EP0504941A1

EP0504941A1 - Paint container

Info

Publication number: EP0504941A1
Application number: EP92104982A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alan Hancock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-21
Filing date: 1992-03-20
Publication date: 1992-09-23
Also published as: GB9106022D0

Abstract

A paint container comprises a can (10) and a removable lid (15) consisting of a closure member (16) in the shape of a well having an outer wall (30) through which a hole (34), above a certain level (36), enables paint to enter the well from within the can when the latter is tilted. The hole (34) acts as a weir to limit the depth of paint in the well to the said level (36).

Description

This invention relates to paint containers.
A paint container typically comprises a can having a lid that fits removably into the end of the can. In use, paint may be poured into another container to a relatively shallow depth, the brush then being dipped into the paint in this other container. When the latter is empty, more paint can be poured into it. This is a messy and time-consuming operation. Alternatively, the brush may be dipped directly into the paint in the can, which gives rise to the risk of getting paint on the handle of the brush and on the user's hands. It also increases the risk of accidental spillage from the can since the user has to have the latter by him throughout the painting operation.
An object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks.
According to the invention, a paint container, comprising a can and a lid fitting removably in the open end of the can, is characterised in that the lid comprises a closure member defining a well and including an outer wall with at least one hole through the latter above a predetermined level in the well, the container further including removable secondary closure means for isolating the hole or holes from the atmosphere.
The purpose of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an exploded view showing the top part of a paint can and components of a lid in one form according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a diametral cross sectional view of the lid;
Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 but shows a modified lid;
Figure 4 shows at (a) to (d) four stages in the process of preparing the paint can for use; and
Figure 5 shows the can in use.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a paint container comprises a conventional can 10 having a body 12 carrying a top ring 14, together with a lid 15 which comprises a closure member 16 and a cover 18. The can may have a handle 20 (Figure 4 (a)) in the usual way.
The closure member 16 has an outer ring portion 22, which terminates in a top flange 24 and which is configured in a known way to fit sealingly in the can top ring 14. The ring portion 22 has an annular internal groove 26 into which the cover 18 fits removably. The inner ring 22 of the closure member is continued downwardly in an endless outer wall 30 which is closed at the bottom by a base 32.
The closure member 16, which is preferably made all in one piece, is thus in the form of a well, the purpose of which is to contain paint into which a brush can be dipped during painting. For this purpose, a hole 34 is formed in its outer wall 30. Figures 2 and 3 show two possible locations for the hole 34, which is so located that when the can 10 is appropriately tilted, paint can enter the well from inside the can body 12. However, it always lies above a predetermined level 36, to which the well is to be filled with paint when in use, so that paint below this level will not flow back through the hole 34 into the body of the can when the latter is upright.
The container also includes removable secondary closure means for isolating the hole 34, and therefore the paint within the can body 12, from the atmosphere when the paint can is not in use. This may take any convenient form, for example a strip of suitable plastics material 55, Figure 3, applied over the hole 34 on the outside or inside of the side wall 30; or a plug of plastics material 50, Figure 3, removably fitted in the hole 34; or a plug-type closure 53, Figure 2, for sealingly closing a large hole 38 which is provided in the cover 18 to afford access for a brush into the well during painting. Alternatively, a conventional overcap 52, overlying the lid, may be provided.
Referring now to Figure 4, the can is initially in the state shown in Figure 4 (a), with a removable strip of plastics film, like the strip 55 in Figure 3, covering the hole 34 and with the paint in the can therefore being sealed from the atmosphere. The hole 34 is here taken to be in the same position as in Figure 2. The closure member 16, with the cover 18 attached, is levered off and the sealing strip removed as in Figure 4 (b). The paint is then stirred if necessary, and the lid is replaced. The can is now gripped as in Figure 4 (c) and tilted (as indicated by the arrow) in such a way as to allow paint to flow through the hole 34 and into the well of the closure member 16. When the can is then stood upright as in Figure 4 (d), the hole 34 acts as a weir so that the paint 60 levels off in the well to the level 36, Figure 2.
Using the hole 38 for access, a brush 40 can then be dipped at will into the paint in the well, Figure 5. When the well is empty, the can is simply tipped again to introduce more paint into the well. After use, the seal may be replaced and the components cleaned as required.
There may be any number of holes 34, and these may be of any convenient shape or size. The hole or holes 34 may be positioned anywhere in the outer wall 30 that may be convenient above the chosen paint level 36.
The access opening 38 in the cover 18 is optional but preferable, in order to provide a rim against which the brush can be stroked to remove excess paint. Where the hole 38 is absent, the cover 18 can itself be the secondary closure means.
If provided, the hole 38 may be of any convenient shape, e.g. D-shaped as in Figures 4 and 5, or round as in Figure 1.
The cover 18 may have any desired cross sectional shape: Figures 2 and 3 show two possible shapes. In Figure 2, the cover 18, of injected moulded plastics, has an integral handle 56 bridging a well 58 for accommodating the user's hand, so that the lid may be held, for example in the step shown in Figure 4 (b), without necessarily getting paint on the hands.
The cover 18 is itself optional: if it is omitted, then the groove 26 may also be omitted, in which case an overcap such as the cap 52 will usually be provided in its place.
The shape of the well, defined by the outer wall 30 and base 32 of the closure member 16, may take any suitable form, but is preferably in substantially the form shown in Figures 2 and 3, in which the base 32 comprises a flat portion 42 and a sloping portion 44.
The plug 50, if provided, may take any suitable form and may or may not have a finger ring as shown. It may be of metal instead of plastics, and instead of being snap-fitted in the hole, it may be threaded so as to screw into a female threaded portion (not shown) of the closure member 16, the hole 34 being defined by this threaded portion.

Claims

A paint container comprising a can (10) and a lid (15) fitting removably in the open end of the can, characterised in that the lid (15) comprises a closure member (16) defining a well and including an outer wall (30) with at least one hole (34) through the latter above a predetermined level (36) in the well, the container further including removable secondary closure means (50; 52; 53; 55; 18) for isolating the hole or holes (34) from the atmosphere.
A container according to Claim 1, characterised in that the lid includes a cover (18) removably fitting in the closure member (16) so as to overlie the well.
A container according to Claim 2, characterised in that the cover (18) has a through aperture (38) to receive a paint brush.
A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the secondary closure means comprise a plug (50) fitting removably in the said hole or holes (34) of the closure member (16).
A container according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lid (15) is at least partly of plastics material.
A container according to Claim 5, characterised in that the closure member (16) is made in one piece of plastics material.