Patent Publication Number: US-6901976-B1

Title: Device for receiving saliva expectorated by a tobacco chewer

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to a device utilized to receive and store saliva expectorated by an individual chewing tobacco. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Chewing tobacco is a relatively common activity and has been for decades. A by-product of tobacco chewing is the formation of saliva incorporating at least some of the masticated tobacco product. Swallowing such saliva can make one ill so it is a common practice to spit the saliva into a container. Cuspidors or spittoons were commonly found in public places of business and even residences for this purpose in years past. Today however, a tobacco chewer must find his own way to remedy the problem. 
   Many chewers are in the habit of employing beverage cans for such purpose. There are, however, drawbacks to this approach. Not only does the typical beverage can have a relatively small opening, making it difficult to avoid making a mess on the top of the can, a beverage can, when on a floor or other support between uses by the tobacco chewer, can readily be knocked over, causing saliva in the can or saliva on the can to spill. 
   DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a device enabling a beverage can to be utilized in a more efficient and expeditious manner to act as a repository for saliva expectorated by a tobacco chewing individual. Utilizing the arrangement of this invention, virtually all of the saliva is directed to the interior of the can and does not rest on the top of the can. In addition, the device disclosed and claimed herein resists spilling from the beverage can when it is tipped over. 
   The device is utilized in combination with a beverage container such as a soda or beer can of conventional construction and including a side wall having an upper rim, a top attached to the upper rim and a bottom. The top, the side wall and the bottom define a beverage container interior and the top defines an opening disposed inwardly of the rim and communicating with the beverage container interior. 
   The device is for receiving saliva expectorated by a tobacco chewing individual and directing the saliva into the beverage container interior. 
   The device includes an open topped receptacle having an outlet and a connector releasably connecting the receptacle to the beverage container with the outlet in liquid flow communication with the opening defined by the top of the beverage container whereby saliva in the receptacle will drain under the influence of gravity into the beverage container interior. 
   The device additionally includes a drain conduit attached to the open topped receptacle and extending downwardly therefrom. The drain conduit extends into the beverage container interior and defines a liquid flow passageway in liquid flow communication with the outlet of the receptacle. 
   Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention releasably connected to the top of a beverage container in the form of a beverage can; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the device prior to its application to the beverage can; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom, perspective view of the device; 
       FIG. 4  is a side, elevational view of the device; 
       FIG. 5  is a frontal, elevational view of the device; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 — 6  in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but illustrating the beverage container and device in an upside down condition; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the beverage container lying on its side with the drain conduit of the device inclined upwardly; 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , but showing the beverage container lying on its side and the drain conduit inclined downwardly; and 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 — 10  in  FIG. 6 . 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, a conventional beverage container in the form of a “pop top” beverage can  10  is illustrated. 
   The beverage can includes a side wall  14  having an upper rim  16 , a bottom  18  and a top  20 . The top, the side wall and the bottom define a beverage container interior. The top defines an opening  22  which communicates with the beverage container interior and which was formed prior to consumption of the beverage in the container by removal of the “pop top” closure of well known construction. 
   The can has a central longitudinal axis A (see  FIG. 6 ) and the opening  22  is off center in the top, located off to one side of the central longitudinal axis A and within the confines of the rim  16 . The device  12  is for receiving saliva expectorated by a tobacco chewing individual and for directing the saliva into the interior of the beverage can  10 . 
   The device  12  includes an open topped receptacle  30  having an outlet  32 . Surrounding the receptacle is a connector for releasably connecting the receptacle to the beverage container with the outlet  32  in liquid flow communication with the opening  22  whereby saliva in the receptacle will drain under the influence of gravity into the beverage container interior. More particularly, the connector is in the form of an outer sleeve or skirt  34  which surrounds and frictionally engages the rim  16  (as may perhaps best be seen with reference to  FIG. 10 ) when the device is in position on the can. A manually engageable tab  36  projects from the skirt or sleeve  34  to facilitate installation and removal of the device. 
   The device also includes a drain conduit  40  attached to the receptacle  30  and extending downwardly therefrom. The drain conduit extends into the beverage container interior and defines a liquid flow passageway in communication with the outlet  32  of the receptacle  30 . The drain conduit  40  has an open distal end  42  located in the beverage can interior and spaced from the bottom  18 , side wall  14 , and top  20 . The drain conduit is rigid and defines an acute angle with the top of the beverage container and the receptacle. Saliva engaging the inclined inner wall  44  of receptacle  30  will be directed to the outlet  32  since the wall surface  42  converges at the outlet. From the outlet, the saliva will be directed to the open distal end  42  of the drain conduit and thence flow into the can interior. In the arrangement illustrated, the device  12  is of integral, molded plastic construction, however other construction approaches and materials may be utilized when practicing the teachings of this invention. 
   It should be noted that when the device is in position in the can, the cross-section of the drain conduit  40  at the location of opening  22  conforms to the shape of that opening. This not only adds to the stability of the device on the can but prevents passage of saliva between the can and the drain conduit in the event the can is tipped over. The open distal end of the inclined drain conduit  40  is at a location in the beverage can interior on a side of the longitudinal central axis A opposed to the side of the longitudinal central axis occupied by opening  22  and outlet  32 . This configuration of the drain conduit results in an arrangement which makes the combination of the can and device spill resistant. In  FIG. 7 , spillage of the contents of the can is prevented even though the can and the device are upside down.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show two different orientations in which the can is lying on its side. In neither case does saliva escape from the can interior through the device.