Mouthpiece for drinking liquid containing cans

Abstract

 A mouthpiece (1) for a drinking liquid can (6) comprising a separate plastic part (1) that fits over the liquid dispensing end (5) of the can (6) includes a transverse panel (2) that on fitment lies over the liquid dispensing end (5) of the can (6) and has a liquid opening (3) designed to be in register with the liquid dispensing opening (4) in the can end (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a mouthpice for drinking liquid containing cans, such as beer cans and cans containing soft drinks, as well as to the combination of a can with a mouthpiece.

State of the art

[0002] Cans of soft drinks, beer or the like are well known in which a top panel of a generally cylindrical can is provided with a tear-away opening for dispensing the drink contained therein. It is also well known that consumers often drink directly from such cans with contact between the mouth of the consumer and the peripheral edge of the can body. Apart from the fact that this can result in the taste of the metal of the can being transmitted to the liquid being imbibed, there is an obvious disadvantage related to hygiene.

Objects of the invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a separate mouthpiece portion that can be fitted over the dispensing end of the can once opened which will permit the consumer to drink the liquid from the mouthpiece without contact between his mouth and the can itself.

[0004] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a mouthpiece that will avoid contact between the liquid and the outer surfaces of the can so as to avoid hygiene related problems.

[0005] It is also an object of this invention to provide a combination of a liquid containing can with such a separate mouthpiece portion.

Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the present invention, a mouthpiece adapted for fitment to drinking liquid containing cans, in the form of a single molded part of plastic material, comprises a bottom panel having an under side and an upper side and formed with a through opening for the passage of liquid, circumferential fitment means associated with an outer periphery of the under side of the panel for cooperation with the circumference of a dispensing end of a drinking liquid containing can with said panel covering said dispensing end, and a mouthpiece formation upstanding from the upper side of the panel.

[0007] The fitment means are preferably pressure fitment means so that the mouthpiece may be easily forced over the free end of a can. They may comprise an annular groove surrounding the outer periphery of the under side of the panel.

[0008] In one embodiment the mouthpiece may include second circumferential fitment means positioned between the outer periphery of the upper side of the panel and the lower inner periphery of the mouthpiece formation, for cooperation in an inverted configuration with the circumference of a dispensing end of a drinking liquid containing can.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, a drinking liquid containing can combined with a mouthpiece, comprises a can having a side wall and an end panel provided with a removable portion, such removable portion being removable to define a liquid dispensing orifice, and a single plastic molded mouthpiece comprising a bottom panel having an under side and an upper side and formed with a through opening for the passage of liquid, circumferential fitment means associated with an outer periphery of the under side of the bottom panel for cooperation with the side wall of the can adjacent the end panel in a configuration in which the bottom panel covers the end panel and the opening is in register with the liquid dispensing orifice, and a mouthpiece formation upstanding from the upper side of the bottom panel.

[0010] The present invention will be better understood from the following description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] 

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a lower plan view of the mouthpiece shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the mouthpiece of Figures 1 and 2 and of the upper end of a drinking liquid containing can immediately prior to the fitment of the mouthpiece to the can;

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view similar to Figure 3, but with the mouthpiece already fitted to the can;

Figure 5 is a central cross sectional view of a mouthpiece according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention in which the mouthpiece may be fitted to a can in an inverted position prior to use; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of Figure 5 when in the inverted position fitted to a can prior to use.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0012] Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, which show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mouthpiece for a beer can or the like comprises a single generally molded part 1 of transparent plastic, formed with a transverse bottom panel 2 adjacent its lower end. Panel 2 is formed with a through opening 3 positioned in the panel so as to coincide with a liquid dispensing orifice 4 in the end panel 5 of a can 6 during use (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0013] Around the outer periphery of the under side 7 of bottom panel 2, part 1 is formed with annular pressure fitment means in the form of an annular groove 8 so dimensioned as to receive in pressure fitting relationship an annular bead 9' around the top edge of the side wall 9 of the can, joining the side wall to end panel 5. In such relationship the bottom panel 2 of mouthpiece part 1 will be oriented in such a manner that it is superimposed on end panel 5 of the can with opening 3, as already mentioned, in register with the liquid dispensing orifice 4.

[0014] Above the upper side 10 of panel 2, part 1 continues upwardly to define a mouthpiece formation 11 the uppermost point of which corresponds to the circumferential region of bottom panel 2 nearest to opening 3.

[0015] As can clearly be seen from Figure 4, the mouthpiece should be pressure fitted to can 6 after the liquid dispensing orifice 4 has been exposed by removing the standard tear-away part of end panel 5 of the can. In this configuration the mouthpiece is securely fitted to the can and the contents may be drunk from the mouthpiece.

[0016] Figures 5 and 6 show a second preferred embodiment of the mouthpiece of the present invention in which, in addition to the features found in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, there are second pressure fitment means. Such means are in the form of an annular groove 12 formed around the upper side 10 of bottom panel 2 whereby the mouthpiece may be stored in an inverted position on can 6 with bead 9' pressure fitted in groove 12.

[0017] It will be appreciated immediately that the mouthpieces of the illustrated preferred embodiments meet all of the principal objects of the present invention. Thus, if the can is commercialised together with the mouthpiece of Figure 5 in the Figure 6 configuration, both end panel 5 of can 6 and the upper liquid contacting (in use) side 10 of panel 2 of the mouthpiece are mutually protected from dust and dirt during handling and stocking. Moreover, when the mouthpiece is removed and reapplied in the use configuration of Figure 4, not only may the contents be consumed directly using the mouthpiece formation 11 for contact with the mouth of the consumer but also the liquid does not enter into contact with the outer metal surfaces of the can. This eliminates the transfer of any metallic taste to the liquid as well as any problem related to hygiene.

[0018] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to the presently preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, it will readily be appreciated that various alterations could be made within the spirit of the invention in a manner such as to satisfy at least the basic object of the invention. Thus it is not essential, even though desirable, for the mouthpiece to be capable of being fitted to the can in the inverted out-of-use position shown in Figures 5 and 6. Equally it is obvious that the cylindrical section of the mouthpiece does not have to be circular, this being dictated by the shape of the container to which it is to be adapted. The pressure fitment means do not have to comprise one or more grooves, such as 8 and 12 in the preferred embodiments. They could be substituted, for example, by inner circumferential ribs designed to click over upper bead 9' on the can.

[0019] It is also not essential for the opening 3 in panel 2 to be of identical size and shape to the liquid dispensing orifice in the can. However, if it is smaller there could be a greater tendency for the liquid to penetrate between panel 2 and the end panel 5 of the can. On the other hand, if it is bigger, there will automatically be a certain contact between the liquid and the top of the can.

[0020] The invention should therefore be construed as including any modifications within the normal ability of a person versed in the art and the scope of the invention should be limited only in accordance with that of the following claims.

Claims

1. Mouthpiece adapted for fitment to drinking liquid containing cans, in the form of a single molded part of plastic material comprising a bottom panel having an under side and an upper side and formed with a through opening for the passage of liquid, circumferential fitment means associated with an outer periphery of said under side of said panel for cooperation with the circumference of a dispensing end of a drinking liquid containing can with said panel covering said dispensing end, and a mouthpiece formation upstanding from said upper side of said panel.

2. Mouthpiece according to claim 1, in which said fitment means are pressure fitment means.

3. Mouthpiece according to claim 2, in which said fitment means comprise an annular groove surrounding said outer periphery of said under side of said panel.

4. Mouthpiece according to claim 1, including second circumferential fitment means positioned between an outer periphery of said upper side of said panel and a lower inner periphery of said mouthpiece formation, for cooperation in an inverted configuration with said circumference of a dispensing end of a drinking liquid containing can.

5. Mouthpiece according to claim 4, in which said second fitment means comprise an annular groove surrounding said outer periphery of said upper side of said panel.

6. Drinking liquid containing can combined with a mouthpiece, comprising a can having a side wall and an end panel provided with a removable portion, said removable portion being removable to define a liquid dispensing orifice, and a single plastic molded mouthpiece comprising a bottom panel having an under side and an upper side and formed with a through opening for the passage of liquid, circumferential fitment means associated with an outer periphery of said under side of said panel for cooperation with said side wall of said can adjacent said end panel in a configuration in which said bottom panel covers said end panel and said opening is in register with said liquid dispensing orifice, and a mouthpiece formation upstanding from said upper side of said bottom panel.

7. Drinking liquid containing can combined with a mouthpiece according to claim 6, in which said fitment means are pressure fitment means.

8. Mouthpiece according to claim 7, in which said said end panel is joined to said side wall by an annular upstanding bead and said fitment means comprise an annular groove surrounding said outer periphery of said under side of said bottom panel, said groove being dimensioned to receive said bead in pressure fitment relationship.

9. Mouthpiece according to claim 8, including second circumferential fitment means positioned between an outer periphery of said upper side of said bottom panel and a lower inner periphery of said mouthpiece formation, for presure fitment cooperation with said bead in an inverted configuration of said mouthpiece.

10. Mouthpiece according to claim 8, in which said second fitment means comprise an annular groove surrounding said outer periphery of said upper side of said panel bottom.

Drawing