Secure Enclosure Derived from Aluminum Can with Slot Cover

Abstract

A piggy bank, collection box, or ballot box made from an aluminum can having a slot made near its upper outer rim; preferably having a cover thereon, and preferably one themed for a fundraising or saving purpose or being the terminus of a slide.

Claims

1. An apparatus for tearing a slot in a beverage can for the purpose of making a secure enclosure comprising a substantially rigid body having a bottom cutting surface whose width is or exceeds two millimeters, and further comprising a handle connected to the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an end of the body terminates in a cutting point that would be suitable for either puncturing a side wall of a beverage can or for expanding a small hole previously made in the can so that the bottom cutting surface could pass partially within the can.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a barrier between the handle and the bottom cutting surface.

4. A secure enclosure comprising an aluminum beverage can having a Goldilocks zone and a horizontal slot cut into the Goldilocks zone and which horizontal slot is wide and tall enough to permit the passage of coins and folded paper currency.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a slot cover which is affixed to the can and which has a slot cover opening, and whereby the slot cover opening is positioned over the horizontal slot to permit the passage of coins and folded paper currency into the can through both the slot cover opening and the horizontal slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a slot cover having a shape that suggests the purpose for which funds are being collected.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the shape is a cross, Star of David, soccer ball, basketball, baseball, football, goalposts, baseball bat, hockey stick, book, badge, rod of Asclepius, or substantially a two-dimensional view of any of the foregoing.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a slot cover having a slide incorporated therewith which permits coins placed at the top of the slide to slide along its slope and drop into the slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, whereby the means of affixing the slot cover to the can is a plug which penetrates the can and anchors the slot in place.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, whereby the means of affixing the slot cover to the can is adhesive.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereby the means of affixing the slot cover to the can is a thin object coated on both sides with adhesive which is placed between the slot cover and the can and which physically connects the slot cover to the can.

12. A method of making a secure enclosure comprising the steps, in either order, of: (i) making a substantially horizontal slot in the side of a beverage can in the can's Goldilocks zone of sufficient size and width to pass coins and folded paper money; and (ii) affixing a slot cover to the can such that the opening in the slot cover is over the substantially horizontal slot in a manner that would permit coins and folded paper money to be passed through them.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a secure enclosure with a simple slot made in the can and having a simple slot cover thereon.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of a slot cover having anchoring plugs.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a slot cover having anchoring plugs.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the slot-maker.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slot cover that incorporates a slide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The description given above in the Brief Summary of the Invention section is hereby and herein incorporated by this reference as if stated at length. In the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views.

[0022] The secure enclosure is made from an ordinary aluminum beverage can 5. See FIG. 1. In its current composition, among USA bottlers, an aluminum beverage can has an outer curvature along most of its body that is approximately 65 mm in width and that, at its top, tapers down to a radius of about 47 mm. The upper ridge where the can begins to narrow in diameter is made of thicker aluminum, but the ring of space just below that (which begins a few millimeters below the tapering) is thinner, more flexible aluminum, like the sides of the can; but the material in that ring is still supported closely by the rigid upper ridge. I call the space of flexible aluminum immediately below the thick ridge the Goldilocks zone. This is the area in which the slot cover 2 will be located and where its anchor holes and slot will be installed.

[0023] The slot cover 2 is preferably made of a wood product or inexpensive plastic or some combination of both. It has a centrally located slot cover opening 3 in its long, horizontal direction suitable for passing coins or folded paper money or small ballots. On its rear side, it has at least one anchoring plug 4. These are designed so that when you push them into a pinhole in the can made from a pushpin, it will gently enlarge the hole. Like a sex toy, the plug is narrower at the point where the plug meets the back of the slot cover 2 so that the elasticity of the aluminum will cause the pushed-away aluminum material to pull back against the plug's shaft, thereby securing the slot cover 2 against the can. In lieu of or in addition to the anchoring plugs 4, adhesive could be used to secure the slot cover 2 against can 5.

[0024] To make the secure enclosure, one preferably first drains some or all of the liquid from the can. I like to poke an unobtrusive hole in the top with a pushpin (usually a hole concealed under the can's tab when the tab is in its normal position). Occasionally I speed the drainage by poking a small vent hole with a pushpin in the soft aluminum side of the can near the bottom.

[0025] I then insert the slot-maker 7 into the can 5 at its Goldilocks zone 1 and drag it horizontally to make a can slot 6 suitable for inserting change, folded dollars, and/or small folded ballots. Slot-maker 7 has a barrier 10 that prevents over-insertion when cutting point 12 is inserted. Slot-maker 7 also has a bottom cutting surface 11 approximately 2 to 3 mm in width between its handle 9 and its cutting point 12. This bottom cutting surface 11 acts to peel a section of can away, thereby forming the can slot 6 (which is the actual opening in the can's metal). If slot-maker 7 is not sufficiently sharp and rigid to penetrate the can 5 easily, I will first make a starter hole with a pushpin.

[0026] It is highly desirable, but not strictly necessary, to put a slot cover 2 over can slot 6. To do so, you first prick a starter hole in the Goldilocks zone 1 where an anchoring plug 4 is to be inserted. Then place anchoring plug 4 gently against that starter hole and make another starter hole in the appropriate position where the other anchoring plug 4 will land when the slot cover 2 is fully inserted in its preferred position. Gently push one anchor plug into its hole. Bend-in the slot cover slightly and insert the other plug in its hole. If properly done, the cover will snugly fit against the can; if not, use a liquid or gel adhesive to obtain a snug fit. Once the cover is in place, use slot-maker 7 and pushpin as described above to make the can slot 6 in the can underneath the slot cover 2. In lieu of anchoring plugs, the slot cover 2 could be adhered to the can 5 with a double-sided adhesive backing strip (e.g., double-sided tape or a thin foam with peel-off stickers that protect the adhesive when not in use).

[0027] Once fundraising is accomplished the can is opened by removing the slot cover with pliers. One can then scissor off the top from the Goldilocks zone 1 using the horizontal slot (i.e., the can slot) as a starting point. Alternatively, one can fold the can in half while holding it by its two ends, then bend it back and forth several times, and then twist the can so the aluminum wall tears from the can's center.