GB2364682A

GB2364682A - Cover for a container such as a can

Info

Publication number: GB2364682A
Application number: GB0016608A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Angela Cross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-07
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Also published as: GB0016608D0

Abstract

A container 11 with a dispensing aperture 14, typically a ring-pull can, has a cover 15 surrounding at least a portion of the end surface of the container adjacent the dispensing aperture and a portion of the cylindrical surface of the container. The cover may be applied to the container when the container is opened to provide a clean surface for a person drinking from the container, or the cover may removed from the container when the container is opened to expose the clean surface of the container. The cover 15 may be of vacuum formed plastics and may comprise two layers the outer of which may be removed to leave the inner layer exposed in a clean condition.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Cover for Container The present invention relates to hygienic cover for a surface of a container adjacent the dispensing aperture of the container, particularly cans of beverage.

Many beverages, such as carbonated alcoholic and soft drinks, are packaged in aluminium cans. Access to the beverage is gained through an aperture on an upper face of the can which is sealed prior to use with a tongue which reveals the aperture by pulling a ring attached to the tongue. Such containers are often referred to as "ring-pull" cans. The tongue either is depressed inside the can, or is peeled away from the can altogether.

Many people drink direct from the cans by placing the mouth around the outer surface of the can adjacent the aperture, rather than pour the beverage into a drinking vessel. There is no guarantee that the outer surface of the can against which the mouth is placed is clean and hygienic.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided cover for a surface of a container with a dispensing aperture, said cover surrounding at least a proportion of the surface of the container adjacent the dispensing aperture of the container.

Preferably the container is a can and the cover covers at least a portion of the end of the can supporting the dispensing aperture and at least a portion of the cylindrical wall of the can.

In one embodiment, the cover may be applied to the container whilst it is clean and the cover may be removable to expose a clean surface of the container adjacent the aperture when it is desired to drink from the container.

In another embodiment, the cover may be applied to the can just prior to drinking from the container to provide a clean surface to drink from.

In one embodiment of the invention the cover is formed from two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being removable to expose a clean inner layer.

The cover may be formed from plastics.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: _ Figure I shows a perspective view of a beverage can with a cover attached, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a beverage can with a cover for placement thereon, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a beverage can with a cover formed from two layers. Referring to Figure I there is shown a beverage container in the form of a "ring-pull" can I having a ring system 2 secured to a sealing tongue 3. Container 1 can be opened by pulling the ring 2 to depress the tongue into the can and so gain access to the contents through dispensing aperture 4. Can 1 is of a type well known in the art and need not be described further.

Secured to the can is a cover 5 which covers of part of the end of the can supporting the aperture 4 and a portion of the cylindrical wall adjacent the aperture. Cover 5 may be formed of plastics, e.g. vacuum formed to shape, and may be releasably secured to the can. It is envisaged that the cover 5 would be applied to the can 1 just after it has been produced whilst it is still clean and hygienic. When it is desired to drink from the can, the cover may be removed so exposing the clean and hygienic surface of the can to place against the mouth.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a can 11, with a ring system 12 secured to a sealing tongue 13 in an aperture 14. Can 11 is identical to can 1.

A cover 15, of the same shape as cover 5, is securable to the can e.g. by means of adhesive which may be pre-coated on the cover. Cover 15 again covers of part of the end of the can supporting the aperture 14 and a portion of the cylindrical wall adjacent the aperture 14. Cover 15 may be formed of plastics, e.g. vacuum formed to shape. It is envisaged that the cover 15 would be stored in an hygienic package and applied to the can 1 by the consumer just prior to drinking from the can to provide a clean surface to place the mouth against. It is also envisaged that cover 15 could be sold in combination with or separately to a can and could be packaged individually or in multiples.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a can 21, with a ring system 22 secured to a sealing tongue 23 in an aperture 24. Can 21 is identical to can 1.

Secured to the can 21 is a cover 25 which covers of part of the end of the can supporting the aperture 24 and a portion of the cylindrical wall adjacent the aperture. Cover 25 may be formed of plastics, e.g. vacuum formed to shape, and may be secured to the can. It is envisaged that the cover 25 would be applied to the can 1 just after it has been produced whilst it is still clean and hygienic, or by the consumer well before opening the can. Cover 25 is made from two layers, an outer layer 25A and an inner layer 25B. When it is desired to drink from the can, the outer layer 25A may be removed so exposing the clean and hygienic surface of the inner layer 25B to place against the mouth. The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the cover 5 may be formed from material other than moulded plastics e.g. a paper or heat shrunk plastics. It could be a different shape to that shown and cover a different amount of area on the can surface to that shown. The cover could also be made in more than one part, e.g. part covering a portion of the end of the can and part covering a portion of the wall of the can. The container could be other than a can. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A combination of a container with a dispensing aperture and a cover surrounding at least a portion of the surface of the container adjacent the dispensing aperture.
2. A combination as claimed in claim 1, in which the container is a can and the cover covers at least a portion of the end of the can in which the dispensing aperture is located and at least a portion of the cylindrical wall of the can.
3. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the cover has an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer being removable to expose the inner layer.
4. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cover is made of a plastics material.
5. A combination of a container and a cover as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
6. A cover intended for use with a container to provide the combination claimed in any preceding claim.