Abstract: A two piece polymer clamping ring and lever system for retaining removable lids to containers. The clamping ring comprises a split circular ring, having an inwardly opening generally U-shaped channel formed of polymeric material, having first and second ends, an outer circumferential wall and oppositely disposed inwardly facing sidewalls. The ring first end including a plurality of outwardly extending receiving hooks, a plurality of outwardly facing receiving channels, and a plurality of outwardly extending stress transfer beams. The ring has an oppositely disposed second end including a flared region with mutually inwardly facing internal surfaces slideably moveable in adjacency over the outwardly facing side surfaces of a lever. The inwardly facing sidewalls of the second end of the ring include an inwardly facing transverse beam extending between the sidewalls and inwardly extending pivot bosses comprising a pivot shaft and enlarged button.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a welding tip for welding polymeric materials such as containers. The welding tip includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body defines a central bore and includes a perimeter around the bore. The perimeter includes one or more knurls. The knurls provide the welding tip with varying temperatures and pressure points to create a more desirable weld.

Abstract: A gasket singulation apparatus for separating one gasket from a web-connected stack of gaskets includes a mandrel for receiving the web-connected stack and an arrangement of cylinders which are used to support the web-connected stack of gaskets and to pull one gasket away from the remainder of the web-connected stack so as to singulate that one gasket. A first plurality of cylinders are used to support the web-connected stack. A second plurality of cylinders are used to pierce any connecting material between the gasket to be singulated and the remainder of the stack. Once the web material is pierced, cylinder movement is effected so as to pull the selected gasket away from the stack, allowing any connecting material to sever and thereby singulate one gasket from the stack. Once the gasket is singulated, various insertion mechanisms are disclosed for inserting the singulated gasket into a pail lid groove.

Abstract: A blow-molded, plastic paint container for storing and dispensing paint includes a blow-molded container body defining an externally-threaded neck portion, an injection molded plastic closing cap, internally-threaded so as to be threadedly securable to the neck portion for closing the container body, a liner assembled into the closing cap and a depending annular wall positioned between the neck portion and the liner in order to cause any paint skin that forms to be formed into two portions, one portion being adjacent to the liner and the other portion being adjacent to the container body. Each paint skin portion adhering to its corresponding structural portion of the paint container and remaining intact. In a related embodiment, the annular wall is replaced with three cutting blades.

Abstract: A container for storage and dispensing of paint includes a unitary, molded plastic container body defining an interior volume and including an annular neck portion which is externally threaded and which defines the container opening through which the contents are dispensed. Included as part of the paint container is a dispensing spout which is positioned within the annular neck portion and includes a pouring lip, a wiping edge, and a paint brush receptacle with a plurality of drain-back apertures. The dispensing spout includes two threaded portions, one which engages the neck portion and the other which receives a removable closing cap. The cap is constructed and arranged to close the container opening. A transporting handle is provided and is attached directly to the dispensing spout such that the cap, spout, and handle can be provided as a subassembly for threaded engagement onto the container body.

Abstract: A blow-molded, plastic paint container for storing and dispensing paint includes a blow-molded container body defining an externally-threaded neck portion, an injection molded plastic closing cap, internally-threaded so as to be threadedly securable to the neck portion for closing the container body, a liner assembled into the closing cap and a depending annular wall positioned between the neck portion and the liner in order to cause any paint skin that forms to be formed into two portions, one portion being adjacent to the liner and the other portion being adjacent to the container body. Each paint skin portion adhering to its corresponding structural portion of the paint container and remaining intact. In a related embodiment, the annular wall is replaced with three cutting blades.

Abstract: A gasket singulation apparatus for separating one gasket from a web-connected stack of gaskets includes a mandrel for receiving the web-connected stack and an arrangement of cylinders which are used to support the web-connected stack of gaskets and to pull one gasket away from the remainder of the web-connected stack so as to singulate that one gasket. A first plurality of cylinders are used to support the web-connected stack. A second plurality of cylinders are used to pierce any connecting material between the gasket to be singulated and the remainder of the stack. Once the web material is pierced, cylinder movement is effected so as to pull the selected gasket away from the stack, allowing any connecting material to sever and thereby singulate one gasket from the stack. Once the gasket is singulated, various insertion mechanisms are disclosed for inserting the singulated gasket into a pail lid groove.

Abstract: A blow-molded, plastic paint container for storing and dispensing paint includes a blow-molded container body defining an externally-threaded neck portion, an injection molded plastic closing cap, internally-threaded so as to be threadedly securable to the neck portion for closing the container body, a liner assembled into the closing cap and a depending annular wall positioned between the neck portion and the liner in order to cause any paint skin that forms to be formed into two portions, one portion being adjacent to the liner and the other portion being adjacent to the container body. Each paint skin portion adhering to its corresponding structural portion of the paint container and remaining intact. In a related embodiment, the annular wall is replaced with three cutting blades.