WO2005009863A1

WO2005009863A1 - Self draining container with drain seal

Info

Publication number: WO2005009863A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/020292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sonya Taubman
Original assignee: Sonya Taubman
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2005-02-03
Also published as: AU2003256322A1

Abstract

A container (200) has a drain hole seal for fluidly sealing a drain hole (420) in the canal (222) in the container. The drain hole seal (215) bears upon the tongue (212) of the container lid (210) and upon the contour of the canal (222) and also extends (410) at least partially into the drain hole. A method of sealing a container includes the step of exerting downward pressure on a container lid such that a drain hole seal extends into a drain hole in the canal. Yet a further aspect includes methods and devices directed toward a drain hole seal that, in a mated configuration, distends into a drain hole as a result of downward force on the lid.

Description

SELF DRAINING CONTAINER WITH DRAIN SEAL Field of The Invention The field of the invention is containers.

Background of The Invention Certain liquid containers are constructed with a tongue and groove type of seal between the container's receptacle and the container's lid. This type of container, however, frequently results in the accumulation of liquid in the groove. The accumulation of liquid in the groove is generally considered a problem because it may result in loss of liquid caused by a compromised seal between the receptacle and the lid. Another problem with such a container is that, when the lid is re-seated, the liquid in the groove is displaced by the tongue and such displaced liquid often runs down the side of the receptacle.

In order to solve some of the problems related to collection of liquid in the groove, it became known to make holes in the groove thereby allowing the liquid to drain back into the receptacle. U.S. Patent 4182151 to Pedersen (Janueary 1980), teaches that holes can be made in the groove with the aid of a circular tool having teeth for perforating the groove. While this tool certainly addressed the problem of collected liquid in the groove, problems still existed. One such problem was that the tool, because of its circular design, had to very nearly approximate the diameter of the groove. A more versatile tool is taught by U.S. Patent 4580302 to Barth (April 1986). The '302 tool has an elongated design and has structure for removing a lid, punching a hole in the groove, and for replacing a lid. With regard to punching a hole, the tool relied on a member to grip the rim of the receptacle - in a manner similar to a can opener. For cans and other containers that did not have a strong outer rim, the Barth tool was virtually useless for punching holes. A slightly different device is described in U.S. Patent 5212869 to Zacharchuk (May 1993), but the device of the '869 patent also relies on a rim to make holes in the groove.

Because of the difficulty in making holes in the groove, some patents have addressed the accumulation of liquid in the groove by covering the groove during use. For example, U.S. Patent 5779093 to Poole et al. (July 1998) teaches a paint can guard that is mounted on a sealing rim of a paint can. The guard includes a member for covering the sealing rim during use. Another patent, U.S. 5967363 to Allen (October 1999), teaches a sealing ring that is insertable into the lid ridge receiving channel. The sealing ring is adapted such that the lid of the paint can is seatable in an upside down orientation. While this device may alleviate some of the problems of liquid accumulation in the groove, the seating of a lid in an upside orientation is likely to be messy.

A container lid with a sealing ring is taught in U.S. Patent 4279358 to Jacobs (July 1981). The Jacobs patent describes the ring working in concert with a channel having drain holes. A particular problem with the sealing ring of Jacobs is that liquid can also come up through the holes into the channel. This is likely to happen during transportation and especially when the paint can is turned upside down or on its side. Such liquid is then susceptible to leaking out through the seal. Thus, there is a need for improved sealing means for containers having holes in the groove, especially those that sufficiently seal during transportation.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to a container having a drain hole seal for fluidly sealing a drain hole in the canal. The drain hole seal bears upon the tongue of the container lid and upon the contour of the canal and also extends at least partially into the drain hole. In another aspect a method of sealing a container includes the step of exerting downward pressure on a container lid such that a drain hole seal extends into a drain hole in the canal. A further step includes aligning an extrusion protruding from the drain hole seal with a hole in the canal.

Yet a further aspect includes methods and devices directed toward a drain hole seal that, in a mated configuration, distends into a drain hole as a result of downward force on the lid. Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of The Drawings Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior art container.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a container in a non-seated configurtion. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a container in a seated configuration. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a container with a seal having an extrusion. Fig. 5a is a perspective view of a receptacle having drain holes.

Fig. 5b is a top down view of a drain hole seal having extrusions.

Detailed Description Referring first to Fig. 1, a prior art container 100 is generally comprised of a lid 110 and a receptacle 120. A container 100 is a paint can in Fig. 1. The paint can 100 has a contour 122 defining a canal 124. The contour 122 of the canal 124 is interrupted by a drain hole 126 that generally allows paint to drain from the canal into the receptacle. This drain hole allows paint to drain back into the receptacle and therefore keeps the canal relatively free from accumulated paint when the can is in an upright position, however it should be noted, that if the can becomes inverted or on its side, paint can flow into the canal. Significantly, once paint gets into the canal, it can flow out of the container in the direction shown by arrow 115.

Fig. 2 depicts a container 200 in a non-seated or open configuration. Non-seated means that the container is not closed (i.e. the lid is not seated). The seating of the lid generally results from a compression or rotation of the lid onto a receptacle thereby forcing the tongue 212 into the canal 222.

A container can be comprised of any material(s) suitable for being fluidly sealed including various types of thermo-plastics, metals, glass, and so on. A lid and a receptacle are not necessarily comprised of the same material(s) though such is frequently the case, especially with respect to a paint can. Containers can fluidly store various types of materials (e.g. paint, thinner, cleaning solution, milk, fruit juice, beer, etc..) having varying viscosities. Although the shape of a container is generally cylindrical (e.g. a typical paint container) or has a circular cross section, this is not a requirement as the inventive subject matter is applicable with other shapes and sizes so long as they are susceptible to being fluidly sealed in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

A drain hole seal 215, can be coupled to the lid 210 or can be stand alone (i.e. not coupled to the lid or receptacle). In a preferred class of embodiments, a drain hole seal is affixed to the tongue 212 of the lid 210 using an adhesive. Less advantageous are those embodiments in which a drain hole seal is removably coupled to a contour 224 defining a canal 222. In any case, the drain hole seal is positioned between the lid and the receptacle so that the drain hole seal can extend into the drain hole when the lid is compressed onto the receptacle (i.e. in a seated configuration).

The shape of a drain hole seal is preferred to approximate the shape of the canal, and as such, can have an annular shape similar to an o-ring. A drain hole may extend substantially around a receptacle and therefore is likely to have an overall diameter approximately equivalent to the receptacle. On the other hand, a drain hole seal may be as small as a pin head in diameter -just enough to fluidly seal a drain hole. A drain hole seal can be similar in shape and function to a plug or cork. Fig. 3 depicts a container 300 in a seated configuration in which the drain hole seal

315 at least partially extends and distends into the drain hole. Distend means to swell from pressure. For example, a relatively soft material such as neoprene would distend into the hole when compressed by pressure from the lid being pushed down. Thus, some materials actually form an extrusion as the result of pressure. Such materials have a relatively uniform contour until they are compressed into the canal and into the hole, at which point, the material at least partially distends (and extends) into the hole. It is advantageous to form the drain hole seal out of a material that distends so that alignment of holes with extrusions is not necessary. In a further class of embodiments, a drain hole seal may consists of a thin plastic tube filled with a liquid (e.g. water) or a gel (e.g. pectin) such that placement of the tube over a drain hole will cause distension of a portion of the tube into the hole. In some embodiments, a food product will be stored in the container and in such embodiments, it is preferred that the drain hole seal be comprised of non-toxic products. In the case of a paint or other non-consumable product such drain hole seals may be comprised at least partially of recycled materials.

Fig. 4 exemplifies an embodiment in which the material used for the drain hole seal is relatively stiff (e.g. a rubber). It is advantageous to have an extrusion (i.e. plug) for each drain hole 420 and to line up the extrusions with the drain holes. In this case, it is also necessary that the shape and size of the extrusions are tailored to fluidly seal the drain holes. Figs. 5a and 5b show a paint can 500 having oval shaped holes 520 or apertures and a gasket 550 having oval shaped extrusions 560. The extrusions 560 are aligned with the holes 520 when the gasket 550 is placed over the rim 510 of the paint can. An extrusion 560 is approximately .5 mm in height extending from the base 570 of the gasket. Thus, an extrusion generally extends approximately .5 mm into a drain hole when the container is in a seated configuration. Depending on the viscosity and other characteristics of the material being held by the container, the size of the drain holes and associated drain hole seals may vary considerably.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a self draining container with a drain seal have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and ''comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A container, comprising: a lid having a tongue; a receptacle having a contour defining a canal, the contour being interrupted by a drain hole; and a drain hole seal that, in a seated configuration: i) bears upon the tongue and the contour; and ii) at least partially extends into the drain hole to fluidly seal the container.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the drain hole seal is coupled to the tongue.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the drain hole seal is coupled to the tongue by an adhesive.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the drain hole is sized and dimensioned as a function of a viscosity of a liquid contained by the receptacle.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the liquid is a latex based paint and the hole has a 5 mm diameter.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the drain hole seal is substantially annular in shape.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the drain hole seal has a rubber extrusion that extends into the drain hole.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein the drain hole seal is comprised of neoprene that distends into the drain hole as a result of a downward force on the lid.

9. A container lid for a container having a canal interrupted by a drain hole, the container lid comprising a drain hole seal that at least partially extends into the drain hole.

10. A method of sealing a container having a drain hole, comprising: exerting downward pressure on a container lid such that a drain hole seal at least partially extends into the drain hole.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of aligning an extrusion with the drain hole.