Ergonomic tint plug

Abstract

A tint plug made of resilient plastic (such as LDPE) fits sealingly into an aperture in the deck of a plastic closure for a paint container. The plug has a recessed or concave upper surface spanned by a cross bar handle having a smoothly curved lower surface which one contacts with the fingers to remove the plug. Optional resilient legs allow the handle to raise slightly from the plug body when pulled.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tint plugs for use in combination with removable closures for paint containers and the like wherein the closure has an aperture of regular shape formed therein to receive a tint plug.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide separately removable plugs in the decks of closures for paint containers. These removable plugs, commonly referred to as “tint plugs,” permit a paint mixing facility to gain access to the contents of a factory-filled paint container without removing the primary closure in order to add pigment or coloring to the base paint within the container. Examples of tint plugs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,813, assigned to Letica Corporation of Rochester, Mich., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,302, assigned to Rieke Corporation of Auburn, Ind.

The prior art tint plugs are designed with integral pull rings. The Letica design provides for a relatively large diameter pull ring which surrounds but is partially separable from the perimeter of the tint plug body whereas the Rieke design provides a relatively small ring which lies within but is partially separable from the tint plug rim or collar. In both cases, the use of the ring to remove the tint plug requires a manual manipulation to partially separate and lift an edge of the ring and, thereafter, inserting one or more fingers through the ring and pulling it upwardly away from the closure deck to remove the plug from the aperture in which it is sealingly located. The dimensions of the rings are such that the pulling operation can cause discomfort to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an ergonomically and operationally improved tint plug for use in combination with the removable closures of paint containers and the like. In the form hereinafter described, the tint plug has a body of such size and shape, typically but not necessarily round or circular, to sealingly fit within the aperture in the deck of the closure with which the plug is to be associated. In the preferred form, a flange and undercut are formed in the sides of the body of the tint plug so as to snap into the aperture of the closure in conventional fashion. The tint plug body has a planar perimeter bounding a recessed or concave upper surface and a strap-like lifting member is integrally attached to the planar perimeter at opposite points so as to extend across the concave surface in upwardly spaced relationship thereto. This combination provides room to insert one's fingers directly beneath the lifting member and comfortably pull it upwardly to remove the ting plug.

In the preferred form, the entire body of the tint plug is made of a more resilient plastic material such as LDPE so as to deform slightly when the lifting member is pulled upwardly, whereas the closure itself is made of a more rigid material such as HDPE. Optionally, the legs of the lifting member which join the cross bar of the lifting member to the plug perimeter can be made in a resiliently curved type design so as to stretch slightly and allow additional clearance when the cross member of the lifting ring is pulled upwardly.

The subject tint plug can be used with many different types of closures including those with simple deck surface openings as well as recessed moat-type openings.

Also in the preferred form, the cross bar of the lifting member is curved in cross section so as to provide a convex lower surface and a concave upper surface. The convex lower surface is the surface which is contacted by the fingers of the person lifting the ring and the smooth curved design is ergonomically correct and provides comfort to the user when lifting the plug out of the aperture.

Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic container and a first closure design accommodating an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first tint plug constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tint plug of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another side view in section of the tint plug of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another container with a second type of tint plug; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tint plug of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a molded plastic container 10 having a lock-on molded plastic closure 12 of the type providing a secure seal with the upper rim (not shown) of the container 10 so as to be suitable for the transportation and storage of various materials including paint. The container 10 and closure 12 are preferably but not necessarily manufactured of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The closure 12 is designed with a relatively flat inner deck 14 in which is formed a round aperture 16 and, in surrounding relationship to the aperture 16, an optional round collar 18. The aperture 16 is designed to receive in snap-fit sealing relationship therewith a tint plug 20 which is preferably constructed of low-density polyethylene by an injection molding process. The aperture 16 and collar 18 can be of any desired shape.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the tint plug 20 exhibits a concave upper surface 22 rounded by an integral planar perimeter 24 below which is formed a plug body 26 having an undercut 28 in spaced relationship to the perimeter 24 so as to fit within and lock to the material of the deck 14 surrounding the aperture 16. The perimeter 24 is of such size and shape as to fit within the collar 18 in closely spaced relationship.

The tint plug 20 comprises a lifting member 30 in the form of a cross bar-type handle having folded resilient legs 32 and 34, a concave upper surface 36 and a smoothly convex lower surface 38. The lifting member 30 is preferably wider in the center and tapers slightly toward the narrower legs 32 and 34. It will be appreciated that the manual contact surface during a lifting operation is the smooth convex lower surface 38 of the lifting member 30 which, along with relatively rounded edges, provides ergonomic comfort to the hand of the person using the lifting member 30 to remove the tint plug 20 from the aperture 16 in the closure 12. Plug 20 is typically made of LDPE, but can be made of other resins with similar resilient character.

In normal operation, the tint plug 20 is securely fit into the aperture 16 of the closure 12 prior to filling the container 10 with paint or other suitable material and locking the closure 12 to the container 10. At the paint dealer where coloring is to be added to the base paint within the container 10, the tint plug 20 is manually removed, the coloring material added to the paint within the container 10 and the tint plug thereafter replaced. The lifting member 30 is grasped by sliding one or more fingers under the lifting member 30 and pulling upwardly. The legs 32 and 34 stretch to provide additional room between the lower surface 38 of the lifting member 30 and the surface 22 of the plug body 26 thereby to provide adequate room for the insertion of one's fingers. The resilient legs 32 and 34 are an optional feature and may be replaced with essentially straight vertical legs. In either case, the plug 20 is sufficiently resilient as to deform slightly when the lifting member 30 is pulled up; i.e., the action of applying an upward force to the lifting member 30 tends to draw the portions of the plug where the lifting member is attached slightly toward one another to break the seal and permit the plug 20 to be withdrawn from the aperture 16. The smooth lower surface 38 and rounded edges provide comfort to the user. The plug 20 is generally reinserted in the aperture 16 by pressing down on the concave center 22 which causes it to snap into place.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative plug 20′ adapted to fit into an aperture 38 which is recessed into the deck 14′ of the closure 12′ to form a moat-type opening. The plug 20′ has a concave upper surface 22′ formed within a flat perimeter 24′ similar to the design of plug 20 in FIGS. 1-4. However, the lifting member 40 is formed as an integral flat band with no straight legs or spring legs. The bow shape together with the concavity 22′ provides sufficient clearance for insertion of one's fingers between the member 40 and the plug surface.

As used herein, the term “concave” is intended to embrace all recessed shapes including conical and stepped down.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Claims

1. A tint plug for use in the removable closure of a paint container wherein said closure is of the type having an aperture of regular shape formed therein, said plug comprising:

a plastic body shaped and sized to sealingly snap fit into the closure aperture, said body having a recessed upper surface within a generally planar perimeter; and

a lifting member extending diametrically across and in upwardly spaced relationship to the recessed surface and having ends integrally joined to the plug body.

2. A tint plug as defined in claim 1 wherein the lifting member has a concave cross section to provide a smoothly curved bottom contact surface for ergonomic manual contact when lifting the plug out of the aperture.

3. A tint plug as defined in claim 1 wherein the lifting member comprises resiliently stretchable leg portions adjacent the points of integral joining with said plug body perimeter.

4. A tint plug as defined in claim 1 further including a circular flange and undercut formed on the side of the plug for snap fit into the closure aperture.

5. A tint plug as defined in claim 1 wherein the aperture is circular.

6. In combination:

a closure having a deck and a perimeter for attachment to a container, an aperture being formed in the deck;

a tint plug for sealing attachment to the closure, the tint plug comprising a plastic body shaped and sized to snap fit into the aperture, the body having a recessed upper surface within a generally circular perimeter; and

a lifting member extending across the recessed surface and in upwardly spaced relation thereto.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 wherein the upper surface is concave.