1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements made to lids for color cans, of the type described in FR-A-2 600 975.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It is known from the prior art to provide a lid having a pouring spout for cans of base colors in agitator machines, which comprises:
at least one member for fastening on a color can; PA1 a pouring spout, the edge of the opening of which is strictly planar; PA1 an operating lever pivoted at its bottom end to the top wall of the lid and movable between a position of rest and a pulled operative position; PA1 a likewise plane slide slidable on said edge in such a manner as to close it leaktightly, and being pulled for pouring purposes by means of the operating lever, wherein the operating lever is provided on its front face, at a distance from the pouring spout, with a stop member securing said operating lever in the position of rest and bearing leaktightly against a vent opening formed in the top wall of the lid, the slide being fastened to said operating lever by a lever pivoted on the one hand at the top middle part of the slide and on the other hand to said operating lever at a distance from its pivot axis, while spring means return said slide under pressure against the opening edge of the pouring spout and return said operating lever to its position of rest, in which the opening edge of the pouring spout is closed by the slide. PA1 at least one member for fastening on a color can; PA1 a pouring spout, the edge of the opening of which is strictly planar; PA1 an operating lever pivoted at its bottom end to the top wall of the lid and movable between a position of rest and a pulled operative position; PA1 a likewise planar slide slidable on said edge in such a manner as to close it leaktightly, and being pulled for pouring purposes by means of the operating lever, the latter having on its front face, at a distance from the pouring spout, a stop member securing said operating lever in the position of rest and bearing leaktightly against a vent opening formed in the top wall of the lid, the slide being fastened to said operating lever by a lever pivoted on the one hand at the top middle part of the slide and on the other hand to said operating lever at a distance from its pivot axis, while spring means return said slide under pressure against the opening edge of the pouring spout and return said operating lever to its position of rest, in which the opening edge of the pouring spout is closed by the slide, in which lid the vent opening is provided on the inner face of the lid with a channel which leads out at a point close to the edge of the lid and substantially diametrically opposite the pouring spout.
This arrangement already enables the operating lever, in the position of rest, to close the vent opening of the color can, which thus becomes completely isolated from the outside atmosphere, and, in the operating position, to open this opening, by simultaneously pulling the pouring spout slide, thus permitting a regular flow of paint when the latter is poured out.
Nevertheless, since the vent opening is situated to the rear of the agitator axis, relative to the pouring spout, and relatively close to the axis, it is not possible to prevent paint from also flowing out of the vent opening when a full can of paint is sharply tipped, so that the lid is soiled and the regularity of flow of the poured paint is reduced.