ANTIBACTERIAL PROTECTOR FOR DRINK CANS AND DRINK CAN PROVIDED WITH AN ANTIBACTERIAL PROTECTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to an antibacterial protector for drink cans that comprises an upper part (1) partially covering the upper part of the can (5) and fitted to the edge thereof, wherein an outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) extends from the edge of the upper part in contact with the upper edge of the can (5), and an inner skirt (3) extends from the edge of the upper part (1) in the space inside the can, the inner skirt preventing access to the space defined below the upper part (1), at least one end of the vertical perimeter skirt (2) comprising a tab or flap (4) to facilitate the removal of the protector. In addition to the inside face of the protector, at least the outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) comprises a hypoallergenic adhesive. The invention prevents the drink can from becoming contaminated or infected with bacteria, especially in the area that comes into direct contact with the mouth.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention, as the title of the invention states, is an antibacterial protector for drink cans, as well as the can itself provided with a protector such as the one which is the object of the present invention.

The special design and configuration of the antibacterial protector characterises the present invention, achieving an element that prevents contagion and transmission of diseases and being easy to place on and remove from drink cans.

The present invention therefore falls within the scope of accessories used in drink cans and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drink cans with a ring-pull opening are a frequent source of transmission of diseases, especially due to the fact that the edges of the cans are not protected throughout the entire storage and sales process and may have received bacteria or contaminants that could end up directly in the user's mouth.

A common case is deaths from leptospirosis, which is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that can lead to life-threatening infections of the kidneys, liver, brain, lungs or heart.

There are two common ways of contracting leptospirosis:

• • By drinking or on contact with water (such as swimming, rafting or kayaking), or dirt that has been contaminated by urine or body fluids of infected animals.
  • When exposed to urine or body fluids of infected animals.
    Animals such as mice or similar animals may have urinated on the edge of the can, so if said animals are infected, leptospirosis can be contracted when drinking from the cans.

Therefore, in order to prevent drink cans, especially in the area that comes into direct contact with the mouth, from being contaminated or infected with bacteria, an antibacterial protector has been developed as described below and is essentially set out in claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is essentially set out in the independent claim and the various embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

The object of the present invention relates to an antibacterial protector for drink cans such as soft drinks, beers, energy drinks, etc., which is made of biodegradable material, and which, therefore, even if thrown on the ground, degrades over time.

The strip has a configuration such that it covers the part of the can closest to the drink outlet, has a geometry in which an upper part is defined, preferably but in no case limited to a moon-shaped or circular section, where it also has an outer perimeter skirt that surrounds the part of the can where the protector is placed. It also has an inner perimeter skirt that prevents the entry of any pathogenic agent into the area below the upper part, and finally it has at least one tab preferably placed on one of the ends of the perimeter skirt.

The inner surface of the protector is provided with a hypoallergenic adhesive material in order to prevent unwanted reactions in users.

Thanks to the features described above, an easily removable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly drink can protector is achieved, which can even be reused to protect the can while not drinking.

The antibacterial protector can also be used as a support for labelling and engraved advertising.

Except when indicated otherwise, all of the technical and scientific elements used in this specification have the meaning commonly understood by a person with average skill in the art to which this invention belongs. When this invention is put into practice, methods and materials may be used that are similar or equivalent to the ones described in the specification.

Throughout the description and the claims, the word “comprise” and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features, additions, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be deduced from both the description and the practical use of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following.

FIG. 1 shows a depiction of a first view of a can provided with a protector.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective depiction from a second view of the can with the previous protector.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In light of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

FIG. 1 shows that the antibacterial protector for drink cans has an upper part (1) partially covering the upper part of a can, which in one embodiment may have a crescent or circumferential section shape, which is fitted to the edge of a can (5), wherein an outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) extends from the edge of said upper part in contact with the upper edge of the can (5), and an inner skirt (3) extends from the edge of the upper part (1) in the space inside the can, the inner skirt preventing access to the space defined below the upper part (1), at least one end of the vertical perimeter skirt (2) comprising a tab or flap (4) to facilitate the removal of the protector.

The inner surface of the protector, at least on the part of the outer vertical perimeter skirt (2), has a hypoallergenic adhesive in order to prevent unwanted reactions in users in the unlikely event of contact with the protector.

Having thus adequately described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it must be noted that, within its essential nature, the invention may be carried out according to other embodiments differing in detail from that set out by way of example, which the protection sought would equally cover, provided that the fundamental principle thereof is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1-4. (canceled)

5. An antibacterial protector for drink cans comprising: an upper part (1) partially covering the top of a drink can (5) wherein the upper part is fitted to the edge of the top of said drink can; an outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) that extends from the edge of the upper part in contact with the drink can; an inner skirt (3) that extends from the edge of the upper part within the space inside top of the drink can, wherein the inner skirt is adapted to prevent access to the space defined below the upper part, wherein at least one end of the outer vertical perimeter skirt comprises a tab or flap (4) adapted to facilitate the removal of the antibacterial protector, wherein at least the outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) comprises a hypoallergenic adhesive.

6. The antibacterial protector of claim 1, wherein the upper part has a crescent shape.

7. The antibacterial protector of claim 1, wherein the upper part has a circular section shape.

8. The antibacterial protector of claim 1, wherein the drink can is made of biodegradable material.

9. The antibacterial protector of claim 1 adapted to be reattachable to the drink can to protect the can while not in use.

10. The antibacterial protector of claim 1 adapted to be used as a support for labelling and engraved advertising.

11. A method for preventing the top of a drink can from being contaminated by bacteria, the method comprising:

(a) providing a drink can, and

(b) securing to the top of said drink can a an antibacterial protector for drink cans comprising: an upper part (1) partially covering the top of a drink can (5) wherein the upper part is fitted to the edge of the top of said drink can; an outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) that extends from the edge of the upper part in contact with the drink can; an inner skirt (3) that extends from the edge of the upper part within the space inside top of the drink can, wherein the inner skirt is adapted to prevent access to the space defined below the upper part, wherein at least one end of the outer vertical perimeter skirt comprises a tab or flap (4) adapted to facilitate the removal of the antibacterial protector, wherein at least the outer vertical perimeter skirt (2) comprises a hypoallergenic adhesive. Wherein the upper part has a crescent or circular shape.