Patent Abstract:
A device and method are provided for securely holding a lid on a container. The device includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. An expanding means projects upward from the upper surface of the base. The expanding means contacts both the base and part of the container and can be arranged for applying a downward pressure to the base:for pressing the lid against the container. A method utilizing the device includes the step of placing the lower surface of the base against the lid of a container. A portion of the expander means then engages a portion of the container. The lid is then pressed against the container by forcing the base against the lid using the expander means.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to product containers having lids, and more particularly to a device for securing a lid on a container utilizing a handle of the container and to a method for securing a lid on a container. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Containers are known in the art that have a lid closing off an opening in the top surface. One common type of lid is held in place only by friction and slight expansion and contraction of the material at the junction between the lid and container. Such containers are commonly known and utilized for holding paint, stains, varnishes and the like. Many of the larger size containers for these types of products also have a separate handle or rail of wire carried on the container. The handle is secured at opposite ends to sides of the container and extends upward and curves over the top of the lid and the container. 
     It is also common for many of these products to require a vigorous agitation or mixing process prior to use. Because the lids of these containers are typically held on only by friction and lateral pressure between the lid and the container, the mixing process often loosens the lid. Sometimes the lid pops off during the agitation process and sometimes the lid comes off only after the container is removed from the agitator. 
     Many existing agitators and mixers for paint cans and the like do not include a specific mechanism for holding a lid on the container and if they do, the holder is not intended to press the lid onto the opening of the container during agitation. 
     Therefore, one problem with these types of containers and the mixing process is that paint or other product will be spilled and lost when the lid pops off the container. Alternatively, the product will splatter within the mixer during the agitation process. Another problem is that if the lid does not pop off during the mixing process, it may come off when the container is removed from the mixer. Again, product will spill resulting in a loss of the product. A spill may further result in damage to objects in the environment surrounding the mixer such as carpeting, painted walls, furniture, clothing and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a device that can securely hold the lid on a container that does not require any elaborate fastening or clamping elements. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on the container that is very simple in construction and easy to manufacture. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container that is simple to install on a container utilizing only a top surface of the lid and a handle of the container. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container wherein the container and the device as attached can be placed in a machine that agitates contents held within the container. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that holds a lid on a container via applied pressure to the lid to prevent the lid from popping of the container.: Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for holding a lid on a container such as paint cans that is sturdy, durable, reliable and requires minimum care and yet is, available for repeated use. 
     To accomplish these and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, one embodiment of such a device includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. An expander means of the device contacts both the base and part of the container. The expander means can be arranged for applying a downward pressure to the base for pressing the lid against the container. 
     In one embodiment, the expander means has a base contacting portion for contacting the base and a container engaging portion for connecting to part of the container. In one embodiment, the container engaging portion is a clamp having at least two opposed clamping elements for hooking under and interlocking with a portion of the container. The base contacting portion is an expander disposed between the clamp and the upper surface of the base for adjusting a distance between the base and the clamp. 
     In one embodiment, the clamping elements are for hooking under a lip of the container. In another embodiment, the clamping elements are for hooking under handle attachment ears of the container. 
     In one embodiment, the expander is an over-center toggle extending upward from the upper surface of the base. In another embodiment, the expander is a threaded rod extending upward from the upper surface of the base and that is threaded to the clamp. 
     In one embodiment, a stop section projects upward from the upper surface of the base and has a convex top surface and an apex. At least one handle receiving depression is formed in the top surface of the stop section. The at least one depression is formed generally for receiving and retaining therein a handle of a container. 
     In one embodiment, the stop section is generally planar and is arranged perpendicular to the base and wherein the top surface is a top edge of the planar stop section. In one embodiment, the at least one depression is a semi-circular groove having an axis arranged transversely to the top edge of the stop section. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one depression has a contour that compliments a shape of the handle of the container. 
     In one embodiment, the base and the stop section are each a separate component attached to one another. In one embodiment, the base includes a slot formed through the base and the stop section includes a depending tab received in the slot wherein the stop section is adhered to the base. 
     In one embodiment, the base and the stop section are each formed of a material selected from at least plastics, thermoplastics, composites, and elastomeric resins. 
     In one embodiment, the base and stop section are formed as an integral one-piece unitary structure. 
     In one embodiment, the stop section includes at least two handle receiving depressions formed in the top surface. A first depression is formed near the apex and a second depression is formed spaced from the first depression and disposed further from the apex. 
     In one embodiment, the top surface of the stop section is a domed surface disposed above the base. In one embodiment, the domed surface has at least a first and a second depression, each an elongate, semi-circular cross section groove formed in the domed surface with each groove having a longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the first groove passes generally over the apex of the domed surface and the second groove passes over the domed surface offset relative to the apex. 
     In one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the first groove is arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second groove. 
     In one embodiment, the base is generally circular and has a generally planar lower surface for abutting against a generally flat lid of the container. 
     In one embodiment, the top surface of the planar stop section is generally semi-circular. In one embodiment, the domed top surface of the stop section is generally semi-spherical. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of securely holding a lid on a container includes first providing a device as described above having a base and an expander means in contact with the base. The lower surface of the base of the device is placed against the lid of the container with the upper surface of the base facing the handle. The expander means then engages a portion of the container to force the base downward against the lid. The expander means is then further forced into contact with the base to securely hold the lid against the container. 
     In one embodiment of the: method, the container and the attached device are placed in a machine for agitating contents held within the container. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following drawing figures illustrate a number of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals provided in the drawings represent like components between embodiments of the invention and, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention installed on a paint can; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the device shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a partial front view of an alternative embodiment of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8A illustrates a partial front view of another alternative embodiment of a device constructed in accordance with the present inventions; 
     FIG. 8B illustrates a partial view of a portion of the device of FIG. 7 attached in an alternative manner to a container; and 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the paint can and device shown in FIG. 1 installed in a holder of an agitation machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to a device for holding a lid on a container such as a paint can. The device utilizes only a portion of the container and a top surface of the lid to hold the lid on the container. The device is useful for sealing storage containers such as paint cans. but is more importantly suited for holding a lid on a container when the container undergoes violent movement such as when transporting the container or when agitating or shaking the contents within the container. 
     The device of the invention utilizes a plate that rests on the lid of the container and also has a means for applying compression to the plate and hence to the lid of the container. The means for pressing the plate against the lid utilizes a portion of the container in order to apply such pressure. Several embodiments of the present invention are disclosed wherein two embodiments utilize a handle of a container in order to apply pressure to the lid through the plate or base and two additional embodiments utilize a lip of the container where the handle-retaining ears of the container in order to apply pressure through the base or plate to the lid. 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a lid securing device  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention and installed on a paint can  12 . The device  10  is forced between a top surface  14  (see FIGS. 7 or  9 ) of a lid  16  of the container  12  and a handle  18  of the container. The installation method and other aspects of the invention are described in more detail below. 
     The device  10  of the invention includes a base or plate  20  with an upper surface  22  and a lower surface  24 . In the present embodiment, the base  20  is essentially a circle of material having a diameter and a thickness. The circumference and diameter of the base  20  preferably generally follows the contour of the lid  16 , in this case a circular contour. The thickness of the material is preferably such that the base will provide a relatively rigid abutting surface against the lid when the device  10  is used. In the present embodiment, the base  20  is also generally planar on both its upper and lower surfaces. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the base  20  can take on other shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also apparent that the upper and lower surfaces  22  and  24 , respectively, can have other surface contours than the planar contours illustrated, depending on the shape and contour of the container. The size and shape of the base  20  will more evenly and efficiently distribute a compression force against the lid  16  if it generally matches the lid. 
     A stop section  26  projects upward from the upper surface  22  of the base  20 . The stop section  26  has a top surface  28  that is convex and has an apex  30  at or near the mid-point of the top surface. In this embodiment, the stop section is also in the form of a planar element having a thickness that is in generally similar to that of the base. The stop section  26  of this embodiment includes a stalk portion  32  that supports a cap portion  34  above the base  20 . The cap portion  34  defines the top surface  28  in this embodiment and the stalk portion  32  simply supports the cap. 
     The stalk  32  and cap  34  a e formed as an integral, one-piece unit but could easily be formed as two or more separate components assembled to one another. Regardless of the construction, the top surface  28  of the stop section  26  includes at least one depression  36  formed in the top surface. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the top edge of the planar stop section  26  defines the top surface. The first depression  36  is formed as a notch or cut-out defining a transverse groove in the top surface  28 . The groove or depression  36  has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the stop section  26 . The contour of the depression  36  can vary considerably within the scope of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the handle  18  is illustrated as having a sleeve  37  over part of the handle where the sleeve has a generally circular cross section. The depression  36  also includes a circular cross section that corresponds to the shape of the handle and sleeve. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other handle and depression configurations and constructions can be utilized and yet fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     A second depression  38  is also illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 having essentially the same characteristics of that described for the depression  36 . However, the depression  38  is disposed spaced from the first depression  36  and further from the apex. 
     The device  10  is utilized to securely hold the lid on the container by pressure applied by wedging the device between the handle  18  and the lid  16 . The device  10  can be constructed and designed to accommodate more than one container size and handle configuration and therefore can include more than one depression. The device however will be designed to accommodate a maximum distance for at least one specific container size between the handle and lid. Therefore, the first depression  36  is designed to accommodate the maximum size container for the device  10 . Therefore, the first depression  36  is preferably positioned at or near the apex  30  of the convex top surface  28 . The second depression  38  is then preferably positioned spaced from the first depression  36  and also spaced from the apex  30  a greater distance than the first depression. The second depression is intended to accommodate a smaller container that has a shorter distance between the lid and the uppermost point of the handle. 
     As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the top surface  28  of the stop section  26  can be provided with more than two depressions and can accommodate more than one type of container, depending upon the intended use of the device  10 . It will also be apparent that the top surface  28  need not be a smooth arcuate surface as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, but can alternatively be a multiple contoured surface providing ledges or odd-shaped depressions into which a handle can rest when the device is used. The device  10  can be designed to fit various container sizes and handle and lid configurations. 
     The parts of the device  10  as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 can be punched or cut from a sheet of material, thus utilizing a minimum of raw material. This is because the components of the device are relatively thin arid planar in construction and have the same thickness. The stop section  26  and the base  20  can be fabricated as two separate components and assembled to one another as illustrated in FIG.  2 . In this embodiment, the base  20  has a slot  40  formed near the center of the base for receiving a tab  42  depending from a bottom edge  44  of the stop section  26 . The tab  42  is received in the slot  40  and suitably adhered to the base  20 . Alternatively, the stop section  26  and the base  20  can be integrally molded or cast as a one-piece unitary structure having no separation between the components. In either embodiment, the materials used to fabricate the device  10  can vary considerably but may include at least steel, other metals, plastics, thermoplastics, plastic composites, elastomer or elastomeric resins and other relatively strong materials. Virtually any material can be utilized to fabricate the device  10  of the invention. 
     The device  10  is very simple in construction and easy to manufacture and requires minimum raw material and relatively inexpensive tooling in order to produce. The device  10  may be suitable for many applications. However, the thin cross section of the stop section and the flexible nature of some types of handles  18  may result in handles being bent or destroyed when the device  10  is used. Therefore, a more sturdy device construction may be necessary for some applications where the device also more evenly distributes a load to the handle  18 . 
     With that in mind, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one possible alternative embodiment of a lid securing device  50 . The device  50  includes a base  20  similar to that described previously for the device  10 . The device  50  also includes a stop section  52  projecting upward from the upper surface  22  of the base  20 . The stop section  52  in the present embodiment includes a stalk portion  54  that is illustrated having a cylindrical cross section, although the stalk in this embodiment could be planar similar to the stalk portion  32  described previously, or could have numerous other shapes and constructions. A cap portion  56  is disposed on the stalk portion  54  and also includes a top surface  58  that is convex in shape and has an apex  60 . However, in this embodiment, the top surface  58  is a domed surface having a generally spherical contour. The top surface  58  in this embodiment also includes a first depression  62  in the form of an elongate groove formed into the top surface and passing over or at least near the apex  60  of the stop section  52 . The first depression  62  also includes a longitudinal axis and a contour that compliments the shape and contour of a handle  18 . The contour and size of the first depression can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope of the present invention. The first depression  62  is again disposed at or near the apex of the top surface  58  in order to accommodate a larger distance between a handle and a container lid for a maximum size container. A second depression  64  is also provided in the top surface  58  having generally the same elongate groove construction and a longitudinal axis and contour. The second depression is disposed offset relative to the apex so that it has a reduced height between the top surface  58  and the lower surface  24  of the base to accommodate containers having a shorter distance between a handle and a lid. 
     In the present embodiment, the first depression  62  is illustrated as being arranged perpendicular relative to the second depression  64 . However, virtually any other orientation of the axes of the two grooves or depressions  62  and  64  can be utilized. 
     In this embodiment, the curved spherical surface  58  provides a greater surface area on which the handle  18  of a container can rest. This larger surface area permits the handle to exert force downward from the base  20  into the lid  16  over a larger surface area to assist in preventing the handle  18  from becoming bent when used. 
     As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the depressions  62  and  64  including their size and contour, can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, more than two depressions and more than one type of depression can be provided in the top surface  58  to accommodate a variety of different container sizes and types. The shape of the stalk portion  54  can also vary considerably and yet function according to the present invention. The stalk portion  54  and cap portion  56  can be formed as an integral unit or can be formed as two or more separate components and subsequently attached by any suitable means. 
     To use the device  10  or  50  of the present invention, a user simply places the lower surface  24  of the base  20  on the top surface  14  of the lid  16  of the container or paint can  12 . The depressions must be oriented so that the handle is lowered from its upright position, illustrated by the arrow “A” in FIG. 1, and located on the same side or facing the depressions. This is so that the handle does not need to pass completely over the apex of the device when installed which would unnecessarily stretch and perhaps damage the handle. The handle  18  is then pivoted toward its uppermost position and eventually rides along the top surface of the device. The handle will begin to ride against the top surface and press downward on the device so that the base  20  presses against the lid. If one continues to move the handle toward the apex, the handle will pop into the next adjacent depression. The handle should easily pass any depressions that are located too far from the apex and too low for the size of the handle. The design of the top surface contour can accommodate this function. Once the handle  18  snaps into the appropriate depression, the shape and contour of the depression will hold the handle in place. The pressure applied by the handle  18  to the base  20  of the device  10  or  50  will securely hold the lid  16  against the container  12 . 
     FIGS. 7,  8 A, and  8 B illustrate additional embodiments of a lid securing device of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a device  70  mounted to the paint can  12 . The device  70  includes a base  20  having a bottom surface  22  and a top surface  24  and is essentially identical in construction to the base  20  described in previous embodiments. The device  70  also includes an upstanding rod  72  extending upward from the upper surface  24 . The upstanding rod has an upper end with a gripping handle  74  carried thereon. A C-shaped clamp  76  is bisected by the rod  72  and extends radially therefrom. The clamp  76  is carried on the rod  72  by a threaded collar  78  that includes internal threads that correspond to external threads  80  on the rod. The rod  72  and collar  78  can therefore rotate relative to one another moving the collar and hence the clamp  76  along the rod. The lower end of the rod includes a ball and socket connection  82  to the base  20  securely holding the rod to the base and yet permitting the rod  72  to rotate relative to the base. The clamp  76  includes a pair of downwardly depending claws  84  that are designed and sized to hook beneath a lip  86  of the top end of the can  12  via fingers on the claws. 
     To utilize the device  70 , the bottom surface  22  of the base  20  is placed against the lid  16  of the container  12 . The fingers  88  are initially below the lip  86 . The grip or handle  74  is then rotated in order to turn the rod  72  relative to the collar  78 . By doing so, the clamp  76  is drawn upward so that the fingers  88  contact the lip  86 . The grip or handle  74  is then further rotated which will force the clamp  76  upward relative to the rod  72 . Because the fingers  88  are interlocked with the lip  86 , the base  20  will then press down on the lid  16  securing the lid to the can  12 . 
     FIG. 8A illustrates another alternative embodiment of a device  90  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The device  90  also includes a plate or base  20  for resting against a lid  16  of a container  12 . The top surface  24  of the base includes an upstanding bracket  92  connected to a lower pivot  94  of an over-center toggle  96 . The toggle  96  includes an upper pivot  98  carried centrally along a C-shaped clamp  76  constructed essentially identical to that described in the previous embodiment. The toggle  96  also includes a central pivot  100  separating the toggle into two toggle elements  102  and  104 . 
     In one direction, indicated in FIG. 8A by the arrow B, the toggle  96  is free to pivot about the central pivot  100  so that the base  20  can lift and lower relative to the bracket. When the toggle is moved past the center position in the direction of the arrow C wherein all three pivots  94 ,  98  and  100  are linearly aligned, the toggle passes just beyond the over-center condition and then is prevented from moving any further by a suitable stop. In the over-center condition, the bracket or clamp  76  is forced upward drawing the fingers  88  into locking engagement with the lip  86  of the can  12  and forcing the base  20  downward against the lid  16 . A stop or lock means is carried on the toggle  96  in order to prevent the toggle from further moving in the direction of the arrow C thus locking the lid  16  against the can  12 . 
     FIG. 8B illustrates an alternative embodiment for connecting the clamp  76  to the can  12 . In this embodiment, the fingers  88  do not engage a lip of the can, but instead engage a retaining ear  110  of the can. The retaining ears  110  secure the handle  18  to the container such as the paint can  12 . The particular design of the fingers  88  and ears  110  can vary considerably within the scope and spirit of the present invention so long as the clamp  76  is capable of interlocking with the ears  110  in order to perform the intended function of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates one important use of the present invention. A container  12  including a device  10  attached thereto can be installed into a mixing machine  170  or agitator such as a paint mixer. A typical mixing machine  170  has a two part container holder  172  with a parting line  173  dividing the holder  172  into two sections  174  and  176 . The two sections can receive the container therein prior to closing and then the two sections can be closed to abut one another. A typical holder  172  has a bottom surface  177  or at least a portion of a bottom surface against which the bottom of the container will rest. A top in-turned lip  179  of the holder  172  overlaps a portion of the top surface of the container. Sometimes this top lip  179  will overlap a portion of the lid  16  as well and at least prevent the lid from flying off the container during the mixing process. Sometimes the lip will cover nearly the entire lid of the container. However, these mixing machines  170  do not typically provide downward pressure on to the lid  16  of the paint can or container  12 . The two sections  172  and  174  of the holder  172  also provide slots or cut-outs  180  to accommodate the handle  18  as well as the attachment ears  110 . 
     If the lip  179  does bear against the lid, the lid will at least not release during the mixing process, but the lid is not held securely and pressed downward into and against the container. When the mixing process is complete, it often occurs that the container is removed and the lid then pops off, releasing the contents of the container. This is because during the mixing process, the contents within the container continually are forced against the lid which at least partially breaks the seal between the lid and container. If the lip  178  does not bear against the lid, the lid oftentimes will release from the container during the mixing process and permit the contents within the container to enter into the mixing machine  170 . The devices of the invention prevent each of these occurrences from happening and yet do so at minimum expense to a user. 
     Though specific embodiments of the present invention are described herein, the invention is not intended to be so limited. Modifications and changes can be made to the described embodiments and yet fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is intended to be limited only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1