AU2016208442A1 - A dual container for liquid paints - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a dual container 10, 10', 10", 10''" for liquid paints. The container 10, 10', 10", 10' comprises a body 12 with two receptacles 14, 16 for liquid paint formed therein, the two receptacles being spaced apart along a first axis A. A rim 18 extends around the top of each receptacle 14, 16. The rim 18 has an angular inner edge for trimming excess paint from a paint brush. Each receptacle 14, 16 has a discrete pouring location 20, 20', 22, 22' on at least one lateral side of the first axis A, wherein the discrete pouring location(s) 20, 20' of receptacle 14 are spaced apart along the first axis A from the discrete pouring location(s) 22, 22' of receptacle 16. 122 18a 16 A 8 14 /20' 18b/2 24\\ 12 18al

Description

"A dual container for liquid paints"

Technical Field [0001] This disclosure relates to a container for liquid paints and, more particularly, to a dual paint container - that is, a paint container with two paint receptacles. The container has been developed for use by professional or do-it-yourself painters. Whilst the container has been developed for holding liquid paints, and is described hereinafter with reference to that application, it will be appreciated that it may also be used for carrying other liquids.

Background [0002] Liquid paints have traditionally been stored and sold to customers in a metal pail with a tightly fitting and substantially airtight lid. More recently, however, these metal pails have started to be replaced by plastic pails. When a user is ready to begin painting, a desired quantity of paint is typically poured from the pail into a tray or a smaller pail, and the larger pail in which the paint was supplied is resealed to prevent the remaining paint from drying out.

[0003] It is not uncommon for a painter to require two contrasting paint colours when painting certain areas of a building. In such cases, the painter needs to carry two pails and two brushes, one for each paint colour. This can be difficult, especially if the painter needs to climb a ladder.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary [0005] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0006] Disclosed herein is a dual container for liquid paints, the container comprising: a body with two receptacles for liquid paint formed therein, the two receptacles being spaced apart along a first axis; a rim extending around the top of each receptacle, wherein at least part of the rim comprises an angular inner edge for trimming excess paint from a paint brush; wherein each receptacle has a discrete pouring location on one lateral side of the first axis, and wherein the discrete pouring location of one of the receptacles is spaced apart along the first axis from the discrete pouring location of the other receptacle, such that if liquid paint is poured from the container by tilting the container about the first axis, liquid paint from flows from the container in two discrete and spaced apart streams, each of the two streams being associated with a respective one of the receptacles.

[0007] The rim of each receptacle may comprise a first rim portion that extends transversely to the first axis, the first rim portion having a first end and a second end. The rim of each receptacle may comprise a second rim portion that extends from the first end of the first rim portion and terminates at the second end of the first rim portion. The second rim portion of each receptacle may be angular or curved. In embodiments in which the second rim portion is curved, the second rim portions of both receptacles may together form a substantially circular rim of the overall container. A cross section taken through the receptacles parallel to the plane of the rim may have a substantially hemispherical shape. The first rim portion of one of the receptacles may also be the first rim portion of the other receptacle (i.e., the receptacles may share a common first rim portion). Alternatively, the first rim portion of one of the receptacles may be spaced apart along the first axis from the first rim portion of the other receptacle. In either case, the or each first rim portion may define a division between the receptacles. In some embodiments, a substantially planar side wall of each receptacle extends from the first rim portion, or from the respective first rim portion. In some embodiments, a substantially planar side wall of each receptacle extends from the respective second rim portion. Blisters or ribs, or other surface irregularities against which a roller or brush may be wiped to reduce excess paint, may be provided on the substantially planar side wall of each receptacle.

[0008] The container may have sidewalls that taper outwardly from a base of the container to a top of the container. The container may be nestable within another said container.

[0009] At least one lid may be sealingly engageable with the body to close the receptacles. The at least one lid may comprise a single lid that closes both receptacles; or two separate lids, one for each receptacle. In embodiments comprising a single lid, the lid may be divided into separate portions by a hinge, wherein each lid portion is for closing a respective one of the receptacles, and wherein the hinge allows one lid portion to be kept closed over its respective receptacle whilst the other lid portion is open, and vice versa. The lid, including both lid portions, may be formed in unitary one-piece construction, for example by moulding from a plastics material. The hinge may be a live hinge.

[0010] The container may take the form of a pail or an insert for a pail. In embodiments in which the container is a pail, it may be reusable. In embodiments in which the container is an insert for a pail, it may be disposable; or it may be reusable and may have a disposable liner for the receptacles. In either case, the container, or components thereof, may be formed from recyclable materials, such as a recyclable plastics material. In embodiments in which the container is an insert for a pail, the container, or components thereof, may be formed from a highly conformable material, such as a silicone material. Of course, the container, or components thereof, may also be formed from other materials, such as from steel or another metal. In embodiments in which the container is an insert for a pail, a lip may depend from the outer peripheral edge of the rim of each receptacle to form a channel for receiving a rim of the pail.

[0011] At least one carrying handle may be attached to the body near the rim and extend across the body between the receptacles. The handle may be hingedly connected to the body.

Brief Description of Drawings [0012] Embodiments of the presently disclosed dual container will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dual container according to the principles disclosed herein; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, shown with its lid attached and with one receptacle open; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 and of a liner for use with the container; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dual container, this embodiment taking the form of an insert for a conventional pail; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dual container.

Description of Embodiments [0013] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a dual container 10 for liquid paints, the container taking the form of a reusable pail. The container 10 comprises a body 12 with two receptacles 14, 16 for liquid paint formed therein, the two receptacles being spaced apart along a first axis A. A rim 18 extends around the top of each receptacle 14, 16. The rim 18 has an angular inner edge for trimming excess paint from a paint brush. Each receptacle 14, 16 has a first discrete pouring location 20, 22 on one lateral side of the first axis A and a second discrete pouring location 20’, 22’ on the other lateral side of the first axis A, wherein the discrete pouring locations 20, 20’ of receptacle 14 are spaced apart along the first axis A from the discrete pouring locations 22, 22’ of receptacle 16. As such, if liquid paint is poured from the container 10 by tilting the container about the first axis A, liquid paint from flows from the container in two discrete and spaced apart streams, each of the two streams being associated with a respective one of the receptacles 14, 16.

[0014] The rim 18 of each receptacle 14, 16 comprises a first rim portion 18a that extends transversely to the first axis A, the first rim portion having a first end 18al and a second end 18a2. The rim 18 of each receptacle 14, 16 also comprises a second rim portion 18b that extends from the first end 18al of the first rim portion and terminates at the second end 18a2 of the first rim portion. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the second rim portions 18b are curved, with the second rim portions of both receptacles 14, 16 together forming a substantially circular rim (18a, 18b) of the overall container 10. Moreover, due to the sidewalls extending from the rim (18a, 18b) being corresponding shaped, a cross section taken through the receptacles 14, 16 parallel to the plane of the rim (18a, 18b) has a substantially hemispherical shape.

[0015] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first rim portion 18a of receptacle 14 is spaced apart along the first axis A from the first rim portion 18a of receptacle 16. In other embodiments, the first rim portion of receptacle 14 may also be the first rim portion of receptacle 16 (i.e., the receptacles may share a common first rim portion). In either case, the or each first rim portion 18a defines a division between the receptacles 14, 16. A substantially planar side wall 23 of each receptacle extends from the associated first rim portion 18a. Blisters or ribs, or other surface irregularities 24 against which a roller or brush may be wiped to reduce excess paint, are provided on the substantially planar side walls 23.

[0016] The sidewalls of the container 10 taper outwardly from the base to the top of the container to facilitate stacked containers 10 being nested within one another.

[0017] A carrying handle 29 is hingedly connected to the body 12 near the rim (18a, 18b) and extends across the body between the receptacles 14, 16.

[0018] A lid 30 is sealingly engageable with the body 12 to close the receptacles 14, 16. The lid 30 is divided into separate portions 32, 34 by a hinge 36, wherein each lid portion 32, 34 is for closing a respective one of the receptacles 14, 16. The hinge 36 allows one lid portion to be kept closed over its respective receptacle 14, 16 whilst the other lid portion is open, and vice versa. The lid 30, including both lid portions 32, 34, is formed in unitary one-piece construction, for example by moulding from a plastics material, with the hinge being a live hinge.

[0019] The container 10, or at least major components thereof, such as the body 12, is ideally formed from a recyclable material, such as a recyclable plastics material. However, it may instead be formed from another material, such as from steel or another metal. The container 10 may have a disposable liner for the receptacles 14, 16.

[0020] Another container embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. The container 10’ shown in FIG. 4 takes the form of an insert for a pail 100. The container 10’ shares many features in common with the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3, where corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding features having corresponding functionality. The container 10’ has a lip 26 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the rim (18a, 18b) of each receptacle 14, 16 to form a channel 28 for receiving a rim 102 of the pail 100. The container 10’ may be disposable or reusable; and, if reusable, the container 10’ may have a disposable liner for the receptacles 14, 16. The container 10’, or at least major components thereof, such as the body 12, is ideally formed from a recyclable material, such as a recyclable plastics material. However, it may instead be formed from another material, such as from steel or another metal.

[0021] Another container embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The container 10” shown in FIG. 3 takes the form of an insert or liner for container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or container 10’ of FIG. 4. The container 10” shares many features in common with the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3 and the container 10’ of FIG. 4, where corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding features having corresponding functionality.

Container 10”, or at least major components thereof, such as the body 12, however, is formed from a highly conformable material, such as a silicone material. The adhesion inhibiting properties of the silicone material facilitate cleaning of the container. Also, if paint dries in container 10”, the conformability of the silicone material allows the container to be deformed at will to facilitate flaking off of the dried paint from the inside of the container.

[0022] Another container embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. The container 10’” shown in FIG. 5 takes the form of a pail. The container 10’” shares many features in common with the container 10 of FIGS. 1-3, where corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding features having corresponding functionality. However, the container 10’” has a substantially rectangular prismatic shape, rather than a substantially circular cylindrical shape like that of container 10. The container 10’”, or at least major components thereof, such as the body 12, is ideally formed from a recyclable material, such as a recyclable plastics material. However, it may instead be formed from another material, such as from steel or another metal.

[0023] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A dual container for liquid paints, the container comprising: a body with two receptacles for liquid paint formed therein, the two receptacles being spaced apart along a first axis; a rim extending around the top of each receptacle, wherein at least part of the rim comprises an angular inner edge for trimming excess paint from a paint brush; wherein each receptacle has a discrete pouring location on one lateral side of the first axis, and wherein the discrete pouring location of one of the receptacles is spaced apart along the first axis from the discrete pouring location of the other receptacle, such that if liquid paint is poured from the container by tilting the container about the first axis, liquid paint from flows from the container in two discrete and spaced apart streams, each of the two streams being associated with a respective one of the receptacles.
2. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the rim of each receptacle comprises: a first rim portion that extends transversely to the first axis, the first rim portion having a first end and a second end; and a second rim portion that extends from the first end of the first rim portion and terminates at the second end of the first rim portion.
3. 3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the second rim portion of each receptacle is curved, and wherein the second rim portions of both receptacles together form a substantially circular rim of the container.
4. 4. A container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first rim portion of one of the receptacles is also the first rim portion of the other receptacle.
5. 5. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a substantially planar side wall of each receptacle extends from the first rim portion, or from the respective first rim portion.
6. 6. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a substantially planar side wall of each receptacle extends from the respective second rim portion.
7. 7. A container according to claim 5 or claim 6, comprising blisters or ribs, or other surface irregularities on the substantially planar side wall of each receptacle against which a roller or brush may be wiped to reduce excess paint.
8. 8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, the container having sidewalls that taper outwardly from a base of the container to a top of the container to facilitate nesting of the container within another said container.
9. 9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one lid sealingly engageable with the body to close the receptacles.
10. 10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the at least one lid comprises a single lid that closes both receptacles.
11. 11. A container according to claim 10, wherein the lid is divided into separate portions by a hinge, wherein each lid portion is for closing a respective one of the receptacles, and wherein the hinge allows one lid portion to be kept closed over its respective receptacle whilst the other lid portion is open, and vice versa.
12. 12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, the container being a pail comprising at least one carrying handle.
13. 13. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the container being an insert for a pail.
14. 14. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least the body of the container is formed from a highly conformable material.
15. 15. A container according to claim 13 or claim 14, comprising a lip depending from an outer peripheral edge of the rim of each receptacle to form a channel for receiving a rim of the pail.
16. 16. The steps, features, integers, compositions and/or compounds disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of two or more of said steps or features.