WO2024039580A1 - Disposable container covering - Google Patents

Abstract

An air-tight, disposable, flexible closure device that conforms to a multitude of different sizes and shapes of containers is disclosed. The flexible closure device forms a continuous seal around the outside of a container without regard to the container shape, material type, or condition of the opening of the container using the flexible closure device's flexible membrane properties as the sealing mechanism.

Description

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER COVERING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The priority of United States of Application Serial No.17/888,143, filed August 15, 2022, is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) and is incorporated by reference for all purposes. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND [0003] Food containers, with left-over perishable goods, are consistently being stored with lids that don't fit snugly while leaking air in and moisture (along with odors) out. This cross contamination of air in and moisture out results in increased food spoilage. Reusing ill- fitting Pet Food can covers may spread spoiled pet food particles and odors throughout a refrigerator and can contaminate food preparation areas. [0004] The medical industry has reduced their contamination issue of spreading particles by medical workers, by covering the worker's hands with tight-fitting, flexible, disposable gloves/covers that fit a multitude of different shaped hands and arms. These disposable covers are inexpensive, airtight, easy to put on and remove, and are durable. [0005] Various other devices have been suggested in the field of container coverings that are limited in their ability to effectively seal a damaged or uneven container's opening, such as a dented-can. In light of these limitations, the presently disclosed disposable covering is able to provide a flexible, disposable, container covering that can quickly and easily seal a variety of container shapes, sizes and material types including non-stick and damaged surfaces. SUMMARY [0006] In a first aspect, a disposable container covering device comprises a flexible closure device for containers having a multitude of shapes, sizes, uneven openings and material types including non-stick and damaged surfaces. The inside of the flexible closure device, upon contact with the outside wall of the container forms a hermetic-type or fluid-tight seal along said wall of the container, preventing leakage that may create cross contamination of moisture and particles. The flexible closure device is constructed of one continuous type of flexible material. The construction, materials, and cost lead the flexible closure device to be disposable, aiding in the reduction of food born contaminates. [0007] In as second aspect, a covering for use on containers, comprises a body, an edge, and at least one pull tab. The body is flexible and elastic and defines a cavity, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and is fabricated of a single continuous material. The edge is reinforced, flexible and elastic, and circumscribes the body. The edge is also fabricated of the single continuous material of the body. The at least one pull tab is situated on the reinforced edge so as to facilitate removal of the covering from an engaged container. [0008] In a third aspect, an assembly, comprises a container; and a covering. The covering comprises a body, an edge, and at least one pull tab. The body is flexible and elastic and defines a cavity, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and is fabricated of a single continuous material. The edge is reinforced, flexible and elastic, and circumscribes the body. The edge is also fabricated of the single continuous material of the body. The at least one pull tab is situated on the reinforced edge so as to facilitate removal of the covering from an engaged container. [0009] The above presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter claimed below. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of that which is to be protected. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The subject matter disclosed below may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: [0011] FIG. 1 depicts, in a top, perspective view, a disposable covering in accordance with one or more embodiments in a relaxed state top. [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disposable covering in the relaxed state, showing it from the underside. [0013] FIG. 3 depicts, in a perspective view, the disposable covering and a container, illustrating the disposable covering in a stretched state, stretching to fit the container. [0014] FIGS.4 and 5 depicts the disposable covering in perspective views as it seals and conforms to the different shapes of the food containers. [0015] While the disclosed technique is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the drawings illustrate specific embodiments herein described in detail by way of example. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit that which is claimed to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Illustrative embodiments of the subject matter claimed below will now be disclosed. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. [0017] Disclosed herein is a flexible, disposable covering that can fit many container sizes and shapes without regard to the container's material, wall thickness, symmetry, or evenness of the opened top. Even a damaged pet-food can with a rough, uneven, metal opening is effectively sealed with the disclosed disposable, sanitary, sealing product. Unlike other container toppers which trap food in the edges of their rims, the disclosed covering may be disposable, which may, in turn, result in a more hygienic food storage system with less food- borne pathogens. The disclosed covering is easy to slip on over the container and may be held secure by an elastic band. [0018] Unlike other container covers made of plastic, the cover material is biodegradable and made of a food-grade material. The disposable covering is, in one example, made of a flexible material, such as latex, that conforms to the outer wall of the container and thus seals to that container's shape. The container's shape can be round, square, oval, rectangle, or even imperfect, such as a damaged can. There are, in some implementations, two tabs, one in the center, at the top of the flexible covering and one located on the side. These tabs may be used to aid in the removal of the covering. When securely attached as intended, this covering forms a hermetic-like seal that helps to prevent food spoilage caused by the cross contamination of outside air coming in contact with any remaining contents of the container. Not only does use of the disclosed covering aid in the prevention of illness and waste, but refrigerator odors may also be reduced. [0019] The disposable covering is a flexible, disposable closure device (FIG.1 and FIG. 2) that can fit a multitude of food-container sizes and shapes without regard to the container's material, wall thickness, symmetry, or evenness of the opened top. References will be made in detail to various embodiments. Referring now to the drawings, more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures. [0020] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the covering 1. It should be recognized the covering 1 might be configured in a variety of different sizes. In a relaxed state, and in this particular embodiment, the covering has a substantially circular shape. Specifically, the covering 1 is a flexible closure device having a body 2 defining an outer convex outer surface, a reinforced terminal end/edge 4 circumscribing the edge of the body 2, and a pull tab 6 to facilitate removal from the containers 12 in FIGS.4 and 5. This covering 1 can be constructed from a variety of flexible and elastic materials such as latex, including, different polymers of nitrile rubber, polyvinyl chloride, and neoprene. Such material provides the flexibility, strength, and sealing properties for the embodiments disclosed herein and further implementations that may become apparent to those of skill in the art when given the benefit of this disclosure. [0021] FIG.2 shows the covering 1 of FIG.1 from below the edge 4, looking into the open covering 1. In this perspective view, the covering 1 defines a concave inner surface that defines a cavity for receiving portion of a container 12. FIG.3 shows arrows 8 that define the directions that the covering 1 can be stretched over the container-edge 10 to cover the container 12. [0022] The edge 4 of the covering 1 are reinforced relative to the body 2 to withstand the stresses experienced in the illustrated stretching. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement is created by rolling the material of the body 2 several times to produce the rolled edge shown. Note that, in this embodiment, the rolled edge 4 is fabricated from the same material as the body 2. The covering 1 is therefore fabricated from a single, continuous piece of flexible and elastic material. Other embodiments may use other reinforcement techniques provided that the edge 4 exhibits the elasticity and flexibility to stretch over the container(s). Illustrative embodiments in FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the flexible sides of the covering 1 continue past the container edges and rims 14 and form the hermetic-like, or fluid- tight, seal with the outside wall of the container 12. [0023] As used herein, the terms “flexible” and “elastic” refer to a material characteristic of the body 2 and edge 4 whereby the material may be stretched around at least a portion of a container as shown in FIG.3 and then attempt to return to its original shape so as to form a hermetic-like, or fluid-tight, seal about the container as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5. [0024] Note that the cover 1 does not seal at a lip of the container, but rather on the sides of the container. This is where the additional sealing properties are the most effective. The elastic properties are constantly “pulling and adhering” against those surfaces on the side of the container. [0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the edge 4 is circular in shape. This circular shape is particularly conducive for use with cylindrical containers such as is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.4. However, as shown in FIG.5, this circular shape may be effective with containers of other geometries, such as rectangular. However, other embodiments of the disposable cover 1 may have other shapes in order to be more conducive to container shapes other than cylindrical. [0026] The disposable cover 1 design and the material selection readily lend themselves to inexpensive manufacturing techniques. Accordingly, the construction, materials, and cost lead the flexible closure device to be disposable. This disposability aids in the reduction of food born contaminates. [0027] Unlike other container toppers which trap food in the edges of their rims, or in the elastic bands of their shower-cap like systems, the covering 1 is disposable, mimicking the qualities, ease of use, cost and reliability of a surgical glove or prophylactic condom which results in a more hygienic food storage container cover. By providing a single closure device with the capability to seal the openings of a multitude of different sizes and shapes of containers, including damaged/dented cans, the covering eliminates the need for the ineffective methods of using; hard plastic lids, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, shower-cap systems, waxed paper, etc., that do not adapt and seal to the many variables in can and container openings. [0028] This concludes the detailed description. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the claimed subject matter may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the claims. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A disposable container covering device comprising: a flexible closure device for containers having a multitude of shapes, sizes, uneven openings, and material types including non-stick and damaged surfaces, wherein: the inside of the flexible closure device, upon contact with the outside wall of the container, forms a hermetic-type or fluid-tight seal along said wall of the container, the seal preventing cross contamination of moisture and particles; the flexible closure device is constructed of a single continuous type of flexible material; and the construction, materials, and cost lead the flexible closure device to be disposable, aiding in the reduction of food born contaminates.

2. A covering for use on containers, comprising: a flexible and elastic body defining a cavity independently of any other apparatus, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and fabricated of a single continuous material; a reinforced, flexible and elastic edge circumscribing the body fabricated of the single continuous material of the body; and at least one pull tab situated on the reinforced edge so as to facilitate removal of the covering from an engaged container.

3. The covering of claim 2, wherein the edge is reinforced by rolling the single continuous material.

4. The covering of claim 2, wherein the at least one pull tab includes a pair of pull tabs.

5. The covering of claim 2, wherein the disposable cover is circular in shape.

6. An assembly, comprising: a container; and a covering, the covering comprising: a flexible and elastic body defining a cavity independently of any other apparatus, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and fabricated of a single continuous material; a reinforced, flexible and elastic edge circumscribing the body fabricated of the single continuous material of the body; and at least one pull tab situated on the reinforced edge so as to facilitate removal of the covering from an engaged container.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the edge is reinforced by rolling the single continuous material.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one pull tab includes a pair of pull tabs.

9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the disposable cover is circular in shape.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the container is cylindrical.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the container is rectangular in cross-section.

12. A disposable container covering device, comprising: a flexible and elastic body defining a bounded cavity independently of any other apparatus, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and fabricated of a single continuous material; a reinforced, flexible and continuous elastic edge circumscribing the flexible and elastic body fabricated of the single continuous material, the reinforced, flexible and continuous elastic edge formed by at least one over-rolling of the single continuous material; at least one pair of opposed pull tabs fixed on the reinforced continuous elastic edge and extending away from said bounded cavity so as to facilitate removal of the covering from an engaged container.

13. The covering of claim 12, wherein the disposable container covering is circular in shape.