Canteen cup cover

Abstract

The apparatus of the present invention implements a cover that can be deployed in conjunction with the standard military issue canteen and cup. The canteen cup cover is most preferably manufactured from a durable and flexible food-grade material. The cross-section of the cover features a ridge and groove arrangement that has been specifically configured to receive the edge of the canteen cup, which typically defines approximately a 45° angle with the body portion of the canteen cup. The cover may be selectively attached to and removed from the canteen cup, thereby providing enhanced functionality for the canteen cup.

1 . A substantially reniform-shaped canteen cup cover comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface;   a plurality of sidewall surfaces; and   a groove, wherein said groove forms an angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove being configured to engage a canteen cup, thereby forming a seal between a canteen cup and a canteen cup cover.   
   
   
       2 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 1  wherein said angle is approximately 45°. 
   
   
       3 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 1  wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone. 
   
   
       4 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an aperture formed in said canteen cup cover; and   a resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.   
   
   
       5 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a canteen cup; and   a canteen, said canteen being removably inserted into said canteen cup.   
   
   
       6 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 5  wherein said canteen cup defines a perimeter and said groove defines a length and wherein said perimeter is slightly longer than said length. 
   
   
       7 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 5  wherein said canteen cup further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and at least a portion of said groove contacts both of said inner surface and said outer surface. 
   
   
       8 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 1  further comprising an access spout. 
   
   
       9 . The canteen cup cover of  claim 6  wherein said access spout comprises a repositionable access spout. 
   
   
       10 . A method comprising the steps of:
 placing a liquid in a canteen cup; and   covering said canteen cup with a canteen cup cover, said canteen cup cover comprising:
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface; 
 a plurality of sidewall surfaces; and 
 a groove, wherein said groove forms an angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove being configured to engage a canteen cup, thereby forming a seal between said canteen cup and said canteen cup cover. 
   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of covering a canteen cup with a canteen cup cover comprises the step of stretching said canteen cup cover over said canteen cup so that at least a portion of said groove contacts both an inner surface of said canteen cup and an outer surface of said canteen cup. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said canteen cup cover further comprises a repositionable access spout. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of:
 removing said canteen cup cover from said canteen cup; and   consuming said liquid contained in said canteen cup.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said canteen cup cover further comprises:
 an aperture formed in said canteen cup cover; and   a resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 repositioning said repositionable and resealable hinged flap; and   consuming said liquid contained in said canteen cup.   
   
   
       17 . A canteen kit comprising:
 a canteen cup, said canteen cup comprising an outwardly flared lip, said outwardly flared lip comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;   a canteen, said canteen being removably insertable into said canteen cup; and   a substantially reniform canteen cup cover, said canteen cup cover comprising:
 a groove; 
 a top surface; 
 a bottom surface; and 
 a plurality of sidewall surfaces; 
 wherein said groove forms substantially a 45° angle with respect to each of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said plurality of sidewall surfaces, said groove engaging said inner surface and said outer surface of said canteen cup thereby forming a seal between said canteen cup and said canteen cup cover; 
 an aperture; and 
 an access spout in said canteen cup cover. 
   
   
   
       18 . The canteen kit of  claim 17  wherein said canteen cup cover is manufactured from one of a food-grade plastic and a food-grade silicone. 
   
   
       19 . The canteen kit of  claim 17  wherein said access spout comprises a repositionable and resealable hinged flap positioned over said aperture.