A new one-step paint can sealer born as a class project at the University of North Dakota is now commercially available through Progressive Paint Solutions Inc. of Hendersonville, TN.

Mike Lupelow developed his One-Punch & No-Mess Paint Can Sealer as a class assignment that challenged the students to invent a marketable product.

Photos: Progressive Paint Solutions Inc.

UND student Mike Lupelow invented his can sealer after working in a hardware store for five years and seeing the full range variety of can-closing mishaps.

After years of working in a hardware store, Lupelow says, he had seen way too many freshly mixed cans of paint either come open in a customer's car or become damaged by heavy hammering.

The patent-pending product was eventually picked up by UND's Office of Intellectual Property Commercialization & Economic Development.

The sealer is a cone-shaped piece that fits on top of gallon and quart-size paint cans. One hit from a hammer or mallet applies equal force around the lid's circumference, sealing it completely, Lupelow says in a product video.

The sealer doubles as storage for can opening keys.

The sealer is designed to close gallon- and quart-size cans in one blow and doubles as storage for can opening keys.

The product can be ordered online for now, and the company is hoping to make it a common sight at paint retailers. About 27,000 retail distributors sell 100 million cans of paint each year, the company says.

More information: www.paintcansealer.com.