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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed on Provisional Patent Application No. 60/819,271, filed Jul. 6, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention related to beverage cans and the like, and more particularly to a sanitary cover for beverage cans.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a sanitary cover for a beverage can.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the top of a beverage can with the sanitary cover of the present invention mounted thereon;

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;

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.