Covers for wineglasses or like containers

Cover means (10) for a wineglass or like container (24) are made from a flat sheet (10), and comprise means (20, 521) adapted to be bent from the sheet (10) and used to inhibit the cover means (10) from slipping off the container, which inhibiting means (20) comprise an inhibiting element (20), e.g. a tab (20), adapted to be bent from the sheet at one or more bends (22, 50, 54) inwards of the periphery (18) of the cover means (10), whereby the whole of said element (22) is located inwards of and spaced from the periphery (18) or at least one said bend (22) extends inwards from said periphery (18). Two, three or more of said elements (20) may be adapted to be inside and/or outside the rim (26) of the container (24). Such an element (20) may point radially or circumferentially, and may be cut from the sheet (10) (or have a line 12 of weakening for ready separation from the sheet 10) apart from at said bend (22). Said elements (20) may be spaced apart around the cover means (10) and/or at different distances from a center to suit the diameters of respective said containers (24). A non-tab form said element (521) may have a cross-section of V-shape in a circumferential direction. The cover means (10) may be formed into a conical shape, e.g. by interlocking means (322, 342), e.g. comprising hook means (322, 342), or be held in conical shape by bending alone; and/or may be adapted to be such that the action of using a finger to apply pressure downwards at one portion of the outer edge of the cover (10) will lever the cover (10) up at the opposite side of the container (24).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of PCT/GB2007/003143 filed on Aug. 7, 2007, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Great Britain Application No. 0617072.4 filed on Aug. 31, 2006. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was published in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to covers for wineglasses or like containers, which term used herein includes, for example, tumblers, cups, medicine glasses or other drinking containers or other containers that normally have an open top (i.e. a mouth with a top rim) through which undesirable foreign matter may enter and contaminate the contents, e.g. dust, dirt or insects falling or flying in, or setting.

BACKGROUND

A cover for a wineglass or like container may be a simple circular sheet with a hole in the middle for a drinking straw, but this slips off the glass easily. To stop it from sliding off the glass, some shapes have been proposed but these are either complicated or ineffective.

THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there are provided cover means for a wineglass or like container that are made from a flat sheet and are adapted to lie across the mouth and top rim of the container, and comprise means adapted to be bent from the sheet and used to inhibit the cover means from slipping off the container by engagement with the said rim, which inhibiting means comprise an inhibiting element adapted to be bent from the sheet at one or more bends inwards of the periphery of the cover means, whereby the whole of said element is located inwards of and spaced from the periphery or at least one said bend extends inwards (relative to the circumferential direction) from said periphery.

By virtue of this feature of inwardness, cover means can be provided that lend themselves to having a much more positive inhibiting function than arrangements not according to the invention in which, for example, a portion of the periphery, or a peripheral tab, is simply bent down at a circumferentially extending bend at the periphery.

“Circumferential” herein means along a line substantially normal to a radial direction, not necessarily at the periphery unless the context so requires. The direction of a bend refers to the direction of its fold line or, when bent through a curve rather than folded at a line, is the direction of the straight line generatrix of the curve.

The rim of the container is usually circular. Usually, the periphery of the cover means conforms generally to the shape of the rim; but in such cases it may in detail have a decorative shape, e.g. the cover may have a scalloped edge. The upper and/or lower surface of the cover may bear text and/or design, e.g. as decoration and/or as advertising matter.

The inhibiting function can be maximized if the inhibiting means are adapted to point edgewise towards the rim, preferably so that the bend would not be decreased by putative movement of the cover means in a direction to urge the inhibiting means towards the rim. In some arrangements, such movement would increase the bending. In others, it would have no effect, such as where the direction of the bend is normal to the rim.

In a first preferred arrangement two, three or more of said elements are adapted to be inside the rim of the container. In a second preferred arrangement two, three or more of said elements are adapted to be outside the rim of the container. A third preferred arrangement comprises both of said first and second arrangements, whether mutually staggered or not. In another arrangement, a pair of said elements are opposed to each other, one adapted to be inside the rim of the container and the other adapted to be outside the rim of the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, there are provided cover means for a glass or like container that are made from a flat sheet and are adapted to lie across the mouth and top rim of the container, and comprise means adapted to be bent from the sheet and used to inhibit the cover means from slipping off the container by engagement with the said rim, the inhibiting means comprising an inhibiting element adapted to be within the rim of the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, there are provided cover means for a glass or like container that are made from a flat sheet and are adapted to lie across the mouth and top rim of the container, and comprise means adapted to be bent from the sheet and used to inhibit the cover means from slipping off the container by engagement with the said rim, the inhibiting means comprising an inhibiting element adapted to be bent from the sheet at one or more bends that extend inwards (relative to the circumferential direction) from the periphery of the cover means.

Thus, a said element may be adapted to bear against (the inside and/or outside of) the container, more especially at its rim, e.g. positively, e.g. so that the element will be at less than 45 degrees to the normal to the wall of the container at the place of encountering the container, e.g. elastically, or again edgewise to the wall; or, if the cover means is designed for (e.g. is in combination with) a particular container, may actually so bear in use.

A said element may have tab form; it may be adapted for the tab to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim; it may be adapted for the tab to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim; the inhibiting means may comprise opposed such tabs adapted for one of the tabs to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim and the other tab to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim.

In suitable arrangements, the cover means are adapted for the direction of the bend of a said element to be substantially circumferential; the direction of the bend of a said element to be substantially radial; a said element to have the form of a tab and to point substantially racially, a said element to have the form of a tab and to point substantially circumferentially; a said element to be cut from the sheet apart from at said bend; a said element to have a line of weakening for ready separation from the sheet apart from at said bend; a said element to have scoring or other weakening to facilitate bending at said bend; a plurality of said elements to be spaced apart around the cover means; a plurality of said elements to be spaced at different distances from a centre to suit the diameters of respective said containers; a said element to have a non-tab form; the non-tab form to have a cross-section of V-shape in a circumferential direction; said elements, adjacent in a circumferential direction, to be arranged in mutually non-overlapping manner.

The leading edge of a tab, which points substantially radially towards the rim of the container and is bent through less than 45 degrees from the horizontal, can be curved to give broader and better contact with the rim if this is curved than can a straight-ended tab, the better to inhibit the cover from coming away from the container and, if said elements of the inhibiting means together exert pressure on the rim, this serves better to secure the cover thereto.

In possible embodiments, the arrangement is adapted for the bend to extend inwardly from the periphery of the cover sheet in its final form; the bend to be wholly spaced inwardly from the periphery of the cover sheet in its final form; a said element or inhibiting means to be wholly spaced inwardly from the periphery of the cover sheet in its final form; said inhibiting means to be both inside and outside the rim of the container; and/or the hole to be replaced by any arrangement, e.g. a criss-cross die-cut, adapted to be opened out into a hole for a straw.

The cover means may be adapted to be formed into a conical shape, preferably by non-adhesive means, e.g. by interlocking means, e.g. cut edges, e.g. die-cuts on the outer edge of the cover means, e.g. hook means, e.g. cut into said sheet, or by bending alone (e.g. as illustrated below). The formation of a conical shape produces outward pressures on the interlocked means, e.g. dovetail shapes, which keep such means securely locked together. Releasing (e.g. unlocking) the non-adhesive (e.g. interlocked) means will allow the cover means to be returned to a flat shape. A conical cover (normally used point up) can be turned upside down, the inhibiting means then being bent down (towards the container) by being bent out of the covers opposite face, e.g. for use in windy conditions. Resilience of the cover material can maintain the conical shape without the use of other mechanical means.

The inhibiting means may be depressed from the cover means using e.g. a drinking straw, finger or pen, and can then collectively produce pressure on the container, e.g. outward pressure on the inside of the drinks glass, to secure the cover to the top thereof, to protect the contents thereof, e.g. drinks, e.g. wines, spirits, teas and coffees.

The cover means may be of thin card, may be of outer diameter, length or width 30-150 mm, preferably 50-120 mm, may be of weight 150-250, preferably 180-240 gsm, more preferably 180-200 gsm, e.g. that known under the trade name of “Invercote G solid bleached board of medium density”, may be coated or laminated on one or both sides with a layer of protective material, e.g. for hygiene and/or so as not to be deleterious to human consumption, e.g. being produced from materials that comply with appropriate food contact materials regulations, e.g. the current 2006 European Union food contact materials regulations.

The covers can be of any shape that provides full cover for a container, e.g. a drinks glass, and can be circular, oval, square, triangular, octagonal, hexagonal and/or rectangular, or again can be shapes that include animals, TV characters, numbers, alphabetical letters, superstars, logos, emblems, flags, love messages and lots more, or these can be incorporated into the cover design. The covers can be flat, dimple, crinkle, pyramidal or conical shaped depending upon the folding arrangement of circumferential and/or radial crease lines, which preferably intersect normally (at right angles), and/or the folding arrangement may allow reduction in the size of the cover to fit a drinks glass or drinking vessel or other container as required.

The covers can be used for all drinks glasses, including for beer, wine and other drinks in cases that do not involve or require the use of drinking straws. In such a case, the cover is adapted to be such that the action of using a finger to apply pressure downwards at one portion of the outer edge of the cover will lever the cover up at the opposite side of the container (e.g. a drinks glass): this will allow a drink to be taken from the drinks glass without having to remove the cover entirely from the drinks glass. This presupposes that the cover is adapted to extend beyond the rim of the container, as is the case with all the embodiments described herein.

The covers can also provide protection for the contents of a drinks glass from direct sunlight, and thus slow down the melting of ice in drinks as well as increase the lifespan of the drink. They can be used to protect drinks and oral medication dispensed in drinks glasses from airborne pollutants and bacteria carried by flies, and can be used in hospitals, schools, emergency refugee situations, as well as war and disaster zones to protect drinks glasses and vessels and reduce risks to health caused by bacteria carried by e.g. flies and other airborne insects.

The straw hole need not be at the centre of the cover, it might in some cases be more useful nearer, or adjacent, to the rim. A plurality of means (e.g. die-cut criss-crosses) may be located in different places on the cover to provide a plurality of possible straw holes, one of which is selected, and formed (pressed out), by the user. The straw hole need not be at the uppermost point of the cone.

The covers can provide an advertising medium which brings products and services right under the nose of the consumer. By printing on the top or bottom of the cover, a second use is made of this product wherein, for example, commercial advertising and public sector information can be incorporated in the cover design.

The covers can be stacked and peeled from stand-alone dispensers placed on bars and restaurant tables. Bar staff can easily add such a cover to a drinks glass—it takes less than two seconds to erect a conical glasscover from a flat shape.

The cover can be an adjustable, movable cover that fits over the top of drinks glasses, mugs, cups and other open-topped drinking vessels. The covers can be manufactured as flat shapes and can be made from paper, cardboard, plastic, foil or other flexible materials. As exemplified below, they can be adjusted manually (by the user) in various ways.

The cover means may be in the form of a blank, a flat blank, a conical blank, or in the form of a cover with formed said inhibiting means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there are provided any such cover means in combination with the container.

Referring to the drawings, a glass cover10is made from a sheet of thin card of weight 180-200 gsm, coated or laminated on one or both sides with a layer of protective material as described above, in the shape shown inFIG. 3, die-cut at the heavy lines12, with a central hole14for a straw16and having a scalloped peripheral edge18. It has inhibiting means20, comprising inhibiting elements20, defined by the de-cut lines12and bend lines22, spaced around the cover10. (The bend lines22may be preformed as weakening in cover10or, when cover10is flat, may simply be notional since bends will be formed thereat by the user.) To use the cover10, it is placed on top of a wine glass24(shown schematically inFIG. 4), and the end of straw16is used to press down the tab-form elements20at the bend lines22. These engage the inside of the rim26of the glass24and prevent cover10from slipping off glass24. Depending upon the diameter of glass24, the tabs20are pressed down less or more to engage the rim26. The tabs20can maintain engagement with the rim26, usually engaging the rim26resiliently. If the diameter of glass24is too large for the engagement to be maintained, nevertheless the tabs20once having been bent down stay bent down, and cover10can then move only slightly from side to side until one or two of them encounter rim26and there is engagement therebetween, thus preventing cover10from slipping off glass24. In practice, the small gaps that may open up around the de-cut lines12are too small to allow foreign matter to enter and contaminate the drink. The covers10may be taken from a stack of them by a barman when serving a drink, who may himself depress tabs10or may leave this to the drinker. The edge of straw hole14and/or lines12(or part thereof) may not be pre-cut but be weakened, e.g. by being perforated, to be separated by the barman or drinker, e.g. using the straw16.

In a development, shown inFIG. 1, of theFIG. 3arrangement, the cover10is provided with a de-cut radial line30(forming, as seen inFIG. 1, a left-hand edge301and a right-hand edge302) from hole14to periphery18, and a pair of suitably shaped notches321,341are cut out to provide interlocking cut edges thereof and thus interengageable hook portions322,342. This may be used flat, as shown inFIG. 3or the hook portions322,342may be interengaged as follows. Portion322is moved over and above and beyond portion342until point32is beyond (to the right as seen inFIG. 1) of point34; point32is then moved back below point34until the hook portions322,342fully engage, as seen inFIG. 2. This engagement movement causes cover10to adopt a conical shape, as seen more clearly inFIG. 5.

It is seen fromFIG. 6, that tabs20may be located at different distances from the central hole14to match different diameters of glass24,241. For example, tabs20suit a wineglass24, while tabs201suit a tumbler241. Cover10may have only tabs20or only tabs201; or may have both, preferably tabs20being staggered around cover10relative to tabs201in order not unduly to weaken cover10. For clarity,FIG. 6shows only one tab201but there will in fact be several spaced around cover10. Tabs20,201have a greatest width36(at their free end, opposite bend line22) of 20 mm, a narrowest width38(at bend line22) of 10 mm, and a depth40of 10 mm.

In theFIG. 7arrangement, the tabs20are outside the glass24but have the same sizes36,38,40as the tabs20of theFIG. 6arrangement.

In theFIG. 8arrangement, each substantially trapezoidal tab20of the earlier-described embodiments is replaced by a pair202of equal-sized, opposed, rectangular tabs20,21formed by two bend lines22and an H-arrangement of three die-cut lines12. A tab pair202is also shown separately, for clarity. The tabs20,21have a uniform width37of 20 mm and a combined depth41of 30 mm. The spacing39of tabs20from peripheral edge18is 10 mm. When, resting on glass24, tabs20,21of a pair202are depressed at its central cut line12, they spread apart slightly at their free ends so that tab20bears against the outside of the rim26of glass24and tab21bears against the inside of this rim. Together the pair202of tabs20,21clamps the rim26between them (so that glass24could even be turned upside down without cover10coming off), and it may be sufficient for cover10to have only one (or two, arranged on opposite sides of cover10) pairs202of tabs20,21.

FIG. 9illustrates a number of possible variations. A tab20may be replaced by a tab203that extends circumferentially rather than radially. This has de-cut edges121,122,123and a bend line22. Tab203presents a circumferential de-cut edge121,123to the rim of a glass24, either edge121to the inside of the rim of glass24or edge123to the outside of the rim of glass24depending upon the radial position of tab203and the diameter of glass24. Again, tab203may be located at the peripheral edge18as tab204, and then engages glass24by means of its inner de-cut edge123. Again, tab203may be formed as tab205with a number of circumferential de-cut lines124intermediate its end circumferential de-cut lines121,123, so that tab205has a comb-like form with separately depressible fingers125,126,127. (Strictly speaking, each of the fingers125etc is itself a tab-form said inhibiting element.) If the rim of glass24underlies the finger126, for example, neighbouring fingers125,127can be depressed to engage the outside and inside of the rim respectively. If the glass24has a narrower diameter, other fingers between cuts124can be depressed on either side of its rim to grip glass24, or at least stop cover10from slipping off it.

Rather than using hook means (portions322,342) to achieve a conical shape, this conical shape can be achieved solely by bending. Cover10may have radial score lines50,52,54where it is bent, upwards at lines50,54and downwards at line52to the profile shown inFIG. 11, and as seen in the side view,FIG. 10, so that line52forms an upstanding ridge52. This profile may be obtained by bending cover10downwards along the whole of line52, pinching together sides60,62, and then bending the cover10upwards at lines50,54. Furthermore, if there are two transverse die-cut lines128,129across this ridge52, that extend from one to the other of bend lines50,54, a central part521of ridge52can be depressed as shown inFIG. 12to provide a non-tab-form inhibiting means521that will engage a glass rim internally at its outer edge at line129or internally at its edge128depending upon the diameter of the rim and the racial position of the inhibiting means521.

For all the embodiments, the inside and outside diameters42,44of the rim26of wineglass24are 64 mm and 68 mm, and of tumbler241are 78 mm and 82 mm. Cover10has an outer diameter of 120 mm; each of scallops181is semicircular of diameter 25 mm.

Hole14may be replaced by a criss-cross die-cut14, illustrated by way of example inFIG. 6, adapted to be opened out into a hole14for a straw16.

Thus, these embodiments provide cover means10for a wineglass or like container24, that are made from a fiat sheet10, comprise means20,521adapted to be bent from the sheet10and used to inhibit the cover means10from slipping off the container24, which inhibiting means20,521comprise an inhibiting element20,521adapted to be bent from the sheet10at one or more bends22,50,54inwards of the periphery18of the cover means10, whereby the whole of said element20,521is located inwards of and spaced from the periphery18or at least one said bend22extends inwards from said periphery18.

The rim26of the container24is circular. The periphery18of the cover10conforms generally to the shape of the rim26; but it has in detail a decorative shape, a scalloped (with scallops181) edge18. The upper surface bears text and/or design69, as decoration and/or as advertising matter69.

To maximize the inhibiting function, the inhibiting means20,21,521are adapted to point edgewise towards the rim26, so that the bend would not be decreased by putative movement of the cover means10in a direction to urge the inhibiting means20etc towards the rim26. In the arrangements ofFIGS. 1 to 8, such movement would increase the bending. In the arrangements ofFIGS. 9 to 12, such movement would have no effect, where the direction of the bend22etc is normal to the rim26.

In the arrangements ofFIGS. 1-6, two, three or more of said elements20etc are adapted to be inside the rim26of the container24. In the arrangement ofFIG. 7, two, three or more of said elements20are adapted to be outside the rim26of the container10. The arrangements ofFIG. 8and tab205ofFIG. 9comprise both the inside and the outside features of both theFIGS. 1-6and theFIG. 7arrangements, and may be mutually staggered or not. Specifically, in theFIG. 8arrangement, a pair202of said elements20,21are opposed to each other, one (21) adapted to be inside the rim26of the container10and the other (20) adapted to be outside the rim26of the container24.

Specifically, the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6provide cover means10for a glass or like container24that are made from a fiat sheet10, and comprise means20etc adapted to be bent from the sheet10and used to inhibit the cover means10from slipping off the container24, the inhibiting means20etc comprising an inhibiting element20etc adapted to be within the rim26of the container20etc.

TheFIG. 9arrangement provides cover means10for a glass or like container24that are made from a flat sheet10, and comprise means204adapted to be bent from the sheet10and used to inhibit the cover means10from slipping off the container24, the inhibiting means204comprising an inhibiting element204,521adapted to be bent from the sheet10at one or more bends22,50,54that extend inwards from said periphery18. Of course, the depressed ridge portion521may alternatively extend from the periphery18to the cut line129and the cut line128may be omitted or not used; inhibiting means521would then encounter the outside of the rim26.

Thus, a said element20etc, in all the arrangements illustrated, is adapted to bear against the container10, more especially at its rim26, e.g. positively, e.g. so that the element20etc will be at less than 45 degrees to the normal to the wall of the container10at the place of encountering the container, e.g. elastically, or again edgewise to the wall; or, if the cover means10is designed for (e.g. is in combination with) a particular container10, will actually so bear in use.

A said element20etc has tab form; it is adapted in the arrangements ofFIGS. 1-6for the tab20etc to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim26; it is adapted in the arrangement ofFIG. 7for the tab to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim26; in the arrangement ofFIG. 8, the inhibiting means202comprise opposed such tabs20,21adapted for one21of the tabs to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend22of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim26and the other tab20to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend222of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, towards the rim26.

In these embodiments, the cover means10are adapted for the direction of the bend22etc of a said element20etc to be substantially circumferential (FIGS. 1-8); the direction of the bend22etc of a said element10to be substantially radial (FIG. 9); a said element20etc to have the form of a tab20etc and to point substantially radially (FIGS. 1-8); a said element20etc to have the form of a tab203,204,205and to point substantially circumferentially (FIG. 9); a said element20etc to be cut from the sheet10apart from at said bend22etc (all illustrated embodiments); a said element20etc to have a line12of weakening (instead of die-cut line12) for ready separation from the sheet10apart from at said bend22etc (all illustrated embodiments); a said element20etc to have scoring or other weakening22etc to facilitate bending at said bend22etc (FIGS. 3-9); a plurality of said elements20etc to be spaced apart around the cover means10(FIGS. 1-9); a plurality of said elements20etc to be spaced at different distances from a centre (e.g. hole14) to suit the diameters of respective said containers24; a said element521etc to have a non-tab form (FIG. 9); the non-tab form521to have a cross-section of V-shape (FIGS. 12) in a circumferential direction; said elements20etc, adjacent in a circumferential direction, to be arranged in mutually non-overlapping manner (e.g. they are not so close that one can overlap the next when both are folded down).

The arrangement illustrated inFIG. 9is adapted for the bend22for tab204and the bends50,54(when the ridge is between line129and periphery18) to extend inwardly from the periphery18of the cover sheet10in its final form. The other arrangements illustrated inFIGS. 1-9are adapted for: the bend22etc to be wholly spaced inwardly from the periphery18of the cover sheet10in its final form for use on the container, a said element or inhibiting means22etc to be wholly spaced inwardly from the periphery18of the cover sheet10in its final form. The arrangement illustrated inFIG. 8and that illustrated inFIG. 9relating to tabs125,126,127are adapted for: said inhibiting means20,21or125,127to be both inside and outside the rim26of the container24;

The cover means10in the arrangements ofFIGS. 1,2,5,7-12are adapted to be formed into a conical shape, e.g. by hook means (FIGS. 1,2,5,7,8), e.g. cut into said sheet10, or by bending alone (FIGS. 9-12).

The bend lines22etc are mainly substantially straight, but may be slightly curved.

In these embodiments, at different stages, the cover means10are in the form of a blank, a flat blank, a conical blank, or in the form of a cover10with formed said inhibiting means20etc.

It will be seen that cover means embodying the invention can comprise any one or more of the following features:

the whole of said element is located inwards of and spaced from the periphery of the cover means.

at least one said bend extends inwards from the periphery of the cover means.

the inhibiting means are adapted to point edgewise towards the rim.

the cover means are such that the bend would not be decreased by putative movement of the cover means in a direction to urge the inhibiting means towards the rim.

said putative movement would increase the bending.

said putative movement would have no effect.

the direction of the bend is normal to the rim.

two, three or more of said elements are adapted to be inside the rim of the container.

two, three or more of said elements are adapted to be outside the rim of the container.

a pair of said elements are opposed to each other, one adapted to be inside the rim of the container and the other adapted to be outside the rim of the container.

a said element is adapted to be at less than 45 degrees to the normal to the wall of the container at the place of encountering the container.

a said element has the form of a tab.

the cover means are:

adapted for the tab to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend of less than 45 degrees towards the rim.

adapted for the tab to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend of less than 45 degrees towards the rim.

adapted to have two opposed said tabs, one to be bent downwardly and outwardly through a bend of less than 45 degrees towards the rim and the other to be bent downwardly and inwardly through a bend of less than 45 degrees towards the rim.

adapted for the direction of the bend of a said element to be substantially circumferential.

adapted for the direction of the bend of a said element to be substantially radial.

adapted for a said element to have the form of a tab and to point substantially radially.

adapted for a said element to have the form of a tab and to point substantially circumferentially.

adapted for a said element to be cut from the sheet apart from at said bend.

adapted for a said element to have a line of weakening for ready separation from the sheet apart from at said bend.

adapted for a said element to have scoring or other weakening to facilitate bending at said bend.

adapted for a plurality of said elements to be spaced apart around the cover means.

adapted for a plurality of said elements to be spaced at different distances from a centre to suit the diameters of respective said containers.

adapted for a said element to have a non-tab form.

adapted for the non-tab form to have a cross-section of V-shape in a circumferential direction.

adapted for said elements, adjacent in a circumferential direction, to be arranged in mutually non-overlapping manner.

adapted to be formed into a conical shape.

adapted to be held in conical shape by interlocking means.

said interlocking means comprise hook means.

the cover means are adapted to be held in conical shape by bending alone.

the cover means are adapted to be such that the action of using a finger to apply pressure downwards at one portion of the outer edge of the cover will lever the cover up at the opposite side of the container.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularization is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.