U.S. patent number 3,672,547 [Application Number 04/889,169] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-27 for container with replaceable plug and pouring spout.
Invention is credited to Robert L. Kozlowski.
United States Patent |
3,672,547 |
Kozlowski |
June 27, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
CONTAINER WITH REPLACEABLE PLUG AND POURING SPOUT
Abstract
A lid for a paint can and the like, the lid having a circular
aperture formed therein adjacent one edge. A removable plug is
provided for closing the aperture formed in the lid. When it is
desired to pour material from the container, the plug is removed
from the aperture in the lid and a pouring agent is placed over the
aperture.
Inventors: |
Kozlowski; Robert L.
(Southfield, MI) |
Family
ID: |
25394622 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/889,169 |
Filed: |
December 30, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/567;
220/293 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
25/48 (20130101); B44D 3/127 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
25/38 (20060101); B65D 25/48 (20060101); B65d
025/48 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/570,568,567,566,540,542 ;220/25,40,55.1,85SP,29 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Bartuska; Francis J.
Claims
Having thus described the invention by way of examples of typical
structural embodiments thereof, what is claimed as new is as
follows:
1. In combination with a conventional can having an opening on the
top thereof and a removable closure lid for said opening wherein
said lid has an upwardly projecting rim and a flat portion
generally recessed relatively to said rim, the improvement
comprising:
an aperture formed in the recessed flat portion of said lid
proximate said rim;
a pair of opposed radially directed slots extending outwardly from
said aperture and a pair of opposed arcuate flanges disposed
between said slots around the periphery of said aperture and
forming a pair of thread-like arcuate inclined ramps;
a removable plug for fitting said aperture, said plug being so
dimensioned that the portion of said plug projecting from said lid
is below any projecting portion of said rim and of said top of the
can;
said plug comprising a generally flat annular member having a
central cut-out portion therein, a generally flat circular member
secured to said annular member over said cut-out portion, and a
pair of opposed tabs integral with said annular member adjacent the
periphery of said central aperture, each of said tabs extending
outwardly a short distance from the plane of said annular member
and radially from said cut-out portion and being disposed for
insertion through one of said radial slots in the aperture in said
lid for engagement beneath said arcuate flanges for securing said
plug onto said lid over said aperture in the lid; and
a recess formed in said circular member for accepting a tool for
driving said plug in rotation.
2. The improvement of claim 1, comprising a pouring spout
interchangeable with said plug and comprising a generally flat
annular member with a central aperture formed therein, a curved
tubular member having one end secured to one side of said annular
member over said central aperture, and a pair of opposed tabs
integral with said annular member adjacent the periphery of said
central aperture, each of said tabs extending outwardly a short
distance from the plane of said annular member and radially from
said central aperture, each of said tabs being disposed for
insertion through said radial slots in the aperture in said lid for
engagement beneath said arcuate flanges for securing said spout
onto said lid over said aperture in the lid.
3. The improvement of claim 2, further comprising a closure for
securing over the open end of said spout.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers and pouring
spouts therefor, and more specifically to a lid for paint cans and
the like having a detachable plug and a pouring spout which may be
used interchangeably.
II. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, various types of lids have been used for paint
cans and like containers, but conventionally a detachable lid is
pressed in an opening disposed on an end of the can and secured
therein by the engagement of a downwardly projecting annular flange
formed around the periphery of the lid with a conforming annular
flange secured within the periphery of the open end of the can.
When certain brands of paints are sold to the customer, it is
necessary for the paint salesman to add coloring to the base paint
contained in the can. In order to add the desired coloring, the
salesman must first remove the lid by inserting a wedge shaped tool
between the flange formed on the lid and the flange on the can
opening and force the lid off the can. Once the coloring has been
added, the lid is replaced over the can opening and hammered back
in secure engagement therewith. The paint can is then vibrated for
a period of time to thoroughly mix the coloring and the base
paint.
When the user of the paint is ready to begin painting, the can lid
must again be removed and the contents of the can thoroughly
stirred. Due to the large size of many paint containers, the user
may want to pour a small quantity of the paint into a smaller
container, or if he intends to use a paint roller for applying the
paint to the surface to be painted he must pour a portion of the
contents of the can into a shallow pan and dip the roller into the
pan. Pouring paint from a conventional can is a somewhat messy
operation and invariably creates extra work for the user, since the
paint drips down the side of the can, necessitating precautions to
be taken to avoid dripping the paint on other articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The paint container of the present invention eliminates the need of
removing the can lid during the color adding operation and the
painting operation by providing a paint can lid having a small
aperture normally obturated by a removable plug and a detachable
pouring spout interchangeable with the plug. A conventional paint
can having the conventional press-on lid is provided. The can lid
has a relatively small circular aperture, preferably formed
adjacent the edge of the lid to facilitate pouring of the paint
from the can.
A plug is provided for securing over the aperture. For that
purpose, the plug is provided with securing means for cooperative
engagement with securing means dependent from the aperture in the
lid.
When it is desired to add color to the base paint, the plug is
removed from the can lid and the coloring added through the
aperture in the lid. The aperture is then closed by means of the
plug, and the can vibrated to thoroughly mix the coloring with the
base paint. When the user desires to use the contents of the can,
he removes the plug from the lid and introduces a stirring rod
through the aperture in the lid, thus eliminating the necessity of
removing the whole lid.
When it is desired to pour paint from the can, a pouring spout is
fastened over the aperture in the lid. The spout may be secured to
the container lid over the circular aperture therein the same
manner as the plug that it replaces, thus eliminating the need to
remove the can lid for pouring the contents thereof and eliminating
much of the mess and inconvenience that is associated with prying
the lid of the can, pouring paint from the can and hammering the
lid back in place.
Thus, a container lid plug and pouring spout is provided for a
conventional paint can and the like, requiring no modification of
the can and only slight modification of the lid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description refers to the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several
views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional can, such as a paint
can, provided with an example of a removable lid plug according to
the present invention, and of a pouring spout interchangeable with
the plug;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective exploded view of a portion of the
can lid and the plug, showing the plug removed from the aperture in
the lid;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plug shown in FIGS. 1 and
2;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the can lid and plug,
with the plug secured over the aperture formed in the can lid;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the spout shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of the
can lid and plug assembly;
FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of a modification
embodiment of the pouring spout with a portion broken away;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the can lid
and plug assembly; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a further modification of the
invention .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a paint container, generally indicated at 10,
includes a conventional paint can 12, having a handle 14 and a lid
16.
As best shown in FIG. 4, the paint can 12, which is generally
cylindrically shaped and open at its top end, as shown at 22,
includes an inwardly extending annular flange 18 secured to the can
top circular edge 20 for securing the lid 16 over the top opening
22 of the can. In the example of can shown, the flange 18 is
generally U-shaped forming an annular downwardly directed recess 24
adjacent the edge 20 of the can 12.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lid 16 includes a generally flat
circular central portion 28 provided with an integral upwardly
projecting annular edge 26 connected to the central circular
portion 28 by a generally S-shaped integral annular portion 30
which, as indicated in FIG. 4, forms a generally U-shaped upwardly
directed annular recess 32 and a generally U-shaped downwardly
directed concentric annular portion 34 formed between the annular
recess 32 and the edge 26 of the lid. As indicated in FIG. 4, the
lid 16 may be placed over the opening 22 of the can 12 and secured
thereto by pressing down the lid such that the downwardly
projecting annular portion 34 thereof fits in the flange 18. The
inner ridge 36 of the can flange 18 extends into the annular recess
32 in the lid, forming a tight press-fit between the S-shaped
annular portion 30 of the lid 16 and the can flange 18, securing
the lid 16 onto the top of the can 12 and obturating the can
opening 22.
When it is desired to remove the lid 16 from the can 12, a
screwdriver or other similar tool is inserted between the
peripheral edge 26 of the lid and the flange 18, rotating the
screwdriver about the upper outer edge of the flange 18, thus
forcing the lid upward and off the can 12.
To eliminate the necessity of removing the lid 16 from the can 12,
for example for the purpose of adding coloring to a base paint
contained therein or for pouring the contents from the can, the lid
16 is formed with a circular aperture 38 in its recessed central
portion 28 for receiving either a plug 39 or a pouring spout 40.
Preferably, the opening 38 is formed adjacent the end of the lid 16
to facilitate pouring of the contents from the can.
Means are provided for removably fastening the plug 39 over the
aperture 38 which, in the example shown at FIGS. 2 and 4, include a
pair of opposed radially directed slots 41 and 42 formed in the
peripheral edge of the aperture 38. A pair of opposed arcuate
flange portions 44 and 46 are formed integrally with the material
of the lid 16, between the slots 41 and 42 around the periphery of
the opening 38. The flange portion 44 tapers downwardly relatively
to the top surface of the lid from slot 42 to slot 41 and the
flange portion 46 tapers downwardly relatively to the top surface
of the lid from slot 41 to slot 42.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the plug 39 includes a generally
flat, annular member 56, having a central circular cut-out portion
or opening 58 formed therein. A pair of opposed tabs 60 and 62
integral with the annular member 56 extend downwardly and radially
outwardly from the edge of the cut-out portion or opening 58 for
engaging the arcuate flange members 44 and 46 formed on the lid so
as to secure the plug 39 over the aperture 38. A generally flat
circular member 64, secured as by welding, soldering, bonding or
the like to the top surface of the annular member 56, closes the
opening 58, thus completing the assembly of the plug 39. The
circular member 64 of the plug is preferably formed with an
elongated recess 68 therein for receiving the top of a screwdriver
to tighten the plug 39 onto the lid 16. An annular gasket 70 is
preferably secured to the bottom surface of the plug annular member
56 adjacent its outer edge for forming a tight seal between the
plug 39 and the top surface of lid 16.
In order to secure the plug 39 to the lid 16 over the aperture 38
therein, the plug 39 is placed over the aperture 38 with each of
the tabs 60 and 62 passing through each of the slots 41 and 42. A
screwdriver tip is then inserted into the recess 68 to rotate the
plug clockwise, displacing each tab 60 or 62 of the plug under an
inclined flange portion 44 or 46 of the aperture 38. As the plug 39
is rotate clockwise, it is obvious that as a result of the inclined
ramps formed by the flange portions 46 and 44 being engaged on
their lower surface by the plug prongs 60 and 62, the plug 39 is
drawn against the top surface of the central portion 28 of the lid
16, forming a leakproof seal between such top surface and the
gasket 70, thus preventing the leakage of paint through the opening
38.
As shown in FIG. 4, the plug 39 is so constructed that no portion
thereof projects above the peripheral edge 26 of the lid 16.
Therefore, the plug 39 does not interfere with the stacking of a
plurality of paint cans 10 on the top of one another. It is to be
noted that in can constructions wherein the outer ridge of the
flange 18 projects above the edge 26 of the lid, the plug 39 is so
constructed that no portion thereof projects above such outer ridge
of the can, also for the purpose of avoiding intereference with a
stable vertical stacking of the cans.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the pouring spout 40 provided for
securing over the aperture 38 in the lid 16 to facilitate pouring
of paint or other contents from the can 12, includes a tapered
tubular curved member 80 provided with a radially extending flange
portion 82 formed on one end thereof secured by welding, soldering
or the like to the top surface of an annular flat member 72 having
a central opening 74 formed therein. A pair of opposed tabs 76 and
78 integral with the annular member 72, extend downwardly and
radially outward from the opening 74 for engaging the peripheral
flange portions 44 and 46 of the aperture 38 on the lid 16 to
secure the pouring spout 40 on the lid over the aperture 38. An
annular gasket 84 is preferably secured to the bottom surface of
the annular member 72 adjacent its outer edge for forming a tight
seal between the pouring spout 40 and the upper surface of the lid
16, and a breather tube 85 is preferably disposed within the
tubular member 80 of the pouring spout.
When it is desired to pour paint from the container 10, the plug 39
is removed from the aperture 38 in the lid. The pouring spout 40 is
positioned over the aperture 38 with the tabs 76-78 projecting
through the slots 41 and 42. The pouring spout 40 is then rotated
clockwise to secure it to the top of the lid 16. Once the pouring
spout 40 has been secured to the lid 16, paint may be poured from
the can 12 without removing the lid 16. A cap 86 is provided for
securing over the end of the spout 40 to reseal the can without
removing the pouring spout and replacing the plug 39 over the
aperture 38 in the lid.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modification of the invention is
shown wherein a circular aperture 90 in the can lid 16 is provided
with an annular insert 92 having a threaded inner surface 94
registering with the opening 90 secured to the under surface of the
lid 16, as by means of welding, soldering or the like, as shown at
96.
The plug 39 has a cylindrical body 98, formed with a radially
extending flange 100, provided with external threads 102 for
engaging the internal threads 94 of the insert member 92. As the
plug 39 is screwed into the insert 92, the flange 100 of the plug
engages the top surface of the lid 16 so as to form a seal
therewith. An annular gasket 104 may be secured to the lower
surface of the flange 100 adjacent its periphery to aid in the
sealing with the top surface of the lid 16. An elongated recess 106
is formed in the top surface of the plug for receiving a
screwdriver tip. It is to be noted that no portion of the plug 98
projects either beyond the rim of the lid or the rim of the can, so
as to not interfere with vertical stacking of the cans.
When it is desired to pour paint from the can, the plug 39 of FIG.
6 is unscrewed from the insert 92 and is replaced by a pouring
spout 40, as illustrated at FIG. 7. The pouring spout comprises a
tapered curved tubular member 110 having a radially extending
annular flange 112 secured therearound, as by welding, soldering,
bonding or the like, a short distance from the lower end thereof.
Threads 114 are formed on the outer surface of the tubular member
110 between the flange 112 and the lower end of the tubular member.
Thus, the pouring spout may be screwed into the insert 92 in the
can lid with the flange 112 forming a seal with the top surface of
the lid. An annular gasket 16 may be secured to the lower surface
of the flange 112 adjacent its periphery to aid in sealing the
flange 112 with the top surface of the lid.
Referring to FIG. 8, a further modification of the invention is
shown wherein the bottom end face of the internally threaded insert
92 is flush with the bottom surface of the lid 16 by being disposed
and soldered in an upwardly extending cylindrical recess 118 formed
around the aperture 90 in the lid. By thus disposing the bottom end
face of the insert 92 flush with the bottom surface of the lid 16,
all of the contents of the can 12 may be fully drained through the
opening 90. The same results may be achieved also by means of the
arrangement of FIG. 6 wherein the insert 92 is affixed in alignment
with the aperture 90 above the lid 16 instead of beneath the lid as
shown. It is to be noted that the insert 92 is preferably so
dimensioned that no portion of the plug extends beyond the rim of
the lid or of the can so as not to interfere with vertical stacking
of the cans.
Instead of an annular threaded insert 92 being welded, soldered or
otherwise attached to the small aperture in the can lid 16 for
removably securing a plug or an interchangeable pouring spout to
the lid, as illustrated at FIGS. 6 and 8, the alternate arrangement
of FIG. 9 may be used. As shown in FIG. 9, an aperture 120 is
formed in the can lid 16 by piercing a hole in the lid by means of
a punch and by forming an integral cylindrical flange 122 from an
excess portion of the sheet metal of the lid disposed about the
periphery of the hole. The cylindrical flange 122 is formed
downwardly projecting, as illustrated, or alternately upwardly
projecting, not shown, and threads 124 are formed in the flange to
provide engagement with the external threads on the plug body and
with the external threads on the threaded end of the pouring
spout.
* * * * *