The present invention relates to a protective cover . In particular, the present invention relates to a cover for visual display screens , for example television sets , computer monitors and interactive whiteboards .

Flat screen television sets , for example plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions , have become more common in domestic households as they offer improved picture quality . However, to appreciate the pictures produced, it is important to retain the clarity of the visual display screen by keeping it free from dust .

Covers for visual display screens are known in the art . An example of such a cover is disclosed in US patent application no . 20020053861. This cover is manufactured from a static-free cotton/lycra material which, when the cover is fitted to a computer monitor, helps to avoid the accumulation of dust .

Screens can be cleaned of dust using a cloth, in particular a cloth provided with an anti-static agent . However, such cloths can leave smear marks across a screen . Furthermore , their use is time ^' consuming and laborious .

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cover for a visual display screen comprising a sheet of material to cover the screen, the sheet having a peripheral portion which is arranged to be attached to the edge of the screen, and a layer provided with an anti-static agent that is positioned so that , in use , it faces the screen .

Preferably, the cover has a peripheral portion that is configured so that , in use, the layer is in contact with substantially the whole surface of the screen . In use, the anti-static agent is transferred from the layer to the screen. In contrast to the loose covers known in the prior art , these features of the present invention ensure that an even coating of anti-static agent is applied to substantially the whole of the screen .

When the cover is fitted to the visual display screen, anti-static agent is transferred to the screen from the sheet and remains there even when the cover is removed. As a result , this provides an advantage over prior art covers because , even when the cover is removed, i . e . when the visual display screen is in use , the screen is protected from an accumulation of dust .

The layer provided with an anti-static agent may be integral with the sheet or may be releasably attached to the sheet .

Preferably, the anti-static layer may be impregnated through substantially its whole thickness with an anti- static agent . Alternatively, only the surface that is intended to come into contact with the screen may be impregnated with an anti-static agent .

Typical anti-static agents for use with the cover of the present invention are those based on ethylene oxide or polyamine or silicone .

In a further alternative, the outer surfaces only of both sides of the anti-static layer may be impregnated with an anti-static agent . In this embodiment it would be possible to provide an anti-static layer that could be reversed in order to provide a second fully charged anti-static layer once a first anti-static layer had been exhausted .

It is envisaged that the sheet when in combination with a layer provided with an anti-static agent may be manufactured from an anti-static material and/or may be impregnated with an anti-static agent .

The cover may be attached to the visual display screen using a mechanical fastener, for example a hook and loop fastener or a press stud or using an adhesive fastener .

Advantageously, the peripheral portion may comprise resilient attachment means . For example , the peripheral portion may be elasticated. This provides a simple way of attaching the cover to the screen and allows the sheet to be held in close proximity with the screen.

In an alternative embodiment , in order to maintain the layer provided with an anti-static agent in contact with the screen, the cover may be provided with a substantially rigid peripheral portion which may be of a shape complementary to the shape of the periphery of the visual display screen .

Advantageously, the peripheral portion may be provided with a portion which, in use , extends around the back of the visual display screen . Accumulation of dust upon a set may result in damage if internal components or ventilation ducts

become blocked leading to over-heating . By extending the ^• peripheral portion in this way, it can be extended to cover any ventilation slots provided in, for example , the television set or the computer monitor . If desired, the cover can be adapted to enclose the entire outer surface of the set . The cover may also be provided with one or more flaps matched to the design of the set to cover the ventilation slots . Such flaps may be provided with attachments to fasten the flaps to the sides of the cover .

Preferably, the cover comprises a padded layer . This padded layer may be combined with the anti-static layer .

Television sets , computer monitors and the like are susceptible to accidental damage to their screens or casings due to their location in a home . The sheet of material may therefore further comprise a padded layer to prevent damage .

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for coating a visual display screen with an anti-static agent , using a cover according to the present invention, comprising the steps of covering the visual display screen with the cover, attaching the cover to the visual display screen, such that the layer provided with an anti-static agent comes into contact with the visual display screen, and transferring the anti-static agent from the layer provided with the anti-static agent to the _. visual display screen .

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cover according to the present invention attached to a plasma television set ;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front of a cover according to the present invention, attached to a plasma television set ; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear of a cover according to the present invention, attached to a plasma television set .

An embodiment of a cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1.

The cover 1 is shown attached to a flat panel television set 3 , such as a plasma or LCD set , having a screen 7 , so that an anti-static layer 5 , comprising a soft anti-static treated material , is held in contact with the screen 7 of the set 3. A padded layer 9 is attached between an outer layer 11 and the anti-static layer 5. In an alternative embodiment , the padded layer 9 and the anti-static layer 5 may be combined. In a further alternative embodiment , the padded layer 9 and the outer layer 11 may be combined.

As shown in Figure 2 , the outer layer 11 comprises a . front panel 15 , adj acent to screen 7 , and four side panels 17 around the front panel 15. The outer layer 11 also comprises 4 rear panels 19 , as shown in Figure 3. The rear panels 19 are formed so that they locate around the rear of the set 3.

To enable the cover 1 to be fitted to the set 3 the side panels 17 are attached to each other and to the front panel 15 along elasticated seams 21 , as shown in Figure 3. The cover is expanded to fit over the set 3 , the elastic seams 21 contracting upon release to pull the cover 1 into close contact with the set 3 , and in particular with the screen 7.

When the cover 1 is placed over a set 3 , and secured in position, the anti-static layer 5 is pressed against the screen of the set 3 , so that anti-static agent is transferred to the screen 7. Each time the cover 1 is fitted on to the set 3 the anti-static agent is re-applied. Contact pressure between the cover 1 and the set 3 provided by the elasticated seams 21 enables the anti-static agent to be applied evenly over the screen 7 to prevent a streaked or smudged appearance . In the context of the present invention, even application of the anti-static agent should not necessarily be construed to mean that the anti-static agent has to be applied at a constant thickness across the whole of the screen 7 but that the anti-static agent is applied to the screen in a more uniform manner than is possible using methods known from the prior art . After a number of uses the supply of anti-static agent within the anti-static layer 5 will be exhausted. The anti-static layer 5 may then be recharged or replaced .

To remove the cover 1 from the set 3 , the elasticated seams 21 are stretched and the cover 1 is lifted from the set 3. As the cover 1 is flexible , when it has been removed from a set 3 it may be folded up to enable it to be easily stored .

It is envisaged that the cover of the present invention will typically be used with flat screen televisions , computer monitors and front and rear proj ection interactive whiteboards . The cover will therefore be produced in a range of sizes matched to the product to be covered . For example , the cover may be sized to fit a 71cm (28 inch) LCD television screen or a 213cm (84 inch) interactive whiteboard .