US3730382A

US3730382A - Plastic pail with integral handle and plug-type plastic cover

Info

Publication number: US3730382A
Application number: US00122303A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Heisler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-03-09
Filing date: 1971-03-09
Publication date: 1973-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-01

Abstract

A molded one-piece plastic pail of tapered configuration has a handle molded integrally with a top outwardly extending rim. This handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the container and at a determined distance down from the top of the outer rim. A plurality of intermediate gate portions is provided between the handle and the rim during molding and is left connected to the handle and rim so as to maintain the handle in a determined spaced condition and position during the time the container is being shipped, filled and stored. The cover is formed to provide a plug fit with the open end of the container. The inner upper edge of the container''s open end has a retaining ledge formed so as to engage a molded notch formed at the upper end of the plug seal portion of the cover. This provides an upper seal of the plug seal of the cover. At the lower end of the plug seal portion the cover has an interference fit with a tapered portion of the container to form a lower fluid tight seal. From the plug seal the cover is formed with an outwardly extending portion that terminates at a downturned annular flange which is sized so as to snugly engage an outer annular flanged edge provided by the container rim. In its mounted condition the downturned annular flange portion of the cover is slid over the outer edge of the container to provide a tension member by which the retaining ledge of the container is maintained in engagement with the notch in the cover. This sealing condition is maintained until the annular flange of the cover is displaced from the container rim and then from the plug seal of the container. The container sidewalls are formed with a taper disposed to slide one within the other and to provide a determined clearance in a nonlocking condition as the outer rim of one container is caused to rest upon the outer rim of a succeeding lower container. In a stacked and stored condition the sidewalls of the container are disposed in a determined spaced relationship permitting ready separation or unstacking of the containers. A pry slot is provided between cover and outer rim of the container. A selfsealing plug is provided in those covers for containers which are to have tinting colors added at the point of sale. In an alternate embodiment the upper rim of the container is provided with an outwardly extending upper bead. The cover is complementarily formed to provide a mating receiving groove to engage and retain this bead in its outer, downwardly turned flange portion. The upper outwardly extending ring portion of the cover in its mounted condition is stretched outwardly to bring the mating receiving groove of the cover over and onto the outer bead of the container rim.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Heisler [45] May 1, 1973 [54] PLASTIC PAIL WITH INTEGRAL HANDLE AND PLUG-TYPE PLASTIC COVER [76] Inventor: Raymond A. Heisler, 657 Dakota TraiL Franklin Lakes, NJ. 07417 [22] Filed: Mar. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 122,303

[52] US. Cl. ..220/60 R, 150/.5, 206/DIG. 22,

220/94 A, 220/97 F, 229/43 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 43/10 [58] Field of Search ..220/60 R, 97 F, 97 C,

220/97 D, 94 A; 150/.5; 206/D1G. 22;

229/43; 215/100 A, 37 R, DIG. 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,609,263 9/ 1971 Clementi ..220/60 R 3,048,299 8/1962 Hutchinson ..220/60 R 3,310,088 3/1967 Hildebrandt et al.... ..220/94 A 3,004,684 10/1961 Lightbum ..l50/.5 3,092,278 6/1963 Jarnhall 215/37 R 3,307,739 3/1967 Lloyd et al. ..220/97 F 3,515,306 6/1970 Roper et a1. ..220/60 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 736,912 9/1955 Great Britain ..220/94 A 1,218,315 5/1960 France ..220/97 C 56,473 6/1963 Germany. 220/60 R 1,419,795 10/1965 France..... ...2l5/37 R 2/1961 France ..220/60 R Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant ExaminerStephen Marcus AttorneyRalph R. Roberts 57 ABSTRACT A molded one-piece plastic pail of tapered configuration has a handle molded integrally with a top outwardly extending rim. This handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the container and at a determined distance down from the top of the outer rim. A plurality of intermediate gate portions is provided between the handle and the rim during molding and is left connected to the handle and rim so as to maintain the handle in a determined spaced condition and position during the time the container is being shipped, filled and stored. The cover is formed to provide a plug fit with the open end of the container. The inner upper edge of the containers open end has a retaining ledge formed so as to engage a molded notch formed at the upper end of the plug seal portion of the cover. This provides an upper seal of the plug seal of the cover. At the lower end of the plug seal portion the cover has an interference lit with a tapered portion of the container to form a lower fluid tight seal. From the plug seal the cover is formed with an outwardly extending portion that terminates at a downtumed annular flange which is sized so as to snugly engage an outer annular flanged edge provided by the container rim. In its mounted condition the downtumed annular flange portion of the cover is slid over the outer ed e of the container to provide a tenslon member by w ich the retaining ledge of the container is maintained in engagement with the notch in the cover. This sealing condition is maintained until the annular flange of the cover is displaced from the container rim and then from the plug seal of the container. The container sidewalls are formed with a taper disposed to slide one within the other and to provide a determined clearance in a nonlocking condition as the outer rim of one container is caused to rest upon the outer rim of a succeeding lower container. In a stacked and stored condition the sidewalls of the container are disposed in a determined spaced relationship permitting ready separation or unstacking of the containers. A pry slot is provided between cover and outer rim of the container. A self-sealing plug is provided in those covers for containers which are to have tinting colors added at the point of sale. In an alternate embodiment the upper rim of the container is provided with an outwardly extending upper bead. The cover is complementarily formed to provide a mating receiving groove to engage and retain this bead in its outer, downwardly turned flange portion. The upper outwardly extending ring portion of the cover in its mounted condition is stretched outwardly to bring the mating receiving groove of the cover over and onto the outer bead of the container rim.

12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEDW 1 191a sum 1 OF 4 INVENTOR. RAYMOND A. HE ISL E PAIEMEW H975 3,730,382

sum 2 0r 4 g INVENTOR.

RAYMOND 4. HE ISLE/7 AGENT PATENIED W 1 5 sum 3 or 4 IN VENTUR RAYMOND 14. HE ISL E f? PATENTEB RAY I 1973 sum u 0r 4 mm M Ma 4 F m N A 4% D N A/A O W M m A Y B m PLASTIC PAIL WITH INTEGRAL HANDLE AND PLUG-TYPE PLASTIC COVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference to the class of art as established in the United States Patent Office the present invention pertains, at least in part, to the Class entitled, Metallic Receptacles, and in particular to the subclass of handles, and also with cover position conditioned release. In addition, the sub-classes identified as closures, fastening devices snapping, and to slip type, are also quite pertinent to the present invention. Another general class entitled, Bottles and Jars and the subclasses therein of closures, and more particularly elastic has many containers of a somewhat similar construction. Another general class entitled, Cloth, Leather and Rubber Receptacles, and the subclass therein entitled miscellaneous may have art of a similar nature.

2. Description of the Prior Art Plastic containers including tapered pails for paint and the like are, of course, well known but insofar as is known, it is novel to provide a plastic container with an integrally molded handle for use with a mating plugtype cover which may be readily mounted and removed from the container by manipulation of a retaining lip mating with an annular rim of the container. Plastic containers, particularly those used to package and store prepared food items have flexible covers but usually use an adhesive seal to maintain a hermetic or vacuum sealing. Several patents, including those to Tupper, pertain to containers for use with plastic snap lids. Other containers, particularly those made by blow molding often are provided with integrally molded handles. Many attempts have been made to provide a plastic container for use in the packaging of paint, particularly in one gallon lots. In such a container, because of the weight of the paint, it is highly desirable, if not mandatory, that a bail or handle be provided so that the container may be easily carried. In certain pails or containers previously offered to the industry the containers have had button-type protuberances formed or provided on their sidewalls and to these protuberances there has been attached strap-like bails of plastic strip. In other blow-molded containers handles have been molded as an integral part of the container, but usually these handles have been molded on the vertical parting line of the container. In the high speed filling of containers it is necessary that the handle or bail be disposed and maintained in a condition other than in way of the open top of the container.

The closing and sealing of the open end of the container by a cover requires that the cover so provided must not only provide a positive seal and retention during its shipment and storage, but also that the cover must be easily removable by the customer while providing for the easy replacement and resealing of the con-' tainer by the cover.

The present invention does provide a container in which the handle is molded integral with the container and in its molded condition the handle is disposed below, yet adjacent, the open top of the container. The container is provided with a cover which provides a plug-type seal of the open top while also having the provision of an engaged retaining shoulder and groove adapted to prevent the dislodgment of the cover by the sudden application of pressure against the cover. A lip member of the cover extends from the plug seal and retaining groove to an outer annular flange portion which engages a rim of the container to provide a positive tension retention of the cover groove in the shoulder of the upper rim of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention may be described, at least in part, by reference to its objects.

It is an object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a container which as a one piece molded unit provides a handle molded integral therewith, the handle having a releasable retaining means for maintaining the handle adjacent to and below the open top of the container.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a container having its open top formed with a small integrally formed inwardly extending lip and with the lip disposed adjacent the upper edge so as to be engaged by a cover having a recess for an interference fit with this lip. The cover has an outwardly extending flange portion terminating with a downturned annular rim disposed to snugly engage the outer portion of the rim of the container and provide a tension in the cover disposed to retain the cover in its snugly engaged interference fit condition with the inwardly extending lip of the container. The lid also is contoured to provide a plug tit and additional fluid seal at a lower portion of the open top of the container.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a tapered container disposed to be nested within each other with the outer rim portions engaging each other to prevent locking together of the nested containers, said container having a pry slot disposed between the bottom edge of a downturned annular rim which snugly engages the outer portion of the rim of the container and a shoulder formed on said outer portion of the annular rim.

The plastic pail of this invention is contemplated as being of approximately one gallon or larger in capacity. In the molding of these pails a high density plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene in a thickness of about forty-thousandths of an inch is contemplated as being used. The molded pails or containers are made with a tapered configuration with the upper larger end of the container having a channel-shaped rim which extends outwardly then downwardly from the upper end of the container sidewall. The rim is stiffened by a plurality of small ribs extending from the outer rim portion to the sidewall. The upper rim of the container is sized so that as the containers are seated one on top of the other the sidewalls of the nested containers remain in a spaced condition permitting ready disassembly of the containers one from the other as they are unstacked for filling.

As constructed, the bottom of the container is formed with a seating end disposed to nest within a recess formed in the top of the lid so that stacked filled pails, when nested, will maintain a substantially vertical alignment without sliding from their position in the lid.

The container is formed with an integrally molded handle or bail which is attached at diametrically opposed positions to the outer surface of the rim. This handle is molded in a plane parallel to the top of the container, but at a position sufficiently below said top so that a widened handle portion providing an easy grip for the pail is disposed below the top surface of the container. The handle, thus positioned, permits the container to be moved to and through automatic machinery for filling and packaging without the handle being displaced or being engaged by handling equipment. Retention of the handle in its as molded" condition is provided by at least two gates extending from the outer surface of the rim portion of the container to the han dle to provide an attachment by which the handle is maintained in a spaced condition with said rim until the handle of the pail is to be grasped for carrying by the purchaser of the filled container.

The open top of the container is provided with an inwardly directed retaining ledge which engages a molded notch or groove formed in the cover. The cover has an outwardly extending rim which terminates at a downturned annular flange which snugly slides over and engages an annular rim provided on the molded container. A pry shoulder may be provided on the rim so that the mounted cover may be urged from the container.

In an alternate embodiment the inward ledge of the container rim or top is sized so as to be a slide fit with a lower retaining ledge providing the lower shoulder of an inner retaining groove formed in the cover. The outward upper edge of the container top is formed with an outwardly extending bead adapted to engage and retain a groove provided in the inner face 'of the downwardly turned outer flange of the cover. With the cover in an unmounted or relaxes state this groove in the outer flange is a small amount less in diameter than is the outer mating diameter bead provided on the rim of the container. As the cover is brought to a mounted condition in and onto the rim of the container a ring portion of the cover is required to be stretched outwardly to slide over and engage this outer bead. As this is occurring the inner retaining groove in the cover is moved into a tight engagement with the inner retaining ledge of the top rim of the container.

It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a container having an upper rim with both an inner and an outer bead and a complementarily formed cover having inner and outer grooves and with a ring portion extending between the groove portions. This ring portion is stretched a small amount when the grooves of the cover are mounted on the inner and outer bead portions of the container.

In addition to the above summary, the following disclosure is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in the understanding of the invention. This disclosure, however, is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by -variations in form or additions of further improvements. For this reason there has been chosen a specific embodiment of the molded pail or container and for use with the container there is shown a plug-type cover as adopted for use with the pail and integrally molded handle. This specific embodiment has been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I represents a side view of the container of this invention and with a portion of the sidewall broken away to show in section the molded construction of the container;

FIG. 2 represents in an enlarged scale a fragmentary and sectional view showing a rim portion of three containers in a stacked or nested array and with a cover mounted in the upper of the three containers, and additionally shown in this view is a fragmentary portion of a bottom of a container as it rests upon and in a formed nest portion of the cover;

FIG. 3 represents a top view of the container of FIG. 1, this view being taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged and fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the upper rim of the container of FIG. 3 and showing in particular the relationship of the handle or bail to the molded upper rim of the container, the view being taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3, in addition there is shown a fragmentary portion of a cover in a mounted condition upon and in the upper open end of the container;

FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the upper rim of the container of FIG. 3, this view being similar to the view of FIG. 4 but with the view taken a short distance therefrom, the view being taken through the enlarged handle portion of the bail and showing in particular the molded gate portion providing the retaining connection between the handle and the rim portion of the container;

FIG. 6 represents a fragmentary sectional view in enlarged scale of the upper rim and cover and showing an alternate lip and cover construction;

FIG. 7 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view the retaining ledge of the container as it is crowded into a sealing interference fit in the retaining notch or groove of the cover;

FIG. 8 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary plan view the reinforcing connection of the handle to the rim of the container;

FIG. 9 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view an alternate construction of the bottom edge of the container;

FIG. 10 represents in a fragmentary sectional view an alternate construction portion of the midportion of the cover;

FIG. 11 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the cover of FIG. 10 as it nests the bottom corner of the container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the container showing an alternate gate construction and a pry shoulder as molded into a container rim;

FIG. 13A represents a fragmentary sectional side view of a cover having a self-sealing plug disposed on the outer part of the cover and permitting the penetra tion and withdrawal of a needle through t he cover and seal;

FIG. 138 represents a fragmentary sectional side view ofa cover having a self-sealing plug as in FIG. 13A but with the plug disposed on the underside of the cover;

FIG. 14A represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view of yet another alternate cover configuration wherein the outer downturned flange is formed with an inner annular recess and adjacent bead, said bead being disposed above a larger tapered opening;

FIG. 148 represents the sectional side view of the cover of FIG. MA as it rests on the top rim of a container prior to its mounting thereon, and

FIG. 14C represents a sectional side view of the cover of FIG. 14A after a ring portion of the cover has been stretched by camming into a mounted and retained condition with the outer annular recess of the cover being retained on an outer bead formed on the upper outer rim of the container.

In the following description and in the claims various details will be identified by specific names for convenience; these names, however, are intended to be generic in their application. Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of, this specification disclose certain details of construction for the purpose of explanation of the broader aspects of the invention, but it should be understood that structural details may be modified in various respects without departure from the concept and principles of the invention and that the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms than shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTAINER AND COVER OF FIGS. 1 THROUGH 5 Referring now in particular to the drawings of the container and cover as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 there is disclosed a container 15 which is a one-piece molded plastic unit whose wall thickness is contemplated to be about forty-thousandths of an inch in thickness. This thickness, as reduced to practice, has been selected to insure a smooth flowing and knitting characteristic of the molten plastic which may be a high density polypropylene or polyethylene as it is flowed into the mold to form the container. The container has a circular sidewall 16 which is of tapered configuration terminating at and joining a bottom with a smooth and substantially arcuate transition portion identified as 17. An intermediate portion forms the bottom and is raised slightly above corner 17. This raised portion is identified as l8and is generally parallel to the top of the container. A short upper inner surface of the rim of the container is formed with a slightly greater taper 19, which taper extends upwardly and outwardly from the sidewall 16.

This upper tapered portion 19 terminates at an inwardly extending lip 20 which may be a more or less rounded bead or as an alternate may be a contoured lip which in cross section may resemble an acme thread. This lip is formed adjacent the top surface of the container. From this lip the rim of the container extends outwardly as a flat ring-like member 22 which then turns downwardly at substantially right angles to the plane of member 22 to form an annular flange 24 which terminates at a bottom edge 26. This bottom edge is a determined distance from surface 22 so as to provide a.

support shoulder for the container to rest upon the upper surface 22 of the nested next lower container. This spacing is sufficient to insure that the sidewalls 16 of the succeeding, and all like stacked containers, are not in a locked relationship.

To the outer surface of the downwardly extending annular flange 24 there is attached a handle 30. This handle is attached at ends 31 and 32 which, as seen in FIG. 3, are diametrically spaced on the container. Each end has a web attachment which provides a reinforcement of the handle end. These webs are identified as 33, 34, 35 and 36 and as webs or fins provide additional strength to the handle attachment where it is molded to the sidewall of the rim. Also extending from the inner sidewall of the annular flange 24 to the outer surface of

walls

16 and 19 of the container are reinforcing ribs 38 which are seen in phantom outline in FIG. 3. These ribs are spaced as desired around the rim of the container to provide a desired rigidity to the upper rim.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5 it is to be noted that the sidewall 16 after it changes its taper at 19 terminates at a lip 20 which protrudes inwardly a determined extent which may be from 15- to fiftythousanths of an inch. The width of the lip may be a selected like amount and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a round bead. The cover 40 has an intermediate or plane portion 42 which in the preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 2 also is formed with a recessed inner portion which is displaced from the plane of portion 42 to provide a recess or nest portion 44 sized to receive the arcuate configuration of the bottom corner 17 of the container 15 when it is seated on the cover. Adjacent the intermediate midportion 42, the lid is formed with a downwardly extending V-shaped configuration 46 which as it extends upwardly and outwardly merges with a gradually thickened portion which is then undercut to provide an engaging lip 48 immediately below an undercut which provides a recess 50. This undercut engages the protruding lip 20 provided on the upper inner edge portion of the container. In its seated engagement this mating of lip and groove provides the upper fluid-tight seal of the cover in the container. From this undercut the V-shaped plug portion extends a little upwardly and then outwardly to a planer ring- Iike configuration 52 of determined outer diameter which terminates at a downwardly extending annular rim 54 which is sized to snugly engage the outer wall 24 of the rim of the container.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 the midportion of the handle 30 is caused to be extended or widened to provide a grip portion 60 which, with its widened extent, provides an easy hand grip for the user. Between this grip portion 60 and the wall 24 of the container, and as the container is molded, there is provided at least two gate portions identified as 62 and 64. These gates serve two requirements; the first is that it insures that the enlarged portion of the handle is satisfactorily filled during its molding with a flow of material which is usually injected from the bottom of the container; the second requirement is that these gates provide a bridge support for the handle and insure that the handle stays in its molded midplane condition until the container is to be used by the purchaser of the material.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 6 AND 7 Referring next to FIGS. 6 and 7 it is to be noted that the lip formed on the upper inner edge of the container need not be arcuate as in FIGS. 4 and 5, but instead may be truncated as shown as an inward lip in FIGS. 6 and 7. The engaging lip 148 formed on the V- shaped plug portion 46 has its upper inward edge 149 contoured to snugly engage the top tapered surface in the undercut or recess 150 formed in the cover. In its mounted condition the inwardly extending lip 120 is cammed upwardly by inclined surface 151 which forms the top surface of lip 148. As the lip 120 is moved inwardly and upwardly the upper inward edge 149 is deflected downwardly by upper surface 152 to provide a compressed seal of lip 120 in the recess 150. As reduced to practice, that portion of edge 149 which is shown in dashed outline in FIG. 7 is the portion compressed in the slot and is actually only a few thousandths of an inch in thickness. This compressed portion is sufflcient to make a fluid-tight seal.

HANDLE ATTACHMENT OF FIG. 8

Referring next to FIG. 8 there is shown an alternate form for the attachment of the handle 30 to the container. The end 32 of the handle is integrally molded to flange 24 as in FIG. 3. Reinforcement of this attaching end enables the plastic handle to sustain jerks and sudden pulls as well as excessive rotative action. This reinforcement is provided by the flns shown in FIG. 8. Fin 135 is formed to extend outwardly to the full outer projection of the elbow attaching end 32 of the handle. A short length of fln extends around the outer radius of end 32. Fin 136, like fln 135, also extends to the straight portion of the handle 30 and as a curved fin extends from flange 24 to and past the curved attaching end portion 52 of the handle 30 to the flange 24.

ALTERNATE BOTTOM CORNER OF A CONTAINER AS SHOWN IN FIGS. 9 AND 11 In FIGS. 9 and 11 there is shown an alternate construction of the bottom corner of the container. As seen in enlarged detail in FIG. 9, a container 115 has sidewall 116 connected to a radius transition 1 17 which merges with the center of the container bottom 18. Sidewall 116 continues downwardly from the connected transition to form a projecting support rim 119 which perferably extends a few thousandths beyond the plane of the curved bottom 117.

COVER OF FIGS. 10 AND 11 Referring next to FIGS. 10 and 11, the cover of FIG. 2 has its center portion formed in an alternate manner so as to provide a retaining means for a round label or booklet. Recessed portion 144 of the cover 140 is a determined distance below an intermediate plane portion 142 of cover 140. The vertical portion of the lid extending from portion 142 to portion 144 in this alternate construction is formed with an inturned rim or lip portion 143. This lip 143 provides a circular recess into which a label or booklet may be placed and retained. The inner edge of lip 143 also serves to provide a retaining shoulder for container 115.

PRY RIM OF FIG. 12

In FIG. 12 the container has an annular flange 124 which is molded with a protruding shelf 125 which is spaced a distance below the downward termination of the annular rim 54 of cover 40. This shelf provides a pry slot between itself and the rim 54 into which a coin, screwdriver or like pry means may be inserted. This shelf enables a pry means to locally displace the cover rim 54 from the annular flange 124 after and by which the rim 54 may be grasped for removal of the cover from the container.

In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 12 it is to be noted that handle is attached to flange 124 by means of gates 164 which are formed so as to be below the parting line of the mold.

SELF-SEALING PORTIONS FOR A COVER AS IN FIGS. 13A AND 1313 Referring next to FIGS. 13A and 1313 it is to be noted that the cover member may be provided with a selfsealing portion through which an injecting needle may be inserted to flow color matter and the like into the contents in the container.

In FIG. 13A a cover 240 has a nest portion 244 whose mid-portion has a recess 245 formed therein. A soft rubber, plastic or sponge-like composition of matter 246 provides a self-sealing plug through which a hollow needle (not shown) may be inserted. The needle is also caused to pierce the midportion of the plastic wall forming the recess 245 after which color material or like additive is injected into the container through the hollow needle. After the additive has been fed into the container the needle is withdrawn with the self-sealing plug 246 preventing loss of fluid material from the container.

In FIG. 138 a cover 340, like cover 240, has a nest portion 344 whose midportion is formed with a shallow recess 345. On the opposite side a self-sealing plug 364 similar to or of an identical composition such as plug 246 is retained in a skirt 347 which extends below recess 345. As in the cover of FIG. 13A the cover of FIG. 13B is adapted to permit a sharp pointed hollow needle (not shown) to be inserted through the cover portion 345 and then through self-sealing plug 346. Skirt 347 is aligned with recess 345 so that the operator using the hollow needle can be sure that he will pierce the self-sealing plug and after making the injection to withdraw the needle with the cover again sealed by the plug 346.

ALTERNATE COVER AND CONTAINER TOP AS SEEN IN FIGS. 14A, 14B AND 14C Referring finally to the container and cover as shown in FIGS. 14A, B and C the cover and container rim of FIGS. 6 and 12 are modified so that a cover 440 has a downwardly directed V-shaped portion 446 whose outer upper portion is formed with an engaging lip 448 leading from an outwardly tapered portion 449 to an outer face 450. Midway in this face is formed a small outwardly extending tin or feather lip 451 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. Immediately above lip 448 is formed an inner groove or undercut 452 which may be more or less semicircular in configuration. Immediately above groove 452 the cover extends outwardly in a planar ring 454 of determined thickness. This ring terminates at an outer groove or undercut 456 also preferably semicircular in configuration. An inwardly directed lip or shoulder 458 forming the lower portion of groove 456 terminates or flows into a conical surface 460 which extends downwardly and outwardly to a lower wall 462. In an unmounted or relaxed condition the cover 440 has its outer surface or face portion 464 disposed at a slight tilt inwardly and upwardly which is a matter of selection to assist in easy molding.

The container to accommodate the cover shown in FIG. 14A has its top rim also of a slightly different configuration than that of FIGS. 6 and 12. From sidewall 16 the container extends upwardly and outwardly at the outward taper 19 which then joins a short vertical section 470. Above this section is formed an inwardly extending lip 472 which is similar to the lip 20 of FIG. 4. The upper rim of the container then extends outwardly as a flat rim 474 like the rim 22 shown in FIG. 4. The outer edge of rim 474 is formed with a bead 476 which is of a greater diameter than is the diameter of groove 456. Below the bead the rim of the container is formed with a downwardly extending outer flange 478 to which handle 30 is attached as above-described. Reinforcing ribs 38 are also provided in the rim portion of this container as above-described.

USE AND OPERATION Conventionally containers or pails which are injection molded and are of a similar configuration to the container of this invention are molded by injecting into the midportion of the bottom of the container and in this respect this container is no different from the others. However, it is to be noted that the parting line of the force and mold for forming this container is not at the top upper surface of the open end 22 of the container but instead the parting line is substantially at the midportion of the handle 30, and in particular is midway of the large portion 60 as indicated by a phantom line 70 as seen in FIG. 5. This construction of the mold permits or insures that the handle, as molded, lays in a condition which is parallel to the top of the container but is displaced a short distance below it. Gate portions 62, and/or 64 extend from the midportion of the integrally cast handle to the outer flange of the top of the container. These gate portions are sized so that the reduced areas at the attaching points are sufficiently strong to retain the handle in its molded condition and to insure that the handle 60 is maintained in this determined position against the sidewall 24 of the rim of the container until forceful separation is desired. This attachment of the handle to the container is contemplated as being maintained as the container is fed through filling and closing apparatus and also in this determined orientation while shipping and storing. The

fins

33, 34, 35 and 36 or the alternate forms, I35 and 136 insure that the ends of the handle 30, as attached at

points

31 and 32, are firmly attached to the rim portion of the container so that after the midportion of the handle has been separated from the

gate portions

62 and 64 the weight of the filled container is easily carried by the handle.

The containers after molding are usually assembled for shipping and preferably several containers may be stacked as in FIG. 2. In such a nested array the lower surface 26 of an upper container rests upon the upper surface 22 of the next lower container. This vertical spacing of containers is designed to permit the containers to be stacked without the sidewalls 16 of adjacent containers becoming a tight or interference fit.

In practice the spacing between adjacent walls of stacked containers is about ten-thousandths of an inch or more per side.

After the containers have been shipped to the filling station, they are separated and fed to a filling mechanism. Usually the material being filled is a fluidlike material and it is contemplated that paint or like fluid material is delivered within the container so as to be brought to a level substantially equal to where the bottom portion of the V-shaped 46 portion of the lid will engage the fluid surface. After filling the container to the desired level, the cover 40 or one of the alternate covers is brought in way of the open upper end of the container and is then pushed downwardly into a seating condition. As the interference taper of the V-shaped plug portion of the cover is brought in way of the lip 20 the plug portion of the cover is caused to be displaced slightly inwardly until the portion 48 of the cover slides past lip 20 into the undercut to form a locking fit with the lip of the container. Seated at this depth the lower outer surface portion of the V-shaped portion 46 is an interference fit and provides a lower seal with the inner wall of the container at or about the juncture of the sidewalls 16 and the taper 19 of the open top of the container. The lip 20, as it is nested in undercut 50, provides an upper fluid-tight seal of the cover in the container opening.

In the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 8 the top fluid-tight seal is provided by lip as it is forced into the undercut as above-identified. The lower second seal is provided as in FIG. 2.

To retain this cover in this locked condition against sudden blows against the sidewalls, top or bottom, it is desirable and intended that the extending portion 52 of the cover be brought to a seating condition on the upper surface 22 of the container, after which the downwardly extending annular rim 54 is brought in way and around the rim portion 24 of the open end of the container. With the ring portion 52 under outward extension the engaging lip 20 is maintained in a locked relationship in undercut 50 so as not to be displaced by a sudden engagement and deflection of the sidewall of the container against the fluid within the container. Thus maintained the cover retains the sealing interference fit of lip 20 in undercut 50 as well as member portion 46 with taper 19. The alternate form of FIGS. 6 and 8 maintain lip 120 in undercut 150 by means of annular rim 54 on rim 24.

If desired the recessed portion 44 of the lid may have a label or catalog advice pasted therein. Loose labels or booklets may be retained by the alternate embodiment of the cover as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 wherein retaining lip 143 provides a circular recess. Labels may also be applied to the outer surface of the container for identification of the contents therein, or a viewing area 400 may be provided as in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that the material forming both the cover 40 and the sidewalls 16 of the container 15 will be partially opaque and to a certain degree hide the texture and color of the packaged material. The nature of the molding material such as high density polypropylene or polyethylene is a preferred material for the molding of the container and cover. In the container, above-described, it is contemplated that the cover as it is engaged between the lip 20 and the recess 50 provides a first seal of the container and a lower seal is provided by the plug seal. Another seal is additionally provided with the snug relationship of the fit of the rim 54 of the lid over the outer face portion 24 of the container which provides a seal of sorts. As thus assembled it is contemplated that a fluid-tight seal will be provided for the several types of paints and materials that are stored within the container and that the container assembled in the manner as abovedescribed will be economical and provide a highly satisfactory storage container for materials such as water base paints and the like.

The container is readily uncovered or opened by the customer by an easy manipulation of the cover 40. With the container seated on its bottom the user grasps one side of the cover 40 at the annular rim 54 and at one local position this rim portion is slid upwardly from engagement with flange 24. When and as this portion is lifted from the end of the container a continued upward pressure or pulling of the cover enables the undercut 48 of the cover to be dislodged from the lip after which the lower plug seal is loosened and the cover removed.

To replace, the cover is placed in the open end of the container and one side of the cover is urged downwardly to cause lip 20 to engage the undercut 48. With a local portion seated and engaged the downward pressure is continued around the cover until all the undercut is engaged by lip 20 after which rim 54 is urged downwardly over flange 24 by starting at one side and continuing around the open end until the cover is mounted as in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

In the container and cover of FIGS. 14A, B and C it is contemplated that after the container has been filled to the desired level the cover 440 is placed on the top rim of the container as in FIG. 148. The container rim is shown in phantom outline and when the concical surface 460 of the cover is centered on bead 476 of the container rim the inner face of the inwardly extending lip 472 is substantially a slip fit with the outer face 450 of lip 448 of the cover. The cover is urged downwardly until lip 448 is below lip 472 with lip 472 moving into a very light engagement or seating in groove 452. The cover ring portion 454 is now stretched outwardly by causing surface 470 to act as an inclined ramp or cam to engage lip 458 of the cover and cause it to be displaced or drawn over the outwardly extending bead 476. In the manner of rolling a tire bead into a wheel rim, the lip 458 of the cover is forced below bead 476 of the container so that bead 476 is caused to snugly enter and seat in groove 456. The cover 440 is preferably made of a slightly stretchable plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene and so as bead 476 is moved into groove 456 it draws the cover outwardly causing groove 452 to engage the lip 472 of the container rim. The fin 451 is also forced into a tight engagement with the inner face of the vertical section 470 ofthe container.

In the mow mounted condition of FIG. 14C the cover 440 forms a fluid tight seal with the upper rim of the container where the V-shape 446 engages the transistion of the sidewall 16 from its normal taper to the greater taper 19. A second seal is made where fin or feather lip 451 tightly engages the inner surface of vertical wall section 470. A third seal is made where lip 472 of the container rim engages and seats in groove 452 in the cover. A fourth seal is effected when bead 476 is snugly seated in groove 456 and shoulder 458 engages the under side of bead 476.

In its seated condition of FIG. 14C the cover 440 is particularly conditioned to withstand accidental dislodgement from the rim of the container. Bead 476 prevents accidental dislodgement of the outer cover portion as it is contemplated that a cover having a diameter of about a seven and nine hundred twentythousandths of an inch at groove 456 is stretched about one-sixtienth of an inch when mounted on bead 476. In like manner the cover diameter at the outer face 450 may be seven and four hundred twenty-thousandths inches which is the inner diameter of lip 472. In its mounted condition the diameter of face 450 has been increased by about a 30 second of an inch. This insures that the lip 448 will be positively engaged and retained by lip 472 so that a sudden bending of the container and the resulting pressure thrust against the cover is resisteo by and contained by the cover.

When a pry slot for removing the cover is desired, the embodiment of FIG. 12 is used. The mounting and remounting of the cover is as described above.

Where the container is to contain a base color material to which additional color material is to be added at the time of sale, either of the embodiments of FIGS. 13A or 13B may be provided or used. A label or booklet as retained bythe cover of FIG. 10 may be additionally provided.

The plug seal of V-shaped portion 46 is more or less self-cleaning to permit a reclosing of the container to be effected with a minimum of effort. A wiping of the upper open end of the container usually cleans lip 20 and as there is no place for the paint and the like to collect the reclosing of the container is made with little effort and with a maximum assurance of effectiveness.

Terms such as left," right, up, down, bottom, top, front," back, in, out" and the like are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the plastic container and cover may be constructed or used.

While a particular embodiment of the plastic container and cover and an alternate embodiment of the cover retaining means have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a ringlike portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim; (c) a downwardlyextending annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring like portion of the rim; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the downwardly extending annular flange so as to extend outwardly from this surface, said handle molded in position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim, the handle portions immediately adjacent the attached ends being spaced from the flange so as to freely swing around and by said attaching end; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ringlike portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim. 1

2. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the container and the handle as molded further has its intermediate portion spaced from and by at least one gate portion removablyconnected to the outer side surface of the rim of the container, said gate portion tending to maintain the handle in the molded position and spaced condition during the time the container is shipped, filled, stored and the like.

3. A container and cover combination as in claim 2 in which the container handle has its midportion widened to provide a hand grip portion, and in which between this hand-grip portion and the rim of the container there is provided at least two removable gate portions.

4. A container and cover combination as in claim 2 in which the ends of the handle at the attaching point to the rim of the container has molded thereat additional integral web reinforcements extending from the handle to the rim to provide a determined safety attachment.

5. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the midportion of the cover is made with a recessed portion of determined diameter sized to removably retain a bottom support rim of the container.

6. A container and cover combination as in claim 5 in which the recessed portion of the cover is formed with an inturned lip providing an undercut recess into which a label, booklet and the like may be removably retained.

7. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the inwardlydirected bead on the container rim is shaped to provide a truncated cross-sectional configuration and in which the inner groove of the cover is formed with at least one inclined surface disposed to engage a mating surface of the bead and in the mounted condition of the cover to compress the bead in the groove to provide a fluid-tight seal.

8. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the bailhandle is attached at substantially diametrically opposite positions on the outer surface of the annular flange.

9. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim and with a short substantially vertical section formed immediately below said inwardly directed bead; (b) a ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim, said rim of the container having its outer edge formed with an outwardly extending bead; (c) an annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim, said flange extending downwardly from said ring-like portion; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, the lower portion of the inner groove formed with an engaging lip of substantially the same. diameter as the short vertical portion of the container top rim so that in its mounted condition the engaging lip is in engagement with the vertical section to effect at least a partial plug seal; (h) an outer groove formed in the cover at the termination of the planar ring portion, the outer groove disposed to engage the outwardly extending bead of the rim when the cover is in a mounted condition on the rim and with an inwardly directed lip forming the lower portion of said outer groove in the cover this lip having a conical surface extending outwardly and downwardly to provide a cam surface, the outer groove in the cover when in a relaxed condition being smaller in a diameter than the diameter of the outer bead of the container rim so that the planar-like ring portion and inner cover portion need be and is stretched outwardly a small amount to effect the mounting and retaining of the cover on the rim of the container, and (i) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to main tain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim.

10. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which a small outwardly extending fin is formed in the face of the engaging lip below the groove in the cover, the fin disposed to engage the substantially vertical wall surface and insure a positive line seal of the cover to container when the cover is in a mounted con dition.

11. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which the cover is formed with a downwardly directed Vhshaped portion in whose outer conical face is formed the inner groove and engaging lip and with the lower portion of said engaging lip tapered outwardly to provide a cam surface.

12. In a container and cover construction the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having its sidewalls formed in a tapered configuration permitting the nesting of containers and with said upper inner tapered surface having a greater taper than the lower inner surface of the tapered sidewall terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim; (c) an annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim, said flange extending downwardly. from said ringlike portion and formed with a bottom edge providing a support shoulder for the container as it rests upon the rim of the nested next lower container so as to maintain the nested containers in a non-locking nested relationship; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim.

Claims

1. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a ringlike portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim; (c) a downwardlyextending annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the downwardly extending annular flange so as to extend outwardly from this surface, said handle molded in position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim, the handle portions immediately adjacent the attached ends being spaced from the flange so as to freely swing around and by said attaching end; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retaIn the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim.

2. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the container and the handle as molded further has its intermediate portion spaced from and by at least one gate portion removably connected to the outer side surface of the rim of the container, said gate portion tending to maintain the handle in the molded position and spaced condition during the time the container is shipped, filled, stored and the like.

3. A container and cover combination as in claim 2 in which the container handle has its midportion widened to provide a hand-grip portion, and in which between this hand-grip portion and the rim of the container there is provided at least two removable gate portions.

7. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the inwardly directed bead on the container rim is shaped to provide a truncated cross-sectional configuration and in which the inner groove of the cover is formed with at least one inclined surface disposed to engage a mating surface of the bead and in the mounted condition of the cover to compress the bead in the groove to provide a fluid-tight seal.

8. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the bail handle is attached at substantially diametrically opposite positions on the outer surface of the annular flange.

9. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim and with a short substantially vertical section formed immediately below said inwardly directed bead; (b) a ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim, said rim of the container having its outer edge formed with an outwardly extending bead; (c) an annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim, said flange extending downwardly from said ring-like portion; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groOve disposed to engage and retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, the lower portion of the inner groove formed with an engaging lip of substantially the same diameter as the short vertical portion of the container top rim so that in its mounted condition the engaging lip is in engagement with the vertical section to effect at least a partial plug seal; (h) an outer groove formed in the cover at the termination of the planar ring portion, the outer groove disposed to engage the outwardly extending bead of the rim when the cover is in a mounted condition on the rim and with an inwardly directed lip forming the lower portion of said outer groove in the cover this lip having a conical surface extending outwardly and downwardly to provide a cam surface, the outer groove in the cover when in a relaxed condition being smaller in a diameter than the diameter of the outer bead of the container rim so that the planar-like ring portion and inner cover portion need be and is stretched outwardly a small amount to effect the mounting and retaining of the cover on the rim of the container, and (i) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim.

10. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which a small outwardly extending fin is formed in the face of the engaging lip below the groove in the cover, the fin disposed to engage the substantially vertical wall surface and insure a positive line seal of the cover to container when the cover is in a mounted condition.

11. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which the cover is formed with a downwardly directed V-shaped portion in whose outer conical face is formed the inner groove and engaging lip and with the lower portion of said engaging lip tapered outwardly to provide a cam surface.

12. In a container and cover construction the combination of: (a) a molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly extending rim, said container having its sidewalls formed in a tapered configuration permitting the nesting of containers and with said upper inner tapered surface having a greater taper than the lower inner surface of the tapered sidewall terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the rim; (c) an annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim, said flange extending downwardly from said ring-like portion and formed with a bottom edge providing a support shoulder for the container as it rests upon the rim of the nested next lower container so as to maintain the nested containers in a non-locking nested relationship; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said Planar portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular flange of the container rim.