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A port assembly for a paint or similar can, in which a port in the lid is fitted with a threaded collar and a threaded stopper that fits into it. The port assembly allows easy access to the contents of the can while maintaining a good seal around the rim. If the threaded stopper is transparent and c

A port assembly for a paint or similar can, in which a port in the lid is fitted with a threaded collar and a threaded stopper that fits into it. The port assembly allows easy access to the contents of the can while maintaining a good seal around the rim. If the threaded stopper is transparent and colorless, a user may view the contents of the can.

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1. A port assembly for a can with a removable lid, the port assembly adapted to allow inspection of and access to an interior of the can without removal of the lid, the port assembly comprising:a) a port in the lid; andb) a port stopper adapted to interface with the port to create a closed configura

1. A port assembly for a can with a removable lid, the port assembly adapted to allow inspection of and access to an interior of the can without removal of the lid, the port assembly comprising:a) a port in the lid; andb) a port stopper adapted to interface with the port to create a closed configuration in which contents of the can cannot escape and an open configuration that provides access to contents of the can, the port stopper having at least one portion thereof that is substantially transparent and substantially colorless to allow visual inspection of the contents of the can in the closed configuration;wherein the port comprises an opening in the lid and a port collar affixed in the opening for interfacing with the port stopper;wherein the port stopper comprises a first set of threads and the port collar comprises a second set of threads for interfacing with the first set of threads; andwherein the first set of threads is located on a bottom portion of the port stopper, the bottom portion comprising a hollow cylinder having an open end, and wherein the port collar comprises a threaded well comprising an inner tube having an outer surface, an outer tube having an inner surface, a connecting ring between the inner tube and the outer tube, and an annular region between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube, the second set of threads being located on one of the inner surface of the outer tube or the outer surface of the inner tube. 2. The port assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the port stopper has a bottom end located between about ¼ inch and about 1 inch below a lower surface of a main body portion of the lid. 3. The port assembly of claim 1 wherein the port collar is affixed to said lid at a joint. 4. The port assembly of claim 3 wherein said joint comprises a resilient material. 5. The port assembly of claim 4 wherein said resilient material is selected from the group consisting of synthetic and natural latex rubbers, neoprene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene-propylene rubbers, and silicone elastomers. 6. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the removable lid comprises a paint can lid. 7. The port assembly of claim 6, wherein the paint can lid comprises a lid adapted to fit a quart or one-gallon can. 8. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the port has a size sufficient to allow introduction of either or both of colorants and biocides into the can. 9. The port assembly of claim 1, the port stopper further comprising a lip around the hollow cylinder at an end opposite the open end. 10. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the port stopper comprises one or more means for engagement of and transfer of torque to the port stopper for unscrewing the port stopper from the port collar. 11. The port assembly of claim 10, wherein the means for engagement comprises a slot suitable for engagement by a spatulate tool. 12. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the port stopper comprises a closed top, a depression within the closed top, and a grip at least partially within the depression for manual engagement of and transfer of torque to the port stopper. 13. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent, substantially colorless portion of said port stopper is substantially coextensive with said port. 14. The port assembly of claim 1, wherein said port stopper comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate. 15. The port assembly of claim 12, wherein said depression is substantially coextensive with said port, and wherein said grip lies completely within said depression. 16. The port assembly of claim 15, wherein said grip is shaped substantially as a diametric rectangular bar.