US20100224628A1

US20100224628A1 - Beverage can assembly

Info

Publication number: US20100224628A1
Application number: US12/535,807
Authority: US
Inventors: Dermot Brake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-04
Filing date: 2009-08-05
Publication date: 2010-09-09
Also published as: CA2686365A1

Abstract

A beverage can assembly, for precluding contamination of a beverage contained there within on opening of the beverage can assembly and during distribution of the beverage from the beverage can assembly, includes a beverage can, a tab and a spout. The beverage can is adapted to store the beverage there within. The beverage can includes an opening configured on a top cover portion thereof. The tab is disposed on the top cover portion of the beverage can. The tab, in a closed position thereof, is adapted to cover the opening. The spout is removably coupled to an underside portion of the tab. The spout is adapted to be positioned within the beverage can, in the closed position of the tab. Further, the spout is adapted to be moved out of the opening for distribution of the beverage, in the open position of the tab.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/157,321 filed on Mar. 4, 2009 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to beverage cans for storing and distribution of beverages, and, more particularly, to a beverage can assembly adapted to preclude contamination of a beverage contained there within on opening of the beverage can assembly and during distribution of the beverage from the beverage can assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage cans are used to store and distribute beverages such as juices, colas, tonic liquids, sodas, alcoholic beverages, and the like. A beverage can is configured to contain the beverage therewithin in an airtight condition. The beverage can is widely used for storing and distributing the beverage because of its light weight and affordable cost. Mostly, the beverage can includes a pull tab disposed on a top end portion thereof for opening of the beverage can. The pull tab also adapted to facilitate distribution of the beverage contained within the beverage can. Although, the beverage can is useful for storing and distributing various beverages, such beverage can has numerous limitations.
For example, on opening the beverage can, the pull tab has a tendency to drop into the beverage contained inside the beverage can. Accordingly, any toxic or contaminating product that has settled on the pull tab may contaminate the beverage contained inside the beverage can. Further, while pouring out or distributing the beverage out of the beverage can, the beverage may touch an outer edge or a top end portion of the beverage can. Accordingly, any toxic or contaminating product that has settled on the outer edge or on the top end portion of the beverage can may contaminate the beverage. Accordingly, such toxic and contaminated beverage may create health problems to a drinker. Further, the beverage can does not facilitate ingestion of the beverage directly therefrom, because the direct ingestion of the beverage from the can may lead to spillage of the beverage.
Accordingly, based on the foregoing, there exists a need for a beverage can assembly that is capable of precluding contamination of a beverage contained there within on opening of the beverage can assembly and during distribution of the beverage from the beverage can assembly. Furthermore, there is a need for a beverage can assembly that is capable of facilitating ingestion of a beverage directly therefrom without any spillage of the beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly that is configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly that is capable of precluding contamination of a beverage contained there within on opening of the beverage can assembly and during distribution of the beverage from the beverage can assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly that is capable of facilitating ingestion of a beverage directly therefrom without any spillage of the beverage.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly that is capable of reducing amount of waste generated during consumption of a beverage.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage can assembly that is simple in construction and easy to use.
In light of the above objects, a beverage can assembly is disclosed. The beverage can assembly includes a beverage can, a tab and a spout. The beverage can is adapted to store a beverage there within. The beverage can includes a top cover portion and an opening configured on the top cover portion. The tab is disposed on the top cover portion of the beverage can. The tab is adapted to assume a closed position and an open position. The tab, in the closed position, is adapted to cover the opening configured on the top cover portion of the beverage can. The spout is removably coupled to an underside portion of the tab. The spout is adapted to be positioned within the beverage can, in the closed position of the tab. Further, the spout is adapted to be moved out of the opening for dispensing of the beverage, in the open position of the tab.
This aspect together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a beverage can assembly for depicting a closed position of a tab of the beverage can assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the beverage can assembly for depicting a lifted position of a ring member of the tab, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the beverage can assembly for depicting a partial open position of the tab, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the beverage can assembly for depicting a completely moved out position of the spout, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein in detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular beverage can assembly, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, perspective views of a beverage can assembly 100 are illustrated. The beverage can assembly 100 includes a beverage can 102, a tab 104 and a spout 106 (shown in FIG. 4).
The beverage can 102 is adapted to store the beverage therein. The beverage may be one of a juice, a cola, a tonic liquid, soda, beer, and the like. The beverage can 102 includes a body portion 108, a bottom cover portion 110 and a top cover portion 112. The body portion 108 is configured to have an elongated hollow cylindrical structure. However, the body portion 108 is not limited to any particular structure thereof. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the present invention, the body portion 108 may be configured to have other structures, such as an elongated hollow rectangular structure and the like.
The body portion 108 includes a top end portion 114 and a bottom end portion 116. The bottom end portion 116 of the body portion 108 is covered by the bottom cover portion 110. Similarly, the top end portion 114 of the body portion 108 is covered by the top cover portion 112. The top cover portion 112 includes an opening 118 (shown in FIG. 4) configured thereon. Further, the bottom cover portion 110 and the top cover portion 112 may be fixed or attached on the body portion 108 by various means and mechanisms known in the art, which includes but not limited to welding, forming, and the like. Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present invention, the beverage can 102 may be constructed as a single piece structure by various means and mechanisms known in the art, such as welding, forming, casting and the like. Furthermore, the body portion 108, the bottom cover portion 110 and the top cover portion 112 are configured to define a hollow space there between for containing the beverage there within.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the beverage can 102 may be composed of an aluminum material. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the present invention, the beverage can 102 may also be composed of various other materials, such as a plastic material, a tin material and the like, known in the art, based on the user requirement.
Further, the tab 104 is disposed on the top cover portion 112 of the beverage can 102. The tab 104 is adapted to assume a closed position and an open position. The tab 104 includes a seal member 120 and a ring member 122 disposed on the seal member 120. The seal member 120 is disposed on the top cover portion 112 in a way such that the seal member 120 is adapted to cover the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112. The seal member 120 is adapted to cover the opening 118 by various means and mechanisms known in the art, such as soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding and the like, so that the seal member 120 may be easily removed by a user (not shown) by pulling the ring member 122 without significant force. However, the seal provided by the seal member 120 is strong enough to prevent accidental breaking thereof.
Furthermore, the seal member 120 is adapted to seal the opening 118 airtight. The seal member 120 includes a first end portion 124 (shown in FIG. 1) and a second end portion 126 (shown in FIG. 1). The ring member 122 is disposed on the seal member 120. More specifically, the ring member 122 is disposed on the first end portion 124 of the seal member 120. More specifically, a proximal end portion 128 (shown in FIG. 2) of the ring member 122 is disposed on the first end portion 124 of the seal member 120. Further, a distal end portion 130 (shown in FIG. 2) of the ring member 122 may be adapted to be utilized by a user to configure the open position of the tab 104. Further, the ring member 122 is disposed on the first end portion 124 of the seal member 120 in a way such that coupling between the ring member 122 and the seal member 120 is relatively stronger than the sealing force provided by the seal member 120 for covering the opening 118. Further, the tab 104 is adapted to assume the open position by means of the ring member 122.
Further, the spout 106 is adapted to removably couple to an underside portion (not shown) of the seal member 120 of the tab 104. The spout 106 may be adapted to have accordion-like construction that is normally biased to assume an expanded position thereof. In the expanded position, the spout 106 includes an upper end portion 132 and a lower end portion 134. The upper end portion 132 of the spout 106 is removably coupled to an underside portion of the seal member 120. The upper end portion 132 of the spout 106 may be removably coupled to the underside portion of the tab 104 by various removable attachment means and mechanisms, such as an adhesive, a string and the like, that may enable the user to easily disconnect the spout 106 from the tab 104 without considerable force. Further, the removable coupling of the upper end portion 132 of the spout 106 to the underside portion of the tab 104 is strong enough to sustain the weight of the spout 106 in the closed position of the tab 104. Furthermore, the removable coupling of the upper end portion 132 of the spout 106 to the underside portion of the tab 104 is also strong enough to prevent accidental breaking thereof. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end portion 134 of the spout 106 may be coupled to an underside portion (not shown) of the top cover portion 112 that is adjacent to the opening 118 formed on the top cover portion 112.
Further, the spout 106 is adapted to be positioned within the beverage can 102 in the closed position of the tab 104. The spout 106 is adapted to be moved out of the opening 118 of the beverage can 102 for distribution of the beverage, in the open position of the tab 104. In one embodiment of the present invention, the spout 106 may be composed of a plastic material. Alternatively, the spout 106 may also be composed of various other materials known in the art based on the user requirement.
Further, the sequential steps for configuring the open position of the beverage can assembly 100, particularly the tab 104, from the closed position thereof is shown in a progressive manner in FIGS. 1 to 4, and will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
Now referring to FIG. 1, a closed position of the beverage can assembly 100 is illustrated. The beverage can assembly 100 is adapted to assume the closed position after the beverage has been filled in the beverage can 102. Specifically, in the closed position, the seal member 120 of the tab 104 is adapted to cover the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112. Further, in the closed position, the tab 104 is adapted to seal the opening 118 airtight. Accordingly, the beverage can assembly 100 is adapted to be carried by the user without any spillage of the beverage contained there within.
Referring now to FIG. 2, an upward lifted position of the ring member 122 of the tab 104 is illustrated. The user may lift the ring member 122 of the tab 104 upwardly for initiating the opening 118 of the beverage can assembly 100. Specifically, the ring member 122 may be lifted upwardly by the user from the distal end portion 130 of the ring member 122. Further, after the ring member 122 is adequately lifted up, the user needs to pull the ring member 122 outwardly in a direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, for breaking the seal formed by the seal member 120.
Now referring to FIG. 3, a partial open position of the seal member 120 of the tab 104 is illustrated. Accordingly, as the user pulls the ring member 122 in a direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the seal member 120 also gets pulled along with the ring member 122. Further, due to pulling of the seal member 120 away from the top cover portion 112, the seal formed by the seal member 120 starts breaking. Furthermore, as the seal starts breaking, the seal member 120 moves away from the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112. Accordingly, the present invention precludes contamination of the beverage contained within the beverage can 102 by precluding interaction of the seal member 120 with the beverage contained within the beverage can 102. Moreover, as the upper end portion 132 of the spout 106 is attached to the underside portion of the seal member 120, the spout 106 also tends to move away from the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a complete open position of the tab 104 and the spout 106 are illustrated. Specifically, the seal member 120 and the spout 106 are completely moved out of the opening 118, due to complete breaking of the seal formed by the seal member 120. Further, as the spout 106 is of accordion-like construction that is normally biased to assume an expanded position thereof, the spout 106 may pop out of the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112. Further, the removable attachment of the spout 106 with the tab 104 may be removed by various means and mechanism such as, hands, scissors, and the like.
In the complete moved out position, the spout 106 enables the user to consume the beverage from the beverage can assembly 100. Accordingly, in the complete moved out position of the spout 106, the user may ingest the beverage directly from the beverage can 102 by means of the spout 106. Further, as the lower end portion 134 of the spout 106 substantially covers the opening 118 configured on the top cover portion 112, the beverage is distributed through the spout 106. Accordingly, there is no possibility of spillage of the beverage on the top cover portion 112 of the beverage can 102. Moreover, as the seal member 120 of the tab 104 does not fall inside the beverage contained within the beverage can 102, the beverage can assembly 100 of the present invention precludes the contamination the beverage with any toxic or contaminating product that has settled on the seal member 120 of the tab 104. Accordingly, the beverage can assembly 100 is capable of facilitating ingestion of the beverage directly therefrom without any contamination and spillage of the beverage.
Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tab 104 of the present invention may be torn off from the top cover portion 112 after the spout 106 takes the complete moved out position. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the tab 104 may be hingedly disposed on the top cover portion 112 by various hinge mechanisms known in the art, for allowing the tab 104 to be reused for covering the opening 118 of the beverage can 102. Further, the beverage can assembly 100 may be constructed in various sizes and shapes as per the requirement of the user.
Various embodiments of the present invention offer the following advantages. The beverage can assembly, such as the beverage can assembly 100, as described herein, is capable of precluding contamination of a beverage contained there within on opening of the beverage can assembly and during distribution of the beverage from the beverage can assembly. Further, the beverage can assembly is capable of facilitating ingestion of a beverage directly therefrom without any contamination and spillage of the beverage. Furthermore, the beverage can assembly of the present invention avoids use of a straw or a glass for ingestion of the beverage therefrom, accordingly the beverage can of the present invention is capable of reducing amount of waste generated during consumption of the beverage. Moreover, the beverage can assembly is simple in construction and easy to use.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A beverage can assembly comprising:

a beverage can for storing a beverage therewithin, the beverage can comprising a top cover portion and an opening configured on the top cover portion;

a tab disposed on the top cover portion of the beverage can, the tab adapted to assume a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the tab is adapted to cover the opening configured on the top cover portion; and

a spout removably coupled to an underside portion of the tab,

wherein the spout is adapted to be positioned within the beverage can in the closed position of the tab, and,

wherein the spout is adapted to be moved out of the opening for distribution of the beverage in the open position of the tab.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout is adapted to have accordion-like construction biased to assume an expanded position of the spout.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tab comprises a seal member and a ring member disposed on the seal member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout is composed of a plastic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beverage can is composed of an aluminum material.