CANNISTER FOR CONTAINING A LIQUID

Description

CROSS REFERENCES AND PRIORITIES

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/514,195 filed on 18 Jul. 2023 the teachings of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Cannisters for containing liquids—particularly liquids such as adhesives, rubber cement, and nail polishes—have existed in the prior art for many decades. A conventional cannister includes a hollow body with an open neck extending upwardly therefrom. The neck is typically threaded on its outer surface.

A cannister lid is typically included with the conventional cannister. The cannister lid typically includes a threaded inner surface that mates with the threaded outer surface of the neck to close and seal the cannister for secure storage of its liquid contents when the cannister is not being used. In many instances, the lid may include a wand extending from a bottom surface thereof and having an absorbent applicator ball, a brush, or the like which-when the lid is opened-serves as a gathering point and applicator for removing an amount of the liquid and then applying a portion of the applicator's liquid to a work surface.

Several problems exist with known cannisters used for containing liquids. Notably, excess liquid—particularly liquid adhesives—removed from the cannister by the wand have a tendency to accumulate on the threads of one or both of the neck and/or the lid. As these liquids are exposed to atmosphere, they often dry and harden which can lock the lid to the neck in such a manner that it is difficult or impossible to open the cannister by hand. When this happens, the user is left with little choice other than to dispose of the cannister—and by extension any liquid remaining in the cannister—and seek out a new cannister of whatever liquid they are using.

Existing liquid cannisters are also subject to spillage. This is particularly the case for adhesives and rubber cements that are often used on job sites where they are more apt to be bumped, knocked over, dropped, or the like.

The need exists, therefore, for an improved cannister for containing liquids which reduces or eliminates the wasteful impact of locked lids caused by accumulated liquid on the threads of the neck/lid and/or spillage.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a cannister for containing a liquid. The cannister comprises a cannister body, a neck, and a lid. The cannister body has a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and a top wall forming a hollow interior with said top wall comprising at least one opening into the hollow interior. The neck extends upwardly from the top wall located at the at least one opening and having a neck outer surface and a neck inner surface. The lid has a lid bottom surface, at least one lid side surface, and a lid top surface. The lid is configured to seal to at least a portion of the neck inner surface. The liquid may be selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a rubber cement, and a nail polish.

In some embodiments, the cannister may further comprise an adapter having a first wall attached to a second wall with said first wall having a threaded inner surface and said second wall having a threaded outer surface. In such embodiments, the neck may be configured to mate to the adapter by having a threaded neck outer surface with the threaded inner surface of the first wall being configured to mate with the threaded neck outer surface. The lid in such embodiments may comprise a first flange extending from the lid bottom surface and having a threaded first flange outer surface with the threaded outer surface of the second wall being configured to mate with the threaded first flange outer surface.

In some such embodiments, at least a portion of the second wall may extend past the top wall and into the hollow interior when the adapter is mated to the neck. The portion of the second wall which extends past the top wall and into the hollow interior may be beveled inwardly.

In certain such embodiments, the lid may comprise a second flange extending from the lid bottom surface about an outer perimeter of the lid defined by the at least one lid side surface.

In some such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise a first sealing member connected to a portion of the lid bottom surface between the first flange and the second flange. The first sealing member may be selected from the group consisting of a gasket, an o-ring, and combinations thereof.

In certain such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise an applicator having a wand extending from the lid bottom surface and an absorbent applicator ball connected to a wand end which is opposite the lid bottom surface. In some embodiments, the wand may be integrally connected to the lid bottom surface. In other embodiments, the wand may be removably connected to the lid bottom surface.

In other embodiments, the cannister may further comprise a fourth sealing member and a first deformable member. The fourth sealing member may have a fourth sealing member perimeter dimension. The first deformable member may have a first deformable member height dimension. The lid bottom surface may comprise a protrusion extending downwardly therefrom and having a protrusion height dimension and a protrusion bottom surface. The neck may comprise an inwardly protruding lip at a neck top edge. The fourth sealing member is connected to the protrusion bottom surface. The first deformable member is connected to the lid bottom surface about an outer perimeter of the lid defined by the at least one lid side surface. The first deformable member height dimension is greater than the protrusion height dimension. The fourth sealing member perimeter dimension is greater than a dimension of the opening at the inwardly protruding lip. The fourth sealing member comprises an elastic material.

In some such embodiments, the protrusion may comprise an inwardly beveled sidewall. In certain such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise a spill guard wall extending from a neck bottom edge into the hollow interior. The spill guard wall may be beveled inwardly.

In certain such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise an applicator having a wand extending from the protrusion bottom surface and an absorbent applicator ball connected to a wand end which is opposite the protrusion bottom surface. In some embodiments, the wand may be integrally connected to the protrusion bottom surface. In other embodiments, the wand may be removably connected to the protrusion bottom surface.

In still other embodiments, the neck may comprise an inwardly protruding lip at a neck top edge. The inwardly protruding lip may comprise a pair of opposing recesses and a pair of opposing dimples. The pair of opposing recesses may be located approximately 180° apart from one another about a circumference of the inwardly protruding lip. The pair of opposing dimples may be located on a lip bottom surface approximately 180° apart from one another about the circumference of the inwardly protruding lip with each dimple being located less than 90° apart from one of the pair of opposing recesses. The lid may comprise a winged protrusion extending downwardly from the lid bottom surface. The winged protrusion comprises a pair of opposing wings with each wing comprising an upwardly angled wing top surface proximate to a notch. The pair of opposing wings is configured to mate with the pair of opposing recesses. The notches are configured to interact with the pair of opposing dimples to seal the lid to the neck upon turning the lid less than 180° about a central axis thereof after mating the pair of opposing wings to the pair of opposing recesses.

In certain such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise an applicator having a wand extending from the protrusion bottom surface and an absorbent applicator ball connected to a wand end which is opposite the protrusion bottom surface. In some embodiments, the wand may be integrally connected to the protrusion bottom surface. In other embodiments, the wand may be removably connected to the protrusion bottom surface.

In some such embodiments, the cannister may further comprise a spill guard wall extending from a neck bottom edge into the hollow interior. The spill guard wall may be beveled inwardly.

Also disclosed herein is an adapter for a cannister that contains a liquid. The adapter comprises a first wall attached to a second wall with said first wall having a threaded inner surface and said second wall having a threaded outer surface. The threaded inner surface is configured to mate with a threaded neck outer surface of a neck of the cannister. The threaded outer surface is configured to mate with a threaded first flange outer surface of a first flange extending from a lid bottom surface of a lid.

In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the second wall may extend past the top wall of the cannister and into a hollow interior of the cannister when the threaded inner surface is mated with the threaded neck outer surface. The portion of the second wall which extends past the top wall and into the hollow interior may be beveled inwardly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid.

FIG. 2 is an axial cross-section view of the embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid.

FIG. 4 is an axial cross-section view of the embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid.

FIG. 6 is an axial cross-section view of the embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-section view of another embodiment of a cannister for containing a liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a cannister for containing a liquid. Reference will now be made to the various Figures in which, unless otherwise noted, like numbers refer to like structures. As described herein and in the claims, the following numbers refer to the following structures as noted in the Figures.

• • 10 refers to a cannister.
  • 100 refers to a cannister body.
  • 110 refers to a bottom wall (of the cannister body).
  • 120 refers to a side wall (of the cannister body).
  • 130 refers to a top wall (of the cannister body).
  • 140 refers to a hollow interior (of the cannister body).
  • 150 refers to an opening (of the cannister body).
  • 200 refers to a neck.
  • 210 refers to a neck outer surface.
  • 220 refers to a neck inner surface.
  • 230 refers to an inwardly protruding lip.
  • 232 refers to a neck top edge.
  • 234 refers to a neck bottom edge.
  • 236 refers to a lip bottom surface.
  • 240 refers to a spill guard wall.
  • 250 refers to opposing recesses.
  • 260 refers to opposing dimples.
  • 300 refers to a lid
  • 310 refers to a lid bottom surface.
  • 320 refers to a lid side surface.
  • 330 refers to a lid top surface.
  • 340 refers to a first flange.
  • 342 refers to a threaded first flange outer surface.
  • 350 refers to a second flange.
  • 360 refers to a first sealing member.
  • 370 refers to a protrusion.
  • 372 refers to a protrusion height dimension.
  • 374 refers to a protrusion bottom surface.
  • 376 refers to an inwardly-beveled sidewall.
  • 380 refers to a second sealing member.
  • 390 refers to a third sealing member.
  • 400 refers to an adapter.
  • 410 refers to a first wall.
  • 412 refers to a threaded inner surface.
  • 420 refers to a second wall.
  • 422 refers to a threaded outer surface.
  • 500 refers to an applicator.
  • 510 refers to a wand.
  • 512 refers to a wand end.
  • 520 refers to an absorbent applicator ball.
  • 600 refers to a fourth sealing member.
  • 602 refers to a fourth sealing member perimeter dimension.
  • 610 refers to a first deformable member.
  • 612 refers to a first deformable member height dimension.
  • 700 refers to a winged protrusion.
  • 710 refers to a first wing.
  • 712 refers to a first upwardly angled wing top surface.
  • 714 refers to a first notch.
  • 720 refers to a second wing.
  • 722 refers to a second upwardly angled wing top surface.
  • 724 refers to a second notch.
  • 800 refers to an externally threaded protrusion.
  • 810 refers to a fifth sealing member.

In general, the cannister (10) for containing a liquid includes a cannister body (100), a neck (200), and a lid (300). The lid is configured to seal to at least a portion of a neck inner surface (220).

As shown throughout the Figures, the cannister body has a bottom wall (110), at least one side wall (120), and a top wall (130) forming a hollow interior (140). The typical cannister has a cylindrical shape with a single side wall spanning the distance between the bottom wall and the top wall. However, other shapes may exist, such as a cuboid shape with four side walls, each side wall spanning the distance between one of the four separate edges of a square or rectangular bottom wall and one of the four separate edges of a square or rectangular top wall.

The top wall (130) also includes at least one opening (150) to the hollow interior (140). Extending upwardly from the top wall located at the at least one opening is the neck (200). The neck has a neck outer surface (210) and a neck inner surface (220).

The lid (300) has a lid bottom surface (310), at least one lid side surface (320), and a lid top surface (330). A typical lid has a cylindrical shape with a single lid side surface spanning the distance between the lid bottom surface and the lid top surface. However, other shapes may exist, such as a cuboid shape with the four lid side surfaces spanning the distance between one of the four separate edges of a square or rectangular lid bottom surface and one of four separate edges of a square or rectangular lid top surface.

The cannister (10) may also include an applicator (500). When present, the applicator may have a wand (510) extending from the lid bottom surface (310). The wand may be integrally connected to the lid bottom surface, or may be removably connected to the lid bottom surface-such as by threading the wand into a threaded hole in the lid bottom surface. An absorbent applicator ball (520) may be connected to a wand end (512) which is opposite the lid bottom surface. One alternative to the absorbent applicator ball is a brush.

Several configurations to achieve sealing the lid (300) to at least a portion of the neck inner surface (220) are contemplated. One such configuration is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in which an adapter (400) is mated to the neck (200), with the lid being mated to the adapter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter (400) has a first wall (410) attached to a second wall (420). The first wall has a threaded inner surface (412) while the second wall has a threaded outer surface (422). The neck (200) has a threaded neck outer surface and is configured to mate to the adapter with the threaded inner surface of the first wall being configured to mate with the threaded neck outer surface.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lid (300) includes a first flange (340) extending from the lid bottom surface (310). This first flange has a threaded first flange outer surface (342). The threaded outer surface (422) of the second wall (420) of the adapter (400) is configured to mate with the threaded flange outer surface as shown in FIG. 2.

In some embodiments of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, at least a portion of the second wall (420) of the adapter (400) may extend past the top wall (130) of the cannister body (100) and into the hollow interior (140) when the adapter is mated to the neck (200). Preferably, in such embodiments, the portion of the second wall which extends past the top wall and into the hollow interior is beveled inwardly as shown in FIG. 2.

In certain embodiments of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lid (300) may comprise a second flange (350). In such embodiments, the second flange may extend from the lid bottom surface (310) about an outer perimeter of the lid which is defined by the at least one lid side surface (320).

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may also include a first sealing member (360). When present, the first sealing member may be connected to a portion of the lid bottom surface (310) between the first flange (340) and the (optional) second flange (350). Non-limiting examples of a first sealing member include a gasket, an o-ring, and combinations thereof.

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may also include a second sealing member (380). When present, the second sealing member may be connected to the adapter (400) between the threaded inner surface (412) of the first wall (410) and an inner surface of the second wall (420). Non-limiting examples of a second sealing member include a gasket, an o-ring, and combinations thereof.

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may be provided as a fully assembled new cannister or may be provided as an adapter and lid for attaching to an existing cannister. When provided as an adapter and lid for attaching to an existing cannister, the adapter may take any of the forms described herein and shown in the Figures. Similarly, the lid may take any of the forms described herein and shown in the Figures.

Another configuration for sealing the lid (300) to at least a portion of the neck inner surface (220) is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. In this configuration, a fourth sealing member (600) that includes an elastic material connected to a protrusion (370) extending downwardly from the lid bottom surface (310) seals against a portion of the neck inner surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the neck (200) in this configuration includes an inwardly protruding lip (230) at a neck top edge (232). The protrusion (370) has a protrusion height dimension (372) and a protrusion bottom surface (374) with the fourth sealing member being connected to the protrusion bottom surface such as by use of an adhesive. The fourth sealing member (600) has a fourth sealing member perimeter dimension (602) which is greater than a perimeter dimension of the opening (150) at the inwardly protruding lip. In some embodiments, the protrusion may include an inwardly beveled sidewall (376) to which a portion of the fourth sealing member may be connected.

The configuration shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 also includes a first deformable member (610) having a first deformable member height dimension (612). The first deformable member may be connected to the lid bottom surface (310) about an outer perimeter of the lid (300) defined by the at least one lid side surface (320). The first deformable member height dimension is greater than the protrusion height dimension (372) such that the first deformable member contacts and compresses between the lid bottom surface and the cannister top wall as the protrusion (370) and the fourth sealing member (600) are inserted into the opening (150). The compression of the first deformable member also provides an upward force against the lid which assists in maintaining a tight seal between the fourth sealing member and the portion of the neck inner surface at the lip bottom surface (236).

In some embodiments of the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the cannister may further include a spill guard wall (240). When present, the spill guard wall may extend from a neck bottom edge (234) and into the hollow interior (140) of the cannister body (140). Preferably, the spill guard wall is beveled inwardly as shown in FIG. 4.

Yet another configuration for sealing the lid (300) to at least a portion of the neck inner surface (220) is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In this configuration, a pair of notches (714 and 724 respectively) in opposing wings (710 and 720 respectively) at an upwardly angled wing top surface (712 and 722 respectively) interact with a pair of opposing dimples (260) in an inwardly protruding lip (230) of the neck (200) to seal the lid to at least a portion of the neck.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the inwardly protruding lip (230) is at a neck top edge (232) and includes a pair of opposing recesses (250) and a pair of opposing dimples (260). The pair of opposing recesses may be located approximately 180° apart from one another about a circumference of the inwardly protruding lip. The pair of opposing dimples may be located on a lip bottom surface (236) approximately 180° apart from one another about the circumference of the inwardly protruding lip. Each dimple will be located less than 90° apart from one of the pair of opposing recesses.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 also shows the lid (300) having a winged protrusion (700) extending downwardly from the lid bottom surface (310). This winged protrusion includes a pair of opposing wings (710 and 720 respectively). Each wing includes an upwardly angled wing top surface (712 and 722 respectively). Each upwardly angled wing top surface is proximate to a notch (714 and 724 respectively).

In the configuration shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the pair of opposing wings (710 and 720) are configured to mate with the pair of opposing recesses (250)—which may also be referred to as inserting the wings into the recesses. When the lid is turned less than 180° about a central axis thereof following mating the pair of opposing wings to the pair of opposing recesses, the notches are configured to interact with the pair of opposing dimples (260) to seal the lid to the neck.

The configuration shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 may also include a third sealing member (390). When present, the third sealing member may be connected to the lid bottom surface (310) above the winged protrusion (700). Non-limiting examples of a third sealing member include a gasket, an o-ring, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments of the configuration shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the cannister may further include a spill guard wall (240). When present, the spill guard wall may extend from a neck bottom edge (234) and into the hollow interior (140) of the cannister body (140). Preferably, the spill guard wall is beveled inwardly as shown in FIG. 6.

Still another configuration for sealing the lid (300) to at least a portion of the neck inner surface (220) is shown in FIG. 7. In this configuration, the lid comprises an externally threaded protrusion (800) extending downwardly from the lid bottom surface (310). The neck inner surface (220) comprises internal threads. The external threads of the externally threaded protrusion are configured to mate with internal threads of the neck inner surface.

The configuration shown in FIG. 7 may also include a fifth sealing member (810). When present, the fifth sealing member may be connected to the lid bottom surface (310) about the externally threaded protrusion (800). Non-limiting examples of a fifth sealing member include a gasket, an o-ring, and combinations thereof.

While not shown, in some embodiments of the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the cannister may further include a spill guard wall. When present, the spill guard wall may extend from a neck bottom edge (234) and into the hollow interior (140) of the cannister body (140). Preferably, the spill guard wall is beveled inwardly.

The cannisters disclosed herein may be useful for storing a variety of liquids. Non-limiting examples of such liquids include adhesives, rubber cement, and nail polishes.

Sealing the lid to at least a portion of the neck inner surface—as opposed to threading the lid onto threads on the outer surface of the neck—reduces or eliminates the amount of liquid which may be exposed to atmosphere where it can dry and harden. In doing so, it is less likely that the lid will become locked to the neck, making it difficult or impossible to open the cannister by hand.

In addition, the inwardly angled second wall of the adapter (in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) or the inwardly angled spill guard wall (in the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 to 6) is believed to slow the rate of liquid flowing to the neck area when the cannister is not in an upright position. This reduces or eliminates the volume of liquid which can be spilled out of the cannister in the event the cannister is bumped, knocked over, dropped, or the like.

While the cannister has been described as having one or more exemplary designs, the present article may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the cannister using their general principles.