BACKGROUND
This disclosure relates generally to a resealable beverage can lid, and more particularly to a resealable beverage can lid having a spout.
Beverage cans for containing liquids such as carbonated beverages have become a universal and ubiquitous product. The beverage can is typically constructed of an aluminum alloy composition that may include aluminum, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and copper. The beverage can consists of a can body into which a liquid is filled and a can lid or end that is sealed to the can body. The can body may include a base or bottom that is dome shaped to resist internal pressure, a generally cylindrical section, a narrowed neck portion, and an open top edge. The can may be closed or covered with the can lid that is about the same circumference as the narrowed neck portion of the can body, a scored line or weakened portion cut into the can lid to form a panel or a tear panel having a hinge, a tab portion that is used to rupture the can lid along the scored line to create an opening, and a rivet that is used to secure the tab to the can lid. The rivet is an integral piece of the can lid and is formed by stretching the center of the can lid upwardly and then drawn to form the rivet. The lid is sealed to the can body by trimming the open top edge of the can body, bending the trimmed edge, and seaming the bent trimmed edge to the lid. In this manner, any liquid contained within the can body is sealed. To open the beverage can the tab is lifted to press against the tear panel to partially push the tear panel into the can body to create the opening in the lid. The panel does not fully detach from the lid due to the hinge portion formed in the lid by ends of the score line. Once opened, liquid from inside the can body may flow through the opening.
One problem associated with the use of the beverage can is that once opened it cannot be closed again. Since the liquid within the beverage can may be carbonated, after a period of time the carbonation escapes and the liquid becomes flat or stale. Once flat, the beverage can and its contents may be discarded which may be wasteful. Also, after opening the beverage can the contents may have to be consumed quickly because the contents cannot be preserved. Further, it is also possible that the contents of the beverage can may spill due to not being able to close the opening. In particular, when an individual is walking with an opened beverage can the individual may trip or fall and the contents of the can may be spilled because the can is open. This may also be problematic if the beverage can is stationary and near electrical equipment such as a computer or a laptop and the can is accidentally knocked over and spilled onto the computer or the laptop. The computer or the laptop can be damaged by the contents of the can spilling onto the computer or the laptop. It is also possible that insects, contaminants, or other unwanted matter may infiltrate the beverage can through the opening. If this occurs, then the beverage can and its contents should be thrown away.
The present disclosure is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings experienced with prior beverage can constructions. Particularly, it would be advantageous to be able to have a resealable beverage can lid for preserving the contents of the beverage can. Moreover, the present disclosure is related to a resealable beverage can lid that can be easily resealed for later use, to prevent spillage, or to prevent contaminants from entering the can once opened.
SUMMARY
In one form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid is disclosed which comprises a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being centered with the center, the spout having an external thread, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.
In another form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid comprises a lid having a rim having a first height, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being centered with the center, the spout having an external thread, the spout having a second height, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid
In still another form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid comprises a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a threaded spout formed therein with the spout being concentric with the center, the top side being straight, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the threaded spout for sealing the lid.
In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the resealable beverage can lid of the present disclosure is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that may be used to reseal an opened beverage can to preserve the contents of the beverage can for later use.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that employs an easy to use closure mechanism that allows an individual to reseal the lid of an opened beverage can.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that does not require any special tools to use the resealable beverage can lid.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid that can be used with any sized beverage can.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that can be constructed using readily available materials and construction techniques and machinery.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid having a closure mechanism that does not add significantly to the cost of manufacturing the beverage can lid.
The present disclosure is also directed to a resealable beverage can lid that can be used to open and close the lid of an opened beverage can several times.
The present disclosure is further directed to a resealable beverage can lid that does not require a tab to open the beverage can.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid that may be stacked or nested with other resealable beverage can lids for storage, transportation, or inventory.
The present disclosure is directed to a resealable beverage can lid that is comfortable to drink from and use.
These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage can having the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane of line 3-3;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane of line 3-3 with a cap removed;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure connected to a can;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure connected to a beverage can;
FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage can having the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 7 taken along the plane of line 9-9;
FIG. 10 is another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 is another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure; and
FIG. 12 is another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure. Referring now to FIG. 1, the resealable beverage can lid 10 is shown to comprise a lid or an end 12 having a top side 14 having a spout 16 formed therein and a removable cap 18 is secured to the spout 16. The lid 12 has a circumferential edge or flange 20 that is used to be mated to a can (not shown), as will be explained in detail further herein. The top side 14 has a slanted or sloping surface 22 that slants downward from a first or high side 24 to a second or low side 26. The spout 16 is positioned along the low side 26 and is off centered or offset from a center 28 of the lid 12.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lid 12 of the resealable beverage can lid 10. The lid 12 has a bottom side 30 having the spout 16 formed therein. The spout 16 has an opening 32 through which the removable cap 18 is visible. The lid 12 is also shown having the flange 20, the sloping surface 22, the high side 24, and the low side 26. The spout 16 is shown being off centered and near the flange 20.
With reference now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid 10 is depicted. The lid 12 has the top side 14 and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 secured to the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has a rim 34 and the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 are positioned below the rim 34. With the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 being positioned below the rim 34 the lid 12 is suitable for nesting with other lids 12. This insures that the lid 12 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid 10 with the cap 18 being removed to illustrate the spout 16 in more detail. The lid 12 has the top side 14, the flange 20, and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 (not shown) removed from the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The spout 16 has a cylindrical side wall 36 having an interior surface 38 and an exterior surface 40. The exterior surface 40 has a thread 42 formed therein. The thread 42 is used to secure the removable cap 18 to the spout 16. Although a single thread 42 is shown it should be appreciated that several threads may be formed in the spout 16. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has the rim 34 with the spout 16 being positioned below the rim 34.
With particular reference now to FIG. 5, the lid 12 is shown being secured to a cylindrical can body 44, such as a beverage can. The can body 44 has a neck portion 46 that is used to mate the flange 20 of the lid 12 to the neck portion 46. The can body 44 has an interior 48 in which a liquid 50, such as a carbonated beverage, is filled. As can be appreciated, the lid 12 is used to seal or cap the neck portion 46 of the can body 44 once the liquid 50 has been filled into the interior 48 of the can body 44. The lid 12 has the top side 14 and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 secured to the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has a rim 34 and the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 are positioned below the rim 34. The cap 18 comprises a top 52 and a circumferential side or skirt 54. The skirt 54 has an interior surface 56. Although not shown in detail in this view, the interior surface 56 has a thread that is capable of mating with the thread 42 (FIG. 4). In this manner, the cap 18 may be removed from the spout 16 to gain access to the liquid 50 within the interior 48 through the opening 32 in the spout 16. If the lid 12 needs to be resealed then the cap 18 is screwed back onto the spout 16. Further, with the sloping surface 22 and the spout 16 being off center it is easier to drink the liquid 50 from the interior 48 of the can body 44. It should also be noted that the top side 14 to the rim 34 has a depth or height, the spout 16 has a depth or height, and the cap 18 has a depth or height. The height of the top side 14 to the rim 34 is greater than the height of the spout 16 or the height of the cap 18 or both of the heights of the spout 16 and the cap 18 when the cap 18 is secured to the spout 16. In essence, as has been discussed, the spout 16 and the cap 18 are below the rim 34 in order for the lid 10 to be stacked or nested together.
The operation of the resealable beverage can lid 10 may be as follows. The can body 44 is filled with the liquid 50 and the lid 12 is sealed to the can body 44 and the product is then made available for purchase to an individual or consumer. Once purchased and the individual wants to use the product the individual will remove the cap 18 from the spout 16. This allows the liquid 50 in the interior 48 of the can body 44 to flow out of the opening 32 in the spout 16. The opening 32 allows the individual to drink the liquid 50 from the can body 44. When the individual wants to close or reseal the opening 32 the individual may screw the cap 18 back onto the spout 16. The beverage can 44 may be held, stored, or refrigerated without concern that the liquid 50 will spill out of the beverage can 44 or that the liquid 50 will become stale or that the liquid 50 will be contaminated. When the individual desires to again drink from the beverage can 44 the individual removes the cap 18 to again gain access to the opening 32. As is known, once the liquid 50 from the beverage can 44 has been consumed, the beverage can 44 may be recycled.
FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 100 constructed according to the present disclosure. The resealable beverage can lid 100 is shown to comprise a lid 102 connected to a can body 104, such as a beverage can, by use of a flange 106. The can body 104 has a neck portion 108 that is used to mate the flange 106 of the lid 102 to the neck portion 108. The can body 104 has an interior 110 in which a liquid 112, such as a carbonated beverage, is filled. As can be appreciated, the lid 102 is used to seal or cap the neck portion 108 of the can body 104 once the liquid 112 has been filled into the interior 110 of the can body 104. The lid 102 has a top side 114 and a bottom side 116. A spout 118 is formed in the lid 102 and has an opening 120. The spout 118 has a cylindrical side wall 122 having an interior surface 124 and an exterior surface 126. The exterior surface 126 has a thread or threads 128 formed therein. A removable cap 130 comprises a top 132 and a circumferential side or skirt 134. The skirt 134 has an interior surface 136 having a thread or threads 138 that is capable of mating with the thread 128 to secure or mate the cap 130 to the spout 118. In this manner, the cap 130 may be removed from the spout 118 to gain access to the liquid 112 within the can body 104. The cap 130 may be resealed to the spout 118 by use of the threads 128 and 138. The lid 102 also has a rim 140. One difference between the lid 12 and the lid 102 is that the lid 102 does not slope. Instead, the lid 102 has a circumferential indentation 142 that ensures that the spout 118 and the cap 130 are below the rim 140. With the spout 118 and the removable cap 130 being positioned below the rim 140 the lid 102 is suitable for nesting with other similar lids 102. Also, the spout 118 is off center.
As should be appreciated, the top side 114 to the rim 140 has a depth or height, the spout 118 has a depth or height, and the removable cap 130 has a depth or height. The height of the top side 114 to the rim 140 is greater than the height of the spout 118 or the height of the cap 130 or both of the heights of the spout 118 and the cap 130 when the cap 130 is secured to the spout 118. The spout 118 and the cap 130 are below the rim 140 in order for the lids 102 to be stacked or nested together. Further, having the spout 118 off center allows an individual to easily drink the liquid 112 from the interior 110 of the can body 104.
With particular reference now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 200 constructed according to the present disclosure is shown. The resealable beverage can lid 200 comprises a lid or an end 202 having a top side 204 having a spout 206 formed therein and a removable cap 208 is secured to the spout 206. The lid 202 has a circumferential edge or flange 210 that is used to be mated to a can (not shown), as has already been detailed. The lid 202 has a center 212 and the spout 206 is centered with the center 212.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lid 202 of the resealable beverage can lid 200. The lid 202 has a bottom side 214 having the spout 206 formed therein and centered with the center 212. The spout 206 has an opening 216 through which the removable cap 208 is visible. The lid 202 is also shown having the flange 210.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid 200 is depicted. The lid 202 has the top side 204 and the bottom side 214. The spout 206 is shown having the removable cap 208 secured to the spout 206. Although not shown in detail, the cap 208 may be a threaded closure such as an ROPP (roll over pilfer proof) closure. As can be appreciated, the spout 206 may be formed having a thread or threads and the cap 208 may be placed over the threaded spout 206 with complementary threads being formed in the cap 208 by processing the cap 208. The opening 216 of the spout 206 is also shown and once the cap 208 is removed any liquid (not shown) within a can (not shown) may flow through the opening 216. The spout 206 is further shown being centered on the center 212. The lid 202 also has a rim 218 and the spout 206 and the removable cap 208 are positioned below the rim 218. With the spout 206 and the removable cap 208 being positioned below the rim 218 the lid 202 is suitable for nesting with other lids 202. This insures that the lid 202 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly. The top side 204 and the bottom side 214 are also shown being level or straight 220 and there is no need to slope the lid 202 or extend the lid 202 into a can (not shown). The lid 202 is also shown having the circumferential edge or flange 210.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 250 constructed according to the present disclosure. The resealable beverage can lid 250 comprises a lid 252 having a top side 254 and a bottom side 256. A spout 258 is shown extending up from the top side 254 and having a removable cap 260 secured to the spout 258. The spout 258 may be threaded. Again, although not shown in detail, the cap 260 may be a threaded closure such as an ROPP (roll over pilfer proof) closure. The spout 258 has an opening 262 formed therein. The spout 258 is further shown being centered on a center 264 of the lid 252. The lid 252 also has a rim 266 and the spout 258 and the removable cap 260 are positioned above the rim 266. With the spout 258 and the removable cap 260 being positioned just above the rim 266 the lid 252 is still suitable for nesting with other lids 252. This insures that the lid 252 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly. The top side 254 and the bottom side 256 are also shown being level or straight 268 and there is no need to slope the lid 252 or extend the lid 252 into a can (not shown). A difference between the lid 202 and the lid 252 being that the spout 258 and the cap 260 are positioned above or slightly above the rim 266. It is also contemplated and possible that the cap 260 may be equal to the height of the rim 266.
With particular reference now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 300 is illustrated. The resealable beverage can lid 300 comprises a lid 302 having a top side 304 and a bottom side 306. A spout 308 is shown extending up from the top side 304 and having a removable cap 310 secured to the spout 308. Although not shown in any detail, the spout 308 may be threaded. Further, the cap 310 may be a threaded closure such as an ROPP (roll over pilfer proof) closure. The spout 308 has an opening 312 formed therein. The spout 308 is further shown being off centered from a center 314 of the lid 302. The lid 302 also has a rim 316 and the spout 308 and the removable cap 310 are positioned below the rim 316. With the spout 308 and the removable cap 310 being positioned below the rim 316 the lid 302 is suitable for nesting with other lids 302. This insures that the lid 302 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly. The top side 304 and the bottom side 306 are also shown being level or straight 318 and there is no need to slope the lid 302 or extend the lid 302 into a can (not shown). A difference between the lid 202 and the lid 302 being that the spout 308 is off centered from the center 314. This may provide a more comfortable drinking position for an individual using the lid 302.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 350 constructed according to the present disclosure. The resealable beverage can lid 350 comprises a lid 352 having a top side 354 and a bottom side 356. A spout 358 is shown extending up from the top side 354 and having a removable cap 360 secured to the spout 358. The spout 358 may be threaded. Again, although not shown in detail, the cap 360 may be a threaded closure such as an ROPP (roll over pilfer proof) closure. The spout 358 has an opening 362 formed therein. The spout 358 is further shown being off centered from a center 364 of the lid 352. The lid 352 also has a rim 366 and the spout 358 and the removable cap 360 are positioned above the rim 366. With the spout 358 and the removable cap 360 being positioned just above the rim 366 the lid 352 is still suitable for nesting with other lids 352. This insures that the lid 352 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly. The top side 354 and the bottom side 356 are also shown being level or straight 368 and there is no need to slope the lid 352 or extend the lid 352 into a can (not shown). Two differences between the lid 202 and the lid 352 are that the spout 358 and the cap 360 are positioned above or slightly above the rim 366 and the spout 358 is off centered. Again, this may provide a more comfortable drinking position for an individual using the lid 352. It is further contemplated and possible that the cap 360 may be equal to the height of the rim 366.
Preferably, the resealable beverage can lids 10, 100, 200, 250, 300, and 350 will be constructed of a relatively lightweight material so that it can be easily used and manufactured. By way of example only, the resealable beverage can lids 10, 100, 200, 250, 300, and 350 may be constructed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
Although it has been indicated herein that the resealable beverage can lids 10, 100, 200, 250, 300, and 350 are used with cans that contain a liquid, such as a carbonated beverage, it is also possible and contemplated that the cans may contain other items such as non-carbonated beverages, powders, spices, foods, syrups, gums, candies, or any other item that can be removed from an opening in the lids 10, 100, 200, 250, 300, and 350 and may need to be resealed.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a resealable beverage can lid which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject resealable beverage can lid are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
Patent Application
20240262580
