GB2522006A

GB2522006A - Beverage can insect guard

Info

Publication number: GB2522006A
Application number: GB1321352.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary John Banks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-03
Filing date: 2013-12-03
Publication date: 2015-07-15
Also published as: GB201321352D0

Abstract

A guard 105 for a beverage can 101 has a frame 106, and a plurality of resilient fingers 107, each finger 107 extending from an inside of the frame 106, which is adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the lid 102 of the beverage can 101 so that the resilient fingers 107 lie across the beverage can opening 104. The guard 105 is deflected towards the interior of the beverage can 101 as the beverage can 101 is opened, and returns to its original position once the beverage can 101 is fully open.

Description

BEVERAGE CAN INSECT GUARD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a guard for a beverage can.

Background of the Invention

Wasp and bee stings are the most common cause of insect allergies in the UK. While not everyone who is stung by a wasp or bee will go on to have an allergic reaction, those who do may experience symptoms ranging from itching and swelling of the skin, to more severe symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and passing out. This is known as anaphylaxis and can in extreme cases be life threatening.

In the UK an average of five people a year die of allergic reactions caused by wasp or bee stings (Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association -MMRA). In the US, over 500,000 people attend hospital every year after being stung, and on average 50 people a year die as a result of insect stings (American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology-ACAII).

Wasps are more likely to sting than bees, since they can withdraw their stinger after stinging. Wasps also tend to be more aggressive than bees, and are more often brought into contact with humans, as they are attracted to food and drink, especially ripe fruit and sweet drinks.

Many canned drinks, such as lemonade, cola, beer and cider, are sweet and therefore an open beverage can may attract wasps and other insects.

Allergy UK, MAARA, and NHS Direct all recommend checking open containers such as cans prior to drinking, as an insect entering the can and becoming trapped may then be swallowed by the drinker, potentially resulting in stings to the mouth and throat.

Guards and covers which prevent insects and other unwanted items from entering an open beverage can are known. Typically, these are available for the drinker to purchase separately from the canned drink, and fit over the top of the can, or else comprise an adapted stay-on tab which can be rotated after the can has been opened to cover the outlet of the can with a mesh or sieve. However, such covers may be relatively expensive and rely on the drinker taking precautions to avoid being stung. They must also be removed by the drinker prior to drinking and the drinker must remember to replace them after drinking.

Adapted stay-on tabs may become detached from the can surface and lost, and there are hygiene issues as the tabs are exposed and therefore may become contaminated before the beverage is consumed. Additionally, covering the outlet of the can with a mesh or sieve may prevent the use of a straw, and may also result in a disrupted flow when the beverage is imbibed or poured, causing spillage.

Many known covers and guards would be unsuitable for incorporation into cans by beverage can manufacturers, since they may affect the ability of the can to be stacked. They could increase the cost of manufacturing the can, with the * :: 15 increased cost being passed on to the consumer, potentially affecting sales.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an alternative to existing covers and guards which obviates the above problems, while providing ** an effective guard against wasps and bees entering an opened can.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guard for a beverage can, comprising at least one resilient guard element, the guard being adapted to be attached to an inside surface of the beverage can such that the guard lies across an opening of the beverage can, wherein the resilient guard element is deflected towards an interior of the beverage can as the can is opened, and returns to its original position once the beverage can is fully open.

Such a guard may be attached within the beverage can during manufacture, so that the protection afforded by the guard is automatic and does not rely upon the beverage drinker to take protective action.

Preferably, the resilient guard element is apertured.

The apertures allow the beverage to be consumed through the guard.

Advantageously, the guard comprises frame means.

Preferably, the guard comprises a plurality of finger means extending from an inside of the frame means. * *

* Preferably, the resilient guard element comprises said plurality of finger * 15 means. * *

The finger means may then be deflected as the can opens. * *** *

Alternatively, the resilient guard element comprises the frame means.

The frame means may then be deflected as the can opens.

Alternatively, the resilient guard element comprises both the frame means and the plurality of finger means.

Both the frame means and the finger means may then be deflected as the can is opened.

Alternatively, the resilient guard element comprises lattice means.

The resilient guard element may comprise both the frame means and the lattice means.

Alternatively, the resilient guard element comprises mesh panel means.

The resilient guard element may comprise both the frame means and the mesh panel means.

Preferably, the frame means is provided with wing means configured to inhibit the removal of the guard from the interior of the beverage can.

*r Should the guard for some reason become detached from the beverage * can lid, it will then remain within the can. * 15

* * The wing means may extend outwardly from the frame means. 0*** ***.

* Preferably, the wing means are provided with at least one cut-out.

The cut-out facilitates deflection of the guard.

Preferably, the resilient guard element is deflected by a score panel of the beverage can as the can is opened.

The score panel is forced into the interior of the can by the action of the stay-on tab.

Advantageously, the frame means is adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the beverage can lid by rivet means.

Rivets are already commonly used in the manufacture of beverage cans to attach a stay-on tab to the can lid.

The frame means may therefore be attached to the lid by the same rivet that attaches the stay-on tab.

Preferably, the frame means comprise at least one hinge means.

The hinge means facilitates deflection of the guard.

:. The frame means may be substantially rigid.

S..... *

The frame means may comprise at least one rounded side. *5*5e

* The frame means may be open along at least one side. fl

. Preferably, the resilient finger means are substantially parallel to each other.

Advantageously, the resilient finger means lie across the opening of the beverage can substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a stay-on tab of the beverage can.

The resilient finger means may extend from the inside of the frame means to a distal cross bar.

The resilient finger means may all have substantially the same length.

The resilient finger means may all have substantially the same width.

Preferably, a space between two adjacent resilient finger means is between 1mm and 10mm.

Advantageously, a space between two adjacent resilient finger means is between 1mm and 5mm.

Advantageously, the guard comprises a synthetic polymer.

The guard may comprise a clear plastics material.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage can provided with a guard, as described in the first aspect above. * * *

* " 15 en...

* Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure A is a perspective view of a known beverage can without a guard; Figure 1 is a plan view of the lid of a beverage can provided with a first guard, embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of an inside of a beverage can lid provided with the guard shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of a third guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of a fourth guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention; Figure 6 is a plan view of a fifth guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of a sixth guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention; and Figure 8 is a plan view of a seventh guard for a beverage can, embodying the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments 0* **

* s There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventor(s). In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be rE 15 apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances well **** *..: known methods and structures are not described in detail, so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

FigureA Figure A is a side view of a known beverage can (Al), having an opening (A4) normally sealed by a score panel (AG) and provided with a stay-on tab (A3).

The score panel (A6) of this can has been opened by the operation of the stay-on tab (A3) i.e. by pulling the stay-on tab (A3) forwards to snap open the score panel (A6), forcing it inside the can (Al), then pushing the stay-on tab (A3) backwards to leave the can opening (A4) clear. The beverage can (Al) has no guard or cover. A wasp (A5) is attracted by the beverage inside the can (Al) and is about to enter the can opening (A4), falling into the beverage where it will become an unseen hazard to the beverage drinker.

Figures 1 and 2 Figure 1 is a plan view of an outside of a lid (102) of a beverage can (101) provided with a guard (105). Figure 2 is a plan view of an inside of the beverage can lid (102) provided with a guard (105) as shown in Figure 1. This guard (105) comprises a frame (106), and a plurality of fingers (107), one end of each of the fingers (107) extending from the inside of the frame (106). Both the frame (106) and the fingers (107) are resilient, and the fingers define apertures through which the beverage may be consumed or poured. The frame (106) is attached to the inside surface of the beverage can lid (102) so that the fingers (107) lie across the beverage can opening (104). In another embodiment (not shown), the fingers (107) extend beyond the opening of the can. The frame (106) and the fingers * (107) are deflected towards the interior of the beverage can (101) as the can (101) is opened, and return to their original position once the beverage can (101) is fully open. The deflection of the guard (105) is caused by the score panel (109), i.e. the part of the can lid (102) which covers the opening (104) of the can when the can (101) is closed, but which is snapped open by pulling the stay-on tab (103) forwards and forced into the interior of the can (101) as the can (101) is opened. The resilient fingers (107) in this example are parallel with each other.

They lie across the opening (104) of the beverage can (101) substantially parallel to the longftudinal axis of the stay-on tab (103).

This guard (105) is provided with wings (108) configured to inhibit the removal of the guard (105) from the interior of the beverage can (101). The wings (108) extend outwardly from the frame (106). They increase the width of the frame (106) so that it will not fit through the beverage can opening (104). In this example, the score panel (109) of the beverage can (101) has deflected the resilient fingers (107) of the guard (105) and now extends into the interior of the beverage can (101). The frame (106) of the guard (105) is attached to the inside surface of the beverage can lid (102) by a rivet, at a rivet fixing point (113), although other means of attaching the frame (106) may be used, for example, adhesive means or clasp means. The frame (106) in this example is open along one side. This facilitates the deflection of the guard (105) as the can (101) is opened, and reduces manufacturing costs as less material is used. The frame (106) is this example is also provided with a hinge (111), which facilitates deflection of the guard (105).

FiQures 3, 4, Sand 6 Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are plan views of different examples of a guard for a beverage can. In the example of Figure 3, the fingers (107) of a second guard (205) extend from the inside of the frame (106) to a distal cross bar (112). All the fingers (107) have substantially the same length and width. The frame (106) is deflected as the can (101) is opened.

Turning to Figure 4, the resilient fingers (107) of this third guard (305) are of different lengths. The frame (106) in this example is rigid and only the resilient a fingers (107) are deflected by the score panel as the beverage can (101) is a: opened. The frame (106) has one rounded side.

Figure 5 shows an example of a fourth insect guard (405), in which the wings (106) are provided with cut-outs (110). These cut-outs (110) facilitate the deflection of the guard (405) as the can (101) is opened. In this example, both the resilient fingers (107) and the frame (106) would be deflected by the score panel. This guard (405) comprises a synthetic polymer, such as nylon, which should be inexpensive to manufacture. Other materials, such as a clear plastics material, may be used. Alternatively, a non-plastics material may be used. The material used may be low-cost or eco-friendly. The colour of the guard may be selected to reflect whether the guard is desired to be visible by the beverage drinker once the can has been opened, or less apparent.

Figure 6 shows an example of a fifth insect guard (505), in which the frame (106) is open along one side. This guard (505) is attached to the lid of the beverage can via a rivet fixing point (113). The guard (505) is further provided with wings (108) which extend from the frame (106) to inhibit the guard (505) being removed from the interior of the can. One of these wings (108) comprises a cut-out (110) to facilitate deflection of the guard (SOS). The frame (106) further comprises one hinge (111). The resilient fingers (107) of this guard (505) each have substantially the same length and width, and are substantially parallel to each other.

In the examples of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 a space between two adjacent resilient fingers (107) is 2mm. It may be between 1mm and 10mm in practice.

This prevents insects of the size of wasps or bees from entering the can (101), while still allowing a straw to be inserted between the resilient fingers (107).

Figures 7 and 8 Figure 7 is a plan view of a sixth guard (605) for a beverage can. This guard (605) comprises a resilient lattice or grid (114) which extends from the frame (106) and which is deflected by the score panel as the can is opened. The apertures of the lattice (114) are configured to prevent an insect the size of a wasp or bee from entering the can through the lattice or grid (114). The lattice (114) aperture size may be reduced as desired.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a seventh guard (705) for a beverage can. This guard (705) comprises a frame (106) and a mesh panel (115). The mesh panel (115) extends across the inside of the frame (106). Both the frame (106) and the mesh panel (115) are deflected by the score panel as the can is opened. The apertures of the mesh panel (115) a!e configured to be smalter in size than those of the lattice or grid (114) described in Figure 7 above. The mesh panel (115) may comprise a plastics material, or a non-plastics material.

A beverage can provided with an insect guard (105. 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705) as described above automatically protects the beverage drinker from being stung as it prevents insects from entering and becoming trapped within an open can. There is no requirement for the beverage drinker to take any action themselves, such as supplying their own cover, or remembering to replace a cover after drinking. The location of the insect guard (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705) within the can is hygienic since the can is sealed during transit and while on sale. Additionally, the incorporation of this guard (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705) within the can allows the can to be stacked in the usual way and * 10 reduces the likelihood of spillage as the beverage is imbibed or poured. * * * * * o * . * * * * **

S **.** * S *SSS

S * *5e *

Claims

Claims 1. A guard for a beverage can, comprising at least one resilient guard element, said guard being adapted to be attached to an inside surface of said beverage can such that the guard lies across an opening of the beverage can, wherein said resilient guard element is deflected towards an interior of the beverage can as the beverage can is opened, and returns to its original position once the beverage can is fully open.

: *
2. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient guard element is apertured. ** * * * *
3. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in either claim I or claim 2, wherein the resilient guard element is deflected by a score panel of the S...: beverage can as the beverage can is opened. * 55S
4. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guard comprises frame means.
5. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guard comprises a plurality of finger means extending from an inside of the frame means.
6. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient guard element comprises said plurality of finger means.
7. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the resilient guard element comprises said frame means.
8. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the resilient guard element comprises both the frame means and the plurality of finger means.
9. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the resilient guard element comprises lattice means.
1O.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the resilient guard element comprises mesh panel means.
11.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said frame means is provided with wing means configured to inhibit the removal of said guard from the interior of the beverage can.** * 15
12. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wing as....

* means extend outwardly from the frame means. a...
13.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12, *.* wherein the wing means are provided with at least one cut-out.
14.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein said frame means is adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the beverage can lid by rivet means.
15.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 14, wherein the frame means comprises at least one hinge means.
16.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the frame means is substantially rigid.
17.A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 16, wherein the frame means comprises at least one rounded side.
18. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 17, wherein the frame means is open along at least one side.
19. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the finger means are substantially parallel to each other.
20. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the finger means lie across the opening of the beverage can substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a stay-on tab of the * beverage can. ** . * . S
21. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the finger means each extend from the inside of the frame S..means to a distal cross bar. * .5S
22. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the finger means all have substantially the same length.
23. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the finger means all have substantially the same width.
24. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a space between two adjacent finger means is between 1mm and 10mm.
25. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the space between two adjacent finger means is between 1mm and 5mm.
26. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said guard comprises a synthetic polymer.
27. A guard for a beverage can as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said guard comprises a clear plastics material.
28. A guard for a beverage can substantially as described herein with reference to Figures Ito 8 of the accompanying drawings.*
29. A beverage can provided with a guard as claimed in any one of the is pcecethng claims. 0*S S...