Abstract:
A cylindrical molded plastic container is adapted to receive a snap-on snap-ring which acts as a transition structure between the container sidewall and a suitably configured closure. The snap-ring does not require sonic or friction welding and thus reduces manufacturing costs in the production of the container. The container may be used to ship and store paint or other ingredients.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to molded plastic containers of the type using a “snap-ring” as a transition structure between the container and a closure or lid.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of a snap-ring to provide a transition structure between the top of a cylindrical container and a sealing closure for said container is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,618 issued Jul. 8, 2003 to Christopher Davis and assigned to Letica Corporation of Rochester, Mich. The Davis patent discloses a snap-ring adapted to be permanently secured to the top peripheral edge of a molded plastic container by welding or adhesive bonding. After the snap-ring is essentially permanently secured to the container, a closure of suitable design may be removably attached to the snap-ring to seal the container and the contents thereof. This design provides an effective substitute for metal paint cans with conventional lids.  
         [0003]     Transition rings which do not require welding or bonding but can be snapped onto a container are known. An example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,930, issued to Roper on Nov. 2, 1982. The Roper ring, called an “engagement ring,” snaps into the upper edge of a container sidewall having an undercut and provides an inboard upward annular projection to receive a lid.  
         [0004]     The Roper engagement ring depends entirely on the fit between the top edge of the container and an inverted u-shaped slot in the engagement ring to transfer vertical stacking loads from the lid or ring to the container sidewall. This creates the potential for distortion of the ring under load and a loss of seal quality around the top of the container.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a plastic container including a snap-ring capable of being joined to a molded plastic container by way of a simple snap-on manipulation and which is thereafter capable of sealingly receiving a closure for the container. Such a snap-ring and container combination eliminates the need for welding or adhesive bonding to secure the snap-ring to the container. Moreover, the subject invention involves a feature on the container to provide an effective vertical load transfer whereby vertical loads caused by stacking filled and sealed containers on top of one another are transferred to the container sidewall by positive contact in one or more areas other than the primary seal at the top edge of the container.  
         [0006]     The snap-on snap-ring of the present invention is made from injection molded plastic and exhibits an annular structure defining outer and inner portions. The outer portion defines an inverted u-shaped channel, the outer wall of which cooperates with an undercut on the top of the container sidewall to snap lock the snap-ring to the container. The snap ring further comprises an inner stacking surface which sits atop a shoulder formed on the inner surface of the container sidewall. The inner portions of the snap-ring comprise an upstanding annular projection corresponding substantially to the locking annular 30 disclosed in the aforementioned Davis patent to receive the inverted u-shaped channel of a lid.  
         [0007]     In the preferred form hereinafter described in detail, the container is formed with an undercut to receive the locking feature of the snap-ring and, spaced below the undercut, another load transfer shoulder upon which the lower edge of the outer wall of the snap-ring rests when the snap-ring is fully applied to the container sidewall.  
         [0008]     Also in the preferred form, the snap-ring comprises downwardly and inwardly projection portions which, when the snap-ring is fully applied to the container, rests against the inside surface of the container sidewall to act as a back support for the snap-on feature.  
         [0009]     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  
       [0010]     The aforementioned features of the invention and the preferred embodiment thereof will become clear upon reference of the appended drawings of which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, in section, of a container assembly embodying the invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the container, snap-ring and closure of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     Referring to the drawings, the illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown to comprise the molded plastic container assembly  10  including a container  11  of generally cylindrical shape, a molded plastic snap-on snap-ring  12  of generally annular shape and a molded plastic lid or closure  14  of generally disk-like shape. In general, the snap-ring  12  serves as a transition structure between the container sidewall  16  and the lid  14  so as to permit the lid to be attached to and removed from the container  11  to access the contents of the container.  
         [0014]     A suitable material for use in constructing all of the container  11 , snap-ring  12  and lid  14 , is high density polyethelene (HDPE). However, other plastic materials may also be used to provide structural components of the proper strength, stiffness and durability.  
         [0015]     Containers with snap-rings and closures of the type generally described herein are advantageously used to package paint and other liquid materials for retail sale. However, the present invention may be utilized to advantage in the packaging, shipping and sales of many different products.  
         [0016]     Describing the combination in detail, the container  11  comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall  16  which defines a lipless top edge. An undercut  18  is formed below the top edge of container  11  and, approximately ¼″ below the undercut  18 , a load transfer stacking shoulder  20  is formed for purposes to be described. Opposite the undercut  18  is an interior load transfer stacking surface  22  also for purposes to be described.  
         [0017]     The snap-ring  12  comprises an annular outer portion  24  and an integral annular inner portion  30 . The terms “inner” and “outer” are used here to refer to relative radial portions. The outer portion  24  comprises an outer wall  26  and, integral therewith, an inner wall  28  which together define an inverted u-shaped channel which receives the top portion of the container sidewall  16  shown. The lower skirt portion of the outer wall  26  is formed with a thickened annular inwardly projecting portion  40  which cooperates with the undercut  18  to snap lock the snap-ring  12  to the container sidewall  16 . The dimensions of the outer wall  26  of the snap-ring are such that when the snap-ring  12  is in place on the container sidewall  16 , the bottom edge of the outer wall  26  rests on the shoulder  20 . This permits vertical loads caused by stacking multiple containers on top of one another to be transferred from the snap-rings  12  to the container sidewall  16 .  
         [0018]     The inner wall  28  of the snap-ring  12  is formed with an inwardly directed jog  42  thereby defining an inward flange portion which rests on the shoulder  22  to further provide a stacking load transfer function. An annular downwardly and inwardly projecting lip  44  acts as a back support for the snap-on function.  
         [0019]     The inner portion  30  of the snap-ring  12  is provided with an upstanding annular projection  32  having an undercut  46  which cooperates with an inverted u-shaped channel portion  36  of the lid  14  in the fashion more fully described in the aforementioned &#39;618 patent. Therefore the disclosure of the &#39;618 patent, although not repeated in full herein, is incorporated by reference into this disclosure and is to be considered a part thereof to the extent pertinent. An inwardly projecting annular flange  34  on the snap-ring cooperates with the serpentine portion  48  of the lid structure to provide additional vertical load support. The lid further comprises a relatively flat interior deck portion  50 .  
         [0020]     The bottom  52  of the container is preferably configured to permit stacking of the containers one on top of the other.  
       OPERATION  
       [0021]     In operation, the snap-ring  12  is oriented over the container  11  with the inverted u-shaped channel of the snap-ring  12  poised to receive the upper edge of the container sidewall  16 . Either manually or through the use of appropriate automation machinery, the snap-ring is forced down onto the top edge of the container sidewall  16  until the projection  40  flexes outwardly and snaps into the space provided by the undercut  18 . At this time, the snap-ring projection  40  also rests on the stacking shoulder  20  and the interior shoulder of the inner wall  28  of the snap-ring presses on the shoulder  22  to further provide a vertical load transfer function.  
         [0022]     In the typical operation, the container with the snap-ring in place is now filled, although the filling procedure may also be carried out before the snap-ring is applied. Although adhesive bonding may be used as a supplemental securement feature, it is generally unnecessary to weld or otherwise adhesively bond the snap-ring  12  to the container  10 .  
         [0023]     Thereafter, the lid  14  is applied by forcing the inverted u-shaped channel portion  36  over the upstanding annular projection  32  until the lid mates with the undercut  46  on the outside surface of the projection  32 . The container and contents are now ready for shipment. The lid  14  may be removed with a suitable tool such as a pry bar or screwdriver by the end user or by an intermediate merchant if it is necessary to open the container to add a coloring ingredient.  
         [0024]     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, 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.