U.S. patent application number 13/996541 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for self-aligning device cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to RECKITT & COLMAN (OVERSEAS) LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Jesse Delgigante, Christopher Michael Evans, Christopher Leonard Padain. Invention is credited to Jesse Delgigante, Christopher Michael Evans, Christopher Leonard Padain.
Application Number | 20140326694 13/996541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43598764 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140326694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delgigante; Jesse ; et
al. |
November 6, 2014 |
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.
Inventors: |
Delgigante; Jesse;
(Montvale, NJ) ; Evans; Christopher Michael;
(Hoboken, NJ) ; Padain; Christopher Leonard;
(Henley-on-Thames, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Delgigante; Jesse
Evans; Christopher Michael
Padain; Christopher Leonard |
Montvale
Hoboken
Henley-on-Thames |
NJ
NJ |
US
US
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
RECKITT & COLMAN (OVERSEAS)
LIMITED
Berkshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
43598764 |
Appl. No.: |
13/996541 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 13, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2011/052466 |
371 Date: |
August 20, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/12.1 ;
220/23.91; 29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2313/02 20130101;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; B65D 25/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/12.1 ;
220/23.91; 29/428 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/34 20060101
B65D025/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2010 |
GB |
1021683.6 |
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.
Description
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a removable
device cover which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a
device.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] In the particular preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5A
and 5B, and with reference thereto, the values of the foregoing
factors is as follows:
[0016] Cross-Section X:
TABLE-US-00001 XA = 84.3 mm XB = 70.2 mm angX = 110.degree.
[0017] length of chord between P1, P2=71 mm [0018] length of curved
connecting line between P1, P2=172 mm
[0019] Cross-Section Y:
TABLE-US-00002 YA = 76.5 mm YB = 60.6 mm angY = 92.5.degree.
[0020] length of chord between P1, P2=51 mm [0021] length of curved
connecting line between P1, P2=164 mm
[0022] Cross-Section Z:
TABLE-US-00003 ZA = 90.6 mm ZB = 67.5 mm angZ = 83.degree.
[0023] length of chord between P1, P2=51 mm [0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] If desired, the device cover 20 can be reattached or
remounted a plurality of times upon a dispensing device 10.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.degree., or even smaller angles,
such as right angles (90.degree.) or acute angles (<90.degree.,
e.g., 75.degree., 60.degree., 45.degree.) 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.
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