US 5,054,640 A · Protective cap for beverage containers

Abstract

A protective cap for canned soft drinks and the like is disclosed. The cap comprises an outer periphery configured to receive and snap over the upper surface of a conventional soft drink beverage can. A lip guard extends axially downward from the cap to provide a sanitary drinking surface. A grate is positioned to cover the opening in the top of the can through which the beverage may be consumed. The grate is formed as an integral portion of the molded cap. A hinged cover can rotate between opened and closed positions to permit consumption of the soft drink when in the opened position and to seal the container to prevent contamination from airborne debris and small insects when in the closed position. A detent formed upon the lower surface of the cover is received between adjacent bars of the grate to latch the cover in the closed position.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A protective cap for preventing insects, airborne debris, and the like from entering beverage containers, the cap comprising:

(a) a generally planar surface;
(b) a peripheral portion formed substantially perpendicular to said planar surface at the periphery of said planar surface, said peripheral portion having a detent formed thereon for releasably attaching the protective cap to a beverage container;
(c) an opening formed in said planar surface;
(d) a grate formed within said opening;
and
(e) a cover hingeably attached to said planar surface such that said cover can be rotated between an opened position and a closed position;
and
(f) a detent pin formed upon the lower surface of said cover;
and
(g) wherein said detent pin engages said grate when said cover is in the closed position, said detent pin and said grate cooperating to latch said cover in the closed position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protective cap for beverage containers

Life of this patent

Protective cap for beverage containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9