US20240262573A1

US20240262573A1 - Resealable beverage can lid having a spout

Info

Publication number: US20240262573A1
Application number: US18/105,634
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven S. Schuver
Original assignee: SBH Inc
Current assignee: SBH Inc
Priority date: 2023-02-03
Filing date: 2023-02-03
Publication date: 2024-08-08

Abstract

A resealable beverage can lid has a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to a resealable beverage can lid, and more particularly to a resealable beverage can lid having a spout.
Beverage cans for containing liquids such as carbonated beverages have become a universal and ubiquitous product. The beverage can is typically constructed of an aluminum alloy composition that may include aluminum, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and copper. The beverage can consists of a can body into which a liquid is filled and a can lid or end that is sealed to the can body. The can body may include a base or bottom that is dome shaped to resist internal pressure, a generally cylindrical section, a narrowed neck portion, and an open top edge. The can may be closed or covered with the can lid that is about the same circumference as the narrowed neck portion of the can body, a scored line or weakened portion cut into the can lid to form a panel or a tear panel having a hinge, a tab portion that is used to rupture the can lid along the scored line to create an opening, and a rivet that is used to secure the tab to the can lid. The rivet is an integral piece of the can lid and is formed by stretching the center of the can lid upwardly and then drawn to form the rivet. The lid is sealed to the can body by trimming the open top edge of the can body, bending the trimmed edge, and seaming the bent trimmed edge to the lid. In this manner, any liquid contained within the can body is sealed. To open the beverage can the tab is lifted to press against the tear panel to partially push the tear panel into the can body to create the opening in the lid. The panel does not fully detach from the lid due to the hinge portion formed in the lid by ends of the score line. Once opened, liquid from inside the can body may flow through the opening.
One problem associated with the use of the beverage can is that once opened it cannot be closed again. Since the liquid within the beverage can may be carbonated, after a period of time the carbonation escapes and the liquid becomes flat or stale. Once flat, the beverage can and its contents may be discarded which may be wasteful. Also, after opening the beverage can the contents may have to be consumed quickly because the contents cannot be preserved. Further, it is also possible that the contents of the beverage can may spill due to not being able to close the opening. In particular, when an individual is walking with an opened beverage can the individual may trip or fall and the contents of the can may be spilled because the can is open. This may also be problematic if the beverage can is stationary and near electrical equipment such as a computer or a laptop and the can is accidentally knocked over and spilled onto the computer or the laptop. The computer or the laptop can be damaged by the contents of the can spilling onto the computer or the laptop. It is also possible that insects, contaminants, or other unwanted matter may infiltrate the beverage can through the opening. If this occurs, then the beverage can and its contents should be thrown away.
The present disclosure is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings experienced with prior beverage can constructions. Particularly, it would be advantageous to be able to have a resealable beverage can lid for preserving the contents of the beverage can. Moreover, the present disclosure is related to a resealable beverage can lid that can be easily resealed for later use, to prevent spillage, or to prevent contaminants from entering the can once opened.

SUMMARY

In one form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid is disclosed which comprises a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.
In another form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid comprises a lid having a rim having a first height, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, the spout having a second height with the second height being less than the first height, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.
In still another form of the present disclosure, a resealable beverage can lid comprises a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, the top side being sloped having a low side and a high side with respect to the rim with the spout being positioned along the low side, and a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.
In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that the resealable beverage can lid of the present disclosure is of simple construction and design and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that may be used to reseal an opened beverage can to preserve the contents of the beverage can for later use.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that employs an easy to use closure mechanism that allows an individual to reseal the lid of an opened beverage can.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that does not require any special tools to use the resealable beverage can lid.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid that can be used with any sized beverage can.
The present disclosure provides a resealable beverage can lid that can be constructed using readily available materials and construction techniques and machinery.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid having a closure mechanism that does not add significantly to the cost of manufacturing the beverage can lid.
The present disclosure is also directed to a resealable beverage can lid that can be used to open and close the lid of an opened beverage can several times.
The present disclosure is further directed to a resealable beverage can lid that does not require a tab to open the beverage can.
The present disclosure also provides a resealable beverage can lid that may be stacked or nested with other resealable beverage can lids for storage, transportation, or inventory.
The present disclosure is directed to a resealable beverage can lid that is comfortable to drink from and use.
These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage can having the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane of line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane of line 3-3 with a cap removed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure connected to a can; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure connected to a beverage can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid constructed according to the present disclosure. Referring now to FIG. 1 , the resealable beverage can lid 10 is shown to comprise a lid or an end 12 having a top side 14 having a spout 16 formed therein and a removable cap 18 is secured to the spout 16. The lid 12 has a circumferential edge or flange 20 that is used to be mated to a can (not shown), as will be explained in detail further herein. The top side 14 has a slanted or sloping surface 22 that slants downward from a first or high side 24 to a second or low side 26. The spout 16 is positioned along the low side 26 and is off centered or offset from a center 28 of the lid 12.
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lid 12 of the resealable beverage can lid 10. The lid 12 has a bottom side 30 having the spout 16 formed therein. The spout 16 has an opening 32 through which the removable cap 18 is visible. The lid 12 is also shown having the flange 20, the sloping surface 22, the high side 24, and the low side 26. The spout 16 is shown being off centered and near the flange 20.
With reference now to FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid 10 is depicted. The lid 12 has the top side 14 and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 secured to the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has a rim 34 and the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 are positioned below the rim 34. With the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 being positioned below the rim 34 the lid 12 is suitable for nesting with other lids 12. This insures that the lid 12 will be suitable for storage, inventory, transportation, and assembly.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resealable beverage can lid 10 with the cap 18 being removed to illustrate the spout 16 in more detail. The lid 12 has the top side 14, the flange 20, and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 (not shown) removed from the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The spout 16 has a cylindrical side wall 36 having an interior surface 38 and an exterior surface 40. The exterior surface 40 has a thread 42 formed therein. The thread 40 is used to secure the removable cap 18 to the spout 16. Although a single thread 42 is shown it should be appreciated that several threads may be formed in the spout 16. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has the rim 34 with the spout 16 being positioned below the rim 34.
With particular reference now to FIG. 5 , the lid 12 is shown being secured to a cylindrical can body 44, such as a beverage can. The can body 44 has a neck portion 46 that is used to mate the flange 20 of the lid 12 to the neck portion 46. The can body 44 has an interior 48 in which a liquid 50, such as a carbonated beverage, is filled. As can be appreciated, the lid 12 is used to seal or cap the neck portion 46 of the can body 44 once the liquid 50 has been filed into the interior 48 of the can body 44. The lid 12 has the top side 14 and the bottom side 30. The spout 16 is shown having the removable cap 18 secured to the spout 16. The opening 32 of the spout 16 is also shown. The sloping surface 22 slants downward from the high side 24 toward the low side 26 of the lid 12. The lid 12 also has a rim 34 and the spout 16 and the removable cap 18 are positioned below the rim 34. The cap 18 comprises a top 52 and a circumferential side or skirt 54. The skirt 54 has an interior surface 56. Although not shown in detail in this view, the interior surface 56 has a thread that is capable of mating with the thread 42 (FIG. 4 ). In this manner, the cap 18 may be removed from the spout 16 to gain access to the liquid 50 within the interior 48 through the opening 32 in the spout 16. If the lid 12 needs to be resealed then the cap 18 is screwed back onto the spout 16. Further, with the sloping surface 22 and the spout 16 being off center it is easier to drink the liquid 50 from the interior 48 of the can body 44. It should also be noted that the top side 14 to the rim 34 has a depth or height, the spout 16 has a depth or height, and the cap 18 has a depth or height. The height of the top side 14 to the rim 34 is greater than the height of the spout 16 or the height of the cap 18 or both of the heights of the spout 16 and the cap 18 when the cap 18 is secured to the spout 16. In essence, as has been discussed, the spout 16 and the cap 18 are below the rim 34 in order for the lid 10 to be stacked or nested together.
The operation of the resealable beverage can lid 10 may be as follows. The can body 44 is filled with the liquid 50 and the lid 12 is sealed to the can body 44 and the product is then made available for purchase to an individual or consumer. Once purchased and the individual wants to use the product the individual will remove the cap 18 from the spout 16. This allows the liquid 50 in the interior 48 of the can body 44 to flow out of the opening 32 in the spout 16. The opening 32 allows the individual to drink the liquid 50 from the can body 44. When the individual wants to close or reseal the opening 32 the individual may screw the cap 18 back onto the spout 16. The beverage can 44 may be held, stored, or refrigerated without concern that the liquid 50 will spill out of the beverage can 44 or that the liquid 50 will become stale or that the liquid 50 will be contaminated. When the individual desires to again drink from the beverage can 44 the individual removes the cap 18 to again gain access to the opening 32. As is known, once the liquid 50 from the beverage can 44 has been consumed, the beverage can 44 may be recycled.
FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a resealable beverage can lid 100 constructed according to the present disclosure. The resealable beverage can lid 100 is shown to comprise a lid 102 connected to a can body 104, such as a beverage can, by use of a flange 106. The can body 104 has a neck portion 108 that is used to mate the flange 106 of the lid 102 to the neck portion 108. The can body 104 has an interior 110 in which a liquid 112, such as a carbonated beverage, is filled. As can be appreciated, the lid 102 is used to seal or cap the neck portion 108 of the can body 104 once the liquid 112 has been filled into the interior 110 of the can body 104. The lid 102 has a top side 114 and a bottom side 116. A spout 118 is formed in the lid 102 and has an opening 120. The spout 118 has a cylindrical side wall 122 having an interior surface 124 and an exterior surface 126. The exterior surface 126 has a thread or threads 128 formed therein. A removable cap 130 comprises a top 132 and a circumferential side or skirt 134. The skirt 134 has an interior surface 136 having a thread or threads 138 that is capable of mating with the thread 128 to secure or mate the cap 130 to the spout 118. In this manner, the cap 130 may be removed from the spout 118 to gain access to the liquid 112 within the can body 104. The cap 130 may be resealed to the spout 118 by use of the threads 128 and 138. The lid 102 also has a rim 140. One difference between the lid 12 and the lid 102 is that the lid 102 does not slope. Instead, the lid 102 has a circumferential indentation 142 that ensures that the spout 118 and the cap 130 are below the rim 140. With the spout 118 and the removable cap 130 being positioned below the rim 140 the lid 102 is suitable for nesting with other similar lids 102. Also, the spout 118 is off center.
As should be appreciated, the top side 114 to the rim 140 has a depth or height, the spout 118 has a depth or height, and the removable cap 130 has a depth or height. The height of the top side 114 to the rim 140 is greater than the height of the spout 118 or the height of the cap 130 or both of the heights of the spout 118 and the cap 130 when the cap 130 is secured to the spout 118. The spout 118 and the cap 130 are below the rim 140 in order for the lids 102 to be stacked or nested together. Further, having the spout 118 off center allows an individual to easily drink the liquid 112 from the interior 110 of the can body 104.
Preferably, the resealable beverage can lids 10 and 100 will be constructed of a relatively lightweight material so that it can be easily used and manufactured. By way of example only, the resealable beverage can lids 10 and 100 may be constructed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
Although it has been indicated herein that the resealable beverage can lids 10 and 100 are used with cans that contain a liquid, such as a carbonated beverage, it is also possible and contemplated that the cans may contain other items such as non-carbonated beverages, powders, spices, foods, syrups, gums, candies, or any other item that can be removed from an opening in the lids 10 and 100 and may need to be resealed.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a resealable beverage can lid which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject resealable beverage can lid are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A resealable beverage can lid comprising:

a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread; and

a cap having a top, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.

2. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 1 wherein the spout further comprises an exterior surface and the external thread is on the exterior surface.

3. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 1 wherein the side portion of the cap comprises an interior surface and the interior thread is on the interior surface.

4. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 1 wherein the spout further comprises an opening.

5. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 4 wherein the opening is covered by the cap.

6. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 4 wherein the opening is uncovered when the cap is removed from the spout.

7. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 1 wherein the spout further comprises a cylindrical side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface.

8. A resealable beverage can lid comprising:

a lid having a rim having a first height, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, the spout having a second height with the second height being less than the first height; and

a cap having a top portion, a side portion having an interior thread with the interior thread adapted for mating with the external thread of the spout for sealing the lid.

9. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 8 wherein the cap has a third height with the third height being less than the first height.

10. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 8 wherein the cap has a third height with the second height and the third height being less than the first height.

11. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 8 wherein the spout further comprises an exterior surface and the external thread is on the exterior surface.

12. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 8 wherein the side portion of the cap comprises an interior surface and the interior thread is on the interior surface.

13. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 8 wherein the spout further comprises an opening.

14. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 13 wherein the opening is covered by the cap.

15. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 13 wherein the opening is uncovered when the cap is removed from the spout.

16. A resealable beverage can lid comprising:

a lid having a rim, a top side having a center and having a spout formed therein with the spout being offset from the center, the spout having an external thread, the top side being sloped having a low side and a high side with respect to the rim with the spout being positioned along the low side; and

17. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 16 wherein the spout further comprises an exterior surface and the external thread is on the exterior surface.

18. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 16 wherein the side portion of the cap comprises an interior surface and the interior thread is on the interior surface.

19. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 16 wherein the spout further comprises an opening.

20. The resealable beverage can lid of claim 19 wherein the opening is covered by the cap.