Container lid removal facilitator

Abstract

A thin, deformable polymer sheet is configured to be placed between an opening in a container and the container lid, particularly when the lid is to be refastened to the container. The sheet creates a barrier between the container and the lid, and more particularly, between the lid and any residual contents of the container, such as paint, that may be on the lid engagement surfaces. The residual content, when it dries, will therefore not adhere the lid to the container and inhibit subsequent removal of the lid.

1 . A device that facilitates removal of a container lid from a container that includes one or more lid engagement surfaces that surround, and define an outer boundary of, a container opening within the container, the container lid configured to be disposed on the container and seal the container opening by engaging the one or more container lid engagement surfaces, the device comprising: 
 a deformable polymer sheet that is dimensioned to extend entirely over the container opening, the sheet configured to be disposed between the container lid and the one or more lid engagement surfaces and having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer peripheral edge between the inner and outer surfaces, the sheet dimensioned such that, when installed, (i) an entirety of the outer surface of the sheet within the outer boundary of the container opening is always disposed proximate the container lid and (ii) the outer peripheral surface is exposed when the container lid is disposed to seal the container opening.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the one or more lid engagement surfaces have a predetermined surface contour; and    the deformable polymer sheet has a thickness that allows the sheet to deform to the surface contour of the one or more lid engagement surfaces.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet is configured to have a non-circular in shape.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet is configured to have a circular shape.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet comprises a material having sufficient strength to resist tearing upon subsequent removal of the container lid from the container.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet comprises a material suitable for printing indicia thereon.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the polymer sheet comprises polyethylene.  
   
   
       8 . A container assembly, comprising: 
 a container having an inner peripheral surface that defines an internal volume for containing matter therein, the container including an opening having an outer boundary and one or more lid engagement surfaces, the container opening extending through the container and fluidly communicating the internal volume with an external environment;    a removable container lid coupled to one or more of the lid engagement surfaces and configured to seal the container opening to thereby prevent removal of the matter contained therein; and    a deformable polymer sheet that extends entirely over the container opening and disposed between the container lid and each lid engagement surface to which the container lid is coupled, the deformable polymer sheet having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an exposed outer peripheral edge between the inner and outer surfaces, the sheet dimensioned such that an entirety of the outer surface of the sheet within the outer boundary of the opening is always disposed proximate the container lid.    
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the one or more lid engagement surfaces have a predetermined surface contour; and    the deformable polymer sheet has a thickness that allows the sheet to deform to the surface contour of the one or more lid engagement surfaces.    
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet is configured to have a non-circular shape.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the deformable polymer sheet is configured to have a circular shape.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the container is a paint can, and the material contained therein is paint.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more lid engagement surfaces comprise threads.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the container includes a rim that surrounds the container opening; and    the one or more lid engagement surfaces are defined by a groove formed in the rim.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)