US3139646A

US3139646A - Paint can

Info

Publication number: US3139646A
Application number: US214649A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert H Vernon
Original assignee: ARVON PRODUCTS CO Inc
Current assignee: ARVON PRODUCTS CO Inc
Priority date: 1962-08-03
Filing date: 1962-08-03
Publication date: 1964-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 1981-07-07

Description

July 7, 1964 R. H. VERNON 3,139,646

PAINT CAN Filed Aug. 3, 1962 2 Sheet's--Sheei'l l Fig. 3

INVENTOR. ROBERT H. VERNON B" /a 744m ATTORNEY July 7, 1964 R. H. VERNON 3,139,646

PAINT CAN Filed Aug. 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR.

ROBERT H. lVERNON BY MZ, dfQv ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,139,646 PAINT CAN Robert H. Vernon, Ambler, Pa., assignor to Arvon Products Company, Incorporated, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation ot Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 3, '1962, Ser. No. 214,649 5 Claims. (Cl. 15-257.06)

This invention relates to a paint can. More particularly, it relates to a paint can having specific suitability for use with roll-on type paint applicators. Even more particularly, it relates to a paint can adapted for congversion into a tray-type receptacle for use with a paint application roller.

The application of paint by means of a roller rather than a brush or spray gun is very popular, particularly for use by the individual householder. It is customary to provide a tray having an inclined bottom, into which paint is poured from a container. A roller of felt-like material and mounted for rotation on a handle is then dipped into the paint in the lower portion of the tray and the roller is rolled along the inclined bottom to properly distribute the paint in the roller. It is apparent that the householder or other painter requires a tray as well as a supply of paint, and that he must either discard or clean the tray after use, particularly if another color is to be used.

Attempts have been made to eliminate the necessity for a separate tray, but the present invention is an improvement over drawbacks in such attempts. An example of such an attempt `is disclosed in Patent 2,983,938.

It is an object of this invention to provide a paint can.

It is an object of this invention to provide a paint can adapted for use with a roller applicator.

It is another object of this invention to provide a paint can adapted to receive a application roller whereby the necessity for a separate tray is obviated. Y

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view, partially fragmented, of a paint can and roller;

FIGURE 2a is an isometric view of a paint can with covering material partly removed;

FIGURE 2b is an isometric view of a paint can with the tray portion formed;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through a paint can;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view of the slot in the can;

FIGURE 5a is a cross-sectional view through the side f a can at the slot showing one embodiment thereof; and

FIGURE b is a cross-sectional view through the side of a can at the slot showing another embodiment thereof.

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the side of a can showing the label imprinted with cutting instructions.

A paint can generally designated 10 is shown in FIG- URE l. This can is preferably rectangular and is often ice dle for the paint can. The roller 30 is provided with a sleeve 32, preferably a cylinder of paper or cardboard. A strip of tape, preferably of the pressure-sensitive type, is applied over sleeve 32 and is affixed to the can.

An alternate form of attaching the roller-carrying handle is to eliminate sleeve 32 and to shield the tape mastic from the roller surface by folding it upon itself Where it crosses the roller. While this provision of a roller is considered novel and inventive in itself, it is understood that the other aspects of this invention may be carried out even though a roller is not included.

Thev general structure of this invention may be best understood initially in connection with FIGURES 2a and 2b. The paint can comprises ends 11 and sides 12. A filling hole and cap (not shown) are provided on one of the ends 11.

of a one gallon size, although the exact shape and size On one of the sides 12, preferably one of the larger sides if the sides vary in area, a U-shaped slit or slot 12a is provided. As best shown in FIGURE 2b, the U-shaped slot comprises three sides, the base of the U being generally parallel to one edge of the side 12 and the two adjacent sides thereof being roughly parallel to the edge of the ends 11. For a one gallon can, the base of the U may be eight inches long, and each of the adjacent sides may be five inches long. Each side may be spaced 1%6 from the edge of the nearest end 11. The important aspect of these dimensions is that the base of the U be wide enough to accommodate the roller 30. It is not essential that the slot include straight sides, and curves may be used if desired, for example, if called for by manufacturing procedures. The slot itself has been found to be suitable if its width is between 1/32 and 1/16 inch, although it is apparent that this dimensional range While preferable is not critical. The cam 10 is generally of the common tinned sheet steel type.

At one end of the U-shaped slot 12a, a hole 12d is provided. This hole or expanded slot portion is provided for a reason explained below. A plurality of drain holes 12a are provided as shown within the area of 12b defined by the U-shaped slot, which may also be referred to as the tray portion or flap portion. The dual purpose of these holes is explained below.

A detailed cross-section of one form of the cornplete can is best shown in FIGURE 5a. The sheet metal can body 12 is provided with slot 12a as described. With the can 10 lying on its side as shown in FIGURE 2a, paint 46 is at the level shown in FIGURE 5a. A piece, preferably rectangular, of plastic 14 is provided on the outside of the can over the slot 12a with its expanded portion 12d and the holes 12C. This plastic sheet may be made of any suitable plastic, preferably a exible one, such as mylar, polyvinyl chloride, or a polyolen. The pressure sensitive adhesive 14a is pro vided on one side of sheet 14 and the covering material or sheet 14 is then firmly adhered to the can surface over the openings.

Finally, the usual tag paper or light cardboard outer covering 15 is applied around all the sides 12 or partially around them. This outer covering normally has label information printed thereon. In the present invention this outer covering 15 also has printed thereon indications of where the user should cut.

For use, a knife or other pointed instrument is thrust through the tag paper 15 at the hole 12d which serves the function of providing an easy starting place for the cut. The knife is then run through slot 12a, cutting through tag paper 15 and sheet 14. Either before or after this cut is made, the holes 12e are punched through the tag paper 15 and sheet 14 by the sharp pointed implement. The roller 30, or a similar roller, equipped with 3 a handle, is then ready for use. As best shown in FIG- URE 3, the roller is placed on the flap 12b and rolled toward the base of the U-shaped slot. The flap is depressed and the roller contacts the paint 40.

Having picked up a load of paint, the roller 30 is rolled back upwardly on iiap 12b. Excess paint is squeezed out of the roller during this action. Some of this paint runs down the flap and some runs through or is squeezed into the drain holes 12e. In addition to this scupper effect, the holes 12C weaken the can surface somewhat near the uncut edge of fiap 12b so that the flap is more easily depressed by the roller 36 and so that the bend will take place at r near the uncut edge.

It has been found that the fiap or tray 12b tends to return toward the closed position after each passage of the roller, due to the natural resiliency of the can. This is advantageous since it tends to shut the can between dips of the roller and thus inhibit possible spilling. It has been found possible to carry the can from place to place even after opening and use because of this closing and sealing tendency.

As the level of paint 40 lowers, the roller is pressed down harder on the flap and its depressed or bent position tends to lower. This provides continual easy access to the paint. When the paint 40 is almost exhausted, the can 10 may be turned through 90 so that it rests on the uncut small side adjacent to the long base of the U-shaped slot 12a. In FIGURE 2b, this side is the rear one. In this position, the remaining paint runs to this smaller area, and the roller is inserted over the lip of the base of the U-shaped cut and can easily pick up the remaining paint.

In FIGURE 5b, is shown a preferred way of assembling the can 10. A rectangular sheet of plastic, as has been described, is provided on the interior of the can, adhering thereto by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive 14a. An 8 mil vinyl sheet has been found satisfactory, and the dimensions of this sheet are approximately the same as those shown for sheet 14 in FIG- URE 2a.

Another, although not preferred form is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The slot 12a is filled With a Vinyl wax impregnated fish line or cord 17. An additional mass of Vinyl wax 1.8 is provided over the cord 17, and these fillers are then heat-sealed in place. In this embodiment, the end of the fish line 17 is permitted to extend through the tag paper or label so that the slot may be opened by pulling7 the cord. It is obvious that other known heat-scalable or similar materials may be used in this embodiment.

A preferred exact arrangement of the various cuts is shown in FIGURE 6. In this embodiment, a can side 50 is shown covered with the tag paper or similar label material 14. Instructions for cuts to be made by the user are imprinted on this label and are shown by dotted lines. The user is instructed to cut along these dotted lines with a sharp implement, and in doing so he severs the plastic sheet positioned below the slots and other cut-out portions in the body of the can, which in turn are positioned directly below the dotted instruction lines.

In this preferred embodiment, the form of the cutouts has been varied, largely for certain reasons of ease of manufacturing and of mechanical strength. The cutouts are made in the metal body and the plastic sheet is affixed before the body is bent to form the sides. It is desirable to provide increased structural strength at certain weak points in the metal to avoid deforming the metal when the bends are made by automatic machinery to form the sides. It is understood that the exact form shown in FIGURE 6 is highly preferable for manufacturing purposes, but that if cans are to be hand bent into shape, the simpler cut-outs shown in FIGURES 2a and 2b are acceptable.

In FIGURE 6, the starting hole or expanded slot portion 51 is provided at a point on one of the legs of the 4 U instead of at the end thereof, as starting hole 12d is as shown in FIGURE 2b. This positioning prevents undue weakening of the can material along the uncut edge of the ap. The initial cut is made by plunging the knife or other implement into hole 12d or 5i.

The base of the U-shaped slot is made undulating as shown at 52 in FIGURE 6. This form increases the structural strength at this point and prevents deformation during the bending of the can body to form the sides of the can.

Finally, the holes 12C are replaced by tabs 5S, 56, 57, and 58, which are cut along the dotted lines and are then bent downwardly into the interior of the can. The holes and tabs each may be described as openings. This type of drain structure has been found to be superior to that of the holes 12e and also provides greater material strength along the uncut edge of the flap, for reasons that have been discussed.

It is understood that an ordinary handle can be used instead of the roller as shown in FIGURE l. In such a case the can is basically similar to that of 1, 2, and 5 gallon cans commonly used to hold thinners and solvents, and equipped with narrow-necked and screw-capped openings.

The usual separate tray employed in roller painting is equipped with ridges or serrations on the surface. It has been found that these ridges are not essential to the function of the apparatus, and they are difficult to incorporate in the flap portion 12b in the can-making process. However, they could be included if desired.

Contrary to what might be expected, it has been found that cans made in accord with this disclosure can be stored and carried safely without bursting.

The scope of this invention is to be determined by the following claims and is not to be limited by the foregoing disclosure and accompanying drawings which are illustrative and not limiting.

I claim:

l. A combined paint can and roller tray of resilient sheet material having a side, a slot of generally U-shaped configuration in said side, said slot defining a flap portion, a plurality of openings in said flap, removable sealing means over each of said openings, and removable means to seal said slot, whereby said iiap is capable of resilient depression into the interior of said can after said sealing means have been removed, and said openings provide excess paint run-offs and roller friction means after said sealing means over said openings have been removed, said openings extending through said flap, and said flap resiliently biased to tend to close said slot.

2. A can as set forth in claim 1 wherein said removable sealing means is a plastic sheet atiixed to the interior of said can and covering said slot.

3. A can as set forth in claim l wherein said removable sealing means is a plastic sheet aliixed to the exterior of said can and covering said slot.

4. A can 'as set forth in claim 1 wherein said removable sealing means is a cord positioned in said slot, said cord having one end thereof upstanding above said can.

5. A combined paint can and roller tray comprising:

(l) a can of resilient sheet material having at least one fiat side;

(2) a generally U-shaped slot in said side, comprising a base and a leg at each end of said base;

(n) said base having an undulating configuration; (b) an expanded slot portion in one of said legs; (3) a plurality of slots, each said slot defining a tab, each of said tabs within that portion of said side which is partially enclosed by said U-shaped slot;

(4) a plastic sheet affixed to said side and covering said U-shaped slot and said tab slots;

(5) an outer covering on the outside of said side having imprinted thereon markings showing the location of said expanded slot portion, U-shaped slot, and tabs, hidden by said outer covering.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Impey July 17, 1906 Clark Jan. 20, 1914 Galler Mar. 15, 1938 Farrow Apr. 5, 1955 Carper Apr. 23, 1957 Fiske Mar. 18, 1958 5 Wilson et al Aug. 4, 1959 Borah Aug. 4, 1959 Veazey May 16, 1961 Tretwold et al. June 20, 1961 Zastrow Sept. 26, 1961 Kus Dec. 5, 1961 Hennessey Aug. 14, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Nov. 6, 1934 France May 2, 1955 France Feb. 27, 1961

Claims

1. A COMBINED PAINT CAN AND ROLLER TRAY OF RESILIENT SHEET MATERIAL HAVING A SIDE, A SLOT OF GENERALLY U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION IN SAID SIDE, SAID SLOT DEFINING A FLAP PORTION, A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS IN SAID FLAP, REMOVABLE SEALING MEANS OVER EACH OF SAID OPENINGS, AND REMOVABLE MEANS TO SEAL SAID SLOT, WHEREBY SAID FLAP IS CAPABLE OF RESILIENT DEPRESSION INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CAN AFTER SAID SEALING MEANS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, AND SAID OPENINGS PROVIDE EXCESS PAINT RUN-OFFS AND ROLLER FRICTION MEANS AFTER SAID SEALING MEANS OVER SAID OPENINGS HAVE BEEN REMOVED,