Beverage can with laminate on top

Abstract

The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment a protective laminate for a beverage can, applied before the can components are formed, comprising: at least one layer disposed across substantially an entire upper surface of a top of said beverage can; and said at least one layer having therein at least one score or die-cut line adapted to facilitate manual removal of said at least a portion of said at least one layer before a person consumes contents of said beverage can. A method of manufacturing said protective laminate is also provided.

1 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, comprising: 
 (a) at least one layer disposed across substantially an entire upper surface of a top of said beverage can; and    (b) said at least one layer having therein at least one score or die-cut line adapted to facilitate manual removal of said at least a portion of said at least one layer before a person consumes contents of said beverage can.    
   
   
       2 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one score or die-cut line is formed around a dispensing orifice of said beverage can.  
   
   
       3 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one score or die-cut line is formed such that said at least one layer can be manually removed in its entirety from said upper surface of said top of said beverage can.  
   
   
       4 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising: a raised area adjacent said at least one score or die-cut line to facilitate manual peeling of said at least one layer from said top of said beverage can.  
   
   
       5 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one layer is colored.  
   
   
       6 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one layer has printed thereon indicia.  
   
   
       7 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one layer has incorporated therein a temperature sensitive material that changes colors depending on temperature.  
   
   
       8 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one layer has incorporated therein a temperature sensitive material that changes from one color to another color when a target chilled temperature is reached.  
   
   
       9 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: a temperature sensitive layer is disposed on said top of said can before said at least one layer is disposed on said top of said can.  
   
   
       10 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said at least one layer comprises at least two layers.  
   
   
       11 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: said laminate is incorporated as part of metal stock before can components are formed and assembled therefrom.  
   
   
       12 . A protective laminate for a beverage can, comprising: a temperature sensitive material printed or coated across a top of said beverage can, said temperature sensitive material not being adapted to be removed before a person consumes contents of said beverage can.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, comprising: 
 (a) providing at least one layer disposed across substantially an entire upper surface of a top of said beverage can; and    (b) providing said at least one layer having therein at least one score or die-cut  1  line adapted to facilitate manual removal of said at least a portion of said at least one layer before a person consumes contents of said beverage can.    
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: providing said at least one score or die-cut line formed around a dispensing orifice of said beverage can.  
   
   
       15 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: providing said at least one score or die-cut line formed such that said at least one layer can be manually removed in its entirety from said upper surface of said top of said beverage can.  
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising: providing a raised area adjacent said at least one score or die-cut line to facilitate manual peeling of said at least one layer from said top of said beverage can.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: providing said at least one layer colored.  
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: printing indicia on said at least one layer.  
   
   
       19 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: incorporating in said at least one layer a temperature sensitive material that changes colors depending on temperature.  
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: incorporating in said at least one layer a temperature sensitive material that changes from one color to another color when a target chilled temperature is reached.  
   
   
       21 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: providing a temperature sensitive layer disposed on said top of said can before said at least one layer is disposed on said top of said can.  
   
   
       22 . A method of manufacture a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: providing said at least one layer as at least two layers.  
   
   
       23 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising: incorporating said laminate as part of metal stock before can components are formed and assembled therefrom.  
   
   
       24 . A method of manufacturing a protective laminate for a beverage can, comprising: printing or coating a temperature sensitive material across a top of said beverage can, said temperature sensitive material not being adapted to be removed before a person consumes contents of said beverage can.