Abstract:
A device that removably couples with the tab of a beverage container to assist in opening the container and then rotates to close the opening, thus preventing things such as insects and debris from contaminating the beverage.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/717,934, filed Sep. 16, 2005, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present disclosure is for a device that assists in opening beverage containers, temporarily closes the opening of an opened beverage container, and also provides an identification marker for said container. 
   2. Related Art 
   Beverages in aluminum cans are commonplace in homes and at gatherings and events. However, sometimes there can be complications and potential safety hazards in using these simple beverage containers. 
   First, some persons can have difficulty pulling up the tab on the top of the can that “pops” open the can. The tab often sits tight against the can top, so a person must get a fingernail underneath the tab edge to lift it. If the tab is especially tight, the person could break a nail trying to open the can. Sometimes, a person must use a dining utensil or other available tool to open the can. 
   Next, once the can has been opened, bugs, dirt, or other debris can enter the can and contaminate the beverage. When drinking the beverage outdoors, stinging insects, such as bees and wasps, can pose a particular danger. These insects, attracted by the sugars that are often in canned beverages, enter the opened can. When the consumer of the beverage takes a sip, the insect could sting him, resulting in a potentially serious injury. 
   Finally, the inside edge of the opening can be very sharp. Children may try to stick their fingers into the opening and potentially end up with painful cuts. 
   What is needed is a device that helps a person open a beverage container and then temporarily covers the opening. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the top side of an embodiment of the present device. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present device. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a top view of an embodiment of the present device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device. A substantially planar base member  102  has a pair of substantially planar members  104  protruding from the distal edge of said base member  102 . Said protruding members  104  can be oriented downward at an acute angle relative to the bottom surface of said base member  102 . A notch  106 , which can be curved, separates said pair of protruding members  104 . Said notch can be curved to a radius slightly larger than that of the fastener affixing a tab to the top of a beverage container, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. Although depicted here as curved, the base member  102  and protruding members  104  can be any known and/or convenient geometry. 
   A pair of substantially parallel ridges  108 , extending from the proximal edge of the base member  102  to the distal edges of the protruding members  104 , protrude substantially perpendicularly from the top surface of said base member  102 . Said ridges  108  can be separated by a distance slightly greater than the width of a beverage container tab, such that the tab can fit between said ridges  108 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the height of said ridges  108  can taper down to the distal edges of said protruding planar members  104 . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an additional ridge  110 , oriented substantially perpendicular to the proximal ends of a pair of ridges  108  can continuously connect a pair of ridges  108  substantially along the proximal edge of a base member  102 . 
   In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a pair of tabs  112  can be attached substantially perpendicularly to the top edges of each of the substantially parallel ridges  108  such that these tabs protrude inward. In other embodiments, tabs  112  can be extended to form a continuous member joining the substantially parallel ridges  108 . Alternatively, a tab  112  can protrude from an additional ridge  110  toward the distal edge of the planar member  102  either in place of, or in addition to, tabs  112  protruding from a pair of substantially parallel ridges  108 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , an elongated member  114  extends back from the proximal edge of a base member  102 . An elongated member  114  can be affixed to a ridge  110  substantially along the proximal edge of a planar base member  102  so that an elongated member  114  sits above a planar base member  102 . A hole  116  of any known and/or convenient geometry can be cut into an elongated member  114 . Although shown here with a rounded shape an elongated member  114  can be of any known and/or convenient geometry. 
     FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present device. A substantially parallel ridge  108  can have a maximum height at its distal end that tapers toward its proximal end. In some embodiments, the angle of the taper can increase as a ridge extends along a protruding planar member  104 . The height of a ridge  108  diminishes to substantially zero at the distal edge of a protruding planar member  104 . The elongated member  114  can be elevated at the same angle by which the height of the ridge  108  tapers toward the distal edge of the base member  102 . 
     FIG. 3  shows a top view of an embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, an additional ridge  110  can connect a pair of substantially parallel ridges  108 . However, in other embodiments, a ridge  110  can be omitted. 
   In operation, a user removably couples the present device with the tab of a beverage container as follows. The device slips underneath a tab of a beverage container, such that the can tab sits between the substantially parallel ridges  108  and is held in place by the tabs  112  extending from the ridges  108 . The notch  106  fits around the connector between the tab and the top of the container. Pulling upward on the elongated member  116 , gives the user increased leverage on the tab to open the container. Once the container is opened, rotating the container tab with the present device attached allows the base member  102  to cover the opening in the beverage container. To take a sip from the beverage container, the user then rotates the container tab and the present device until the container opening is uncovered. 
   The present device can be manufactured from a polymer, plastic, metal, or any other known and/or convenient material. Also, it can be produced in various colors, which can help users identify their personal beverages in situations where many similar opened beverage containers are around, such as at a social gathering. In addition, the present device can be embossed, engraved, imprinted with graphics and/or text for advertising or any other known and/or convenient purpose. 
   Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.