US3687328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-retracting cover
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-28
•
Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1991-04-28
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a self-retracting cover device for an opening such as is found in a container. The cover of the device is formed from flexible sheet material possessing self-coiling properties and is arranged so that when the cover is open, it self-retracts out of the way. When the cover is closed, a combination of the properties of the cover sheet material and the geometry of the surface over which it is drawn causes the cover to be held firmly against the edges or perimeter of the opening, thus effecting the closure.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Spruyt
- 👤 Louis Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D43/00; B65D43/14; B65F; B65F1/00; B65F1/14; B65F1/16; B65F1/1623; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A self-retracting cover means for a container which has an open portion connected to the interior thereof, the cover means comprising: a frame member having oppositely disposed side portions spaced apart from one another and extending adjacent to opposite edges of an opening formed therebetween, each of the side portions having a face curved both outwardly along at least a portion of its length and away from the open portion of the container when the cover means is mounted thereon, corresponding points along each of the faces being substantially tangential to a common plane; a self-coiling sheet means adapted to overlie and cover the opening and to overlie and engage the faces of the side portions of the frame member, the self-coiling sheet means having one end portion thereof connected to said frame member adjacent an edge of the opening therein and an end portion of each of the side portions thereof; and fastening means for releasably fastening the self-coiling sheet means to the frame member adjacent another edge of the opening and the other end portion of each of the side portions opposite, respectively, said edge of the opening and said end portions of the side portions, whereby the self-coiling sheet means is enabled to coil about itself and retract away from the opening in the frame member when in the open position, and whereby said self-coiling sheet means is enabled to be engaged with the faces of the side portions of the frame member and to cover the opening therein when the cover means is held in the closed position thereof by the fastening means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A self-retracting cover means for a container which has an open portion connected to the interior thereof, the cover means comprising: a frame member having oppositely disposed side portions spaced apart from one another and extending adjacent to opposite edges of an opening formed therebetween, each of the side portions having a face curved both outwardly along at least a portion of its length and away from the open portion of the container when the cover means is mounted thereon, corresponding points along each of the faces being substantially tangential to a common plane; a self-coiling sheet means adapted to overlie and cover the opening and to overlie and engage the faces of the side portions of the frame member, the self-coiling sheet means having one end portion thereof connected to said frame member adjacent an edge of the opening therein and an end portion of each of the side portions thereof; and fastening means for releasably fastening the self-coiling sheet means to the frame member adjacent another edge of the opening and the other end portion of each of the side portions opposite, respectively, said edge of the opening and said end portions of the side portions, whereby the self-coiling sheet means is enabled to coil about itself and retract away from the opening in the frame member when in the open position, and whereby said self-coiling sheet means is enabled to be engaged with the faces of the side portions of the frame member and to cover the opening therein when the cover means is held in the closed position thereof by the fastening means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said faces curved outwardly along at least a portion of the length of the side portions of the frame member and away from the open portion of the container when the cover means is mounted thereon comprises an elongated narrow web, corresponding points along the surface of each of said webs being substantially tangential to a common plane, whereby the surfaces of said webs are adapted to form a sealing engagement with the surface of the self-coiling sheet means adjacent thereto when the sheet means is in the closed position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 in which the opening formed in the frame member between the oppositely disposed side portions thereof is substantially rectangular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The self-retracting cover means of claim 1 wherein the self-coiling sheet means comprises self-coiling sheet plastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 in which the surface of said self-coiling sheet means which faces the central axis of the self-coiling sheet means when in its coiled condition is the surface thereof which engages the faces of the side portions of the frame member when the self-coiling sheet is in its closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a handle means having an elongated portion thereof extending through the self-coiling sheet means along the central axis of the coil thereof, whereby the sheet means may be moved from one of the closed or the open positions to The other by applying force to said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 6 in which said elongated portion of said handle means comprises a roller extending through the self-coiling sheet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 in which the fastening means comprises an overhanging lip extending away from the opening and connected to said frame member adjacent said other edge of the opening therein, whereby the portion of said sheet means extending beyond said overhanging lip, when said cover means is in the closed position, is enabled to coil around said lip to retain said cover means in the closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A self-retracting cover means in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a supporting member having an aperture therein substantially corresponding in form to the opening of said frame member said supporting member being engaged to said frame member with the opening in said frame member being substantially aligned with said aperture, whereby said supporting member is adapted to support said cover means upon a container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A self-retracting cover in accordance with claim 9 in which said supporting member comprises a plate of a form substantially corresponding to that of the open portion of the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |