CA2191149C - Pail closure - Google Patents

Pail closure

Info

Publication number
CA2191149C
CA2191149C CA 2191149 CA2191149A CA2191149C CA 2191149 C CA2191149 C CA 2191149C CA 2191149 CA2191149 CA 2191149 CA 2191149 A CA2191149 A CA 2191149A CA 2191149 C CA2191149 C CA 2191149C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
plug
lid
closure
pail
cap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA 2191149
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2191149A1 (en
Inventor
Ronald J. Sturk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ICL Industrial Containers ULC
Original Assignee
Industrial Containers Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Industrial Containers Ltd filed Critical Industrial Containers Ltd
Publication of CA2191149A1 publication Critical patent/CA2191149A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2191149C publication Critical patent/CA2191149C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A closure for a lid of a pail, especially a paint pail. The closure has a threaded neck extending from said lid and encompassing an annular orifice with an internal annular ring circumferentially located therein.
A removable annular plug located is within the orifice, and retained therein by an interference fit. A cap fits on the threaded neck, and contacts the plug to urge the plug into interference fit with the annular ring.

Description

~ 1 --TITLE

PAIL CLOSURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a combination of a plug and an overlying threaded cap that in combination form a closure on a lid of a plastic pail lid. In particular aspects of the invention, the pail is a pail intended for the packaging, storage and transportation of paint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plastic pails are used in a variety of end-uses, and in an variety of sizes. One particular end-use is in the packaging of paint. With the particular exception of large industrial usage of paint where it is economical or necessary to manufacture paint in large volumes or where the colours, hues and tints must be very consistent from batch to batch, paint is normally manufactured, stored and shipped in a neutral color e.g. white, which is then tinted just prior to use to form the particular shade of paint required by the end-user.
Plastic pail are used for storage and shipment of paint in volumes up to about 5 US gallons or 20 litres, depending on the country, although larger pails may be used. Lids for plastic pails intended for such use are known to have closures incorporated into the lid, especially to facilitate tinting of the paint and for subsequent dispensing from the pail. The closure is opened at the time that the selected color is being prepared, and a tint concentrate added through the opening in the lid. Subsequently, the lid is closed and the pail containing the paint and tint are placed on a shaker or roller for a period of time to effect thorough mixing of the tint into the paint.

~1 91 1 4~

For a closure to be acceptable, it must be easily removed from the lid and then resealable after addition of the tint to the paint. In addition, the closure must be capable of withstanding the forces generated during the shaking or rolling of the paint pail to effect the mixing of the paint. The closure must prevent leakage or spillage of the paint during such mixing or during transportation, including by the customer. Moreover, the closure should ensure that air does not enter into the container and cause so-called "skinning" of the paint.
Two types of closure are known and generally used within the industry. The first type of closure is a removable and replaceable interference fit plug, which may be pulled from the lid and then replaced to effect closure. This type of closure may be referred to in the paint industry as being a "tint cap". At the retail store, the white base paint is often tinted. To do so, the plug is pulled out by hand from the lid of the pail to provide access to the contents of the pail, so that colorant to be added to the white base paint. The plug is then reinstalled by hand into the lid. The paint pail is typically placed in a shaker or on a roller for mixing of the paint. The agitation of the paint inside the pail, especially on a shaker, creates considerable pressure against the inside surface of the plug. If the interference fit of the cap in the cover opening is unable to withstand this force, the plug is dislodged, and an unacceptable paint spill results. A more likely occurrence is leakage of paint from the pail, around the plug. This can also occur during transportation.
The second type of closure in common use is a threaded cap. The threaded cap typically overlays a removable but not resealable diaphragm which has been integrally molded into the lid. The diaphragm, until removed for tinting, provides additional protection against paint spillage or skinning. To aid in its removal, the diaphragm is supplied with a thin wall 2 1 9 1 1 4q _ 3 channel or parting line around its circumference. The diaphragm can be fractured at the channel to effect removal, by pulling with pliers on an integrally molded tab, or by cutting with a knife. In use, the diaphragm is broken away from the lid to enable the tint to be added to the pail. Subsequently the threaded cap is replaced on the lid without a diaphragm, both for mixing on the shaker or roller and for subsequent transportation. In practice, removal of the integrally molded diaphragm has proven to be difficult. Operators can cut themselves with knives, the diaphragm can spray paint over the surrounding area and people as it is torn out of the cover, or it can drop inside of the pail where it cannot be retrieved. The diaphragm is not resealable and is discarded. Once the tint has been added the threaded cap is reinstalled, and the pail is placed on the shaker for mixing. An leakage past the threaded cap is unacceptable. Moreover, in transit threaded caps have been known to vibrate loose which can lead to unacceptable paint spillage or skinning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A combination of plug and cap has now been found that may be opened and resealed with a decreased likelihood of leakage of paint during use.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a closure for a lid of a pail comprising:
a threaded neck extending from said lid, said neck encompassing an annular orifice, said annular orifice having an internal annular ring circumferentially located therein;
a removable annular plug located within said orifice, and being retained therein by an interference fit with said annular ring;
a cap fitting on said threaded neck;

said annular ring being cooperatively located such that said cap contacts said plug and urges the plug into interference fit with said annular ring.
In a preferred embodiment of the closure of the present invention, the plug has a rim on its external surface and the cap contacts said plug rim.
In another embodiment, the plug has an integral handle on its external surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by the embodiments shown in the drawings in which:
Fig.s lA and lB show schematic representations of a removable interference fit plug of the prior art;
Fig.s. 2A and 2B show schematic representations of a threaded cap overlaying an integrally molded removable diaphragm of the prior art; and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an exploded view of a pail closure of the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of detail of the threaded neck and annular ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. lA shows a plan view of a section of a lid, generally indicated by 1, for a container, and represent an embodiment of the prior art. Lid 1 has rim 2 that extends around the periphery of the lid and encompasses lid surface 3. Lid surface 3 has plug 4 therein, which as noted above may be referred to in the trade as a tint cap. Plug 4 has plug rim 5, which is an annular rim extending around the periphery of plug 4. Plug surface 7 extends within plug rim 5 but is recessed downwards therefrom. In the embodiment shown, plug 4 has pull tab 6 located on plug surface 7. Plug 4 fits into an annular orifice which is not shown in Fig. lA.
Fig lB shows a cross-section of the plug shown in Fig. lA. Lid 1 is shown as having a rim 2 from which 2! 91 149 extends lid surface 3. Plug 4 is located in lid surface 3, being in the orifice formed by lid surface orifice edges 9. Plug body 8 extends through the orifice in lid surface 3, being in contact with orifice edge 9. Plug body 8 is shown as having plug lip 10, which is adapted to be able to be pushed through the orifice in lid surface 3, to enable plug body 8 to contact orifice edges 9, but be resistant to removal as a result of plug lip 10 engaging on orifice edge 9. Thus, an interference fit is formed. Nonetheless, plug 4 is removable from lid surface 3, using pull tab 6, as plug 4 is removed during use to permit addition of tint to the pail. Plug rim 5 extends beyond the edges of orifice edge 9.
With respect to Fig. lA and lB, plug 4 is a removable plug, by pulling on pull tab 6. Plug 4 is removed from the lid, and the required tint composition is added through the resultant orifice. Subsequently, plug 4 is replaced and pushed in to give as tight a fit as possible. The pail would then be subjected to shaking to effect mixing of the tint with paint contained within the pail.
Fig. 2A shows a plan view of another closure system of the prior art, in which a threaded cap overlays an integrally removable diaphragm. In Fig. 2A, lid 21 has rim 22 and lid surface 23. Lid surface 23 has thereon a threaded neck, which is not shown in Fig. 2A but may be seen in Fig. 2B. The threaded neck has cap 24 thereon, with cap edge 25 being screwed onto the threaded neck.
Cap surface 26 extends over the cap. Underlying cap surface 26 is a diaphragm, of which diaphragm edge 27 and diaphragm tab 28 are shown in Fig. 2A. Diaphragm edge 27 represents the parting line of the integrally molded removable diaphragm, at which the diaphragm may be broken away from the lid.
In Fig. 2B, there is shown a cross-section of the lid of the prior art of Fig. 2A. Lid 21 has rim 22 from which extends lid surface 23. Threaded neck 30 is 2 1 9 1 1 4q located in lid surface 23 and extends upwards therefrom, terminating at threaded neck edge 31. Within threaded neck 30, and extending across the width of threaded neck 30, is diaphragm 29. Diaphragm 29 terminates near its outer edges at diaphragm edge 27, which is the parting line for the diaphragm from lid 21. Diaphragm 29 has diaphragm tab 28 thereon. It will be noted that diaphragm 29 is located in the lower portion of threaded neck 30.
With regard to Fig. 2A and 2B, cap 24 is unscrewed from lid 23 and diaphragm 29 is removed by pulling on diaphragm 28. At that time, diaphragm 29 breaks away from lid 21 at diaphragm edge 27. The tint is then added through the resultant orifice and screw cap 24 is replaced; it is understood that the diaphragm is removed and is discarded, as it cannot be replaced into the orifice under cap 24. Subsequently, the pail is subjected to shaking to disperse the tint.
Fig. 3 shows a pail closure of the present invention. A lid, generally indicated by 31, has rim 32 and lid surface 33 therebetween. Threaded neck 34 extends from lid surface 33, terminating in neck edge 35.
Located within threaded neck 34 is annular ring 36.
Annular ring 36 is spaced away from neck edge 35 but closer thereto than the plane of lid surface 33.
Plug 37 is shown above threaded neck 34, in the exploded view of Fig. 3. Plug 37 has plug body 38 which extends downwards from plug top 39. The edge of plug body 38 has plug ring 40. It is intended that plug body 38, and especially plug ring 40, will pass through annular ring 36 of threaded neck 34 and form an interference fit therewith.
The plug closure additionally has cap 41. Cap 41 is intended to be screwed onto threaded neck 34. In doing so, cap 41 contacts plug top 39, thereby forcing plug 37 downwards into contact with annular ring 36. Thus, plug 37 forms both an interference fit with annular ring 36 and forms a pressure fit with cap 41, thereby forming a double seal.
Fig. 4 shows threaded neck 34 extending from lid surface 33, with annular ring 36 thereon, in greater detail than in Fig. 3.
In use, the pail closure of Fig. 3 is removed from lid 31, to allow tint to be added to the pail. This involves unscrewing cap 31 and removing plug 37, at which time the tint may be added through threaded neck 34 into the pail. Subsequently, plug 37 is replaced in threaded neck 34, and normally pushed into an interference fit with annular ring 36. Screw cap 41 is then threaded onto threaded neck 34 and tightened, at which time plug 37 is forced into further contact with annular ring 36 and into a pressure contact with cap 41.
The pail closure of the present invention provides a double sealing system for containers of paint. In particular, it provides both the tightened fit of plug 37 into lid 31 and the addition of cap 41, which additionally forces plug 37 into further contact with annular ring 36 to provide a better seal. Thus, each of plug 37 and cap 41 provides seals, but cap 41 cooperates by contacting plug 37, urging it into contact with the annular ring to form the interference fit and prevent plug 37 from becoming loose.
The closure may be used on a variety of pails, for instance pails of up to and about 5 US gallon or 20 litre capacity, although the closure is not restricted thereto.

Claims (5)

1. A closure for a lid of a pail comprising:
a threaded neck extending from said lid, said neck encompassing an annular orifice, said annular orifice having an internal annular ring circumferentially located therein;
a removable annular plug located within said orifice, and being retained therein by an interference fit with said annular ring;
a cap fitting on said threaded neck;
said annular ring being cooperatively located such that said cap contacts said plug and urges the plug into interference fit with said annular ring.
2. The closure of Claim 1 in which the plug has a rim on its external surface and the cap contacts said plug rim.
3. The closure of Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the plug has an integral handle on its external surface.
4. The closure of any one of Claims 1-3 in which the pail is a paint pail.
5. The closure of any one of Claims 1-4 in which the lid is a plastic lid.
CA 2191149 1996-03-11 1996-11-25 Pail closure Expired - Lifetime CA2191149C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9605085.1A GB9605085D0 (en) 1996-03-11 1996-03-11 Pail closure
GB9605085.1 1996-03-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2191149A1 CA2191149A1 (en) 1996-12-25
CA2191149C true CA2191149C (en) 1998-02-24

Family

ID=10790180

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2191149 Expired - Lifetime CA2191149C (en) 1996-03-11 1996-11-25 Pail closure

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2191149C (en)
GB (1) GB9605085D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001044068A1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-06-21 Poranunt Company Ltd. Container lid with stopper

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011127597A1 (en) 2010-04-13 2011-10-20 Ipl Inc. Tamper evident system and method

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001044068A1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2001-06-21 Poranunt Company Ltd. Container lid with stopper

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2191149A1 (en) 1996-12-25
GB9605085D0 (en) 1996-05-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5855304A (en) Paint can
DE60202069T2 (en) Composite closure element for a container
US7703642B2 (en) Tamper evident closure assemblies
US4298134A (en) System for reusing paint cans
US3926348A (en) Pouring fitment with filter
US6039198A (en) Pierce and cut closure
US20080029559A1 (en) All plastic paint container
NZ335020A (en) Tamper-evident overcap
MXPA06004751A (en) Twist-open closure having inclined frangible membrane.
US10583965B2 (en) Closure device for a screw top vessel
US20100140268A1 (en) Dispensing closure with removable membrane
EP1833726B1 (en) Container with two chambers and with the components of a two-part epoxy paint
JP4866837B2 (en) container
CA2191149C (en) Pail closure
EP1332977A1 (en) Dispensing closure and package incorporating same
US20210284404A1 (en) A cap for a food package
US7150378B2 (en) Clean container for paint and other fluids
KR20010102200A (en) Container lid with stopper
EP3409612B1 (en) A spout for a food package
JP2003040299A (en) Cap with pouring out cylinder
US20230249882A1 (en) Bottle cap with a flip lid
GB2073157A (en) Container and Closure Cap
JP4064054B2 (en) Inner stopper for liquid dispensing container
GB1574432A (en) Containers
AU743634B3 (en) Improvements in or relating to containers

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 20161125