Beverage can marketing device with removable center cover

Abstract

A device that secures to a beverage can top includes a rim section that includes an inner edge that resides adjacent to the central panel of the can top. A central cover is secured to the can top at the inner edge of the rim section. The central cover extends over the top of a central panel of the can top and covers a tab and openable section of the can top. The central cover is removable from the rim section at a releasable boundary defined at the inner edge of the rim section. The underside of the central cover supports under-the-cover promotions that are not visible until removal of the central cover when the can is opened. When scannable codes are used, a computerized device can provide the GPS location of where the scan occurred to track GPS location of beverage can consumption by consumers and social media engagement.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a branding and marketing device that secures to a beverage can top. The device includes a removable central cover or dome that peals away from a rim section. The rim section can remain in place to cover and eliminate the countersink grove found on beverage can tops, while providing continuation branding as the user drinks from the can. The removable central cover can provide under-the-cap like promotions to consumers and can enable a mobile app to scan a code on the underside of the central cover (not visible until the cover is removed) to allow real-time geo-location specific contests, promotions, giveaways and tracking of precisely where the beverage can is opened for consumption.BACKGROUND[0002]Conventional beverage cans such as aluminum, tin or steel cans are commonly used to package and contain a variety of carbonated, noncarbonated, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic liquid beverages. Examples of beverages or other consu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new technology for reducing debris on beverage cans and can tops. The technology aims to improve the design of conventional beverage cans, can tops, and methods of manufacture and use. The patent describes various methods and apparatus to prevent the collection, trap, and growth of debris on the outer surfaces of the can top, rim, and upper can housing area. The technology also includes methods for reducing health risks, cleanliness, and sanitary issues associated with conventional beverage cans. Additionally, the patent describes how the technology can be used to provide branding content and coupons on the can tops, as well as track the location where the can is opened. The patent also describes how the technology can be used to secure the can top to the can housing using a tab connecting mechanism or a rim section that snaps onto the can top. Overall, the technology described in the patent aims to improve the design of beverage cans and can tops to reduce debris and improve safety, cleanliness, and sanitary concerns.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional beverage can and beverage can top configurations such as those described above suffer from a variety of deficiencies.

In particular, conventional beverage cans and beverage can tops such as the can 100 and can top 120 as shown in FIG. 1 are subject to contamination issues on their outer surfaces.

Exterior surfaces of conventional cans and can tops often become “dirty” or unsanitary from exposure to various environmental contaminants shortly after the canning process is complete.

Additionally, liquid consumed either directly or indirectly from conventional beverage cans may become contaminated from debris or bacteria on the can tops due to the design of conventional beverage cans and can top or lids.

In particular, after the can top and body manufacturing and / or canning process is complete, a conventional can and can top are often exposed to a variety of unsanitary environments.

Such unsanitary environments may exist during the conventional processes of can and / or can top manufacturing, filling (canning or bottling) / seaming, packaging and shipping, and while awaiting purchase by the consuming public (e.g., while sitting on supermarket shelves and / or in refrigerators or vending machines), and after purchase but before opening of a conventional can.

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