Patent Application
20140224808
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates the storage of leftover paint and more specifically to a variable capacity container for storing paint in an air-free environment. In particular, the invention concerns an apparatus and methods for retarding oxidation of paint that only partly fills a container that is formed with a body, a lid with a filler port and a movable bottom.
In a perfect world, a painter would know exactly how much paint is needed for a specific job and the paint retailer would sell the exact needed amount. In the real scenario, the needed paint is estimated and then purchased in multiple sizes of containers, namely, quart-size, gallon-size or five-gallon size containers. Invariably there will be some leftover paint, possibly of different color and specification. This extra paint usually ends up being stored in the original paint cans and placed in on a shelf in the basement or a garage, only to be found unusable when needed for touch-ups because after some time in storage, the paint hardens, dries out or otherwise deteriorate. The degradation of the paint occurs because anytime an air-curable liquid is stored in a container where air is present, the chemical process of oxidation will cause the gradual curing and subsequent degradation of the paint or liquid. It is also a known fact that extreme heat or cold temperature hastens the degradation of paint while in storage.
The problem of stored paint degradation due to improper storage has been recognized for some time. The prior art disclose numerous devices providing a means of storing paint in an air-free environment. For example, the prior art disclose the use of a vapor barrier, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 925,447 to Gunderson. The membrane of the vapor barrier is laid on top of the paint to create a seal inside the paint can. Another device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/643,425 to Alvarez that uses a series of quart bottles to store leftover paint.
In analyzing the prior art, many shortcomings are evident in the efficacy of the methods used to store and access the leftover paint. In the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 925,447 to Gunderson, the membrane of the vapor barrier must fit perfectly along the perimeter of the container in order to create an effective seal between the paint and the surrounding air. In addition, the issue of the space management in storing partially filled cans of paint is not addressed. In the device disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/643,425 to Alvarez, the stored paint could be potentially exposed to ambient air if the bottle is not completely full. This would result in the premature degradation of the stored paint.
The current invention makes significant improvements over those disclosed in the prior art by providing an efficient and convenient way to store variable quantities of leftover paint while using one easily adjustable container. Furthermore, the removal of excess air in the container is achieved by simply adjusting the movable bottom plate and expelling the air out of the filler port located in the lid of the container. Moreover, the present invention provides a convenient way to dispense the stored paint by adjusting the movable bottom and forcing the paint to flow out of the filler port located in the lid of the container.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for retarding oxidation of paint and other liquid stored in a partly filled container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and efficient way to store variable quantities of leftover paint by using an easily adjustable variable capacity container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an easily adjustable variable capacity container that inhibits or retards the oxidation of paint or other liquids by removing the excess air in the storage container.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an easily adjustable variable capacity container that prevents stored paint from oxidizing, drying, separating and otherwise decomposing while in storage.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient and convenient means of storing left-over paint in a compact, clean and easily identifiable container.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an effective and simple means to easily view and identify the stored paint.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint storage device with an easy and efficient paint dispensing attachment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint storage device with an easy and efficient paint applicator attachment.
A further object of the invention is to provide a paint storage device that can be easily stored in a convenient, compact and temperature-controlled storage bin, thereby further increasing the shelf life of the stored paint or other liquid.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foregoing and related objects of the invention are attained by the provision for apparatus for retarding oxidation of a liquid that only partly fills a container formed with a lid with a filler port through which said liquid can be poured comprising: a container having a body with an upper section with an open end and an orifice, an attachable lid with a filler port and a removable filler cap, a flexible liner suspendable from the open end of the body so as to form a chamber within the body, a bottom section with a movable plate with means lock the bottom plate and means to move said bottom plate up and down in said body, thereby changing the volume of the container.
Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily available in said apparatus whereas moving the bottom plate up towards the upper end of said container results in expelling all excess air out of the partly filled container through the open filler port.
Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily available in said apparatus whereas moving the bottom plate up towards the upper end of said container results in the dispensing the stored paint out of the container through said removable dispensing attachment.
Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily available in said apparatus, whereas said bottom plate is adjusted up towards the upper end of said container, thereby dispensing the stored paint out of the container through said removable paint applicator attachment.
Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily available in said apparatus, whereas the movable bottom plate of said container is moved by means mediated by the expanding action of an inflatable bladder, whereby said bladder is inflated by a pump, resulting in moving the bottom plate and changing the volume of said container.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and that other forms and methods may be used to achieve the same effect for the purpose of this invention.
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A movable bottom plate 72 is provided that includes a lockable handle 74 or means to lock the movable bottom plate 72 and means to adjust said movable bottom plate up and down inside the body 80. Said movable bottom plate is guided by vertical groove 86 in the wall or sides of said body 80, keeping said bottom plate level while being pushed up and down. The movement of said movable bottom plate 72 results in changing the volume of the container. The handle 74 contains a lockable mechanism 76 or means of securing the movable bottom plate in the desired position after expelling excess air out of the container.
In use, the flexible liner 90 is inserted into the body 80 and secured by the lid 92 on orifice 90. The bottom plate 72 is moved to the lower part of the body 80, using the handle 74, thereby ensuring that flexible liner 90 is fully extended. The paint is then poured into the opening of the filler port 94, which fills the recipient formed by the flexible liner 90. The movable bottom plate 72 is then moved upwards so that the level of the paint reaches the top of the filler port 94 without overflowing, thereby expelling all excess air out of the container liner 90. The lockable handle 74 is then locked into the desired position and the filler cap 96 is closed, thereby ensuring that no paint can escape the container and no air can enter into the liner through the filler port. Using said apparatus 10 results in reduction of oxidation by storing the paint in an air-free environment.
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While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
