Abstract:
An apparatus for storing and dispensing fluid paint comprising a pail, a ring section permanently attachable to the pail and incorporating an integral circular spout for pouring fluid paint, and a closure adapted to lockingly and sealingly attach to the ring section.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a plastic container having a screw on closure for storing and dispensing paint and other fluid materials.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A container for storing and dispensing fluid materials such as paint, adhesive and granular substances which behave as fluids typically consists of a metal cylindrical pail that is sealed using a metal closure or lid that secures into a groove running along a top rim of the pail using a press fit. When paint is poured out of the container, it often accumulates in the groove and also drips down the side of the container. In addition to requiring additional cleanup, this creates difficulties when resealing the lid because the paint in the groove spreads out and/or splatters when securing the lid and interferes with the formation of a sealing surface between the groove and lid.  
         [0003]     Plastic paint pails and lids are a more recent development. One prior art combination includes a square pail with an integrated handle and a screw on closure or lid. This design incorporates a semi-circular spout for pouring in one direction over threads and a corner of the container. The pouring performance often results in paint covering the threads. This creates difficulties in opening the container after use because, when the closure is reapplied, any paint in the thread area will dry and cause the lid to bind to the pail.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a molded plastic container comprising a pail and closure combination for storing and dispensing fluids such as paint. The container comprises a generally cylindrical pail having a flat bottom and an open top. A separately formed ring section is permanently attached to the top of the pail and provides both a threaded annular band and, inwardly of the band, a full circular pouring spout preferably of “crescentoid shape.” In addition, there is provided a closure adapted to lockingly and sealingly attach to the ring section by means of mating threads. The term “crescentoid” as used herein refers to an annular ring with a uniform crescent-shaped section in all quadrants.  
         [0005]     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a top deck which can be variously configured to provide manual or machine gripping and rotation.  
         [0006]     Other objects, advantages and 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 drawing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]     The various features, advantages, and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lockable and resealable container for storing and dispensing fluid paint comprising a pail, a ring section having an integral circular spout, and a lid according to the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the ring section according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top elevational view of the ring section according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the lid according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the assembled pail, ring section, and lid according to the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIGS. 8-10  show alternative lid configurations. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a container  10  for storing and dispensing fluids such as paint comprises a cylindrical pail  12 , a ring section  14  which is separately formed, and a closure or lid  16 . The pail  12  is generally an open top cylinder in shape. It may, however, be tapered, if desired. The ring section  14  is permanently attached to the pail  12 , for example, by spin or ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, it may be attached by adhesive bonding or a mechanical snap lock. Once installed, the ring section  14  provides an annular portion  15  with thread and lock segments. Ring section  14  further includes a full circular pouring spout  22  of crescentoid shape. The pail  12 , ring section  14 , and lid  16  are formed, for example, of a polymeric material such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene.  
         [0017]     The container  10  has two opposed bail-receiving ears  18  integrally formed on a sidewall of the pail  12  for attaching a handle or bail  20 . The bail  20  can be formed, by way of example and not limitation, of plastic or metal. The container may also be marketed without a bail.  
         [0018]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the ring section  14  contains the spout  22 , which is crescentoid in shape and spaced inwardly of the threaded portion  15 . The spout  22  is concave on the outside surface and is, therefore, of larger diameter at the top than midway between the top and the bottom. This shape is referred to herein as “crescentoid.” Such shape eliminates any ridges that may restrict flow out of the pail  12 . The spout may also be straight sided. The crescentoid spout  22  provides a flexible top edge  24  which seals against the inside of the lid  16  when screwed into place. This eliminates the need for a gasket. The threaded portion  15  of the ring section  14  has at least one external thread  26  to receive the lid  16 . The thread  26  incorporates a number of detents  28  that snap to lock in order to ensure closure between the ring section  14  and lid  16 . The ring section  14  is provided with internal brush wipes  30  as an optional feature. The brush wipes  30  can accommodate a 4″ brush and can be generally convex, concave, or flat in shape when seen from a top elevational view. The ring section  14  also provides a 360° trough or recess  32  that is positioned outwardly concentric to the spout  22  and inwardly concentric to the threaded portion  15  to further ensure that the paint does not interfere with the threaded portion  15 .  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the lid  16  incorporates an integrated twist grip  34 . The twist grip  34  generally includes semi-cylindrical concavities  36  on both sides of a cross piece  38  having sidewalls  40 . At least one internal thread  42  and a corresponding number of detents  44  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ) close and lock the lid  16  and are complementary to the external threads  26  and detents  28 , respectively, of the ring section  14 . An inner profile  46  seals against the top edge  24  of the spout  22 .  
         [0020]     In operation, the container  10 , when closed, can be shaken to mix the contents without fear of leakage. It is easily opened by rotation of the lid  16 . Paint can be poured from the container  10  by tipping. If any excess paint runs over the spout  22 , it will fall into the recess  32  between the spout  22  and the threaded portion  15 , where it is trapped. It has no adverse effect on the threads. Paint can be brush-dipped directly from the interior of the container  10 , and wiped on the brush wipes  30 . The container  10  is easily re-closed by screwing the lid  16  into place.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a first alternative lid  50  in which the cross-bar type grip of  FIG. 5  is replaced with a deep annular depression  52  defining a central round knob  54  the edge of which is fluted to enhance a manual gripping action. In addition, an annular pattern  56  of loops and recesses is formed in the outer periphery of lid  50  to accommodate hand or machine tools for turning the lid relative to a pail.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  shows another alternative lid  58  with a cross bar grip  60  defined by kidney-shaped depresses  62  and  64 . A peripheral pattern  66  adds aesthetic appeal and may also be used for mechanized procedures.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a lid  70  similar to the lid of  FIG. 9  but without the edge configuration.  
         [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 embodiment 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.