# US 5,346,088 A · Reusable beverage can cap

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- Number: US 5,346,088 A
- Document ID: US5346088A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/080,411
- Filed: 1993-06-21
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1992-11-18
- Inventors: Joseph Brimo, II
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346088A

## CPC

- B65D 51/20: Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing {(B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28)}
- B65D 2251/0018: of the 43-type
- B65D 2251/0071: of the 17-type
- B65D 2251/205: Inserted
- Y02W 30/80: Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging (bio-packaging Y02W90/10)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

## Abstract

The invention disclosed is a reusable cap adapted to hermetically seal the top of a standard beverage can so as to contain the carbonation within the can and to prevent spills. The cap comprises a flat topped resilient outer shell, and an elastomeric inner member adapted to mate with the entire recessed top of the can to form a liquid and airtight seal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cap for a beverage can, said beverage can having a beaded rim, a substantially recessed top surface within the periphery of the beaded rim, and an annular groove adjacent to the beaded rim, comprising:
an outer shell having an inner side, an outer side, an outer flange defining means adapted to enshroud the beaded rim of the beverage can, and an inner flange defining means adapted to mate with the annular groove; and
a substantially flat and round elastomeric member affixed to the inner side of the outer shell, interior to the inner flange and defining means adapted to sealingly engage the recessed top surface of the beverage can.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cap in accordance with claim 1 wherein the round member is made of rubber.

### Claim 3

A beverage can cap for hermetically sealing an opened beverage can, said beverage can having a beaded rim, a recessed top, and an annular groove concentrically adjacent to the beaded rim, comprising:
a resilient outer shell having an inner side, an outer side, an outer flange defining means adapted to enshroud the beaded rim of said beverage can, and an inner flange defining means adapted to mate to said annular groove; and
a substantially flat and round elastomeric member affixed to the resilient outer shell, interior to said inner flange, and defining means adapted to fit within said recessed top to form a seal against the recessed top of the beverage can.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The cap in accordance with claim 3 wherein the elastomeric member is composed of rubber.

### Claim 5

A reusable beverage can cap, said beverage can having a flat recessed top with an annular groove therein, comprising:
a resilient outer shell having an inner surface, an outer surface, a flat upper surface, an annular flange, and an inner annular flange defining means adapted to sealingly mate with the annular groove of said flat recessed top; and
a flat elastomeric inner member affixed to said inner surface concentric to said inner annular flange and defining means adapted to mate with the flat recessed top of the beverage can to form an airtight seal.

### Claim 6

A cap for a beverage can, said beverage can having a beaded rim, a substantially recessed top surface within the periphery of the beaded rim, and an annular groove adjacent to the beaded rim, comprising:
a resilient outer shell having an inner side, an outer side, a flange defining means adapted to enshroud the rim of the beverage can, and an inner flange integral to said outer shell defining means adapted to mate with the annular groove on the beverage can top; and
a substantially flat and round elastomeric member affixed to the inner side of the resilient outer shell, interior to the inner flange, and defining means adapted to sealingly engage the recessed top of the beverage can.