Ergonomic tint plug

Abstract

A tint plug made of resilient plastic (such as LDPE) fits sealingly into an aperture in the deck of a plastic closure for a paint container. The plug has a recessed or concave upper surface spanned by a cross bar handle having a smoothly curved lower surface which one contacts with the fingers to remove the plug. Optional resilient legs allow the handle to raise slightly from the plug body when pulled.

1 . A tint plug for use in the removable closure of a paint container wherein said closure is of the type having an aperture of regular shape formed therein, said plug comprising: 
 a plastic body shaped and sized to sealingly snap fit into the closure aperture, said body having a recessed upper surface within a generally planar perimeter; and    a lifting member extending diametrically across and in upwardly spaced relationship to the recessed surface and having ends integrally joined to the plug body.    
   
   
       2 . A tint plug as defined in  claim 1  wherein the lifting member has a concave cross section to provide a smoothly curved bottom contact surface for ergonomic manual contact when lifting the plug out of the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . A tint plug as defined in  claim 1  wherein the lifting member comprises resiliently stretchable leg portions adjacent the points of integral joining with said plug body perimeter.  
   
   
       4 . A tint plug as defined in  claim 1  further including a circular flange and undercut formed on the side of the plug for snap fit into the closure aperture.  
   
   
       5 . A tint plug as defined in  claim 1  wherein the aperture is circular.  
   
   
       6 . In combination: 
 a closure having a deck and a perimeter for attachment to a container, an aperture being formed in the deck;    a tint plug for sealing attachment to the closure, the tint plug comprising a plastic body shaped and sized to snap fit into the aperture, the body having a recessed upper surface within a generally circular perimeter; and    a lifting member extending across the recessed surface and in upwardly spaced relation thereto.    
   
   
       7 . The combination defined in  claim 6  wherein the upper surface is concave.