GB2329887A

GB2329887A - Attachments for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2329887A
Application number: GB9821440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gurmit Singh Dorka
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-04
Filing date: 1998-10-05
Publication date: 1999-04-07
Also published as: GB9821440D0

Abstract

An attachment (10) for a container such as a paint tin comprises a first portion (12) adapted to be mounted on the container (24) at the opening thereof, and a second portion (14) extending outwardly from the first portion (12). The first and second portions (12,14) are so arranged as to guide any liquid wiped on the second portion (14) to the inside of the container. The first portion (12) may be in the form of a collar and the second portion (14) may be in the form of an outwardly extending flange. The attachment may have a discontinuity such as overlapping ends (26,28) to facilitate adjustment for different sized containers and a pouring spout may be provided, as may support means such as a strut for supporting a paint brush when not in use.

Description

Mounting for Containers The present invention relates to mountings for containers, and particularly but not exclusively to mountings for placing onto a container, for example a tin of paint or other liquid material.

Painters wipe brushes on the edge of paint tins to remove any excess paint. However this can lead to the paint dripping down the side of the tin and also collecting in the rim of the tin. This is undesirable because it may cause the lid to be sealed by the paint when it s replaced. A similar situation can arise when applying, with a brush, varnish from a tin onto wood.

According to the present invention there is provided a mounting for a container, the mounting comprising a first portion adapted to be mounted on the container at the opening thereof, and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion, whereby the first and second portions are so arranged to guide any liquid wiped on the second portion to the inside of the container.

This invention is particularly suitable for use with containers having upwardly presented openings, for example, tins, such as tins of paint or the like.

The mounting is preferably shaped to conform to the shape of the opening of the container. The mounting is preferably circular in plan view.

Preferably the mounting is provided with adjusting means to enable the attachment to be mounted onto different sized containers. Said adjusting means may be in the form of a discontinuity and preferably comprises first and second opposite ends which can overlap each other.

Projection means is preferably provided on the outer surface of the first portion to facilitate the mounting of the mounting to the inside of the container. The projection means is preferably a ridge. Preferably the ridge is provided all the way around the first portion and is preferably rounded or angled.

The first portion of the mounting is preferably vertical. The second portion preferably extends from the first portion at an angle in the range 256 to 60 from the horizontal. More preferably the second portion extends at an angle of between 30 and 45" from the horizontal.

A lip is preferably provided at the edge of the second portion and projects upwardly from the edge thereof and may be substantially parallel with the first portion.

A spout may be provided on the second portion to facilitate pouring of liquid in the container. Preferably said spout is moulded into the second portion during manufacture or is attached separately.

Preferably the mounting is manufactured of plastics material. The mounting is preferably of a one piece construction and may be formed by moulding.

A support means may be provided which may extend across the first or second portion. The support means may comprise an elongate member which may be in the form of a strut.

In use on a paint tin, the support means may support a paint brush during periods when the paint brush is not in use.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mounting according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the underside of the mounting in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the adjusting means of Figs. l and 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mounting of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section of the mounting of Fig. 2, taken on the line 1-1 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the mounting in use; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified mounting.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a mounting 10 according to the present invention, to be mounted on a suitable container having an opening at the top, for example a tin of paint or the like. The mounting 10 is of a one piece construction, is circular in plan, and is provided with a discontinuity which comprises first and second opposite ends (26 and 28 respectively) which can overlap each other to adjust the size or diameter thereof, thereby enabling the mounting to be mounted on different sized containers. The mounting 10 includes a first portion 12, in the form of a collar, from which a second portion 14, in the form of an outwardly extending flange, projects at an angle of substantially 40 to the horizontal. An upwardly extending lip 16 is provided at the edge of the flange 14. An angled ridge 18 is provided all the way around the outer surface of the collar 12, and a groove 20 corresponding to the ridge 18 is provided around the inner surface of the collar 12.

The mounting 10 is used as follows. A tin of paint 24 is opened and the inner diameter of the mounting 10 is adjusted to fit within the tin 24 by sliding the two opposite ends 26, 28 of the mounting 10 over one another so that the ridge of 18 of one end 26 slides through the groove 20 of the other end 28 of the mounting 10 as shown by arrows A and B in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The ridge 18 provided around the mounting 10 enables the mounting 10 to be engaged in the opening of the tin. The paint brush after being dipped into he paint is wiped across the lip 16 of the mounting 10 so that the paint flows down the flange 14 and collar 12 back into the tin 24.

If a different colour paint is required the mounting 10 can be removed from he tin 2A, washed, and then placed into the next tin (not shown). The inner diameter of the mounting 10 is again adjusted so that it is secured in the tin (not shown).

The mounting 10 according to the invention thus allows excess paint to be wiped off paint brushes without the paint causing the lid to be sealed in place when it is replaced. It will be understood that the mounting 10 can be used to wipe brushes in other applications for example when applying varnish to wood. The mounting 10 can be readily washed after each use therefore preventing contamination of the material being applied with the brush.

Referring to Fig. 7 there is shown a modification to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 in which a strut 30 is provided extending across the first portion 12 to define a chord. The strut 30 is adapted to support a paint brush 32 (shown in dotted lines) when the paint brush is not in use. The paint brush 52 is disposed on the mounting 10 such that the bristles zQ of the brush 52 are supported by the strut DO, and the handle z6 is supported by the second portion 14 on the region opposite the strut 50. in use, when mounted in a paint tin the two end regions 26, 28 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 overlap each other. This causes the strut 50 to curve downwardly to provide a more effective support for the paint brush 52.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, a spout may be provided on the flange 14 of the mounting 10. The spout enables paint to be poured from the tin 24 into a tray for use with a roller without paint dripping from the tin 24. The spout can either be moulded into he flange 14 or it can be clipped into place when it is required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A mounting for a container, the mounting comprising a first portion adapted to be mounted on the container at the opening thereof, and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion1 whereby the first and second portions are so arranged to guide any liquid wiped on the second portion to the inside of the container.
2. A mounting according to any of claims 1, wherein the mounting is provided with adjusting means to enable the attachment to be mounted onto different sized containers.
3. A mounting according to claim 2, wherein adjusting means are in the form of a discontinuity.
4. A mounting according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the adjusting means comprise first and second opposite ends which overlap each other.
5. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein projection means are provided on the outer surface of the first portion to facilitate the mounting of the mounting to the inside of the container.
6. A mounting according to claim 7, wherein the projection means is a ridge, the ridge extending substantially all the way around the first portion.
7. A mounting according to claim 6, wherein the ridge is rounded or angled.
8. A mounting according to any preceding claim wherein the first portion is in the form of a collar.
9. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the mounting is vertical.
10. A mounting according to any preceding claim wherein the second portion comprises a flange extending outwardly from the first portion.
11. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion extends from the first portion at an angle in the range 250 to 600 from the horizontal.
12. A mounting according to claim 11, wherein the second portion extends at an angle of between 300 and 450 from the horizontal.
13. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein a lip is provided at the edge of the second portion and projects upwardly from the edge thereof.
14. A mounting according to claim 13, wherein the lip is substantially parallel with the first portion.
15. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein a spout is provided on the second portion to facilitate pouring of liquid in the container.
16. A mounting according to claim 15, wherein the spout is moulded into the second portion during manufacture.
17. A mounting according to claim 15, wherein the spout is attached separately.
18. A mounting according to any preceding claim, wherein a support means is provided which extends across the first or second portion.
19. A mounting according to claim 18, wherein the support means comprises an elongate member.
20. A mounting according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the support means is in the form of a strut.
21. A mounting according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein in use on a paint tin, the support means can support a paint brush during periods when the paint brush is not in use.
22. A mounting as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.