U.S. patent application number 14/296951 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-05 for decorative container cover device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jerome Smith. Invention is credited to Jerome Smith.
Application Number | 20150037522 14/296951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52427904 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150037522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Jerome |
February 5, 2015 |
Decorative Container Cover Device
Abstract
Disclosed is a decorative cover for cleaning product containers.
The device includes a cylindrical cover having a decorative
ornamentation on its exterior surface. In some embodiments, the
cover may also include decorative ornamentation on its interior
surface to provide fluidity of content and design. The
ornamentation is customizable so that the cover may be decorated
with any pattern, image, or inscription. The cover has an open top
and bottom configuration so as to allow a user to slide on the
cover over an existing cleaning product container without requiring
additional attachment means. The device is constructed to conceal
the basic packaging disposed on the product containers. In this
way, the present invention adds a decorative appeal to an otherwise
basic packaging which may not be aesthetically appealing to
consumers.
Inventors: |
Smith; Jerome; (Lancaster,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith; Jerome |
Lancaster |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52427904 |
Appl. No.: |
14/296951 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61860088 |
Jul 30, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/34.3 ;
428/35.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/1334 20150115;
Y10T 428/1307 20150115; B65D 25/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/34.3 ;
428/35.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/14 20060101
B65D065/14 |
Claims
1) A container cover device, comprising: a cylindrical cover having
an open top, an open bottom, an interior surface, and an exterior
surface; said cover adapted to removably fit over a cylindrical
container such that said interior surface is in direct contact with
an exterior surface of said container; a middle layer disposed
between said interior surface and said exterior surface.
2) The container cover device of claim 1, wherein said cover
comprises a planar sheet of material having an inner side, outer
side, a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges; said planer sheet
of material having a height from said top edge to said bottom edge,
and a width between said side edges; said top edge overlapping said
bottom edge and secured together, forming said interior surface and
said exterior surface; said side edges overlapping and secured
together.
3) The container cover device of claim 2, wherein said middle layer
has a height from a top side of said middle layer to a bottom side
of said middle layer, and a width between opposing sides of said
middle layer; said height of said middle layer is less than said
height of said planar sheet of material; said width of said middle
layer is less than said width of said planar sheet of material.
4) The container cover device of claim 3, wherein said top edge of
said planar sheet of material is overlapping said bottom edge of
said planar sheet of material and secured together, forming said
interior surface and said exterior surface; said middle layer
positioned between said interior surface and said exterior surface;
said side edges of said planar sheet of material overlapping and
secured together, enclosing said middle layer between said interior
surface and said exterior surface.
5) The container cover device of claim 2, wherein said planar sheet
of material comprises a contact paper.
6) The container cover device of claim 2, wherein said inner side
further comprises a layer of adhesive material.
7) The container cover device of claim 6, further comprising a
layer of removable backing adjacent to said layer of adhesive
material.
8) The container cover device of claim 1, wherein said middle layer
comprises plastic.
9) The container cover device of claim 1, wherein said cover is
water resistant.
10) The container cover device of claim 1, wherein said exterior
surface comprises printed design.
11) The container cover device of claim 1, wherein said interior
surface comprises printed design.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/860,088 filed on Jul. 30, 2013. The
above-identified patent application is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a container cover device.
More specifically, the present invention pertains to a decorative
cover for disposable cleaning wipe containers that is constructed
in a unique manner.
[0004] Disposable cleaning wipes are packaged and sold in plastic
containers for use by consumers. Cleaning product containers are
ordinarily decorated with minimum designs and bear the name of the
product with company logos disposed thereon. The basic packaging in
which disposable cleaning wipes are packaged and sold is not
particularly aesthetically appealing to many consumers. As a
consequence, many consumers place the disposable cleaning wipe
containers in a cabinet so that the containers are out of sight. A
conventional disposable cleaning wipe container is a closed
cylindrical structure with a hollow interior to hold the cleaning
wipes therein. The top of the cylindrical structure is provided
with an access opening that allows a user to dispense cleaning
wipes therefrom.
[0005] The present invention is a container cover device that is
designed to be a tailor fit for cleaning product containers. The
present invention adds a decorative appeal to an otherwise basic,
but necessary and popular household item. The present invention is
adapted to removably fit over the exterior surface of a cleaning
product container without requiring additional attachment means.
The present invention may be preferably used with containers
holding cleaning wipes, but may be constructed for use with a
variety of containers. The purpose of the present invention is to
provide means whereby the user of the container may position the
removable cover bearing any desired design, inscription, or
picture.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
disposable wipe containers and further to those emphasizing
ornamental features disposed thereon. These include devices that
have been patented and published in patent application
publications. Some of these patents describe a device that includes
housing for holding cylindrical containers. The exterior of the
housing can include various designs to match the decor of a room.
These devices, however, do not include a removable cover for
disposable wipe containers. The following is a list of devices
deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein
described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the
unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting
the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0008] For example, U.S. Published Patent Application Number
2006/0131319 to McDonald discloses a container and an associated
cap for dispensing disposable sheets therefrom. The container
further comprises a covering material selected from the group
consisting of paperboard, poster board, carton board, cardboard,
and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing covering
materials. While McDonald discloses a covering material for
disposable sheet containers, McDonald does not disclose a covering
material having ornamental elements to suit users' preferences and
further those that prevent the container from diminishing the
appearance of a room in which the container is placed.
[0009] Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 8,051,982 to McDonald discloses a
container for holding a stack of pre-moistened wipes and a method
for manufacture. The exterior surface of the container includes a
layer of polymer sheet, wherein the polymer sheet includes various
graphics printed thereon. While McDonald discloses containers that
feature various graphics for improving the aesthetic appeal of the
product, the device of McDonald is limited in that the graphics are
applied directly to the container so that it may not be used with
other containers. In contrast, the present invention discloses a
removable decorative cover for containers, thereby allowing the
user to use the cover with a number of different containers.
[0010] Another device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number
2006/0186132 to Panning discloses a wet wipe container and wipes
disposed therein. The container includes a plurality of container
indicia wherein the indicia may be directly printed on the
container or printed on a label which may be affixed to the
container. Additionally, the wipes feature matching illustrated
icons that convey to a consumer that the wipe and container are
intended for use with one another. The illustrated icons on the
wipes may function to encourage the user to hold the wipe in the
intended manner. While the device of Panning discloses a wet wipe
container with visual indicia thereon, the purpose and design of
the Panning device differ from the present invention. The
ornamental elements of the present invention spans the entire
exterior surface of the present cover, thereby completely
concealing the basic packaging in which the wipes are sold.
Additionally, some embodiments of the present invention may
comprise ornamental elements in the interior surface of the present
cover.
[0011] Finally, U.S. Published Patent Application Number
2012/0117776 to Bourns discloses a fabric slip covering accessory
for a disposable baby wipes case. The fabric slip covering is
composed of a washable material and is constructed to fit over
generally rectangular wipe containers. The fabric slip covering may
be opened and closed via fastening means such as hook and loop
fasteners, snaps, magnets, zippers, or the like. The device of
Bourns is limited in the fact that it requires attachment means for
the device to stay affixed to the container. The present invention
is adapted to removably fit over the exterior surface of a cleaning
product container without requiring additional attachment
means.
[0012] Ornamental covers for various types of containers are well
known in the art. These items have familiar design and structural
elements for providing an aesthetic accessory for various
containers. They may take the form of any ornamental shape, size,
color, or design to suit the user's preferences or to complement
the decor of a room. The prior art, however, fails to disclose a
removable cover for disposable wipe containers. The present
invention discloses a container cover device that is adapted to
bear any decorative design. It is therefore submitted that the
present invention substantially diverges in design elements from
the prior art, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art
devices, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the
art for an improvement to existing covers for disposable wipe
containers. In this regard the instant invention substantially
fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of covers for disposable wipe containers now present in the
prior art, the present invention provides a new improvement to a
container cover device wherein the same can be utilized for
providing convenience for the user when adorning a container in
which cleaning products are sold.
[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved container cover device that has all of
the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved container cover device that bears any design,
inscription, or picture desired by the user.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved container cover device that may be readily fabricated
from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate
with durability.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved container cover device that may be tailor fitted
to an existing cleaning product container.
[0018] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved container cover device that is adaptable
to a wide variety of container shapes and sizes.
[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
in manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a disassembled view of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a view of the present invention as used to fit
over a container for disposable wipes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the container cover device. For the purposes
of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
providing convenience for the user when adorning a container in
which cleaning products are sold. The figures are intended for
representative purposes only and should not be considered to be
limiting in any respect.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention. The present invention comprises a cover
21 having an open top 24 and an open bottom 25 configuration. The
cover 21 comprises durable, water-proof material such as vinyl or
plastic. The cover is substantially cylindrical in shape with a
hollow middle portion. The cover further comprises an interior
surface 23 that is coextensive with an exterior surface 22, wherein
the exterior surface 22 features an ornamental design. In some
embodiments, both the exterior surface 22 and the interior surface
23 may comprise an ornamental design to provide fluidity in design
and content.
[0026] The ornamental design may comprise a variety of patterns,
pictures, images, or inscriptions to suit the preferences of the
user. For instance, the patterns may resemble the following
non-exhaustive list of surfaces to match the decor of a room:
marble, cork, tile, metal, or wood. In the illustrated embodiment,
the exterior surface comprises a marbled pattern so as to match the
cover to the marbled counter top surface in a kitchen.
Alternatively, the cover 21 may be customizable so that it can
include solid colors, and feature images of the user or images of
loved ones, pets, or things and places of sentimental value.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a disassembled view
of the present invention. The cover 21 of the present invention
comprises a planar sheet of material 28 having an outer side and an
inner side, wherein the inner side may further comprise a layer of
adhesive and a removable backing thereon. The planar sheet of
material 28 is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a
top edge 31 opposite a bottom edge 32, and two opposing side edges
29, 30. The distance between the top 31 and bottom side 32 forms a
height and the distance between the side edges 29, 30 forms a
width.
[0028] The cover 21 of the present invention further comprises a
middle layer 27, wherein the middle layer 27 comprises a sheet of
flexible plastic or other suitable material that is more dense than
the planar sheet of material 28. The middle layer 27 is also
substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a height and a
width. The middle layer 27 is constructed so that the height of the
middle layer 27 is less than the height of the planar sheet of
material 28. The width of the middle layer 27 may be less than or
substantially equal to the width of the planar sheet of material
28.
[0029] In construction, the top 31 and bottom edge 32 of the planar
sheet of material 28 are folded so the two edges overlap to form
the interior surface 23 and the exterior surface 22. The middle
layer 27 is then inserted therebetween. Alternatively, the middle
layer 27 may be placed adjacently to the inner side and wrapped so
that the top 31 and bottom edge 32 overlap. The middle layer 27
increases the density of the cover so that it is prevented from
becoming easily knocked over. Thereafter, the side edges 29, 30 of
the planar sheet of material 28 may be overlapped to form a
cylindrical shape, enclosing the middle layer 27 between the
interior 23 and exterior surface 22 and forming an open top 24 and
bottom 25. Optionally, the middle layer 27 may be omitted if it not
preferred by the user, or if the additional weight is not
desired.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of the
present invention as used to fit over a container 26 for disposable
wipes. The container 26 is snugly fitted through the open bottom
portion 25 of the cover and slid through the hollow middle so that
the bottom portion 25 rests on the surface on which the container
26 is placed. When the device is placed, the interior surface 23
directly contacts the exterior surface of the container 26. The
open top 24 of the cover allows the user to open the container and
dispense cleaning wipes therein.
[0031] Additionally, the cover 21 is constructed to enclose much of
the exterior surface of the container 26. In this way, the present
invention conceals the basic packaging in which disposable cleaning
wipes are packed and sold, which is not aesthetically appealing to
many consumers. The exterior surface 22 of the present cover may
comprise a wide variety of designs, including, but not limited to
wood grain, marble pattern, tile, porcelain, stone, and the like.
Additionally, the cover may comprise a picture of the user or
pictures of loved ones. Finally, the cover may bear meaningful
inscriptions that are personal to the user.
[0032] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0033] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *