U.S. patent number 3,730,382 [Application Number 05/122,303] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-01 for plastic pail with integral handle and plug-type plastic cover.
Invention is credited to Raymond A. Heisler.
United States Patent |
3,730,382 |
Heisler |
May 1, 1973 |
PLASTIC PAIL WITH INTEGRAL HANDLE AND PLUG-TYPE PLASTIC COVER
Abstract
A molded one-piece plastic pail of tapered configuration has a
handle molded integrally with a top outwardly extending rim. This
handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the
container and at a determined distance down from the top of the
outer rim. A plurality of intermediate gate portions is provided
between the handle and the rim during molding and is left connected
to the handle and rim so as to maintain the handle in a determined
spaced condition and position during the time the container is
being shipped, filled and stored. The cover is formed to provide a
plug fit with the open end of the container. The inner upper edge
of the container's open end has a retaining ledge formed so as to
engage a molded notch formed at the upper end of the plug seal
portion of the cover. This provides an upper seal of the plug seal
of the cover. At the lower end of the plug seal portion the cover
has an interference fit with a tapered portion of the container to
form a lower fluid tight seal. From the plug seal the cover is
formed with an outwardly extending portion that terminates at a
downturned annular flange which is sized so as to snugly engage an
outer annular flanged edge provided by the container rim. In its
mounted condition the downturned annular flange portion of the
cover is slid over the outer edge of the container to provide a
tension member by which the retaining ledge of the container is
maintained in engagement with the notch in the cover. This sealing
condition is maintained until the annular flange of the cover is
displaced from the container rim and then from the plug seal of the
container. The container sidewalls are formed with a taper disposed
to slide one within the other and to provide a determined clearance
in a nonlocking condition as the outer rim of one container is
caused to rest upon the outer rim of a succeeding lower container.
In a stacked and stored condition the sidewalls of the container
are disposed in a determined spaced relationship permitting ready
separation or unstacking of the containers. A pry slot is provided
between cover and outer rim of the container. A self-sealing plug
is provided in those covers for containers which are to have
tinting colors added at the point of sale. In an alternate
embodiment the upper rim of the container is provided with an
outwardly extending upper bead. The cover is complementarily formed
to provide a mating receiving groove to engage and retain this bead
in its outer, downwardly turned flange portion. The upper outwardly
extending ring portion of the cover in its mounted condition is
stretched outwardly to bring the mating receiving groove of the
cover over and onto the outer bead of the container rim.
Inventors: |
Heisler; Raymond A. (Franklin
Lakes, NJ) |
Family
ID: |
22401913 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/122,303 |
Filed: |
March 9, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/790; 206/519;
220/755; 220/763; 220/771 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
21/0219 (20130101); B65D 43/021 (20130101); B65D
21/0233 (20130101); B65D 25/325 (20130101); B65D
43/0208 (20130101); B65D 2543/00537 (20130101); B65D
2543/00092 (20130101); B65D 2543/00509 (20130101); B65D
2401/10 (20200501); B65D 2543/00796 (20130101); B65D
2543/00555 (20130101); B65D 2543/00648 (20130101); B65D
2543/00685 (20130101); B65D 2543/00296 (20130101); B65D
2543/0074 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
43/02 (20060101); B65D 25/28 (20060101); B65D
21/02 (20060101); B65D 25/32 (20060101); B65d
043/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;220/6R,97F,97C,97D,94A
;150/.5 ;206/DIG.22 ;229/43 ;215/1A,37R,DIG.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
736,912 |
|
Sep 1955 |
|
GB |
|
1,218,315 |
|
May 1960 |
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FR |
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56,473 |
|
Jun 1963 |
|
DT |
|
1,419,795 |
|
Oct 1965 |
|
FR |
|
1,257,319 |
|
Feb 1961 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Lowrance; George E.
Assistant Examiner: Marcus; Stephen
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a
molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly
extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper
inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the
upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a ringlike portion extending
outwardly from the inner bead and forming the upper surface of the
rim; (c) a downwardlyextending annular flange integrally attached
to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of the rim; (d) a bail
handle molded as a part of the container and attached by its ends
to the outer surface of the downwardly extending annular flange so
as to extend outwardly from this surface, said handle molded in
position below the top surface of the annular flange of the
container rim, the handle portions immediately adjacent the
attached ends being spaced from the flange so as to freely swing
around and by said attaching end; (e) a cover of plastic material
having a recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical
configuration sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly
tapered upper inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a
groove formed at the upper extent of said conical configuration and
next to a planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming
the top portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and
retain the inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the
cover is in a mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending
annular rim integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar
portion of the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage
the annular flange of the rim of the container and to urge said
planar cover portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and
to maintain the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove
during the time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement
with the annular flange of the container rim.
2. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the
handle, as molded, lies in a plane normal to the axis of the
container and the handle as molded further has its intermediate
portion spaced from and by at least one gate portion removably
connected to the outer side surface of the rim of the container,
said gate portion tending to maintain the handle in the molded
position and spaced condition during the time the container is
shipped, filled, stored and the like.
3. A container and cover combination as in claim 2 in which the
container handle has its midportion widened to provide a hand-grip
portion, and in which between this hand-grip portion and the rim of
the container there is provided at least two removable gate
portions.
4. A container and cover combination as in claim 2 in which the
ends of the handle at the attaching point to the rim of the
container has molded thereat additional integral web reinforcements
extending from the handle to the rim to provide a determined safety
attachment.
5. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the
midportion of the cover is made with a recessed portion of
determined diameter sized to removably retain a bottom support rim
of the container.
6. A container and cover combination as in claim 5 in which the
recessed portion of the cover is formed with an inturned lip
providing an undercut recess into which a label, booklet and the
like may be removably retained.
7. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the
inwardly directed bead on the container rim is shaped to provide a
truncated cross-sectional configuration and in which the inner
groove of the cover is formed with at least one inclined surface
disposed to engage a mating surface of the bead and in the mounted
condition of the cover to compress the bead in the groove to
provide a fluid-tight seal.
8. A container and cover combination as in claim 1 in which the
bail handle is attached at substantially diametrically opposite
positions on the outer surface of the annular flange.
9. In a container and cover construction, the combination of: (a) a
molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly
extending rim, said container having an outwardly tapered upper
inner wall portion terminating at an inwardly directed bead at the
upper inner edge of the rim and with a short substantially vertical
section formed immediately below said inwardly directed bead; (b) a
ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and
forming the upper surface of the rim, said rim of the container
having its outer edge formed with an outwardly extending bead; (c)
an annular flange integrally attached to the outer edge of the
ring-like portion of the rim, said flange extending downwardly from
said ring-like portion; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the
container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the
annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be
retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange
of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a
recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration
sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper
inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at
the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a
planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top
portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the
inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a
mounted condition, the lower portion of the inner groove formed
with an engaging lip of substantially the same diameter as the
short vertical portion of the container top rim so that in its
mounted condition the engaging lip is in engagement with the
vertical section to effect at least a partial plug seal; (h) an
outer groove formed in the cover at the termination of the planar
ring portion, the outer groove disposed to engage the outwardly
extending bead of the rim when the cover is in a mounted condition
on the rim and with an inwardly directed lip forming the lower
portion of said outer groove in the cover this lip having a conical
surface extending outwardly and downwardly to provide a cam
surface, the outer groove in the cover when in a relaxed condition
being smaller in a diameter than the diameter of the outer bead of
the container rim so that the planar-like ring portion and inner
cover portion need be and is stretched outwardly a small amount to
effect the mounting and retaining of the cover on the rim of the
container, and (i) a downwardly extending annular rim integrally
connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of the cover,
the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular flange of
the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover portion
outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain the
inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the time
the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the annular
flange of the container rim.
10. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which a
small outwardly extending fin is formed in the face of the engaging
lip below the groove in the cover, the fin disposed to engage the
substantially vertical wall surface and insure a positive line seal
of the cover to container when the cover is in a mounted
condition.
11. A container and cover combination as in claim 9 in which the
cover is formed with a downwardly directed V-shaped portion in
whose outer conical face is formed the inner groove and engaging
lip and with the lower portion of said engaging lip tapered
outwardly to provide a cam surface.
12. In a container and cover construction the combination of: (a) a
molded container having an open top formed with an outwardly
extending rim, said container having its sidewalls formed in a
tapered configuration permitting the nesting of containers and with
said upper inner tapered surface having a greater taper than the
lower inner surface of the tapered sidewall terminating at an
inwardly directed bead at the upper inner edge of the rim; (b) a
ring-like portion extending outwardly from the inner bead and
forming the upper surface of the rim; (c) an annular flange
integrally attached to the outer edge of the ring-like portion of
the rim, said flange extending downwardly from said ring-like
portion and formed with a bottom edge providing a support shoulder
for the container as it rests upon the rim of the nested next lower
container so as to maintain the nested containers in a non-locking
nested relationship; (d) a bail handle molded as a part of the
container and attached by its ends to the outer surface of the
annular flange, said handle in its molded condition disposed to be
retained in a position below the top surface of the annular flange
of the container rim; (e) a cover of plastic material having a
recessed inner portion whose outer face is a conical configuration
sized so as to nest within and engage the outwardly tapered upper
inner wall portion of the container opening; (f) a groove formed at
the upper extent of said conical configuration and next to a
planar, ring-like portion extending outwardly and forming the top
portion of the cover, said groove disposed to engage and retain the
inwardly directed bead of the container rim when the cover is in a
mounted condition, and (g) a downwardly extending annular rim
integrally connected to the outer extent of said planar portion of
the cover, the annular rim sized so as to snugly engage the annular
flange of the rim of the container and to urge said planar cover
portion outwardly to provide a tensioned condition and to maintain
the inner bead of the container rim in the cover groove during the
time the annular rim of the cover is in snug engagement with the
annular flange of the container rim.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
With reference to the class of art as established in the United
States Patent Office the present invention pertains, at least in
part, to the Class entitled, "Metallic Receptacles," and in
particular to the subclass of "handles," and also "with cover
position -- conditioned release." In addition, the sub-classes
identified as "closures," "fastening devices -- snapping," and to
"slip type," are also quite pertinent to the present invention.
Another general class entitled, "Bottles and Jars" and the
subclasses therein of "closures," and more particularly "elastic"
has many containers of a somewhat similar construction. Another
general class entitled, "Cloth, Leather and Rubber Receptacles,"
and the subclass therein entitled "miscellaneous" may have art of a
similar nature.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Plastic containers including tapered pails for paint and the like
are, of course, well known but insofar as is known, it is novel to
provide a plastic container with an integrally molded handle for
use with a mating plug-type cover which may be readily mounted and
removed from the container by manipulation of a retaining lip
mating with an annular rim of the container. Plastic containers,
particularly those used to package and store prepared food items
have flexible covers but usually use an adhesive seal to maintain a
hermetic or vacuum sealing. Several patents, including those to
Tupper, pertain to containers for use with plastic snap lids. Other
containers, particularly those made by blow molding often are
provided with integrally molded handles. Many attempts have been
made to provide a plastic container for use in the packaging of
paint, particularly in one gallon lots. In such a container,
because of the weight of the paint, it is highly desirable, if not
mandatory, that a bail or handle be provided so that the container
may be easily carried. In certain pails or containers previously
offered to the industry the containers have had button-type
protuberances formed or provided on their sidewalls and to these
protuberances there has been attached strap-like bails of plastic
strip. In other blow-molded containers handles have been molded as
an integral part of the container, but usually these handles have
been molded on the vertical parting line of the container. In the
high speed filling of containers it is necessary that the handle or
bail be disposed and maintained in a condition other than in way of
the open top of the container.
The closing and sealing of the open end of the container by a cover
requires that the cover so provided must not only provide a
positive seal and retention during its shipment and storage, but
also that the cover must be easily removable by the customer while
providing for the easy replacement and resealing of the container
by the cover.
The present invention does provide a container in which the handle
is molded integral with the container and in its molded condition
the handle is disposed below, yet adjacent, the open top of the
container. The container is provided with a cover which provides a
plug-type seal of the open top while also having the provision of
an engaged retaining shoulder and groove adapted to prevent the
dislodgment of the cover by the sudden application of pressure
against the cover. A lip member of the cover extends from the plug
seal and retaining groove to an outer annular flange portion which
engages a rim of the container to provide a positive tension
retention of the cover groove in the shoulder of the upper rim of
the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention may be described, at least in part, by reference to
its objects.
It is an object of this invention to provide, and it does provide,
a container which as a one piece molded unit provides a handle
molded integral therewith, the handle having a releasable retaining
means for maintaining the handle adjacent to and below the open top
of the container.
It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does
provide, a container having its open top formed with a small
integrally formed inwardly extending lip and with the lip disposed
adjacent the upper edge so as to be engaged by a cover having a
recess for an interference fit with this lip. The cover has an
outwardly extending flange portion terminating with a downturned
annular rim disposed to snugly engage the outer portion of the rim
of the container and provide a tension in the cover disposed to
retain the cover in its snugly engaged interference fit condition
with the inwardly extending lip of the container. The lid also is
contoured to provide a plug fit and additional fluid seal at a
lower portion of the open top of the container.
It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does
provide, a tapered container disposed to be nested within each
other with the outer rim portions engaging each other to prevent
locking together of the nested containers, said container having a
pry slot disposed between the bottom edge of a downturned annular
rim which snugly engages the outer portion of the rim of the
container and a shoulder formed on said outer portion of the
annular rim.
The plastic pail of this invention is contemplated as being of
approximately one gallon or larger in capacity. In the molding of
these pails a high density plastic such as polypropylene or
polyethylene in a thickness of about forty-thousandths of an inch
is contemplated as being used. The molded pails or containers are
made with a tapered configuration with the upper larger end of the
container having a channel-shaped rim which extends outwardly then
downwardly from the upper end of the container sidewall. The rim is
stiffened by a plurality of small ribs extending from the outer rim
portion to the sidewall. The upper rim of the container is sized so
that as the containers are seated one on top of the other the
sidewalls of the nested containers remain in a spaced condition
permitting ready disassembly of the containers one from the other
as they are unstacked for filling.
As constructed, the bottom of the container is formed with a
seating end disposed to nest within a recess formed in the top of
the lid so that stacked filled pails, when nested, will maintain a
substantially vertical alignment without sliding from their
position in the lid.
The container is formed with an integrally molded handle or bail
which is attached at diametrically opposed positions to the outer
surface of the rim. This handle is molded in a plane parallel to
the top of the container, but at a position sufficiently below said
top so that a widened handle portion providing an easy grip for the
pail is disposed below the top surface of the container. The
handle, thus positioned, permits the container to be moved to and
through automatic machinery for filling and packaging without the
handle being displaced or being engaged by handling equipment.
Retention of the handle in its "as molded" condition is provided by
at least two gates extending from the outer surface of the rim
portion of the container to the handle to provide an attachment by
which the handle is maintained in a spaced condition with said rim
until the handle of the pail is to be grasped for carrying by the
purchaser of the filled container.
The open top of the container is provided with an inwardly directed
retaining ledge which engages a molded notch or groove formed in
the cover. The cover has an outwardly extending rim which
terminates at a downturned annular flange which snugly slides over
and engages an annular rim provided on the molded container. A pry
shoulder may be provided on the rim so that the mounted cover may
be urged from the container.
In an alternate embodiment the inward ledge of the container rim or
top is sized so as to be a slide fit with a lower retaining ledge
providing the lower shoulder of an inner retaining groove formed in
the cover. The outward upper edge of the container top is formed
with an outwardly extending bead adapted to engage and retain a
groove provided in the inner face of the downwardly turned outer
flange of the cover. With the cover in an unmounted or relaxes
state this groove in the outer flange is a small amount less in
diameter than is the outer mating diameter bead provided on the rim
of the container. As the cover is brought to a mounted condition in
and onto the rim of the container a ring portion of the cover is
required to be stretched outwardly to slide over and engage this
outer bead. As this is occurring the inner retaining groove in the
cover is moved into a tight engagement with the inner retaining
ledge of the top rim of the container.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to
provide, and it does provide, a container having an upper rim with
both an inner and an outer bead and a complementarily formed cover
having inner and outer grooves and with a ring portion extending
between the groove portions. This ring portion is stretched a small
amount when the grooves of the cover are mounted on the inner and
outer bead portions of the container.
In addition to the above summary, the following disclosure is
detailed to insure adequacy and aid in the understanding of the
invention. This disclosure, however, is not intended to prejudice
that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive
concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by
variations in form or additions of further improvements. For this
reason there has been chosen a specific embodiment of the molded
pail or container and for use with the container there is shown a
plug-type cover as adopted for use with the pail and integrally
molded handle. This specific embodiment has been chosen for the
purposes of illustration and description as shown in the
accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 represents a side view of the container of this invention
and with a portion of the sidewall broken away to show in section
the molded construction of the container;
FIG. 2 represents in an enlarged scale a fragmentary and sectional
view showing a rim portion of three containers in a stacked or
nested array and with a cover mounted in the upper of the three
containers, and additionally shown in this view is a fragmentary
portion of a bottom of a container as it rests upon and in a formed
nest portion of the cover;
FIG. 3 represents a top view of the container of FIG. 1, this view
being taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction
of the arrows;
FIG. 4 represents an enlarged and fragmentary sectional view of a
portion of the upper rim of the container of FIG. 3 and showing in
particular the relationship of the handle or bail to the molded
upper rim of the container, the view being taken on the line 4--4
of FIG. 3, in addition there is shown a fragmentary portion of a
cover in a mounted condition upon and in the upper open end of the
container;
FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the upper rim of
the container of FIG. 3, this view being similar to the view of
FIG. 4 but with the view taken a short distance therefrom, the view
being taken through the enlarged handle portion of the bail and
showing in particular the molded gate portion providing the
retaining connection between the handle and the rim portion of the
container;
FIG. 6 represents a fragmentary sectional view in enlarged scale of
the upper rim and cover and showing an alternate lip and cover
construction;
FIG. 7 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view
the retaining ledge of the container as it is crowded into a
sealing interference fit in the retaining notch or groove of the
cover;
FIG. 8 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary plan view the
reinforcing connection of the handle to the rim of the
container;
FIG. 9 represents in a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view
an alternate construction of the bottom edge of the container;
FIG. 10 represents in a fragmentary sectional view an alternate
construction portion of the midportion of the cover;
FIG. 11 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the cover of
FIG. 10 as it nests the bottom corner of the container of FIG.
9;
FIG. 12 represents a fragmentary sectional view of the container
showing an alternate gate construction and a pry shoulder as molded
into a container rim;
FIG. 13A represents a fragmentary sectional side view of a cover
having a self-sealing plug disposed on the outer part of the cover
and permitting the penetration and withdrawal of a needle through t
he cover and seal;
FIG. 13B represents a fragmentary sectional side view of a cover
having a self-sealing plug as in FIG. 13A but with the plug
disposed on the underside of the cover;
FIG. 14A represents an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view of
yet another alternate cover configuration wherein the outer
downturned flange is formed with an inner annular recess and
adjacent bead, said bead being disposed above a larger tapered
opening;
FIG. 14B represents the sectional side view of the cover of FIG.
14A as it rests on the top rim of a container prior to its mounting
thereon, and
FIG. 14C represents a sectional side view of the cover of FIG. 14A
after a ring portion of the cover has been stretched by camming
into a mounted and retained condition with the outer annular recess
of the cover being retained on an outer bead formed on the upper
outer rim of the container.
In the following description and in the claims various details will
be identified by specific names for convenience; these names,
however, are intended to be generic in their application.
Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout
the several figures of the drawings.
The drawings accompanying and forming part of, this specification
disclose certain details of construction for the purpose of
explanation of the broader aspects of the invention, but it should
be understood that structural details may be modified in various
respects without departure from the concept and principles of the
invention and that the invention may be incorporated in other
structural forms than shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTAINER AND COVER OF FIGS. 1 THROUGH
5
Referring now in particular to the drawings of the container and
cover as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 there is disclosed a container
15 which is a one-piece molded plastic unit whose wall thickness is
contemplated to be about forty-thousandths of an inch in thickness.
This thickness, as reduced to practice, has been selected to insure
a smooth flowing and knitting characteristic of the molten plastic
which may be a high density polypropylene or polyethylene as it is
flowed into the mold to form the container. The container has a
circular sidewall 16 which is of tapered configuration terminating
at and joining a bottom with a smooth and substantially arcuate
transition portion identified as 17. An intermediate portion forms
the bottom and is raised slightly above corner 17. This raised
portion is identified as 18 and is generally parallel to the top of
the container. A short upper inner surface of the rim of the
container is formed with a slightly greater taper 19, which taper
extends upwardly and outwardly from the sidewall 16.
This upper tapered portion 19 terminates at an inwardly extending
lip 20 which may be a more or less rounded bead or as an alternate
may be a contoured lip which in cross section may resemble an acme
thread. This lip is formed adjacent the top surface of the
container. From this lip the rim of the container extends outwardly
as a flat ring-like member 22 which then turns downwardly at
substantially right angles to the plane of member 22 to form an
annular flange 24 which terminates at a bottom edge 26. This bottom
edge is a determined distance from surface 22 so as to provide a
support shoulder for the container to rest upon the upper surface
22 of the nested next lower container. This spacing is sufficient
to insure that the sidewalls 16 of the succeeding, and all like
stacked containers, are not in a locked relationship.
To the outer surface of the downwardly extending annular flange 24
there is attached a handle 30. This handle is attached at ends 31
and 32 which, as seen in FIG. 3, are diametrically spaced on the
container. Each end has a web attachment which provides a
reinforcement of the handle end. These webs are identified as 33,
34, 35 and 36 and as webs or fins provide additional strength to
the handle attachment where it is molded to the sidewall of the
rim. Also extending from the inner sidewall of the annular flange
24 to the outer surface of walls 16 and 19 of the container are
reinforcing ribs 38 which are seen in phantom outline in FIG. 3.
These ribs are spaced as desired around the rim of the container to
provide a desired rigidity to the upper rim.
Referring now in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5 it is to be noted that
the sidewall 16 after it changes its taper at 19 terminates at a
lip 20 which protrudes inwardly a determined extent which may be
from 15- to fifty-thousanths of an inch. The width of the lip may
be a selected like amount and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a round
bead. The cover 40 has an intermediate or plane portion 42 which in
the preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 2 also is formed with a
recessed inner portion which is displaced from the plane of portion
42 to provide a recess or nest portion 44 sized to receive the
arcuate configuration of the bottom corner 17 of the container 15
when it is seated on the cover. Adjacent the intermediate
midportion 42, the lid is formed with a downwardly extending
V-shaped configuration 46 which as it extends upwardly and
outwardly merges with a gradually thickened portion which is then
undercut to provide an engaging lip 48 immediately below an
undercut which provides a recess 50. This undercut engages the
protruding lip 20 provided on the upper inner edge portion of the
container. In its seated engagement this mating of lip and groove
provides the upper fluid-tight seal of the cover in the container.
From this undercut the V-shaped plug portion extends a little
upwardly and then outwardly to a planer ring-like configuration 52
of determined outer diameter which terminates at a downwardly
extending annular rim 54 which is sized to snugly engage the outer
wall 24 of the rim of the container.
As seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 the midportion of the handle 30 is
caused to be extended or widened to provide a grip portion 60
which, with its widened extent, provides an easy hand grip for the
user. Between this grip portion 60 and the wall 24 of the
container, and as the container is molded, there is provided at
least two gate portions identified as 62 and 64. These gates serve
two requirements; the first is that it insures that the enlarged
portion of the handle is satisfactorily filled during its molding
with a flow of material which is usually injected from the bottom
of the container; the second requirement is that these gates
provide a bridge support for the handle and insure that the handle
stays in its molded midplane condition until the container is to be
used by the purchaser of the material.
ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 6 AND 7
Referring next to FIGS. 6 and 7 it is to be noted that the lip
formed on the upper inner edge of the container need not be arcuate
as in FIGS. 4 and 5, but instead may be truncated as shown as an
inward lip 120 in FIGS. 6 and 7. The engaging lip 148 formed on the
V-shaped plug portion 46 has its upper inward edge 149 contoured to
snugly engage the top tapered surface in the undercut or recess 150
formed in the cover. In its mounted condition the inwardly
extending lip 120 is cammed upwardly by inclined surface 151 which
forms the top surface of lip 148. As the lip 120 is moved inwardly
and upwardly the upper inward edge 149 is deflected downwardly by
upper surface 152 to provide a compressed seal of lip 120 in the
recess 150. As reduced to practice, that portion of edge 149 which
is shown in dashed outline in FIG. 7 is the portion compressed in
the slot and is actually only a few thousandths of an inch in
thickness. This compressed portion is sufficient to make a
fluid-tight seal.
HANDLE ATTACHMENT OF FIG. 8
Referring next to FIG. 8 there is shown an alternate form for the
attachment of the handle 30 to the container. The end 32 of the
handle is integrally molded to flange 24 as in FIG. 3.
Reinforcement of this attaching end enables the plastic handle to
sustain jerks and sudden pulls as well as excessive rotative
action. This reinforcement is provided by the fins shown in FIG. 8.
Fin 135 is formed to extend outwardly to the full outer projection
of the elbow attaching end 32 of the handle. A short length of fin
extends around the outer radius of end 32. Fin 136, like fin 135,
also extends to the straight portion of the handle 30 and as a
curved fin extends from flange 24 to and past the curved attaching
end portion 52 of the handle 30 to the flange 24.
ALTERNATE BOTTOM CORNER OF A
CONTAINER AS SHOWN IN FIGS. 9 AND 11
In FIGS. 9 and 11 there is shown an alternate construction of the
bottom corner of the container. As seen in enlarged detail in FIG.
9, a container 115 has sidewall 116 connected to a radius
transition 117 which merges with the center of the container bottom
18. Sidewall 116 continues downwardly from the connected transition
to form a projecting support rim 119 which perferably extends a few
thousandths beyond the plane of the curved bottom 117.
COVER OF FIGS. 10 AND 11
Referring next to FIGS. 10 and 11, the cover of FIG. 2 has its
center portion formed in an alternate manner so as to provide a
retaining means for a round label or booklet. Recessed portion 144
of the cover 140 is a determined distance below an intermediate
plane portion 142 of cover 140. The vertical portion of the lid
extending from portion 142 to portion 144 in this alternate
construction is formed with an inturned rim or lip portion 143.
This lip 143 provides a circular recess into which a label or
booklet may be placed and retained. The inner edge of lip 143 also
serves to provide a retaining shoulder for container 115.
PRY RIM OF FIG. 12
In FIG. 12 the container has an annular flange 124 which is molded
with a protruding shelf 125 which is spaced a distance below the
downward termination of the annular rim 54 of cover 40. This shelf
provides a pry slot between itself and the rim 54 into which a
coin, screwdriver or like pry means may be inserted. This shelf
enables a pry means to locally displace the cover rim 54 from the
annular flange 124 after and by which the rim 54 may be grasped for
removal of the cover from the container.
In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 12 it is to be noted that
handle 60 is attached to flange 124 by means of gates 164 which are
formed so as to be below the parting line of the mold.
SELF-SEALING PORTIONS FOR A COVER
AS IN FIGS. 13A AND 13B
Referring next to FIGS. 13A and 13B it is to be noted that the
cover member may be provided with a self-sealing portion through
which an injecting needle may be inserted to flow color matter and
the like into the contents in the container.
In FIG. 13A a cover 240 has a nest portion 244 whose mid-portion
has a recess 245 formed therein. A soft rubber, plastic or
sponge-like composition of matter 246 provides a self-sealing plug
through which a hollow needle (not shown) may be inserted. The
needle is also caused to pierce the midportion of the plastic wall
forming the recess 245 after which color material or like additive
is injected into the container through the hollow needle. After the
additive has been fed into the container the needle is withdrawn
with the self-sealing plug 246 preventing loss of fluid material
from the container.
In FIG. 13B a cover 340, like cover 240, has a nest portion 344
whose midportion is formed with a shallow recess 345. On the
opposite side a self-sealing plug 364 similar to or of an identical
composition such as plug 246 is retained in a skirt 347 which
extends below recess 345. As in the cover of FIG. 13A the cover of
FIG. 13B is adapted to permit a sharp pointed hollow needle (not
shown) to be inserted through the cover portion 345 and then
through self-sealing plug 346. Skirt 347 is aligned with recess 345
so that the operator using the hollow needle can be sure that he
will pierce the self-sealing plug and after making the injection to
withdraw the needle with the cover again sealed by the plug
346.
ALTERNATE COVER AND CONTAINER TOP AS
SEEN IN FIGS. 14A, 14B AND 14C
Referring finally to the container and cover as shown in FIGS. 14A,
B and C the cover and container rim of FIGS. 6 and 12 are modified
so that a cover 440 has a downwardly directed V-shaped portion 446
whose outer upper portion is formed with an engaging lip 448
leading from an outwardly tapered portion 449 to an outer face 450.
Midway in this face is formed a small outwardly extending fin or
feather lip 451 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully
described. Immediately above lip 448 is formed an inner groove or
undercut 452 which may be more or less semicircular in
configuration. Immediately above groove 452 the cover extends
outwardly in a planar ring 454 of determined thickness. This ring
terminates at an outer groove or undercut 456 also preferably
semicircular in configuration. An inwardly directed lip or shoulder
458 forming the lower portion of groove 456 terminates or flows
into a conical surface 460 which extends downwardly and outwardly
to a lower wall 462. In an unmounted or relaxed condition the cover
440 has its outer surface or face portion 464 disposed at a slight
tilt inwardly and upwardly which is a matter of selection to assist
in easy molding.
The container to accommodate the cover shown in FIG. 14A has its
top rim also of a slightly different configuration than that of
FIGS. 6 and 12. From sidewall 16 the container extends upwardly and
outwardly at the outward taper 19 which then joins a short vertical
section 470. Above this section is formed an inwardly extending lip
472 which is similar to the lip 20 of FIG. 4. The upper rim of the
container then extends outwardly as a flat rim 474 like the rim 22
shown in FIG. 4. The outer edge of rim 474 is formed with a bead
476 which is of a greater diameter than is the diameter of groove
456. Below the bead the rim of the container is formed with a
downwardly extending outer flange 478 to which handle 30 is
attached as above-described. Reinforcing ribs 38 are also provided
in the rim portion of this container as above-described.
USE AND OPERATION
Conventionally containers or pails which are injection molded and
are of a similar configuration to the container of this invention
are molded by injecting into the midportion of the bottom of the
container and in this respect this container is no different from
the others. However, it is to be noted that the parting line of the
force and mold for forming this container is not at the top upper
surface of the open end 22 of the container but instead the parting
line is substantially at the midportion of the handle 30, and in
particular is midway of the large portion 60 as indicated by a
phantom line 70 as seen in FIG. 5. This construction of the mold
permits or insures that the handle, as molded, lays in a condition
which is parallel to the top of the container but is displaced a
short distance below it. Gate portions 62, and/or 64 extend from
the midportion of the integrally cast handle to the outer flange of
the top of the container. These gate portions are sized so that the
reduced areas at the attaching points are sufficiently strong to
retain the handle in its molded condition and to insure that the
handle 60 is maintained in this determined position against the
sidewall 24 of the rim of the container until forceful separation
is desired. This attachment of the handle to the container is
contemplated as being maintained as the container is fed through
filling and closing apparatus and also in this determined
orientation while shipping and storing. The fins 33, 34, 35 and 36
or the alternate forms, 135 and 136 insure that the ends of the
handle 30, as attached at points 31 and 32, are firmly attached to
the rim portion of the container so that after the midportion of
the handle has been separated from the gate portions 62 and 64 the
weight of the filled container is easily carried by the handle.
The containers after molding are usually assembled for shipping and
preferably several containers may be stacked as in FIG. 2. In such
a nested array the lower surface 26 of an upper container rests
upon the upper surface 22 of the next lower container. This
vertical spacing of containers is designed to permit the containers
to be stacked without the sidewalls 16 of adjacent containers
becoming a tight or interference fit. In practice the spacing
between adjacent walls of stacked containers is about
ten-thousandths of an inch or more per side.
After the containers have been shipped to the filling station, they
are separated and fed to a filling mechanism. Usually the material
being filled is a fluid-like material and it is contemplated that
paint or like fluid material is delivered within the container so
as to be brought to a level substantially equal to where the bottom
portion of the V-shaped 46 portion of the lid will engage the fluid
surface. After filling the container to the desired level, the
cover 40 or one of the alternate covers is brought in way of the
open upper end of the container and is then pushed downwardly into
a seating condition. As the interference taper of the V-shaped plug
portion of the cover is brought in way of the lip 20 the plug
portion of the cover is caused to be displaced slightly inwardly
until the portion 48 of the cover slides past lip 20 into the
undercut to form a locking fit with the lip of the container.
Seated at this depth the lower outer surface portion of the
V-shaped portion 46 is an interference fit and provides a lower
seal with the inner wall of the container at or about the juncture
of the sidewalls 16 and the taper 19 of the open top of the
container. The lip 20, as it is nested in undercut 50, provides an
upper fluid-tight seal of the cover in the container opening.
In the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 8 the top fluid-tight
seal is provided by lip 120 as it is forced into the undercut 150
as above-identified. The lower second seal is provided as in FIG.
2.
To retain this cover in this locked condition against sudden blows
against the sidewalls, top or bottom, it is desirable and intended
that the extending portion 52 of the cover be brought to a seating
condition on the upper surface 22 of the container, after which the
downwardly extending annular rim 54 is brought in way and around
the rim portion 24 of the open end of the container. With the ring
portion 52 under outward extension the engaging lip 20 is
maintained in a locked relationship in undercut 50 so as not to be
displaced by a sudden engagement and deflection of the sidewall of
the container against the fluid within the container. Thus
maintained the cover retains the sealing interference fit of lip 20
in undercut 50 as well as member portion 46 with taper 19. The
alternate form of FIGS. 6 and 8 maintain lip 120 in undercut 150 by
means of annular rim 54 on rim 24.
If desired the recessed portion 44 of the lid may have a label or
catalog advice pasted therein. Loose labels or booklets may be
retained by the alternate embodiment of the cover as shown in FIGS.
10 and 11 wherein retaining lip 143 provides a circular recess.
Labels may also be applied to the outer surface of the container
for identification of the contents therein, or a viewing area 400
may be provided as in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that the material
forming both the cover 40 and the sidewalls 16 of the container 15
will be partially opaque and to a certain degree hide the texture
and color of the packaged material. The nature of the molding
material such as high density polypropylene or polyethylene is a
preferred material for the molding of the container and cover. In
the container, above-described, it is contemplated that the cover
as it is engaged between the lip 20 and the recess 50 provides a
first seal of the container and a lower seal is provided by the
plug seal. Another seal is additionally provided with the snug
relationship of the fit of the rim 54 of the lid over the outer
face portion 24 of the container which provides a seal of sorts. As
thus assembled it is contemplated that a fluid-tight seal will be
provided for the several types of paints and materials that are
stored within the container and that the container assembled in the
manner as above-described will be economical and provide a highly
satisfactory storage container for materials such as water base
paints and the like.
The container is readily uncovered or opened by the customer by an
easy manipulation of the cover 40. With the container 10 seated on
its bottom the user grasps one side of the cover 40 at the annular
rim 54 and at one local position this rim portion is slid upwardly
from engagement with flange 24. When and as this portion is lifted
from the end of the container a continued upward pressure or
pulling of the cover enables the undercut 48 of the cover to be
dislodged from the lip 20 after which the lower plug seal is
loosened and the cover removed.
To replace, the cover is placed in the open end of the container
and one side of the cover is urged downwardly to cause lip 20 to
engage the undercut 48. With a local portion seated and engaged the
downward pressure is continued around the cover until all the
undercut is engaged by lip 20 after which rim 54 is urged
downwardly over flange 24 by starting at one side and continuing
around the open end until the cover is mounted as in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6.
In the container and cover of FIGS. 14A, B and C it is contemplated
that after the container has been filled to the desired level the
cover 440 is placed on the top rim of the container as in FIG. 14B.
The container rim is shown in phantom outline and when the concical
surface 460 of the cover is centered on bead 476 of the container
rim the inner face of the inwardly extending lip 472 is
substantially a slip fit with the outer face 450 of lip 448 of the
cover. The cover is urged downwardly until lip 448 is below lip 472
with lip 472 moving into a very light engagement or seating in
groove 452. The cover ring portion 454 is now stretched outwardly
by causing surface 470 to act as an inclined ramp or cam to engage
lip 458 of the cover and cause it to be displaced or drawn over the
outwardly extending bead 476. In the manner of rolling a tire bead
into a wheel rim, the lip 458 of the cover is forced below bead 476
of the container so that bead 476 is caused to snugly enter and
seat in groove 456. The cover 440 is preferably made of a slightly
stretchable plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene and so as
bead 476 is moved into groove 456 it draws the cover outwardly
causing groove 452 to engage the lip 472 of the container rim. The
fin 451 is also forced into a tight engagement with the inner face
of the vertical section 470 of the container.
In the mow mounted condition of FIG. 14C the cover 440 forms a
fluid tight seal with the upper rim of the container where the
V-shape 446 engages the transistion of the sidewall 16 from its
normal taper to the greater taper 19. A second seal is made where
fin or feather lip 451 tightly engages the inner surface of
vertical wall section 470. A third seal is made where lip 472 of
the container rim engages and seats in groove 452 in the cover. A
fourth seal is effected when bead 476 is snugly seated in groove
456 and shoulder 458 engages the under side of bead 476.
In its seated condition of FIG. 14C the cover 440 is particularly
conditioned to withstand accidental dislodgement from the rim of
the container. Bead 476 prevents accidental dislodgement of the
outer cover portion as it is contemplated that a cover having a
diameter of about a seven and nine hundred twenty-thousandths of an
inch at groove 456 is stretched about one-sixtienth of an inch when
mounted on bead 476. In like manner the cover diameter at the outer
face 450 may be seven and four hundred twenty-thousandths inches
which is the inner diameter of lip 472. In its mounted condition
the diameter of face 450 has been increased by about a 30 second of
an inch. This insures that the lip 448 will be positively engaged
and retained by lip 472 so that a sudden bending of the container
and the resulting pressure thrust against the cover is resisted by
and contained by the cover.
When a pry slot for removing the cover is desired, the embodiment
of FIG. 12 is used. The mounting and remounting of the cover is as
described above.
Where the container is to contain a base color material to which
additional color material is to be added at the time of sale,
either of the embodiments of FIGS. 13A or 13B may be provided or
used. A label or booklet as retained by the cover of FIG. 10 may be
additionally provided.
The plug seal of V-shaped portion 46 is more or less self-cleaning
to permit a reclosing of the container to be effected with a
minimum of effort. A wiping of the upper open end of the container
usually cleans lip 20 and as there is no place for the paint and
the like to collect the reclosing of the container is made with
little effort and with a maximum assurance of effectiveness.
Terms such as "left," "right," "up," "down," "bottom," "top,"
"front," "back," "in," "out" and the like are applicable to the
embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings.
These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not
necessarily apply to the position in which the plastic container
and cover may be constructed or used.
While a particular embodiment of the plastic container and cover
and an alternate embodiment of the cover retaining means have been
shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited thereto since modifications may be made within the
scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the
broadest extent the prior art allows.
* * * * *