U.S. patent application number 10/518709 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for pouring and sealing attachment.
Invention is credited to Kratzer, Oliver Clemens Robert.
Application Number | 20050236442 10/518709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3836794 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kratzer, Oliver Clemens
Robert |
October 27, 2005 |
Pouring and sealing attachment
Abstract
A pouring attachment (3) in the form of closure for a container
(2), such as a paint can, comprising an annular ring or rim (4) and
a lid (5) hinged to the rim (4) as at (9). The container with
closure (1) includes a pouring spout (5a) which provides for easy
dispensing of the contents of the container (2). The pouring
attachment (3) includes interacting sealing means (16, 17, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26 and 27) to facilitate sealing and resealing of the
container, including a spout cover (6) for the pouring spout (5a),
and camming means 28 to enable the lid (5) to open to one of two
open positions, including a first position which facilitates
drainage of the container contents back into the can. The container
with closure includes optional handle 12 and tamper-evident sealing
means. Containers incorporating such pouring attachments are also
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kratzer, Oliver Clemens Robert;
(Surry Hills, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ LLP
SUITE 800
1990 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-3425
US
|
Family ID: |
3836794 |
Appl. No.: |
10/518709 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 27, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU03/00819 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/005 20130101;
B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 47/088 20130101; B65D 2543/0074
20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D
2543/00435 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B44D 3/127 20130101;
B65D 47/0838 20130101; B65D 2543/00638 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/566 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/72; B65D
025/40; B65D 035/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2002 |
AU |
PS 3237 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A container and lid combination comprising: a) a container
having a bottom and an upstanding wall having a rim at the open
end; b) a closure element adapted to seat on the rim, said element
having an internal flange that abuts and sealingly engages the
internal edge of the rim; c) a lid attached to the closure element
and having a dependent internal flange adapted to sealingly engage
an internal edge of the closure element.
7. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 in which
the lid incorporates a dependent flange which wipes past an
internal sealing bead located on the flange of the closure element
and extends past the sealing bead.
8. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 7 in which
the dependent peripheral flange of the lid is shaped to allow the
lid to drain any contents back into the container.
9. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 in which
the closure element incorporates a pouring spout, adapted to guide
the flow of the liquid contents of the container, extending
outwardly from the internal edge of the closure element against
which the lid sealingly engages.
10. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 in which
the flange of the closure element incorporates a peripheral bead on
its outer face to seat below the container rim to retain the
closure element ont he container.
11. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 in which
the lid hinges from the closed position to one or more open
positions with the aid of an inbuilt cam and cam follower
means.
12. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 in which
the upstanding wall incorporates an outwardly facing
circumferential corrugation below the rim.
13. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 9 wherein
the corrugation is spaced below the rim so that the closure element
and lid can be accommodated on the rim and the corrugation projects
outwardly further than the peripheral edge of the lid.
14. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 6 which
includes a handle attached to the closure element.
15. A container and lid combination as claimed in claim 14 in which
the handle is integrally moulded with the closure element.
16. A pouring attachment adapted to be mounted on an annular rim of
a can and which receives a lid allowing sealing and re-sealing of
said can with said lid, said pouring attachment including an outer
annular rim defining an annular space and inner circumferential
wall against which the lid sealingly abuts and lid retaining means
for releasably securing the lid in the annular space for sealing
and resealing of the can.
17. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 15 in which the lid
incorporates a dependent flange which wipes past an internal
sealing bead located on the inner circumferential wall of the
pouring attachment and extends past the sealing bead.
18. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 17 in which the
dependent peripheral flange of the lid is shaped to allow the lid
to drain any contents back into the container.
19. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16 which includes a
handle.
20. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16 in which the
pouring attachment incorporates a pouring spout, adapted to guide
the flow of the liquid contents of the container to which the
pouring attachment is attached, extending outwardly from the inner
circumferential wall of the pouring attachment against which the
lid sealingly abuts.
21. A pouring attachment as claimed in claim 16 in which the lid
hinges from the closed position to one or more open positions with
the aid of an inbuilt cam and cam follower means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a new pouring and sealing
attachment of the kind adapted to be mounted on a can and, more
particularly, a paint can, but not limited thereto.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Paint can attachments are well known for a variety of
purposes. There are two broad types of paint pouring attachments,
including a clip on spout, which facilitates pouring only, and a
decanting spout which is usually formed as part of a container lid
(e.g. as used with automotive tints). However, they must be removed
to reseal the container, and the stacking of containers with a
spout is not possible. Paint can attachments may also function as a
brush wiper for removing excess paint from the brush after it has
been dipped into the paint and usually also facilitates the
outpouring of paint from the can.
[0003] However, most known attachments suffer from the disadvantage
that they must be detached from the can to facilitate reclosing
thereof which is necessary to prevent the deterioration of any
remaining paint and to prevent the ingress of contaminants. This
step is time consuming and can be very messy.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,879 discloses an add-on product which
sits atop an existing, fully featured (ie with metal handle, lid
and triple-tite ring) paint tin. It is a stand-alone product which
would be applied by the user. It offers no cost or feature
advantage to a paint manufacturer, and increases the overall
expense of the package to the end-user. After use, the
spout/paintbrush-rest would be covered in wet paint and it would
act as a dust and dirt collection area, contaminating paint when
next used.
[0005] Australian patent 676820 discloses a stand-alone product,
which is, also attached to an existing, fully featured, paint tin.
It uses the existing metal paint lid and does not have provisions
for it draining or being retained. It would normally be purchased
separately by the consumer. It does not have a cover for the
pouring spout. It is not nestable in a palletising sense in its
current configuration and does not offer any advantage to paint
manufacturers, only to consumers. There is no provision for a
handle.
[0006] WO 00/51908 discloses a top for a beverage can which is
intended to be an additional item attached by the consumer. It is
not suitable for use with a wide mouth container having a lid.
Again it adds additional cost.
[0007] WO 03/045809 discloses a closure that seats on the external
face of a container rim. It is intended for use with beverages and
is unsuitable for a wide mouth container such as a paint tin. There
is no provision for a handle.
[0008] WO 98/19918 discloses a fitting for a container such as a
gable topped container which is not suitable for lidded container
and does not disclose means for securing the fitting to the rim of
a wide mouthed container. There is no provision for a handle.
[0009] Prior art such as Australian patent 737661, U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,724,979, 5,975,346, and 6,360,909 and WO 02/49931 disclose
containers with hinged lids which have inherent design faults which
restrict their use in the sealing and resealing of fluid products
(liquids or powders).
[0010] Australian Patent 638039 discloses a container with an
adaptor ring that encloses the rim of the container and which
carries a lid. There is no pouring spout and the arrangement does
not include a handle.
[0011] WO9515861 has a similar design but again is unable to
provide an inexpensive arrangement which can provide a pouring
spout and a handle.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
alternative pouring and sealing attachment for a container, such as
a paint can or other similar can, which overcomes or at least
ameliorates the above disadvantages of the prior art, or at least
provides a clear alternative choice for consumers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention there is
provided a pouring attachment adapted to be mounted on an annular
rim of a can and which receives a lid allowing sealing and
re-sealing of said can with said lid, said pouring attachment
including an outer annular rim defining an annular space and inner
circumferential wall against which lid sealingly abuts and lid
retaining means for releasably securing the lid in the annular
space for sealing and resealing of the can. The invention also
relates to containers which include a pouring attachment of the
type described.
[0014] The lid is a purpose-built lid for the pouring attachment,
ideally integrally moulded therewith from solvent-resistant
plastics material.
[0015] In one embodiment the present invention provides a container
and lid combination comprising
[0016] a) a container having a bottom and an upstanding wall having
a rim at the open end
[0017] b) a closure element adapted to seat on the rim, said
element having an internal flange that abuts and sealingly engages
the internal edge of the rim
[0018] c) a lid attached to the closure element and having a
dependent internal flange adapted to sealingly engage an internal
edge of the closure element
[0019] d) a handle attached to the closure element.
[0020] This arrangement avoids the necessity to form a complex rim
such as the conventional triple tight seal in metal cans. A simple
container may be formed with a bottom either in metal or synthetic
plastic. To provide rigidity to the rim the edge may be turned
inwardly, flanged or beaded if made in plastic. An outwardly
directed corrugation may be provided below the rim to stiffen the
container rim and protect the clips and other protruding features.
An outwardly directed corrugation may be provided below the rim to
stiffen the container rim. This container construction enables cost
savings in the manufacture of the container.
[0021] The provision of a closure element enables this part to be
separately manufactured in plastic by injection moulding. The
closure element preferably has an external dimension no greater
than the external dimension of the container at the corrugation
below the rim so that the corrugation makes it difficult to
accidentally dislodge the closure element. The flange of the
closure element preferably incorporates a peripheral bead on its
outer face to seat below the container rim and provide aggressive
retention of the closure element on the container. The internal
face of the closure element flange may incorporate a sealing bead
or preferably a downwardly inclined sealing flange to abut the
flange of the lid. The closure element may incorporate a pouring
spout to allow decanting of the container contents. Preferably, the
outer edge of the closure element incorporates a forwardly or
outwardly extending pouring spout and a brush-wipe edge extending
radially inwardly towards the central annular space of the closure
element. When a pouring spout is incorporated into the closure
element the internal sealing bead varies in height to ensure that
it lies below the edge of the internal wiping edge.
[0022] A handle is attached to the closure element and allows the
full container to be lifted. The handle may be attachable to the
closure element by having the ends of the handle engage a slot in
the closure element. Alternatively the ends of the handle may
include a slot such as a key hole slot to engage a headed spigot
moulded onto the closure elements rim. The handle is preferably
integrally moulded with the closure element and the material is
sufficiently flexible and strong to allow the handle to be raised
and hinged at the junction of the handle ends to the closure
element. The handle is preferably positioned to facilitate pouring
from the container.
[0023] A lid may be integrally moulded with the closure element or
may be removebly attachable by a pin hinged or trunnion or clip
structure to the retainer element. The lid incorporates a dependent
flange which wipes past the internal sealing bead on the flange of
the closure element and extends past the sealing bead. The
dependent peripheral flange preferably is shaped to allow the lid
to drain any contents back into the container. Preferably, the lid
includes means whereby the lid may be propped open substantially
perpendicular (from about 80.degree. to about 90.degree.) to the
plane of the outer rim of the pouring attachment, to facilitate
self-draining of paint from the underside of the lid back into the
main container. To allow the lid to have one or more set positions,
the lid hinges from the closed position to the open position(s)
with the aid of an inbuilt cam and cam follower means. The lid may
use any conventional hinge structure and may be permanently fixed
to the closure element or if preferred the lid can be detachable
from the closure element. This enables the end user to decide to
remove the lid or retain the lid. A retained lid with fixed open
positions does not interfere in the movement of the brush into and
out of the can and allows any paint wiped onto the internal lid
surface to drip back into the can.
[0024] The closure of the lid is supplemented by one or more clips
peripherally spaced about the outer edge of the closure element to
securely hold the lid in sealing engagement with the closure
element. These clips are dimensioned to not extend significantly
beyond the periphery defined by the widest part of the
container.
[0025] When the closure rim incorporates a spout the lid may have
an extension to close over the edge of the spout.
[0026] From a point of view of the manufacturer and retailer it is
important that for shipping and storage that the external
dimensions of the container are the same as the conventional
container of equivalent volume so that the number of containers per
pallet is not reduced. Accordingly the external dimensions of the
spout preferably lie within the widest periphery of the container
body so that the pallet footprint of the container and lid is not
increased. The lid may incorporate an upstanding peripheral rim on
its upper surface to engage the bottom of a container to facilitate
positive nesting when stacking of the containers on a pallet or at
point of sale.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be further described with reference to
the accompanying drawings relating to some non-limiting embodiments
of the invention:--
[0028] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container, such as a
paint can, according to one embodiment of the present invention
wherein the upper end closure of the can includes a closure element
with integral spout and a hinged lid for sealing/re-sealing of the
container, and hinged lid retaining clips. The peripheral groove on
the upper outer surface of the lid facilitates stackability or
nesting;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
with the lid hinged in the open position;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned side elevational view of the
container of FIG. 2, with the lid in the open position;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned side elevational view of the
container of FIG. 1, with the lid in the closed position;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a top plan or top elevational view of retaining
element and lid of FIGS. 1-4, with the lid hinged fully open;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the closure of FIG.
5;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectioned side elevational view of the
closure of FIG. 6;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectioned side elevational view through
the hinge of FIG. 5;
[0036] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectioned elevational view
through a typical section of the upper rim of the container and
upper end closure in the closed position.
[0037] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation view
through a section of the upper rim of the container with the
closure element and lid hinged in the open position.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of two containers
according to an embodiment of the invention, demonstrating vertical
stackability. In the drawings, the following legend applies to the
use of reference numerals.
LEGEND
[0039] 1. Container with closure (e.g. paint can)
[0040] 2. Container body
[0041] 3. Upper end closure
[0042] 4. Annular closure element
[0043] 5. Lid
[0044] 5a. Pouring spout
[0045] 6. Spout cover
[0046] 7. Clip
[0047] 8. Clip engagement lug
[0048] 9. Hinge
[0049] 10. Annular groove
[0050] 11. Base rim
[0051] 12. Handle
[0052] 13. Handle hinge
[0053] 14. Upper face of lid (with brand logo)
[0054] 15. Annular opening
[0055] 16. Inner rim
[0056] 17. Sealing flange
[0057] 18. Draining rim of flange
[0058] 19. Paint drops
[0059] 20. Rolled lip
[0060] 21. Lid held in draining position
[0061] 22. Sealing flange for spout on lid
[0062] 23. Sealing flange on closure element
[0063] 24. Sealing extension on lid for spout
[0064] 26. Sealing face on lid
[0065] 28. Camming surface
[0066] 29. Lid engagement means (open position)
[0067] 30. Nesting engagement ramps
[0068] The embodiment illustrated in the drawings is a paint
container 2 formed from tin plate with a closure 3 formed from
polypropylene comprising a closure element 4 and lid 5. The
container body 2 is formed from metal with a bottom formed with a
base rim 11 and the rim at the open end formed with a rolled lip 20
and an outwardly projecting corrugation located below it. It is
within the scope of this invention to use a synthetic plastic
container body formed from a high density polyolefine such as high
density polyethylene or polypropylene or polyethyleneterphthalate
(PET).
[0069] The closure element 4 defines an annular opening 15 into the
container body 2 formed by the flange 16 which defines the inner
face of the retainer element and seats on the rolled lip 20. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the closure element s maximum external
diameter below the rolled lip is less than the internal diameter of
the container body 2. A bead on the outer face of the flange 16
snaps in below the rolled lip 20 to retain the element 4 on the
container body 2. The element 4 incorporates a pouring spout 5A
which is positioned below the height of the rim of the retaining
element 4 to facilitate the flow of the liquid contents from the
container. The sealing strip 23 which is positioned just below the
upper internal edge of the flange 16 of the closure element,
follows the contour of the spout 5A in the element 4 and provides a
wiping edge behind the spout 5A.
[0070] An optional handle is provided, which folds up for use in
carrying the container, and which may be folded down to either the
spout side or to the opposite side of the container when not in
use. The handle 12 is attached to the closure element 4 by a hinge
13 which may be a conventional pin hinge or may be provided by an
integrally moulded handle. The handle is strong enough to support
the weight of the filled container and the frictional grip of the
bead on flange 16 below the rolled lip 20 is also sufficient to
ensure that the filled container can be lifted using the handle
12.
[0071] The lid 5 is attached to the closure element 4 by the hinge
arrangement 9. The hinge 9 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is
injection moulded for retention on the retaining element. As shown
in FIG. 10 the lid incorporates a mating member 29 that engages the
camming surface 28 on the retaining element so that the lid can
assume a number of set positions such as 80.degree. or 90.degree.
or any other angle. Preferably the hinge 9 is of a type that allows
the lid 5 to be detached from the closure element 4. The lid
incorporates a dependent flange 17 which is sufficiently deep
adjacent the hinge 9 to ensure that the draining flange 18 projects
beyond the internal edge of the closure element flange 16 so that
any paint 19 on the lid 5 will drip back into the container as
shown in FIG. 3. The portion 26 of flange 17 (shown in FIG. 9)
aggressively abuts the strip 23 to provide a tight seal about the
opening 15. To secure the lid 5 tightly to the closure element 4
the lid incorporates clips 7 which snap over the retaining lugs 8
on the outer edge of the element 4. The lid incorporates a spout
cover 6 that encloses the spout 5A when the lid is closed. The
contour of the edge of the flange 17 follows that of the sealing
strip 23 so that the edge 22 abutting the wiping edge of the spout
seals the lid against the edge of the spout 5A when the lid is
closed.
[0072] The lid incorporates a bearing surface 10 to take the weight
of a stacked container and the lugs 30 locate the base of a
container when the containers are stacked. One or more of the
positive action clips could include a tamper-evident seal, as could
the handle or the pouring-spout in combination with its cover.
[0073] The components of the closure are suitably fabricated by
standard injection moulding techniques using a polyolefine
preferably a high density polypropylene or polyethylene.
[0074] Some of the main features and benefits of the invention when
applied to paint containers are summarized as follows:
[0075] easy controlled pouring--no drips or runs down the side of
the can;
[0076] paint is not trapped in the rim of the can--the sealing edge
is self-draining;
[0077] large opening to allow proper stirring, mixing and the use
of large brushes;
[0078] self-draining straight-edge for controlled brush wiping;
[0079] interlocks when stacking cans on top of each other (pallet,
retail-display or at home);
[0080] lid is locked positively into position by clips--does not
rely on friction;
[0081] does not increase packaging pallet footprint;
[0082] provides a self-draining seat for the lid while in use;
[0083] integrated cover or lid prevents contact and dirt ingress to
all surfaces covered with paint;
[0084] works with paint tins with handles on the body if so
desired;
[0085] does not rust and is solvent resistant when made from
suitable polymer;
[0086] resilient polymeric construction retains shape even when
dropped
[0087] Although the invention has been described with reference to
paint containers it is not limited thereto. The invention is also
suitable for the packaging of other fluid products, including both
liquids and powders. The invention is also adaptable to the
packaging of other products in general.
[0088] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary
skills in the art that a number of changes, modifications or
alterations to the invention described herein may be made, none of
which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such
changes, modifications and alterations should therefore be seen as
being with the scope of the present invention.
[0089] It should be apparent that the present invention provides a
substantial advance in the field of container manufacture,
providing all of the herein-described advantages without incurring
any relative disadvantages.
* * * * *