Beverage can cover device and method

Abstract

A cover for a beverage can includes a circular disc, an opening within the circular disc, and a raised lip fixedly attached to a circumference of the circular disc. The cover for a beverage can is useful for providing a means for covering a beverage can when in an opened condition, so as to prevent insects and debris from entering the beverage, to prevent release of carbonated gas from the beverage and to prevent premature warming of the beverage.

Claims

1. A cover for a beverage can, said beverage can including a top having a pull-tab, said cover comprising: a circular disc having a substantially flat body; an opening within said circular disc configured to receive said pull-tab of said beverage can when in an opened condition so as to retain said cover on said top of said beverage can; a raised lip fixedly attached to a circumference of said circular disc; wherein said cover is configured to provide a means for covering said beverage can when in said opened condition; wherein said opening is configured for receiving a variety of differently sized pull-tabs, pull-tab having a thickness of at least 0.0600 inches; wherein said opening is configured to receive said pull-tab of said beverage can in said opened condition when said cover is slid onto said top of said beverage can, and said opening having a flexibility configured to receive said pull-tab of said beverage can; wherein said opening further has a brevity configured to retain said pull-tab with sufficient grip so as to effectively prevent movement of said cover from said beverage can; and wherein said raised lip is configured for positive grip of said circular disc when sliding said cover on and off said beverage can, and said opening is manipulated by squeezing opposing sides of said raised lip to aid in receival and removal of said pull-tab of said beverage can.

2. The cover of claim 1, further configured for use on a variety of differently sized beverage cans.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein said circular disc has a diameter of at least 3 inches.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein said circular disc has said diameter of between 3 inches and 5 inches.

5. The cover of claim 4, wherein said opening runs through a complete said diameter at a midpoint of said circular disc.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein said circular disc is composed of a plastic material.

7. The cover of claim 6, wherein said raised lip is composed of a plastic material.

8. The cover of claim 1, wherein said cover is further configured to prevent insects and debris from entering said beverage can when in said opened condition.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein said cover is configured to prevent release of carbonated gas from a liquid retained within said beverage can and to prevent said liquid from premature warming when in said opened condition.

10. A method of using a cover for a beverage can, the method comprising the steps of: squeezing opposing sides of a raised lip of said cover to widen an opening within said cover; sliding said cover over said beverage can in an opened condition; and inserting a pull-tab of said beverage can into said opening within said cover.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of removing said pull-tab from within said opening of said cover to slide said cover from said beverage can when a liquid retained within said beverage can is to be consumed; and sliding said cover onto said beverage can again to protect said liquid retained within said beverage can.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a beverage can cover device and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cover during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1 attached to a top of a beverage can, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 2 attached to a top of a beverage can, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a cover for a beverage can, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(7) The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to covers for beverage cans and more particularly to a beverage can cover device and method as used to improve the means for covering a beverage can when in an opened condition.

(9) Generally, the beverage can cover device is a plastic sliding cover with a fine cut slot in the centre of the cover to encompass the ring pull and can top. It is specifically for any can of average circumference containing any liquid that has a ring pull and it is for use with such can once it is opened. There may be a flexibility to the middle of the cover to allow the centre to raise slightly when both side are pressed, allowing the cover to be able to slide onto the can top easily and quickly. The cover may also have a small raised side all the way around its circumference.

(10) The beverage can cover may prevent insects or debris from entering or falling into the can once it is opened and placed down for any period of time or left unattended. It may also slow down the release of carbonated gas from the can and may further slow down the warming of liquids inside the can.

(11) Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a cover 100 for a beverage can 5. FIG. 1 shows a cover for a beverage can (“cover” 100) during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the cover 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to provide a means for covering a beverage can 5 when in an opened condition. As illustrated, the cover 100 may include a circular disc 110, an opening 120 within the circular disc 110 and a raised lip 130 fixedly attached to a circumference of the circular disc 110.

(12) According to one embodiment, the cover 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the cover 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the cover 100 (such that the cover 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

(13) FIG. 2 shows the cover 100 of FIG. 1, illustrating a view of the cover 100 attached to the beverage can 5 and demonstrating how the cover 100 attaches to the beverage can 5 through the insertion of the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 into the opening 120 of the circular disc 110. As above, the cover 100 may include the circular disc 110 having a substantially flat body, the opening 120 within the circular disc 110 which may be configured to receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 when in an opened condition 15 so as to retain the cover 100 on the top of the beverage can 5 and the raised lip 130 fixedly attached to the circumference of the circular disc 110.

(14) In the preferred embodiment, the cover 100 may be configured to provide a means for covering the beverage can 5 when in the opened condition 15. The cover 100 may further be configured for use on a variety of differently sized beverage cans 5. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the circular disc 110 may have a diameter of at least 3 inches. In a further embodiment, the circular disc 110 may have the diameter of between 3 inches and 5 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the circular disc 110 may be composed of a plastic material.

(15) The cover 100 may be further configured to prevent insects and debris from entering the beverage can 5 when in the opened condition 15. Similarly, the cover 100 may be configured to prevent release of carbonated gas from a liquid retained within the beverage can 5 and to prevent the liquid from premature warming when in the opened condition 15.

(16) The opening 120 is shown to receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 in the opened condition 15 when the cover 100 is slid onto the top of the beverage can 5. The opening 120 may run through a complete diameter at a midpoint of the circular disc 110. Further, the opening 120 may be configured for receiving a variety of differently sized pull-tabs 10. For example, in one embodiment, the opening 120 may be configured to receive a pull-tab 10 having a thickness of at least 0.0600 inches.

(17) In addition, the opening 120 may have a brevity configured to retain the pull-tab 10 with sufficient grip so as to effectively prevent movement of the cover 100 from the beverage can 5. Furthermore, the opening 120 may have a flexibility configured to contourly-receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5.

(18) FIG. 3 is a side view of the cover 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here the cover 100 is shown attached to the beverage can 5. The cover 100 may include the circular disc 110 having the substantially flat body, the opening 120 within the circular disc 110 which may be configured to receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 when in the opened condition 15 so as to retain the cover 100 on the top of the beverage can 5 and the raised lip 130 fixedly attached to the circumference of the circular disc 110.

(19) Demonstrated is the cover 100 having a diameter greater than that of the beverage can 5. As above, the cover 100 may be configured for use on a variety of differently sized beverage cans 5. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the circular disc 110 may have a diameter of at least 3 inches. In a further embodiment, the circular disc 110 may have the diameter of between 3 inches and 5 inches. In the preferred embodiment, the circular disc 110 may be composed of a plastic material. Other materials may be used.

(20) The raised lip shown may be configured for positive grip of the circular disc 110 when sliding the cover 100 on and off the beverage can 5. Relatedly, the opening 120 may be manipulated by squeezing opposing sides of the raised lip 130 to aid in receival and removal of the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5. In the preferred embodiment, the raised lip 130 may be composed of a plastic material. Other materials may be used.

(21) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Illustrated here is the cover 100 in isolation including a circular disc 110 having a substantially flat body, an opening 120 within the circular disc 110 may be configured to receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 when in an opened condition 15 so as to retain the cover 100 on the top of the beverage can 5 and a raised lip 130 fixedly attached to a circumference of the circular disc 110. The cover 100 may be configured to prevent insects and debris from entering the beverage can 5 when in the opened condition 15. Similarly, the cover 100 may be configured to prevent release of carbonated gas from a liquid retained within the beverage can 5 and to prevent the liquid from premature warming when in the opened condition 15.

(22) The opening 120 shown may be configured to receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5 in the opened condition 15 when the cover 100 is slid onto the top of the beverage can 5. The opening 120 may run through a complete diameter at a midpoint of the circular disc 110. Further, the opening 120 may be configured for receiving a variety of differently sized pull-tabs 10. For example, in one embodiment, the opening 120 may be configured to receive a pull-tab 10 having a thickness of at least 0.0600 inches. Other dimensions may be used.

(23) In addition, the opening 120 may have a brevity configured to retain the pull-tab 10 with sufficient grip so as to effectively prevent movement of the cover 100 from the beverage can 5. Furthermore, the opening 120 may have a flexibility configured to contourly-receive the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5.

(24) Further, the raised lip 130 shown may be configured for positive grip of the circular disc 110 when sliding the cover 100 on and off the beverage can 5. Relatedly, the opening 120 may be manipulated by squeezing opposing sides of the raised lip 130 to aid in receival and removal of the pull-tab 10 of the beverage can 5. In the preferred embodiment, the raised lip 130 may be composed of a plastic material.

(25) FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 500 for using a cover 100 for a beverage can 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 500 for using a cover 100 for a beverage can 5 may include one or more components or features of the cover 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 500 for using a cover 100 for a beverage can 5 may include the steps of: step one 501, squeezing opposing sides of the raised lip of the cover to widen an opening within the cover; step two 502, sliding the cover over the beverage can in the opened condition; and step three 503, inserting a pull-tab of the beverage can into the opening within the cover. Further steps may include; step four 504, removing the pull-tab from within the opening of the cover to slide the cover from the beverage can when a liquid retained within the beverage can is to be consumed; and step five 505, sliding the cover onto the beverage can again to protect the liquid retained within the beverage can.

(26) It should be noted that steps four 504 and five 505 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using a cover for a beverage can (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

(27) The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.