GB2410017A

GB2410017A - Rim guard with pouring device and brush wipe for a metal or plastic can

Info

Publication number: GB2410017A
Application number: GB0422819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Charles Whear
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-15
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-14
Also published as: GB0422819D0; GB2410017B; GB0400832D0

Abstract

The device is moulded of a flexible semi-rigid plastics material with an annular portion (2) for reception on the rim of the can, a wiping bar (4) bridging the annular portion, and a pouring spout (3). In transverse cross-section, the annular portion is generally of inverted-U shape to locate over and resiliently grip the rim of the can with an arcuate top wall (15) which merges into substantially parallel depending inner and outer limbs (17,18). The inner limb (17) covers the inner lip (L) of the can rim and is provided with a sealing bead (20) to create a liquid seal with the lip. The wiping bar (4) is straight and solid, and is joined to the annular portion (2) by angled end sections. The rear edge of the wiping bar is undercut to form a sharp wiping edge. The spout may be integral with the annular portion, or formed to clip onto the annular portion with an integral gutter to catch drips which fall from the spout. The device can be peeled of the can after use and maintains an effective seal, being tolerant of minor variations in the size and shape of the can rim.

Description

MOULDED PLASTIC RIM GUARD WITH

POURING DEVICE AND BRUSH WIPE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device which provides a moulded plastic rim guard with a pouring spout and brush wipe bar. The device can be used with a container for liquids such as paints, glues, resins or inks, for

example.

BACKGROUND

The prior art contains numerous examples of pouring devices which can be attached to the rim of a paint can or other liquid container from which the lid has been removed. Such devices are broadly intended to facilitate the pouring of liquid from the can without spillage.

The known devices commonly have an annular portion for reception on the rim of the can and a pouring spout joined to the annular portion. It is also known to provide a wiping bar bridging the annular portion between the ends of the spout to enable a brush to be wiped on the bar to remove excess liquid. The brush can also be rested with its bristles on the bar and its handle on the annular portion so that any drips will re-enter the can. - 2

The rim of such cans is generally formed with a gutter, and many of the known devices are intended to protect the gutter and inner face of the container so that when the device is removed and the lid replaced there is little or no liquid present in the gutter or on the inner face. Any liquid remaining in this position could contaminate the outside of the can making it difficult to read the printed instructions and allow hardened or dried liquid to contaminate the rest of the useable liquid and make it difficult to remove the lid.

It is a general criticism of the prior art devices that although they may be perfectly adequate to prevent liquid from entering the gutter they are not generally capable of preventing liquid from contaminating the inner lip which is normally formed at the inner margin of the gutter. Nowadays cans come in many different shapes, and even those of the same diameter will often possess very different rim geometry. The most notable differences are apparent between metal and plastic cans. A device which is effective to seal one kind of can is not usually effective with another kind of can.

It is also important to appreciate that, in general terms, there is a conflict between the effectiveness of the seal and the ease with which the device can be applied and removed. A device which is a tight enough fit to maintain a good seal is, almost by definition, more difficult to remove.

The ideal configuration would be flexible enough to permit the device to be easily peeled off whilst, at the same time, maintaining an effective seal at the inner margin of the rim across a range of rim configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION - 3

The present invention provides a device for attachment to a metal or plastic can of the kind having a base wall and a side wall with a rim including a gutter provided with a depending inner lip, the device including: - an annular rim guard portion for reception on the rim of the can, - a wiping bar bridging a section of the annular portion, and - a pouring spout projecting outwardly from the annular portion; in which the device is moulded of a flexible semi-rigid plastics material so that the annular rim guard portion can be peeled off the can after use, and wherein, in transverse cross-section, the annular rim guard portion is generally Inverted-U shaped to locate over and resiliently grip the rim of the can, with an arcuate top wall which merges into substantially parallel depending inner and outer limbs terminating at a pair of mutually spaced bottom edges, in which the inner limb covers the depending inner lip of the rim in use and the bottom edge of the inner limb is provided with a sealing bead which projects towards the outer limb to create a liquid seal with the inner lip.

Such a configuration is flexible enough to be easily removed from the can when required. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the annular portion enables an effective seal to be maintained with various rim configurations and is also very tolerant of minor variations in the diameter of the rim.

When the annular portion is viewed in transverse cross-section the sealing bead preferably has a substantially flat innermost face which lies generally parallel to the internal face of the inner limb. In a preferred configuration said innermost face of the sealing bead is joined to the internal face of the limb via a substantially perpendicular step. - 4

Preferably the bottom edge of the inner limb projects below the bottom edge of the outer limb. This aids flexibility without detracting from the effectiveness of the seal.

The wiping bar is preferably substantially straight to provide a uniform wiping action across the width of the brush. An improved wiping action can be achieved whilst maintaining the strength of the wiping bar if the face remote from the pouring spout is undercut to form an angular edge.

The inner limb of the annular portion may have greater flexibility if the wiping bar is joined to the annular portion by short angled end sections.

The end sections preferably join the annular portion substantially perpendicularly. The wiping bar is preferably solid whilst the angled end sections preferably have an internal cavity.

The pouring spout may be formed integrally with the annular rim guard portion or as a separate item that clips onto the annular portion. A gutter portion may project below the pouring spout to catch drips of liquid that may fall from the spout after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a device which acts as a rim guard, pouring spout and brush wipe, in accordance with the invention, mounted on a paint can; - 5 Fiqure 2 is a general view of the device as viewed from the underside; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device; Figure 5 is a side view of the device; Figure 6 is a sectional detail of the device on a front-rear axis; Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the device mounted on a typical metal paint can; Fiqure 8 is an enlarged sectional detail of the device mounted on a typical plastic paint can; Figure 9 is a general view of a second form of two-part device which acts as a rim guard, pouring spout and brush wipe, in accordance with the invention; Figure 10 is a general view of the device of Fig. 9, shown with the pouring spout separated from the rim guard and brush wipe; and Figure 11 is another view of the pouring spout of the device shown in Fig.s 9 and 10, viewed generally from the side. - 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a first form of device 1 which acts as a rim guard, a pouring device and a brush wipe. The device 1 is shown attached to a metal or plastic paint can C of the kind having a circular base wall (not shown) and an upstanding side wall W surmounted by a rim surrounding an open upper end of the can from which a lid (not shown) has been removed.

The device is injection moulded of a flexible semi-rigid plastics material.

Referring to Fig.s 1 to 5 in combination, the device has an annular portion 2 for reception on the rim of the paint can. An integral pouring spout 3 is joined to a section of the annular portion, and a wiping bar 4 bridges the annular portion adjacent to the ends of the spout. The annular portion 2 is generally of inverted-U shape to locate over and resiliently grip the rim of the paint can as will be described in greater detail below.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, the pouring spout 3 has an arcuate upper edge 6 which joins the annular portion 2 at each end. In cross section the spout is slightly dished as shown in Fig. 6, with its lower edge 7 merging into the annular portion 2.

The configuration of the wiping bar 4 can be seen In Fig.s 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 The bar is substantially straight, being formed as a solid vertical wail having a smoothly curved top face 8. The face remote from the pouring spout is formed with an undercut 9 to form an angular edge 10 at the junction with the curved face 8. This straight edge 10 thus provides a uniform wiping action across the width of a paint brush in order to remove excess paint from the bristles. In addition, the brush can be rested between the bar 4 and the opposite rear edge of the device where a - 7 shallow depression 11 may be formed to locate the handle of the brush (Fig.s 1 and 3). Opposite ends of the wiping bar 4 are joined to the annular portion 2 by short angled end sections 12 and 13 which join the annular portion substantially perpendicularly. These end sections are inherently weaker than the main portion of the wiping bar, having an internal cavities 14 opening on the underside of the device, seen in Fig. 2.

The end sections may thus allow the annular portion to deform slightly whilst the bar 4 remains substantially straight to maintain a uniform wiping action.

Fig.s 7 and 8 show the annular portion in transverse cross-section. (This cross-section may be modified in the region of the spout, as shown in Fig. 6.). The section is generally inverted-U shaped and includes an arcuate top wall 15. The top wall may be bridged at intervals by webs 16, but the webs are only relatively shallow so that they still permit deformation of the top wall. The arcuate wall merges smoothly into substantially parallel depending inner and outer limbs 17 and 18. The inner limb 17 extends below the outer limb 18, its lower edge being provided with a sealing bead which projects towards the outer limb 18. The sealing bead has a substantially flat innermost face 21 which lies generally parallel to the internal face 22 of the inner limb 17, the two faces being connected by a substantially perpendicular step face 23.

In the case of a typical metal paint can as shown in Fig. 7 the rim R is connected to the side wall W by a rolled joint J. The rim is formed to provide a gutter G terminating in an inner depending lip L with an interned lower edge E. When the device 1 is pressed onto the rim of the can the outer limb 18 engages over the joint J and the inner limb 17 covers the inner lip L. The step 23 of the bead 20 forms a sealing contact with the edge E to create a very effective paint seal with the lip L. - 8 In the case of a plastic paint can as shown in Fig. 8 the rim R is integrally moulded with the side wall W with a thickened portion T. The rim is formed to provide a gutter G terminating in an inclined lip L inset from a short depending wall F. When the device is pressed onto the rim of the can the outer limb 18 engages over the thickened region T. The lip L forms a sealing contact with the internal face 22 of the inner limb 17 and the step 23, while the innermost face 21 of the bead 20 makes sealing contact with the depending wall F thus creating a very effective paint seal.

The device can easily be peeled off the paint can after use. In order to aid removal the outer limb 18 can be provided with a narrow outwardly projecting tab 30 as shown in Fig.s 2 to 5. With both forms of can, the bead 20 provides an indirect route to resist passage of paint between the inner limb 17 and the lip L. In combination with the sealing action of the bead 20, there is thus a low risk of paint penetration between the annular portion and the inner lip of the rim during pouring so that when the device is removed the lid can be replaced without paint contamination. The configuration of the device is flexible enough to be easily removed from the paint can whilst the cross-sectional shape of the annular portion enables an effective seal to be maintained with various rim configurations.

The effectiveness of the seal is also very tolerant of minor variations in the shape and diameter of the rim since the curved portion can flatten slightly to permit a small amount of parallel movement between the limbs 17 and 18.

In the device described above the spout 3 is relatively narrow, permitting sufficient deformation of the annular rim guard portion 2 to maintain an effective seal and allow easy application and removal. The size of the spout can, however, be increased to provide better spill-free pouring if the - 9 - spout is formed separately from the rim guard 2 and brush wipe 4, as shown in Fig.s 9 to 11. Subject to the minor modifications explained below, the annular portion 2 and brush wipe bar 4 are otherwise as described above. The spout moulding 31 has a dished bottom wall 32 with a generally arcuate outer edge 33 and an arcuate inner edge 34 which conforms to the inner curve of the annular portion 2. A curved wall depends from the inner edge 34 so that the spout moulding may resiliently clip onto the annular portion 2, located between a pair of lugs 36 and 37 formed on the inner wall 17. Pouring of liquid from the spout without spillages is assisted by an upper wall 38 which is joined to the bottom wall 32 along the outer edge 33. At the central region of the edge 33, the upper wall contains a pouring opening 39, which acts to direct the poured liquid into a narrow stream. The optimum size and shape of the opening 39 depends on the viscosity of the material to be poured, e.g. glues, paints, inks etc. The width of the opening may be easily changed during manufacture so that a range of liquids can be poured with different spout mouldings. Any drips which may fall from the bottom wall 32 after pouring are caught by a projecting arcuate gutter 40, which projects below the wall 33, also being formed to engage over the annular portion 2.

The spout moulding 31 may be formed of the same semi-rigid material as the rim guard portion 2, although it could be formed of a less flexible material if desired. After use, the spout moulding can be removed from the annular portion to permit brushes to rest on the rim guard and allow the rim guard to be peeled away from the can to replace the lid.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein. 10

Claims

1. A device for attachment to a metal or plastic can of the kind having a base wall and a side wall with a rim including a gutter provided with a depending inner lip, the device including: - an annular rim guard portion for reception on the rim of the can, - a wiping bar bridging a section of the annular portion, and - a pouring spout projecting outwardly from the annular portion; in which the device is moulded of a flexible semi-rigid plastics material so that the annular rim guard portion can be peeled off the can after use, and wherein, in transverse cross-section, the annular rim guard portion is generally Inverted-U shaped to locate over and resiliently grip the rim of the can, with an arcuate top wall which merges into substantially parallel depending inner and outer limbs terminating at a pair of mutually spaced bottom edges, in which the inner limb covers the depending inner lip of the rim in use and the bottom edge of the inner limb is provided with a sealing bead which projects towards the outer limb to create a liquid seal with the inner lip.

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which, when the annular portion is viewed in transverse cross-section, the sealing bead has a substantially flat innermost face which lies generally parallel to the internal face of the inner limb.

3. A device according to Claim 2 in which said innermost face of the sealing bead is joined to the internal face of the inner limb via a substantially perpendicular face.

4. A device according to any preceding claim in which the bottom - 11 edge of the inner limb projects below the bottom edge of the outer limb.

5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the wiping bar is substantially straight.

6. A device according to Claim 5 in which the face of the wiping bar remote from the pouring spout is undercut to form an angular edge.

7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6 in which the wiping bar is joined to the annular portion by angled end sections.

8. A device according to Claim 7 in which the end sections join the annular portion substantially perpendicularly.

9. A device according Claim 7 or 8 in which the wiping bar is solid and the angled end sections have an internal cavity.

10. A device according to any preceding claim in which the pouring spout is generally tubular and includes a bottom wall and an upper wall which overlies the bottom wall.

11. A device according Claim 10 in which the upper wail has a pouring opening disposed above an end portion of the bottom wall remote from the annular rim guard portion.

12. A device according any preceding claim including a gutter portion which projects below the pouring spout to catch any drips which fall from the pouring spout

13. A device according to Claim 12 in which the pouring spout is - 12 formed separately from the annular rim guard portion and the gutter portion is formed integrally with the pouring spout.

14. A device according to any preceding claim in which the pouring spout is formed separately from the annular rim guard portion and is configured to grip the annular rim guard portion.

15. A device according Claim 14 in which the annular rim guard portion has a pair of circumferentially spaced locating lugs for locating the pouring spout.

16. A device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

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