FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to lids and more specifically to lids for preserving materials such as, but not limited to, paste materials.
BACKGROUND
Lids may be part of a container and serve to close or seal a container. Generally, lids are placed on top of the container and may be made of the same material as the container. For example, a plastic container may include a plastic lid that may be used to seal the container. Further, the container may take a variety of shapes such as a rectangular box, a pail, a drum, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The various embodiments of the present lids for the preservation of materials (may also be referred to as “preservation lids”) contain several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments, their more prominent features will now be discussed below. In particular, the present preservation lids will be discussed in the context of paste material (e.g., spackle). However, the use of spackle is merely exemplary and various other materials including, but not limited to, other paste materials may be utilized with preservation lids as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Further, the present preservation lids will be discussed in the context of pails and/or buckets (may also be referred to collectively as “buckets”). However, the use of buckets as the containers that preservations lids are being utilized with are also merely exemplary and various other containers may be utilized with preservation lids as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the present embodiments provide the advantages described here.
One aspect of the invention includes the realization that containers for paste materials, such as, but not limited to, spackle or wall compound, include lids that sit on top of the container. Further, when paste materials come into contact with air (including oxygen), moisture from the paste materials may evaporate causing the paste material to dry up and become unusable. The paste material becomes unstable over time and this can vary from paste to paste, lid to lid and prevailing and/or changing atmospheric conditions. The preservation lid makes no claim to be 100% effective in preventing degradation of the material. The present preservation lids help to solve or mitigate such problems by reducing the amount of air in contact with the paste material. For example, preservation lids may include a skirt that allows the preservation lid to slide down the container (e.g., the bucket) while allowing air to escape from the container via the skirt, as further described below. Thus, in many embodiments, preservation lids may provide the materials (e.g., paste material) within the container from drying out as rapidly with conventional container lid combinations of the prior art.
In a first aspect, a preservation lid for preserving materials stored within a container is provided, the preservation lid comprising: a top disk comprising a first face and a second face; a handle that is affixed to the second face of the top disk; a bottom disk that is affixed to the first face of the top disk, wherein the bottom disk comprises a skirt having a threshold force for deformation; wherein internal air escapes from the container when a pressure inside of the container exceeds the threshold force of the skirt.
In an embodiment of the first aspect, the pressure inside of the container increases when the preservation lid is pressed into the container.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, a diameter of the top disk is smaller than a diameter of the bottom disk.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the bottom disk and the skirt are one continuous piece.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt comprises at least one cut.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt comprises a plurality of radial, equidistant cuts around a circumference of the skirt.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt overlaps itself at the radial, equidistant cuts when the preservation lid is pressed into the container.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt comprises at least one pleat.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt comprises a plurality of radial, equidistant folds around the circumference of the skirt.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt bends when the pressure inside of the container exceeds the threshold force.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt bends up to 90 degrees relative to the top disk.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt is in contact with an inner surface of the container helping to prevent internal air from escaping the container when the internal pressure is below the threshold force of the skirt although is does not create a totally hermetic seal.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt releases internal air from the container when a user applies a downward force on the preservation lid.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt folds upwards when the user applies the downward force on the preservation lid.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the top disk is rigid and nonporous.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt allows external air to be sucked into the container when a user applies an upward force on the preservation lid.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the skirt is made using a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, and plastic.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the preservation lid and the container include in an open configuration allowing access to the materials stored in the container.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the preservation lid and the container include a closed configuration where the preservation lid closes the container.
In another embodiment of the first aspect, the preservation lid and the container include a preservation configuration where internal air is removed from within the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various embodiments of the present lids for the preservation of materials now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious preservation lids shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a side view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an open configuration of a preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration of a preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a closed configuration of the preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a preservation configuration of the preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 9A-B are schematic diagrams illustrating a preservation lid attached to a sloped container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description describes the present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.
Turning now to the drawings, lids for preserving materials (may be referred to as “preservation lids”) in containers such as, but not limited to, buckets are provided. In many embodiments, preservation lids may reduce the amount of air in contact with a material stored inside of the container. In particular, preservation lids may reduce the amount of air in contact with a material in situations where the material not completely used in one application. For example, a person may utilize a material inside of a container and then need to close the container (with the remaining material inside) for use at a later time. As further described below, the preservation lid in combination with a container may include an open configuration (allowing access to the material), a closed configuration (where the lid closes the container), and a preservation configuration (where air is removed from within the container). This action does not create a total vacuum; it only reduces the amount of air in the container.
In many embodiments, preservation lids may include a skirt that allows the preservation lid to slide down the container while allowing air to escape from the container via the skirt, as further described below. In some embodiments, preservation lids may include a top disk, a bottom disk, and a handle. In some embodiments, the skirt may be part of the bottom disk and may be configured for providing suction against an inner surface of the container. In some embodiments, the skirt may be made using a radially cut and/or pleated material, as further described below. In some embodiments, the skirt may bend up to a 90-degree angle relative to the top disk as the preservation lid is pressed deeper into the container. In some embodiments, the flexibility and suction of the skirt may push air out of the container and thus away from the paste materials. As more of the material is used up, the preservation lid may slide closer to the bottom of the container. Preservation lids in accordance with embodiments of the invention are further discussed below.
Preservation Lids
Reducing the amount of air that is in contact with a material (e.g., paste materials) may extend the useful life of the materials. For example, reducing the amount of air in contact with the material may prevent the evaporation of components in the material.
A schematic diagram illustrating a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The preservation lid 102 may be used with a container 100. In many embodiments, the container 100 may hold a material such as, but not limited to, a paste material 108 or any other material that may dry when exposed to air. In some embodiments, the preservation lid 102 may be the original lid that is paired with the container 100. In some embodiments, the container 100 may have an original lid that may be replaced with the preservation lid 102 after the first use of the paste material 108. In some embodiments, the container 100 may be an open container that does not have an original lid. In many embodiments, the preservation lid 102 may be used with the container 100 at any point after the paste material 108 is placed within the container 100.
In reference to FIG. 1, the preservation lid 102 may be shaped to fit any shape container 100. The container may have vertical cylindrical wall or a sloping cylindrical wall where the top of the container has a greater diameter than the bottom of the container (see FIGS. 9A-B). For example, the preservation lid 102 may be a circular shape to fit a circular opening of the container 100 (e.g., a standard 5-gallon bucket). As further described below, the preservation lid 102 and the container 100 may form an open configuration that allows a user access to the paste material 108 inside of the container 100. In the open configuration, the paste material 108 may be exposed to the environment, such as, but not limited to, the air (may also be referred to as “external air”). Moreover, the preservation lid 102 and the container 100 may form a closed configuration that closes the container 100 preventing additional external air from accessing the paste material 108. In the closed configuration, air may be trapped inside (may also be referred to as “internal air”) of the container 100 and not yet have been expelled out of the container 100, as further described below. Furthermore, the preservation lid 102 and the container 100 may form a preservation configuration that includes expelling internal air out of the container 100. In many embodiments, the preservation configuration may reduce the amount of internal air that is in contact with the paste material 108 thereby reducing the evaporation of moisture from the paste material 108 and/or preventing the paste material 108 from drying out.
In reference to FIG. 1, the preservation lid 102 may include a skirt 104 that allows the preservation lid 102 to slide into the container 100, towards the paste material 108, while releasing the internal air, as further described below. In some embodiments, the skirt 104 may lay flush against an inner surface 106 of the container 100. In some embodiments, a user may apply a downward force 110 on the preservation lid 102 and the reduction in space within the container may cause the pressurization of the internal air. In some embodiments, the air pressure inside of the container 100 may cause the internal air to escape from the container 100 via the skirt 104, as further described below. For example, a user may apply the force 110 on the preservation lid 102 such that the applied force is greater than a threshold force 112 that is keeping the skirt 104 from allowing the internal air to escape the container 100. In some embodiments, the threshold force 112 may be a force that makes the skirt 104 bend thereby allowing internal air to escape the container 100. In many embodiments, when the threshold force 112 is met, the skirt 104 may open space between the skirt 104 and the inner surface 106 allowing internal air to escape out of the container 100. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the threshold force 112 may be varied based on the needs of a specific application. For example, the threshold force 112 may be reduced by having more cuts and/or pleats in the skirt 104 or changing the size and/or material of the skirt 104.
Schematic diagrams illustrating a preservation lid attached to a sloped container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 9A-B. In FIG. 9A, the preservation lid 902 (may also be referred to as the “device”) may include a handle 904 and a skirt that is extended 906 against a wall of the sloped container (close-up view of section 920 is provided in FIG. 9B). In addition, FIG. 9A, also illustrates the device 902 when it has been pushed down (i.e., the preservation configuration) towards the medium 914 (may also be referred to as the “paste material”). In this configuration, the skirt may be deformed 916 as a result of the sloped wall of the container (close-up view of section 940 is provided in FIG. 9B).
In reference to FIG. 9B, close-up view of section 920 illustrates the device 902 with the skirt extended fully 906 against an upper side 922 of the slopped container. Further, close-up view of section 940 illustrates the device 902 with the skirt fully deformed 916 against a lower side 942 of the slopped container.
Although a specific preservation lids and containers are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 9A-B, any of a variety of preservation lids and containers as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Air release utilizing preservations lids with skirts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
Air Release Utilizing Preservation Lids with Skirts
Preservation lids may include skirts to allow air to escape from containers thereby reducing the amount of air in contact with a material stored within containers. A diagram illustrating a top view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In many embodiments, a preservation lid 201 may include a handle 208, a top disk 204, and a bottom disk. In some embodiments, the handle 208 may be attached to the top disk 204. In some embodiments, the handle 208 may be affixed to the top disk 204 at one or more connection points. The top disk 204 may have a first face and a second face 207, where the first face may interface with the bottom disk and the second face 207 may interface with the outside (i.e., outside of the container).
In reference to FIG. 2, the bottom disk may include a skirt 202 that allows the preservation lid 201 to fit with the container such that when the preservation lid 201 slides further into the container, the internal air may be released via the skirt 202, as further described below. In some embodiments, the bottom disk and the skirt 202 may be made using the same material. In some embodiments, the bottom disk and the skirt 202 may be a single component with the skirt 202 extending away from the bottom disk. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may extend beyond an edge of the top disk 204. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may include one or more cuts. For example, the skirt 202 may be cut radially. In some embodiments, there may be equal space between the cuts around the circumference of the skirt 202. Further, the skirt 202 may include or more folds. For example, the skirt 202 may be folded creating pleats around the circumference of the skirt 202. In some embodiments, the pleats may be equally spaced. The cuts and/or folds of the skirt 202 may allow the skirt 202 to maintain maximum contact with an inner surface of a container while allowing internal air to escape the container.
A diagram illustrating a bottom view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. The preservation lid 201 may include a bottom disk 203 having a skirt 202. In some embodiments, the bottom disk 203 may attach to the top disk 204. For example, the bottom disk 203 may be attached to a first face of the top disk 204. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 and the bottom disk 203 may be one continuous component. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 and the bottom disk 203 may be separate components. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may be made using any material that may flex and/or deform such as, but not limited to, rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone, plastic, etc., or any other material now known, or yet to be invented, that performs the function of the skirt. In some embodiments, the skirt may bend up to 90 degrees. In many embodiments, the flexibility of the material may allow the skirt 202 to bend as the user presses the preservation lid 201 into the container.
In reference to FIG. 3, the skirt 202 may include cuts 205 that allows internal air to escape the container as the user presses the preservation lid 201 into the container. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may include folds such as, but not limited to, pleats that allows internal air to escape the container as the user presses the preservation lid 201 into the container. In some embodiments, the circumference of the preservation lid 201 may shrink to match that of the container as the skirt 202 folds upwards and inwards as the user presses the preservation lid 201 into the container. In some embodiments, the handle 208 may be attached to the top disk 204 (and the bottom disk 203) at one or more connection points. For example, connection points 212, 214 may be used to connect the handle 208 to the top disk 204 and the bottom disk 203. In some embodiments, the connection points 212, 214 may include a fastening mechanism such as, but not limited to, screw(s), nut(s), and/or bolt(s).
A diagram illustrating a side view of a preservation lid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. As described further above, a preservation lid 201 may include a handle 208, a top disk 204, and a bottom disk 203 having a skirt 202. In many embodiments, there may be no gap between the top disk 204 and the bottom disk 203. In many embodiments, the bottom disk 203 may extend beyond the top disk 204. For example, the bottom disk 203 may have a radius that is greater than a radius of the top disk 204. In some embodiments, the bottom disk 203 which does not extend beyond the circumference of the top disk 204, may be connected (may also be referred to as a “connection surface” 210) to the top disk. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may extend out on the same horizontal plane as the bottom disk 204. In some embodiments, skirt 202 may bend to extend out on the same horizontal plane as the top disk 204. In some embodiments, the skirt 202 may bend beyond the horizontal plane of the top disk 204.
Although specific preservation lids having skirts are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3-4, any of a variety of preservation lids and skirts as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Various configurations of preservations lids in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
Configurations of Preservation Lids
Preservation lids in combination with containers may include an open configuration allowing access to the material, a closed configuration where the preservation lid closes the container, and a preservation configuration where internal air is removed from the container.
A diagram illustrating an open configuration of a preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In an open configuration, a preservation lid 301 and a container 300 may allow a user access to material 320, such as, but not limited to, paste material 320 within the container 300. In the open configuration, the paste material 300 may be exposed to the environment, such as, but not limited to, external air and air that is within the container. In the open configuration, a user may hold the preservation lid 301 by a handle 308 and may expose the paste material 320 to air which may cause the paste material 320 to dry. Further, in the open configuration, a skirt 302 (of the preservation lid) may be in a neutral, unbent position.
A diagram illustrating transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration of a preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. In many embodiments, the user 322 may hold the handle 308 and place the preservation lid 301 onto the container 300. In the transition from the open to closed configurations, the skirt 302 may make contact with an inner surface 306 of the container 300 during this transition. During this transition, the external air may begin to have access cut from container 300 and the internal air may begin to be trapped within the container 300.
A diagram illustrating a closed configuration of the preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7. In a closed configuration, the preservation lid 301 may close the container 300 preventing additional air from accessing the paste material 320. Once the preservation lid 301 and container 300 are in the closed configuration, the air trapped in the container 300 may be referred to as the internal air. In some embodiments, a top disk 304 (of the preservation lid 301) may be a nonporous material which may prevent the external air from entering the container 300. In many embodiments, in the closed configuration, the skirt 302 may make contact with the inner surface 306 of the container 300 and the skirt 302 may prevent the external air from entering the container 300. In some embodiments, the skirt 302 may include cuts and/or pleats, as further described above. In some embodiments, the skirt 302 may include equidistant, radial cuts through which prevent external air from entering the container 300 when the forces on the preservation lid 301 are neutral. In the closed configuration, the skirt 302 may not be bent and the internal air may remain inside the container 300.
A diagram illustrating a preservation configuration of the preservation lid on a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8. In a preservation configuration, the preservation lid 301 may expel internal air out of the container 300. In many embodiments, the preservation configuration may reduce the amount of internal air that is in contact with the paste material 320 thereby reducing the evaporation of moisture from the paste material and/or preventing the paste material 320 from drying.
In reference to FIG. 8, in the preservation configuration, the user 322 may apply a force on the preservation lid 301 such that the applied force is greater than a threshold force that is keeping the skirt 302 from allowing the internal air to escape the container 300. In some embodiments, the threshold force may be a force makes the skirt 302 bend thereby allowing internal air to escape the container 300. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the threshold force may be varied based on the needs of a specific application. For example, the threshold force may be reduced by having more cuts and/or pleats in the skirt 302. In some embodiments, the skirt 302 may bend respective to the top disk 304 thereby allowing internal air to escape. In some embodiments, the skirt 302 may overlap at equidistant folds when the skirt 302 is bent. In some embodiments, internal air may escape through cuts in the skirt 302. In various embodiments, internal air may escape between the skirt 302 and the inner surface 306 of the container 300. In many embodiments, the skirt 302 may make continuous contact with the inner surface 306 of the container 300. When the preservation lid 301 is pressed into the container 300 towards the paste material 320, the internal air may release through the skirt 302. Because most of the internal air has been removed from the container 300, the paste material 320 may be less likely to dry out. To remove the preservation lid 301 from the container 300, the user 322 may grasp the handle 308 and pull upwards.
Although specific configurations of preservation lids are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 5-8, any of a variety of configurations of preservation lids as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an example of one embodiment thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Patent Application
20240383651
