Beverage can straw holder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12178341-B2
Application number	US-202117357003-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2021
Priority date	Jun 25, 2020
Publication date	Dec 31, 2024
Grant date	Dec 31, 2024

Abstract

A device for use with a beverage can to secure a straw thereto includes a base configured to cooperate with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can and a passage formed through the base which aligns with the opening of the beverage can when the device is secured to the beverage can. The passage is configured to pass a straw therethrough.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for use with a beverage can to secure a straw within the beverage can, comprising:
a base cooperating with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can, and
a passage formed through the base which aligns with the opening of the beverage can when the device is secured to the beverage can, the passage being configured to pass a straw therethrough.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one flange extending from a first surface of the device to cooperate with the opening of the beverage can.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the base is further configured to cooperate with a tab of the beverage can.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising at least one seating formed in the base to cooperate with an end of the tab of the beverage can.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the at least one seating comprises a slot formed in the base.

6. The device of claim 2 further comprising an extending member extending from a second surface of the base, opposite the first surface, wherein the passage is formed through the extending member and the base.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the passage forms a friction fit with the straw.

8. The device of claim 5 further comprising an extending member extending from a second surface of the base, opposite the first surface, wherein the passage is formed through the extending member and the base.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the passage forms a friction fit with the straw.

10. The device of claim 2 further comprising a cap to seal the passage.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the cap is tethered to the device.

12. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one flange forms a snap fit or a friction fit with the opening of the beverage can.

13. The device of claim 2 wherein the passage is formed to abut and retain the straw or the device further includes an abutment member in operative connection with the passage to abut and retain the straw.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the passage includes a taper over at least a portion of a surface thereof so that the passage narrows to abut and retain the straw.

15. A method of securing a straw within a beverage can, comprising:
securing a device to the beverage can which comprises a base cooperating with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can and a passage formed through the base which aligns with the opening of the beverage can; and
inserting a straw into the passage.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the device further comprises at least one flange extending from a first surface of the device to cooperate with the opening of the beverage can.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the base is further configured to cooperate with a tab of the beverage can.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the device further comprises at least one seating formed in the base to cooperate with an end of the tab of the beverage can.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one seating comprises a slot formed in the base.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the device further comprises an extending member extending from a second surface of the base, opposite the first surface, wherein the passage is formed through the extending member and the base.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the passage forms a friction fit with the straw.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the device further comprises an extending member extending from a second surface of the base, opposite the first surface, wherein the passage is formed through the extending member and the base.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the passage forms a friction fit with the straw.

24. The method of claim 16 further comprising placing a cap in connection with the device to seal the passage.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the cap is tethered to the device.

26. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one flange forms a snap fit or a friction fit with the opening of the beverage can.

27. The method of claim 16 wherein the passage of the device is formed to abut and retain the straw, or the device further includes an abutment member in operative connection with the passage to abut and retain the straw.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the passage includes a taper over at least a portion of a surface thereof so that the passage narrows to abut and retain the straw.

29. A device for use with a beverage can, comprising:
a base cooperating with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can,
an extending member extending from an upper surface of the base, and
a passage formed through the extending member and through the base, the passage aligning with the opening of the beverage can when the device is secured to the beverage can.

30. The device of claim 29 further comprising at least one flange extending from a lower surface of the base to cooperate with the opening of the beverage can.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein an upper end of the passage is configured to be placed in the mouth of a user.

32. The device of claim 31 further comprising a conduit in fluid connection with the passage and extending from the lower surface of the base.

Assignees

• Univ Of Pittsburgh—Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education

Inventors

• Delazio Alexandra Marie
• Brienza David M
• Karg Patricia

Classifications

• B65D77/28

  Cards, coupons, or drinking straws {(B65D5/4212, B65D23/14, B65D25/205, B65D33/004, B65D51/245, B65D75/54 take precedence)} · CPC title

• A47G19/2222 Primary

  Straw holders therefor · CPC title

• B65D2231/022

  for permitting the insertion of a tubular contents-removing device, e.g. a drinking straw · CPC title

• A47G21/18 Primary

  Drinking straws or the like ({as integral parts of drinking containers A47G19/2266;} for therapeutic purposes A61J15/00 {; adapted to emerge from drinking containers when opened B65D77/283}) · CPC title