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(11) | EP 2 363 352 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Protective covers |
| (57) A protective cover for a sheet material such as a kitchen worktop comprises a flexible
enclosure (10) having inner and outer flexible sheets (14, 16) secured one on top
of the other and having first and second regions (25a, 25b) adapted to cover a respective
one of the two largest faces of the sheet material and a third region (25c) between
the first and second regions adapted to cover a portion separating the two largest
faces of the sheet material. The cover further comprises a reinforcing sheet (12)
removably located between the first and second flexible sheets.
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[0001] The present invention relates to protective covers and in particular, but not exclusively, to protective covers for use in the transport and storage of elongate sheet materials such as kitchen worktops.
[0002] When transporting and storing kitchen worktops, it is desirable to protect them from damage. This is particularly important if a worktop has been cut to a specific shape and/or dimensions for fitting in a particular location, since if the worktop is damaged a replacement is unlikely to be available immediately.
[0003] The most basic form of protection is to wrap the worktop in a close-fitting plastics sheet which is shrunk onto the worktop. Whilst this can protect the surface of the worktop from being scratched, it is not particularly effective in protecting the worktop from damage caused by impacts. The plastics sheet may be used in conjunction with protective plastics or cardboard corner pieces, but most of the worktop remains largely unprotected from damage caused by impacts. An alternative is to enclose the worktop in cardboard, but this too offers relatively little protection.
[0004] More recently, protective sleeves have been proposed in which a flexible sleeve of woven fabric or fibre material carries a sheet of relatively rigid, durable protective plastics material. The sleeve allows the worktop to be carried and the sheet of protective plastics material provides protection against impacts. In one version, shown in EP-1877327, the ends or corners of the sheet of protective plastics material are tucked under a web of material secured to the sleeve. This allows the sheet of protective plastics sheet to be removed and replaced, but requires the plastics sheet to be in contact with the faces of the worktop being transported, which may result in damage to the surface of the worktop. In WO 2005/035396, the protective plastics sheet is also in contact with the worktop, but it is bonded to the sleeve, which makes removal and replacement of the reinforcing sheet difficult.
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, a protective cover for a sheet material comprises a flexible enclosure having first and second flexible sheets secured one on top of the other and having first and second regions adapted to cover a respective one of the two largest faces of the sheet material and a third region between the first and second regions adapted to cover a portion separating the two largest faces of the sheet material, the cover further comprising a reinforcing sheet removably located between the first and second flexible sheets.
[0006] By removably locating the reinforcing sheet between the first and second flexible sheets, it is very easy to remove and replace the reinforcing sheet when desired.
[0007] Moreover, since the reinforcing sheet is not bonded to the first and second flexible sheets, it greatly facilitates recycling of the component material, particularly if the reinforcing sheet is made from a material which is different from the material forming the flexible enclosure.
[0008] Preferably, the protective cover further comprises releasable fastening means for releasably sealing a gap between the first and second flexible sheets. This allows the reinforcing sheet to be easily located between, or removed from in between, the first and second flexible sheets forming the flexible enclosure, but ensures that the reinforcing sheet does not became inadvertently displaced out of position.
[0009] Preferably, the releasable fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener. Preferably, the releasable fastening means is located along an edge of at least one of the first and second flexible sheets.
[0010] Preferably, the reinforcing sheet extends over at least part of the first, second and third regions.
[0011] The reinforcing sheet may comprise one or more creases or fold lines. This facilitates folding of the assembly protective cover when not in use and removes the need for the reinforcing sheet to be removed before the protective cover can be folded.
[0012] Preferably, the reinforcing sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines extending in a first direction. There may also be one or more creases or fold lines extending in a second direction.
[0013] Preferably, the reinforcing sheet comprises plastics. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing sheet comprises corrugated plastics.
[0015] The protective cover may comprise means for releasably securing the one or more of the flaps to an outer face of a different part of the flexible enclosure.
[0016] Conveniently, the means for releasably securing the one or more flaps comprises a hook and loop fastener.
[0019] Preferably, the first and second flexible sheets of the enclosure are permanently secured to each other. For example, the first and second flexible sheets may be stitched to each other.
[0020] In one embodiment, the first and second flexible sheets are rectangular and are permanently secured to each other along two or more aligned edges. In one embodiment, the first and second flexible sheets are secured to each other permanently along three aligned edges.
[0022] The first and second flexible sheets may comprise woven plastics, such as woven polypropylene.
[0023] By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of protective cover in accordance with the invention, shown covering a worktop;
Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the inner face of the protective cover of Fig. 1, in the open position;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the exterior face of the protective cover of Fig. 1, shown in the open position;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cover in the open position, as shown in Fig. 3, illustrating a reinforcing sheet inserted between first and second flexible sheets;
Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate how the reinforcing sheet of the protective cover of Fig. 1 is inserted into the flexible enclosure;
Figs. 6a to 6e are a sequence of illustrations showing how the protective cover of Fig. 1 is secured over a worktop;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing how the protective cover of Fig. 1 can be folded when not in use; and
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of protective cover in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate a first embodiment of protective sleeve in accordance with the present invention. The sleeve is particularly useful in the storage and transportation of elongate sheet materials such as worktops, but it is equally applicable to the storage and transportation of other articles.
[0025] In very general terms, the protective sleeve comprises a flexible enclosure 10 formed from two superimposed sheets of woven polypropylene secured one on top of the other and a sheet 12 of corrugated plastics (e.g. Corex® sheeting) removably positioned between the two woven sheets of the enclosure.
[0026] The enclosure 10 comprises outer and inner sheets 14, 16 of woven polypropylene. The outer sheet 14 is rectangular in shape and is also provided with two identical laterally-projecting flaps 18, 20, located on opposite edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet 16 is also rectangular and is of the same width as the outer sheet (ignoring the laterally-extending flaps). However, the inner sheet 16 is slightly shorter than the outer sheet 14 so that when the edge of the outer sheet 14 remote from the laterally-extending flaps 18, 20 is aligned with the corresponding edge of the inner sheet 16, the opposite ends of the outer sheet 14 projects beyond the adjacent edge of the inner sheet 16, thereby forming a further flap 22 extending across the width of the outer and inner sheets 14, 16 (ignoring the laterally-extending flaps 18, 20).
[0027] The overlapping portions of the outer and inner sheets 14, 26 are slightly larger than twice the size of the worktop which is to be carried, so that each face of the worktop and a longitudinal edge of the worktop can be covered with the protective sleeve, as will be explained. In the accompanying drawings, the sheets 14, 16 are shown as having fold lines 24 about which the sheets are folded to cover the worktop but they are shown for purposes of explanation only and are not necessarily specifically formed in the enclosure 10. The fold lines 24 nominally divide the enclosure into first and second regions 25a, 25b adapted to cover a respective one of two opposite faces of a worktop, separately by a thin intermediate panel or strip 25c adapted to cover an edge of the worktop between the two larger faces of the worktop.
[0028] The three aligned edges of the outer and inner sheets 14, 16 are secured together by one or more rows of stitching 27. However, the outer and inner sheets 14, 16 are not stitched together across the flap 22, thereby forming an opening 26 through which the corrugated plastics sheet 12 may be slid into and out of the pocket formed between the lower and upper sheets 14, 16. The opposed faces of the outer and inner flexible sheets 14, 16 are each provided with one of the complementary components 28a, 28b of a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro®) which extends across the whole of the opening 26.
[0029] The corrugated plastic sheets 12 is provided with pre-formed fold lines or creases 30, corresponding to the transversely extending fold lines 24 of the flexible enclosure 10, to facilitate folding of the sleeve around a worktop with the reinforcing sheet 12 still located between the outer and inner flexible sheets 14, 16. The plastics reinforcing sheet 12 may also be provided with further pre-formed fold lines or creases 30', extending perpendicularly to the first set of fold lines or creases 30, to allow the protective sheet to be folded up for storage when not in use, as will be explained.
[0030] The free edge of the laterally-extending flaps 18, 20 and the free edge of the projecting flap 22 of the outer sheet are provided with one component 32a, 34a of a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro®) extending along the whole of the edge of the flaps on their inner faces. The hook and loop fastener components 32a on the laterally-extending flaps 18, 20 are each intended to be releasably secured to respective strips 32b of the complementary hook and loop component located on the outer face of the outer sheet 14, extending parallel to the respective lateral edges of the sheet 14. Similarly, the hook and loop component 34a on the inner face of the flap 22 is intended to be releasably secured to one of two parallel strips 34b of a complimentarily hook and loop component on the outer face of the outer sheet 14 extending parallel to the edge of the lower sheet.
[0031] The outer face of the innermost portions of the laterally-extending flaps 18, 20 are also provided with lifting handles 36 formed by stitching a strip of webbing 38 to the innermost edge of the laterally extending flaps 18,20.
[0032] In use, the hook and loop fastener 28, extending across the opening 26 of the enclosure10 is opened and the corrugated plastics sheet 12 is slid through the opening 26 into the pocket between the lower and upper sheets 14, 16. The corrugated sheet 12 is dimensioned such that as its leading edge reaches the bottom of the pocket (corresponding to the longitudinal edge opposite to the opening 26) its opposite edge is just past the hook and loop fastener 28. The sheet 12 therefore extends over virtually the whole of regions 25a and 25c, and over most of region 25b, of the flexible enclosure 10. Moreover, when the leading edge of the sheet 12 reaches the bottom of the pocket, the fold lines 30 are aligned with the fold lines 24 of the lower and upper sheet 14, 16. When the corrugated plastics sheet is in position, the opening 26 is closed, using the hook and loop fastener 28, thereby preventing the corrugated plastic sheet 12 from inadvertently escaping, but allowing free and easy removal of the sheet when desired. The protective sleeve is then ready for use.
[0033] In order to protect a worktop 40, the sleeve is opened up and the worktop 40 is positioned so that one of its edges lies on the intermediate panel or strip 25c of the sleeve. The sleeve is then folded such that the opposite faces of the worktop 40 are covered by a respective one of the two rectangular regions 25a, 25b as shown in Fig. 6b. The laterally projecting flaps 18, 20 are then folded around the longitudinal edges of the worktop (Fig. 6c) and are secured to the outer face of the panel 25a by means of the hook and loop fastener 32 on the flaps 18, 20 and on the outer face of the panel 25a. The laterally extending flap 22 is then folded over the elongate edge of the worktop 40 (Fig. 6d) and is secured to the outer face of the panel 25a by means of the hook and loop fastener 34 of the inner face of the flap 22 and the outer face of the panel 25a. The worktop 40 is thereby secured within the protective sleeve, with its two faces and its lowermost edge protected by the corrugated plastics sheet 12 and then may conveniently be lifted and transported by means of the handles 36.
[0034] When the worktop, in its protective sleeve, has been transported to the location where it is to be installed, the protective sleeve 12 may be removed by opening the hook and loop fasteners 32, 34, whereupon the worktop may then be removed from the protective sleeve and installed. If the sleeve is to returned for further use, it can conveniently be folded into its protective position and, if desired, further folded along the additional fold lines 30' of the protective plastic sheet as shown in Fig. 7, without having to remove the reinforcing sheet 12 so that it only takes up a very small volume. The protective sleeve can then be used again when required.
[0035] If it becomes necessary to replace the corrugated plastics sheet 12, it is necessary merely to open the opening 26 by releasing the hook and loop fastener 28, whereupon the sheet can be removed from the enclosure 10 and replaced.
[0036] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 8. It is identical to the first embodiment in virtually every respect. The only difference is that the lower and upper sheets 14, 16 are only permanently secured to each other by stitching 27 along two opposed edges. In particular, the lower and upper sheets 14, 16 are not secured to each other permanently along the edge opposite to the opening 26 by means of stitching, but instead can be releasably secured to each other at that location by a further strip 44 of hook and loop fastening. This gives increased flexibility in positioning the corrugated protective plastic sheet 12 between, and removing it from in between, the outer and inner sheets 14,16.
[0037] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, although the embodiments have been described with reference to protecting a worktop, the invention is suitable for use with other elongate sheet articles such as doors, slates and similar objects. Moreover, the invention is equally applicable to protecting other articles, by suitable adjustment of the dimensions of the sleeve.
1. A protective cover for a sheet material, comprising a flexible enclosure having first
and second flexible sheets secured one on top of the other and having first and second
regions adapted to cover a respective one of the two largest faces of the sheet material
and a third region between the first and second regions adapted to cover a portion
separating the two largest faces of the sheet material, the cover further comprising
a reinforcing sheet removably located between the first and second flexible sheets.
2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising releasable fastening
means for releasably sealing a gap between the first and second flexible sheets.
3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the releasable fastening means comprises
a hook and loop fastener.
4. A protective cover as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, comprising releasable fastening
means along an edge of at least one of first and second flexible sheets.
5. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing
sheet extends over at least part of the first, second and third regions.
6. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing
sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines and, optionally,
wherein the reinforcing sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines extending in a first direction and, optionally,
wherein the reinforcing sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines extending in a second direction.
wherein the reinforcing sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines extending in a first direction and, optionally,
wherein the reinforcing sheet comprises one or more creases or fold lines extending in a second direction.
7. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing
sheet comprises plastics.
8. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing
sheet comprises corrugated plastics.
9. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible
enclosure comprises one or more flaps.
10. A protective cover as claimed in claim 9, comprising means for releasably securing
the one or more flaps to an outer face of a different part of the flexible enclosure
and, optionally,
wherein the releasable fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener.
wherein the releasable fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener.
11. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising handle means
on the exterior of the flexible enclosure. and, optionally,
wherein the handle means are permanently secured to the flexible enclosure.
wherein the handle means are permanently secured to the flexible enclosure.
12. A protective cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and
second flexible sheets are permanently secured to each other.
13. A protective cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second flexible sheets
are rectangular and are secured to each other along two or more aligned edges, for
example,
wherein the first and second sheets are secured to each other along three aligned edges.
wherein the first and second sheets are secured to each other along three aligned edges.
14. A protective cover as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first and second
flexible sheets are stitched to each other.
15. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the first and second
flexible sheets comprise woven plastics, such as woven polypropylene.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description