US20030102313A1

US20030102313A1 - Universal beverage can cover

Info

Publication number: US20030102313A1
Application number: US10/006,456
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-03
Filing date: 2001-12-03
Publication date: 2003-06-05

Abstract

The invention is a cover for soda and beer cans that attaches to the can using a tab assembly. The cover is provided with a plurality of tabs surrounding the radius of the cover which will mate with the upper lip of beverage cans with a plurality of diameters. The top portion of the cover has an opening that matches the opening of the beverage can. The cover has a pivoting plastic occluder on the top portion of the cover which can be moved from a first position in which it seals the opening of the cover thus sealing the opened beverage can and a second position in which the can is not sealed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for resealing a standard aluminum beverage container to maintain an acceptable state of carbonation and to prevent insects or other foreign objects from entering the beverage container.

II. Related Art

There is not a man, woman or child alive that does not enjoy a good beverage. Many people enjoy the great outdoors. Some have picnics or outdoor barbeques. Others play outdoor sports such as softball or basketball. Many enjoy spending a leisurely afternoon at the beach, on a boat or even going for a Sunday drive. Many people like to quench their thirst when they are enjoying such activities. To accommodate the demand for beverages in the outdoors, or at other times when the use of a glass or cup is not convenient, beverage manufacturers have adopted the use of aluminum cans as a means of dispensing individual servings of beverages.

However, aluminum cans have several problems associated with their use. For example, once the can is opened the carbonation in the beverage starts to diminish. This forces the drinker to consume the entire beverage in a relatively short period of time, so that the beverage does not go flat, and become undesirable.

An additional problem is that in the summertime, once the aluminum can is opened, bees and other insects are attracted to the drink and will even fly into the aluminum can. Also, smokers, in lieu of an ashtray, may carelessly use an opened beverage can to discard their ashes, or extinguish their cigarette butts. If the drinker does not attentively monitor his or her beverage in between sips of his drink, he or she may receive an unpleasant surprise in his or her mouth.

The foregoing problems can all be alleviated by a properly designed cover for the can. However, there are problems associated with designing such a cover. One problem is that not all aluminum cans are the same size. Surprisingly, the diameter of the rim of a standard 12 oz. beer can is different than the diameter of a standard 12 oz. soda can. Consequently, a cover designed specifically for a soda can will not properly attach to a beer can, and a cover for a beer can will not properly mate with a soda can.

Efforts to address this problem are reflected in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,074 granted on Sep. 20, 1971 to R. M. Hayes and entitled “Multiple Purpose Gripping Lid” shows a lid arrangement that can be used with containers of various sizes. This is achieved by having ledge surfaces connected to three adjacent ring surfaces. The varying diameters of the three rings allow cylindrical containers of various sizes to be mated with the cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,258 granted on Apr. 17, 1990 to Boyd entitled “Snap-On Lid For Opened Soft Drink” shows a similar arrangement. The Boyd patent discloses depending cylindrical wall portions of succeedingly larger diameter that allows the cover to be mated with cans of different sizes. Each of the depending cylindrical walls has a continuous small bead defining the lowermost margin to achieve the seal.

Both of these approaches have the lid snap onto the can. This approach is problematic because the lids are made of a thin plastic membrane. Each use of the lid wears down the plastic and stretches the lid out of shape making further application difficult. As the lids are pulled off of the cans and applied to new cans, the user will stretch the plastic lid, and deforming the shape over time. A better approach would be to have a sturdier lid snap onto the can so as to avoid deforming the lid.

Another problem with the prior art dealing with lids for aluminum cans is that they tend to employ a hinged closure member that flips up to open the cover. Examples of patents which employ a flip top lid include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,873; Des. 308,169; 5,088,614; 5,110,002; 5, 176,278; 5,203,467; 5,240,132 and 5,984,127. The idea is that the user will flip up the closure member when the user desires to take drink. This creates at least four problems for the user. First, the user will have an awkward feeling when the closure member rubs against the user's nose or upper lip whenever the user takes a drink. Second, the effort to flip the closure member up may become so awkward or time-consuming as to offset the benefit of the cover. The effort to flip up the closure member typically requires the user to conspicuously use both hands. This could be dangerous when driving. Third, developing a hinge for the closure member that will not break will add another cost that will be passed on to the consumer. Fourth, these prior art arrangements often either do not tightly seal the can to prevent decarbonation or spilling, or seal the can so tightly that the force required to open the closure member jars the contents causing them to spill.

U.S. Design Patent No. 315,872 granted on Apr. 2, 1991 to Bixler on a “Closure for a Beverage Can” discloses a cap that slides left to right over the opening, instead of employing the traditional flip top closure member. However, Bixler relies on a cylindrical flange to hold the cap over the beverage can's opening. To slide the cap requires the user to lift the cap over the cylindrical flange, which, in turn, requires that the strap be bent up and down. The bending of the strap will increase wear and tear on the strap and will lead to the eventual breakage of the strap. Also, this arrangement requires the use of two hands—one to hold the can and the other to lift the cap.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A primary object of this invention is to provide a cover for a beverage can that eliminates spilling, and protects an open can from foreign objects, such as insects, dirt, or cigarette butts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover for a beverage can which maintains the carbonation in a beverage.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cover that is adaptable for differently sized cans.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover for a beverage can that is easy to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover for a beverage can that is reusable and dishwasher safe. Still another object of this invention is to provide, for use with a beverage can, a cover that can be manipulated between an opened and closed position with one hand.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reusable cover for beverage cans that can be used by people at parks, sporting events, at home or while driving.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a cover for soda and beer cans that attaches to the can using a tab assembly. To accommodate cans of a plurality of sizes, the cover is provided with a plurality of tabs surrounding the radius of the cover which will mate with the upper lip of the beverage can. Larger cans will mate with the lower tab, and smaller cans will mate with the upper tab. The top portion of the cover has an opening that matches the opening on the beverage can. A pivoting plastic occluder on the top of the lid can be moved using one hand between a first position in which it seals the opening of the cover thus sealing the opened beverage can and a second position in which the can is not sealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view showing the lid of the present invention. [0020]
FIG. 2 is a top view showing the occluder of the present invention. [0021]
FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the lid of the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lid. [0023]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid attached to a can having a rim of a first diameter. [0024]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid attached to a can having a rim of a second diameter.[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a [0026] lid 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 1 includes a central member 2 integrally formed with and surrounded by a flange 3. The central member 2 is of a generally planar, circular shape and has an opening 4 which generally corresponds to the size and shape of the opening in a beverage can. The opening 4 is positioned on the central member 2 so that it can be aligned with the opening in the beverage can when the lid 1 is in use. The central member 2 and flange 3 are preferably made of a durable elastomeric material. Integrated with the flange 3 is a rounded protrusion 45, which projects outward from the circumference of the flange 3. The user provides upward force to the underside of the rounded protrusion 45 to push the lid 1 off of the beverage can.
FIGS. 1 and 4 best show the manner in which the [0027] flange 3 is constructed. The outer wall 5 of the flange 3 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The upper portion 6 of the inner wall of the flanges between the top 7 of the flange 3 and the top surface 8 of the central member 2 tapers downwardly and inwardly. Since the top surface 8 is recessed from the top 7 of the flange 3, small quantities of liquid or foam can be contained within the area defined by upper portion 6. The tapering of portion 6 also makes it easier to consume the contents of the can without liquid spilling down the chin of the user.
The [0028] flange 3 includes a lower portion 10. The inner wall of portion 10 between the bottom 12 of the flange 3 and the bottom surface 14 of the central member 2 also has significant structural elements. Specifically, this section of the inner wall is stepped to provide two radial tabs 16 and 18. The inside diameter of the flange 3 in the area of tab 18 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the flange 3 in the area of tab 16. As will be explained in greater detail below, the tab 18 is used to capture the rim of beverage cans having a slightly larger diameter and tab 16 is used to capture the rim of beverage cans having a slightly smaller diameter.
The [0029] lid 1 of the present invention also includes an occluder 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the occluder 20 is integrally formed and includes a closure member 22 and a lever 24. The occluder 20 is pivotally secured to the center of the central member 2. This can be achieved using a bolt that passes through aligned holes in the occluder 20 and central member 2 and a nut. Alternatively, the occluder 20 can include an integrally formed axle that can be snapped into a small hole in the central member 2 to pivotally secure the occluder 20 to the central member 2. In either case, the occluder 20 can be pivoted about the pivot axis defined by the bolt or axle between a first position in which the closure member 22 covers the opening 4 and a second position in which the opening 4 is exposed. To prevent the occluder 20 from swinging 180 degrees the top of the lid 2 has an integrated stop 33 which limits the occluder's 20 ability to pivot beyond the second position where the opening is exposed. When the lever 24 is pushed clockwise to the second position, the side edges 26 of the occluder 20 intersect the stop 33. The occluder 20 cannot be pushed beyond the stop 33, because the stop 33 blocks further rotation. This ensures that the opening 4 will not be obstructed by the lever 24 of the occluder 20.
The shape of the [0030] occluder 20 is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The closure member 22 tapers out from the lever 24 to side edges 26. The side edges 26 are connected by an arcuate end edge 28. As described above, to join the occluder 20 to the central member 2, an axle 30 is inserted into a pivot hole 32 in the central member 2. The end of the axle may have a flared out section 31 which cooperates with the bottom of the central member 2 to pivotally secure the occluder 20 to the central member 2. When secured in this fashion, the occluder 20 may not be pulled off of the lid 1, but is free to pivot from side to side. The shape and configuration of the occluder 20 allows the user to apply sideways pressure to the lever 24 to rotate the occluder 20 on axis defined by axle 30 without intersecting with the sidewall flange 2. Also, the arcuate end edge 28 of the closure member 22 is curved so as not to abut or intersect with the sidewall flange 3.
The [0031] closure member 22 is larger then the opening 4 on the lid from which the beverage is poured. When users wish to protect their beverages they can use their thumb or index finger to push on the lever 24, to pivot the occluder 20 so that the closure member 22 is aligned with and covers the opening 4, thus sealing in the contents of the beverage can. When the closure member 22 is covering the opening 4, no foreign object can enter the opened beverage can that is attached to the lid 1. Likewise, the contents of the beverage can (whether liquid or gas) cannot escape.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the [0032] lid 1 attached to a soda can 40. Beverage cans typically taper inwards at the top 42, and have a rim 44 with a smaller radius then the can itself. The rim 44 of the beverage can 40 is thin and narrow. The rim 44 defines the top 42 of the beverage can 40. The radius of the rim 44 of the beverage can 40 may vary. For instance, the radius of a beer can's rim will be larger then the radius of a soda can's rim. When the lid 1 is applied to the soda can, the rim 44 of the soda can is captured by the tab 16 on the lid 1 to secure the lid 1 to the can. The diameter of the tab 18 is simply too large to fully engage the rim 34 of the soda can, but the diameter of tab 18 permits a tight, secure fit. The user then can twist the lid 1 so that the opening 4 of the lid 1 is aligned with the opening of the beverage can.
FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the [0033] lid 1 attached to a beer can. Here, the rim 44 of the beer can has a larger radius then the rim 44 of the soda can in FIG. 5. When the lid 1 is applied to a beer can, the rim 44 of the can is received and held by the lower radial tab 18. Because the radius of the rim 44 of the beer can corresponds to the radius of the lower radial tab 18, a tight, secure fit is provided. The rim 44 never reaches the upper radial tab 16. Again, the lid 1 is twisted so that the lid's opening 4 is aligned with the opening of the beverage can.
From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will recognize that a radial tab of the [0034] lid 1 cooperates with the rim 44 to provide a tight, friction fit. It is not necessary to deform the shape of the lid to secure it to the can. In that this tight, friction fit exists along the entire circumference of the rim 44 of the can, the contents of the can will not leak between the rim 44 and the lid 1.
When the [0035] lid 1 is secured to the can, a user may easily pivot the occluder 20 with the thumb between a first position covering the opening 4 and a second position wherein the opening 4 is exposed. This is easily done with one hand because there is no need to lift the occluder 20 to move it between the opened and closed positions. The tolerances associated with the occluder 20, central member 2, opening 4 and flange 3 are such that when the closure member is positioned over the opening 4, the contents of the can cannot escape through the opening 4. Likewise, the tolerances prevent fluid from leaking through the pivot hole 32 in the central member 2 that receives either a bolt or the axle 30 to secure the occluder 20 to the central member 2.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment is provided to meet the disclosure requirements of the patent laws. It is not intended to be limiting. The scope of the invention is defined exclusively by the following claims.[0036]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A lid for use with beverage cans having a different sized rims, said lid comprising:

a central member having a substantially planar circular shape, and an opening through the central member, through which liquid from the beverage can may be poured;

an occluder which is pivotally secured to said central member and movable between a first position in which said occluder covers the opening through the central member and a second position in which said opening through is exposed;

a flange integrally formed with said central member and having a pair of radial tabs for securing said cover to a beverage can, wherein the first tab is sized to couple the lid to a beverage can having a rim of a first diameter and the second tab is sized to couple the lid to a beverage can having a rim of a second diameter.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the occluder has a lever and a closure member.

3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the closure member has a pair of side edges joined by an arcuate end edge.

4. The lid of claim 1 where the top surface of the lid is recessed from the top of the flange.

5. The lid of claim 1 where the opening for pouring liquid is oblong in shape.

6. The lid of claim 1 wherein said central member has a pivot hole and the occluder has an axle that mates with the pivot hole to pivotally secure the occluder to the central member.

7. The lid in claim 1 where in said occluder's rotation is blocked by a stop integrated with the top of the central member.