Patent Publication Number: US-5255814-A

Title: Paint can rim

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates generally to containers and more specifically it relates to an improved paint can rim. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous containers have been provided in prior art that are adapted to carry liquids therein. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,928,570; 3,071,282; 4,127,211 and 4,163,374 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A principle object of the present invention is to provide an improved paint can rim that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide an improved paint can rim that eliminates the need for the standard paint can groove and conventional cover so that once the paint can is opened and used a new lid will neatly reseal the paint can rim. 
     An additional object is to provide an improved paint can rim that contains a scraping lip having a pouring hole, whereby the scraping lip will allow a paint brush to remove excess paint while the pouring hole will allow paint within the paint can to exit when the paint can is tiped over. 
     A further object is to provide an improved paint can rim that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide an improved paint can rim that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention upon a paint can. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rim used upon the paint can. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 1 showing a separate rim and lid which replaces the conventional paint can cover. 
     FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a built in rim with lid. 
     FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the rim formed as part of the paint can with lid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an improved paint can rim 10 which consists of a ring-like member 12, a scraping lip 14 and a lid 16. 
     The ring-like member 12 fits on top 17 of a body portion 18 of a paint can 20, while the scraping lip 14 has a pouring hole 22. The scraping lip 14 is formed within the ring-like member 12 and extends at a slight angle downwardly into the paint can 20 to allow a paint brush (not shown) to remove excess paint therefrom. The pouring hole 22 will allow the paint within the paint can 20 to exit easily when the paint can is tipped over. 
     The lid 16 has a recess portion 24 and a raised annular edge 26. The recess portion 24 is removably attached to the ring-like member 12 to seal the paint within the paint can 20. The raised annular edge 26 will allow a tool 28 such as a screwdriver or the like to be inserted for prying off the lid 16. 
     Edge 30 of the scraping lip 14 and edge 32 of the pouring hole are slightly rounded for a safety factor. 
     The ring-like member 12 further includes a downwardly extending annular rib 34 that has a hollow chamber 36 for giving extra strength to the ring-like member. The downwardly extending annular rib 34 fits within an annular flange 38 that is seamed at 40 to the top 17 of the body portion 18 of the paint can 20. 
     FIG. 3A shows a modified paint can rim 10A in which the downwardly extending annular rib 34A of the ring-like member 12A is seamed at 40A directly to the top 17A of the body portion 18A of the paint can 20A. 
     FIG. 3B shows another modified paint can rim 10B in which the ring-like member 12B is formed directly to the top 17B of the body portion 18B of the paint can 20B thus making the ring-like member 12B and the paint can 20B one complete unit. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.