Abstract:
A recloseable cover for refuse cans of various sizes and shapes, each said cover having a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the cover, permitting refuse to be added to the can without removing the cover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to sanitary covers for refuse containers, and specifically to disposable covers with an opening for inserting the refuse, which recloses to block odor, contamination, or an unsightly view.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The recloseable covers of the present invention are formed of a flexible material with elastic means, or stretchable, retractable material; and fit snuggly over the open top of refuse cans of diverse size and shape, to conceal the contents of the container, but permit disposing refuse into the can.  
         [0003]     Tupperware® containers have lids of deformable material to fit snuggly on their containers. Semi-permanent Zip-lock® storage containers also have lids of deformable material for a snug fit. These lids are not sufficiently deformable to fit containers having a different shape, or size. Their material is not stretchable enough to fit containers of different sizes, or form a snug closure on containers of different shape openings.  
         [0004]     Expansible, retractable film, such as Saran Wrap®, has been used to create a temporary cover for containers of varying size and shape. Typically, the material of these films have gripping characteristics, and the combination of the gripping and the expansible retractable nature of the film provides a tight cover, but no means to insert another object through the cover. The cover must be removed in order to add any object to the container, and it is generally difficult to reuse the piece of film which formed the original cover.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,774, to Rodriquez discloses a cover for a paint can, comprising a disk-shaped web of fabric with a downwardly pending skirt which includes an elastomeric ring to secure the cover to the paint can. The purpose of the cover is to “maintain the freshness of the paint therewithin and prevent contamination of the paint by foreign matter during use and storage of the paint”. The cover includes an “enclosed slit,  18 , defined by adjacent spaced elastomeric strips to effect biasing the strips together and maintain in normally closed orientation of the slit which may be separated for insertion of a hose and the like therewithin to gain access to contents within the container  14  without removal of the web or cap in use”, column 4, lines 23 to 29. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the slit,  18 , is formed in an S-shape. The “spaced elastomeric strips” are not labeled in  FIG. 4 , but the drawing includes a series of parallel lines generally perpendicular to the slot, and a reference numeral,  19 , not described in the specification, thus the construction and to be functioning of the biasing elastomeric strips is not clear. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , simple slots,  23 , in the web may be covered by a flap,  22 .  
         [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans, to contain the contents of the can. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans to prevent the issuing of odors therefrom. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans to hide from view those things already disposed of in the can. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a reclosable cover for refuse cans which covers have deodorants or scents, both to make them more pleasing to the senses, and to make refuse cans on which they are used less attractive to animals.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     These objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, which comprises a reclosable cover for a refuse can, comprising a blank having a rounded peripheral edge, a straight slit extending through the middle portion of the blank and elastic means attached about the edge of the blank. The cover may further comprise elastic means, or additional expansible contractible means, attached to the cover about the straight slit. In an alternative construction, the blank for the reclosable cover may comprise an expansible, retractable material. The straight slit may extend for a substantial extent of the middle portion of the blank. This cover may also further comprise elastic means attached about the edge of the blank, and the elastic means may have a rubbery surface which grips the refuse can. The covers of the present invention may further comprise a slit stabilization card, attached to the cover, about the straight slit. The slit stabilization card may be attached to the upper side or the underside of the cover. The slit stabilization card has an opening, preferably an oval opening, exposing the straight slit. In an alternative construction, the blank material within the opening of the card may be removed, and a soft flexible smaller blank of material attached to the stabilization card, having a straight slit therethrough, extending substantially along the longer diameter of the oval opening.  
         [0008]     For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the functioning of the recloseable cover of the present invention, illustrating its opening and closing to place a piece of refuse in the refuse can.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the reclosable cover of the present invention, disposed over the top of a refuse can.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the underside of a reclosable cover according to the present invention, illustrating its construction. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the reclosable cover,  1 , up of the present invention. View A illustrates the cover dispose over the top opening of a refuse can,  2 . The cover of the present invention may be used with cans of varying size and shape. View B illustrates the opening of the cover to put refuse in the refuse can,  2 . View C illustrates the reclosure of the cover to contain the refuse within the refuse can.  
         [0014]     As shown in  FIG. 1  the reclosable cover,  1 , comprises a blank,  3 , with a peripheral edge,  4 . In this preferred embodiment the blank is formed of an expansible, contractible material. In the middle portion,  5 , of the blank is a straight slit,  6 . Though the cover is intended to be constructed of inexpensive materials such that it may be disposable, it is constructed to accommodate repeated opening and closing of the slit to maintain the refuse in the refuse can away from the sight and smell of those nearby.  
         [0015]     As shown in view B, a piece of refuse,  7   a , such as the inner cardboard roll of a toilet paper roll, may easily be used to open the slit for disposing of the roll within the refuse can. As seen in view C, the refuse within the refuse can, such as cotton swabs,  7   c , and disposable razors,  7   c , are retained safely out of sight under the cover. In  FIG. 1  the reclosable cover has been illustrated in relation to a refuse can for e.g. a bathroom, however the reclosable cover of the present invention may also be used for refuse cans in a kitchen, in hospitals and restaurants, in office buildings, and hotels. The cover may also be provided with deodorants and aromas, and may be formed of opaque, transparent, or translucent materials as required, or desired, for safety, convenience, and taste.  
         [0016]     Also illustrated in  FIG. 1C  is a flap,  17  which may be used to cover the slit. In the simplest version of the present invention, lacking a slit stabilization card, [described below] the edges of the lit may not close, completely, especially after considerable use, and the flap,  17  may be highly desireable. The flap is at attached to the middle portion of the blank, adjacent the slit. A securement means, such as a Velcro hook and loop type closure,  18   a  &amp;  18   b , or a refastenable adhesive strip, at either  18   a  or  18   b , or both, may be located in the middle portion, at the other side of the slit, so that the flap may be secured, over the slit, but reopened for further use.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the reclosable cover of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2  the reclosable cover may comprise a blank,  3 , attached about the top of the refuse can,  2 , by an elastic means,  8 , attached about the peripheral edge of the blank. In this embodiment the material of the blank need not be expansible, nor retractable, for fitting to the refuse can. The cover is provided a straight slit,  6 , surrounded by elastic means,  12 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates the underside of a preferred reclosable cover according to the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  the cover comprises a blank,  3 , with a generally rounded peripheral edge,  4 . Though the blank may be formed of extensible, retractable material, the edge may also have attached to it elastic means,  8 . The elastic means may be sewed or glued to the blank. In certain circumstances it ma be desireable to cover the elastic, as with a hem, however, in this preferred embodiment the elastic means has a rubberized gripping surface, and is left exposed on the undersurface of the cover to grip the outer surface of the refuse can.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cover may also comprise a slit stabilization card,  9 , located generally in the middle portion of the blank. In this preferred construction the slit stabilization card is attached to the undersurface,  10 , of the cover. The slit stabilization card has an opening therethrough,  11 , exposing the straight slit of the reclosable cover of the present invention. The slit stabilization card may be used to accomplish a number of purposes. First, the slit stabilization card stabilizes the material of the blank about the slit during use, and prevents ripping of the blank at the ends of the straight slit. Secondly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the card may be used to attach a smaller piece of a soft flexible material,  15 , within an oval opening,  14 . The soft flexible material may be attached between the stabilization card,  9 , and the blank,  3 , or merely to the outer surface of the stabilization card. A straight slit,  16 , is then formed in the soft flexible material. If required, extensible contractible material,  13 , may be attached to the soft flexible material about its straight slit.  
         [0020]     There has thus been shown and described a novel refuse can cap which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.