GB2450104A - A decanting device for piercing the lid of a paint tin and being located by two barbs - Google Patents

Abstract

A decanting device has a metal tube 1 with a sharpened end 3. A pair of barbs 2 are located on the outside of said tube. The device may be located on a lid of a paint tin and struck on an end cap 8 which may be screwed onto a threaded portion 4 of said device. As said device is struck it punctures the lid of said container and said barbs also pierce said lid. The device may be rotated slightly to allow the barbs to locate a non pierced portion of the lid. A washer 5 and wing nut 6 may then be tightened to clamp said device in position on said lid. To decant the liquid from said paint tin the end cap is unscrewed from said device and the contents is poured from the container. A brush 7 may be provided to clean the bore of said device. The device may be removed from the lid by unscrewing said wing-nut, a sealing bung or cap may then be placed in the hole in the lid.

Description

Specification

Title: Decanting Device

Description:

This invention is a device that is used to decant paint from the manufacturers tin / container. Most manufacturers rely on an interference fit between the tin and the lid to prevent the paint from drying out, however, when a tin of paint is opened, whether water based or oil based paint, the lid can become damaged by the tool that is used to open it (often a screwdriver). This deforms the lid and consequently when it is replaced there is no longer an air tight seal which causes a skin or crust to form on the top of the paint, rendering it useless. In addition, if the paint is poured into a roller tray or paint kettle, a residue of paint is often left around the rim of the tin, causing the interference fit of the lid to be compromised.

To overcome the problem, which exists for both professional trade painters and the DIY market, the paint decanting device dispenses with the need for opening the lid of the tin, providing a smaller more controllable spout. When the device is used it allows for the full contents of the tin to be used. Any residues of paint that remain on the decanting device can be cleaned with the brush that is integral to the end cap. Once the paint is finished with, the end cap is replaced allowing a tight seal to be maintained. This allows the paint to be stored and used at a later date, without any deterioration in the quality of the paint. This will save money for the consumer, as less paint is wasted. This makes the device an environmentally friendly invention, as it reduces the amount of wastage.

The detail of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the component parts of the paint decanting device.

Figure 2 shows how the device is installed.

Figure 3 shows the device in use.

Figure 4 shows how the integral brush is used for cleaning.

Figures shows the device cramped onto the lid as it would be in use.

The invention shown in Figure 1 works by piercing the lid of the tin with the sharpened end (3) of the metal tube (I) the tube can either be pushed through by hand, or driven in with the aid of a hammer striking the end cap (8) which is screwed onto the threaded section (4) of the decanting device. The tube needs to be located close to the perimeter of the tin to ensure that all of the paint can be decanted (see figure 3).

Once the barbs (2) havebeen driven below the lid of the tin (see figure 2), the decanting device is turned so that the flat upper surfaces of the barbs sit against the underside of the tin (see figure 5), allowing the device to be secured by tightening the wing nut (6). Once tightened the paint lid is sandwiched between the two barbs (2) and the washer (5) and the wing nut (6) (see Figure 5).

Page 2 Once in position, and secured on the paint container, the end cap (8) can be unscrewed, allowing the paint to be poured from the tin in a controlled manner (Figure 3). Where a handle is provided on the paint tin this can be used to tip the tin.

The smaller diameter of the decanting device (diameter approx 20 mm) allows much greater control when pouring. With the cap removed (it should be noted that the cleaning brush (7) is integral, and fixed to the end cap) the paint can be decanted in whatever quantity is required. When finished, the cleaning brush (7) is used to clean any excess paint, and depending on what paint is being used, water or solvent can be used to further clean any residue on the spout. The end cap (8) is screwed back onto the threaded section of the tube. As the end cap is screwed on, the brush is pushed down into the tube cleaning away any paint.

When the painter needs to use the device on a different tin of paint, the wing nut on the decanting device can be loosened, the shaft (1) turned to allow the barbs (2) to pass back through their initial puncture holes, which then allows the device to be removed. The paint tin is left with a 20mm hole, with two small openings at 180 degrees where the barbs pass through the lid. The design of the sharpened end (3) means that as the device punctures the lid, the material remains in tact as a flap, at the back of the hole on the underside of the lid. This is important as there are no deposits to contaminate the paint. The hole that is left in the lid of the tin is sealed using a plastic cap that retains a tight seal. When the tin is to be used at a later date, the cap can be removed, and the decanting device re installed. This can be repeated as often as required.

The decanting device is manufactured from steel, with a course thread (4) that will not be damaged when the end cap (8) is struck to penetrate the paint lid. The stiff bristled brush (7) passes though the length of the tube (brush length approx 100mm) and is securely fixed in the end cap. The flat washer (5) and the wing nut (6) are standard items. The steel triangular barbs (2) are permanently secured to the side of the shaft (1).

Claims (1)

1. Page 3 Title Decanting device Claims First claim 1. A sharpened metal

   tube for puncturing and pouring paints or similar liquids which allows the liquid to be decanted without the need to remove the container lid.

   Dependant claims 2. The tube, according to claim 1, is sharpened from the bottom edge to an angle of approximately 600 to create a point capable of penetrating metal paint tin lids.

   3. According to the previous claims, at the sides of the tube, two metal triangular barbs, immediately above the top of the sharpened angle, that serves the purpose of retaining the device when it is fixed in position.

   4. According to the previous claims, immediately above the barbs, the tube is threaded to the top of the tube.

   5. According to the previous claims, a flat washer fits over the top of the tube, so that when the device penetrates the lid, the washer seals the holes created by the barbs.

   6. According to the previous claims, a wing nut tightens down against the washer and the container lid from the top of the tube.

   7. According to the previous claims, an end cap is screwed on to the top of the tube allowing a seal to be created which maintains the condition of the paint.

   8. According to previous claims, with the end cap screwed down the device can either be struck by a hammer to penetrate the lid, or held in the palm of the hand to push the tube through the lid of the container.

   9. According to the previous claims, a cleaning brush which is the length of the tube is secured to the inside of the cap, and when the cap is screwed down the brush fits snugly inside the internal diameter of the tube.

   10. According to the previous claims, the decanting device can be removed by unscrewing the wing nut and twisting the device so that the barbs pass through the holes that they have created.

   12. According to the previous claims, with the decanting device removed a plastic cap is inserted to create a seal, enabling the decanting device to be used elsewhere.