Self-Aligning Device Cover

Abstract

Provided is a removable device cover ( 20 ) which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a device ( 10 ), wherein the device cover comprises a generally curved concave sidewall ( 22 ) extending between a top margin ( 23 ) and a base margin ( 21 ), an open rearward portion ( 25 ) and a face portion ( 28 ) having a sight window insert ( 26 ) extending therefrom towards the open rearward portion ( 25 ), wherein at transverse cross-sectional planes the shape of the self aligning, removable device cover is approximately elliptical in cross-section, the device cover having a first transverse section (x) coincident with the top margin and having a major axis (xA) and a minor axis (xB), a further, second, transverse section (Z) coincident with the base margin and having a major axis (zA) and a minor axis (zB), and a further, third, transverse section (Y) at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin and having a major axis (yA) and a minor axis (yB), wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the transverse section (Y) at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section (Z) coincident with the top margin and the second, transverse section (Z) coincident with the base margin.

1 . A removable device cover which is self-aligning when removably affixed to a device, wherein the device cover comprises:
 a generally curved concave sidewall extending between a top margin and a base margin;   a first transverse section coincident with the top margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;   a second transverse section coincident with the base margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;   a third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin and having a major axis and a minor axis;   an open rearward portion; and   a face portion having a sight window insert extending therefrom towards the open rearward portion;   wherein at transverse cross-sectional planes the shape of the self aligning, removable device cover is approximately elliptical in cross-section; and   wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin.   
     
     
         2 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 3% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin. 
     
     
         3 . The removable device cover according to  claim 2 , wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 5% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin. 
     
     
         4 . The removable device cover according to  claim 3 , wherein the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of the third transverse section at a midpoint between the top margin and the base margin is at least 7% less than the dimensions of the major axis and minor axis of one or both of the first transverse section coincident with the top margin and the second transverse section coincident with the base margin. 
     
     
         5 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the lengths of the minor axis:major axis at each of the first transverse section, the second transverse section and the third transverse section is between about 0.7 and 0.9. 
     
     
         6 . The removable device cover according to  claim 5 , wherein the ratio of the lengths of the minor axis:major axis at each of the first transverse section, the second transverse section and the third transverse section is between about 0.75 and about 0.85. 
     
     
         7 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the device covers has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.2 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the said device cover excludes conventional fastener means. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of removably installing a removable device cover onto a dispensing device, the method comprising:
 providing a dispensing device,   providing a removeable device cover according to  claim 1 ,   placing either a left rear margin or a right rear margin of the device cover against a portion of the sidewall of the dispensing device,   stretching or extending the device cover to separate or increase the distance between the left rear margin and the right rear margin to increase the width of the open rearward portion which also tensions the device cover,   inserting the dispensing device through the width of the open rearward portion,   rotating, pushing or urging the device cover in the direction of the dispensing device at a portion the sidewall opposite from an extended spout, and,   releasing the device cover, whereinafter the device cover returns to its original, unstretched configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the device cover has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.3 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The removable device cover according to  claim 1 , wherein the device cover has a thickness over least 95% of its surface of at least about 0.4 mm.