GB2415664A

GB2415664A - Paint box comprising paint sealed with a sheet

Info

Publication number: GB2415664A
Application number: GB0511337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Kirkwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-03
Also published as: GB0511337D0; GB2415664B; GB0413660D0

Abstract

Painting apparatus providing a portable art studio, comprising: a container for containing painting materials; the painting materials comprising paint sealed within a sheet; eg made of flexible plastic or grease proof paper. The sheet providing a surface area for the mixing of paints; and wherein once the paint is finished or requires renewing, the sheet along with used paint may be removed from the container and replaced within a new sheet containing new paint. The painting apparatus also comprises paint thinner stored in a sponge.

Description

PAINT BOX

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus providing a portable art studio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Painting equipment such as canvasses and panels to be painted, oil and water-based paints, brushes etc. are difficult to transport due to their size and bulkiness.

This difficulty is enhanced when travelling abroad. In addition, the painting equipment may become damaged during transit.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide painting apparatus which is easy and safe to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided painting apparatus comprising: a container for containing painting materials; the painting materials comprising paint sealed with a sheet; the sheet providing a surface area for the mixing of paints; and wherein once the paint is finished or requires renewing, the sheet along with the used paint may be removed from the container and replaced with a new sheet containing new paint.

Typically, the sheet may be substantially air impermeable and may be formed from any suitable material.

Conveniently, flexible plastics or fabric material may be used. Preferably, the sheet is chosen so that the paint does not strongly adhere to the surface. In particular, greaseproof paper may be used.

Conveniently, the paint is stored by being sealed within the sheet, preventing any air from entering.

Preferably, the paint is vacuum-sealed within the sheet.

Typically, the sheet is sealed around the paint using any suitable sealing means. The sealing means may be any suitable type of adhesive such as glue.

Preferably, the adhesive does not become too hard or brittle on setting. The adhesive may therefore seal the paint but remains flexible. Typically, a gelatine-based glue may be used.

Any suitable type of evacuation system may evacuate the paint during sealing. For example, a converted vacuum cleaner may be used.

Conveniently, the sheet may also form a surface area for mixing different colours of paint.

The painting apparatus may also comprise a separate compartment to contain brushes, cloths, tissue paper, a wipe for cleaning brushes etc. A plurality of paint colours may also be present. The paints may be oil or water-based.

The painting apparatus may also comprise paint thinner. The paint thinner may be stored in a porous material such as a sponge. The paint thinner may be absorbed within the pores of the porous material. The sponge may be encased within a jacket which is typically formed from a substantially air-permeable sheet. The jacket may contain a hole wherein paint thinner may be expunged by applying pressure to the jacket.

Alternatively, the sponge containing the paint thinner may be vacuumsealed within the jacket and when ready for use, the jacket may be pierced whereupon the paint thinner may be expunged. Preferably, the paint thinner may be oil such as linseed oil.

In use, the seal forming the seal around the paint may be broken allowing the paint to be accessed. Once painting has finished, the sheet may be placed around the paint once again. Preferably, the sealing means may allow resealing. The paint may be resealed using adhesive tabs. This prevents the wastage of paint.

The container of the painting apparatus may also comprise storage means for storing surfaces, such as panels, to be painted. The storage means may be an elongate slot in a bottom section of the painting apparatus. Once painting has finished, the painted surface may be stored in the storage means to prevent any damage occurring to the painted area.

The container may also comprise side members which may be rotated outwards during use. The side members may be used to rest paint brushes on while in use.

In use, the surfaces to be painted may be placed on the inside surface of a lid of the container. The lid may also comprise ribs to hold the surfaces to be painted in place. In effect, the lid may become a handheld easel.

Once the paint requires renewing or replacing, the sheet containing the paint may be fully removed from the container and replaced with a new airimpermeable sheet containing a new set of paints.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided paint sealed within a sheet l which may be used to replace used painting material in a painting apparatus.

Conveniently, the sheet is substantially air impermeable.

Preferably, the paint may be vacuum-sealed within the sheet until ready for use. The evacuation of air may be performed using any suitable evacuation means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the provision of paint thinner, the apparatus comprising: a porous material) the porous material containing paint thinner) and wherein the porous material containing the paint thinner is encased within a jacket.

Preferably, the jacket may be made from a substantially air-impermeable sheet.

Conveniently, the jacket may comprise a hole whereupon paint thinner may be expunged on the application of pressure to the jacket.

Alternatively, the porous material may be vacuum sealed within the jacket and when the paint thinner is required, a hole may be formed in the jacket via which paint thinner may be expunged.

The paint thinner may be linseed oil.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided use of the painting apparatus according to the first aspect in painting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view of painting apparatus in an open configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 to 4 are representations of a method of manufacturing painting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a view of a painting surface being removed from painting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a top view of painting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention ready for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is a schematic representation of painting apparatus, generally designated 10. The apparatus comprises a bottom compartment 12 which may be closed with a hinged lid 14.

The bottom compartment 12 comprises the painting material.

As shown in Figure 1, the bottom compartment 12 contains a series of different paints 16 situated along one edge of the compartment 12. The paints 16 are separated into different colours. The paints 16 are vacuumsealed within greaseproof paper 18 which envelops and contains the paint 16. The greaseproof paper 18 is substantially air-impermeable and contains the paint 16 until ready for use. The greaseproof paper 18 is sealed around the paint 16 using any suitable glue.

The bottom compartment 12 of the painting apparatus also contains a sponge 20 soaked in linseed oil. The sponge 20 is contained within an airimpermeable jacket 22 which contains a hole 24.

On the opposite side from the paint 16, paint brushes 26 are encased within a separate compartment 28.

Other painting materials such as cloths, tissues, etc. may be stored within compartment 28. The compartment 28 also comprises a wipe 37. The wipe 37 may be used for cleaning brushes, cleaning hands, or both, or for wrapping round brushes 26 to keep them moist after use if away from home for several days without turps/brush cleaner (such as on safari) until equipment can be cleaned at home.

A brush scraper 31 slots over a division forming the compartment 28 and may be discarded once used. The brush scraper 31 is used to clean the brush 26.

In addition, the greaseproof paper 18 extends beyond the paint 16 and forms a paint mixing surface 30.

The bottom compartment 12 also comprises two side members 19,21 which may rotate about a side of the bottom compartment 12. The side members 19,21 comprise grooves l9A,21A which may be used to hold the handles of brushes 26 in place whilst the apparatus 10 is in use. This is useful in windy conditions. In a similar manner, the lid 14 comprises a lip section 23 which aids the closure of the apparatus 10 and may also be rotatable.

On the inside surface of the lid 14 there are two perpendicular rib-like sections 15r17 which may aid in the holding of painting surfaces. Riblike section 17 is high enough to allow greaseproof paper 18 to be lifted up, and held in place with tabs 18A. The tabs 18A are made from masking tape. The tabs 18A are used to hold the greaseproof paper 18 up and onto the lid 14 when painting, so that access to the paint 16 is unrestricted.

In addition, a small strip of material 17A is used to retain a painting surface in place. This is particularly useful in strong winds.

Figures 2 to 4 represent a method of manufacturing the paint 16 within the greaseproof paper 18.

As shown in Figure 2, a substantially rectangular mould 32 is formed on top of a work surface 34. The palette contains a plurality of recesses 33. The recesses 33 acts as moulds and prevent the different colours of the paint from mixing. The work surface 34 contains a plurality of apertures 36. The work surface 34 is connected to a funnel-shaped section 38. rlne funnel-shaped section 38 is connected via a pipe 40 to an evacuation system (not shown).

As shown in Figure 3, paint 16 is deposited onto the greaseproof paper 18 on top of the mould 32 into the recesses 33. Glue 35 is then placed around part of the greaseproof paper 18. Figure 3 shows that the greaseproof paper 18 is placed over the mould 32 with a small margin.

The greaseproof paper 18 is then pulled over and the air sucked out. The evacuation system is operating thereby providing vacuum-sealed paint 16 within the greaseproof paper 18. Once sealed, the mould 32 is turned over and the paint 16 seal slips out of the mould 32 the correct way up. Glue 35 is chosen which does not tend to go hard or brittle.

Figure 4 shows the vacuum-sealed paint 16 within the greaseproof paper 18. Once the paint 16 is sealed, tabs 18A are attached which may be used to stick to the lid 14. The tabs 18A are made of masking tape and allow resealing to take place.

The greaseproof paper 18 containing the paint 16 may then be inserted into the paint apparatus box 10 as shown in Figure 1.

When a user wishes to paint, the greaseproof paper 18 which is sealed about the paint 16 may be peeled off, thereby exposing the paint 16 ready for use. A user may also remove the paint brushes 26 from the compartment 28 and any other required materials.

Using, for example, a brush 26 some paint 16 may be removed from its initially stored area to the central paint mixing surface 30 and mixed with other colours of paint 16 if necessary.

Paint thinner may also be added from the sponge 20 which contains linseed oil. On pressing the jacket 22 lightly with a thumb, linseed oil is expunged from the hole 24. This may be used to thin the paint being mixed.

If the sponge 20 has completely expunged all of the linseed oil, it may be resoaked in oil, ready for further use.

The painting apparatus 10 is held by a user at the hinge-lid end, in the palm of the hand. The painting surface 44 and/or lid 12 is held by the thumb and forefinger varying the angle as required. The strip of 5material 17A holds the painting surface 44 in place. The painting apparatus may also be held into the stomach, for added stability in strong winds.

As shown in Figure 5, a painting surface 44 may be stored within a slot 46 in a bottom section of the 10compartment 12. Several painting surfaces 44 may be stored. A hinged flap 12A has in its centre an extra piece of material, such as card cut at an angle, enabling the lid 12 to close and fit. This adds extra strength to the apparatus 10 in case any weight is placed on it, as 15this is the weakest end! The painting surface 44 may be removed and placed on the inside surface of the lid 14. A tab 44A may help to remove the painting surface 44. This allows a wet paint surface to be moved without actually touching the wet 20surface. The painting surface 44 will be supported by perpendicular sections 15,17. A user may then paint on the painting surface 44 using the paint 16 and linseed oil in the bottom compartment 12.

Side members 19,21 may also be folded outward. The 25side members 19,21 may comprise recesses 23 to steady paint brushes. The lip section 23 may also be folded outward to create a completely flat painting area and is used to keep the lid closed.

Once a user has finished painting, the greaseproof paper 18 may be refolded about the paint 16 thereby sealing the paint 16 for use at a later date. The brushes 26 and other materials may be stored in the compartment 28. The painted surfaces 44 may also be inserted back into slot 46 and thereby are safely stored, preventing any damage to the painting.

Additionally, once all of the paint has been used or requires renewing, the greaseproof paper 18 containing any remaining paint 16 may be fully removed from the apparatus 10 and a new greaseproof paper 18 containing new vacuum-sealed paint 16 may be inserted within the bottom compartment 12 to allow painting to continue.

This replacement may be done at any time and as many times as required.

Whilst specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any size of apparatus may be used such as 8 x 10 inches, 16 x 20 inches etc. For larger sizes of apparatus, a portable leg such as an adjustable stick may be provided to take the weight of the apparatus when standing up.

Furthermore, any type of sealing means may be used to seal the paint within the greaseproof paper. Moreover, any type of material suitable for sealing the paint may be used. The items within the apparatus may also be adapted for right- and left-handed users as appropriate.

Claims

Painting apparatus comprising: a container for containing painting materials; the painting materials comprising paint sealed with a sheet; the sheet providing a surface area for the mixing of paints; and wherein once the paint is finished or requires renewing, the sheet along with the used paint may be removed from the container and replaced with a new sheet containing new paint.
2. Painting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is substantially air-impermeable.
3. Painting apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is made from flexible plastics material.
4. Painting apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is a fabric material.
5. Painting apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is greaseproof paper.
6. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the paint is vacuum-sealed within the sheet.
7. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is sealed around the paint using sealing means.
8. Painting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sealing means is adhesive.
9. Painting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sealing means is a gelatine-based glue.
10. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an evacuation system is used to evacuate the environment around the paint during sealing.
11. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a separate compartment is used to contain brushes, cloths, tissue paper and a wipe for cleaning brushes.
12. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the painting apparatus also comprises paint thinner.
13. Painting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the paint thinner is stored in a porous material.
14. Painting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the porous material is a sponge.
15. Painting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the porous material is encased within a jacket which is formed from a substantially airimpermeable sheet.
16. Painting apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the jacket contains a hole wherein paint thinner may be expunged by applying pressure to the jacket.
17. Painting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the porous material containing the paint thinner is vacuum-sealed within a jacket whereupon the jacket may be pierced and paint thinner may be expunged.
18. Painting apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the paint thinner is linseed oil.
19. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is capable of being replaced around the paint once painting is finished.
20. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the painting apparatus comprises storage means which may be used to contain painting panels.
21. Painting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the storage means is an elongate slot in a bottom section of the painting apparatus.
22. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises side members which may be rotated outwards during use which allows paint brushes be rested thereupon while painting.
23. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a lid which has ribs which may be used to hold the surfaces to be painted in place.
24. Painting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet containing the paint is capable of being fully removed from the container and replaced with a new air-impermeable sheet containing a new set of paints.
25. Painting apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.