WO2008134790A1

WO2008134790A1 - Improved paint receptacle for roller applicators

Info

Publication number: WO2008134790A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Ware
Original assignee: Michael John Ware
Priority date: 2007-05-07
Filing date: 2007-05-07
Publication date: 2008-11-13

Abstract

There is a paint receptacle for a roller applicator. The receptacle includes a support housing (2) with an associated tray (1) which is movable relative to the housing between an open configuration of use at which paint (15) is accessible for the roller applicator and a storage configuration at which the tray 1 is closed away from open air by the housing (2) so that paint (15) remaining in the tray can be stored without deteriorating.

Description

TMPROVED PAINT RECEPTACLE FOR ROLLER APPLICATORS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to accessories for painting and decorating. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses a novel paint receptacle for use with roller applicators.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Existing paint receptacles for rollers typically comprise elongated open trays with a well at one end and an adjacent ramped area which slopes upward toward the opposite end. The roller is dipped into the well and then ran along the ramp to distribute the paint evenly on the roller surface before it is applied to the job. The excess paint from the roller then drains back down the ramp into the well. Such existing trays however have a number of disadvantages. When painting is suspended, even if only for a short time, the tray and roller have to be covered (e.g. with a plastic sheet) to prevent drying out. The nay in this condition still remains subject to spillage and can be easily tipped over by passing foot traffic. For longer periods of non-use or when changing jobs the tray must be completely drained and washed together with the roller. This is of course time consuming and laborious. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a paint receptacle is disclosed for a roller applicator or the like, said receptacle including a support housing with an associated tray which is movable relative to said housing between an open configuration of use at which paint therein is accessible for said roller applicator or the like and a storage configuration at which the tray is closed away from open air by the housing so that any paint remaining in said tray can be stored without deteriorating.

Preferably said tray when in the storage configuration is substantially closed within said housing.

It is further preferred that the tray is adapted for pivotal movement relative to said housing between said open configuration of use and said storage configuration.

It is further preferred, that the tray at said storage configuration is substantially vertical. It is further preferred that the support housing and tray when at said storage configuration are further adapted to enclose said roller to prevent drying.

It is further preferred that the housing and tray when at said storage configuration define a substantially upright profile adapted for handling and transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which :-

figures 1 and 2 are perspective front and back views of a paint receptacle according to said invention, figure 3 is a perspective front view of the paint receptacle of figure 2 with the tray in the open configuration of use. figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the lines A-A of figure 2, and figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines B-B of figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to figures 1 and 2 the paint receptacle is shown with the tray I closed within the housing 2 which thereby presents a trim and efficient -U-

shape for handling and transport. Handles 3 and 4 are provided on the front and back for carrying the receptacle and opening the bay.

When the tray 1 is opened it pivots down so as to extend out from the base of the housing 2 as shown in figure 3. The inner end of the open tray is formed into a well 4 A. Adjacent this is a ramped area 5 which slopes upward to the opposite outer end 6. In use a roller can be dipped into the paint filled well and then run along the ramp to distribute the pain evenly over the roller surface before applying it to the job. Upon completion or a break in the job the fray lean be tilted back up to the closed position of figure 2 without draining or cleaning. As the interior of the tray is closed within the housing 2 away from the open air the paint remains fresh for an extended period of time. If necessary a wet paint impregnated roller can also be stored in the tray with the handle protruding out through the aligned slots 7, 8. Although not shown any suitable kind of releasable latch mechanism may be fitted to hold the tray at the closed or storage position.

As can best be seen from figure .4 the inside shape of the housing is closely matched by the tray when it is closed so mat the receptacle as mentioned above assumes a neat and trim profile for transport or storage. As shown in more detail by figure 5 the tray when pivoted down to its open position causes one of the lower edges 9 to ride up the adjacent inside surface 10 of the housing (arrow C) until it abuts a flange 1 1 which extends substantially across the inside width of said housing. The other lower edge 12 of the tray simultaneously slides back along the bottom inside surface 13 of the housing (arrow D) until the tray becomes securely wedged at the open configuration shown. The relatively wide spread of the housing base 14 provides the necessary stability for the open tray. After use the tray is returned to the closed or storage configuration of figure 4 with any remaining paint 15 in the well flowing into the storage pan 16 formed at the bottom of the vertical tray. As mentioned earlier a paint saturated roller 17 may also be left in the closed tray without drying out. The handle 18 of the roller protrudes out through the aligned slots 7, 8 and suspends the roller above the paint filled pan as shown. Preferably the bottom surface 13 of the housing is formed into a step 19 at its outer end to assist in retaining the closed tray within said housing.

When it becomes necessary to remove the tray for cleaning this is accomplished by simply opening said tray and pulling it from the housing in the direction of arrow E as shown in figure 5. The tray is the installed by the reverse procedure.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel and useful form of paint receptacle for use with roller applicators or the like. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the housing and tray may be changed according to design preference. The invention is also not limited to any particular material for manufacturing the receptacle although a low cost, impact resistant and chemically inert plastic is currently preferred.

Claims

The claims :-

1. A paint receptacle for a roller applicator or the like, said receptacle including a support housing with an associated tray which is movable relative to said housing between an open configuration of use at which paint therein is accessible for said roller applicator or the like and a storage configuration at which the tray is closed away from open air by the housing so that any paint remaining in said tray can be stored without deteriorating.

2. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray is substantially within the housing when at said storage configuration.

3. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray is adapted for pivotal movement between said open configuration and storage configuration.

4. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray is substantially vertical at said storage configuration and is lowered toward a horizontal position to obtain said open configuration.

5. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein at said open configuration an inner end of the tray is formed to provide a well for use in applying paint to the roller applicator or the like and at said storage position the inner end is further adapted to form a storage pan for said paint.

6. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tray and housing include slots which align at said storage configuration to enable the protrusion of a handle for the roller applicator or the like when stored in said tray.

7. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein during movement of said tray from the storage configuration to the open configuration one lower edge of said tray slides along a bottom interior surface of the housing and another lower edge of said tray rides up an adjacent inside surface of the housing to abut a flange extending across at least part of said inside surface whereby a wedging action between said flange and said bottom interior surface supports the tray at said open configuration.

8. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 7 wherein a portion of said bottom inside surface of the housing is formed into a step to assist retention of the tray within the housing at said storage configuration.

9. The paint receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing and tray when at said storage configuration define a substantially upright profile adapted for handling or transport.

10. A paint receptacle for a roller applicator or the like, said receptacle being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.