Protective cover

Abstract

The present invention provides a cover for protecting the interior cooking surfaces of a container such as cookware, bakeware or serveware. The cover has a covering portion for covering the open face of the container. The covering portion includes a tie securing member which retains a tie that holds the covering portion stretched over the open face of the container, thereby securing the cover to the container with the covering portion spaced from at least one interior surface.

1 . A cover for covering an open face of a container to protect at least one interior surface of the container, comprising:
 a covering portion for covering the open face of the container, the covering portion comprising a flexible material; and   at least one securing member affixed to the flexible material, for securing the covering portion over the open face of the container spaced from the at least one interior surface.   
   
   
       2 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the securing member comprises a tie. 
   
   
       3 . The cover of  claim 2  wherein the tie extends through a tie securing member affixed to the flexible material. 
   
   
       4 . The cover of  claim 3  wherein the tie securing member comprises a channel or sleeve formed in the material. 
   
   
       5 . The cover of  claim 4 , wherein the channel or sleeve is formed about a periphery of the material. 
   
   
       6 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the material is a fabric. 
   
   
       7 . The cover of  claim 6  wherein the fabric is stretchable. 
   
   
       8 . The cover of  claim 7  wherein the fabric comprises a cotton-polyester blend or microfibre material. 
   
   
       9 . The cover of  claim 3  wherein the tie comprises an elastic material. 
   
   
       10 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes at least one opening for allowing at least one handle of the container to pass out of the cover. 
   
   
       11 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein the container is cookware, bakeware or serveware. 
   
   
       12 . A method of protecting at least one interior surface of a container using a cover comprising a covering portion for covering an open face of the container comprising a flexible material, comprising the steps of:
 a. placing the cover over the container such that the covering portion covers the open face of the container; and   b. securing the cover to retain the covering portion over the open face and spaced from the at least one interior surface;
 whereby an object placed on the covering portion is supported spaced from the at least one interior surface. 
   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cover comprises an elastic securing member and the step of securing the cover comprises stretching the securing member to enlarge an opening for insertion of the container. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the material is a fabric. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fabric is stretchable. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cover comprises at least one aperture for allowing at least one handle of the container to pass out of the cover and including, before step a., the step of inserting the handle through the aperture. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the container is cookware, bakeware or serveware.