Abstract:
A system is disclosed for covering an opening to a recycle bin. The system includes a package containing at least one cover made of a web of material having a periphery with an endless elastic band attached thereto. Further, indicia is on the container comprising direction for using the cover to envelope the opening to the recycle bin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to covers for containers, and in particular, to a system for covering an opening to a recycle bin. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0002]     In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container comprising a recycle bin;  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 , with a cover mounted over the opening of the container in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0005]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 3  removed from the container;  
         [0006]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cover of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 3 , with the cover being fully expanded; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a package for containing one or more of the covers depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0009]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
         [0010]     Reference numbers used within the FIGURES correspond to the following elements:  
                                   Reference Number   Element                   10   Container comprising a Recycle Bin       12   Bottom of the Container       14   Sidewalls to the Container       16   Cavity within Container       18   Top of the Container       20   Opening to the Cavity       22   Outer lip       24   Cover       26   Web of Material       28   Periphery of Web of Material       30   Elastic Band       32   Package Containing One or More Covers       34   Indicia on Package                  
 
         [0011]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a container is provided. Preferably, the container  10  is a recycle bin for receiving and holding recyclable goods (not shown) such as paper, cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and the like. The container  10  has a bottom  12  and a plurality of sidewalls  14  that form a cavity  16  for receiving the recyclable goods. Further, the top  18  of the container has a generally rectangular opening  20  to the cavity  16 .  
         [0012]     In the embodiment, the container  10  is made of plastic and the bottom  12  and sidewalls  14  are integrally connected together. Moreover, the container  10  can include an outer lip  22  that is integral to the sidewalls  14  and located about the opening  20  to the container.  
         [0013]     As a result of the opening  20  to the container  10  not being covered, wind can blow the recyclable goods out of the container. Thus, on a windy day, the recyclable goods can be scattered over a person&#39;s yard after he or she has set the container at the end of a driveway for collection.  
         [0014]     To address this problem,  FIG. 2  depicts a cover  24  attached to the container  10  for preventing the recyclable goods from being blown out of the container. In an embodiment, the cover  24  includes a sheet or web of pliable material  26  comprising a polymer, non-polymer, or polymer and non-polymer blend. The dimensions of the material  26  are sufficiently large enough whereby the cover  24  envelops the opening  20  to the container  10 . The shape of the material  26  can be rectangular, round, oval, spherical, obround, hemispherical, conical, and domed or the like.  
         [0015]     In an embodiment, but not necessarily, the cover  24  can be a drape or cover for a surgcial kit or tray made by Microtek Medical, Inc., 512 Lehmberg Rd, Columbus, Miss.  
         [0016]     Turning to  FIGS. 3-5 , the cover  24 , and in particular the material  26 , has an outer periphery  28  with an endless elastic band  30  attached thereto. The band  30  can be made of a material such as spandex, rubber, or the like. The band  30  can be attached to the material  26  in a conventional manner such as by gluing or the like. In an embodiment, the outer periphery  28  of the material  26  can be folded and, if desired, secured onto itself to from an endless annularly cavity or collar with the band  30  contained therein.  
         [0017]     Turning back to  FIG. 2 , the elastic band  30  is attached to the container  10  such that the elastic band  30  constricts against the outer surfaces of the container sidewalls  14 . In an embodiment, the elastic band  30  is positioned beneath the outer lip  22  of the container.  
         [0018]     One or more of the covers  10  can be contained within a package  32  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In an embodiment, the package  32  is suitable for display in a retail store or the like. The package  32  can be a cardboard box (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), a plastic bag, or the like. The package  32  can also include indicia  34  comprising directions or instructions for how to attach the cover  24  to a recycle bin  10 .  
         [0019]     Numerous variations and modifications of the embodiments described above may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel features of the invention. No limitations with respect to the specific system and method illustrated herein are intended or should be inferred.