such beverage can 2. The shape of such first lid member 4 and also the second lid member 8 are substantially circular. The second predetermined material used to form such second lid member 8 can be different from the material used for the first lid member 4 or the second predetermined material can be substantially identical to the first predetermined material.

While both the presently preferred and a number of alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above it should be understood that various other adaptations and modifications of the present invention can be envisioned by those persons who are skilled in the relevant art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a beverage can for minimizing loss of effervescence of contents of such beverage can after such beverage can is opened, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a first lid member having a first predetermined shape and formed from a first predetermined material, said first lid member engageable with a top of such beverage can, said first lid member having a first aperture formed therein, said first aperture positioned closely adjacent an opening in a top of such beverage can; and

(b) a second lid member formed from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined shape, said second lid member having a second aperture formed therein, said second lid member rotatingly engageable with said first lid member.

2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second lid member is rotated so that said second aperture is positioned substantially concentric with said first aperture of said first lid member to permit a user to drink such contents of such beverage can.

3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second lid member is rotated so that said second aperture of said second lid member is positioned such that said second aperture is in misalignment with said first aperture thereby substantially sealing such beverage container so as to substantially minimize a loss of carbonation in such contents of such beverage can.

4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first lid member has a circumferential groove formed closely adjacent an outer edge of said first lid member.

5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said second lid member has a circumferential projection formed closely adjacent an outer edge thereof.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said circumferential projection on said second lid member engages said circumferential groove formed closely adjacent said outer edge of said first lid member.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape of said first lid member includes a wall like member formed on an outer perimeter thereof and depending downward from said first lid member.

8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said wall like member of said first lid member engages such beverage can at a lip of such beverage can.

9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said wall like member of said first lid member engages such beverage can by snapping on to such rim of such beverage can.

10. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said wall like member of said first lid member sealingly engages an outer periphery of such beverage can and said first lid member.

11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined material is a resilient material.

12. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape is substantially circular.

13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined material is different from said first predetermined material.

14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined material is substantially identical to said first predetermined material.

15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined shape is substantially circular.