Flip-top beverage can sanitary cover

Abstract

A sanitary, flexible cover (10) is wrapped around the top of a flip-top can (12). The cover (10) comprises a round disc (13), a concave rim (14) around the perimeter of the disc, and a flared skirt (15) extending from the concave rim. The cover is formed by molding or pressing. The cover is applied to the can by heat shrinking, gluing, or mechanically tight fitting. The top of the can is protected by the disc (13) and the shoulder of the can is protected by the skirt (15). The concave rim (14) is engaged around a lip (16) of the can to retain the cover, which can be easily removed prior to drinking. In addition, there may be a plurality of these covers (24) connected by links (25).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I claim the benefit of Philippines patent application number 000-1022. Filed: 24 Apr. 2000

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to flip-top beverage cans.

2. Prior Art

Flip-top beverage cans are typically stored or displayed for sale without any packaging. Overtime contaminants accumulate on their tops/ends and especially around the end's crevice. These contaminants mix with the overflow of the beverage from the can and is washed into the digestive system of a consumer who directly drinks from the can. Even when the beverages are poured into a glass, the contaminants on the rim would still be washed into the glass.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present sanitary and protective cover are:

(a) to provide a sanitary cover that seals the head and neck of the can;

(b) to provide a protective cover for aluminum cans making use of different materials and combination thereof;

(c) to be easy and inexpensive to make and apply;

(d) to provide a sanitary cover that eliminates the direct contact of the lips and mouth of consumers to the unhealthy particles that reside on top of the can;

(e) to provide a cover material and combination of materials that is easily flexible, malleable, teareable, adhesible and stackable;

(f) to provide a cover material that is printable;

(g) to provide a cover with a flared skirt to protect the shoulder of the can.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention provides a solution to the health and hygiene problem encountered by consumers when drinking direct from flip-top cans, by suggesting an article and a method of covering the surface, neck and down to the portion of the can that comes in direct contact with the lips of the consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1 & 1A is a perspective view of the present sanitary and protective cover positioned over a conventional beverage can.

FIGS. 2& 2A is a perspective view of the pesent cover attached to the can.

FIGS. 3 & 3A is a cutaway view of the present cover on the beverage can.

FIGS. 4 & 4A is a view of a flat sheet being formed onto the beverage can.

FIGS. 5 & 5A is a perspective view of a flat sheet being pressed onto the can.

FIGS. 6 & 6A are various ways of detachments.

FIG. 7 to 7F are preferred embodiments thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view of linked covers.

FIGS. 9 & 9A are views of print promotionals beneath the surface of the cover.

FIGS. 10 & 10 A are views of print promotionals on the top surface of the cover.

FIGS. 11 & 11A are other promotional embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 12 & 12A are also promotional embodiments thereof.

FIG. 13 is shows another function of the cover.

FIG. 14 is the first and original embodiment thereof.

FIGS. 15 & 15A are originall embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 16 & 16A are also original embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 17 & 17A are still original embodiments thereof.

FIG. 18 is an original view of a tab and a perforation on the cover.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS
10. Cover        11. Top/Opening
12. Beverage Can 13. Disc
14. Concave Rim  15. Flared Skirt
16. Convex Lip   17. Shoulder
18. Transition   19. Vertical Wall
20. Flat Sheet   21. Flat Sheet
22. Press        23. Cavity
24. Covers       25. Links
26. Print Promo  27. Beverage
28. Tab          29. Perforation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 & 1A-3A:

A first embodiment of the present sanitary cover is shown in a perspective view in FIGS. 1 & 1A. It is comprised of a flexible cover 10 for the top 11 of a conventional beverage can 12. Cover 10 is comprised of a round disc 13, a concave rim 14 around the perimeter of a disc 13 and a flared skirt 15 extending from concave rim 14. Rim 14 is convex when viewed from the inside of cover 10.

Cover 10 may be made out of a plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, paper, aluminum, and other present and future materials and combinations, etc. Cover 10 is applied on top of the can by virtue of combination technologies in molding, extrusion, capping, wrapping, punching, sealing and adhesion. In FIGS. 2 & 2A, cover 10 is applied to the can 12.

In FIG. 3 concave rim 14 of cover 10 is snugly engaged around a convex lip 16 of can 12 to retain cover 10 in position. Flared skirt 15 is shaped to conform closely to a tapered shoulder 17 of can 12 and is long enough to extend at least down to a transition 18 between tapered shoulder 17 and a vertical wall 19 of can 12. Advertising may be printed on cover 10.

Accordingly, top 11 and shoulder 17 of can 12 are protected by cover 10 from contaminants. Cover 10 can be easily peeled off from can 12.

FIGS. 4 & 4A:

As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 10 may also be made by molding a flat sheet 20 and heat shrink applied onto top 11 of can 12. Alternately, sheet 20 may be glued.

FIGS. 5 & 5A:

As shown in FIG. 5, another method for making the crown is comprised of pressing a flat sheet 21 onto top 11 of can 12 with a press 22. A cavity 23 in press 22 is shaped to conform to top 11 of can 12. Flat sheet 21 may be made of any deformable material, such as paper, aluminum, plastic, etc. Flat sheet 21 may be retained on can 12 by friction, adhesion, meachanically tightening, etc.

FIGS. 6 & 6A:

As shown in FIG. 6, cover 10 is detached from can 12 by inserting finger under spaces provided in between the flared skirt 15 of cover 10. In FIG. 6A, cover 10 is shown as completely detached and separated from top 11 of can 12

FIGS. 7 to 7F:

Cover 10 is shown on top 11 of can 12 in two variations. FIG. 7 is made of modified aluminum, while FIG. 7A is made of modified plastic. FIG. 7B shows a variation of a flared skirt 15 of cover 10 on can 12. FIG. 7C shows another variation of a flared skirt 15 on top 11 of can 12. FIGS. 7E and 7F shows another variation of a flared skirt 15 on top 11 of can 12.

FIG. 8:

A plurality of covers 24 are connected together with integral links 25 there between, and are prefferably made by molding. The plurality of linked 25 covers 24 on top of multi-pack cans may be applied by heat-shrink wrapping, pressing, gluing and mechanically tight-fitting.

FIGS. 9 & 9A:

As shown in FIG. 9 is cover 10 with flared skirt 15 promoting 26 a winning. FIG. 9A illustrates linked 25 covers 24 wherein flared skirt 15 as points of attachments. Cover 10 with flared skirt 15 is shown as print promoting 26 various products.

FIGS. 10 & 10A:

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a print promo 26 on the surface of cover 10 with the flared skirt 15 distinctly emphasized herewith. FIG. 10A shows covers 24 linked 25 at points of flared skirt 15. Different print promos 26 are displayed.

FIGS. 11 & 11A:

In FIG. 11, a print promo 26 features cover 10 with the flared skirt 15 being shown as a source of amusement. FIG. 11A shows another print promo 26 wherein cover 10 with flared skirt 15 distinctly promoting 26 a beverage 27.

FIGS. 12 & 12 A:

Still another embodiment of a print promo 26 is shown, wherein a giant can 12 with a giant cover 10 and giant flared skirt 15 elliciting excitement. FIG. 12A shows another print promo 26 wherein cover 10 with flared skirt 15 as being used to promote not only beverages but also services.

FIG. 13:

The enclosing and extended features of the flared skirt 15 of cover 10 finds use similar to ashtrays.

FIG. 14:

Is an original embodiment of cover 10 with flared skirt 15.

FIGS. 15 & 15 A:

In FIGS. 15 & 15 A, cover 10 is surrounded with flared skirt 15.

FIGS. 16 & 16 A:

FIG. 16 combined aluminum and plastic for cover 10 with flared skirt 15.

FIG. 17:

Shows original embodiment of cover 10 on top 11 of can 12.

FIG. 18:

Shows flared skirt 15 with tab 28 and perforation 29.

SUMMARY AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the present sanitary cover 10 protects the top 11 of a flip-top beverage can 12 from contaminants. The flared skirt 15 protects the shoulder 17 of the can 12 from contaminants. The cover 10 is easy to apply and detach from the can 12 and inexpensive to make. Cover 10 with flared skirt 15 also provides space for print promotionals 26.

Although the above description is specific, it should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example of the preffered embodiment. Many variations are possible with the teachings of the invention.

For example, different attachment methods, fasteners, materials, dimensions, contortions, etc. can be used and applied unless specifically indicated otherwise. The relative positions of the elements can vary, and the shapes of the elements can vary. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.

Claims

1. A sanitary and protective cover for flip-top cans.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said surface becomes a vehicle for promotions and surface becomes a vehicle for promotions and advertisements.

3. The cover of claim 1 wherein manner of production includes the combination of the following conventional technologies: extrusion, (b) heating; (c) adhesion; (d) pressing; (e) cutting; (f) wrapping; (g) joining; (h) welding; (i) soldering; (j) perforating, and (k) printing.