The present invention is a novel container that includes an applicator shelf. The container is practical for use with any fluids that might by applied by roller, including, for example, paints, stains, water repellants, adhesives, or sizing. The shelf allows for distribution of a fluid that could be contained in the base member onto an applicator. The shelf additionally provides for drainage of excess fluid from the applicator and from the shelf itself. The container also includes a lid, which is locked onto the base member of the container during initial transportation and storage of the container. Additives, such as colorants, catalysts, biocides, or other materials, could be added by removing the lid, adding the desired additive, and then resealing the lid, or they could be added into the container through a resealable additive hole, such as an additive hole that contains a plug, that can be incorporated into the topside of the lid. If a resealable additive hole is incorporated into the lid, it is not necessary to disengage the lid from the base member to incorporate the additive. Thus, the lid could remain locked onto the base member to prevent accidental removal of the lid. The lid is removable by the consumer such as by disengagement of a tear-off strip. The tear-off strip serves as one locking mechanism by which the lid is engaged onto the base member. Even after the tear-off strip is removed, a second locking mechanism can serve to engage the lid onto the base member so that any materials remaining in the container can be stored in the container until needed. The container also includes a handle, such as a wire bail or plastic handle, for easy transport. One useful application of the container is for containing coatings such as paints or stains.
Because the shelf of the present invention is contained entirely within the base member, one problem that is typically encountered with conventional roller trays is resolved; namely, an instance where paint or other material must be poured from its container into a well of a conventional roller tray, thereby creating unwanted mess and waste. The container also reduces the mess and waste at the end of a job where paint or other material remains in the well of the conventional roller tray. Since the base member of the present invention itself contains the paint or other material and a shelf to be used for a particular project, it is also unnecessary for a consumer to purchase a separate roller tray.
The present invention is directed to a container. One object of the present invention is to provide a container to store, provide access to, and dispense liquids. In one embodiment, the container includes a base member, and the base member further includes a well that comprises a floor and a back wall, a first sidewall, a front wall and a second sidewall. The container of this embodiment includes a lid and also includes a shelf that is housed within the base member.
The shelf of this embodiment includes a top surface, and an underside also includes and at least one hole through the shelf. In an alternative embodiment, the shelf can be constructed with a continuous surface without any holes therethrough. The shelf is adapted to receive an applicator, such as a paint roller. The shelf may include at least one hole, and alternatively a plurality of holes, to provide for drainage of excess fluid from the application. In this embodiment, the shelf may also include one or more ribs to assist in the dispersion of the fluid onto the applicator.
The shelf of this embodiment includes a novel integrated pouring spout. Through use of the spout, the user may transfer fluid that is contained in the base member into a separate container cleanly and easily. In one embodiment the pouring spout is an upward projection including at least one sidewall. In an alternative embodiment, the pouring spout is an upward projection including at least two adjacent sidewalls.
In one embodiment, the lid includes an opening therethrough. The opening can include a removable plug that is affixed into the opening. The plug may, for example, be removed in order to introduce an additive to the fluid contained in the container without removing the lid, and is used to reseal the additive hole.
In an alternative embodiment, the container also includes a handle.
Another embodiment of this invention provides for a shelf that can be used as an applicator surface to assist in the distribution of a fluid onto an applicator. One such applicator that can be used in accordance with this embodiment is a paint roller. The shelf is positioned within a container to allow for drainage of excess fluid into the container. In one embodiment, the shelf includes an integrated pouring spout. The pouring spout can be an upward projection, and includes at least one sidewall.
Yet another embodiment of this invention provides for a process of mixing an additive into a fluid contained in a container. The process of this embodiment includes providing a container, where the container further includes a fluid and a shelf suspended over a portion of the fluid; providing a lid that is affixed onto the container, where the lid includes a lid opening that houses a resealable plug; adding an additive to the container through the lid opening; and affixing the plug into the lid opening. The process of this embodiment also includes agitating the container.
Another embodiment of this invention provides for a process of mixing a colorant in a container. The process of this embodiment includes providing a container; providing a lid that is affixed onto the container, where the lid includes a lid opening that houses a resealable plug; adding colorant to the container through the lid opening; and affixing the plug into the lid opening. The container further includes paint and a paint roller shelf that is suspended over at least a portion of the paint. The process of this embodiment also includes agitating the container.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides for a process of applying paint to a roller. The process of this embodiment includes providing a container with an opening into a fluid storage area; and providing a shelf suspended over the fluid storage area. The shelf of this embodiment includes an integrated pouring spout.
Another embodiment of this invention provides for an adapter to be used during agitation of the container. The adapter is placed on the surface of a lid of a container and bears the force of a pressure plate of a mixer. The adapter is designed to receive downward force from the pressure plate and apply that force evenly and uniformly on the container lid to keep the lid in place during agitation.
It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of elements (e.g., boxes or groups of boxes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element.
Further, in the accompanying drawings and description that follow, like parts are indicated throughout the drawings and description with the same reference numerals, respectively. The figures are not drawn to scale and the proportions of certain parts may have been exaggerated for convenience of illustration.
a illustrates the lid tab and tear-off strip, with the tear-off attached to the lid.
a is a perspective view of a bail hole and bail groove into which a handle can be inserted.
a is a cross-sectional view of the lid as engaged onto the base member, proximal to the lid tab.
b is a cross-sectional view of the lid as engaged onto the base member, proximal to a lower ring.
a is a perspective view of a bail handle as inserted into the bail hole and engaged with the bail groove.
a is a bottom view of the insert.
b is a front view of the insert.
c is a side view of the insert.
It should be noted that in the detailed description that follows, identical components have the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that in order to clearly and concisely disclose the present invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” mean±10%.
As used herein the term “paint container” shall representatively describe the container as described. However, it should be appreciated that the container can house any variety of fluids, including but not limited to paints, stains, water repellants, adhesives, or sizing.
In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to an inclusive delivery system that provides a user with a fluid, a integrated shelf, and a lid in an easy-to-transport, easy-to-use, and easy-to-access container. In another useful embodiment, the delivery system contains paint and the shelf acts as a roller tray that provides for easy drainage and removal of excess paint into the reservoir of the container.
Referring first to
The base member acts as a reservoir from which paint is collected by a roller, and into which surplus paint drains through holes 21 in the shelf. The holes in the shelf not only provide for drainage of excess paint, but the holes also allow for ample color dispersion after colorant is introduced into the container and the container is placed into a paint shaker. In this way, the subject paint container can be sold with paint, which can later be colored based on user specifications. A lid is placed onto the base member and “locked” to ensure that it does not dislodge during shaking, and the lid is not required to be removed in order to introduce a colorant due to the presence of an additive hole through which a colorant is added. Thus, a paint container system is provided.
As best shown in
Though the base member can be of any shape, in one useful embodiment, the base member is generally non-cylindrical. Although shown herein as having a generally rectangular footprint, the container, e.g., base member, and lid, may have other shapes. For example, the container could be any non-cylindrical shape. Likewise, the container can be any cylindrical shape, such as generally round or elliptical. In a case where the container is a cylindrical shape, the base member may have only one continuous, e.g., circumferential, sidewall rather than the more than one sidewall as illustrated herein.
The base member can be tapered slightly from top to bottom, thereby more easily allowing nesting of multiple base members during storage and warehousing prior to assembly of the lid and shelf therein. Additionally, the tapering of the base member provides a smaller footprint for the container, allowing one filled and lidded container to be stacked upon one another, while being nested within the lid of the container beneath it, such as in a store display. In this manner, stacked containers are less likely to slide off or be pushed off of one another during storage.
In one embodiment, the bottom of the base member measures a width of about 10.91 inches. The width of the top of the base member is about 12.75 inches, from side wall to side wall. A handle 48 is pivotally mounted to ears 13 that appear on the sidewalls 7. In this embodiment, the width of the base member as measured from one ear to the opposing ear is about 13.09 inches, and the length of the base member, from the front wall to the back wall is about 11.10 inches, as measured from the bottom of front wall to the bottom of the back wall. However, the length of the base member, as measured from the lip of the base member to the back wall of the base member is about 13.26 inches due to the outwardly rounded lip of this embodiment. A lid 40 (see
The central portion of the floor 3 of the base member is sloped slightly downward toward the front wall 17 of the base member. The slope of the central portion of the floor is greater than 90° but less than 180° relative to the x-axis. This slope directs the paint or other liquid toward the front of the base member where an access opening 31 is provided (see
In an alternative embodiment, the bottom surface of the side edges of the floor may include anti-skid ribs or grips, or other material that produces friction between the underside of the side edges and the surface upon which the container is placed. In yet another embodiment, the underside of the base member may, include casters or other mechanisms that allow the base member to be easily rolled, slid, or otherwise moved from area to area. Such a feature is particularly useful when the user wishes to transport the container from one area of a room or home without lifting the container while the container fully or partially contains a paint or other composition.
In one embodiment, the underside of the base member includes a recessed finger grip 5. As best shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the base member may include a recessed tipping finger grip that is located along the lower portion of the back wall. Again, the finger grip of this embodiment provides an easy means for the user to tilt the container if the user chooses to direct fluid toward the front of the base member for easier access to the fluid by an applicator, such as a paint roller, or if the user wishes to pour the fluid from the front or front corners of the container. In one useful embodiment, a spout is formed one the wall of the base member that is opposite to the finger grip.
The recess that forms the finger grip 5 may be formed at various depths, such as to accommodate a user's fingertips or a greater portion of the user's fingers. For example, in an instance where the finger grip may be formed along the back wall of the base member, it may be desirable to have a finger grip that is deeper, in order to accommodate a larger area of the user's fingers, such as up to a user's knuckles. However, if the finger grip is placed proximate to the area of the base member to which paint is directed, it may be more desirable to have a shallow recess, such as to accommodate a user's fingertips, so that paint may easily flow toward that end of the base member without being interrupted by an intrusive finger grip.
As shown in
As seen in
In one embodiment, the upper periphery of the base member also includes a lower ring 12. The lower ring 12 abuts the bottom edge of the lid sidewall 47 when the lid is engaged onto the base member (see
The lower ring is present around substantially the entire periphery of the base member (as seen in
As also best shown in
In addition to the shelf retention tabs, one embodiment of the subject invention includes at least one shelf retention segment. As shown in
Though the height of the base member may be equal with respect to each wall of the base member, in one useful embodiment, the top edge of the base member slopes downward as it approaches the front wall of the base member. This can be seen in
A coating composition, such as paint, may be deposited into the container prior to engaging and locking the lid 40 onto the base member. In one useful embodiment, the container is sold with the paint, coating composition, or other desired fluid product already in the container.
A handle, such as a wire bail handle 48, may be attached to the sidewalls 7 of the container through two ears 13 that appear on the sidewalls. As shown in
The wire bail handle includes a free-moving molded plastic contoured grip 49 (
As best seen in
As shown in
In one embodiment, the shelf may include raised ribs 22 that appear in an inverted “v” design, as viewed from the front of the container. The inverted “v” design guides excess paint from the center of the shelf toward a gutter 23, which is located along at least one side of the face of the shelf The raised ribs may be placed in a parallel configuration. It is to be appreciated that the raised ribs may be placed in any number of configurations, included but not limited to inverted “v” design ribs or latitudinally parallel ribs. If holes are provided in the roller shelf, the holes 21 may be placed between raised ribs 22. The ribs of one useful embodiment measure about 0.075 inches in height. In one embodiment, the shelf includes at least one gutter 23 on the face of the shelf. The shelf includes two opposing gutters along each side of the face of the shelf, adjacent to the side lips 28 of the shelf and parallel to the side walls of the base member, as depicted in
In one embodiment, the shelf may also include a back channel 26 that is positioned near the back edge of the face of the shelf. The back channel 26 functions to grip the fluid applicator, such as a roller or pad, during use as the applicator is pulled toward the front of the container.
In one embodiment, the shelf is about 11.75 inches wide as measured from side lip to side lip 28. The length of the shelf is about 7.55 inches as measured from front lip to back lip. However, the dimensions of the shelf may be varied, depending upon the size of the base member. For example, a wider base member may require a wider shelf.
In one embodiment, the shelf is wide enough to accommodate a standard size roller. It is to be appreciated, however, that the width of the shelf may be as wide as any base member will accommodate. In one embodiment, the width of the area on the shelf upon which the raised ribs 22 appear is generally not appreciably less than the width of a roller that may be used in combination with the container, such as a standard size roller, thereby ensuring that the entire width of a paint roller pad will come in contact with the raised ribs, however, raised ribs may be present on the roller shelf in any length, width or configuration.
The shelf of one embodiment is long enough to allow a standard roller to make at least one full revolution, thereby coating substantially the entire surface of roller pad with paint with as little as one rolling pass. In one useful embodiment, the shelf is also short enough to allow sufficient clearance between the front edge 25 of the shelf and the front wall 17 and lip 17a of the base member. Such clearance will ensure that there is an adequate access opening 31 for a user to insert a fluid applicator, such as a brush, pad or roller, into the fluid that is contained within the base member.
As shown in
The shelf may be either permanently or removably affixed within the base member. The shelf may be placed onto the recessed area of the base member and is therefore suspended in the container generally above the fluid contained in the container. In one embodiment, the shelf is permanently affixed to the base member, such as by gluing, welding, or otherwise fastening, the shelf to the base member. In another useful embodiment, the shelf is removably affixed to the base member. As seen in
It may also be useful if the shelf is, at least in part, above a level of the fluid contained within the base member. In one embodiment, the entire shelf and level of the liquid fill are dimensioned so that at rest on a level surface, the liquid level is below the lowest portion of the shelf.
When the liquid contained in the base member is not at a level that is below the shelf, it is difficult to provide for additive to access the fluid contents that are just beneath the shelf. For example, when the shelf is constructed without any holes to allow for dispersion of an additive through the holes and into fluid contained beneath the roller shelf, and the fluid level is at or above the lowest point of the shelf, it is possible that any additive that is provided into the container will access only that fluid that is at or above the lowest point of the shelf, and that additive will not be able to reach any fluid that is beneath the shelf. This may be particularly true when, for example, the shelf is constructed with a front lip that would necessarily prevent additive from reaching fluid that is beneath the roller shelf. In order to remedy this potential issue, it may be desirable to provide for a shelf cutout 69 in the front lip of the shelf. One embodiment of a shelf cutout is depicted in
As best depicted in
As best seen in
In one embodiment, the pour spout includes four (4) adjacent side walls that form an enclosed structure through which fluid is transferred. In this embodiment, the pour spout height is about 1.07 inches as measured from the bottom edge of the back lip to the top edge of spout. The width of the spout is about 1.65 inches
When the job has been completed, the base member may be resealed with the lid without removing the shelf. Because each container is sold with a shelf, it is unnecessary for a consumer to purchase, tray, such as a paint tray. Moreover, because the shelf is housed completely within the base member it is unnecessary for the consumer to remove the shelf for separate storage.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the base member acts as a reservoir from which fluid can be applied to an applicator, such as for example a brush, pad or roller, and into which surplus fluid drains from or through the shelf.
A lid is provided with the container to cover the base member before, between, and after usage. To achieve a tight seal, the perimeter of the underside of the lid is fitted with a gasket. As best seen in
In one embodiment, the underside of the lid, as shown in
The lid can include a tear-off strip 42 (see
Adjacent to the tear-off strip is a lid tab 51 that the user pulls upward to disengage the lid after the tear strip has been removed (See
Generally, there are two levels of parallel protruding rims on the inner perimeter of the lid side wall 47; each level of rims appears on substantially the entire periphery of the underside of the lid (see
The lower level protruding rim 43 of the lid “locks” onto the middle ring 11 of the outside top edge of the base member, and the upper protruding rim 44 “locks” onto the upper ring 10 of the outside top edge of the base member when the lid is engaged onto the base member. This locking mechanism is best illustrated in
When the tear-off strip of the lid is removed, the lower protruding rim 43 is removed along with it. Despite the removal of the tear-off strip by the consumer, the upper protruding rim will continue to operate to lock under the upper ring to hold the lid in place on the base member if and when the user wishes to replace the lid onto the base member during the course of or at the conclusion of a work project.
In one embodiment the upper surface of the lid includes a raised flange that is located along a portion of periphery of the topside of the lid. As shown in
In one embodiment, the upper surface of the lid is a generally flat surface, with a slight downward slope toward the front of the lid, generally where an additive hole could be housed. Generally, however, the lid is contoured to complement the shape of the top edge of the base member.
Advantages of a downward sloping lid design include those advantages that are attained from a downward sloping top surface of the base member, namely, the slope provides for easier removal of multiple stacked containers by making it easier to slide containers off of one another; the slope allows for a space between the lid of one container and the bottom of the container that is stacked upon it, which thereby allows to the finger grip on the underside of the base member; and the slope results in a reduction in headspace.
Due to the downward slope on the topside of the lid, it may be advantageous for the underside of the lid to have a stacking lug 57, as seen in
In one embodiment, the container may include an additive hole 50 (see
Several types of paint mixers and shakers may be used in accordance with this invention. One such shaker or mixing apparatus that may be used in accordance with the present invention is the 5990 multi-size platform shaker that is manufactured and sold by Red Devil Equipment Company. Other shakers that may be used include the Harbil® 5G HD Case Mixer manufactured by Fluid Management, Inc., the MegaMix 40/20 shaker sold by Highland Laboratories Inc., and case mixers manufactured by National Paint Equipment.
When shaking the container within certain mixers and shakers, it is advantageous to provide sufficient agitation to promote good pigment or additive dispersion. However, sufficient agitation may be more difficult to achieve with certain shakers due to the manner in which the container is agitated within the shaker. For example, when agitating the container in the Harbil® 5G HD Case Mixer, the container is generally held in place during mixing by a pressure plate that applies downward force on the lid of the container, thereby retaining the container in a fixed position during shaking. However, unlike some containers that have a relatively flat lid and top surface upon which the pressure plate can exert even pressure and force, the shape and contour of the lid and receiving base member of certain containers may prevent exertion of even force throughout the surface area of the lid. Thus, it is desirable to provide an insert or adapter for use with the container so that the pressure plate of a mixer can exert even pressure and force on the substantially the entire surface of the lid despite the unique shape of the lid. For example, the unique shape of one embodiment of the subject container and lid provide for a downward slope at some point on the lid and base member, such as for example, a downward slope toward the front of the lid and base member. The downward slope may not allow for the pressure plate of the case mixer to come in even contact with the lid surface such that sufficient pressure and force and applied throughout the surface area of the lid, therefore allowing an area of the lid that is not subject to downward force, and which is thereby susceptible to delatching during agitation (see
In order to alleviate this potential concern, it is desirable to provide for an insert 63 or adapter to be placed on the top of the lid and for the insert to be molded to fit the shape and contour of the lid on one side of the insert, while maintaining a flat surface on the opposite side of the insert, for example, the side that comes into contact with the pressure plate of the case mixer, so that it can receive even pressure and force from the pressure plate of the mixer (see
The insert is molded from any conventional thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyethylene copolymers. In one useful embodiment, the insert is constructed from polyethylene.
In one embodiment, the insert includes two opposing faces. The first face (as shown in
In one embodiment, the insert can also be provided with one or more wings 64. The wings are a lateral extension of the insert. If the lid in connection with which the insert is used is a downward sloping lid, it may be useful to employ wings that project over the downward-sloping peripheral edges of the lid so that application of the pressure plate will maintain even force and pressure on substantially the entire surface area of the lid (see
In one embodiment, the insert is placed into the containment area that is surrounded by the flanges on the container lid. The back and side flanges on the lid act as a guide to insure that the insert is nested within the containment area and to prevent the insert from being placed incorrectly. When it is nested, the insert is at least flush with the flanges appearing on the lid. In another embodiment, the insert is slightly higher (or taller) than the tallest flange or other highest (tallest) point of the container lid, so that the pressure plate on the shaker will make contact with the insert itself and not with the container lid or flanges (see
It may also be useful to include at least one finger hole 66 in the insert so that it can easily be accessed for insertion or removal from the containment area. Moreover, if it is desired that a label or other type of marking appear on the lid surface, it may be useful to provide a cut-out 67, or vacant space, in the insert so that the portion of the insert that overlaps with such marking will not come into contact with the label or marking and does not comprise the quality or integrity of the marking, such as may occur during periods of agitation due to the friction resulting from the insert on the lid surface (see
The characteristics of the insert may be varied according to the actual dimensions of the lid. In any event, it is useful to provide an insert that comes into contact with a pressure plate of a mixer, either in addition to or in lieu of the lid making contact with the pressure plate, and can be removed after agitation of the container.
The container disclosed herein may be modified to include additional features. It may be desirable, for example to attach a power roller or sprayer to the container through the hole in the lid that otherwise houses an additive hole. Such modifications may also include the adaptation of a valve or other lid design that would allow for direct connection of spray equipment to the container.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/573,175, filed May 21, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,876, filed Sep. 28, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,220, filed Sep. 29, 2004, of which the entirety of each application is hereby incorporated by reference.
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