Abstract:
A method and apparatus for opening containers and reducing waste from containers are described. The apparatus includes an opener device and a puncture device. The opener device facilitates the removal of a lid from a container without damaging the lid or the containers. The puncture device is capable of creating one or more holes in the container channel of the container to allow liquid trapped in the container channel to drain back into the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the U.S. Provisional patent application entitled OPENER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING MATERIAL WASTE AND BUILD-UP ON A CONTAINER LIP, Ser. No. 60/066,351, filed Nov. 21, 1997, and invented by Steven P. Fluhr. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening containers and reducing waste from containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening liquid containers and reducing liquid waste and buildup on the lip of the liquid container. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Various tools are used to remove the lid from liquid containers such as paint cans, stain cans, primer cans, and other similar liquid containers. These liquid containers include an outer surface which meet a container lip at a container bead. The container lip includes a container channel. The lid includes a lid channel which press fits into the container channel and seals the liquid container. The lid also includes a lid bead which defines a gap with the container lip and facilitates removal of the lid. 
     A flathead screwdriver or similar object is often used to remove the lid by inserting the tip of the screwdriver into the gap and prying the lid from the liquid container. However, this often damages the liquid container and/or lid because [insert reasons here] and makes it harder to reseal the lid to the liquid container. Furthermore, the screwdriver is susceptible to slipping and injuring the user. 
     Various tools are used to create drainage holes in the container channel of a liquid container to allow liquid trapped in the container channel to drain back into the liquid container. This occurs as a brush is removed from a liquid container and excess liquid is removed from the brush by easing the brush out of the liquid container along the container lip. As the process is repeated several times during a session of painting or the like, liquid tends to build up inside the container channel. This liquid build-up tends to flow over the lip and down the outside surface of the liquid container. This wastes the liquid from the liquid container and produces a mess, and also creates a problem when reattaching the lid. If left to dry with the lid in place, it becomes more difficult to remove the lid later. Alternatively, wiping off the container channel with a cloth to avoid build-up is difficult due to the small width of the container channel and wastes additional liquid onto the cloth. The same wasteful condition exists when the liquid is poured out of the liquid container because the liquid accumulates in the container channel, flows over the side, and is difficult to clean up without mess and waste. 
     To at least partially alleviate this problem, painters often use a nail and a hammer to create drainage holes in the bottom of the container channel so that excess liquid can flow back into the liquid container. Various punches are also sometimes used with a hammer. However, the use of a nail or punch requires impact which often deforms the container channel and makes it harder to reseal the lid to the liquid container. Other devices use leverage instead of impact, but still use a sharp point which may accidentally injure the user. Furthermore, these devices form drainage holes at the bottom of the container channel, and exposes the user to sharp edges on the inside of the liquid container. 
     What is needed is a method and apparatus for opening liquid containers safely and reliably. What is also needed is a method and apparatus for opening liquid containers without damaging the liquid container or the lid. 
     What is needed is a method and apparatus for creating drainage holes in a container channel safely and reliably. What is also needed is a method and apparatus for creating drainage holes in a container channel without damaging the liquid container or the lid. What is also needed is a method and apparatus for creating drainage holes in a container channel which minimizes sharp edges exposed to a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for removing a lid from a container, the container having an outer surface, a container bead, and a container lip, the outer surface meeting the container lip at the container bead, the container lip having a container channel, the lid having a lid channel and a lid bead, the lid channel configured to be inserted into the container channel and seal the container, the lid bead and the container lip defining a gap, the device comprising: an elongate handle; and an opener device coupled to an end of the handle, the opener device having a groove, a tip, and a lifting surface, the tip configured to be inserted into the gap, the groove configured to mate with the container bead, the lifting surface capable of separating the lid channel from the container channel and removing the lid from the container when the handle is operated to press the groove against the container bead and press the lifting surface against a bottom of the lid bead. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A-1C illustrates one embodiment of a liquid container device of the present invention in side, bottom, and end views, respectively. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the cross section of the lip and lid of a liquid container/paint can. 
     FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an opener device. 
     FIGS. 3B-3C illustrate the removal of a liquid container lid with the opener device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A illustrates the lateral view of the lip puncture portion of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 4B-4C illustrate the method of use of the puncture device. 
     FIG. 4D illustrates the liquid container lip after puncture with the puncture jaw of the liquid container opener device. 
     FIG. 4E illustrates the placement of several continuous holes using the puncture jaw portion of the opener device for removal of remaining liquid material. 
     FIG. 4F illustrates the remaining liquid material in the liquid container being poured out of the continuous holes into a desired liquid receptacle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1A-1C show a side, bottom, and end views, respectively, of a liquid container device  100  of the present invention. Liquid container device  100  includes an opener device  110  and a puncture device  120  coupled to the two ends of a handle  130 . Liquid container device  100  may also include any one or a combination of opener device  110  and puncture device  120  coupled to handle  130 . For example, liquid container device  100  may have two puncture devices  120  of different sizes on the ends of handle  130 . Liquid container device  100  may be made of one or a combination of aluminum, steel, titanium, plastic, or any other suitable material of sufficient strength to be capable of performing opening and puncture operations as described below. Liquid container device  100  may be manufactured by machining, extrusion, stamping, injection molding, or any other suitable manufacturing technique. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a liquid container  200  with a lid  210 . Liquid container  200  may be a one gallon paint container or any other container with a similar lid and sealing structure. Liquid container  200  includes an outer surface  202 , a container bead  204 , a container lip  206 , and a container channel  208 . Outer surface  202  and container lip  206  meet at container bead  204 . Outer surface  202  may be attached to container lip  206  with container bead  204 . Lid  210  includes a lid bead  214  and lid channel  218 . Lid channel  218  is configured to be inserted into container channel  208  and form a seal. Container lip  206  and lid bead  214  define a gap  220 . 
     1. Opener Device 
     FIG. 3A illustrates an expanded view of opener device  110 . Opener device  110  includes a groove  112 , a lifting surface  114 , and a tip  116 . Opener device  110  may be coupled to handle  130  at an angle such as a right angle, or opener device  110  may be substantially colinear with handle  130 . 
     FIGS. 3B-3C illustrate the use of opener device  110  to remove lid  210  from liquid container  200 . The removal of lid  210  from liquid container  200  is required to gain access to the liquid material contained therein and the removal of that liquid material. When some or all of tip  116  of opener device  110  is inserted into gap  220  defined by container lip  206  and lid bead  214 , groove  112  of opener device  110  will mate with container bead  204  of the liquid container  200 . An axis of rotation  119  is formed where groove  112  and container bead  204  meet. Rotating handle  130  about axis of rotation  119  will press groove  112  against container bead  204  and press lifting surface  114  against the bottom of lid bead  214 . With sufficient force, this operation of handle  130  will dislodge lid channel  218  from container channel  208  and thus remove lid  210 . 
     When at least part of lifting surface  114  is inserted into gap  220  defined by container lip  206  and lid bead  214 , rocking opener device  110  in a manner so that lifting surface  114  presses up on lid bead  214  of the sealed lid  210 , and with sufficient force will dislodge lid  210  out of container channel  208  of the liquid container  200 . Lifting surface  114  and handle  130  act as a “see-saw” about the pivot formed by groove  112  and container bead  204 . 
     Tip  116  may be tapered or thinned to allow easier insertion into gap  220 . Lifting surface  114  may be smooth, or it may be textured to provide a better grip. Depending on the particular structure of liquid container  200  and lid  210 , groove  112  is made at a distance from tip  116  such that groove  112  mates with container bead  204 . The length from tip  116  to groove  112  and the length of handle  130  is selected to allow sufficient force to be generated by hand to remove lid  210 . More than one groove  112  may be formed in opener device  110  to accommodate liquid containers  200  or lids  210  of different sizes. 
     As lid  210  starts to loosen, it may be necessary to move opener device  110  at intervals along the circumference of container bead  204  of liquid container  200  and repeat the rocking procedure until lid  210  becomes free from container channel  208  of liquid container  200 . One or multiple insertions of tip  116  under lid bead  214  of the sealed lid  210 , and the simple rocking back and forth of opener device  110 , until lifting surface  114  pushes up on lid bead  214  of the sealed lid  210  causing lid  210  to raise out of container channel  208 , will open liquid container  200 . Once lid  210  is removed from liquid container  200 , the liquid contents may be removed with a brush, by pouring the contents into another receptacle, or by other methods contemplated by the user of the tool. 
     Opener device  110  may be made in a variety of sizes, or may be sized to fit into the hand of a user. Opener device  110  has no dangerous sharp points which might easily cause physical harm to the user or others. 
     Opener device  110  minimizes the damage to liquid container  200  while being opened and punctured, so that, if all the liquid is not consumed in a session of use, liquid container  200  can be resealed easily and retain a competent seal. 
     2. Puncture Device 
     FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged view of puncture device  120  of liquid container device  100 . Puncture device  120  may be used on one gallon and one quart liquid containers/paint cans, or any other liquid container or paint cans with a suitable lid sealing structure. Puncture device  120  includes a jaw  122 , a puncture point  124 , and a stop  126 . Puncture point  124  and stop  126  are configured to limit the depth of penetration of puncture point  124  into container channel  208  and prevent perforation of outside surface  202  of liquid container  200 . Puncture point  124  is machined to be blunt and not sharp. Puncture point  124  is shaped and configured so that it can be inserted into container channel  208  without interfering with the walls of container channel  208  until it comes into contact with the wall intended to be punctured. Puncture point  124  is designed to puncture the container channel  208  in a such manner that the material which container channel  208  is made of (normally a suitable metal or alloy) will rupture peel towards outer surface  202  and minimize any exposed sharp edges which may cause accidental injury to the user (such as cuts of the fingers). Another purpose of the blunt puncture point  124  is to minimize the chance of accidental injury to the user of the tool (or others) by cuts or punctures of the skin. Jaw  122  may be smooth, or it may be textured to provide a better grip. 
     FIGS. 4B-4C illustrate the use of puncture device  120 . Jaw  122  grips the edge of the can under container bead  204 , while puncture point  124  is inserted into container channel  208  and punctures a wall of container channel  208  create a hole  209 . With puncture point  124  inside container channel  208 , jaw  122  is placed against outside surface  202  of liquid container  200  directly below container bead  204 . 
     An axis of rotation  129  is formed where jaw  122  meets container bead  204 . Rotating handle  130  about axis of rotation  129  will press jaw  122  against container bead  204  and with sufficient force, force puncture point  124  through a wall of container channel. 
     Holding jaw  122  against liquid container  200  in a manner so that it grips container bead  204 , handle  130  is raised up until stop  126  prevents handle  130  from being raised any further. When handle  130  is raised in this manner, puncture point  124  will puncture container channel  208  and form hole  209  in container channel  208  of liquid container  200 . 
     Hole  209  may be formed on a wall of container channel  208  closest to outer surface  202  of liquid container  200  and near the bottom of container channel  208 . Hole  209  may be formed having a diameter appropriate for the width of container channel  208  and determined by the size of puncture point  124 . By way of example, a hole with a diameter of about ¼′ to {fraction (5/16)}′ is suitable for use with a can of paint or other liquid material container. Stop  126  may be an indentation or a bulge, and may be adjusted so that puncture point  124  punctures container channel  208  to the desired depth and creates a hole of the desired size. 
     As shown in FIG. 4D, hole  209  allows excess paint accumulation from a brush to fall back into liquid container  200  and avoids any waste or build-up in container channel  208 . While a single hole  209  can achieve a sufficient amount of liquid material return to liquid container  200 , any desired number of holes  209  may be formed. For example, at least one hole  209  spaced every two inches from the previous one may be formed in container channel  208 . The size of liquid container  200  generally indicates the number of holes  209  that are appropriate. 
     Once use of liquid container  200  is completed, lid  210  may be suitably resealed with a rubber mallet or other such tool. With the formation of holes  209 , lid  210  does not become stuck due to any liquid material build-up in container channel  208 , since the liquid material drips back down into liquid container  200 . Holes  209  are made substantially toward an outer wall of container channel  208  and toward outer surface  202  to minimize any exposed sharp edges which may cause accidental injury to the user. 
     Thus, liquid container device  100  may be suitably utilized with liquid containers such as paint cans to overcome problems associated with paint build-up and solidified waste in container channel  208 . Of course, the principles described herein may be applied to other containers and materials, such as stains, varnishes, and the like which utilize similar liquid containers  200  and encounter the same problems with material build-up and waste. 
     Another use of puncture point  124  is to assist in draining the remaining liquid material from liquid container  200  once liquid container  200  is nearly empty. Puncture device  120  shown in FIG. 4E is used exactly as described earlier, except multiple holes  209  may be formed next to or continuous with each other so that they form a row of holes  209  or one larger continuous hole. Liquid container  200  may then be tipped upward making the bottom of liquid container  200  higher than container lip  206  of liquid container  200 . The continuous row of holes  209  in container channel  208  are positioned so that the liquid material will flow toward those holes  209 . The liquid material will flow through the continuous row of holes  209  and the remaining, hard to get portion of the liquid material will easily flow (FIG. 4F) out of liquid container  200  into the desired receptacle. By using this method as described further waste is avoided and prevented from being sent to the landfill or other waste reception sites. 
     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.