Container and Cover for a Container Holding Viscous Fluids

Abstract

The present invention is a container for holding viscous fluids. The device comprises a canister having a rim with a circular channel for releasably receiving a lid. The rim comprises two or more elongated drain apertures cut in the base of the channel providing liquid flow from the circular channel into the canister. The present invention is also a lid for a container that holds viscous fluids such as paint or lacquer. The lid comprises a ridge along the bottom surface of its perimeter edge and a ring adapter. The ring adapter has an outer rim with a ridge on its lower surface to be received by the circular channel of a container and an inner rim with a channel to releasably receive the ridge of the lid. The inner rim channel has three or more elongated drain apertures providing liquid flow from the circular channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] None

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

[0003] None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] (1) Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a container that prevents liquid build up in the rim. More specifically, the rim of the container comprises a circular channel for receiving a lid that has elongated apertures cut into the channel's base. The apertures may be die cut from sheet metal stock before the rim is formed or may be cut from the rim after formation. In each case, the aperture edges are primarily smooth having minimal residual burring and are coated with a non-stick polymer to reduce oxidation and allow easy removal of dried fluid in the channel.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a device for sealing a container. More specifically, a circular ring adapter for sealing a container having a removable lid about its center.

[0007] (2) Description of Related Art

[0008] Containers having drain holes in the rim have been previously disclosed and are often used for holding paints and lacquers. The difficulties with this type of container arise from the press-fit enclosure which utilizes a channel in the rim that receives a ridge on the perimeter edge of the lid. During use, fluid is often poured from the container into a secondary holding vessel such as a pan to allow easy access for applicators such as a paint roller. However, this fills the channel with paint that can cause splattering when the lid is replaced; the lid to adhere to the channel resulting in damage to the rim on removal; and build up of paint over time preventing proper sealing resulting in evaporation or skin formation on the surface of the paint. Depending on the type of fluid in the container and where the container is stored, evaporation can cause a buildup of potentially hazardous fumes. However, none of the containers previously solve these problems because they do not effectively drain viscous liquids, such as paint or lacquers, from the container rim.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,846 to Murrin, Jr. discloses a paint can construction having a conventional circumferential trough having a series of equally spaced apertures to enable drainage of paint into the can. Murrin recognized the problem with having circular apertures within the trough and designed a lid that would enable the user to clear the apertures when they eventually blocked by dried or drying paint. Murrin provides that "periodic cleaning of paint and the like that may be dried and restricting the various apertures may be cleared by the periodic striking of the continuous ring and accordingly driving the rods downward through the apertures to clear the associated apertures".

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,084,084 to Greer describes a can construction having an annular trough with slots at the bottom and a lid with bosses that engage and keep the slots clear of paint. However, this construction creates a number of problems in practice. The most obvious being that the lid must be placed in the proper orientation to align the bosses with the slots before it can be secured on the can to assure a tight seal. Another is that the angling of the lid during removal can cause the bosses to contact the edges of the slots making it difficult to remove the lid as well as damage both the bosses and the slots. In addition, thinning of the sheet metal when creating the bosses in the rim can make these areas more susceptible to rust that with continued use will cause rim failure.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,425 to Shanabrook describes a liquid receptacle having a circular channel for receiving a lid with one or more drain holes and a tool for forming drain holes. FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 show round and rectangular piercing elements. However, whether the aperture is round or some other shape it is the method by which the apertures are formed using the tool that causes burring along the edges of the apertures. This burring tends to retain viscous fluids and the build up of drying or dried fluid through continued use eventually blocks the apertures. In addition, these punched drain apertures expose metal that is susceptible to oxidation if the fluid stored in the receptacle is aqueous. Rusting can change the color of the fluid in the receptacle and compromise the fluid tight seal resulting in drying or skin formation on the surface of the fluid.

[0012] Other U.S. patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,769 to White and U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,869 to Zacharhuk disclose tools for cutting apertures in the peripherally arranged channel in a paint can. While these tools provide apertures that are not circular they created elongated apertures having burrs extending into the paint can creating a similar problem as that in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,425.

[0013] Another device disclosed in U.S. patent application publication no.: 2003/0217631 to Yocom is a paint can channel perforating device. The device has a plurality of perforating bits on a disc-shaped spring loaded plunger that when positioned on a paint can and depressed creates a number of apertures along the paint can channel. Unfortunately, like the patents discussed above the perforating bits produce burrs extending into the paint can that eventually clog with paint after multiple uses.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need in the field for a container that is able to hold a viscous fluid, such as paint or lacquer, having a circular channel in the rim with drain apertures that effectively drain fluid from the channel, will not clog with dried or drying fluid, are resistant to oxidation and do not compromise the air/fluid tight seal.

[0015] In addition, there is a need for a device having these benefits contained in a lid that may be used to seal a container holding viscous fluids.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention provides a container for holding paint and other like substances comprising a canister with a circular channel rim having elongated apertures and a lid having a perimeter ridge that is able to be received by the circular channel for sealing the canister. The circular channel is coated with a non-stick polymer and comprises three or more elongated drain apertures cut into the channel base providing liquid flow from the channel into the canister.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the interior surface of the lid is also coated with a non-stick polymer. Exemplary non-stick polymer coatings include polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE also known as Teflon®, perfluoroalkoxy or PFA, fluorinated ethylene propylene or FEP, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or ETFE, polyvinyl chloride or PVC, polyvinyl fluoride or PVF also known as Tedlar®. Other non-stick polymers known in the art may also be used.

[0018] In another embodiment the drain apertures are die cut to avoid creating burrs. The dimensions of the apertures may range from about one-quarter inch to about one and a half inches in length and from about three thirty-seconds to about three sixteenths inches in width.

[0019] In another aspect, the device is a cover for a container holding viscous fluids. The device comprises a lid having a ridge along the bottom surface of its perimeter edge and a ring adapter. The ring adapter has an outer rim with a ridge on its lower surface to be received by the circular channel of a container and an inner rim with a channel to releasably receive the ridge of the lid. The inner rim channel having sides and a base wherein the base has three or more elongated drain apertures providing liquid flow from the circular channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1: Perspective view of one configuration of a container of the present invention having equally spaced apertures within the circular channel;

[0021] FIG. 2: Top view of the canister in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3: Cross sectional view of the lid perimeter ridge above the circular channel with a drain aperture.

[0023] FIG. 4: Perspective view of one configuration of a lid of the present invention having equally spaced apertures within the circular channel;

[0024] FIG. 5: Top view of the lid in FIG. 4; and

[0025] FIG. 6: Cross sectional view of the lid perimeter ridge above the circular channel with a drain aperture in the adapter ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.

[0027] The term "viscous fluids" as used herein refers to a fluid having a viscosity greater than water. Water has a kinematic viscosity of about 1 cSt at 20° C. A fluid's internal resistance to flow, or viscosity, such as paint can be determined using a Zahn cup. The method uses a stainless steel cup with a tiny hole drilled in the center of the bottom of the cup. The cup is dipped and completely filled with the fluid. After lifting the cup out of the fluid the time is measured until the liquid streaming out of the hole in the base of the cup breaks, this is the corresponding "efflux time". There are five cup sizes, numbered one through five, with the large number cup sizes used for high viscosity paints and low number cup sizes used for low paint viscosities. Efflux time can be converted to kinematic viscosity, in centistokes, by using the following equations for each cup specification number: Zahn Cup #1 used to measure liquids up to 60 cSt: ν=1.1(t-29); Zahn Cup #2 used to measure liquids from 20-230 cSt, thin oils, mixed paints and lacquers: ν=3.5(t-14); Zahn Cup #3 used to measure liquids from 150-850 cSt such as medium oils, mixed paints, enamels: ν=11.7(t-7.5); Zahn Cup #4 used for liquids from 220-1100: ν=14.8(t-5); and Zahn Cup #5 used for liquids from 480-1840: ν=23t. Mixed paint is usually in the range of between 200-400 cSt.

[0028] The term "canister" as used herein refers to a vessel having a single opening with a rim able to receive a press fit lid. The canister may have any shape with a cylindrical rim. Preferably the rim has a circular channel that is able to receive a ridge along the perimeter edge of a lid for sealing the canister.

[0029] The term "releasably" as used herein refers to the ability to replace and remove the lid from the canister. A variety of methods known in the art can be utilized. Preferably the releasable connection is a press-fit connection. For example, the ridge along the perimeter edge of the lid is press-fit into the circular channel of the rim to seal the canister. This type of releasable connection allows the lid to be pried from the rim with a ridged flat edged tool such as a screwdriver. The lid can be replaced by using a mallet or hammer to drive the ridge of the lid into the circular channel of the rim.

[0030] The term "elongated drain apertures" as used herein refers to the openings provided in the base of the circular channel of the rim that allows any fluid entering the rim to drain into the canister. The term "elongated" as used herein refers to the dimension of the aperture wherein the length is greater than the width.

[0031] The term "non-stick polymer" as used herein refers to any polymer coating that may be applied to the interior of the canister, on the rim, particularly on the surface comprising the circular channel, and the interior surface of the lid particularly along the perimeter edge comprising the ridge. The term "non-stick" as used herein refers to the ability to easily remove dried paint or other dried fluid from the rim and/or interior surface of the lid coated with the polymer. An example of a non-stick polymer that may be utilized with the present invention is Teflon®.

[0032] The term "die cut" as used herein refers to a method of creating apertures in the base of the circular channel that removes a desired piece of the rim without leaving burrs along the edges of the apertures. If a method being used creates a rough edge along the perimeter of the aperture a second step can be implemented to smooth the edges, such as for example by using a grinder, a wire brush wheel or a wire brush.

[0033] In one embodiment, the device is a container 10 for holding viscous fluids such as paint or lacquer. The device comprises a canister 12 having a rim 18 with a circular channel 14 for releasably receiving a lid 20. The rim 18 comprises three or more elongated drain apertures 16 cut in the base 17 of the channel 14 providing liquid flow from the circular channel 14 into the canister 12. The lid 20 comprises a perimeter edge 24 with a ridge 22 on the interior surface to be received in the circular channel 14 for sealing the canister 12. Both the interior surface of the lid 20 and the rim including the circular channel 14 are preferably coated with a non-stick polymer.

[0034] In another embodiment the device is a lid for a container holding viscous fluids. The device comprises a lid having a ridge along the bottom surface of its perimeter edge and a ring adapter. The ring adapter having an outer rim with a ridge on its lower surface to be received by the circular channel of a container and an inner rim with a channel to releasably receive the ridge of the lid. The inner rim channel having sides and a base wherein the base has three or more elongated drain apertures providing liquid flow from the circular channel.

A. The Container

[0035] (1) The Canister

[0036] The canister 12 comprises a body having a single opening. The body of the canister 12 may be provided in any shape but the opening is preferably circular. A variety of shapes have been used for paint canisters. Most are cylindrical, however, for more efficient use of space during shipping, canisters that are square or rectangular have also been used. These canisters 12 have been made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic or a combination of metal and plastic. The use of metal canisters is preferred; however, polymer or plastic canisters may also be employed. Similarly containers comprising a plastic or polymer canister with a metal rim have also been used. The volume of these canisters 12 can range from a one-quart container to a five-gallon drum. The most common sizes are the one-gallon and one-quart cylindrical containers 10. A one-gallon container 10 generally measures 73/4 inches in height by 63/4 inches in diameter with a 63/4 inches diameter lid 20. A one-quart cylindrical container 10 generally measures 43/4 inches in height, 43/4 inch diameter with a 37/8 inches diameter lid 20.

[0037] (2) The Rim

[0038] The rim 18 of the canister 12 is provided with a press-fit connection. This press-fit configuration generally requires that the rim 18 have a circular channel 14 that is able to receive the ridge 22 on the perimeter edge 24 of a lid 20. In addition, the rim 18 is preferably coated with a non-stick polymer on both its interior and exterior surfaces. When a liquid such as paint is poured from the canister 12 or when the edge of the channel 14 is used to remove excess paint from a brush the channel 14 can fill with paint. To allow the paint to drain back into the canister 12, apertures 16 are cut in the base of the circular channel 17. Unlike the previous devices, the following invention die cuts elongated apertures 16 within the channel 14 to allow viscous fluid to drain efficiently into the canister 12. However, residual fluid can dry in the circular channel 14. The non-stick surface allows this residue to be removed easily from the channel 14 and discarded.

[0039] (3) The Circular Channel

[0040] The dimensions of the circular channel 14 are critical for creating an air/fluid tight seal between the lid 20 and the rim 18 of the canister 12. The distance between the sidewalls 15 of the circular channel 14 should be slightly larger than the width of the ridge 22 provided in the perimeter 24 of the lid 20 so that when press fit together an air/fluid tight seal is produced. In addition, the height of the sidewalls 15 is important to assure that there is sufficient contact with the lid's ridge 22 to assure an air/fluid tight seal. This contact may range from 1/16 to 1/4 inch in width along the length of the circular channel 14. Further, the curvature of the channel base 17 assists in making the sidewalls 15 slightly flexible allowing them to expand when the ridge 22 of the lid 20 is press fit into the circular channel 14 assisting in providing an air/fluid tight seal.

[0041] The aperture 16 shape, dimensions and the method used to create them is critical for efficient transfer of fluid from the circular channel 14 to the canister 12. Previous patents disclose a paint canister with a plurality of circular holes punched in the channel. Unfortunately, punching holes in the base of the channel can compromise the integrity of the channel and adversely affect the air/fluid tight seal. Small diameter circular apertures that could avoid compromising the integrity of the channel are not efficient in allowing a viscous fluid, such as paint, to drain back into the canister quickly. This was observed by Murrin U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,846. Correspondingly, a large circular aperture that may allow faster draining of a viscous fluid can damage the sidewall and compromise the air/fluid tight seal resulting in drying or skin formation on the surface of the fluid.

[0042] In addition, punching holes in the circular channel can cause burring on the bottom of the channel base. These burrs provide a surface for drying fluid, and when that fluid is paint, residue can build up on the burrs over continued use and clog the apertures.

[0043] Tools that are designed to punch apertures into the circular rim after manufacture also create fresh metal edges and burrs that are open to oxidation. In an aqueous environment, such as in water based latex paints, these areas are susceptible to rusting. Rusting can cause a multitude of problems. Iron oxide or rust can change the pigment of the fluid in the canister, and if the fluid is paint, color change is often undesirable. Rusting can also damage the air/fluid tight seal. When the seal is damaged, the evaporation can occur or a skin can form on the surface of the fluid. When there are a large number of apertures punched into the circular rim, advanced rusting can cause the interior portion of the rim to break away and fall into the canister.

[0044] All apertures punched into the circular channel of a canister after manufacture, no matter their shape, will provide edges and burrs that are susceptible to oxidation and rusting. The present invention avoids this problem by die cutting elongated apertures 16 in the base 17 of the circular channel 14 during manufacture. The method of die cutting reduces the formation of burrs and prevents damage to the channel sidewalls 15. The apertures 16 can also be sanded, ground or wire brushed to assure that no residual sharp edges are present. Once the apertures 16 are die cut the circular channel 14 or the entire rim 18 is coated with a non-stick polymer to resist rusting over time and to allow easy removal of any dried fluid from the channel 14.

[0045] The apertures 16 are elongated having a length that is greater than their width. Tests conducted comparing the circular and elongated apertures demonstrated that the elongated configuration was more efficient at removing paint from the channel 14 of the container 12. The larger aperture 16 opening, as compared to circular apertures, allows for efficient drainage of fluid into the canister 12, particularly when the fluid is viscous. The aperture 16 shape may be rectangular, elongated rectangular, oval or elongated oval. The apertures 16 may be from about 1/4 to about 1 inch in length and about 3/32 to about 3/16 in width. In one embodiment, the apertures 16 have the dimension 1/2 by 2/32 inch. Depending on the size of the aperture 16 and the viscosity of the fluid, the canister 12 may have two or three apertures 16 for low viscosity fluids or as many as sixteen apertures 16 for higher viscosity fluids. Preferably, the circular channel 14 has from about four to about eight elongated drain apertures 16.

[0046] Additional testing demonstrated that die cut apertures 16 did not become blocked with paint as easily or rust as quickly as apertures cut with the devices previously disclosed.

[0047] (4) The Lid

[0048] The lid 20 is generally circular in shape having a ridge 22 along the perimeter edge 24 able to be received by the circular channel 14 and form an air/fluid tight seal. The ridge 22 is circular and projects from the base of the lid 20. Preferably the base of the lid 20 is coated with a non-stick polymer so that dried fluid on the interior of the lid 20 or the ridge 22 can be easily removed.

[0049] (5) The Non-Stick Polymer

[0050] The non-stick polymer is a polymer that can be easily applied to the rim 18 and base of the lid 20 during manufacture of the container 10. Non-stick polymers include polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE also known as Teflon®, perfluoroalkoxy or PFA, fluorinated ethylene propylene or FEP, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or ETFE, polyvinyl chloride or PVC, polyvinyl fluoride or PVF also known as Tedlar®. A variety of non-stick coatings known to those skilled in the art may be utilized that allow easy removal of dried fluid from the lid ridge 22 and circular channel 14 of the rim 18. The non-stick polymer also coats the die cut edges of the apertures 16 to reduce oxidation and the chance of rusting.

B. The Cover

[0051] (1) The Lid

[0052] The lid 20 is generally circular in shape having a ridge 22 along the perimeter edge 24 able to be received by the circular channel 14 of the adapter ring and form an air/fluid tight seal. The ridge 22 is circular and projects from the base of the lid 20. Preferably the base of the lid 20 is coated with a non-stick polymer so that dried fluid on the interior of the lid 20 or the ridge 22 can be easily removed.

[0053] (2) The Adapter Ring

[0054] The ring adapter 18 is generally circular in shape having an inner rim and an outer rim. The outer rim contains a ridge 26 on its bottom surface along the perimeter edge 28 able to be received by the circular channel of a container similar to that for holding paint or lacquer. Containers of this type may hold volumes ranging from one-quart to five-gallons. The most common sizes are the one-gallon and one-quart volume sizes. For a one-gallon container the adapter ring would have an outer diameter of about 61/4 inches and for a one-quart container the outer diameter of the adapter ring would be about 37/8 inches.

[0055] The inner rim has a circular channel 14 that is able to receive the ridge 22 on the perimeter edge 24 of the lid 20. In addition, the inner rim is preferably coated with a non-stick polymer on both its top and bottom surfaces. When a liquid, such as paint, is poured from a canister on which the lid has been affixed, the channel 14 can fill with paint. To allow the paint to drain back into the canister, apertures 16 are cut in the base of the circular channel 17. However, residual fluid can dry in the circular channel 14. The non-stick surface allows this residue to be removed easily from the channel 14 and discarded.

[0056] The dimensions of the circular channel 14 are critical for creating an air/fluid tight seal between the lid 20 and the rim of an adapter ring. The distance between the sidewalls 15 of the circular channel 14 should be slightly larger than the width of the ridge 22 provided in the perimeter 24 of the lid 20 so that when press fit together an air/fluid tight seal is produced. In addition, the height of the sidewalls 15 is important to assure that there is sufficient contact with the lid's ridge 22 to assure an air/fluid tight seal. This contact may range from 1/16 to 1/4 inch in width along the length of the circular channel 14. Further, the curvature of the channel base 17 assists in making the sidewalls 15 slightly flexible allowing them to expand when the ridge 22 of the lid 20 is press fit into the circular channel 14 assisting in providing an air/fluid tight seal.

[0057] The aperture 16 shape, dimensions and the method used to create them is critical for efficient transfer of fluid from the circular channel 14 to a canister. The methods and devices disclosed in previous patents have been ineffective in achieving this goal for the reasons discussed above.

[0058] The present invention avoids this problem by die cutting elongated apertures 16 in the base 17 of the circular channel 14 during manufacture. Once the apertures are die cut, the circular channel 14 or the entire adapter ring is coated with a non-stick polymer to resist rusting over time and to allow easy removal of any dried fluid from the channel 14.

[0059] The distance between the circular channel 14 and the ridge 26 may range from 1/4 inch to 2 inches and will be based on the desired diameter for the opening on the canister during use. A larger diameter lid can be accommodated when this distance is small and a smaller diameter lid used when this distance is larger.

[0060] Preparation and Use

A. The Container

[0061] The container of the present invention may be prepared from metal, polymer plastic or a combination of the two. If the container is made of metal, sheet stock is cut into blanks for the sides, base and rim of the canister as well as for the lid. The blank for the sides is rolled and sealed forming a cylinder. The base is formed and press fit on one end of the cylinder. The apertures are die cut into the rim and the rim stamped to form the circular channel. The rim is then press fit and sealed onto the other end of the cylinder forming the canister. The lid is stamped to form the perimeter edge. The inside of the canister and the base of the lid are coated with a non-stick polymer. The coating process may be by any method known in the art such as by spraying or dipping. Alternatively, the blanks for the sides, base and lid may be coated on one side. During formation, the sides, base and lid are oriented so that the coating is on the inside of the canister. The rim is preferably coated on both sides to seal the edges of the apertures and to provide the non-stick coating in the circular channel.

[0062] If the canister is made of polymer plastic the entire canister can be form molded in one piece having a rim with a circular channel. The lid can also be form molded as a single piece. Depending on the type of polymer selected to prepare the canister, a non-stick coating may not be needed. However, if desired, the non-stick coating may be applied on the interior of the canister and base of the lid as well as on the upper surface of the rim containing the circular channel.

[0063] In some cases the container may be made of a combination of polymer plastic and metal. Usually the canister sides and base are made of polymer and the rim and lid are made of metal. A non-stick coating may be applied to both sides of the rim and the base of the lid.

[0064] In use, the lid is pried off of the rim of the canister to access the fluid inside. The viscous fluid, usually paint, is poured from the canister into a paint pan for use with a roller or other painting devices. After pouring, the residual paint in the circular rim drains into the canister through the apertures in the circular channel. For storage, the lid is replaced on the rim using a mallet or hammer. Because the paint is effectively drained from the rim, splatter produced when replacing the lid is significantly reduced. When the container is accessed again the lid is pried off the rim. Residual paint that has dried in the circular rim or on the ridge of the lid can be easily pealed and pulled from the non-stick surface and discarded.

[0065] The apertures 16 are elongated having a length that is greater than their width. Tests conducted comparing the circular and elongated apertures demonstrated that the elongated configuration was more efficient at removing paint from the channel 14 of the container 12. The larger aperture 16 opening, as compared to circular apertures, allows for efficient drainage of fluid into the canister 12, particularly when the fluid is viscous. The aperture 16 shape may be rectangular, elongated rectangular, oval or elongated oval. The apertures 16 may be from about 1/4 to about 1 inch in length and about 3/32 to about 3/16 in width. In one embodiment, the apertures 16 have the dimension 1/2 by 2/32 inch. Depending on the size of the aperture 16 and the viscosity of the fluid, the canister 12 may have two or three apertures 16 for low viscosity fluids or as many as sixteen apertures 16 for higher viscosity fluids. Preferably, the circular channel 14 has from about four to about eight elongated drain apertures 16.

[0066] Additional testing demonstrated that die cut apertures 16 did not become blocked with paint as easily or rust as quickly as apertures cut with the devices previously disclosed.

B. The Cover

[0067] The cover of the present invention may be prepared from metal, polymer plastic or a combination of the two. If the cover is made of metal, sheet stock is cut into blanks for the adapter ring and lid. The apertures are die cut into the adapter ring and the ring stamped to form the circular channel on the inner rim and the ridge on the outer rim. The lid is stamped to form the ridge along the perimeter edge. Both sides of the adapter ring and the base of the cover are coated with a non-stick polymer. The coating process may be by any method known in the art such as by spraying or dipping. Alternatively, the blanks for the adapter ring and lid may be coated on one side. During formation, the blanks are oriented so that the coating is on the bottom surface of the lid and on the upper surface of the adapter ring. The rim is preferably coated on both sides to seal the edges of the apertures and to provide the non-stick coating in the circular channel.

[0068] In use, the lid from a lacquer or paint can is replaced with the cover of the present invention. This is done by prying off the lid of the canister with a screwdriver. Then pressing the outer rim ridge of the adapter ring into the circular channel of the canister using a rubber mallet. Prior to painting, the lid from the adapter ring is pried free using a screwdriver exposing the circular channel containing three or more elongated apertures. When paint or lacquer is poured from the canister or when the inner rim of the adapter ring is used to remove extra paint from a paintbrush, paint is deposited in the circular channel. The elongated apertures allow the paint in the circular channel to drain back into the canister. This prevents the paint or lacquer from drying in the circular channel which can interfere with properly sealing the canister for storage.

[0069] The information set forth above is provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the device and methods, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventor regards as his invention. Modifications of the above-described modes (for carrying out the invention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art) are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A container for holding viscous fluids comprising: a. a canister and b. a lid for sealing said canister, wherein said canister comprises a rim with a circular channel for releasably receiving said lid, said channel having sides and a base, wherein said rim comprises three or more elongated drain apertures cut in said channel base providing liquid flow from said circular channel into said canister, wherein said rim is coated with a non-stick polymer, wherein said lid having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a perimeter edge, said perimeter edge having a ridge on said interior surface to be received in said circular channel for sealing said canister.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said interior surface of said lid is coated with a non-stick polymer.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated drain apertures are about 1/4 inch to about 1 inch in length.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated drain apertures are about 3/32 inch to about 3/16 inch in width.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein said non-stick polymer is selected from the group consisting of, Teflon®, polyvinyl chloride, (Insert others).

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated drain apertures are die cut in the rim.

7. A cover for a container holding viscous fluids comprising: a. a lid having a bottom surface and a perimeter edge said perimeter edge having a ridge on said bottom surface; and b. an adapter ring having an inner rim, an outer rim and a lower surface, said outer rim having a ridge on said lower surface to be received by a circular channel of a container for sealing said container, said inner rim having a circular channel for releasably receiving said ridge of said lid, said channel having sides and a base wherein said base comprises three or more elongated drain apertures cut in said channel base providing liquid flow from said circular channel.

8. The lid according to claim 7, wherein said bottom surface of said lid is coated with a non-stick polymer.

9. The lid according to claim 8, wherein said non-stick polymer is Teflon® or polyvinyl chloride.

10. The lid according to claim 7, wherein said lower surface of said adapter ring is coated with a non-stick polymer.

11. The lid according to claim 10, wherein said non-stick polymer is Teflon® or polyvinyl chloride.

12. The lid according to claim 7, wherein said elongated drain apertures are about 1/4 inch to about 1 inch in length.

13. The lid according to claim 7, wherein said elongated drain apertures are about 3/32 inch to about 3/16 inch in width.

14. The lid according to claim 7, wherein said elongated drain apertures are die cut in the rim.

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