Storage and dispensing container for paint

Abstract
An improved container for storing, dispensing and handling viscous and semi-viscous fluids such as paint and the like, having novel spout and other design features that enable substantially dripless dispensing and improved handling and storage.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to containers for viscous and other fluids and to improvements in the containment, dispensing and handling of the fluids; being more particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with architectural coatings such as paints and the like and to significant improvement in current paint can design.




Nearly all one-gallon and smaller containers of paint are sold in cylindrical metal cans having an upper edge with a groove that accepts the annular protrusion of a high friction metal lid secured by a press fit. This arrangement has many operational drawbacks that the industry has put up with for many decades. These include the lack of a locking mechanism that would prevent the friction lid, popping off if the can is dropped from a height as little as one meter, with consequent spilling of the contents widely on the ground. The lid, moreover, must be pried off with a tool to gain access to the paint, which proves a problem if no tool is available. The prying action, moreover, often damages the lid sealing surface. The can lip, furthermore, makes a very poor spout. When the paint contents are transferred to another container, they must be poured across the grooved upper edge of the can, which inherently retains some of the paint, and the paint running down the outside of the can often obscure the label, potentially reaching the users hands and the bottom surface. The can, indeed, must be wiped nearly every time it is poured. With the inside of the upper rim trapping paint as it is poured, the user is never able to extract all available paint even if a brush is used. The circular shape of the can opening, in addition, is ineffective for wiping a flat brush clean of excess paint. Every time paint is poured from a can, the groove that accepts the lid fills with paint and it is very difficult to clean completely. After repeated opening, pouring, and closing, in addition, the mating surface becomes fouled and the friction seal fails.




Perhaps the biggest drawback of the current paint can, however, resides in the splattering of paint from the groove as the lid is pounded back on. The pounding of the lid often damages both sealing surfaces, which again can cause the seal to fail. Furthermore, paint in and around the groove can dry out and flake, leading to paint contamination each time the can is jostled. While metal cans are coated to prevent rust, this coating often fails, which leads to rust and paint contamination. Paint cans, in addition, do not stack well, and little disturbance is needed to cause them to slide off of one another.




Many efforts have been made to address these and other problems associated with the conventional metal paint can. Some prior are improvements remedy to some degree some of the shortcomings mentioned above, but none, until the present invention, has effectively solved even a majority of these problems.




As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,526 discloses a plastic paint can that has a small-diameter, collapsible spout, non-contaminating lid seal, and straight edge formed in the can opening to facilitate brush wiping. This configuration, however, only addresses problems of paint contamination, messy pouring, and non-uniform brush wiping inherent in the conventional metal paint can. The narrow spout opening causes a slow pour rate and an undesirable chugging action as contents are poured.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,438 discloses a container with features designed to improve dispensing, such as a pivotally mounted carrying handle that is offset from the opening to provide access. It also has a wide pouring channel to improve flow, addressing to some degree a number of deficiencies. The pop top of the lid, however, is not very secure and the spout does not prevent paint running down the side of the container.




A plastic container having a threaded lid that closes the container either by screw-down or snap-on action is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,647. A depression is formed in the lid to accept a mixing stick or the like to aid in tightening and undoing the lid. This configuration, however, only addresses the problems of paint contamination and the difficult opening and closing of the lid inherent in the conventional metal paint can. As the contents are poured, they can still coat container threads and run down the side of the container. A tool, in particular a paint mixing stick, not always available, is required, moreover, to open the lid.




In U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,268, there is disclosed a liquid-dispersing package with a spout that has a drain back channel to return liquid drips to the container. This configuration, however, only addresses the problem of difficult, messy pouring inherent in containers intended for dispensing low viscosity liquids, but it does not work will with moderate viscosity fluids, such as paint. The tall and narrow design, moreover, eliminates the stackability of the container.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,661, as another illustration of attempts to improve the pouring operation, discloses a pouring spout that extends outwardly of the upper edge of the container, and an opposing handle projected from the upper edge of the container. It is also primarily intended to facilitate dispensing of paint during painting. In this invention, however, there is also no means to store the paint, and any unintended spillage during pouring will also wet exterior surfaces.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,373 discloses a plastic paint container with a lid that seals within the inner diameter of the rim at the top of the container, to eliminate the poor sealing characteristics of the friction lid of the metal paint can. It is still subject, however, to contamination of the seal by the paint itself, and does not provide for clean use or dispensing.




Another proposal, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,753 also provides a plastic paint container, but with a snap-on, screw-off type of lid. It also provides a stacking construction and a hollow handle. The design addresses the sealing and opening/closing problem with the metal paint can friction lid, and aids in stacking containers together. Like the other prior art, however, it does not provide for clean dispensing or use, nor does it address the difficulty that would be encountered with hand rotation of a firmly engaged, large diameter friction seal lid.




Numerous other prior art proposals provide for attaching auxiliary components to existing metal cans. Attachments are inherently deficient because they all require the additional operations of the attachment, removal, and cleaning which are inconvenient to the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,395 discloses a handle and pouring-spout arrangement intended for attachment to a conventional metal paint can. The spout has an optional paint-drainback section. This configuration, moreover, only attempts to solve the problem of difficult, messy pouring from conventional metal paint cans.




In U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,884, as another illustration, a removable top to a conventional metal can is proposed to attempt to solve these problems of difficult, messy pouring from conventional paint cans. Again, it must be attached and removed not only for every opening and closing, respectively, but also every time a brush is to be used.




While the above-mentioned advances in the art each solve to some degree some of the major problems inherent in the conventional metal paint can, none of them solves a majority of the problems. Some, moreover, improve only a subset of the problems and make improvements at the expense of some current favorable can features. The present invention, on the other hand, synergistically solves nearly all of the major problems above-enumerated inherent in the conventional metal paint can.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A primary object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a new and improved paint container for minimizing paint dripping and, in addition, simultaneously obviating the other previously described handling and operational disadvantages of current paint can containers.




Other and further objects will be explained hereinafter and are more particularly delineated in the appended claims.




In accordance with the present invention, a paint storage and dispensing product is provided. The product includes a plastic body defining an interior volume. The body has a bottom portion including a bottom wall and at least one side wall. A top collar is joined to the bottom portion. The collar has an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume. A bail-type swing handle is connected to the body for holding the container. The swing handle has a grasp portion that is movable between a downward stowed position, wherein the grasp portion is disposed against the body and an upward carrying position, wherein the grasp portion is spaced above the body. A pouring guide is disposed in the collar and includes a pour spout extending upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of paint over the collar. A cap is engageable with the collar to close the opening. The cap has an interior height sufficient to accommodate the pour spout when the cap is engaged with the collar.




The paint and storage dispensing product preferably has two pairs of opposing side walls that are joined at rounded corners to provide at least part of the bottom portion of the body with a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners. Preferably an integral handle is formed in the bottom portion of the body at one of the corners.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:





FIG. 1

is an isometric view of the container main parts and features as shown from one side in exploded form;





FIG. 1B

is a detailed view of the flip handle attachment point;





FIG. 1C

is a detailed view of the rigid handle ear attachment;





FIG. 2

is a cross section of the lid and upper container body in the closed state;





FIG. 3

is a top view of the container with the lid removed, front of the jug at the top of the figure;





FIG. 4

is a cross section of the bottom of the container;





FIG. 4B

is a cross sectional view of an integral stacking ring of variant shape;





FIG. 5

is an isometric view of the container and a flexible swing handle variant;





FIG. 5B

is an isometric view of a flexible swing handle with a grip pad;





FIG. 6

is an isometric view of a lid variation without a retractable handle and a hole for an opening tool;





FIG. 6B

is an isometric view of a lid variation in

FIG. 6

designed to mate with the integral stacking ring variant shown in

FIG. 4B

;





FIG. 6C

is an isometric view of a sliding retractable handle variant; and





FIG. 6D

is an isometric view of the handle shown in FIG.


6


C.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




A container


5


embodied in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in

FIG. 1

in exploded part format. The container


5


has a jug-like body


24


, preferably of one-piece plastic construction. The jug body


24


may be blow-molded and made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and can be made resistant to oil-based materials and the like by treating the interior with a process such as fluorination. It has a plastic screw-type lid


16


, a flip handle


10


with two cylindrical, mounting hinge pins


12


protruding from its sides on one end. Both the lid


16


and flip handle


10


can be made of commonly available strong, plastic materials such as HDPE, ABS or PVC. Both can be injection molded or fabricated from stock. The preferred embodiment of the container


5


also has a rigid swing handle


28


externally mounted onto the body


24


at its ends, and an optional swing handle grasp pad


56


which fits around the middle of the swing handle


28


. The swing handle


28


is made of strong, corrosion-resistant metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The grasp pad


56


is made of a soft, resilient plastic or dense foam rubber-type material, and is installed either by sliding over the end of the swing handle


28


or through a slit in the grasp. The swing handle


28


is contoured so that it conforms to the outside of the jug body


24


when it is in the downward position, and so that it has a comfortable location from which to carry the container


5


when it is in the upward position. The swing handle


28


is contoured to provide good access to a body opening


78


when it is in the upward position.




The top of the lid


16


is shown provided with two integral hinge slots


68


in which the hinge pins


12


of the flip handle


10


are assembled. The top of the lid


16


has a recessed handle trough


18


, in which the flip handle


10


sits when assembled with the lid


16


. The trough


18


is formed between a set of trough rails


92


. The top of the lid


16


has a set of stacking grooves


14


cut into the trough rails of the lid


16


. The stacking grooves


14


are at the intersection of the trough rails


92


and an inside shoulder


36


of the lid


16


. The stacking grooves


14


are circular, concentric with the diameter of the lid


16


, and truncated at the edges of the trough rails


92


. The flip handle


10


in the retracted position remains within the diameter of the lid


16


, and does not block the stacking groove


14


. The flip handle


10


may have a matching groove or indentation of sorts to prevent interference with the stacking groove


14


. The flip handle


10


pivots up to 180 degrees about its hinge pins


12


when assembled in the lid


16


, so that in the flipped-open position, the handle


10


protrudes from the outside of the lid


16


and can be used as a lever to turn the lid


16


.

FIG. 1B

is a cross section view of the hinge slots


68


showing each has a smaller opening


70


than the diameter of the hinge pins


12


, so that the pins


12


can be snapped into the slots


68


and become trapped therein.





FIG. 2

shows a cross section of the lid


16


and jug upper body in the assembled state. The outer walls of the handle trough and the outside diameter wall of the stacking groove


14


extend downward and meet with a horizontal surface at the bottom to form a deeply recessed lid top


32


. The recessed lid top


32


is deep enough to facilitate gripping by a hand for the purpose of manually turning the lid


16


.




The flip handle


10


is wide and thick enough to withstand a lateral force used to unscrew the lid


16


from the body


24


. The flip handle


10


is shown having rounded edges for user comfort. The flip handle


10


, for example, may have an approximately 1-2 mm deep access cut


72


at the end opposite the hinge pins


12


, and on the side of the flip handle


10


which rests on the bottom of the trough


18


. The access cut


72


enables a finger or tool to be placed underneath the end of the flip handle


10


to pull it up. The flip handle


10


width is slightly smaller than the width of the handle trough


18


. This is provided to prevent binding in the trough


18


, yet to provide for transfer of applied turning force directly through the sides of the flip handle


10


to the lid


16


instead of to the hinge pins


12


.




With reference to

FIG. 6

, the flip handle


10


can be replaced by either a built-in sliding handle


100


or a hole


102


in the side of the lid


16


. The sliding handle


100


works essentially the same way as the flip handle


10


, except instead of rotating about a hinge, it slides on integral tracks


104


. The version with the hole


102


is perpendicular to the lid


16


axis of rotation and large enough to accept a tool such as a screwdriver. The bit end of the screwdriver is slid into the hole


102


. The screw driver handle can then be used as a lever to twist open the lid


16


.




The container body


24


is also illustrated as provided with an integral, hollow handle


26


recessed to fit within the overall shape of the body


24


.

FIG. 3

shows the preferred overall shape of the jug body


24


. The integral handle


26


is shown to be within the cross section of the rounded square shape formed by the jug body


24


. This provides an efficient overall shipping and shaking volume of the container


5


. The preferred cube shape does not take any more box space than a cylindrical container of the same height, but it contains more volume. The width-to-height aspect ratio of the preferred form of the container


5


of the invention is approximately the same as for a conventional paint can in the side-to-side dimensions. Diagonally, corner to corner, the aspect ratio of the container


5


of the invention is lower, which increases stability on inclined surfaces.




In

FIG. 3

, rounded corners


58


,


62


,


64


of the body


24


are shown provided, thus making the lower body cross-section a rounded-corner square. The top shape, however, is circular with an external threaded collar extension


42


. On the outside of the body


24


at corners


62


, near the top in the area where the square shape of the body


24


transitions to circular, two handle ears


30


are shown provided.

FIG. 3

shows the ears


30


as shaped close to the overall body contour, located slightly offset from the center of the corners


62


. This offset is in the direction of the center of internal volume of the body


24


, which is off center from the overall square shape to adjust for the volume displaced by integral handle at corner


64


. A further view of the ears


30


is shown in

FIG. 1C

, extending from the outside surface of the body


24


, providing a support surface


76


approximately parallel and connected to the body


24


on both sides and the top, but not the bottom of the surface. There is a handle hole


74


in the support surface of each ear


30


. A space between the support surface and the main part of the body


24


provides room for installation of the ends of the rigid swing handle


28


. The ends of the swing handle


28


are bent in an “L” shape, each in the opposite direction of the other, to prevent the swing handle


28


from falling out of the handle ears


30


once assembled with the jug body


24


.




As before discussed, one of the important novel features of the container construction of the present invention resides in the dripless pouring spout


20


that can be seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

extending higher than the threaded collar portion of the body


24


. The spout


20


has a smooth or rounded translation at each end, at side corners


62


. The top edge of the spout


20


is tapered to a thin edge, approximately 0.2-0.5 mm thick, as shown more particularly in FIG.


2


. The taper can be on either or both sides of the top edge of the spout


20


. The spout


20


is located concentrically within the threaded extension of the body


24


, at an approximate radial distance of 2-4 mm in the preferred prototype container of the invention. The space between the spout


20


and the threaded portion of the body


24


forms a deep groove-shaped drip catch


40


, around the length of the spout


20


. A conical-shaped, smooth, beveled edge


34


is adjacent to and radically inward from the base of the spout


20


as also shown in FIG.


2


. The beveled edge


34


extends around the full circumference of the opening


78


at the top of the jug body


24


. In the opposite half of the circle coincident with the spout


20


, just below the beveled edge


34


, and in the same plane as the base of the spout


20


, are two straight, perpendicular chord wiping edges


22


. These wiping edges


22


are shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


, and


3


. In the preferred embodiment of the container


5


exemplified in said prototype, the body opening


78


at the top of the jug body


24


has a dimension between the wiping edges


22


and the beveled edge


34


under the spout


20


of at least 102 mm. This dimension, however, would vary for a different overall size of the container


5


of the same design.




The lid


16


has internal threads


60


that mate with the external threads on the collar extension


42


of the body


24


. A circular gasket


44


is used between the lid


16


and jug body


24


, near the threads of each member. The gasket


44


is made of a pliable, compressible material such as soft plastic or rubber, and seals the container


5


when assembled. The gasket


44


is installed in the lid


16


and retained there by a tightly conforming gasket groove


80


. A flexible, circular splash seal


38


extends from the bottom of the lid


16


radially inside the threads, gasket


44


, and spout


20


, coincident with the outside wall of the recessed lid top. The beveled edge


34


of the jug body


24


forms a mating surface for the splash seal


38


, which is made long enough so that the splash seal


38


will not hit the top of the wiping edges


22


when the lid


16


is screwed on the body


24


. Below the wiping edges


22


on one side and the beveled edge


34


on the opposite side of the opening


78


, the jug body has an inner lip


66


that is a smooth contoured transition from the inside of the body


24


. The lip


66


is shaped so material poured out of the body


24


will not be trapped inside in the upside-down position.





FIG. 4

shows a sectional view of the bottom of the jug body


24


. A protruding, full circumference integral stacking ring


46


is illustrated as extending from the bottom of the body


24


. The ring


46


is sized and shaped to fit within the stacking groove


14


of the lid


16


. This provides stability when one such container


5


is stacked on top of another, unlike the prior art paint cans. The flip handle


10


is grooved or shaped such that it does not interfere with the integral stacking ring


46


when stacked. The outside diameter of the integral stacking ring


46


is the same as the inside diameter of shoulder


36


such that the contact made increases lateral locking stability. In lieu of the stacking ring


46


, the body may have a stacking protrusion


110


formed in the bottom, as shown in FIG.


4


B.




Operation of the Container—

FIGS. 1-6






The container


5


of the invention is well suited for storage and access of viscous fluids. The presence of the rigid swing handle


28


or flexible swing handle


48


and integral handle


26


allows multiple one-handed or two-handed positions when holding or carrying the container


5


, or pouring material from it. The handles also allow for multiple positions, with one hand holding or carrying the container


5


, while accessing the material within it through the jug body opening


78


with the other hand. The shape, size and location of the integral handle


26


also allows different relative positioning of the arm whose hand is holding the integral handle


26


, either straight on, perpendicular to the container


5


, or at the side, tangential to the container


5


. It also allows for carrying two containers


5


with one hand, if the hand is at least average adult-sized.




The thin edge of spout


20


provides for the minimum amount of spillage from a viscous fluid poured from the container


5


, which will adhere to the back surface of the spout


20


as it is tipped back to an upright position. The combination of the spout


20


extending higher than the threaded extension


42


, and the gap between the spout


20


and the threaded extension


42


at drip catch


40


, prevents spillage onto the sealing surface at the top of the threaded extension


42


and onto the threads themselves. This helps to keep them clean for optimal use and storage with the container


5


. Drip catch


40


also provides a reservoir for, and traps such viscous fluids poured from the container


5


, which otherwise would drain down the outside of the spout


20


onto the threads. In order for this arrangement to work properly, however, the drip catch


40


can not be allowed to contain too much fluid or it would pour out from that area at the same time as the main body


24


when tipped. The function of splash seal


38


is to prevent this from happening.




This splash seal


38


prevents any significant amount of fluid from getting into the drip catch


40


or on the sides of the threaded extension


42


when lid


16


is on. As the lid


16


is screwed on, the splash seal


38


engages with beveled edge


34


at the same time the lid


16


engages with gasket


44


. The gasket


44


compresses as the lid


16


is turned further, providing a seal for the container


5


. As the gasket


44


compresses, the splash seal


38


flexes inward down the beveled edge


34


until the lid


16


is completely seated against the threaded extension


42


. This way, by keeping the drip catch


40


and inside surface of the threaded extension


42


free of fluid material, external threads


42


and gasket


44


will remain clean so long as the container


5


is only tipped to pour material out in the direction of the spout


20


. To illustrate further, if a significant amount of fluid is allowed to get into the drip catch


40


, this fluid could then pour out over the top sealing surface of the threaded extension


42


and onto the threads the next time the container


5


is tipped for pouring. Preventing fluid from getting into those areas, in accordance with the construction of the present invention, allows for shaking the container


5


to mix internal fluids, or for other normal uses, while assuring the gasket sealing surface and threads stay relatively clean.




One way a person can open or close the lid


16


of the container


5


is simply to grasp the lid


16


around the flip handle


10


in the half-moon shaped sections of recessed lid top


32


with one hand, and the integral handle


26


with the other, and turn the lid


16


. Alternately, flip handle


10


assembled in the lid


16


is used for leverage in manually screwing the container


5


open or closed. First a person uses a finger (or, if available, a small a tool such as a screwdriver) to flip open the flip handle


10


all the way. Then the person grasps the integral handle


26


with the other hand and applies a force to the flip handle


10


while taking the reaction out with the hand at the integral handle


26


. Obviously, the flip handle


10


and recessed handle of the lid


16


can be used concurrently if convenient to do so.




Access to the material inside the container


5


is provided through the opening


78


. Wiping edges


22


are provided for wiping off a brush or the like dipped into the fluid in the container


5


, such that the fluid wiped off the brush or other device, will drain back into the container


5


. The material in the container


5


may also be poured out completely, which is facilitated by inner lip


66


which provides a smooth geometry that will not trap any fluid in the upside-down container position.




A plurality of the containers


5


may be stacked on top of one another for storage in a stable fashion, facilitated by the stacking groove


14


in the lid


16


and integral stacking ring


46


on the bottom of the jug body


24


, as before described.




Alternate Constructions




In order to provide a more producible version of the container


5


, it may be desired to make the jug body


24


out of two separate pieces, and then use a commercially available adhesive or fasteners integrally to connect them. One likely separation point is at the interface between the externally threaded extension


42


at the top of the body


24


and the remaining features radially inside it. This corresponding inner piece would consist of the wiping edges


22


, the beveled edge


34


, the spout


20


, and potions of the bottom surface of the drip catch


40


and of the inner lip


66


. The pieces may then be able to be fabricated with other less expensive techniques than blow molding or injection molding or with less expensive tools and machines. Similarly, the lid


16


and flip handle


10


may be fabricated by other means as opportunity allows for improved costs, such as stamping or extrusion.




To provide a stronger hinge pin on the flip handle


10


, it may be desirable to construct it out of a metal material such as stainless steel. In its place, in the handle, would be tight fitting hole, in which two separate hinge pins or one long pin through the handle would be installed.





FIG. 5

illustrates an alternate embodiment of the container


5


. In this version, a flexible swing handle


48


is mounted at the top of the jug body


24


. The flexible swing handle


48


is made of a thick, flexible plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, or nylon, which allows for repetitive bending and flexing without yielding or breaking. The flexible swing handle


48


has a circular base


88


for mounting on the jug body


24


and two parallel legs


86


extending off the base


88


on opposite sides. Each leg


86


has two locally thinned or pre-grooved sections at a base joint


50


and a mid-joint


52


that act as hinges and allow the flexible swing handle


48


to lay down on the side of the body


24


when it is at rest. It has a straight, integral, swing handle grasp


54


connecting the two legs


86


with a small indentation or curved notch


82


in the center of the grasp


54


. The notch


82


can be used to hang the container


5


using a common existing accessory tool used for such purposes, such as a ladder-rung hook. The inside diameter of the base


88


is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the threaded extension


42


of the body


24


, and mounts in a small circumferential groove


84


just below the threads. The flexible swing handle


48


can be rotated or fixed in its installed position to move the relative position of the handle grasp


54


.




The same flexible swing handle


48


is shown in

FIG. 5B

with an optional flexible handle grasp pad


90


installed similarly to the swing handle grasp pad


56


that was described in the main embodiment version. The operation of these alternate swing handle versions is similar to that previously described. The flexible swing handle


48


may be rotated in its installed position to change the position of the handle grasp


54


relative to the spout


20


, jug body opening


78


, or other features in the jug body


24


. The handle grasp


54


can be neatly stowed against one of the flat sides of the jug body


24


when in the downward resting position.




Further modifications will also occur to those skilled in this art, and such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.




Advantages of the Container of the Present Invention




In its objective for improving the dispensing, containment, and handling of fluids such as architectural coatings and the like, the container


5


of the present invention has been particularly optimized for paints, wherein dispensing involves the opening, distribution of contents by pouring or extracting with a scoop or brush, cleaning, and closing of the container


5


. Current paint cans, as before explained, require the use of tools such as a screwdriver or the like for opening the lid. Screwdrivers often damage paint can lids and ruin the can seal. Prying open the lid becomes more difficult, furthermore, the more the can is used. It is much easier to open the lid


16


of the present invention because it is screwed on, and has built-in leverage to tighten and loosen it, and has design features in the opening and spout


20


of the container


5


to prevent the threads from getting contaminated with the fluid from inside. No additional tools are needed, and the handles that are provided for leverage fully retract within, or are already integrally part of the container


5


. Once the lid


16


is rotated approximately one third of a turn, the friction seal is released and little resistance is left. An additional recessed lid grip is then used quickly and easily to unscrew the lid the rest of the way, until open.




The present invention substantially eliminates paint from reaching the exterior surface of the container


5


during pouring through its spout design that is optimized essentially to eliminate dripping onto the container exterior, specifically on the threads or label. Its unique shape minimizes dribble over the spout; and a non-draining groove or trough behind the spout traps what little dribble may somewhat occur. Pouring, in accordance with the invention, is thus a vastly cleaner operation that requires little or no clean-up before closing.




The invention also improves pouring accuracy and comfort, as well. The spout


20


pours more uniformly than a conventional paint can. The fluid stream is narrower and more cylindrical. This enables more accurate pouring. The use of the integral handle


26


and swing handle


28


or


48


during pouring is more comfortable than holding a paint can by the bail and can bottom. The handles also provide better control, which also improves pouring accuracy.




The design of the present invention, furthermore, improves dispensing of paint by brush. A brush is typically wiped on one or both sides to remove excess paint after it is dipped into the can. When a brush is wiped against the cylindrical opening of a conventional paint can, only excess paint from the edges is removed. The invention provides two straight wiping edges


22


at the back of the opening


78


at right angles to each other. Being straight, the wiping edges


22


remove excess paint uniformly from the brush as it is wiped. The edges being only 90 degrees apart, makes the wiping of both sides more convenient with less hand motion due to being closer together. A brush wiped against a conventional paint can opening must be moved across the entire opening, which is less convenient.




Many users, moreover, hold paint cans as they brush. The bail and associated can geometry is uncomfortable. The integral handle


26


of the invention, on the other hand, can be held in two positions. One method is to grasp the handle


26


as one would any vertical handle, such as one commonly seen on a plastic gallon milk jug. The other method is to put one's fingers through the integral handle


26


, palm towards the jug, and grasp the container


5


with the hand. Each method is significantly more comfortable than holding a conventional paint can.




As before intimated, conventional paint cans may require a hammer or similar tool for closing. This often damages the friction lid and ruins the seal. As mentioned before, paint splatter is common due to paint left in the trough. After sufficient drying time between repeated uses, dried paint can completely foul the friction lid seal and render the paint can useless for storage. If the lack of seal is not identified by the user, the contents may congeal or solidify in storage. Closing and resealing the container


5


of the invention is vastly improved since its threads and sealing surfaces remain clean after use. As a result, it will store fluids longer and keep them from becoming contaminated or drying out. The spout


20


and screw on the lid


16


, in addition, eliminates any pooling of paint that could cause splattering or fouling of the seal. The built-up flip handle


10


, recessed lid grip, and integral handle


26


in its body eliminate the need for any tools for closing.




The design of the container


5


of the invention also improves containment. Fouling of the seal is eliminated and thus preservation of contents is assured. The improved sealing features of the device ensure endurance of the paint quality. The container


5


is preferably of plastic, so the formation of rust, which is common on paint cans, is eliminated. The invention also has the splash seal


38


inside the lid


16


that isolates the container opening


78


from the spout


70


and sealing surfaces. This seal blocks paint from reaching the gasket seal


44


and the spout


20


of the container


5


during handling and shaking. By keeping these two items free of paint, seal integrity and clean pouring are respectively maintained far better than with a conventional paint can.




Hand transport and general handling of the container


5


of the invention is also superior to conventional paint cans. The user has a choice of using the integral handle


26


or an exterior, rigid swing handle


28


depending on the situation. The rigid swing handle


28


offers the same conveniences as the bail on conventional paint cans. The integral handle


26


is more comfortable, sturdy, and offers more control over the container


5


when it is full.



Claims
  • 1. A paint storage and dispensing product comprising:(a.) a plastic body defining an interior volume, said body comprising: a bottom portion including a bottom wall and at least one side wall; and a top collar joined to the bottom portion, said collar having an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume; (b.) a bail-type swing handle connected to the body for holding the container, said swing handle having a grasp portion that is movable between a downward stowed position, wherein the grasp portion is disposed against the body and an upward carrying position, wherein the grasp portion is spaced above the body; (c.) a pouring guide disposed in the collar and including a pour spout extending upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of paint over the collar; and (d.) a cap engageable with the collar to close the opening, said cap having an interior height sufficient to accommodate the pour spout when the cap is engaged with the collar.
  • 2. The product of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall comprises two pairs of opposing side walls, said side walls being joined at rounded corners to provide at least part of the bottom portion of the body with a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.
  • 3. The product of claim 2, wherein an integral handle is formed in the bottom portion of the body at one of the corners.
  • 4. The product of claim 2, wherein the cross-section of the bottom portion of the body is square with rounded corners.
  • 5. The product of claim 4, wherein the product further comprises an architectural paint composition disposed in the interior volume of said body.
  • 6. The product of claim 5, wherein the width of the bottom portion of the body between the side walls is about the same as the diameter of a conventional paint can.
  • 7. The product of claim 5, wherein the collar is cylindrical and has a peripheral exterior surface with a thread formed therein, and wherein the cap has an interior thread for mating with the thread of the collar to secure the cap to the collar, over the opening.
  • 8. The product of claim 7, wherein the pour spout is arcuate and is spaced from the collar so as to form a drip catch groove therebetween.
  • 9. The product of claim 8, wherein the swing handle further comprises a pair of legs joined to opposing ends of the grasp portion, and wherein the legs and the grasp portion are composed of plastic.
  • 10. The product of claim 9, wherein the swing handle further comprises a circular base joined to the legs, said base being disposed around the collar of the body, beneath the thread.
  • 11. The product of claim 5, wherein end portions of the swing handle are pivotally attached to opposing portions of the body.
  • 12. The product of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the swing handle is composed of metal.
  • 13. The product of claim 5, wherein the opening in the collar has a cross dimension of at least 102 millimeters.
  • 14. The product of claim 1, wherein the pour spout is arcuate and is spaced from the collar so as to form a drip catch groove therebetween, and wherein the cap further comprises an interior surface having a circular splash seal extending downwardly therefrom, said splash seal being disposed radially inward from the pour spout when the cap is secured to the collar.
  • 15. The product of claim 1, wherein the pour spout is arcuate and is spaced from the collar so as to form a drip catch groove therebetween, and wherein the cap further comprises an interior surface having a circular splash seal extending downwardly therefrom, said splash seal extending below the drip catch groove when the cap is secured to the collar.
  • 16. A consumer paint product comprising:(a.) a plastic body defining an interior volume, said body comprising: a bottom portion having an integral hollow handle formed therein, said bottom portion further including a bottom wall and two pairs of opposing side walls, said side walls being joined at rounded corners to provide at least part of the bottom portion with a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, said integral handle not extending beyond the rectangular cross-section of the bottom portion; and a top cylindrical collar joined to the bottom portion, said collar having an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume and including a peripheral exterior surface with a thread formed therein; (b.) an architectural paint composition disposed in said interior volume of said body; and (c.) a cap having an interior thread for mating with the thread of the collar to secure the cap to the collar, over the opening.
  • 17. The consumer paint product of claim 16 further comprising a pouring guide disposed in the collar and including an arcuate pour spout spaced inwardly from the collar so as to define a drip catch groove therebetween.
  • 18. The consumer paint product of claim 17, wherein the pour spout extends upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of the paint composition over the collar.
  • 19. The consumer paint product of claim 16 further comprising a bail-type swing handle connected to the body for holding the container, said swing handle having a grasp portion that is movable between a downward stowed position, wherein the grasp portion is disposed against the body and an upward carrying position, wherein the grasp portion is spaced above the body.
  • 20. The container of claim 19, wherein the swing handle further comprises a pair of legs joined to opposing ends of the grasp portion, and wherein the legs and the grasp portion are composed of plastic.
  • 21. The consumer paint product of claim 16, wherein the integral handle is formed in the bottom portion of the body at one of the corners.
  • 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the cross-section of the bottom portion of the body is square with rounded corners and the width of the bottom portion of the body between the side walls is about the same as the diameter of a conventional paint can.
  • 23. A container for holding paint, said container comprising:(a.) a plastic body defining an interior volume, said body comprising: a bottom portion having a hollow integral handle formed therein, said bottom portion including a bottom wall and at least one side wall, said at least one side wall providing the bottom portion with a cross-section within which the integral handle is disposed; a top collar joined to the bottom portion, said collar having an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume; (b.) a bail-type swing handle connected to the body for holding the container, said swing handle having a grasp portion that is movable between a downward stowed position, wherein the grasp portion is disposed against the body and an upward carrying position, wherein the grasp portion is spaced above the body; and (c.) a cap engageable with the collar to close the opening.
  • 24. The product of claim 23, wherein the collar is cylindrical and has a peripheral exterior surface with a thread formed therein, and wherein the cap has an interior thread for mating with the thread of the collar to secure the cap to the collar, over the opening.
  • 25. The container of claim 24 further comprising a pouring guide disposed in the collar and including a pour spout extending upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of paint over the collar.
  • 26. The container of claim 25, wherein the pour spout is arcuate and is spaced from the collar so as to define a drip catch groove therebetween.
  • 27. The container of claim 23, wherein the at least one side wall comprises two pairs of opposing side walls, said side walls being joined at rounded corners to provide at least part of the bottom portion of the body with a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.
  • 28. The container of claim 27, wherein the integral handle is formed in the bottom portion of the body at one of the corners and is hollow.
  • 29. The container of claim 28, wherein the cross-section of the bottom portion of the body is square.
  • 30. The container of claim 29, wherein the width of the bottom portion of the body between the side walls is about the same as the diameter of a conventional paint can.
  • 31. A consumer paint product comprising:(a.) a plastic body defining an interior volume, said body comprising: a bottom portion including a bottom wall and at least one side wall, said bottom portion having an integral handle formed therein; and a top cylindrical collar joined to the bottom portion, said collar having an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume and including a peripheral exterior surface with a thread formed therein, said enlarged opening having a cross dimension of at least 102 millimeters; (b.) a paint composition disposed in the interior volume of the body; (c.) a pouring guide disposed in the collar and including an arcuate pour spout spaced inwardly from the collar so as to define a drip catch groove therebetween, said pour spout extending upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of the paint composition over the collar; and (d.) a cap having an interior thread for mating with the thread of the collar to secure the cap to the collar, over the opening, said cap having an interior height sufficient to accommodate the pour spout when the cap is secured to the collar.
  • 32. The consumer paint product of claim 31, wherein the at least one side wall comprises two pairs of opposing side walls, said side walls being joined at rounded corners to provide at least part of the bottom portion of the body with a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.
  • 33. The consumer paint product of claim 32, wherein the integral handle is formed in the bottom portion of the body at one of the corners and is hollow.
  • 34. The consumer paint product of claim 33, wherein the cross-section of the bottom portion of the body is square with rounded corners.
  • 35. The consumer paint product of claim 34, wherein the width of the bottom portion of the body between the side walls is about the same as the diameter of a conventional paint can.
  • 36. The consumer paint product of claim 31 further comprising a bail-type swing handle connected to the body for holding the container, said swing handle having a grasp portion that is movable between a downward stowed position, wherein the grasp portion is disposed against the body and an upward carrying position, wherein the grasp portion is spaced above the body.
  • 37. The consumer paint product of claim 36, wherein the swing handle further comprises a pair of legs joined at first ends to the grasp portion and joined at second ends to a circular base, said base being disposed around the collar of the body, beneath the threads.
  • 38. The consumer paint product of claim 31, wherein the pour spout is disposed concentrically within the collar.
  • 39. The consumer paint product of claim 38, wherein the pour spout is semi-circular.
  • 40. The consumer paint product of claim 39, further comprising at least one planar wiping extension disposed within the collar, said at least one wiping extension being spaced from the pour spout and having at least one inner edge against which a paint brush may be wiped.
  • 41. The consumer paint product of claim 31, wherein the cap further comprises an interior surface having a circular splash seal extending downwardly therefrom, said splash seal being disposed radially inward from the pour spout when the cap is secured to the collar.
  • 42. The consumer paint product of claim 31, wherein the cap further comprises an interior surface having a circular splash seal extending downwardly therefrom, said splash seal extending below the drip catch groove when the cap is secured to the collar.
  • 43. A consumer paint product comprising:(a.) a plastic body defining an interior volume, said body comprising: a bottom portion having a hollow integral handle formed therein, said bottom portion including a bottom wall and two pairs of opposing side walls, said side walls being joined at rounded corners to provide the bottom portion with a square cross-section with rounded corners, said integral handle being formed at one of the corners and being within the cross-section of the bottom portion; a top collar centered above and joined to the bottom portion, said collar having an enlarged opening extending therethrough for accessing the interior volume; (b.) a paint composition disposed in the interior volume of the body; and (c.) a cap engageable with the collar to close the opening.
  • 44. The consumer paint product of claim 43, wherein the cap has substantially the same lateral cross-dimension as the bottom portion of the body.
  • 45. The consumer paint product of claim 44 further comprising a pouring guide disposed in the collar, said pouring guide narrowing the opening to guide the paint composition over the collar.
  • 46. The consumer paint product of claim 45, wherein the width of the body between the side walls is about the same as the diameter of a conventional paint can.
  • 47. The consumer paint product of claim 45, wherein the collar is cylindrical and has a peripheral exterior surface with a thread formed therein, and wherein the cap has an interior thread for mating with the thread of the collar to secure the cap to the collar, over the opening.
  • 48. The consumer paint product of claim 47, wherein the pouring guide includes an arcuate pour spout spaced inwardly from the collar so as to define a drip catch groove therebetween, said pour spout extending upwardly above the collar to enable pouring of paint composition over the collar.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/349,894, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,500 filed on Jul. 8, 1999, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

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Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/349894 Jul 1999 US
Child 10/313230 US