US4752016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beverage can closure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-12-10
•
Granted: 1988-06-21
•
Expires: 2007-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A disk-like insulating cover for attachment to the top of opened metal beverage cans, providing selectable closure and retention of carbonation. A single drinking spout in the cover allows egress of beverage when aligned with the can opening; rotation of the cover to a misaligned position prevents spillage.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen R. Eads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/38; B65D81/3876; B65D81/3879; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/20; B65D47/26; B65D47/261; B65D47/265; B65D51/00; B65D51/18; B65D51/20; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/0003; B65D2251/0006; B65D2251/0025; B65D2251/0068; B65D2251/0071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus to effect resealable closure of metal beverage cans comprising: (a) a circular disk-like member having a lower surface and an upper surface with the diameter of said member being commensurate with a raised circumferential rim formed by said can about the top surface thereof; (b) an annular depression in lower surface of said disk-like member for engagement of said raised circumferential rim to achieve positive attachment therewith such that said lower surface of said disk-like member fits in cooperative relationship with said top surface and forms a liquid resistant seal therewith; and (c) an aperture proximal said annular depression and extending through said disk-like member for egress of fluids from said can when cooperatively aligned with an opening in said top surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus to effect resealable closure of metal beverage cans comprising: (a) a circular disk-like member having a lower surface and an upper surface with the diameter of said member being commensurate with a raised circumferential rim formed by said can about the top surface thereof; (b) an annular depression in lower surface of said disk-like member for engagement of said raised circumferential rim to achieve positive attachment therewith such that said lower surface of said disk-like member fits in cooperative relationship with said top surface and forms a liquid resistant seal therewith; and (c) an aperture proximal said annular depression and extending through said disk-like member for egress of fluids from said can when cooperatively aligned with an opening in said top surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said disk-like member is constructed of durable flexible material so as to closely conform to the top surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said disk-like member is constructed of insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said disk-like member contains a single aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said aperture occupies limited surface area of said disk-like member with the remaining surface area of said disk-like member being sufficient to block the opening in the top surface and prevent egress of fluids contained therein, when said aperture and said opening are not cooperatively aligned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said aperture is defined by a planar region normal to said lower surface and an arcuate region intersecting said planar region and flaring upwardly and outwardly away from said lower surface to form a smooth drinking spout.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture is defined by a planar region normal to said lower surface and an arcuate region intersecting said planar region and flaring upwardly and outwardly away from said lower surface to form a smooth drinking spout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said top surface has attached ring opening device and said lower surface of said disk-like member has recessed region positioned so as to receive said ring opening device therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the volume of said recessed region is sufficient such that reception of said ring opening device permits close cooperative fit between lower surface of said disk-like member and said top surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said raised circumferential rim flares outwardly above said top surface with said annular depression in said disk-like member cooperatively formed to receive said circumferential rim in a close fitting relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein a flange extends radially inwardly within said annular depression proximal said lower surface and cooperatively flares to accept the outwardly flaring circumferential rim to positively engage said circumferential rim.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein contact between said flange and said circumferential rim prevents motion in a direction normal to said top surface while allowing relative clockwise and counterclockwise motion between said rim and said flange.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
Reusable reclosure device for metal beverage cans comprising: (a) a flexible cover conforming with the top of said can and establishing a liquid and carbonation resistant seal therewith; (b) an aperture in said cover providing for egress of the contained beverage upon alignment with an opening in the top of said can; and (c) circumferential flange providing snap-on attachment of said cover to a raised circumferential rim on said can.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
Reusable reclosure device for metal beverage cans comprising: (a) a flexible cover conforming with the top of said can and establishing a liquid and carbonation resistant seal therewith; (b) an aperture in said cover providing for egress of the contained beverage upon alignment with an opening in the top of said can; and (c) circumferential flange providing snap-on attachment of said cover to a raised circumferential rim on said can.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Reclosure device as defined in claim 13 wherein said can top is equipped with metal ring opener, said cover containing a corresponding depression for acceptance of said opener.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
Reclosure device as defined in claim 14 wherein said aperture defines a funnel-shaped region radially opposite said depression with the downstream end of said funnel being located distal to said depression and serving as a drinking spout.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Reclosure device as defined in claim 14 wherein the size of said cover aperture closely approximates the size of said can top opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Reclosure device as defined in claim 13 wherein said circumferential flange extends outwardly of the circumferential rim of said can and engages said rim below a flared region formed thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
Reclosure device as defined in claim 17 wherein said engagement restricts motion of said device in direction normal to said can top but allows clockwise or counterclockwise motion between said device and said can in a plane parallel to said can top.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4579257A
Cited
US4717039A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-21 | 1991-12-21 | 1992-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-21 | 1995-12-21 | 1996-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-21 | 1999-12-21 | 2000-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |