AU2019101715A4 - Beverage protection article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to beverage protection article for a can of drink including: a body, including a wall surround a base, adapted to substantially surround the main body of the can. A lid means is included, hingeably attached to the body of the article, adapted to substantially close over the upper part of the can. A can may be placed within the body, and the lid means closed over the upper part of the can, which acts against change of temperature of the can, and when a person wishes to consume the contents of the can, they can push up on the lid means which opens on its hinge, open the can and drink readily from the can. The invention also relates to variants thereon. ) 24

Description

BEVERAGE PROTECTION ARTICLE [0001] The present invention relates to a beverage protection article and in particular to beverage protection article to prevent insects, dust or debris entering an open can of drink, during consumption.

[0002] Canned drinks are consumed in the millions every year around the world, containing soft or alcoholic drinks. Most canned drinks are chilled before consumption to be particularly refreshing, and especially on a hot day. In hot countries such as Australia a popular drink is a chilled beer, from the can. The hot environment combined with a warm handing holding the can directly will quickly transfer heat to the can of beer, causing it to be warmed, and less pleasant to drink. Due to this the usual way to serve a drink such as a cold beer from the can is to give it to the person in a neoprene sleeve, cosy, or stubby holder. The stubby holder tightly surrounds the can and maintains the cold temperature for the time of the drinking of the can contents. Also the stubby holder prevents the heat from the hand of the person being transferred to the can of drink, as well as the effect of the ambient heat.

[0003] In Australia, including in tropical areas or outback regions enjoying a cold drink or chilled beer at the end of the day is enjoyed by a good deal of people. Many of the jobs in these hot areas, are hard manual work, working on the land, tending animals, fixing fences, or working on road camps or mine sites. In these are other pursuits such as camping in remote areas, the heat is only one part of what threatens the enjoyment of the canned drink. One serious problem in the outback in particular is bushflies. These small flies seek out water sources and quickly will find a person and will try to access any source of moisture such as the eyes and nose. These irritating flies are often accompanied by other flies and insects that home in on moisture sources. With a can of drink such as beer the moisture and the sugar content attract the bushflies and other flies from all around the surrounding area, and they buzz around the top and try to get at the contents of the can. For the person drinking the can, these flies and insects trying to get in

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 the can are an irritation, health hazard and can if they are successful in entering the can it is very unpleasant, catching in the throat.

[0004] If the can is unopened the flies are not so much of a concern, although they may introduce bacteria to the top of the can. But during the drinking period the attraction of the moisture and sugar is an increased inducement to the flies attracting the flies into the drink. In between sips or swigs from the can, the open can may be placed on the ground or a table, and it is at this time in particular that flies may contact the top of the can which is unhygienic or they may enter the can, which is unpleasant when the person then drinks the fly. Outside, and particular in the outback, other matter can enter the can through the opening, there can be dust, debris from fires and general detritus falling from trees into a can. If the surrounding area is dry, dusty or sanding the wind can readily blow dirt and sand into the opening of the can of drink.

[0005] It would be most desirable to be able to enjoy a cold beverage and be able keep out flies, dirt and dust that may enter the can opening during consumption.

[0006] The inventor has carefully developed a new canned beverage article that can keep flies or dirt and dust from entering the open can. The article is the favoured form also keeps the can of drink cold, and colder than a standard beverage article, an added advantage to keep the drink very cold until consumed. Overall the inventor has developed a multi-faceted canned beverage article that is surprisingly advantageous, and is likely to be universally adopted, once known about.

[0007] The following describes a non-limiting example of the invention being used with reference to a standard can of drink, and in particular for beer. However, the invention may be used for any type of container where it may be of use to cover the top. The use of the invention for cans of drink is a useful option but it is not intended to limit the invention to use for cans of drinks, other than as specifically

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 defined in the claims.

[0008] Further, the invention is described for a standard can, such as a 375 millilitres volume can, as a useful application. But again, the invention may be adapted for any size of can, and it is not intended to limit the invention to any particular volume or dimensions of can. The article can be configured to suit any particular drinks container, such as a 355 millilitre as is standard is some countries, or a 250 or 500 millilitre volume can use for some forms of drink, and in some countries, to bring the benefits of the invention. The invention is described with respect to protecting and cooling canned drinks, as the invention was developed for this very useful purpose. However, it is envisaged that other containers of liquids or solids, not limited to drinks or foods may also benefit, from the covering and or cooling of the invention. It is therefore, not intended to limit the invention to use for beverages, per se, other than as defined in the claims.

[0009] For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere.

[0010] It is an object ofthe present invention to provide canned beverage protection article that at least ameliorates one or more ofthe aforementioned problems ofthe prior art.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention provides a beverage protection article for a can of drink, the beverage protection article including:

a body, including a wall surround a base, adapted to substantially surround the main body ofthe can;

a lid means, hingeably attached to the body of the article, adapted to substantially close over the upper part of the can,

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 wherein the can may be placed within the body, and the lid means closed over the upper part of the can, which acts to protect against changes of temperature of the beverage, between drinking from the can.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a beverage protection article for a can of drink, the beverage protection article including:

a body, including a wall surround a base, adapted to substantially surround the main body of the can;

a lid means, hingeably attached to the body of the article, adapted to substantially close over the upper part of the can, wherein the can may be placed within the body, and the lid means closed over the upper part of the can, which acts against change of temperature of the can, and when a person wishes to consume the contents of the can, they can push up on the lid means which opens on its hinge, open the can and drink readily from the can, while the lid means is maintained open, and when the drink is not be consumed, the lid means can be closed over the upper part of the can, to substantially prevent insects, dust or dirt entering the open can.

[0013] Preferably, the beverage may be any suitable beverage. The beverage may be chosen from the group: alcoholic drink; beer; juice; mixed alcohol and soft drink; soft drink; and water. Preferably, the beverage is a beer. Preferably, the beverage is a beer in a can. Preferably, the beverage is a beer in a can, bottle or any suitable container.

[0014] The protection may include any suitable protection. The protection may be the maintenance of the current situation eg hot, cold, dry or wet. The protection may be from excess changes in temperature. The protection may be from change of temperature. The protection, is most preferably, protection against dirt, debris, insects or other foreign materials entering the open can. The protection may be against dirt, debris, insects or other foreign materials contacting the top of the can.

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2019101715 30 Dec 2019 [0015] Preferably, the article keeps the can of drink cooler for longer. Preferably, use of the article keeps the drink in the can cold for longer. Preferably, the article keeps the can cold, and protected from debris and insects during the period of consumption. Most preferably, the article enables the drinker to enjoy a cold drink which is maintained cooler than in a standard cooler.

[0016] Preferably, substantially all dirt or debris is prevented from contacting the can, when the lid is in place. Preferably, the lid substantially prevents any and all foreign matter contacting the top of the can. Preferably, the lid completely prevents any and all foreign matter contacting the top of the can. Preferably, insects such as flies are prevented from contacting the can when the can is in the article. Preferably, the lid prevents insects accessing the can, when the lid is in place, including when the can is open for drinking.

[0017] The can of drink may be any suitable can of drink. The can of drink may be a small can, medium can or large can. The can may be replaced by any suitable container. The invention may be adapted to suit other containers of beverage or similar, not limited to cans. The can may be replaced by a bottle. Any container of any material it is desired to consume and protect may replace the can. The can or bottle may have any suitable volume. The can may be a 375 millilitre can. The can may be a 500 millilitre can. The can volume may be chosen from the group of cans with a volume in millilitres of: 250; 355; 375; or 500, for example.

[0018] Preferably, the can is a cold or chilled can of beverage. Most preferably, the can is a can of chilled beer, ready for consumption.

[0019] Preferably, the body is adapted to correspond closely to the shape of the can. Preferably, the body is substantially cylindrical shape. The body may be adapted to be any suitable shape for the container to be placed therewithin.

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 [0020] The wall is preferably, adapted to tightly fit about the can or container once installed therewithin. Preferably, the tight fit assists to keep the can or container cool. Preferably, the body of the can is surrounded by the wall. Preferably, most of the can will be surrounded by the wall. Preferably, only the upper part of the can extends above the wall of the body.

[0021] Preferably, the body is made substantially of an insulating material. Preferably, the insulation material is neoprene. The insulating material may be any suitable insulating material. In other forms of the invention the body may be made of any suitable material.

[0022] Preferably, the lid is adapted to substantially surround the upper part of the can. Preferably, the lid and body together closely surround the can, and when closed together maintain cooling of the can. Preferably, together the lid and body are tightly fitted together to keep the can cool. Preferably, when the lid is closed over the top of the can the top of the can is substantially protected. The protection includes keeping from getting warm. The protection includes prevention of debris touching the top of the can. The protection may include protection against flies that may wish to try to enter the can, once open. The protection may be against any foreign materials entering the open can, or falling on the top of the can.

[0023] Preferably, the lid is made substantially of also made of an insulating material. Preferably, the insulation material is neoprene. The insulating material may be any suitable insulating material. In other forms of the invention the lid may be made of any suitable material.

[0024] The hinge may take any suitable form. The hinge may be separate or formed part of the body and lid together to enable opening and closing. In some forms of the invention is a piece of neoprene shaped to enable opening and closing of the joined lid and body. In other forms of the invention a metal or plastic hinge may be included. In some forms of the invention, the hinge may have an open state and a

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 closed state and can be maintained in the open state by a fixed position of the hinge.

[0025] The base may be omitted in some forms of the invention. Or only a partial base, or base with apertures may be included.

[0026] The article can be manufactured industrially and supplied direct to consumers or to wholesalers or retailers.

[0027] The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front according to a preferred embodiment of the invention of can cooler cover according, in an open state;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the can cooler cover Figure

2, in the closed state;

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front of the can cooler cover Figure 2 in the closed state; and [0031] Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the can cooler cover of Figures 2 and

3.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where can cooler cover 10 is illustrated, with body 12 and lid 14. Although not shown, can cooler cover 10 is adapted to tightly fit and surround a standard can of drink. The can of drink could be a can of soft drink, or a can of beer of a standard form, for example typically 375 millilitres in volume. Use for a can of beer, such as at an outside venue to keep cool until consumed and then

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 kept cool and protected in between consumption is of particular benefit. Different forms of can or bottle can be used with the invention in which case the particular dimensions will be adapted accordingly. However, the disclosed example is for a standard can of beer.

[0033] The entire body 12 and lid of can cooler cover 10 is formed of neoprene as a highly insulating material. The cold can of drink placed tightly within body 12, becomes wrapped in the neoprene body, which prevents loss of the cold through the neoprene wall. Further, advantageously, the warmth from outside, and from the hand of the person wanting to drink from the can, is isolated from the wall of the can, further preventing warming ofthe can ofthe drink. A can without a stubby holder or protection will have its contents warm to ambient or warmer temperature very quickly due to the action through the wall of the heat of the air and the hot hand of the drinker. The protection of the neoprene strongly resists the heat exchange to maintain the temperature for longer.

[0034] Other materials may be used instead, including other plastics and materials that add to insulate and isolate the can of drink to act against warming. In other forms of the invention where it is desired to keep the contents warm and prevent cooling suitable materials may be used instead to maintain the drinks heat.

[0035] Body 12 and lid 14 together are designed to carefully work together to fit tightly about the can to as maximise the maintenance of the cold temperature of the drink therewithin. Wall 16 of body 12 is configured to wrap tightly around the wall of the can, and echoes the exact shape so that the can must be pushed into body 12 to be held inside to sit on circular base 18.

[0036] There may be holes in base 18, but as illustrated is a solid circular base joined during manufacture to wall 16. Base 18 and body 12 are joined and glued during manufacture but could in other forms be manufactured as an integral piece.

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 [0037] Upper edge 20 of wall 16 of body 12 is at the opposite end of base 18, and is a circular edge which surrounds the upper part of the can. Edge 20 surrounds the empty centre 22, when not occupied by a can, as is shown in the drawings. Each of wall 16, body 12 and base 18 form a cylindrical shape, that echoes that of the can, as would be understood.

[0038] Hinge 24 joins body 12 and lid 14 to open or close lid 14 during use. As shown hinge 24 is a strip of material to act to enable lifting lid 14, to enable access to the top area of the can, to enable it to be opened, and drunk from. Hinge 24 is a piece of neoprene, the same as the remainder of can cooler cover 10, in the illustrated embodiment. In other forms of the invention the hinge can be reinforced such as with reinforced material, or with other materials to assist the hinging, plastic or metal. In other forms of the invention the hinge may be made stiffer to enable it to be held in an open position. However, in the economic form as illustrated the material is used to be easy to manufacture and use, in which case the hand of the drinker can be used to elevate the lid during the drinking. When finished drinking the lid replaces itself under gravity to some extent and a gentle tap will close any gap to maximise protection against warming, or of the ingress of debris or insects.

[0039] Lid 14 has an upper surface 25, and a shaped edge 26, which is circular and cooperates with edge 20 to close together around the top of the can in use. Juncture 28 (refer Figure 2) is formed between edge 20 of body 16 and edge 26 of lid 14. Juncture 28 is a close fitting juncture so that once closed lid 14 and body 16 form a sealed, closed fit, to keep the can as cold as possible until ready to be consumed. Once fitted together these are adapted to stay closely closed to keep out the dust and insects and to assist to keep the drink at the same temperature for longer.

[0040] Hinge 24, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2, extends from lid 14 into body 12 to give strength to the arrangement, and assists juncture 28 to be maintained sealed and the can cooled.

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 [0041] The dimensions, as suitable for a can of 375 millilitres, are 145 millimetres high, and 75 millimetres diameter overall, with 35 millimetres of the height for the lid, and 110 millimetres for the body. The dimensions may be readily varied to suit the particular can for the intended use.

[0042] Area 30 of body 12 is useful to include information or advertising (not shown) and a trade mark to indicate the origin of the article. The advertising may be for a particular company, event or may be replaced by decoration in some forms. Trade marks, website, phone numbers or any other useful information may be provided instead on area 30, which can be extended to any part of wall 16, hinge 24 and lid 14.

[0043] In use, a person may wish to carry a cold drink to drink outside, and will put a can of beer within can cooler cover 10, and pushed tightly inside body 12 within wall 16. The particular decoration applied to surface 30 will assist a person to choose the item and to find it after putting down and retrieving. Lid 14 is closed tightly to close juncture 28 to maintain the maximum coldness of the can. The can will remain cold for quite some time in this way, but after a time the person may wish then to drink the can. They can open lid 14, using hinge 24 and open the can, and then drink as usual, lifting hinge 24. The drinking of the cold beer can be enjoyed much as usual, however, when the can and can cooler cover 10 is placed down between supping, lid 14 can close again closing juncture 28. The cooling action of the lid again keeps the drink cool, and cooler than if in a standard stubby holder. Moreover, lid 14 provides an absolute cover to prevent dirt, dust, blown around debris falling into the open beer.

[0044] Further, flies and insects are attracted to the moisture and the sugars in the drink, and will try to enter the can. If left unattended the flies and insects will try to get into the can and some will inevitably fall in, it is most unpleasant in this case to drink the beer and choke on a dead fly instead. Lid 14 covers the open can during the time when unattended or placed down on the ground or table. In this way the

SpecPA2066319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019 drink is kept cool, and cooler than in a standard stubby holder or beer cooler, and is also kept from debris, dirt or insects entering the open can.

[0045] The invention, may appear simple, but has been developed over a long time of trying to solve a problem experienced by thousands of beer drinkers around the world every day. The invention is a significant improvement over the prior art, to provide both improved cooling and protection for a can of drink, including during the period that the can is open and vulnerable to dirt and insects entering the open can.

[0046] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

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2019101715 30 Dec 2019

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST:

10	Can cooler cover
12	Body
14	Lid
16	Wall
18	Base
20	Upper edge of 16
22	Centre of body
24	Hinge
25	Upper surface of lid
26	Lip or edge of Lid
28	Juncture of lid and body
30	Surface of wall for advertising

SpecPA2O66319

2019101715 30 Dec 2019

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A beverage protection article for a can of drink, the beverage protection article including:

   a body, including a wall surround a base, adapted to substantially surround the main body of the can;

   a lid means, hingeably attached to the body of the article, adapted to substantially close over the upper part of the can, wherein the can may be placed within the body, and the lid means closed over the upper part of the can, which acts to protect against changes of temperature of the beverage, between drinking from the can.
2. 2. A beverage protection article for a can of drink, the beverage protection article including:

   a body, including a wall surround a base, adapted to substantially surround the main body of the can;

   a lid means, hingeably attached to the body of the article, adapted to substantially close over the upper part of the can, wherein the can may be placed within the body, and the lid means closed over the upper part of the can, which acts against change of temperature of the can, and when a person wishes to consume the contents of the can, they can push up on the lid means which opens on its hinge, open the can and drink readily from the can, while the lid means is maintained open, and when the drink is not be consumed, the lid means can be closed over the upper part of the can, to substantially prevent insects, dust or dirt entering the open can.
3. 3. The beverage protection article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the can is a can of chilled beer.
4. 4. The beverage protection article accordingly to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid substantially prevents any and all foreign matter contacting the top of the can.

   SpecPA2066319

   2019101715 30 Dec 2019
5. 5. The beverage protection article accordingly to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lid and body together closely surround the can, and when closed together maintain the temperature of the can.