HYGIENIC KIT FOR A CAN DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a hygienic kit applicable to a can that enables a user to drink in a hygienic way from the can.

Description of the prior art

Protective tapes are known, commonly of adhesive type, applied to a can, that enables a user to drink in a hygienic way without contact with the metal surface of the can, on which dirt and bacteria can deposit.

Some examples of hygienic tapes are described in FR2851986, GB2294445, US4927048 and US6290084.

The above described tapes are however already pre- applied to the can and comprise a plastic protection film which is adapted to be removed at the time of using the can, for keeping the surface -of the tape that contacts the mouth protected.

It is however felt the need that enables a user to drink in a hygienic way for any can existing on the market, most of which do not provide the above described protective tapes.

Summary of the invention

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a hygienic kit for a can to apply when needed for avoiding a contact of the metal surface of the can by the user.

Is another feature of the present invention to provide a hygienic kit for a can that can be used in a disposable way that is suitable for at any kind of can.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a hygienic kit for a can that is structurally easy and not expensive to make.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a hygienic kit that enables a user to drink safely from a can, said can comprising:

- an upper wall with an aperture, which can be opened for drinking a beverage contained in said can;

- a side wall, and

- a bottom wall opposite to said upper wall, said hygienic kit comprising:

a package and a hygienic plaster associated with said package, said hygienic plaster comprising a first side and a second side opposite to each other and a hole,

wherein said first side has an adhesive layer configured for the application of said plaster to said can bridging said side wall and said upper wall of said can, in order to fit said hole with said aperture,

and wherein said second side is a hygienic side that is configured to contact the mouth of said user for drinking said beverage in a hygienic way.

In particular, the hole of the plaster has shape and size configured to cover the edges of the aperture of the upper wall of the can.

This way, the hygienic plaster, once applied to the can, avoids a direct contact of the user's lips with the upper metal wall of the can and enables drinking the beverage resting the user' s lips on the second side of the plaster, which coats the surface of the can, which could be dirty and anti-hygienic owing to powder or bacteria.

Such plaster can be, advantageously, commercialized in said package that is easily portable by a user and contains at least one plaster which can be fixed each in a disposable way to a can when needed. The package can contain more plasters, so that they can be carried in a practical and not much cumbersome way.

Advantageously, said plaster comprises a central folding line that defines a first and a second plaster portions, said folding line configured to fit in use a boundary edge of said can that divides said upper wall from said side wall, in order to work as reference line for locating said plaster on said can, in order to assist positioning the hole of the plaster to coincide with the aperture of the can.

Advantageously, said folding line makes it possible, furthermore, to fold book-like said first and second plaster portions onto each other, so that they can move from a folded configuration, where the first and second plaster portions are folded onto each other, to an use configuration, where the first and second plaster portions are diverging to make it possible an application on the can .

In particular, each plaster in a plane development is symmetrical with respect to a central axis and comprises a first and a second bay configured to be positioned in use at the boundary edge of said can. This way, the first and second bays allow a better grip to the plaster that extends from the side wall of the can and bridges the boundary edge to adhere then to the upper wall of the can.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, said hole of said hygienic plaster can be a open hole and has the first portion diverging into two side flaps extending about said hole.

Advantageously, each of said side flaps may have a non-adhesive part out of a predetermined line, so that said non-adhesive part remains in use slightly raised with respect to the resting first portion and assists to contain the liquid when drinking from the can. In an embodiment of the invention, said central portion of said plaster may have a portion which is adapted to extend above said lever of said can, increasing the area of protection.

Advantageously, said first portion can have a ridge portion, which assists containing the liquid. In particular, each ridge portion, beyond a ridge line, may have a portion oriented towards the non-adhesive surface of the can, like a non-adhesive flap, avoiding that the ridge line is easily overflown by the liquid and in any case blocking a possible backward movement of polluted droplets that may have overflown.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, said plaster has a waterproof and hygienized plastic film for supporting the user' s lips comprising a flexible adhesive layer for matching and adhering . steadily to the can body, and equipped with a non-adhesive film, i.e. without adhesive, for example silicone paper, split into two parts to assist the uncover of the adhesive at the use of the plaster.

Advantageously, the hygienic plaster has a flap, without adhesive layer on the face in contact on said can, to assist the application and the removal of said plaster from said can.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the hole of the plaster can be obtained removing a portion from a tear-off line.

Advantageously, said removable portion may have a face in contact on said can by a adhesive layer, and is configured to adhere to the stay-on-tab of the can that remains integral to the lever when opening the can.

Advantageously, said removable portion can be obtained by a cutting line that divides said plaster into two asymmetric portions, wherein said removable portion is integral to a main portion by a neckline, which can have a tear-off line as short as possible, whereas said main portion has an edge that fits the edge of the hole of the can so that, when applying said plaster, it is possible to keep raised said main portion and cause the other portion to follow the edge of said hole, and said main portion then caused to adhere both said upper face of said can and said stay-on-tab.

Advantageously, said plaster can have at least one portion added with a flavour, and, in particular, flavours can be added like lemon, fruit in general, cola, etc., to add new sensations when drinking the beverage.

In particular, a small sealed pocket can be present in said plaster containing a flavour like a scent or a taste, which can be experienced when said beverage, so that, when drinking, said pocket can be perforated for causing said flavour to come out, or, when contacting with the humidity of said beverage or with the user's lips, said flavour can be freed automatically.

Advantageously, said hygienic plasters are made of a flexible plastic film to adapt to the shape of the can.

In particular, on said second side of each plaster a protection film can be provided which is adapted to be removed at the use, in order to protect said second side during operations of applying the plaster on the can.

In a first exemplary embodiment, each hygienic plaster comprises a connection portion integral to said package through a weakened portion, - to allow quick separation of said hygienic plaster from said' connection portion. Preferably, said weakened portion comprise a tear-off line for quick tearing away the plaster from the connection portion .

In particular, said package is contained in a wrapper comprising a first and a second wing folded book-like and arranged to contain hygienically said plurality of hygienic plasters .

In a second exemplary embodiment, said package is a sealed envelope, which has weakened tear-off portions to open the envelope and make it possible an extraction of the plaster for application to the can. This way, the hygienic plaster in addition to the wrapper comprises a further protection given by the envelope. The single sealed envelope can in turn be contained, along with other envelopes, in a small box or in a package of other form.

In a further exemplary embodiment said package can be a continuous support, for example a web, in particular of silicone paper on which the plasters are applied and die- cut, from which the matrix waste has been already removed, or distinct from each other by tear-off lines or die-cuts for separating easily one at a time from the tape and applying it to the can.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is more clearly illustrated with the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, exemplifying and not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Figs. 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a step of application of a hygienic plaster on a can through adhesive means, in order to cause a hole obtained on the hygienic portion to coincide with the aperture when opening the can;

- Figs. 3 and 3A show a diagrammatical view of a sealed envelope containing a hygienic plaster, like that of Figs. 1 and 2, which provides a tear-off line for the opening it by tearing away a wing;

- Fig. 3B shows in a detailed way a hygienic plaster extracted from a sealed envelope of Fig. 3 and 3A; - Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the use of the plaster stuck to the can, arranged to protect the mouth of the user from the contact with the metal surface of the can;

- Figs. 5 and 5A show respectively a top plan view and a further perspective view of a possible exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster; Fig. 5, in particular highlights the presence of a folding line adapted to assist the grip on the side upper wall of the can and Fig. 5A shows folding the hygienic plaster along the folding line;

- Fig. 6 shows a perspective elevational side view of arranging the folding line of Figs. 5 and 5A such that the plaster bridges a boundary edge of the can;

- Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster comprising a removable protection film mounted to the hygienic side of the plaster;

Fig. 8A shows a top plan view of a possible exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster with side flaps without adhesive layer;

- Figs. 8B shows a side view of another possible exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster with central flap without adhesive layer;

- Figs. 9A shows a top plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster of Figs. 8A and 8B, with raised side flaps;

- Figs . 9A shows a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster of Fig. 9A with a portion which covers the stay-on-tab of the can;

- Figs. 10A and 10B show, respectively a top plan view and side view of a further exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster, with a central portion which covers the stay-on-tab of the can;

- Fig. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the hygienic plaster, and of the different layers thereof;

- Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a hygienic kit, according to the invention, that enables a user to drink in hygienic conditions a beverage from a can, comprising a wrapper arranged to contain a plurality of hygienic plasters which can be applied to the can;

- Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the wrapper alternative to that of Fig. 12, which has box-like shape and comprises a plurality of sealed envelopes containing a hygienic plaster;

- Figs. 14 and 15 show two further possible exemplary embodiments of a packaging for a hygienic kit to contain hygienic plasters, respectively with packaging of the case type or of the web type.

Description of a preferred exemplary embodiment

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, a hygienic kit 100 (Fig. 3) is shown which can be applied to a can, to enable a user 150 (Fig. 4) to rest the lips in a hygienic way without contacting the can surface.

A can 50, as well known and as shown in Fig. 1, comprises substantially an upper wall 51 on which an aperture is present 52 for drinking a beverage contained in it, a side wall 53, and a bottom wall 55 opposite to upper wall 51.

The hygienic kit 100 (Fig. 3) comprises a wrapper 10 arranged to contain at least one hygienic plaster 20. The plaster 20, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a first side 20a and a second side 20b opposite to each other, and a hole 23. First side 20a has an adhesive layer for applying the plaster to the can bridging the side wall 53 and the upper wall 51 of can 50 (Fig. 1), in order to fit hole 23 with the aperture 52 of the can.

Second side 20b is a clean hygienic side, that is configured to contact the mouth of the user 150 (Fig. 5), for drinking the beverage contained in the can in a hygienic way. To this end, hygienic plaster 20 enables the user 150 not to contact directly upper metal wall 51 of can 50, which as well known could have been exposed to powder, pollutants or bacteria present in the environment and then dirty and anti-hygienic.

As shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 5A, in a possible and advantageous exemplary embodiment, each plaster 20 can comprise a central folding line 25 which defines a first plaster portion 22 and a second plaster portion 24. In particular, first portion 22 is adapted to be applied to the upper, wall 51 of the can (Fig. 2, Fig. 6) whereas second portion 22 is adapted to be applied to the side wall 53.

Folding line 25 is therefore configured to fit in use a boundary edge 54 of can 50 that divides upper wall 51 from side wall 53, in order to work as reference line for locating plaster 20 on can 50 and, in order to cause, with an easy manoeuvre, hole 23 of plaster 20 to coincide with aperture 52 of can 50.

In fact, when the plaster 20 is positioned on the can, it is sufficient to firstly refer the line of edge 54 of the can and folding line 25, and then arrange the plaster with hole 23 on aperture 52 of can 50. In particular, it is enough firstly to position the plaster along line 54, testing that hole 23 and aperture 52 are substantially aligned. If this alignment is true, then portions 22 and 24 can be stuck against respective walls 51 and 53. Instead, if this alignment does not occur at a first attempt, it is not necessary to remove all plaster 20, but simply to remove folding line 25 from side 54, and to reposition it, thus avoiding to spoil the adhesive surface .

In addition, as shown in Fig. 5A, folding line 25 allows to fold the first portion 22 and second portion 24 of plaster book-like onto each other, so that they can move from a folded configuration A (Fig. 3B) , where first portion 22 and second portion 24 of the plaster are folded onto each other, to a use configuration B (Fig. 5), where the first portion 22 and second portion 24 of plaster are separated to make it possible an application on can 50.

More in particular, each plaster 20, with reference to Fig. 5, in a development plane is symmetrical with respect to a central axis and comprises two recesses 13 configured to be positioned in use at the boundary edge 54 of can 50. This way, recesses 13 allow a better grip of plaster 20 that extends from side wall 53 of can 50 and bridges the boundary edge 54 to adhere then on the upper wall 51.

In the possible exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7, on second side 20b of each plaster 20, a protection film can be provided 32 arranged to be removed at the use, after the application of the plaster to the can, in order to protect second side 20b during the step of applying the plaster on can 50. This way, the protection film on the second hygienic side 20b of the plaster ensures a sterility even if the plaster is extracted from the envelope and applied to can 50 in a second moment or after contacting dirty fingers or hands.

In the possible exemplary embodiment of Fig. 8A, a hygienic plaster 20 has a diverging upper portion 22 into two side flaps 22', each of which has a non-adhesive part 22b, external to a line 22a.

This way, part 22b remains slightly raised with respect to the central portion 22, allowing that the liquid slides towards the mouth of the user, preventing it from sliding laterally towards zones not hygienically protected of the can. Furthermore, possible droplets of liquid that could pass beyond, or behind, part 22b during the inclination of the can and contact the not hygienically protected surface 51 of the can, could not easily return back to contact the user's lips.

In a further possible exemplary embodiment of Fig. 8B, hygienic plaster 20 has a flap 28 without adhesive layer on the face in contact with the can, to assist the application of the plaster to the can and its removal from the can. The removal, in particular to assist a separate waste collection that requires the separation of aluminium from plastic material or other material of which the plaster is made.

In another possible exemplary embodiment of Fig. 9A, the central portion 22 has two side ribs 27 symmetrical with respect to hole 23, and have a protruding portion 27a, which allows containing the liquid, with a function similar to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 8A with flaps that move up. In particular, the side flaps 27', beyond the protruding lines 27a, may have a non-adhesive face oriented towards surface 51 of the can, like flaps 22b of Fig. 8A, avoiding that it is easily overflown by the liquid, avoiding a possible backward movement of any droplets that have overflown.

In the possible exemplary embodiment of Fig. 9B, a portion 127 can be provided extending on lever 55 of can 50, up to cover at least half of the lever or more, increasing the surface of protection, and avoiding the contact of the user's lips with the lever. Such central portion 127 can be non-adhesive, in order to adapt easily to the protruding part of the lever 55.

With reference to Figs. 10A and 10B, hole 23 of plaster 20 can be obtained removing a portion 23a by a tear-off line 23b. More precisely, portion 23a has the face in contact with the can comprising a adhesive layer, that can adhere to the stay-on-tab 55a that remains integral to the lever 55 when opening the can. In fact, in most cans on the market, the tab 55a is of stay-on type and enters the can and could contact the liquid, transferring possible dirt to it. This way, the portion 23a of plaster 20 is detached from the latter and remains stuck to tab 55a, covering it with a clean surface when entering the can.

Advantageously, portion 23a is obtained by a cutting line that divides plaster 20 into two asymmetrical flaps 122 and 123. Portion 23a is integral to flap 123 by a neckline 123a that has a tear-off line as short as possible, whereas portion 122 has an edge that fits the edge of the aperture 52 of the can. This way, when applying the plaster, it is possible to keep portion 123 raised and to cause portion 122 to follow the edge of the aperture 52. Then, portion 123 is caused to adhere both to face 51 of the can and to portion 55a.

Structurally, as shown in Fig. 11, the hygienic plaster 20 has a waterproof and hygienized plastic film 29 for supporting the user' s lips and a flexible adhesive layer 30 for matching and adhering steadily to the can body. The adhesive layer 30 can have a non adhesive portion 33, i.e. without adhesive, for example silicone paper, for example split into two parts to assist the uncover of the adhesive at the use of the plaster.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, plaster 20 has at least one portion treated with a flavour, for example with technologies like microencapsulation. For example flavours can be added like lemon, fruit in general, cola, etc., in order to add new sensations when drinking the beverage. In a particular embodiment, a sealed small pocket can be present in the plaster, not shown, with a flavouring substance inside that can give scents or tastes, which can be experienced when drinking the beverage. Just before drinking, the pocket can be perforated for causing the substance to come out, or, when contacting with the humidity of the beverage or with the user's lips, the substance can be freed automatically .

In a possible exemplary embodiment of the package, as shown in Fig. 12, a packaging 200 can be provided, in which each hygienic plaster 20 can comprise a connection portion 21 integral to a wrapper 10, through a weakened portion 26, to allow quick tearing of hygienic plaster 20 with respect to connection portion 21. Preferably, the weakened portion comprises a tear-off line 26 for quick tearing away plaster 20 with respect to the connection portion 21.

In particular, the wrapper 10 in the above described exemplary embodiment comprises a first wing 11 and a second wing 12 folded book-like and arranged to contain and preserve hygienically the plurality of hygienic plasters 20.

In a second exemplary embodiment a packaging 200 is provided, as shown in Fig. 13, where each hygienic plaster 20 forms a package 100 as an envelope 10a, each having, as already shown in Fig. 3 and 3A, a weakened portion 26 like a tear-off line such that a wing 10b is torn and the envelope 10a can be opened to make it possible extraction of the plaster and its application to a can 50. In this case, the packaging 200 has box-like shape and is adapted to contain a plurality of sealed envelopes 10a.

With reference to Figs. 14, 15 another packaging 200 is finally shown, alternative to those of Fig. 12 and 13.

In particular, in Fig. 14 the packaging 200. has a shape like a case or wallet, the hygienic plasters 20 are contained in a predetermined number on supports or loose envelopes 10.

Finally, in the further exemplary embodiment of Fig. 15, the plasters 20 are arranged integral to a same support 120 and separate from each other by tear-off lines or die-cuts 121. More in detail, the support 120 can be made of flexible material, in order to be wound about a core 125, from which it is unwound when needed.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.