NL2024973B1

NL2024973B1 - Storage enhancement tool and method of preservation of a composition in a storage container

Info

Publication number: NL2024973B1
Application number: NL2024973A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Roy Cats-Djasai Anand
Original assignee: Anand Roy Cats Djasai
Priority date: 2020-02-21
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2021-10-05
Also published as: NL2026056B1; NL2026056A; WO2021167461A1

Abstract

The application describes a storage enhancement tool (100) for slowing down degradation of a composition (204) in a storage container (202). The storage enhancement tool comprises a shielding part (102) and a positioning part (104). The shielding part has dimensions such that it shields the composition (204) in the storage container from air above the composition in the storage container. The shielding part comprises a coupling structure (206) located in a centre of the shielding part. The coupling structure is conﬁgured to couple the positioning part to the shielding part enabling a user to position in the storage container the shielding part on top of the composition and to remove it from the storage container. The tool further comprises a removal aid part (110) comprising a body (402) with a central opening (406) and a support structure (404) configured to positon the body on top of the storage container.

Description

STORAGE ENHANCEMENT TOOL AND METHOD OF PRESERVATION OF A COMPOSITION IN A STORAGE CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD The subject disclosure relates to a storage enhancement tool for storing a composition in a storage container. More particular the subject disclosure relates to a storage enhancement tool for slowing down degradation of a composition, such as any type of liquid paint, in a closed storage container. The subject disclosure further relates to a method of preservation of a composition in a storage container.

BACKGROUND ART Paint is usually sold in an airtight container, such as sealed tin can or bucket. If the container is more than half full of paint after use, it is advised to put a piece of cling film over the opening of the container and then press the lid on the container. If the paint can is half empty, it contains a lot of air. This allows the paint to thicken or even get a sheet. Paint with a sheet on it is often old. After removing the sheet, the paint will still be usable. However, the quality of the paint will not be as good as before. When the container is less than half filled with paint, it is advised to put the remainder of paint in a smaller container and to close the smaller container in the way described above. In this way the amount of air above the paint in the container can be reduced.

Another solution that is sometimes chosen to store paint in a more than half-empty container is to fill the container with pebbles. The pebbles sink through the paint to the bottom of the container and the level of the paint will rise in the container. In this way the amount of air above the paint after closing the container can be greatly reduced and the degree of sheet formation can be greatly reduced.

A disadvantage of these methods to store paint in a container is that a quantity of paint is no longer usable because it remains in the larger container after pouring the paint into a smaller container and that a quantity of paint between the pebbles is no longer reachable for a paint brush.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the present technology to provide a storage enhancement tool for slowing down degradation of a composition in a storage container that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the tools described above. According to an aspect of the subject technology, this object is achieved by a storage enhancement tool having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further ways of carrying out the present technology may be attained by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims. A storage enhancement tool for a composition in a storage container according the subject-technology comprises a shielding part and a positioning part. The shielding part has dimensions such that it shields the composition in the storage container from the air above the composition in the storage container.

The shielding part comprises a coupling structure located in a centre of the shielding part. The coupling structure is configured to couple the positioning part to the shielding part enabling a user to position in the storage container the shielding part on top of the composition. The coupling structure further enables to remove the shielding part out of the storage container.

The concept of the present technology is to reduce the volume of air that is in direct contact with the composition in the container. A characteristic of a subject technology composition is that it is a viscose composition that gets an almost smooth surface over time. Furthermore, the composition exchanges molecules with air with which it comes into contact, causing the quality of the composition to deteriorate. By positioning the shielding part on top of the composition, the surface of the composition and/or volume of air in direct contact with the composition is reduced significantly. Both will delay the degradation process of the composition stored in the storage container. Examples of a composition according to the subject technology are not limited to: water-based paint, oil-based paint, tin printing inks, tile adhesive, latex, wallpaper adhesive, liquid rubber.

In an embodiment, the shielding part is made of a material impermeable for molecules degrading quality of the composition. For example, the composition may contain solvents that are taken up until the air above the composition is saturated. As a result, the composition will dry out and possibly a sheet will form. Another example is that the oxygen in the air reacts with components of the composition whereby the properties of the composition change. When the shielding part is impermeable to molecules that degrade the quality, the degradation processes will slow down and the composition can be stored longer without losing its usefulness.

In an embodiment, the shielding part is made of a flexible material. This has the advantage that the shielding part can adapt in shape to the upper surface of the composition and the cross-section of the container. In this way, the volume of air between composition and shielding part can be minimized and the shielding part can form a seal between the composition and air in the container. Another advantage is that the shielding part can be easily cleaned when the composition attached to the shielding part has hardened after removing the shielding part from a container.

In an embodiment, the shielding part has a volumetric mass density smaller than the volumetric mass density of the composition. As a result, the shielding part keeps floating on the composition.

In an embodiment, the shielding part is made of silicone. Silicone has the advantage that materials adhere poorly to a silicone surface. As a result, the shielding part can easily be cleaned.

In an embodiment, the shielding part has a thickness that decreases towards its perimeter. As a result, the shielding part can be pressed slightly on the composition to remove air between the shielding part and composition in the middle and the circumference of the shielding part can follow the inner wall of the container to form a seal between the composition and air in the container by resting against the inner wall of the container.

In an embodiment, the shielding part has a perimeter with a shape corresponding to the top surface of the composition in the storage container and a bottom side with a surface of at least the upper surface of the composition. This feature improves the sealing characteristics of the shielding part.

In an embodiment, the shielding part comprises a central opening; the positioning part comprises a handle section and a support section at an end of the handle section. The handle section is configured to pass through the central opening of the shielding part and the support section is configured to carry the shielding part when a user pulls up the handle section. This feature enables to push the positioning part down in the composition when the shielding part is positioned on the composition. If the positioning part has a length that is shorter than the height of the space in a closed container, than the positioning part can be stored in the closed storage container. Another advantage is that the handle section cannot get lost during storage of the composition.

In a further embodiment, the handle section is an elongated body having a cross section corresponding to the central opening. In an alternative embodiment, the handle section seals the central opening of the shielding part.

These features allow closing the opening in the shielding part with the positioning part thus providing a sealing between the composition and air in the container.

In an embodiment, in vertical position of the handle section, the force of friction between the handle section and shielding part is less than the force of gravity acting on the shielding part. This feature enables that when the handle section is lifted the support section moves to the shielding part.

In an embodiment, the tool further comprises a removal aid part, the removal aid part comprises a body with a central opening and a support structure configured to positon the body on top of the storage container such that a bottom part of the body is positioned in an opening in the top of the storage container.

Such a removal aid part enables a user to remove the shielding part from a storage container without contaminating the edge of the opening of the storage container.

In a further embodiment, the central opening of the removal aid part narrows upwards. This feature makes it more difficult to pull the shielding part through the opening of the removal aid part.

In a further embodiment, the central opening in the body has a smooth surface. This will cause the shielding part to form towards the opening in the removal aid part and the composition attached to the bottom of the shielding part to drip down into the storage container.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method of preservation of a composition in a storage container. The method comprises the actions: - providing a storage enhancement tool described above; - coupling the positioning part of the storage enhancement tool to the shielding part of the storage enhancement tool; and,

- positioning the shielding part on the composition in the storage container such that it shields the composition in the storage container from air above the composition in the storage container. In a further embodiment, the shielding part (102) comprises a central 5 opening (502) and the positioning part (104) comprises an elongated handle section (108) and a support section (106) at en end of the handle section, and the coupling action comprises the actions: - pushing the handle section (108) through the central opening until the shielding part (108) is touching the support section (106); and the method comprises after the positioning action: - pushing the handle section (108) down through the central opening (502) while the disc remains on top of the composition in the storage container until the handle section is fully in the storage container; and - closing the storage container with a cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, properties and advantages will be explained hereinafter based on the following description with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or comparable parts, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage enhancement tool; Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool positioned in an open tin can; Fig. 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool positioned in a closed tin can; Fig. 4 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool wherein the shielding part is removed from the tin can; and, Figs. 5 — 8 schematically show a top view of the shielding part and side view of the positioning part of 4 embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage enhancement tool 100 for slowing down degradation of a composition in a storage container.

In the context of the present application, a composition is a mixture of ingredients and may be any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition that after application converts to a substantially solid substance. Preferably, the composition has a viscosity < 106. Examples of a composition according to the subject technology are not limited to: water-based paint, oil-based paint, tin printing inks, tile adhesive, latex, wallpaper adhesive, liquid rubber. The term “storage container’ means any container that can be sealed substantially airtight with a lid to store a composition for a certain period of time. Examples of a storage container are not limited to: paint jar, paint can, storage can, glass jar and bucket.

The storage enhancement tool 100 comprises a shielding part 102 and a positioning part 104. The shielding part 102 is a disk-like element. The circumference of the shielding part is in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 circular. The dimension and shape of the circumference of the shielding part depend on the dimensions and shape of the storage container wherein the storage enhancement tool is applied. For example, the shape of the shielding part will be circular for cylindrical tin can and square for a rectangular container. The dimensions of the shielding part are such that it shields the composition 204 stored in the storage container 202 from air above the composition in the storage container. This is the case when the entire outer edge 102A of the shielding part abuts the inner wall of the storage container.

The shielding part 102 is preferably made of a material impermeable for molecules degrading quality of the composition in the container. For example, for oil based paint, the material should be impermeable for solvents and/or volatile substances in the paint. Preferably at least the outer edge of the shielding part 102 is made of a flexible material. This enables a user to position the shielding part with a diameter in a circular storage container with a slightly smaller diameter through an opening of said container with a much smaller diameter. A suitable material for the shielding part is silicone. But it is also possible to use other flexible plastics.

Preferably, the shielding part 102 has a volumetric mass density smaller than the volumetric mass density of the composition stored in the container. Thus the volumetric mass density of the composition stored in the storage container defines the maximum volumetric mass density of the material of the shielding part.

The positioning part 104 comprises an elongated rod-like handle section 108 and a disk-like support section 106 at an end 108A of the handle section. The handle section is configured to pass through a central opening 502 of the shielding part. The support section 106 is configured to carry the shielding part when a user pulls up the handle section 108. The positioning part is preferably made of a material that is less flexible than the material of the shielding part 102. A suitable material for the positioning part is silicone. The composition will not adhere to silicone so well and as a result the shielding part and positioning part will not get stuck together so quickly. In an alternative embodiment the positioning part is one piece of hard plastic.

The central opening through the shielding part and the structure formed by the support section 106 and the end part 108A of the handle section 108 form a coupling structure. The coupling structure is configured to couple the positioning part 108 to the shielding part 102 and enables a user to position in the storage container the shielding part on top of the composition and to remove from the storage container the shielding part.

Optionally, the storage enhancement tool comprises a removal aid part 110. The removal aid part comprises a body 402 with a central opening 406. The central opening 406 is preferably large enough the enable a user to push with his fingers the shielding part out of the central opening 406 of the removal aid part. The removal aid part and its usage will be described below with reference to Fig.

4.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool positioned in an open tin can 202. The tin can 202 is filled half with a composition 204, for example paint. The tin can 202 comprises an opening 212 providing access to the space in the tin can. The opening 212 is formed by a circular ring 210 on top of the tin can. The opening 212 has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the space in the tin can. When a cover (not shown in Fig. 2) is pressed on the circular ring 210, the opening 212 of the tin can is sealed airtight. In Fig. 2, the shielding part 102 is positioned on top of the composition 204 in the tin can 202. The bottom side 208 of the shielding part is largely in contact with the composition 204. As the diameter of the tin can is slightly smaller than the diameter of the shielding part 102, the edge 102A of the shielding part 102 is curved upwards slightly. The elasticity of the shielding part 102 ensures that the edge is pushed against the inner side of the tin can. As a result there is an only small volume of air between the top surface of the composition in the container and the bottom side 208 of the shielding part 102. Depending on the aging properties of the composition, the outer edge of the shielding part 102 may be at some distance from the inner wall of the container when positioned on the composition in the container. A gap between the edge of the shielding part 102 and the inner wall of the container of up to 2mm may be acceptable with regard to the rate of degradation of the quality of the composition in the storage container.

The shielding part 102 has a thickness that decreases towards its perimeter. For example, in the centre the shielding part may have a thickness up to 10mm and at the perimeter the shielding part has a thickness of about 1mm. As a result, the shielding part is near its perimeter more flexible than near the centre of the shielding part. Furthermore, in idle position the bottom side 208 of the shielding part 102 is preferably concave. This has the advantage that when the shielding part is placed on the composition, the bottom side 208 is not fully in contact with the composition. For example, the distance between the shielding part and the composition can vary between 0 — 3 mm. The amount of air that is then present between the shielding part and the composition is not sufficient to affect negatively the quality of the composition too much. Another advantage is that the shielding part can be lifted from the composition with less force.

In Fig. 2 can be seen that the handle section 108 fits precisely in the central opening 502 of the shielding part 102. The elasticity of the shielding part 102 enables that there is no gap between the handle section 108 and the shielding part 102. As a result, storage enhancement tool forms a seal between the composition 204 in the storage container below the storage enhancement tool and the air above the storage enhancement tool. Preferably, the handle section 108 fits in the opening 502 of the shielding part such that wherein in vertical position of the handle section 108, the force of friction between the handle section 108 and shielding part 102 is less than the force of gravity acting on the shielding part 102. This is possible due to the elasticity of the shielding part.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool positioned in a closed tin can.

After the shielding part 102 is positioned on top of the composition in the tin can, the distal end 108B of the handle section 108 protrudes through the opening of the storage container.

By pushing the handle section downwards, the position part 104 can be moved downwards till the support section 106 abuts the bottom 304 of the storage container 202. As the handle section has a length smaller than the height of the space in the storage container, the positioning part can be pushed fully in the space of the storage container.

This enables a person to seal airtight the opening 212 of the storage container with a cover 302 while the storage enhancement tool is fully in the closed container.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a sectional view of the storage enhancement tool wherein the shielding part is removed from a tin can 202. To facilitate the removal of the shielding part 102 from the storage container, the storage enhancement tool comprises a removal aid part 110. The removal aid part comprises a body 402 with a central opening 406 and a support structure 404. The support structure 404 is configured to positon the body 402 on top of the storage container 202 such that a bottom part 408 of the body 402 is positioned in the opening 212 in the top of the storage container 202. In the embodiment shown the support structure 404 is a circular rim protruding from the body 402. The relative large opening through the body 404 enables a user to grasp the handle section 108 of the positioning part 104 with its fingers and to remove the shielding part 102 from the space in the storage container 202. When pulling up the shielding part 102 with the positioning part 104, the shielding part 102 will supported by support section 106 of the positioning part 104. Furthermore, the shielding part will be pressed in the opening of the removal aid part 110. As a result, the shielding part 102 will fold to fit in the opening 406 of the removal aid part 110. Now, the composition attached to the shielding part can drip into the storage container without contaminating the groove 306 in the circular ring 210 on top of the storage container 202. After a while, the removal aid part together with shielding part and positioning part can be removed without contaminating other surfaces.

The removal aid part 110 can be made of any suitable material. A removal aid part of hard plastic has the advantage of relative low production costs.

When positioning back the shielding part on top of the composition in the storage container, a user first positions the removal aid part with shielding part and positioning part in its opening 406 in the opening of the storage container. Subsequently a user pushes the shielding part down with his fingers through the opening 406 of the removal aid part 110 into the space of the storage container. By holding the handle section 108 of the positioning part 104 with its fingers a user can position the shielding part on top of the composition such that the shielding part and positioning part seals the composition below the shielding part from the air in the storage container above the shielding part.

In the embodiment, the central opening 406 in the body 404 of the removal air part narrows upwards and the central opening 406 has in the body 404 a smooth surface. The narrowing has the advantage that it will be more difficult to pull the shielding part entirely through the central opening 406.

Fig 5 schematically shows a top view of the shielding part 102 and side view of a positioning part 104. In this embodiment, the elongated rod-like handle section 508 has a circular cross section and the shielding part 102 comprises a corresponding circular opening 502.

Fig 6 schematically shows a top view of the shielding part 102 and side view of a positioning part 104 of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the elongated rod-like handle section 608 has a squared cross section and the shielding part 102 comprises a corresponding squared opening 602. It might be clear to the skilled person that other shapes can be used.

Fig 7 schematically shows a top view of the shielding part 102 and side view of a positioning part 104 of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the handle section 708 forms an eye. A hook can be used to pick up the shielding part 102 and to position the shielding part correctly in a container to seal the composition in the storage container from air in the container above the shielding part. The opening in the shielding part corresponds to a cross section of the handle section 708.

Fig 8 schematically shows a top view of the shielding part 102 and side view of a positioning part 104 of another embodiment. In this embodiment the handle section 808 of the positioning part 104 has the shape of a pawn and the opening 802 through the shielding part 102 has a shape corresponding to the base of the handle section 808 adjacent the support section 106.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the material of the shielding part and positioning part must be resistant to corrosion by the composition in the storage container.

The storage enhancement tool according to the subject technology enables a person to perform the following method of preservation of a composition in a storage container: - providing a storage enhancement tool 100 described above; - coupling the positioning part 104 of the storage enhancement tool to the shielding part 102 of the storage enhancement tool; and, - positioning the shielding part on the composition in the storage container such that it shields the composition in the storage container from air above the composition in the storage container.

In an embodiment the coupling action comprises: - pushing the handle section 108 through the central opening until the shielding part 108 is touching the support section 106; and the method comprises further after the positioning action: - pushing the handle section 108 down through the central opening 502 while the disc remains on top of the composition in the storage container until the handle section is fully in the storage container; and, - closing the storage container with a cover 302.

In an alternative embodiment, the coupling structure to couple positioning part to the shielding part comprises at one of the parts a structure with an external thread and on the other part a hole with an internal thread. The parts can be coupled and disconnected by rotating the positioning part relative to the shielding part.

The shielding part and positioning part according to the subject technology can also be used to for the preservation of food such as pastes and liquid food products. Drying out and/or formation of a sheet on the liquid food product can be prevented.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification and upon study of the drawings.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

Changes can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. -O0-0-0-0-0O—

Claims

CONCLUSIONS:

A storage enhancement tool (100) for an assembly (204) in a storage container (202), characterized in that the storage enhancement tool comprises a shield portion (102) and a positioning portion (104), the shield portion (102) having dimensions such that shielding the assembly (204) in the storage container (202) from air above the assembly in the storage container, the shielding member includes a coupling structure located in a center of the shielding member, the coupling structure (206) being configured to engage the positioning member to the shield member allowing a user to position the shield member on top of the assembly in the storage container and remove about the shield member from the storage container.

The storage enhancement tool of claim 1, wherein the shielding portion (102) is made of a material impermeable to molecules that affect the quality of the composition.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the shield member (102) is made of a flexible material.

The storage enhancement tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shield portion (102) has a bulk density less than the bulk density of the composition.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shield member (102) is made of silicone.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shielding portion (102) has a thickness that decreases towards its periphery.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shield member (102) has a perimeter having a shape corresponding to the top surface of the composition in the storage container and has a bottom (208) having an area of at least the top surface of the composition.

The storage enhancement tool of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shield portion (102) includes a central opening (502), the positioning portion (104) includes a handle portion (108) and a support portion (106) at one end of the handle portion, wherein the handle portion is configured to pass through the central opening of the shield portion and the support portion is configured to support the shield portion when a user pulls up on the handle portion (108).

The storage enhancement tool of claim 8, wherein the handle portion (108) is an elongate body with a cross-section corresponding to the central opening (502).

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the handle portion seals the central opening (502) of the shield portion.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein in the vertical position of the handle portion (108) the frictional force between the handle portion (108) and shield portion (102) is less than the gravity acting on the shield portion (102).

The storage enhancement tool of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the tool further comprises a removal tool (110), the removal tool a body (402) having a central opening (406) and a support structure (404) configured about the body (402) position on top of the storage container (202) such that a bottom portion (408) of the body (402) is inserted into an opening (212) in the top of the storage container (202).

The storage enhancement tool of claim 12, wherein the central opening (406) of the removal aid (110) narrows upwards.

The storage enhancement tool of any one of claims 13, wherein the central opening (406) in the body (402) has a smooth surface.

A storage enhancement tool according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the composition is one of a group comprising: water-based paint, oil-based paint, printing inks, tile adhesive, latex, wallpaper adhesive, liquid rubber.

A method of storing a composition in a storage container, the method comprising: - providing a storage enhancement tool (100) according to any one of claims 1-15; - coupling the positioning portion (104) of the storage enhancement tool to the shielding portion (102) of the storage enhancement tool; and, - positioning the shielding member on the composition in the storage container such that it protects the composition in the storage container from air above the composition in the storage container.

The method of storing a composition in a storage container according to claim 16, wherein the shield portion (102) includes a central opening (502) and the positioning portion (104) includes an elongate handle portion (108) and a support portion (106) at one end. of the handle portion, the coupling action comprising: - pushing the handle portion (108) through the central opening until the shield portion (102) abuts the support portion (106);

and the method after the positioning action comprises: - pushing the handle portion (108) down through the central opening (502) while the shield portion (102) remains on top of the assembly in the storage container until the handle portion is completely inside the storage container; and, - closing the storage container with a lid. -O-0-0-0-0-