The present invention generally relates to paint cans and containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reusable paint container for storing, mixing and dispensing paint products.
Often, when painting the interior or exterior of a house, a person may use multiple colors including different colors for each room and different colors for wood trimmings around doorways, windows and on molding. Upon completion of painting a room or area within the interior or on the exterior of a house or building with a particular color, the person is typically left with at least one partially filled can of left over paint. Typically, persons with such left over paint, reseal the partially used paint container and store the left over paint in this container. Alternatively, the user may transfer the paint to another container for storage.
Often these partially used cans of paint are stored on the floor or on shelves in basements, garages, closets and cabinets. They may often also be stacked. One problem which exists with this manner of storage is convenience and maneuverability. Unsightly partially filled paint cans can clutter up valuable storage space. Moreover, if stacked, it is often difficult and/or time consuming to move every can in order to find a particular color of paint and then restack the remaining partially filled cans. Additionally, if the user needs to use some of the left over paint, the paint must be transferred to a different container and manually mixed before the paint is ready for use.
Another problem which exists with stored partially used cans of paint is that it is difficult to reseal the lid on the paint can properly. This can potentially lead to hazards such as the leakage of fumes through an improperly sealed lid and flammability when an improperly sealed can is stored in an area such as the garage, near a heater. Further, poorly sealed paint cans will also leak or spill paint when knocked over.
A mountable reusable paint container is configured for mounting on a wall and includes one or more separate storage compartments formed in a downward sloping configuration with each compartment having a spigot coupled at the base for dispensing the stored paint product. The paint container further includes molded air tight lids configured for fitting over each of the compartments. Each of the paint containers preferably have a stirring mechanism formed within the lid which extends into the paint container when the lid is positioned over the paint container. The stirring device extends downward into the reusable paint container and includes a top handle portion, a threaded distance rod and a bottom fin portion. The bottom fin portion includes a plurality of small evenly spaced fins formed of plastic which rotate with the stirring device in the paint container when the top handle portion is manually activated.
In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for holding paint includes one or more paint storage compartments for storing paint having a front, a back, a first side, a second side and a base, a frame configured for holding the paint storage compartments and means for dispensing removeably coupled to the paint storage compartment for dispensing paint from the paint storage compartments. The frame is configured for holding a plurality of paint storage compartments. The means for dispensing paint includes a spigot assembly. The frame includes mounting slots in the back for mounting the frame on a wall. The apparatus for holding paint further includes a lid for selectively covering the paint storage compartment and means for stirring removeably coupled to the lid for stirring the paint stored in the paint storage compartment when the airtight lid is covering the paint storage compartment. The means for stirring further includes a circular base having a central axis, wherein the circular base is configured for rotating about the central axis, a rod coupled to the circular base at the central axis such that the rod spins when the circular base is rotated about the central axis and a stirring fan apparatus removeably coupled to the rod and having a plurality of fins which extend outwardly from the stirring fan apparatus and rotate about the central axis when the circular base is rotated for stirring the paint contained within the paint storage compartment.
In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for storing paint includes a paint storage compartment for storing paint having a front, a back, a first side, a second side and a base, a frame configured for holding the paint storage compartment, a lid for covering the paint storage compartment and a stirring assembly removeably coupled to the lid for stirring the paint stored in the paint storage compartment when the lid is covering the paint storage compartment. The frame is configured for holding a plurality of paint storage compartments. The frame includes mounting slots in the back for mounting the frame on a wall. The stirring assembly includes a circular base configured for rotating about a central axis, a rod coupled to the circular base at the central axis such that the rod spins when the circular base is rotated about the central axis and a stirring fan apparatus removeably coupled to the rod for stirring paint contained within the paint storage compartment, wherein the stirring fan apparatus includes a plurality of fins which extend outwardly from the stirring fan apparatus and rotate about the central axis when the circular base is rotated.
In yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for storing paint includes a paint storage compartment for storing paint having a front, a back, a first side, a second side and a base, a frame configured for holding the paint storage compartment, a dispensing mechanism removeably coupled to the paint storage compartment for dispensing paint from the paint storage compartment, a lid for covering the paint storage compartment and a stirring assembly removeably coupled to the lid for stirring the paint stored in the paint storage compartment. The frame is further configured for holding a plurality of paint storage compartments. The dispensing mechanism preferably includes a spigot assembly. The frame includes mounting slots for mounting the frame on a wall. The stirring assembly includes a circular base configured for rotating about a central axis, a rod coupled to the circular base at the central axis such that the rod spins when the circular base is rotated about the central axis and a stirring fan apparatus removeably coupled to the rod and having a plurality of fins which extend outwardly from the stirring fan apparatus and rotate about the central axis when the circular base is rotated.
In still another aspect of the invention, a reusable paint container includes a paint compartment for storing paint, a body configured for holding the paint compartment having a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a lid removeably coupled to the paint compartment having an outer side, an inner opposite side and a small aperture located through the airtight lid from the outer side to the inner opposite side, a stirring mechanism removeably coupled to the outer side of the lid having an integrally formed rod located at a central axis of the stirring mechanism, wherein the rod is positioned through the small aperture in the lid to extend into the paint compartment when the lid is positioned over the paint compartment and a fan apparatus removeably coupled to the rod of the stirring mechanism on the inner opposite side of the lid. The body includes a plurality of mounting slots located on the back for mounting the main body to a wall. The stirring mechanism includes a handle for rotating the stirring mechanism about the central axis, thereby causing the fan apparatus to spin. An interior of the paint compartment has a sloped area and a reservoir area. The reservoir area includes a centrally located circular depression having a small hole located in the center of the circular depression, wherein the small hole is configured for coupling a spigot assembly to the paint compartment. The first side of the body includes rounded ribs and the second side of the body includes rounded channels such that multiple reusable paint containers can be connected together by coupling the rounded ribs to the rounded channels.
In still yet another aspect of the invention, a reusable paint container includes a body configured for holding paint within one or more integral paint compartments each having a front, a back, a first side and a second side, a lid removeably coupled to the paint compartments having an outer side, an inner opposite side and a small aperture located through the airtight lid from the outer side to the inner opposite side, a stirring mechanism removeably coupled to the outer side of the lid having an integrally formed rod located at a central axis of the stirring mechanism, wherein the rod is positioned through the small aperture in the lid to extend into a corresponding paint compartment when the lid is positioned over the corresponding paint compartment and a fan apparatus removeably coupled to the rod of the stirring mechanism on the inner opposite side of the lid. Within this embodiment, the paint compartments are single walled. The body includes a plurality of mounting slots located on the back for mounting the main body to a wall. The stirring mechanism includes a handle for rotating the stirring mechanism about the central axis, thereby causing the fan apparatus to spin. An interior of the paint compartments has a sloped area and a reservoir area. The reservoir area includes a centrally located circular depression having a small hole located in the center of the circular depression, wherein the small hole is configured for coupling a spigot assembly to the paint compartment. The first side of the body includes rounded ribs and the second side of the body includes rounded channels such that multiple reusable paint containers can be connected together by coupling the rounded ribs to the rounded channels.
a illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a central circular depression in a single compartment of the reusable paint container of the present invention.
The mountable reusable paint container of the present invention is configured for mounting on a wall and includes one or more separate paint storage compartments which are easily removed for cleaning or replacement. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mountable reusable paint container includes three separate, removable paint storage compartments. Each of the paint storage compartments are preferably configured for attaching a spigot assembly through which the paint is dispensed from the container. Each of the paint storage compartments also includes an air tight lid with a built-in stirring assembly which can be manually operated to stir or mix the paint without removing the paint from the storage compartment.
A back side 13 of the main body 10 preferably includes three small circular shaped mounting slots 14 designed to slide over any mounting device such as a nail, hook or screw, for mounting the reusable paint container on the wall. Use of similar mounting slots for hanging paintings, pictures, wall speakers, candlestick holders and the like are well known in the art. Preferably, the mounting slots 14 are formed on the outside of the paint container and do not intrude into the interior of the paint container. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, elongated support flanges 16 are further included to provide additional mounting support. Each elongated flange 16 has a number of holes 17 which align with the circular mounting slots 14. The flange may vary in length depending upon the height at which the main body 10 is to be mounted and the amount of support desired. This flange 16 is mounted to the wall and then used in conjunction with the mounting slots 14 to support the paint container in a mounted position.
The first side 18 of the main body 10 is preferably configured with a pair of thin rounded ribs 21 which extend along the height of the first side 18. It should be understood, that alternatively more than two ribs may be provided in alternate embodiments of the paint container of the present invention. The second side 19 of the main body 10 is preferably formed with a pair of thin rounded channels 22 which extend along the height of the second side 19 to correspond to the position of the pair of ribs 21. Once again, the number of channels may vary in alternate embodiments. The rounded ribs 21 are configured for mating with the rounded channels 22 such that multiple reusable paint containers may be mountably coupled to each other for mounting several paint containers together.
As previously described, the main body 10 of the reusable paint container is preferably designed for holding three separate paint storage containers. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the main body 10 may have alternative configurations for holding more or less paint storage containers, as desired.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stirring fan apparatus includes three perforated fins 160 which are each coupled to the rod 157 at a second, opposite end 161 Each fin 160 is preferably separated by 120 degrees and is formed in the shape of a triangle. The perforated fins 160 extend outward from the rod 157 at a distance to fit within the circular depression 54 of the paint storage container 48. It is understood that in alternate embodiments, the stirring fan apparatus 156 may include more than three fins, with each fin being evenly spaced apart about the circumference of the rod 157. It is further understood that in alternate embodiments, the perforated fins may have alternate geometric shapes.
As described in the preferred embodiment, the base 15 (
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
As described earlier, the reusable paint container of the present invention preferably includes three separate compartments 25, 26 and 27, each for holding a paint storage container 48, with each paint storage container 48 configured for attaching a spigot assembly through which the paint stored within the paint storage container 48 is dispensed.
To assemble the spigot assembly 100 to the paint storage container 48, the bottom screw device 112 is first threaded onto the threaded portion 116. The rubber sealing washer 113 is then positioned over the bottom screw device 112. The threaded portion 116 is then positioned through the hole 55 in the paint storage container 48. Next, the rubber sealing washer 111 is positioned over the threaded portion 116 against the edge of the paint storage container 48. The top screw device 110 is then threaded onto the threaded portion 116. The top screw device 110 and the bottom screw device 112 are then tightened against the interior and the exterior, respectively, of the paint storage container 48 with the tightening wings 115 fitting into the locking slots 117. The spigot body 114 includes an aperture 120 and an interior through which the paint flows. The spigot body 114 also includes a push button 118 and a dispensing aperture 122 through which the paint is released from the paint storage container 48 when the push button 118 is pushed.
The spigot assembly 100 is designed to be easily removed for cleaning after each use. It should be understood that while the coupling of the spigot assembly 100 to the storage compartment has been described in terms of a screw device and threaded receiving end, alternative means for coupling the spigot assembly to the storage compartment are envisioned and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. In an alternative embodiment, any other known appropriate spigot or dispensing assembly 100 may be used to dispense paint from the paint storage container 48, including a lever type spigot assembly with a similar threaded receiving end designed to couple with the elongated portion of the top screw device 110.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paint container also includes removable, air tight lid assemblies over each of the separate compartments 25, 26 and 27 to cover and protect the paint held within the paint storage compartments 48. Preferably, each of the lids include a stirring mechanism.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stirring fan apparatus includes three perforated fins 160 which are each coupled to the rod 157 at a second, opposite end 161. Each fin 160 is preferably separated by 120 degrees and is formed in the shape of a triangle. The perforated fins 160 extend outward from the rod 157 at a distance to fit within the circular depression 54 of the paint storage container 48. It is understood that in alternate embodiments, the stirring fan apparatus 156 may include more than three fins, with each fin being evenly spaced apart about the 360 degree radius of the rod 157. It is further understood that in alternate embodiments, the perforated fins may have alternate geometric shapes.
In operation, using the handle 152 separately, or the coupling arm 170 with multiple paint containers, a user rotates the stirring mechanism 151 about the central axis 153 within each paint container. In this way, the elongated rod 154 and the rod 157 within a paint container spin in the same direction, thereby causing the perforated fins 160 to rotate and mix the paint stored within the paint storage container 48. The rod 157 is easily removed from the stirring mechanism 151 for cleaning the perforated fins 160 after each use.
In the alternative embodiment in which the paint storage containers are integrally formed within the separate compartments, the lids 150 fit over the separate compartments and the stirring mechanisms fit down into the separate compartments to stir the paint held within the separate compartments.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the device of the present invention could be implemented in several different ways and the apparatus disclosed above is only illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention and is in no way a limitation. For example, it would be within the scope of the invention to alternate the sizes and shapes of the fins on the stirring fan apparatus. In addition, it will be apparent that a different type of dispensing mechanism, other than a push button spigot, could be interchanged without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the paint container of the present invention can also be constructed with any appropriate number of separate compartments and paint storage containers.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030133356 A1 | Jul 2003 | US |