Lid retention device

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a cover of a paint container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a top, a base, and an intermediate member. The top is configured to engage the cover from a first side. The base is configured to engage the receptacle from a second side that is generally opposite the first side. The intermediate member is coupled to the top and to the base and is configured to maintain the spatial relationship of the top and the base when the top and the base are engaged with the container. The maintenance of the spatial relationship between the top and the base by the intermediate member when the top and the base are engaged with the container stops the cover from moving away from the receptacle during the shaking process.

1 . An apparatus for holding a cover of a paint container to a receptacle of the paint container during the process of shaking the paint container, the cover being removable from the receptacle in a first direction, the apparatus comprising: 
 a top configured to engage the cover from a first side;    a base configured to engage the receptacle from a second side, the second side being generally opposite the first side; and    an intermediate member coupled to the top and to the base and configured to maintain the spatial relationship of the top and the base when the top and the base are engaged with the container;    wherein the maintenance of the spatial relationship between the top and the base by the intermediate member when the top and the base are engaged with the container stops the cover from moving in the first direction during the shaking process.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member is resilient.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top is a ring having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the cover.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one of a tapered portion and a snap portion.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the intermediate member and the base is greater than 90 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the intermediate member and the base is approximately 90 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member is configured to adjoin the receptacle when the top and the base are engaged with the container.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a raised region and wherein the top is configured to engage the upper surface of the raised region.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate member urges the top and the base toward one another.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is a holder.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top, the intermediate member, and the base are configured to fit within a holder configured to hold the paint container during the shaking process.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for coupling to a base for holding a paint container during a shaking process, the base configured to prevent the movement of the paint container in at least a first direction, the paint container including a receptacle for storing the paint and a removable cover for covering the receptacle, the cover being removable from the receptacle in a second direction generally opposite the first direction, the apparatus comprising: 
 a top configured to engage the cover from the second direction;    an intermediate portion coupled to the top and configured to be coupled to the base, the intermediate portion being configured to restrain the movement of the top in the second direction when the intermediate portion is coupled to the base;    wherein the restrained movement of the top when the intermediate portion is coupled to the base substantially stops the cover from moving in the second direction during the shaking process.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate member comprises a bracket and a latch assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the top is pivotably coupled to the bracket and wherein the top pivots between a closed position and an open position.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the latch assembly releasably locks the top in the closed position.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the top is biased toward the open position.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the top comprises a ring configured to engage a recess extending around the periphery of the cover.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate member is a resilient member.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient member extends over the top to form a handle.  
   
   
       20 . A device for retaining the cover of a container in a fully closed position while the container is being shaken, the device comprising: 
 a base portion configured to be coupled to a first portion of the container;    a top portion oriented generally parallel to the base portion and configured to be coupled to a second portion of the container, the top portion being spaced apart from the base portion by a distance that corresponds to the distance between the first portion of the container and the second portion of the container when the cover is in a fully closed position; and    an intermediate portion coupled between the base portion and the top portion;    wherein the intermediate portion is configured to maintain the spatial relationship and the relative orientations of the base portion and the top portion when the base portion and the top portion are coupled to the container to stop the cover from moving out of the fully closed position while the container is being shaken.