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  Container sealing and/or protection apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20070261982Title: Container sealing and/or protection apparatus Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sealing and/or protecting containers are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a container sealing and/or protection apparatus may comprise a cover and a sleeve coupled to the cover and configured to fit around at least a portion of a container, wherein the cover and the sleeve are configured to slide onto at least a portion of the container and wherein the sleeve is adapted to constrict upon application of heat to resist detachment of the cover from the container and/or to environmentally seal the container. (end of abstract) Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900 - Portland, OR, US Inventor: Eric Gardner USPTO Applicaton #: 20070261982 - Class: 206497000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Special Receptacle Or Package, Shrink Film Package (e.g., By Heat Or Vacuum) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070261982. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of packaging and storage, and more particularly to apparatuses and methods associated with and/or using a shrink-wrap cover on such packaging as a protective type barrier. BACKGROUND [0002] Practically all of today's households and businesses have at least one demand in common: the need for practical storage solutions. To that end, many of these households and businesses use various types of containers such as boxes, plastic totes, and the like. In addition to storing, various containers are used for other uses including organization and transportation of goods. [0003] Oftentimes, sealing and protection of items in these containers is desired. For example, plastic totes are readily available in many stores and generally are sold with lids; however, the lids may not necessarily remain steadfastly attached to the plastic tote especially in situations in which the plastic tote is overfilled or if the attachment mechanism has become worn with age or overuse. Furthermore, the lid does not provide any indication of or deterrent to tampering with the contents of the container. With respect other types of containers, protection against the elements and pests may be desired. For example, cardboard boxes may not stand up well against rain, snow, or the invasion of pests. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] Embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. [0005] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate isometric views of a container sealing and/or protection apparatus and method of sealing a container in accordance with various embodiments; [0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a container sealing and/or protection apparatus in accordance with various embodiments; [0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a container sealing and/or protection apparatus in accordance with various embodiments; and [0008] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate isometric views of a container sealing and/or protection apparatus and method of sealing a container in accordance with various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [0010] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. [0011] The description may use orientation and/or perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention. [0012] The description may use the phrases "in an embodiment," or "in embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous. [0013] The phrase "A/B" means "A or B." The phrase "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)." The phrase "at least one of A, B and C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C) or (A, B and C)." The phrase "(A) B" means "(B) or (A B)," that is, A is optional. [0014] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. [0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate container sealing and/or protection devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments and as shown, container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may comprise cover 2 and a sleeve 4, which may be formed from one or more side members 12. Cover 2 and side members 12 may be coupled together such that they form a sleeve type device that may be configured to fit around at least a portion of container 6. Container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may also be adapted to constrict upon application of heat to strategic locations, such as corners, seams, edges and the like. [0016] In various embodiments, this constriction may result in the sealing of container 6 so that container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 remains attached to container 6 such that container 6 and/or its contents are protected against certain environmental conditions, such as for example, moisture, dust, pests, etc. In some embodiments, a hermetic sealing of container 6 may result. And in other embodiments, the container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may also serve to help lid 8 remain secured to container 6. Further, in various embodiments, sealing and/or protecting container 6 may seal and/or protect container 6 and/or contents of container 6 from tampering. Still further, in various other embodiments, sealing and/or protecting container 6 may prevent contents of container 6 from spilling out and/or to keep a lid from becoming displaced from container 6. [0017] Container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may be used to seal and/or protect any one of various types of containers 6. For example, in various embodiments, container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may be used, for example, to seal and/or protect plastic totes and/or cardboard moving boxes. [0018] In various embodiments, at least a portion of container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may be formed at least partially from a material capable of constricting upon application of heat to cause container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 to conform to a shape of container 6. For example, in various embodiments, a heat-shrinkable material may be used that is solely a heat-shrinkable polymer layer, or more than one layer of a non-heat shrinkable material may be used in conjunction with a heat shrinkable material. Such heat-shrinkable polymers may include, for example, poly vinyl chloride, polyethylene and polyolefin. [0019] Heat-shrinkable material used to construct container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may have any one of various thickness depending on the applications. For example, in various embodiments, heat-shrinkable material having a thickness of up to about 7 millimeters may be used. In some embodiments, a thicker thickness may be desirable for any number of reasons including increased durability, longevity, etc. In various other embodiments, heat-shrinkable material having a thinner thickness may be desirable for any number of reasons including, for example, reduced weight and/or aesthetic reasons. Furthermore, the thickness and/or particular material of heat-shrinkable material may be selected so that a lower temperature heat source may be used to constrict container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100. For example, it may be desirable for a user to be able to use a standard household hair blow dryer to constrict container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 so that an industrial, higher-temperature heat gun need not be used. In some of these embodiments, a heat-shrinkable material having a thickness of about 4 millimeters may be suitable. [0020] In various embodiments, any portion or all of container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may be formed from a heat-shrinkable material. For example, in various embodiments, part or all of sleeve 4 may be heat-shrinkable, such that upon application of heat, the side members 12 shrink to generally conform to the container sides 10. In various other embodiments, sleeve 4, side members 12, corners 14 and/or cover 2 may be heat-shrinkable to further enhance container conformity. Yet in various other embodiments, portions of container sealing and/or protection apparatus 100 may be formed from a non-heat-shrinkable material to enhance durability, aesthetics, and the like. For example, in one embodiment, sleeve 4 may consist of a heat-shrinkable material and cover 2 may consist of a fabric, various plastics, etc. Continue reading... Full patent description for Container sealing and/or protection apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Container sealing and/or protection apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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