Can cap
A recloseable cover for refuse cans of various sizes and shapes, each said cover having a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the cover, permitting refuse to be added to the can without removing the cover.
The present invention relates to sanitary covers for refuse containers, and specifically to disposable covers with an opening for inserting the refuse, which recloses to block odor, contamination, or an unsightly view.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe recloseable covers of the present invention are formed of a flexible material with elastic means, or stretchable, retractable material; and fit snuggly over the open top of refuse cans of diverse size and shape, to conceal the contents of the container, but permit disposing refuse into the can.
Tupperware® containers have lids of deformable material to fit snuggly on their containers. Semi-permanent Zip-lock® storage containers also have lids of deformable material for a snug fit. These lids are not sufficiently deformable to fit containers having a different shape, or size. Their material is not stretchable enough to fit containers of different sizes, or form a snug closure on containers of different shape openings.
Expansible, retractable film, such as Saran Wrap®, has been used to create a temporary cover for containers of varying size and shape. Typically, the material of these films have gripping characteristics, and the combination of the gripping and the expansible retractable nature of the film provides a tight cover, but no means to insert another object through the cover. The cover must be removed in order to add any object to the container, and it is generally difficult to reuse the piece of film which formed the original cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,774, to Rodriquez discloses a cover for a paint can, comprising a disk-shaped web of fabric with a downwardly pending skirt which includes an elastomeric ring to secure the cover to the paint can. The purpose of the cover is to “maintain the freshness of the paint therewithin and prevent contamination of the paint by foreign matter during use and storage of the paint”. The cover includes an “enclosed slit, 18, defined by adjacent spaced elastomeric strips to effect biasing the strips together and maintain in normally closed orientation of the slit which may be separated for insertion of a hose and the like therewithin to gain access to contents within the container 14 without removal of the web or cap in use”, column 4, lines 23 to 29. As illustrated in
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans, to contain the contents of the can. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans to prevent the issuing of odors therefrom. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans to hide from view those things already disposed of in the can. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans which covers have deodorants or scents, both to make them more pleasing to the senses, and to make refuse cans on which they are used less attractive to animals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThese objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, which comprises a reclosable cover for a refuse can, comprising a blank having a rounded peripheral edge, a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the blank and elastic means attached about the edge of the blank. The cover may further comprise elastic means, or additional expansible contractible means, attached to the cover about the straight slit. In an alternative construction, the blank for the reclosable cover may comprise an expansible, retractable material. The straight slit may extend for a substantial extent of the middle portion of the blank. This cover may also further comprise elastic means attached about the edge of the blank, and the elastic means may have a rubbery surface which grips the refuse can. The covers of the present invention may further comprise a slit stabilization card, attached to the cover, about the straight slit. The slit stabilization card may be attached to the upper side or the underside of the cover. The slit stabilization card has an opening, preferably an oval opening, exposing the straight slit. In an alternative construction, the blank material within the opening of the card may be removed, and a soft flexible smaller blank of material attached to the stabilization card, having a straight slit therethrough, extending substantially along the longer diameter of the oval opening.
For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to
As shown in
As shown in view B, a piece of refuse, 7a, such as the inner cardboard roll of a toilet paper roll, may easily be used to open the slit for disposing of the roll within the refuse can. As seen in view C, the refuse within the refuse can, such as cotton swabs, 7c, and disposable razors, 7c, are retained safely out of sight under the cover. In
Also illustrated in
As shown in
There has thus been shown and described a novel refuse can cap which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A reclosable cover for a refuse can, said cover comprising a blank having a rounded peripheral edge, said blank comprising expansible, retractable material, having a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the blank.
2. A reclosable cover as in claim 1, wherein the straight slit extends for a substantial extent of the middle portion of the blank.
3. A reclosable cover as in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an elastic means attached about the edge of the blank.
4. A reclosable cover as in claim 3, wherein the elastic means comprises a rubbery surface which grips the refuse can.
5. A reclosable cover as in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a slit stabilization card, attached to the cover, about the straight slit.
6. A reclosable cover as in claim 5, wherein the cover has an upper surface and an undersurface, and the slit stabilization card is attached to the underside of the cover.
7. A reclosable cover as in claim 5, wherein the slit stabilization card comprises a flexible material.
8. A reclosable cover as in claim 5, wherein the slit stabilization card comprises an opening, exposing the straight slit.
9. A reclosable cover as in claim 8, wherein the opening comprises an oval opening.
10. A reclosable cover as in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises elastic means attached to the cover about the straight slit.
11. A reclosable cover as in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises reinforcing expansible contractible means attached to the cover about the straight slit.
12. A reclosable cover for a refuse can, said cover comprising a blank having a rounded peripheral edge, a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the blank and an elastic means attached about the edge of the blank.
13. A reclosable cover for a refuse can, said cover comprising a blank having a rounded peripheral edge, and an elastic means attached about the edge of the blank; and a stabilization card having an oval opening therein; said card attached to the cover in the middle portion of the blank, the material of the blank removed within the opening, and a soft flexible piece of material, and having a straight slit therethrough, extending substantially a long the longer diameter of the oval opening, attached to the stabilization card about the opening.
14. The recloseable cover of claim 1, wherein the material of the blank if fluid impervious material.
15. The recloseable cover of claim 12, wherein the material of the blank if fluid impervious material.
16. The recloseable cover of claim 13, wherein the material of the blank if fluid impervious material.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 22, 2006
Inventor: Devin Drake (E. Orange, NJ)
Application Number: 11/007,041
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101);