Abstract:
Disposable coverlets for waste containers having various cross-sections that trap unwanted odors and conceal the unsightly items in a waste container. The disposable coverlets are made of heavy interliner cloth material and have an elastic edge portion that ensures a snug fit over the mouth of the waste container. The disposable coverlet has perforations in the form of radiating slits or an H-shaped slit to form a decorative appearance making the coverlets both attractive and functional. The slits can be formed in an optional plastic layer attached to the coverlets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/199,819, filed Apr. 26, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to covers for receptacles, and more particularly to a cover for waste containers designed to reduce odors and to conceal unsightly waste container items.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Waste receptacles frequently contain unsightly items that are capable of producing unpleasant odors. Some waste containers come with a top lid to cover the mouth of the waste receptacle. However, many of the top lid covers can be difficult to repeatedly open and close. Furthermore, the top lid can become dirty and unsightly due to frequent contact with the items being disposed. In addition, most top lids of waste containers do a poor job in preventing unpleasant odors generated by the waste container contents from escaping, which results in a room full of unpleasant odors.  
           [0006]    The relevant art of interest describes different types of covers used to cover a waste receptacle, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an economical, simple-to-use coverlet for minimizing the escape of obnoxious waste material in receptacles. The following relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.  
           [0007]    European Patent Application No. 0 339 729 A1, published Nov. 2, 1989, describes a closure for a waste receptacle. The cover is completely open at the upper side and consists of two flexible plates arranged above each other. Each plate has radial slits whereby the slits in both plates are staggered. The closure is distinguishable for requiring two plastic radially slit covers arranged in layers.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,947, issued on Jun. 25, 1991 to Marcello Leone, describes a single-dose beverage cup and a rectangular cross-sectioned straw assembly comprising a cup lid with breakage-facilitating weakened lines varying from two V-cuts joined by a line, four radial intersecting lines, and an X-shaped cut. The cup lid assemblies are distinguishable for requiring a straw with a rectangular cross-section.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,080,108, issued on May 11, 1937 to Samuel J. Brandstein, describes a cover for bowl containers of different sizes comprising a circular or polygonal cover made from textile fabric, leather, rubber, oiled silk or cellophane with a peripheral drawstring made of rubber. The cover is distinguishable for its imperforated surface.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,034, issued on Sep. 8, 1959 to Charles Vrana, describes a ventilated food receptacle and cover comprising a square sheet with its corners folded back and heat welded to firm a tubular passageway for an elastic band and leaving four spaces for ventilation. The corners are placed over the bowl. The cover is distinguishable for its four-corner structure.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,402, issued on Apr. 25, 1967 to Charles D. Scott et al., describes a live bait container with an improved cover containing a longitudinal slit. The elastic cover is distinguishable for its single slit to permit entry of fingers and prevent exiting of the bait.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,904, issued on May 11, 1982 to Elaine J. Iverson, describes a spill-proof container and closure comprising a rubber closure having two to four overlapping arcuate flaps. The closure is distinguishable for requiring overlapping rubber flaps.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,436,291, issued on Feb. 17, 1948 to Lewis H. Daniel, describes a self-sealing closure for containers comprising a threaded cover made from a layer of rubber having crossed slits held between rings of hard rubber, plastic, wood, and metal. An applicator having a pledget of cotton can be inserted through the closure for liquid material in the container having a threaded neck. The closure is distinguishable for its requirement for a cover containing rings and threading.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,110, issued on Jan. 24, 1984 to Kenneth N. Shaw, Jr., describes an apparatus for handling used disposable diapers having a canister with a rim and a seal insert supported by the rim of the canister base. The seal insert has a plurality of radial slits. The top has a depending flange and a frustoconical plunger to flex the seal open. The apparatus is distinguishable for its required plunger structure.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,407, issued on Feb. 2, 1999 to Gerald I. Effa, describes covers to both shield an unsightly structure and to provide a waste receptacle or an inner liner for a waste container. The cover is installed by displacing it downwardly over the container or tray jack to conceal the latter. Then, the closed end segment of the cover is displaced downwardly through the opening defined by the crosspieces and flexible straps of a tray jack to form a waste-receiving pouch or receptacle. The covers are distinguishable for requiring cross-pieces and flexible tray jack straps, and failing to recognize the covering of the container opening.  
           [0016]    E.P.O. Patent Application No. 0 436 839 A1, published on Jul. 17, 1991, describes an improved lid for plastic packages with a carrying handle, comprising a lid having a cut to define two flaps for inserting a band-like element to be inserted into the cut, so that the band-like element is raised to a carrying position. The lid is distinguishable for its handle structure.  
           [0017]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    The present invention provides a disposable coverlet for waste containers that is designed to trap odors and to conceal the unsightly contents of a waste container. The disposable coverlet of the prevent invention can be used in any setting, e.g., in the home, in the office and in hospitals. The disposable coverlet has a very thin unwoven cloth body portion and a centrally disposed plastic portion with perforations. The plastic portion enhances the odor trapping properties of the coverlet, and the perforations allow the size of the opening in the coverlet to be varied. The coverlet has an elastic band incorporated within its peripheral edge for securing the coverlet to a waste container.  
           [0019]    The waste container coverlet is easy and convenient to use. The expandable elastic portion of the coverlet allows the coverlet to be easily installed on a waste container and readily removed from a waste container. Therefore, a person can quickly remove a used coverlet from a waste container and promptly install a new coverlet on the waste container with a minimum amount of time and effort.  
           [0020]    In an alternate embodiment, the disposable coverlet has an unwoven cloth portion, but does not have a plastic portion. This embodiment is also very effective in trapping unwanted odors and in concealing unsightly waste container items. The perforations for the coverlet opening are made in the unwoven cloth portion. The coverlets of the present invention are fast to attach, convenient, effective, disposable, and cost efficient.  
           [0021]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a waste receptacle cover that is decorative, functional, and disposable.  
           [0022]    It is another object of the invention to provide a waste receptacle cover that reduces the unpleasant odors emanating from a waste container.  
           [0023]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a waste receptacle cover that neatly conceals unsightly waste container items.  
           [0024]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a waste receptacle cover that is easily installed on and removed from a waste receptacle.  
           [0025]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a disposable coverlet for waste receptacles for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0026]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1A is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a disposable coverlet covering a container with a rectangular opening according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1B is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of a disposable coverlet covering a container with a circular opening.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2A is an environmental, perspective view of a third embodiment of a disposable coverlet without a plastic center covering a container with a rectangular opening.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2B is an environmental, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a disposable coverlet without a plastic center covering a container with a circular opening.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3A is an exploded top plan view of the first embodiment of a disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3B is an exploded top plan view of the third embodiment of a disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the first step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of a disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the second step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the third step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4D is a top plan view of the fourth step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4E is a top plan view of the fifth step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4F is a top plan view of the sixth and final step in the method of making the first embodiment in FIG. 1A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the method of making the third embodiment in FIG. 2A of the disposable rectangular coverlet.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the second embodiment in FIG. 1B of a disposable coverlet for a round container.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the fourth embodiment in FIG. 2B of a disposable coverlet for a round container.  
         [0042]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]    The present invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B,  4 A through  4 F,  5 ,  6 A, and  6 B is a disposable coverlet  100  for waste receptacles or containers  108 . The disposable coverlet  100  of the present invention easily slips over the mouth  110  of a waste container  108  and conveniently covers the unsightly and odorous items routinely found in waste containers  108 . The elastic cord portion  106  of the disposable coverlet  100  ensures that the coverlet  100  securely and snugly fits the contour of the waste container  108 . The tight fit provided by the elastic cord portion  106  of the coverlet  100  virtually eliminates the escape of any unpleasant odors from the waste container  108  even though there are perforations in the coverlet.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 1A shows an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of the disposable waste container coverlet  100  covering a waste container  108  that has a rectangular opening or mouth  110  and a flat bottom  114 . The disposable coverlet  100  is configured to conform to the contour of the waste container mouth  110 . The disposable coverlet  100  is primarily made of an unwoven cloth material  102 , and has a centrally disposed perforated plastic portion  104  having radial slits  196 . The cloth body  102  is made of a strong and durable unwoven cloth material that is capable of withstanding the rigors of repeated use prior to disposal, such as “interface” Pellon® and the like materials made of either polyester or rayon, colored white or black, and comes in different weights such as light, medium or heavy).  
         [0045]    The centrally disposed perforated plastic portion  104  allows the size of the opening of the coverlet  100  to be varied depending upon the needs or requirements of the waste container  108 . For example, a waste container  108  in an business office would have an opening large enough to accommodate pieces of discarded paper while a waste container  108  in a hospital would have a limited opening to accommodate discarded needles. The plastic portion  104  of the coverlet  100  enhances the odor retention properties of the coverlet  100 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1B shows an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of a disposable coverlet  100  with an elastic cord portion  106  covering a cylindrical waste container  108  with a circular opening  112  and a closed bottom  114 . The second embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  also has a cloth body  102  having a centrally disposed plastic portion  104  with radial slits  196 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 2A is an environmental, perspective view of a third embodiment of a disposable coverlet  100  with an elastic cord portion  106  covering a waste container  108  with a rectangular opening  110 . The third embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  does not have a plastic portion  104 . In this embodiment, the perforations  186  (widthwise slit),  188  (length-wise slit) in a heavy weight cloth material  102  are made in the shape of an H.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 2B is an environmental, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a disposable coverlet  100  having an elastic cord portion  106  covering a cylindrical waste container  108  with a circular opening  112 . The fourth embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100 , again does not have a plastic portion  104 , and the perforations  196  for the disposable coverlet opening are in the heavy weight cloth material  102 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 3A is an exploded view of the first embodiment of a disposable rectangular coverlet  100  showing the cloth body  102  with an oval cutout portion  142 . The elastic cord  106  is laid out and slightly less in size with the cloth body  102  to provide a narrowed but stretchable region. An oval perforated plastic portion  104  slightly larger in size than the oval cutout portion  142  is shown with radial slits  196  extending short of the edge.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the third embodiment of a disposable coverlet  100  showing the heavy weight cloth portion  102  having its H-shaped perforation having a pair of widthwise or vertical slits  186  and a lengthwise or horizontal slit  188 . There is no perforated plastic portion  104  utilized in this embodiment. The elastic cord  106  of the disposable coverlet  100  is again shown laid out. The preparation of this embodiment will be discussed fully with reference to FIG. 5 below.  
         [0051]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 F illustrate the manufacturing steps for making the embodiments of the disposable coverlet  100  that employ a plastic center  104 . FIG. 4A shows a top plan view of the first step in the method of making the plastic center  104  embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  for a waste container  108  with a rectangular opening. The waste container  108  is inverted to place the mouth of the waste container on the central portion  116  of the rectangular piece of cloth material  102  to mark the rectangular outline  118  of the container&#39;s mouth. Next, measure 2 inches out from the outline  118  of the waste container  108 , and mark each side to form a dashed rectangular outline  120  on the cloth material  102 . Then, cut the cloth material  102  along the dashed outline  120  to produce a smaller rectangular piece  118  having an upper edge  124 , a right side edge  126   a , a left side edge  126   b , and a lower edge  128  to define the outside edges of the precursor coverlet  100  for the next step. The same procedure also applies to the making of the disposable coverlet  100  for a waste container with a round mouth, except a circular cut of the cloth material is made.  
         [0052]    In step  2 , the resulting smaller rectangular piece of cloth material  102  is folded in half lengthwise so that the edges  124  and  128  meet as shown in FIG. 4B. Next, measure along the folded edge  130  of the cloth  102  inwards from the side edges  126   a ,  126   b  4 inches and mark oval cutout points  134   a ,  134   b . Next, measure 3½ inches from the middle  138  of the upper edges  124 ,  128  of the cloth downwards and mark oval cutout point  136 . The marks  134   a ,  134   b  and  136  indicate where the oval shape  132  and cut is made as depicted in FIG. 4B. The half-oval  140  is cut out of the cloth material  102  as shown in FIG. 4C.  
         [0053]    In step  3 , the cloth material  102  is opened up to reveal a full size oval  142  as shown in FIG. 4C. The next step in the preparation process is preparation of the plastic center portion  104 . Place a rectangular piece of plastic material  104  evenly over the centrally disposed full size oval cut  142  as shown in FIG. 4C (step  4 ). Measure 1 inch outward from the upper boundary  144 , the lower boundary  146 , the right lateral boundary  148   a , and the left lateral boundary  148   b  of the oval shaped opening  142  to mark the dashed rectangle having sides  150  (upper),  152  (lower),  154   a  (right), and  154   b  (left), respectively, as depicted in FIG. 4C, and cutting the rectangular piece of plastic portion  104  at the designated markings  150 ,  152 ,  154   a , and  154   b  to produce a smaller rectangular piece of plastic  104 .  
         [0054]    As shown in FIG. 4D, place the cut smaller rectangular piece of plastic portion  104  over the oval shaped opening  142 , and making certain that there is a spacing of at least an inch of plastic portion  104  on each side of the oval shaped opening  142 . Marking the cloth material  102  at the straight edges  156  (upper),  158  (lower),  160   a  (right), and  160   b  (left), respectively, of the plastic portion  104 , so that the plastic portion  104  can be readily replaced after an adhesive such as glue is applied to the cloth material  102 . Next, place a mark at the center  162  of the piece of plastic portion  104 .  
         [0055]    After radiating perforations or slits  164  have been made in the plastic portion  104  as shown in FIG. 4D, remove the plastic portion  104  from the cloth material  102 , and apply an adhesive to the area adjacent and outside the oval shaped opening  142 . Place the plastic portion  104  back over the oval  142  using the plastic portion&#39;s edge marks  156 ,  158 ,  160   a , and  160   b  as a guide. The side of the cloth material  102  to which the plastic portion  104  is adhesively applied constitutes the bottom surface of the coverlet  100 .  
         [0056]    In steps  5  and  6  illustrated in FIG. 4E, with the bottom surface  166  of the cloth material  102  up, fold each side  124  (upper),  126   a  (right),  126   b  (left), and  128  (lower) of the cloth material  102  over an inch.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 4F, unfold the cloth material  102  and place elastic cord  106  in the bend  168  of the fold  174  (FIG. 4E). Fold the cloth material  102  back over the elastic portion  106 , and place a pin  172  through the top  170  of the fold  174  to hold the elastic cord  106  in place as shown in FIG. 4F (step  7 ). Pin the cloth material  102  together with the elastic cord  106  still in the fold  174 . All four sides will have the elastic cord  106  enclosed.  
         [0058]    Using an edger stitch machine, place the edge of material fold  176  under the machine&#39;s sewing foot, making certain that the elastic  106  is also under the sewing machine&#39;s foot, and stitch the edge of the material fold  176  and the elastic  106  together (step  8 ). It is critical to maintain the elastic  106  stretched during sewing. As one side  182  (right) is finished, sew past the end of the cloth material  102 . Repeat the procedure for the remaining sides  178  (upper edge),  180  (left side edge),  182  (right side edge), and  184  (lower edge) of the cloth material  102 . After sewing is completed, cut off any excess elastic cord  106 . The edger stitching automatically creates a ruffle and a tensioning of the borders of the coverlet  100  to secure to the container rim.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating the method for making the third embodiment, i.e., FIG. 2A, of the rectangular disposable coverlet  100  with an H-shaped perforation  188 . The third embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  does not have a plastic portion  104 , and is made for a waste container  108  with a rectangular mouth or opening  110 . The first step in making the third embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  is the perforation of the disposable coverlet  100  to form an H-shaped perforation. Two vertical and parallel perforations  186  (dashed lines) are made along the width of the cloth  102  beginning approximately 4 inches from the edges  124  (upper),  126   a  (right)  126   b  (left), and  128  (lower) of the cloth  102  as shown in FIG. Perforation  188  is then made horizontally down the center  190  of the cloth  102  connecting the vertical perforations  186  as depicted in FIG. 5. The remaining steps in the making of the third embodiment of disposable coverlet  100  are the same as steps  6 ,  7 , and  8  in the making of the first embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 6A is a top view of the second embodiment of a disposable coverlet  100  for a cylindrical waste container  108  with a round mouth or opening  112 . The steps involved in making the second embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  are the same as the steps in making the first embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  except that a circular opening  192  is made in the cloth  102 , and a circular overlapping piece of radially perforated plastic portion  194  is sewn into the center of the cloth body  102 . An elastic cord  106  is sewn around the periphery of the cloth body  102 , and radial cuts  196  (dashed lines) are made to complete the coverlet  100 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 2B) of a heavy weight disposable coverlet  100  for a waste container  108  with a round mouth or opening  112 . The steps involved in making the fourth embodiment of the disposable coverlet  100  are the same as the steps in making the fourth embodiment (FIG. 2B) of the disposable coverlet  100  except that the radial perforations  196  do not have a plastic backing as shown in FIG. 6B.  
         [0062]    The disposable coverlets of the present invention can be used in a wide variety of settings such as department stores, supermarkets, and office buildings. Hospitals and nursing homes would find the disposable coverlet to be extremely beneficial. The disposable coverlet is very effective in trapping unpleasant odors and in concealing unsightly waste container items, and the decorative exterior of the disposable coverlet enhances the decor of a room.  
         [0063]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and adaptations of the present invention as well as alternative embodiments of the present invention may be contemplated.  
         [0064]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.