WO2016140671A1

WO2016140671A1 - Clear paint lid

Info

Publication number: WO2016140671A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/018888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond C. RHEAULT
Original assignee: Rheault Raymond C
Priority date: 2015-03-05
Filing date: 2015-03-05
Publication date: 2016-09-09

Abstract

The present invention provides a closure for a container that has a seetthrough window to allow visual inspection of color or volume of the product inside the container. Around the window is provided a display area for any useful information like logo and a blank area to keep any notes.

Description

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT & TRADEMARK OFFICE APPLICATION FOR A UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION

FOR (A) CLEAR PAINT UD

Inventor: Raymond C Rheault

(B) CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable. (C) FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Not applicable.

(D) MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not applicable.

(E) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to paint can lids, more particularly, it relates to a lid with a transparent window to see-through the contents and space around window for logo and other indications.

(2) Background of Invention.

Paints are usually available in containers made up of tin and that have a lid that is firmly sealed. The container and lid are usually opaque, and the manufacturers provide instructions along with the indication of the color of the paint on the surface of container. Such color indications are usually indicated by a small figure, often in the form of a small color region, the color being the same as of color of paint inside. Moreover, manufactures may provide color names or other color codes.

However, the users often find such color representations or codes Insufficient, and prefer to see the color of the actual paint in the container. The most common method of inspecting the color is to open a part of the lid and visually inspect the contents to discern color. However, this method is inconvenient, and the lid is often sealed in a manner that does not allow only part of the lid to be removed. Furthermore, this method introduces the risk of contamination of the paint with foreign materials. Moreover, during use, the user would have a number of containers with different colors. Therefore, to choose a particular container, one has to inspect all of the containers by opening each container's lid. This is inconvenient and time consuming.

Furthermore, the instructions and other information are usually provided on the lateral surface of container by the manufacturer. These are sometime difficult to read, as the users must pick up the container in his hand and look for details.

Many attempts have been made to address the above problems. One such prior attempt discloses a transparent body of the container. However, this container Is costly and more prone to damage. U.S. Patent No. 6,761,287 discloses a paint can lid with a port assembly. The port assembly is fitted with a threaded collar. This collar has a threaded stopper fit into it The port assembly allows easy access to the contents of the can while still maintaining a proper seal around the rim. Furthermore, the threaded stopper could be made transparent and colorless, so that a user may view the contents of the can.

Another attempt, U.S. Patent appl. No.200S0189354, discloses a lid comprised of a collar and a disc. The container body has an opening provided with a screw-thread that is co-operable with the screw-thread on the collar and doseable by said lid. The disc is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the techniques or apparatuses disclosed in prior arts suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, a container with screw-thread has limited use, and is not available in all types of containers. Having a large amount of transparent area on the lid is not of significant utility; in contrast, some area on the lid could be used for other purposes. In view of aforesaid problems, It is understood that there exists a need for new and improved means to inspect the color and volume of the paint inside of the container, and a better approach to display the important information on the container.

(F) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, therefore, has as its principal object to provide a closure for a paint container that has a see-through window to allow visual inspection of color or volume of the product Inside the container.

Another objective of the current Invention is to provide a display area on the closure that could be used to display as well as note useful information.

Certain embodiments of current invention, but are not limited to, is to provide a container lid for paints and similar substances, wherein the lid has a window that is sufficiently transparent to allow visual inspection of the contents inside the container.

According to another embodiment of current invention, the container lid may also provide sufficient display area around the window for information like logo etc

According to another embodiment of current invention, the container lid may also provide area around the window for user to note any information.

According to another embodiment of current invention, the window in lid is made of material that is puncture resistant and flexible like the rest of the lid of container.

Thus the present invention provides an improved and economic means to visualize the contents of container.

(G) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which: FIG. l is the top view of the paint can lid showing the see-through window.

FIG. 2 is the top view of paint can lid with a transparent window in center and showing company logo and other information along the periphery.

(H) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out In various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to Fig.1, the present invention provides a closure system for a container 1. The container may contain substances such as paint which require visual inspection of color. The closure or lid 2 has a window 3 that is sufficiently transparent to allow the user to inspect the contents of the container. The user may inspect the color of paint without opening the lid of container. The window could be of any size and shape that is suitable according to user's requirement as well as the size and shape of container. This makes the invention more users friendly. Moreover the window could be built anywhere on the lid. Furthermore, any type of the paint containers with a lid available in the market could be customized by the transparent window of current invention. This makes the invention versatile. The material for window could be anything that is of sufficient transparency, and of sufficient strength to allow the window to be puncture resistant. Whereby the window and the lid are made of different materials; preferably rest part of the lid is made of an opaque material. Preferably the window is flexible enough to allow easy removal of the lid whereby the window could be bended like the lid.

Furthermore referring to Fig.2; the lid of the container may further provide display area for useful information. Although all the information provided by manufacturer is available on lateral surface of containers, any important information could also be displayed on the lid 4 and 5. This will allow the user to conveniently perceive the information without the need to pick the container in hands to read the information on lateral surface of container. Such information may include company logo or type of paint Preferably a blank area could also be provided on the lid which could be used by user to note any relevant information like where the paint would be used. This would make the invention more useful.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in Its broadest form.

Claims

CLAIMS. l claim:

1. A dosure system for a container wherein said dosure comprises: a. a transparent window to visualize the contents of said container; b. an area around said transparent window to display useful information; c a space around said transparent window to note useful information.

2. The closure system of daim 1, wherein said container contains a coloring substance.

3. The dosure system of claim 2, wherein the coloring substance is a paint.

4. The dosure system of daim 1, wherein said window could be located anywhere on top of closure system.

5. The dosure system of daim 1, wherein said window could be of shape and size appropriate to visualize the contents of container.

6. The dosure system of daim 1, wherein the said transparent window is made of puncture resistant and flexible material.