WO2000037320A2

WO2000037320A2 - Novel lid for container

Info

Publication number: WO2000037320A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/028969
Authority: WO
Inventors: Max M. Stern; Elyon Krok
Original assignee: Stern Max M; Elyon Krok
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1999-12-07
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Also published as: AU3112800A

Abstract

A paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray including a planar lid surface defined by a peripheral border and including means for attaching the border in a sealing relationship to the upper boundary of a paint container, a first opening formed in the lid surface defined by a peripheral edge, a cover for the first opening having a planar first surface and an opposite, textured second surface, the cover pivotally attached along a portion thereof to the lid, means to attach the cover to the lid, the cover capable of first and second configurations with the lid, in the first configuration, the planar first cover surface is arranged in co-planar relationship with the planar lid surface when the cover is placed flat over the opening with the planar first cover surface facing upward, in the second configuration, the textured, second cover surface is arranged facing upward at an acute angle with the lid, the cover slanting toward the first opening, to act as a paint roller tray, and a support integral with the lid surface moveable from a first storage position, substantially planar with the lid surface, to a second support position against the cover when the cover is in the second configuration.

Description

NOVEL LIP FOR CONTAINER

RELATION TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of our previously filed United

States Patent Applications (1) Drip Tray as Lid of Container, filed December

18, 1998 and given Serial Number 09/215,365, and (2) Container with Sloped

Floor That Incorporates Ladder Attachment, filed April 19, 1999 and given

Serial Number 09/294,066.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eield of the Invention

This invention pertains to the field of containers for storing liquids such as

paint. More particularly, the invention pertains to a novel top or lid for a paint

container that may act as a paint-roller tray or drip tray for use in applying the

paint to walls, etc. with a roller or paint brush.

Description of the Prior Art

For industrial, as well as home use, paint is traditionally hauled to the work

site in 1, 2-1/2, and 5 gallon buckets, stirred in the bucket to homogenize the

contents, add color if necessary, and then poured into one or more wide, shallow,

paint-roller trays to be lifted and carefully placed on the rungs or on top of a step

ladder for the painter's use in wetting the roller and applying the paint. As anyone

knows who has undertaken this task, pouring paint from a large container into a

shallow paint-roller tray is fraught with inconvenience and difficulty from small

splashes from the paint tray to accidental spills from the paint bucket and tray, to sloshing paint out of the tray while re-wetting the paint roller. The shallow paint

tray is especially cumbersome because the paint is heavy and subject to sloshing

and if the tray is tilted, it causes one side or end of the tray to become heavier than

the other, requiring upward force to be used to lift the heavy side of the tray which

often results in over-compensation and spilling of paint from the opposite side of

the tray.

Purchasing a paint-roller tray requires only a small outlay of money.

However, at the end of the day, there is the messy job of cleaning it so that by next

use of the tray, there is no dried paint on the tray to be rolled on the wall with a

new batch of paint. Accordingly, using a paint-roller tray is messy, causes

unwanted spills, and is labor-intensive to clean following use.

The prior art has tried to solve these problems by combining the paint tray

with the paint lid. U.S. Patent 3,828,389, discloses a rectangular paint container

having a lid hinged along one side where the underside of the hinge has an

upstanding rim molded about a plurality of ribs that serves, when the lid is

completely opened and braced at the free end by the carrying handle, as a paint

roller tray. While this combines the tray with the container, the tray is useful only

in a rectangular configuration that must be constantly filled with paint from an

external source. Further, the container cannot be used on a ladder or other narrow

support surface because the handle must support the paint roller tray apart from

the container. U.S. Patent 4,928,843 discloses an integral paint can and roller pan

combination where a specially made elliptical paint can is topped with a lid having

a textured underside. Exposed pivot housings and support arms are attached to

the upper surface of the lid that can later be arranged to support the lid in upside

down configuration to act as a paint tray. While this is a novel approach to the

problem, it requires a special and expensive type of paint can and, additionally,

suffers from having exposed supports on top of the lid that can be bent, broken

and otherwise damaged when similar cans full of paint are stacked on top of each

other as is required in many stores and at construction sites.

U.S. Patent 5,472, 11 1 discloses a rectangular container having a lid whose

upper surface is formed into a paint-roller tray, including an upstanding side rim

and a textured surface, and having a pair of rigid flaps extending downward on

opposite sides of the tray for assembly with projections molded on the outside of

the bucket to support the paint roller tray on top of the bucket when the lid is

loosened and slid partially toward one side of the container to provide access to

the paint in the container. With the paint-roller tray exposed during periods of

non-use, it is subject to be smeared with dirt, grease, tar, or other materials found

about work sites. These materials would be difficult to clean from the ribs, slots,

or other textures in the tray. In addition, the paint roller tray prevents stacking of

like paint-filled containers without danger of damage to the rim and/or the

textured surface. Further, the container must be made with special molded

projections on the outside thereof which makes them more expensive and raises the price of the paint. Still further, the paint roller tray must be cleaned at the end

of each use so that wet paint does not smear onto other objects placed near the lid.

U.S. Patent 5,404,611 discloses a paint roller container and lid combination

where the underside of the lid contains a textured surface and surrounding rim to

serve as a paint roller tray. The combination is used by removing the lid from the

rectangular container, turning the lid over and inserting the forward corners of the

side edges into special receptacles mounted on the inside walls of the container.

This special-configuration lid is only useful with the special-configuration

container and is expensive to build with the interior receptacles. The lid must be

cleaned after use, before replacing the lid, otherwise the paint container will be

soiled.

Each of the above prior art patents requires support for the paint roller tray

from the container itself. This requires the container to have some internal or

external fitting provided and these fittings interfere with the stackable nature of

the containers. Accordingly, it clearly appears there continues to be a need for a

lid for use with ordinary paint containers, as well as special-configuration

containers, that has a paint-roller tray integral therewith and supported solely by

the lid and that does not otherwise possess the disadvantages of the prior art

devices.

SUMMARY OE THE INVENTION

This invention is a novel lid for a paint container that has an integral, self-

supporting paint-roller tray, i.e., it is a lid having an integral paint-roller tray that is solely supported by the lid and requires no protruding fittings on the container.

It can be applied to a typical paint bucket. The lid may be combined with an

existing paint container to produce the benefits hereinafter described. Further, it

can be combined with a paint container that can be temporarily attached to a

standard ladder or step ladder to bring even more benefits to the combination. It

can be used as a paint roller tray on any kind of surface. It does not require

special fittings on the container. The lid has a planar top surface allowing it to be

stacked with other paint- filled containers without the possibility of damage to the

lid. It has no exposed supports or other contrivances that would be damaged

when stacked. The textured surface used as the paint roller tray is not placed

exterior the container until needed so that the tray surface is not exposed to dirt,

grease, or other harmful materials.

The invention is a paint container lid with integral, self-supporting, paint

roller tray comprising a planar lid surface defined by a peripheral border and

including means for attaching the border in a sealing relationship about the upper

boundary of a paint container, a first opening formed in the lid surface, a cover for

the first opening having a planar first surface and an opposite, textured second

surface, the cover pivotally attached along a portion thereof to the lid and solely

supported by said lid and capable of first and second configurations with the lid,

where, in the first configuration, the planar first cover surface is arranged in co-

planar relationship with the lid surface when the cover is placed flat over the

opening with the planar first cover surface facing upward and, in the second configuration, the textured, second cover surface is arranged facing upward at an

angle with the cover, the surface slanting toward the first opening that now

remains open, to act as a paint-roller tray, and a support integral with the lid and

moveable from a first storage position to a second support position against the

cover when the cover is in its second configuration. In addition, the novel lid of

this invention can be used in combination with virtually any paint container.

Further, it is combinable with a generally rectangular paint container having

slanted side walls so that, when filled with paint, the container is stackable on top

of other like containers and, when empty, is nestable, and the lids are stackable.

because of their planar configuration. This invention may be used on different

volume containers, using the same sized lid of this invention, where the containers

vary only in depth and thus are stackable, i.e., a 2-1/2 gallon paint container. The

lid of this invention is stackable by itself and the lid-container combination is

stackable. One such lid-container combination is particularly useful where the

container has a special design at the base thereof for attachment to the rung, step,

or top of a ladder.

Accordingly, the main object of this invention is a paint container lid with

an integral, self-supporting, paint-roller tray, solely supported by the lid, and

having a planar top for easy and efficient stacking. Other objects of the invention

include a paint container lid that can be used as a paint-roller tray on restricted

surfaces such as a rung, step, or top of a ladder; a paint-container lid that is

adaptable to automated machinery currently being used to automatically fill and seal a container with a lid thereon; a paint- container lid having a surface useful

as a paint roller tray where all the supports of the tray are integral with the lid

relieving the requirements to have special fittings, attachments, and support

devices molded into or otherwise attached to the interior or exterior of the walls

of the container; a paint container lid having support for the paint roller tray in

planar configuration with the rest of the lid to eliminate the potential for physical

damage to the tray support when the lid is stacked with other heavy containers or

materials; a lid having a paint roller tray that remains out of exposure until needed

thus eliminating the potential for damage to the tray from spilled liquids; a lid

with integral paint roller tray that is foldable down in sealing relationship into the

space above the bulk of the paint in the container so that the tray does not need to

be cleaned following use because the seal between the container and the lid keeps

air away from the paint that could cause skinning and drying of the paint left on

the tray; and, a novel paint container with lid combination that is both stackable

and nestable for more efficient storage.

These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one

reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are

attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventors may be gleaned

from a fair reading of the Claims that conclude this specification.

DESCRIPTION OE TI1E DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front isometric view of the lid of this invention showing the

cover in its second configuration; Figure 2 is a rear isometric view of the lid shown in Figure 1 showing, in

partial cutaway form, the means of supporting the paint tray in its second

configuration;

Figure 3 is another isometric view of the lid of this invention, taken from

another angle, showing the cover in its second configuration with its textured

surface and shows the bifid strut planar with the lid before it is rotated into

support position underneath the cover;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the cover in its second configuration with

its rib textured surface and shows the latches used to hold the cover tightly over

the first opening in the lid;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the cover in its first configuration and

shows the bifid strut extending outward from its hinged attachment to the lid;

Figure 6 is a side view of the lid with the cover arranged vertically upright

just after the cover is attached to the lid;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the lid with the cover removed and

showing the preferred embodiment of the juncture between the cover and the lid;

Figure 8 is a side view of the lid with the cover arranged vertically upright

after the lid is joined to a paint container;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the end of the cover that is joined to the

lid showing the preferred joint elements;

Figure 10 is a sectional side view of the end of the cover shown in Figure

9 showing a close-up arrangement of the preferred joint elements; Figure 11 is another sectional side view of the end of the cover shown in

Figure 9 showing the arrangement of other elements around the joint between the

cover and the lid;

Figure 12 is a close-up view of the latch used to hold the cover down

tightly onto the lid;

Figure 13a is a sectional view of the sealing means, in an unsealed

configuration, for sealing the border of the lid onto the upper boundary of the

paint container;

Figure 13b is the same sectional view of the sealing means in Figure 13a

but in the sealed configuration;

Figure 14 is an illustrative view of two combination lid/container stacked

one on top of each other and further showing the novel means for temporarily

attaching the container to the step, rung, or top of a step ladder;

Figure 15 is an illustrative view of three empty containers of this invention

nested within each other;

Figure 16 is an isometric view of the bottom of a typical container of this

invention showing the support ribs and the skirt surrounding the periphery

thereof;

Figure 17 is a side sectional view taken through a typical container used in

this invention showing one embodiment of the floor structure of this invention as

well as the ladder attachment of the invention; Figure 18 is another side sectional view taken through a typical container

used in this invention showing another embodiment of the floor structure of this

invention; and,

Figure 19 is a close-up view of the junction between the cover and the lid

about the periphery of the first opening.

DESCRIPTION OF TME PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers

and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 20 drawings, the

paint container lid 1 of this invention is depicted in Figures 1 through 5 as having

a planar surface 3 defined by a peripheral border 5 and including first means 7 for

attaching border 5 in a sealing relationship to the upper boundary 9 of a paint

container 13. Border 5 is preferably made in a generally rectangular

configuration, with rounded corners, and paint container 13 should have a similar

rectangular shape and rounded corners so that the inter- attachment therebetween

fully seals the paint in container 13. This is not to be taken as limiting the

invention in any way. This novel lid is just as useful with a typical cylindrical 5-

gallon paint bucket and other such known and unknown configured containers

and their use in combination with this invention is fully contemplated herein.

Whatever the configuration of the paint container, border 5 can be made to fit it

so that the inventive lid can be placed in sealing relationship with virtually any

container. A first opening 15 is formed in lid surface 3, defined by a peripheral

boundary 17, to provide access from outside to the paint inside container 13 when

lid 1 is sealed over container boundary 9 and first opening 15 is allowed to remain

open. The dimensions of opening 15 are preferred to be such as to allow passage

of a typical paint roller 19 therethrough (shown in dotted outline in Figure 1 ),

when the roller portion thereof is held in level attitude with lid 1 and passed

downward through first opening 15 and into contact with the surface of the paint

remaining in container 13 (not shown). The front-to-rear dimensions of opening

are preferred to be sufficiently wide as to allow roller 19 to be easily passed

through opening 15 when roller 19 is touched onto the paint surface to fill or re-

wet it. A rectangular first opening 15, as shown in Figure 3, is preferred. First

opening 15 can be larger than these preferred dimensions and these other

dimensions are fully contemplated in this invention.

A cover 21 is provided for closing over first opening 15 in sealing

relationship, said cover defined by a peripheral edge 23 including second means

25 for sealing against first opening peripheral boundary 17. Second means 25

may include a foam, plastic, or other flexible seal or gasket, attached about cover

21 , and adapted to press against lid 1. Cover 21 has a planar first surface 29 (see

Figure 14) and an opposite, textured second surface 31 (see Figures 3 and 4).

Second, textured, surface 31 lies underneath planar first surface 29 and said

textured surface 31 is arranged to accommodate the surface of roller 19. Textured surface 31 may take a variety of forms. Shown in Figure 4 is a

textured surface comprising a plurality of upstanding narrow ribs 35 that are

slanted in a specific direction. Shown in Figure 3 is a textured surface comprising

a plurality of protrusions 37. Ribs 35 may be made in a wavy pattern or slanted

one way or the other while protrusions 37 may be out-protrusions or in-

protrusions of regular or irregular size. Cover 21 is attachable along one edge 39

to lid 1 along a pivotal connection 41 and cover 21 is capable of first and second

configurations with respect to the rest of lid 1 , each of which stems from cover 21

being solely supported on lid 1.

In its first configuration, as shown in Figure 14, cover 21 is arranged flat

against lid 1 and covers over first opening 15 to place planar first surface 29 in co-

planar relationship with lid planar surface 3. In this configuration, planar first

surface 29 faces upward so that the entire top surface of lid 1 is substantially

planar. The word "substantially" is used because, in the preferred embodiment

and as will be explained later, there is at least one other closeable opening and at

least one slightly depressed area formed in lid planar surface 3 that interrupts the

pure planar features of lid 1. However, for the most part, lid 1 is flat or planar on

top. In this first configuration, cover 21 completely covers over first opening 15

and sealing means 25 extends about peripheral boundary 16 so that paint container

13 is entirely sealed about its upper boundary 9.

In its second configuration, alternatively shown in Figures 1 through 4,

cover 21 is lifted from first opening 15, rotated about pivotal connection 41 , and adjusted to establish cover 21 at an acute angle "α", preferably about 30°, with lid

1 to expose textured second surface 31 and open first opening 15 to allow access

to the paint in container 13. Textured second surface 31 faces upward from lid

1 even though at an acute angle as aforesaid. In this position, textured second

surface 31 acts as a paint roller tray that is slanted downward toward first opening

15 with cover forward edge 43 at or near one side of first opening 15.

A strut 47, preferably hinged at 49 along one edge to lid 1 , is shown in

Figure 5 pivotable about said hinge from a first storage position, shown in dotted

outline in Figure 15, in a concave or depressed area 51, formed in lid surface 1,

pivotally upward to a second position, shown by an arrow in Figure 2, into contact

at its opposite strut edge 53 with planar first surface 29, to support textured

second surface 31 at angle "α" in the second configuration. As shown in Figure

2, strut 47 is preferably in the form of a bifid having two pairs of spaced-apart tabs

55 that engage like-spaced detents 59 in planar first surface 29. In depressed area

51, tabs 55 engage another set of detents 61 , shown in dotted outline in Figure 5

and formed in lid 1, in a slightly interference fit to hold strut 47 in storage in

depressed area 51. Hinge 49 is preferably a "living" hinge the construction of

which is already known in the prior art. Other than strut 47 and pivotal

connection 41 , cover 21 is solely supported by lid 1.

As shown in Figure 3, a second opening 63 is formed in lid 1 , and covered

with a cap 65 through which to add tint or other paint ingredients or to dip a

brush, etc. A small relief area 67 is formed in depressed area 51, for insertion of a person's finger tip or the tip of a screw driver to pry or pivot strut 47 from its

storage position in depressed area 51.

As shown in Figures 1-4, an upstanding short wall 71 is formed about

textured second surface 31 and arranged to be positioned adjacent first opening

peripheral boundary 17 when cover 21 is closed over first opening 15. Wall 71

acts as a confining means about textured second surface 31 to prevent paint from

paint roller 19 from exuding or splashing outward and off second surface 31 in

an unwanted direction when cover 21 is in its second configuration. As shown

in Figure 19, wall 71 is made slightly larger in size than first opening 15 so that

when cover 21 is lowered into contact with first opening boundary 17, a slight

interference fit occurs therebetween to form a seal against unexpected opening of

cover 21 and spilling of paint from container 13. In addition, a small protuberance

73 is molded on the exterior of wall 71, slightly below the upper end thereof, so

that, as cover 21 is closed over first opening 15, protuberance 73 passes from

above to below first opening boundary 17 and becomes located thereunder to form

an additional bar to unexpected opening of cover 21 and spilling of paint from

container 13, such as when container 13 is tipped over.

As shown in Figures 6 through 11, in the preferred embodiment of the

joinder of cover 21 to lid 1, pivotal connection 41 is achieved by a forming a

plurality of spaced-apart upstanding hooks 75. A ledge 77 is shown in Figure 7,

spaced-apart from hooks 75, is supported by a plurality of overhead supports 79

anchored to lid 1. Ledge 77 is spaced above a surface 83 formed on lid 1 , slightly below planar surface 3. As shown in Figure 9, a thin strip 85 is formed along

cover edge 39 and pivotally attached to edge 39 by a hinge 87, such as a living

hinge, of the type already known in the prior art. Strip 85 has a plurality of short,

narrow slots 89 formed in spaced-apart arrangement therein in the same

arrangement and spacing as hooks 75. Additionally, the edge 91 of strip 85,

opposite hinge 87, has formed there along a plurality of tabs 95 supported on

short, upstanding wall segments 97. As shown in Figures 6 through 10, to

assemble cover 21 to lid 1, cover 21 is positioned over lid 1 in vertical

arrangement, and strip 85 lowered down onto hooks 75 while tabs 95 are tabs 95

are passed between hooks 75 and under ledge 77. In final assembly, as shown in

Figure 11, strip 85 becomes planar with lid 1 and tabs 95 are locked under ledge

77 with hooks 75 preventing cover 21 from becoming loosened during

manipulation of cover 21. As an added seal to the junction between cover 21 and

lid 1, an upwardly-directed spur 99 is formed on surface 83 and arranged for

contact by cover 21 , during closure of cover 21 onto lid 1 , where spur 99 is

deformed against cover 21, and preferably deforms cover 21 slightly upward, to

provide a still further seal against unwanted leakage of paint from container 13.

Also as shown in Figure 6, an extension cuff 101 is formed along cover

edge 39 and extends outward a short distance and over hinge 87, to direct paint,

running down from roller 19 on angled textured second surface 31 , back into

container 13 and to prevent said paint from running down into hooks 89 and

pivotal connection 41. As shown in Figures 1 and 12, at least one latch means 103 is formed on

cover 21 , preferably along peripheral edge 23 and opposite pivotal connection 41.

Latch means 103 comprises a latch cover 105, pivotally attached to cover 21, and

has formed therein an aperture 109 for receipt therethrough of one or more stubs

111 , attached to cover peripheral edge 23. In the preferred embodiment of the

invention, shown in Figure 1, cover peripheral edge 23 extends forward so that

latch means 103 may be made small enough not to interfere with stacking lids 1

or nesting of lid 1/paint container 13 combinations.

As shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the preferred embodiment of first means

7, for attaching lid 1 about the boarder of a paint container, comprises having the

side walls 1 13 of paint container 13 slant slightly outward from the base of the

container so that a plurality of containers may be nested together when stored

empty, as shown in Figure 15. The upper peripheral edge 1 15 of container

boundary 9 terminates in a small, outwardly-facing bead 117. The peripheral edge

121 of lid 1 is preferably formed of a first, short, flexible, downwardly-directed

short wall 123 and a second, longer, flexible, downwardly-directed wall 125,

spaced-apart and outward from said first wall 123 and forming a space 127

therebetween. A notch 129, preferably having a radius the same as the radius of

bead 117, is formed in the inner wall surface 133 of wall 1 17 for mating

engagement with bead 1 17 when assembled therewith. Second, outer wall 125

is preferably made to slant inward toward the interior of lid 1 so that it must be

flexed or biased outward, as shown by the arrow in Figure 13b, before assembly. The pressure of bead 111 against notch 123 provides sealing engagement

therebetween to seal lid 1 down on paint container 13.

While lid 1 is novel in itself, it may be combined with a paint container of

rather specific dimensions to form a further novel lid/container combination. As

shown in Figure 14, lid 1 is made in a rectangular or square outline with rounded

corners while container 13 is a deep, rectangular container with similar rounded

corners. The sidewalls 109 of container 13 are slanted inward, preferably 1° to 5°,

so that a plurality of empty containers 13, without lids, are nestable as shown in

Figure 10. Due to the planar nature of lid 1, when combined with container 13,

as depicted in Figure 14, when the lids of this invention ane attached to containers

as shown, the lid-covered containers are stackable, one on top of the other, to save

space in a store or at a work site. The same stackability is possible should the

containers be cylindrical such as with a 5-gallon paint bucket.

As shown in Figure 16, the underside of container 13 preferably has a

plurality of spaced-apart ribs 135 formed thereon extending downward below

container floor 137 between said container side walls 113. Ribs 135 act to

provide exterior support to container floor 137 and allow the entire container to

be made of a lighter and thinner plastic than would be possible without them. As

shown in Figure 15, a handle 139 is provided to container 13, for the purpose of

lifting it. Handle 139 is preferably attached to container 13 near upper boundary

9, at attachment points 141. Another novel embodiment of this invention is shown in Figures 12. 13

and 14 where side walls 109 are slanted slightly outward from the bottom of

container 13 and, further, container floor 137 is slanted from one or both sides of

container 13. As shown in Figure 17, floor 123 is slanted from opposite side

walls 113 of container 13 toward the middle thereof where a curved channel 145

is formed to receive the last remnants of paint left in container 13 to be efficiently

picked up by paint roller 19.

In Figure 18, container floor 137 is slanted from one side wall across the

entire width of container 13 to the opposite side wall, forming an angular channel

147 against one side of container 13. This channel, as well as curved channel 145

allows the user of this novel lid to reach through first opening 15 with paint roller

19 and recover the last remnants of paint left in container 13.

As further shown in Figure 18, container 13 is formed with support ribs

135, as previously described, and container side walls 113 are extended below

said ribs to form a skirt 149. An elongated cut-out 151 is formed in skirt 149 on

opposite sides of container 13. Cut-out 151 is formed of a dimension sized to

accept therein the flat rung, flat step or top plate of a common step ladder (not

shown) to hold container 13 thereon in somewhat of a cantilever fashion. While

this may be imprudent with large-volume, heavy, paint containers, it should be

suitable for shallower containers that hold less than 1 or 2 gallons of paint.

While the invention has been described with reference to a particular

embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of the invention without departing

from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of

elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially

the same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this

invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

comprising:

a) a planar lid surface defined by a peripheral border and

including means for attaching said border in sealing relationship to

the upper boundary of the side walls of a paint container;

b) a first opening formed in said lid surface defined by a

peripheral boundary;

c) a cover for said first opening having a planar first surface

and an opposite, textured second surface, said cover pivotally

attached along a portion thereof to said lid and including means for

attaching said cover over said first opening, said cover capable of

first and second configurations with said lid;

d) in said first configuration, said planar first cover surface

is arranged in co-planar relationship with said planar lid surface

when said cover is placed flat over said opening and sealed thereto

with said planar first cover surface facing upward;

e) in said second configuration, said textured, second cover

surface is arranged facing upward at an acute angle with said lid,

said cover slanting toward said first opening, to act as a paint roller

tray; and, f) a support integral with said lid surface moveable from a

first storage position to a second support position against said cover

when said cover is in said second configuration.

2. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 further including a second opening formed in said lid and coverable

with a cap through which to add tint or other paint ingredients.

3. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 1 wherein said support is hinged along one edge to said lid and is pivotable

thereabout from a first storage position in a depressed area, formed in said lid

surface, upward to a second support position, at an acute angle with said lid, in

contact with said cover.

4. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 3 wherein said support contacts said cover through a detent formed in said

first cover surface to support second textured surface at angle " " in said second

configuration of said cover.

5. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 4 wherein said anεle "α" is 30°.

6. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 3 further including a small relief area formed in said depressed area,

spanning one edge of said support for insertion of a person's finger tip to pry said

support from its storage position.

7. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 3 further including a pair of detents formed in said concave area to contact

said support in a slight interference fit to hold said support in storage position

therein.

8. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said border to said container comprise:

a) a small, outwardly-facing bead formed on said upper

boundary of said paint container; and,

b) an outer, flexible border wall extending downwardly from

said peripheral border having a notch formed therein for passing

over said terminus and locking thereagainst to hold said lid in tight,

sealing attachment to said container.

9. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray of

Claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said border to said container comprise: a) a small, outwardly-facing bead formed on said upper

boundary of said paint container;

b) a first, short, flexible, downwardly-directed short wall and

a second, longer, flexible, downwardly-directed wall spaced-apart

and outward from said first wall formed on said border, said first

and second walls forming a space therebetween bounded by inner

and outer wall surfaces; and,

c) a notch, having a radius the same as said radius of said

bead, formed in said inner wall surface of said outer wall, adapted

for mating engagement with said bead when assembled therewith;

wherein,

d) said second wall is arranged to slant slightly inward

toward the interior of said lid so that it must be flexed outward

before assembly with said container side walls, so that the bias

pressure of said second wall and notch against said container bead

provides sealing engagement therebetween.

10. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 said first opening is at least as wide as a paint roller assembly to allow

the assembly to be passed, in level attitude, through said opening.

11. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 further including an upstanding short wall formed about said textured

second surface and arranged adjacent said first opening peripheral edge, when

said cover is in said first configuration, to act as a confining means about said

textured second surface to prevent paint from splashing outward and off said

second surface in an unwanted direction when said cover is in said second

configuration.

12. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 1 wherein said short wall is dimensioned to form an interference fit

with said boundary of said first opening to prevent spillage of paint from the

container when the container is tipped over.

13. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 1 wherein said short wall further has formed thereon a small

protuberance, exterior of said wall and slightly below the upper terminus thereof,

so that, as said cover is closed over said first opening, said protuberance passes

from above to below said boundary of said first opening and becomes located

thereunder to form a bar to unexpected opening of said cover and spilling of paint

from said container, such as when said container is tipped over.

14. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 wherein said textured second surface of said cover contains a plurality

of protrusions.

15. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of narrow, spaced-apart ribs.

16. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 wherein said pivotal attachment of said cover along a portion thereof

comprises:

a) a plurality of spaced-apart upstanding hooks formed on

said lid surface slightly depressed from said first planar surface;

b) a ledge, spaced-apart from said hooks, supported by a

plurality of overhead supports anchored to said lid, said ledge

spaced-above said surface formed on said lid;

c) a thin strip is formed along said connecting edge of said

cover and pivotally attached to said edge by a hinge, said strip

having a plurality of short, narrow slots formed in spaced-apart

arrangement therein in the same arrangement and spacing as said

hooks; and, d) an edge formed on said strip, opposite said hinge, having

formed there along a plurality of tabs supported on short,

upstanding wall segments and arranged to fit between said hooks

and under said ledge;

e) wherein, in the assembly of said cover to said lid, said

cover is positioned over said lid in vertical arrangement, and said

strip is lowered down onto said hooks while said tabs are passed

between said hooks and under said ledge.

17. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 16 wherein said hinge on said strip is a living hinge.

18. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 16 further including an upwardly-directed spur formed on said lid

surface and arranged for contact by said cover, during closure thereof onto lid 1 ,

where said spur is deformed against said cover and deforms said cover slightly

upward, to provide a seal against unwanted leakage of paint from said container.

19. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 further including an extension cuff formed along said cover pivotal

connection to said lid extending outward and over said pivotal connection between said cover and said lid to direct paint running down said textured second

surface into said container.

20. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said cover over said first opening

includes at least one latch formed on said cover.

21. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 20 wherein said latch comprises a latch cover pivotally attached to said

cover and having formed therein an aperture for receipt therethrough of a stub

extending from said lid.

22. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 21 wherein said latch lies along an edge of said cover opposite said

pivotal connection.

23. The paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray

of Claim 1 wherein said integral support is bifid.

24. In combination, a paint container and paint container lid with integral,

self-supporting paint roller tray comprising: a) a paint container having a floor and enclosed side walls

terminated by an upper open boundary;

b) a planar lid surface defined by a peripheral border and

including means for attaching said border in sealing relationship to

the periphery of said upper boundary of said paint container;

c) a first opening formed in said lid surface defined by a

peripheral boundary;

d) a cover for said first opening having a planar first surface

and an opposite, textured second surface, said cover pivotally

attached along a portion thereof to said lid and including means for

attaching said cover over said first opening, said cover capable of

first and second configurations with said lid;

e) in said first configuration, said planar first cover surface

is arranged in co-planar relationship with said planar lid surface

when said cover is placed flat over said opening and sealed thereto

with said planar first cover surface facing upward;

f) in said second configuration, said textured, second cover

surface is arranged facing upward at an acute angle with said lid,

said cover slanting toward said first opening, to act as a paint roller

tray; and, g) a support integral with said lid surface moveable from a

first storage position, to a second support position against said

cover when said cover is in said second configuration.

25. The combination paint container and paint container lid with integral,

self-supporting paint roller tray of Claim 24 wherein said means for attaching

said border to said container comprise:

a) a small, outwardly-facing bead formed on said upper

boundary of said paint container; and,

b) an outer, flexible border wall extending downwardly from

said peripheral border having a notch formed therein for passing

over said terminus and locking thereagainst to hold said lid in tight,

sealing attachment to said container.

26. The combination paint container and paint container lid with integral,

self-supporting paint roller tray of Claim 24 wherein said means for

attaching said border to said container comprise:

a) a small, outwardly-facing bead formed on said upper

boundary of said paint container;

b) a first, short, flexible, downwardly-directed short wall and

a second, longer, flexible, downwardly-directed wall spaced-apart

and outward from said first wall formed on said border, said first and second walls forming a space therebetween bounded by inner

and outer wall surfaces; and,

c) a notch, having a radius the same as said radius of said

bead, formed in said inner wall surface of said outer wall, adapted

for mating engagement with said bead when assembled therewith;

wherein,

d) said second wall is arranged to slant slightly inward

toward the interior of said lid so that it must be flexed outward

before assembly with said container side walls, so that the bias

pressure of said second wall and notch against said container bead

provides sealing engagement therebetween.

27. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

24 wherein said side walls of said container are slanted to allow a plurality of

empty containers to be stored in nested configuration.

28. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

24 further including at least one rib formed underneath said floor of said

container to provide stiffening support for said floor and support to hold the

contents of said container

29. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

24 wherein said floor of said container is slanted from one said side wall to the

opposite said side wall to concentrate a small volume of paint in a single location

for efficient pickup by a paint roller.

30. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

24 wherein said floor of said container is slanted from opposite sides of said

container to the center of said container to concentrate the paint in a single

location for efficient pickup by a paint roller.

31. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

30 further including a curved channel is formed at said center of said floor of said

container to concentrate the paint in a single location for efficient pickup by a

paint roller.

32. The combination of a paint container and paint container lid of Claim

24 wherein said container side walls extend below said ribs to form a skirt about

the base of said container and further including an elongated cut-out formed in

said skirt, on opposite sides of said container, each said cut-out of a dimension

sized to accept therein the flat rung, flat step, or top plate of a common step ladder

to hold container thereon in slightly cantilever fashion.