Security cover for beverage cans and other containers

A security cover system and apparatus for beverage cans and other containers. The system includes a security cap that is installed upon the top of an unopened container for containing an adult beverage or the like. The cap is adapted for secure installation upon the top of a container having a top with a circumferential rim, such as an aluminum beverage can. The cap has catches engagable with the rim of the container. The system includes an opener tool with a specially shaped key portion thereon. The opener engages with a complementary slot in the cap to permit an authorized person, using the opener tool, to remove the cap from the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of caps or lids for containers, and has specifically to do with a security cap or cover for removable installation upon a container, such as a personal beverage container, to limit access to the contents of the container.

Description of Background Art

It is known to provide security to certain types of small containers, particularly drug and medicine bottles, through the use of specialized caps and lids. Drug and medicine bottles may contain substances that are harmful in overdose amounts, and thus must be secured against opening by unauthorized or unqualified persons such as children or the mentally handicapped. Most conventional security or “child-proof” caps involve a threaded cap that has screwed engagement with the threaded neck of a small bottle; the user typically must squeeze the cap in a very specialized manner, and/or push down upon the cap, in order to unscrew the cap from the bottle. While such systems have advantages, they nevertheless often can be opened by any person having sufficient manual dexterity and strength. Also, threaded security caps for screwed engagement with containers are poorly suited for use with containers other than small plastic bottles such as pill and medicine bottles.

There are occasions when it is desirable to prevent an unauthorized person from obtaining access to a container, regardless of the person's hand strength. For example, it is desirable to prevent certain persons from being able to open a container larger than a medicine bottle, for instance, a beverage can. Containers, such as beverage cans, may contain substances, for example alcoholic beverages or other drinks, access to which should be denied to certain persons, e.g., minors or addicts. There are a variety of potential reasons for limiting access to selected containers to authorized persons only, including the need to prevent misuse or theft of container contents. It would be desirable to have some means and method for providing security to conventional containers such as, for example, beverage cans, to control access to container contents. Such a means and method preferably is easily installed upon the top of a container, and removed there from, and ideally can be-reinstalled upon the container if desired. There is unmet need for such a security cover for beverage cans and other containers, particularly a “child-proof” cap or lid that can be opened only by an authorized person.

Against the foregoing background, the presently disclosed apparatus was invented.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is disclosed a security cover system and apparatus for beverage cans and other containers. The system includes a security cap that is installed upon the top of an unopened container for containing an adult beverage or other sensitive or special contents. The cap is adapted for secure installation upon the top of a container (e.g., cylindrical container) having a top with a perimetric or circumferential rim, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other metal alloy beverage can. The cap has at least one, preferably three, hooked catches that are firmly and reliably engaged with the circumferential or perimetric rim of the container. The system includes an opener tool, to be grasped by a user, with a specially shaped key portion thereon. The security cap has a key slot concavity or slot defined therein, into which the opener key can be selectively inserted. With the opener key held within the cap's key slot, the opener may be manually lifted by the user, to function as a lever, for mildly bending the cap to disengage the hooked catch(es) from the container's rim, thereby to release the cap from the top of the container. Only after the authorized user, employing the proper opener key, has released the security cap from the top of the container may the user obtain access to the conventional openings in the container's top in order to obtain entry into the container interior.

The security cap may be provided with an interior sealing gasket. The gasket is optional, but desirable in applications where the cap is re-installed upon a container from which it has previously been removed, and thus seals the open container against leakage of container contents.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container security system that limits access to the contents of a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows an authorized person, but only an authorized person, to open a container that contains sensitive or controlled substances. In use, the present invention is believed to provide a lawfully adequate “child-proof” cover for a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container security system that is easily and affordably fabricated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container security system that can be installed upon containers having a perimetric or circumferential rim around the top of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container security system that can be installed upon a container, removed from the container, and then re-installed upon the container to renew the security of the container against unauthorized opening.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides container security regardless of the manual strength or dexterity of the user.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it does not employ a threaded, screwed, connection between a lid and its container.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it prohibits ready access to the contents of a secured container to any person not having an appropriate opener tool.

Another advantage of the present invention is that its security caps can be easily installed upon the tops of many containers at the time of mass container fabrication and filling at a production facility.

Another advantage of the present invention is that when the security system is installed upon an unopened container, it does not unduly interfere with the storage and shipping of the secured container.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it may be used to reseal an opened container to prevent leakage of container contents.

Other objects and advantages of the system, apparatus, and method of the present invention shall be apparent from the following specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description, a preferred embodiment is described in sufficient detail so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be devised, and that logical, mechanical, material and various other assemblies may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description therefore, is to disclose the invention but not necessarily to limit its scope.

It also should be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are primarily symbolic and are only meant to aid in understanding the ideas and concepts disclosed.

In the following disclosure and claims, “up,” “upward,” “down,” and “downward,” are used in conventional manners. “Up” and “down” and similar directional words thus can be presumed to be in relation to the direction of gravity. InFIGS. 1-4 and 5A, for example, “up” (and “ascending”), and “down” (and “descending”), refer to directions toward the top and toward the bottom, respectively, of the drawing figures. “Inward” and “outward” refer to radial directions toward or away from a central axis (e.g., as depicted inFIG. 5); in this description and in many of the drawing figures, the central axis is presumed to be vertically oriented. A container secured by the apparatus, for example, may be assumed, for purposes of this disclosure, to be situated in space with its longitudinal axis oriented vertically, for example as it is when the container is resting upon a horizontal surface—despite that when in use, the container may be oriented in any position within three-dimensional space.

A cap according to the present disclosure is contemplated for use especially upon conventional beverage cans, such as the cans commonly used to contain carbonated drinks, beers and lagers, etc. However, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and can be adapted for use with any container having a top perimeter or circumferential rim that extends a small distance (e.g., about 0.039 inches to 0.19 inches (approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm) laterally/radially outward from its juncture with the wall of the can body.

Initial attention is invited toFIGS. 1-7. The system and apparatus according to the present disclosure include a cap20and a separate yet complementary opener60. The cap20is devised and configured for secure installation upon the top of a can or container75(FIG. 7) to be secured. After installation atop a container75, the cap20can be disengaged and removed there-from only with significant difficulty and effort, unless the appropriate complementary opener60(FIG. 6) is used. The opener60is useable to disengage and remove the cap20with comparative ease. Thus, only a user having possession of the an opener60properly corresponding to the cap20can readily and easily detach the cap from the container75to permit subsequently conventional access to the container contents. By regulating the accessibility of the opener60, access to the contents of a container can be selectively limited and controlled.

The cap20can be installed upon the top of a container75at the time the container is fabricated and filled (e.g., at the beverage canning plant), using any suitable means. It is contemplated, however, and included in the scope of the present means and method, that the security cap may be initially installed upon a container by using the opener tool60. The cap20can be removed from the container75by using the opener60, and if desired, the cap may be re-installed upon the container (e.g., after the container has been opened and its contents partially consumed) using the same opener. Thus, the cap20may be either reused several times, or may be considered disposable for use a single time.

The system and apparatus of the present invention thus permit the top of a container to be secured against unauthorized opening.FIG. 7depicts the top of a container75upon which a cap20may be installed. The container75may be, by way of a typical example, an aluminum or aluminum alloy beverage can. Such beverage cans are devised to hold a fixed portion of liquid such as carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, teas, herbal teas, energy drinks, etc. Such beverage cans usually are made of aluminum or sometimes from tin-plated steel with an aluminum top lid76. The container75has a top lid76encircled on its outer perimeter or circumference by a raised rim78, as known in the beverage can fabrication art. Such cans are filled with a beverage (or other contents) before the top lid76is crimped on. During container filling and completion operations known in the art, a filling head centers the can body using gas pressure, purges the air from the body interior, and fills the body with the beverage. The top lid76(usually with an opening mechanism built-in) is placed on the can, and then crimped in two operations. First a mechanical seaming head engages the top lid76from above, while a seaming roller to the side curls the edge of the top lid around the edge of the open can body. The head and roller spin the can75in a complete circle to seal the container all the way around the perimeter of the top. A pressure roller with a different profile then drives together the two edges (of the lid76and the wall of the can body) under pressure to create a gas-tight seal defined at the raised bead or perimetric rim78. In this disclosure and the claims, “perimetric rim” particularly refers to a circular or ellipsoid circumferential rim, but also includes a rim that is not circular or oval in shape, put yet has a perimeter, such as a rim whose perimeter defines in plan view a square or some other polygon.

The present system is useable therefore upon the top of any container featuring a raised rim78that bulges or extends slightly (e.g., approximately 1 mm) outward from the top lid76. Further, the present system can be fabricated to be attachable atop such a container of practically any size or volume. It is contemplated that the present system and method finds particular use upon cylindrical (circular or oval section) containers with round or oval tops, and most especially upon cylindrical containers with round tops. The invention is not strictly so limited, however, and may be adapted for use on containers having other lateral cross-sectional shapes, such as spheres and prisms. The system is well-suited for use on the standard beverage can commonly encountered in North America, which holds twelve U.S. fluid ounces (355 ml). Such a U.S. standard can is about 4.83 inches (122.7 mm) high, about 2.13 inches (54.1 mm) in diameter at the top lid, and about 2.60 inches (66.0 mm) in diameter at the widest point of the can body. Nevertheless, the present security system can be manufactured in sizes and configurations adapted for use on other sizes/volumes of containers, such as the smaller 250 ml beverage cans, or cans of volumes 330 ml, 350 ml, or 375 ml, or other volumes and diameters, in common use around the world. By way of further example, larger cans having a volume of 680 ml, and a rim diameter of about 64 mm, are often used to contain fruit drinks in the USA.

As seen inFIG. 7, the container75upon which use of the present system is contemplated to have a stay-on tab or “stay tab”79, as known in the art, for permitting a user manually to sever and bend an opening cover81to permit access to the container interior. The stay-tab79type of can opening mechanism is known and current in the art, but the system according to the present disclosure is useable also with a previously popular can having a now-disfavored fully detachable “pull tab,” or somewhat hazardous “push tab,” manual opener, mostly obsolete throughout the world. Moreover, the system according to the present disclosure finds utility in use upon cans with “wide mouth” or “full aperture end” opening mechanisms. In all versions of container lids, the present system is particularly devised to prevent unauthorized access to the stay-tab79or other built-in opening mechanism, thereby preventing the opening of the cover81provided in the container's top lid76. Alternatively, it is noted that a cap20installed according to the present system also prevents the use of an ordinary electric can opener, and prevents the use of conventional manual can openers used to puncture the container lid26(both such known types of openers typically necessitating operative engagement with the container rim78).

Combined reference is made again toFIGS. 1-5A, illustrating the cap20portion of the system. The cap20preferably is composed of a thermoplastic polymer, most preferably an injection-molded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). ABS is a desirable composition for the cap20as while it is generally firm and durable, it affords a degree of bendable resiliency well-suited for the function of the present system. The cap20is fabricated to size and shape according to the diameter/dimensions of the top of the container to which it is removably secured, as apparent from further disclosure herein. The cap20preferably but not necessarily is molded integrally as a unit component.

The cap20optionally is provided with a gasket40(FIGS. 8, 8A).FIGS. 2 and 3show a cap20without any gasket mounted therein (but depicting the flange30optionally used to mount a gasket). In a first application of the present system, the cap20functions simply for basic security, e.g., a child-proof cap. In such a usage, a gasket40need not necessarily be installed on the cap, between the cap's lid24and the top of the container. In this instance, the cap20is simply installed and removed without a gasket. In a second type of application, the system may be used on a container for non-carbonated beverages. This embodiment has the gasket40mounted therein (as described further herein), and the cap20serves as a re-sealable security (e.g., childproof) cover for the container, that limits or prevents leakage from an opened container. Another potential application is with a container of carbonated beverage. In such an advantageous use of the system, a gasket40is mounted in the cap20, and serves as a re-sealable security cover that also prevents or reduces the rate at which the carbonation escapes an opened can.

Cap20ordinarily, but not strictly necessarily, has a generally cylindrical shape, e.g., for use upon a cylindrical (circular or ellipsoid) container. The cap's shape/size is adapted to complement to the shape/size of the top of the particular container upon which it will be used. The cap thus may be adapted in size/shape for use on containers of other shapes (e.g., right rectangular prisms, right triangular prisms). The cap20has a central imaginary axis22(FIGS. 4 and 5) which is the longitudinal axis of the general cylinder (circular, or optionally mildly elliptical) of the cap's overall shape. (For a container defining a right prism, the imaginary axis typically corresponds generally to the container's longitudinal axis of symmetry.) In a preferred embodiment, the cap20has a round, generally planar or disk-like lid24, and an exterior (e.g., generally cylindrical) wall26that is substantially coaxial with the central axis22, and which descends from the periphery or peripheral portion of the lid24. The exterior wall26preferably is molded integrally with the lid24and is mildly bendable in relation thereto.

Each cap20has at least one hooked catch28extending upwardly from the exterior wall26and inwardly toward the central axis22. In a preferred embodiment, the catches28are three in number. Referring particularly toFIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 5A, the one or more hooked catches28is/are integrally molded with the exterior wall26, and preferably extends upward from or near the bottom edge of the exterior wall26. The exterior wall26is resiliently bendable to displace at least one catch28radially outward from the central axis22. More specifically, operation of the opener60when engaged with the cap20serves to pull the exterior wall26away from the secured container, thereby to disengage a catch28from the perimetric rim78of the container75. As mentioned, the at least one hooked catch28preferably is a plurality of hooked catches (e.g., catches28,28′ and28″ inFIG. 5). The plurality of hooked catches28most preferably number three catches, spaced around the overall circumference of the exterior wall26. Preferably, a first hooked catch28is located in circumferential alignment with a swell34on the cap20, as described further herein.

FIG. 5offers additional disclosure of the preferred arrangement of the hooked catches28. An imaginary vertical section plane A-A bisects symmetrically the cap20. A first and necessary hooked catch28is aligned in substantial circumferential registration with the swell34on the cap; the key slot36preferably is also symmetrically aligned within the swell, so the swell34and its internal key slot36symmetrically span the section plane A-A. The swell34may subtend an arc of approximately 50° on the periphery of the cap20. As indicated byFIG. 5, the first hooked catch28preferably is symmetrically aligned with the swell, and preferably but not necessarily subtends an angle of approximately 52° on the inside of the exterior wall26. As also illustrated byFIG. 5, a second hooked catch28′ subtends an arc of, for example, about 32°, and is offset circumferentially approximately 14° to about 15° (i.e. counterclockwise inFIG. 5) from the section plane A-A. A third hooked catch28″ subtends an arc of approximately 30°, and is offset approximately 14° to about 15° (i.e. clockwise inFIG. 5) from the section plane A-A. The foregoing angular dimensions are offered by way of example, and not by critical limitation. It has been determined that such a circumferential or perimetric arrangement of three catches28,28′,28′ on the inside of the exterior wall26maximizes the secure installation of the cap20, while also facilitating the facile release of the cap from the container top, using the opener60, with acceptable manual effort by the user.

The cap20preferably is installed, initially or repeatedly, upon a container75, by engaging at least one hooked catch28with an underside of the perimetric rim78of a container (see, e.g.,FIGS. 7, 8, and 8A), by resiliently bending the exterior wall26to displace at least one of the catches28radially outward from the central axis22, placing the cap atop the container in registration therewith, and then permitting the exterior wall to rebound radially inward to hook the at least on catch28beneath the perimetric rim.

As mentioned, the cap20preferably, but optionally, is provided with a gasket40. A (cylindrical) gasket mounting flange30, substantially coaxial with the central axis22, descends from the bottom surface31of the lid24to define a gasket space32between the mounting flange30and the exterior wall26(see, e.g.,FIG. 5A). The gasket space32thus is a somewhat annular void into which a portion of a sealing gasket40can be inserted.

A swell34is formed integrally which protrudes outwardly from the exterior wall26. As illustrated in, for example,FIGS. 3 and 5, the swell34preferably is aligned circumferentially with a first one of the catches28. The swell34has defined therein a key slot36into which a key is insertable, as shall be further described herein. The swell thus supplies bulk for the molded provision therein of a key slot36of sufficient size and extent (in two or three dimensions) to permit operation of the system as described herein. The swell34also provides desirable structural strength to the cap20during the leveraged removal and/or re-installation of the cap on/from the container's top. The key slot36preferably, but not necessarily, defines a three-dimensional shape and extends radially outwardly within the swell, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9. The key slot36preferably is arcuate in shape, but is not necessarily so limited; other shapes and configurations for the slot36are conceivable and suitable without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, provided an opener60with a complementarily-shaped and sized key62(FIG. 6) also is provided. An acute shape of the key slot36preferably defines a semicircle when viewed laterally (i.e., radially), as suggested byFIGS. 4 and 9.

FIGS. 5, 5A, 8 and 8Ashow a preferred embodiment of the cap20in which the gasket mounting flange30is comprised of a concentric pair of (e.g. cylindrical) flange walls, an inner flange wall38and an outer flange wall39separated by an annular space. The flange walls38,39, depend down from the underside31of the lid24, and are mildly flexible so to be resiliently bendable radially in relation to each other, independently of one another. This resilient bendability permits the mounting flange30better to mount securely the gasket40thereon; the resiliency of the two flange walls38,39, to bend radially inward and outward, allow the gasket to be easily mounted on, and easily removed (as needed), from the mounting flange30. Moreover and alternatively, a single-walled relatively thicker flange30may also serve to mount the gasket40. However, providing a single-walled flange may result in an ugly “sink mark” on the top surface of the lid24. With injection molding, it is best to maintain a consistent wall thickness wherever possible, and splitting a single thick support flange30into two thinner walls38,39reduces or eliminates the potential for unsightly sink marks on the visible upper surface of the cap's lid24.

As best seen with combined reference toFIGS. 8 and 8A, the gasket mounting flange30preferably but optionally mounts a sealing gasket gasket40. The gasket40provides a sealing function to help keep the liquid (and gaseous) contents of a container75within the container in the event the cap20is removed from, and then replaced upon, the container after it has been opened. The gasket40is situated upon the gasket mounting flange30. The gasket40has an inside wall41adjacent an inside face of the mounting flange30and an outside wall42disposed within the gasket space32(FIG. 5A) and preferably also in contact with the exterior wall26. The gasket40also has a bottom sealing portion or surface44contactable with the top76of a container75to be secured. The bottom sealing surface44preferably features a circumferential bead45that is insertible into a circular channel defined in the container top. In a preferred embodiment, the gasket40is molded, as a single component, from silicone rubber—most preferably but optionally a silicone rubber having a durometer hardness of between Shore 10 A and Shore 20 A.

The cross-sections ofFIGS. 8 and 8Athus depict an installation of the security system's cap20upon the container such as a beverage can75. The at least one hooked catch28extends upwardly from the exterior wall26and inwardly toward the cap's central axis. The optional cylindrical gasket mounting flange30, coaxial with the central axis, descends from the bottom surface31of the lid to define the gasket space (i.e., space32inFIG. 5A) between the mounting flange and the exterior wall26. The gasket40is upon the gasket mounting flange30with the gasket inside wall41adjacent, preferably contacting against, an inside face of the inner flange wall38. The outside gasket wall42is situated within the gasket space, and preferably is in snug contact with the exterior face of the outside flange wall39. A bottom sealing surface44contacts the top76of the container75. Many beverage cans and other containers have a circular channel defined in the container top76just inside the circumferential or perimetric rim78. When a gasket40is used, a convex circumferential bead45preferably is defined on the sealing surface44for sealing insertion into the circular channel defined in the container top76.

FIG. 8Aalso offers detailed illustration of a first hooked catch28engaged against the underside of the container's perimetric rim78, at the top of the container body wall77where the container top76and wall come together. Other hooked catches28likewise engage the rim78when the cap20is in secured installation upon the container.

The apparatus and system according to this disclosure also feature the opener60. Attention is invited toFIGS. 6 and 9. The opener60is a tool molded from, for example, ABS plastic and in the preferred embodiment is adapted to be grasped in a user's hand. The opener preferably is molded as a one-piece unit. The opener60is operatively engagable with the swell34on the cap20. The opener has a key portion62insertible into the key slot36of the swell34on the cap20. Proper engagement of the opener60with the cap20, and manual manipulation of the opener as described hereinafter, detaches the cap from the top of a secured container75.

Referring particularly toFIG. 6, the opener60has a body or handle64having a first end65and a second end66. A key flange68extends from an underside of the handle64between the first end65and the second end66. There also is provided a fulcrum flange69on the underside of the handle64at the second end66. The fulcrum flange69may extend down in a short curved arc, as seen inFIG. 6. The opener key62extends from the key flange68and toward the second end66.

Referring collectively toFIGS. 1, 3-5, and 9, it is seen that the recess of the key slot36preferably defines a generally arcuate shape, and that the slot36extends radially outwardly within the swell34. The arc of the key slot36may be from about 100° to about 200° and preferably subtends approximately a semicircle (180°) in its extent. The solid key62on the handle64(FIG. 6) defines an arcuate shape complementary to the arcuate shape of the key slot36, such that the key62is slidably engagable into or with the key slot36, as indicated inFIGS. 11 and 12. The solid key62has an arcuate extent no greater than, and optionally somewhat less than, the corresponding angular extent of the slot36.

FIGS. 9-12illustrate the use of the system to remove the cap20from a container75. The cap20has been installed previously upon the top of the container75as described herein, particularly by engaging the at least one catches28with the undersurface of the rim78of the container. The user grasps the handle64of the opener60. The opener60thus is taken in the hand of the user and is brought into the vicinity of the swell34on the exterior wall26of the cap20, as suggested inFIGS. 9 and 10. The opener's key62is aligned with the key slot36in the swell34, while the opener's fulcrum flange69is moved toward the top of the swell. As indicated byFIGS. 10-12, the opener key62is inserted into the key slot36, and the distal end of the fulcrum flange69is placed against the top surface of the cap's lid24. With the key62snugly within the key slot36, and the fulcrum flange contacting the upper surface of the lid24, the opener60is in position (see especiallyFIG. 11) for use to disengage and remove the cap20from the top of the container75.

The user then lifts upward upon the handle64of the opener60, as indicated by the large directional arrow inFIG. 12, while maintaining the key62within the key slot36, and the end of the fulcrum flange69against the lid of the cap20. The lifting of the handle64by the user transmits a lifting force from the key62to the swell34, while the fulcrum flange69simultaneously pushes against the lid24. The opener60thus functions as a class two lever, with the load being situated at the key62, and the lever fulcrum at the end of the fulcrum flange69. The lever's load arm extends between the fulcrum flange69and the key62, while the lever's effort arm extends from the fulcrum flange to the handle64where the user is applying the lifting force.

The upward effort applied to the handle64by the user is transferred through the opener60to the bottom of the swell34via the key and key slot engagement, with the result that the outer portion of the swell is lifted upward relative to the container75, as suggested by the small directional arrow ofFIG. 12. (During the flexing of the exterior wall26under the lever action of the opener60, the lid24of the cap20remains mostly fixed in position upon the container75.) Because the swell34is integrated with the cap's exterior wall26, the upward movement of the swell34bends the exterior wall26in the vicinity of the swell. More specifically, the exterior wall26, adjacent to the swell34, bends radially outward away from the cap's central axis22. The lower edge of the exterior wall26bendably moves the farthest, while the top of the exterior wall bends slightly if at all, as it is connected to the lid24portion of the cap20. As the bottom portion of the exterior wall26(nearby the swell being acted upon by the opener60) bends outward (small directional arrow ofFIG. 12), the first hook catch28(e.g.,FIG. 5) that is located beneath the key slot36is drawn out from under the container's perimetric rim78and thus is disengaged from it. This frees that portion of the cap20which is in the area of the swell34to continue moving up under the action of the rising handle64of the opener60. The user continues lifting upon the handle64of the opener60with the result that a generous portion of the exterior wall26is pulled away from the rim78of the container75, moving the hooked catch28out away from the rim78. After the first hooked catch28is disconnected from the container rim78, the cap20can bend and shift slightly due to the now-increased distance between the first catch28′ and each of the other catches on the exterior wall26.

As the user continues to lift the handle of the opener60, the cap's lid24bends slightly, and the entire cap20is detached from the top of the container75as other hook catches28′ and28″ in turn disengage from beneath the container rim78. A completed pivoting of the opener60about its fulcrum flange69thus pops the cap20from its secure installation upon the top of the container75. The cap20can be removed manually, thereby exposing the tab79and opening cover81for ordinary use according to convention.

If desired, the cap20can be re-installed upon the container75. The opener60is used, and the removal process is essentially reversed to replace the cap20upon the opened container top. The cap20is simply placed upon the top of the container with one of two of the hooked catches (e.g., catches28′ and28″) hooked under the rim78, and the opener60is used to bend the cap20to re-engage the first catch28beneath the rim.

A method according to the present disclosure is apparent from the foregoing, but will be recapitulated here to promote additional understanding. Accordingly there has been disclosed a method for securing a container75having a top76and a perimetric rim78. The method includes the steps of providing a cap20having a central axis22and, optionally, a gasket mounting flange30, optionally but preferably disposing a gasket40upon the gasket mounting flange, the gasket having a bottom sealing surface44, and then optionally contacting the top76of the container with the bottom sealing surface44. Providing a cap20includes providing: a round lid24; a (e.g., cylindrical) exterior wall26coaxial with the central axis22and descending from a periphery of the lid24; at least one hooked catch28extending upwardly from the exterior wall and inwardly toward the central axis22; the gasket mounting flange30, coaxial with the central axis and descending from a bottom surface31of the lid to define a gasket space32between the mounting flange and the exterior wall; and a swell34, aligned circumferentially with the at least one catch, the swell protruding outwardly from the exterior wall, and defining therein a key slot36into which a key62is insertible.

The preferable but optional step of disposing the gasket40upon the gasket mounting flange includes disposing a gasket comprising: an inside wall41adjacent an inside face of the mounting flange; an outside wall situated within the gasket space32and in contact with the exterior wall26; and the bottom sealing surface44. The preferred method further includes the step of defining the key slot36to have an arcuate shape extending radially outwardly within the swell34. Defining the key slot optionally also includes the step of defining the key slot to have a shape of a semicircle. The step of contacting the top76of the container75with the bottom sealing surface44of the gasket preferably but optionally includes inserting a circumferential bead45on the gasket's sealing surface into a circular channel defined in the container top76. The method thus broadly involves installing the cap20upon the top of a container, regardless whether the cap has a gasket mounting flange30, and notwithstanding that there may not be a mounting of a gasket40upon any such flange30that may be in the cap.

The method includes the step of engaging the at least one hooked catch28with an underside of the perimetric rim78of a container. This method further features the step of integrally molding the at least one hooked catch28with the cap's exterior wall26, wherein engaging the at least one hooked catch with an underside of the perimetric rim78includes resiliently bending the exterior wall26to displace the at least one catch radially outward from the central axis22, and permitting the exterior wall to rebound radially inward to hook the catch28beneath the circumferential or perimetric rim. These latter steps reliably install the cap upon the top portion of the container75to secure it against unauthorized opening. In this method, the step of integrally molding the at least one hooked catch28comprises molding a plurality of hooked catches28,28′, and28′, with a first one28of the hooked catches being aligned with the swell34. Molding a plurality of hooked catches28,28′,28″ may include the step of molding three catches and spacing the three catches around a circumference of the exterior wall26. If the method includes the optional step of mounting a gasket on the cap, the method includes the beneficial step of sealing the top76of the container (e.g., a previously opened container) with the gasket40. Sealing the container with the gasket prevents, or at least reduces, the unwanted escape of liquids (beverage) or gasses (e.g., carbonation CO2) from the container's interior.

The overall method very preferably also includes the steps of providing an opener60and removing the cap20from the container75, wherein removing the cap means operatively engaging the opener60with the swell34by inserting the key62of the opener into the key slot36in the cap20. The step of providing an opener includes: providing a handle64having a first end65and a second end66; supplying a key flange68on an underside of the handle between the first end and the second end; supplying an arcuate fulcrum flange69on the underside of the handle at the second end66; and extending the key62from the key flange and toward the second end66.

A cap20securely installed upon the top of a container75is removed there from by means of the disclosed system. As explained, the method of removing the cap from the container includes, while the key62is maintained within the key slot36, the additional steps of: (a) contacting the fulcrum flange69against the lid24; (b) lifting the handle64, thereby pushing the key62upward against the swell34; (c) levering with the opener60to bend the exterior wall26to displace the first one of the hooked catches28radially outward from the lid's central axis22, thereby disengaging the first one28of the catches from the underside of the container's perimetric rim78; (d) lifting the cap20from the top of the container75; (e) disengaging others of the hooked catches28′,28″ from the underside of the perimetric rim; and (e) lifting the cap20from the top of the container. In one preferred method, the step of defining a key slot36means defining a key slot having an arcuate shape and which extends radially outwardly within the cap's swell34, while the step of inserting a key means sliding into the key slot36a key62having an arcuate shape complementary to the arcuate shape of the key slot.

It is seen, therefore, that a system and method are provided for installing a security cap on a container, such as an aluminum beverage can, to limit the persons who can access the container's contents. A cap is installed atop the container, for example shortly after the time the container is filled, or perhaps prior to distribution and/or sale. An opener is provided with a key that is complementary to a key slot in the cap, so that the proper opener with the appropriate key is needed to remove the cap from the container. Access to the interior of the container by unauthorized or unqualified persons, such as minors or unlicensed personnel, thereby is regulated or prevented. Access to the interior of containers75fitted with the removable cap20system is limited to those persons having access to the opener60having a correspondingly shaped and sized key62.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. In the previous description, specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, dimensions, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, as one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the present invention can be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth.

Only some embodiments of the invention and but a few examples of its versatility are described in the present disclosure. It is understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. Modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents.