CONTAINER COVER/LINER

Abstract

A container cover/liner for separating clean water, other liquid, or other matter and blocking it off from the dirt, germs, and bacteria on outside surfaces of the container, while the clean water, other liquid, or other matter is being placed in the container or removed from the container. The container cover/liner can also operate as packaging to protect the bottle from such contaminants during storage or transportation, like a storage-jacket or storage-packaging, and block contaminants from air borne movement into the bottle or a container receiving liquid or other matter from the bottle.

Claims

1. A bottle cover/liner for separating clean water/liquid and blocking off contaminants on outside surfaces while transferring the clean water/liquid from within a bottle into a reservoir or dispenser and keeping the contaminants away from the ambient environment during storage or use comprising of the following: a bottle cover/liner formed from at least two separate sheets of flexible and/or retractably expandable material permanently bonded together for creating a tight fit to a bottle; having a first end and a second end each with an opening to the ambient; having at least two corresponding pleats, each of the at least two corresponding pleats being located on opposite sides of the bottle cover/liner providing an ergonomic fit between cover/liner and water/liquid bottle.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner is made of at least one of elastic, rubber, or plastic or stretchable and retractable material(s), in part or in whole.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner is shaped to fit to a bottle having a top narrowest portion and it is shaped to fit snugly as a tight fit to the top narrowest portion of the bottle, preventing access to contaminants on the surfaces, thus preventing the flowing liquid from carrying the contaminants, and the bottle cover/liner closely fits over the bottle including changes in dimensions from top to bottom in depth, diameter, radius, circumference, and/or perimeter of cover/liner to correspond with similar bottle changes in dimensions.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner acts as a shield between the drinking water or other liquid that is to be stored in the reservoir portion of a water/liquid dispensing machine and the perimeter of the receiving section of the dispensing machine before/during/after the bottle is positioned or attached on or to the dispensing machine, and after the sealable cap has been removed from the bottle.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein additionally the outside or outer portion of the water/liquid bottle that contains contaminants on top and other exposed areas of it, is also covered by the cover/liner and by doing so shields the ambient from the contaminants closing the contaminants from the ambient.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the cover/liner, and more specifically and primarily the predominate larger barrel cover/liner section of the cover/liner which usually rests above dispenser, the cover/liner becomes a shield between the clean air in a room environment and the bottle, thus preventing the potential air born movement of the dust, germs, and bacteria that stems from or comes from or is attached to the exterior of the water/liquid bottle that for example gets picked up onto bottle from the bottle being transported and handled from manufacturing facility to warehouse, or to truck, or to your home or business and placed than from being placed inside for storage, the bottle picks up the dirt and bacteria and then is placed on top of water dispensing machine where air constantly is circulating.

7. The invention of claim 5, wherein the bottle cover/liner further comprises a nozzle section for a tight fit that does not allow water flowing into the water/liquid dispensing machine from the dispensing bottle to be in contact with any outside or other surface or on an outside of the dispensing bottle that can be contaminated.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner is shaped to fit to a bottle having a top narrowest portion and a barrel area, and each of the at least two corresponding pleats are self-unfolding, expanding in size, and taking a shape adjustably corresponding to the changes in bottle dimensions between the top narrowest portion and barrel area of the bottle.

9. The invention of clam 1, wherein the cover/liner additionally comprises handles to grip hold of which can be made from the sealing sections between the sheets that are permanently attached together to form the cover/liner whereby they have a dual purpose; the handles run on both sides of the cover/liner along the length of the sealing sections and can be grabbed at any location for end user convenience, the handles being bonded in place on both sides of the plastic liner, resulting in a wide bonding area with a stronger bond than in the absence of the handles.

10. The invention of claim 1, wherein the at least two corresponding pleats of the bottle cover/liner expand and open when the bottle cover/liner is being pulled downward from on top of the bottle and no additional effort is needed to release the at least two corresponding pleats.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner has a shoulder section between the top narrowest portion and the barrel area, and the bottle cover/liner has a circumference whereby the combined total size and shape of each of the at least two corresponding pleats, plus size and slope of the shoulder section correspond with the circumference of the bottle cover/liner liner to produce a close fit.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein the number of the at least two corresponding pleats is dependent on the bottle shape and size.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner has a bottle nasal section and the bottle has a nasal section, and the bottle cover/liner nasal section, prior to pulling down the bottle cover/liner over said bottle, has a circumference smaller than the nasal section of the bottle.

14. The invention of claim 13, wherein when the bottle cover/liner is pulled down onto the nasal section of the bottle, the nasal area of the cover/liner expands and retracts so it holds the nasal section of the bottle tight and secure.

15. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner has a barrel section and the bottle has a barrel section and the barrel section of the bottle cover/liner prior to pulling down the bottle cover/liner over said bottle has a circumference larger than a circumference of the barrel section of the bottle.

16. The invention of claim 1, further comprising a handle on each side of the bottle cover/liner which extends from top to bottom of the bottle cover/liner, the handle on each side of the bottle cover/liner being made of extended material on each of the sealed sides of the bottle cover/liner, the extended material creating a greater and stronger bond on the sealed sides on the bottle cover/liner, and the extended material forming a rim or edge with a radius and diameter to form the handle.

17. The invention of claim 16, wherein the handles serve a dual purpose, the handles can be held by a user to place the cover/liner on and off the bottle, and the handles are part of the cover/liner and the two separate plies of the cover/liner are bonded in the wide area of the handles, thereby creating extra strong grip for the plies of cover/liner.

18. The invention of claim 16, wherein the handle on each side of the bottle cover/liner is wide, providing an ease and comfort of handling the bottle cover/liner during placing it on top of the bottle, whereby a user can change position of his/her hands-on top of handles as many times as needed and can grab onto the handles at any location on handles.

19. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner has a funnel-shaped section between the first end and the second end, the funnel-shaped section having a wider opening on one end and a narrower opening on the other end, thus providing easier placement of the bottle cover/liner on the bottle.

20. The invention of claim 1, wherein the pleats and handles additionally provide for an ergonomic fit between cover/liner and bottle and the expansion of the pleats provides for a transformation of the bottle cover/liner from being a flat object into a 3-dimensional shaped object with ease.

21. The invention of claim 2, wherein expansion and retraction of the elastic-material if present provides a tight hold on the bottle cover/liner and bottle, that insures that no liquid from outside can penetrate that hold and no liquid will be contaminated with what is on the surface of that bottle.

22. The invention of claim 1, wherein the pleats are assembled and bonded during a manufacturing process thus there is no need to fold, measure or do any assembly prior to using the bottle cover/liner.

23. The invention of claim 1, wherein an amount of pleats and configuration of curves and shapes are subject to changes and adjustments based on individual specifications of given liquid holding devices like bottles, or barrels.

24. The invention of claim 1, additionally comprising that the pleats have measurements calculated in a formula as follows: FORMULA: One half the length of the bottle's barrel area circumference less/minus the length of the bottle's barrel area diameter, all divided by the number of pleats on each side of the liner that will be desired or needed, with an equal length/width for each pleat. $\begin{array}{cc}\frac{\left(C/2-D\right)}{2^{*}}& W\end{array}$ C=Circumference of a water bottle D=Diameter of a water bottle W=Width of each pleat (then adjustments can be made based on shoulder slope or bottle design) 2*=number of pleats on each side of liner.

25. The invention of claim 1, wherein the number of pleats depends on water bottle shape, size and configuration by different makers of such devices.

26. The invention of claim 1, wherein the bottle cover/liner is also for storing the bottle as a storage jacket or storage protector to protect the bottle from dust and uncleanliness in its environment; the bottle cover/liner having a shape and size corresponding to the bottle's shape and size.

27. A container cover/liner for protecting the container from outside dust, dirt, and other contaminants on its surface during use of the container, during bottle storage and/or during transportation of such container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention on a container;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention on a container;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention on a container;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention on a container;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a front view of a bottle/container; and

[0038] FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention on a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one type of water cooler with one type of container, i.e., a water bottle in place and showing the invention cover/liner in place covering the water bottle. The bottle is number 5, the cover is number 10, the side handles (flaps) are number 15, the water is number 20, and the cooler or dispensing machine is number 1.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a cut-away showing the cover/liner covering one type of container, i.e., a water bottle that is already inserted into the dispenser which depicts a close-up cross section view of a water bottle and cover inserted into a cooler. The bottle is number 5, the cover is number 10, the side handles (flops) are number 15, the water is number 20, and the cooler or dispensing machine is number 1. Both the side bonding strips 15 and the permanent part of liner 10 joins both parts of the liner. This makes it easy to grip and pull the liner down/up while applying it on bottle 5. A Funnel shape configuration 40 which is a section or part of the flops 15 that is part of the cover/liner 10 and provides easy and tension free entry for nozzle 30 which is part of bottle 5. In at least one embodiment the side handles number 15 (bonding area) of liner number 10 are made/constructed from 2 plies of stretchable plastic that can be stretched and retracted holding tightly to cover the object it is on.

[0041] Nozzle's area 35 of liner 10 has a circumference smaller than nozzle area 30 of bottle 5 prior to use. However, Nozzle's area 35 is made from stretchable and retractable materials. When nozzle area 35 is being pulled down by user force on top of area 30, it deforms or stretches its shape and retracts by taking exact form or shape as it tightens around the bottle, taking shape and size of bottle's area 30 creating a tight grip that does not allow liquids or any foreign materials to get in and/or out of the space between liner and bottle.

[0042] Water 20 in reservoir of dispensing machine 1 (FIG. 2) cannot penetrate through liner 10 of area 35.

[0043] Dust that sits on top of bottle 5 cannot penetrate through the tight fit between liner's area 35 of liner 10.

[0044] Liner 10 locks dust and dirt in barrel area of bottle 5 to prevent it from becoming air born. It protects the room and ambient from outside dirt found on top of the bottle from storage or transportation and contact with unclean objects.

[0045] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a cover/liner on bottle. A funnel shape configuration 40 that is part of 15 that is part of liner 10 provides easy and tension free entry into cover for nozzle 30 which is part of bottle 5.

[0046] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a water bottle with a cover and depicts the pleats in an extended position number 25. The bottle 5 shown on both ends of liner 10.

[0047] Pleat number 25 has width that is calculated in a formula which is described below and in the claims. Numbers of pleats depends on water bottle shape, size and configuration and by different makers of such devices. This embodiment shows 4 pleats in total (FIG. 4), 2 pleats on each side. In other embodiments the number of pleats could be greater number or less. They are used to achieve a tight fit between liner 10 and bottle 5.

[0048] Formula

[0049] One half the length of the bottle's barrel area circumference less/minus the length of the bottle's barrel area diameter, all divided by the number of pleats on each side of the liner that will be desired or needed, with an equal length/width for each pleat.

Formula:

[0050] [00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{\left(C/2-D\right)}{2^{*}}& W\end{array}$ [0051] C=Circumference of bottle's area of a water bottle [0052] D=Diameter of a water bottle [0053] W=Width of each pleat (then adjustments can be made based on shoulder slope or bottle design) [0054] 2*=number of pleats on each side of liner, which can be 2, as shown, but varies with the container's shape, size and configuration, as indicated by the asterisk (*)

[0055] FIG. 5 depicts a frontal view of an assembled liner/cover 10 in after production condition, and before use, wherein pleats 28 are fully folded and nozzle 35 is in pre-use position.

[0056] Note: In the figures pleat 28 is the same pleat as pleat 27 but in a different state/format/condition/mode. In other words, pleat 28 is pleat 27 after it has been folded in manufacturing process. In at least one embodiment, the pleats come fully assembled and no user involvement is needed in the process of extending the pleats. Before use, the pleat 28 is folded from one end of liner 10 to another end of liner 10.

[0057] FIG. 6 depicts a front view of the liner 10. One side shows unfolded water liner showing with open pleat 27 in pre-cut extended position. Another side shows transformed folded and bonded in manufacturing process closed pleat 28. This figure shows transformation from open pleat 27 to closed pleat 28.

[0058] FIG. 7 depicts a front view of liner 10 fully open in pre-manufacturing condition.

[0059] Pleat 25 from FIG. 4 is the same as pleat 28 but in a different condition of being extended after the pleat has been placed on top of bottle 5.

[0060] FIG. 8 depicts bottle number 5. Also shows bottle nozzle area 30 of bottle 5.Different manufacturers produce it in different sizes, and shapes.

[0061] Pleats: [0062] Pleat 27 is a pre-cut area which shows an open pleat [0063] Pleat 28 shows a closed pleat, the way the pleat looks during storage of the liner [0064] Pleat 25 shows the pleat in use, when the liner is extended on a container [0065] The formula is used in at least one embodiment to determine the width of the pleats. [0066] In at least one embodiment—Starting from the bottle nozzle area 30 and continuing on the outside of the bottle as the bottle circumference increases in size, the pleat changes into a V-shape as the bottle is being covered by a user. The corner of the V finds its own position on top of the bottle 5. No end-user effort is needed. The end-user only needs to apply liner 10 on top of the bottle 5 by pulling bonded handles section 15 on both sides. No tools or any other devices are needed to apply the liner on top of the bottle. Bonded handles 15 provide convenience in handling liner 10. Cover/line 10 has nozzle section 35 which changes shape and size when the bottle is being covered.

[0067] A bottle outer cover/liner for separating clean water/liquid and blocking off contaminants on outside surfaces while transferring the clean water/liquid from within the bottle into a reservoir or dispenser, for keeping the contaminants away from the ambient environment during storage of use, and for storing the bottle while not in use with the reservoir or water dispenser.

[0068] FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary container having a longer cover/liner 10 with handles 15. A longer cover/liner can be particularly helpful during storage/transportation. Either the top or bottom or both can have an opening in the cover liner to assist in placing it over the container. In this embodiment, the handle(s) can be located on one or more sides of the cover/liner. In any of these embodiments, the one or more openings can run along all or part of the side of the cover/liner. Additionally, the opening can have an active closing device, like a Ziplock® type zipper, adhesive tape, glue, staples, ultrasonic, etc., or a passive closing device, like overlapping layers from the ends of the two sides of the material comprising the cover/liner. It's a passive closing device because it automatically closes.

[0069] In FIG. 9, bottle 5, has cover/liner 10 with side handles (flaps) 15. Both the side bonding strips/handles 15 and the permanent part of cover/liner 10 can join both parts of the cover/liner 10 when it is made of two sheets. This makes it easy to grip and pull the cover/liner down/up while fitting it on bottle 5. A funnel-shaped configuration 40, which is a section or part of the flaps 15 that is part of the cover/liner 10, provides easy and tension free entry for nozzle 30 which is part of bottle 5. Dust and/or other contaminants that sit on top of bottle 5 cannot penetrate through the tight fit between liner's area 35 of cover/liner 10. Pleats 25 are shown in an extended position on bottle 5.

[0070] Both the “home/office cover/liner” and the “storage/packaging/transport cover/liner” shown in FIG. 9 have the same technical characteristics in design, shape and form. However, it is preferable that the “storage/packaging/transport cover/liner”, as shown in FIG. 9, is longer than the “home/office cover”. This is because the difference in length will allow the longer in length model for “storage/packaging/transport” to be able to fully cover an entire water bottle, even a 5 gallon bottle or larger, without any uncovered spots of bottle inside of it. Even the bottom of the jug/bottle can be fully protected from exposure to dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants.

[0071] For example, the cover can protect drinking water from contamination and protect the ambient from mixing with dust that has collected on top of the bottle. Also, another cover-jacket can keep the surface of the bottle from being exposed to outdoor uncleanliness.

[0072] The claimed invention includes a water-bottle covered by protective “storage/transportation cover” and then removed by end-user before use, so that it is in a much cleaner and healthier condition than a (naked) unprotected bottle. This is an improvement over a washed water-bottle that goes through storage and transportation to end-user home/office bringing outdoor uncleanliness.

[0073] The claimed invention also includes a cover/liner which can be placed manually and/or in an automated fashion on a water-bottle before or after the bottle is filled with water by the manufacturer. This is especially true when the cover/liner has the inventive ergonomic technical design that creates a close fit for “storage/transportation cover”.