Self-Aligning Device Cover

Abstract

Provided is a removable device cover (20) which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a device (10), wherein the device cover comprises a generally curved concave sidewall (22) extending between a top margin (23) and a base margin (21), an open rearward portion (25) and a face portion (28) having a sight window insert (26) extending therefrom towards the open rearward portion (25), wherein at transverse cross-sectional planes the shape of the self aligning, removable device cover is approximately elliptical in cross-section, the device cover having a first transverse section (x) coincident with the top margin and having a major axis (xA) and a minor axis (xB), a further, second, transverse section (Z) coincident with the base margin and having a major axis (zA) and a minor axis (zB), and a further, third, transverse section (Y) at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin and having a major axis (yA) and a minor axis (yB), wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the transverse section (Y) at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section (Z) coincident with the top margin and the second, transverse section (Z) coincident with the base margin.

Description

The present invention relates to a self aligning device cover which may be used to temporarily, or permanently, cover parts of a device, particularly a dispensing device.

Device covers are known several technical fields, particularly in electronics, e.g. in portable electronic devices including cell phones, MP3 players, and the like. Such are often also referred to as “skins”. Functions of such device covers are usually dual; typically the device cover provides some physical protection to the actual surface of the device and thereby functions as a shield, and concurrently such a device cover often also provides an ornamental aspect or feature. Such skins are widely available particularly with regard to cellular telephones as such provide for a means of providing an additional protection against accidental dropping or scratching of the device, and at the same time permits for a degree of personalization or customization of the appearance of such a cellular telephone. Such skins typically are generally thin sheets of a pliable, flexible material such as a thin sheet of a polymer which may have an adhesive on one side thereof which adhesive is used to retain the skin upon one or more surfaces of the device. Such a skin advantageously provides little added bulk to the device, or increased thickness to the device, and as it can frequently be readily easily preprinted or overlaid with an ornamental design, pattern, and the like, such skins are hugely popular. Alternately know are removable device cover which has some added thickness, and typically are made of either a generally inflexible hard polymer material, or are fabricated of elastomeric material such as a silicon rubber. Such removable device covers may optionally also include an ornamental feature or aspect, but are primarily intended to be applied or mounted upon portable electronic devices in order to provide a reasonable degree of added protection against breakage of the device, particularly should such a device be dropped from a height onto a hard surface, e.g., a floor. Typically, such removable device covers are pre-molded articles which are bent, and/or stretched in order to be mounted upon the device which they are to protect, e.g., a cellular telephone or other electronic device, or are essentially rigid bodies which may need to be partially disassembled in order to permit the insertion of the device, or to encompass the device which they are to protect, e.g., a cellular telephone or other electronic device.

An area of application which has not been as widely exposed to the use of skins or removable device covers include those devices which are outside of the realm of portable electronics. One such field are dispensing devices used to dispense household chemicals to a consumer in a domestic environment. It would be advantageous to provide skins, or removable device covers, which can be temporarily attached or to such dispensing devices. Providing such skins or removable device covers would allow for an enhanced degree of color coordination, or customize the appearance of the device when it is used in a particular environment, particularly a domestic environment. Such skins or removable covers of course would also provide additional protection to the device as well. An example of an advantageous ornamental benefit use would be the application of a skin or removable device cover having a specific color or pattern which would more readily blend into the environment of use of the device. A further example of such use would be the application of the skin or removable device cover which might have a seasonal or holiday motif, which could be retained for a period of days, or weeks, for that matter months (or even permanently) on the dispensing device during a corresponding seasonal or holiday period. It would be particularly advantageous to provide such a removable device cover (hereinafter interchangeably to be understood as also as a “skin”) in a simple, yet effective manner wherein a removable device cover could be repeatably, and accurately suitably positioned upon a device, even after subsequent or multiple removal, and reattachment operations. It is to these objects and to further objects that the present invention is directed.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a removable device cover which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a device.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a removable device cover according to the first aspect, wherein said removable device cover is a self-aligning.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a removable device cover which is self-aligning, and can be applied without the facility of two hands of a user.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a device, the device being at least partially clad by a removable device cover according to any of the first through third aspects of the invention.

These and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the review of the following specification, in consideration of the drawing figures. In the drawing figures, it is to be understood that like drawing numerals have been used to indicate like elements throughout all of the drawing figures.

A preferred embodiment of a removable device cover and a dispensing device are depicted in the perspective view provided by FIG. 1. The dispensing device 10, includes a base 11, a generally curved sidewall 12 which has an inward concave curvature about a reference central axis of rotation (which would pass vertically and perpendicularly through the base 11 and upwardly through the device, although this reference axis not depicted), which sidewall 12 extends upwardly to a top 13 of the device 10. The top 13 includes at a forward section thereof an extended spout 14 through which a liquid composition is dispensed. The device includes a rear cavity receptacle 15 which is adapted to receive a container containing a quantity of a liquid composition (not shown) and the device further includes a sight window 16 extending through a front face portion 18 of the sidewall 12 beneath the extended spout 14. The sight window 16 terminates at window opening 16B, which permits a consumer or user of the device 10 to look into the interior of the device 10, and to determine the remaining quantity of a liquid composition present within the container when it is mounted within the rear cavity receptacle 15 of the device 10. Also present within the front face portion 18 of the sidewall 12 and beneath the sight window 16 is a port 17 which, according to the specific embodiment of the dispensing device 10 illustrated, contains an infrared receiver which can sense the presence or absence of an infrared beam being projected from a portion of the underside of the extended spout 14 (not shown) which may be transmitted by suitable infrared transmitter (not shown). Such a transmitter, receiver, conjunction with further suitable circuitry as well as fluid and mechanical devices permits for the dispensing device 10 to operate as a “hands-free” dispensing device wherein the user merely needs to interrupt the infrared beam, such as by placing their hands beneath the extended spout 14, which condition can be sensed and cause the dispensing device tend to dispense quantity of the liquid composition via the extended spout 14, such as to the hand or hands held underneath. Returning to the sight window 16, as visible from the figure, the sight window 16 is generally elongate and vertical, and includes an inwardly radiused margin 16A which extends from the front face portion 18 of sidewall 12, and continues inwardly towards the rear cavity receptacle 15 Thus, as is visible from the figure, the radiused margin 16A provides for a smooth curved surface. Also visible on FIG. 1 is a self-aligning, removable device cover 20, which is a rigid, but slightly flexible article having a contour which closely approximates the contours of the generally curved sidewall 12 of the dispensing device 10. The removable device cover 20 includes a generally curved sidewall 22, a base margin 21 and at the opposite end of the generally curved sidewall 22, a top margin 23 the distance between the base margin 21 and the top margin 23 is preferably dimensions to be accommodated such that the removable device cover 20 can be mounted upon the exterior of the dispensing device 10. Similarly, the shape of the curved sidewall 22 is preferably also concave, and further the general configuration of the removable device cover 20 is such that at transverse cross-sectional planes (not shown) the shape of the self aligning, removable device cover 20 is essentially approximately elliptical in cross-section. Such transverse cross-sections can be determined from any plane which is parallel to either the top margin 23, the base margin 21 or both thereof and which passes perpendicularly through the reference central axis of rotation of the removeable device cover 20. Of note also is that the removable device cover 20 also includes an open rearward portion 25 at a region which is opposite to the sight window insert 26 which extends towards this open rearward portion 25 from a part of the front face portion 28 of the device cover 20. The sight window insert 26 includes an inwardly extending radiused margin 26A, and it terminates in an opening 26B. Advantageously, the radius of the radiused margin 26A is approximate to the radius of the radiused margin 16A of the device, and preferably also, the size (e.g. height, width, and depth) of the sight window insert 26 is such that it can be at least partially accommodated within the sight window 16 of the device 10. As is further visible from the figure, the sight window insert 26 also includes an opening 26B, which, when the self aligning removable device cover 20 is mounted upon the dispensing device 10, does not obstruct the window opening 16B. Further, and this preferred embodiment a corresponding port opening 27 is also present in the face portion 28, such that when the removable device cover 20 is mounted upon the dispensing device 10, the port 17 is not obstructed. The device cover 20 also includes a curved lip region 29 extending slightly outwardly from the face portion 28, and forms part of the top margin 23; this curved lip region 29 is configured to accommodate the portion of the extended spout 14 of the device 10.

FIGS. 2A-2D represent further views of the self aligning, removable device cover 20. In FIG. 2A, a front elevation view of the device cover 20 is depicted illustrating, inter alia, the curved sidewall 22, the sight window insert 26, the radiused margin 26A and its opening 26B, the curved lip region 29, port opening 27, top margin 23 and bottom margin 21. FIG. 2B illustrates the opposite, rear view of the device cover 20 wherein a portion of the interior is visible through the open rearward portion 25 at a region which is opposite to the sight window insert 26. Also illustrated are the left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32 of the device cover 20, which respectively extend from the top margin 23 to the bottom margin 21. FIG. 2C illustrates a side elevation view of the device cover 20 from its left side. The figure depicts, inter alia, the sidewall 22, the curved lip region 29, and extending upwardly and outwardly from parts thereof, respectively, the left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32, and fingertip grips 36. FIG. 2D illustrates a top plan view of the self aligning, removable device cover 20 including, the sidewall 22, left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32, the fingertip grips 36 extending therefrom, as well as a top view of the sight window insert 26, the radiused margin 26A and its opening 26B which extends inwardly from the exterior side wall 22, and extends through the interior sidewall 22A, and in the direction of the open rearward portion 25.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate two further views of the device cover 20. FIG. 3A illustrates a view corresponding to FIG. 2A, but further illustrates a representational reference line A-A which is used to generate the vertical, cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B wherein the device cover 20 is bisected at reference line A-A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two further views of the device cover 20. FIG. 4A illustrates a view corresponding to FIGS. 2A and 3A, but further illustrates a representational reference line B-B which is used to generate the horizontal, cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B wherein the device cover 20 is horizontally bisected at reference line B-B, which also illustrates the generally elliptical cross-section of the device cover 20.

FIG. 5A depicts a front elevation view of the device cover 20 as also illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A and 3A. In the figure, there also depicted the placement of transverse sections labeled X, Y and Z taken through the device cover 20, which transverse sections are depicted on FIG. 5B. Transverse section X is coincident with the top margin 23, transverse section Z is coincident with the base margin 21 and transverse section Y is at the midpoint between the top margin 23 and the base margin 21. As visible from the sections illustrated on FIG. 5B, the shape of the transverse sections of the device cover 20 are generally elliptical in cross-section. Each of the cross-sections X, Y and Z of the device cover 20 also includes a missing section, indicated by the dotted line chord which corresponds to the position of the open rearward portion 25. As seen on both FIGS. 5A and 5B, the configuration of the device cover 20 has its smallest elliptical dimension in the midpoint, which corresponds to cross-section Y.

In the preferred embodiment depicted, the ratios of the depth to the width of each of cross-sections X, Y and Z are preferably maintained such that certain relationships between the configuration of the cross-sections X, Y and Z of the device cover 20 are maintained. As has been discussed above, at each of the lateral cross-sections, the device cover 20 is approximately or substantially elliptical and configuration, except for a portion thereof which missing section corresponds to the open rearward portion 25 at a particular cross-section X, Y, or Z. With reference to FIG. 5B, the respective cross-sections X, Y, Z are shown. As will be understood from standard geometric principles, each ellipse can be defined by having a major axis, and a minor axis, which intersect at a central point. Although not shown, it is to be understood that the reference central axis of rotation passes through these central points of the respective cross sections, X, Y and Z. In FIG. 5B, for respective cross-sections X, Y and Z as depicted, the major axes are respectively XA, YA and ZA, while minor axes are respectively XB, YB and ZB, with each pair of axes intersecting at a central point as depicted. As visible from the figures, each ellipse is incomplete, and terminates at endpoints P1, and P2 which corresponds to points at the margins of the device cover 20, with the short distance spanning across each pair of endpoints P1 and P2 defining a “chord” corresponding to the open rearward portion 25; the endpoints P1 and P2 also lie upon the left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32 of the device cover 20. The longer, curved connecting line between each pair of endpoints P1 and P2 defines most of an ellipse and coincides with the dimensions of the device cover 20 at particular indicated cross-section X, Y or Z. From the foregoing, it is also clear to understand that an angle extends between each central point of each cross-section, which angle can be drawn to extends from each central point on each cross-section to each of corresponding endpoints P1 and P2, which also defines a triangle, with the third leg of said triangle being the chord spanning between endpoints P1 and P2. In FIG. 5B, the respective angles for cross-sections X, Y and Z are “angX”, “angY” and “angZ”. Inventors have surprisingly found that control of the respective dimensions of the aforesaid provides for a device cover 20 having excellent performance characteristics particularly when the following relationships are maintained. Namely at each of cross-sections X, Y and Z, the ratio of the length of the minor axis:major axis is advantageously between about 0.7 and 0.9, preferably between about 0.75 and about 0.85. Further, advantageously the ratio of the length of the chord between endpoints P1 and P2 (which corresponds to the dimension of the open rearward portion 25 at that cross-section) to the length or dimensions of the device cover 20 at a particular cross-section is preferably between 0.15-0.6, more preferably between about 0.2-0.45. Further, advantageously the angles formed by extending legs between each central point of each intersection of the major and minor axes of a cross-section X, Y, or Z from the intersection of said major or minor axes to endpoints P1 and P2 is preferably between 75-135 degrees of arc, more preferably is between about 80 and 115 degrees of arc. Further advantageously, is preferred that both the dimensions (lengths) of the major and minor axes of the intermediate cross-section, here cross-section Y, be lesser than the dimensions of the major and minor axes of one of, but especially of both the cross-sections at the ends of the device cover 20, here cross-sections X and Z; preferably at least about 3% less, more preferably at least about 5% less, and especially preferably at least about 7% less.

In the particular preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and with reference thereto, the values of the foregoing factors is as follows:

Cross-Section X:

XA = 84.3 mm

XB = 70.2 mm

angX = 110°

• • length of chord between P1, P2=71 mm
  • length of curved connecting line between P1, P2=172 mm

Cross-Section Y:

YA = 76.5 mm

YB = 60.6 mm

angY = 92.5°

• • length of chord between P1, P2=51 mm
  • length of curved connecting line between P1, P2=164 mm

Cross-Section Z:

ZA = 90.6 mm

ZB = 67.5 mm

angZ = 83°

• • length of chord between P1, P2=51 mm
  • length of curved connecting line between P1, P2=198 mm
    Furthermore, the vertical distances between the cross sections X and Z is advantageously between 100-150 mm, with the cross-section Y being at the midpoint between cross-sections X and Z.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A and 6B which respectively illustrate the device cover 20 partially mounted upon a dispensing device 10, and next, the device cover 20 fully mounted upon the dispensing device 10. As visible from FIG. 6A, the device cover 20 can be first positioned with respect to the dispensing device 10, such that either the left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32 (here the right rear margin 32 is shown) of the device cover 20 can be placed against a portion of the sidewall 12 of the dispensing device 10, preferably at a portion of the sidewall 12 opposite from the extended spout 14 and preferably proximate to the rear cavity receptacle 15. This forms a friction fit or almost a latch-type engagement due to the frictional engagement between the right rear margin 32 and the sidewall 12. The device cover 20 can be stretched open or extended to separate or increase the distance between the left rear margin 34, and the right rear margin 32 (as, for example with respect to the unstretched configuration of the dispensing device 10 as illustrated on FIGS. 2B and 2D) to increase the width of the open rearward portion 25, which also tensions the device cover 20, such that the dispenser 10 can be inserted through the open rearward portion 25. This operation can be performed by one hand of a user, particularly when the dispensing device 10 is maintained in a rest or stationary position, e.g., when standing on a tabletop, countertop or other horizontal surface. Stretching of the device cover 20 in such a manner, also permits for the device cover 22 become tensioned, and bias the device cover 22 later return to its original, unstretched configuration, e.g. as per FIG. 2B. All that is required by user then is to only slightly rotate, push or urge the left rear margin 34 in the direction of the dispensing device 20 at a portion the sidewall 12 opposite from the extended spout 14, and into the proximity of the right rear margin 32. This causes movement of the device cover 22 assume the configuration depicted in FIG. 6B. The device cover 20 may then be released as it engages the dispensing device 10. Such may be likened to a “spring-fit” or “snap-fit” type means of attachment as, the stretched and tensioned device cover 20 springs into place, and snaps about the sidewall 12 of the dispensing device 10. An important aspect of such a method of mounting the device cover 20 upon the dispensing device 10 lies also in the fact that the device cover 20 includes the sight window insert 26 which extends towards this open rearward portion 25 from a part of the front face portion 28 of the device cover 20 which faces inwardly towards the side wall 12 of the dispensing device during the mounting process. As the left rear margin 34 moves from its position in FIG. 6A to its final position in FIG. 6B whereinafter the device cover 20 returns to its original unstretched configuration, the side window insert 26 slides into the corresponding sight window 16 of the dispensing device 10, which simultaneously both insures correct orientation of the dispensing device 10 due to the interlocking or inter-fitting of the side window insert 26 into the sight window 16, which also functions to halt the further motion of the device cover 20 when being mounted onto the dispensing device 10, and/or after being mounted on the dispensing device 10 so that it does not shift away from or become displaced from its mounted position on the dispensing device 10, until the user or consumer of the dispensing device decides to remove the device cover 20.

Removal of the device cover 20 is essentially an operation which is easily performed, and also can be done with one hand. Removal of the device can be understood also from FIGS. 6A and 6B. For example, the user or consumer of the dispensing device may grasp a portion of the device cover, such as shown mounted on a dispensing device 10 on FIG. 6B, preferably at one of the fingertip grips 36 or alternately, at or near one of right rear margin 32, or left rear margin 34 to pull that portion of the device cover 20 away from the sidewall 12 of the dispensing device, and in the direction of the extended spout 14. Such a motion induces stresses within the device cover 20, extends and widens the distance between the right rear margin 32 and they left rear margin 34 which concurrently opens the open rearward portion 25. As one of the left rear margin 34 or right rear margin 32 is moved in this direction, such also disengages it the side window insert 26 from within the site window 16, thereby permitting for further rotational movement of the device cover 20 with respect to the dispensing device 10, as is depicted on FIG. 6A, and thereafter the device cover 20 can be disengaged and withdrawn from the dispensing device 10.

If desired, the device cover 20 can be reattached or remounted a plurality of times upon a dispensing device 10.

Alternately the removable device cover 20 may also be attached or mounted upon the dispensing device 10 in an alternative manner. In such a manner, the open rearward portion 25 is gently pushed against the dispensing device 10, and especially the front face portion 18 of the sidewall 12 which imparts tension within the device cover 20 as the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 are biased away from each other and around the sidewall 12 as the device cover 20 continues to be pushed against the dispensing device 10. This causes the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 to slide along the sidewall 12, until they reach a midway point of the dispensing device 10 at which point the distance of the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 instead of being forced to increase, begins to decrease, and the tensioned removable device cover 20 may snap into place with little or no further force required of the user installing the device cover 20. As the device cover 20 returns to its unstretched configuration, the side window insert 26 slides into the corresponding sight window 16 of the dispensing device 10, which simultaneously both insures correct orientation of the dispensing device 10 due to the interlocking or inter-fitting of the side window insert 26 into the sight window 16, which also functions to halt the further motion of the device cover 20 when being mounted onto the dispensing device 10, and/or after being mounted on the dispensing device 10.

The removable device cover 20 may also be withdrawn from dispensing device 10 by simply grasping a part of the device cover 20 and pulling it away from the dispensing device 10 in the direction of the extended spout 14 to distend the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 away from each other, and around the sidewall 12 of the dispensing device 10, unit the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 slide past the sidewall 12 until they reach a midway point of the dispensing device 10 at which point the distance of the right rear margin 32 and left rear margin 34 instead of being forced to increase, begins to decrease, and the tensioned removable device cover 20 may snap away and off from the dispensing device 10 with little or no further force required of the user installing the device cover 20.

Advantageously, the device covers 20 of the present invention are self-supporting, rigid articles, which are flexible but are not made of materials which are themselves elastomeric materials. The device covers 20 can be contrasted to skins known in the prior art based on thin, flexible polymeric films, which can typically be characterized in having a thickness of less than about 0.1 mm, and usually less than about 0.05 mm, which are flexible, and are typically not self-supporting. Such may also be distinguished that such skins may be folded to bend around a right angle, or even an acute angle without breaking. Device covers of the invention preferably have a thickness over least 95% of their surface of at least about 0.2 mm, preferably of at least about 0.3 mm, and particularly advantageously of at least about 0.4 mm. Thicker device covers are also anticipated to fall within the scope of this invention. It is noted that portions of the device cover, particularly portions which are at or near any margin there of, such as one or more of the top margin 23, base margin 21, right rear margin 32, left rear margin 34, and/or fingertip grips 36 may have a thickness for dues which is relative to the majority of the device cover 20, as frequently it is recognized that a taper, chamfer, or radius at such points is attractive in appearance.

Advantageously the device covers 20 of the present invention may be applied to the dispensing device 10, and be retained thereon, wholly without the use of any conventional fastener means. By way of nonlimiting examples, was meant by conventional fastener means includes the following: interacting and frictionally fitting mechanical fastening means such as pins, tabs, screws, pegs; or mechanically interengaging type fasteners of the hook and loop (Velcro) type; or, chemical fastening means such as adhesives. Most preferably, the device cover 20 is retained upon the dispensing device 10 primarily, but preferably solely by conforming its contours in its unstretched configuration to the exterior side wall 12 of the dispensing device 10, and further preferably, additionally by the engagement (insertion) of the sight window insert 26 which extends towards this open rearward portion 25 from a part of the front face portion 28 of the device cover 20, into the corresponding sight window 16 of the dispensing device 10. Is the understood that although, in the preferred embodiment depicted in accompanying Figures, there is a single sight window insert 26 which is removably inserted into the sight window 16, that, a plurality of further elements may be provided to the device cover 20, which may also be provided to interact with a corresponding plurality of elements present on the dispensing device 10, which also preferably are not frictionally fitting mechanical fastening means, fasteners of the hook and loop type, or chemical fastening means. The presence of one or more such engagement means, e.g., here the sight window insert 26 and the correspondingly configured sight window 16, (or other cooperating elements) provides for self-alignment of the device cover 20 with a dispensing device 10.

Device covers 20 of the invention are flexible in the manner as described above, particularly with respect to the description accompanying FIGS. 6A and 6B, but the material of construction of the device cover 20 itself are not elastomeric in nature, i.e., do not stretch laterally when pulled apart. Examples of elastomeric materials include rubbers and silicones. Elastomeric materials may also be characterized in being sufficiently flexible in that a sheet (e.g., a 1-3 mm thick sheet) of such a material may be bent around an angle as large as 135°, or even smaller angles, such as right angles (90°) or acute angles (<90°, e.g., 75°, 60°, 45°) without breaking of the elastomeric materials, and will return to their original unbent configuration by themselves. In contrast thereto, the preferred materials of construction of the removeable device covers 20 are brittle, or malleable, but are themselves inflexible. Preferably, the device covers are made for one or more synthetic polymers which are non-elastomeric in nature. Nonlimiting examples of suitable synthetic polymers include one or more of: polyamides (e.g., Nylon), polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), polyalkyleneterephalates (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate), polystyrenes, polysulfones, polycarbonates as well as copolymers formed from monomers of one or more of the foregoing. Additionally, the device covers may be made from non-polymeric materials such as metals, metallized foils, wood, paper (e.g., coated, uncoated, laminated, cardboard) which materials themselves are non-elastomeric in nature, are self supporting, but such that the device cover 20 can be twisted, torsion, flexed, stretched, and/or distended temporarily in order to allow the device cover 20 be mounted/unmounted upon the dispensing device 10 (particularly, in the mannered disclose with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B), but such that when the device cover 20 is removed its material of construction has a “memory” whereby the configuration of the device cover 20 returns or at least substantially (>90% of original dimensions) returns to its prior, original or unstressed configuration.

Claims

1. A removable device cover which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a device, wherein the device cover comprises:

a generally curved concave sidewall extending between a top margin and a base margin;

a first transverse section coincident with the top margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;

a second transverse section coincident with the base margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;

a third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;

an open rearward portion; and

a face portion having a sight window insert extending therefrom towards the open rearward portion;

wherein at transverse cross-sectional planes the shape of the self aligning, removable device cover is approximately elliptical in cross-section; and

wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin.

2. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 3% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin.

3. The removable device cover according to claim 2, wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 5% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin.

4. The removable device cover according to claim 3, wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 7% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin.

5. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the lengths of the minor axis:major axis at each of the first transverse section, the second transverse section and the third transverse section is between about 0.7 and 0.9.

6. The removable device cover according to claim 5, wherein the ratio of the lengths of the minor axis:major axis at each of the first transverse section, the second transverse section and the third transverse section is between about 0.75 and about 0.85.

7. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the device covers has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.2 mm.

8. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the said device cover excludes conventional fastener means.

9. (canceled)

10. A method of removably installing a removable device cover onto a dispensing device, the method comprising:

providing a dispensing device,

providing a removeable device cover according to claim 1,

placing either a left rear margin or a right rear margin of the device cover against a portion of the sidewall of the dispensing device,

stretching or extending the device cover to separate or increase the distance between the left rear margin and the right rear margin to increase the width of the open rearward portion which also tensions the device cover,

inserting the dispensing device through the width of the open rearward portion,

rotating, pushing or urging the device cover in the direction of the dispensing device at a portion the sidewall opposite from an extended spout, and,

releasing the device cover, whereinafter the device cover returns to its original, unstretched configuration.

11. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the device cover has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.3 mm.

12. The removable device cover according to claim 1, wherein the device cover has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.4 mm.