Sealing groove cover for paint container or the like

Abstract

A sealing groove for a resealable cylindrical paint container or the like having a releasably retained press-on lid comprises an endless annular band of plastic material for positioning on the upper end of the container when the lid is removed therefrom to provide a protective cover for a lid sealing groove which surrounds the container opening. When the lid is on the container, the sealing groove cover may be retained in an inactive or storage position on either end of the container. A stacking ring integrally formed on the sealing groove cover cooperates with a chime on another container of like kind in an inactive position to retain the container in coaxial vertically stacked relation with the other container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to attachments for containers or cans for paint and like material and deals more particularly with an improved sealing groove cover for a resealable container of the aforesaid kind which has a releasably retained press-on lid.

When the lid is removed from a resealable container of the aforedescribed general type, a sealing groove around the container opening is exposed. Subsequent use of the material in the container may result in contamination of the sealing groove, thereby impairing the resealing capability of the container. This problem is particularly troublesome when such a container is used to store paint, since it is common practice in painting to work directly from the container or can.

Heretofore, various container attachments have been provided which include means for complementing and substantially filling a sealing groove in a container to prevent material from entering the groove when the lid of the container is removed. However, any slight damage to the upper end of the container, as often occurs in normal handling, may impair the sealing function of such a device or render it impractical to position the device on the damaged container. Other such devices have been provided which may be installed on a container after the lid has been removed, however, such device must be stored separately from the container on which it is to be used.

It is the general aim of the present invention to provide an improved device of the aforedescribed general type which may be readily positioned on a container or can when the lid is removed therefrom, even when the chime or rim of the container is damaged. It is a further aim of the invention to provide an improved sealing groove cover which may be stored with a container, occupies a minimum of space, and aids in maintaining the container in a proper vertically stacked relation to other containers of like kind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an improved sealing groove cover is provided for a resealable container having a press-on lid engageable with a sealing groove which encircles the opening in the container. The sealing groove cover comprises a unitary endless annular band of resilient flexible material for attachment in an inactive or storage position to one end of a container when the lid is on the container, and for attachment in an active position to the open end of a container when the lid is removed therefrom to cover the sealing groove which is normally exposed when the lid is removed. The band has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and includes a retaining wall portion which engages a chime on the container to retain the sealing groove cover on the container. The band also includes a cover flange portion which extends inwardly from the retaining wall portion and has a sealing surface at its inner end for complementary sealing engagement with an associated bead on the container which extends around the container opening inwardly of the sealing groove. In the active position, the cover flange is disposed above the sealing groove and biased into sealing engagement with the bead. In an inactive position, the cover flange portion overlies an associated portion of one end wall of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealing groove cover embodying the present invention and shown in an inactive position on a resealable container, an alternate inactive position of the sealing groove cover on the container being indicated by broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sealing groove cover and container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is generally similar to FIG. 3, but shows the container with the lid removed therefrom and the sealing groove cover mounted thereon in an active position.

FIG. 5 is generally similar to FIG. 4, but shows another sealing groove cover embodying the invention and mounted on another container.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings and referring first particularly to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, a sealing groove cover embodying the present invention, and indicated generally by the numeral 10, is shown mounted in an inactive or storage position on the upper end of a typical resealable container or metal can indicated generally by the numeral 12. The container is of the type commonly used to store paint or like material and has a press-on lid 13. When the lid is removed from the container 12, the sealing groove cover 10 may be attached to the container in an active position as shown in FIG. 5. In the latter position the cover 10 prevents contamination of the lid sealing groove as will be hereinafter further described.

The illustrated container 12 is generally cylindrical and has a side wall 14, a conventional generally radially disposed lower end wall or bottom wall (not shown), and an annular lid retaining flange indicated generally at 16. The retaining flange is fixed to the upper end portion of the side wall 14 and defines a circular container opening 18. In the illustrated case, the retaining flange 16 is formed from sheet metal rolled or otherwise formed downwardly over the upper marginal edge portion of the side wall 14 to form a reinforcing rim or chime 20 which encircles the upper end of the side wall 14 and projects radially outwardly therebeyond. The bottom of the container 12 is also formed from sheet metal secured in a like manner to the lower marginal edge portion of the side wall 14 to define a lower chime 22 which encircles the lower end of the container side wall as shown in FIG. 1. The retaining flange 16 has a coaxial upwardly opening annular sealing groove 24 which encircles the container 18 for receiving an annular sealing rib 26 formed on the lid 13 in press-fit engagement therein, as best shown in FIG. 3. The invention is practiced with a container which has a bead around the opening in the container and disposed inwardly of the sealing groove. However, it should be understood that the construction and arrangement of the bead may vary. In the illustrated case, the container 10 includes a bead 28 formed at the upper edge of the inner wall of the retaining flange 16. The inner periphery of the bead 28 defines the circular container opening 18. The bead 28 is spaced axially downwardly from the upper edge of the chime 20 which defines the upper edge of the container.

The sealing groove cover 10 comprises a unitary endless annular band of resilient flexible material which may be made from a suitable plastic or elastomeric material. It is preferably molded from a plastic material such as polyethelene, has a substantially uniform generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and includes a generally cylindrical retaining wall portion 30 for encircling either of the chimes 20 and 22 to retain the sealing groove cover 10 in position on an associated container, such as the container 12. The retaining wall 30 includes an annular rib portion 31 which extends radially inwardly for snap-over engagement with an associated chime to releasably retain the cover on a container such as the container 12. A coaxial annular cover flange portion 32 extends inwardly from the retaining wall portion in a generally radial direction and has a circular inner peripheral edge 34 which has a diameter not smaller than the diameter of the inner periphery of the bead 28 when the cover 10 is in its active position on the container 12, as shown in FIG. 4. At its inner end the cover flange 32 has a generally concave annular sealing surface 36 which opens radially inwardly and terminates at the inner peripheral edge 34 for complementary sealing engagement with an associated portion of the bead 28 when the cover 10 is in its active position on the container 12 as it appears in FIG. 4. The cover flange 32 further includes a generally radially disposed annular outer surface 38 which faces axially outwardly when the cover 10 is positioned on the container 12. The surface 38 has an inner marginal portion which curves arcuately downwardly and radially inwardly and terminates at the inner peripheral edge 34 which comprises a relatively sharp edge. It should be noted that when the cover 10 is in its active position, (FIG. 4) the surface 38 is inclined generally downwardly and inwardly from the upper chime 20 and toward the bead 28. The cover 10 also has an annular stacking ring portion 40 which projects outwardly from the surface 38 in a generally axial direction and is constructed and arranged for complementary engagement with an associated peripheral surface of a chime on another container of like kind, such as the container 12' shown in phantom in FIG. 3. The stacking ring portion is spaced radially inwardly from the retaining wall 30 and coaxially aligned therewith for cooperative engagement with an associated portion of the inner peripheral surface of a chime such as the chime 22' on the container 12'. It functions when the cover is in its inactive position (FIGS. 1-3) to retain the container 10 in coaxially vertically stacked relation with another container such as the container 12' (FIG. 3).

When the lid is removed from the container 12, and the cover 10 is positioned thereon in its active position (FIG. 4), the cover flange 32 is inherently biased toward tight sealing engagement with the bead 28, substantially as shown. In the latter position, the cover flange 32 is disposed generally above the sealing groove 24 and functions to prevent material form entering the latter groove to impair its resealing function. Sealing occurs primarily at the bead 28 which is protected by the lid 13 during container handling and storage so that the sealing integrity of the cover 10 is substantially assured. Even relatively severe damage to the upper side wall portion or upper chime of the container will not substantially interfere with the placement and effective function of the cover 10.

When the container 12 is closed with the lid 13 retained thereon, the cover 10 may be stored in an inactive position on either end of the container. In an inactive position the cover flange 32 will be slightly biased from its normal sealing position by the lid, as shown in FIG. 3. A similar condition occurs when the cover 10 is attached to the lower end of the container in the alternate inactive position indicated at 10' in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another seal groove cover embodying the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10a is shown positioned on a can 12a. Parts substantially identical to parts previously described bear the same reference numerals as the previously described parts and a letter a suffix.

The can 12a is substantially identical to the can 12 previously described and differs therefrom only in the construction and arrangement of its bead 28a. More specifically, the bead 28a has its outer peripheral surface disposed slightly radially outwardly beyond the inner wall of the cover flange 16a. The sealing groove cover 10a is also substantially identical in many respects to the cover 10 previously described but differs therefron in the construction and arrangement of its stacking ring portion 40a and in the manner in which its cover flange 32a seals in engagement with the bead 28a, as will be hereinafter discussed.

The cover flange portion 32a includes an outer surface 38a substantially as aforedescribed, however, at its inner end it has a circumaxially spaced series of resilient integral fingers 42, 42 each of the fingers being partially defined by an extension of the concave surface 36a in an axially inwardly direction. When the cover 10a is in its active position, as it appears in FIGS. 5 and 6, each finger 42 is inherently biased toward sealing engagement with the bead 28a and generally complements the bead to aid in retaining the cover flange 32a in tight sealing engagement therewith. As in the previously described embodiment, a stacking ring 40a is provided. However, the latter stacking ring comprises an extension of the retaining wall 30a in an axially outwardly direction beyond the cover flange 32a. The stacking ring 40a is constructed and arranged for cooperative surrounding engagement with an associated portion of the outer peripheral surface of a chime on another container when the cover 10a is positioned in an inactive position on the container 12a as previously described.

Claims

I claim:

1. A sealing groove cover for a resealable container for paint or like material, the container having an opening in at its upper end and a releasably retained press-on lid providing a closure for the opening and including a generally cylindrical side wall and upper and lower chimes respectively encircling the upper and lower ends of the side wall, a generally radially disposed lower end wall, and an annular lid retaining flange fixed to and extending generally radially inwardly from the upper end portion of the side wall, the retaining flange having a coaxial upwardly opening annular sealing groove encircling the opening for receiving an annular sealing rib on the lid in press-fit engagement therein, the retaining flange further including a coaxial annular bead disposed radially inwardly of the sealing groove and having an inner periphery defining the circular opening, the lid in its retained position cooperating with the retaining flange to define an upper end wall of the container, said sealing groove cover comprising a unitary endless annular band of resilient flexible material for attachment to the container in an active position when the lid is removed therefrom and in an inactive position when the lid is in its retained position, said band having a substantially uniform generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and including a generally cylindrical retaining wall portion for encircling the upper chime in gripping engagement in said active position and for encircling one of the chimes in gripping engagement in said inactive position, said band including a coaxial annular cover flange portion extending generally radially inwardly from said retaining wall portion and having a generally radially disposed axially outwardly facing annular outer surface terminaling at a sharp circular inner peripheral edge having a diameter not smaller than the diameter of the circular opening defined by the inner periphery of the bead when the cover is in said active position, said cover flange portion having an endless generally concave annular surface opening generally radially inwardly and forming a junction with said outer surface at said sharp circular inner peripheral edge, said concave annular surface complementing an associated portion of the bead for sealing engagement therewith in said active position, said cover flange portion in said active position being disposed above the sealing groove, said concave annular surface being biased into sealing engagement with the bead, said cover flange portion in said inactive position overlying an associated portion of one end wall of the container.

2. A sealing groove cover for a container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover flange portion has a circumaxially spaced series of resilient integral fingers formed at the inner end thereof, each of said spring fingers being partially defined by an extension of said concave surface and being resiliently biased toward engagement with the bead when said sealing groove cover is in its active position.

3. A sealing groove cover for a container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular outer surface has a inner marginal portion arcuately curving radially inwardly and downwardly toward said bead and terminating at said sharp circular inner peripheral edge when said cover is in its active position on the can.

4. A sealing groove cover for a container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sharp circular inner peripheral edge has a diameter larger than the diameter of said opening defined by the inner periphery of said bead when said cover is in its active position.

5. A sealing groove cover for a releasable container for paint or like material, the container having an opening at its upper end and releasably retained press-on lid providing a closure for said opening and including a generally cylindrical side wall and upper and lower chimes respectively encircling the upper and lower ends of the side wall and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, a generally radially disposed lower end wall, and an annular lid retaining flange fixed to and extending generally radially inwardly from the upper end portion of the side wall, the retaining flange having a coaxial upwardly opening annular sealing groove encircling the opening for receiving an annular sealing rib on the lid in press-fit engagement therein, the retaining flange further including a coaxial annular bead spaced axially inwardly from the upper edge of the container side wall and disposed radially inwardly of the sealing groove, said bead having an inner periphery defining the circular opening, the lid in its retained position cooperating with the retaining flange to define an upper end wall of the container, said sealing groove cover comprising a unitary endless annular band of resilient flexible material for attachment to the container in an active position when the lid is removed therefrom and in an inactive position when the lid is in its retained position, said band having a substantially uniform generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and including a generally cylindrical retaining wall, a coaxial circular stacking ring portion and a coaxial annular cover flange portion extending generally radially inwardly from said retaining wall portion, said retaining wall portion including a radially inwardly extending annular rib portion spaced axially inwardly from said cover flange for snap over engagement with an associated chime to releasably retain the sealing groove cover in one of its positions on an associated end of the container, said retaining wall portion having an axially outwardly facing annular outer surface terminating at a sharp circular inner peripheral edge having a diameter greater than the diameter of the circular opening defined by the inner periphery of the bead when the cover is in its active position, said cover flange portion having an endless generally concave annular surface opening generally radially inwardly and terminating at said sharp circular inner peripheral edge for complementary sealing engagement with an associated portion of the bead in said active position, said stacking ring portion projecting axially outwardly from said annular outer surface and forming an axial extension of said retaining wall portion for cooperative surrounding engagement with an associated portion of the outer peripheral surface of a chime on another container to retain the other container in vertically stacked relation with the container on which the cover is positioned, said cover flange portion in said active position being disposed above the sealing groove with said annular outer surface inclined generally downwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of the container and toward the bead and biasing said concave annular surface into sealing engagement with the bead, said cover flange portion in said inactive position overlying an associated portion of one end wall of the container.