Patent ID: 12252384

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring toFIGS.1-11, a cap remover100is provided. In some embodiments, the cap remover100includes a main body portion110. In some embodiments, the main body portion110is generally cylindrical or circular in shape. In some embodiments, the main body portion110includes a top surface112and a bottom surface114. In some embodiments, the main body portion110includes one or more holes116, voids, or apertures. In some embodiments, the holes116extend from the top surface112to the bottom surface114. In some embodiments, the geometry of the holes116at the top surface112is the same as the geometry of the hole116at the bottom surface114, while in some embodiments the geometry differs, such that the hole116changes its profile or shape as it passes through the main body portion110from the top surface112to the bottom surface114. In some embodiments, the one or more hole116is configured to receive or otherwise joint to one or more tab elements of connecting elements of a secondary object, such as handle or leverage element. In some embodiments, the hole116is defined by a plurality of interior surfaces of the main body portion110.

In some embodiments, the cap remover100includes a receiving edge120. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120extends from a bottom surface114. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120protrudes from the bottom surface114, such that the receiving edge120is positioned along an offset from the perimeter of the main body portion110. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120is dimensioned so as to be capable of engaging a standard paint cap20. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120is circular or arcuate in shape. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120extends a distance which correlates to the depth of a paint can cap20.

In some embodiments, the receiving edge120includes inner122and outer surfaces124. In some embodiments, the inner surface122includes one or more texturing feature123, such as indents or retaining slots. In some embodiments, the texturing features123are configured to engage with one or more secondary object, such as a paint cap20, to increase grip or friction against the object, or to otherwise engage the object such as to secure and manipulate the other object. In some embodiments, the texturing features123enable the transfer of rotational force from the cap remover100to the secondary object.

In some embodiments, the receiving edge120includes one or more interrupt126. In some embodiments, where the perimeter or receiving edge120is coextensive with the hole, there is a void or interrupt126or otherwise a continuation of the hole or holes through the receiving edge120, such that the receiving edge120is interrupted at these points. In some embodiments, the receiving edge120interrupt126includes at least one surface which is shared by at least one interior surface of the main body.

In some embodiments, the main body portion110includes one or more thumb tab130. In some embodiments, the thumb tab130extends from the top surface112of the main body. In some embodiments, the thumb tabs130are positioned proximate at least one hole116associated with the main body. In some embodiments, for each hole116of the main body portion110, a thumb tab130is positioned proximate at least one side of each of said holes116.

In some embodiments, the thumb tab130includes a first surface132and a second surface134. In some embodiments, the first surface132is configured and/or positioned such that it is facing the side of the thumb tab130which is proximate the hole116. In some embodiments, where multiple thumb tabs130are included, the thumb tabs130are positioned around a central axis of the main body portion110, such that applying a force to the first surface132of any thumb tab130generates a rotational motion around the central axis in a first direction. In some embodiments, the first direction is counter-clockwise.

In some embodiments, all thumb tabs130are of similar height, while in some embodiments a plurality of thumb tabs130differ in height. In some embodiments, a plurality of thumb tabs130allows for a user to place a leveraging bar against the tabs130to exert additional force on the cap remover100when opening a cap20.

In some embodiments, the second surface134of the thumb tab130opposes the first surface132. In some embodiments, the second surface134is configured such that it includes a curved profile. In some embodiments, the profile is curved from the furthest extent of the thumb tab130to the top surface112, such that the thumb tab130is most narrow at its furthest extent and widest at its closest extent from the top surface112. In some embodiments, the profile is configured such that the thickness of the thumb tabs130is consistent across their extent.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the cap remover100are made of other materials now known or hereafter developed, including: wood, metals, composites. In some embodiments, the cap remover100is formed from a mechanical process, such as by carving, 3d printing, molding, or the like.

Referring toFIGS.12-15, a leverage element200is provided. In some embodiments, the leverage element200includes a handle portion210. In some embodiments, the handle portion210is configured to be gripped by a user. In some embodiments, the handle portion210includes one or more lobe214configured for a user to grip. In some embodiments, the lobes214are generally situated along the same plane and formed from a single, consistent material. In some embodiments, the lobes214are separated, connected through only a connecting portion220of the leverage element200, such that the lobes214form two separate and distinct handles for a user.

In some embodiments, the handle portion200includes one or more hole212or void protruding through a main body of the handle portion210. In some embodiments, the one or more lobe214or handle is formed by the configuration of the hole212or void protruding through the surface. In some embodiments, the hole212is a hand hole and forms grips.

In some embodiments, the leverage element200includes a connecting portion220attached to the handle portion210. In some embodiments, the leveraging element200has a plurality of interlocking tabs222extending from the connecting portion220, wherein the plurality of interlocking tabs222are configured to interface with the plurality of holes116of the main body portion110of the cap remover100.

Referring toFIGS.16-20, in some embodiments, the cap remover100and the leveraging handle200interact as a single object. In some embodiments, the plurality of interlocking tabs222interact with the plurality of holes116of the main body portion110of the cap remover100such that the interlocking tabs222align with the receiving edge120. In some embodiments, the interlocking tabs222form a continuous receiving edge120when secured within the holes116of the cap remover100. In some embodiments, the cap remover100and the leverage element200are a single, unitary item. In some embodiments, the interlocking tabs222and the receiving edge120are configured in such a way as to receive a standard paint cap20of a paint can10.

Referring toFIGS.21and22, In some embodiments, the cap remover100has further voids or cutouts318,328.FIGS.21and22shows outlines of where such voids or cutouts318,328. would be placed. In some embodiments, the voids reduce the material usage associated with the formation of the cap remover100without reducing the structural integrity of the cap remover100.

A method of removing a paint can cap is also provided. In some embodiments, the method includes utilization of the cap remover100described herein. In some embodiments, a cap remover100is placed on a paint can cap20. In some embodiments, a handle or leverage element220is then engaged with the cap remover100. In some embodiments, leverage is applied to the leverage element220, which transfers the leverage force to the cap remover100. In some embodiments, the leverage force is transferred at least partially via one or more thumb tab130of the cap remover100. In some embodiments, leverage force is continuously applied to produce a rotational movement about a central axis of the cap20, thereby unscrewing the cap20.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.