GB2341599A

GB2341599A - Hygiene cover

Info

Publication number: GB2341599A
Application number: GB9816647A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Edward Bacon; David Rees Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-31
Filing date: 1998-07-31
Publication date: 2000-03-22
Also published as: GB9816647D0

Abstract

A hygiene cover for a drinks container such as a can, carton or bottle, is sealed to the container around the perimeter of the cover. The cover is removed when the container is opened to provide a germ free area around the container outlet.

Description

2341599 HYGIENE COVER For the use of ensurina an "untouched by hand" 0

Hygienic Mouth and Pouring area on drinks containers 0

Background

Whilst it is appreciated that manufacturers, processing and bottling plants do have in-house policies on cleanliness and hygiene and particularly those who produce liquid food stuffs for the market place, i. e. soft drinks, beers, milk etc, it is after the goods have been delivered to the retail stores and off licences that the majority of unhygienic manhandling begins.

0 For example, Cans which contain drinking fluids are usually printed with advertisements and promotional designs directly onto the Cans themselves and not onto paper labels etc. The Hygiene cover however, does not claim to be in place as a label or wrapper as can be seen on the tops or necks of some drinks fluid Bottles.

This is perfectly alright as far as the liquid contents are concerned but there is no prevention or protection to the public from the containers themselves.

Whilst it is desirable to pour the contents of these containers into glasses or cups, it is well known that these liquids are drunk directly from the containers in the vast majority of situations and particularly by young people.

Although the above comments refer to drinks containers, they do not form part of the present invention even though they are illustrated within the enclosed drawings.

The invention is of a Hygiene Cover which is for the express purpose of hygiene in connection with these containers and the healthcare of members of the public.

For example, containers such as these illustrated in Fig.2, Fig.3, and Fig.4 of the enclosed drawings are usually packed effectively at the processing plants for delivery to the retail stores and off licences.

Unfortunately this is where most of the manhandling begins, with unpackers removing products from the boxes and crates ready for handling again by the people who stack the shelves, this is then possibly compounded by people who handle the drinks containers and then change thier minds to choose a different brand thus replacing them back on the shelf These are then handled again by the persons who actually decide to purchase after which they are handled yet ag ,ain by the check-out staff for bar code pricing.

All this manhandling occurs even before the purchaser has put them into thier shopping bags let alone left the store to go home.

But, the handling does not stop here. As though this was not enough, they are possibly 0 0 handled again by house party guests or family and friends at picnics and barbecue functions. This is all before the final consumer has even opened the container to drink.

This potentially is even more Unhygienic on "Can" containers as_pepicted in Fig.2.C of the 1 enclosed drawings and particularly if they have a ring grip device which opens the top.

When opening using this method, it is designed so that one half of the device actually hangs inside the Can arn;c(ts all the fluid after having been "fingered" and "handled" several times by other people, therefore, this piece of metal is left to bathe and swathe in the fluid which washes it as the consumer drinks or even pours. Thats if it does'nt come off first and get stuck in someone's throat. Quite possibly a childs:

With a Hygiene Cover in place from process plant to consumer it would not matter how many times they had been handled providing a germ free (untouched by hand) area was revealed as the consumer removes or peels off the Hygiene Cover.

The Hygiene cover therefore is not intended to be another label or wrapper but is strictly intended to ensure a aerm free area as illustrated.

0 2, DESCRIPTION

The Hygiene Cover may be made of any suitable material or rnenibrane which can be machine pressed or moulded to the required shape of a suitable container.

Preferably, the Hygiene Cover should be sealed to the container but only around the perimeter of the Cover, thereby leaving an "untouched by hand" area which has not been contaminated by any adhesive substances or the like.

The finished shape of the Hygiene Cover will be determined by the design of the container whether it be a metal Can, a Carton or Bottle, or any container which may be deemed suitable drink fluids.

3 Containers for drinks such as these illustrated in Fig.2, Fig.3 and Fig.4 are usually effectively packed at the processing plants for delivery to the retail stores and off licences. It is here where most of the manhandling begins with unpackers and shelf stackers alike, this is then compounded by people who handle the drinks containers and then change thier minds placing them back on the shelf These are then handled again by the persons who actually decide to purchase who then pass them over to the check-out staffwho yet again handle them for bar code pricing, all this handling occurs even before the purchaser puts them in thier shopping bag and leave the store to go home. As though this was not enough, they are handled again C> possibly by house party guests, family and ffiends at picnic and barbecue get togethers. This is all before the final consumer opens the container for drinking. This is potentially even more unhygienic on "Can" containers as depicted in Fig.2.C since the "fingered" handling of the metal can opening ring is left to swathe and bathe in the fluid which the consumer is about to drink. None of this would matter with a hygiene cover in place first.

Claims

DISCLAIMER It is well known that out of all the Bottles on the market which contain drinks fluids, some of them do have labels and covers or wrappers around the neck and over the top but these in the main are for advertising and decoration. Some of these labels and wrappers cannot be removed entirely anyway and some are quite loosely fitted, either way they still fall short on maximum hygiene. However, the Hygiene Cover as illustrated within these drawings and particularly in Fig.4 is 0 0 not, nor does claim to be any of these things. Therefore, the Hygiene Cover as illustrated in this invention is strictly to maintain an improved 0 measure of Hygiene to the consumer and is very definitely not for advertising or decoration. 0 As can be seen in the illustrations the Hygiene Cover is sealed only around it's perimeter and 0 can be removed easily and entirely to reveal a completely uncontaminated drinking and pouring area.

1 CLAIMS 1. A Hygiene Cover as claimed in claim 1 (Fig. 1) whereby the material may be pressed or moulded to a suitable shape but sealed around the edges only. The illustrations of the Hygiene Cover in these drawings are in thier simplest form since it is not yet known what the finished required shapes will be.

2. A Hygiene Cover as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 (Fig.2) whereby the Hygiene Cover is illustrated in place and being removed from a drinks Can.

3. A Hygiene Cover as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 (Fig. 3) whereby the Hygiene Cover is illustrated in place and being removed from a drinks Carton.

4. A Hygiene cover as claimed in claim 4 (Fig.4) whereby the hygiene cover is illustrated in place and being removed from a drinks Bottle. The Hygiene cover in this illustration does not claim to be a wrapper or cover as can be seen on many kinds of drinks bottles available today, although not all bottles containing drinks fluids are covered in this way. The Hygiene cover therefore is exactly what it says it is and is sealed as illustrated.

5. A Hygiene Cover as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.