Receptacles – Closures – Superposed closures for common opening
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-11
2002-01-15
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Superposed closures for common opening
C206S459500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06338418
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to covers, caps, tops, and lids for containers, and more specifically to a protective seal which covers the area around the openable tab on a beverage can or the like. The present protective seal maintains a hygienic and sanitary area around the area of the tab and immediately below the tab on the side of the can before the can is opened, thereby providing a sanitary contact area for the mouth of a person consuming the contents of the can after opening.
2. Description of the Related Art
The consumption of beverages from cans has become ever more popular, perhaps due to the pace of modern life and the lack of time for many people to stop for refreshments at a cafe or the like. In any event, the marketplace has responded by providing a myriad of different flavors, types, and sizes of beverages in both bottles and cans, for purchase either over the counter or from vending machines.
A problem which is universal to the provision of such beverages in cans, is the handling of the cans before purchase and consumption. Even when such cans are prepackaged in six packs, cases, etc., the cans are almost always contaminated with dirt or grime from the packaging and shipping process. Most group type containers do not cover the tops of the cans to protect this area, but rather are simple distensible plastic rings which surround the tops of the cans to secure a group of cans together. This problem also exists for cans purchased from vending machines, as they must be separated by hand from any packaging and placed in the vending machine individually. The result of the handling and storage life of such canned products, is that the cans, and particularly the tops of the cans, are almost always contaminated with dust, grime, and/or hand contact from persons handling the cans before final purchase.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a protective seal which is applied to the top of the can immediately after the can has been filled, while it is still in a sanitary and hygienic environment. The protective seal extends from the center of the top of the can where it is anchored by the conventional rivet of the pop tab opening, across the area of the pop tab and downwardly over the upper portion of the can adjacent the pop tab opening. The seal protects this mouth contact area of the can until it is removed by the consumer, thereby protecting the mouth contact area of the can from contamination and assuring the consumer that the mouth contact area of the can is sanitary before consumption of the contents.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,412 issued on Sep. 21, 1976 to Richard W. Asmus, titled “Container Closure,” describes various lid or top embodiments for cans and bottles. In one embodiment (FIG. 12), a supplemental cover is secured to the top of a can by means of segmented helical protuberances stamped in the upper side walls of the can, to serve as screw threads for the cover. However, the elevation view in section of FIG. 12 of the Asmus patent, clearly shows that the sides of the cover do not seal against the sides of the can to provide a hygienic mouth contact area for the can, as provided by the present seal. Moreover, Asmus requires that the can be modified with the stamped thread portions, whereas cans used with the present invention do not require any modification.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,023 issued on Jul. 24, 1979 to Heinz J. Faltermeier, titled “Dust Cover For Flip Top Opening Containers,” describes a sanitary cover which secures about the crimped upper edge of the can. The Faltermeier cover is relatively complex, as it has a multiple fold which extends beneath the lift tab of the pop tab opener for the can. In any event, the Faltermeier cover does not extend downwardly along the side of the can to a sufficient depth to cover the mouth contact area of the can, as provided by the present invention. Moreover, Faltermeier does not provide a positive seal nor any transparency for his cover, as provided by the present protective seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,123 issued on Sep. 2, 1986 to George W. Poncy, titled “Beverage Can With Sanitary Reclosable Lid,” describes various can embodiments, each having a double upper top or lid. The outermost lid serves as a cover for the underlying lid, and also provides means for resealing the container if so desired. The upper or outermost lid is crimped to the upper edge of the can along with the inner lid, and thus cannot swivel relative to the lower lid or remainder of the can, as provided by the present seal. The outermost lid of the Poncy can includes a pop tab or the like therein, and acts just as the single conventional lid in a conventional can. Thus, Poncy provides only a resealing capability, and does not provide any additional sanitation or hygiene for the mouth contact portion of the can or lid. Moreover, the Poncy cover is not transparent, whereas the present seal is preferably transparent in order to show any underlying advertising messages or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,257 issued on Nov. 24, 1987 to Douglas N. Deline, titled “Protective Seal For A Can,” describes a flat, thin sheet of plastic film which is adhesively attached to the rim of a can to seal the upper surface thereof. A pull tab extends from one side for removing the cover partially from the upper lid of the can, to expose the conventional pop tab. While the Deline seal protects the lid or top of the can, it does nothing to protect the mouth contact area along the upper side of the can, adjacent the pop tab opening. Moreover, the Deline seal does not swivel for clearance from the opening, nor is it transparent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,270 issued on Jan. 23, 1990 to Daniel M. Main et al., titled “Sanitary Cover For Pop-Top Beverage Container,” describes various embodiments of a thin latex cover which is applied over the upper end of a can to protect that portion of the can. The cover includes weakening lines for tearing the cover at least partially, for exposing the underlying can top and its pop tab. However, Main et al. do not provide any positive attachment for their cover by means of the conventional pop tab rivet, as provided by the present invention. This allows the present protective seal to be swiveled out of the way after the adhesively attached edges are lifted, unlike the Main et al. cover. Moreover, Main et al. are silent regarding any transparency for their cover, whereas the present seal may be transparent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,048 issued on May 22, 1990 to Roy T. Howard, titled “Beverage Can Having A Sanitary Cover,” describes a cover formed of a thin aluminum sheet which closely adheres to the contours of the can top. However, the only portion of the Howard cover which extends beyond the can top, is for the pull tab extension which wraps downwardly slightly below the upper rim of the can. Accordingly, the Howard cover does not appear to cover and protect the entire mouth contact area of the can, as does the present seal, particularly in view of the fact that the Howard lift tab must not be sealed to the can in order to allow it to be lifted easily for removing the cover. Also, the aluminum material of the Howard cover precludes transparency, which is provided by the present sanitary protective seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,003 issued on Apr. 28, 1992 to Barry P. Granofsky, titled “Cover For Beverage Can,” describes a non-swivel cover which extends over the entire top of the can. A circumferential pull tab provides for release of the portion of the cover which extends over the opening in the upper lid of the can. A cap is included beneath the removable portion of the cover, for resealing the can as desired. Accordingly, the Granofsky cover cannot be used with a conventional can with a pop tab opening, as the attachment edge of the pop tab would preclude a good fit and seal for a plug type cap, as provided by Granofsky. Moreover, Granofsky is silen
Litman Richard C.
Newhouse Nathan J.
Ngo Lien
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