GB2074974A - Container Sealing Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing follower device to enable partly-used contents of a container to be protected against damp or atmospheric oxidation comprises a rigid disc 1 to which is attached a thin, flexible disc 2 so as to project radially therefrom and flexibly to contact the inside wall of the container 4 and seal on the contents 5. A second rigid disc 6 is provided so that the thin disc is sandwiched between the two rigid discs, a handle 3 being located on the uppermost rigid disc. In an alternative embodiment, only one rigid disc is provided, and this has an integral peripheral rim portion of greatly reduced thickness to engage the container wall. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Sealing Devices The present invention relates to devices for sealing products normally contained in a container such as a tin or jar, to protect such product from damp or air oxidation.

One example of use of the proposed device is for sealing off the surface of paint contained in a can after the can has been opened and some of the paint has been used. Ordinarily when the paint can has been closed by its lid a quantity of air is trapped in the tin above the level of the paint and this eventually causes the surface of the paint to grow a skin which is a great nuisance to remove when next it is required to use the paint.

The present invention proposes to provide a sealing device that can be inserted in a container to seal off the remaining product therein against damp or air oxidation caused by the air entrapped in the container after its usual lid has been replaced after using some of the contents.

Accordingly the invention consists in a sealing device that comprises a disc of rigid material having a very flexible member peripherally projecting therefrom so that it can contact the wall of the container above the surface of any material contained therein.

The flexible peripheral member also assists in inserting the device into the container, the opened mouth of which is normally of smaller diameter than the body and is formed with a flanged rim or the like to receive a lid or other cover member.

Two embodiments of device according to the invention are respectively shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings for use in protecting the contents of an opened tin of paint.

Referring to the drawings, in the embodiment of Figure 1 the device comprises a disc 1 of rigid material to which a disc of very thin flexible material 2 is attached so as to extend radially therefrom and form the flexible peripheral member referred to above: a handle or knob 3 is secured to disc 1 to enable the device to be inserted into and withdrawn from a can 4 above the level of the contents 5. An additional supporting disc 6 of rigid material may be secured to the underside of member 2.

The device may be made wholly from plastics materials, the various parts being adhered together.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment in which the rigid disc 7 and the peripheral member 8 are moulded integrally by substantially decreasing the thickness of the disc around its peripheral portion, the device being made by any well-known plastics moulding technique.

The knob 9 may be secured to the disc 7 or also may be moulded integrally therewith.

There are many other examples of use of the device for example it may find application in the kitchen to protect commodities which are susceptible to becoming damp e.g. salt, flour and sugar but it may also be used for the protection of other commodities such as small fruits or other food stuffs.

It will be clear that the invention has been described only by way of example and that various modifications may be made to the detailes shown without in any way of departing from its scope.

Claims

1. A device for sealing a container, comprising a disc of rigid material having a very flexible member projecting peripherally therefrom so that it can flexibly contact the inside wall of the container above the surface of any material contained therein.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a disc of rigid material to which a disc of very thin flexible material is attached so as to extend radially and peripherally therefrom.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second disc of rigid material is attached to said disc of flexible material so that the latter is sandwiched between said rigid discs.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a disc of rigid material having a peripheral rim portion of reduced thickness formed integrally therewith and forms said peripherally projecting flexible member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the or the uppermost rigid disc has an upper surface to which a handle or knob member is secured to forms part thereof.

6. A sealing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A sealing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Sealing Devices The present invention relates to devices for sealing products normally contained in a container such as a tin or jar, to protect such product from damp or air oxidation. One example of use of the proposed device is for sealing off the surface of paint contained in a can after the can has been opened and some of the paint has been used. Ordinarily when the paint can has been closed by its lid a quantity of air is trapped in the tin above the level of the paint and this eventually causes the surface of the paint to grow a skin which is a great nuisance to remove when next it is required to use the paint. The present invention proposes to provide a sealing device that can be inserted in a container to seal off the remaining product therein against damp or air oxidation caused by the air entrapped in the container after its usual lid has been replaced after using some of the contents. Accordingly the invention consists in a sealing device that comprises a disc of rigid material having a very flexible member peripherally projecting therefrom so that it can contact the wall of the container above the surface of any material contained therein. The flexible peripheral member also assists in inserting the device into the container, the opened mouth of which is normally of smaller diameter than the body and is formed with a flanged rim or the like to receive a lid or other cover member. Two embodiments of device according to the invention are respectively shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings for use in protecting the contents of an opened tin of paint. Referring to the drawings, in the embodiment of Figure 1 the device comprises a disc 1 of rigid material to which a disc of very thin flexible material 2 is attached so as to extend radially therefrom and form the flexible peripheral member referred to above: a handle or knob 3 is secured to disc 1 to enable the device to be inserted into and withdrawn from a can 4 above the level of the contents 5. An additional supporting disc 6 of rigid material may be secured to the underside of member 2. The device may be made wholly from plastics materials, the various parts being adhered together. Figure 2 shows another embodiment in which the rigid disc 7 and the peripheral member 8 are moulded integrally by substantially decreasing the thickness of the disc around its peripheral portion, the device being made by any well-known plastics moulding technique. The knob 9 may be secured to the disc 7 or also may be moulded integrally therewith. There are many other examples of use of the device for example it may find application in the kitchen to protect commodities which are susceptible to becoming damp e.g. salt, flour and sugar but it may also be used for the protection of other commodities such as small fruits or other food stuffs. It will be clear that the invention has been described only by way of example and that various modifications may be made to the detailes shown without in any way of departing from its scope. Claims

1. A device for sealing a container, comprising a disc of rigid material having a very flexible member projecting peripherally therefrom so that it can flexibly contact the inside wall of the container above the surface of any material contained therein.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a disc of rigid material to which a disc of very thin flexible material is attached so as to extend radially and peripherally therefrom.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second disc of rigid material is attached to said disc of flexible material so that the latter is sandwiched between said rigid discs.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a disc of rigid material having a peripheral rim portion of reduced thickness formed integrally therewith and forms said peripherally projecting flexible member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the or the uppermost rigid disc has an upper surface to which a handle or knob member is secured to forms part thereof.

6. A sealing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A sealing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.