GB2520530A

GB2520530A - Protective cover

Info

Publication number: GB2520530A
Application number: GB1320677.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Francis Costello; Andreas Panteli; Mihaela Muruianu; Valash Sirikate; Natphakan Tipakornsaowapak
Original assignee: MIND PUMP STUDIO LLC
Current assignee: MIND PUMP STUDIO LLC
Priority date: 2013-11-22
Filing date: 2013-11-22
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Also published as: GB201320677D0

Abstract

A protective cover for temporarily covering a surface such as a laptop or computer keyboard. The protective cover 1 is formed from a substantially transparent continuous film (3). At least one adhesive region 4 is provided on the underside of the film (3) for temporarily securing the cover 1 in position on the surface. At least a portion of the underside of the film (3) is adhesive-free. The film (3) may be formed from plastic and may be biodegradable. The protective cover 1 may further comprise at least one printed region 7, 8 visible from the topside of the film (3). A portion of the film (3) may be electrically conductive.

Description

Protective Cover [0001] This invention relates to a protective cover for temporarily covering a surface.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When consuming food or drink whilst working, it is often difficult to prevent grease, crumbs, drips, or other contaminants passing onto the working surface from or over which the food or drink is being consumed. For example, this may be a computer keyboard or the general working area of a desk. This can increase the likelihood of damage to computer equipment, for example. In addition, it is also desirable to prevent the passage of germs which may already be present on the computer's keyboard, to the food and drink being consumed.

[0003] When using a laptop in a food preparation area whilst, for example, cooking, it is desirable to protect the laptop's keyboard from food particles, oil, drips, and other contaminants.

[0004] US2013/0156482 Al describes a wipeable keyboard cover. The cover prevents crumbs, grease, and germs passing from one side of the cover to the other.

[0005] When consuming food in public areas, or on transport, the table to be used may not be clean. Additionally, the strong chemical solvents used in disinfectants may cause some people skin irritations or rashes.

[0006] The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments seeks to address at least some of the above situations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a protective cover for temporarily covering a surface. The protective cover is formed from a substantially transparent continuous film, and at least one adhesive region provided on an underside of the film for temporarily securing the cover in position on the surface. At least a portion of the underside of the film is adhesive-free.

[0008] Thus, according to this first aspect the present invention provides a protective cover suitable for preventing the passage of liquids and particulates. The film, being continuous, prevents parficulates such as dust, crumbs, germs, liquids and the like, passing through the protective cover. The adhesive region is capable of securing the protective cover to a surface. The surface may be part of a desk or work area. The surface may be a user surface of a laptop, such that the keyboard and touchpad area are covered.

The surface may be a dialling surface of a desk phone to protect the button interface on the phone. The surface may be a surface in a public area, such as a table, for example a picnic table or a fold-down seat-back table. The protective cover is useful for preventing the passage of liquids and particulates from either side of the cover to the other side.

[0009] In embodiments of the invention, at least 80 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film is adhesive-free. At least 95 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film may be adhesive-free.

[0010] Thus, 80 percent or even 95 percent of the underside of the film remains free from adhesive. In this way, the amount of adhesive on the underside of the film can be limited to the amount required to secure the protective cover to the desired surface. This makes repositioning and removing of the cover simple, whilst also ensuring the cover does not easily scrunch up and stick to itself when applying, repositioning or removing the cover.

[0011] The adhesive region may be proximate an edge of the film. For example, the adhesive region may be close enough to the edge of the film substantially to secure the edge of the film to the surface. Desirably, positioning the adhesive region(s) close to the edge(s) of the film allows the adhesive-free portion of the film to cover sensitive or moving areas of the surface, such as the keyboard of a laptop, where contact with adhesive may be undesirable.

[0012] The protective cover may comprise a plurality of adhesive regions. More than one adhesive region may help to secure the protective cover to the desired surface whilst using a significantly smaller amount of adhesive than if the whole underside of the film were to be coated in the adhesive.

[0013] The adhesive regions may be mutually spaced with an adhesive-free portion therebetween. The adhesive regions may be proximate respective opposite edges of the film. By using a plurality of distinct adhesive regions, the positioning of the adhesive regions can also be optimised such that the adhesive regions are positioned in the most effective locations for the desired surface. In one embodiment, the adhesive regions are provided at the corners of the film.

[0014] The film may be formed from plastics. The film could equally be formed from any other material which is flexible and substantially impervious to liquids.

[0015] The film may be biodegradable. This makes disposal of the protective cover easy, since a substantial part of it will biodegrade. Polylactic acid is a suitable biodegradable polymer.

[0016] The film may have a thickness greater than 10 microns. The thickness may be greater than 30 microns. The thickness may be less than 1,000 microns. Typically, the thickness is less than 100 microns. Therefore, the thickness may be between 10 microns and 1000 microns.

[0017] The protective cover may be substantially rectangular. The protective cover may be trapezoidal or similar, and need not have parallel sides. The protective cover may instead be circular, or in fact any other suitable shape. The corners may be substantially pointed. In a preferred embodiment, the corners are rounded. A tab may be provided at one or more of the corners to ease removal of the protective cover from the surface.

[0018] The protective cover may have a width greater than 10cm. The width may be greater than 15cm. The width may be less than 100cm. The width may be less than 70cm.

The width may be less than 50cm. Therefore, the range of the widths may be between 10cm and 100cm.

[0019] The protective cover may have a length greater than 15cm. The length may be greater than 20cm. The length may be less than 100cm. The length may be less than 70cm. The length may be less than 50cm. Therefore, the range of the length may be between 15cm and 100cm.

[0020] Thus, the protective cover may be of a size suitable for protecting a range of input surfaces on consumer electronics devices. The protective cover may also or instead be of a size suitable for protecting the topside of the film, and anything on it, from germs and contaminants present on the surface to which the protective cover may be secured.

[0021] The protective cover may further comprise at least one printed region visible from the topside of the film. The printed region may be printed on the underside of the film, and may be visible through the film. The printed region may include an advertisement.

[0022] Printing on the underside ensures that any toxicity or contaminants in the ink used for printing are not present on the topside of the film. This is important where the protective cover is used to prevent germs or contaminants from the surface beneath the underside of the film passing through to the topside of the film. The subject matter to be printed may be an image, a slogan, a checklist, a set of instructions, a barcode, a QR code or web address, a personalised discount coupon, educational material such as linguistic aids or formulae, or anything else useful to be printed. The printed regions may be placed in the lower left corner, lower right corner, or both, such that the print appears either side of the touchpad and below the keyboard when the cover is secured to the user surface of a laptop. Alternatively, the printing may correspond with the expected position of the buttons on the input surface. In this way, an alternative keyboard layout may be printed on the protective cover to help typing in a different language, where another alphabet is used.

The keyboard layout may instead be the same as the underlying keyboard layout. This may be suitable for maximising visibility of the keys. Alternatively, the printing may represent functions assigned to the keys of the keyboard, for example selections from a food menu or commands in a computer game.

[0023] At least a portion of the film may be electrically conductive. This assists the operation of a capacitive touch sensor through the protective cover. Envisaged examples of capacitive touch sensors are a touchscreen or a laptop touchpad.

[0024] Viewed from a second aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts for a protective cover according to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention. The kit of parts comprises the film and at least one adhesive component for affixing to the film to form the adhesive region.

[0025] Thus, the present invention may be assembled from a kit of parts, such that the adhesive components which will form the adhesive regions may be positioned on the underside of the film to best fit the target surface.

[0026] Viewed from a third aspect, the present invention provides a pack comprising a plurality of protective covers according to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0027] Viewed from a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a protective cover, particularly according to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention. The method comprises providing a substantially transparent continuous film having at least one adhesive region provided on an underside of the film, with at least a portion of the underside of the film adhesive-free and applying advertising from a third party advertiser onto an advertising region of the film.

[0028] Thus, the method allows a third party advertiser to have an advertisement printed on the protective cover.

[0029] The method may further comprise the step of applying advertising from a different third party advertiser onto a second advertising region of the film.

[0030] Thus, the method allows two independent advertisers to have at least one advertisement each applied to a protective cover. Whilst the method relates to two advertisers, the inventive concept extends to a plurality of independent advertisers. In this way, the manufacturer of the protective cover can aggregate advertising from multiple advertisers.

[0031] The method may further comprise the step of distributing the protective cover for complimentary distribution to a target user. In this way, the target user receives the protective cover and the advertising at no cost.

[0032] The protective cover may be manufactured and distributed at a cost met entirely by the advertisers. Such covers may be distributed freely at fast food outlets, supermarkets or the like for use when consuming food. The users may be targeted by advertisers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a protective cover according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a protective cover according to a further embodiment of the present invention used in conjunction with a laptop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 shows a protective cover 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The protective cover 1 is formed from a substantially transparent, flexible, biodegradable plastics material film 3. Adhesive dots 2 are affixed to the underside of the film 3, near the edges of the film.

[0035] Features of the surface beneath the protective cover 1 are visible with the protective cover in place on the surface. The flexibility ensures that any depressible input buttons on the surface beneath the protective cover 1 can still be operated and the protective cover can follow any minor variations in the contours of the surface, such as a recess for a cup. The flexibility also ensures that the protective cover can be rolled or folded both before and after use. A biodegradable plastic decomposes quickly and effectively, and so is advantageous from an environmental perspective. This particular embodiment of the cover 1 is intended to be disposable. The cover 1 is also heat resistant and hygienic for human and food contact.

[0036] Whilst the presently preferred embodiment includes four distinct adhesive regions located near a respective corner of the protective cover, the securing function could similarly be performed by adhesive located substantially centrally along the edges of the protective cover. The adhesive regions could number greater than four to provide a more robust attachment. The adhesive regions could number fewer, where each adhesive region is larger, or where the adhesion provided by the particular adhesive used is sufficient to hold the protective cover in place on the surface. Whilst the adhesive dots 2 are circular in this particular embodiment, the particular shape is not important. They could equally be lines of adhesive, or indeed any other shape.

[0037] In this particular embodiment, the adhesive used is supplied by Bostik of Saint-Denis, France, and is acid-free, non-toxic, heat resistant and does not leave residue on surfaces. The relatively low adhesion of the adhesive used ensures that the protective cover can be repositioned easily as necessary. It will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art that a number of different adhesives may be suitable, particularly if they are also heat-resistant, repositionable, and do not leave residue on surfaces.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a protective cover 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The protective cover 1 is again formed from a flexible, substantially transparent, heat resistant, sanitary, biodegradable plastics material. The material is also electrically conductive.

[0039] Glue lines 4 are affixed to the bottom surface of the protective cover 1. Whilst these are shown at the corners, they could equally run the entire length of the short sides of the protective cover 1.

[0040] For the protective cover to be suitable for use protecting the user surface of a 13 inch laptop, the film should be 330mm in width and 230mm in length. Here, width refers to the direction from a left side of the laptop to a right side of the laptop and length refers to the perpendicular direction from the bottom of the keyboard to the top of the keyboard. The film is 50 microns in thickness.

[0041] For the protective cover to be suitable for use protecting the user surface of an 11 inch laptop, the film should be 310mm in width and 202mm in length. For a 15 inch laptop, the film should be 380mm in width and 260mm in length. For a 17 inch laptop, the film should be 41 0mm in width and 275mm in length.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, a single printable region is provided to the left of the touchpad area and below the keyboard. This does not overlap with the keyboard or touchpad, and so will not interfere with its normal operation. The printable region is 37mm in from the left edge of the film and 25mm up from the bottom edge of the film. The printable region has a width of 54.2mm and a length of 37mm.

[0043] The cover serves as a protective barrier preventing contaminants that may exist in the environment or on the hands of the user from damaging, defacing, or contaminating the keyboard and touchpad whilst the user types, clicks and/or uses the touchpad. It is designed to shield the keyboard and touchpad from contaminants caused by foods commonly eaten by hand such as sandwiches, chips, burgers, pizza, snacks, fruits, etc. that can make the user's hands greasy, sticky, moist, wet, dirty or otherwise unsuitable to safely and cleanly use the keyboard and touchpad. The protective cover may also prevent crumbs, dust and other particles from reaching the keyboard and touchpad and causing harm or damage.

[0044] The protective cover prevents dirt, contaminants, dust, bacteria collection and spreading which arises from the use of laptop keyboards! touchpads by dirty hands and vice versa from dirty laptop keyboards cross contaminating the hands of the user, potentially making the user ill from the contact or ingestion of contaminants, bacteria and microbes that likely exist on laptop keyboards and touchpads.

[0045] At least an area of the protective cover 1 is electrically conductive, such that where a touchpad 5is placed beneath the protective cover 1, a user's finger can still control the touchpad through the protective cover 1.

[0046] Lower-left printable panel 7 and lower-right printable panel 8 are provided on the protective cover 1. These can be printed with a picture, or a written message, or indeed any other desired item.

[0047] The keyboard printable panel 10 illustrates where a keyboard overlay would be positioned. In this embodiment, this will contain the same letters as the keyboard, but in a brighter colour, to aid people with visual impairments. Un-overlayed key 11 is an example of a key for which an overlay is not required. In this way, the printed region may be shaped to only re-label certain keys.

[0048] Whilst only three printable panels are described in this embodiment, other embodiments could feature different numbers of printable panels positioned elsewhere on the protective cover.

[0049] In some embodiments, the printable panel may comprise an advertisement, and the manufacturer or supplier of the protective cover 1, may sell advertising space on the protective cover 1 to one or more advertisers. In the presently described embodiment, lower-left printable panel 7 is printed with an advertisement. Lower-right printed region S is left blank. The printing occurs on the underside of the protective cover, such that the printed material can be seen through the topside of the protective cover. This ensures that any contaminants present as a result of the printing process are not present on the sanitary topside.

[0050] Whilst this embodiment utilises printing on the underside of the film, some embodiments may have printing of the matter directly onto the topside of the film, particularly where there is only a need to protect crumbs, dust, liquids and the like passing onto the surface to be protected beneath the cover.

[0051] The protective cover is designed to protect the user surfaces of a range of consumer electronics devices, in addition to covering a surface of a table, desk, or other surface which may be contaminated with germs.

[0052] In a laptop, a user surface is the internal surface of the laptop in which the keyboard and touchpad sit.

[0053] Whilst the protective cover 1 has been described as transparent, it could equally be opaque and coloured in a range of colours, or patterned. In some embodiments, the protective cover could be textured to help distinguish the position of buttons beneath the cover. Where the protective cover is opaque, this may be achieved either using a coloured film, or printing the colour of the opacity onto the film. Where a coloured film is used, it will be apparent that any printing will then need to be done on the topside of the film, in order to be visible to the user.

[0054] Whilst the printed regions have been described as being on the bottom left and right of the protective cover, the regions could be located anywhere on the cover.

Additionally, there could be any number of printed regions on the protective cover of varying sizes.

[0055] Where the advertising space on the protective cover is sold, the cost of advertising space to the advertiser may vary depending on the size and location of the advertisement.

[0056] To prevent crease lines forming on the protective cover during storage, the protective cover may be supplied rolled up. One or several protective covers may be provided together in a tube. The protective covers may be secured to one another by use of the adhesive before rolling, or there may be a protective layer over each adhesive region to prevent multiple protective covers undesirably sticking together.

[0057] When removing a protective cover, it is possible to lift the protective cover by the corners in order to contain any crumbs, grease or liquid towards the centre of the protective cover. Therefore, these undesirable contaminants will be retained within the protective cover, and there is a reduced likelihood of crumbs, grease or liquids escaping onto the surface to be protected during removal.

[0058] Whilst embodiments of the invention have been described for covering a laptop user surface, the protective cover can be adhered to any surface to create a physical barrier of protection from potential risks of contamination. For example, the protective cover can be adhered to surfaces commonly known to be dirty such as tables, airplane, train and bus tray-tables, tables in airports, tables on cruise ships or ferries, department stores, hospitals and public waiting areas and lounges, public/private schools or other educational institutions, rarely cleaned public places, computer rooms and internet cafes, workspace tables and desks, workplace cafeterias, fast food outlets, coffee shops, cafes, bars and pubs as well as any other private or public spaces where there exists a risk of cross contamination.

[0059] The protective cover can be used to reduce the likelihood of skin irritations, allergies and rashes for users susceptible or especially sensitive to chemical cleaning solvents by creating a barrier of protection from strong chemical solvents that are frequently used for disinfection or maintenance and/or any other purposes (used in public and/or private spaces such as airport, airplanes, work environment, beauty salons, hospitals or public transportation etc.).

[0060] The protective cover can also prevent damage of, for example, a keyboard and touchpad, caused by grease, dirt, crumbs, minor liquid spills(such as coffee or tea stains, fizzy drinks drops, sprays) while using a laptop when cooking or eating as well as preventing the cross-contamination caused by food and drink when using the laptop while cooking, eating, or drinking.

[0061] The protective cover can be used by smokers who can apply it to shield, for example, the laptop keyboard and touchpad, from ashes whilst the user smokes and uses the laptop.

[0062] The protective cover can be used as a medium of communication for customizable messages such as corporate strategies, information and/or messages that are meant to promote a certain behaviour, spirit, idea or rule, inform about deontological policy or any other internal communication within a company or organisation. The messages may have a promotional purpose or be a sales incentive such as coupon codes, seasonal promotions, QR codes, flash sales or personal discounts as well as any other marketing activities intended to increase sales. The messages may also be a form of learning content such as math/physics/chemistry formulae, alphabets, irregular verbs, linguistic tips or any other content that can help improve learning process and self-development.

[0063] Where the messages are provided as overlays suitable for a standard laptop keyboard, they could be customizable letters sized in order to alleviate a problem of typing for people with poor sight by offering them either bigger print, or brighter, easier to see colours of the keys on their keyboard by printing them onto the protective cover. They could instead be customizable different languages or colours print of the keyboard letters on the protective cover to help typing in an alphabet different than that of the keyboard and/or to provide a print of foreign language keyboard layouts in different colours.

[0064] Made to order messages can be individually designed and printed on the protective cover such as congratulations, supportive messages or apologies, timetables, schedules or pictures.

[0065] The messages may instead be related to entertainment and leisure purposes such as placement of jokes, quotes, mottos, motivational words and phrases, cartoons, comics or any other types of art projection on the printable region of the protective cover.

[0066] Whilst presently described embodiments of the invention have described printing, the messages, advertising, images and the like could alternatively be applied to the protective cover in another way, for example applying a sticker.

[0067] Whilst presently described embodiments of the invention have used a film formed from a biodegradable plastics material, similar to the material used for compostable bags, other materials may be suitable depending on the likely contaminants or solvents that are likely to be encountered. The material thickness may be increased where the protective cover is designed to be wiped clean and re-used a number of times.

[0068] In summary, a protective cover 1 is formed from a substantially transparent continuous film 3, at least one adhesive portion 2 provided on an underside of the film 3, and at least one adhesive-free portion defined within the underside of the film 3.

[0069] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0070] Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A protective cover for temporarily covering a surface, the protective cover formed from: a substantially transparent continuous film; and at least one adhesive region provided on an underside of the film for temporarily securing the cover in position on the surface, wherein at least a portion of the underside of the film is adhesive-free.
2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 80 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film is adhesive-free.
3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least 95 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film is adhesive free.
4. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive region is proximate an edge of the film.
5. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of adhesive regions.
6. A protective cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adhesive regions are mutually spaced with an adhesive-free portion therebetween.
7. A protective cover as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the adhesive regions are proximate respective opposite edges of the film.
8. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the film is formed from plastics.
9. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the film is biodegradable.
10. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover is substantially rectangular.
11. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover has a width and the width is between 10cm and 100cm.
12. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover has a length and the length is between 15cm and 100cm.
13. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover further comprises at least one printed region visible from the topside of the film.
14. A protective cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein the printed region is printed on the underside of the film, and is visible through the film.
15. A protective cover as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the printed region includes an advertisement.
16. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the film is electrically conductive.
17. A kit of parts for a protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, the kit of parts comprising, the film; and at least one adhesive component for affixing to the film to form the adhesive region.
18. A pack comprising a plurality of protective covers as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.
19. A method of manufacturing a protective cover particularly as claimed in any of claims ito 16, the method comprising: providing a substantially transparent continuous film having at least one adhesive region provided on an underside of the film, with at least a portion of the underside of the film adhesive-free; and applying advertising from a third party advertiser onto a advertising region of the film.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising the step of applying advertising from a different third party advertiser onto a second advertising region of the film.
21. A method as claimed in claims 19 or 20 further comprising the step of distributing the protective cover for complimentary distribution to a target user.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A protective cover for temporarily covering a surface, the protective cover formed from: a substantially transparent continuous film; and at least one adhesive region provided on an underside of the film for temporarily securing the cover in position on the surface, wherein at least a portion of the underside of the film is adhesive-free, wherein the protective cover further comprises at least one printed region visible from the topside of the film, and, wherein the printed region is printed on the underside of the film, and is visible through the film.2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least 80 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film is adhesive-free.cf 3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least 95 percent of the surface area of the underside of the film is adhesive free.0') 4. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive region ° is proximate an edge of the film.o 5. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of adhesive regions.6. A protective cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adhesive regions are mutually spaced with an adhesive-free portion therebetween.7. A protective cover as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the adhesive regions are proximate respective opposite edges of the film.8. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the film is formed from plastics.9. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the film is biodegradable.10. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover is substantially rectangular.11. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover has a width and the width is between 10cm and 100cm.12. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective cover has a length and the length is between 15cm and 100cm.13. A protective cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the film is electrically conductive.14. A pack comprising a plurality of protective covers as claimed in any of claims ito 14. a) Co