Beverage can couplings

Abstract

A coupling for assembling at least two beverage cans together, comprising at least a pair of collar portions, each to slidably receive a corresponding end region of one of the beverage cans, the collar portions being configured to engage the beverage cans for associated games and/or other amusement activities.

1 . A coupling for assembling at least two beverage cans, comprising at least a pair of individual beverage can receivers joined at a junction, each receiver configured to snugly and slidably receive a corresponding end region of one of the beverage cans, the coupling configured in a first mode to form, with at least two of the beverage cans, an end-to-end subassembly exposing at least a pair of non-received end regions, the coupling configured in a second mode to join a non-received end region of each of least a pair of neighboring beverage can subassemblies for building structural forms for associated games, educational and/or other amusement activities. 
     
     
         2 . A coupling as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each receiver includes a sleeve portion configured to provide an inner surface region forming an end region-receiving zone. 
     
     
         3 . A coupling as defined in  claim 2 , each receiver being adjustably positioned on the junction to enable the beverage cans in the end-to-end subassembly to be oriented in alternative designated angular configurations. 
     
     
         4 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the receivers are arranged in opposed configurations of at least two receivers. 
     
     
         5 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein one or more sleeve portions further comprise a plurality of first projections formed on the inner surface region thereof to provide a plurality of contact surface portions thereon for localized contact with the corresponding end region. 
     
     
         6 . A coupling as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the first projections include ridges aligned with a central axis. 
     
     
         7 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 3  to  6 , further comprising a plurality of interconnectors to releasably join the receivers to the junction. 
     
     
         8 . A coupling as defined in  claim 7 , the junction including a plurality of receiver locating zones and each including a first interconnector, each receiver configured to locate at any one of the receiver locating zones, and each receiver including a second interconnector to engage the first interconnector. 
     
     
         9 . A coupling as defined in  claim 8 , the first interconnector configured to engage the second interconnector in at least two positions corresponding to at least two of the designated angular configurations. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling as defined in  claim 8  or  claim 9 , each first or second interconnector including a locating tab, or a locating passage to receive the locating tab. 
     
     
         11 . A coupling as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the passage includes a slot configured to provide at least two alternative slot receiving zones. 
     
     
         12 . A coupling as defined in  claim 10  or  claim 11 , one or more of the slots having a plurality of slot termini, each terminus to receive the locating tab in a corresponding angular configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A coupling as defined in  claim 12 , the junction providing at least one corner region, one or more of the slots having first and second slot sectors formed therein, each slot sector providing a terminus to receive the tab in corresponding first and second angular configurations. 
     
     
         14 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 10  to  13 , wherein the locating tabs and the slots have complementary parallel or non-parallel opposing surface formations. 
     
     
         15 . A junction device for use with a plurality of beverage can receivers, in forming a beverage can subassembly in an educational and/or amusement activity with at least two beverage cans, comprising a body including a plurality of beverage can receiver mounting zones, each to receive a corresponding beverage can receiver thereon, each zone configured to enable the beverage can receiver to be releasably located in position thereon, in at least one beverage can receiver configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A receiver device for use, at least in groups of two, with a junction unit, in forming a beverage can subassembly in an educational and/or amusement activity with at least two beverage cans, comprising at least one inner receiving surface to engage an outer surface on an outer side wall formed on a corresponding beverage can, and at least one interconnector for interconnection with a complementary interconnector on the junction. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for use in forming a beverage can subassembly in an educational and/or amusement activity with at least two beverage cans, comprising at least one junction device as defined in  claim 15 , and a plurality of receiver devices as defined in  claim 16 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a beverage can subassembly in an educational and/or amusement activity with at least two beverage cans, comprising:
 a. providing at least one junction, and at least two beverage can receivers, the junction portion and receivers mutually configured for removable interconnection in one or more one receiver configurations, each receiver configured with at least one inner receiving surface to engage an outer surface on an outer side wall formed on a corresponding beverage can;   b. selecting the desired receiver configuration for each of the receivers;   c. interconnecting the receivers on the junction; and   d. engaging a beverage can with each corresponding receiver to form the beverage can subassembly.   
     
     
         19 . A coupling as defined in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , each receiver being fixedly positioned on the junction. 
     
     
         20 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claim 1 ,  2  or  19 , wherein the sleeve portions are coaxial. 
     
     
         21 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  19  or  20 , wherein the sleeve portions form a tubular structure, the junction being centrally located therein. 
     
     
         22 . A coupling as defined in  claim 21 , the junction including a central panel extending laterally across the tubular structure. 
     
     
         23 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 5  to  22 , wherein the sleeve further comprises at least one end surface region providing a plurality of second projections configured to engage a sealed lid portion on the beverage can. 
     
     
         24 . A coupling as defined in  claim 23 , further comprising one or more flange portions extending outwardly from the end surface region, with the second projections formed thereon and extending inwardly toward a central axis thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A coupling as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the flange portions are symmetrically disposed relative to the central axis. 
     
     
         26 . A coupling for assembling at least two beverage cans together, comprising at least a pair of beverage can receivers, each to slidably receive a corresponding end region of one of the beverage cans, the beverage can receivers being configured to engage the beverage cans for associated games, educational and/or other amusement activities. 
     
     
         27 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 1  to  26 , wherein each beverage can receiver includes a plurality of contact surface-providing elements for engaging corresponding regions of the end region. 
     
     
         28 . A coupling as defined in  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of support portions to support the contact surface-providing elements in an operative position to form collectively an end region-receiving zone. 
     
     
         29 . A coupling as defined in  claim 26 , wherein each beverage can receiver includes a collar portion providing an inner surface region forming an end region-receiving zone. 
     
     
         30 . A coupling as defined in  claim 29 , further comprising a body portion located between the collar portions. 
     
     
         31 . A coupling as defined in  claim 30 , the body portion including a panel with a plurality of peripheral regions, each said collar portions being positioned near a corresponding peripheral region. 
     
     
         32 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 29  to  31 , the collar portions being fixed in position relative to the panel. 
     
     
         33 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 29  to  32 , the collar portions being adjustably attached to the body portion. 
     
     
         34 . An assembly as defined in any one of  claims 29  to  33 , the beverage cans and collar portions having complementary cross sections. 
     
     
         35 . An assembly as defined in any one of  claims 29  to  34 , the beverage cans and collar portions having common cross sections. 
     
     
         36 . An assembly as defined in  claim 35 , the cross sections being circular. 
     
     
         37 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 29  to  36 , the collar portions including at least three collar portions to be organized in an opposed configuration. 
     
     
         38 . A coupling as defined in  claim 37 , further comprising a fourth collar portion to be orthogonal to the at least three collar portions. 
     
     
         39 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 26  to  38 , further comprising a plurality of projections located on an inner surface of the collar portion to provide a plurality of contact surfaces for contact with the end region of the beverage can. 
     
     
         40 . A coupling as defined in any one of  claims 26  to  39 , further comprising a junction located between the beverage can receivers, and configured to support the receivers in an operative position. 
     
     
         41 . A coupling as defined in  claim 40 , the junction including a plurality of receiver mounting portions for mounting the receivers thereto. 
     
     
         42 . A coupling as defined in  claim 40  or  claim 41 , the receivers and receiver mounting portions including complementary anchoring segments. 
     
     
         43 . A coupling as defined in  claim 42 , the anchoring segments include a mounting tab and a corresponding mounting slot. 
     
     
         44 . An assembly comprising the coupling of any one of  claims 26  to  43 , further comprising a plurality of said beverage receivers and a corresponding plurality of beverage cans engaged therewith. 
     
     
         45 . An assembly as defined in  claim 43 , wherein the slots and tabs have side edge surface regions which are complementarily configured to contact one another in an assembled condition. 
     
     
         46 . An assembly as defined in  claim 45 , wherein the slots and tabs have respective parallel or non-parallel opposed edge surface regions forming a triangular configuration. 
     
     
         47 . An assembly as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the slots and tabs have respective convergent edge surface regions forming a triangular configuration. 
     
     
         48 . An assembly as defined in  claim 46 , the tab further comprising a support panel with an inner surface facing the edge surface regions and which is configured to engage an inner surface of the receiver in the assembled condition. 
     
     
         49 . An assembly as defined in  claim 48 , wherein the support panel extends laterally beyond the edge surface regions, to be received by an enlarged entry region in the slot.