JPH0230941B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to improved plastic containers.

More particularly, and without reference to the applications shown and described, the present invention relates to an improved plastic container that provides superior retention of the lid due to a novel locking engagement between the lid and the container. The container of the invention is provided with means for preventing the accumulation of liquid in its upper rim and is effectively resistant to leakage and splashing.

Currently, the use of plastic containers, cans, buckets, and other containers is rapidly gaining widespread approval. Plastic buckets have been found to be attractive containers for paint and other materials, and show distinct advantages over the traditional metal cans commonly used in the past. Such benefits include corrosion and dent resistance, light weight and reusability, among others. For example, to serve satisfactorily as a paint can, a plastic container must exhibit adequate strength when dropped or subjected to other impacts. The plastic container must also be of a design that minimizes leakage of the liquid contents and is capable of retaining the lid in a manner that maintains a locked configuration under extreme handling or shock conditions.

In the paint industry, strength and leak resistance are particularly important factors because paint cans are often subjected to rough handling in factories, during transportation and storage, and in retail stores. Paint containers are filled with machinery, various harmful transportation conditions,
Must be able to withstand shaking machines and other such conditions. When in use, the paint can must also be opened and closed without effort. When reclosed by the user, the lid must effectively retain against falling off and leaking, and these features are not optimally found in some prior art containers.

When painted, known constructions of metal and plastic cans cause liquid contents to accumulate in the grooves formed in the top rim due to splashing. Paint collects in this groove during brush insertion and removal, pouring, and more. The presence of paint in the rim of a can is not only unsightly, but also interferes with proper reclosure. Painters and some container designers have previously provided holes in this channel to allow paint to flow back into the can, but these measures have not been effective. Surface tension prevents proper drainage through the holes, leaving a large amount of paint in the grooves.

Previous plastic designs, while generally allowing convenient use and opening and closing, do not achieve the desired purpose of effectively retaining the lid to the rim for separation and leak protection. It would be advantageous to incorporate such features into a can that is inexpensive to manufacture, convenient to use, and can be stored with high efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved plastic container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plastic container in which the lid is effectively retained by a channel design.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic container having a lid that can be held in a wide variety of conditions without leaking or splashing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lid and container construction in which the lid is automatically engaged by the can to facilitate closure during factory closure or subsequent resealing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means for draining liquid that has accumulated in the upper rim of the container.

Another object of the invention is to allow the drainage of liquid that has accumulated in the container groove by the use of an inclined surface to direct the liquid to exit through holes suitably located at a lower height. .

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which provides an improved container for containing materials that is a molded rim structure with a continuous annular reservoir around the top of the can. The reservoir is defined by a pair of spaced annular lips forming side walls and a bottom wall. The lip is designed to uniquely engage the lower annular projection of the lid, providing adequate closing pressure and effective retention of the lid after installation. The lower annular projection of the lid engages on one or both sides with the rim structure of the container in its continuous trough in an action similar to a groove joint. The improved design of the lower protrusion of the lid allows flexing of one or both lips relative to the can by a camming action, allowing one or two tongues or protruding flanges of the lid to flex in relation to the can lip. Engage with the groove.

A row of holes extends through the bottom of the vessel to provide drainage of liquid into the vessel. The efficiency of drainage is increased according to the invention by the bottom wall forming a series of inclined surfaces such that the holes are located at the interface between the slopes at the lowest elevation of the vessel. The improved lid interconnection with the bucket lip structure disclosed herein ensures sealing in multiple areas so that leakage and splashing of paint or other liquid materials from the container is largely avoided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects of the invention and additional features contributing thereto and benefits arising therefrom will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic container of the present invention with its lid in a closed, engaged position.

2 is a side view of the plastic container of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a top view with the lid partially cut away to expose the upper rim structure of the plastic container.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a plastic container of the present invention, showing the lid and channel interconnection, and the lid in stacked relationship thereon in dotted lines.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 showing the stacking relationship of a plurality of containers.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the plastic container of the present invention that achieves bilateral retention of the lid.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 4 in which the bottom wall of the tank includes a plurality of drainage openings.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sloped bottom wall of the tank with drainage openings shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a plastic container or bucket of the present invention molded from plastic material by any suitable technique and designated generally by the reference numeral 2. There is.
Although the containers of the present invention may be manufactured by any of a number of molding operations, the molding technique described in my Japanese Patent Application No. 58-23716 is suitable.

Although the container 2 is shown in Figures 1-3 as having a generally cylindrical shape, it can be manufactured in other shapes if desired. As is customary in cylindrical containers, container 2 is
It is formed as a continuous body or wall 4 with an integral permanent bottom 6 and an upper removable lid 8. Fifth
As shown, the bottom 6 of the container 2 joins the annular wall 4 via a lower annular section 10.

The lower annular section 10 provides an increased thickness and a flange projecting both outwardly and downwardly between the bottom wall 6 and the annular wall 4 of the container, increasing the strength of the structure, heightening the bottom wall 6 and It provides a bottom surface 10' for achieving efficient stacking as described below. The pivot handle 11 is attached to a socket or ear 12 molded into the side wall of the container (first
~Figure 3).

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8, an integral rim or lip structure 20 is shown extending continuously around the upper edge of the container 2 adjacent the container opening 20a. The rim structure includes an annular wall forming a continuous inner lip 24 and outer lip 22. lips 22
and 24 are interconnected at their bottom portions by a bottom wall structure 26 to form a continuous annular reservoir 28 around the top of the container as is well known in paint cans. An integral outer lip 22 projects laterally outwardly from the side wall 4 of the container 2 and has an increased thickness to enhance strength properties for lid retention and to provide improved stacking of containers when desired. The top surface 30 of the outer lip 22 provides an area that projects radially outwardly beyond the lid 8 and forms the bottom of the lower annular section 10 of the other container 2 stacked thereon as shown in FIG. suitable for contact. Surface 30 facilitates stacking of multiple containers 2 with or without lids for desirable efficient storage and transportation. The large lateral thickness of the outer lip 22 structure provides increased strength for stacking multiple containers on top of each other.

As previously mentioned, the inner wall of the cistern 28 has an outer lip 22.
formed by an inner lip 24 spaced apart from the inner lip 24; As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom wall structure 26 extends inside the opening 20a at the top of the container 2 so that the inner lip 24 is located radially inward from the side wall 4 and the outer lip 22. As shown in FIGS. The upper edges of the lips 22 and 24 form the upper opening of the reservoir 28 into which the annular projection of the lid can be inserted for automatic retention within the reservoir as described below. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower groove 32 has an inner lip 24 facing the cisternae.
and has a downwardly facing groove surface 34 in the form of a cohesive shoulder. Groove 32 slopes downwardly from shoulder 34 and terminates near bottom wall structure 26. The upper portion of the inner lip 24 includes a rounded top portion 40 and an inner surface 42. The inner surface 42 engages the lid 8 in such a way that the upper part of the lip 24 is bent inwardly by a cam action until such time that the lid and the reservoir are self-locked in a self-evident manner upon installation of the lid. It's becoming like that.

The bottom structure 26 of the tank 28 can be formed in the shape shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for automatic drainage of the liquid in the tank 28. 7 and 8, a plurality of holes or ports 50 are provided through the bottom wall 26 to provide fluid communication between the reservoir 28 and the interior of the container 2. In FIGS. The bottom wall structure 26 is configured to contain the removal of excess liquid from the reservoir 28 passing through the hole 50.
has an upper profile with a row of oppositely sloping surfaces 52 arranged successively around the container, with a number of apexes 54 and a lowest point 56 at which each hole 50 is generally located. form. In use of the present invention, the holes 50 can be located at the interface between the sloped surfaces at some or all of the lowest elevation 56 of the vessel 28 at this lowest point.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9, the shape of the lid 8 is best illustrated. The lid 8 has a generally circular disc-like shape with an annular groove 64 located near its periphery to strengthen the lid structure and provide a good seal in the retention position between the container rim structure and the lid. It has 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral edge portion 66 of the lid 60
includes a continuous annular member 68 which forms a continuous downward projection below the lid in the closed position of the lid. The protrusion 68 is adapted to be inserted into the reservoir 28 in such a way that the lid is automatically retained on the container 2 with ease of installation and resealing. The outer peripheral edge 70 of the lid 8 projects outwardly and has a lower flange which rests on a portion of the top surface of the outer lip 22 of the container 2 in the retention position as shown in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the outer surface 78 of the lid ring 68 has a shape that generally corresponds to the shape of the inner surface of the outer lip 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
The bottom edge of the projection member 68 can include a slightly sloped wedge-shaped end portion 74. The bottom edge 74 is adapted to contact an apex 54 provided on the bottom wall structure 26 of the container rim. The bottom edge 74 can also achieve a sealing relationship with the apex 54 to prevent splashing from the contents of the container 2.

The inner surface of the annular projection member 68 is formed with a lower barb-like tongue or protrusion 76 that extends radially inwardly from the intermediate portion and slopes outwardly towards the bottom edge 74 to form a cam-like surface 80. The tongue 76 forms an upper flange surface 76' for engaging a shoulder 34 in a groove in the inner lip 24 of the container 2. When the annular member 68 is in the position shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the flange 76' engages the shoulder 34 with a locking action to retain the lid on the container after insertion of the annular projection 68 into the vessel 28. do. For superior locking, the flange 76' should be nearly flat;
It is preferable that it be inclined with respect to the horizontal with an inclination angle of 0° to 48°, and an inclination angle of 10° is optimal. The cam shape of the surface 80 of the annular projection 68 forms a leading edge that upon insertion should contact the upper surface 42 of the inner lip 24 and bend it inwardly by camming so that the tongue 76 is forced into the groove 32. can be located. The tongue 76 and lip 24 snap together to create a self-locking action between the lid and the container.

The bottom portion of the outer surface 78 of the annular member also provides some camming in the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 to aid in ease of insertion of the projection member. When engaged, annular projection 68 is placed in sealed relationship within reservoir 28 and inner lip 24 is then positioned between annular member 68 and the sidewall forming groove 64. This unique relationship between the lid and the container due to its double-walled lip construction not only provides excellent retention, but the protruding member presses into engagement with the inner and outer lips at multiple points, allowing the lid to close the container after closing. It also improves the seal as it prevents leakage and splashing.

From the above it will be apparent that the lid protrusion 68 snaps into position within the reservoir 28 by the camming action of the leading edge surface of the annular member 68 when inserting it with a suitable lid closing pressure. . The embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 rely on a channel structure for retention on one side, namely the inner surface of the annular member of the lid and the inner lip 24. The groove 64 in the lid 8 can be reinforced by optional ribs arranged around the lid. The presence of the ribs increases the strength of the lid and increases the required capping pressure to hold the lid. The lids 8 can be stacked as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4 to facilitate the use of lid closing machines in factories or the like.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which a second channel structure is provided on the outer surface of the lid projection member 68. A continuous groove 81 having a stop shoulder 82 is formed in the inner wall of outer lip 22 and adapted to engage a tongue or shoulder 90 formed on the outer surface of annular member 68. The height of the stop shoulder 90 relative to the stop shoulder 34 may be varied to enhance the retention effect. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the lower portion of the shoulder 90 of the annular member 68 is cammed inwardly by the lower surface 80, similar to the inner lip 24 being cammed inwardly by the lower surface 80.
The outer lip is bent outward, thus providing a dual-acting channel retention. This is desirable in some applications when a high retention force of the lid 8 is desired depending on the conditions encountered.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view, Fig. 3 is a plan view, Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the upper part, Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the stacked containers, and Fig. 6
7 is a sectional view of a container with a drain opening, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a groove with an inclined surface, and FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of a lid. It is. 2 is a container, 4 is a side wall, 6 is a bottom wall, 8 is a lid, 22
24 is an outer lip, 28 is a tank, 34 is a shoulder, 52 is an inclined surface, and 50 is a drainage hole.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A container body having a circular cross-section having a bottom wall and an open top, the top of the container body having a generally U-shaped annular rim forming an upwardly directed basin;
The shaped annular rim has an outer upright annular flange, an inner upright annular flange spaced radially from the outer flange, and a bottom wall, the outer and inner annular flanges and the bottom wall being connected to the upwardly facing trough. and at least one of the outer and inner annular flanges has an annular groove formed on the wall facing the tank, the upper end of the annular groove being inclined at an angle of 0° to 48° with respect to the horizontal plane. a lid having a first radially outer hanging wall formed with a substantially flat annular surface and dimensioned to fit and lock within the reservoir between outer and inner annular flanges of the container body; wherein the first hanging wall engages the flat annular surface formed at the top end of the annular groove of the container body to removably lock the lid to the top of the container body. the lid has a substantially flat annular shoulder inclined relative to a horizontal plane at an angle substantially matching the angle of the flat annular surface of the annular groove of the container body; a second annular wall disposed on the lid so as to contact and seal against the radially inner surface of the inner annular flange of the container body when press-fitted, and spaced radially inwardly from the second annular wall; and a third annular wall integrally connecting the second annular wall to the top surface of the lid, the bottom of the upwardly facing basin at the top of the container body having a plurality of alternating peaks and low portions. removable interconnection with a plastic container, the plastic container comprising an oppositely sloping surface having a plurality of drainage holes formed adjacent to a lower portion of the sloping surface communicating with the interior of the container body. Combination with stop lid. 2. Said substantially flat annular surface is approximately
A combination of a plastic container according to paragraph 1 which is inclined at an angle of 10° and a removable interlocking lid. 3. Both the outer and inner annular flanges of the container body are provided with the annular groove formed on the wall facing the tank, the upper end of each of the annular grooves being inclined at an angle of 0° to 48° with respect to the horizontal plane. a substantially flat annular surface is formed on the radially inner and outer surfaces of the lid, and the first hanging wall of the lid engages corresponding flat annular surfaces on the radially inner and outer surfaces thereof and a plastic container according to clause 1 having a substantially flat annular shoulder sloped at an angle matching the angle of the flat annular surface of the annular groove of the container body to removably lock onto the top of the container; Combination with interlocking lid. 4. The plastic of clause 3, wherein the flat annular shoulder on the radially outer surface of the first hanging wall of the lid is at a lower level than the flat annular shoulder on the radially inner surface of the first hanging wall. Combination of container and removable interlocking lid.