Patent ID: 8827096

Claim:
A paint can having an upper circumferential rim with a top and a bent section, comprising: a. a modification to the top of a paint can including an attachment member which is permanently affixed to the top of the upper rim of the paint can by an arcuate section crimped to the bent section of the upper rim of the paint can, the attachment section extending to a horizontal section where the horizontal section extends radially inward in a horizontal plane above the top of the upper rim of the paint can so that the horizontal section is never at a location below the top of the upper rim of the paint can, the horizontal section terminating in an interior circumferential upwardly extending generally inverted “U” shaped section which has a first vertical wall section with an exterior surface which extends perpendicular to and vertically away from the horizontal section, the generally inverted “U” shaped section further curves inwardly extending in an upper rounded arcuate section with an exterior surface, and then the upwardly extending generally inverted “U” shaped section extends downwardly with a second vertical wall with an exterior surface extending in the vertical direction parallel to and spaced apart from the first vertical wall section and then folds back on itself at its lower edge so as to avoid any sharp areas on the rim, the exterior surface of the first vertical wall section, the exterior surface of the second vertical wall section and the exterior section of the upper rounded arcuate section of the generally inverted “U” shaped rim forming a male mating member on the top of the paint can, the interior arcuate shaped rim also surrounding an interior opening which leads to an interior paint can chamber where paint is stored; b. a top mating closing lid having a first vertical wall with a bottom folding in on itself to avoid sharp edges, the first vertical wall having an interior surface and extending to an upper inwardly extending rounded arcuate section having an interior surface which extends to a downward extending second vertical wall which has an interior surface to form a downwardly extending generally inverted “U” shaped section with the interior surfaces of the first vertical wall, second vertical wall and rounded arcuate wall of the inverted “U” shaped section forming a female receiving member to receive the male member of the “U” shaped male mating member from the top of the paint can, the top closing lid having a circumferential top arcuate section which encircles an interior flat horizontally aligned top to close the opening in the lower portion of the improved lid leading to the chamber in which paint is stored, the top mating closing lid forming a tight seal to the top of the paint can; and c. the horizontal section of the top of the paint can which extends radially inward in the horizontal plane above the top of the paint can prevents paint from falling into an area between the mating male and female “U” shaped members and the upper circumferential rim of the paint can.