BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to a container for water-based paints.
II. Description of Related Art
Due to government regulations and environmental concerns, automotive paint is rapidly moving from solvent-based paint to water-based paint. Water-based paint, however, presents different storage and dispensing concerns than solvent-based paints.
There have, of course, been previously known containers for water-based paints. These containers are typically simplistic in construction and comprise a plastic container having a dispensing opening at their top. As water-based paint is dispensed from the container, air is inducted back into the interior of the container in an amount equal to the volume of the dispensed paint.
Air, however, rapidly deteriorates water-based paint. The long exposure to water-based paint will render the paint unusable. This is particularly disadvantageous for automotive paints which are typically very expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a container for water-based paints which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices.
In brief, the container of the present invention comprises a housing having an open top with a seal surface formed around the open top. The housing is preferably rectangular in shape and constructed of a plastic material. Furthermore, a vent opening is provided in the bottom of the housing.
A flexible bag is disposed in the chamber and this bag includes an open top. A seal is integrally formed around the open top of the bag and this seal abuts against a seal surface on the housing.
A lid is then attached to the housing so that the lid covers the open top of the housing and simultaneously compresses the seal against the seal surface. In doing so, the coaction between the lid, the seal and the container prevents air leakage into the interior of the flexible bag. The lid also contains a dispensing opening.
In use, paint is contained within the flexible bag within the housing. As paint is disposed through the dispensing opening, the flexible bag collapses in an amount equal to the volume of the dispensed paint. Consequently, unlike the previously known containers, air is not inducted into the interior of the container to compensate for the volume of the dispensed paint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the container 10 for water-based paint is illustrated. The container includes a housing 12, preferably made of a plastic material, and generally rectangular in shape. Finger recesses 14 are optionally formed in the housing 12 in order to facilitate handling of the container 10.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 12 includes an open top 16 which is generally rectangular in shape. An outwardly protruding flange 20 extends around substantially the entire perimeter of the open top 16 of the housing 12.
Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a flexible bag 22 is positioned within a chamber 24 formed by the housing 12. This flexible bag 22 is preferably made of a plastic material and includes a seal 26 formed entirely around an open top 28 of the bag 22. The seal 26 and bag 22 are preferably of a one-piece construction.
With reference now particularly to FIG. 3, the seal 26 is configured so that it flatly abuts against a seal surface 30 formed around the open top 16 of the housing 12. The seal surface 30, furthermore, preferably includes the outwardly facing surface of the outwardly protruding flange 20.
With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, a generally rectangular lid 40 is attached to the housing 12 so that the lid 40 covers the open top 16 of the housing as well as the open top 28 of the bag 22. The lid is preferably made of a flexible plastic material and includes an inwardly protruding tang 42 formed around its entire perimeter.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to attach the lid 40 to the housing 12, the lid 40 is pushed onto the top of the housing 12. In doing so, the outwardly protruding tang 42 initially flexes outwardly and, once the lid 40 is fully inserted onto the housing 12, the tang 42 returns to its original shape so that the tang 42 is positioned under the outwardly protruding flange 20 of the housing 12 as shown in FIG. 4. Simultaneously, the lid 40 compresses the seal 26 against the seal surface 30 of the housing 12 to hermetically seal the lid 40 to the housing 12.
With reference now particularly to FIG. 4, the container 10 is illustrated in a position for dispensing paint contained within the interior of the plastic bag 22 out through a dispensing opening 46 formed in the lid 40. The housing 12 includes a vent opening 48 which is open to the container housing 24. Thus, as paint is dispensed through the dispensing opening 46, air is inducted into the housing chamber 24 through the vent 48 which allows the flexible bag 22 to collapse. Consequently, unlike the previously known containers for water-based paint, air is not inducted back into the interior of the container during the dispensing operation but, instead, the flexible bag 22 merely collapses to compensate for the volume of the dispensed paint.
Although the vent opening 48 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being formed in the bottom of the housing 12, it may be provided anywhere in the housing 12. For example, one or more vent openings may be provided in the sides of the housing 12.
A cap 50, illustrated in FIG. 4 as a dispenser, closes the dispensing opening 46 when dispensing of paint is not required.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a simple, yet highly effective, container for a water-based paint. Having described our invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20110168717
