Container Lid

Abstract

A resilient one-piece paint brush storage lid for storing a paint brush. The one-piece lid has a flat portion covering the container, a depending outer rim portion, and a raised tapered neck portion projecting above the flat portion, with an aperture in the raised neck portion, for slidably receiving a paint brush handle therethrough. The raised neck portion extending above the flat portion of the storage lid maintains a sufficiently strong grip on the handle of the brush so as to suspend the weight of the brush. The lid also includes a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of the rim portion, wherein each of the plurality of discrete steps is configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.

1 . A lid for a container, said lid comprising:
 a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;   a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and   a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of discrete steps are configured to elastically conform to a shape of an opening of a container when said lid is positioned over said opening of said container. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2  wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured to provide a seal between said lid and said container. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of discrete steps are integrally formed with said lid as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a level of liquid within said container. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 1  further comprising a dispensing portion extending from said flat portion, said dispensing portion configured to dispense a liquid from said container while said lid is coupled to said container. 
     
     
         8 . A lid for a container, said lid comprising:
 a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;   a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from said flat portion, said neck portion having an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of said flat portion;   an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of said neck portion, said elongated aperture configured to slidably receive and releasably secure a portion of a paint brush handle therethrough;   a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and   a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter.   
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a position of a plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said portion of said paint brush handle in relation to a level of liquid within said container. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein said portion of said paint brush handle is adjustably positioned in said elongated aperture to position a plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said paint brush handle into a liquid of said container for storage. 
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 10  wherein said paint brush handle is positioned through said elongated aperture located beneath said hollow tapered neck portion to position and immerse said plurality of paint brush bristles substantially within said liquid in said container and to store said paint brush without cleaning between a first use and a second use. 
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein at least one of said plurality of discrete steps are configured to elastically conform to a shape of an opening of a container when said lid is positioned over said opening of said container. 
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 12  wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured to provide a seal between said lid and said container. 
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 13  wherein said at least one of said plurality of discrete steps is configured provide a seal between said lid and said container so as to prevent substantial evaporation of a liquid within said container. 
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein a liquid stored within said container is selected from the group consisting of paint, varnish, paint thinner, and other liquid material subject to evaporation over time. 
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein said elongated aperture has elongated parallel sides and rounded ends sized to receive said portion of said paint brush handle therethrough and wherein said elongated aperture has a reduced wall thickness extending about a periphery of said elongated aperture. 
     
     
         18 . A lid for a container, said lid comprising:
 a flat portion configured to cover a top opening portion of said container;   a hollow tapered neck portion upwardly extending from said flat portion, said neck portion having an oblong shape in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of said flat portion, said neck portion configured to receive and accommodate a portion of a paint brush handle with a plurality of bristles extending from said handle;   an elongated aperture formed within an uppermost portion of said neck portion, said elongated aperture configured to slidably receive and releasably secure said portion of said paint brush handle therethrough, said portion of said paint brush handle being adjustably positioned through said elongated aperture to position said plurality of paint brush bristles substantially within said container for temporary storage regardless of a level of liquid in said container;   a rim portion downwardly depending from said flat portion; and   a plurality of discrete steps extending inwardly from an interior surface of said rim portion, each of said plurality of discrete steps being configured to sealingly engage at least a portion of a container opening of a different associated diameter, said plurality of discrete steps comprising a resilient and flexible material configured to elastically conform to a shape of a container opening.   
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 18  wherein said lid comprises a resilient, light transmissive material configured to provide visual indication of a position of said plurality of paint brush bristles extending from said portion of said paint brush handle in relation to said level of liquid within said container. 
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 18  wherein said plurality of discrete steps extend along an entire periphery of said interior surface of said rim portion.