Beverage container closure with pressure release

Abstract

A beverage container closure with pressure release, includes a generally funnel-shaped device body having an upper portion and a lower portion, a snap ring extending around an inner periphery of said lower portion, wherein the snap ring can be releasably attached to a beverage container for maintaining a leak-proof and airtight seal with an edge of the beverage container and a snap cover releasably attached to the upper portion of the device body, wherein the snap cover is designed to release from the upper portion of the device body prior to the device body releasing from the beverage container when pressure builds up within the beverage container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage container closure with pressure release, comprising:
 a generally funnel-shaped device body having an upper portion and a lower portion;   a snap ring extending around an inner periphery of said lower portion, wherein the snap ring can be releasably attached to a beverage container for maintaining a leak-proof and airtight seal with an edge of the beverage container; and   a snap cover releasably attached to the upper portion of the device body, wherein the snap cover is designed to release from the upper portion of the device body prior to the device body releasing from the beverage container when pressure builds up within the beverage container.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wall portion extending from the upper portion and a lip portion flaring outwardly from the lower portion; and   a device body interior defined by the upper portion, the wall portion and the lower portion.   
     
     
         3 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 2 , wherein pressure builds up within the device body interior when a pressure buildup occurs within the beverage container. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cap assembly including a mounting loop attached to the snap cover via a tether. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the mounting loop is mounted to the upper portion of the device body by press fit. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the mounting loop is mounted to the upper portion of the device body by threaded connection. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the snap cover is releasable from the upper portion of the device body by a user for allowing the user access to contents of the beverage container. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the snap cover is pressed onto an upper edge of the upper portion of the device body by the user to protect contents of the beverage container. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the snap cover is designed to release from the upper portion of the device body when pressure within the device body reaches between approximately 7.5 psi-12.3 psi and more preferably less than approximately 12 psi and the device body is designed to release from the beverage container when pressure builds up to at least approximately 17 psi-21 psi within the device body. 
     
     
         10 . A beverage container closure with pressure release, comprising:
 a generally funnel-shaped device body having a generally cylindrical upper portion, a generally cylindrical middle portion extending from the neck portion, a lower portion extending from the middle portion and a lip portion flaring outwardly from the lower portion;   a device body interior defined by the upper portion, the middle portion, the lower portion and the lip portion;   a snap ring extending around the device body interior; and   a snap cover releasably attached to the upper portion of the device body, wherein the snap cover is designed to release from the upper portion of the device body prior to the device body releasing from the beverage container when pressure builds up within the device body interior.   
     
     
         11 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 10 , wherein pressure builds up within the device body interior when a pressure buildup occurs within the beverage container. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a cap assembly including a mounting loop attached to the snap cover via a tether. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the mounting loop is mounted to the upper portion of the device body by press fit. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the mounting loop is mounted to the upper portion of the device body by threaded connection. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the snap cover is releasable from the upper portion of the device body by a user for allowing the user access to contents of the beverage container. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the snap cover is pressed onto an upper edge of the upper portion of the device body by the user to protect contents of the beverage container. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage container closure with pressure release as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the snap cover is designed to release from the upper portion of the device body when pressure within the device body reaches between approximately 7.5 psi-12.3 psi and more preferably less than approximately 12 psi and the device body is designed to release from the beverage container when pressure builds up to at least approximately 17 psi-21 psi within the device body.