REMOVABLE COVER

Abstract

A cover includes a main flexible sheet adapted to extend around a covered item. A flexible lip is secured to the top edge of the main sheet and extends in from the top edge to cover at least a portion of the top of the covered item. The lip defines a hole in the cover that allows access to the covered item. The cover also has a separable seam, which can be separated at least in part to expose at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item without removing the entire cover. A method includes placing a flexible cover on a container. The flexible cover defines a top access hole that allows access to the container, and the cover has a separable seam extending down from a top of the flexible cover. The method also includes attaching the separable seam.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/878,494, entitled Containerware—A Cover for Various Objects, and More Particularly to a Cover for Garbage Containers and Water Barrels, filed Jan. 4, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The description relates generally to covered items, and more particularly to temporary covers that allow access to items that are covered.

BACKGROUND

Items such as garbage containers are often aesthetically displeasing, especially in formal settings. Of course, one solution to this problem would be to design the items themselves to be more aesthetically pleasing. However, such designs would add to the costs of the items and would likely require additional work to maintain the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the items. Thus, it is often desirable to cover such items temporarily to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, people may do this to improve the appearance of garbage containers during a banquet or another similar event.

CoverCo Inc. sells one example of such a cover under the name Brute Can Cover. Such a cover includes a tube of fabric. Elastic stretch cords or other elastic members tighten the top and bottom of the fabric to pull the fabric over the top and bottom of the garbage container, thereby attaching the cover to the container. A webbing is secured to the bottom of the fabric and extends below the floor of the covered container to keep the top stretch cord from pulling the cover too far up on the container.

Another known garbage container cover is the one sold by Buffet Enhancements International, Inc. under the name Can Topper. The Can Topper cover includes a rigid annular disk that rests on top of a garbage container and a fabric skirting that hangs down from the periphery of the rigid disk.

SUMMARY

The present inventor recognized the shortcomings of prior covers, such as the Can Topper covers and the Brute Can Covers. For example, while the Brute Can Covers hide garbage containers, they have a bunched-up appearance because the covers are over-sized to fit over the container handles, and because the stretch cords or other elastic members pull on the fabric. Moreover, it is difficult to place a Brute Can Cover onto and take it off a garbage container. A user must lift the garbage container off the ground before placing the cover on the container or removing the cover from the container because the cover has webbing on the bottom. This can be difficult if the container is heavy or full of garbage, and it often requires two people. Additionally, it is difficult to move a container that is covered with a Brute Can Cover. If the container is dragged along the ground, the bottom webbing is pulled back, thereby displacing the cover. Thus, the container must be lifted off the ground when it is moved. It is also difficult to replace a garbage bag in the container because the stretch cord must be pulled out and down over the top of the container to expose the container rim.

The Can Topper covers also hide garbage containers. However, it is not easy to clean such covers because the flexible skirts must be cleaned separately from the rigid disks. Moreover, the rigid disks take up additional storage space when the covers are not being used, and users must remove the entire cover to replace a garbage bag in the covered garbage container.

Accordingly, there existed a need to provide a cover that overcomes one or more of these problems with prior covers. The described embodiments address this need, which has not heretofore been recognized and addressed.

According to one aspect of the described embodiments, a cover includes a main flexible sheet adapted to extend around a covered item, the main flexible sheet having a top edge and a bottom edge. A flexible lip is secured to the top edge of the main flexible sheet and extends in from the top edge of the sheet to cover at least a portion of the top of the covered item. The lip defines a hole in the cover. The cover also has a separable seam, which can be separated at least in part to expose at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item without removing the entire cover.

The cover may be fitted so that the lip is adapted to rest on at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item to support the flexible cover without fasteners being secured to the covered item. Additionally, the main flexible sheet can define a cavity therein that is adapted to receive a handle of the covered item, and the cavity may be a hole that is adapted to allow access to the handle of the covered item. Moreover, in the described embodiments, the cover may define a pouch that is adapted to receive a sign, and the pouch may be defined at least in part by a transparent sheet removably attached to the main flexible sheet.

The cover may also include a removable flexible sheet having an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge removably attached to the lip, and the inner edge defining a hole. Moreover, the bottom of the cover may be open.

According to another aspect of the described embodiments, a covered container includes a garbage container that has a floor and one or more walls extending up from the floor so that the top of the one or more walls forms a rim. The covered container also includes a flexible cover with flexible means for covering the one or more walls of the container and flexible means for supporting the cover on the container without securing fasteners to the container, wherein the means for supporting is secured to the means for covering. The cover defines an access hole in the top of the cover, and the cover does not extend under the floor of the container.

In one described embodiment, the means for supporting does not include a stretch cord. Additionally, the means for supporting may include means for covering the rim of the container. In addition, the means for covering the rim of the container may include a flexible fabric lip extending in from the means for covering the one or more walls of the container. The means for supporting the cover on the container may include means for receiving one or more handles of the container. The covered container may also include means for exposing the rim of the garbage container without removing the entire cover or moving the container, wherein the means for exposing enables a garbage bag in the garbage container to be replaced without removing the entire cover or moving the container.

According to another aspect of the described embodiments, a method includes placing a flexible cover on a container. The flexible cover defines a top access hole that allows access to the container, and the cover has a separable seam extending down from a top of the flexible cover. The method also includes attaching the separable seam.

The method may also include replacing a bag in the container without removing the entire flexible cover from the container. Replacing the bag may include detaching at least a portion of the separable seam to expose a rim of the container. The method may also include inserting a sign in a pouch of the flexible cover. In addition, the seam may extend from the top of the flexible cover to a bottom edge of the flexible cover. Alternatively, the seam may not extend to the bottom edge of the flexible cover.

The various features described herein can be used in combination or independently. Additional features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description of different embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a covered garbage container according to a described embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear view of the covered garbage container of FIG. 1 with the cover partially opened.

FIG. 3 is a cut away isometric rear view of the covered garbage container of FIG. 1 with a top portion of the cover partially opened to allow a user to replace the garbage bag in the container.

FIG. 4 is an isometric front view of a covered garbage container similar to the covered container illustrated in FIG. 1, but with the cover including a removable top sheet.

FIG. 5 is an isometric rear view of a covered garbage container according to another described embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a main sheet of the FIG. 1 garbage container cover prior to assembly.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a handle cover of the FIG. 1 garbage container cover prior to assembly.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one-half of a rim cover of the FIG. 1 garbage container cover prior to assembly.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view the FIG. 5 garbage container cover prior to assembly, illustrating fold and seam lines in the cover.

The description and drawings may refer to the same or similar features in different drawings with the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a covered garbage container 100 includes a standard garbage container 110 (see FIGS. 2-3). The garbage container 110 has a cylindrical wall 112 with an upper edge that forms a rim 114. The wall 112 extends up from a container floor 116. In addition, the garbage container 110 includes a pair of handles 118 that extend out from opposite sides of the wall 112. The garbage container 110 supports a standard garbage bag 124. While the cover and the covered garbage container are described with reference to this particular container, the covers described herein could be adapted for use with other garbage containers and even covered items other than garbage containers.

The covered garbage container 100 also includes a cover 130, which provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than the container 110, if it were uncovered. In addition, the cover 130 is fitted on the garbage container 110 to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than a cover that is bunched up and not fitted to the form of the container.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-3, the cover 130 includes a main sheet 140 that covers the wall 112 of the garbage container 110. The main sheet 140 terminates in a bottom edge 142 adjacent to the floor 116 of the garbage container 110, but the bottom of the cover 130 is preferably open so that it leaves the floor 116 of the container 110 exposed. Thus, a user can move the covered garbage container 100 by dragging the floor 116 of the container along the floor or ground without damaging or displacing the cover 130.

The main sheet 140 terminates in a top edge 144 adjacent to the rim 114 of the garbage container 110. The main sheet 140 also defines handle holes 146 through which the handles 118 of the garbage container 110 protrude. Thus, the main sheet 140 is form-fitted about the wall 112, producing a slim, fitted look, rather than a bunched-up, baggy look. This adds to the neat and tidy appearance of the covered garbage container 100.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-3, rather than leaving the garbage container handles 118 exposed to view, the cover 130 includes handle covers 148 that cover the top and sides of the handles 118. Each handle cover 148 includes an exposed bottom edge 150, as well as a pair of opposing side edges 152 and a top edge 154 that are secured to the remainder of the cover 130 by a handle cover seam 156. However, the handle covers 148 are open on the bottom, thereby allowing users to access the handles when moving the covered garbage container 100. Each handle cover seam 150 attaches the side edges 152 of the corresponding handle cover 148 to the main sheet 140, and attaches the top edge 154 of the handle cover 148 to an annular lip or rim cover 160.

The rim cover 160 has an outer edge 162 extending along the top edge 144 of the main sheet 140, and the cover extends in to an inner edge 164, thereby defining a circular access hole 166. The outer edge 162 of the rim cover 160 is secured to the top edge 144 of the main sheet 140 at the rim cover seam 168. The rim cover seam 168 also coincides with the top portion of each handle cover seam 150 so that so that the top edge 154 of each handle cover 148 is secured to the rim cover 160.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover 130 includes a removable sign pouch 170 that is defined by a transparent sheet 172 removably attached to the front of the main sheet 140 by hook-and-loop strips 176 that extend along the top, bottom, and left sides of the sign pouch. The loop strips may be secured to the main sheet 140 and the hook strips may be secured to the transparent sheet 172 (or vice versa). Thus a sign 184, such as a standard piece of cardstock printed with a logo and/or message, is held in place between the transparent sheet 172 and the main sheet 140 of the cover 130. The sign 184 can be inserted and removed through the right side of the pouch 170. Of course, the pouch could have some other design. For example, the left side or top, rather than the right side, could be left open. Moreover, the pouch could be in the form of an envelope with one clear side, and the envelope could be removably attached to the main sheet 140. Alternatively, the pouch could be permanently attached to the main sheet 140. In fact, the cover 130 could omit the sign pouch altogether, having no sign at all, or a logo or message printed directly on the main sheet 140.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, the cover 130 includes a separable seam 210 that extends vertically down from the rim cover 160 to the bottom edge 142 of the main sheet 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the seam 210 extends vertically down, but it could extend down in some other direction or pattern, such as diagonally or helically. The separable seam 210 is held in place by a vertical hook strip 214 and a vertical loop strip 216, which mate to removably attach the main sheet 140 together, as well as a rim cover hook tab 220 and a rim cover loop tab 222, which mate to removably attach the rim cover 160 together.

Referring to FIG. 2, a user 230 places the cover 130 on the garbage container 110 to form the covered garbage container 100. Specifically, the user 230 wraps the main sheet 140 of the cover 130 around the wall 112 of the garbage container 110, so that the handle holes 146 and handle covers 148 receive the handles 118, and the rim cover 160 extends over the rim 114. The user 230 then secures the separable seam 210 by bringing the vertical hook strip 214 together with the vertical loop strip 216 and by bringing the rim cover hook tab 220 together with the rim cover loop tab 222 (see also FIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 1, the user 230 (see FIG. 2) may also secure the transparent sheet 172 to the main sheet 140 by bringing the hook-and-loop strips 176 together to form the sign pouch 170. The user may then insert a sign 184 through the right side of the sign pouch 170.

The resulting covered garbage container 100 has a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than the garbage container 110 alone. That appearance is further enhanced by the slim, fitted design of the cover, as well as the removable sign 184. With the cover 130 on the garbage container 110, the users are able to drop garbage into the garbage bag 124 in the garbage container 110 through the access hole 166 in the top of the cover 130. Users are also able to access and grasp the handles 118 of the garbage container 110 to move the covered garbage container 100. Indeed, users can drag the covered garbage container 100 along the floor or ground without damaging or displacing the cover 130 because the bottom of the cover 130 is open so that it does not extend under the floor 116 of the garbage container 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rim cover 160 rests on the rim 114 of the garbage container 110 and the main sheet 140 hangs down from the rim cover 160. Thus, the rim cover 160 supports the remainder of the cover 130 without the need for securing fasteners (such as clips, hook and loop strips, or snaps) to the garbage container 110. However, the cover 130 may be supported in some other way. For example, the rim cover 130 could be omitted altogether, and the cover could be supported by the mating of the garbage container handles with corresponding holes or apertures in the cover. Alternatively, the cover could be supported by both a rim cover and by the mating of the garbage container handles with corresponding holes or apertures in the cover.

Referring to FIG. 3, a user 230 can also easily replace the garbage bag 124 in the garbage container 110. This is done by separating the rim cover hook-and-loop tabs 220, 222, and separating the top portion of the vertical hook-and-loop strips 214, 216. As shown in FIG. 3, this exposes the top of the garbage bag 124 so that the user 230 can pull the bag out of the garbage container 110 and replace it with a new one. After replacing the garbage bag 124, the user 230 can bring the rim cover hook-and-loop tabs 220, 222 together, and bring the top portion of the vertical hook-and-loop strips 214, 216 together so that the cover 130 once again covers the top of the garbage container 110, as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the separable seam design allows a user to replace a garbage bag without moving the garbage container 110, or even fully removing the cover 130 from the container 110.

In addition to making it easy to replace a garbage bag, the separable seam 210 allows a user to secure the form fitting cover 130 to and remove it from the garbage container 110. Indeed, without a separable seam, the cover would likely need to have a baggy design so that the cover could fit over the handles 118 when a user was securing it to and removing it from the container 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment that is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, except that the cover 130 further includes a removable flexible disc or sheet 240. The disc 240 has an outer edge 242 that overlaps the rim cover 160, and the disc 240 extends in to an inner edge 244 to form a larger lip than the rim cover 160 alone. Thus, the access hole 166 is smaller in the FIG. 4 embodiment. The removable disc 240 is removably attached to the rim cover 160 with circumferentially spaced removable disc loop tabs 250 and corresponding removable disc hook tabs 252. Thus, a user can easily attach the disc 240 to or remove it from the cover 130 by attaching or detaching the tabs 250, 252. The removable disc 240 may be useful to cover the top of containers having smaller access holes, such as many standard recycling containers. However, a user can easily remove the disc 240 to aid in replacing bags in the recycling containers. Moreover, it can be easily removed or secured, as desired, so that the same cover 130 can be used for both garbage containers (with the disc 240 removed) and recycling containers (with the disc 240 in place).

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative covered garbage container 300. The garbage container 300 includes a standard generally rectangular-shaped garbage container 310 having four walls 312 with top edges that form a rim 314 and bottom edges that are secured to a container floor 316. A standard garbage bag 324 is seated in the garbage container 300. As with the previous embodiments, the covered garbage container 300 includes a cover 330, which has a main sheet 340 with a bottom edge 342 located adjacent to the periphery of the container floor 316. The main sheet 340 extends up to a top edge 344 adjacent to the container rim 314 so that it covers the walls 312 of the garbage container 310. Vertical corners 350 of the main sheet 340 extend vertically along edges of the walls 312, and a vertical sewn seam 352 extends up from the bottom edge 342 and joins opposite ends of the main sheet 340. The vertical sewn seam 352 preferably extends up approximately two-thirds to three-fourths of the distance from the bottom edge 342 to the top edge 344.

A lip or rim cover 360 has an outer edge 362 adjacent to the top edge 344, and extends in to an inner edge 364. As is discussed in more detail below, the rim cover 360 and the main sheet 340 are made of a single sheet of flexible material, and the four corners of the rim cover 360 include sewn darts 366 that provide a neat and tidy appearance of the fabric. However, the cover could be constructed in some other way, such as by sewing together multiple sheets of fabric. The inner edge 364 of the rim cover 360 defines an access hole 368 that allows access to the garbage container 310.

Referring still to FIG. 5, a separable seam 410 extends up from the top of the vertical sewn seam 352 to the top edge 344 of the main sheet 340, and in to the inner edge 364 of the rim cover 360. In this embodiment, the garbage container 310 has no handles, so the separable seam 410 need not extend down to the bottom edge 142 of the main sheet 140 to allow the cover 330 to fit over handles or other protrusions on the sides of the container. The separable seam 410 is held in place by a vertical hook strip 414 and a vertical loop strip 416, which mate to removably attach opposite ends of the top of the main sheet 340 together, as well as a rim cover hook tab 420 and a rim cover loop tab 422, which mate to removably attach opposite ends of the rim cover 360.

To use the cover 330, a user slides the garbage container 310 inside the cover 330 with the separable seam 410 separated (or possibly with the separable seam 410 already secured together, depending on how tightly the cover 330 fits on the garbage container 310). The user then secures the separable seam 410 together. A user can replace the garbage bag 324 in the same manner as the replacement of the garbage bag 124, which is described above.

The covers can be made of any flexible material that will cover a garbage container or other covered item. However, in one embodiment, the cover is made of fabric, such as a 420 or 600 denier polyester or nylon pack cloth. Other fabrics or even flexible types of non-fabric materials could be used, so long as they are sufficiently strong and durable. It is also preferable to use materials that can be easily cleaned and that hang well to produce an aesthetically pleasing appearance. If the cover is made of machine-washable fabric, a user can clean it by simply washing it in a suitable washing machine.

The hook-and-loop strips 214, 216, 414, and 416 are cut from 0.75 inch wide strips of standard hook-and-loop fasteners, and the hook-and-loop rim cover tabs 220, 222, 420, and 422 are cut from one inch wide strips of standard hook-and-loop fasteners, such as those sold under the name Velcro by Velcro Industries B.V. However, the strips could be other widths. Moreover, the separable seams 210 and 410 could be secured with other types of separable fasteners, such as snaps or zippers.

The permanent seams, such as the rim cover seam 168, the handle cover seams 150, the vertical sewn seam 352, and the seams for the darts 366 can be sewn together with thread, such as heavy-duty (fishing line strength) nylon thread. Alternatively, other types of threads can be used, so long as they are sufficiently strong and durable, and will not tear during use. Alternatively, the permanent seams can be secured in some other way, such as with rivets, staples, or adhesives.

FIGS. 6-8 show the sheets of fabric used to form the cover 130 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In making the cover 130, the generally rectangular main sheet 140 is cut from a piece of fabric so that it includes the bottom edge 142, the top edge 144, and the handle holes 146. In addition, the vertical hook strip 214 (hidden from view but shown by dashed lines) and the vertical loop strip 216 are sewn in place on opposite ends and opposite surfaces of the main sheet 140. Thus, when a user wraps the main sheet 140 around a container, the vertical hook strip 214 and the vertical loop strip 216 will face each other. The hook or loop strips 176 for the sign pouch 170 are also secured to the main sheet 140, and mating strips are secured to the transparent sheet 172 so that the transparent sheet can be removably attached to the main sheet 140.

In addition, two smaller sheets of fabric are cut out for the handle covers 148, as shown in FIG. 7. The side edges 152 of each handle cover 148 are sewn to the main sheet 140 along the handle cover seam 156 (see FIG. 1) on opposite sides of the handle holes 146.

Two half rings of fabric 510 are cut as shown in FIG. 8. A hook tab 220 is sewn to an end of one ring, a loop tab 222 is sewn to an end of the other ring, and the ends of the half rings opposite the tabs 220, 222 are sewn together to form the annular rim cover 160 (see FIG. 1), so that the tabs 220, 222 overlap. Thus, the half rings 510 combine to form the annular rim cover 160, and the hook-and-loop tabs 220 and 222 face each other and mate, as described and illustrated above.

The outer edge 162 of the resulting rim cover 160 is sewn to the top edges 144 and 154 of the main sheet 140 and handle covers 148, respectively, to form the cover 130.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the main sheet 340 and rim cover 360 of the cover 330 (see FIG. 5) are formed from a single rectangular sheet of fabric illustrated in FIG. 9. The hook-and-loop strips 414, 416 and the rim cover hook-and-loop tabs 420, 422 are sewn on opposite ends of the same surface of the fabric sheet. A top strip 514 of the fabric is folded back along a rim cover hem fold line 540. This aligns top and bottom halves of the square-shaped dart fold and seam lines 550 so that each of the fold and seam lines 550 forms a “V” shape. In addition, the fabric within the resulting “V” shape of each fold line is tucked and the two sides of the “V”-shaped seam line are brought together and sewn to form the darts 366 at each corner of the rim cover 360 (see FIG. 5). The tucked material forms a triangular “ear” beneath each of the four darts. The ears may be left in place, or they may be trimmed off.

The opposite left and right sides of the sheet are brought together and sewn along a vertical sewn seam line 560 with the hook-and-loop strips 414, 416 facing each other. If nothing more were done, this would result in the hook-and-loop tabs and strips bending in, rather than forming a flat hook-and-loop seam. Accordingly, the rectangular fabric area 580 on which the hook strip 414 and tab 420 are sewn is folded back onto the adjacent fabric area 582, with the hook strip and tab exposed. Then, the rectangular fabric areas 580, 582 are sewn together along the hook strip seam line 586. (Of course, this could be done with the loop strip and tab instead of the hook strip and tab.) This urges the separable seam 410 to lay flat, producing a more desirable appearance and making it easier to use the separable seam.

The sewing of the vertical sewn seam line 560 and the folding and sewing of the fabric area 580 results in three overlapping fabric areas: the fabric area on which the loop strip 416 is sewn, the fabric area 580 onto which the hook strip 414 is sewn, and the fabric area 582 onto which the hook strip fabric area 580 is folded and sewn. All these overlapping areas are sewn together with a reinforcing X-shaped stitch in an area 590 (see also FIG. 5) below the hook-and-loop strips 414, 416. This reinforcing stitch helps prevent the vertical sewn seam 352 from tearing during use.

If fabric is used for the cover, then it may be desirable to hem exposed edges of the fabric to produce a neater look, and to prevent the fabric from fraying. Alternatively, the exposed fabric edges can be surged or covered with bias tape.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the covers may be adapted for use in covering items other than garbage containers, such as liquid containers. Moreover, different patterns and different ways of securing or attaching the covers together could be used in place of those specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A cover comprising:

a main flexible sheet adapted to extend around a covered item, the main flexible sheet having a top edge and a bottom edge;

a flexible lip secured to the top edge of the main flexible sheet and extending in from the top edge of the main flexible sheet to cover at least a portion of the top of the covered item, the lip defining a hole in the cover; and

a separable seam in the cover, wherein the separable seam can be separated at least in part to expose at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item without removing the entire cover.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is fitted so that the lip is adapted to rest on at least part of the covered portion of the top of the covered item to support the flexible cover without fasteners being secured to the covered item.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the main flexible sheet defines a cavity therein that is adapted to receive a handle of the covered item.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the cavity is a hole that is adapted to allow access to the handle of the covered item.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover defines a pouch that is adapted to receive a sign.

6. The cover of claim 5, wherein the pouch is defined at least in part by a transparent sheet removably attached to the main flexible sheet.

7. The cover of claim 1, further comprising a removable flexible sheet having an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge removably attached to the lip, and the inner edge defining a hole.

8. The cover of claim 1, wherein a bottom of the cover is open.

9. A covered container comprising:

a garbage container comprising a floor and one or more walls extending up from the floor, the top of the one or more walls forming a rim; and

a flexible cover comprising: flexible means for covering the one or more walls of the container; and flexible means for supporting the cover on the container without securing fasteners to the container, the means for supporting being secured to the means for covering;

wherein the cover defines an access hole in the top of the cover; and

wherein the cover does not extend under the floor of the container.

10. The covered container of claim 9, wherein the means for supporting does not include a stretch cord.

11. The covered container of claim 9, wherein the means for supporting comprises means for covering the rim of the container.

12. The covered container of claim 11, wherein the means for covering the rim of the container comprises a flexible fabric lip extending in from the means for covering the one or more walls of the container.

13. The covered container of claim 9, wherein the means for supporting the cover on the container comprises means for receiving one or more handles of the container.

14. The covered container of claim 9, further comprising means for exposing the rim of the garbage container without removing the entire cover or moving the container, wherein the means for exposing enables a garbage bag in the garbage container to be replaced without removing the entire cover or moving the container.

15. A method comprising:

placing a flexible cover on a container, the flexible cover defining a top access hole that allows access to the container, and the flexible cover having a separable seam extending down from a top of the flexible cover; and

attaching the separable seam.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising replacing a bag in the container without removing the entire flexible cover from the container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein replacing the bag comprises detaching at least a portion of the separable seam to expose a rim of the container.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting a sign in a pouch of the flexible cover.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the seam extends from the top of the flexible cover to a bottom edge of the flexible cover.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the flexible cover has a bottom edge and the seam does not extend to the bottom edge of the flexible cover.