System for enveloping an opening to a recycle bin

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container comprising a recycle bin;

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;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3 removed from the container;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3, with the cover being fully expanded; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package for containing one or more of the covers depicted in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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

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.

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.

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's yard after he or she has set the container at the end of a driveway for collection.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.