AU2003220769B2

AU2003220769B2 - Container, in particular for holding paint or lacquer

Info

Publication number: AU2003220769B2
Application number: AU2003220769A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Johan Willem Hildering
Original assignee: Hilderings Aquabrush Conditioner BV
Current assignee: HILDERING'S AQUABRUSH CONDITIONER BV
Priority date: 2002-03-18
Filing date: 2003-03-18
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-18
Also published as: DE60316550D1; NL1020189C2; ATE374119T1; AU2003220769A1; EP1499506A1; WO2003078179A1; EP1499506B1; DE60316550T2

Abstract

A container (1), in particular for holding paint or lacquer, comprises a bottom (2) and a circumferential wall (3), which is closed off at one end by the bottom (2) so as to form a first accommodation chamber (4) for the paint or lacquer. According to the invention, the container comprises a second accommodation chamber (6) in which a brush or paint roller can be accommodated. The second accommodation chamber (6) can be formed by a hollow gripping means (8), which can be gripped with the hand, and which extends laterally on the outside of the circumferential wall (3).

Description

CONTAINER, IN PARTICULAR FOR HOLDING PAINT OR LACQUER The invention relates to a container, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A conventional container is filled with paint or lacquer and is generally closed by a removable lid. Prior to painting, the lid is removed, after which a painter dips a brush into the paint or lacquer in the container. In this way the painter works from the container itself. If a paint roller is being used, the paint or lacquer is usually first emptied out of the container into an oblong paint tray, which rests on, for example, a floor. This paint tray has a virtually horizontal roller surface. The paint roller is immersed in the paint and is then rolled over the roller surface in order to distribute the paint over the paint roller in the circumferential direction. After the painting has been completed, the painter pours any paint that may be left over out of the paint tray back into the container.

During painting work it is often necessary, or in any case desirable, to use a brush and a paint roller alternately, in the process of which the wet brush or roller has to be put down temporarily. This is awkward; besides, the process of changing between paint brush and paint roller described above gives rise to spills and is messy.

The container according to WO94/16952 makes it easier to combine the use of a paint brush and a paint roller during the painting work.

The container comprises a second accommodation chamber in which a brush or paint roller can be accommodated. During the painting work it is possible to place the brush in the second accommodation chamber and at the same time continue working with the paint roller, or vice versa. The risk of spilling and messiness is reduced as a result. In this way both a paint brush and a paint roller can be used during the painting.

A further advantage is that the paint roller or paint brush can be stored in the second accommodation chamber after use, for example in a layer of water or turpentine. The paint roller or brush in this case does not have to be cleaned separately, which is environmentally friendly and also saves time.

However, the container according to WO 94/16952 is relatively unstable.

The object of the invention is to provide a container having two accommodation chambers which can be placed in a very stable manner on a base, such as a floor.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the bottom of the second accommodation chamber lies in line with the bottom of the container. Owing to the fact that the bottom of the container and the bottom of the second accommodation chamber line in one plane with each other, this container according to the invention can be placed in a very stable manner on a base such as a floor.

One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the second accommodation chamber is formed by a hollow gripping means, which can be gripped with the hand, and which extends laterally on the outside of the circumferential wall. The ease of use of this container is excellent, because the container can simply be held in the hand. This means that it is no longer necessary to bend down regularly to a container placed on the floor.

It is possible that the gripping means is hook-shaped and is connected at one of its ends to the circumferential wall. The gripping means in the case of this container can be hooked onto, for example, a rung of a ladder.

One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the end of the circumferential wall facing away from the bottom is open and the circumferential wall has a sharp edge at this open end. The sharp edge is designed for wiping brush hairs against it, in order to remove excess paint from the brush hairs. The quantity of paint in the brush can be measured accurately in this way.

It is preferable according to the invention that the first accommodation chamber comprises a flat wipe-off surface. A painter can work both with a paint roller and with a brush from this container. This means that it is not necessary to transfer paint to a horizontal paint tray for the paint roller. Not only is this container very ergonomic, but loss of paint is also considerably reduced. Besides, it is possible to work much more quickly.

The flat wipe-off surface is preferably formed by a lateral part of the circumferential wall. It is advantageous from the point of view of production to make the flat wipe-off surface integral with the circumferential wall.

In order to ensure that the paint or lacquer moves over the flat wipe-off surface back into the container, it is preferable according to the invention that the flat wipe-off surface is provided in a position crosswise, for example perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular, to the bottom.

One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the wipe-off surface is provided with relief. This ensures increased friction between the wipe-off surface and the paint roller. During the rolling of the paint roller over the wipe-off surface the risk of the paint roller sliding instead of rolling is reduced.

One embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a graduation is provided on the circumferential wall of the container. With such an indication of the contents, it is quick and easy to read off the quantity of paint or lacquer in the container.

It is possible according to the invention that a removable lid is provided, in order to close the container on the end facing away from the bottom. This lid preferably closes both the first and the second accommodation chamber. This means that paint or lacquer can be stored in the first accommodation chamber without drying out, while the brush or roller can be kept in the second accommodation chamber without hardening.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the container shown in Figure 1; and Figures 4a and 4b show perspective views of a lid for closing the container shown in Figure 1.

The container 1 shown in Figures 1 3 is indicated in its entirety by 1. The container 1 comprises a bottom 2 and a circumferential wall 3, which is closed off at one end by the bottom 2. A first accommodation chamber 4 for accommodating paint or lacquer is formed in this way.

According to the invention, the container 1 has a second accommodation chamber 6, in which a brush or paint roller can be accommodated. This second accommodation chamber 6 is formed by a hollow gripping means 8, which can be gripped with the hand.

The gripping means 8 is connected to the circumferential wall 3 at the top side 7 of the container 1. The gripping means 8 can be hooked onto, for example, the rung of a ladder, so that the container 1 can be fixed safely and reliably on the ladder.

The second accommodation chamber 6 has on the top side 7 of the container 1 an open top side 12 and a bottom 11 lying opposite it. The bottom 11 of the second accommodation chamber 6 lies in line with the bottom 2 of the container 1. This means that either a container filled with paint or an empty container 1 can be placed stably on a base, such as a floor.

The circumferential wall 3 further has on the top side 7 of the container a sharp edge 14. The hairs of a brush can be wiped off against this sharp edge 14, in order to remove excess paint from the brush hairs.

According to the invention, the first accommodation chamber 4 further comprises a flat wipe-off surface 21, which forms part of the circumferential wall 3.

In the case of the container 1 shown in Figures 1 3 the flat wipe-off surface 21 extends in a manner virtually perpendicular to the bottom 2. However, it is also possible according to the invention to provide the flat wipe-off surface at any desired angle relative to the bottom (not shown). It is further possible according to the invention to provide in the first accommodation chamber 4 a separate flat wipe-off surface that does not form part of the circumferential wall (not shown).

As shown in Figure 2, the flat wipe-off surface is preferably provided with relief 23. The relief 23 provides increased friction between the flat wipe-off surface 21 and a paint roller that is being moved over it. This reduces the risk of a paint roller sliding instead of rolling over the wipe-off surface. The distribution of the paint in the circumferential direction of the roller is improved in this way.

As shown in Figure 3, the circumferential wall 3 of the container 1 is provided with a graduation 25. This makes it easy to read off the quantity of paint that is left.

Figures 4a and 4b show an embodiment of a lid 16 for closing the container 1.

The lid 16 closes both the first and the second accommodation chamber. In an embodiment that is not shown the lid has an opening through which a brush or paint roller can be inserted.

It is possible according to the invention that the container has a wipe-off surface for a paint roller without a second accommodation chamber, in the form of a hollow gripping means or otherwise, being present. Moreover, the wipe-off surface can be either flat or curved.

Claims

1. Container in particular for holding paint or lacquer, comprising a bottom and a circumferential wall which is closed off at one end by the bottom so as to form a first accommodation chamber for the paint or lacquer, wherein the container comprises a second accommodation chamber in which a brush or paint roller can be accommodated, which second accommodation chamber has an open top side (12) and a bottom (11) lying opposite it, characterised in that the bottom (11) of the second accommodation chamber lies in line with the bottom of the container

2. Container according to Claim 1, in which the second accommodation chamber is formed by a hollow gripping means which can be gripped with the hand, and which extends laterally on the outside of the circumferential wall

3. Container according to Claim 2, in which the gripping means is hook- shaped and is connected at one of its ends to the circumferential wall

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the longitudinal axes of the first accommodation chamber and the second accommodation chamber respectively are substantially parallel to each other. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the end of the circumferential wall facing away from the bottom is open and the circumferential wall has a sharp edge (14) at this open end.

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first accommodation chamber comprises a wipe-off surface (21).

7. Container according to Claim 6, in which the wipe-off surface (21) is formed by a part of the circumferential wall

8. Container according to Claim 6 or 7, in which the wipe-off surface (21) is provided in a position crosswise, for example perpendicular or at least virtually perpendicular, to the bottom

9. Container according to one of Claims 6 8, in which the wipe-off surface (21) is provided with relief (23). Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which a graduation is provided on the circumferential wall of the container

11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which a removable lid (16) is provided, in order to close the container on the end facing away from the bottom

12. Container according to Claim 11, in which the lid closes both the first accommodation chamber and the second accommodation chamber

13. Container according to Claim 11, in which the lid (16) has an opening through which a brush or paint roller can be inserted. Dated this 26th day of April 2006 HILDERING'S AQUABRUSH CONDITIONER B.V. By their Patent Attorneys A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys m