Beverage container protective cover

Abstract

The present invention provides a protective beverage cover for use in combination with a beverage can having a rim wall, a top wall, an unpunctured score-line defining an opening, a recessed base surrounding the unpunctured score-line, an annular groove formed by the junction of the rim wall and the top wall, and a ring pull tab. The protective cover comprises an overhanging lip which extends downward into the groove to allow rotation of the cover along the top wall and which permits covering of the area of the top wall which directly or indirectly engages a consumer's mouth during drinking of the beverage contents. A protrusion is formed by the upward extension of a central portion of the overhanging lip allows for rotation of the cover. A depression countered to sealably rest inside the recessed base surrounding the opening. The protective cover permits a second beverage container to be stacked on top of the first container by not interfering with the rim wall and by utilizing the annular groove.

1 . A protective cover for use in combination with a beverage container having a rim wall, a top wall, an unpunctured score-line defining an opening, a recessed base surrounding the unpunctured score-line, an annular groove formed by the junction of the rim wall and the top wall, and a ring pull tab, the protective cover comprising:
 an overhanging lip extending downwardly into the groove to allow rotation of the cover along the top wall;   a protrusion formed by the upward extension of a central portion of the overhanging lip;   a depression countered to sealably rest inside the recessed base surrounding the opening; and   an aperture.   
   
   
       2 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein a rivet extends through an opening in the ring pull tab, the aperture, and a rivet hole in the top wall, thereby movably affixing the ring pull tab, protective cover and top wall to each other, and forming a rivet-axis. 
   
   
       3 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the protective cover rotates about the rivet-axis. 
   
   
       4 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the protective cover does not extend above the top of the rim wall. 
   
   
       5 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the protective cover is dimensioned to cover an area of the top wall extending from the rivet hole to the groove. 
   
   
       6 . The protective cover of  claim 1 , wherein the downward extension of the overhanging lip inside the groove allows a second beverage container to be stably stacked on top of the beverage container. 
   
   
       7 . The protective cover of  claim 3 , wherein the protective cover has a first position overlying the unpunctured score-line to prevent contact with undesirable objects during distribution and storage of the container. 
   
   
       8 . The protective cover of  claim 7 , wherein the protective cover has a second position underlying the ring pull tab after the score-line has been punctured. 
   
   
       9 . The protective cover of  claim 8 , wherein the protective cover has a third position residing inside the recessed base surrounding the opening to form a seal between the cover and the container. 
   
   
       10 . The protective cover of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusion allows for rotation of the protective cover about the rivet-axis. 
   
   
       11 . The protective cover of  claim 10 , wherein the protrusion forms an angle with the region of the cover between the overhanging lip and depression, the angle permitting a second container to be vertically stacked on the beverage container. 
   
   
       12 . The protective cover of  claim 11 , wherein the protrusion has a downward extending support arm. 
   
   
       13 . The protective cover of  claim 2 , wherein the lower surface of the protective cover has an undercoating to sweep debris away from the area of the top wall engaging a consumer's mouth during drinking of the beverage contents. 
   
   
       14 . The protective cover of  claim 13 , wherein the undercoating enhances the affinity of the depression to take a resting position inside the recessed base surrounding the opening. 
   
   
       15 . A protective cover for use in combination with a beverage container having a rim wall, a top wall, an unpunctured score-line defining an opening, a recessed base surrounding the unpunctured score-line, an annular groove formed by the junction of the rim wall and the top wall, and a ring pull tab, the protective cover comprising:
 an overhanging lip extending downwardly into the groove to allow rotation of the cover along the top wall;   a protrusion formed by the upward extension of a central portion of the overhanging lip;   a depression countered to sealably rest inside the recessed base surrounding the opening;   an aperture;   a rivet extends through an opening in the ring pull tab, the aperture, and a rivet hole in the top wall, thereby movably affixing the ring pull tab, protective cover and top wall to each other, and forming a rivet-axis;   the protective cover rotating freely about the rivet-axis;   the protective cover not extending above the top of the rim wall;   the protective cover dimensioned to cover an area of the top wall extending from the rivet hole to the groove;   the downward extension of the overhanging lip inside the groove allowing a second beverage container to be stably stacked on top of the beverage container;   the protective cover having a first position overlying the unpunctured score-line to prevent contact with undesirable objects during distribution and storage of the container;   the protective cover having a second position underlying the ring pull tab after the score-line has been punctured;   the protective cover having a third position residing inside the recessed base surrounding the opening to form a seal between the cover and the container.   the protrusion allowing for rotation of the protective cover about the rivet-axis;   the protrusion forming an angle with the central portion cover between the overhanging lip and depression, the angle permitting a second container to be vertically stacked on the beverage container;   the lower surface of the protective cover having an undercoating to sweep debris away from the area of the top wall engaging a consumer's mouth during drinking of the beverage contents; and   the undercoating enhancing the affinity of the depression to take a resting position inside the recessed base surrounding the opening.   
   
   
       16 . A protective cover for use in combination with a beverage container having a rim wall, a top wall, an unpunctured score-line defining an opening, a recessed base surrounding the unpunctured score-line, an annular groove formed by the junction of the rim wall and the top wall, and a ring pull tab, the protective cover comprising:
 an overhanging lip extending downwardly into the groove to allow rotation of the cover along the top wall;   a protrusion formed by the upward extension of a central portion of the overhanging lip;   a depression countered to sealably rest inside the recessed base surrounding the opening; and   an aperture;   a rivet extends through an opening in the ring pull tab, the aperture, and a rivet hole in the top wall, thereby movably affixing the ring pull tab, protective cover and top wall to each other, and forming a rivet-axis;   the protective cover rotating freely about the rivet-axis;   the cover not extending above the top of the rim wall;   the protective cover dimensioned to cover an area of the top wall extending from the rivet hole to the groove;   the downward extension of the overhanging lip inside the groove allowing a second beverage container to be stably stacked on top of the beverage container;   the protective cover having a first position overlying the unpunctured score-line to prevent contact with undesirable objects during distribution and storage of the container;   the protective cover having a second position underlying the ring pull tab after the score-line has been punctured;   the protective cover having a third position residing inside the recessed base surrounding the opening to form a seal between the cover and the container.   the protrusion allowing for rotation of the protective cover about the rivet-axis;   the protrusion forming an angle with the central portion cover between the overhanging lip and depression, the angle permitting a second container to be vertically stacked on the beverage container;   the protrusion having a downward extending support arm;
 the lower surface of the protective cover has an undercoating to sweep debris away from the area of the top wall engaging a consumer's mouth during drinking of the beverage contents; and 
   the undercoating enhancing the affinity of the depression to take a resting position inside the recessed base surrounding the opening.