Elastomeric covering and methods of use

Abstract

An elastomeric cover comprises sidewalls, a closed end and an open end. Related methods include attaching the elastomeric cover to a container having liquid contents to prevent contents from leaking while under pressure.

1 . An elastomeric cover comprising
 contiguous sidewalls adjacent to and integral with a closed end and forming an open end opposite the closed end,   wherein the elastomeric cover has properties and dimensions wherein when in use a single elastomeric cover self seals about peripheries of containers having approximately round, square, rectangular, oval and trapezoidal cross sections.   
     
     
         2 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein a length of the elastomeric cover from the closed end to the open end is longer than the width of the closed end or the open end.   
     
     
         3 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the sidewalls are cylindrical.   
     
     
         4 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the sidewalls are substantially perpendicular to the closed end when in a resting state.   
     
     
         5 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer hardness Shore Type A or Shore Type OO value of about 1-50.   
     
     
         6 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 5   wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer hardness Shore Type A value of about 1-40.   
     
     
         7 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer that has a tear strength of about 1-35 kN/m.   
     
     
         8 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the elastomeric cover has a length of about 1-5 inches.   
     
     
         9 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein a single elastomeric cover has properties and dimensions capable of self sealing about peripheries of containers comprising a 1″ diameter cylindrical container, 3″ diameter cylindrical container and a 2″ by 1.5″ rectangular cuboid container when in use.   
     
     
         10 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the properties and the dimensions provide a surface area about peripheries of the containers to counter a force of a pressurized contents when in use.   
     
     
         11 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer;   wherein the elastomeric cover has an open end for receiving a container;   wherein the elastomeric cover has a wall thickness of about 1/32″ to ½″;   wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has a durometer hardness Shore Type A value of about 1-100;   wherein the elastomeric cover has properties and dimensions wherein, when affixed to a container, less than 1% of the contents of the container escapes the open end of the elastomeric cover when pressure is applied.   
     
     
         12 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 11   wherein the elastomeric cover has properties and dimensions capable of self sealing about peripheries of various sized containers comprising both a cylindrical container and cuboid container when in use;   wherein the properties and the dimensions provide a surface area about peripheries of the various sized containers to counter a force of pressure when in use;   wherein one of the properties comprises retaining the resting state dimensions after use without deforming.   
     
     
         13 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 11   wherein the elastomeric cover comprises a thermoplastic elastomer;   wherein the elastomeric cover has a wall thickness of about 1/32″ to ½″ and a length of about 2-10 inches;   wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has   a) a tensile stress at least in one direction at 100% strain or 300% at 23° C. of less than about 15 MPa;   b) has a tensile strength at least in one direction at break of about 0.1-15 MPa;   c) a tear strength of about 1-35 kN/m;   d) a tensile elongation at least in one direction at break of 50% or greater; or   e) a durometer hardness Shore Type A value of about 1-100.   
     
     
         14 . The elastomeric cover of  claim 1   wherein the elastomeric cover has an external length and width;   wherein the length is greater than the width.   
     
     
         15 . A method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 11  comprising
 affixing the elastomeric cover to a container. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 15  further comprising
 applying pressure to the container, wherein less than 1% of the contents of the container escapes the open end of the elastomeric cover and remains in the closed end of the elastomeric cover. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 15   wherein the container is pressurized to about 11-15 psi.   
     
     
         18 . The method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 15   stretching the open end of the elastomeric cover about a container;   aligning the closed end of the elastomeric cover with an end of a container that has a potential to leak; and   applying pressure to the container;   wherein less than 1% of the contents escapes the open end of the elastomeric cover during the applying pressure step.   
     
     
         19 . A method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 1  comprising
 affixing the elastomeric cover to a container having a smaller circumference than the inner circumference of the elastomeric cover; 
 rolling the elastomeric cover onto itself to decrease the inner circumference of the elastomeric cover to form a leak-proof seal about the periphery of the container. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the elastomeric cover of  claim 1  comprising
 stretching a first elastomeric cover about wet or soiled contents; 
 stretching a second elastomeric cover over the open end of the first elastomeric cover.