Interchangeable container cover

#The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more specifically a container for the distribution, sale, and use of paint.

#Typically, paint for application to a house or building for both interior and exterior applications is sold in a cylindrical one gallon metal container. The metal container includes a round base and a cylindrical side wall attached to and extending from the base. The side wall terminates in an upper rim or chime having a u-shaped channel that frictionally receives and engages a plug or lid having a downwardly extending u-shaped annular ring that is frictionally engaged by the walls of the u-shaped channel.

#The lid of a conventional paint container is removed by prying the annular ring out of the channel. This is accomplished by using a lever between an outer upper edge of the cylinder and the outer edge of the lid. In order to ensure that the lid does not fall off of the container, the channel of the container is sufficient to require the use of tools to remove the lid. Accordingly, a lever such as a screwdriver is used to pry the lid off of the upper rim by using the edge of the side wall as a fulcrum to apply sufficient force to the outer edge of the lid to remove the annular ring form the u-shaped channel. Depending on the amount of friction that must be overcome, a user usually has to apply pressure at a number of points about the circumference of the lid and container. The repeated insertion of the lever may result in damage to the lid or the coating on the inner surface of the metal lid that is intended to prevent rust or contamination of the paint.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint container.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the paint container of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a top view of the paint container.

#Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, a paint container 10 includes a body 12, a handle 14, a cap or cover 16, and a pour spout insert 18. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, body 12 has a general D-shape configuration and includes a bottom 20, a front wall 22, a back wall 24, and a pair of opposing side walls 26, 28. Additionally, body 12 includes a top 30 having a land region 32 and a neck 34 with external threads 36 to secure the cap 16. In one embodiment, container 10 is formed from a plastic material that may be injection molded, blow molded, or injection blow molded. The container may be formed from any other method known in the art.

#Body 12 includes a recessed region 38 that extends across the front wall 22, the side walls 26, 28 and a portion of the curved back wall 24. The recessed region 38 may receive a label that could be applied during the forming operation such as in the mold, or a label may be affixed to the container after the container has been formed.

#Body 12 further includes a first hand or top recess 40 located on the top edge of the container between the front wall 12 and the top 30. Top recess 40 enables a user to easily access the handle 14 when the handle 14 is in a first or rest position adjacent the top 30. A user can easily raise the handle 14 by simply sliding his or her hand within the recess under handle 14. The top recess 40 may be fully covered by the handle 14 on the top of the container as illustrated in FIG. 3, or the recess may be accessible from the top of the container when the handle is in the rest position. This would allow a user to reach under the handle from either the front of the container or from the top of the container.