Can lid and method of operation

Abstract

A can lid having a body which is adapted to engage a lip of a can. The can lid further includes a stopper which is moveably engaged with the body. The can lid even further includes an engagement mechanism which is moveably engaged with the body and the stopper. The engagement mechanism is configured to move the stopper between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process. When the stopper is in the unlocked position, an aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with an opening defined by the can. When the stopper is in a locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening defined by the can.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure is directed to can lid. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to a can lid that allows for selective access to contents held within a can.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Many people drink a variety of beverages daily and many of those people drink beverages from a can such as an aluminum can that contains soda, juice or any number of other beverage options. Although these aluminum cans are convenient and widely used, one major drawback is the inability to close the can once it has been opened. The constant openness of the can allows for numerous spills especially with children.

[0003] While there are options to prevent spilling the contents from the can, such as pouring the contents into another container that is spill-proof, such as a non-spill vessel or sippy cup, these options have drawbacks. Generally, sippy cups are helpful during the transition for a child from a bottle to a regular cup, but sippy cups may cause overreliance and carry the concern or dental concerns that may arise from prolonged use of cups that encourage sucking.

[0004] Nevertheless, parent struggle with converting their children from the standard bottle or sippy cups as children have low motor function and many spills may occur. Therefore, it would be helpful to have an object that may allow for a child to utilize a standard can to help develop their motor skills while reducing the risk of spills.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus, device or article or manufacturing that attaches to a can and selectively allows for access to the contents held within the can. The present disclosure addresses this need by providing a can lid that includes an engagement mechanism with a two-step activation to allow the contents within the can to freely flow through an aperture defined by the can lid. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a can lid that requires a two-step activation to contents held within the can to freely flow through the can lid.

[0006] In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a can lid including a body adapted to engage a lip of a can; a stopper moveably engaged with the body; an engagement mechanism moveably engaged with the body and the stopper and configured to move the stopper between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process; wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, an aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with an opening defined by the can; and wherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening defined by the can.

[0007] In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein when the stopper transitions from the unlocked position to the locked position, a first component of the engagement mechanism is moved in a first direction relative to the body in a first step of the two-step process. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein when the stopper transitions from the unlocked position to the locked position, the first component of the engagement mechanism and a second component of the engagement mechanism are moved, collectively, in a second direction relative to the body in a second step of the two-step process; wherein the second step occurs after the first step. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the body further includes an outer ring adapted to circumvent an upper lip of a can. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the outer ring; and wherein the at least one protrusion is adapted to secure the can lid to the can. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the body further includes an interior assembly configured to engage with the stopper. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a housing configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement mechanism. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the stopper further includes a plate and a cap integrally engaged with one another; wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, the aperture is free from the cap; and wherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture is blocked by the cap. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the first component moveably engages with the body, the second component, and the first component and the second component are each biased in respective axes. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a first spring configured to biases the first component away from the body along a first axis. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a second spring configured to biases the second component away from the body along a second axis. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the stopper defines a slot; and wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a pin. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein the pin slides along the slot when the stopper moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0008] In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide A method of operating a can lid, including engaging a body of the can lid with an upper lip of a can; aligning an aperture defined by the body with an opening defined in the can; actuating a stopper of the can lid, by an engagement mechanism of the can lid, between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process; wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, the aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the can; and wherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening by the engagement mechanism.

[0009] In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein step of actuating the stopper of the can lid between the locked position and the unlocked position in the two-step process further includes actuating a button slider of the engagement mechanism to a first activation position in a first step of the two-step process; and actuating a cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism, collectively, to a second activation position in a second step of the two-step process. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein actuating the button slider of the engagement mechanism to the first activation position further includes freeing a tab of the engagement mechanism from engagement with a housing of the can lid; and sliding the engagement mechanism into an inner cavity defined by the housing. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide pressing downwardly on the button slider; and simultaneously compressing a first spring. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein actuating the cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism, collectively, to the second activation position, further includes sliding the engagement mechanism further into the inner cavity defined by the housing. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide pressing inwardly on the button slider; and simultaneously compressing a second spring. In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide wherein when the cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism is actuated to the second activation position, the method further includes freeing the aperture from being blocked by the stopper.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] One or more exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example configurations and methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front, top, left side isometric view of a can lid installed on a can in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front, top, left side isometric view of the can lid as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear, bottom, left side isometric view of the can lid.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the can lid.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the can lid.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the can lid.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the can lid.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the can lid.

[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the can lid.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the can lid taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 7, wherein an engagement mechanism is in a locked position.

[0021] FIG. 11A is a front, top, left side isometric view of a stopper and an engagement mechanism of the can lid.

[0022] FIG. 11B is a top plan view of the stopper and the engagement mechanism of the can lid as shown in FIG. 11A.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the can lid as shown in FIG. 10, wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in a first activation position.

[0024] FIG. 13A is a front, top, left side isometric view of the stopper and the engagement mechanism of the can lid wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in the first activation position.

[0025] FIG. 13B is a top plan view of the stopper and the engagement mechanism of the can lid wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in the first activation position.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the can lid with the body and the engagement mechanism shown in dotted lines wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in the first activation position.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the can lid as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in a second activation position or an unlocked position.

[0028] FIG. 16A is a front, top, left side isometric view of the stopper and the engagement mechanism of the can lid wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in the second activation position.

[0029] FIG. 16B is a top plan view of the stopper and the engagement mechanism of the can lid wherein the engagement mechanism is shown in the second activation position.

[0030] FIG. 17 is top plan view of the can lid with the body and the engagement mechanism shown in dotted lines where engagement mechanism is shown in the second activation position and the stopper is in the unlocked position.

[0031] FIG. 18 is an operational view of the can lid installed on the can and being held by a user, wherein the engagement mechanism is in the locked position.

[0032] FIG. 19 is an operational view of the can lid continuing from FIG. 18, wherein the user is actuating the engagement mechanism from the locked position to the first activation position.

[0033] FIG. 20 is an operational view of the can lid continuing from FIG. 19, wherein the user is actuating the engagement mechanism from the first activation position to the second activation position.

[0034] FIG. 21 is a flow chart depicting a method of operating the can lid.

[0035] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a can “C” on which a can lid in accordance with the present disclosure has been placed, generally indicated at 10. Referring now to FIG. 2, can lid 10 includes a front 10A and a back 10B opposite one another and defining the frontmost and backmost limits of can lid 10. Can lid 10 further includes a top 10C defining the uppermost limit of can lid 10 and a bottom 10D defining the lowermost limit of can lid 10. Can lid 10 generally a cylindrical region 10E which is complementary in size to the can “C”. Can lid 10 includes a protruding region 10F extending outwardly from the cylindrical region 10E. Protruding region 10F is generally external to a circumferential limit defined by an exterior “CE” of can “C”.

[0037] Can lid 10 generally includes a body 12 adapted to removably engage to the can “C”. Can lid 10 also generally includes a stopper 14 and an engagement mechanism 16 operably engaged with the body 12 to allow for selective access to contents held within can “C”; such selective access provided by stopper 14 and the engagement mechanism 16 are discussed in greater detail below.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 10, body 12 generally includes an outer ring 18 adapted to circumvent an upper lip (not shown) of a can “C”, an interior assembly 20 configured to engage with the stopper 14 which together form the cylindrical region 10E, and a housing 22 which forms the protrusion region 10F configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement mechanism 16.

[0039] In FIGS. 2-3, outer ring 18 includes an outer surface 18A and an inner surface 18B opposite one another. Outer ring 18 further includes a top 18C and a bottom 18D opposite one another. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, inner surface 18B is interrupted by a ledge 18E extending from inner surface 18B to a side 20A of interior assembly 20. Inner surface 18B further includes at least one protrusion 24 extending outwardly from the inner surface 18B proximate the bottom 18D. The at least one protrusion 24 is adapted to engage an upper rib or lip of the can “C” and thereby secure the can lid 10 thereto.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 7-10, interior assembly 20 includes a cover 20B and the side 20A extending perpendicularly outwardly from cover 20B. Side 20A of interior assembly 20 is interrupted by and integrally engaged with ledge 18E of outer ring 18.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 7, and 9-10, interior assembly 20 defines an aperture 26 extending through cover 20B of interior assembly 20, where the aperture 26 is of a size and shape to be complementary to an opening (not shown) of the can “C”.

[0042] Interior assembly 20 further defines a passage 28 (FIGS. 9-10) extending through cover 20B of interior assembly 20. Passage 28 is configured to receive at least a portion of a rivet 30 which will be discussed later herein.

[0043] Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 8, cover 20B further defines a plurality of ridges 32 (FIG. 8) extending outwardly from a lower surface 20B′ of cover 20B. The plurality of ridges 32 is complementary to the stopper 14 and prevents the stopper 14 from over rotating during the operation of can lid 10.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 8-9, can lid 10 further includes a gasket 34 disposed between outer ring 18 and interior assembly 20 of body 12. Gasket 34 is adapted to engaged with the upper lip (not shown) of the can “C” to prevent rotation of the can lid 10 around the can “C”. Gasket 34 may also be adapted to seal the can lid 10 with the lip of the can “C” to prevent fluid from exiting from outside of the aperture 26 defined in the cover 20B.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, body 12 includes a shelf 36 extending outwardly from a wall 38 of housing 22. Shelf 36 is configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement mechanism 16 and will be discussed more fully herein regarding the method of operating can lid 10.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-10, housing 22 extends outwardly from the outer surface 18A of outer ring 18. Housing 22 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a front 22A which defines the outermost limit of housing 22 and a back 22B which is integrally engaged with the outer surface 18A of outer ring 18. Housing 22 includes a top 22C and a bottom 22D opposite one another. Housing 22 further includes a left side 22E and a right side 22F opposite one another. Referring now to FIG. 10, housing 22 includes a wall 38 extending upwardly from bottom 20D for a distance and between left side 20E and right side 20F.

[0047] Referring still to FIG. 10, shelf 36, a top (not number) of wall 38 define a chamber 40. Chamber 40 further extending through the outer ring 18 of body 12. Chamber 40 is configured to receive the portion of the engagement mechanism 16 and will be discussed more fully herein. Housing 22 further defines an inner cavity 42 (FIG. 10) configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement mechanism 16.

[0048] It will be understood that although not pictured herein, housing 22 may further include a plurality of wall, ledges and recesses to facilitate the engagement with the portion of the engagement mechanism 16.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 11A, stopper 14 generally includes a plate 44 and a cap 46 integrally engaged with one another. Plate 44 is generally a semi-circular disk. Plate 44 defines a slot 48 at a first end 44A of plate 44 that extends partway through the plate 44 and is configured to engage a portion of the engagement mechanism 16, which is discussed in greater detail below. Slot 48 includes a first end 48A and a second end 48B opposite one another. Cap 46 extends upwardly from plate 44 at a second end 44B of plate 44 opposite to the first end 44A; as such, the cap 46 and the slot 48 oppose one another relative to the plate 44. In the present disclosure, cap 46 defines a width that is greater than a width of the aperture 26 defined by the body 12 to prevent fluid or liquid from passing through the aperture 26 when the can lid 10 is sealed. In other exemplary embodiments cap 46 may be a size and / or shape equal or similar to the aperture 26 defined by the body 12 to prevent fluid or liquid from passing through the aperture 26 when the can lid 10 is sealed. Stopper 14 further defines a passage 50 (FIG. 9) extending therethrough that is configured to receive the rivet 30 so that the stopper 14 is rotatable engaged with the rivet 30 inside of passage 50.

[0050] In the present disclosure, stopper 14 is movable between a first or a locked position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-8, 10, and 11A-14, and a second or unlocked position, as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17. More particularly, stopper 14 is rotatably moveable between the first or locked position, as illustrated in FIGS. FIGS. 2-8, 10, and 11A-14, and the second or unlocked position, as illustrated in FIGS. 15-17.

[0051] Body 12 and stopper 14 are operably engaged with one another where passage 28 of the body 12 is above and substantially aligned with passage 50 of the stopper 14. Such alignment between the passage 28 of the body 12 and the passage 50 of the stopper 14 allows the rivet 30 to extend through passages 28, 50 to secure body 12 atop stopper 14. It should be noted that stopper 14 is rotatably engaged with the rivet 30 so that the stopper 14 is free to rotate between the unlocked position and the locked position when actuated by a user; such actions of actuations by a user are discussed in greater detail below. When stopper 14 is in the locked position, cap 46 is substantially aligned with and positioned below the aperture 26 of body 12 (see FIG. 14). When stopper 14 is in the unlocked position, cap 46 is positioned away and / or is remote from the aperture 26 of body 12 to which the aperture 26 is in fluid communication with the opening (not shown) of the can “C” (see FIG. 17).

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-15B, engagement mechanism 16 generally includes a first component or cap button 52 that moveably engages with the body 12 (FIG. 9), and a second component or a button slider 56 that moveably engages with the cap button 52 (FIG. 9). Additionally, the cap button 52 and the button slider 56 are each biased in respective axes. As best seen in FIG. 10, a first or horizontal spring 54 biases the cap button 52 away from the body 12, particularly the wall 38 of housing 22, along a first or horizontal axis to prevent inadvertent actuation of cap button 56 by a user when handling the can lid 10. Additionally, a second or vertical spring 56 biases the button slider 56 away from the cap button 52 along a second or vertical axis to prevent inadvertent actuation of button slider 56 by a user when handling the can lid 10.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, cap button 52 includes a holder 60 configured to receive at least a portion of the button slider 56. Holder 60 includes a first wall 62 that faces towards the front 10A of can lid 10 and operably engages with the horizontal spring 54. Holder 60 further includes a second wall 64 that faces towards the top 10E of can lid 10 and operably engages with the vertical spring 58. Holder 60 may also include a plurality of wall, ledges and recesses (not numbered) which are complementary to the button slider 56 that allow for the button slider 56 to be received within the holder and allow for the button slider 56 to be moveable therein. Holder 60 may further include a pair of protrusions 66 which are configured to secure engagement mechanism 16 to housing 22 of body 12.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 9-15B, cap button 52 further includes a ledge 68 extending outwardly from holder 60. Cap button 52 further includes a pin 70 extending outwardly from the ledge 68 that is configured to be received within at least a portion of the slot 48 of stopper 14; such use of pin 70 with the stopper 14 is discussed in greater detail below.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5-15B, button slider 56 includes a pad 72 complementary to a user's finger to facilitate the use of can lid 10. Button slider 56 further includes wall 74 (FIG. 9) and a plurality of walls, ledges and recess (not numbered) disposed on wall 74. The plurality of walls, ledges and recess (not numbered) are complementary in size and shape the plurality wall, ledges and recesses (not numbered) of the holder 60 to allow for button slider 56 to be received and movable along holder 60.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5-7, and 9-15B, button slider 56 further includes tab 76 extending outwardly from a top 56A of button slider 56. Tab 76 is configured to be at least partially receivable within chamber 40 of housing 22 of body 12 during the operation of can lid 10 and will therefore be discussed more further herein regarding the method of operating can lid 10.

[0057] Top 56A of button slider 56 is configured to be received within holder 60 and housing 22 such that at least a portion of top 56A is directly below top 22C of housing 22. The location of top 56A of button slider 56 and its relationship to holder 60 and top 22C of housing 22 is such that cap button 52 and the bottom slider 56 have engage with one another and with top 22C of housing to prevent the button slider 56 from backing completely out of the cap button 52 due to the biasing force applied against the button slider 56 by vertical spring 58.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 10, 11A-13A, 14-16A, and 17, can lid 10 further includes a guide mechanism 78. Guide mechanism 78 includes shelf 36 and ledge 68. Guide mechanism 78 is configured to be receivable within chamber 40. Guide mechanism 78 includes a pair of recesses 80 defined by the shelf 36. Guide mechanism 78 further includes a pair of guides 82 (FIG. 14) extending outwardly from ledge 68. The pair of guides 82 are complementary in size and shape to the pair of recesses 80 such that the pair of guides 82 is slidably engageable with the pair of recesses 80 to guide the engagement mechanism 16 along the body 12. Particularly, the pair of guides 82 is slidably engageable with the pair of recesses 80 such that the shelf 36 of the body 12 guides the cap button 52 and the button slider 56 when the user actuates the can lid 10 from the closed position to the open position.

[0059] As best seen in FIG. 12, when can lid 10 is in the locked position, an end 80A of each of the pair of recesses 80 and an end 82A of each of the pair of ridges 82 are located a distance apart from one another and that separation defines the chamber 40. As best seen in FIG. 15, when can lid 10 has been activated into the unlocked position, the end 80A of each of the pair of recesses 80 and the end 82A of each of the pair of ridges 82 abut one another and the chamber 40 has been occupied by the pair of ridges 82.

[0060] FIGS. 10-20 show a method of operating can lid 10. Generally, can lid 10 is a locking lid that requires a two-step activation to unlock the can lid 10. FIGS. 10-11B show can lid 10 in a locked or closed position, FIGS. 12-14 show can lid 10 in a first activation position, and FIGS. 14-17 show can lid 10 in a second activation or an unlocked position.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, when in the locked position, horizontal spring 54 and vertical spring 58 are in a first or expanded position. Additionally, in the locked position, the tab 76 of the engagement mechanism 16 abuts the front 22A of housing 22 that inhibits the engagement mechanism 16 from sliding within the inner cavity 42 defined by the housing 22 to transition the can lid 10 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, when in the locked position, pin 70 of ledge 68 of engagement mechanism 16 is located at a first end 48A of the slot 48 defined in the stopper 14 and the cap 46 is directly below the aperture 26 defined by the body 12. Further in the locked position, the end 80A of each of the pair of recesses 80 and the end 82A of each of the pair of ridges 82 are located a distance apart from one another and that separation defines the chamber 40.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 12, the can lid 10 is moved to the first activation position by pressing downwardly on the button slider 56 along arrow “A”. As the button slider 56 is pressed downwardly, the vertical spring 58 is moved from the expanded position to a compressed position. The top 56A of button slider 56 and its relationship to holder 60 and top 22C of housing 22 is such that cap button 52 and the bottom slider 56 have engage with one another and with top 22C of housing to prevent the button slider 56 from backing completely out of the cap button 52 due to the biasing force applied against the button slider 56 by vertical spring 58. In the first activation position, the tab 76 is positioned below the top 22C of housing 22 to allow engagement mechanism 16 to be moved within inner cavity 42 defined by the housing 22. As shown in FIGS. 12-14, when in the first activation position, pin 70 of ledge 68 of engagement mechanism 16 is still located at the first end 48A of the slot 48 defined in the stopper 14 and cap 46 is still directly below the aperture 26 defined by the body 12 to inhibit the flow of contents from within the can “C”.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 15, can lid 10 is moved to the second activation position from the first activation position by pressing inwardly on the button slider 56 in the direction of arrow “B”. As the button slider 56 is pressed inwardly, the horizontal spring 54 is moved from the expanded position to a compressed position. As the button slider 56 is moved along arrow “B”, the cap button 52, the ledge 68, and the entirely engagement mechanism 16 is moved along arrow “B”. In the unlocked position, the entirety of the cap button 52 and at least a portion of the button slider 56 are located within the inner cavity 42 defined by the housing 22. As best seen in FIGS. 15A-16, as the engagement mechanism 16 is moved along arrow “B”, the ledge 68 is moved inwardly away from the housing 22, specifically the end 80A of each of the pair of recesses 80 and the end 82A of each of the pair of ridges 82 are moved to abut one another thereby occupying the chamber 40 with the pair of ridges 82. It will be understood that when the user actuates the cap button 52 and button slider 56 collectively, such as when the engagement mechanism 16 is moved along arrow “B”, the pair of guides 82 ride along the shelf 36 inside of the pair of recesses 80 to assist the engagement mechanism 16 in transitioning the stopper 14 from the closed or locked position to the open or unlocked position.

[0064] As the ledge 68 moves, the pin 70 presses against the stopper 14 inside of slot 48 to rotate the stopper 14 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Upon such force, the pin 70 rides along the stopper 14 inside of the slot 48 from the first end 48A of slot 48 to the second end 48B of the slot 48. As best seen in FIGS. 14 and 17, the pin 70 slides within the slot 48 to the leftmost point and / or second end 48B and thereby changes the orientation of the stopper 14 to the unlocked or open position. As shown in FIG. 17, as the pin 70 slides to the second end 48B of the slot 48, the cap 46 of the stopper 14 is spaced apart and / or remote from aperture 26 of the body 12 to thereby allow free flow of contents from the can (not shown) through can lid 10 at the aperture 26.

[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, there is shown operations views of a user “U” activating the can lid 10. Referring to FIG. 16, the user “U” may place a portion of their hand, such as a first digit or pointer finger, in the direction of arrow “D” atop button slider 56 proximate the pad 72. Referring to FIG. 17, the user “U” may actuate the can lid 10 into the first activation position as detailed in FIGS. 12-13B, by moving the button slider 56 at the pad 72 downwardly in the direction of arrow “E” (identical to direction of arrow “A” discussed above). Referring to FIG. 18, the user “U” may further actuate the can lid 10 into the second activation position or the unlocked position from the first activation position by pressing inwardly on the button slider 56 at the pad 72 in the direction of arrow “F” (identical to direction of arrow “B” discussed above). In the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 18, the user “U” may access the contents within can “C” through the aperture 26 defined in the body 12.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 21, a method of operating a can lid 100 is depicted. The method 100 includes an initial step 102 of engaging a body of the can lid with an upper lip of a can. Another step 104 of method 100 further includes aligning an aperture defined by the body with an opening defined in the can. Another step 106 of method 100 further includes actuating a stopper of the can lid, by an engagement mechanism of the can lid, between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process; wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, the aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the can; and wherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening by the engagement mechanism.

[0067] Unless explicitly stated that a particular shape or configuration of a component is mandatory, any of the elements, components, or structures discussed herein may take the form of any shape. Thus, although the figures depict the various elements, components, or structures of the present disclosure according to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that any other geometric configuration of that element, component, or structure is entirely possible. For example, instead of the housing being rectangular, the housing 22 can be semi-circular triangular, rectangular or square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, diamond shaped or another parallelogram, trapezoidal, star-shaped, oval, ovoid, lines or lined, teardrop-shaped, cross-shaped, donut-shaped, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, crescent-shaped, any letter shape (i.e., A-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, E-shaped, F-shaped, G-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, J-shaped, K-shaped, L-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, O-shaped, P-shaped, Q-shaped, R-shaped, S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, or Z-shaped), or any other type of regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration.

[0068] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0069] Any flowchart and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate some exemplary architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0070] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0072] The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0073] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. As another example, “at least one of: A, B, or B” is intended to cover A, B, C, A-B, A-C, B-C, and A-B-C, as well as any combination with multiple of the same item.

[0074] While components of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to each other, it is possible for one of the components disclosed herein to include inventive subject matter, if claimed alone or used alone. In keeping with the above example, if the disclosed embodiments teach the features of A and B, then there may be inventive subject matter in the combination of A and B, A alone, or B alone, unless otherwise stated herein.

[0075] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting” or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

[0076] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and / or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0077] Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0078] Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features / elements, these features / elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Thus, a first feature / element discussed herein could be termed a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed herein could be termed a first feature / element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0079] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. Furthermore, the use of any and all examples or exemplary language (“e.g.,”“such as,” or the like) is intended merely to better illustrate or illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of that or those embodiments. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiment.

[0080] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element or “another” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element or the another element.

[0081] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and / or position to indicate that the value and / or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and / or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is + / −0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. Further, recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within that range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0082] Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0083] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0084] To the extent that the present disclosure has utilized the term “invention” in various titles or sections of this specification, or in the context of those sections, this term has been included as required by the formatting requirements of word document submissions (i.e., docx submissions) pursuant the guidelines / requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall not, in any manner, be considered a disavowal of any subject matter.

[0085] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0086] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A can lid comprising:a body adapted to engage a lip of a can;a stopper moveably engaged with the body;an engagement mechanism moveably engaged with the body and the stopper and configured to move the stopper between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process;wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, an aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with an opening defined by the can; andwherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening defined by the can.

2. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein when the stopper transitions from the unlocked position to the locked position, a first component of the engagement mechanism is moved in a first direction relative to the body in a first step of the two-step process.

3. The can lid according to claim 2, wherein when the stopper transitions from the unlocked position to the locked position, the first component of the engagement mechanism and a second component of the engagement mechanism are moved, collectively, in a second direction relative to the body in a second step of the two-step process; wherein the second step occurs after the first step.

4. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises:an outer ring adapted to circumvent an upper lip of a can.

5. The can lid according to claim 4, further comprising:at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the outer ring; andwherein the at least one protrusion is adapted to secure the can lid to the can.

6. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises:an interior assembly configured to engage with the stopper.

7. The can lid according to claim 1, further comprising:a housing configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement mechanism.

8. The can lid according to claim 1, wherein the stopper further comprises:a plate and a cap integrally engaged with one another;wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, the aperture is free from the cap; andwherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture is blocked by the cap.

9. The can lid according to claim 3, wherein the first component moveably engages with the body, the second component, and the first component and the second component are each biased in respective axes.

10. The can lid according to claim 9, further comprising:a first spring configured to biases the first component away from the body along a first axis.

11. The can lid according to claim 9, further comprising:a second spring configured to biases the second component away from the body along a second axis.

12. The can lid according to claim 1, further comprising:wherein the stopper defines a slot; andwherein the engagement mechanism comprises a pin.

13. The can lid according to claim 12, wherein the pin slides along the slot when the stopper moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

14. A method of operating a can lid, comprising:engaging a body of the can lid with an upper lip of a can;aligning an aperture defined by the body with an opening defined in the can;actuating a stopper of the can lid, by an engagement mechanism of the can lid, between a locked position and an unlocked position in a two-step process;wherein when the stopper is in the unlocked position, the aperture defined by the body is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the can; andwherein when the stopper is in the locked position, the aperture defined by the body is blocked from fluid communication with the opening by the engagement mechanism.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein step of actuating the stopper of the can lid between the locked position and the unlocked position in the two-step process further comprises:actuating a button slider of the engagement mechanism to a first activation position in a first step of the two-step process; andactuating a cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism, collectively, to a second activation position in a second step of the two-step process.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein actuating the button slider of the engagement mechanism to the first activation position further comprises:freeing a tab of the engagement mechanism from engagement with a housing of the can lid; andsliding the engagement mechanism into an inner cavity defined by the housing.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:pressing downwardly on the button slider; andsimultaneously compressing a first spring.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein actuating the cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism, collectively, to the second activation position, further comprises:sliding the engagement mechanism further into the inner cavity defined by the housing.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:pressing inwardly on the button slider; andsimultaneously compressing a second spring.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein when the cap button of the engagement mechanism and the button slider of the engagement mechanism is actuated to the second activation position, the method further comprises:freeing the aperture from being blocked by the stopper.

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