For The Invention Entitled:

WHEELIE BIN COVER

I, JAYNE ELIZABETH GOWER, a New Zealand citizen of 44 Isobel Road, Greenhithe, North Shore, Auckland 0632, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: FIELD OF THE INVENTION

(0001) This invention relates to covers for providing aesthetically pleasing enhancement to the physical appearance of hinged lid wheelie rubbish bins or similarly hinged lid rubbish bins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(0002) The Wheelie bin has become possibly the most common form of refuse collection bin. The sizes of these bins are typically of standardized dimensions. The capacity of such bins is normally in the order of 80 litre, 120 litre, 140 litre, 240 litre and 360 Litre and they generally tend to have a rectangular shaped box on a pair of wheels and commonly moulded from high-density polyethylene. These bins are designed to be emptied

mechanically by hydraulically or pneumatically driven lifting gantry on a refuse truck.

(0003) By nature these bins are manufactured in standard colours and also feature text, graphics and/or logos identifying the correct materials to be placed in and removed from that bin, the street address of that bin, and the collection company assigned to that bin. In some cases these bins have the addition of large adhesive decals to feature some or all of this information.

(0004) A major aesthetic problem with these bins is the general appearance when placed in view in a residential or commercial setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(0005) It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cover for a bin or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

(0006) It is an object that this invention be removed and replaced from the bin on Rubbish Collection day to allow ready recognition of the correct bin for emptying thereby not hindering Collection staff workflow and to additionally limit damage to the cover.

(0007) In one aspect, the present invention consists in a cover for a hinged lid wheelie bin or other similar hinged lid bin, which when fitted, covers exterior surfaces of the bin, the cover comprising:

A bin body cover portion for covering the surface of a lower main body of the bin and

A lid cover portion for covering the top outside edge surfaces of the lid of the bin, wherein the lid of the bin can be opened and closed without substantial impediment whilst the bin body and lid cover portions are in place on the bin, and

Wherein the top of the bin body cover portion includes a peripheral flange for lying over a peripheral flange of the bin surrounding a top opening of the bin to support the body cover portion on the lower main body of the bin.

(0008) Preferably the lid cover portion is permanently attached to the bin body cover portion so that both the bin body cover portion and lid cover portion can be placed over the bin as one complete unit.

(0009) Preferably the cover is removably attached to the bin by means of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts to the bin and the cover. (0010) Alternatively or additionally the cover is removably attached to the bin by at least one or more of magnets, domes, studs, buckles, straps, clips, zips and elastic.

(0011) Alternatively the lid cover portion is removably attachable to the bin body cover portion so that both the bin body cover portion and lid cover portion can be assembled together and placed over the bin as one complete unit.

(0012) Alternatively the lid cover portion is removably attachable to the bin body cover portion using at least one or more of magnets, domes, studs, buckles, straps, clips, zips and hook and loop fasteners.

(0013) Preferably the cover is constructed of any substrate, media or material that is flexible or semi flexible.

(0014) The cover construction may be woven, non-woven, knitted or otherwise manufactured.

(0015) Preferably the cover has a surface printed image or design, which may include text.

(0016) Preferably the peripheral flange of the bin body cover portion includes at least one set of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the peripheral flange and to the surface of the bin. More preferably the

peripheral flange of the bin body cover portion comprises two sets of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the peripheral flange and to the surface of the bin. In the most preferred embodiment the peripheral flange of the bin body cover portion comprises three sets of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the peripheral flange and to the surface of the bin.

(0017) Preferably the lid cover portion includes at least one set of

complementary hook and loop fastener strips stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the lid cover and to surface of the bin lid. More preferably the lid cover portion comprises two sets of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the Lid cover and to the surface of the bin lid. In the most preferred embodiment the lid cover portion comprises three sets of complementary hook and loop fasteners stitched or adhered or otherwise attached as complementary parts directly to the Lid cover and to the surface of the bin lid.

(0018) Preferably the cover comprises a pair of straps provided to a rear of the cover for pulling sides of the cover towards the back to ensure a firm fit over the bin.

(0019) The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification (and claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

(0020) To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0021) A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and further described, by way of example only, with reference to the

accompanying Figures.

(0022) Figure 1 shows a plan view of a typical hinged Lid Wheelie bin.

(0023) Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a typical hinged lid Wheelie bin

(0024) Figure 3 shows a front view of a typical hinged lid Wheelie bin

(0025) Figure 4 shows a Plan view from above of the cover whilst fitted to the bin and showing the top of the lid cover portion.

(0026) Figure 5 shows a Side elevation of the cover whilst the back straps are fastened and the cover is fitted to the bin.

(0027) Figure 6 shows a Front Elevation of the cover whilst fitted to the bin.

(0028) Figure 7 shows a Plan view from above of the cover whilst fitted to the bin and shown with the lid cover portion raised up away from the bin body portion.

(0029) Figure 8 shows a View of the lid cover portion underside.

(0030) Figure 9 shows a Back Elevation of the cover whilst the back straps are fastened and the cover is fitted to the bin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

(0031) Figures 1,2 and 3 show a typical hinged lid wheelie bin.

(0032) Figure 1 shows a plan view of a typical hinged lid wheelie bin with the lid 1 closed and shows the peripheral flange surrounding the top opening of the bin 2. The opening edge of the bin 8 is indicated by way of a broken line.

(0033) Figure 2 shows side elevation and Figure 3 shows front elevation of a typical hinged lid wheelie bin with sidewalls 5. The upper edge of this embodiment generally has an outward extending rim 6. When closed the lid edge 4 sits over and rests on the peripheral flange surrounding the top opening of the bin 2.

(0034) Figures 1 and 2 additionally show the typical handle bar point 3 from which the lid is generally hinged.

(0035) Figure 4 shows a plan view of the lid cover portion 21 with the lid cover closed. The cover is removable and fastened by way of complementary hook and loop fasteners 19 attached to the bin body cover peripheral flange underside 18 and to the surface of the bin peripheral flange 2. A handle 12 is provided to aid in opening the lid 21 when the cover is fitted to the bin.

(0036) Referring to Figures 5,6 and 9 in the preferred embodiment the bin body cover portion 14 is formed from shaped pieces joined together and of sufficient width and length to significantly cover the exterior visible surfaces of the bin body whilst allowing for ease of removal and replacement.

(0037) The back of bin body cover portion 14 once fitted is additionally fastened and tightened by way of a pair of back straps 24 joined into the vertical side to back seams. These straps face each other toward the back and are fastened by way of a pair of complementary hook and loop fasteners 15.

(0038) The preferred embodiment comprises a peripheral flange 18 which is joined to the bin body cover portion 14 for the purpose of lying over a peripheral flange of the bin surrounding a top opening of the bin 2 in order to support the bin body cover portion 14 on the lower main body of the bin 5. This is removably attached from the bin by means of complementary Hook and Loop fasteners 19 attached to the bin body cover portion

peripheral flange underside 18 and to the bin peripheral flange surface surrounding the opening edge 2.

(0039) The Lid cover portion 21 is provided with a Flange edge 11 which when fitted covers the bin lid edge 4. This is removably fastened by way of complementary hook and loop fasteners 13 attached to the Lid cover portion flange underside 20 and to the bin lid edge surface 4.

In the preferred embodiment the Lid cover portion is permanently attached to the bin body cover portion 26.

(0040) Figure 7 shows an internal view of the inside of the bin body cover portion 17.

(0041) Figure 8 shows an internal view of the bin body lid portion 16.

(0042) In the preferred embodiment all joined edges have a binding 25 encasing the edge, which aids in water resistance.

0043) In the preferred embodiment the lid cover portion has a handle 12 for lifting the lid 21 when fitted to the bin.

The lid handle has reinforced stitching 27 in each corner, which includes an folded layer of material 23 for added strength. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

GB2482717A and GB 2476047A

This invention describes a detachable rail with simulated plants and flower attached to it designed to trail over the lid of the bin.

DE 42 26 253 Al

This invention describes a wrap around removable cover that partially covers the barrel wall which can also described as the bin body.

DE 202005017712

This invention describes a rigid screen container, which surrounds the body and the Lid. It is formed from detachable interlocking rigid plastic profiles pieces.

EP 1612163

This invention describes a partial removable device that's wraps a portion of the main body.

US2004/020084 Al

This invention describes a plantlike enclosure to cover a bin with a

removable lid.

The decoration is as 3 dimensional shaped plant and leaf like structures attached to the body cover and the separate lid cover.

US2003/0226846

This invention describes a tension adjustable elasticized fastening designed to cover the top opening portion of an open bin typically used on a

construction site. US 2011 0073599

This invention describes a dust control cover with built in water pipes for use on construction sites to limit and dampen down dust. It is designed to cover an open bin typically used on a construction site.

US2008 0264460 and US 7877823

This invention describes a tent like structure designed for concealment of bins or portable toilets on construction sites. It is designed to encompass or encircle these devices by covering 3 sides and the ceiling and by having a front edge-opening door for access. It is free standing of the bin or toilet.

US design patent 329514

This invention describes a decorative trash cover that partially covers the sidewall of the bin only. It describes such decorative treatment as printed stickers adhered to the side of the bin or use of a clear sleeve that can have graphics slid between the sleeves for display purposes.

GB 2472971

This invention describes a releasable cover for the lid and top section of the bin only. It is designed to prevent access to flies and to reduce odor escaping from the bin.

US patent 9731566

This invention describes a printed decorative cover for cars or other large objects created in one piece without an opening other than the lower open edge.

Australian patent 2011101122

This invention describes a decorative or advertising cover for a wall or floor mounted sanitary bin