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(11) | EP 3 208 208 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | LID FOR DRINKS CAN |
| (57) The invention relates to a lid for drinks cans or the like, which is arranged and
fixed over the annular upper projection of drinks cans, as a result of its general
circular form that has a peripheral wing extending downwards and into the inside space
as if tucked in, defining an inner stepped portion into which the upper annular edge
of the can fits. Furthermore, an annular protrusion is defined on the upper surface
of the lid, of a height and dimensions such that it defines an inner space wherein
the annular protuberance of the cans fits, allowing the cans to be stacked in a stable
and balanced manner. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The object of the present invention, just as established by the title of the invention, is a lid for drinks cans or the like, which allows it to be removed and placed over the upper portion of the lid without risking the liquid contained inside from being spilled once the can is opened.
[0002] The special configuration and design of the lid characterize the present invention, which allows the can to be protected not only from possible spilling once opened, but also even before it is opened, since the lid acts as a means of septic protection by preventing contact with and the deposition of undesirable materials. Furthermore, the lid allows for the cans to be stacked, thus the lid is to be used both before and after opening the can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the state of the art some lids for drinks cans and the like are known such as the one described in Utility Model U200203125.
[0005] These lids, even though their only purpose is that of preventing the contents of the can from spilling once opened, are not intended to be used before opening the can, since they do not allow them to be stacked several cans high, and therefore do not protect the edge or the area, from which one drinks directly, from possible spillage that is unfit for one's health.
[0006] Due to the fact that the edges of the drinks cans and the like are not protected and are from where one drinks directly, there are several documented cases of leptospirosis.
[0007] Leptospirosis (also known as Weil's disease or Leptospiral jaundice) is a febrile illness caused by Leptospira interrogans, a bacteria belonging to the order Spirochaetales, from the family Leptospiraceae, that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, fowl, amphibians and reptiles.
[0008] It is a zoonotic disease, manifesting mainly in periods of rain and flooding and found worldwide. Leptospira was first observed in 1907 in a slide from a renal tissue autopsy.
[0009] Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that several domestic and wild animals suffer from; it can vary from an unnoticeable condition to a fatal disease. Human infections come from direct contact with urine or tissues.
[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to develop a lid for drinks cans that not only allows for the protection of the upper portion of the lid preventing the contents of the can from spilling once opened, but that is also intended to be used as protection for the mouth of the can during storage and transportation, for which it must allow the cans to be stacked.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The object of the present invention is a lid for drinks cans or the like, which is arranged and fixed over the annular upper projection of drinks cans, as a result of its general circular form that has a peripheral wing extending downwards and into the inside space as if tucked in, defining an inner stepped portion into which the upper annular edge of the can fits.
[0012] Furthermore, an annular protrusion is defined on the upper surface of the lid, of a height and dimensions such that it defines an inner space wherein the annular protuberance of the cans fits, allowing the cans to be stacked in a stable and balanced manner.
[0013] The advantages derived from its use are:
- the upper portion of the can will stay intact during transportation and storage until it reaches the hands of the consumer.
- it can be carried anywhere without having to finish the entire drink in one sitting
- it allows the can to be carried in one's car without worrying about it tipping over and making a mess inside
- it is useful for airlines during flights with turbulence, preventing the drinks from falling, which happens often.
- it is safe even for curious children at home (if the parents drink from cans they (the children) cannot stick their fingers into the can opening which can be very sharp) and with the protecting lid they would be safe.
- savings for consumers since they can drink what they need from the drink and they can leave whatever is left over for the next day without it losing its taste and carbonation.
- it entails a gain (increase in sales) for the drink manufacturer since by comfort, the consumer would prefer cans instead of bottles.
- The lid has a minimal cost.
[0014] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprise" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention may be deduced from both the description and the practical use of the invention.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] As a complement to the present description, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represent the following.
[0016] In figure 1, we can see a section of the lid and the relative arrangement with respect to a can beneath it and another one above it.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0018] With reference to the figures, below a preferred embodiment of the invention proposed is described.
[0019] In figure 1 we can see that the lid object of the invention has a circular form whose edge has a peripheral wing (1) that has an annular tucked-in portion (2) in its lower end that makes up an inner stepped portion (3) in which the annular upper projection of the cans is housed.
[0020] Moreover, the lid has an annular projection (4) on its upper face with a diameter and height such that it ensures the fit of the lower projection of the cans, in this way achieving a second purpose besides that of preventing the contents of the can from spilling once opened, which is to protect the can during the entirety of its storage and transportation time and allowing the cans to be stacked in a stable manner.
[0021] The material used in the manufacturing of the cans would be low-density polyethylene with a grade suitable for use with food and the manufacturing process would be via injection.
[0022] Having thus adequately described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it must be noted that, within its essential nature, the invention may be carried out according to other embodiments differing in detail from that set out by way of example, which the protection sought would equally cover, provided that the fundamental principle thereof is not altered, changed or modified.
1. A lid for drinks cans that has a circular form whose edge has a peripheral wing (1)
that has an annular tucked-in portion (2) in its lower end that makes up an inner
stepped portion (3) in which the annular upper projection of the cans is housed, characterized in that the lid has an annular projection on its upper face (4) with a diameter and height
so that it ensures the fit of the lower projection of the cans.
2. The lid for drinks cans according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of low-density polyethylene suitable for use with food.