The present invention relates to a cover and particularly but not exclusively to a cover for a drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of drinking vessels available on the market, and many of them are single use vessels intended to be disposed of after a drink is consumed. Once such a drinking vessel, for example a beverage can, is opened for consumption of the contents, the drinking vessel does not have means to cover or close the opening.

The lack of means to cover or close the opening of the drinking vessel is a disadvantage, especially if the drink is to be consumed outdoors. Foreign objects, such as insects, may enter the drinking vessel through the opening and contaminate the drink. A person unaware of a foreign object in a drinking vessel, may ingest the foreign object when consuming the drink.

Furthermore, because a drinking vessel, such as a beverage can, cannot be closed after opening, the drink often needs to be consumed within a relatively short period of time. This is particularly true for carbonated drinks. There is also a risk of spillage when carrying an open vessel, for example, in a vehicle or on foot, which cannot be closed.

Resting a flat object, such as a drinks mat, on top of the drinking vessel to cover the opening can prevent foreign objects from entering the drinking vessel. However, this is inconvenient as the flat object needs to be removed every time the drink is required and replaced again afterwards. Also, this does not help with preventing spillage as the flat object is not secured to the drinking vessel.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cover for drinking vessel, which substantially mitigates or reduces these problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a cover for a drinking vessel comprising a first member for attachment to the vessel, the first member having an apertured area through which a liquid contained in the vessel can pass, a first mesh being provided in the apertured area; a second member mounted to the first member, the second member having a first aperture and a second aperture through which liquid contained in the vessel can pass, a second mesh being provided across the second aperture, the second mesh having a different screen size to the first mesh apertures on the first member; the second member being movable relative to the first member enabling one of the first and second apertures of the second member to be aligned with the apertured area in the first member.

The cover is advantageous because the first mesh and second mesh can prevent foreign objects from entering the drinking vessel and contaminating the drink. The drink can pass through the cover, through the apertures on the first and second members, so that the cover can remain on the drinking vessel whilst the drink is being consumed. A user has the flexibility of adjusting the screen size, through which the drink is passed, to suit the environment and situation of the user. For example, a bigger screen size may be used to prevent foreign objects, such as falling leaves or insects, for example bees and wasps. A smaller screen size may be preferred to prevent smaller foreign objects, such as ants or sand, from entering the vessel. This can be achieved by either aligning the first mesh with the first aperture or with the second aperture incorporating the second mesh. Typically, screen size is defined in terms of the number of openings per inch of mesh, this is sometimes referred to as the Tyler mesh size. The mesh defined in the specification is defined in terms of Tyler mesh size and/or the aperture size, that is, the maximum dimensions of an aperture in the mesh through which an element may pass. The first mesh may be provided by a plurality of apertures in the first member. One of the apertures may be circular and sized so that a straw may pass through and be used whilst the rest of the first mesh can still serve to shield the drink from foreign objects. The first member may be moulded from rubber or plastics, which is durable. The material of the first member may provide flexibility and elasticity to allow the cover to fit securely on various drinking vessels. The first member may have a circular outer wall, in which a skirt may extend downwardly from a lower region of the circular outer wall. The skirt is designed to contact the sides of the drinking vessel, increasing the contact surface between the cover and drinking vessel and helping to secure the cover to the drinking vessel. An inside surface of the circular outer wall may be under cut circumferentially for attachment to the vessel, helping to retain the cover to the drinking vessel.

A substantially flat surface may extend across the first member, the first mesh being provided in the substantially flat surface.

A wall may extend from an underside of the substantially flat surface around at least a part of the periphery of the first mesh. The wall contacts an upper surface of the drinking vessel so that when dispensing the drink from the vessel, liquid is dispensed through the first mesh and is not trapped in the gap between the cover and the upper surface of the drinking vessel.

The wall may be substantially C-shaped and may be arranged with an open side of the C-shaped substantially facing a diameter of the first member. Alternatively, a substantially circular wall may extend from an underside of the substantially flat surface and surround the periphery of the first mesh for providing a seal around the first mesh.

A grip means may be provided on the skirt for assisting in attachment and/or detachment of the cover to the drinking vessel. The grip means may be an apertured tab so that a finger may pass through the aperture when lifting the cover away from the drinking vessel. The second member may be pivotally mounted to the first member so that the second member may be rotatably movable relative to the first member. An axis of rotation may be provided at the centre of the first member. The second member may be circular and substantially aligned with the first member about their common central axis.

An upper surface of the second member may be divided into three discrete areas. The first and second apertures may be provided in respective first and second discrete areas and the third discrete area may be closed. The discrete areas are advantageous because any residual liquid left over on the cover, after dispensing, is contained within the discrete areas, to help to keep the rest of the cover clean. Furthermore, they are shaped to direct liquid back through the first and second apertures of the second member. The discrete areas are also advantageous if the drink is shared by two people, because each person can make use of a different discrete area from which to consume the drink from.

A sealing element may be disposed underneath the substantially flat surface within the substantially circular wall, the sealing element being permanently aligned with the third discrete area. When the third discrete area on the second member is aligned with the apertured area in the first member, the sealing element serves to cover and seal off the apertured area and prevents liquid from exiting the vessel to which the cover is attached.

The closed area may be aligned with the apertured area in the first member to close the cover. This is useful as it prevents spillage, especially when the person holding the drinking vessel is on the move. The closed area is also helpful in keeping the drink from going flat, for example, for carbonated drinks, and prevents contamination.

A periphery of the second member may be provided with grip means for moving the second member relative to the first member. The grip means may include a plurality of ribs.

The second member may be made from rubber or plastics. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a cover;

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view from below of the cover of Figure 1 on a drinking vessel; and

Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view from below of a second embodiment of a cover.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a cover is indicated generally at 10. The cover 10 includes a first member 12 and a second member 14, the second member 14 being pivotally mounted and movable relative to the first member 12.

The first member 12 includes a circular outer wall 16 provided around the periphery of a substantially flat surface 18. The circular outer wall 16 provides a lip or raised circumferential edge 19 around the periphery of the substantially flat surface 18, seen in Figure 2, the purpose of which will be described later. An apertured area 20 is provided in the substantially flat surface 18 through which a liquid contained in a drinking vessel can pass. The apertured area 20 is adjacent the periphery of the substantially flat surface 18 so that when the cover is positioned on a drinking vessel, such as a beverage can, the apertured area 20 can be substantially aligned with an opening of the vessel. The apertured area 20 includes a plurality of apertures, forming a first mesh 22. The first mesh 22 shown in the preferred embodiment in Figure 1 includes a circular aperture 24. The circular aperture 24 is sized and shaped to allow a straw to pass through and be used. The diameter of the circular aperture 24 is in the range of between 5mm to 10mm, preferably between 6mm to 9mm, and more preferably 7mm. Three other apertures are provided around the circular aperture 24, each sized in a range of between 1mm to 10mm in length and width, and preferably between 2mm to 6mm. It will be appreciated that circular aperture 24 may be omitted, and the number of apertures provided by the first mesh 22 may be altered, if desired. The apertures may be similar in size and shape or may be different in size and shape, the largest aperture defining the mesh size.

A circular skirt 26 extends downwardly and outwardly from a lower region of the circular outer wall 16, for engaging with sides of the vessel. Best seen in Figure 2, an inside surface 28 of the circular outer wall 16 is under cut circumferentially for enhancing the cover's 10 grip on a rim 30 of the vessel. In other words, as the circular outer wall 16 depends downwardly, it inwardly reduces in diameter.

As seen in Figure 3, a C-shaped wall 32 extends from an underside 34 of the substantially flat surface 18 around a part of the periphery of the first mesh 22. An open side 36 of the C-shaped wall 32 faces away from the periphery of the substantially flat surface and toward a diameter of the first member 12, marked D. The wall 32 is shaped as such because when consuming the drink, the liquid follows the tilting of the vessel and flows away from the diameter of the first member 12. However, the wall 32 may substantially or completely surround the first mesh 22, if desired.

Referring back to Figure 1, two opposing tabs 38 are provided on the skirt 26 of the first member 12 to form a grip means. An aperture 40 is provided through each tab 38 to allow a finger to pass through when lifting the cover 10 away from the vessel. It will be appreciated that more or less than two tabs 38 may be provided, if desired.

As best seen in Figure 3, a circular aperture 42 is provided centrally through the substantially flat surface 18 for connecting the first member 12 to the second member 14. An axis of rotation is provided at the centre of the first member 12. The second member 14 is similarly shaped to the first member 12 and is substantially aligned with the first member 12. The two members 12, 14 share a common central axis. Referring to Figure 2, a substantially flat under surface 43, extending across the second member 14, may lie over and contact the substantially flat surface 18 of the first member 12. A connecting means 44, having a head portion 46 and a neck portion 48 forming a pivot, is provided on the second member 14, the connecting means 44 extending from a central point of the substantially flat under surface 42. The connecting means 44 is designed so that the neck portion 46 is accommodated through the aperture 42, and the head portion 46 is abutted against the underside 34 of the substantially flat surface 18. The neck portion 46 is shaped so that it can rotate freely within the circular aperture 42. In other words, the second member 14 is rotatably movable relative to the first member 12. The connecting means 44 may be integrally formed with the substantially flat under surface 42, or may be releasably connected so as to allow the first and second members 12, 14 to be detached, for example, for cleaning, when necessary.

The second member 14 has an upper surface 50 and a circular outer wall 52 around the upper surface 50. A circumferential grove 53 is provided around the periphery of the substantially flat under surface 42, and is arranged to locate on and engage with the raised circumferential edge 19 of the first member 12. The upper surface 50 and the circular outer wall 52 on the second member 14 are sized slightly larger than the substantially flat surface 18 and the circular outer wall 16 of the first member 12, so that part of the first member 12 is accommodated into the space defined by the circular outer wall 52. The raised edge 19 serves as a track for guiding the rotational movement of the second member 14 relative to the first member 12.

Referring to Figure 1, the upper surface 50 is curved upwardly toward its periphery. The upper surface 50 is divided into three discrete areas, namely first 54, second 56 and third 58 discrete areas, by a plurality of dividing walls 59. Each dividing wall 59 extends inwardly from the periphery of the upper surface 50 toward a central point 60 of the upper surface 50. Furthermore, each side of each dividing wall 59 is sloped such that an apex 61 is formed at a top of each dividing wall 59. The three sides of each of the first and second discrete areas 54, 56 are curved so as to direct any residual liquid back towards a centre of each discrete area. The third discrete area 58 is similarly shaped to the first and second discrete areas 54, 56. It will be appreciated that more or less discrete areas may be provided, if desired. A first aperture 62 and a second aperture 63 are provided in the first discrete area 54 and the second discrete area 56 respectively. The apertures 62, 63 are sized such that when they are aligned with the apertured area 20 on the first member 12, the first mesh 22 is exposed so as to allow liquid in the vessel to pass through. A second mesh 64 is provided across the second aperture 63. The second mesh is designed to have a different screen size to the first mesh 22 on the first member 12. The second mesh 64 in the preferred embodiment has a smaller screen size to the first mesh 22, and when the two meshes 22, 64 are aligned, liquid from the vessel can pass through the both meshes 22, 64. The square mesh aperture of the second mesh 62 measures in a range of between 0.050mm to 1.000mm, preferably between 0.075mm to 0.710mm, more preferably between 0.100mm to 0.500mm. In other words, the second mesh 64 has a Tyler mesh size of between 270 and 16, preferably between 200 and 24, more preferably between 150 and 32, Tyler mesh size being the number of openings per inch of the second mesh 64.

The third discrete area 58 is closed so that when it is aligned with the first mesh 22 on the first member 12 the cover 10 is closed and liquid cannot pass through the cover. 10. Optionally, a different arrangement may be provided on the underside 34 of the substantially flat surface 18 of the first member 12, as seen in a second embodiment of a cover 11 shown in Figure 4. The same reference numerals are used for the second embodiment to indicate parts in common with the first embodiment. A circular wall 65 is provided on the first member 12, extending perpendicularly and outwardly from the underside 34 of the substantially flat surface 18 and concentric with the pivot. The circular wall 65 is sized, shaped and positioned on the underside 34 so that when the cover is fitted onto the drinking vessel, such as a beverage can, the circular wall 65 abuts on a surface within the rim 30 of the can to provide a seal thereon. The first mesh 22 is within the circular wall 65, and in use, the circular wall 65 also encircles an opening of the can. The circular wall is between 5mm and 15mm in height, preferably 8mm and 13mm in height, more preferably 10mm in height.

A raised area 65a is provided along a length of a distal end of the circular wall 65, closely aligned with the first mesh 22, in order to reinforce the seal adjacent the opening of the can.

A sealing element 58a is disposed underneath the substantially flat surface 18 within the circular wall 65. The sealing element 58a is attached to the pivot 48 (shown in phantom) and is permanently aligned with the third discrete area 58, which is closed. The sealing element 58a is sized and shaped so that its distal end abuts a base of the circular wall 65, and is able to completely cover and seal off the apertured area 20 in the first member 12 when aligned therewith. The sealing element 58a serves to seal the underside of the cover 10.

The circular outer wall 52 of the second member 14 is provided with a plurality of grip means 66 for moving the second member 14 relative to the first member 12, each grip means 66 having three ribs 68. The preferred embodiment has three grip means 66 disposed around the circular outer wall 64 of the second member 14, the grip means 66 being equispaced, or 120° apart, from each other. The ribs 68 extend the length of the circular outer wall 64 and perpendicularly from the upper surface 50 of the second member. The ribs 68 in the preferred embodiment extend to the skirt 26 of the first member 12 but it will be appreciated that they may be shorter, if desired. It will be appreciated that more or less grip means 66 and/or ribs 68 may be provided, if desired.

The first member 12 is moulded from rubber or plastics, the first mesh 22 being integrally formed with the first member 12. The second member 14 can be similarly moulded from rubber or plastics, however the second mesh 64 may be made of metal, such as stainless steel metal, and be attached to the substantially flat under surface 43. Alternatively, the second mesh 64 may be integrally formed with the second member 14. In use, a cover 10 can be secured to a top of an opened drinking vessel, such as a beverage can, by simply push fitting the cover 10 onto the beverage can, or by utilising the tabs 38 on a skirt 26 of a first member 12. The cover 10 should be positioned so that when attached to the vessel, the first mesh 22 on the first member 12 is aligned to the opening of the vessel. A rim 30 of the vessel engages in the undercut of the first member 12. To consume or dispense liquid from the vessel, the second member 14 can be rotated, using the grip means 66, so that a first aperture 60 or a second mesh 64 is aligned with the first mesh 22. Liquid can then pass through both members 12, 14. When dispensing of the liquid is not required, or when a user wishes to close the vessel, the second member 14 can be rotated so that a third discrete area 58 is aligned with the first mesh 22. To remove the cover 10 from the vessel, the tab 38 may be used or the cover 10 may simply be lifted.

The cover is beneficial because it prevents foreign objects from entering an opened drinking vessel. Liquid from the vessel can be consumed whilst the cover is attached to the vessel, making the cover convenient and unintrusive to use. The cover offers different settings to afford a user the flexibility of utilising different screen sizes to suit the environment and situation. The cover can also close the vessel in order to avoid spillage and to help keep the drink from going flat, for example, for carbonated drinks. Closing the vessel also prevents contamination. The cover is quick and convenient to put on and take off. The elasticity of the skirt and the undercut on the inside surface of the circular wall on the first member allow the cover to be attached to the vessel securely, and to stay on even if the vessel is knocked over unintentionally.