CARRYING ASSEMBLY INCLUDING RESEALABLE COVER FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

A carrying assembly including a support member integrally molded with sealing covers that have a base connected via a bridge to a lid. The base is engaged with can top end and the lid is rotatable to seal the can. A four-pack of cans is secured together by a sealing member having an annular ring defining an aperture and four radial arms. Each base is engaged with two adjacent arms. A six-pack of can is secured together by a sealing member having a central strip with an annular ring at each end and a plurality of tabs extending between adjacent bases. Each annular ring defines an aperture therein. The annular rings are rotated relative to the strip to bring the apertures into alignment. A user will insert one or more fingers into the aperture in the four-pack or the aligned apertures in the six-pack to lift and carry the same.

Claims

1. A carrying assembly for transporting a plurality of cans or containers; said carrying assembly comprising: a support member; at least one sealing cover engaged with the support member; wherein each of the at least one sealing cover comprises: a base having an upper end and a lower end; wherein the lower end is complementary to a top end of one of the plurality of cans or containers; an opening defined by an inner surface of the base, wherein the opening extends between the upper end and the lower end; a lid that is complementary to the upper end of the base; and a bridge connecting the base and lid together.

2. The carrying assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support member includes: an annular ring adapted to be secured to one of the base or the lid of the at least one sealing cover; wherein the annular ring has an upper surface and a lower surface; and an aperture defined in the annular ring; said aperture extending between the upper surface and lower surface of the annular ring; wherein the aperture is sized to receive at least one finger of a user therein.

3. The carrying assembly according to claim 2, wherein the support member further comprises: at least one arm extending radially outwardly from the annular ring; and wherein the one of the base or the lid of the at least one sealing cover is engaged with the at least one arm.

4. The carrying assembly as defined in claim 3, further comprising: a line of weakness extending between the support member and each of the at least one sealing cover.

5. The carrying assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the line of weakness is located between the at least one arm and the one of the base or the lid.

6. The carrying assembly according to claim 3, wherein the at least one arm comprises four arms that extend radially outwardly from the annular ring; and wherein the at least one sealing cover comprises four sealing covers; and each of the four sealing covers is secured to two adjacent arms of the four arms.

7. The carrying assembly according to claim 6, wherein the four arms are arranged in an X-shape and adjacent arms in the X-shape are oriented at generally ninety degrees relative to each other.

8. The carrying assembly according to claim 7, wherein a space is defined between adjacent arms extending radially from the annular ring and wherein a portion of the one of the base or lid of each sealing cover is received an the space between two adjacent arms.

9. The carrying assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support member is integrally molded with the at least one sealing cover.

10. The carrying assembly according to claim 1, where the support member is fabricated from a sheet material.

11. The carrying assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support member further comprises: a strip having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a second annular ring and a second aperture defined in the second annular ring and extending between an upper surface and a lower surface of the second annular ring.

12. The carrying assembly according to claim 11, wherein the annular ring extends outwardly from a first end of the strip in a first direction and the second annular ring extends outwardly from a second end of the strip in a second direction.

13. The carrying assembly according to claim 12, wherein the at least one sealing cover comprises six sealing covers.

14. The carrying assembly according to claim 13, wherein the support member further comprises a plurality of tabs; and each tab is secured between two of the six sealing covers.

15. The carrying assembly according to claim 14, wherein a line of weakness is defined between each tab and the two of the six sealing covers engaged therewith.

16. The carrying assembly according to claim 13, wherein the six sealing covers are arranged in two parallel rows of three sealing covers; and wherein the strip is positioned between a central sealing cover of the three sealing covers in a first row of the two parallel rows; and a central sealing cover of the three sealing covers in a second row of the two parallel rows; and wherein the strip is integrally molded with the two central sealing covers.

17. The carrying assembly according to claim 16, wherein a line of weakness is defined between each of the central sealing covers and the strip.

18. The carrying assembly according to claim 12, wherein the annular ring and second annular ring are movable between a first position where the annular ring, the strip and second annular ring are aligned along a same plane; and a second position where the annular ring and the second annular ring are oriented at an angle relative to an upper surface of the strip.

19. The carrying assembly according to claim 18, wherein an aperture in the annular ring and the second aperture in the second annular ring are alignable when the annular ring and second annular ring are in the second position; and when aligned, the aperture and second aperture are adapted to receive at least one finger of a user therethrough.

20. A method of carrying a plurality of cans or containers comprising: providing a carrying assembly comprising a support member; a plurality of sealing covers engaged with the support member; each of the sealing covers including a base having an upper end and a lower end; wherein the lower end is complementary to a top end of one of the plurality of cans or containers; an opening defined by an inner surface of the base, wherein the opening extends between the upper end and the lower end; a lid that is complementary to the upper end of the base; and a bridge connecting the base and lid together; and wherein the support member includes an annular ring, an aperture defined in the annular ring and extending between the upper surface and lower surface of the annular ring; and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the annular ring; wherein the base of each of the plurality of sealing covers is engaged with a pair of adjacent arms; engaging the plurality of cans or containers with the carrying assembly by engaging the bases of each sealing cover with a top region of one of the cans or containers and thereby forming a multi-pack; inserting a finger through the aperture in the support member; and lifting and carrying the multi-pack using the finger engaged with the support member.

21. A method of carrying a plurality of cans or containers comprising: providing a carrying assembly comprising a support member; a plurality of sealing covers engaged with the support member; each of the sealing covers including a base having an upper end and a lower end; wherein the lower end is complementary to a top end of one of the plurality of cans or containers; an opening defined by an inner surface of the base, wherein the opening extends between the upper end and the lower end; a lid that is complementary to the upper end of the base; and a bridge connecting the base and lid together; and wherein the support member includes a strip having an annular ring defining an aperture therein on a first end and a second annular ring defining a second aperture therein on a second end; and a plurality of tabs; engaging a plurality of cans or containers with the carrying assembly by securing one of the plurality of tabs between each adjacent pair of bases and thereby forming a multi-pack; rotating the annular ring and the second annular ring from a first position to a second position; aligning the aperture in the annular ring with the second aperture in the second annular ring; inserting one or more fingers through the aligned aperture and second aperture; and lifting and carrying the multi-pack using the one or more fingers engaged with the support member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1A-5 there is shown a first embodiment of a sealing cover in accordance with an aspect of the invention, generally indicated at 10. As best seen in FIG. 1B, sealing cover 10 may comprise a base 28 and a lid 32 that are engaged with each other via a flexible hinge or bridge 24. Bridge 24 may be integrally formed with base 28 and lid 32 or may be a separate component that is heat welded or otherwise connected to base 28 and to lid 32.

[0058] Base 28 may be configured to be engaged with an upper rim of a beverage container 12 (FIG. 2A). Lid 32 may be movable about bridge 24 and relative to base 28 between an open position (FIG. 2A) and a closed position (FIG. 2B). When lid 32 is in the open position the contents of beverage container 12 may be accessed. When lid 32 is in the closed position, the contents of beverage container 12 may not be accessed. Sealing cover 10 will be described in greater detail below.

[0059] It should be noted that when cover 10 is in the closed position, lid 32 is located vertically above and aligned with base 28. The bridge 24 that extends between lid 32 and base 28 may be folded back upon itself as shown in FIG. 3A. When lid 32 is moved to the open position, i.e., out of vertical alignment with base 28, bridge 24 unfolds to the position shown in FIG. 1B.

[0060] It will be understood that instead of a flexible or living hinge, bridge 24 may be replaced with any other type of hinge or connecting mechanism to secure lid 32 and base 28 together and prevent them from becoming detached from each other.

[0061] Sealing cover 10 may be fabricated from one or more plastic materials that are appropriate and approved for use in the food industry for coming into direct contact with solid or liquid foods and beverages. Suitable plastic materials for sealing cover 10 may include but not be limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, or polycarbonate.

[0062] Base 28 may comprise a wall shaped and sized to be complementary to the beverage container 12 with which sealing cover 10 is to be engaged. Since beverage container 12 is illustrated as being generally circular in shape when viewed from a top end (i.e., the end that includes the opening through which the contents of container 12 are accessed), the wall of base 28 may be generally circular in shape when viewed from above. This can be seen in FIG. 1B. If beverage container 12 is differently shaped, when viewed from a top end, such as being square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or any other unique shape or configuration; the wall of base 28 will be fabricated to be complementary in shape to that top end of the container 12.

[0063] An inner surface of the wall of base 28 bounds and defines an opening 28a through which the aperture defined in a top end of container 12 may be accessed. Opening 28a may extend from proximate an upper end of the wall to proximate a lower end of the wall. A first sealing member may be provided on base 28. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first sealing member may comprise a protrusion 22 provided on base 28. Protrusion 22 may be provided on an upper end of base 28 and may be shaped as a generally circular projection (FIG. 1A) that extends upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the wall. Protrusion 22 may be an annular protrusion that is provided along substantially the entire circumference of the wall of base 28. It will be understood that protrusion 22 may be provided anywhere else on the wall of base 28 that will allow base 28 to be latched and ultimately sealed to lid 32.

[0064] A lower end of the wall of base 28 defines a first channel 34 that may extend along substantially the entire circumference of the wall. First channel 34 may be configured to be complementary to a rim 12a (FIG. 4A) provided on container 12. FIG. 3A shows that first channel 34 may be defined by a generally U-shaped region of the lower end of the wall of base 28. When sealing cover 10 is engaged with container 12, rim 12a is snugly received within first channel 34 of base 28 and base 28 is retained on rim 12a by friction. Base 28 of cover 10 may be snap-fitted onto the rim 12a of container 12 after a consumer has purchased the container 12 and the cover 10.

[0065] The inner surface of the wall of base 28 may also define an annular first groove 28b (FIG. 3A) that may extend around substantially the entire circumference of the wall. The outer surface of the wall of base 28 may also define an annular second groove 28c that may extend around substantially the entire circumference of the wall. Annular first and second grooves 28b, 28c may be provided proximate a lowermost region of protrusion 22. Grooves 28b, 28c ensure that protrusion 22 is able to flex from side-to-side during engagement of lid 32 with base 28 and during the progressive sealing of cover 10.

[0066] One or more first flanges 36 (FIG. 1B) may extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the wall of base 28. FIG. 1B shows two first flanges 36 that are laterally spaced a distance apart from each other and define a recessed region 37 between them.

[0067] Lid 32 or at least a portion of lid 32 may be configured to be complementary in shape and size to base 28. So, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B, if base 28 is configured to be substantially circular in shape when viewed from above, then lid 32 or at least a portion of lid 32 may be substantially circular in shape. Obviously, if base 28 is differently configured, such as being square, rectangular, oval, elliptical, triangular or any other shape when viewed from above, then lid 32 or at least a portion of lid 32 may be substantially similarly configured.

[0068] Lid 32 comprises a top wall 26 and an annular wall 27 that circumscribes top wall 26. Annular wall 27 defines a second channel 30 in a location that is complementary to the location of protrusion 22 on base 28. As illustrated, second channel 30 may be provided on a lowermost surface of annular wall 27. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, second channel 30 may be defined to be complementary in shape, size and location to protrusion 22 provided on base 28. When lid 32 is positioned vertically above and aligned with base 28 by moving lid 32 to the closed position (FIG. 3A), protrusion 22 may be snugly received in second channel 30 of lid 32 and be retained therein by friction. Lid 32 and base 28 may initially be latched together by protrusion 22 entering channel 30. However, lid 32 and base may subsequently be progressively sealed and thereby locked together in such a manner that even liquid may tend not to flow out of the sealed container 12. This will be described later herein.

[0069] FIG. 3A shows that annular wall 27 (or top wall) of lid 32 defines a first annular shoulder 27a that is complementary shaped and sized to be received in first groove 28b of base 28; and defines a second annular shoulder 27b that is complementary shaped and sized to be received in second groove 28c of base 28.

[0070] A second flange 38 may extend radially outwardly from an exterior surface of annular wall 27. Second flange 38 may be located in such a way on annular wall 27 that when lid 32 is moved to a closed position, second flange 38 is located laterally adjacent at least one of the first flanges 36. Preferably, second flange 38 may be seated in the recessed region 37 defined between the two first flanges 36.

[0071] A first end of flexible bridge 24 may integrally formed with an exterior surface of base 28 and a second end of flexible bridge 24 may be integrally formed with an exterior surface of lid 32. As shown in FIG. 1B, a middle region of flexible bridge 24 may be narrower in width than either of the first end or second end thereof. Additionally, flexible bridge 24 is relatively thin and is therefore more readily able to flex and bend or fold over on itself.

[0072] Sealing cover 10 may be formed as an individual component (FIG. 1B) that may be snap fitted onto beverage container 12 or any other type of can after the production of container and the purchase thereof by a consumer. So, a user may purchase sealing cover 10 and beverage container 12 separately, and engage sealing cover 10 on the rim 12a of container 12 either before container 12 is opened or after container 12 is opened.

[0073] FIG. 2A shows a pull tab 16 on a top wall 14 of container 12 has been moved to an open position to provide access to an aperture 18 into the interior of container 12. A person may drink from container 12 or pour some of the contents thereof out through aperture 18 and then move sealing cover from the open position shown in FIG. 2A to the closed position shown in FIG. 2B. This is accomplished by rotating lid 32 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 2A) to bring second channel 30 on lid 32 into alignment with protrusion 22 on base 28.

[0074] Once lid 32 is moved to the closed position, a user may initially align first second channel 30 with protrusion 22 and press downwardly in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3A). This will cause protrusion 22 to at least partially enter into first second channel 30 thereby latching lid 32 to base 28. In order to ensure a close sealing engagement between lid 32 and base 28, the user may then progressively run his or her finger along the perimeter of the upper edge 27c of annular wall 27, and around the circumference thereof, applying a gentle downward pressure in the direction of arrow A. This motion will cause lid 32 to be progressively sealingly engaged with base 28 in a zipper type closure where protrusion 22 more or less fully enters into the complementary channel 30. This progressively application of pressure may ensure a tight seal between lid 32 and base 28. Because of the flexibility of the material used to fabricate sealing cover 10 and because of the side-to-side flexibility of protrusion 22 created by grooves 28b, 28c; lid 32 and base 28 are sealingly engaged with each other.

[0075] During the sealing engagement of lid 32 and base 28, annular shoulder 27a on lid 32 enters into annular first groove 28b on base 28, thereby ensuring a close seal between lid 32 and base 28. This is shown in FIG. 4B where it can be seen that sealing cover 10 closes off access to the interior chamber 12b and thereby to the contents 13 retained therein. (The interior chamber 12b of container 12 is bounded and defined by the bottom wall and side wall of the container 12. An opening to the interior chamber 12b is provided at an end of the container opposite bottom wall. The opening may comprise a small region of a top wall of the container or the entire top wall may be omitted in which case the opening is bounded by an upper rim of the side wall of the container.)

[0076] If a user later decides he or he wishes to gain access to the contents 13 in the interior chamber 12b (FIG. 4A) of container 12, he or she will engage first flange 36 with their finger and will push upwardly thereon in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 3B). This motion will move sealing cover 10 back into the open position shown in FIG. 4A.

[0077] A method of resealing a container 12 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, where the container 12 contains a substance, such as a beverage, food or another material in the interior chamber 12b thereof, and wherein the container has a side wall with an upper rim 12a, may comprise steps of engaging a base 28 of a cover 10 on the upper rim 12a of the side wall of the container 12; moving a lid 32 engaged with base 28 into a position vertically above base 28 (such as is shown in FIG. 4B); aligning a channel 30 (FIG. 1A), (or 52 (FIG. 6B) or 120 (FIG. 9)) defined in one of lid 32 and base 28 with a protrusion 22 (FIG. 1A) (or 50 (FIG. 6B or 122 (FIG. 9)) provided on the other of the lid and the base; pushing the lid 32 downwardly in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3A) toward the base to engage the protrusion in the channel; progressively applying pressure (by way of a fingertip) to a perimeter of an outer surface of the lid; and sealing lid 32 and base 28 together.

[0078] FIGS. 6A to 6C show a second embodiment of a sealing cover in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, generally indicated at 54. Cover 54 is illustrated as being engaged with a can 40 such as a can of pet food. Can 40 includes a side wall that has a rim at an upper end thereof. Sealing cover 54 comprises a base 48 and a lid 46 that may be fabricated as separate components. After fabrication of can 40, a small and inexpensive addition is made to can 40 in the form of overmolding the rim of side wall 41 with base 48. Base 48 and lid 46 are assembled with lid 46 positioned on top of base 48 and the two components are heat-sealed together, such as at molded tabs 56 and 58 (FIG. 6C). (It will be understood that any other suitable method of securing or welding the plastic base 48 and lid 46 may be utilized instead of heat-sealing.)

[0079] FIG. 6A shows lid 46 rotated into an open position and the can's lid 42 in an open position. The can's lid 42 is moved to the open position by pulling on the pull tab 44. FIG. 6B shows the can 40 with the can's lid 42 completely disengaged from the can and the sealing cover 54 in the open position. It should be noted that after sealing cover 54 is moved to the open position, the can 40 may be opened and the can's lid 42 completely detached from the can without removing sealing cover 54 from its engagement with can 40. FIG. 6C shows lid 46 of sealing cover 54 moved to a closed and sealed position. Lid 46 is rotated into the closed position such that the protrusion 50 on base 48 is received in the channel 52 on lid 46. Lid 46 is initially latched by pushing downwardly thereon and then the user will run their finger around the perimeter of lid 46 progressively pushing downwardly to zipper lock lid 46 to base 48 in the same manner as lid 32 is locked to base 28. Cover 54 may easily be opened by engaging tab 56 and pushing upwardly thereon.

[0080] If the user does not wish to reseal can, lid 46 may be disengaged from base 48 by applying a pulling force thereto to break the seal at tab 58.

[0081] The can 40 will be purchased by the consumer looking the same way as is illustrated in FIG. 6C, i.e., in a closed position. Cover 54 keeps the can's lid 42 in a sanitary condition by preventing dust, dirt, debris etc. from accumulating on lid 42. Allowing dust, dirt, debris, etc. to accumulate on a can lid may present a health and safety hazard for consumers. Cans stored in warehouses, factories and shops may be exposed to mice and other rodents and there have been documented cases of E.coli contamination from consumers drinking directly from soda cans. Sealing cover 54 provides an inexpensive option to aid in preventing the can's lid 40 from being contaminated. Additionally, if the can 40 is a soda can, it is easy for the consumer to prevent bees and other insects from entering into can 40 when the consumer is not actively drinking therefrom by simply pushing lid 46 into the closed position. If the consumer desires to access the contents at a later time, the lid 46 may then be moved to the sealed and position by running their finger around the perimeter of lid 46 and gently applying pressure thereto.

[0082] FIGS. 1-6C show that the protrusion 22 or 50 may be provided on base 28 or 48, respectively; and that second channel 30 or 52 may be provided on lid 32 or 54, respectively.

[0083] FIG. 7 illustrates a sealing cover 80 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention being used on a paint can 82. Cover 80 includes base 84 and lid 86 that are engaged with each other via a flexible bridge 88. Cover 80 may be substantially identical to cover 10 and therefore will not be described in any more detail herein. Base 84 may be engaged on a rim at an upper edge of the side wall of paint can 82 and lid 86 may selectively be moved between the open and closed positions in a similar manner as with the first and second embodiments described herein. Cover 80 may be provided as an aftermarket product that is purchased separately and then engaged by the consumer on paint can 82 in a similar manner to cover 10. Alternatively, cover 80 may be applied in the factory after fabrication of the paint can 82 by overmolding base 84 and then heat-sealing lid 86 thereto in a similar manner to cover 54.

[0084] In use, lid 86 will be moved to the open position in order to gain access to the paint within paint can 82. When the consumer wishes to close and seal paint can 82 to prevent the paint from drying out or from becoming contaminated, lid 86 is moved to the closed position by pushing downwardly thereon until a protrusion on the base 84 is received in a channel on the lid 86. This latches lid 86 to base 84. The consumer will then push downwardly and move their finger along the top surface of the lid 86 and around the perimeter thereof to progressively zipper lid 86 closed to base 84. A flange 89 on lid 86 may be engaged and pushed upwardly to reopen lid 86 at a later time.

[0085] FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of a blister pack 90 that includes a sheet of material 91 into which a plurality of sealing covers 92 are molded or stamped therein. Each sealing cover 92 comprises a base 94, a lid 96 and a flexible bridge 98 extending therebetween. The consumer may purchase blister pack 90 and selectively remove the sealing cover 92 therefrom for use. The single sealing cover 92 is removed from the rest of blister pack 90 by pushing on the lines of weakness 100 that circumscribe that particular sealing cover 92. The detached sealing cover 92 may then be used in a similar manner to sealing cover 10. Blister pack 90 may contain one or more sealing covers 92 thereon that may be individually detached from blister pack 90.

[0086] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the sealing cover, generally indicated at 110. Sealing cover 110 may comprises a base 112 and a lid 114 that are connected together by a flexible bridge or living hinge 116. Cover 110 may be substantially identical to cover 10 with the exception that a protrusion 118 is provided on an underside of lid 114 and a second channel 120 is defined in the upper side of base 112. The cover 110 is engaged with a can or container by a rim on an upper end of the can or container being received in a complementary first channel 122 provided on a lower end of base 112. Base 112 and lid 114 of cover 110 may be latched and subsequently progressively sealed together in substantially an identical manner to the base and lid of cover 10.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13 there is shown a first embodiment of a carrying assembly 200 that is comprised of a support member 202 and a plurality of sealing covers 210. Each sealing cover 210 comprises a base 228 and a lid 232 that are engaged together by a living hinge 224 or bridge. Sealing cover 210 may comprise any of the sealing covers disclosed in FIGS. 1-9 or any other desired configuration of a base, lid and bridge. Base 228 is shaped and sized to be engaged with a can 12 (as illustrated in FIG. 12) in the manner previously described herein with respect to the previously described sealing covers. Base 228 defines an aperture 228a therein and through which contents of a can 12 or other container may be accessed. The lid 232 of each sealing member 210 may be positioned to be selectively sealingly engaged with the base 228 thereof as has been described herein with respect to the sealing members disclosed in FIGS. 1-9. Lid 232 has a central wall 226 that closes off access to an opening in can 12 when lid 232 is moved to a closed position.

[0088] In accordance with an aspect the present disclosure, a support member 202 is integrally molded with four sealing covers 210 to form the carrying assembly 200. Support member 202 may therefore be comprised of the same material as sealing covers 210. Support member 202 may be a flat or planar member that is in the form of an X. In particular, support member 202 may comprise an annular ring 203 that defines a central aperture 204. Aperture 204 extends between an upper surface and a lower surface of the annular ring 203. Aperture 204 is of a size and shape suitable to receive one or more fingers of a user's hand therethrough.

[0089] Annular ring 203 is illustrated as being circular in shape when viewed from above and the aperture 204 defined therein is also illustrated as being circular in shape when viewed from above. It should be noted however, that one or both of ring 203 and aperture 204 may be differently configured from what is shown in FIG. 10. For example, annular ring 203 may be substantially square in shape when viewed from above and aperture 204 may be substantially circular. Alternatively, annular ring 203 may be substantially circular when viewed from above (i.e., as illustrated in FIG. 10) but the aperture may be elliptical in shape.

[0090] A plurality of arms 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d extends radially outwardly from a perimeter of annular ring 203 of support member 202. Adjacent arms 202a, 202c for example, are oriented at about ninety degrees relative to each other. Additionally, opposed arms, such as arms 202a and 202b are oriented at about one-hundred-andeighty degrees relative to each other. Each arm 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d may be slightly narrower proximate ring 203 and wider proximate a terminal end thereof, where the terminal end is located a distance remote from ring 203. Alternatively, each arm 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d may be of a substantially constant width from a first side to a second side thereof (where the sides extend between the upper and lower surfaces of support member 202. The bases 228 of the four sealing covers 210 may be integrally molded with the support member 202 in such a way that a region of each base 228 is located in a space 205 defined between two adjacent arms. For example, the base 228 of a first sealing cover is secured in the space 205 defined between arm 202a and arm 202c of support member 202. A portion of each arm 202a, 202c is connected to the exterior circumferential surface of base 228. A line of weakness 206 is formed between each arm 202a, 202c and the exterior circumferential surface of base 228. The lines of weakness are formed by creating a series of spaced apart perforations in the material used to fabricate carrying assembly 200. (Any other type of line of weakness may be incorporated into support member 202 such as, for example, a groove of thinner wall thickness may be utilized instead of a plurality of perforations.) Each base 228 of the four sealing covers 210 is secured to support member in a similar fashion to base 228.

[0091] It will be understood that instead of forming carrying assembly 200 such that bases 228 are engaged with support member 202, carrying assembly 200 may be fabricated by integrally molding lids 232 with the arms 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d of support member 202 and having bridges 224 and bases 228 radiating outwardly from those lids 232.

[0092] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate carrying assembly 200 engaged with four beverage cans 12. Beverage cans 12 are substantially identical to the can illustrated in FIG. 2A and others. Each can 14 has a top 2a11 14 with a pull tab 16 provided therein. Pull tab 16 may ultimately be removed to expose an aperture (FIG. 2A) in order to access the contents of can 12. The bases 228 of carrying assembly 200 are engaged with a top end 20 of each can 12 as has been previously described herein. However, the bases 228 are engaged therewith in a factory such that four cans 12 are engaged with carrying assembly 200 to form a four-pack. Carrying assembly 200 may then be used to lift and carry this four-pack of cans 12. In order to carry the four-pack, a user will insert a finger or pair of fingers through aperture 205 and will engage the lower surface of the support member 202 and then lift the four-pack upwardly. When it is later desired to break a single can out of the four-pack the user will twist the can 12. The base 228 will break away from the associated arms 202a, 202b, 202c, or 202d along lines of weakness 206. When can 12 is detached from the four-pack, the associated base 228, bridge 224 and lid will remain engaged with the detached can 12. The user may then lift the pull tab 16 to access the contents of can 12. If the user does not consume all of the contents, he or she will rotate lid 232 into position above base 228 and will push downwardly thereon to seal lid 232 to base 238. If the user later wishes to access the contents of can 12 once again, he or she will apply finger pressure to flange 238 on lid 232 and will rotate lid 232 back into an open position.

[0093] FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a second embodiment of a carrying assembly 300 that is configured so that a six-pack of cans 12 may be carried utilizing carrying assembly 300. As with the first embodiment of carrying assembly 200, in carrying assembly 300, a plurality of sealing covers 310 are engaged with a support member 302. The sealing covers 310 themselves may be of any desired configuration, shape and size. Sealing covers 310 each comprise a base 328, a bridge 324 and a lid 332. The bases 328 of each sealing cover 310 is integrally molded with the support member 302 but it will be understood that the lids 332 of the sealing covers 310 may instead be integrally molded or otherwise secured to support member 302.

[0094] Support member 302 comprises a base member 303 that includes a planar strip 303a with a first annular ring 303b at a first end of strip 303a and a second annular ring 303c at a second end of strip 303a. The base member 303 substantially resembles a dumbbell when viewed from above or below. Each of the annular rings 303b, 303c defines an aperture 304 therein. Each aperture 304 extends from an upper surface of base member 303 to a lower surface thereof and is of a size and shape suitable to receive one or more fingers of a user's hand therethrough.

[0095] Support member 302 further comprises six tabs 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e, and 302f. Each tab 302a-302f is integrally molded with the exterior circumferential surface of the bases 328 of two adjacent sealing covers 310. A line of weakness 306 is formed between each tab 302a-302f and the associated bases 328. Each base 328 therefore has two tabs 302a-302f engaged therewith. The bases 328 of the two bases 328 and 328 adjacent strip 303a are also integrally molded with strip 303a and are separated therefrom by lines of weakness 306. The two bases 328 and 328 are therefore secured to support member 302 by three attachment points, namely strip 303a and two associated tabs 302b, 302c and 302e, 302f, respectively.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, carrying assembly 300 may be engaged with six can 12 to form a six-pack. Cans 12 are arranged in two parallel rows of three cans each. Strip 303a is positioned between the two cans that are centrally located in each of the two parallel rows. FIG. 17 shows lids 332 in the open position and FIG. 18 shows the differently configured lids 332 in the closed position.

[0097] The annular ring 303b and second annular ring 303c may be movable between a first position (such as in FIG. 14) where the annular ring 303b, the strip 303a and second annular ring 303c are all aligned along a same plane; and a second position where the annular ring 303b and second annular ring 303c are oriented at an angle relative to an upper surface of the strip 303a. Preferably, the annular ring 303b and second angular ring 303c may be rotated to a position where they both extend upwardly away from an upper surface of the strip 303a and are oriented at an angle of more than ninety degrees relative to the upper surface of strip 303a. When annular ring 303b and second annular ring 303c are in the second position, the aperture 304 in the annular ring 303b and the second aperture 304 in the second annular ring 303c may be brought into alignment.

[0098] When it is desired to carry the six-pack of cans 12, the user will rotate the two annular rings 303b, 303c from the first position to the second position where they are located substantially above strip 303a and the apertures 304 in rings 303b and 303c are substantially aligned with each other. The user then inserts one or more fingers through the aligned apertures 304 and may thereby lift and carry the six-pack via the carrying assembly.

[0099] When it is desired to access the contents of the can, the desired can 12 is twisted so that the lines of weakness 306 between the can 12 and the associated tabs 302a-302f of support member 302 break and the can 12 will break free of support member 302. Sealing cover 310 is used in the same manner as sealing cover 210 to preserve and seal the contents of can 12 within can 12 as desired.

[0100] It will be understood that the sealing cover disclosed herein is contemplated to be fabricated in any size or shape and to be used on cans or containers that contain any type of product, but particularly food and beverages.

[0101] It will be understood that while this invention has been described mainly for use in conjunction with a metal can or container, the sealing covers disclosed herein may be engaged with the rims of glass or plastic jars or bottles or any other types of containers no matter the type of material from which those containers are fabricated.

[0102] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

[0103] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic may, might, or could be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to a or an element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to an additional element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0104] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0105] Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodiment of the disclosure are an example and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.