GB2349130A

GB2349130A - Paint tin attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2349130A
Application number: GB9908968A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Ian Broomfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-21
Filing date: 1999-04-21
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9908968D0

Abstract

A Paint Tin Attachment consists of a moulded plastics ring that in cross section is shaped to fit over an opened paint tin and to totally cover the rim of the tin. The shape includes an outer ring 9, which is provided with internally moulded pips 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D and slots 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D to enable it to flex and clip into place to the top of an open paint tin. The moulded ring is also provided with an inwardly sloping circumferential surface, upon which a paintbrush can be wiped to remove surplus paint. The moulded ring is also provided with a integrally moulded cross member 8, which is of a section such that this can also be used as a feature upon which the brush maybe wiped to remove excess paint. Cut-outs 12A, 12B may accommodate a handle of the tin.

Description

Title : Paint Tin Attachment The present invention relates to an attachment for a paint tin to prevent the accumulation of paint in the well around the tin rim and on the outer wall of the tin.

When painting with a brush, a painter will first dip the brush into the tin to pick up paint on the brush bristles, and then excess paint is removed by wiping the bristles on the rim around the opening of the paint tin. This has two detrimental effects. Firstly the well around the tin rim fills with paint which, after it has dried, prevents the lid from sealing the opening which can lead to the unused paint drying out. Secondly paint tends to flow over the rim and dribble down the outer wall of the paint can which then soils a painter's hands when the painter tries to lift the paint tin.

The invention seeks to provide an attachment for a paint tin to avoid this difficulty.

The term paint herein includes any liquid or gel which is stored in a tin and applied with a brush including paint, varnishes, stains, and resins.

According to the present invention there is provided an attachment to a paint tin comprising an annular ring having a slot to engage over and cover the rim around the opening of a paint tin, said annular ring providing an inner circular flange which tapers inwards into the tin opening, whereby excess paint on a brush can be removed by wiping the brush bristles against said inner circular flange and said excess paint draining down back into the tin.

Preferably the slot is generally U-shaped or V-shaped.

Preferably the attachment includes a bar which spans the ring from two points on its circumference. Preferably the bar spans across the diameter of the ring.

Preferably the attachment is a unitary moulding of plastics material.

Preferably an outer circular flange of the annular ring substantially embraces the outer circumference of the tin. Preferably one or more projections are provided on the flange which retain the attachment on the rim by engaging the outer lip of the trim rim when the attachment is lifted. The outer flange may be deformable to allow the or each projection to ride over the rim lip when placing the attachment on a paint tin. Slits may be provided in the outer flange to allow it to deform more easily.

Preferably cut outs are provided in the circular flange to accommodate a handle on the outside of the paint tin.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 A shows a side perspective view of the top of the attachment, Figure 1 B shows a side perspective view of the bottom of the attachment, and Figure 2 shows a cross section of the attachment on a paint tin.

Referring to the drawings there is shown an attachment 1 formed from a unitary moulding of plastics. Attachment 1 has an annular ring 2 having a generally V-shaped slot 3 to engage over and cover the rim 4 around the opening 5 of a paint tin 6 of the type well known in the art. Rim 4 has an outer projecting lip 4A and a rim well 4B. Annular ring 2 has an inner circular flange 7 which tapers inwards into the tin opening 5.

Ring 2 includes a bar 8 which spans the ring from two points on its circumference across the diameter of the ring, i. e. dissecting the ring in half.

Ring 2 has an outer circular flange 9 which embraces the outer circumference of the tin. Flange 9 includes a shoulder 9A which rests on lip 4A of rim 4. Projections 10A, I OB, 1 OC, 1 OD are provided on the flange which retain the attachment, if lifted, on the rim by engaging under the outer lip 4A of the rim 4. The outer flange is deformable to allow the projections 1 OA, 1 OB, 1 OC, 1 OD to ride over the rim lip 4A when placing the attachment on a paint tin. Slits 11 A, 11 B, 11 C, 11 D may be provided in the outer flange to allow it to deform more easily.

Semicircular cut outs 12A, 12B are provided in the circular flange adjacent the slits 11A, 11C to accommodate a handle on the outside of the paint tin. Such as handle is usually in the form of a strap secured to either side of the tin 6 with rivets passing through the tin wall as is well known in the art, and the rivets can be accommodated in the recesses 12A, 12B.

In use a brush can be inserted in the tin to collect paint on its bristles. Excess paint on a brush can be removed by wiping the brush bristles against the inner circular flange 7 or the bar 8, with any excess paint draining down back into the tin. The attachment 1 thus prevents paint from coating the rim 4 of the tin (and its well 4B) or from dribbling over the outer wall of the tin.

The invention could take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the bar 8 could be omitted or be"off centre" (e. g. dissecting the ring 2 into say a quarter and three quarters). The attachment could be made of any suitable material other than plastics, e. g. metal, could be made in a variety to suit different sizes of tins, and/or could be coloured. The slot in the annular ring could be more U-shaped rather than V-shaped as shown, or another shape.

The attachment can be removed from a paint tin after use, and the lid of the tin replaced to preserve the contents of any unfinished tin. The attachment may be cleaned to remove wet paint using appropriate cleaning fluids immediately after use, or any dried paint can be removed by flexing the attachment which will crack the paint.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A paint tin attachment to minimise or eliminate the mess associated with the use of paintbrushes when applying liquid (paint, vamish, resin, stain etc.) contained in a tin.
2. A one-piece plastic moulding which fit onto the top of an opened paint can.
3. A device as described in Claims 1 and 2 which has the addition of an integral bar, which passes across the moulding and forms the diameter or a chord across the opening.
4. A device as described in Claims 1,2 and 3 where the profile of the bar is such that when a brush loaded with a liquid is wiped against it, surplus liquid can drain back into the tin
5. A device as described in Claims 1,2,3 and 4 which has a intemally slopping face around the circumference upon which a brush can be wiped allowing surplus liquid to drain back into the tin.
6. A device as described in Claims 1,2,3,4 and 5which has a rim around the outer circumference that fits the outer diameter of the tin.
7. A device as described in Claims 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 which has slots and intemal pips moulded on the outer rim to enable it to clip onto a paint tin and be retained by the pips
8. A device as described in any of the above Claims which is produced from a suitable grade of thermoplastic material to which dried liquid will not adhere firmly.
9. A paint tin attachment substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.