Patent Application
20140215975
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure concerns devices and methods for sealing containers. More specifically, this disclosure concerns a device for sealing containers, such as conventional paint cans, having a separate lid that fits into a specially adapted opening.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, containers such as paint cans are sealed by contacting or striking a lid with blunt force, such as via a hammer or mallet, thereby driving the lid into frictional engagement with a corresponding opening about the container. One primary disadvantage of such conventional means, particularly in the case of cylindrical containers with round, flat lids, is the need to strike the lid multiple times around its perimeter. Many times, this results in uneven application of forces, splatter of contents, incomplete sealing which may lead to evaporation, premature spoilage, etc., and the necessity of having to make multiple, potentially noisy strikes at various points along the perimeter of the lid.
Mechanical can sealers are known in the art, but they are generally large, bulky, difficult to operate, and expensive to produce or maintain. See, e.g., “Paint Can Closer,” The Cary Company, www.thecarycompany.com/containers/tools/paintcancloser.html, accessed Dec. 28, 2012; “Paint Can Sealers,” Freund Container & Supply, www.freundcontainer.com/paint-can-sealers/p/7855, accessed Dec. 28, 2012; “Hand Operated Open Top Can Sealers,” Freund Container & Supply, www.feundcontainer.com/hand-operated-open-top-can-sealers-heavy-duty-hand-crank/p/v1225T01, accessed Dec. 28, 2012. Ordinary consumers typically do not have access to, nor an economic incentive to obtain, one of these devices, especially for small, occasional, or one-time household painting projects.
There exists a need for an economical, convenient, and easy-to-use device for ensuring the optimal and efficient sealing of containers such as paint cans.
The device described herein comprises an elongate, preferably rigid housing having a frusto-conical shape. Also described herein is a method for using the same. The large diameter end of the housing is generally adapted to be contacted with the lid of a container, while that portion of the frusto-conical housing having a small diameter is adapted to, either directly or indirectly, receive forces. The large diameter end is preferably at least partially hollow, and further comprises an inner member adapted to be contacted with smaller lids. Optionally, the small diameter end may be further characterized by a projection extending about the longitudinal axis of the device. For example, the projection may be cylindrical or frusto-conical. The small diameter end may further be characterized by having a recessed portion adapted to receive a tool, such as a conventional paint can opener.
As illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the ends of cans of smaller diameter, when contacted with raised inner member 18, will fit within the space defined by hollow area 16 but, when centered, will not contact large diameter end 12. It will further be appreciated that a device 10 having different dimensions could be utilized for any number of containers.
Turning to
It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments depicted in
As shown in any of
Device 10 is preferably unitary in construction and is preferably made of rigid material. While several methods of manufacture are known in the art, one such method entails injection molding utilizing acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Other methods include providing a solid block of material and cutting the block using a lathe or other similar machines. Other materials may be used as well; preferably they are lightweight and have high impact strength.
Turning to
Tool 30, adapted for opening containers such as paint cans, may be retained in recessed portion 28, secured partially by magnet 32, for the user's convenience.
Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.
