WO2017184424A1

WO2017184424A1 - Reusable container lid

Info

Publication number: WO2017184424A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/027382
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jared Green; Shael GREEN
Original assignee: Cansealid Corporation
Priority date: 2016-04-18
Filing date: 2017-04-13
Publication date: 2017-10-26

Abstract

A container cover having a continuous sidewall, a top, and a lip. The cover is disposed over a container, and force is applied to the lip to stretch the cover over the top of the container. Force can then again be applied to the lip and the top of the container to form a seal over the container top.

Description

PCT APPLICATION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Reusable Container Lid

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/323,948 filed on April 18, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR

DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to container lids, and more specifically to a reusable container lid.

[0002] The metal lid incorporated with the standard, commercial paint can is susceptible to rusting and warping, particularly over time with removal and re- application. Such rusting and warping can cause the paint in the can to become spoiled, may result in the can becoming rusted, and making the lid difficult to remove, as well as other problems and drawbacks.

[0003] The present invention is a solution to the problems associated with container lids including commercial metal paint can lids. In one aspect, the present invention can make household and commercial painting jobs easier while preserving paint longer. In another aspect, the product can be a flexible lid made of a rubberized material, such as food-grade silicone, that typically stretches over the top of a paint can to create a seal. The lid typically creates a seal around the top of the paint can to preserve the moisture of the paint, minimize rusting of the can and reducing spillage of paint. In other aspects, the lid may be produced in varying sizes and geometries to accommodate for the different sizes and geometries of commercial paint cans as well as other containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of the present application;

[0005] Figure 2 is another perspective view of another aspect of the present application;

[0006] Figure 3 is a side view of an aspect of the present application;

[0007] Figure 4 is a front view of an aspect of the present application; and

[0008] Figure 5 is a bottom view of an aspect of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring to Fig. 1 , a lid 1000 according to one aspect of the invention is shown after lid 1000 has been installed over the top of a container 10, such as a paint can 10. A paint brush 20 is shown resting on the top of lid 1000. The lid 1000 typically creates a seal around the top of the paint can 10. Such a seal can produce a variety of benefits, including without limitation the preservation of the moisture of the paint, minimizing rusting of the can, and reducing spillage of paint. In other aspects, the lid 1000 may be produced in varying sizes and geometries to accommodate for the different sizes and geometries of commercial paint cans or other types of containers. In other aspects, the present invention can be used with a variety of containers including, without limitation, coffee cans, soup cans, other types of food containers, jars, bowls, bottles, and other containers in which is desirable to place a lid over an opening in the container.

[00010] Referring to Fig. 2, a perspective view of lid 1000 is shown. In one aspect, lid 1000 typically includes a top surface 1 100, sidewall 1300, and lip 1500 that typically protrudes away from the outer surface 1350 of sidewall 1300. Lip 1500, which can resemble the brim of a baseball cap, can act as a lever to aid in removing and applying lid 1000 over the opening of a container 10, such as a paint can. When installing lid 1000 over the opening of a container 10, a user (not shown) will typically position a rearward portion 1310 (i.e., a portion of sidewall 1300 that is generally opposite lip 1500) of sidewall 1300 over the outer surface of container 10 and then apply force to lip 1500 in a direction outward from the surface of container 10 to stretch lid 1000 over the entire top surface of container 10. In another aspect, once the lid 1000 has been installed on container 10, a user can typically form a vacuum seal over the top of container 10 by again pulling lip 1500 in a direction outward from the outer surface of container 10, pressing downward on the top surface 1 100 of lid 1000, and then gradually releasing lip 1500 to permit lid 1000 to return to its original undeformed shape, thereby forming at least a partial vacuum seal over the top of container 10.

[0001 1 ] Still referring to Fig. 2, the lid top surface 1 100 is typically recessed into sidewall 1300 to form a ridge 1360. In other words, a ridge 1360 typically extends beyond the lid top surface 1 100. The presence of ridge 1360 typically permits the stacking of containers, such as container 10, upon one another when a lid 1000 is positioned on the lower container 10. The height (e.g., distance extending beyond top surface 1 100) can be varied as desired. In certain aspects, the height of ridge 1360 can be less than 10 mm, less than 9 mm, less than 8 mm, less than 7 mm, less than 6 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm.

[00012] Referring to Fig. 3, a side view of lid 1000 according to one aspect of the invention is shown. Referring to Fig. 4, a front view of lid 1000 according to another aspect of the invention is shown.

[00013] Referring to Fig. 5, a bottom view of lid 1000 according to another aspect of the invention is shown. In another aspect of the invention, lid 1000 can optionally be used as a vessel to hold paint or other liquids. Here, a liquid such as paint (not shown) can be poured into the vessel created by sidewall 1 350 and the bottom surface 1200 of lid 1000. When the use of the paint (or other liquid is complete), the unused paint can be poured back into can 10, lid 1000 can optionally be rinsed off, and lid can then be used to seal and cover can 10 as described herein.

[00014] Lid 1000 is typically constructed from a rubberized or otherwise flexible material that can permit lid 1000 to be positioned over container 10 to form a snug fit. In one aspect, lid 1000 can be constructed from a food-grade silicone that can stretch over the top of a container such as a paint can 10 to create a seal. Lid 1000 can typically be constructed from a material having one or more of the following properties: temperature resistance for use at temperatures less than 200 degrees C; embrittlement points greater than -70 degrees C; moisture and steam resistance; resistance to oils, solvents, and other chemicals; flame retardancy; flex fatigue resistance; tear strength greater than 4 kN/m, greater than 5 kN/m, greater than 6 kN/m, greater than 7 kN/m, greater than 8 kN/m, greater than 9 kN/m, greater than 10 kN/m, greater than 15 kN/m, greater than 20 kN/m, or greater than 20 kN/m; tensile strength greater than 1 MPa, greater than 2 MPa, greater than 3 MPa, greater than 4 MPa, greater than 5 MPa, greater than 6 MPa, greater than 7 MPa, greater than 8 MPa, greater than 9 MPa, greater than 10 MPa, greater than 12 MPa, greater than 14 MPa, greater than 14 MPa, greater than 16 MPa, greater than 18 MPa, or greater than 20 MPa; low gas

permeability; and low water vapor permeability. In other aspects, lid 1000 can be constructed from a material having a hardness of approximately 60 Shore A. In other aspects, lid 1000 can be constructed from a materials having a hardness of less than 95 Shore A, 85 Shore A, 75 Shore A, 65 Shore A, 55 Shore A, 45 Shore A, or 35 Shore A. Other materials having properties not inconsistent with the purpose of the present invention can also be used for lid 1000.

[00015] Still referring to Fig. 5, in one aspect the outer diameter of top surface 1 100 can be 163.7 mm, and sidewall thickness can be 3.5 mm. In another aspect, the distance from the outer surface of sidewall 1300 to the front edge of lip 1500 can be 203.6 mm. In another aspect, the height of sidewall 1300 can be 38.1 mm. The foregoing dimensions are for purposes of illustration only, as lid 1000 can be sized as desired.

[00016] In other aspects, the material used to construct lid 1000 can permit users to label the lid 1000 using a dry erase marker (or other marking device) to identify the color and/or code of the paint, identify rooms in which the paint was used, and designate any other desired information. The use of an erasable marker can permit the user to erase the writing and re-label when the lid 1000 is re-used with a different container, such as a different can of paint. In other aspects, other markers or

implements can be used to make erasable or permanent markings on lid 1000 as well. The lid 1000 may also be produced in a translucent material, allowing the user to identify the paint color. In other aspects, lid 1000 can be produced from materials having other colors and optical properties as desired.

[00017] In other aspects, a material can be used to construct lid 1000 that typically does not stick to paint with which it may come into contact while on the container 10, such as a paint can, thereby avoiding a problem commonly encountered with

conventional lids which tend to stick to errant paint left on or in the rim of the can.

[00018] In other aspects, a surface of lid 1000, such as top surface 1 100, may be embossed with a logo or other identifying mark or information such as a business website or phone number, for advertisement purposes. In this manner, lid 1000 can be used for advertising, marketing, promotional, or other desired purposes.

[00019] All patents, patent publications, and peer-reviewed publications {i.e., "references") cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. In case of conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated references, the present disclosure controls.

[00020] It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for sealing a container, comprising:

positioning over a container a lid constructed of a flexible material having a continuous sidewall, a top disposed proximate an end of the sidewall, and a lip extending outwardly from an outer surface of the sidewall;

positioning at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall distal from the lip over at least a portion of an outer surface of the container proximate the top of the container;

applying force to the lip in a direction generally opposite the position proximate the location where the portion of the inner surface of the sidewall is positioned over the outer surface of the sidewall; and

while applying force to the lid, stretching the lid over the upper surface of the container such that the entire inner surface of the lid inner sidewall is disposed proximate the entire outer surface of the container proximate the top of the container.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying force to the lip while applying a force to the top of the lid in direction towards the container.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of releasing the force applied to the lip before releasing the force applied to the top of the lid.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of marking the top of the lid with an indicia.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of including an image on the top of the lid.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of pouring a liquid into the container formed by the underside of the top of the lid and the inner surface of the sidewall.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the liquid is paint.

8. A container cover, comprising:

a continuous sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a top disposed proximate an end of the continuous sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

a lip interconnected with the outer surface of the sidewall and extending in an outward direction from the outer surface of the sidewall;

wherein the outer surface of the top is recessed from the outermost surface of the inner surface of the sidewall, and

the sidewall, top, and lip are constructed of a flexible material.

9. The container cover of claim 8, wherein the lip extends in a downward sloping direction in relation to the top.

10. The container cover of claim 8, wherein the sidewall, top, and lip are constructed of a rubberized material.

1 1 . The container cover of claim 8, wherein an image is deposited on the outer surface of the top.