Plectrum as a lid in beverage cans

Abstract

The invention relates to a plectrum (1) comprising a flat member (2) that is generally sector-shaped form a top view and has an inner face (3) and an outer face (4) from a top view, the outer face (4) having a larger peripheral size than the inner face (3). The invention is characterized in that the flat member (2) is a single piece, a slot (5) which extends into an opening (6) for a rotary bearing is provided on the inner face (3), and the flat member (2) simultaneously forms a rotatable protective clip-on-part for open beverage cans (8) or the like.

Claims

1. A plectrum comprising a flat member generally in the shape of a sector in top view, the flat member having an inner face as well as an outer face with a larger peripheral extent than the inner face in top view, wherein a slotted opening is provided on the inner face, said slotted opening leading into a pivot bearing opening, wherein the outer face and the inner face of the flat member are connected via first and second lateral edges, the first and second lateral edges having respective first tapering regions tapering inwards towards said slotted opening, wherein the plectrum comprises a first leg and a second leg, said slotted opening and said pivot bearing opening being disposed between the first leg and the second leg, wherein the flat member simultaneously forms a pluggable rotatable protective cover part for open beverage cans or the like, and wherein the flat member corresponds in top view to a generally circular sector with a sector angle between 60 and 90, the sector angle being measured between the first tapering region of the first lateral edge and the first tapering region of the second lateral edge.

2. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer face of the flat member is in the shape of a circular arc in top view.

3. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot bearing opening comprises a border which is approximately semi-circular in shape.

4. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slotted opening leads into the pivot bearing opening via a constriction in order to snap-fit it to a beverage can.

5. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slotted opening comprises lateral borders which run from the pivot bearing opening to the border of the inner face of the flat member in diverging or parallel lines.

6. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein following the first tapering regions the first and second lateral edges are angled outwards in the region of the pivot bearing opening.

7. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat member is a member formed from two materials with different hardnesses.

8. The plectrum as claimed in claim 7, wherein a dividing line is provided between the two materials which runs from the first lateral edge to the outer face at an inclination.

9. The plectrum as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat member comprises at least two regions of the member with different thicknesses.

10. The plectrum as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flat member is formed as an injection molded part.

Description

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of particularly preferred exemplary embodiments which are, however, non-limiting in scope, and made with, reference to the accompanying drawings.

(2) In detail, in the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a top view of a plectrum, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a top view of a further embodiment of a plectrum of this type;

(5) FIGS. 3A and 3B show, as partial sectional views along the line III-III in FIG. 1, two possibilities for obtaining different thicknesses for the fiat member; and

(6) FIG. 4 shows a pictorial view of a conventional aluminium beverage can with a drinking opening and a pull tab as well as a peg for fixing the pull tab, as well asshown in dashed linesa diagrammatic plectrum in accordance with FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 placed on this can, in order to obtain protection thereby in the manner of a cover for the drinking opening when the beverage can is not being used.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a plectrum 1 with a flat body 2 which, completely generally (and not in the strict geometrical sense) has a configuration in the form of a circular sector in top view, wherein the inner face is broader compared with a circular sector and wherein the outer face 4 has a longer dimension in the circumferential direction compared with the inner face 3. The outer face 4 of the flat member 2 thus essentially has the shape of a circular arc.

(8) A slotted opening 5 is provided on the inner face 3 of the flat member 2 which leads into an interior pivot bearing opening 6, whereby a constriction 7 is provided at the transition between the openings 5 and 6. When the plectrum 1 is being used as a protective cover for a beverage can 8, see FIG. 4, the pivot bearing opening 6 accommodates a peg 9 which is standard for beverage cans of this type, as will be explained below more in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

(9) Accordingly, the pivot bearing opening 6 is approximately semi-circular in shape, preferably somewhat larger than a semi-circle, in order to form the constriction 7. The slotted opening 5 has lateral edges 10 which diverge with distance from the pivot bearing opening 6; however, it is also possible to envisage these borders 10 running in parallel lines, as can also be seen in FIG. 1, but in dashed lines for simplicity. Moreover, FIG. 2 shows, in dashed lines, that the borders 10 can also run in a divergent manner directly from the pivot bearing opening 6 without the need for the provision of a constriction 7.

(10) As an example, the flat member 2 has straight lateral borders 11, 12 whichas can be seen in FIG. 2enclose an angle . This angle , the sector angle of the circular sector, may, for example, be between 60 and 90, preferably approximately 75 to 80. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lateral borders are, for example, deflected outwardly from the inner face 3 at 13 so that in this manner, somewhat broader legs 14, 15 are obtained on the flat member 2 adjacent to the slotted opening 5. The deflection 13 begins approximately at the level of the pivot bearing opening 6.

(11) In FIG. 1, the dashed lines 16 further illustrate that the plate member may be formed with two regions 17, 18 of different materials, an outer harder region 17 and an inner, softer region 18. A configuration of this type can readily be produced by injection moulding, wherein the same plastic base material is used for the whole flat member 2, but with different additives in the two regions 17, 18 which provide different hardnesses, as is known per se.

(12) The dividing line 16 may additionally or alternatively also constitute a transition between a region 18 with a smaller thickness, for example 0.5 mm, compared with the other, outermost region 17 which, for example, may have a thickness of 0.6 mm. In this manner, the bottom surface may, for example, be continuous and in the region of the dividing line 16 the top surface has an appropriate step-like transition, as can be seen in FIG. 3B, or a change in levels may be present both on the top face and on the bottom face of the flat member 2, as can be seen in FIG. 3A.

(13) Finally, FIG. 2 further shows that optionally, the flat member 2 may also be provided with a better grip for the fingers by providing strips 19, whereupon reinforcing strips may also be formed in this manner.

(14) The beverage can 8 shown in FIG. 4 is formed in conventional manner with a cylindrical container body; an outlet opening 20 is provided on the top which in the original state is sealed by a sealing tab 21. This sealing tab 21 can, however, be pushed backwards with the aid of a tab 22 fixed to a peg 9, as can be seen in FIG. 4, so that the beverage can 8 can be opened and be ready for the contents to be drunk, for example with the aid of a drinking straw (not shown). The dashed lines in FIG. 4 further show a plectrum 1 covering the outlet opening or drinking opening 20, which is releasably fixed to the peg 9, in particular snap-fitted via its slotted opening 5 and pivot bearing opening 6 (see FIG. 1). The flat member 2 of the plectrum 1 may then be turned to the left or the right around the peg 9 in order to cover the opening 20 or expose it for drinking.

(15) In practice, the present plectrum 1 can preferably be applied directly to beverage cans 8 when these are delivered from the manufacturers after filling. The flat body 2 may also optionally be used as an advertising medium, i.e. be printed or embossed with marketing material. When the contents of the beverage can 8 are to be drunk, the plectrum 1 is turned to one side in order to expose the sealing tab 21 which is then pushed inwards with the aid of the tab 22. The contents of the can 8 are then accessible. If the can 8 is not immediately emptied completely, then the flat member 2 can be turned to cover the opening 20 to act as a protective cover and to prevent the ingress of debris, or indeed insects, into the interior of the can. When the can 8 has been completely emptied and is to be disposed of, the plectrum 1 can be removed and, for example, be used for guitar playing.