Patent ID: 6378718
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A can configured to contain a fluid, said can comprising:a body configured to contain the fluid, said body including: a lateral wall, an upper wall having an edge connected to an upper portion of said lateral wall, said upper wall formed from first and second portions, wherein an outer boundary of said second portion of said upper wall is located within said outer boundary of said first portion of said upper wall, and a base wall connected to a lower portion of said lateral wall; a tab configured so as to be raised to be approximately perpendicular to said upper wall in order to bend said second portion of said upper wall into an interior of said body relative to said first portion of said upper wall to create an opening in said upper wall of said can such that when said can is closed, said tab is constrained in a position which is substantially parallel to said upper wall, wherein said tab includes: a protection element including first and second laminar portions, a hinge configured to constrain said first laminar port ion of said protection element with respect to said second laminar portion of said protection element, said hinge being disposed near said edge of said upper wall of said can, wherein a lower surface of said first laminar portion of said protection element is superimposed on and adheres to, via a first layer of adhesive material, an outer surface of said upper wall of said can even after said opening has been formed in said upper wall of said can, said first laminar portion of said protection element thereby protecting said upper wall of said can against any impurities when said can is opened, and said second laminar portion of said protection element being movable away from said first laminar portion of said protection element by being pivoted around said hinge, said second laminar portion of said protection element remaining attached to said first laminar portion of said protection element at said hinge, and said first laminar portion of said protection element being positionable on said lateral wall of said can, such that an upper surface of said first laminar portion of said protection element becomes a first sterile support surface for an upper lip of a person who will drink from said can, and a lower surface of said second laminar portion of said protection element becomes a second sterile support surface for a lower lip of the person who will drink from said can.