CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US provisional application no. 62/779,762 filed December 14, 2018 and entitled Drinking Accessory, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a drinking apparatus, and in particular, a removable drinking accessory for a beverage can.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many different types of beverages are sold in cans. It may not always be convenient, possible, or even desirable to transfer the contents of a beverage can into another receptacle, such as a glass, to then be consumed. However, for a variety of reasons, it also may not be desirable to drink directly from the beverage can.

[0004] United States patent no. 3,185,341 (“Barbour”) discloses a drinking accessory that can be secured to the top of a beverage can to provide a means for drinking the beverage contained in the can. The described device is generally frustoconical in form, having an outwardly flaring annular wall and a rounded rim along the upper edge of the wall. At the lower portion of the wall, where the cross-section of the wall is greatest, there is provided a circumferential groove. The groove is adapted to receive the upper rim of the can. Barbour teaches that when secured to a can, the described device enables the user to drink from the can without contacting any portion of the can.

[0005] United States patent no. 5,732,851 (“Griffin”) discloses a one-piece detachable drinking attachment with a handle for use with a beverage can. The described device has a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion is shaped in horizontal cross section in the form of a mug-shaped drinking spout with smoothly-curved surfaces which transition into a base that contacts the top of a beverage can, and an integral C-shaped handle emanating from the top portion extending down along the outer wall of the can. The outer portion of the base is circular and conforms to the circular shape of the top of the beverage can. The base has multiple gripping collars consisting of a series of concentric clamping structures forming circumferential annular grooves, which Griffin teaches can be used to form a substantially liquid-tight connection to various cans with various diameters when the base is snapped on to the top rim of the can.

[0006] United States patent no. 4,715,510 (“van der Meulen”) discloses a device for mounting on a beverage can. The described device has a cylindrical body with a clamping means at its lower rim for providing a liquid tight connection between the device and a beverage can. The device has a bottom or disk extending horizontally across the device between its upper and lower ends. The bottom has an opening that can cooperate with the drinking opening in the top of a can. When the device is mounted on a can, the device can be turned to bring the openings of the device and the can in line with each other when a user wants to drink from the can. When the opening of the device and the can are not aligned, the bottom of the device closes off the opening of the can.

[0007] Despite the advances made to date in the development of drinking accessories for beverage cans, there is room for improvement.

SUMMARY

[0008] When consuming certain beverages, it may be desirable to add flavouring to the rim of the drinking receptacle containing the beverage. For example, when preparing a margarita, it is common to add salt around the rim of the receptacle holding the margarita. As the user drinks the beverage, the flavouring is consumed. Once the flavouring in one area of the receptacle has been consumed, the user can rotate the receptacle to bring a different portion of the rim into contact with his/her mouth and thereby access more flavouring. When drinking from a standard glass, this is relatively easy to achieve because the upper end of the glass is generally open and a user can typically drink from various locations around the perimeter of the rim of the glass with equal ease/comfort. This is generally the case for glasses that are generally symmetrical (i.e., generally cylindrical) that a user can grasp with his/her hands in a variety of different rotational orientations. If a glass has a handle or other such design feature, a user may tend to drink from some portions of the rim (those about 90 degrees from the handle) more frequently than portions of the rim that are directly adjacent or directly opposite the handle, because holding the glass in such a position may be uncomfortable.

[0009] In contrast to a conventional, open-topped glass, conventional beverage cans typically include a generally solid top/lid that has only a single drinking area. To access the interior of the can, the material covering the drinking area is generally broken, for example by pivoting a tab on the top of the can, to create a drinking hole/opening in the top of the can. The lid of a standard beverage can is generally fixed, so the drinking opening is generally aligned with only one portion of the rim of the can. When using cans of this nature, the so-called“rimming” of the beverage receptacle during beverage preparation is not as effective when a user drinks directly from a can as it is when drinking out of a glass. For example, even if the top of a beverage can was“rimmed”, only the portion of flavouring that is directly in front of the can’s drinking opening would generally be in a position to contact the mouth of the user. Due to the arrangement of the drinking opening, drinking from other portions of the can rim is generally not convenient and can result in spilling, etc. Despite the limitations of drinking from a can, there may be circumstances when a user nonetheless decides to drink from the can, such as if the can is purchased from or is to be consumed in a venue where glasses are not available or if the beverage is to be transported prior to consumption and it is less convenient to also transport a glass.

[0010] To help users who are drinking from a can to have an experience that more closely resembles drinking from a glass, as well as helping a user to take advantage of larger sections of the drinking rim for“rimming” and/or holding a flavouring agent, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel drinking accessory for a beverage can that can simulate a drinking rim and optionally can support/carry a rimming material in a manner that can help a user access the rimming material on different sections of the apparatus rim, for example by bringing different sections of the rim into rotational alignment/registration with the drinking opening in the beverage can.

[0011] The teachings described herein may, in one broad aspect, relate to a drinking accessory for connecting to a beverage can having a drinking opening, the drinking accessory comprising a circular body having a gripping portion operable to detachably mount the drinking accessory to an upper end of the beverage can and a flared upper portion extending away from the gripping portion and terminating in an upper rim having a first section and a second section, the second section being spaced apart from the first section, the gripping portion being configured to detachably couple the drinking accessory to the beverage can such that when the body is connected to the beverage can with the first section registered with the drinking opening, a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can so that a user can drink from the upper rim, and wherein the body can rotate while attached to the beverage can to bring the second section into registration with the drinking opening in the beverage can. [0100] The teachings described herein may, in another broad aspect, relate to a kit A drinking accessory kit comprising: a beverage can drinking accessory for connecting to a beverage can having a drinking opening, the drinking accessory comprising a circular body having a gripping portion operable to detachably mount the drinking accessory to an upper end of the beverage can and a flared upper portion extending away from the gripping portion and terminating in an upper rim having a first section and a second section, the second section being spaced apart from the first section, the gripping portion being configured to detachably couple the drinking accessory to the beverage can such that when the body is connected to the beverage can with the first section registered with the drinking opening, a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can so that a user can drink from the upper rim, and wherein the body can rotate while attached to the beverage can to bring the second section into registration with the drinking opening in the beverage can; and a carrying case comprising: (i) a first chamber having a first chamber bottom, a first chamber side wall, and a first chamber rim disposed along a top surface of the first chamber side wall and defining an opening, the first chamber being configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory; (ii) a first closing means configured to reversible engage with the first chamber; (iii) a second container having a second container bottom, a second container side wall, and second container a rim disposed along a top surface of the second container side wall and defining an opening, the second container being configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory; and (iv) a second closing means configured to reversible engage with the second container.

[0012] Thus, the present inventors have developed a removeable drinking accessory for a beverage can. The drinking accessory can be positioned around a beverage can lid, forming a seal with the rim of a can. This can allow the user to drink from the rim of the accessory, rather than directly from the rim of the can, while reducing the chances of the liquid spilling or leaking between the can and the drinking accessory. The device can be configured so that flavouring can be placed around the top rim of the device, such that the beverage can pick up the flavouring as the beverage flows through the device to the user, as would be done when drinking from a conventional glass. In addition, the device is preferably rotatable relative to the beverage can while attached/in use, which may allow the user to drink out of different portions of the device, thereby allowing new areas of flavouring on the rim of the device to be brought into alignment with the flow of the beverage to the user (i.e., aligning different sections of the rim with the opening in the can). [0013] Optionally, a carrying case/container can be provided to contain the drinking accessory when not in use. This may help prevent fouling of the drinking accessory when in transit, and once it has been used, may help prevent the drinking accessory from fouling its surroundings. Preferably, the container may also be configured to contain a quantity of a flavouring agent that can be applied to the rim of the drinking accessory. For example, the container may also include a reservoir and/or containment portion that can hold a quantity of salt, spices, or other flavouring agents that a user may desire. In this embodiment, the user may dip the rim of the drinking accessory into the reservoir when intending to consume a beverage from a can rather than having to put the flavouring agent on the rim of the accessory in advance (such as when still at home, etc.). This may help ensure that a desired amount of the flavouring agent is present on the rim when a user is drinking from the can and may help reduce the chances that the flavouring agent becomes dislodged, contaminated, or otherwise degraded between the time it is applied to the rim to the time the user drinks from the rim. The reservoir is therefore configured to receive at least the rim of the drinking accessory when it is dipped into the flavouring agent.

[0014] Optionally, the flavour reservoir chamber may also function as the storage chamber for the drinking accessory when the drinking accessory is not in use. In some embodiments, the rim of the drinking accessory may be positioned within the reservoir when in a transit/storage configuration within the carrying case. This may allow a single compartment to function as both a flavour reservoir and a storage compartment. Alternatively, the drinking accessory may be mounted to the outside of the lid, the bottom of any of the containers/ chambers or any other suitable portion of the carrying case so that the carrying case and drinking accessory can be transported together.

[0015] Often, it can be easier for the flavouring agents to stick to the rim of the drinking accessory if the rim is moistened, for example by dipping the rim in water, juice, the desired beverage or another suitable liquid. Preferably, the carrying case that can optionally store the drinking accessory and has a flavour reservoir compartment can also include a liquid reservoir chamber for storing a suitable quantity of water or other liquid. This may help a user having the combination of the drinking accessory and carrying case to be generally self-sufficient when applying the flavouring agent, without the need for an external liquid source (such as a sink or water source) to perform the desired rimming process. This may be useful if the user is in an environment where external water sources are inaccessible or inconvenient, such as camping, on a boat or other vehicle, at a concert or festival or the like. [0016] Optionally, the liquid reservoir chamber can be closed in such a manner as to form a liquid tight seal to prevent leakage of the liquid from the reservoir while in transit. This can allow a user to pre-fill the liquid reservoir before transporting the carrying case, e.g. to bring a desired moistening liquid with them when using the device and may be helpful if the drinking accessory is to be used in a location that does not have convenient access to potable water or other liquids. Alternatively, instead of bringing a quantity of liquid in the container, the liquid reservoir could be initially dry and could be filled with a quantity of the liquid from within the beverage can, for example, by pouring a relatively small quantity of the beverage from the can into the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the liquid reservoir is sized to allow the rim of the drinking accessory to be inserted into the reservoir and dipped in a relatively small volume of liquid contained therein. The ability to seal the liquid reservoir container in a generally liquid tight manner may still be useful if the carrying case is initially dry as it may help seal the container for transport after the beverage has been consumed, which may help reduce the chances of the liquid leaking out of the carrying case after the use has been completed.

[0017] Optionally, the liquid reservoir could be configured to function as a storage compartment for the drinking accessory (optionally instead of or in addition to having the flavour reservoir configured in this manner).

[0018] In some embodiments, the carrying case may be configured to include two or more separately accessible flavour reservoir chambers, which can allow a single chamber to hold two or more different flavouring agents, preferably without mixing. For example, a chamber may include a quantity of salt in a salt reservoir (for example, for rimming a margarita), a quantity of sugar in a separate sugar reservoir (for example, for rimming a daiquiri), as well as a quantity of celery salt in a separate celery salt reservoir (for example, for rimming a Caesar).

[0019] Thus, the present inventors have also developed a carrying case that allows a user to both store and load the drinking accessory with flavouring agents. The carrying case can contain several, or optionally all, of the necessary ingredients the user needs to “rim” the drinking accessory with flavouring, while also be being portable and generally sealed/self contained.

[0020] To the knowledge of the inventors, a drinking accessory and carrying case having such a combination of features are heretofore unknown.

[0100] In accordance with one broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a beverage can drinking accessory for connecting to a beverage can having a drinking opening can include a circular body having a gripping portion that is operable to detachably mount the drinking accessory to an upper end of the beverage can and a flared upper portion extending away from the gripping portion and terminating in an upper rim having a first section. A second section may be spaced apart from the first section. The gripping portion may be configured to detachably couple the drinking accessory to the beverage can such that when the body is connected to the beverage can with the first section registered with the drinking opening, a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can so that a user can drink from the upper rim. The body may be able to rotate while attached to the beverage can to bring the second section into registration with the drinking opening in the beverage can.

[0021] The drinking accessory may include a flared lower portion extending from the circular body, the lower portion configured to extend over the upper end of the beverage can.

[0022] The upper rim may be rounded.

[0023] The gripping portion may include an interior and an exterior surface. The interior surface may include a rib configured to engaged with a first surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0024] The rib may include an annular structure.

[0025] The rib may be configured to provide pressure against the first surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0026] The interior surface of the gripping portion may include a lip that may be configured to engage with a second surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0027] The lip may include an annular structure.

[0028] The lip may be configured to provide pressure against the second surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0029] Optionally, one or both of the rib and the lip may create the substantially liquid-tight seal formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can.

[0030] The drinking accessory may be of unitary, one-piece construction.

[0031] The drinking accessory may include a resilient material. [0032] The drinking accessory may include a rigid material.

[0033] The drinking accessory may include injection molded plastic.

[0034] The upper rim may be configured to receive a flavouring agent.

[0035] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a drinking accessory kit may include a beverage can drinking accessory for connecting to a beverage can having a drinking opening and a carrying case. The drinking accessory may include a circular body having a gripping portion operable to detachably mount the drinking accessory to an upper end of the beverage can and a flared upper portion extending away from the gripping portion and terminating in an upper rim having a first section and a second section. The second section being may be spaced apart from the first section. The gripping portion may be configured to detachably couple the drinking accessory to the beverage can such that when the body is connected to the beverage can with the first section registered with the drinking opening, a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can so that a user can drink from the upper rim. The body may rotate while attached to the beverage can to bring the second section into registration with the drinking opening in the beverage can.

[0036] The carrying case comprising may include a first chamber having a first chamber bottom, a first chamber side wall, and a first chamber rim disposed along a top surface of the first chamber side wall and defining an opening. The first chamber may be configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory. A first closing means may be configured to reversible engage with the first chamber. A second container may have a second container bottom, a second container side wall, and second container a rim disposed along a top surface of the second container side wall and defining an opening. The second container may be configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory. A second closing means may be configured to reversible engage with the second container.

[0037] The drinking accessory may include a flared lower portion extending from the circular body. The lower portion may be configured to extend over the upper end of the beverage can.

[0038] The upper rim may be rounded.

[0039] The gripping portion may include an interior and an exterior surface. The interior surface may include a rib configured to engaged with a first surface of the upper end of the beverage can. [0040] The rib may include an annular structure.

[0041] The rib may be configured to provide pressure against the first surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0042] The interior surface of the gripping portion may include a lip. The lip may be configured to engage with a second surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0043] The lip may include an annular structure.

[0044] The lip may be configured to provide pressure against the second surface of the upper end of the beverage can.

[0045] Optionally, one or both of the rib and the lip may create the substantially liquid-tight seal formed between the drinking accessory and the beverage can.

[0046] The drinking accessory may be of unitary, one-piece construction.

[0047] The drinking accessory may include a resilient material and/or a rigid material.

[0048] The drinking accessory may include injection molded plastic.

[0049] The upper rim may be configured to receive a flavouring agent.

[0050] The first closing means may form a substantially liquid tight seal with the first chamber when engaged with the first chamber.

[0051] The second closing means may form a substantially liquid tight seal with the second container when engaged with the second container.

[0052] The first chamber and second container may be in a vertically stacked configuration.

[0053] The first chamber may be rotatable relative to the second container.

[0054] The first closing means may include the first chamber rim engaging with the second container bottom.

[0055] The carrying case may also include a lid and the second closing means may include the lid engaging with the second container rim. [0056] The first chamber may include a first docking means. The first docking means may be configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory.

[0057] The first docking means may include a raised circular central portion configured to receive the upper portion of the drinking accessory.

[0058] The first docking means may include a raised circular central portion configured to receive the lower portion of the drinking accessory.

[0059] The second container may include a second docking means. The second docking means may be configured to receive the rim of the drinking accessory.

[0060] The second docking means may include a raised circular central portion configured to receive the upper portion of the drinking accessory.

[0061] The second docking means may include a raised circular central portion configured to receive the lower portion of the drinking accessory.

[0062] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a portable kit for utilizing a flavouring agent with a beverage contained in a beverage can having an upper end with a top surface having a drinking opening and that is bounded by an upper rim may include a drinking accessory of unitary, one-piece construction for connecting to a beverage can having an upper end with a top surface that includes a drinking opening and is bounded by an upper rim. The drinking accessory may include a substantially annular body portion defining a body axis and having an inner surface surrounding a central opening and an opposing outer surface, and an attachment portion extending laterally inwardly from the inner surface of the body portion and being configured to engage an upper rim of the beverage can in a detachable, snap-fit manner to form a substantially liquid-tight seal between the attachment portion and the upper rim to mount the drinking accessory to the upper the beverage can with the central opening registered above the top surface of a drinking can. The attachment portion may be configured so that when the drinking accessory is mounted to the upper rim the drinking accessory is rotatable relative to the beverage can with the body while maintaining the liquid-tight seal and registration of the central opening with the top surface. A flared drinking portion including a drinking sidewall may extend axially away from the gripping portion in a first direction and may terminate in a drinking rim that may be configured to receive a flavouring agent. The drinking rim may have a first section and a second section spaced apart from the first section around the drinking rim. When the drinking accessory is mounted to the upper rim with the first section rotationally registered above the drinking opening in the beverage can the drinking rim may be rotatable with the attachment portion relative to the beverage can while attached to the upper rim to bring the second section into rotational registration with the drinking opening without detaching the drinking accessory from the beverage can.

[0063] The kit may also include a portable, multi-chamber carrying case for separately carrying a liquid and a flavouring agent. The carrying case may include a first container having a first lower end bounded by a first base wall and a first sidewall extending axially from the first base wall to an open first upper end that is configured to axially receive the drinking rim of the drinking accessory. The first container may have a first fastening portion. A second container may have a second lower end bounded by a second base wall and a second sidewall extending axially from the second base wall to an open, second upper end that is configured to axially receive the drinking rim of the drinking accessory. The second container may include a second fastening portion that is releasably engageable with the first fastening portion.

[0064] A lid may be configured to releasably cover and seal the second upper end. The kit may be configurable in a transport configuration in which the second fastening portion is engaged with the first fastening portion and the first upper end is covered and sealed by the second container and the second upper end is covered and sealed by the lid so that the first and second containers are sealed and fluidly isolated from each other, and a use configuration in which the first upper end and the second upper end are each accessible to enable axial insertion and removal of the drinking rim of the drinking accessory.

[0065] The drinking accessory may also include a stabilizing portion including a flared stabilizing sidewall extending axially away from the gripping portion in an opposing second direction and terminating in a lower rim. The sidewall may be configured to at least partially laterally surround and closely compliment a shape of the upper end of the beverage can, whereby when the drinking accessory is mounted to the beverage can the stabilizing sidewall is closely spaced to the upper end of the beverage can and tilting of the drinking accessory relative to the drinking can is inhibited by interference between the stabilizing sidewall and the upper end of the drinking can.

[0066] The annular body portion may have a smaller diameter in a lateral direction that is orthogonal to the body axis than each of the drinking rim and the lower rim. [0067] The outer surface of the body portion may be exposed to be engaged by a user while the drinking accessory is in use and extends parallel to the body axis and the drinking sidewall and lower sidewall may be inclined relative to the body axis.

[0068] attachment portion may include a laterally inwardly extending rib and a lip extending axially from the rib that cooperate to bound a mounting groove that is sized and configured to axially receive and retain the upper rim of the beverage can in a snap-fit manner.

[0069] The groove may have as a lateral width that is between about 1 mm and about 5mm.

[0070] At least one of the rib and the lip may be resiliently flexible and are configured to flex to accommodate axial insertion or removal of the upper rim from the groove and to bear and seal against the upper rim when the upper rim is received within the groove.

[0071] The drinking accessory may be formed from a single plastic material and the substantially liquid-tight seal is formed by direct engagement between the attachment portion and the upper rim of the beverage can in the absence of a sealing member formed from a different material.

[0072] An exposed, laterally extending upper surface of the rib and an inclined, inner surface of the drinking sidewall may intersect to define a shoulder portion that is configured to contact the beverage when the drinking accessory is in use.

[0073] One of the first container and the second container may be configured to retain a liquid and the other one of the first container and the second container is configured to retain a granular flavouring agent.

[0074] The one of the first container and the second container that is configured to retain the liquid further may include a centrally located protrusion that extends upwardly from the respective base wall thereby defining a generally annular liquid flow region that is configured to accommodate the drinking rim of the drinking accessory.

[0075] The lid may include an outer surface that is exposed when the carrying case is in the transport configuration and that includes an accessory mount that is configured to releasably retain the drinking accessory. [0076] The accessory mount may include at least two spaced apart clamping members extending from the outer surface and configured to releasably receive the drinking accessory in a press-fit manner.

[0077] The first container and second container may be independently accessible.

[0078] The first container and second container may be separable from each and independently movable when in the use configuration.

[0079] The first fastening portion and the second fastening portion may include complimentary threads that mesh with each other in a substantially liquid tight manner.

[0080] The first container may have a generally cylindrical configuration with a first diameter in a lateral direction and the second container may have a generally cylindrical configuration with second diameter in the lateral direction that is substantially equal to the first diameter.

[0081] The lid may be connectable to the second upper end via a rotary, bayonet type fastening mechanism in which tabs on one of the lid and the second upper end can be rotatably received within corresponding slots on the other of the lid and the second upper end.

[0082] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a portable, multi-chamber carrying case for separately carrying a liquid and a flavouring agent may include a first container having a first lower end bounded by a first base wall and a first sidewall extending axially from the first base wall to an open first upper end that is configured to axially receive a drinking rim of a drinking accessory. The first container may have a first fastening portion. A second container may have a second lower end bounded by a second base wall and a second sidewall extending axially from the second base wall to an open, second upper end that is configured to axially receive the drinking rim of the drinking accessory. The second container may include a second fastening portion that is releasably engageable with the first fastening portion. A lid may be configured to releasably cover and seal the second upper end. The carrying case may be configurable in a transport configuration in which the second fastening portion is engaged with the first fastening portion and the first upper end is covered and sealed by the second container and the second upper end is covered and sealed by the lid so that the first and second containers are sealed and fluidly isolated from each other, and a use configuration in which the first upper end and the second upper end are each accessible to enable axial insertion and removal of the drinking rim of the drinking accessory. [0083] One of the first container and the second container may be configured to retain a liquid and the other one of the first container and the second container is configured to retain a granular flavouring agent.

[0084] The one of the first container and the second container that is configured to retain the liquid further may include a centrally located protrusion that extends upwardly from the respective base wall thereby defining a generally annular liquid flow region that is configured to accommodate the drinking rim of the drinking accessory.

[0085] The lid further may include an outer surface that is exposed when the carrying case is in the transport configuration and that may include an accessory mount that is configured to releasably retain the drinking accessory.

[0086] The accessory mount may include at least two spaced apart clamping members extending from the outer surface and configured to releasably receive the drinking accessory in a press-fit manner.

[0087] The first container and second container may be independently accessible.

[0088] The first container and second container may be separable from each and independently movable when in the use configuration.

[0089] The first fastening portion and the second fastening portion may include complimentary threads that mesh with each other in a substantially liquid tight manner.

[0090] The first container may have a generally cylindrical configuration with a first diameter in a lateral direction and the second container may have a generally cylindrical configuration with second diameter in the lateral direction that is substantially equal to the first diameter.

[0091] The lid may be connectable to the second upper end via a rotary, bayonet type fastening mechanism in which tabs on one of the lid and the second upper end can be rotatably received within corresponding slots on the other of the lid and the second upper end.

[0092] In accordance with another broad aspect of the teachings described herein a drinking accessory of unitary, one-piece construction for connecting to a beverage can having an upper end with a top surface that includes a drinking opening and is bounded by an upper rim, may include a substantially annular body portion defining a body axis and having an inner surface surrounding a central opening and an opposing outer surface. An attachment portion may extend laterally inwardly from the inner surface of the body portion and may be configured to engage an upper rim of the beverage can in a detachable, snap-fit manner to form a substantially liquid-tight seal between the attachment portion and the upper rim to mount the drinking accessory to the upper the beverage can with the central opening registered above the top surface of a drinking can. The attachment portion may be configured so that when the drinking accessory is mounted to the upper rim the drinking accessory is rotatable relative to the beverage can the body while maintaining the liquid-tight seal and registration of the central opening with the top surface;

[0100] a flared drinking portion including a drinking sidewall extending axially away from the gripping portion in a first direction and terminating in a drinking rim configured to receive a flavouring agent. The drinking rim may have a first section and a second section spaced apart from the first section around the drinking rim. When the drinking accessory is mounted to the upper rim with the first section rotationally registered above the drinking opening in the beverage can the drinking rim may be rotatable with the attachment portion relative to the beverage can while attached to the upper rim to bring the second section into rotational registration with the drinking opening without detaching the drinking accessory from the beverage can.

[0093] A stabilizing portion including flared stabilizing sidewall extending axially away from the gripping portion in an opposing second direction and terminating in a lower rim, the stabilizing sidewall may be configured to at least partially laterally surround and closely compliment a shape of the upper end of the beverage can. When the drinking accessory is mounted to the beverage can the stabilizing sidewall may be closely spaced to the upper end of the beverage can and tilting of the drinking accessory relative to the drinking can may be inhibited by interference between the stabilizing sidewall and the upper end of the drinking can.

[0094] The annular body portion may have a smaller diameter in a lateral direction that is orthogonal to the body axis than each of the drinking rim and the lower rim.

[0095] The outer surface of the body portion may be exposed to be engaged by a user while the drinking accessory is in use and may extend parallel to the body axis and the drinking sidewall and lower sidewall may be inclined relative to the body axis.

[0096] The attachment portion may include a laterally inwardly extending rib and a lip extending axially from the rib that cooperate to bound a mounting groove that may be sized and configured to axially receive and retain the upper rim of the beverage can in a snap-fit manner. [0097] The groove may have a lateral width that is between about 1 mm and about 5mm.

[0098] At least one of the rib and the lip may be resiliently flexible and may be configured to flex to accommodate axial insertion or removal of the upper rim from the groove and to bear and seal against the upper rim when the upper rim is received within the groove.

[0099] The drinking accessory may be formed from a single plastic material and the substantially liquid-tight seal may be formed by direct engagement between the attachment portion and the upper rim of the beverage can in the absence of a sealing member formed from a different material.

[00100] An exposed, laterally extending upper surface of the rib and an inclined, inner surface of the drinking sidewall may intersect to define a shoulder portion that may be configured to contact the beverage when the drinking accessory is in use.

[00101] Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00102] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one example of a drinking accessory.

Figure 2 is a top view of the drinking accessory of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the drinking accessory of Figure 1

Figure 4 is a side view of the drinking accessory of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drinking accessory of Figure 4, taken along section

A-A.

Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the drinking accessory of Figure 1 , wherein (a) the drinking accessory is positioned over a typical beverage can and (b) the drinking accessory is reversibly coupled to a typical beverage can. Figure 7 is the cross-sectional view of the drinking accessory in Figure 5, wherein the drinking accessory is coupled to a typical beverage can.

Figures 8(a)-(f) illustrate top views of an example of the drinking accessory in Figure 1 in use, wherein (a) is a typical beverage can, (b) is the drinking accessory before a flavouring agent is added, (c) is the drinking accessory after it has been“loaded” or“rimmed” with a flavouring agent, (d) is the loaded drinking accessory coupled to a beverage can, (e) is the loaded drinking accessory from Figure 8(d) after the user has taken a drink from the beverage can, and (f) is the loaded drinking accessory from Figure 8(e) after the user has rotated the drinking accessory in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a second example of a drinking accessory.

Figure 10 is a top view of the drinking accessory of Figure 9.

Figure 1 1 is a bottom view of the drinking accessory of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a side view of the drinking accessory of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the drinking accessory of Figure 1 1 , taken along section A-A.

Figure 14 is a front perspective view of one example of a carrying case;

Figure 15 is an exploded view of the carrying case of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a side view of the carrying case of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 17;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a lid for the carrying case of Figure 14;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of one container from the carrying case of Figure 14;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of another container from the carrying case of Figure 14; Figure 23 is a perspective view of one example of a kit that includes the carrying case of Figure 14 and the drinking accessory of Figure 9 connected together; and

Figure 24 is a side view of the kit of Figure 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00103] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[00104] The teachings described herein relate to a removable drinking accessory for beverage cans that can be secured to the top of a beverage can. The removable accessory may help facilitate the use of a rimming and/or flavouring agent, for example by allowing a flavouring to be placed on the drinking accessory, such that when the user drinks the beverage through the drinking accessory, the liquid of the beverage flows from the drinking opening in the top of the can and through the drinking accessory, where the liquid can pick up the flavouring coating the drinking accessory, to the user’s mouth. The drinking accessory may also allow the user to drink the beverage from the can without the user’s mouth coming into direct contact with the beverage can.

[00105] Preferably, the drinking accessory can preferably be rotated relative to the can, thereby allowing new portions of the drinking accessory to be brought into alignment/registration with the drinking opening in the top surface of the can. The device can optionally be removed from an open can, more flavouring can be added, and the drinking accessory can be secured back on the open can, without having to upset the contents of the can. [00106] Optionally, the drinking accessory may be of integral, one-piece construction and may be configured to form a substantially liquid-tight seal with the beverage can without the need for a separate gasket or sealing member. This may help simplify construction and maintenance of the drinking assembly.

[00107] Optionally, the drinking accessory may also include a generally downwardly extend collar or stabilizing portion that can extend below the attachment location (e.g. below the rim of the beverage can) to engage other portions of the can. Preferably, such a stabilizing portion can be somewhat flared, with a wider lower opening, such that is may help guide or align drinking accessory with the rim of the can as it is being attached. This may help facilitate easier mounting of the accessory. The stabilizing portion may also be shaped to compliment the shape of the intended beverage cans and may have sidewall portion that is a generally similar shape and configuration to the outer surfaces of the intended can. In this arrangement, when the drinking accessory is attached to the can the stabilizing portion may be closely spaced to the outer surface of the can, and optionally may be in contact with the surface of the can. This may help resist tilting of the drinking accessory relative to the beverage can, as pivoting of the drinking accessory relative to its axis (and the longitudinal axis of the can) may be inhibited by the contact/ interference between the sidewall of the stabilizing portion and the outer surface of the can. This may be helpful if a user uses the drinking accessory to hold or tip the combination of the drinking accessory and beverage can toward his/her mouth when drinking as it may help reduce the likelihood of the drinking accessory becoming unintentionally detached.

[00108] Referring to Figures 1 to 8, one example of a removeable drinking accessory 100 is illustrated. This drinking accessory 100 is show as being of unitary, one-piece construction and is configured to for connecting to a beverage can 102 (see Figure 6). The beverage can 102 in this example includes an upper end 104 with a top surface 106 that includes a drinking opening 108 and is bounded by an upper rim 1 10. The drinking accessory 100 can be positioned to form a seal with the rim 1 10 of the can 102 that is substantially liquid-tight. This can reduce the chances of any of the beverage leaking out between the rim 1 10 and the drinking accessory 100 when in use. The drinking accessory may be configured to pair with any suitable type and size of beverage can 102. For example, the drinking accessory 100 may be configured to pair with a standard 355 ml. aluminum beverage can, a 310 ml.“slim can”, a 473 ml.“tallboy” can, or a 740 ml.“King can”.

[00109] Referring again to Figure 1 , in this example, drinking accessory 100 includes a body portion 120 that defines a body axis 122 and that has an inner surface 124 that surrounds and helps define a central opening 126, and an opposing outer surface 128 (see also Figure 5). The body portion 120 is generally annular in this illustrated example so that it can generally match the shape of the beverages cans that is intended to be mounted on. Optionally, the body portion 120 may have a different shape in examples in which the accessory 100 is configured to attach to cans or containers that have a different shape (e.g. oval, etc.). In this example, the outer surface 128 of the body portion 120 is exposed to be engaged by a user while the drinking accessory 100 is in use and is generally planar and extends substantially parallel to the body axis 122.

[00110] Preferably, the drinking accessory 100 includes a gripping or attachment portion that is configured to help attach the drinking accessory 100 to a suitable beverage can. In this example the drinking accessory 100 also includes an attachment portion 130 that extends laterally inwardly (e.g. in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the axis 122) from the inner surface 124 of the body portion 120. The attachment portion 130 is configured to engage the upper rim 1 10 of the beverage can 102 in a detachable, snap-fit manner to form a substantially liquid-tight seal between the attachment portion 130 and the upper rim 1 10 to mount the drinking accessory 100 to the upper end 104 the beverage can 102. Preferably, the drinking accessory 100 can be mounted so that its central opening 126 is substantially, laterally aligned with and registered above the top surface 106 of a drinking can 102. In this position most of the top surface 106 remains visible and exposed when the drinking accessory 100 is mounted on the can 102. This can also allow liquid flowing out of the drinking opening 108 when the can 102 is tilted to flow through the central opening 126 in order to reach the mouth of the user/drinker.

[00111] Preferably, as described in more detail herein, the attachment portion 130 is configured so that when the drinking accessory 100 is mounted to the upper rim 1 10 the drinking accessory 100 is rotatable about its axis 122 relative to the beverage can 102 while maintaining the substantially liquid-tight seal and registration of the central opening 126 with the top surface 106. This may help the drinking accessory 100 be repositioned relative to the can 102 while in use, without requiring that the drinking accessory 100 be removed. This may be advantageous if the drinking accessory 100 is coated with a flavouring agent and/or is wet from having been exposed to the beverage as it may reduce the likelihood of the user’s hands becoming soiled and/or unintentionally dislodging flavouring agent.

[00112] Preferably, the drinking accessory 100 also includes a drinking portion that extends generally upwardly from the attachment portion (as referenced when the drinking accessory 100 is mounted to the top of a can). The drinking portion includes a drinking rim and is configured to contact the lips of a user. Preferably, the drinking rim is generally smooth which may help increase user comfort and may help simulate the rim of a drinking glass. The rim is also preferably configured to receive and hold the rimming or flavouring agent. Optionally, the drinking portion may be flared so that it gets generally wider toward the drinking rim than it is at the attachment portion. This may help provide a drinking rim that has a larger perimeter/ circumference than the rim 1 10 of the can 102 to which it is mounted. This may provide a somewhat more comfortable user experience and/or may also help the drinking accessory hold more of the rimmer/ flavouring agent than would be possible if the rim 1 10 itself were directly coated. This flared or inverse tapered arrangement may be achieved using any suitable configuration, including by providing a generally smooth sidewall that is inclined relative to the accessory axis 122 and extends from the attachment portion 130 to the drinking rim.

[00113] In the illustrated example, the drinking accessory 100 has a drinking portion 132 that is provided in the form of a generally, flared upper portion that is connected to and extends up and away from the gripping or attachment portion 130. In this arrangement, the drinking portion 132 includes a sidewall 134 that has a lower end adjacent the attachment portion 130 and terminates at an upper, drinking rim 136 that extends along its top surface and is configured to be engaged by the lips of a user. The rim 136 is preferably configured such that a flavouring agent can optionally be placed on it. For example, the flavouring agent may be a liquid or gel-based agent and/or may be a generally granular type of seasons such as salt, celery salt, sugar, spices, or the like. When the accessory 100 is in use, the user’s mouth will contact the rim 136 and liquid from the beverage can may flow across the rim 136, picking up flavouring placed on the rim 136 that is in the path of the liquid.

[00114] Optionally, the drinking accessory 100 may also include a suitable alignment and/or stabilizing portion that can extend below the attachment portion 130. This lower, stabilizing portion can be provided to help secure the drinking accessory 100 on the can 102, and optionally to help prevent unwanted tilting and/or detachment of the drinking accessory 100. The stabilizing portion may also help guide and/or align the drinking accessory 100 relative to the can 102 while it is being attached, such as by providing a tapered or inclined region that can help laterally align the drinking accessory 100 and can 102 as the accessory 100 is lowered onto the can in a generally axial direction. This lower, stabilizing portion may also be configured to provide additional outer surfaces that can help a user grip the drinking accessory 100. The lower portion may have an analogous configuration to the drinking portion 132 or may have a different configuration.

[00115] In the illustrated example, the stabilizing portion of the drinking accessory 100 includes a generally flared or widening lower portion 140 that includes a sidewall 142 that extends generally axially, downwardly and away from the attachment portion 130 and terminates in a lower rim 144. The stabilizing portion 140 is configured in this example so that it will at least partially overlap the upper end 104 of the can 102 in the vertical, axial direction. It is also configured so that the rim 144 has a larger diameter in the lateral direction than the central opening 126, and in this example the diameter of the rim 144 is also larger than the diameter of the drinking rim 136. In other examples, the drinking rim 136 may be equal to or larger than the lower rim 144. In this configuration (see Figures 3 and 4), the annular body portion 120 has a smaller diameter 150 in the lateral direction than the diameters 152 and 154 of the drinking rim 136 and the lower rim 144.

[00116] In this configuration, the stabilizing portion 140 is a generally fructo-conical section that tapers/narrows upwardly toward the attachment portion 130. When the drinking accessory 100 is being axially lowered onto the upper end 104 of the can 102 engagement between the can 102 and the sidewall 142 may tend to urge the drinking accessory 100 into lateral alignment with the can 102.

[00117] Preferably, the stabilizing sidewall 142 can be configured to at least partially laterally surround and closely compliment the shape of the upper end 104 of the beverage can 102, as shown in Figure 7. In this configuration, when the drinking accessory 100 is mounted to the beverage can 102 the stabilizing sidewall 142 can be relatively closely spaced to the outer portions or surfaces of the upper end 104 of the beverage can 102. With this close lateral spacing, tilting of the drinking accessory 100 about the axis 122 relative to the drinking can 102 may tend to bring the sidewall142 into contact with the outer surface of the can 102. This interference between the stabilizing sidewall 142 and the upper end 104 of the drinking can 102 may help inhibit tilting of the drinking accessory 100 while it is in use. This may help keep the attachment portion 130 in its desired position and orientation relative to the rim 1 10.

[00118] Preferably, the gripping or attachment portion 130 includes the mechanism and is configured to secure the drinking accessory 100 to the top of a beverage can 102. More preferably, the attachment portion 130 is the part of drinking accessory 100 that physically contacts the rim 1 10 and helps provide the substantially liquid-tight seal between the drinking accessory 100 and the can 102. In some embodiments, the gripping portion 130 engages with the top rim 1 10 of a beverage can 102 and the seal is only provided between the rim 1 10 and the engagement portion 130. Alternatively, the engagement portion 130 may also form a seal with other portions of the can 102, such as the top surface 106.

[00119] To help engage and seal against the rim 1 10, the attachment portion 130 preferably includes at least one generally laterally, inwardly extending rib that can contact and seal against the rim 1 10. This may be sufficient to provide a desired level of sealing in some examples. In other examples, the attachment portion 130 may also be configured to include one or more axially extending engagement or contact members, such as a lip member, that can work together with the rib to help provide the desired seal, engage the rim 1 10 and optionally form part of the interior drinking surfaces of the accessory 100.

[00120] In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the gripping portion 130 includes an annular rib 156 that extends generally, laterally inwardly from the body portion 120 and into the central opening 126. The rib 156 is positioned on an interior surface of the gripping portion 130. The illustrated rib 156 is preferably configured to engage the radially outer surface of the rim 1 10 of a beverage can 102 (see Figure 5). In some embodiments, the rib 156 provides a laterally inward, circumferential pressure against the outer surface 1 10a of the top rim 1 10 of a beverage can 102 to provide the desired seal. In other embodiments, the rib 156 may provide an outward pressure against the inner surface 1 10b of the top rim 1 10 of a beverage can 102. The rib 156, and optionally other relevant portions of the accessory 100 is sized to engage the rim 1 10 in a generally snap-fit or slight interference fit manner, and preferably may be sufficiently resilient to deform slightly when being attached or detached and to exert a sufficient contact pressure when in use, preferably without the need for a separate biasing member, sealing member (gasket, o- ring, etc.) or latch/fastening member. This can help facilitate relatively easy, one-step attachment and removal of the accessory 100. The absence of a separate sealing member may help simplify construction and/or maintenance of the accessory 100. That is, the drinking accessory 100 may be formed from a single plastic material and the substantially liquid-tight seal is formed by direct engagement between the attachment portion 130 (e.g. the rib 156) and the upper rim 1 10 of the beverage can in the absence of a sealing member formed from a different material. Alternatively, in some examples of the accessory 100 (or 1 100 below) a gasket, o-ring or similar sealing member may be included to help seal against the rim 1 10. [00121] Another example of a drinking accessory 1 100 is illustrated in Figures 9-14. This accessory 1 100 is generally similar to the drinking accessory 100 and like features are annotated using like reference characters indexed by 1000. In this embodiment, the gripping portion 130 comprises a generally laterally inwardly extending rib 1 156 and also includes a generally axially extending, and generally annularly shaped lip 1 158 that extends axially from the distal (e.g. laterally inner end) of the rib 1 156. Both the rib 1 156 and the lip 1 158 form part of and are located on the interior surface of the gripping, attachment portion 130. This lip 1 158 may also engage the can 102 (preferably the rim 1 10) and may help secure the drinking accessory 1 100 onto the top of the can 102.

[00122] As illustrated in Figure 13, in this example the lip 1 158 and rib 1 156 cooperate to bound a mounting groove 1 160 that has a lateral width 1 162 that is sized and configured to axially receive and retain the upper rim 1 10 of the beverage can in a snap-fit manner. In this arrangement, the mounting portion 1 130 can have a generally L-shaped cross-sectional structure that with the lateral rib portion that extends away (generally inwardly) from the gripping portion 1 130 and the axial lip portion that extends generally, axially downwardly (i.e. toward the top of the can 102 when the device is in use). In this example, the lip 1 158 can bear and preferably seal against a laterally inner surface 1 10b of the top rim 1 10 of a beverage can 102, the rib 1 156 can bear against and preferably seal against an upper edge of the rim 1 10 and an inner surface 1 164 of the attachment portion 1 130 that faces the lip 1 158 can bear against an outer facing surface of the rim 1 10 when the accessory 1 100 is snapped into place.

[00123] In this configuration, an inner face of the lip 1 158 may come into contact with the liquid exiting the can 102 when a user is drinking from the accessory 1 100. Similarly, a laterally extending upper surface of the rib 1 156 and an inclined, inner surface 1 166 of the drinking sidewall 1 134 intersect to define a shoulder portion that is also configured to contact the beverage when the drinking accessory 1 100 is in use. These surfaces may also help re-direct liquid that is running down the inner surface 1 166 of the drinking accessory 1 100 (for example, when putting the can 102 down after taking a sip) onto the upper wall 106 of the can 102 and/or toward the drinking opening 108 instead of trickling into the interface between the rib 1 126 and the can 102. This may help reduce the chances of liquid leaking between the drinking accessory 1 100 and the can 102.

[00124] In the example illustrated in Figure 13, the surface 1 164 may provides an inward pressure against the outer surface 1 10a of the top rim 1 10 of the beverage can 102 and the lip 1 158 can provide an outward pressure against the inner surface 1 10b of the top rim 1 10 of the beverage can 102. This combined inward and outward pressure against the top rim of the beverage can may help create a seal between the drinking accessory 1 100 and the beverage can 102.

[00125] Preferably, while the drinking accessory is in use it can be rotated relative to the can when the drinking accessory is secured to the beverage can. For example, when drinking out of a conventional glass with an open upper end that includes a rimmer or flavouring agent, a user can rotate the glass so that different portions of the rim of the glass are in the drinking location, which can allow the user to consume the flavouring from the entire perimeter of the rim of the glass. However, a conventional beverage can includes only one opening for drinking, and therefore the user’s lips tend to only touch one portion of the rim of the can - the section of the rim that is registered with the drinking opening 108. Making the present drinking accessory rotatable relative to the can may help facilitate rotationally moving different sections the rim of the drinking accessory into registration or alignment with the drinking opening 108 in the top of the can so that a user can enjoy all the flavouring on the drinking accessory while still holding the can in its preferred drinking orientation. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory or mode of action, the configuration of the mounting portion 130/1 130 and generally resilient nature of the material forming mounting portion 130 and 1 130 may help facilitate rotation of the accessory relative to the can rim 1 10, while maintaining a substantially liquid tight seal between the drinking accessory and the can 102.

[00126] Figure 8 illustrates an example of the drinking accessory 100 in use with a typical beverage can 102, and accessory 1 100 may be used in an analogous manner. In this example, a rimmer or flavouring agent 168 can be placed around the rim 136 of the drinking accessory 100 by first dipping the drinking rim 136 into a liquid and then dipping the still wet rim 136 into a container holding the desired rimming agent (Figure 7c). That is, in some embodiments, it may be preferable to first moisten the rim 136 of the drinking accessory 100 by dipping the rim 136 in water or another suitable liquid before the flavouring agent 168 is added, as this may make it easier for the flavouring agent 168 to stick to the rim 136. Once the flavouring agent 168 had been added or“loaded” on the rim 136 of the drinking accessory 100, the drinking accessory 100 can be mounted on the upper end of a beverage can 102 (Figure 7) with a first section of the rim, such as section 170 aligned/ registered with the drinking opening 108. When the user drinks the beverage, the liquid can pick up the flavouring agent as it flows over section 170 the rim 136 of the drinking accessory 100 to the user’s mouth. As the user drinks the beverage, the flavouring agent 168 in a first section 170 of the rim 136 that is registered with the drinking opening 108 of the can 102 (and the user’s mouth) is consumed (Figure 7e). Once the flavouring agent 168 in the first section 170 of the rim 136 has been consumed, the user can rotate the drinking accessory 100 to bring a second section 175 of the rim 136 into registration with the drinking opening 108 of the can 102, thereby allowing the user to access more flavouring agent 40 (Figure 7f). These steps can be repeated until all flavouring agent 40 has been consumed from the rim 25. Then, if the user desires, the drinking accessory 100 can be removed from the can 102, more flavouring agent 168 can be added, and the drinking accessory 100 can be re-mounted on the can 102 and the process repeated.

[00127] Optionally, the drinking accessory 100 is preferably of unitary construction and is formed from a sufficiently resilient, and generally rigid material (e.g., plastic), but may be made from other materials in some embodiments and may optionally be made from two or more pieces.

[00128] Optionally, a portable, multi-chamber carrying case can be provided for use with the drinking accessories described herein. The carrying case is preferably configured to include two or more separately accessible flavour reservoir chambers, optionally provided in different containers, which can allow a single carrying case to hold two or more different flavouring agents, preferably in fluid isolation from each other and without mixing. This can help prevent contained liquids from spilling or leaking and can help prevent contained dry ingredients and/or granular flavouring agents from being wetted or otherwise contaminated with liquid before their intended use. Optionally two or more dry containers/chambers can be provided, for example, a carrying case may include a quantity of salt in a first reservoir chamber, a quantity of sugar in a second reservoir chamber, and a quantity of celery salt in a third reservoir chamber.

[00129] Often, it can be easier for flavouring agents to stick to the rim of the drinking accessory if the rim is moistened before the flavouring agent is added. In some embodiments, the carrying case can include a liquid reservoir chamber for storing a suitable quantity of water, juice, or other liquid. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir could be filled with a quantity of liquid from within the beverage can by pouring a relatively small amount of the beverage from the can into the liquid reservoir. Preferably, the liquid reservoir is sized to allow the rim of the drinking accessory to be inserted into the reservoir and dipped in a relatively small volume of liquid contained therein. In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir could be configured to function as a storage compartment for the drinking accessory. [00130] In some embodiments, the flavour reservoir chamber may also function as the storage chamber for the drinking accessory when not in use. In some embodiments, the rim of the drinking accessory may be positioned within the reservoir when in a transit/storage configuration within the carrying case. This may allow a single chamber to function as both a flavour reservoir and a storage compartment. Alternatively, the carrying case may have an externally accessible accessory mount and/or attachment mechanism such that a drinking accessory can be connected to an exterior surface of the carrying case so as to be transported in unison with the carrying case.

[00131 ] In some embodiments, the carrying case may also be configured to contain a quantity of a flavouring agent that can be applied to the rim of the drinking accessory. In some embodiments, the carrying case may also include a reservoir chamber that can hold a quantity of salt, spices, or other flavouring agents that a user may desire. In such embodiments, the reservoir may be configured to receive at least the rim of the drinking accessory, such that the user may dip the rim of the drinking accessory into the reservoir to load the flavouring agent onto the rim.

[00132] Referring to Figures 14-24, one example of a portable carrying case 200 for a drinking accessory kit is illustrated. In this example the carrying case 200 includes a first container 202 that provides a first chamber or interior having a first lower end 204 bounded by a first base wall 206 and a first sidewall 208 extending axially from the first base wall 206 to an open first upper end 210 that is configured to axially receive the drinking rim (such as rim 136 or 1 136) of a drinking accessory (100 or 1 100). That is, the generally circular first container 202 has a lateral width 212 (or diameter in this case) that is sized to be at least equal to, and preferably slightly greater than the diameter 152 or 1 152 of the drinking rim 136 or 1 136. The first container 202 preferably includes at least a first fastening portion that can be used to help attach the first container to other portions of the carrying case 200 as described herein. In the illustrated example, the first container 202 has a cylindrical first container side wall 208, and a first container rim is disposed along a top surface of the first container side wall 208.

[0100] The carrying case 200 in this example also includes a second container 220 having a second lower end 222 bounded by a second base wall 224 and a second sidewall 226 extending axially from the second base wall 224 to an open, second upper end 228 that is configured to axially receive the drinking rim of the drinking accessory, That is, the lateral width 230 (or diameter in this case) of the first container 220 is sized to be at least equal to, and preferably slightly greater than the diameter 152 or 1 152 of the drinking rim 136 or 1 136. Optionally, as shown in this example, the generally circular second container 220 has a width 230 that is about the same as the width 212 of the first container 202. This may help the carrying case 200 have a generally uniform width along its height and/or may help facilitate stacking of the containers 202 and 220 as shown. Alternatively, the widths 212 and 230 may be different. Optionally, in some embodiments, one or more container 202 and 220 may also be sized and shaped to accommodate the lower rims 144 and 1 144 of the drinking accessories. This may allow substantially the entire drinking accessory 100 or 1 100 to be received entirely within one of the containers 202 or 220, for example for internal storage within the carrying case 200. Optionally, one or both of the widths 212 and 230 may also be sized to accommodate the insertion of the rim of a conventional drinking glass or other such container. This may help facilitate use of the carrying case 200 and its contents in combination with glassware if available (for example if some guests at a gathering are using drinking glasses) while also enabling use with the drinking accessory 100 or 1 100.

[0101] Preferably, the second container 220 can include a second fastening portion that is configured to releasably engageable with the first fastening portion on the first container to help join the containers 202 and 220 together.

[0102] A lid 232 is provided to generally match the size and shape of the upper end 228 o the second container 220 so that it can be positioned to releasably cover and seal the second upper end 228 when the carrying case is in use. The lid 232 is openable, and optionally detachable as shown.

[0103] In this example, the carrying case 200 is configurable in a transport configuration (Figures 14, 23 and 24) in which the second fastening portion is engaged with the first fastening portion and the first upper end 210 is covered and sealed by the second container 220 and the second upper end 228 is covered and sealed by the lid 232 so that the first and second containers 202 and 220 are sealed and their interior chambers are fluidly isolated from each other. The carrying case 200 is also preferably configurable in a use configuration (Figures 21 and 22) in which the first upper end 210 and the second upper end 228 are each accessible to enable axial insertion and removal of the drinking rim (e.g. 1 136) of the drinking accessory (e.g. 1 100).

[00133] Preferably, each container 202 and 220 is independently openable and closeable such that the first container 202 and second container 220 are separable from each and independently movable converting from the transport configuration to the use configuration. More preferably, one of the containers can be sealed by the lid 232 (the second container 220 in this example) while the other container (first container 202) may be sealed by engagement with the second container 220. This can help simplify operation of the carrying case and/or help reduce its overall size as a separate lid is not needed to seal the first container 202.

[00134] In the illustrated example, second fastening portion on the lower portion of the second container 220 includes a threaded portion 236 and the complimentary first fastening portion on the upper end of the first container 202 includes a mating or intermeshing threaded portion 238 (Figure 18). This can allow the two containers to be threaded together to seal the first container 202 in a suitable manner, and unthreaded to provide access to the first container 202. Preferably, if the first container 202 is used to hold a liquid, the connection between the first and second containers 202 and 220 can be substantially liquid tight to help prevent leakage. The threads in this example may mesh tightly enough to prevent liquid from leaking out of the first container 202. That is, the second container bottom forms a substantially liquid tight seal with the rim at the upper end of the first container.

[00135] To close the upper end 228 of the second container 220 the lid 232 can be secured to the second container 220 using any suitable mechanism, including a press or snap fit. If the second container 220 is not intended to store liquids then the seal between the lid 232 and the second container 220 need not be liquid tight, although it may be in some examples. Optionally, instead of threads the lid may be secured to the second container 220 using any suitable type of fasteners or connectors. In the illustrated example the lid 232 is connectable to the second upper end 228 via a rotary, bayonet type fastening mechanism 240 in which tabs 242 (Figures 15 and 19) on the second upper end 228 can be rotatably received within corresponding slots 244 on the underside of the lid 232. Alternatively, the tabs 242 may be on the lid 232 slots 244 may be provided on the second container 220 (or a different attachment mechanism may be used).

[00136] Optionally, to help secure the drinking accessory with the carrying case 200 a suitable accessory mount or docking portion on a suitable area of the case 200. In the illustrated example, the lid 232 includes an outer surface 246 that is exposed when the carrying case 200 is in the transport configuration and that includes an accessory mount 248 that is configured to releasably retain the drinking accessory 1 100 (Figures 20 and 23-24). The accessory mount 248 can be of any suitable configuration to receive a corresponding drinking accessory and may include at least two spaced apart clamping members extending from the outer surface 246 and configured to releasably receive the drinking accessory in a press-fit manner. In this example, the lid 232 includes three clamping members 250 that are spaced apart from each other in a generally triangular arrangement and are positioned on a circumference that is generally equal to the outer width of the lower rim 1 144 (or 144). Alternatively, the clamping members 250 may be arranged and positioned on a circumference that is generally equal to the outer width of the drinking rim 1 136. Optionally the docking portion may be configured so to receive either the drinking rim 1 136 or lower rim 1 144 such that the drinking accessory 100 can be connected to the lid 232 in either orientation.

[00137] Optionally, the one of the containers may include an internally positioned docking portion which, like the first docking portion, the second docking portion can be configured to receive the drinking accessory. For example, the second docking portion may include a raised circular central portion with an angled perimeter that is configured to receive the flared upper portion of the drinking accessory. In some embodiments, the second docking portion may also be configured to receive the lower portion of the drinking accessory, such that the drinking accessory 100 can be received in the second container 80 in either orientation.

[00138] Optionally, any of the containers that are configured to hold a liquid, such as the first container 202 in this example, may include some type of protrusion or other surface feature that rises above the base wall to help define a relatively smaller liquid flow region (i.e. smaller than the total foot print of the first container 202) so that a desired depth of liquid for dipping can be provided while using a relatively smaller amount of liquid than would be needed if the entire base wall of the container was flat and unobstructed. For example, in the illustrated example the first base wall 206 is shaped to include a raised portion that provides a protrusion 266 that extends upwardly from the plane containing the rest of the base wall 206. In this configuration, the first container 202 defines a generally annular liquid flow region 268 that is configured to accommodate the drinking rim 1 136 of the drinking accessory.

[00139] Optionally, a suitable liquid retaining member can be positioned with liquid flow region 268 to help at least partially sequester and/or retain the liquid while the case 200 is in transit. The liquid retaining member may be any type of object that can temporarily retain, absorb or otherwise contain the liquid, while still allowing the liquid to be released and to be transferred to the drinking rim 1 136 when in use. This may help reduce the sloshing or spilling or liquid while in transit. It may also help reduce the total amount of liquid needed to adequately coat the drinking rim 1 136 and may help reduce the chances of the liquid spilling or pooling toward one portion of the case 200 if the case is jostled or is not level when in use. The liquid retaining member may have any suitable shape that is generally complementary to the shape of the liquid retaining container (e.g. first container 202 in this example). The liquid retaining member may optionally be removable for cleaning, replacement or the like. Some examples of suitable materials for the liquid retaining member may include a sponge, a plastic mesh, a cloth or fabric or the like. One schematic example of an annular liquid retaining member 270 is shown using dashed lines in Figure 17. This liquid retaining member 270 is preferably made from a sponge material that can absorb liquid and then when contacted by the drinking rim 1 136 the sponge can be compressed thereby releasing at least some of the liquid to coat the drinking rim 1 136.

[00140] Preferably, a drinking accessory (including 100 or 1 100 as described herein) may be provided with a suitable and complimentary carrying case to provide a portable kit for utilizing a flavouring agent with a beverage contained in a beverage can. The interconnectivity of the accessory and the carrying case may help as user more conveniently transport the pieces of the kit together. The relatively small and sealable nature of the carrying case may also help facilitate transportation of the a pre-loaded carrying case and/or help facilitate the return transport of a used carrying case while reducing the chances of spilling or leaking its contents. The complimentary sizing of the carrying case and drinking accessory may also help reduce the amount of liquid and flavouring agent that is used with the kit, as the containers are configured to closely match the size and configuration of the drinking accessory to provide a sufficient amount/depth of the liquid and flavouring agent without being oversized such that excess quantities of the rimming components are needed and/or wasted.

[00141] While the carrying case 200 is shown as being generally cylindrical when configured in the transport configuration, in other examples the carrying case may have a different shape when its pieces are attached together.

[00142] In the illustrated example, the liquid is shown as being stored in the lower container 202 while the granular seasoning is stored in the upper container 220. In other examples, the containers may be arranged differently such that the liquid container is located above the seasoning container when the case 200 is in its transport configuration.

[00143] In Figures 16-24 the case 200 is shown having two containers 202 and 220. Other examples of the case may include more than two containers. For example, a third container can be provided that is to be stacked on top of the second container 220 when the case is close. This additional container could be configured to hold any other items, and preferably could be configured to contain garnishes such as lemon wedges, lime wedges, pickles, celery stalks, beans and other types of garnishes that may be used in combination with the rimmed drinking accessory. In such an example, the second container 220 could be configured to threadingly engage the first container 202 as shown, but instead of being sealed by the lid 232 the upper end of the second container 220 could include a threaded portion that is analogous to that shown on the first container 202 in this example. The additional third container could then have the same configuration as container 220, such that it could threadingly engage the upper end of the second container and its upper end could be sealed by the lid. Alternatively, the containers 202 and 220 may have the same configuration as shown in the present figures, and one or more intermediary containers could be provided having upper and lower threaded regions such that they can be threadingly connected between the containers 202 and 220. The kits described herein may include one or more of these intermediary containers such that the case 200 may be configured to include 2, 3, 4 or more separate containers when in use. The user may then select a desired number of containers for a given use of the kit.

[00144] While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and examples, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Thus, various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments.

[00145] All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.