GB2194143A

GB2194143A - Protective covers

Info

Publication number: GB2194143A
Application number: GB08719702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Harry Chappell; Michael Thomas Feeney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-08-21
Filing date: 1987-08-20
Publication date: 1988-03-02
Also published as: GB8719702D0; GB8620334D0; GB2194143B

Abstract

A protective cover 8 for a drop bag is made of rubber or elastomeric material and comprises a top sheet 12 with pockets 14 underneath, one at each end, into which edges and/or corners of a drop bag can be fitted. Additionally or alternatively, the cover may have retaining bands for retaining the drop bag in the cover. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protective covers This invention concerns the protective covers particularly but not exclusively for drop bags.

Drop bags are used in the delivery of beer barrels being commonly positioned for the barrels to fall onto when dropped from any level to a lower level, such as off a trailer or into a cellar. Such drop bags usually have a cover of sacking or a synthetic alternative, such as nylon and are filled with cork pieces.

Whilst these drop bags work well when a barrel lands on its sides, the bags can be split if the barrel lands on its edge. Replacement of split bags is now believed likely to become more expensive because of a shortage of cork. Other materials have been tried in place of cork, such as rubber pieces, but have not been successful.

The object of this invention is to provide protection for drop bags and the like, whereby instances of splitting may be substantially eliminated.

According to the invention there is provided a protective cover for a drop bag or the like made of a resilient material and comprising a top sheet and means for keeping same on a drop bag.

The protective cover of the invention is shaped so as to provide means for keeping it on a drop bag. For example, the protective cover may have pockets into which edges and/or corners of a drop bag can be fitted. Additionally or alternatively the protective cover may have bands that can retain a drop bag in the cover.

Drop bags are usually generally rectangular and so protective covers may have pockets across edges of the cover or across corners thereof. pockets may be provided on two or more edges of the cover.

Retaining bands may be provided parallel with sides of the cover or diagonally across the corner. Edges of the covers of the invention between pockets and bands may be turned over to provide some protection for the sides of the drop bags.

The preferred material from which protective covers of the invention are to be made is rubber or a synthetic substitute therefor. The rubber or substitute may be reinforced, such as with a textile layer say nylon, preferably embedded in the rubber or substitute, and/or may be vulcanised.

Preferably the protective covers of the invention will be moulded in one piece without having to make joints along edges, although the latter technique may be used. In moulding the covers of the invention it may be advantageous to form the pocket flaps or bands less thickly than the main part of the cover.

This would allow the flaps or bands to be stretched more easily to facilitate insertion of a drop bag into the cover. An additional advantage of this feature would be the saving of raw materials.

Thus, the use of protective covers of the invention will allow continued usage of conventional drop bags with reduced risk of damage thereto and with resultant savings in costs and materials. Other uses of the protective covers of the invention include the protection of pads, such as of rope, that are used on boats to prevent impact damage when approaching or moored at a quay or the like.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view from below of a first type of drop bag cover; Figure 2 shows a drop bag fitted into the cover of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from below of a second type of drop bag cover; Figure 4 is a plan view from below of a third type of drop bag cover; Figure 5 is a plan view from below of a fourth type of drop bag cover; Figure 6 is a plan view from below of a fifth type of drop bag cover; Figure 7 is a section through a mould for a drop bag; and Figure 8 is a section on line AA of Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a protective cover 8 for a drop bag 10 is made of rubber or elastomeric material and comprises a top sheet 12 with pockets 14 underneath, one at each end. Between the pockets, the top sheet is turned over slightly at 16.

The thickness of the material of the pocket flaps is less than that of the top sheet so that the pocket flaps are more easily stretched in order to accommodate the drop bag 10 (see Figure 2). When not in use-the cover 8 will usually be generally flat for storage.

Turning to Figure 3, a drop bag cover 18 also of rubber has a top sheet 20 and triangular pockets 22 across the corners of the sheet 20. The sheet 20 is turned over slightly at 24 in between the pockets 22. Again the material of the pocket is not as thick as that of the top sheet so that stretching of the pockets is facilitated to accommodate corners of a drop bag in the pockets.

In Figure 4, a drop bag cover 38 of rubber is similar to that of Figure 1 except that an additional band 40 is provided across the underside of the cover 38 between pockets 42.

The band 40 is also less thick than top sheet 44. The band 40 helps to keep the cover on a drop bag.

Referring to Figure 5, a drop bag cover 50 of rubber has a top sheet 52 and underneath diagonally opposite corner pockets 54 and diagonal bands 56 to keep a drop bag in place.

The pockets 54 and bands 56 are again of less thick material than the top sheet to facili tate stretching and hence fitting of the cover to a drop bag.

In Figure 6, a drop bag cover 60 of rubber has a. top sheet 62 with its edges 64 turned over to provide a narrow pocket around the cover into which edges of a drop bag can fit.

In all of the above illustrated embodiments the drop bag covers may be made by moulding in one piece or, indeed, by any other suitable method including jointing suitably shaped pieces of resilient material.

A mould for making a drop bag cover of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. The mould comprises top and bottom parts 70 and 72 respectively defining the outer shape of the protective cover and a blank 74 supported within the mould around which the resilient material in mouldable form is injected to be cured- under heat and pressure.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a drop bag or the like made of a resilient material and comprising a top sheet and means for keeping same on a drop bag.

2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1 having pockets into which edges and/or corners of a drop bag can be fitted.

3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 2 having pockets across two or more edges or corners thereof.

4. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1 having bands that can retain a drop bag in the cover.

5. A protective cover as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bands are parallel to one pair of sides of the cover.

6. A protective cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bands are diagonally across the corner of the cover.

7. A protective cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 made from rubber or a synthetic substitute therefor.

8. A protective cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rubber or substitute is reinforced.

9. A protective cover as claimed in claim 8, wherein said reinforcement comprises a textile layer.

10. A protective cover as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the rubber or synthetic substitute is vulcanised.

11. A protective cover as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein said pockets or bands are of thinner material than the main part of the cover.

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12. A method of making a protective cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising moulding the cover in one piece.

13. A protective cover for a drop bag sub stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.