US20060016820A1

US20060016820A1 - Drink can lid

Info

Publication number: US20060016820A1
Application number: US11/167,300
Authority: US
Inventors: Wanda Himes; Jimmy Himes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2005-06-28
Publication date: 2006-01-26

Abstract

A drink can lid includes a circular platform defining a periphery. The platform has an interior surface. A peripheral wall extends from the periphery of the platform. A plurality of ridges can be formed on the interior surface of the platform. The drink can lid can have a predetermined color. The platform and the peripheral wall can include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user. A flip-top tab can be defined in the platform. The tab can be at least partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the lid. The drink can lid can also include a flanged lip extending from an end of the peripheral wall. A plurality of dimples can extend from a surface of the peripheral wall proximate the flanged lip. A plurality of drink can lids and a plurality of label sheets can form a kit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,360, filed Jul. 23, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to beverage container accessories, and more particularly to a drink can lid that can be placed over an open soda pop can to keep the contents fresh and that can also be used as a coaster.
2. Description of the Related Art
Carbonated beverages such as soda and beer are conventionally stored in flip-top cans. A flip-top can includes a tab affixed to its top that may be punctured to dispense the beverage stored therein. Once the tab has been punctured, however, it cannot be resealed. Thus, once a can has been opened, it is easy for insects and other undesirable substances to enter the can, and also for the carbon dioxide to evaporate, leaving the beverage flat, especially when the can is left outdoors.
Beverage cans may potentially pose additional complications to a user. When a can is left indoors, for example, condensed moisture from the can may quickly travel to the tabletop or other item of furniture upon which it is placed and cause significant damage thereto. Additionally, when placed proximate other similar cans, it becomes difficult for an individual to identify the particular can he or she has been drinking from.
While many devices for closing off the top of a beverage can, or for use as coasters, or as both, have been developed, these devices do not provide a drink can lid which can be easily secured to either the top or bottom of the drink can and which serves to distinguish one can from another.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,558, issued Jun. 23, 1992 to John G. Moloney, discloses a combination can cap and coaster. The combination can cap and coaster includes a member having a support surface surrounded by a rim to form a coaster for receiving a can and for sealingly engaging a lip on the can. The rim includes a plurality of grooves which allows the accumulation of moisture from the can into the coaster but restricts fluid flow from the coaster.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,869, issued Sep. 29, 1992 to Murray J. Gould et al., discloses a multi-functional coaster. The coaster has a platform and a flange extending from the periphery of the platform. The flange is configured to allow the coaster to be used as a bottle opener, a sealing lid for a beverage can, and/or a can-opening tab lifter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,182, issued Dec. 28, 1993 to Sidney C. Laybourne, discloses a coaster for use with a beverage can or other container, the coaster being provided with an absorbent member having a seat sized to receive the bottom of the container and a multiplicity of interconnected capillary spaces sized to receive and safely retain any moisture present or dripping from the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,088, issued Sep. 13, 1994 to Joseph Brimo, II, discloses a reusable cap adapted to hermetically seal the top of a standard beverage can to contain the carbonation within the can and to prevent spills. The cap comprises a flat-topped, resilient outer shell, and an elastomeric inner member adapted to mate with the entire recessed top of the can to form a liquid and airtight seal.
Other can covers or coasters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,786, issued Apr. 19, 1966 to Danforth Holley (coaster cup lid); U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,271, issued Aug. 10, 1971 to Danforth Holley (combination disposable cup lid and coaster); U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,211, issued Nov. 28, 1978 to John E. Zerbey (drinking cup and support); U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,063, issued Oct. 4, 1988 to George W. Godfrey (lid with detachable cover); U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,051, issued May 15, 1990 to David H. Herbst (container lid for open-mouthed containers having a peripheral curl about the rim of the container); U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,832, issued Aug. 28, 1990 to Brian J. Tenney et al. (multi-functional space saving container system); U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,579, issued Nov. 24, 1992 to Bihari Lund (detachable lid for a beverage can with a can opening tool); U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,121, issued Dec. 5, 1995 to John R. Silano (plastic lid with pour spout, vent and snap on cap); U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,353, issued Jul. 2, 1996 to Ronald K. Ward et al. (drinking cup device); U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,797, issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Frank Yeh (mug and multipurpose lid combination); U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,558, issued Mar. 3, 1998 to Troy N. Thompson (drink lid with condiment reservoir); U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,551, issued Aug. 21, 2001 to Carol G. Miller, II (flexible cap for various drink containers having an elastic peripheral region); U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,418, issued Jan. 15, 2002 to Mark V. Derose (a protective seal for covering the mouth contact area of a can made from a thin impervious sheet); Japan Patent Application Publication No. JP 56-48967 A, published May 2, 1981; and World Intellectual Property Organization Patent Application Publication WO 02/10025 A1, published Feb. 7, 2002.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a drink can lid solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a drink can lid. The drink can lid includes a circular platform defining a periphery. The platform has an interior surface. A peripheral wall extends from the periphery of the platform. A plurality of ridges can be formed on the interior surface of the platform. The drink can lid can have a predetermined color. The platform and the peripheral wall can include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user. The indicia can be any desired image, such as alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, an icon, or the like. A flip-top tab can be defined in the platform. The tab can be at least partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the lid. The drink can lid can also include a flanged lip extending from an end of the peripheral wall. A plurality of dimples can extend from a surface of the peripheral wall proximate the flanged lip. The drink can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from external debris. The drink can lid can also be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster. A drink can lid kit can include a plurality of drink can lids and a plurality of label sheets. Each drink can lid of the kit has a circular platform defining a periphery, the platform having an interior surface; and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the platform. Each label sheet of the kit has a plurality of labels.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a drink can lid according to the present invention, showing its use as a lid.
FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of a drink can lid according to the present invention being used as a coaster.
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a drink can lid according to the present invention, showing the interior of the lid.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drink can lid according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a drink can lid according to the present invention, showing the interior of the lid.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a drink can lid according to the present invention, showing the interior of the lid.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a drink can lid kit according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a drink can lid. The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show a drink can lid 10 configured to fit on top of a conventional beverage can 22 to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in the can 22 from insects or other undesirable substances, as well as reducing the loss of carbonation from carbonated drinks. The beverage can 22 has a vertical sidewall 24 that extends between a circular top surface 26 and bottom surface 25. The top surface 26 of the can 22 is recessed and surrounded by a rim 28. The top surface 26 further includes a snap opening 30 including a punch key 32. While a conventional beverage can 22 is shown in the drawings, the drink can lid 10 can be used for any type of container with similar dimensions and structural features.
The drink can lid 10 includes a circular platform 12 and a peripheral wall 14 extending from the periphery of the platform 12. The drink can lid 10 is configured to receive the top or bottom of the can 22. Preferably, the peripheral wall 14 is configured to engage the rim 28 or sidewall 24 of the can 22 to removably secure the lid 10 to the can 22. The drink can lid 10 may be made from any suitable material, such as paper, plastic, rubber, metal, combinations thereof. Such material can be configured to be disposable. Alternatively, such material can be configured to be washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans are of a standard size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid 10 can be used on cans containing a variety of different products.
The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink can lid 10 can be provided with a desired color or indicia 16, such as a design, decoration, emblem, picture, photograph, name, logo, mark, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one identical beverage can 22 from another. While the indicia 16 are shown only on an outer surface of the lid 10, the indicia 16 may appear on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in accordance with the desires of the user.
As is shown in FIG. 2, the drink can lid 10 can also be used to receive the bottom 25 of a beverage can 22 and serve as a coaster for protecting a tabletop or other horizontal support surface from rings formed by condensation or by beverage dripping from the open mouth of the can 22. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that an interior surface of the drink can lid 10 can include ridges 20 to minimize accumulation of condensed moisture beneath the drink can lid 10 and thereby prevent adhesion of the lid 10 to the can 22. Preferably, such ridges 20 extend radially from a center of the platform 12.
FIG. 4 depicts another drink can lid 40. As with the drink can lid 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the drink can lid 40 includes a circular platform 12 and a peripheral wall 14 extending from the periphery of the platform 12. The drink can lid 40 is configured to receive the top or bottom of a can. Preferably, the peripheral wall 14 is configured to engage the rim or sidewall of a can to removably secure the lid 40 to the can. The drink can lid 40 may be made from any suitable material, such as paper, plastic, rubber, metal, combinations thereof. Such material can be configured to be disposable. Alternatively, such material can be configured to be washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans are of a standard size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid 40 can be used on cans containing a variety of different products.
The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink can lid 40 can be provided with a desired color or indicia 16, such as an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, an icon, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one identical beverage can from another. While the indicia 16 are shown only on an outer surface of the lid 40, the indicia 16 may appear on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in accordance with the desires of the user.
The drink can lid 40 can also be used to receive the bottom of a beverage can and serve as a coaster for protecting a tabletop or other horizontal support surface from rings formed by condensation or by beverage dripping from the open mouth of the can. An interior surface of the drink can lid 40 can include ridges to minimize accumulation of condensed moisture beneath the drink can lid 40 and thereby prevent adhesion of the lid 40 to the can. Preferably, such ridges extend radially from a center of the platform 12. The drink can lid 40 also includes a flip-top 34 formed by perforations in, or weakened areas of, the lid 40 so that the flip-top can be raised or removed to form an opening in the lid 40. Thus, when the drink can lid 40 is disposed over an open can, such that the flip-top 34 is aligned with the can opening, contents within the can may be dispensed without removing the lid 40.
FIGS. 5 and 6 depict another drink can lid 50. As with the drink can lid 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the drink can lid 50 includes a circular platform 12 and a peripheral wall 14 extending from the periphery of the platform 12. The drink can lid also includes a flanged lip 54 that extends from the away from an end of the peripheral wall 14. A plurality of protruding dimples 52 can be provided that extend from the surface of the peripheral wall 14 near the flanged lip 54. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show three dimples, any number of dimples can be provided. The drink can lid 50 is configured to receive the top or bottom of a can. Preferably, the peripheral wall 14 is configured to engage the rim or sidewall of a can to removably secure the lid 50 to the can. The dimples 54 act to prevent the lid 50 from becoming stuck on the can by enhancing the ability to easily remove the lid 50 from the can. The drink can lid 50 may be made from any suitable material, such as paper, plastic, rubber, metal, combinations thereof. Such material can be configured to be disposable. Alternatively, such material can be configured to be washable and reusable. Since most beverage cans are of a standard size, an appropriately dimensioned drink can lid 50 can be used on cans containing a variety of different products.
The platform 12 and/or the peripheral wall 14 of the drink can lid 50 can be provided with any desired color or indicia 16, such as a design, decoration, emblem, picture, photograph, name, logo, mark, etc., that would assist a user in distinguishing one identical beverage can from another. While the indicia 16 are shown only on an outer surface of the lid 50, the indicia 16 may appear on both inner and outer surfaces. The indicia 16 may also be provided in the form of stickers or the like that can be added in accordance with the desires of the user.
The drink can lid 50 can also be used to receive the bottom of a beverage can and serve as a coaster for protecting a tabletop or other horizontal support surface from rings formed by condensation or by beverage dripping from the open mouth of the can. The flanged lip 54 serves as a mechanism to prevent condensation from a can from dripping on support surfaces.
FIG. 7 shows an arrangement forming a drink can lid kit 100. The kit 100 includes a plurality of drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120. The drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 can each be provided with a different color. The kit also includes a plurality of label sheets 130, 134, 136, 142, 146 and 150. Each sheet 130, 134, 138, 142, 146 and 150 carries a plurality of associated labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152. Any number of labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 can be provided to the sheets 130, 134, 138, 142, 146 and 150. The labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 can be any configured in any type of manner (e.g. self adhesive, cut away, perforated, etc.). The drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 could also be configured with pre-attached labels. Additional items could also be provided for the kit 100, such as magic markers, crayons, etc., to enable a user to mark the drink can lids as desired.
The purpose of the kit 100 is to enable a user to easily purchase a plurality of drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 for future use. By providing plural drink can lids 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 and plural labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 the user could apply certain labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 to certain drink can lids. For example, the labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 could include pictures of mountains, a sunset, a waterfall, etc. A user could select a waterfall picture and place it on a blue or green drink can lid as desired. The user could also select the sunset label and place it on a yellow or brown drink can lid as desired. As previously described, the labels 132, 136, 140, 144, 148 and 152 could also include other indicia, such as an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, an icon, etc.
In summary, the present invention is a drink can lid. The drink can lid includes a circular platform defining a periphery. The platform has an interior surface. A peripheral wall extends from the periphery of the platform. A plurality of ridges can be formed on the interior surface of the platform. The drink can lid can have a predetermined color. The platform and the peripheral wall can include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user. The indicia can be any desired image, such as alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, an icon, or the like. A flip-top tab can be defined in the platform. The tab can be at least partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the lid. The drink can lid can also include a flanged lip extending from an end of the peripheral wall. A plurality of dimples can extend from a surface of the peripheral wall proximate the flanged lip. The drink can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from external debris. The drink can lid can also be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster. A drink can lid kit can include a plurality of drink can lids and a plurality of label sheets. Each drink can lid of the kit has a circular platform defining a periphery, the platform having an interior surface; and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the platform. Each label sheet of the kit has a plurality of labels.
While the invention has been described with references to its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.

Claims

1. A drink can lid comprising:

a circular platform defining a periphery, the platform having an interior surface;

a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of said platform; and

a plurality of ridges formed on the interior surface of said platform.

2. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can lid has a predetermined color.

3. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said platform and said peripheral wall include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user.

4. The drink can lid according to claim 3, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.

5. The drink can lid according to claim 1, further comprising a flip-top tab defined in said platform, the tab being at least partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the lid.

6. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from external debris.

7. The drink can lid according to claim 1, wherein said drink can lid is configured to be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster.

8. A drink can lid comprising:

a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of said platform;

a flanged lip extending from an end of said peripheral wall;

a plurality of dimples extending from a surface of said peripheral wall proximate said flanged lip.

9. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can lid has a predetermined color.

10. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said platform and said peripheral wall include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user.

11. The drink can lid according to claim 10, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.

12. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from external debris.

13. The drink can lid according to claim 8, wherein said drink can lid is configured to be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster.

14. A drink can lid kit comprising:

a plurality of drink can lids, each drink can lid having a circular platform defining a periphery, the platform having an interior surface; and a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of said platform; and

a plurality of label sheets, each label sheet having a plurality of labels.

15. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein each drink can lid has a predetermined color.

16. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein said platform and said peripheral wall of each drink can lid include indicia displayed thereon for associating a particular can with a user.

17. The drink can lid kit according to claim 16, wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of an alphanumeric character, a phrase, a quote, a design, a decoration, an emblem, a picture, a photograph, a name, a logo, a mark, and an icon.

18. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, further comprising a flip-top tab defined in said platform of each drink can lid, the tab being at least partially separable from said platform in order to form an opening in the lid.

19. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, further comprising:

a flanged lip extending from an end of said peripheral wall of each drink can lid; and

a plurality of dimples extending from a surface of said peripheral wall proximate said flanged lip of each drink can lid.

20. The drink can lid kit according to claim 14, wherein each drink can lid is configured to protect any unconsumed beverage remaining in an opened can from external debris, and to be placed beneath a beverage can and serve as a coaster.