Container Lid

Abstract

A resilient one-piece paint brush storage lid for storing a paint brush. The one-piece lid has a flat portion covering the container, a depending outer rim portion, and a raised tapered neck portion projecting above the flat portion, with an aperture in the raised neck portion, for slidably receiving a paint brush handle therethrough. The raised neck portion extending above the flat portion of the storage lid maintains a sufficiently strong grip on the handle of the brush so as to suspend the weight of the brush. The lid also includes a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of the rim portion, wherein each of the plurality of discrete steps is configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/438,323, filed Feb. 1, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to lids, and, more particularly, to a lid for a container having liquid having liquid stored therein.

BACKGROUND

Lids for paint cans are known in the prior art. Also, paint brush storage devices are known in the prior art. It is a problem in the art to provide a convenient, inexpensive storage arrangement for both storing a paint brush overnight so that it does not need to be rinsed and cleaned, and to keep the brush from drying while at the same time covering a container of liquid such as paint so that the paint does not evaporate.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,909 to McNamara teaches a liquid container with a hole. The hole is used to hold a brush which is lined with rubber to seal the brush in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,254,714 to McCombs teaches a combined marking pot and brush. The brush is held in the paint by a funnel-shaped lid, and includes a thick brush to fit in the hole so as to keep air out of contact with the paint.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,898 to Kellett teaches a combination brush stripper and liquid seal for containers. It includes a can for liquid having an opening at the top to secure a brush by using rubber lips to hold and seal the brush in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,556 to Morrison teaches a storage device for paint brushes or the like. It includes a container for liquid, having a hole lined with resilient material such as rubber to hold the brush neck.

U.S. Pat. No. 558,607 to Hollen teaches a lid with an opening in the top to hold a brush in liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,363 to Wilson teaches a liquid container with a rubber material used to hold the brush neck while the bristles are still in the liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,295 to Coligiuri teaches a liquid container having a sponge rubber member to hold the brush.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,504 to Hyams teaches a can lid which keeps a brush suspended in a can.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,262,753 to Brennan teaches a liquid container with an arrangement in the lid for holding a brush inside the container, as well as to seal the can.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,687,179 to Peterson teaches a lid with a hole in it, the hole being surrounded by foam, for holding a brush in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 752,591 to Robinson teaches a lid for a can with a hole in the middle for a brush, so that the brush stays wet.

U.S. Pat. No. 739,970 to Zimmerman teaches a lid for a can with a brush, having a wide cover to keep it in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 563,178 to Humphrey teaches a can with an attachment to hold a brush inside a sealed can.

U.S. Pat. No. 557,118 to Ellis teaches a can lid with a hinged opening, to seal during insertion of the brush into the lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 402,679 to Leggett teaches a can lid that rotates to have a brush to stick through the lid while the rest of the can is sealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint brush storage lid consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 2, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 2 covering a can of liquid and holding a brush (shown in phantom outline) therein;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 2 covering a can of liquid which is smaller in diameter than the paint brush storage lid; and

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a portion of the paint brush storage lid, showing a reduced material thickness in proximity to the elongated aperture in the tapered neck portion;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of a paint brush storage lid, consistent with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side sectional view of a portion of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint brush storage lid 100 according to one embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. The paint brush storage lid 100 is formed as a one-piece lid having a flat portion 10 sized to cover to top opening portion of a paint can or other suitable container 90 (hereinafter paint can). The flat portion 10 is bounded at its outer periphery by a rim portion 20 which extends below the flat portion 10. A hollow tapered neck portion 30 projects above the flat portion 10, and is oblong in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flat portion 10. The hollow tapered neck portion 30 has a handle aperture 40 in the uppermost portion thereof, for slidably receiving and supporting a paint brush handle 80 securely therethrough. Preferably, the handle aperture 40 has a reduced thickness 60 in proximity to the handle aperture 40 for increased flexibility at the handle aperture 40. This enables the user to more easily insert the brush handle 80 through the handle aperture 40. The handle aperture 40 may be an aperture having elongated parallel sides 42, with rounded ends 44.

In use, the paint brush handle 80 is adjustably positioned in the handle aperture 40 so that the paint brush fibers 82 extend downward into the paint can 90, where the paint brush fibers 82 may be substantially covered by the liquid 15 in the paint can 90. The paint brush bristles or fibers 82 can be immersed in the liquid 15 up to the ferrule portion 84 of the paint brush 78.

The paint brush 78 handle 80 is adjustably positioned in the handle aperture 40 of the paint brush storage lid 100. Due to the resiliency of the rubber or rubber-like material used, the elongated aperture 40 in the hollow tapered neck portion 30 maintains a sufficiently strong grip on the handle 80 of the brush 78 so as to suspend the weight of the brush 78. A user can, by manual force, move the paint brush handle 80 up or down within the handle aperture 40 located in the top portion 50 of the hollow tapered neck portion 30, and the handle 80 will remain where it has been left in the paint brush storage lid 100.

Thus, the paint brush storage lid 100 provides a convenient, inexpensive storage arrangement for both storing a paint brush 78 so that it does not need to be rinsed and cleaned between use, and which keeps the brush 78 from drying out while at the same time covering a container of liquid, such as a paint can 90, so that the liquid 15 in the paint can 90 does not evaporate.

In one embodiment, the paint brush storage lid 100 is formed as a one-piece resilient member, by molded construction, using a rubber or other resilient material, such as Synair Por-A-Mold 2060 flexible rubber-like polyurethane. The thickness of the paint brush storage lid 100 wall 17 may be in the range between a fraction of an inch (e.g., 1/16 inch) to one-quarter (¼) of an inch to suit the type of resilient material used. As generally understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the thickness of the lid 100 may vary depending upon the intended application, and, as such, the thickness may be in the range of 1/64 of an inch to 5 inches.

The color of the resilient material 20 may be clear, amber, or opaque, although coloring agents can be used. The color of the resilient material 20 may be light transmissive, so that the user may visually position the brush within the paint can 90 so that the paint brush fibers or bristles 82 are covered by the liquid 15. In other embodiments, the resilient material 20 may be opaque and non-light transmissive.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 1. The oblong shape of the hollow tapered neck portion 30 is provided to accommodate the generally elongated width of most paint brushes 78. The handle aperture 40 is shown as being centered in the middle of the top portion 50; however, it need not be centered therein. The hollow tapered neck portion 30 of the paint brush storage lid 100 may be symmetrical, as shown in FIG. 2. Variations in size, shape, and positioning of the hollow tapered neck portion 30 relative to the center of the flat portion 10 are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid 100 of FIG. 2, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2. In this view, a paint brush 78 is shown in phantom outline, so that the use of the paint brush storage lid 100 is apparent. The paint brush handle 80 is held within the handle aperture 40 of the paint brush storage lid 100, and is slidably received within the handle aperture 40 so that the paint brush bristles or fibers 82 are positioned in relation to the height of the liquid 15 within the paint can 90. In this view, it is apparent that the entire paint brush storage lid 100 is formed so that it is relatively thin, and therefore it is readily resilient, deformable, lightweight, and inexpensive to mold.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid 100 similar to that of FIG. 3, together with a paint can 90 containing a liquid 15, and holding a paint brush 78 (shown in phantom outline) therein. In this view, the liquid level 16 is relatively low, and covers only a portion of the bristles of the brush 80; accordingly, the brush handle 80 can be pushed further into the aperture 40 of the paint brush storage lid 100, so that a greater portion of the paint brush bristles or fibers 82 are covered by the liquid 15. The liquid 15 may, for example, be paint, varnish, paint thinner, or other liquid material that may be subject to evaporation.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the paint brush storage lid 100 similar to that of FIG. 3, covering a can of liquid 110 which is smaller in diameter than the paint brush storage lid 100. The paint brush storage lid 100 is sized so that it can cover most typical paint can 90 sizes. However, it is not necessary that the paint brush storage lid 100 fit in a snug manner about the top opening in a paint can 90, rather the flat portion 10 of the paint brush storage lid 100 may simply rest upon the upper rim 92 of a can 90 of liquid 15 such as a paint can 90. Instead, the paint brush storage lid 100 is intentionally designed to be oversized, so that it will fit a wide variety of paint cans 90.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the storage lid, showing a reduced material thickness 60 in proximity to the elongated handle aperture 40 in the tapered neck portion 30 of the storage lid 100.

Several sizes of paint brush storage lids 100 may be provided to suit the needs of various users, such as for artists using small containers, for painters using up to five gallon containers; and for industrial users using up to 55 gallon containers.

Due to the use of resilient material 20 for the forming of the paint brush storage lid 100, a sufficiently good seal is provided between the flat portion 10 of the paint brush storage lid 100 and the upper rim 92 of a paint can 90. This aids in preventing evaporation of the liquid, and stops the drying of the brush bristles 82. In this manner, the paint brush 90 can be stored in the paint can 110 for extended periods of time during repeated use, such as overnight, or even weeks.

When the user is ready to use the brush 78, the paint brush storage lid 100 is raised from the upper rim 92 of the paint can 90, and the paint brush handle 80 is withdrawn from the handle aperture 40 by pulling the paint brush from within the hollow tapered neck portion 30. The user may then use the paint brush 78 in a typical manner, dipping the paint brush bristles 82 into the liquid 15 as needed.

Upon completion of the painting assignment, or when a break from painting is planned, the paint brush handle 80 is inserted into the handle aperture 40 through the raised, hollow tapered neck portion 30. The paint brush storage lid 100 is then replaced upon the upper rim 92 of the paint can, immersing the paint brush bristles 82 into the liquid in the paint can 90. As paint or other liquid 15 is withdrawn from the paint can 90, the paint brush handle 80 is lowered in the handle aperture 40 so that the paint brush bristles 82 remain coated by the liquid 15 in the paint can 90. This ensures that the paint brush bristles 82 will not dry out overnight, on weekends, or during paint breaks, and eliminates the need for cleaning the brush 82 between use, while reducing evaporation of the liquid within the container 90.

FIG. 7 is side sectional view of another embodiment of a lid, consistent with the present disclosure. The lid 200 may be similar to the lid 100 shown in FIGS. 1-6, wherein like numerals represent like parts. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 200 includes a flat portion 210 configured to cover a top opening portion of a container, such as a paint can. The lid 200 also includes a rim portion 220 downwardly depending from at least an outer periphery of the flat portion 210. The lid 200 may further include a hollow tapered neck portion 230 projecting above the flat portion 210. The hollow tapered neck portion 230 may be oblong in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flat portion 210. The hollow tapered neck portion 230 may include a handle aperture 240 defined in a top portion 250 of the neck portion 230. The handle aperture 240 may be sized and/or shaped to slidably receive and support a paint brush handle, as similarly shown in FIG. 3, for example.

The lid 200 further includes a plurality of discrete steps 224 extending inwardly from an interior surface 222 of the rim portion 220. Each of the plurality of discrete steps 224 is configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter. The plurality of discrete steps 224 may be configured to provide a seal between the lid 200 and the container.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side sectional view of a portion of the paint brush storage lid of FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 200 may include a first discrete step 226a, a second discrete step 222b, and a third discrete step 226c. The discrete steps 226a-226c may be configured to sealingly engage top opening portions of containers of different diameters. For example, the first discrete step 222a may be configured to sealingly engage a top opening portion of a container having a first diameter. The second discrete step 222b may be configured to sealingly engage a top opening portion of a container having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The third discrete step 226c may be configured to sealingly engage a top opening portion of a container having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is larger than the first and second diameters. As such, the lid 200 is configured to be securely coupled to a variety of container diameters. For example, with regard to paint containers, the lid 200 may be configured to be securely coupled to the standard paint container sizes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of discrete steps 224 extend along the entire periphery of the interior surface 222 of the rim portion 220. In other embodiments, the plurality of discrete steps 224 may extend along portions of the periphery of the interior surface 222 of the rim portion 220. The plurality of discrete steps 224 are generally semi-circular in cross section. It is to be understood, however, that variations in size, shape, and/or positioning of the plurality of discrete steps 224 are contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in another embodiment, the plurality of discrete steps 224 may be generally semi-rectangular in cross section, having substantially planar sides. In one embodiment, the plurality of discrete steps 224 may be integrally formed with the lid 200 as a one-piece resilient member, by molded construction. In other embodiments, the plurality of discrete steps 224 may be separately formed from the lid 200.

The plurality of discrete steps 224 may comprise a resilient and durable material capable of elastic expansion when a force is applied thereto and elastic recovery when the force is removed therefrom. Each of the plurality of discrete steps 224 may be capable of elastically conforming to the shape of the opening of a container of an associated diameter when the lid 200 is positioned over the opening of the container. The material may include, but is not limited to, either natural or synthetic materials such as polymers and/or co-polymers. Examples may include polyurethane, latex, natural rubber, nylon (polyamides), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, fluoroplastics, block copolymers, polyethers and composites thereof.

It is to be understood that the lid 200 may be configured to seal a wide variety of containers having varying sizes and/or dimensions, and is not limited to those shown herein. For example, the lid 200 may be shaped and/or sized to sealingly engage a generally circular container, as shown herein. In other embodiments, the lid 200 may be shaped and/or sized to sealing engage a generally rectangular container or generally oblong container. It is also to be understood that the lid 200 may not be limited to storage of a paint brush. For example, in one embodiment, the lid 200 may include a means of dispensing liquid from a container to which it is securely coupled, such as a spout or an applicator.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lid for a container. The lid includes a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of the container and a rim portion downwardly depending from the flat portion. The lid further includes a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of the rim portion. Each of the plurality of discrete steps are configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lid for a container. The lid includes a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of the container. The lid further includes a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from the flat portion. The neck portion has an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the flat portion. The lid further includes an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of the neck portion. The elongated aperture is configured to slidably receive and releasably secure a portion of a paint brush handle therethrough. The lid further includes a rim portion downwardly depending from the flat portion. A plurality of discrete steps extend inwardly from an interior surface of the rim portion. Each of the plurality of discrete steps is configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lid for a container. The lid includes a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of the container and a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from the flat portion. The neck portion has an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the flat portion. The neck portion is configured to receive and accommodate a portion of a paint brush handle with a plurality of bristles extending from the handle. The lid further includes an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of the neck portion. The elongated aperture is configured to slidably receive and releasably secure the portion of the paint brush handle therethrough. The portion of the paint brush handle is adjustably positioned through the elongated aperture to position the plurality of paint brush bristles substantially within the container for temporary storage regardless of a level of liquid in the container.

The lid further includes a rim portion downwardly depending from the flat portion. A plurality of discrete steps extend inwardly from an interior surface of the rim portion. Each of the plurality of discrete steps is configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter. The plurality of discrete steps includes a resilient and flexible material configured to elastically conform to a shape of a container opening.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, said lid comprising:

a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;

a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and

a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of discrete steps are configured to elastically conform to a shape of an opening of a container when said lid is positioned over said opening of said container.

3. The lid of claim 2 wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured to provide a seal between said lid and said container.

4. The lid of claim 1 wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion.

5. The lid of claim 1 wherein said plurality of discrete steps are integrally formed with said lid as a unitary structure.

6. The lid of claim 1 wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a level of liquid within said container.

7. The lid of claim 1 further comprising a dispensing portion extending from said flat portion, said dispensing portion configured to dispense a liquid from said container while said lid is coupled to said container.

8. A lid for a container, said lid comprising:

a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;

a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from said flat portion, said neck portion having an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of said flat portion;

an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of said neck portion, said elongated aperture configured to slidably receive and releasably secure a portion of a paint brush handle therethrough;

a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and

a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

9. The lid of claim 8 wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a position of a plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said portion of said paint brush handle in relation to a level of liquid within said container.

10. The lid of claim 8 wherein said portion of said paint brush handle is adjustably positioned in said elongated aperture to position a plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said paint brush handle into a liquid of said container for storage.

11. The lid of claim 10 wherein said paint brush handle is positioned through said elongated aperture located beneath said hollow tapered neck portion to position and immerse said plurality of paint brush bristles substantially within said liquid in said container and to store said paint brush without cleaning between a first use and a second use.

12. The lid of claim 8 wherein at least one of said plurality of discrete steps are configured to elastically conform to a shape of an opening of a container when said lid is positioned over said opening of said container.

13. The lid of claim 12 wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured to provide a seal between said lid and said container.

14. The lid of claim 13 wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured provide a seal between said lid and said container so as to prevent substantial evaporation of a liquid within said container.

15. The lid of claim 8 wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion.

16. The lid of claim 8 wherein a liquid stored within said container is selected from the group consisting of paint, varnish, paint thinner, and other liquid material subject to evaporation over time.

17. The lid of claim 8 wherein said elongated aperture has elongated parallel sides and rounded ends sized to receive said portion of said paint brush handle therethrough and wherein said elongated aperture has a reduced wall thickness extending about a periphery of said elongated aperture.

18. A lid for a container, said lid comprising:

a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;

a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from said flat portion, said neck portion having an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of said flat portion, said neck portion configured to receive and accommodate a portion of a paint brush handle with a plurality of bristles extending from said handle;

an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of said neck portion, said elongated aperture configured to slidably receive and releasably secure said portion of said paint brush handle therethrough, said portion of said paint brush handle being adjustably positioned through said elongated aperture to position said plurality of paint brush bristles substantially within said container for temporary storage regardless of a level of liquid in said container;

a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and

a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter, said plurality of discrete steps comprising a resilient and flexible material configured to elastically conform to a shape of a container opening.

19. The lid of claim 18 wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a position of said plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said portion of said paint brush handle in relation to said level of liquid within said container.

20. The lid of claim 18 wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion.