Apparatus and system for covering and protecting the rim of a paint can

Abstract

A paint can rim seal and groove protector that is simple and inexpensive in its manufacture and construction and easily allows the pouring of paint or other liquid from a can. A seal for a can rim includes a deformable rim seal having a width defined by an interior diameter smaller than the can rim and an exterior diameter larger than the can rim. A pressure sensitive releasable adhesive coating is provided on one surface of the deformable rim seal. In operation, the rim seal is aligned with the can rim with the adhesive coated side down. The rim seal is then removably placed on the rim. Interior and exterior edges of the rim seal are manually bent down to adhesively seal against the interior and exterior sidewalls of the can.

I claim:  
     
         1 . (Twice Amended). A seal for a rim of a can, the can rim having an interior edge and an exterior edge, the seal comprising: 
 a deformable ring-shaped rim seal having both an installed and an uninstalled configuration, a width defined by an interior edge having a diameter smaller than the can rim and an exterior edge having a diameter larger than the can rim, wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a structure of one or more layers wherein at least one layer comprises a flat layer of foldable material having a thickness and composition selected to enable the rim seal to fold over edges of the can rim so as to bend conformably about the interior and exterior edges of the can rim in the installed configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the thickness of the deformable rim seal is selected to allow the rim seal to bend conformably about the can rim on the interior and exterior surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The seal of    claim 1    further comprising a tab extending from the exterior edge of the deformable rim seal adapted to grip the rim seal.  
     
     
         4 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a material having sufficient strength to resist tearing when removed.  
     
     
         5 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises metal foil.  
     
     
         6 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises paper.  
     
     
         7 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a multi-layer composite material.  
     
     
         8 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a water-resistant material.  
     
     
         9 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a solvent-resistant material.  
     
     
         10 . The seal of    claim 1    further comprising a chemically resistant coating formed on a surface opposite the surface of the adhesive.  
     
     
         11 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises a material that is resistant to the contents of the can.  
     
     
         12 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the adhesive comprises a water-resistant material.  
     
     
         13 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein the adhesive comprises a solvent-resistant material.  
     
     
         14 . The seal of    claim 1    wherein at least one of the interior and exterior edges is scalloped.  
     
     
         15 . A seal for a rim of a resealable can, the rim having an interior diameter and an exterior diameter with a resealing structure defined in the can between the interior and exterior diameters, the seal comprising: 
 a circular rim seal having a diameter at least as large as the exterior diameter of the rim;    a circular hole formed in a central portion, the hole having a diameter smaller than the interior diameter of the rim; and    means incorporated within the rim seal for removeably securing the rim seal to the can such that a span from the interior diameter to the exterior diameter of the rim is covered by the rim seal in a manner that prevents contents of the can from contaminating the resealing structure.    
     
     
         16 . The seal of    claim 15    wherein the rim seal is secured to the rim so as to prevent liquid contained within the can from reaching the rim.  
     
     
         17 . The seal of    claim 15    wherein the rim seal comprises a single sheet comprising one or more layers of foldable material.  
     
     
         18 . The seal of    claim 15    wherein the means for securing enables the rim seal to be completely removed after a single use.  
     
     
         19 . The seal of    claim 15    wherein the means for securing comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         20 . The seal of    claim 15    wherein the deformable rim seal comprises metal foil having a thickness and composition selected to enable the rim seal to fold over edges of the can rim so as to bend conformably about the interior and exterior edges of the can rim.