Today in 1952, US Patent 2614406 A was issued, an invention of Oliver W. Carpenter, for his “Drinking Rim for Beer Cans.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to detachable rims for beer cans and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a detachable rim for a conventional beer can which facilitates drinking of the contents directly from the can.

Another object is to provide a rim which may be disposed on the can and isolate the drinkers lips from any contamination such as germs, or the like, which may be present on the can.

A further object is to provide a rim which is inexpensive in construction, and hence may be discarded after use.

Another object is to provide a rim which will withstand a sterilizing temperature in event the rim is to be reused.