Receptacles – Closures – Removable closure situated by resilient distortion and...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-30
2001-06-26
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Removable closure situated by resilient distortion and...
C220S789000, C220S782000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250494
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates generally to containers having removable lids that are capable of sealing off the contents of the containers, and more particularly to plastic containers for containing paint or other materials.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, the ordinary one-gallon paint can has been made of steel and is provided with a friction fit lid that also is made of steel. In the paint industry prevention of leakage is important since paint cans frequently encounter rough handling while being transported or stacked for storage or retail display. Consequently a substantially hermetic seal is required between the paint can and its lid. This is achieved by a friction fit air-tight engagement between the lid and container which is such as to permit the lid to be removed manually using a suitable prying tool. In addition, the standard metal paint can lid does not protrude beyond the perimeter of the paint can so that as to prevent accidental disengagement of the lid. The configuration of the interlocking connection between the standard metal paint cans and their metal lids is such that the lids remain tightly in place even when subjected to the action of paint shaking machines or to other severe handling or shock conditions. Further the lids can be re-attached to again provide a fluid tight seal with the container. However standard metal paint cans have certain shortcomings, one of which is the tendency to corrode.
In the past, efforts have been made to provide containers for paint that are made of plastic. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,977, issued Mar. 24, 1992 to R. Straub illustrates a closure assembly for a container that comprises a snap ring connected to the top of the container and a lid that is removably attached to the ring so as to close off the container. A similar arrangement is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,619, 373, issued Oct. 28, 1986 to H. W. Galer. Other plastic paint can designs and/or apparatus for injection molding same are illustrated by the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,004, issued Oct. 11, 1988 to H. W. Galer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,373, issued Oct. 28, 1986 to H. W. Galer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,119 issued Sep. 14, 1982 to I. Letica; U.S. Pat. No. 4,512, 494, issued Apr. 23,1985 to J. W. Von Holdt; U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,519 issued May 17,1983 to I. Letica; U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,080, issued Oct. 6, 1981 to I. Letica; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,563 issued Aug. 31, 1976 to W. G. Holt.
However, despite such prior efforts, heretofore no plastic paint can/lid design has been developed which has proven capable of displacing the standard steel can and lid from the marketplace. Prior plastic paint can/lid designs have suffered from various limitations, such as need for complex and costly injection molds, not capable of being handled by standard filling, labeling and packaging machinery, inadequate strength, unreliable sealing of lid to container, and/or lack of appeal to prospective customers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object or purpose of the invention is to provide a new and improved plastic can/lid design which is characterized by an improved rim-to-lid interlock which provides a positive, reliable fluid-tight seal even when subjected to rough handling.
A further object is to provide an improved plastic container capable of superior retention of its lid through a novel locking engagement between the lid and container.
Another object is to provide a plastic container/lid interlock that provides positive line contact sealing of lid to container.
A further object is to provide a combination container and lid that is characterized by a container/lid interlock which provides an air-tight friction fit, permits the lid to be easily removed by use of a prying tool, and assures that the lid cannot be accidentally dislodged as a consequence of being subjected to impact, shock or stress in the course of being stacked or transported.
Yet another object is to provide a plastic container for paint or other liquid or particulate material having a plastic lid that can be readily resealed.
Still another object is to provide a container/lid design wherein the container and lid have cooperating means to facilitate removal of the lid by means of a suitable prying tool.
A more specific object is to provide a plastic container for paint or other liquid product that has sufficient strength to allow it to be filled, capped, labeled, and stacked or packaged using conventional filling, labeling and packaging machinery.
Another specific object is to provide a plastic container for paint or other material that has a one-piece construction free of any seams or crimps, does not rust internally and requires no internal protective coating, has a higher dynamic compression that metal paint cans, can be manufactured in different colors and surface finishes, weighs less than a metal can of comparable size and volume, can be molded with embossed printing so as to eliminate the need for a subsequent labeling operation, and, for example, may be molded on the premises of a paint manufacturer.
Still other objects and features of the invention are disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3566946 (1971-03-01), Mac Donald
patent: 4124141 (1978-11-01), Armentrout et al.
patent: 4180179 (1979-12-01), Hoenig et al.
patent: 4225045 (1980-09-01), Rayner et al.
patent: 4256240 (1981-03-01), Woinarski
patent: 4293080 (1981-10-01), Letica
patent: 4334631 (1982-06-01), Ballester
patent: 4349119 (1982-09-01), Letica
patent: 4356930 (1982-11-01), Roper
patent: 4383819 (1983-05-01), Letica
patent: 4397404 (1983-08-01), Blanchette
patent: 4420093 (1983-12-01), Von Holdt
patent: 4446986 (1984-05-01), Bowen et al.
patent: 4491238 (1985-01-01), Toblot
patent: 4512494 (1985-04-01), Von Holdt
patent: 4520943 (1985-06-01), Nielsen
patent: 4524882 (1985-06-01), Buc
patent: 4577776 (1986-03-01), Rayner et al.
patent: 4619373 (1986-10-01), Galer
patent: 4777004 (1988-10-01), Galer
patent: 5097977 (1992-03-01), Straub
patent: 5437386 (1995-08-01), Von Holdt
patent: 5758791 (1998-06-01), Mangla
patent: 5833116 (1998-11-01), Guillin
patent: 6006942 (1999-12-01), Morris, Sr. et al.
patent: 2035277 (1980-06-01), None
patent: 2227481 (1990-08-01), None
Clementi John
Hylton Robin A
Pandiscio & Pandiscio
Shoap Allan N.
LandOfFree
Plastic containers with interlocking lids does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Plastic containers with interlocking lids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plastic containers with interlocking lids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2529598