GB2160491A

GB2160491A - Paint tin holder

Info

Publication number: GB2160491A
Application number: GB08511092A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth John Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-02
Filing date: 1985-05-01
Publication date: 1985-12-24
Also published as: GB8411244D0; GB2160491B; GB8511092D0

Abstract

A container for holding an opened paint tin of standard size comprises a base 1 and upstanding wall 2a having at least one side pocket (3 Figure 1) for receiving a paint brush, and a first sealing member 5 whose peripheral edge 9 sealingly engages the container wall at 6, a conical surface 7 extending from an opening 14 and a depending dipper wall 16 extending below the level (18a Figure 3) of a cleaning solvent contained in the annular space 23 between the container and paint tin, a plug 19 for sealing the opening and optionally a third locating member 20 for connecting the first member 5 to the upper edge of a smaller paint tin of a specified size. The container, sealing member(s) and solvent can eliminate the need to keep opening and resealing paint tins. The container preferably includes an uppermost trough region 4 and each pocket includes a squeegee device to compress the brush bristles as it is removed from the pocket. The depending wall 16 also acts to squeeze surplus solvent from the brush. The plug 19 may be attached by a chain to a container handle, and the base of the container may be convexly domed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Paint tin holder This invention concerns a container which is adapted to receive an opened paint tin.

When standard hand held paint tins are used the exterior walls frequently become coated with wet paint which can lead to drips of paint on adjacent non-painted surfaces. The paint tin can very quickly acquire an unattractive appearance and any wet paint on the exterior wall can be transferred to the user's hand which is generally inconvenient.

Additionally, the lid must be prised off every time the paint is to be used, usually with a non sealable lid sealing rim of encrusted dry paint.

For the purpose of cleaning brushes it has previously been necessary to utilize a separate unstable container for solvents such as turnpentine, white spirit. It is an object of the invention to provide a container for an opened paint tin which does not require continuous opening and replacement of lids.

The present invention seeks to provide a container for a paint tin which is capable of simultaneously carrying a paint tin of one or more standard sizes, cleaning solvent and one or more paint brushes.

According to this invention there is provided a container capable of receiving a paint tin of a predetermined size, comprising a base and upstanding wall with at least one side pocket, a first sealing member of generally annular configuration having (a) a peripheral edge which can sealingly engage the container wall, (b) a conically directed surface extending from an opening and (c) a depending wall which can extend at least partially into the container between the wall thereof and the external side of a paint tin when located in the container, and a second sealing member which can sealingly engage the opening.

Preferably two oppositely disposed side pockets are included. The first sealing member may extend to at least partially cover the or each side pocket at or near its uppermost end.

The container may include a third locating member preferably of generally conical section and which can locatingly engage both the first sealing member and the uppermost edge of a paint tin of specified size (for example a 0.5 litre tin).

Preferably, the container includes some means to positively locate a paint tin in a fixed position.

The invention includes within its scope the combination of (i) the container, (ii) a paint tin, with or without (iii) a cleaning solvent for the paint. The present container is preferably circular and of such dimensions as to receive not only paint tins of specified sizes (such as standard 0.5 and 1.0 litres) but also adequate quantities of a brush cleaning solvent. The solvent can be poured into a side pocket into a space defined by the exterior wall of a paint tin and the interior wall of the container, and equally contaminated solvent may be removed by pouring away from a side pocket. When solvent is poured into the container the or each side pocket will become at least partially filled with solvent and so form a convenient paintbrush cleaning pocket and a liquid seal to the plugged paint tin.

In order that the invention may be more fully appreciated, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a container without first, second or third sealing members, Figure 2 is a section of the line X-X of Figure 1, but omitting details of the handle, and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the container.

As shown in the drawings, a generally cylindrical container body of translucent plastics material has a base 1 and upstanding wall 2. The top of the wall is provided with a peripherally extending section 4 defining a trough 13 into which unwanted matter from brushes can be drained into the side pockets.

The top lip of this trough may be used for removing surplus paint from the brush whilst painting.

The wall of the container is so formed as to provide two side pockets 3 which are capable of holding soiled paintbrushes up to 50 mm (2') in size.

A first sealing member in the form of an annular element 5 has an external edge 9 which sealingly engages the uppermost part 6 of the wall 2A. The element 5 has a conical surface 7 on which either a paintbrush 10 in use can temporarily rest or surplus paint can be wiped on the surface to drain into the paint tin 11 or 12 in use. Dotted lines are used to represent opened paint tins.

A central opening 14 leading to the opened paint tin (dotted lines) is provided in the first sealing member through which a paintbrush is passed for application of paint. The opening is defined by a depending lip 15 which is an integral part of the sealing member 5 (which is of suitable solvent resistant material). A depending wall 16 in the form of a dipper seal of the sealing member dips below the level 18 of solvent 17 carried in the container.

This wall may almost reach the base 1, e.g. to within 10 mm. A second sealing member 19 in the form of a plug can sealingly engage the opening 14. This plug may be connected to the container handle 27 by fine metal chain 28 so that it does not become separated or lost upon removal from the first sealing member 5.

A third locating member 20 (optional) is provided for use with the smaller sized paint tin 12.

This effectively forms an extending part of the first sealing member 5. The member 20 has a generally conical surface and an uppermost lip 21 which locatingly engages with depending lip 15 of the first sealing member. It also has a lowermost lip 22 to locatingly engage the top of the paint tin 12.

As can be clearly seen from Figure 2, the solvent for brush cleaning is contained within the annular space 23 defined by the interior wall 2a of the container and the exterior wall of the paint tin 11, 12.

The uppermost wall 4 of the container is provided with holes for trunnions 26 to which a carrying handle 27 is attached. A marking 18a for the solvent level is provided on the container wall, to be initially charged to this level whilst incorporating a charged paint tin.

A self-righting domed end 29 is provided as an optional component.

In use the container is self sealing when the painting operation is completed since the lid of the paint tin does not need to be replaced. When the plug 19 is inserted and solvent is present to near level marking 18a of the depending wall 16 ingress of air to the paint tin is prevented, as an internal dead space between 19 and 11 is purged with solvent vapour forming a barrier.

If the container should be dropped in use, most paint splatter from the tin may be obviated by virtue of the profile of the first sealing member 5. To improve the self righting ability of the container it may be provided with a convexed domed base with a small rounded corner periphery as noted above.

When a clogged brush is pushed down to the sealing member 16 into a side pocket to reach the cleaning solvent, the hairs of the brush are tightened to maintain a good profile, due to a wedge shape between 2a and 16. When the brush is withdrawn, that part of the sealing member 16 (if present) which covers the pocket can squeeze surplus solvent from the brush back into the container.

Consequently, solvent is conserved and there is less effort required than when wiping a brush with a rag.

In a modification of the container, a squeegee device can be incorporated towards the top of the or each side pocket, e.g. in the form of a resilient plastic vane which permits free entry of a paintbrush but when withdrawn wedges against the bristles and surface 2a to squeeze out additional surplus solvent.

CLAI NIS 1. Container capable of receiving a paint tin of a predetermined size, comprising a base and upstanding wall with at least one side pocket, a first sealing member of generally annular configuration having (a) a peripheral edge which can sealingly engage the container wall, (b) a conically directed surface extending from an opening and (c) a depending wall which can extend at least partially into the container between the wall thereof and the external side of a paint tin when located in the container, and a second sealing member which can sealingly engage the opening.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 including two oppositely disposed side pockets.

3. A container as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the sealing member extends to at least partially cover the or each side pocket.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including a third locating member which can engage the first sealing member in the region of its opening and the uppermost edge of a paint tin when located in the container.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the third locating member is of generally conical section and can be secured to the first sealing member to form an extension thereof.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim including an uppermost trough region.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base is provided with a convex domed end.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each pocket includes a squeegee device to compress the bristles of a brush when removed therefrom.

9. The combination of a container according to any preceding claim and a paint tin of predetermined size with or without cleaning solvent.

10. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A self-righting domed end 29 is provided as an optional component. In use the container is self sealing when the painting operation is completed since the lid of the paint tin does not need to be replaced. When the plug 19 is inserted and solvent is present to near level marking 18a of the depending wall 16 ingress of air to the paint tin is prevented, as an internal dead space between 19 and 11 is purged with solvent vapour forming a barrier. If the container should be dropped in use, most paint splatter from the tin may be obviated by virtue of the profile of the first sealing member 5. To improve the self righting ability of the container it may be provided with a convexed domed base with a small rounded corner periphery as noted above. When a clogged brush is pushed down to the sealing member 16 into a side pocket to reach the cleaning solvent, the hairs of the brush are tightened to maintain a good profile, due to a wedge shape between 2a and 16. When the brush is withdrawn, that part of the sealing member 16 (if present) which covers the pocket can squeeze surplus solvent from the brush back into the container. Consequently, solvent is conserved and there is less effort required than when wiping a brush with a rag. In a modification of the container, a squeegee device can be incorporated towards the top of the or each side pocket, e.g. in the form of a resilient plastic vane which permits free entry of a paintbrush but when withdrawn wedges against the bristles and surface 2a to squeeze out additional surplus solvent. CLAI NIS

1. Container capable of receiving a paint tin of a predetermined size, comprising a base and upstanding wall with at least one side pocket, a first sealing member of generally annular configuration having (a) a peripheral edge which can sealingly engage the container wall, (b) a conically directed surface extending from an opening and (c) a depending wall which can extend at least partially into the container between the wall thereof and the external side of a paint tin when located in the container, and a second sealing member which can sealingly engage the opening.