Reusable tamper-evident cover that protects beverage containers' drinking area, also once that area is re-covered

Abstract

The invention is a reusable single-piece tamper-evident cover for beverage containers that provides restoration of protection of the container's cover after each re-dressing. All the tamper-evident parts are only in the cover itself and the cover covers the container's drinking area. The cover comprises at least one tamper-evident seal that is inseparable from the cover and extends from at least part of the clasp ring, wherein the clasp ring is configured to prevent removing the cover as long as all tamper-evident seals are intact, wherein all tamper-evident seals are configured so that they are breachable. When the tamper-evident seal is breached, the general integrity of the cover's inner surface is preserved. Therefore, once the cover is re-dressed, protection of the drinking area from outside contamination is restored and the freshness of the container's content is preserved, which is especially useful for sparkling drinks and for people constantly on the move.

Description

IDS LIST

Documents to be cited upon filing or shortly thereafter: (* means cited in text)

• U.S. Pat. No. 985,000 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 1,026,282 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 2,081,138 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 2,179,879 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,570 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,620 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,805 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,533 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,124 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,231 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,029 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,605 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,210 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,628 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,048 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,951 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,706 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,574 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,333 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,955 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,531 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,163 A
• U.S.-D383,978 S
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,908 A
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,833 A
• US-2003/0201266 A1
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,947 B2
• US-2004/0200839 A1
• US-2007/0062949 A1
• US-2007/0108210 A1
• US-2007/0295737 A1
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,837 B2
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,167 B2
• US-2004/0232149

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident cover for beverage containers. Furthermore it relates to a reusable single-piece cover wherein all the tamper-evident parts are inseparable from the cover and are located only in the cover itself. Furthermore it relates to a cover in which the inner surface of that cover remains without a tear, after its removal from the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper-evidence describes a device or process that makes unauthorized access to the protected object easily detected. Tamper-evident design is very visible in the area of product packaging, where it can be vital to know that the product has not been altered since it left the manufacturer. Tamper-evident seals for beverage containers are known in the art. The utility of such seals arises from the fact that once they are opened, a consumer is made aware that the container itself may also have been previously opened. Such seals are typically made of some form of plastic that is affixed to a container in such a manner that generally precludes opening the container without also tearing the plastic.

The problems of prior art regarding tamper-evident covers for beverage containers are that—while the covers combine one or more of the following elements: a single piece cover, where all the tamper-evident parts are inseparable from the cover, and all tamper-evident parts are in the cover itself—the removal of the cover can result in a tear in the cover's inner surface. As a result, even when the cover is re-dressed, the freshness of the beverage container's content will not be protected nor will the drinking area be protected against contamination from the outside environment.

Here is an analysis of the prior art.

Prior art includes covers that are tamper-evident, and those that are not. Prior art regarding tamper-evident covers includes those that lack at least one of the following elements: all the tamper-evident parts are located only in the cover itself, and all the tamper-evident parts are inseparable from the cover; and include those that include at least one of the above elements, but where a tear can occur in the inner surface.

An example of prior art regarding non tamper-evident covers is: U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,628 A.

Examples of prior art regarding tamper-evident covers that lack at least one of the following elements: all the tamper-evident parts are located only in the cover itself, and all the tamper-evident parts are inseparable from the cover, are: U.S. Pat. No. 1,026,282 A; U.S. Pat. No. 2,179,879 A; U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,620 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,231 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,029 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,706 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,574 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,531 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,908 A; US-2004/0200839 A1; US-2007/0108210 A1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,167 B2; and US-2004/0232149. Examples of prior art regarding tamper-evident covers in which the tamper-evident parts and their functions are shared by both the container and the cover are: U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,574 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,908 A; US-2004/0200839 A1; and US-2007/0108210 A1. Examples of prior art regarding tamper-evident covers, in which the tamper-evident parts and their functions are shared by both the cover and parts that are connected to the container by adhesive means or something similar, are: U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,333 A; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,163 A. An example of prior art regarding tamper-evident covers in which parts of the cover are connected to the container by adhesive means is: US-2007/0295737 A1.

Examples of prior art, regarding tamper-evident covers that include at least one of the following elements: all the tamper-evident parts are located only in the cover itself, and all the tamper-evident parts are inseparable from the cover, but where a tear can occur in their inner surface, are: U.S. Pat. No. 985,000 A; U.S. Pat. No. 2,081,138 A; U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,570 A; U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,805 A; U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,533 A; U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,124 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,605 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,210 A; U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,048 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,951 A; U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,955 A; U.S.-D383,978 S; U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,833 A; US-2003/0201266 A1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,947 B2; US-2007/0062949 A1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,837 B2; U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,167 B2; and US-2004/0232149.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to apply the element: a tear that can occur in a tear line but does not affect the general integrity of the inner surface of the cover, in a reusable single-piece, tamper-evident cover for beverage containers wherein all the tamper-evident parts are located only in the cover itself and where the cover covers the drinking area, with at least one movable seal tab that is inseparable from the cover so that, pulling it, along at least two tear lines attached to its sides, causes a tear in at least two tear lines attached to its sides.

The present invention concerns a reusable tamper-evident cover that protects beverage containers' drinking area, also once that area is re-covered. The present invention also concerns a reusable tamper-evident cover that protects and preserves the contents of the beverage containers, once the beverage containers are opened.

The present invention is for beverage containers in general, and more specifically for beverage cans and beverage bottles. The cover comprises: a cover top; a skirt that extends downward from the cover top; a clasp ring that extends around a full perimeter of the skirt, the clasp ring is positioned between the cover top and a lower part of the skirt that extends downward from the clasp ring, at least the cover top and the skirt and the clasp ring share a contiguous inner surface; at least one tamper-evident seal that extends outward from at least part of the clasp ring, wherein the clasp ring is configured to prevent removing the cover as long as all tamper-evident seals are intact, wherein all tamper-evident seals are configured so that they are breachable, and this one tamper-evident seal comprising: at least one movable seal tab that is inseparable from the cover, at least two tear lines, and at least two seal stubs; and at least one tamper-evident seal that extends outward from at least part of the clasp ring, wherein a movable seal tab that is inseparable from the cover is attached by at least two tear lines to at least two seal stubs, whereby when this movable seal tab is pulled along those tear lines attached to its sides, a tear occurs in at least two tear lines attached to its sides without tearing the inner surface of at least the parts of the cover that are above and below the clasp ring.

The present invention is configured to provide tamper-evident features. The clasp ring is configured to prevent removing the cover as long as all tamper-evident seals are intact, wherein all tamper-evident seals are configured so that they are breachable, thereby indicating that the cover may have been previously removed from and re-dressed on the container's covered part.

After the first application of the present invention on the upper part of the beverage container, the clasp ring surrounds a circular part of the beverage container and at least part of the clasp ring is located below a circular part of the container whose outer diameter is greater than at least one inner diameter of that part of the clasp ring. Therefore the removal of the cover from the beverage container becomes difficult without causing a tear in a tear line. The tamper-evident seal includes a movable seal tab that is inseparable from the cover and is attached by at least two tear lines to at least two seal stubs. After pulling this seal tab along the tear lines attached to its sides, a tear occurs, in at least two tear lines attached to its sides, without affecting the general integrity of the inner surface of the cover. As a result, parts of the clasp ring become flexible and stretchable enough so that the clasp ring can be more easily moved above a part of a beverage container that is above the clasp ring, thereby enabling easy removal of the cover from the container.

The present invention is also configured to provide hygiene of the beverage container's covered part, as long as the tear lines are intact.

The present invention is also configured to provide a cover that covers the drinking area, which is an area on the external surface of the beverage container consistent with the position of a drinker's lips when drinking from the beverage container.

The present invention is also configured to provide a structure in which the skirt extends downward from a tamper-evident seal, so that the skirt can extend downward from the container's pinched area, where the clasp ring is located.

The present invention is also configured to provide a structure that enables the breaching of the tear lines, while the tears are limited only to a tamper-evident seal and, generally, without tearing the cover top and the skirt. The present invention comprises at least one tamper-evident seal that extends outward from at least part of the clasp ring. This tamper-evident seal generally protrudes outwardly relative to adjacent areas on an exterior of the skirt. This structural feature enables a tear that occurs to be limited only to this tamper-evident seal and to extend partially through this part. Therefore, this structural feature enables the forming of the cover in a way that, when the tamper-evident seal is breached by tearing its tear lines, the general integrity of the shared contiguous inner surface of the cover is still preserved.

The present invention is also configured to provide a cover wherein, after the tear lines are breached and after the removal of the cover, the cover is reusable and can be removed from and re-dressed on the beverage container for a reasonable number of times to cover the container's drinking area.

The present invention is also configured to restore the protection of the beverage container's covered part once the tear lines have been breached. After the tear lines have been torn, the general integrity of the shared contiguous inner surface of the cover is preserved. Therefore the cover is reusable and can be re-dressed on the beverage container's covered part, thereby protecting this part. The above mentioned protections afforded after the opening of the beverage container's drinking aperture, are: the drinking area and the content of the container.

When the present invention is applied on beverage cans the cover top conforms to an upper surface of a beverage can, in which the can top, the push top tab, and part of the raised seam are located. The skirt conforms to part of an external cylindrical surface of the beverage can, in which part of the raised seam and the indentation below the raised seam and sloped surface and part of the external cylindrical surface are located, extending below the upper surface, to cover the drinking area. The upper and external cylindrical surfaces are separated by a pinched area, which have a shape of indentation, of smaller circumference than the upper and the external cylindrical surfaces. The clasp ring is positioned between the cover top and a lower part of the skirt to clasp the beverage can cover against the pinched area wherein the cover top, the skirt, and clasp ring, share a contiguous inner surface. When the present invention is applied on beverage cans, the clasp ring surrounds, and is wrapped tightly around, a circular part of the beverage can's pinched area; and at least part of the clasp ring is located below the seam whose outer diameter is greater than at least one inner diameter of that part of the clasp ring. The seam is located where the can top of the beverage can is bounded by a seam joining to the beverage can's cylindrical side walls. The can top is in the shape of a disk which includes the drinking aperture and push top tab. Since part of the skirt extends downward from the clasp ring and since the clasp ring is located below the seam, the cover covers the drinking area.

When the present invention is applied on beverage bottles that have a crown cap closure above and around a bottle lip surrounding the bottle's drinking aperture, the clasp ring is located below an outward bulge around indentation area.

In one of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cover itself is made from plastic material in an industrial process known as Vacuum Forming. Vacuum Forming is a simplified version of thermoforming, whereby a sheet of plastic is heated to a forming temperature, stretched onto, or into, a one-surface mold, and held against the mold by applying vacuum between the mold surface and the sheet. The vacuum forming process can be used for most product packaging. Relatively deep parts can be formed if the form-able sheet is mechanically or pneumatically stretched prior to bringing it in contact with the mold surface and before vacuum is applied. Conventional thermoplastics are suitable materials for use in vacuum forming. The cover can be installed by softening and expanding the clasp ring area by applying heat, then placing the clasp ring on the part of the beverage container whose external diameter is greater than the inner diameter of the clasp ring, and then applying pressure on the cover during placement. When the warmed area cools down, at least part of the clasp ring is located below a part of the beverage container whose external diameter is greater than at least one inner diameter of that part of the clasp ring, thus applying the cover.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cover itself is formed so that its walls are flexible but still firm enough. This way the cover can be re-dressed on and removed from the beverage container's covered part for a reasonable number of times.

We have reviewed several conclusive advantages and aspects of the present invention.

The present invention is a reusable single-piece cover which covers the drinking area of beverage container. The cover can be removed from and re-dressed on a beverage container's covered part repeatedly, easily, and in an intuitive manner. The protection of the beverage container's covered part is restored when the present invention is re-dressed on this part, since a tear that can occur in the tear line at the time of the removal of the cover from the container does not affect the general integrity of the inner surface of that cover. Due to the above, the present invention is reusable for restoring the protection of the container's covered part, against contamination from the outside environment.

The present invention retains the freshness of the container's content after re-dressing the beverage container's drinking aperture, which is especially useful for sparkling drinks and for people constantly on the move.

The present invention, for the above mentioned reasons, can be applied on beverage containers that would not allow a cover consisting of more than a single piece to offer the same benefits as our single-piece cover.

Finally, the present invention, for the above mentioned reasons, is usable, cheaper to manufacture, easier to apply, and can be fitted easily to a variety of beverage containers. Therefore, the present invention is applied more widely and flexibly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a novel reusable tamper-evident beverage container cover, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary beverage can for use with the cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration of both the cover of FIG. 1 and the can of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B is another schematic illustration of both the cover of FIG. 1 and the can of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a novel reusable tamper-evident beverage bottle cover, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Applicant has realized that a tamper-evident seal may be incorporated into a beverage container cover to provide a tamper-evident beverage container cover which may also be reusable. Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a reusable tamper-evident beverage container cover 100, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Cover 100 may be formed of a single piece of semi-elastic piece of material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic. Cover 100 may comprise cover top 110, clasp ring 120 and skirt 130. Cover top 110 may be circular. Clasp ring 120 may protrude outwardly from cover 100 and may comprise seal stubs 150 separated from seal tab 140 by tear lines 145. The seal tab 140 is inseparable from the cover 100. Tear lines 145 may be configured to facilitate easy separation of seal tab 140 from seal stubs 150 via the application of upward pressure on seal tab 140. Tear lines 145 may be formed by any suitable method known in the art such as, for example, perforation and indentation.

It will be appreciated that cover top 110, clasp ring 120, and skirt 130 may all share a single contiguous inner surface (not shown) that may generally conform to the upper contours of a beverage can. Accordingly, even if seal tab 140 may be separated from seal stubs 150, the inner surface of cover 100 remains intact.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a typical beverage can 200. Beverage can 200 may comprise can top 210, raised seam 215, indentation 220, and outer surface 230. Can top 210 may comprise push top tab 201 which may open drinking aperture 205. Can top 210 may be bounded by raised seam 215 which may protrude outwardly immediately above indentation 220. Sloped surface 225 may extend between indentation 220 and external surface 230. It will be appreciated that can 200 may be exemplary; for example, in some cans 200 sloped surface 225 may be indistinguishable from external surface 230. The present invention may provide support for any configurations of a beverage can that may have at least a suitably indented indentation 220 between can top 210 and external surface 230.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows cover 100 juxtaposed opposite can 200. It will be appreciated that cover 100 may be fitted to the contours of can 200. Cover top 110 may fit over can top 210. Upper skirt 125 and skirt 130 may be fitted to cover sloped area 225 and external surface 230, respectively. Clasp ring 120 may be positioned in indentation 220.

It will be appreciated that by positioning clasp ring 120 in indentation 220, cover 100 may be snugly attached to can 200. Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view of cover 100 as it may be fitted to can 200. As disclosed hereinabove, inner surface sections 310, 320 and 330 which represent the inner surfaces for cover top 110, clasp ring 120 and skirt 130, respectively, form a single contiguous surface. However, internal surface 320 may bulge inwardly such that when clasp ring 120 may be fitted to indentation 220, it may generally prevent cover 100 from being lifted off of the can 200 without damaging the integrity of clasp ring 120.

Reference now is made to FIGS. 5A and 5B which together illustrate the operation of the tamper-evident functionality of cover 100. As shown in FIG. 5A, a user may pull seal tab 140 upwards which may cause it to break away from seal stubs 150 along tear lines 145. Once seal tab 140 is separated from seal stubs 150, clasp ring 120 may no longer provide sufficient resistance to pulling cover 100 off of can 200. It will be appreciated that clasp ring 120 may be formed of a semi-rigid plastic that may be flexible enough to pull over raised seam 215 (FIG. 2) once seal tab 140 is separated. It will similarly be appreciated, however, that the act of pulling cover 100 off of can 200 may cause tear lines 145 to tear if not done previously.

It will be appreciated that tear lines 145 may not extend all the way to internal surface 320 (FIG. 4). Accordingly the integrity of the internal surface of cover 100 may not be affected even though a tamper-evident event may have occurred, e.g. seal tab 140 may have separated from seal stubs 150. Therefore, as opposed to a typical tamper-evident seal, cover 100 may be reusable after initial use and may be used to cover aperture 205 if the user does not drink all of the contents of beverage can 200. In such manner, cover 100 may be used to close drinking aperture 205. It will be appreciated that in a typical beverage can, once push top tab 201 may be used to open aperture 205, it cannot be reclosed.

Accordingly, it will also be appreciated that while cover 100 may not necessarily provide a hermetical seal for aperture 205, it may, regardless of the state of tab 140, still provide a measure of hygienic protection by impeding the entry of germs and/or other contaminants into the contents of can 200. It will further be appreciated that cans 200 are often used for carbonated beverages. Once beverage cans 200 are opened, the level of carbonation in such beverages typically starts to go down. A reusable cover such as cover 100 may serve to impede carbonation loss in previously opened cans 200.

It will also be appreciated that when drinking from cans 200, the drinkers lips typically come into contact with at least portions of can top 210, raised seam 215, sloped surface 225, and external surface 230. Cover 100 may prevent contamination of these areas both before and after can 200 may be initially opened and tab 140 is separated from seal stubs 150.

It will be appreciated that as depicted in FIG. 1, cover 100 may be configured to generally conform to the top of a beverage can. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be implemented as a bottle cover as well. FIG. 6, to which reference is now made, illustrates a reusable tamper-evident beverage bottle cover 400, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a bottle 500 onto which cover 400 may be fitted in generally the same manner as cover 100 may be fitted on can 200.

Cover 400 may comprise cover top 410, clasp ring 420 and skirt 430. Cover top 410 may be circular. Functionally similar to clasp ring 120, clasp ring 420 may comprise seal tab 440 which may be separated from seal stubs 450 by tear lines 445. The seal tab 440 is inseparable from the cover 400. Bottle 500 may comprise bottle cap 501, aperture 505, bottle lip 510, outward bulge 515, indentation 520 and external surface 530. Bottle cap 501 is a crown cap closure. It will be appreciated that clasp ring 420 may be snugly fitted to indentation 520 in generally the same manner as clasp ring 120 may be fitted to indentation 220 as discussed hereinabove. The positioning and/or movement of seal tab 440 vis-à-vis tear lines 445 and seal stubs 450 may provide tamper-evident functionality in a manner similar to that of seal tab 140, tear lines 145 and seal stubs 150.

Covers 100 and 400 may be manufactured from plastic material in an industrial process known as Vacuum Forming. Vacuum Forming is a simplified version of thermoforming, whereby a sheet of plastic is heated to a forming temperature, stretched onto or into a single-surface mold, and held against a mold by applying a vacuum between the mold surface and the sheet. The vacuum forming process may be suitable for most product packaging. Relatively deep parts may be formed if the form-able sheet is mechanically or pneumatically stretched prior to bringing it in contact with the mold surface and before vacuum is applied. Conventional thermoplastics may be suitable materials for use in such a process.

Covers 100 and 400 may be affixed to can 200 and bottle 500, respectively, by softening and expanding clasp ring 120 and clasp ring 420 by applying heat, then positioning cover 100 and cover 400 on can 200 and bottle 500, respectively, as described hereinabove, and then applying pressure on clasp ring 120 and clasp ring 420 during placement. When the warmed area cools down, clasp ring 120/420 may tighten and wrap tightly around indentation 220/520, respectively, thus implementing the tamper-evident functionality described hereinabove.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes, as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A reusable tamper-evident cover that protects beverage containers' drinking area, also once that area is re-covered, comprising: a cover top;a skirt that extends downward from said cover top;a clasp ring that extends around a full perimeter of said skirt, said clasp ring is positioned between said cover top and a lower part of said skirt that extends downward from said clasp ring, at least said cover top and said skirt and said clasp ring share a contiguous inner surface;at least one tamper-evident seal that extends outward from at least part of said clasp ring, wherein said clasp ring is configured to prevent removing said cover as long as all tamper-evident seals are intact, wherein all tamper-evident seals are configured so that they are breachable, and this one tamper-evident seal comprising: at least one movable seal tab that is inseparable from said cover, at least two tear lines, and at least two seal stubs; andat least one tamper-evident seal that extends outward from at least part of said clasp ring, wherein a movable seal tab that is inseparable from said cover is attached by at least two tear lines to at least two seal stubs, whereby when this movable seal tab is pulled along those tear lines attached to its sides, a tear occurs in at least two tear lines attached to its sides without tearing the inner surface of at least the parts of said cover that are above and below said clasp ring.

2. In the tamper-evident seal, whose movable seal tab can cause a tear in the tear lines attached to its sides, in claim 1, the distance between any point on the inner surface below this tamper-evident seal to its opposite and farthest point on the outer surface is greater than the distance between any point on the inner surface of portions of said cover above and below this tamper-evident seal to its opposite and nearest point on the outer surface; so that any pair of said opposite points lies on an imaginary line perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of said cover.

3. In the clasp ring in claim 1, the distance between any point on the inner surface to its opposite and farthest point on the outer surface is greater than the distance between any point on the inner surface of portions of said cover above and below said clasp ring to its opposite and nearest point on the outer surface; so that any pair of said opposite points lies on an imaginary line perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of said cover.

4. The tear lines attached to its sides in claim 1 extend partially through a tamper-evident seal.

5. In the cover in claim 1, the inner diameter of said clasp ring is less than at least the inner diameter of a part of said cover above said clasp ring.

6. The clasp ring in claim 1 surrounds a circular part of a beverage container and at least part of said clasp ring is located below a circular part of the container whose outer diameter is greater than at least one inner diameter of that part of said clasp ring.

7. The lower part of the skirt in claim 1 is below a movable seal tab that is inseparable from said cover and is in a tamper-evident seal; so that an imaginary plane runs parallel to and through a longitudinal center axis of said cover and through these parts.

8. The lower part of the skirt that extends downward from the clasp ring in claim 1 extends around a full perimeter of said skirt.

9. In the cover in claim 1, any tear that can occur in any tamper-evident seals, does not tear the inner surface of at least parts of said cover that are above and below said clasp ring.

10. In the cover in claim 1, any tear that can occur in any tamper-evident seals, does not tear the inner surface of said cover.

11. The inner surface of the cover in claim 1 is continuous.

12. In the cover in claim 1, all parts of said cover top and said skirt and said clasp ring and all tamper-evident seals are inseparable parts of a single unitary structure.

13. The single unitary structure in claim 12 is formed as a single unitary structure.

14. The single unitary structure in claim 12 is made from one type of material.

15. The one type of material in claim 14 is plastic.

16. The cover in claim 1 is applied on beverage cans.

17. The cans in claim 16 are metal cans.

18. The cover in claim 1 is applied on beverage bottles.

19. The bottles in claim 18 are glass bottles.

20. The glass bottles in claim 19 have crown cap closures.