Cover

Abstract

A cover includes an aperture for a straw, so that the cover can be used with a liquid beverage. The cover is elastically stretchable, and has a central body portion and an outer periphery. The cover can be stretched over an opening of a container so that the central portion covers the opening of the container while the periphery grips the outer side walls of the container. The aperture preferably is in a closed or nearly closed condition, such that insertion of a straw therethrough opens the aperture which then elastically retains the straw in an inserted position and provides a seal. This permits a user to consume the beverage, while still having the beverage protected against contamination or adulteration by drugs, dirt, dust, biologic matter, and the like. The cover is convenient, inexpensive yet effective, and readily portable.

Description

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/459,153, filed on Dec. 8, 2010.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved cover for protecting beverages and comestibles from contamination by drugs, dirt, dust, biologic matter, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a problem in the prior art to protect beverages and comestibles from contamination by drugs, dirt, dust, biologic matter, and the like.

More particularly, it is a problem in the prior art to protect beverages and comestibles which are consumed in public places from contamination by drugs, dirt, dust, biologic matter, and the like. For example, it is a known problem that beverages can be contaminated by drugs, such as those known generally as date rape drugs, while at parties, bars, and in other public places.

It is additionally a problem in the restaurant and catering industries to protect beverages and comestibles from sampling by workers, guests, and even pets; as well as from contamination by dust, dirt, biologic matter, and the like.

Furthermore, in industrial and military settings, it is a problem to protect openings of equipment such as pipes, gun barrels, instruments, and other equipment from the ravages of climate and weather. For example, sandstorms can severely damage unprotected equipment including artillery and guns, and can quickly enter open conduits such as pipe and tubing used in construction.

It is accordingly a problem in the prior art to provide a covering which is convenient, inexpensive, yet effective, and is readily portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a covering for beverages and comestibles which is convenient, inexpensive, yet effective, and is readily portable.

The cover is preferably elastically stretchable, and has a central body portion and an outer periphery. The cover can be stretched over an opening of a container so that the central portion covers the opening of the container while the periphery grips the outer side walls of the container.

The device according to the present invention includes a nonwoven or woven plastic material which is elastic and is relatively thin, and includes a raised edge portion to provide a tactile grip for applying the cover to the rim of a beverage container, glass, bowl, or other opening to a container for beverages or comestibles. The raised portion also provides strength against tearing.

Alternatively, the device may instead include a flexible thin material, including thin woven or non-woven material, other than plastic. Such thin materials could include materials such as rubber and the like.

In one preferred embodiment, the inventive cover includes an aperture for a straw, so that the cover can be used with a liquid beverage. The aperture preferably is in a closed or nearly closed condition, such that insertion of a straw therethrough opens the aperture which then elastically retains the straw in an inserted position and provides a seal. This permits a user to consume the beverage, while still having the beverage protected against contamination or adulteration by drugs.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, top elevational view of a cover in an unstretched condition according to the present invention, and schematically showing a stretched condition in dashed outline, the cover having an aperture.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic top elevational view of a portion of the cover showing the aperture for a straw, for use with the cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top elevational view of another embodiment of the aperture for the cover FIG. 1, wherein the aperture is slit-shaped.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic top elevational view of a portion of the cover of FIG. 3, showing the slit-shaped aperture for a straw.

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the cover of FIG. 3, having an overlay which covers the slit-shaped aperture to protect it prior to insertion of a straw therethrough.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, showing a central membrane and peripheral thickened portions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the cover of FIG. 1 used with a glass for a beverage, and showing a straw inserted through the aperture.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the cover of FIG. 1 used for covering a bowl-shaped container.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the cover of FIG. 1, further including a plurality of handles disposed about the periphery of the cover to facilitate gripping and stretching of the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic, top elevational view of a cover 100 in an unstretched condition according to the present invention, and schematically showing a stretched condition in dashed outline, the cover 100 an aperture 110 therethrough to receive a drinking straw. The cover 100 is stretched by pulling as indicated in the directions shown by arrows labeled D in FIG. 1.

The cover 100 has a central portion 130 and a thickened peripheral portion 120. The cover 100 is preferably composed of a highly elastic plastic material such as TPE, which is newer material called theremoplastic elastomer, or can be composed of rubber, or other suitable woven or nonwoven stretchable fabric material. The material TPE is preferably used, which is a relatively new plastic material which is extremely elastic and in the present intended use is capable of expansion by 700 percent.

The cover 100 according to the present invention provides a covering for beverages and comestibles which is convenient, inexpensive, yet effective, and is readily portable. The cover 100 is preferably elastically stretchable, and can be stretched over an opening of a container so that the central portion 130 covers the opening of the container while the periphery 120 grips the outer side walls of the container.

The cover 100 preferably includes a nonwoven or woven plastic material which is elastic and is relatively thin, and includes a raised edge portion, i.e. the thickened portion 120, to provide a tactile grip for applying the cover to the rim of a beverage container, glass, bowl, or other opening to a container for beverages or comestibles. The thickened portion 120 also provides strength against tearing.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic top elevational view of a portion of the cover 100 showing the aperture 110 for receiving a straw therethrough, for use with the cover 100 of FIG. 1. As seen in this view, the aperture 110 has a central opening 112 and a slightly raised peripheral portion 114 to provide strength so that it is tear-resistant.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top elevational view of a cover 200 which is another embodiment of the cover of FIG. 1 having a different kind of aperture, namely aperture 210. The aperture 210 herein is slit-shaped.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic top elevational view of a portion of the cover 200 of FIG. 3, showing the slit-shaped aperture 210 for a straw and having a body portion 230 and periphery 220. The aperture 210 has a central opening 214 and a thickened portion 212 to provide strength so that it is tear-resistant.

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the cover 200 of FIG. 3, having an overlay portion 240 which covers the slit-shaped aperture 210 to protect it prior to insertion of a straw therethrough. The overlay portion 240 has a body 242 and a peripheral edge 246 which is attached to the central portion 230 by adhesive or ultrasonic welding, or any other means of connection, as shown by the dashed outline in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the cover 100 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, showing the central portion 130 which is formed as a central membrane, and also showing the peripheral thickened portion 120. The cross-sectional shape of the thickened peripheral portion 120 is shown as being circular, but it is contemplated that other shapes can be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention, including oval, square, rectangular, and other thickened shapes including irregular shapes.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing the cover 100 of FIG. 1 used with a glass G for a beverage, and showing a straw S inserted through the aperture 110. As seen in FIG. 7, the thickened peripheral portion 120 elastically adheres to the side walls of the glass G so as to retain the cover 100 in place.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of the cover 100 of FIG. 1 used for covering a bowl-shaped container B. The application is similar to that described hereinabove in FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 is another embodiment, showing a cover 300 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and further including a plurality of handles 360 disposed about the periphery of the cover 300 to facilitate gripping and stretching of the cover 300.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cover for covering an opening, comprising:

a central body portion composed of stretchable material;

a thickened periphery surrounding said central body portion, said thickened periphery being composed of stretchable material; and

an aperture through said central body portion.

2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said aperture is adapted to receive a drinking straw therethrough.

3. A cover according to claim 1, in which the central body portion is a thin flexible body composed of a nonwoven stretchable plastic material.

4. A cover according to claim 1, in which the central body portion is a thin flexible body composed of a nonwoven stretchable material containing rubber.

5. A cover according to claim 1, in which the central body portion is a thin flexible body composed of a woven stretchable plastic material.

6. A cover according to claim 2, in which said aperture is round and is bounded by a thickened periphery for strength against tearing.

7. A cover according to claim 2, in which said aperture is slit-shaped, and is bounded by a thickened periphery for strength against tearing.

8. A cover according to claim 1, in which said aperture is round as is bounded by a thickened periphery for strength against tearing, and is adapted to receive a drinking straw; whereby the cover can be used in public places to protect the contents of a container having liquid beverage against potential adulteration or contamination.

9. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said central body portion and said thickened periphery are composed of TPE material.