Patent Application
20230242310
Not Applicable
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The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) fastens to a double seamed ridge (122) formed by a lid (120) and a beverage can body (110) of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100), providing sanitary protection to the drinking contact area (190)— the area of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) that a beverage drinker's mouth touches while drinking a beverage (600) stored within the stay-on-tab beverage can (100).
A beverage can is a metal drink container designed to hold the beverage (600) such as carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, fruit juices, teas, herbal teas, energy drinks, etc. Beverage cans are made of aluminum (75% of worldwide production) or tin-plated steel (25% of worldwide production). Worldwide production for all drink cans currently exceeds 370 billion cans per year.
The world's beer and soda consumption consists of about 180 billion aluminum beverage cans every year. This is 6,700 beverage cans every second—enough to go around the planet every 17 hours.
Aluminum beverage cans compete successfully against drink containers of glass, plastic, and steel, and are the only drink containers for which closed loop recycling applies; a used aluminum beverage can is recycled back into aluminum beverage can sheet for the manufacture of another aluminum beverage can.
The usability and popularity of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) arises from consumer ease of use and manufacturing mass production efficiencies from its design and aluminum characteristics. The stay-on-tab beverage can (100) comprises of two main parts: the beverage can body (110) and the lid (120).
The top of the beverage can body (110) and the perimeter of the lid (120) are both bent and seamed together to form a double seamed ridge (122), which secures the lid (120) to the beverage can body (110).
A rivet (140) integral to the lid (120) fastens a pull tab (130) to the lid (120).
The area where a beverage drinker places his or her lips to drink the beverage (600) from the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) is defined as the drinking contact area (190).
The area where the pull tab (130) lies under the lid (120) in its “prone” position is defined as the pull tab area (195).
The features of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) that allow for convenient beverage drinking also make the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) prone to airborne and touch contamination prior to use by the beverage drinker. The open access to the lid (120) and the pull tab (130) also allow for airborne and touch contaminants to accumulate over the beverage can body (110) and the lid (120), either by atmospheric exposure or handling from individuals during shipping, storage, display, and/or purchase. These airborne and touch contaminants are especially problematic on the drinking contact area (190) of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100).
Contamination can also occur when the scored area (124) is pushed down into the beverage (600) by the pull tab (130). Any contamination layered over the scored area (124) could potentially be washed into the beverage (600). Furthermore, any time the beverage (600) is poured out of the stayon-tab beverage can (100), the beverage (600) can be in contact with any contamination layered over the scored area (124) and either directly imbibed by the beverage drinker or poured into a glass or cup to be imbibed later.
While there has been a myriad of drinking can developments over the past half century, one thing noticeably missing is a concern for “sanitization” safety for a beverage can consumer. With the various type of “pop top” openings, 99.99% of the time, a consumer covers much of the top and side of the can with his/her lips, surfaces that are rarely sanitized. The cans are subject to numerous contamination points from the factory, warehouses, distributors, sellers, convenience stores, grocery stores, machine dispensers, bars, restaurants and so forth where these top and side surface drinking areas can be contaminated and germ laden. A limited amount of people “may” wipe the can with their hand, napkin, clothes, cloth, etc. but rarely to the degree that potentially lethal viruses such as COVID19 would be neutralized.
Solutions for this problem “could” be for manufacturers to sanitize the outer surface of the stay-on-tab beverage cans (100) and/or to cover the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) with some sort of “shrink wrap” protective cover; however, this solution would not only add considerable cost but also create the problem of people littering the protective covers after removal. This littering was a huge problem for the original “pop-tops” that were just pulled off and tossed. There are a myriad of patents and patent applications with “partial” solutions to the problem but none that meet the criteria of can manufacturers to be neither overly costly nor complex to interfere with introducing into a production line. Furthermore, these patents and patent applications do not address the usage of such technology as an “aftermarket” product to “fasten on” a beverage can after purchase. Shortcomings of Stay-On-Tab Beverage Cans (100)
To solve this airborne and touch contaminant issue, a variety of beverage can lid covers have been developed, but none have achieved commercial adoption by beverage companies.
First, prior art stay-on-tab beverage can (100) lid covers are not compatible with the current manufacturing process of stay-on-tab beverage cans (100). The manufacturing of stay-on-tab beverage cans (100) is a complex series of finely engineered and optimized steps that involve large custom manufacturing tooling. For a beverage can lid cover or any other add-on to be successful, this added step cannot significantly alter the way a stay-on-tab beverage can (100) is manufactured as it would require extensive re-tooling and process changes. A beverage can lid cover needs to be fastened to the lid of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100) as a process step that does not disrupt the overall manufacturing process. Otherwise, it would be very hard to justify such changes. Most likely, a beverage can lid cover would be fastened to the lid (120) of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100) as a final process step; particularly in light of the fact that traditionally, the lid (120) is fastened to the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) after beverage filling.
Second, prior art stay-on-tab beverage can (100) lid covers are complex to manufacture and add costs that are orders of magnitude more expensive than the actual beverage can. The design and engineering of these prior art stay-on-tab beverage can (100) lid covers are not compatible with the economics of the beverage can lids; they are not simple to manufacture and they do not use inexpensive materials compatible with rolled aluminum economics.
Third, traditional beverage can design and prior art can lid covers do not protect the integrity of the pull tab (130) to the lid (120). When a beverage drinker opens a stay-on-tab beverage can (100), the pull tab (130) is left in an “extended” position in a weakened structural state. More often than not, given its weakened structural state, the pull tab (130) breaks off from the rivet (140), leaving the beverage drinker to dispose of the pull tab (130), often by littering.
Fourth, prior art covers lack structural elements that allow for better gripping and easier rotation of the lid cover around the lid (120). Slippery surfaces due to moisture or smooth surface design prevent proper gripping, limiting the rotation of the lid (120). This lid rotation limitation causes inconvenience to the beverage drinker, beverage spillage, or failure to access the beverage for consumption.
As seen in the prior art, a suitable beverage cover that minimizes contamination issues has not been developed. The following qualities are needed in a beverage cover for these contamination issues to be addressed: 1. Easy integration into beverage can manufacturing process 2. Easy and inexpensive manufacturing 3. Protection of pull tab integrity to the lid 4. Grip for improved rotation motion and handling
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) keeps the drinking contact area (190) of the lid (120) of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100) protected from airborne and touch contaminants prior to use by the beverage drinker. The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) comprises a circular surface (210), a curved side wall (300), and a notch (500). The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) may further comprise a protective conical ring (400).
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) fastens to a double seamed ridge (122) formed by a lid (120) and a beverage can body (110) of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100), providing sanitary protection to the area of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) that a beverage drinker's mouth touches while drinking the beverage (600) from the stay-on-tab beverage can (100)—the drinking contact area (190).
In its initial “sanitary protection” position, the circular surface (210) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) covers the drinking contact area (190) and the notch (500) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) allows access to the pull tab area (195). The drinking contact area (190) includes the scored area (124) that will be pushed into the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) when the user pulls the pull tab (130) and the area that will be touched by the beverage drinker's lips when drinking the beverage (600) contained within the stay-on-tab beverage can (100).
To open the stay-on-tab beverage can (100), the beverage drinker pulls the pull tab (130), moving the pull tab (130) from its “prone” position to its “extended” position; the pull tab (130) pushes down the scored area (124), creating a scored opening (126).
The notch (500) on the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) allows access to the lid (120), either to the pull tab area (195) or the drinking contact area (190), depending on the position of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200).
To allow for the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) to rotate co-axially around the stay-on-tab beverage can (100), the lip (330) of the curved side wall (300) fastens underneath the double seamed ridge (122) of the lid (120).
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) enables a beverage drinker of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100) to drink a beverage (600)—soda pop, beer, etc.—without being subjected to unsanitary stay-on-tab beverage can (100) surfaces that subjects the beverage drinker to potential germ/disease exposure while drinking the beverage (600).
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) has at least one significant feature; the “entire” area of the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) which a beverage drinker's lips touches—the drinking contact area (190)—has been “shielded” to keep this drinking area hygienically clean until the time of use. Simply speaking, the lips of the beverage drinker will no longer be in contact with contaminated surfaces, potentially deadly. No other prior art on or off the market has provided this kind of “total” coverage and maintain the preferred features of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200). The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) preferred features include: 1. Fastens on any standard beverage can, thus does not require retooling by manufacturers and essentially becomes a part of the original beverage can 2. Inexpensive to manufacture yet functional (Target cost a fraction of a cent) 3. Likely to be made from a clear plastic (or opaque) 4. Manufactured for retention on the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) after usage to ensure disposal along with the stay-on-tab beverage can (100), eliminating littering environmental issues after use 0 5. Easy and quick operation 6. Rotates to uncover the drinking contact area (190), including the lower part of the pull tab (130) and the scored area (124) pushed into the beverage (600) 7. Drinking contact area (190) is 100% covered and protected, including the lower part of the pull-tab and the scored area (124) that is pushed into the beverage (600) 8. May rotate back to cover drinking contact area (190) in the event the beverage (600) is partially used 9. Readily accepted by consumer 10. Fastens on at factory for a consolidated unit but “could” fasten on and off for potential aftermarket application
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) comprises a circular surface (210), a curved side wall (300), and a notch (500). The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) may further comprise an protective conical ring (400).
The circular surface (210) provides a physical shield from airborne and touch contaminants. This circular surface (210) prevents airborne and touch contaminants to layer over the drinking contact area (190). The circular surface (210) also prevents airborne and touch contaminants from layering over the scored area (124) that contacts the beverage (600) when the pull tab (130) pushes the scored area (124) into the beverage (600). The circular surface (210) may comprise an outer ring (220), an outer conical ring (230), an inner ring (240), an inner conical ring (250), and an inner circle (260).
The elements of the circular surface (210) create a multi level surface design that allows the incremental pushing down of the pull tab (130) as the Rotable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates.
The outer ring (220) comprises an outer edge (222) and an inner edge (224).
The outer conical ring (230) comprises an outer edge (232) and an inner edge (234). The outer edge (232) of the outer conical ring (230) is integrally joined to the inner edge (224) of the outer ring (220). The outer conical ring (230) tapers from the outer edge (232) towards the inner edge (234).
The inner ring (240) comprises an outer edge (242) and an inner edge (244). The inner edge (234) of the outer conical ring (230) is integrally joined to the outer edge (242) of the inner ring (240). The inner ring (240) lies below the outer ring (220).
The inner conical ring (250) comprises an outer edge (252) and an inner edge (254). The outer edge (252) of the inner conical ring (250) is integrally joined to the inner edge (244) of the inner ring (240). The inner conical ring (250) tapers from the outer edge (252) towards the inner edge (254).
The inner circle (260) comprises a circumference (262). The circumference (262) of the inner circle (260) is integrally joined to the inner edge (254) of the inner conical ring (250). The inner circle (260) lies below the outer ring (220) and the inner ring (240).
The outer ring (220), the outer conical ring (230), the inner ring (240), the inner conical ring (250), and the inner circle (260) are co-centric.
The conical shape of the outer conical ring (230) ensures that the outer ring (220) and the inner ring (240) do not share the same plane. The conical shape of the inner conical ring (250) ensures that the inner ring (240) and the inner circle (260) do not share the same plane. The conical shape of the outer conical ring (230) and the conical shape of the inner conical ring (250) ensures that the outer ring (220) and the inner circle (260) do not share the same plane. The inner circle (260) lies below the inner ring (240), and the inner ring (240) lies below the outer ring (220).
The curved side wall (300) comprises an inner surface (310), an outer surface (320) and a lip (330). The curved side wall (300) fastens the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) to the double seamed ridge (122) of the lid (120). The top edge (340) of the curved side wall (300) is integrally joined to the outer edge (222) of the outer ring (220) of the circular surface (210) at a substantially right angle (+/−5 degrees).
The lip (330) is joined to the inner surface (310) of the curved side wall (300). The lip (330) is oriented so that it is concentric with the curved side wall (300) and the circular surface (210). The lip (330) extends inwards from the inner surface (310) of the curved side wall (300).
When the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is fastened over the lid (120) of a stay-on-tab beverage can (100), the lip (330) of the curved side wall (300) fastens underneath the double seamed ridge (122) of the lid (120).
The lip (330) extends inwards from the inner surface (310) of the curved side wall (300) so that the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) remains fastened to the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) within normal stay-on-tab beverage can (100) handling and transportation circumstances. In this manner, once the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is fastened to the stay-on-tab beverage can (100), it will not be dislodged, eliminating functional and littering concerns.
Although the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is primarily intended to be an OEM item, the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) may also be used for aftermarket private labeling purposes. The design of the curved side wall (300) may be changed to allow for aftermarket fastening to the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) or unfastening from the stay-on-tab beverage can (100). This would involve changing the interface between the lip (330) and the double seamed ridge (122) of the lid (120). This could be accomplished by changing the design of the lip (330), either by the length of the lip (330) or the shape of the lip (330). This would allow for a “looser” or “tighter” fit between the lip (330) and the double seamed ridge (122) of the lid (120).
The outer surface (320) may further comprise a plurality of protrusions (322). These protrusions (322) enhance the frictional characteristics of the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300). These protrusions (322) allow for better finger gripping of the curved side wall (300), allowing for easier rotation of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200). The protrusions (322) may be formed by bumps, knurls, ridges and textures that enhance the friction between a beverage user's fingers and the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300).
The protrusions (322) can encompass the entirety of the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300).
The protrusions (322) can encompass less than the entirety of the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300). For example, the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300) may further comprise a first end (324) and a second end (326), where the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300) comprises a plurality of protrusions (322), where some of the protrusions (322) are located at the first end (324) of the curved side wall (300) and some of the protrusions (322) are located at the second end (326) of the curved side wall (300). This allows the protursions to be present only where the fingers of the beverage drinker will be placed to rotate the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200).
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) may further comprise a protective conical ring (400). The circular surface (210) and the curved side wall (300) cover a portion of the drinking contact area (190) but does not cover a significant portion of the drinking contact area (190) associated with the top side of the beverage can body (110). The protective conical ring (400) provides sanitary protection to a portion of the drinking contact area (190) associated with the top side of the beverage can body (110).
The protective conical ring (400) is integrally joined to the bottom edge (350) of the curved side wall (300) at an angle that allows the protective conical ring (400) to follow the tapered contour of the top side of the beverage can body (110).
When the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is in its “sanitary protection” position, the protective conical ring (400) covers the portion of the top side of the beverage can body (110) that comes into contact with the mouth of the beverage drinker.
The notch (500) provides access to the underlying lid (120). When the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is in its “sanitary protection position,” the notch (500) on the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) allows access to the pull tab area (195). When the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is in its “drinking access” position, the notch (500) allows access to the drinking contact area (190) and the scored opening (126).
The shape of the notch (500) needs to ensure that the beverage drinker has full access to the pull tab (130) so that the beverage drinker can pull the pull tab (130) from a “prone” position to an “extended” position, while the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is in its “sanitary protection position.
The shape of the notch (500) needs to ensure that the beverage drinker has full access to the scored area (124) and the scored opening (126) to ensure proper drinking of the beverage (600) within the stay-on-tab beverage can (100), while the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is in its “drinking access” position.
The shape of the notch (500) maybe that of an annular sector (510), the area enclosed within two co-planar circles and two radii of the co-planar circles. The co-planar circles may be concentric or not concentric.
The choice of an annular sector or a semi-annular sector allows the circular surface (210) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) to have a larger surface area and to have a larger perimeter. The larger surface area allows for the circular surface (210) to cover more of the lid (120). The larger perimeter of the circular surface (210) allows for a larger perimeter curved side wall (300); a longer curved side wall (300) allows the beverage drinker's fingers to be spread apart and be better positioned to generate increased torque to rotate the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) around the stay-on-tab beverage can (100).
Having a notch (500) with merely a semi circular shape limits that surface area of the circular surface (210) and the perimeter of the curved side wall (300). The shorter perimeter of the curved side wall (300) does not allow for the beverage drinker's fingers to generate enough torque to easily rotate the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) around the stay-on-tab beverage can (100).
The Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) is fastened to the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) and placed in its “sanitary protection” position so that: a) the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) covers the drinking contact area (190) and b) the notch (500) on the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) allows access to the pull tab area (195).
The beverage drinker accesses the pull tab (130) through the notch (500) and moves the pull tab (130) from its “prone” position to its “extended” position. As the pull tab (130) moves to its “extended” position, the pull tab (130) pushes down the scored area (124), creating a scored opening (126) on the circular surface (210) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200).
The beverage drinker places his/her fingers over the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300). If the outer surface (320) of the curved side wall (300) further comprises protrusions (322), the beverage drinker would place his/her fingers over the protrusions (322) of the outer surface (320) for a better grip and rotation of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200).
The beverage drinker then rotates the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) either clockwise or counter-clockwise to move the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) from its “sanitary protection” position to its “drinking access” position so that: a) the circular surface (210) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) covers the pull tab area (195): and b) the notch (500) allows access to the drinking contact area (190) and the scored opening (126).
Once the beverage drinker has opened the stay-on-tab beverage can (100) and created a scored opening (126) on the circular surface (210), the pull tab (130) may remain in its “extended” position or remain at a certain percentage of its “extended” position, depending whether the beverage drinker has pushed down the pull tab (130) (collectively “open” position). As the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates from its “sanitary protection” position to its “drinking access” position, the circular surface (210) of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) comes into contact with the pull tab (130) in its “open” position. The multi level surface design of the circular surface (210) ensures that the pull tab (130) folds down from its “open” position back to substantially its “prone” position underneath the circular surface (210) without further intervention of the beverage drinker.
The shape of the notch (500) ensures that the pull tab (130) comes into contact with the various elements of the circular surface (210) in a sequential and systematic manner, incrementally pushing down the pull tab (130) underneath the circular surface (210) due to the multi level surface design of the circular surface (210), as the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates from its “sanitary protection” position to its “drinking access” position. 1. As the pull tab (130) comes into contact with the circular surface (210), the pull tab (130) may come into contact with the outer ring (220) of the circular surface (210). The outer ring (220) pushes down the pull tab (130) a certain amount as the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates. 2. As the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) continues to rotate, the pull tab (130) may come into contact with the outer conical ring (230). The outer conical ring (230) pushes down the pull tab (130) a certain amount as the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates. 3. As the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) continues to rotate, the pull tab (130) may come into contact with the inner ring (240). The inner ring (240) pushes down the pull tab (130) a certain amount as the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates. 4. As the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) continues to rotate, the pull tab (130) may come into contact with the inner conical ring (250). The inner conical ring (250) pushes down the pull tab (130) a certain amount as the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) rotates. 5. As the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) continues to rotate, the inner circle (260) pushes down the pull tab (130) a certain amount to substantially its “prone” position where the pull tab (130) is completely underneath the circular surface (210).
By having the pull tab (130) pushed down from its “open” position to its “prone” position without further intervention of the beverage drinker, it simplifies the usage and adoption of the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200).
The multi level surface design of the circular surface (210) ensures that the pull tab (130) is pushed down incrementally rather than getting stuck in its “open” position and preventing the Rotatable Beverage Can Cover (200) from rotating.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, process, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, process, and examples, but by all embodiments and processes within the scope and spirit of the invention.
The inventions shown and described herein may be used to address one or more of such problems or other problems not set out herein and/or which are only understood or appreciated at a later time. The future may also bring to light currently unknown or unrecognized benefits which may be appreciated, or more fully appreciated, in association with the inventions shown and described herein. The desires and expected benefits explained herein are not admissions that others have recognized such prior needs, since invention and discovery are both inventive under the law and may relate to the inventions described herein.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/377,741 filed Jul. 16, 2021.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17377741 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Child | 18104286 | US |
