AU2389399A - Paint receptacle - Google Patents

Description

Mk P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

*5*5 S Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT VAUGHAN HUDSON GILL VAUGHAN HUDSON GILL A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys GPO Box 772, Adelaide, SA 5001 PAINT RECEPTACLE Details of Associated Provisional Application No PP3105 dated 21st April 1998 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- This invention relates to a paint receptacle and more particularly to a receptacle for holding paint when it is about to be applied to a painted surface or work piece by means of a device such as a brush or roller.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "receptacle" includes a pail, can, bottle, pot, tray and any similar device which holds paint when it is about to be applied to a surface by means of an applicator having a head which is dipped into the paint in the receptacle.

Furthermore, for the purposes of this specification, it is convenient to refer to a 10 paint brush, roller and any similar device which is used to apply liquid paint to a surface as an "applicator"; and to refer to as the "head" of the applicator that part which holds paint when it is dipped into a receptacle and which transfers the paint to the surface when the head is applied to the surface. For this purpose, the head of an applicator commonly comprises bristles, a sponge or the like.

15 When a painter is at work applying paint from a receptacle to a work piece by means of a paint applicator it frequently happens that, for a variety of reasons, he needs to put the applicator down in order to free his hands for another task. This happens, for ~example, when the painter needs to move from one work station to another; or to move the work piece; or to refill the receptacle. In such a situation, the painter 20 usually deposits the applicator in or on the receptacle or on any convenient surface nearby.

Neither of these practices is very satisfactory. If the applicator is deposited in or on the receptacle it is easy for it to slip or be knocked so that it falls into the paint.

When this happens, it is only too easy for the paint to spread to the handle and other parts of the applicator. Also, as the applicator is often left with the head at least partly immersed in the paint, the bristles, sponge etc. of the applicator are apt to become saturated with paint which can then spread to the handle when the applicator is again used.

-3- Even if, after slipping or being knocked as noted above, the applicator falls outside of the receptacle, it is likely to spread paint about where it falls.

On the other hand, if the applicator is deposited elsewhere than on the receptacle, there is a tendency for the paint on the applicator to dry out. Furthermore, it is again easy for the applicator to slip or be knocked or to drip paint so that it makes a mess where it is put down or where it falls. It can furthermore pick up dirt under these circumstances. Also, if the painter moves to a new work station, it will often then be necessary for him to make a special trip to retrieve the applicator. This can be tiresome and time consuming especially if the painter is working up a ladder or on a platform.

It is an object of the invention to address these problems or at least to offer the public a paint receptacle of useful novel design.

According to the invention, there is provided a paint receptacle having a reservoir for holding paint, a compartment adjacent to the reservoir for holding an applicator, and a passage between the reservoir and the compartment through which paint can flow between the reservoir and the compartment.

More particularly the receptacle comprises a paint tray.

o*o* More particularly the applicator comprises a paint brush or a paint roller.

S: According to one aspect of the invention the compartment has an opening through which the head of the applicator can pass when it is inserted in the compartment, the compartment comprising a wall arrangement which is such as to hold the applicator with the handle projecting upwardly.

Advantageously the opening is located adjacent an upper end of the compartment.

According to another aspect of the invention the passage is an open channel through which paint can flow between the reservoir and the compartment.

-4- In one form of the invention the compartment has a floor which is located at a higher level than a floor of the reservoir.

Advantageously the channel has a floor which, at at least one end thereof located adjacent the compartment, is at the same level as the floor of the compartment.

In an alternative form of the invention the compartment has a floor which is located at a the same level as a floor of the reservoir.

Advantageously the channel has a floor which is located at the same level as the floor of the compartment and the reservoir.

The invention is discussed further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 10 which, purely by way of example, Figure 1 is a perspective view ofa paint pail; Figure 2 is a perspective view ofa paint tray; Figure 3 is a plan view ofa second paint tray; and Figure 4 is a sectional view on Arrows A of the paint tray shown in Figure 3.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a paint pail 10 having a flat rectangular bottom 12 from the edges of which arise walls 14 defining a reservoir 15 for the S.paint. The walls define an opening 16 at the top of the pail through which paint can 0. be poured into the reservoir and which provides access for a brush or similar applicator which is dipped into the paint. The pail 10 is provided with a feature which will be described below. Apart from this modification, the pail 10 is similar to conventional paint pails and further description thereof is thus not considered necessary.

The pail 10 comprises a compartment 20. The compartment has a flat, rectangular floor 22 from which arise walls 24. One of these walls 24' is constituted by one of the walls 14' of the pail which acts as a partition between the compartment 20 and the

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5 pail 10. The walls 24, 24' define an opening 26 at the top of the compartment. There is a cut-out 28 in the wall 24'. The cut-out extends from the floor 22 to the opening 28 and constitutes a channel through which paint can flow between the compartment and the reservoir. It may be noted that the floor 22 of the compartment is located at a higher level than the floor 12 of the reservoir. The floor 22 may typically be 50 mm above the floor 12 so that the reservoir can contain enough paint for working purposes without filling up the compartment The shape of the compartment is such that, when the head of a paint brush is inserted in the compartment through the opening 26, the head can fit neatly in the compartment with the brush being held securely in a substantially upright position by the walls 24, 24'. It is thus desirable for the long walls to be reasonably close together. The space between them may typically be between about 20-40 mm wide.

In the present example the space is 25 mm wide. Similarly, the depth of the compartment should be such that, when the bristles of the brush rest on the floor 22, the major portion of the head of the head of the brush (and particularly that portion which is used for gripping the brush (and which is thus located adjacent the handle of :the brush) is clear of the top of the compartment. Typically, the depth of the compartment is thus about 50-100 mm. In the present example, the depth about mm. The width of the compartment is typically 50-100 mm. In the present example the width is 75 mm.

Clearly, the compartment will be able to hold brushes of a variety of sizes. Although smaller brushes will be held less securely, nevertheless the compartment should still reduce the likelihood that most brushes held therein will fall out of the compartment or be knocked.

The brush can thus be held securely in the compartment when not in use, being substantially prevented from falling into the reservoir. It is easily accessible and is moved from one work station to another with the pail, leaving free the hand which would otherwise be required to hold the brush. The handle and the grip area of the brush are kept well clear of the paint and thus remain clean. Because the bristles of -6the brush are not immersed into the full depth of paint in the pail, they do not become saturated with paint when the brush is inserted in the compartment. Enough paint does however enter the compartment through the cut-out 28 to keep the bristles wet when the brush is not in use. The brush is held neatly and tidily in a vertical position.

Any paint which drips off the bristles into the compartment will return to the reservoir through the cut-out 28.

Clearly, the compartment will be able to hold brushes of a variety of sizes. Although smaller brushes will be held less securely, nevertheless the compartment should still reduce the likelihood of brushes held therein falling from the receptacle or being knocked.

The compartment provides a convenient handhold for gripping the pail.

o It must be stressed that the sizes and shapes mentioned and illustrated are purely exemplary.

Figure 2 shows a paint tray 40 which is provided with a compartment 42 for holding 15 a paint brush and which is essentially similar to the compartment 20 in the pail Apart from the provision of the compartment 42, the tray 40 is of conventional construction and size. The compartment 42 is substantially similar to the compartment 40. It is thus not considered necessary to describe the tray 40 or the compartment 42 in further detail.

ooooo 20 Note that the compartment 42 stands up from the top of the tray. This is to ensure that the walls of the compartment are high enough to hold the brush securely.

The illustrations of the pail 10 and tray 40 in Figures 1 and 2 are somewhat schematic, being intended to assist the description of the function and size of the pail and tray. An example of a tray 50 in the form of a one piece plastics moulding is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Here, as in conventional trays, the tray 50 comprises walls 52 arising from a floor 54 to define a reservoir 56. The floor comprises a part 54' which slopes towards a level part 54" adjacent the deep end of the reservoir. In the present case however, a compartment 58 is moulded into the tray adjacent the 7 deep end thereof. The compartment is defined by walls 60 arising from a floor 62 which, in the present case, is level with the part 54" of the reservoir floor. Because of the requirements of the moulding process, the wall 60' of the compartment is separate from the adjacent end wall 52' of the compartment. However the walls 52', 60' are joined by an integrally moulded channel 64. The channel has a floor which is also level with the floor 62 and the part 54" of the reservoir floor.

As in the case of the tray 40, the compartment 58 of the tray 50 is intended for holding a brush. It may be useful to construct the compartment 58 (or, of course the compartment 42) so that it is capable of holding the roller head of a paint roller or holding some other form of paint applicator. The dimensions of the compartment would need to be altered accordingly.

Other suitable holding means may be provided for holding the brush or roller in the pail or trays 10, 40, 50. For example, a hook formation may be provided at the top of one of the walls which hook formation is capable of engaging the handle of the

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applicator to hold it with the bristles or roller head over or in the reservoir and the handle clear of the side of the pail or tray. As another example a recess may be ;provided in the top of one of the walls, the handle of the applicator being clipped into 1 1 J1 LII'. VaL1, LIIL iiaiii V1 L1 idlJPll U1i l LI cnppeu li1tW the recess with the bristles or roller head over or in the reservoir.

It is not intended that the scope of a patent granted in pursuance of the application of which this specification forms a part should exclude modifications and/or improvements to the embodiments described and/or illustrated which are within the scope of the claims or be limited by details of such embodiments further than is necessary to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

Claims (11)

1. A paint receptacle having a reservoir for holding paint, a compartment adjacent to said reservoir for holding an applicator, and a passage between said reservoir and said compartment through which paint can flow between said reservoir and said compartment.

2. A paint tray according to claim 1, wherein said compartment has an opening through which the head of the applicator can pass when it is inserted in the compartment, the compartment comprising a wall arrangement which is such as to hold the applicator with the handle projecting upwardly.

3. A paint receptacle according to either one of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein said passage is an open channel between said reservoir and said compartment.

4. A paint receptacle according any one of claim 1 through claim 3, wherein said compartment has a floor which is located at a higher level then a floor of said reservoir.

5. A paint receptacle according any one of claim 1 through claim 4, wherein said passage has a floor which, at at least one end thereof located adjacent the compartment, is at the same level as the floor of the compartment.

6. A paint receptacle according to any one of claim 1 through claim 3, wherein *o• said compartment has a floor which is located at the same level as the floor of said 20 reservoir.

7. A paint receptacle according to claim 6, wherein the passage has a floor which is located at the same level as the floor of the compartment and the reservoir.

8. A paint tray having a reservoir for holding paint, a compartment adjacent to said reservoir for holding a paint brush or paint roller, and a passage between said reservoir and said compartment through which paint can flow between said reservoir and said compartment.

9. A paint tray according to claim 8, wherein the compartment has an opening through which the head of the brush or roller can pass when it is inserted in the -9- compartment, the compartment comprising a wall arrangement which is such as to hold the brush or roller with the handle projecting upwardly.

A paint tray according to either one of claim 8 and claim 9, wherein said passage is an open channel between said reservoir and said compartment.

11. A paint receptacle substantially as herein described with reference to any of the examples described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 21st day of April 1999 VAUGHAN HUDSON GILL By his Patent Attorneys A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 9 9 9 9 e