Beverage can marketing device

A “clean can” beverage can includes a beverage can body and a beverage can top coupled to the body. The can top is shaped to define a groove between a lower inside edge of the rim of the can top and an upper surface of the can top. A non-toxic groove cover is disposed to cover the groove along at least a portion of the groove that is located adjacent to the openable section of the can top. The groove cover prevents collection of debris in the groove. The groove allows the can top to be wiped clean without debris getting stuck in the groove by sloping upwards towards the top of the tim. The groove can also cover the rim and an upper portion of the can body. The groove cover remains in place before, during and after opening of the can and while pouring to provide a more sanitary drinking experience.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage cans and beverage can tops or lids (can ends) and more particularly for methods and apparatus that provide for more sanitary and easier to clean beverage cans and beverage can tops and mechanisms to providing a marketing platform on a beverage can end.

BACKGROUND

Conventional beverage cans such as aluminum, tin or steel cans are commonly used to package and contain a variety of carbonated, noncarbonated, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic liquid beverages. Examples of beverages or other consumables that are packaged in beverage cans include carbonated and noncarbonated soda, pop, fruit juice, water, mixers, alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, and other consumable and even sometimes non-consumable liquids.

FIG. 1provides an illustration of a typical conventional metallic beverage can100. A typical beverage can container holds twelve fluid ounces of a liquid such as beer, juice or soda. Conventional can dimensions include heights, diameters and subtle features of the can such as tapering near the top vary and depend often on vendor choice, branding and marketing requirements. Details of the construction of a typical conventional modern beverage can are disclosed in an article/paper entitled “The Aluminum Beverage Can”, written by William F. Hosford and John L. Duncan that was published in the September 1994 issue of Scientific American Magazine, copyright 1994 by Scientific American, Inc. The entire contents of this paper is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This paper shows various example details of conventional beverage can construction.

InFIG. 1, the typical beverage can100includes a can body105and a lid or can top120(as used herein, the term “can top” refers to a can lid used to cover a beverage can). The body105is formed from a piece of continuous metal such as aluminum alloy or steel or other metal that is drawn, ironed, extruded, stretched, pressed, molded, stamped or otherwise shaped into a cylindrical shape to form the body105. The above referenced paper provides details on one example process of forming the can body or housing a cold forming and ironing process. Once formed, the can housing or body105includes a lower end108and an upper end109. The lower end108typically tapers slightly inwards to form a base or bottom portion106of the can that typically tapers inwards at its lowermost end and is smaller in diameter at it base (the portion contacting a surface when the can is upright in position) than a middle area of the body105. In many conventional can body designs, the upper end109or neck of the body105tapers slightly inward at a top of the body105and terminates at an upper body edge110. The cylindrical-shaped outer surface of the body105typically includes decoration that provides a label on the metallic surface of the body that identifies a brand of liquid as well as the contents, ingredients, manufacturer of liquid contained within the can100and other information.

The can100shown inFIG. 1is fully assembled, filled with liquid contents and “sealed”. Sealing the can is a process performed during a bottling or canning process when a manufacturer affixes a can top120to the upper body edge110after placing liquid contents into the can body105. In a conventional canning/bottling/seaming process, a canning machine (not shown in this figure) dispenses liquid into the body105and thereafter the same or a different machine affixes the can top120to the upper body edge110by crimping, seaming or pinching a peripheral edge121of the can top120around the upper body edge110, thus forming an airtight and liquid-tight seal between the can top120and the body105. This seam is sometimes referred to as a double seam and forms the rim at the top of the can. Manufacturers may make and sell can tops120and bodies105as separate individual items that are then combined as generally explained above during the canning process by a canning/bottling company or beverage/liquid manufacturer to form the can100as shown inFIG. 1.

Prior to canning or bottling, a conventional can top120(for example as shown in inFIG. 1sealed onto the can100) is formed using a can top press, chuck and/or mold(s) that stamp, roll, press or otherwise form a piece of metal such as aluminum alloy or steel into the desired shape of the can top120. Once formed, a conventional can top120includes a central panel area or upper surface129that provides a top or exterior side and that has an underside facing into the can (not shown inFIG. 1) opposite the upper surface129of the can top120(i.e. the underside of the can top is exposed to the liquid contents contained within the can100). The upper surface129of the can top120is substantially flat in some conventional can designs, and in other designs the upper surface129may have a slight curvature, domed or arced shape with a center region being slightly higher in elevation than a outer peripheral upper surface edge. The conventional can top120also includes a tab115affixed via a tab connector116to the upper surface129of the can top120. The tab connector116may be a rivet or spot weld located at or near a center region of the can top120. The tab115includes a lifting end118and a leveraged end119. The leveraged end119of the tab115is aligned over an openable section124defined by a breakaway seam123on the can top120. The openable section is commonly a circular or oval shaped region defined on the upper can top surface by being pressed, punched, scratched or etched into the upper surface129of the can top120. This openable section124includes a breakaway seam123in the upper surface129of the can top. The tab115and openable section124allow a person to open the can100to dispense (e.g. drink or pour into a container) the liquid contents of the beverage can100. Upon opening, the tab115remains affixed to the can top to minimize debris or garbage produced by cans that are sold and opened by consumers.

To open the can100, a person (not shown) inserts a fingertip, fingernail or other prying device under the lifting end118of the tab115(between the lifting end118and the upper surface129of the can top120) and applies an upward or lifting force to the lifting end118of the tab115up and away from the upper surface129of the can top120. In response to the raising the lifting end118in this manner, the tab115pivots at the tab connector116and the leveraged end119applies a downward force against the openable section124causing the openable section124to be forced downwards into the can housing105relative to the upper surface of the can top120. When enough force is applied, the openable section124breaks away from the can top120along the breakaway seam123and bends downwards and inwards into the inside of the can100. After opening the can100in this manner, the tab115remains fixed to the top surface129via the rivet116and the openable section124remains connected to the can top120via a small region of the upper surface129of the can top that remains connected between the upper surface129and the openable section124(that is now depressed or bent down into the can body105). That is, the openable section124remains attached to the can top120since the breakaway seam123does not completely surround the openable section124. In this manner, the openable section122and tab115do not break off completely from the can top120and avoid becoming loose in the liquid contents of the can100.

Once the conventional can100has been opened by a person in this manner, a person is able to dispense liquid contents from the can100by tipping or tilting the can100sideways from its upward position toward the openable section124(that now provide a hole in the can) in order to pour liquid from the “now open” openable section124. The person may dispense the liquid contents of the can100into another beverage container such as a glass, cup, bowl or the like, or quite frequently the person may drink directly from the can100using his or her mouth.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,634 discloses some examples of conventional can top designs and also teaches and shows details of machinery to securely seal a can top to a can body using conventional techniques. This patent further shows details of an example seam between a can and can top. The entire teaching and contents of this reference patent are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Conventional beverage can and beverage can top configurations such as those described above suffer from a variety of deficiencies. In particular, conventional beverage cans and beverage can tops such as the can100and can top120as shown inFIG. 1are subject to contamination issues on their outer surfaces. Surfaces such as the upper surface129of the can lid or top120and the upper end109or neck of the can100are highly susceptible to exposure to substances that are containments or debris such as dirt, dust, grime, germs, bacteria, viruses, microbials, fungus, mold, toxins or other depositions. Exterior surfaces of conventional cans and can tops often become “dirty” or unsanitary from exposure to various environmental contaminants shortly after the canning process is complete. Additionally, liquid consumed either directly or indirectly from conventional beverage cans can become contaminated due to the design of conventional beverage cans and can top or lids.

In particular, after the can top and body manufacturing and/or canning process is complete, a conventional can and can top are often exposed to a variety of unsanitary environments. Such unsanitary environments may exist during the conventional processes of can and/or can top manufacturing, filling (canning or bottling)/seaming, packaging and shipping, and while awaiting purchase by the consuming public (e.g., while sitting on supermarket shelves and/or in refigerators or vending machines), and after purchase but before opening of the a conventional can.

FIG. 2Ashows a detailed cross-sectional, profile or cut-away side view of the cross sectional shape of one example design of a conventional can top120. Note that inFIG. 2A, the coupling between the can top120and can body or housing105are shown only generally and details of the double seam that form the rim122of the can are not shown in this figure. During a conventional canning/bottling process, a conventional canning machine (not shown in this figure) forms a rim122of the can top120by seaming an outside peripheral edge121of the can top120to the upper end of can body105to form a liquid and airtight seal between the can top120and the can body105. Once the top or lid120is seamed to the can housing or body105in this manner, the inside surfaces111of the can are protected from the outside environment by an airtight seal. To form the seal, the outside edge121of the rim may be folded and wrapped around and under the upper body edge110to form a double seam that creates the rim122. Examples of such a double seam rim122are shown in detail in later figures (for example,FIG. 21shows an example double seam of a typical can top). The circular rim122continues around the circumference of the can top120. The shape or profile (as shown inFIG. 2) of a conventional can top129also defines a well area, countersink or groove130located just inside the rim122. Note that depending on the can top120, the slope, profile or angle of the inside edge127of rim122of the can top120can be greater or less than that illustrated in this example. Depending upon the manfacturer and process of forming the can top, can housing and seaming process, the exact profile of a beverage can housing105and top120may vary form this figure.

The countersink groove130defined by a conventional can top120is a recessed crevice-like area of open space defined between the inside edge127of the rim122of the can and an outer edge135of the upper surface129(i.e. the central panel) of the can top (the outer edge135of this central panel129also generally defines the top inside edge of the groove130). The groove130dips down in elevation below the upper surface129of the can top at the peripheral or outer edge135of the upper surface129of the can top120. If a can100is positioned upright, the groove130is formed by the surface of the can top between an inside of the rim122(on the side of the rim facing the center of the can top) and dips or extends in elevation below the top surface129of the can top and ends where the upper surface of the can top begins (at the edge135). This groove130is often the lowest point in elevation on the entire can top surface. One purpose of providing this groove is to allow the can top120to not distort when the contents of the can are under pressure. Thus the groove130provides strength to the can top design and most conventional beverage cans in use today include a groove of this nature.

In conventional can and can top designs, the groove is problematic since the groove is a countersink area that is very susceptible to collecting debris such as dirt, dust, sand, or other particulate matter that may settle onto the cap top surface and that may fall into or be pushed or wiped into the groove130. As an example, many health conscious consumers who consume liquids from conventional beverage cans100have a desire to have the least amount of contamination possible in the liquid dispensed from the can100. In an attempt to clean the can top120of as much debris as possible, many consumers often wipe the top120of a conventional beverage can100with a cloth or with their fingers prior to opening the can. This wiping action may result in pushing or forcing debris and contaminents such as dust and dirt into the groove130defined by a conventional can top120just prior to opening of the can. Additionally, even if not wiped, any loose dirt or contaminants that reside on the top of the can may simply shake loose during handling and fall into the groove prior to opening the can. The groove130defined in a conventional can top thus serves as a receptacle or collection area for much of the dirt and debris on a can top.

When dispensing (i.e. pouring) liquid contents from a conventional can from the openable section124, a person tilts the can so that the liquid contents within the can is able to flow or be poured from the openable section. This tilting action may cause debris that resides in the groove to roll, slide or otherwise move towards a portion of the groove130that is adjacent or close to the openable section124of the conventional can100. As the liquid contents flows out of the conventional can100, the liquid flows out of the opening124and over a portion of the upper surface129of the can top120, into and through the groove130, and then over and off of the outer edge rim122of the conventional can100. The turbulent flow of the liquid over this path may cause the liquid to pick up and transport debris from within the groove. Such debris or contaminants can be picked up by the flowing liquid and/or absorbed or dissolved into the liquid and transported for ingestion by the person consuming the liquid either directly or indirectly from the can. In general then, conventional cans and can tops provide for a less sanitary design and the groove130provides a receptacle for dirt and debris that is difficult to effectively clean. Further still, the presence of the groove130in the path of the liquid can introduce turbulent flow that causes extra release of carbonation within the liquid being poured from a conventional beverage can100prior to consumption. Thus the groove130in a conventional can and can top design can cause premature release of carbonation that can negatively impact the feeling and taste of the liquid as experienced by a person consuming the liquid.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods and apparatus to reduce or inhibit the collection of debris on the outer surfaces of beverage cans and can tops. Mechanisms and techniques disclosed herein provide embodiments that reduce health risks, cleanliness and sanitary issues posed by designs of conventional beverage cans, can tops and methods of manufacture and use thereof. Generally, embodiments disclosed herein reduce the ability of outer surfaces of a can top and body to collect, trap and/or support growth of debris or other contaminant substances. Embodiments disclosed herein thus provide “clean can” technology that reduces the ability of a can top and can to collect debris. In particular, several embodiments disclosed herein remove the surface presence of the groove in the can top design by providing a groove cover that covers and essentially eliminates the surface presence of the groove from the path of the liquid flowing form the opening of the can. The groove cover can be placed over the groove and provides an upper groove cover surface that enables easy wiping of the exterior surfaces of the can top. The groove covers slopes up the inside of the rim and thus provides a nice seamless (e.g. no coreners to clean or trap dirt) transition to wipe dirt up and off of the rim. Some embodiments fill in the groove, while others reside totally above the groove. By filling in or covering or residing above the groove and providing a smoother and cleaner can top surface (as opposed to the presence of the groove on a conventional can top), a more health friendly can top design is disclosed. Wiping of a can top equipped with embodiments disclosed herein also promotes easier removal of contaminants that resides on the exterior can top surfaces.

In particular, an example embodiment comprises a beverage can (e.g. an aluminum or other metallic can) to store fluid. The can includes a circular can top coupled to the beverage body to retain the fluid in the beverage can. The circular can top includes (e.g. defines or creates from its shape) a groove disposed substantially near a perimeter (e.g. just inside a rim of the can) of the circular top that affixes to a body of a the beverage can. An openable flap, region or openable section is defined in or on the can top to allow opening of the can and dispensing of the liquid from the beverage can. According to embodiments disclosed herein, a groove cover resides above, or covers and/or fills at least a portion of the groove in the circular can top. Once applied, the groove cover remains in place before, during and after opening an openable section defined on the can top. The groove cover becomes “part of” the can top and remains in place during dispensing of the liquid from the can.

In example embodiments, the groove cover fills a portion of the groove near or closest to the openable section in the can top. In other embodiments, the groove cover fills-in the entire groove defined in the can top. In other configurations, the groove cover extends from an inside edge that starts on the upper can top surface and extends upward and radially outward (from the center of the can) up towards a region near, at or above the top of the rim, thus providing a sloped surface from the center panel up towards the top of the rim. In some configurations, the device resides totally above the groove, and does not enter the groove at all. Even the underside of the device does not need to interfere with or fill in the groove. In yet other configurations, the groove cover extends up and over the rim or perimeter of the can top and covers and fills-in a rim groove defined at an intersection of an outer lower edge of the rim of the can top and the can body. This rim groove (at the lower outside edge of the rim of the can top) is susceptible to debris collection during handling of the can. In other example embodiments, the groove cover provides a substantially smooth surface allowing ease of wiping of debris from the can top, and prevents debris from collecting or getting stuck in the groove (both the groove in the can top, and for embodiments that extend the groove cover over the rim, for the rim groove) for portions (or all) of the groove filled with the groove cover.

The groove cover may be applied during manufacture of the can top or shortly thereafter before the top is sealed to a can body, or the groove cover may be applied during the canning process, or after the top is sealed to the can. In other embodiments, the groove cover can be an item purchased by consumers and placed onto the can top to fill-in and/or cover the groove. Certain embodiments of the groove covers disclosed herein can be removable via a handle or finger tab extending form the side of the groove cover, while other embodiments are intended to be installed onto the can top and can and remain in place for the life of use of the can.

The groove cover may be held in place, for example, by a bonding that forms between the groove cover and the can top surface, or an adhesive may be used of hold the groove cover in place, or the groove cover may include one or more appendages that interface to the can top to secure the groove cover in place as a pure mechanical fit. As an example, the groove cover may include appendages that such as flexible tabs that protrude from a portion of the groove cover that resides within the groove. The inside wall of the groove (the surface of the can top wall that drops off from the upper surface of the can top towards the bottom of the groove) may include impressions or indentations that are spaced around this inside wall.

The groove cover may be, for example, in a form of a groove ring made of food-grade plastic (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic) that includes tab-like appendages that extend radially inward. Such appendages may couple to a lower end of a groove insertion section or groove cover body (a part of the groove cover that extends downwards into the groove) and extend upwards (back towards the top of the groove) and outwards towards one or both sides of the groove cover. An outward end of each tab or appendage deflects inward during insertion of the groove cover into the groove and after clearing the groove opening, deflects back outward to enter into a corresponding recess or impression defined in one or both the sidewalls of the groove defined in the can top. The appendages or tabs operate as anchors to hold the groove cover in place on the can top. That is, the tab or barb-like appendages that extend form the groove cover body can briefly deflect upon insertion (e.g. press fitting) of the groove ring onto the can top to allow the groove ring to be inserted into the groove. When the appendages deflect and clear the top outer perimeter of the upper surface of the can top, the appendages then spring back and enter into and reside in the corresponding impression in the inner groove wall, thus holding the groove ring in place. In this manner, the groove ring in this configuration is designed to be permanently attached to the can top from the time of placement of the groove cover (e.g. at time of manufacture of the can top, or just after seaming of the can top to the can) to the time of disposal of the can. It thus remains in place before, during and after dispensing of the liquid contents of the can.

In some configurations the groove ring remains in place during shipping, and before, during and after dispensing liquid from the openable section in the upper surface of the can top. Other configurations provide a removable groove ring that can be applied to a can, used while opening and drinking or pouring liquid from the can, and then taken off and reused on another can. In general, the configurations of the groove ring disclosed herein prevent dirt and debris from getting into the groove of the can top and provides for a cleaner and more tasteful and more sanitary and cleaner can drinking experience. The groove ring does not prevent all debris from collecting on the can top, however the groove ring greatly assists removal of dirt and debris when the can top is wiped by a person just prior to opening the can since the groove of the can top can no longer serve as a receptacle for such dirt or debris that is wiped away. During wiping, surface dirt on the can top is able to slide easily over the upper groove cover surface of the groove ring instead of going down into the groove.

Can manufacturing and bottling operations must be very fast. Embodiments of the groove ring and groove cover disclosed herein are quick to apply, inexpensive to manufacture and apply, and do not significantly slow down the canning/bottling process or can top manufacturing process. The designs provide for a much more cleanly drinking experience and can be marketed as such. Modern consumers are very concerned about their health and well-being and the groove ring technology disclosed herein provides a “clean-can” drinking experience. Customers of one brand of beverage might be enticed to switch over to another beverage brand due to the clean can technology disclosed herein. Thus the present invention provides a strong marketing tool since beverage cans that employ the techniques and apparatus disclosed herein provide a competitive advantage by offering a cleaner can top from which to drink from.

Other embodiments will be described in more detail herein and it is to be understood the above is not intended to be a complete summary or brief description of all embodiments, nor is the above summary intended to be limiting of the scope of embodiments described herein. It is also to be understood the embodiments disclosed herein are shown by way of example only and the spirit and scope of the inventions protected by this disclosure are not intended to be limited to these examples only. Those skilled in the art of canning, can top and can manufacturer, and related technologies will appreciate, after having read and understood this disclosure, and using hindsight derived form the teaching herein, that numerous variations on the embodiments described herein are possible and that this disclosure is not limited to these specific examples, dimensions, configurations and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein provide “Clean Can” technology that provides for more sanitary beverage cans and can tops. Beverage cans have been in use for many years in packaging of many types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, pop, soft drinks, fruit juice, beer, wine and even water. A sanitary issue that is present in conventional cans and can tops is that conventional can tops define a countersink groove, crevice, or well area that surrounds an upper surface of conventional can tops, and is typically defined just along the inside of the rim of the can. The groove is provided to add strength to the can top, especially for carbonated beverages. This groove is highly susceptible to collection of unwanted dust, dirt, debris, grime, microbes or other unwanted debris. This can happen from debris that settles onto the can top and then that falls into the groove during shifting, movement or handling of the can, or may result when a person wipes a conventional can top with a cloth or their fingers as is commonly done by today's health conscious consumer prior to opening the can. Debris and unwanted substances can also collect on the outer sides of the rim and within a crevice or seam defined between the outside edge of the rim and the sidewall of the can housing or body. That is, the rim seam in between the rim and the can housing is another area where dirt and debris can collect. In particular, six pack holders, also referred to as “hi cones”, are plastic band like devices that fit snugly and stretch over the outside of the rim of a beverage can top. After passing over the outside of the rim, the six pack holder snaps in place along this rim seam. When on place, the six pack holders can force, pack or push any dirt or debris into the rim seam.

Conventional can and can top designs make it difficult to remove the debris form the groove and rim seam prior to opening the can. Removal of debris from the groove is difficult since the countersink groove on the top is rather narrow and relatively deep compared to its width. This makes it difficult to get a wiping surface such as fingers or a cloth all the way to the bottom of the groove. Accordingly, debris often remains in the groove even after wiping. Some people may wash or rinse the top of a can briefly under running water to rinse out the groove, but even then, if the contaminant or debris is stuck or wedged in place, or is sticky or is not water soluble, the debris may remain positioned in the groove. After the can is opened and liquid is dispensed from the openable section in the top of the can, debris on exterior surfaces of the can top, such as that within the groove, may come into contact with liquid as the liquid is poured form the can and passes over, into and through the grove and onto and over the rim of the can. Likewise, unwanted substances that might collect under the outside lower edge of the rim of the can can contact a person's mouth at their lower lip area when drinking directly from the can. Generally, this is a relatively unsanitary situation.

Embodiments disclosed herein generally provide mechanisms to cover and/or fill in the groove and, depending upon the embodiment, other areas of the can and can top with a groove cover material. By eliminating the groove from the upper surface of the can top (by covering and/or filling in the groove), the groove cover provides an alternative surface to an area of the can top that is normally hard to clean (e.g. the groove area). This upper groove cover surface provides a surface to bridges the gap of the groove from the upper surface of the can top (upon which the openable section is defined) to the inside edge of the rim of the can (and in some enbodiments extends over the edge of the rim and down the side of the can). By providing this upper groove cover surface, the can top can be easily cleared of debris, for example, by shaking or wiping the can top, including the upper groove cover surface. Debris no longer is able to enter the groove and thus the can top is cleaner than if the groove were present (as in conventional can tops and cans that are not equipped with the embodiments disclosed herein). Depending upon the embodiment, the groove cover may be a solid or substantially solid material (or a liquid that turns to a solid), that when disposed in or over the groove, provides an upper groove cover surface that extends from an inside edge of the rim of the can top to the edge, or slightly overlapping the edge of the upper surface of the can top. As an example, in one configuration, the upper groove cover surface has an inside edge that resides or touches the upper surface of the can top in between the openable section of the can top and the inside edge of the upper surface of the can top. As such, in this example, the groove cover spans the gap of the groove and the inside edge of the top of the groove cover rests against the upper surface of the can top but it does not cover or interfere with the openable section and thus does not interfere with opening the openable section of the can top to dispense the liquid contents. Example embodiments are used for filling in or covering the groove of metallic beverage cans, but beverage cans made of other materials, such as plastic beverage cans that include the groove defined in the can top as discussed herein, can also benefit from the embodiments disclosed herein.

Certain other embodiments provide for the groove filer to extend up and over the rim of the can and continue extending below a lower lip of the outside edge of the rim of the can. For embodiments in which the groove cover extends up and over and down the outside rim of the can, the groove cover also can fill in a gap or “rim groove” formed at the intersection of the outside lower edge of the rim of the can and the body. This rim groove is also prone to collection of debris during can handling. By covering this rim groove, and providing a substantially smooth surface to drink from that extends down the sidewall of the can housing or body, sanitary drinking conditions of the can are further improved. If the groove cover extends far enough down the outside sidewall of the can body, for user drinking directly from the can, the groove cover can eliminate contact of the metal of the can or can top with a person's mouth and lips, thus somewhat reducing a metallic taste from metal contact with the can and/or can top. The groove cover can also improve the comfort of the drinking experience by providing a less-hard surface than the metal edge of the conventional rim of a can.

In other embodiments, the groove cover is disposed into the groove (or over the groove to cover the groove) and remains adhered to the can top below a top edge of the rim of the can top and just inside of the rim of the can top. That is, in some embodiments the groove cover does not extend, protrude or otherwise reside anywhere above the top of the rim of the can top. In such embodiments, the groove cover remains adhered to the can top, and covers or fills-in at least a portion of the groove closest to the openable section of the can top.

In embodiments disclosed herein, the groove cover remains in place before, during, and after opening of the openable section in the can top, and while dispensing liquid from the openable section of the can top. In such embodiments, the liquid flows over the groove cover material as it exits the can during pouring.

In some embodiments the groove cover operates as a groove cover thus leaving some open space within the groove beneath the groove cover, whereas in other embodiments, the groove cover not only covers the groove, but also enters and fills-in substantially all of the groove. It is to be understood that all embodiments disclosed herein need not fill in the groove to its entire depth and that to save on material costs, the groove cover might only cover the groove and be a fairly thin layer that does not substantially fill in a great depth of the groove.

In general, the groove cover fills-in at least a portion of the groove on a can top and creates a surface that promotes ease of removal of the debris from the can top, such as is intended when wiping a can top. In some embodiments, since the groove cover provides an upper groove cover surface that is approximately equivalent in height to the upper surface of the can top (the surface that defines the openable section), the wiping process applied to a can top also wipes the upper groove cover surface and provides a cleaner can top than without the groove cover. Other embodiments allow the groove cover to extend slightly up the inside edge of the rim of the can top and form a ramp-like upper groove cover surface. In such cases, the groove cover provides a ramped upper groove cover surface for the wiping action to carry the debris upward over the upper groove cover surface and move the debris up the inside edge of the rim of the can top and off of the rim completely thus assisting in cleaning the can top substantially more than conventional cans in which dirt is difficult to wipe past the groove (because it may go down into the groove). Since the can top is now cleaner (as opposed to pushing debris down into the groove at an area of the groove near the openable section), liquid that flows from the opening in the can passes over the wiped upper groove cover surface thus providing a more sanitary liquid consumption experience from cans and can tops equipped with embodiments disclosed herein. This provides health and safety conscious consumers with a cleaner and healthier can drinking experience.

In general, during opening of the can, the groove cover is affixed or adhered to the can top surface and therefore remains in place during opening and pouring of liquid from the can. During dispensing of liquid from the can, the liquid contents of the can actually flows over the groove cover. Since the groove is no longer an area through which the liquid passes as it exits the can (thus the groove is said to be “removed” or “eliminated” even though it actually still exists and is still defined by the metal shape or profile of the can top), the liquid does not pick up debris from the groove due to turbulence. That is, the groove cover does not actually eliminate the groove, but merely masks its existance from the perspective of flow of the liquid from the can, and when wiping the can top to clean the can top. While certain embodiments disclosed herein show alterations of can top designs to accommodate affixing the groove cover the can top, other embodiments require no modification to the conventional shape or profile or design of the can top.

Additionally, since certain embodiments of the groove cover provide a more laminar flow of the liquid as the liquid exits the can, turbulence of the liquid is reduced (as compared to liquid flowing into and out of the groove in cans not equipped with the mechanisms disclosed herein) and therefore more carbonation is maintained in carbonated liquids that are dispensed form the can. A person drinking from a can equipped with embodiments disclosed herein may thus experience better tasting liquid since more carbonation is released in their mouth (as opposed to being released during turbulent action imposed by the conventional can top groove as is the case with conventional cans). This provides for a more pleasurable and tasteful drinking experience since the liquid is less agitated while leaving the can and therefore less likely to elicit release of carbonation prior to entering a person's mouth or a container.

Embodiments disclosed herein differ substantially from such things as removable foil tops, snap on can covers and the like since the groove cover embodiments disclosed herein do not interfere with opening of the can and remains affixed to the can before, during and after opening of the can, and while drinking or pouring from the can. The groove cover provides a smooth surface to inhibit collection of debris on the can top. Even if no wiping is performed, the presence of the groove cover causes the can to be less susceptible to trapping dirt, grime, dust or other debris (e.g. debris that does become disposed on the can top is able to more easily slide off the can top due to the presence of the groove cover). From the aforementioned overview, those skilled in the arts of can and can top production, can bottling equipment and beverage can packaging, and marketing of liquids packaged in beverage cans will now appreciate the value, novelty and non-obviousness of embodiments disclosed herein. The remaining discussion will now cover details of specific example embodiments with reference to the figures. It is to be understood that the following discussion is not descriptive of all embodiments or variations but rather covers example configurations.

FIG. 3illustrates an example embodiment of a beverage can200and a can top220configured in accordance with one example embodiment disclosed herein. The beverage can200may be a metallic beverage can made from material such as aluminum alloy, steel, tin or other metal, or may be made from material such as glass or plastic. The can100includes a body200and a can top220coupled to the body200. The can top220is shaped or formed to define a rim222and an upper surface229that includes an openable section224of the can top220. A groove cover300is affixed to the can top220and covers a groove that exists under the groove cover300. The groove is defined by the shape of the can top and cannot be seen inFIG. 3since the presence of the groove cover covers the groove. By providing the groove cover300, the upper exterior surfaces of the can top220can be easily wiped clear of dirt and debris as compared to the same can top that does not have the groove cover300. Thus the groove cover300provides a substantially cleaner can top and assists in removing debris when the can top is wiped by person prior to drinking. The groove cover300also provides a cleaner visual appeal and look to the can top220and as will be explained in later embodiments, can be colored, or can include text, or an embossed or embedded message, or can be made of temperature sensitive material that changes color when cold and that can be used for advertising and marketing purposes. It is worthy to note that the groove cover is directly visible the entire time a person drinks from the can. InFIG. 3, only one example embodiment of the groove cover300is shown to cover the annular countersink groove defined in or by the can top220.

FIG. 4illustrates a cross sectional view of the shape or profile of the same can top220from the example embodiments shown inFIG. 3. As can now be seen inFIG. 4, the example profile of can top220defines a groove230between an inside edge227of the rim222of the can top and the upper surface229of the can top220. In each ofFIGS. 3 and 4, a groove cover300(i.e. a material) is provided in accordance with example embodiments disclosed herein and is disposed in the groove230to fill-in and/or cover the groove230in at least a portion of the groove230that is located adjacent to the openable section224of the can top220. Generally, the groove cover300prevents collection of debris such as dust, sand, dirt, grime, or other contaminants within the portion of the groove in which or over which the groove cover300is disposed. Other advantages and benefits of the groove cover and many variations of the main idea and concept are noted throughout this document. It is also noted here that while the embodiments described here use the term “groove cover”, it is not a requirement of embodiments that the groove230actually be filled by the groove cover material. In fact, depending on the configuration, the groove cover material does not need to fill in the groove at all and could be configured to cover the groove and operate to provide an upper groove cover surface that provides a bridge over the groove230.

In the examples shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the groove cover300extends around the entire perimeter or circumference of the annular countersunk groove230that exists and is defined around the can top220. That is, the groove cover300is disposed in the groove230to entirely fill-in and/or cover the entire portion of the groove between an inside edge227of the rim222of the can top220and the upper surface229of the can top along an entire length of the groove230around the can top (thus forming an entire circular ring of groove cover material (i.e. a groove ring). Note that the upper groove cover surface has (or defines) an inside edge335that resides, rests on, or touches the upper surface229of the can top220at a location, in this particular example, that exists in between the openable section224of the can top and the top edge of the groove as it transitions onto the upper surface of the can top. That is, the inside edge335of the groove cover300can extend onto the upper surface of the can top, and can terminate somewhere on the upper surface of the can top before interfering with the opening of the openable section224. As such, in this example, the groove cover300spans the gap of the groove and its inside edge rests against the upper surface of the can top but it does not cover the openable section and thus does not interfere with opening the openable section of the can top.

Note in this example embodiment the groove cover300has an outer edge227that terminates just inside the top edge of the rim222of the can. Depending upon the embodiment, the outer edge227of the groove cover300can terminate anywhere along or below the inside wall of the rim222of the can (e.g. terminating somewhere below the inside rim or even at or just near the top of the inside wall of the groove). Also as shown in the example inFIG. 3, the inside edge412of the groove cover300terminates just over the top inside wall of the groove. This is shown by example only and in other embodiments, the groove cover can be a material that extends and covers some or all of the upper surface229of the can top (as a thin layer), even covering, in some example embodiments, the openable section224of the can top220. That is, the groove cover300in some embodiments is a material that provides an upper groove cover surface331that extends significantly out onto and over the upper surface229of the can top and overlays an covers the entire upper surface of the can top as a thin layer. In such embodiments where the groove cover300covers the whole upper surface229of the can top, upon opening of the openable section229of the can top220, a portion of the groove cover material on the openable section of the can top that is bonded or adhered to the openable section229of the can top remains adhered during opening and breaks away from surrounding groove cover material (portions of the groove cover material300that do not cover the openable section224) and remains secured to the openable section224of the can top as the openable section224of the can top is bent down and moves into the interior of the can body205during an opening operation of the can200. In such embodiments, the groove cover is a material300that resides under the opening tab115of the can top used to open the openable section of the upper surface of the can top. Other embodiment include groove cover material30that covers all upper exterior surfaces of the can top within the confines of the rim222except the openable section224of the can top.

In other embodiments, the groove cover may be a material300this is a liquid, or is sprayed on, and the material300may cover (as a thin sprayed on layer) the tab portion115, but is thin enough to flow through the tab and thus does not interfere with the opening operation (i.e., it does not make it harder for a person to get a fingernail or other opening device under the tab115).

In other embodiments, the groove cover is a material that provides an upper groove cover surface331that extends out onto the upper surface229of the can top220and overlays an covers an upper surface of the can top as a thin layer but excluding the openable section229of the upper surface of the can top. In such embodiments, the groove cover is not placed or applied on the can top to cover the openable section229.

In one embodiment, the groove cover300has an outer edge414that terminates along an inside wall of the rim of the can top whereas in other embodiments the groove cover300extends over a top of a rim of the can and down the outer (i.e. outside) wall of the rim of the can. By extending (e.g. as a thin layer) up and over the rim222of the can200and down onto the outer sidewall of the can body or can housing205, the groove cover material300can provide a more sanitary drinking surface for areas of a person's mouth or lips that contact the sides and can top areas of the can200.

During typical can top construction, a rivet is formed in the can top to hold the tab115in place. If the groove cover material300is placed onto the can top during can top construction (but before sealing of the can top220to the can housing205), the tab115can be attached after application of the groove cover300to the can top, and thus the tab115can overlay or cover the groove cover300.

Note that the groove cover300can have an upper groove cover surface that can provide a shape that is different that the overall profile or shape of the can top. That is, other than filling in the groove230, the groove cover can provide an upper surface that reshapes and provides a new more-easy-to-wipe outer and upper surface of the can top. For instance, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the upper groove cover surface331can provide a shape or profile for the groove cover that can assist a person when wiping the can top220for debris removal by providing a gentle upward curve surface. This upper groove cover surface331promotes ease of can top cleaning by eliminating the presence of groove from the can top from the perspective of the upper exposed surfaces of the can200. This creates a clean can drinking experience and makes a consumer feel more comfortable when drinking from a can that includes embodiments of a groove cover and can top as disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the groove cover300fills-in the groove to a depth that is at least substantially equivalent to the upper surface229of the can top220. Note in the example shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, an outer edge of the groove cover (a side closest to the rim of the can top) extends to an elevation along the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top220that is located above the upper surface229of the can top220to provide a ramp-like area that promotes ease of removal of debris up and over the rim of the can top (off of the can), and to provide a less disturbed flow path for the liquid as it is poured from the openable section. In this example inFIGS. 3 and 4, the groove cover does not extend over the top of the rim222, but instead remains below a top of the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top220.

In the example shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the groove cover300provides an upper groove cover surface331extending at least between the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top220and the upper surface229of the can top220(thus covering and filling in the groove230) to preventing collection of debris in the annular countersink or groove230defined by the can top220. The groove filer300in this example thus forms a complete circle around and within the groove230on the can top220and fills-in the entire groove230. This substantially eliminates contamination and debris collection issues presented by the groove230. In other embodiments, the groove cover300has an upper surface331that terminates or ends somewhere along the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top.

In the particular can top example profile shown inFIG. 4, the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top extends downwards and then slopes inwards and away from the rim222on a slope towards the groove230. Note this is a conventional can top profile and those skilled in the art of can top formation, can top seaming technologies, and beverage can construction and bottling technologies will understand that there are numerous can top shapes, designs and profiles and that the upper surface229of the can top can include other features not shown in detail in these drawings. Most of such conventional can top designs however provide for this annular countersunk groove230to add strength to the can top and resist internal pressures from carbonation and heat expansion of liquid contents of a can.

It is to be understood that the groove cover concepts, designs and teaching disclosed herein are applicable to any type of can top that provides for such a countersink groove at or near the inside of the rim of the can, or even for can top with strengthening grooves placed more towards the center of the can top. It is to also be understood that later embodiments will disclose can top designs that have features that accommodate a groove cover and that these are considered embodiments covered by this disclosure. Additionally, the groove covers300themselves, as well as methods of application of groove covers to can tops may be considered novel embodiments disclosed herein (such groove can exist and be manufactured without the can tops220). Methods can include securing or placing the groove cover onto the can top prior to securing or seaming the can top to the can housing, as well as placement and securing of the groove cover during the actual can top seaming operation, as well as placement and securing of the groove cover onto the can top after the can top seaming operation is complete.

In other embodiments, the groove cover material300is formed and adhered to the surfaces of the can top and covers a larger portion of the upper surface of the can top than what is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. As an example, the groove cover material in one embodiment can include side regions that extend out onto the upper surface229of the can top and come close to, or even extend under either side of the flip top tab115as will be explained. The groove cover material300can extend also extend and be disposed around the periphery of the openable section of the can top. That is, as opposed to the illustrated embodiments inFIG. 3in which the upper groove cover surface331has an inside edge that terminate just over the outer edge of the upper surface229of the can top, in alternative configurations, the groove cover material300con provide an upper groove cover surface that continues onto and over the substantially flat upper surface229of the can top. If applied prior to securing the flip top tab115, the groove cover material can extend over substantially all of the upper surfaces229of the can top. Depending on the configuration, this can include covering the openable section224, or in the alternative, covering the entire upper surface of the can top229, except for the openable section224.

In such alternative configurations, the groove cover material300covers, and provides an upper groove cover surface331that extends over the entire upper surface229of the can top220(except for the alternative embodiment which would not cover the openable section224of the can top). In an embodiment that covers all of the upper surface of the can top (but possibly excluding the openable section), the groove cover material300can be applied in liquid, gel or spray on application to provide a thin layer that quickly dries, bonds and adheres over the upper surface229of the can top, and that flows into the fills in the groove230defined in the can top220. An example is a radiation curable resin. In such a configuration, substantially all of the upper surface of the can top is covered by the groove cover material. The groove cover material can provide an upper surface331that is substantially smoother that the bare aluminum surface of a typical can top. This can promote ease of removal of debris that may collect or get stuck on the can top during normal can handling. Additionally, if the groove cover includes marketing information, such as embedded text, coloring, glowing material, temperature changing compounds or the like, the surface area of the groove cover material on the can top is maximized to promote visibility of such features.

In one embodiment, the groove cover300may be a thin pre-formed plastic part (e.g. PTE plastic) that provides a center area that resides over the upper surface229of the can top and that defines cutouts or an opening for the openable section of the can top and, if applied after the can top is equipped with the tab115, a cutout for the tab115. That is, the groove cover material may be preconfigured in a shape that, when placed onto the can top, fills in the groove230, but allows covering of can top surface areas of the upper surface of the can top other than those occupied by the flip top tab115and/or the openable section224.

In one configuration, the groove cover material300can be applied during can top manufacture, but prior to applying the rivet and pull tab portion115to the can top. This configuration thus provides a thin protective coating over most areas of the can top and extends under the flip tab portion115as well.

It is also to be understood that the groove cover300may have an outer edge that terminates anywhere along the inside edge227of the rim222of the can, or below the actual rim. As shown inFIG. 4, the outer edge of the groove cover300extends close to the top of the inside edge of the rim222of the can top220. In alternative embodiments, the groove cover300may not rise so high upwards along the inside edge227of the can top220. For example, in one configuration, the groove cover300can terminate at a position located only partially up the side of the sloped inside edge227that rises upwards towards the rim222(thus not extending up as high as is shown inFIG. 4). In other example embodiments (such as that shown inFIG. 5to be explained shortly), the groove cover300only extends to the lowermost part of the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top and thus forms a substantially flat upper groove cover surface331. It is to be thus understood that the example inFIG. 4is not intended to be limiting, and that the groove cover300is intended to fill-in the groove230and that the groove cover300may have an outside edge that terminates at any position in elevation along the inside edge227of the rim222. Additionally, the upper surface331of the groove cover can be flat, or may be partially curved, or even deeply curved. That is, the curvature (or flatness) of the groove cover upper surface331is not limited to that shown inFIG. 4or5and these are intended to be examples only.

FIG. 5illustrates an alternative embodiment of the groove cover300that is disposed in the groove230to entirely fill-in the groove230to a depth that is at least substantially equivalent to the upper surface229of the can top. That is, the portion or inside edge335of the upper surface229of the can top that is closest to the groove cover300and the upper groove cover surface331are substantially in the same plane or elevation with each other (i.e. a top surface of the groove cover300is relatively flat). Note in some embodiments, the groove cover300may slightly or even substantially overlap the upper surface229of the can top, and in certain other embodiments, the upper groove cover surface331may terminate at or just below the edge335of the upper surface229of the can top220. As noted above, the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top220includes the sloped surface that forms the approach to the grove230from the rim222, and the groove cover upper surface331can terminate anywhere on this sloped surface, or above it, or just below it, to accomplish filling-in the groove230to avoid the collection of debris in the groove, and to provide a surface331on the can top that enables ease of wiping debris from the upper surface229of the can top, across the upper surface331of the groove cover, and up the inside edge227of the rim, to enable efficient cleaning of the can top when wiping, or when rinsing with water.

In the illustrated examples, the upper groove cover surface331is substantially smooth. The smoothness assists in not encouraging debris to stick or otherwise collect on the upper groove cover surface331. Additionally, the smoothness of the surface331assists in allowing debris to be wiped or shaken from the can top more easily (as opposed to being pushed into the groove230when wiped on a conventional can that does not include any groove cover300). A difference between the groove cover300inFIG. 5and that shown inFIGS. 3 and 4is that inFIG. 5, the groove cover300provides a substantially flat upper groove cover surface331, whereas the groove cover300shown inFIGS. 3 and 4is somewhat concave in shape to curve upwardly from the upper surface229of can top220towards the rim222of the can top220(i.e. terminates high up on the inside edge227) to promote ease of movement of debris towards, and up, and then over the top of the rim222of the can top220during wiping, rinsing or shaking of the can top to clean the can top. The groove cover thus provides a more sanitary can top.

Additionally, when drinking directly from a can200equipped with a groove cover300, the groove cover300can increase drinking comfort of an area of the can top220that the inside upper lip of a person touches. The groove cover also avoids excess liquid from collecting in the groove and then getting sticky and drying (or warming). With the groove cover300in place, very little or no liquid remains behind after taking a sip form the can200since a person's upper lips slide away easily over the groove cover as the can is pulled away from the person's mouth (after taking a sip form the can). This causes the inside upper lip to wipe away any excess liquid and the liquid is not allowed to remain in the groove (as opposed to conventional cans and can top designs in which a person's lip does not typically enter the groove to its lower most depths, thus resulting in liquid remaining at the bottom of the groove and becoming sticky or drying in the groove). In general then, by filling in the groove, a more sanitary drinking environment is provided.

It is to be understood that in these example embodiments the side or edge of the upper groove cover surface331that is closest to the inside edge227of the rim222of the can top may reside or terminate at any position or height on the inside edge227of the rim222. Thus inFIG. 5, the upper groove cover surface331meets the inside edge227at a location that is substantially parallel or planar with the edge of the upper surface229of the can top220(to create a substantially flat upper groove cover surface331), whereas inFIGS. 3 and 4, the upper groove cover surface331is curved upwards and meets the inside edge227at or near the top of the rim222. In either configuration, due to the groove cover300, the entire region defined inside the rim222of the can top is somewhat bowl-like and the presence of the groove cover300allows for substantially easier cleaning of the can top via wiping since dirt or debris are no longer able to be pushed into or trapped within the groove230.

In some embodiments, the groove cover300is a fluid groove cover that can be poured, sprayed, squeezed, or otherwise disposed into the groove230via an appropriate liquid groove cover applicator device, nozzle, machine, or other suitable mechanism. Application of groove cover to cans in bulk can be performed by automated equipment specifically designed for this purpose. In a simple embodiment, a person can dispense the groove cover by hand (e.g. via a groove cover caulking gun or other applicator tool) onto the can top. Depending on the viscosity of the groove cover, or the application methods and mechanisms, the groove cover can be shaped to provide the curve as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

In one example embodiment, the fluid groove cover300maintains an initial fluid or liquid state that allows the groove cover to flow or pour into the groove230and conform to sides of the can top that define the groove to substantially fill-in the groove230(or at least a portion of the groove as will be explained in other embodiments). Once applied to the can top and into the groove in this manner, the fluid groove cover300changes from the initial fluid state to a substantially solid groove cover300that adheres, bonds or otherwise attaches itself to surfaces of the can top220that define the groove230. For beverage cans that contain consumables, the substantially solid groove cover is non-toxic and provides a substantially smooth upper groove cover surface331that extends between the upper surface of the can top and an inside edge of the rim of the can top. The groove cover300remains in place prior to, during, and after opening of the can.

In an example embodiment, the fluid groove cover300is a liquid groove cover having a sufficient viscosity to flow into and fill-in the entire circumference of the groove230defined by the can top220. In other examples, the liquid groove cover, prior to changing state into the substantially solid groove cover, has a surface tension in its liquid state that causes the liquid groove cover to slightly creep up the inner side227of the rim222of the can top, as well as onto the upper surface229of the can top to create a slightly concave curved upper groove cover surface331between the inner sides of the rim of the can top and the upper surface of the can top. This slightly concave curved upper groove cover surface331remains when the liquid groove cover changes state into the substantially solid groove cover and promotes ease of movement of debris towards and up and over the rim of the can top during wiping of the can top to clean the can top.

From the disclosure provided thus far, using hindsight, those skilled in the art of non-toxic food packaging will now understand that there are numerous materials that can be used as the groove cover. As an example, in various embodiments, the fluid groove cover may be a caulking material (e.g. FDA approved non-toxic food grade silicon), or a resin material (e.g. a quick setting/curing epoxy based resin), or a liquid metal material (e.g. a solder), a wax material, non-toxic sealer material, adhesive material or other fluid material that can harden from its liquid form once applied to provide a solid or substantially solid groove cover300. In situations where the can200is used to package consumable beverages, the groove cover is a non-toxic FDA approved material. It is to be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Depending upon the embodiment, the fluid groove cover300can be any one of a number of different materials (or in some cases a combination thereof). Examples of the fluid groove cover300can include a resin material including a hardener that causes the fluid groove cover to change state to a solid groove cover; a liquid material that cures via a curing technique to change state to the solid groove cover; a liquid material that cures via drying process to change state to the solid groove cover; a material that is initially heated to form a liquid that is then poured into the groove and that thereafter cools via convention, or via a cooling technique (e.g. cool air) applied to the hot liquid; a liquid material that cures via heating to change state to the solid groove cover a cooling technique is applied to the liquid; a liquid material that cures via cooling to change state to the solid groove cover; or a liquid material that is applied into the groove and that hardens during rotation of the can. In embodiments that provide for a liquid that is poured into the groove, if the can is rotated during cooling, the liquid will tend to rise up the inside edge of the rim during rotation while hardening. The resultant groove cover profile can be that, for example, ofFIG. 4.

One example of a material used for the groove cover300may be an FDA approved food-grade silicone caulk (that meets 21 CFR 177-2600). Other examples can include a Bisphenol A (BPA) based epoxy resin. Another example of material suitable for the groove cover300may be a non-toxic paint or putty having none or a low level of solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or a non-toxic sealer or quick setting adhesive. Other examples of the groove cover can include Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliant adhesives used for food packaging such as FDA approved hot-melt quick setting glues, resins, plastics, adhesives and/or caulks. The groove cover material can offer low shrinkage and high bonding ability to metal and provide for creation of a smooth groove cover surface once dry. It is to be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

In embodiments where the groove cover is of a liquid of somewhat high viscosity, such as groove cover that is a non-toxic epoxy or FDA approved quick setting silicone caulk material, the higher viscosity allows the groove cover to be shaped upon application (with an appropriately shaped applicator nozzle) to conform to a desired curvature between the edge of the upper surface of the can to the inside edge of the rim of the can top. The groove cover can thus maintain this shape while drying, curing or otherwise hardening.

Application of the groove cover can include a wiping operation that wipes excess groove cover away and/or that provides a desired smoothness and shape (e.g. curved or flat) to the upper groove cover surface331. The groove cover can also be color coordinated with the color of a label of the can for a nice visual appearance. It is noted that any color can be used for the groove cover material and that color can serve as a distinguishing marketing aspect of a can configured with a colored (or tinted) groove cover. Due to high speed bottling operations, a very quick setting groove cover material such as a fast hardening expoy resin can be used. The time required to set can be adjusted to be minimal by using heating/cooling, radiation, chemical treatments (e.g. hardeners) or other curing techniques know in the art of plastics and/or resin technologies to provide a suitable groove cover that adheres and cures quickly.

In the groove ring embodiments where the groove ring is pre-shaped prior to application to the can top to conform to the contours of the inside edge of rim of can top, very little curing or adhesive drying time is required, if any, since the groove ring can be adhered with a minimal amount of adhesive that can bond very quickly to the metal can and/or can top surface. The groove ring can be made of, for example, non-toxic plastic, rubber, silicon, urethane, metal, wax, polymer, food grade polyethylene, or other suitable non-toxic material. The groove material may be elastomeric and may be a dense foam or sponge material. It is to be understood that this list is not exhaustive, and that some materials listed herein may be preferable over others due to various material properties such as adherability to the can top, non-toxicity, cost, formability, cure/set time, and other factors. It is to be understood that the groove ring itself, prior to adhering or affixing to a can top is to be considered an embodiment disclosed herein.

It is to be understood that the groove ring affixed to a can top alone, prior to the can top being secured and seamed to a can housing is also an embodiment disclosed herein. Thus a can top that has not yet been seamed to the can housing, but that includes mechanisms or alterations that differ from conventional can top designs to accommodate a groove cover (several examples are shown in the figures, such as the top that includes recesses in one or both sidewalls of the groove) are considered separate embodiments.

In one configuration, since it is very important to have a high speed canning operation, a can top preconfigured with the groove cover already in place is considered an embodiment disclosed herein. In such configurations, the groove cover is adhered or otherwise secured into the groove of the can top in a manner that does not interfere with the canning operation of placing the can top or lid onto the can housing. In particular, examples of such groove cover configurations include, for example, that shown inFIG. 5. The groove cover inFIG. 5is configured to fill-in the groove but does not rise up or reside on upper areas of the inside edge of the rim of the can, thus it does not interfere with applying the can top or lid to the can housing during the canning operation. Machines that perform the canning operation provide a chuck or can top holder device that fits into the top of the can top or lid and provides a surface that presses against the inside edge of the rim or the can while rollers on the outside edge of the can top roll the ran top and can housing collectively into a seam. In certain configurations of such canning equipment, the chuck or other device that resides within and presses against the inside edge of the rim of the can top does not need to enter the groove region of the can top. Thus, the groove cover does not interfere with canning operations and can be placed or affixed to the can top during can top manufacturing, prior to seaming the can top to the can housing.

In example embodiments, to inhibit or resist the growth microbes such as bacteria, mold, germs or the like, the groove cover300may contain (e.g. is embedded with, or is coated with) an antimicrobial such as, for example, Lysozyme or nisin to inhibit growth of microbials, fungi and/or bacteria that come into contact with the groove cover300. It is to be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting. In this configuration, a heath conscious consumer feels more comfortable in understanding that not only does the groove cover keep the can top cleaner (e.g. assists in the process of cleaning when wiping the can top), but the groove cover further resists bacterial and germ growth and related types of contamination to provide an even cleaner upper groove cover surface331over which the liquid flows when being dispensed from the can during drinking or pouring of the liquid into a container.

In another example embodiment, the groove cover material, whether it be a liquid, fluid or solid material, can be impregnated with one or more substances, such as esters, to add a taste, flavor or smell. In such configurations, when a person, for example, drinks directly from the can, as their lips con into contact with the can top and groove cover affixed thereto, the flavor, taste or smell of the groove cover can be perceived by the person. In still other embodiments, the groove cover material can be a biodegradable solid, or substantially solid (i.e. having some flex an pliability) material that is biodegradable (e.g. a biodegradable plastic or bioplastic such as that used in plastic straws). For example, bioplastics, also known as organic plastics, formed from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch or microbiota can be used to form a bioplastic groove ring configured as disclosed herein. These elements can add an interesting aspect to the groove cover for marketing purposes since not only does the presence of the groove cover make the can drinking experience more sanitary but also environmentally friendly.

As noted above, in one embodiment, the fluid groove cover300may be a liquid material that is applied into the groove and that is hardened thereafter. The liquid may be, for example, a food-grade non-toxic silicon or resin material. During or just after application of the fluid groove cover into the groove of the can top (while the groove cover is still in a liquid state), the can200can be maintained in a rotating state while the liquid cures to bond to the can top and to form the shape of the groove cover. Due to centripetal forces and with proper control over a speed of rotation, the liquid groove cover300will naturally swell up or rise slightly up the inside edge227of the inside of the rim of the can (but will also remain in the groove with proper control of volume of liquid groove cover applied). Careful adjustment and control of the amount or volume of grove cover applied, temperature, curing techniques, and other factors allows creation of a groove cover300that completely fills in the groove230of the can top and that also provides enough groove cover material to rise up the inside edge227of the rim of the can top and provide a smooth curved surface. When the grove cover300hardens in this state, it will provide the substantially curved upper groove cover surface such as that shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6Aillustrates an example embodiment in which the fluid groove cover300has a sufficient viscosity to be sprayed onto the can top220. One or more spray nozzles292supply enough spray to allow the sprayed on liquid groove cover to flow into and fill-in the entire circumference of the groove defined by the can top. When the groove cover is applied via spraying, careful choice of a spray nozzle, pressure, temperature and volume can direct a suitable amount of liquid groove cover into the groove and the surrounding areas (e.g. up the inside edge227of the rim222).

In one embodiment, the groove cover300in its liquid state can be sprayed over the entire upper surface of the can top220. In such a configuration, enough sprayed-on groove cover300is applied to allow runoff of excess groove cover on the upper surface229of the can top220to flow into and fill-in the groove230. If the liquid sprayed on groove cover is of appropriate volume, viscosity and/or temperature, the groove cover300can still fill the groove and even though it may slightly contact and overlap the openable section and tab, but not enough to interfere with or hinder opening of the can. Since the upper surface229of the can top220is slightly arced upwards (has a gentle curved shape), when the can is in an upright position, as the spray nozzle(s)229apply the spray on groove cover300, the groove cover can runoff and flow into the groove, as opposed to remaining as a thick layer on the upper surface229of the can top220.

Spraying the can top220with the groove cover can further provide a benefit of coating larger regions of the upper surface of the can top with groove cover material that will provide a smoother upper surface for the can top than the original aluminum or steel surface. This embodiment provides an added benefit since when wiping, the smoother surface allows better wiping action and results in a cleaner can surface (as compared to wiping a bare metal surface that has a slight grain or texture that can trap or otherwise be more susceptible to collection of dirt, grime or other debris).

FIG. 6Billustrates an embodiment in which the groove cover300is disposed into the groove300of the can top220via a groove cover nozzle313that supplies the groove cover material as a thick liquid or in a caulk-like consistency. In this example, the groove cover nozzle313includes a supply tube314for supplying groove cover material300and a wiper shield315that presses, folds or forces the groove cover material into the groove, and that also properly shapes and/or forms the upper groove cover surface331in a profile that conforms to the shape of the groove cover as may be desired. During this groove cover installation process, the groove cover nozzle313is positioned above the groove230at a starting location, and is controlled to begin to dispense groove cover material from the supply tube314at a certain volume over time. As the groove cover material comes out of the supply tube314and is placed into the groove230, the nozzle313continuously moves around the circumference of the groove. The nozzle313can be operated to always be positioned so that the wiper shield315is downstream in groove with respect to the supply tube314that is supplying the groove cover. As such, as the supply tube314move about the circumference of the groove and provides the groove cover material that flows into the groove230, the wiper shield315follows behind and shapes and forms the desired profile of the upper groove cover surface331. When the nozzle313has completed a full circular path around the groove while applying the groove cover in this manner and returns to its starting position, the supply tube314can cease supplying groove cover material and the nozzle can continue to move just past the starting point as it pulls away form the can top to create a seamless upper groove cover surface331.

FIG. 7illustrates an embodiment in which a liquid groove cover300is applied to both the body205and can top220via dipping the can200and can top220into a reservoir298of liquid groove cover material300. In this particular example, the can200is held on an angle293and is rotated state by a can holder296(a machine capable of handling cans). In this manner, an area of the can top220that includes the rim222, groove area and a slight portion of the upper surface229of the can top220are all coated with the groove cover material300(e.g. a non-toxic paint or epoxy resin or other suitable non-toxic material). Additionally, by careful selection of the angle293at which the can200is dipped into the reservoir298and via control over the depth of dipping, the groove cover material300can be applied onto the body205as it rotates.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 7, the groove cover300is a liquid material that is applied while dipping the can on an angle to allow the fluid groove cover to coat the sides of the rim of the can and a portion of the body. When the can is returned to an upright position, the liquid groove cover material on the inside edge of the rim of the can flows down and settles into the groove to at least partially fill the groove. Any groove cover material that may run down the side of the can is wiped off during the drying process to provide a clean lower edge269of the groove cover material on the body205. Alternatively, the lower edge269of the groove cover material can be scored and the unwanted portion removed or peeled away.

It is noted that whileFIG. 7shows the can rotating to coat and fill-in an entire circumference or perimeter of the can and the groove and rim of the can top, in other configurations the can is dipped with the openable section oriented properly to allow the groove cover material300in the reservoir298to coat and fill the groove in the vicinity of the openable section (i.e., where a person's mouth may contact the body, rim area, and can top). In such an embodiment, the groove cover fills-in only a portion of the groove.

In embodiments disclosed herein that provide for a spray-on groove cover material, or a groove cover material that is applied via dipping the can, or where the groove cover is a painted on material, the groove cover can be provided in related embodiments as a contiguous groove cover material that is adhered to and extends up an inside edge of the rim of the can and over the top of the rim of the can and down an outside edge of the rim of the can. In such a configuration, the groove cover material300extends over and covers a rim groove288defined at an intersection of the outside lower edge of the rim of the can top220and the top portion of the body. In conventional cans, the rim groove is highly susceptible to contamination with dirt, grime and debris since the can is often handled with contact being made at the rim groove (e.g. hand contact). Accordingly, in this example embodiment, the groove cover material extends up and over the rim of the can and down the outside edge of the rim and onto the body to coat and cover/fill-in the rim groove. Depending on the configuration, the groove cover material can extend to different lengths down the sidewall of the can housing or body.

In one configuration, the groove cover material has a lower edge277that is adhered to and terminates on the body205at a position below a region in which a person's mouth contacts a can if drinking directly from the can. By coating the rim and upper outer surface of the body, the rim groove transition between the can top and body is largely eliminated or softened thus reducing debris collection to a minimum (as compared to having no coating in that area at all).

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the metallic beverage can200can include contiguous groove cover material on the body205that covers (and adheres to the can at) a mouth contact region of the body at which a person places his or her mouth when drinking from the metallic beverage can. In embodiments where the groove cover material300covers the body in this manner and in which the groove cover includes (i.e. is embedded with) a non-toxic antimicrobial, the health conscious consumer is placed more at ease in understanding that the groove cover material is resistant to growth of microbials where he or she will be placing their lower lip when drinking from the can. Note that such embodiments can include a label or designation that the area of mouth contact is a “germ free zone” to provide a visual indication of the antimicrobial region. In other configurations, the grove cover can contain a flavoring to provide a subtle taste to a person drinking from the can, or the groove ring can contain a scent to provide a smell or odor in the region of the can top that can be detectable by a person drinking from the can. The flavor or scent can be such that it is activated when wet (via the liquid from the can contacting the groove ring, or when a person puts his or her mouth on the can to drink from the can). In other configurations, the groove cover is embedded with a temperature sensitive compound that changes color based on temperature to indicate if the beverage can is cold or not. In this manner, the groove cover or groove ring can be used to indicate, visually, if the can is hot or cold. This lets a person selecting the can for consumption know via viewing the groove cover material if the can has been properly chilled and is “ready” for drinking as many drinks are preferably chilled before consumption.

FIG. 8illustrates an example embodiment in which the groove cover300is configured as a groove ring340having a diameter proportionate to a diameter of a center of a circle formed by the groove230defined by the can top220. In other words, the groove ring is sized to conform to the size of the groove. In these configurations, the circular groove ring340is disposed into or on the groove230to fill in at least a portion of the groove230defined by the can top220. In one embodiment, the groove ring340is a material that is press fit into the groove230to fill-in the groove. Examples of such material include FDA approved food-grade silicone, rubber, or foam. Such material can be compressible to be press fit into the groove to fill-in the groove.

In one configuration of the press fit groove ring, the groove ring is press fit or snap fit into the groove and includes at least one that interfaces with a sidewall of the groove deinfed in the can top to maintain the groove ring affixed to the can top before, during and after opening of the can top. In particular, the sidewalls of the groove can include one or more impressions or indentations and the groove ring can include at least one appendage that mates with and fits into such impressions. The impressions may be spaced around a sidewall (such as the inner sidewall) that defines the groove, or the impression may be a continuous impression that extends around the entire sidewall of the groove. When the groove ring is brought into contact with the can top and aligned with (i.e. placed over) the groove, the groove ring can be pressed or snapped into the groove. The groove ring and its associated appendage(s) in such configurations has/have slight flexibility and can momentarily deform to allow the appendage(s) to deform and deflect while being pressed into the groove. Alternatively, the groove ring can have a split in it that allows temporary expansion of the groove ring when being pressed into the groove in order to expand slightly in diameter to clear the outer peripheral edge of the upper can surface (upon which the opening or openable section of the can is defined). In this manner, the groove filer (a groove ring) can expand and be press fit into the groove. The appendage(s) can be tabs that snap, slide or move into place into the impressions or indentations to hold the groove ring in place. If the groove ring is made of a rubberized compound, such as silicone, the groove ring can be pressed in place and the elasticity of the material allows the groove ring to deform briefly to enter the groove and the appendages or outcroppings can then expand again to enter the impression(s) in the sidewall(s) of the groove. Further details of groove ring embodiments and embodiments that provide can tops (i.e. lids) that are configured to receive a groove ring groove cover will be explained later.

Embodiments that provide a groove ring with a mechanical fastening means (e.g. groove cover appendage) allow for quick installment of the groove ring and prevents removal of the ring once inserted. Since no adhesive is required, no drying or curing time is needed. In such configurations, the groove ring may be preformed and made, for example, of a non-toxic food grade plastic (e.g. PTE) and the groove ring may be snap fit onto the can top. Such application of the groove ring may take place after canning is complete, or, depending upon the configuration of the canning machinery that secures the can top to the can body, the groove ring may be applied to the can top prior to the can top being secured and sealed to the can body (e.g. during or just after can top formation). Thus, various embodiment include the groove ring itself, as well as a can top with a groove ring attached, as well as a can body with attached can top and groove ring. Embodiments also include the methods of applying the groove ring to the can sealed with a can top, applying the groove ring to a can top alone, and forming a can top to include a grove ring, and forming the groove ring alone. In such embodiments, the terms “groove ring” and “groove cover” are used interchangeably. Each of these configurations is understood to be an embodiment disclosed herein.

It is to be understood that while the groove ring inFIG. 8is a full circle, other embodiments allow for a groove ring that is only a partial circle or arc to be placed in only a portion of the groove defined by the can top. In particular, if the groove ring is not a full circle, it is preferable that the partial circle groove ring is positioned an a section of the groove that is closest to the openable section defined in the can top.

FIG. 9illustrates another configuration that shows a cross sectional profile of one side of a can top in which the groove ring340conforms to a shape of the groove230defined by the surface of the can top (e.g. has a cross sectional profile that is shaped opposite of the shape of the side of the can top200that defines the shape of the groove230and inside edge227of the rim222). The shape and cross sectional profile of the groove ring can be sized to be the same size as the groove, or if the groove ring material is flexible (e.g. silicone), the groove ring can be sized a slight bit larger that the groove dimensions and can be press fit into the groove. In a press fit configuration, the groove ring340can remain in the groove due to the side wall pressure and close tolerances of the fit between the groove ring340and the groove230.

In other configurations, an adhesive345(e.g. an adhesive that is non-toxic and FDA approved when dry) may be applied to the underside of the groove ring to bond the grove ring340into the groove230and to create a tight seal between the groove ring340and the surface of the can top220. After application of the adhesive, a groove ring applicator can perform a wiping operation to smooth any excess adhesive that may have oozed out from in between the groove ring340and the surface of the can top230.

The groove ring340may be solid, or substantially solid, or somewhat flexible and when placed into the groove, may flex slightly to conform to very minor irregularities of the groove230. Examples include a silicone rubber groove ring, a plastic groove ring, a wax ring, a Styrofoam or dense foam ring, or a metal groove ring. It is understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting. Use of a groove ring can speed up the canning process since there is no time required to allow the groove ring to dry or become stable (as opposed, for example, to a liquid groove cover that must cure, be hardened, dry, etc.). Since modern canning/bottling processes are high speed, it is important to provide application of the groove cover (whether it be a liquid, or a groove ring) in a manner to does not slow down the bottling/packaging line

FIG. 10illustrates another configuration that shows a cross sectional profile of one side of a can top in which the groove ring340is a circular ring of material (e.g. donut shaped) that, when heated or otherwise treated (e.g. via a chemical process), melts or otherwise transforms to temporarily form a liquid that flows into the groove230and conforms to the shape of the groove and thereafter hardens into a substantially solid form. After melting, the liquid flows into the groove and adheres to the surface of the can top during hardening to define an upper groove cover surface that extends from the upper surface of the can top to the inside edge of the rim of the can top to fill in the groove (such as the groove cover300shown inFIG. 5).

As an example, inFIG. 10the groove ring340may be a circular plastic, wax, hot melt glue ring, solder ring or other meltable ring of material that can be placed onto the groove after the can top220has been sealed or placed onto the can200during the canning/bottling process. The can200can then move through a heating or treatment area that causes the groove ring340to briefly liquefy and flow into the groove230thus filling the groove. Upon cooling or curing, the grove ring340solidifies to become a solid groove cover300and bonds to the surface of the can top220. As noted above, when the grove cover is in a liquid state, the can top220may be rotated during cooling/curing to provide the curved effect to the upper groove cover surface331as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 11illustrates an example embodiment in which the groove cover does not extend all the way around the groove230defined in the can top220. In such embodiments, the groove cover300is disposed in the only a portion of the groove and fills the groove in that portion to a depth that is at least substantially equivalent to the top surface229of the can top. It is noted that if groove cover is applied to a can top and does not substantially fill-in the groove, but only partially fill-in a depth of the groove, the presence of even some groove cover in the groove can be beneficial since the depth and width of the groove will both be made smaller, thereby reducing an amount of debris that can be trapped in the partially filled groove. In other words, even if the grove is not filled in fully, the can top with groove cover will be less resistant to the collection of debris and therefore can be considered “cleaner”.

InFIG. 11, the groove cover300has a first end301and a second end302and has a groove cover length256that fills-in the groove and extends for a distance less than an entire length or circumference of the groove230defined around the can top220. For portions of the groove filled by the groove cover, such as the area of the groove adjacent to the openable section224in the upper surface229of the can top220(the region of the groove extending for the length256such as that shown inFIG. 11), the groove cover300prevents debris from collecting in that area. Additionally, when the upper surface of the can top220is wiped prior to opening the can, the groove cover300located near the openable section224provides a smooth surface that enhances the wiping action's ability to clean the can. Since the groove cover is adjacent the to the openable section, when liquid flows from the can after opening, debris is not picked up and turbulence of the liquid is reduced in the example embodiment. This can enhance taste of the liquid from the can and provide for a better drinking experience.

FIG. 12illustrates an embodiment in which at least one of the first end301and the second end302of the groove cover300define a debris pocket or trap360to trap debris that slides within portions of the groove230that do not contain the groove cover300during tilting of the metallic beverage can200to pour a liquid contents of the can from the openable section224in the upper surface229of the can top220. The debris pocket or trap360is formed by having the upper groove cover surface331extend slightly further in distance around the groove230than a lower surface332of the groove cover300. That is, the upper groove cover surface331overhangs the groove and forms a trap underneath the upper surface331that can collect debris.

This configuration of a debris trap or pocket is formed if, for example, the groove cover is a material of caulk-like consistency (e.g. somewhat thick and gooey) and a groove cover applicator machine or device, such as a caulking nozzle, continues to move around the groove even after ceasing to supply and apply the caulking into the groove. In such cases, the lower side332of the groove cover sticks closely to the sides of the can top that define the groove, while the upper groove cover surface331(that is not contacting as much surface area of the groove on the can top) stretches slightly longer and follows the still moving caulking nozzle. This creates the debris trap360. In this manner, the upper groove cover surface is formed to protrude as a slight overhang over a small unfilled section of the groove at each end of the groove cover300, thus forming debris pockets or traps at each end301and302. Once the groove cover has hardened and is bonded to the can top220, if the can top is wiped for cleaning and any debris (e.g. sand, dirt, dust, etc.) is pushed into the parts of the groove that are not filled by the groove cover300, if such debris slides within the grove230towards the openable section224, for example during pouring, the debris gets trapped by the debris pocket trap360. This results is a more sanitary pouring/drinking experience since less debris is likely to leave the groove230and come into contact with the liquid being poured from the can200.

In another configuration, if the groove cover is a preformed groove ring (as shown inFIG. 8, such as a plastic groove ring) but that does not fully extend all the way around the groove, the debris trap can be preformed into the groove ring by having the upper preformed edge of the grove ring extend further around the groove that the lower preformed edge of the groove ring. When the groove ring is pressed or glued or otherwise adhered into the portion of the groove230and is aligned so that the center part of the groove ring (the part equal distance from either end) is aligned substantially with the openable section of the can top, the debris traps on either end become operable to trap debris such as loose sand, dust, dirt, etc. that may move or slide within the groove towards the direction of the can tilting when liquid is poured from the can.

In one embodiment, a portion of the groove cover300located closest to the openable section224of the can top is substantially a center region along the groove cover length. The first end301and second end302of the groove cover300extend a substantially equal distance away from the center region to respective locations301,302within the groove230defined by the can top, the respective location being beyond mouth contact regions308,309on the can top220when a person drinks directly from the metallic beverage can200.

Other embodiments provide a can top220alone (without a body) configured as explained above inFIGS. 3 through 9(i.e. such embodiments do not include the can200). The can top220is shaped to define a rim and an upper surface that includes an openable section of the can top. As explained above, the can top shape further defines a groove230between an inside edge of the rim of the can top and the upper surface of the can top. In embodiments of the can top alone, a groove cover300may be included and disposed in the groove to fill-in the groove in at least a portion of the groove that is located adjacent to the openable section of the can top prior to sealing of the can top onto a body. That is, this example embodiment covers a can top in which the groove cover is pre-applied into the groove defined in the can top. In such embodiments, the pre-disposed groove cover can be of a configuration that does not interfere with the canning operation (i.e. The groove cover can be applied into the grove and canning machinery can still crimp opposing side of the rim of the can top to form the rim that is sealed to the body. Thus, a can top sold by can top manufactures may provide can tops that contain a groove cover already installed. As explained above, the groove cover prevents collection of debris in the at least a portion of the groove in which the groove cover is disposed and assists in removal of debris during wiping of the can top.

FIG. 13illustrates additional example variations on the embodiments noted above. Such variations include providing a color agent or tint271embedded in the groove cover300to allow the groove cover to be color coordinated with a color of the can200(e.g. with labeling placed on the can). Alternatively, the groove cover300may be a transparent or semi transparent material that can be tinted with a given color271or that may be clear, or the grove cover300may be include a substance that glows in the dark or radiates to provide a visually appealing radiant effect to the can top in dim or dark lighting conditions. The groove cover may also be embedded with visually interesting particles or materials such as reflective sparkles, metallic flakes, colored beads or other small objects. Such features can be useful within with the groove cover for product marketing purposes and to distinguish the can top from competing products.

Other example embodiments such as shown inFIG. 13provide for insertion of a message272in the groove cover using characters, text, symbols or other information to be embedded within, or placed or printed within or under the transparent or semi-transparent groove cover. As an example, any phrase such as “CLEAN CAN TECHNOLOGY” or “PATENT PENDING” or “HAVE A NICE DAY” can be printed on a transparent non-toxic medium such as a plastic or cellophane strip and then this strip can be placed into or under the groove cover (e.g. just before or during application of the groove cover to the can top300), or placed, stuck or printed on the inside edge of the rim of the can top220. Once the printed message or other item is in place within the grove230(or on the inside wall of the rim), the item is thereafter covered and sealed in place by the transparent or color tinted groove cover allowing the message to be visible underneath and through the groove cover. In one configuration, the message may continue around the circumference of the inside edge of the rim. The message is visible to viewers of the can top and provides a mechanism to inform consumers of the clean can, or for use in marketing purposes. In other examples, the groove cover may be a preformed groove ring and the message may be built into this ring. In this case, the ring can simple be installed into the groove as explained herein and the printed message, design and/or figure/picture can be visible to the consumer on, in or under the groove ring.

In other embodiments, the printed message can be applied to the inside sidewall of the rim and/or the sidewall(s) of the groove of the can top, and the groove ring can be transparent and can be installed over this printed image. This allows the message or words to be visible through the groove ring. If the groove ring is transparent and has a profile or cross section shape that magnifies an image (e.g. an upper groove cover surface have a bulging or rounded upper groove cover surface profile such as that shown inFIG. 16D), this allows the printed message, image or other insignia (e.g. logo of manufacturer of contents of can) to be magnified by the groove ring of transparent material that resides over the printed message. In such a configuration, the groove ring300magnifies the text, image or other insignia272(FIG. 13) that resides underneath or behind the groove ring (i.e. resides on the surface of the outside groove sidewall) and provides the appearance to a person viewing the image or text or message that it is larger in size that the actual print used. Thus, a message272under a groove ring300such as that shown inFIG. 16Dcan be magnified to provide a visually appealing can top220. In such configurations, the groove cover is a non-toxic material that has a cross section profile that provides magnification of an image within or under the groove cover.

Other example embodiments include mixing visually appealing substances274with the groove cover prior to application of the groove cover300into the groove230. Examples of such substances274including sparkles (non-toxic metallic or plastic particles) mixed into the groove cover prior to application of the groove cover to provide an interesting visual appearance within the groove cover.

Referring now briefly back toFIG. 1, it is noted that certain designs of conventional can bottoms106provide a circular bottom edge having an outer diameter that allows one can200to be easily stacked on top of another can200. That is, the outer diameter of the bottom edge of the can bottom106is slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the rim122of a conventional can100, allowing the bottom of an upper can to be received and held in place (from a side-to side movement perspective) with the rim of the lower can when the cans are stacked.

FIG. 14illustrates a cross sectional view of an upper can200-1stacked on top of a lower can200-2that includes a groove cover300disclosed herein that fills-in the groove230only to a depth that does not interfere with the stackability of a can200-1that has a shaped conforming to a conventional can bottom shape. That is, as shown inFIG. 14, the groove cover300fills the groove230but not so much as to interfere with the ability of the bottom of the upper can200-1to rest properly within the rim of the lower can200-2.

FIG. 15shows an example embodiment in which the groove cover includes an activatable liquid radiant material that is activated causing the groove cover material300disposed within the inner rim of the can to glow or illuminate when the can is opened. In this example embodiment, the groove cover300can be configured to contain two separate compounds481,482such as liquids that are maintained within two separate compartments483,484formed by the groove cover300within the groove230. The compartments can be separated with a thin wall section485, such as for example, a thin plastic material or wax membrane. This thin wall section485can include a thin tether that passes through the groove cover material300and protrudes from the groove cover and that is adhered to the openable section224of the upper surface229of the can top220. Accordingly, when the can200is opened, the openable section224depresses into the body and tugs on the attached tether that is coupled to this thin barrier485(the barrier485keeps the two liquids from mixing during shipping and prior to opening the can). The opening action thus causes the thin wall section485to which the tether is attached to pull a bit and dislodge from its original position within the groove cover300. This causes the formerly separate fluid components to now be joined and to be able to flow and mix together. Upon mixing, a luminescent chemical reaction occurs and a glow is produced (in a manner similar to how a cartridge in a glow stick is broken causing the liquid compounds in the glow stick and the cartridge to be able to mix to produce a colored glow). The groove cover in this configuration can thus secure and define each compartment481,482that maintains the fluid components. In one configuration, the groove cover including the activatable radiant material (i.e. the separate compounds that are able to mix and glow upon opening the can) can be preformed (e.g. as a groove ring) and placed into the groove to avoid complicated creation of separate compartments and addition of liquid glow components during application of the groove cover. In other words, a preformed groove cover ring including the tether wall485and liquid compartments that hold ingredients, that when mixed together cause a glow effect, can be used as the groove cover300.

FIGS. 16A through 16Eshow various example alternative configurations of a groove cover300as well as example can top profiles of can tops or lids configured with the groove cover300within a groove230in accordance with example embodiments disclosed herein. Note that details of how the can top or lid joins to the can housing are not shown in these figures and such details will be shown in later figures. Rather,FIGS. 16A through 16Eare intended to shown different groove shapes or profiles, as well as different groove cover profiles or shapes. It is to be understood that these are examples only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention. These figures also illustrate that there can be various configurations of groove cross sectional profiles of can tops. It is to be understood that the groove cover300shown inFIGS. 16A through 16Emay be any type of groove cover material disclosed herein. As examples, the groove cover300may be a liquid groove cover that hardens into a substantially solid material that bonds to the surface of the can top, or the groove cover300may be a pre-shaped groove ring that is pressed or secured via adhesive into the groove230.

While particular profiles of groove covers300are shown with particular can top groove shapes or profiles inFIGS. 16A through 16E, it is to be understood that a given groove cover profile can be used with more than one type of can top groove profile, and vice versa. As an example, inFIG. 16B, the groove profile of the grove230of the can top provides for a rim of the can that has an outside groove wall the descends vertically downward towards the bottom of the groove (as opposed to a sloped or curved outer groove wall as shown in other figures). For the groove cover300shown inFIG. 16B, the upper surface of the groove cover300is shown to slope a bit from the outer groove wall across the top of the groove to the upper surface of the can top. It is to be understood that this upper groove cover surface can be substantially horizontal and flat thus horizontally extending the upper surface of the can top horizontally across the groove to the outer groove wall (as opposed to rising up on an angle up towards the rim of the can as illustrated inFIG. 16B). In other configurations, the upper groove cover surface can be gently curved upwards. A curved upper groove cover surface promotes ease of wiping dirt and debris off of the upper surface of the can top and over the edge of the rim to allow for ease in cleaning the can top when wiping.

Example above descriptions disclose placement of a groove cover300into the groove230defined on a can top220to reduce or eliminate the ability of the groove to collect debris by covering and/or filling-in some or all of the groove, and in some cases creating a smooth surface that extends upwards from the upper can surface towards the rim and top edge of the can to promote wiping of dirt away and off of the can top, thus resulting in a cleaner can top that provides a more sanitary drinking experience. The groove cover material is operable to be secured to a can top of a beverage can to cover at least a portion of a groove defined by the can top. In some configurations, the groove cover is maintained in place in the groove by an adhesive that adheres the groove cover to an upper outer surface of the groove section, and in other configurations the groove cover material can bond to the can top surface. In other configurations, a mechanical fit (e.g. press fit) of the groove cover with the can top secures the groove cover in place.

As noted above, the groove exists between an upper surface of the can top and an inside wall of a rim of the can top. This is the major groove or countersink defined on metallic beverage can tops and is structurally defined in, on, or by the can top for strength purposes to allow the can to better withstand internal can pressures exerted by pressurized (e.g. carbonated) liquids such as carbonated soda or beer. The groove cover material provides an upper groove cover surface that inhibits collection of debris within the groove after installation of the groove cover. Though not limited as such, in many embodiments, the groove cover has an inside edge that ends between the openable section of the can top and the top edge of the upper surface of the can top (prior to that edge dropping off into the groove230). In other words, in most configurations, the groove cover300can reside in and fill-in the groove and can extend partway onto the upper surface of the can top, but its inside edge stops prior to covering the openable section of the can top. In this manner, the groove cover substantially eliminates the groove (and its ability to be prone to collection of debris) within interfering with opening of the can to dispense the liquid contents.

Embodiments disclosed herein further include designs of groove cover rings (groove rings) and can tops that facilitate securing the groove cover to the can top. In particular, where an adhesive is not used (for example due to a curing or drying time of the adhesive that might slow down the bottling process), the groove cover and can top are able to interface via mechanical action between the two surfaces that prevents easy removal of the groove cover. The following discussion discloses a variety of embodiments of groove covers, can tops, can top manufacturing techniques, can top seaming techniques (to secure the top to the can housing), and groove cover (groove ring) construction, design and application techniques (methods for applying the groove cover to the top) to provide for the overall result of filing in the groove and thus removing the presence of the groove with respect to the outer surfaces of the can top and beverage can. In this manner, these techniques result in a much more sanitary and environmentally acceptable beverage can. A can with a groove cover is health conscious can that can assist in preventing sickness and the spread of germs since the groove cover promotes ease of can top cleaning (as opposed to pushing dirt and germ laden debris into the groove where it is hard to clean out). The result is a new type of beverage can that can be marketed to the consuming public to appeal to their interest in cleanliness and health consciousness. The addition of a groove cover to an aluminum beverage can design is inexpensive and is quick to apply and does not significantly slow down the canning/bottling process.

FIG. 17illustrates a cutaway view of one side of an example can top220in which the can top220has a groove230having an example groove shape or profile that is configured with an impression405on its inner groove sidewall408that allows a correspondingly shaped groove cover300to be inserted and secured in place on the can top220. The impression causes the sidewall of the groove to extend inwards towards the center of the can top. In this example the can top220is shown as double seamed to a can housing205using a double seam (as is commonly know in the art), but it is to be understood that a can top or lid alone that is not yet seamed or sealed to a can housing, but that includes the impression405(as well as methods of forming such a can top) is/are to be considered embodiments disclosed herein as well.

In this example inFIG. 17, the groove cover300is illustrated as residing initially above the groove230defined in the can top220(as it would exist prior to insertion or installation into the groove). It is to be understood that groove covers300(apart from being inserted into the can tops and cans) disclosed herein that are designed to fit into the groove of a can lid220(but that are not yet installed into the groove) are all considered embodiments protected herein. InFIG. 17, the dotted outline of the groove cover300within the groove230shows how the groove cover appears once inserted or installed into the groove230. Methods of insertion and installation of groove covers into can tops/lids220(whether such lids220are seamed to a can200or not) are also disclosed herein and are considered embodiments covered by this disclosure.

The groove cover300includes an upper groove cover surface331that inhibits collection of debris within the a portion of the groove230into which the groove cover230is inserted. In this example, the upper groove cover surface331extends across the top of the groove230(i.e. spans the groove230). This upper groove cover surface331extends between its outside edge412, that resides when inserted into the somewhere along the inside edge of the rim222of the can top220, and an inside edge414that terminates somewhere along the upper edge of the upper can top surface229. The groove cover300includes a groove cover body333that extends downward from the upper groove cover surface331. When inserted into a groove230of a can top220, the groove cover body extends into the groove230defined in the can top220. The groove cover230also includes the upper groove cover surface331that provides an outside edge412and an inside edge414. The groove cover body333includes at least one surface (e.g. the exterior surface defined by the groove appendage334) that affixes to a groove sidewall surface (e.g. an impression or recess405defined within the outer or inner groove sidewalls407,408) of the can top220that defines the groove230in order to secure the groove cover300into the groove230on the can top220. That is, the groove appendage334inserts into the groove recess405to hold the groove cover in place.

As can be seen in the cutaway view inFIG. 17, in this example the inner sidewall of the groove cover300has a shape or profile including an appendage334that corresponds to a shape or profile of the inner sidewall408of the groove230(i.e. that fits into the recess405). In particular, in its inserted position, the groove cover300includes a groove cover body that extends downward from the upper groove cover surface331and extends at least partway into the groove230defined in the can top220. The groove cover body includes at least one surface that affixes to a groove sidewall surface (e.g.407and/or408) of the can top220to secure the groove cover300into the groove230on the can top220. To affix the groove cover300in place in the groove, in this particular example, the groove cover body333includes at least one groove appendage334that extends outward from the groove cover body333(the appendage extends radially inwards towards the center of the can top220in this example, but this is outward relative to the main body of the groove cover). The groove appendage334is operable to interface with (i.e. insert into) a corresponding impression405on at least one sidewall (the inner groove sidewall408in this example) of the groove defined in the can top/lid220to securely hold the groove cover300in place on the can top220upon insertion of the groove cover into the grove defined on the can top. In this manner, once the groove cover300is inserted into the groove (e.g. press or snap fit into the groove), the groove cover300remains in place affixed to the can top220.

Note that when the groove cover300is fully inserted into the groove230of the can top220, the inside edge414rests or terminates at a location419located somewhere in between an outside edge of the openable section224of the can top and an upper inside edge of the top of the groove230(or in other words, the outside edge of the upper surface229of the can top). That is, the inside edge414, as shown as location419inFIG. 17(and as shown in other figures but not specifically enumerated), rests firmly against the upper surface229of the can top220(at location419) somewhere between the upper edge of the inside sidewall of the groove and the edge or beginning of the openable section224of the can top. The groove cover300thus does not interfere with or cover the openable section224of the can top in these example embodiments. As a result, the groove cover300can be applied to the can top during manufacture (either during manufacture of the can top itself, or during application/seaming of the can top to the can housing, or shortly after the can top is seamed) and the groove cover300need not interfere with the opening of the can by the consumer. The upper groove cover surface covers the groove230by spanning the opening at the top of the groove230between the groove cover insides edge414and the groove cover outside edge412, thus providing a new surface331over which the liquid from the can200flows when poured. It is to be understood that the upper groove cover surface331may be flat, or may have a slope of a low or high angle, depending upon the embodiment. The surface331may be curved in a concave manner as illustrated, to provide a gently curved sloping surface from an area at or near the top of the rim of the can down towards an outside edge of the upper surface (i.e. center panel) of the can top. In other embodiments, the surface331may be convex and can “bubble out” providing a domed appearance as it extends from the rim222of the can towards the upper surface229. Other embodiments provide for a profile of the surface331that starts at outer edge412and initially becomes convex and then, as it continues towards inside edge414, becomes concave. Such a profile is called an “ogee” edge profile.

The groove cover material300may be a substantially solid material (but may have some flex and deformation capability under force) and may be made from a material such as a plastic, rubber, silicon, resin, epoxy, dense foam or other material that is pre-shaped into a circular groove ring that can be placed and secured into the groove (e.g. press fit) defined by the can top. As a specific example, the groove cover material300can be constructed from an inexpensive semi-flexible non-toxic food-grade plastic material and can be molded or vacuum formed in large quantities. The groove cover300can be a ring-shaped to provide a groove cover for the entire circumference of the groove around the can top, or may only a part of the circumference of the total groove230. In embodiments where the groove extends only part of the way around the groove230to only be part of an arc of a circle, a center the groove cover300arc would be placed in alignment with the openable section224to prevent liquid from entering the groove230upon pouring from the can200. Depending on the embodiment, the groove cover300can be ring shaped and can include a split or break in the ring (thus making it not a fully contiguous ring of material). Such a split or break in the ring can allow temporary expansion/deformation of the groove cover300from its ring shape to allow temporary expansion of the diameter of the ring during press fit insertion into the groove230defined in the can top220.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 17, the groove appendage334is a substantially continuous appendage that extends outward from the groove cover body333along (i.e. around) an entire circular length of the groove cover body333. This continuous appendage334is operable to interface with a continuous impression or recess405that extends around an entire perimeter or circumference of at least one sidewall (the inner sidewall408in this example) of the groove230defined in the can top220. It is to be understood that the impression405could be formed on either the inner groove sidewall (as shown) or on the outer groove sidewall407, or on both sidewalls407and408and that the groove cover300could have corresponding appendages or outcroppings formed to interface to such impressions (an example of such a configuration of a groove cover with multiple appendages on both inner and outside sides, and a can top having groove sidewalls shaped to accommodate such a multi-appendage groove cover are discussed later inFIG. 21).

In an example configuration inFIG. 17, the groove cover300is a circular ring-shaped groove cover having a central diameter substantially equal to the central diameter of the groove230(relative to the entire can top) existing between an upper surface of the can top and an inside wall of a rim of the can top. The ring-shaped groove cover300has a groove cover body333that extends downwards from the upper groove cover surface331and is shaped to conform to at least a portion of a shape of the groove defined by the can top220. The groove cover body333includes inner and outer sidewalls, at least one of which secures to inner and outer groove sidewalls defined by a surface of the can top (the illustrated example showing the inner groove cover sidewall having the appendage334that inserts into the impression405on the inner groove sidewall408in this example).

FIGS. 18A,18B and18C illustrate examples of cross sectional profiles of example groove covers300, as well as example can top configurations that provide groove profiles into which the groove covers can be inserted and held in place, as configured in accordance with example embodiments disclosed herein. In these illustrated examples, each groove cover300includes at least one appendage334that, upon insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230of the can top220, interfaces with a corresponding impression405(e.g. notch, slot, dent, depression) or other impression to securely hold the groove cover300in place within the groove230of the can top220. The groove cover appendage(s)334is/are compressible/deformable inwards, towards the groove cover body333from which it/they extends, during insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230as the grove cover body333passes through an opening of the groove230. Thereafter, the appendage(s)334uncompress/undeform outwards into the corresponding impression(s)405on at least one sidewall of the groove230after clearing the opening. The groove cover appendage(s)334anchor the groove cover230into the groove230defined by the can top220. In this manner, once inserted, the groove cover300remains in place on the can cop.

In the examples illustrated inFIGS. 18A-18C, the groove cover appendage(s)334are illustrated as tooth-like barbs. Note the drawings inFIGS. 18A,18B and18C are not necessarily to scale. As an example, the thickness of the bards334may be think to provide them more flexibility. Each appendage is coupled at a first lower end to the groove cover body333(i.e. towards a lower end of the groove cover body333) and has a second upper end that extends upwards and outwards from the groove cover body. Once inserted into the groove230, the appendage(s) come to rest into the corresponding impression(s) on at least one sidewall of the groove230after insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230. The appendages334anchor and affix the groove cover in place on the can top to prevent its removal. The groove cover configured in this manner remains in place once the can leaves the manufacturing facility and before, during and after opening of the can top to dispense its liquid contents.

In one configuration, the groove appendage334is at least one outcropping of groove cover material that extends outwards from at least one sidewall of the groove cover body333towards a sidewall407,408(e.g. inFIG. 17) of the groove230defined by the can top220. The groove cover material333(the body and appendages334) is flexibly deformable to allow brief deformation of the outcropping (the appendages334) during insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230of the can top220and allows at least some un-deformation of the outcropping into a corresponding impression on the at least one sidewall of the can top towards which the outcropping extends. Thus, during insertion of a groove cover having one or more appendages such as those shown inFIGS. 18A through 18C, the appendages334deflect inwards towards the groove cover body to allow the groove cover to be inserted into an opening of the groove. Once the appendage(s)334have cleared the opening of the groove and are resident at the adjacent impressions(s)405to which they correspond, the appendage(s)334can spring back outwards and into the impression(s)405formed in the sidewalls of the groove of the can top. Once the appendages334have sprung back outwards (relative to the main body of the groove cover) into the impressions405, they remain in place in this position to prevent easy removal of the groove ring from the can top220. In this manner, the can top220includes an installed groove ring that covers and fills-in the groove to avoid collection of dirt and debris in the groove. The groove ring300is thus anchored firmly in place via the interlocking design and shape of the groove ring and corresponding can top.

InFIG. 18A, the groove appendage334-1extends radially outward (with respect to the center of the circular ring) from the groove cover body333-1of the groove cover300-1and interfaces, as shown in the lower diagram inFIG. 18A, with a corresponding impression405-1formed in the outer sidewall of the can top220-1.

InFIG. 18B, the groove appendage334-2extends radially inward from the groove cover body333-2(relative to the radius of the can top220-2) of the groove cover300-2and interfaces, as shown in the lower diagram inFIG. 18B, with a corresponding impression405-2formed in the inner sidewall of the can top220-2.

InFIG. 18C, there are two groove appendages334-3and334-4, wherein appendage334-3extends radially outward from the groove cover body333-2(relative to the radius of the can top220-2) and appendage334-4extends radially inward (again relative to the radius of the can top220-2) from the groove cover body333-3as shown. In the case of two groove appendages, one on each side of the groove cover body333, each can insert and interface, as shown in the lower diagram inFIG. 18C, with a corresponding impression405-3and405-4formed in the inner and outer sidewalls of the can top220-3.

Note that formation of the impressions and other structures in sidewalls of a can top220to secure a groove cover300in place will be discussed shortly. It is noted here that formation of groove rings300such as those shown inFIGS. 17 and 18A,18B and18C (as well as other figures) can be achieved, for example, by an extrusion machine that extrudes, for example, hot plastic having the required groove cover profile from an orifice. As the groove material is extruded, it can be bent or shaped to form a ring or circular shape that when hardened, forms the groove ring. Thus, one technique for forming groove rings with profiles such as that shown inFIGS. 18(A, B and C) is to use an extrusion machine for extruding rubber, plastic or another material into the groove ring shape or profile. Other techniques for formation of articles of this sort such as plastic or rubber vacuum formation techniques using molds can also be used as well.

It is also noted that there are numerous variations that can be made to the can top220shown inFIGS. 18A,18B,18C and other figures disclosed herein that can operate to secure a groove cover300in place. For example, the impressions405can be sharply formed, or may have more rounded transitions between their edges and surfaces. For example, the impressions405in theFIG. 18series of figures can be made as sharp indentations in the sidewalls of the groove during the can top formation process, or may have more smooth curved profiles.

There are numerous issued patents that cover the construction process of can tops or lids220(also referred to as can ends), as well as seaming processes for coupling or seaming the can tops220to the can housings or can bodies205. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,072 discloses a process and machinery for forming a can end having an anti peaking bead. The term bead is what is referred to herein as the groove of the can top. This patent is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other patents know to the applicant will be cited in an Information Disclosure Statement upon filing of the Utility patent.

It is to be understood that can tops or lids220having groove profiles configured as illustrated in these examples as well as others disclosed herein are also considered embodiments disclosed herein, even if such can tops220do not include an inserted groove cover300. That is, a can top220defining a groove230having sidewalls, impressions or other portions formed as disclosed herein to maintain a groove ring in place is considered an embodiment disclosed and protected herein, even if no such groove ring is yet installed.

In the cross sectional profile examples illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18A,18B and18C, the groove appendages334and groove sidewall impressions405into which those appendages reside are drawn as continuous appendages and impressions that continue along (i.e. around) an entire length of the groove cover material300and along the sidewall(s) (407and/or408) of the groove defined in the can tops220. This is one example configuration and in other configurations, there can be groove appendages334spaced at intervals (e.g. substantially equal spacings) around the circumference of the groove cover body333(i.e. around the inner sidewall of a groove ring at predetermined locations).

Also of note inFIGS. 17 and 18A,18B and18C, the groove cover300provides the upper groove cover surface331that provides an inside edge412and an outside edge414, each of which, upon insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230of the can top220, depresses snugly against a surface of can top to create a substantially smooth transition between the inside edge of the rim of the can top and an upper can top surface. The edges412and414provide a transition from the metallic beverage can surface (i.e. the upper surface of the can top) to the upper groove cover surface331that is smooth and that substantially eliminates the groove from the can top surface by providing the upper groove cover surface331. Once installed in the groove230, the groove cover300remains secure and affixed in place on the can top220before, during and after opening of an openable section224in the can top220to dispense liquid from the can200. Note that the arrows shown inFIG. 17on either side of the inside and outside edges412and414of the upper groove cover surface331indicate that in some embodiments, there is some flexibility to these edges. This allows the groove cover300to be pressed snugly into the groove when engaging the appendage(s)334with the sidewall impression(s)405. When the downward insertion force (used to insert the groove cover) is removed, the slight flexibility of the inside and outside edges412and414provide a slight counterforce in the upwards direction on the groove cover300. This slight counterforce can maintain a tight seal between the inside and outside edges412and414and the surface of the can top on either side of the groove. As such, the edges412and414can create a tight seal and not allow liquid, dirt or debris from getting under the groove cover300.

FIGS. 19A,19B,19C and19D show top views of example configurations of a can top or lid220and groove cover or groove ring300in accordance with example embodiments disclosed herein.

In particular,FIG. 19Aillustrates a top view of a can top220that includes four periodically (e.g. evenly) spaced impressions405-P,405-Q,405-R, and405-S formed in the inner sidewalls of the groove230defined in the can top220. Note the impresses405are shown as dotted lines since they are indentations into the inner sidewall408of the groove230and would not necessarily be visible from a top view. InFIG. 19A, circle A represents the outermost edge of the can top220prior to seaming of the can top220to a can housing. Circle B represents the bottom of the groove230, and circle C represents the inside edge or top of the inside sidewall408of the can top220. The openable section224can be seen on the upper surface229of the can top.

FIG. 19Billustrates a top view of a corresponding groove cover300that includes four groove appendages334-P,334-Q,334-R and334-S that can interface and affix the groove cover300to the can top220if the groove cover300were inserted into the groove of the can top shown inFIG. 19A. In such example configurations, when the groove cover300inFIG. 19Bis inserted into the groove of a can top inFIG. 19A, each groove appendage334-P,334-Q,334-R and334-S interfaces, upon insertion of the groove cover300into the groove230of the can top220, to a corresponding impression405-P,405-Q,405-R,405-S on the at least one sidewall (the inner sidewall408in this example) of the groove230defined by the can top220. Note if the groove cover300inFIG. 19Bis used with the can top220inFIG. 19A, the groove cover300should be rotationally aligned so that each appendage334engages with the can top220at a position of a corresponding impression405in the sidewall of the groove230.

In an example configurations inFIGS. 19A and 19B, there can be multiple groove appendages334(four in the illustrated example inFIG. 19B) spaced at intervals around the groove ring300. In this example, the groove appendages334might be ¼ to ½ inch in length in the direction marked “L” inFIG. 18B. Such a groove ring300would use less material (e.g. less plastic) than a groove ring in which the appendage(s)334run the continuous length of the groove cover material300.

FIG. 19Cshows a top view of a can top220that has a continuous impression (shown by dotted line) around the entire inner sidewall of the can top. This impression can be formed during can top stamping (i.e. during manufacture of the can top).

FIG. 19Dshows a groove ring with a continuous appendage that can be inserted into the can top inFIG. 19C. Note the groove ring300shown inFIG. 19Dincludes a split or break in the groove ring to allow expansion of the groove ring during insertion into the groove. In this example, the groove cover material is a semi-flexible circular shaped non-continuous groove ring having a first end and a second end that are adjacent to each other to define a split430in the groove ring, thus forming a split groove ring300. To install the split groove ring300into the groove defined in the can top, a machine presses the first end into the groove and continually presses the groove cover into the groove defined in the can top along a length of the groove cover until reaching the second end of the split groove ring. In this manner, the groove ring can be installed by a press or a roller mechanism that begins at one end of the groove ring and presses the groove ring into the groove in the can top as it works its way around the circumference of the groove ring, with full insertion being completed when the roller reaches the second end of the groove ring. For press fit installations, the split groove ring can be press fit into the groove and the split430defined in the groove ring300allows brief expansion of the groove ring while being press fit into the groove.

Note in configurations such as those inFIGS. 19A and 19Bin which the groove cover300has groove appendages334spaced at intervals around the groove cover body333, the groove ring300can be inserted into a groove230of a can top220that has a continuous impression405(such as that shown inFIG. 19C). That is, in one configuration, even though the groove cover300inFIG. 19Bincludes separate groove appendages334-P through334-S spaced at intervals, the groove defined in the can top220can provide a continuously running impression as shown inFIG. 19Cthat extends around the entire inner/outer sidewalls(s)407and/or408(i.e. around the entire circumference of the groove on the inner and/or outer sidewalls. In such cases, the groove ring300can be press fit into the groove without requiring alignment of the groove appendages334with specifically positioned impressions.

FIG. 20illustrates a cross-sectional view of a can top220and groove ring300, each configured in accordance with example embodiments. The illustration inFIG. 20shows a cross sectional view of an entire can top220and entire groove ring300, whereas the views in FIGS.17and18A-18C show only a cutaway of one side of a can top and groove area. The groove ring300shown inFIG. 20can be equivalent to the groove ring shown from its top view inFIG. 19D.

The can top220for a beverage can inFIG. 20includes an upper surface section229that defines an openable section (224in Figure of the can top. A seaming edge section425extends around a periphery of the can top220. The can top220includes a groove section230(also referred to as groove230) that couples the upper surface section229of the can top to the seaming edge section425of the can top. The groove section230defines the countersink groove in the can top surface between the upper surface section229and the seaming edge section425of the can top. The groove section is configured to secure a groove cover300to the can top220to fill-in the groove section between the upper surface section229and the seaming edge section425of the can top220. The groove section230includes an inner groove sidewall408that extends below an outer peripheral edge409of the upper surface section229of the can top220towards a bottom of the groove230. An outer groove sidewall407returns upwards from the bottom of the groove towards the seaming edge section425of the can top220. The upper region of the groove defines a upper cross groove distance “D” that is less than a lower cross groove distance D′ (D-prime) defined in an lower region of the groove. The lower cross groove distance D′ can be, for example, the distance between the outer groove wall to the inner most part of an impression in the sidewall (where inner most means closest to the radial center of the can top). In this manner, the can top220shown inFIG. 20defines a lower part of the groove that accommodates a part of the groove cover300(an appendage that is directed radially inward towards the center of the can top in this illustrated example) that prevents removal of the groove cover300once installed.

Another way of describing the illustrated diagrams of the can top inFIGS. 18A-18Cand20are that the groove has an upper groove opening or neck and that a lower region f the groove has a cross distance from inner groove sidewall to outer groove sidewall that is greater than the upper groove opening or neck. By having the groove dimensioned a bit wider in a lower area of the groove (lower the opening), a portion of the groove cover can enter and remain in place in the wider area thus prevent ease of removal of the groove cover. A groove cover (liquid that may be pour in, or a solid that may be pressed in) designed to be inserted into a groove having this characteristic becomes affixed within the groove and requires significant force or can deformation (i.e. crushing the can to deform the top significantly) to remove the groove cover from the groove in the can top. This allows the groove cover, once in place, to remain as “part of” the can after shipment from the canning facility. The groove cover thus remains in place before, during and after opening of the can and while drinking or pouring the liquid from the can. This provides for a cleaner dispensing of the liquid since no debris can collect in the groove due to the presence of the groove cover.

It is to be understood that the outer grove cover edge412as shown in the foregoing example groove covers300can reside or rest at final position once the groove cover is inserted at any position along the inside edge of the rim or at any vertical position on the outside groove sidewall of the groove defined in the can top220. By way of example, the illustration inFIG. 17shows the outer edge of the groove cover residing at a position below the rim of the can and generally equal to or level with the upper edge of the upper surface of the can top upon with the openable section is defined. In alternative configurations, the groove cover body and upper groove cover surface can be formed to provide a steeper slope to the upper groove cover surface and the outer edge of the groove cover can reside or terminate at a higher position along the inside edge of the rim of the can top220. In doing so, a continuous smooth and upwardly curved surface is provided that bridges the gap of the groove from the upper surface of the can top (upon which the can opening is defined) to the rim of the can top. This creates a can top (with groove cover) with a bowl like profile having upwardly curved sidewalls (formed from the groove cover) and can be very beneficial for several reasons.

In particular, when wiping the can top, the upper groove filer surface can provide a surface over which debris is more easily wiped away off of the top surfaces of the can top (as opposed to a flat horizontal upper groove cover surface). Additionally, by having the upper groove cover surface331terminate at its outer edge that is higher up and even quite close to the top of the rim of the can top, a smooth gently sloping surface is provided over which liquid is dispensed from the can. This can reduce turbulence in the liquid, which for carbonated beverages, can increase the amount of carbonation that remains present in the liquid (i.e. less turbulence results in more carbonation remaining in the liquid). For certain beverages such as soda, increased carbonation may increase the taste and drinking experience for the person consuming the liquid. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein the provide a groove cover for the groove of the can top can result in less turbulence induced into the liquid when poured from a can that includes the groove cover. This can result in a better more tasteful drinking experience as compared to a conventional can top in which at least some of the liquid must pass through the groove upon exiting the can (i.e. when being poured from the can). In such conventional can tops (with no groove cover present), the existence of the groove causes more turbulence in the liquid, thus releasing more carbonation. The groove ring reduces this turbulence and hence can serve to increase the stability of the carbonation within the liquid, resulting in a tastier drinking experience. The groove ring in such instances can also be referred to as a flavor ring or taste ring, as well as a clean can or clean ring.

FIG. 21illustrates another example of a groove cover300and can top220configuration in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. InFIG. 21, both the inner and outer sidewalls of the groove230defined in the can top220include multiple impressions405that in this example, form slightly rounded impressions in the sidewalls of the groove230. It is to be understood that the rounded nature of the impressions is shown by way of example only, and that the impressions formed in one or both sidewalls of a can top disclosed herein are not limited to rounded impressions. As an example, the impressions can be angled impressions that provide for more defined or sharper outer edges to better grip or bite into a groove cover inserted into such a groove. Additionally, the scale of the drawing and depth of the groove shown are not intended to be limiting.

The illustration inFIG. 21shows that to install the groove ring, pressure is applied to the upper groove cover surface of the groove ring300causing the groove ring to be press-fit into the groove230of the can top220. The material from which the groove ring300is manufactured, such as a semi-flexible plastic, rubber or resin material, can have a density and deformability characteristic allowing it to deform slightly during insertion. This deformability and the ability for the material to return to its general original shape allows the groove ring to be inserted once and then to conform thereafter to the shape of the sidewalls of the groove. By providing impressions, dents, notches or the like in one or both sidewalls of the groove (either continuously around the entire groove, or spaced at periodic intervals), the groove ring300can be affixed and secured into place quickly so as not to slow the top manufacturing process or the canning/bottling process.

FIG. 22shows another example of a can top220that defines a groove230that has been configured with anchors460such as edges or teeth to maintain a groove cover300(shown in dotted lines) in place within the groove230. In particular, in the example can top220shown inFIG. 22, the sidewalls of the groove have been scored, scratched, knurled, stamped or otherwise pressed or formed to create groove anchors460that can be sharp appendages, teeth, edges or barbs that stick outwards from one or both sidewalls (both in this example) of the groove. In this particular example, both the inner and outer sidewalls of the can top material (e.g. aluminum) that forms or defines the groove sidewalls are shaped to include one or more groove anchors that in these examples are downward pointing barbed edges. There may be more than one anchor460per sidewall, and the anchors460need not be continuous as illustrated. In the illustrated example, there are four anchors460that are formed as downward pointing edges on each sidewall. It is to be understood that four anchors is not intended to be limiting, and there may be any number of anchors per sidewall, or only anchors460on one sidewall but none, or a different number of anchors460on the other sidewall.

In the illustrated example the anchors460are continuous edges that run the length of the sidewall around the entire circumference of the groove230. In other configuration, such anchors460are outcroppings of metal that are spaced periodically around one or both groove sidewalls. If the anchors460are quite short in length (i.e., they do not run the length of the groove), they may be short metal barbed teeth, fins or edges that are carved via a tooling or knurling process thus causing small portions of the metal from which the aluminum can top is formed to be shaped as shown in the figure (or as individual barbs). They can be quite small and short in length, or they may be longer edges. In other words, by disturbing the smoothness of the metal sidewalls within the groove230, the sidewalls can be formed to provide a gripping action on the groove cover300thus maintaining it in place within the groove for the useful life of the can.

The purposes of these protruding anchor teeth or barbed edges460is to provide a groove sidewall surface that can grip and bite into groove cover material300that is pressed into the groove to230prevent removal of the groove cover300once inserted. The dotted line inFIG. 22shows an example outline of how a groove cover (e.g. groove ring) would appear after installation into the groove. Note the anchors460are shown as existing within the groove230, but it is to be understood that they could also be formed along the inside edge of the rim of the can top above the opening of the groove.

FIGS. 23A and 23Billustrate an example tooling, machining or can top forming technique to produce the protruding edges in the sidewalls of a beverage can top in accordance with one example embodiment. In this example, a hardened metal tool, such as a knurling tool, is sized to be lowered into place in the groove of a can top (this can be done just after can top formation, or after seaming of the can top to the can housing). Upon rotation of the tool, carving edges of the tool come into contact with the metal sidewalls407,408of the can top that form the groove230. Then either via rotation of the can top, or movement or rotation of the tool within and/or around the circumference of the groove on the can top, the metal protruding edges are carved, knurled or otherwise created or formed into the sidewalls of the can top groove230. Note that the depth of carvings and the length of the protrusions are made small enough so as to not impact the integrity of the strength of the sidewalls of the can top and the groove cover material can be soft and pliable enough to be gripped securely by the edges460.

FIG. 23Billustrates an example top view of the tool shown inFIG. 22A. This figures illustrates the elongated shaping of the tool which, when oriented in the vertical direction of the drawing, can be placed into the groove230defined in the can top220. Then, once rotated, the tips of the cutting edges engage with the sidewalls of the groove230. Once in contact, the can top can be rotated (or the can may be rotated if such edges460are formed after sealing the can top to the can housing). The cutting tool can be moved around the circumference of the groove in the can top to form the edges as illustrated inFIG. 22. This process can be performed very fast so as not to slow down the canning operation is performed just after seaming the can top to the can housing.

In an alternative configuration, can top formation techniques using pressing, drawing, bending, rolling, and stamping can provide for formation of a can top220that includes the addition of groove sidewall protrusions as generally described with respect the above can top configurations. Thus a can top containing sidewall protrusions on one or both sides of groove sidewall that are designed to secure a groove cover in place within the groove defined by the can top is considered an embodiment disclosed herein. Likewise, can top formation techniques and methods of crating can tops and groove covers and methods of securing the groove cover into the groove of a can top are considered embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 24Aillustrates a side profile view (of only one side) of another configuration of a can top220seamed to a can housing205in accordance with an example embodiment. InFIG. 24A, to secure the groove cover300in place within the groove230, the rim475formed by the can top220that is seamed to the can205is deformed and bent inwards slightly at its top to create a radially inward facing lip476. This deformation or inward lip476can be formed at the time of sealing of the can top220to the can housing205. In this configuration, the groove230does not require impression(s) within the groove sidewalls407,408that define the groove in the can top in order to maintain the groove cover in place. Instead, in this configuration, the deformed rim with the inward facing lip476maintains the groove cover300in place.

In the configuration inFIG. 24A, the upper edge of the rim is formed to curl in or bend in towards the center of the can top forming a lip476on the rim. The innermost edge478of the lip476of the rim475has a diameter (relative to the center of the circular can top220) that is less than a diameter of an inside edge of the rim located lower on the inside of the rim. In this manner, when a circular groove ring300is inserted into the groove (e.g. snapped, formed or rolled into place), the upper inwardly facing lip476maintains the groove cover300in place. As shaped, once the groove cover300is inserted into the groove and resides under this lip or edge476/478, the groove cover300is secured in place and this can rim formation as shown prevents easy removal. The groove cover300can be installed during the canning/bottling process before package of the can200or alternatively, the can top may be sealed/seamed to the can housing, and the rim bent in the manner shown, the groove cover inserted thereafter. In all cases, this groove cover300is maintained in place before, during and after opening of the can by a consumer to dispense liquid contents of the can200.

FIG. 24Bshows one example cross sectional profile of a groove cover ring300that can be used with a can200and can top220such as that shown inFIG. 24A. As shown, the groove ring300in this configuration includes an outside wall507that resides, when installed in the groove230, adjacent to the outer sidewall407of the groove230. At or near the upper end of the outside wall507, the groove ring300includes an inward taper504that resides, when fully installed onto the can top, under the inwardly bent upper edge476of the rim475. The upper surface331of the groove cover300slopes inward and downward with a gentle concave curve towards the upper inside edge414. This surface331promotes ease of wiping debris up and off of the can top. The body width of the groove cover can be sized so that the upper inside edge414of the upper groove cover surface331is pressed firmly and maintains a tight seal between its underside and the upper surface of the can top220. Note that this inside upper groove cover surface edge414resides in between the openable section224of the can top220and the groove230and does not interfere with the opening the can to dispense liquid. When wiping the can top to clear any dirt, dust or debris that may be present, the debris is able to be wiped smoothly up over this edge509and up and across the gently curved upper groove cover surface331and over and off the deformed lip476of the rim475of the can top220.

FIG. 25shows another configuration of a groove cover300and can200and can top or lid220that is able to secure the groove filer300to the can top220. InFIG. 25, the can top220is of a design that provides an upwardly sloping inside edge513that rises up and extends from a top of the outside sidewall407of the groove230towards the rim475of the can200. In this example configuration, the rim475is also bent radially inward towards the center of the can top220. Forming the rim475in this manner (or bending or rolling the rim475inwards after or during sealing the can top to the can housing) creates a groove cover pocket464that contains and secures an outer end462of the groove cover300once inserted into the groove230. The un-inserted profile of the groove cover300is shown above the can top220inFIG. 25. The dotted line version of the groove cover300is also shown as it appears after insertion and installation into the groove230on the can top220. Once inserted into the groove230, the outer end462of the groove cover300resides within the groove cover pocket464formed by the rim475being bent or formed to deflect inwards towards the center of the can top220. It is to be understood that the bent rim shown inFIG. 25can be formed during the sealing/seaming process of attaching the can top220to the can housing205, or can be done afterwards by a second rolling process that uses a chuck and roller (not shown in this figure) that provide this desired rim shape or configuration.

Like the discussion above with respect to the groove cover300inFIGS. 24A and 24B, the groove ring300shown inFIG. 25can include a split allowing deformation of the circular shape of the groove cover during the insertion process. This allows the groove ring300to be compressed and made smaller in diameter to allow insertion into the groove and under the bent rim of the can top. Alternatively, the groove ring300in each ofFIGS. 24A,24B and25can be placed into the groove230prior to deformation or bending inwards of the rim475and the rim can then be bent to hold the groove cover in place.

FIG. 26shows a configuration of a can200that is similar to the can and can top configuration inFIG. 24A. However, inFIG. 26, the entire rim475of the can top is bent radially inwards towards the center of the can top (whereas inFIG. 24A, only an upper portion of the rim is bent, formed or deflect inwards). InFIG. 26, the bend causing the rim475to deflect or point inwards occurs at a location approximately where the aluminum can top material220meets or touches the aluminum can housing205(at the beginning of the double seam area). It is to be understood that method embodiments disclosed herein include creating this rim shape either during the seaming of the can top220to the can housing205, or alternatively, the rim475can be deflected inwards via a second machining operation using a chuck and roller to bend the rim to be shaped as formed in any ofFIGS. 24A,25and26.

FIG. 27shows an alternative configuration of a beverage can200that has a can top having an inner rim protrusion468formed in the rim of the can. The inner rim protrusion468is a slight deformation or outcropping of metal of the rim that forms an inner lip468that is below the top of the rim (i.e. resides along an inside sidewall of the rim of the can200). This lip468can maintain the groove cover300in place within the groove230. This protrusion468can be formed during the stamping or manufacture of the can top220. Alternatively, this protrusion468can be formed (or accommodated for in the roller profile if already present in the newly stamped can top220) when performing the rolling and seaming operation to seam the can top to the can housing.

It is also to be understood that the groove cover300in each of these embodiments can be placed or installed within the groove either after the rim is shaped as shown and described, or before such shaping, or during such shaping. That is, if the groove cover300is made of a material that suitably resists compression (i.e. is hard enough to not compress too much), the groove cover300can be placed into the groove as shown inFIGS. 24A,25and26and27prior to bending or shaping the rim in this manner, and then during the seaming process, or after seaming is complete but before the rim is bent or formed as shown, a chuck that fits into the can top (that is used in conjunction with rollers that form the double seamed rim475) can be made to accommodate the presence of the groove cover while allowing the bending or shaping of the rim to take place.

In other example embodiments disclosed herein, the groove cover300provides a device that is a pre-formed material such as the groove ring embodiments discussed above to at least partially cover a ring-shaped countersink groove230disposed or formed within a drinkable end of a beverage can200. The pre-formed material300includes a first surface configured to fit into at least a portion of the ring-shaped groove (the portion can include going all the way around the ring, and also can include going down into the entire depth, or it may extend down less than the entire depth of the countersink groove). The groove cover device300also includes a second surface configured to provide a span between at least an inner edge of the ring-shaped groove and an outer edge of the ring-shaped groove at the drinkable end of the beverage can. In one configuration, at least a portion of the inner edge near the openable section of the can top terminates at a location located on the central panel of the can top (the upper can top surface) that is in between the openable section (but not overlapping the openable section) and the upper inner edge of the groove. In this manner, the groove cover does not interfere with opening of the can, and as liquid is poured out from the openable section, the liquid flows over the groove cover and not into the groove (which is filled in or covered with the groove cover). In this manner, the pre-formed material300is configured to prevent beverage poured out of the beverage can from occupying the ring-shaped groove during consumption of the beverage by a consumer or when being poured into another container such as a glass or cup. In example configurations, the pre-formed material300is ring-shaped. When installed on the beverage can top, the pre-formed material includes or defines an opening through which to consume a beverage in the beverage can.

FIGS. 28 through 31illustrate example configurations disclosed herein in which the groove cover300can be shaped as a preformed plastic, rubber or other material piece that operates as a device that snaps on or attaches over the rim222of the can top. In these configurations, the groove cover300does not require adhesive to remain in place on the can top, though such embodiments can include an adhesive for additional holding strength. In the examples shown inFIGS. 28 through 31, the groove cover material300may be somewhat flexible and is configured to pressably connect to an upper end, lid or can top220of a beverage can200.

FIG. 28illustrates a side profile or cross sectional profile of the groove cover300that operates as a groove cover attachment that covers the groove230and also extends up and over the rim of the can, and down the exterior sidewall of the rim, and secures along the rim groove at the underside the rim of the can where the rim intersects with the can body or housing.FIG. 34illustrates a version of the embodiments inFIGS. 28 through 31installed onto a beverage can.

FIG. 29Ashows the same groove cover attachment300but uncoupled from a beverage can. In such configurations, the groove cover300is referred to as a groove cover attachment300since it secures or attaches to the rim of the can. In the illustrated example inFIG. 28, the groove cover attachment300for the beverage can includes a groove covering section514that covers at least a portion of a countersink groove230defined in a can top. The groove covering section514prevents debris from entering the portion of the countersink groove that is covered (recalling earlierFIG. 12, the groove cover need not extend around the entire circumference of the groove230). The groove cover attachment300further includes a rim connector section524that extends from the groove covering section514up and over a top and down an outside edge of the rim222of a can top. The rim connector section524is operable to secure the groove cover attachment300to the rim222of the beverage can Like the earlier embodiments, the groove cover attachment300illustrated inFIGS. 28,29A and29B covers and/or fills in the groove230of the beverage can to prevent debris from collecting in the groove230and provides an upper surface331having an inner edge335that terminates at an inner edge position560located on the upper surface229of the can top. The inner edge position560is located on an upper surface229of the can top somewhere inbetween an outside edge of the openable section224of the can top and a top inside edge region of the countersink groove230defined in the can top. That is, the groove covering section514has an inside edge335that contacts the upper can top surface1229in between the groove230in the openable section224of the can top thus not interfering with opening of the openable action in224when a consumer opens the can to dispense liquid from the can. In this manner, the groove cover300is able to be secured to the can200by attaching to the rim222and prevents debris from entering the groove230while at the same time providing or defining a central opening defined by the inside edge335that does not interfere with the openable section224of the can top. The inside edge335remains pressed against the upper can top surface229and allows liquid is poured from the openable section224and flow up and over the upper groove cover surface331and off of the top515of the groove cover attachment300.

In the example embodiments shown inFIGS. 28 through 31(and forFIGS. 34and35), the inside edge335of the groove cover material300is maintained in a state of pressure, or with a downward force or compression, against the upper can top surface229by spring like action of the connection between the groove covering section514and the rim connector section524. This is, upon manufacture of the groove cover300, there can be a slight bias built into the device300to cause the groove covering section514to be bias or spring loaded towards the rim connector section524. As an example, if this bias were great enough, rim connector tip518shown inFIG. 29Amay come onto contact with the backside surface of the groove covering section514. In this manner, when the device300is placed on the rim of the can, its natural tendency or bias is to hug or grip the rim and provide a downward spring like pressure of the inside edge335against the upper can top surface229of the can top.

FIG. 29Bshows that the groove cover attachment300provides a rim connector tip518that couples to the rim groove formed on the underside of the exterior of the rim222of the can top220. Since the groove covering section514and the rim connector section524are coupled to form an integral device that covers the rim, the lower portion of the groove covering section514resides within the groove230, while the rim connector section524wraps around the top and outside edge of the rim222and secures with the rim connector tip fitting into the rim groove formed where the rim222and can housing205intersect. The inside surface of the groove covering section514that faces the inside surface of the rim222(inside with respect to the center of the can top) and the inside surface of the rim connector section524that faces the outside surface of the rim222define a rim cavity into which the rim222of the beverage can fits. In this manner, the groove cover attachment300snaps over and covers a rim of the beverage can and is held in place with the rim connector tip518.

Note that depending upon the embodiment, the amount or volume of the groove covering section514material that actually is present and fills-in or occupies the groove230can vary. In some embodiments, the groove covering section514can be a thin layer that does not actually enter the groove230defined in the can top at all. As an example, in one configuration, at its thickest part, the total thickness of the groove covering section514from the upper groove cover surface331to the underside is about the thickness of a coin (e.g. about 1 millimeter). However, as illustrated inFIGS. 28 and 29Aand29B, the groove cover material300enters into and occupies some portion of the groove230. In one configuration, the groove cover material300extends all the way to the bottom of the groove230. In other configurations, the material of the groove covering section514extends only partway into the groove230, as shown at dotted line512inFIGS. 28,29A and29B.

InFIGS. 28,29A and29B, the groove cover300is an integral cover that is circular in shape and the rim connector section524is operable to be flexible enough to deform slightly when pressed against the top of the rim222of the beverage can200to allow the rim connector section524to stretch around and pass over the exterior side of the rim222of the beverage can while an inside surface of the groove covering section514resides against an inside edge of the rim222of the beverage can200. In this manner, the circular shaped groove cover300can be stretchably fit over the rim of the can and snaps into place. In example embodiments, the groove cover attachment300is an integral cover that is ring shaped (e.g. a circle) and fits over the rim and groove area of a beverage can. A diameter of a center of the rim cavity defined in the integral cover is substantially the same as a diameter of a centerline of a rim of the beverage can. That is, the radius, as measured from the center of the can top220to the center of the rim, is the same as the radius of the ring shaped groove cover attachment300as measured from the center of its ring shape out to the rim cavity defined by the space between the rim connector section524and the groove covering section514.

In some embodiments, the ring shaped groove cover attachment300includes a cutaway or break in its circumference. In such embodiments, the groove cover attachment300is not a complete circle, but rather includes a first end and a second end (much like the embodiment shown and described inFIG. 19D). The first and second ends define a break in the ring shape between the first end and the second end. The break allows deformation of the integral cover300to allow fitting over a rim of a beverage can during installation. In one installation method, the first end is pressed in place over one section of the rim of the beverage can top, and as this first end snaps or comes to rest in place, a device (e.g. a part of an installation machine, or a persons finger) can continue to apply pressure to the top515of the groove cover attachment300and can slide along this top surface515as more and more of the groove cover attachment snaps into place over the beverage can rim.

In one configuration, the upper surface331slopes upward in a direction from the upper surface229of the can top towards the top of the rim222of the can top, thus providing a surface331over which debris wiped from the can top can slide up and over the rim222of the can top to be removed from the can top220. In one configuration, the upper surface331slopes upward from the upper can top surface229towards the top of the rim of the can top in a concave profile.

As shown in the configuration inFIG. 29B, the rim connector section524extends under an exterior side526of the rim of the beverage can and hooks (via rim connector tip518) onto a rim groove defined at the intersection of the rim of the can top and the beverage can housing. In the illustration inFIG. 29A, the rim connector section524extends below the rim of the beverage can and includes a lower tail section527that tapers to a point and lays flat against the exterior top sidewall of the beverage can housing. That is, the lower exterior section of the rim connector section524tapers to a lower edge that resides flush against the can housing. Note that the exterior end or tail section527can extend further down the side of can housing to provide a surface that is cleaner to drink from and that covers the can housing where a person's mount would normally contact the can.

The configuration inFIG. 29Bcan be used with six pack carriers that stretch over the top of the beverage can and hook onto the underside of the time of the beverage can. Six pack carriers can also work with the version shown inFIG. 29A, and a notch could be provided somewhere along the exterior curved surface that extends upwards from the lower tail section527to grip onto such a six pack holder.

Also note that the embodiments shown inFIGS. 28,29A and29B allow for stacking of the beverage cans. Additionally, the top section515of the groove cover attachments can have a slight bevel or recess to accommodate the bottom of a beverage can stacked on its top surface515.

It is to be understood that while the embodiments inFIGS. 28,29A,29B are described as having the rim connector section being a continuous ring around the entire periphery of the rim222of the can, other embodiments can allow for segments of fingers in the shape of the profiles shown in these Figures to extend over only certain segments of the rim of the can. Looking ahead briefly again toFIG. 34, this figure shows the top515and rim connecting section524to be a continuous circle around the entire rim. In another configuration, the rim connecting section can be a series of disconnected sections, each appearing as a finger-like appendage extending from the groove covering section514and extending up and over the rim. A configuration in this manner provides a more visually striking appearance. For example, consider an embodiment where there are rim connecting extensions524having the profile as that shown inFIG. 28every one-half inch around the rim, followed by no groove cover material so that the next one-half inch of the rim is open, uncovered and exposed. Depending upon the color of the groove cover material selected, this can provide a striking contrast to the shinny silver metallic color of the beverage can rim.

Likewise, if the groove cover attachment300is made of material that is impregnated with a temperature sensitive material that changes color, for example, if the can is cold, the appearance of the groove cover attachment can change color based on the temperature of the can.

FIGS. 30 through 32illustrate embodiments that allow easy removing of the groove cover or cover300by providing a removing tab581coupled to at least one of the grove covering section (FIG. 32) and/or the rim covering section (FIGS. 30 and 31). The removing tab581is operable to remove the groove cover attachment300from the rim222(ore the can top inFIG. 32) of the beverage can200.

In particular, inFIG. 30, the removing tab extends outward from the rim covering section of the groove cover attachment300. In this manner, a person can place his or her fingers on the underside of the removing tab581and by providing upward lifting force in the direction shown by arrows571, the lower region527of the rim covering section will pull away from the sidewall and outside edge of the rim222of the can200in the direction of arrows572, thus allowing the rim cavity that encapsulates the rim222of the can to expand a bit. This action causes the rim connector tip area518to pull out form under the rim or the can and allows peeling off of and removal of the groove cover300from the rim of the can. If the groove cover attachment300is made of a durable material such as plastic, non-toxic rubber, silicone, or other material, the device300can be placed onto and be removed from numerous different beverage cans prior to opening and/or prior to liquid being poured form the cans. In this manner, the embodiments with removing tabs allow reuse of the groove cover device300. It is to be understood that most earlier described embodiments can be configured with a removing tab to allow removal and/or reuse of the device300in this manner. Ease of removal may also be useful in situations where the can200is to be recycled, but the groove cover300is not to be recycled in the same manner as the can200.

InFIG. 31, the removal tab is disposed at a downward angle from the exterior of the rim222of the can top and removal of the groove cover attachment300can be accomplished by gentle lifting in the direction of the arrows571, again causing the rim cavity defined by the groove covering section514and the rim connector section (which is now part of the removal tab586) to expand slightly and be lifted off of the rim of the can. Likewise, when placing the groove cover attachment300shown inFIG. 30or31onto a can top (i.e. over the rim222), the removal tab581can be used to increase the size of the rim cavity defined by the groove cover attachment300to allow it to easily slip onto the rim222.

Also as shown in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 28 through 31, it is to be understood that the amount and depth to which the groove cover material300extends into the actual groove230can assist in maintaining the inside edge335flush against the top surface of the can top. That is, as shown in these figures, the groove cover material300extends all the way to the bottom of the groove. In this configuration, since the groove cover extends down deep into the groove, it would be difficult to lift or pry up the edge335from the can top surface. Likewise, if the groove cover material300extends to a depth that is substantially shown as that by line521(about ⅓ into the depth of the groove), this portion of groove cover material300that exists with the groove definition also prevents lifting of the upper groove cover surface331(and hence prevents lifting of the inside edge335) from the surface of the can top.

FIG. 32illustrates a configuration discussed above in with a handle, or removal tab, extends from the groove cover300that is configured without the wrap around rim connector section as described in the embodiments inFIGS. 28 through 31. That is, the embodiment inFIG. 32is much like that shown inFIG. 8(and described in many other areas of this disclosure), but for the handle or removal tab581that allows easy removal of the groove cover300from the can top220.

FIG. 33shows an alternative embodiment in which the groove cover material300extends out onto certain areas of the upper can top surface229and has an inside edge335that terminates prior to covering the openable section224of the can top. In many conventional can top designs, the openable section as well as the tab connecting region of the can top are provided for within a sunken or slightly lowered section of the can top. As shown inFIG. 33, the inside edge335provides of defines an opening or hole in the groove cover that, upon installation onto the can top, can be aligned with the openable section224to allow liquid from the openable section to be poured through the opening in the groove cover. As in previous embodiments, the groove cover300needs no interaction with the user and is installed on, and remains on the can top before, during and after opening of the can and during pouring of the beverage from the can.

In this example embodiment, the groove cover material300can continue onto and over regions of the upper can top surface229that includes areas up to this lowered section. In this example can top design, the lowered region is illustrated as a oval section having a large oval end to accommodate the openable section224of the can top and a narrower oval section at the opposite end into which the can tab115resides. One purpose for the groove material extending onto these other areas of the can top is that the groove cover material300can include marketing or advertising message embossed or printed on its surface, thus providing a larger surface area that can be decorated in this manner. Note that in this example embodiment, the groove cover material300does not cover the openable section of the can and does not interfere with opening of the openable section via operation of stay tab115.

As noted above, inFIG. 33the stay tab115and openable section229are placed on the can top within a slightly depressed or recessed area625of the upper surface229of the can top220. This recessed area625includes the openable section224of the can top220as well as a region for placement of the stay tab115. The recessed area625is shown, in this example can configuration, as an oval slightly tear-dropped shaped recessed area625on the can top220. In some other beverage can configurations such as that shown inFIG. 33, the groove cover material300extends from the inside edge of the rim of the can, over the groove, and out onto the upper surface229of the can top but has an inside edge335that terminates at or near the edge625of the recess upon which openable section224is defined and upon which the tab115is attached. That is, the inside edge335of the groove cover in this example terminates just before the recess625area begins. In other embodiments, the groove cover material300can extend down into the recess625but can end or terminate before covering or extending over the openable section224, or before interfering with or passing under the tab115. In this manner, the inside edge335of the groove cover material300extends out onto the upper surface229of the can top a bit more that is illustrated certain other embodiments and provides an opening shaped substantially like that of the openable section and that outlines the perimeter of the openable section224. The upper surface331provides a substantially large surface upon which logos, trademarks, brand names, etc of the beverage or other information may be embossed, printed, etc. Depending upon the embodiments, some or all of the recessed area625can be covered with the groove cover300, but the openable section can remain uncovered. That is, other embodiments allow for the groove filer material to extend out onto the can top upper surface229as a thin layer, and continue down into the recess area625and reside under the tab115, but terminate before just the openable section224, again providing a substantially large amount of upper surface area upon which marketing material may be placed. That is, in some embodiments, the groove cover material covers the entire surface of the can top (inside the rim) except the openable section224. Since the openable section224is not covered by the groove cover material300, the groove cover material300does not need to account for or interfere with opening of the openable section224. In embodiments that include antimicrobial growth inhibitors, this provides for a large amount of surface area of the can top that is more resistant to bacterial contamination.

FIG. 34illustrates an example version of the embodiments inFIGS. 28 through 31installed onto a beverage can. As shown, the inside edge335in this example defines a circular opening that presses against the top of the upper can top surface229. In this example, the circle defined by the inside edge335of the groove cover has a groove cover inside edge radius that is larger than a openable section radius as measured from the center of the can top to the outermost edge of the openable section224of the can top, but that is less than a grove radius as measured from the center of the can top to the center of the groove230. In this example, this edge335resides in between the openable section and the top of the groove230. That is, the inside edge335of the central opening lies or terminates at a position887that resides somewhere in between the far edge892of the openable section224(the far edge892being that farthest or outermost edge of the openable section224as measured from the center of the can) and a top inside edge of the groove230. In example beverage can tops220where the tab115and the openable section224are provided for within a slightly recessed area defined by edge560inFIG. 34, the inside edge335of the material300can reside just to the outside of the upper edge891of this recessed area. In this manner, the groove cover300provides an attractive can top by covering, overlaying or spanning the groove230and provides a smooth curved banked surface (in this example) that provides a nice transition from the upper can top surface229up onto the groove cover to allow easy wiping of debris across, up and then off of the can top220. The upper groove cover surface331also provide a very visible platform or surface upon which a message899(e.g. marketing message or brand name) can be printed, stamped, countersunk or embossed (or that may be embedded within the groove cover material) on the surface331. This can include providing a message on the outside surface524that is outside and below the top of the222of the can200. In other embodiments, the message899may be any picture, symbol, trademark, emblem, sticker, or other visible image applied to the surface331. It is important to note that since in many example embodiments disclosed herein, the groove cover material300does not simply cover the groove, but extends upwards along the inside of the rim. This upper surface331provides a substantially larger surface area upon which the message899or other information may be provided, printed, etc as compared to a configuration such as that shown inFIG. 5. That is, since the upper surface331slopes upwards from the inside edge335on a slope, bank or angle towards the top515of the rim (which in these examples, the upper surface331extends up and over and down the outside of the rim of the can), a large amount of real estate is provided to include a branding message899. Example uses of this surface include messages to present a brand to consumers of the beverage when those viewers are viewing just the top of the beverage can. Other examples include using the surface to promote contests, events (sporting events, holidays, etc) and the like.

FIG. 35illustrates an alternative embodiment to those such as shown inFIGS. 28 through 31in which the groove cover material300does not enter into the groove230defined in the can top. In other words, the material300is not a groove filler at all (since it does not actually fill in or even enter into the spaced that defines the groove), but rather extends from a region just outside of the outermost edge. This embodiment uses less material when being manufactured and therefore can be less expensive to produce. In this example, the groove cover attachment only covers and does not fill-in or enter the groove230. That is, in this example shown inFIG. 35the groove covering section514is substantially the same thickness over the groove as measured from the upper groove cover surface331at the center of the groove to a lower groove cover surface888. Stated differently, portions (other than the inside edge335and the top area515) of the upper groove cover surface331and lower groove cover surface522are somewhat parallel and define a substantially uniform thickness and the groove cover material need not enter the groove230. In other configurations, the portion of the material300in between the top515of the rim222and the openable section224can taper. Additionally as show in the example inFIG. 35, the top area515of the rim can include a bevel or notch791to accommodate the underside of a beverage can that may be stacked above the can on the rim. In this manner, even though the rim is covered with the rim connecting section524, the upper surface or top515of this rim connecting section can be profiled to receive or conform to the base or bottom of another can stacked on top of the can containing the device300. Likewise in this example embodiments, the exterior lower portion of the rim connecting section524includes a six pack carrier notch667that can receive and hold onto a stretched six pack carrier that is stretched over the top of the can (and hence around the covered rim) in order to carry a six pack (or more) of beverage cans.

Thus in example configurations, at least one of the rim connecting section524and the skirt edge527define carrier notch667that extends around the circumference of the device. The carrier notch provides an interface to allow multi-can carriers to hold onto and carry the weight of the beverage can during transport.

Using the above description of various embodiments of a groove cover or cover used to cover or fill in the countersink groove in a can top, the following description provides examples of processes and/or methods for insertion of the groove cover into the groove of the can top220.

There are various methods of installing a groove ring300into the groove230in the can top220in the configuration of a can200as shown in the above examples. In one method, the groove cover300may be a groove ring including a split (e.g., like the split430in the ring inFIG. 19D). The split or break in the ring allows the groove ring300to be deformed (e.g. increase or decrease in diameter) and/or compressed during installation. If the installation is a press fit as could be used in the configuration shown inFIG. 24A, the split430(FIG. 19) can allow the ring to be made a bit smaller in diameter during the operation of press fitting the ring300into the groove in order to be able to pass through the smaller diameter inside edge478of the rim475caused by the inward facing lip476. Alternatively, a split in the ring can allow pressing of one end (on one side of the split) of the groove cover300into the groove and working around the circumference of the groove continually pressing the groove ring300into the groove under the lip476. Since the groove ring300can be made of somewhat flexible material, the split allows temporary deformation of the groove ring300slightly during this installation process and the ring300can return to its normal profile as shown inFIG. 24Bonce installed in the groove230. A rubber wheel or roller rolling around the circumference of the top of the rim of the can may be used, by way of example, to press fit the material300in place onto the rim222.

The disclosure provided herein further provides methods of applying the groove cover to any of the types of beverage can or can tops as disclosed herein, as well as methods of creating or forming (i.e. shaping) can tops or lids (can ends) that have been adapted to secure a groove ring in place, as well as methods for application of the groove cover to such lids containing such adaptations. Other embodiments include a mold for forming the material into the shapes disclosed herein. An example would be a mold used by an injection molding machine that defines a shape of the material300as shown herein and that can receive hot molten material such as plastic that is injected into the mold and that thereafter hardens to form the shape(s) of the groove cover300as shown herein. Various methods are disclosed that allow application of the groove cover230into the groove230of a can top220either before can seaming is performed, or during the can seaming operation, or after can seaming is complete.

In particular, it is to be understood that depending upon the embodiment, the groove cover300can be applied during a can top manufacturing process so that the can tops220are shipped or supplied to the canning seaming machinery (i.e. supplied of the bottling process equipment) with the groove cover300already installed on the can top220within the groove230.

A conventional double seaming operation and examples of shapes and cross sectional profiles of conventional beverage can tops are described, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,789 (hereinafter the '789 patent), the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In the '789 patent, a seaming chuck28as shown in various figures (e.g.FIGS. 1 and 2) in that referenced issued patent includes a lower end with finger like appendages that extend into the countersink groove formed by the shaped of the can top. The groove is generally formed by the can top material at locations12,16and a portion of reference numeral6.

Returning attention now to the present disclosure,FIG. 35Bshows a series of steps that include novel features and devices for installing a groove ring300(as disclosed herein) into a beverage can top220prior to operation of a double seaming operation that secures the top220to a can housing205. In such embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a special chuck700and/or roller701that operate together to seam the can top220to the housing205. In this example, the chuck700has a lower end702does not have fingers that enter the groove (i.e. does not have lower fingers as does the chuck28in th e'789 patent). In contrast, the chuck disclosed herein provides for a lower profile or shape that allows for or conforms to the pre-existence or pre-placement of a groove ring to overlay the groove230defined in the can top220prior to the seaming operation taking place.

Referring now toFIG. 35Bof the present disclosure, in step A, prior to seaming, a groove ring340such as that shaped and as shown inFIG. 8is placed onto a conventional un-seamed can top220.

In step B, the can top220is shown with the groove ring340in place, and no double seaming operation has taken place. As noted above, in one configuration, the groove ring can be held in place with adhesive that may be placed onto the lower side of the groove ring340at areas that will come into contact with the upper side metal of the can top220, during or after the seaming operation is complete.

In step C, the seaming operation takes place using a seaming chuck700and roller701that form the double seam. One novel element of this shown at this step is that the lower end of the chuck700is shaped to allow for the presence of the groove ring340pre-placed on the can top220prior to bringing the chuck into position for the double seaming operation. That is, the chuck does not have fingers that enter the groove as did that chuck disclosed in the '789 patent. The lower end edge of the chuck700in the present disclosure can have an outer shape or profile that exactly conforms to the upper surface331of the groove filler340. During the seaming operation, the chuck700can press on the groove ring340and as the seam is formed, the groove ring is held in place by the chuck. In embodiments where an adhesive is used, the adhesive on the underside of the groove ring340will be pressed firmly in between the can top220and the groove ring340.

FIG. 35Cshows an example of a shape or profile of a chuck700and roller701that can used to secure the groove ring340in place on the can top during seaming if no adhesive is used in the process. In particular, the chuck700has a lower end profile702that conforms to the curved banked shape of the upper surface331of the groove covering material340. Likewise, roller701can have a shape that includes a protrusion706that causes the top of the rim to be formed, during the double seaming process, so that a resulting shape such as that shown inFIG. 24Ais provided. The chuck700has a corresponding indentation705that allows for the formation of the rim as shown inFIG. 24A. Similar profiles of the chuck and roller can be provided to produce double seamed rims that have profiles such as that shown, for example, in Figures,24a,25or26. Related methods include placing the groove cover340into the groove before the seaming process is started, and having the seaming process itself produce the double seam and also deform or shape the can top (such as shown inFIGS. 24 through 27) to secure the groove cover in place.

As a specific example, consider the can top220shown inFIGS. 24 and 25in which the rim of the can is bent inwards to secure the groove cover in place. In such embodiments, the groove cover300can be placed into the groove230of the can top220prior to seaming of the can top to the can. During the seaming operation, a chuck including a chuckwall that maintains placement of the can top220has a profile that is formed or shaped in a manner as shown inFIG. 35Cso that the presence of the groove cover300within the groove230during seaming does not interfere with the existence of a chuck that resides within the can top upper surface area during the seaming operation. The seaming machinery can perform the seaming operation with the groove cover already in place.

In such installation methods, the deformations of the rim as shown inFIGS. 24A,25or26can be created at the time of seaming, or shortly thereafter. Embodiments also cover unique seaming machinery to shape the can top seam to securely coupled the groove cover in place in the groove and prevent its easy removal. In other configurations, methods covered herein include placing the groove cover in place on the can top during or after the seaming process is complete. As an example, if one or both of the groove sidewalls of the can top include the impressions shown inFIGS. 18A,18B and18C, as well as in other figures, a groove cover300(330inFIGS. 18A,18B and18C) can be quickly applied later in the canning assembly line after the can seaming operation is complete. In such cases, the groove cover300can be dispensed or placed onto the top of the groove230and pressed or stamped into place by automated machinery. In other configurations that do not rely on a mechanical fit between the can top groove and the groove cover, the methods of applying the groove cover can include applying an adhesive into the groove230, and then placing the groove cover300into the groove to be secured by the adhesive. This process can also be done before the can top220is seamed to the can such that the groove cover (e.g. as described above)

The following processing discloses example method steps or operations for applying a groove cover300to a can top220(and upper sides of the can body205for embodiments where the groove cover material extends over the rim222and down the side of the body).

In a first step, a can handler positions a can top to align a groove cover applicator with at least a portion of a groove defined between an inside edge of the rim of the can top and an outer edge of an upper surface of the can top. The groove cover applicator may be a singulator machine that selects a single pre-formed groove cover300(e.g. a plastic preshaped and preformed groove ring, such as that have a cross section shaped as shown inFIGS. 29B) from a batch.

In a second step, the applicator disposes a groove cover into or over at least a portion of the groove. The portion is located adjacent to an openable section224of the can top defined on the upper surface of the can top. The groove cover preventing collection of debris in the at least a portion of the groove in which the groove cover is disposed and assists in removal of debris during wiping of the can top. In this second step then, the applicator places the groove filler over the groove.

If the applicator applies a fluid groove cover, the step of disposing the groove cover can be performed, for example, by spraying a groove cover material onto the can top (and an upper edge of the body in embodiments where the rim groove is covered), or by dipping the can in a reservoir of liquid groove cover material, or by painting the groove cover material onto the can top, or by supplying a flow of liquid groove cover material that flows into the groove to fill in the groove. It is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be limiting and these methods are disclosed by way of example only.

In embodiments where the liquid groove cover is fluid for a short period of time after application, the processing can include rotating or spinning the can during hardening of the groove cover (e.g. during exposure to radiation to quickly cure and harden the groove cover) so that the groove cover will swell up on the inside edge of the rim of the can to create the upwardly curved profile of the upper groove cover surface.

If the applicator applies a groove ring, the step of disposing the groove cover into at least a portion of the groove can include placing the groove ring over the groove, and then press fitting, rolling or snapping the groove ring in place over the groove, or melting the groove ring to cause the groove ring to flow into the groove in a liquid state (after which the material can solidify and harden), or treating the groove ring (e.g. via a chemical) to cause the groove ring to conform to the profile of the groove.

FIG. 36shows an example embodiment of a beverage can200that includes a device600attached to or installed on a rim on an openable end of the beverage can200.

FIG. 37shows a cross sectional view of the upper end of the same beverage can200fromFIG. 36with the same device600installed onto the rim of the can200.

FIGS. 38 and 39show views of the same device600alone that was shown inFIGS. 36 and 37, but prior to installation onto the can200. The view inFIG. 38is the full device, while the view inFIG. 39is a cross sectional view showing the profile of the device600.

In the example embodiment shown inFIGS. 36 through 39, the device600is similar to the groove covering device300inFIG. 35. The device600in this example embodiment comprises an inner edge601having at least one section that terminates upon an upper can top surface229at (i.e. along) a first location602. The first location602defines a circle in this example that is radially further from the center603of the can top than an outermost edge of an openable section224defined in the upper can top surface229. The device600includes an upper groove covering surface331that extends radially outwards and slopes upwards from the inner edge601towards an upper region604(FIG. 37) of a rim222of the top of the beverage can200. The upper groove covering surface331covers (i.e. passes above) a countersink groove230defined in the can top and provides a substantial upper surface331upon which a printable message can be placed for marketing purposes.

The banked or sloped surface331that passes over the groove230is substantially larger than any horizontal surface defined as the top of the groove230, shown as dotted line609inFIG. 37. The device600includes an underside device (just above the dotted line609inFIG. 37) having a profile in the direction of its radius that begins at the inner edge601and extends outward, below the exterior device surface331. The underside device surface extends radially outwards and upwards away from the inner edge towards the inside sidewall of the rim of the beverage can. As shown, the underside device surface passes over the countersink groove defined in the can top and does not enter the grove. Depending on the embodiment, the underside surface may or may not enter the groove.

It is noted that the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,495 illustrates a material that fills in the groove and provides a horizontal top surface at the top of the groove. This device shown in the '495 patent does not provide a surface that significantly assists in wiping the can top since the horizontal nature of this surface does not assist in wiping material up and over the rim, and the top surface of the material in the '495 patent terminates at either side of the top of the groove, and does not continue or extend up the inside sidewalls of the rim of the can. As a result, the upper surface area provided by the device that fills in the groove in the '495 patent provides substantially less surface area to provide for a marketing platform as compared to embodiments disclosed herein.

In the attachment of device600, the upper groove covering surface331extends radially outwards and upwards on an angle from the inner edge601towards the upper region604of the rim222of the top of the beverage can200. The upper groove covering surface331thus provides a banked surface that provides a smooth transition from the upper can top surface229that is relatively horizontal or flat to the upper region604of the inside (or up and over the top) of the rim of the can that is relatively vertical. The banked or sloped surface331in this example assists in transporting debris up and over the rim of the can top when wiping the can top. The inner edge601defines a central opening610(FIG. 38) through which a tab115used to open the openable section224protrudes when the attachment600is secured to the openable end of the beverage can. This central opening610allows the openable section224to dispense liquid when opened and poured from the beverage can200.

In the examples inFIGS. 36 to 39, the central opening defined by the inner edge601is substantially circular or ring-like in shape, and when the attachment600is secured to the openable end of the beverage can200, the inner edge602resides substantially flush against the upper can top surface229along a circle having a radius from the center that is at a distance shown at location602inFIG. 36. In one example embodiment, the location602is generally a position on the central panel229(the upper can top surface) from the center of the can that is located somewhere in-between the inner edge of the groove230and the outermost edge of the openable section224defined on the central panel229. As noted previously, in embodiments where the openable section224and tab are provided within a recessed area of the central panel, the inside edge601in one configuration resides somewhere in between the outermost upper edge of the recessed area of the central panel and the inside edge of the top of the groove230. In this manner, when the opening610is a circle (or is substantially circular), it can rest on a portion of the central panel229(the upper can top surface) that is continuously flat around the entire inside edge601, thus forming a tight seal and leaving little or no gaps in between the underside of the inside edge601and the top surface of the central panel229.

Note the embodiment shown inFIGS. 36-39includes the portion of material that extends down the side of the can housing below the rim for a short distance. This portion was referred to inFIG. 29Aabove as the lower tail section527. It is also referred to in these embodiments as a “skirt”527. Referring toFIG. 29, the lower most portion of the skirt527ensures that when the device600is placed onto a beverage can top, the lower diameter as shown by line611inFIG. 39is larger than both the center diameter613of the top of the rim, as well as the outside diameter615of rim of the beverage can (as shown by line613). In this manner, the device600is self-centering when placed on the beverage can top for press fitting or snapping into place, and it is ensured that the devices lower edge at the bottom of the skirt will fall to the outside of the rim222as the device600is pressed into place over the rim of the can200.

The device600includes an exterior device surface331that extends down below the rim connector section524and includes a skirt edge527that couples from the bottom of, and extends below, the rim connecting section518. The skirt edge527overlay a portion of the exterior of the can housing existing below the outer lower rim edge. The skirt edge527extends around the circumference of the can housing and has a lowermost portion that has an inside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the rim of the can top.

Further note that relief cuts612can be provided to assist in expansion of the lower portion of the device600as the device is press fit onto and over the rim of a beverage can. Depending upon the elasticity and stretch-ability of the material (e.g. 1 plastic) of the device600, there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more relief cuts can be provided to allow the device to snap over the rim of the can. The relief cuts612can be spaced evenly around the perimeter of the device, and can extend from the bottom upwards as shown.

From the foregoing, an example embodiment includes a ring shaped device600that is attachable to an openable end of a beverage can, the device comprises an inner edge601having at least one section that terminates upon an upper can top surface229at a first location602. The first location for this section is radially further from the center of the can top than an outermost edge of an openable section defined in the upper can top surface. The device includes an exterior device surface having a profile in the direction of its radius that begins at the inner edge and extends and slopes radially outwards and upwards from the inner edge towards an upper region of a rim of the top of the beverage can. The exterior device surface extends around a rim of the beverage can and over and above a top of a countersink groove defined in the can top. The exterior device surface331provides a smooth surface over which debris on the can top can be wiped up and over the rim of the can top and providing a surface on which a marketing message may be presented.

From the foregoing, in one example configuration, a portion of the exterior device surface331that exists and slopes in between the inner edge601and an uppermost region of the exterior device surface (i.e. above the rim in this example) provides an overall surface area that is substantially larger than a substantially horizontal groove covering area609(FIG. 37) that is defined as a top of the groove between the inside upper edge of the countersink groove and an opposite location located horizontally across the countersink groove (that end against the lower sidewall of the inside of the rim).

In one example configuration, the exterior device surface extends radially outwards and upwards as a banked surface from the inner edge towards the upper region of the rim of the top of the beverage can, the upper groove covering surface providing a banked surface that provides a smooth transition from the upper can top surface that is relatively horizontal to the upper region of the inside of the rim of the can that is relatively vertical, the banked surface assisting in transporting debris up and over the rim of the can top when wiping the can top.

In another configuration, the inner edge601defines a central opening610through which a tab115used to open the openable section protrudes when the attachment is secured to the openable end of the beverage can, and through which the openable section can dispense liquid when opened and poured from the beverage can. The attachment or device600remains secured to the beverage can before, during and after opening of the openable section.

In another configuration, the central opening610defined by the inner edge601is substantially circular or ring-like in shape, and when the attachment600is secured to the openable end of the beverage can200, the inner edge601resides substantially flush against the upper can top surface229.

In another configuration, the central opening610defined by the inner edge is shaped to conform substantially to a shape of a tab recess area (e.g.FIG. 33) defined in the upper can top surface229. The tab recess area as noted above provides an area on the upper can top surface within which the openable section and a tab are provided for on the beverage can top. Depending on the design of the can top, in some example configurations the inner edge601defines a central opening that is at least one of an hour glass shape or a tear drop shape.

In one configuration, the surface area of the exterior device surface331that extends radially outwards and slopes upwards from the inner edge601towards an upper region of a rim of the top of the beverage can provides a banked surface area that is substantially greater in overall area than an area defined by a substantially horizontal plane609passing over the countersink groove in between a lower region of the rim of the beverage can and an outside edge of the upper can top surface.

In another configuration, the exterior device surface331includes a rim connecting section524that extends up and over the top of the rim of the beverage can and extends down the exterior side of the rim of the beverage can. The rim connecting section524extending around a circumference of the exterior of the rim of the beverage can and adheres the device to the rim of the beverage can.

FIG. 40shows a version of the device600fromFIGS. 36-39in which the relief cuts612extend up into the rim connector section524. That is, the relief cuts extend through the material of the device600and pass through the rim connector tip518region and through at least a portion614of the rim connector section524that exists on the outside of the rim222of the beverage can. In this manner, as the device600is pressed onto and over the rim of a beverage can, the rim connector tip518(that forms an inner circle (at the inner tip518) that is slightly smaller in diameter that the outside diameter615of the rim of the can) will be allowed to momentarily (during installation over the rim) stretch, deform, or flex outward to allow momentary expansion of the inside diameter of the rim connector tip region518as it expands to flex over the rim. Once the device is pressed onto the rim low enough, the rim connector tip518(that extends in this example as a radially inward protrusion around the rim) will snap into place into the rim groove defined at the juncture of the can top and can housing. The rim connector tip518forms a radially inward pointing ring (and slightly upward pointing in the illustrated examples) on the inside of the device600that thus holds the device600in place on the can top by grabbing onto the underside of the rim (much like the plastic six-pack “hi-cone”™ holders provide when carrying six cans at one time). Note that “Hi-Cone” is a trademark of Hi-Cone corporation of Itasca, Ill, USA.

FIG. 41shows an underside view of cross sectional profile of the device600fromFIG. 40in which the relief cuts extend up into the rim connector section524of the device600.

FIG. 42shows an example of an embodiment in which the underside of the device600includes support struts618that extend into the groove230. The support struts can provide stability and puncture resistance to the upper surface331since the extend into the groove and provide supporting structure. Also note inFIG. 42that the inside edge is shaped to conform the shape of a recessed area of a central panel229that contains the openable section224and tab115. The shape defined by inside edge601is somewhat different than the previous version discussed above with respect toFIG. 34(where the inside edge was referenced as reference numeral335).

FIG. 43illustrates an embodiment in which there are fingers621that extend over the rim of the can top and down the outside of the rim and that latch onto the rim groove and continue to extend partway down the outside of the can housing. The embodiment in Figure that provides the fingers621uses less material to hold the device600onto the can top and thus may cost less to produce.

Note that the embodiments shown inFIG. 36-43provide for a carrier notch667that allows a plastic stretchable holder or “Hi-cone” to slip over the device600(that covers the rim of the can) and hold onto the can for carrying purposes. In other words, the notch667replicates the presence of the rim groove on a conventional can and allows a Hi-Cone device to function as normal to carry, for example, a six-pack of cans.

FIGS. 44 and 45disclose an embodiment that provides for a substantially flat rim connector surface524(the exterior surface of the rim connector section524) that extends from an outside top edge (above and to the outside of top edge of the rim of the beverage can) downwards towards the can housing. This surface524is flat in the vertical directional and cylindrical in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 44is a full top view andFIG. 45is a cross section view of only one side of the device600. This version of the rim connector section524is an extended rim connector section that does not include a carrier notch667, and thus enables or provides a flat continuous cylindrical surface upon which a marketing or branding message can be placed around the outside of the rim of the can200, and this message can extend somewhat down the housing of the can below the bottom of the rim. As the housing diverges away and outward in diameter, the region below the rim connector tip518can continue down the side of the housing of the can for any distance that may be required or desired thus providing additional marketing/branding surface. Thus, in this embodiment, the entire upper surface331that resides from the top of the rim and slopes downward and inward towards the inner edge that rests on the central panel229can be branded with content. This content (e.g. logo, text, message, picture, graphics, embossment, depression, or even cut away material to form an image or text) can extend from the surface331, up and over the rim of the can, and can continue down the outside surface524and down the exterior of the rim of the can200and over the upper portion of the can housing205. This example shows the rim connector section524material extending substantially below the rim connector tip518that engages with the rim groove to hold the device600in place on the can200. Note that relief cuts612are not provided or shown in this example, but it is to be understood that relief cuts612can be included to allow expansion of the rim connector tip518as it is placed and snap fit over the rim222of the can200.

It is noted that the lower tip625of the version of the device600shown inFIG. 45can include a flat or outwardly beveled edge shape that enables the use of a Hi-Cone carrier to carry the cans in a group (e.g. as a six pack). That is, the lower tip625can be formed to allow a multi-can carrier device to stretch over the outer flat sidewall524of the device until is reaches the lower tip625where is constricts and snaps into a groove or junction formed by the tip625and the can housing205.

FIGS. 46-48shows a version of the device600that does not include the lower skirt527(as was shown for example inFIGS. 36-42). The non-skirt version of the device600shown inFIGS. 46-48otherwise operates to attach to a rim of a beverage can in the same manner as previously described.

Example embodiments include a rim cover device600for a beverage can that includes a layer of material having an the underside device surface having a rim connecting portion (524) that matably attaches over a rim222of a top of a beverage can. An exterior device surface331is provided (this is continuous surfaces of527(if included),524and331) and extends up the outside of the rim of the beverage can and over a topside of the rim of the beverage can and extends down into an inside area of the rim of the beverage can below the topside of the rim of the beverage can. The exterior device surface331extending above and across a top of a countersink groove defined in the can top of the beverage can and has an ring-shaped inner edge601that terminates upon an upper can top surface229at a first location602that is radially further from the center of the can top than an outermost edge of an opening of the can top defined in the upper can top surface. The inner edge defines a central opening through which a beverage contained in the beverage can may be poured.

In another configuration, an apparatus600is provided that includes a circular ring of material that matably attaches around the circumference of a rim of a beverage can top. The circular ring of material has a cross sectional profile that includes an outside surface527,524,331that extends up from an outside area below the outside of the rim of the beverage can and extends up and over a topside of the rim of the beverage can and that extends downwards in a sloping manner away from an inside edge of the rim of the beverage can top and that slopes downward and extends over a countersink groove defined in the beverage can top and that terminates at an inside edge onto a surface of a center panel of the can top. At least one region of the inside edge601terminates in between an outermost edge of an openable section defined in the center panel of the can top and an outermost edge of the center panel of the can top.

FIG. 47shows a cross-sectional profile of the device600shown inFIG. 46.FIG. 48shows a detailed view of one side of the device fromFIGS. 46 and 47. Note inFIG. 48, the rim connector tip518is directed upward to tightly fit under and into the rim groove formed at the intersection of the rim of a can top220and can housing205of a beverage can200. This rim connector tip518forms protrusion that has an inner diameter that is somewhat smaller than the outermost diameter of the rim of a beverage can. Further note the detail of the underside627of the rim connector tip518and how this underside627is beveled and slopes radially inward and upward towards the rim connector top518as shown by the direction of the arrow628inFIG. 48.

During installation of the device600onto an openable end of a beverage can, this inwardly and upwardly (or downwardly and outwardly) sloped region627engages with the top of the rim222(only a portion of the rim is sketched inFIG. 48) and helps to ensure that the rim connector section524stretches to the outside of the rim222. In other words, this beveled surface on the lower most end of the rim connector section causes the rim connector section524and the entire device600to “self-center” when placed on the rim222of the beverage can200and when the device600is pressed down firmly onto a rim222of a beverage can, this circular ring-like protrusion formed by the rim connector tip518and its lower beveled edge surface stretches or deforms momentarily to stretch radially outward and over the outside diameter of the rim of the beverage can and then as the device600is continued to be depressed onto and over the rim222, the rim connector tip518stretches and begins to slide down the outside surface of the beverage can rim222and approaches the lower edge of the outside of the rim222. As rim connector tip518then clears the lower edge of the rim, it snaps back radially inwards into the rim groove, thus holding the device600firmly in place on the openable end of a beverage can. If no relief cuts612are provided in the rim connector section524and the material (e.g. a plastic similar to that as used for twist off soda bottle plastic caps) selected for manufacturing of the device600is of proper firmness, durometer and stiffness, yet has some slight elasticity or deformability, the device600is able to be aligned onto the top of the rim of the can, self-centers via the beveled surface627, then can be firmly press fit onto and over the rim, and then snaps into place with the rim connector tip518firmly gripping the underside outside edge of the rim222. This device600installed in this manner is extremely fast to install and is very difficult to thereafter remove. In one example configuration, no adhesives or glues are required to firmly secure the device600to the can top, and no modification to current conventional can top designs are required. It is noted that specific dimensions of can top profiles, shapes, diameters, central panel depths, groove depths and widths, and the like can vary in different can designs used by different can manufacturing companies and the device600disclosed herein can be modified accordingly to provide for the functionality as disclosed herein. It is also noted that for a given can type of given dimensions, modern canning machinery can produce many hundreds of thousands of cans in a canning process that have dimensional tollerances of such accuracy that the device600made in bulk, for example, from an injection molded plastic processing mold, can be used on such cans with excellent accuracy as to proper fit and attachment to such cans.

In one configuration (e.g. method embodiment) the device600can be installed in a canning line operation via automated machinery shortly after the can top220is double seamed onto the can housing and the device600becomes an integral part of the beverage can200and says on the can during packaging, shipping, vending, purchase, storage, then opening, pouring/drinking from the can, and after consumption of the beverage is complete.

This device600thus provides an excellent platform and provides a new, non-obvious, inventive and novel surface area331to convey a branded message to consumers. The branding can exist on the surface331, as well as on the region above the rim222, and down the outside exterior surface of the rim connector section524, thus allowing placement of the branded message around and over the rim of a can as has never been available before. And while the countersink groove230is still physically present underneath the device600, for all practical purposes, the groove230is essentially eliminated from view by the device600(unless the device is made of a translucent material) and an entirely new packaging look and feel is provided by the device600for any beverage cans that includes a rim. In these example configurations noted as numeral600in this disclosure, the device600does not fill in the groove. In fact, other than the embodiment inFIG. 42that provides struts that extend into at least a portion of the groove, the device600does not need to touch or interface with any portion of the groove. In the example configurations, the inside edge601rests on the central panel229(upper can top surface) at a location that is radially inward from the upper inside top edge of the groove230. That is, the device600provides for material that resides above the top of the groove in these example configurations and thus does not fill in the groove.

The device600can be color coordinated with the labeling or printing provided on the can housing. Additionally, the device600can be color coordinated with the tab115on beverage can tops to provide a distinctive look and feel to the can that can increase product visibility on store shelves. Note the device600can be attached even to cans that do not include a countersink groove (e.g. soup cans that are not pressurized) and provides a mechanism to assist in wiping the can top surface of any dust, debris, dirt, etc. prior to opening the can since the surface331provides a nice upwards sloped or banked surface331to allow transport and ejection of debris up and over the rim of the can.

In one configuration, the rim connecting section534includes at least one relief cuts to allow expansion of the rim connecting section when the device is pressed down onto and over the rim of the beverage can.

In one configuration, the underside device surface (as shown inFIG. 48just above line222) extends up and over the top of the rim of the beverage can and forms an inside surface of a rim connecting section524of the device. The inside surface of the rim connecting section secures the device to the rim of the beverage can.

Ion one example, the rim connecting section524includes a rim connector tip518the extends around an inside surface of the rim connecting section. The rim connector tip protrudes radially inward towards the center of the device. The rim connector tip518engages with a rim groove formed at an intersection of the can top and a can housing to secure the device to the can top.

In another configuration, a lower side of the rim connector tip includes an outwardly beveled lower surface627to direct the rim connecting section518, upon initial contact with the top of the rim222of the beverage can, away from the center of the can top during installation of the device on a beverage can.

FIG. 49provides an example of the previous embodiment inFIGS. 46,47and48but that provides relief cuts612in the rim connector section524to assist in the expansion of the rim connector tip region518as the device600is installed onto cans. Note in this example, the relief cuts612include a slightly rounded top to assist in preventing of tearing of the material (e.g. plastic) from which the device600is made during installation and can use and handling.

FIG. 50illustrates an example embodiment of an underside of a device600in which there are only small sections or segments of the rim connector section524that extend under an exterior underside of the rim222of the beverage can200. Each section hooks (via rim connector tip518) onto the rim groove defined at the intersection of the rim of the can top and the beverage can housing. In the illustrated example, there are four rim connector sections524-1through524-4.

FIG. 51illustrates a detailed cross sectional view of one side of the device600and shows one example of the a rim connector section524-1. As can be seem in the illustration, the rim connector section524-1includes a hook-like appendages that extends from its lower side and hooks to the outside bottom edge of the and when installed resides in the rim groove to secure the device600to the beverage can200. The distance around the perimeter of the underside of the rim that each hook resides can vary and the number of hook-like rim connector sections can vary as well. There are four shown in this example, but there may be more or less. They may be evenly spaced about the lower side of the exterior rim connector wall that extends around the entire outside of the rim222of the can200. The distance631that each extends may be, for example, 1-2 centimeters (about ½ inch). It is understood that this is by way of example only.FIGS. 52 and 53show an alternative arrangement of a device600that can couple to a rim of a beverage can via a compression fit, or via an adhesive or other material to resides in between the rim222of the can top and the inside surface637of the portion of the device600to contacts the rim area of the can. Note the outside lower edge of the rim connector section does not containing any structure to protrudes under the outside lower edge of the rim.

FIG. 52is a cross section view of the profile of the device600. In one example, the rim connecting section524adheres the device600to the rim of the beverage can using an adhesive.

FIG. 53is a detailed up close view of the cross section of one side of the device600. The inside surface637can be dimensioned so as to press fit over the rim of the can to provide a snug fit on the rim222. Depending upon the material the device600is made from (e.g. metal of deformable plastic), after placement onto the rim222, the material may be crimped (e.g. via rollers, or heated to shrink) onto and around the rim222of the can to enable the device600to remain in place securely on the rim222. Alternatively, or inconjuction with a snug fit as provided above, an non-toxic adhesive345may be applied either to the rim222of the can top (prior to applying the device600over the rim) or to the underside of the device at locations637. When the device600is then press fit over the top of the rim222, the adhesive can dry, harden or otherwise cure to form a bond that assists in securing the device600to the rim of the can.

FIG. 54shows an example embodiment in which the center opening defines by the inner edge601is not circular in shape. In particular, the device includes material that extends out over the central panel of the beverage can. In this manner, the device600provide additional surface area331upon which to place a branding message, logo, or other information. Note the addition material at location331-A provides a substantially larger region upon which information or content may be provided.

FIG. 55shows an alternative embodiment in which the device600includes a formation641on the openable section end610-A of the central opening610. This formation641is a thicker section of material from which the device600is created such as plastic, that conforms to the shape of a persons upper lip. The formation641creates a spout-like shape that can enable a better seal between a person's lips when drinking from the beverage can200.

FIGS. 56,57and58illustrate example embodiments of a device600that include the ability to remove a portion of, or all of, the device600from the top220of the beverage can200. In particular, inFIG. 56the device600includes a removing tab645that a consumer of the can pulls on in the direction of arrows648to cause removal. In response to such pulling force, breakaway section(s)647tear away to enable removal of the skirt527and/or the rim connector section524from engagement with the rim joint. In this manner, if a person pulls on the tab645, the connectivity between the rim connector tip518is released in the device600can be pulled upwards off of the can top for removal. The ability of the device600to be removed from a can top can be provided for a variety of the reasons. Examples include recycling of the device material and/or the ability to include contest codes or other information649printed or placed on the underside of the device600that is not visible to the consumer until the device600(or a portion thereof) is removed from the can top the beverage can200.

FIG. 57provides an example of the underside of a removable device600after it has been removed from the top of a beverage can200. This example illustrates two embodiments that are variations of placement of a gaming code649on the underside of the device600. In the first example, only the skirt section527in between relief cuts612is removed (the skirt section that includes the pull tab). In this example, the game code649-2can then been viewed by the person removing the skirt section. This game code can be used to participate in contests, such as those provided by beverage companies who place similar codes on the underside of bottle caps that are twisted off of soda bottles. In another configuration where the entire device600is removed, the game code or other information649-1can appear anywhere on the underside of the device600.

FIG. 58shows a bit more detail indicating how a breakaway seam can be formed in the device600(e.g. during injection molding of the device) to allow removal of a portion of the device600or the whole device600from the beverage can top. InFIG. 58, seam647-A can allow a breakaway tear to be formed when the tab645is pulled in the direction of arrows648that enables removal of the entire device600from the can top. In contrast, breakaway seam647-B exists along the boundary between the lower skirt of the device600and the upper rim connector section524. For breakaway seam647-B, when the tab is pulled in the direction of the arrows648, only the skirt section527-A is removed and the remainder of the device600remains installed securely on the can top. In this manner, the device in embodiments shown inFIGS. 56,57and58enables messages or other information649to be imprinted on the underside of the device600prior to device installation on the can top and enables removal for access to that information by consumers after purchase of the can.

Referring back briefly toFIG. 56, note a tab riser644is provided on the upper surface331of the device to enable engagement with a center hole of the tab115of the beverage can top. To install this device600on a can top, the tab is first rotated 1870 degrees from its conventionally installed position. This allows the material of the tab riser644and the device as a whole to be placed onto a can top and snapped into place without interfering with the tab. Then, after installation of the device600on the beverage can, the tab can be rotated back 180 degrees to its conventional position. During this second rotation, the tab will encounter the tab riser and will bend up slightly to slide up and over the tab riser644. As the tab continues to rotate to its final position, it snaps back down with the tab riser644protruding up into the center hole of the tab. Once purpose for the tab riser is to prevent removal of the device600prior to opening of the can (e.g. to prevent theft in stores of just the device600). The tab riser644is a raised area that, in the example, rises up slightly from the substantially smooth and flat surrounding surface331and when the tab115is rotated into final position (after installing the device600onto a can), the riser protrudes through the hold in the center of the tab. It is to be understood that the specific placement of the tear away sections647on the device600is not limited to those shown in the Figures. An example alternative is to provide a tab645located along the inside edge601of the device to allow removal of some portion of the device600that exists above the upper can top surface229(i.e. above the central panel).

FIG. 59shows an example of the device600that includes a removable section (tab645and skirt portion527-1) installed onto a beverage can200. If the consumer pulls on the tab645, the breakaway seam647begins to tear allowing removal of the skirt portion527-1upon which a code649can be provided or printed on the underside. The code is not visible until the tab645is pulled to remove the skirt section527-1. The code649can allow the user, for example, to visit a website to obtain rewards or participate in contests and enables a manufacturer of the beverage brand to track customer loyalty (e.g. Coke-rewards for beverage cans). Also shown in this example figure is an example us of the marketing surface331for display of a beverage brand name667. Note in this example that the brandname667is also provided around the outside rim connection section and skirt527by way of example only. The brandname Coca-Cola™ is used in this example to illustrate the effectiveness of the device600in visually promoting a commonly known brand of beverage to the eyes of a consumer on the top surfaces of beverage cans via the use of the device600. Coca-Cola is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A. No offense is meant by the Applicant for this patent to Coca-Cola or any other beverage company in selecting the Coca-Cola brand name for use in these example illustrations and Coca-Cola has not been made aware of this device, nor has Coca-Cola endorsed or assisted in the design of this device600in any way as of the time of filing this patent application.

In one configuration then, a removing tab is secured to at least a portion of the device and allows for a consumer to actuate the removing tab645to expose at least a portion of a hidden surface of the device that was not exposed prior to actuation of the removing tab. The hidden surface of the device includes information649not viewable prior to actuation of the tab. In one example, the tab is a removing tab that causes a breakaway seam in the device to tear thus enabling removal of at least a portion of the device for viewing of the hidden surface of the device.

In another example, the tab is connected to a skirt extending below a rim connecting section that covers the rim of the can. The tab645enables removal of at least a portion of the skirt to gain access to the hidden information on an underside of the removed portion of the skirt.

In another configuration, the tab645allows removal of at least a top portion of the device that overlays a central panel of the beverage can top to gain viewing access to information on the hidden surface of the device.

In one example, the tab115used to open an openable section of the beverage can for consumption of the liquid must be actuated prior to gaining access to the hidden information. In another example, the removing tab is the tab115used to open the openable section of the beverage can are the same tab.

FIG. 60shows an alternative configuration of the device600in which upper surface of the device331includes tab risers646on either side of the tab115to prevent rotation of the tab115. In embodiments where the tear away seam(s)647allow removal of the entire device600from the can top, the upper surface331can extend under the tab115to thwart removal of the device600prior to purchase and opening of the can200. To install the device200prior to shipping of the can from the canning facility, during the canning operation, the tab115affixed to the can top can be rotated 180 degrees about the central rivet that attaches the tab115to the central panel229. The can top is double seamed to the can housing205and then the device can be aligned so that the inside edges601properly align with the openable section229. The device600can then be pressed or snap fit into place. This can be done extremely quickly. Next, the tab can then be rotated in either direction. During rotation , when one of the tab risers646is encountered, the tab will slide up and over the riser646and come to rest as shown inFIG. 60. While not shown in this example, inside walls648of the tab risers can be vertical with respect to the flat upper device surface331, while the outside walls of the risers (walls opposite those of648in the figure) can be sloped. This allows the tab115to slide and rise up the outside of either tab riser646during rotation, and once the tab rotates clear of the inside walls, it snaps back down flush onto the flat upper surface331. The inside walls648that are non-ramped and that exist on either side of the tab in its final resting position (i.e. after rotating to the position shown) will prevent re-rotation of the tab115back around 180 degrees (without lifting the tab substantially which will cause the openable section to be opened).

The tab risers646thus assist in preventing removal of the device600from a can without first opening the can (via use of the tab115), and thus consumers in stores will not be tempted to remove the device600from a can without first purchasing the beverage can200. Theft of the device600might be tempting in scenarios where a constant is offered by the beverage company that includes substantial prizes or give always.

FIG. 61shows another alternative embodiment of the device600that includes a removable center section655upon which a code of other information can be imprinted on its underside prior to installation on the can200. The removable center section655is surrounded by a breakaway seam647shown by the dotted line of small circles. In this example, the device600includes a tab crossbar649that interfaces (passes over in this example) with the tab115. When the tab115is lifted to open the beverage can, crossbar seam650-1breaks away on one side from the surface of the device600and allows the tab to open the openable section229. The consumer can then pull on the crossbar to cause the seam647to tear along the path shown. This results in removal of the center section655of the device600and after removal, the device has an appearance such as that inFIG. 38. Due to the crossbar649, the removability of the center section655is contingent on first opening the can. As noted above, a contest code or other information can be printed on the underside of the removable center section655.

FIG. 62shows an alternative embodiment of a cross section of a device600that can be installed over the rim of a beverage can top and that provides or defines a hollow region677in between the upper surface331of the device600and the lower or underside surface679. This hollow region677can be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, if the device600is made from a translucent or semi-translucent material, the hollow region677can be filled (during manufacture of the device600) with visually appealing contents680, such as sparkle filled water, or bubbles, for example, that can be see through the upper surface331when holding a can200. In another configuration, small holes or other apertures682can be provided and a liquid flavoring contents680can be provided within the hollow region677. An removable aperture cover681can be provided and that can be removed after opening of the can. If the device600is installed on the can200so that the apertures are aligned closest to the openable section229of the can top, as a consumer tilts the can to drink form the can, liquid from the openable section can flow over the surface of the device and can draw out and mix with some of the liquid flavoring contents680stored within the hollow section677. This can allow, for example, a beverage in the can (e.g. iced tea) to include a sweetener in the hollow section677, and if the consumer chooses to have sweetened iced tea they can simply remove the cover681allows the sweetener to mix with the non-sweetened can contents as it is poured from the can. Other contents within the hallow section can include messages, or valuable objects such as gold and the device600can be of the removable kind as described above and the beverage can be advertised as having certain cans in which the device contains such valuable objects. This may increase sales of the beverage by consumers in the hopes of buying one of the cans in which the valuable object is contained within the hollow section677. Other variations of this concept including placing the valuable object into groove230prior to applying a device600such as that shown inFIGS. 36 and 37to the can and allowing the device to be removable to obtain access to the object within the groove.

FIG. 63illustrates an embodiment of the device600that includes or defines a built in air-duct687to assist in allowing air to flow into the can housing205as the liquid contents is being poured or consumed from the can200. In this example design, the air duct687has a first end687-1that extends out and over a small area of the openable section229of a can top of a beverage can. This is shown in detail on the right of the diagram. The air duct687is shown as a tub that is formed as part of the advice600in this example, but it is to be understood that the air duct can simply be a deformation of the device to create an air channel or air passageway underneath the device600. In either design, the air duct687provides a small hollow channel through with air can enter via apparatus686in the device, pass through the passageway or duct687, and enter into the can body205as liquid contents of the can is poured or sucked (e.g. chugged) from the can. By providing a small portion of the device600(e.g. a portion of upper surface331) that extends just over the openable section229(shown in dotted lines in this figure) in an upper corner of the openable section (closest to the center of the can top), a passageway for air to enter the can housing is provided. The apertures686provide air inlets to allow air to enter the inlets686, pass through the duct or defined passageway687, and enter into the can housing. Since the upper surface331of the device331forms the airduct, it cannot be blocked for airpassage for example, by a persons upper lip. That is, since the air inlet that extends over the openable section faces downwards into the can housing, it cannot be easily blocked by the flesh of a person upper lip if that person is covering the entire openable section when chugging the contents of a can200. While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. Such variations are intended to be covered by the scope of this present application. As such, the foregoing description of embodiments of the present application is not intended to be limiting.

As noted above, in one example the material in between the underside device surface and the outward and upwardly sloped exterior device surface331defines a hallow ring-shaped cavity that can contain material that can move within the hallow cavity as shown inFIG. 63. In one example, the material is a flavoring that can be exposed to liquid poured form an openable section of the beverage can as the liquid passes over the exterior device surface when being poured form the beverage can.

For the air duct version, at least one of the underside device surface and the exterior device surface define an air passageway to enable air to be provided into the can housing during pouring of liquid from the can.

Due to the large number of embodiments disclosed in this application, a number of different claim groups are presented—each with a heading identifying that claims group. It is to be understood that claims in a claim group that depend from one another are intended to depend from the claim in that claim group (as if that group were a separate set of claims). It is also to be understood that these claim groups are not intended to be limiting, and that the specific combination of claim limitation presented here does not reflect all embodiments that may be claimed based on the aforementioned disclosure.