U.S. patent application number 12/079401 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for hand-held vessel.
Invention is credited to Montgomery Fontaine, Norston Fontaine.
Application Number | 20080251525 12/079401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39852785 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080251525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fontaine; Norston ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Hand-held vessel
Abstract
A hand-vessel designed for holding fluids, viscous materials,
loose materials, and particularly to holding paint, varnish, epoxy,
stain, and other fluids. The hand-held vessel may use a support
frame for a liner-vessel. In some embodiments, the liner comprises
a waste gutter located near the upper rim designed to catch drips
and reduce the mess caused by wiping the brush against the sides of
the vessel and along the top rim. In other embodiments the liner
comprises a brush retention cavity. In still other embodiments, the
frame includes an attached handle.
Inventors: |
Fontaine; Norston;
(Plymouth, MN) ; Fontaine; Montgomery;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Norston Fontaine
14900 43rd PI. N.
Plymouth
MN
55446
US
|
Family ID: |
39852785 |
Appl. No.: |
12/079401 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60920657 |
Mar 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/756 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44D 3/14 20130101; B44D
3/121 20130101; B44D 3/127 20130101; B44D 3/128 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/756 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/24 20060101
B65D081/24 |
Claims
1. A hand-held vessel-comprising: (a) a removable vessel, said
removable vessel having a bottom wall and side walls extending from
the bottom wall defining a fluid holding cavity, (b) a frame, said
frame having a bottom wall and side walls extending from the bottom
wall defining a vessel retaining structure, wherein said frame
retains said removable vessel, (c) a handle fixedly attached to
said frame, and (d) one or more openings in the walls of said frame
which allow the user access to a portion of the side walls of said
removable vessel.
2. The vessel of claim 1, further comprising a brush retaining
cavity, said brush retaining cavity comprising a plurality of
raised walls that contact at least some portion of the brush
bristle area, wherein said raised walls are substantially
V-shaped.
3. The vessel of claim 1, further comprising a trigger style finger
grip feature attached to said handle.
4. A hand-held vessel comprising: (a) a bottom wall and side walls
extending from the bottom wall defining a fluid holding cavity, (b)
a top rim, (c) a handle fixedly attached to the vessel, (d) a lid
sealing feature proximate said top rim, (e) a scraper means
proximate to said top rim for the removal of excess paint, and (f)
a waste gutter formed into the outside walls of the vessel
proximate said top rim.
5. The vessel of claim 4, further comprising a dam feature located
inside said waste gutter.
6. The vessel of claim 4, further comprising graduation marks on
said side walls for determining volume.
7. The vessel of claim 4, further comprising a brush retaining
cavity, said brush retaining cavity comprising a plurality of
raised walls that contact at least some portion of the brush
bristle area, wherein said raised walls are substantially
V-shaped.
8. The vessel of claim 4, further comprising a trigger style finger
grip feature attached to said handle.
9. A disposable thin walled liner vessel for paint containers
comprising: (a) a bottom wall and side walls extending from the
bottom wall defining a fluid holding cavity, (b) a top rim, (c) a
lid sealing area proximate said top rim, and (d) a waste gutter
formed into the outside walls of the vessel proximate said top
rim.
10. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, further
comprising a scraper means proximate to said top rim for the
removal of excess paint.
11. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, further
comprising a brush retaining cavity, said brush retaining cavity
comprising a plurality of raised walls that contact at least some
portion of the brush bristle area, wherein said raised walls are
substantially V-shaped.
12. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, wherein
said disposable liner vessel is made from thermoformed plastic
sheets.
13. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, wherein
said disposable liner vessel is made from injection molded
plastic.
14. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, further
comprising a paint transfer ramp area for use with mini-rollers and
paint pad applicators.
15. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, further
comprising a divider feature that creates two or more cavities.
16. The disposable thin walled liner vessel of claim 9, further
comprising a number of graduation markings on said side walls.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/920,657 filed Mar. 29, 2007.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates in general to hand-held vessels for
holding fluids, viscous materials, loose materials, and
particularly to holding paint, varnish, epoxy, stain, and other
fluids.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hand-held vessels, especially for holding paint, are widely
available. Such vessels allow the user to carry a smaller and more
manageable amount of material or fluid. One particular problem with
hand-held vessels is how to hold a convenient amount of fluid for
an extended period of time while reducing or eliminating operator
fatigue. Another vexing problem is controlling the drips that form
near the top rim portion of the vessel. Still another problem
involves the inconvenience of cleaning the vessel, and storage of
material and fluid within the vessel after the job is complete, or
when changing fluids. Moreover, no commercially available vessel
allows the user to quickly change the use of their vessel to better
utilize various implements and applicators. Yet another problem is
how to retain the paint brush on the vessel without getting paint
on the paint brush handle and the user's hands. Furthermore, no
other currently available hand-held vessel has a see through design
to aide the user during mixing, measuring, and identifying the
contents of the vessel, especially a liner installed into the
vessel.
[0004] Clearly, there is a need for a hand-held vessel that reduces
or helps eliminate operator fatigue, prevents drips, and has
various easily interchangeable vessel configurations. Furthermore,
there is a need for this vessel to accept a lid for temporary and
long term storage of the material. Finally, there is a need for a
brush retainer that is more effective and less messy.
[0005] While the drawings above illuminate some various embodiments
of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated. Numerous
other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled
in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles
of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the first general embodiment
of the invention. This figure shows a frame 12, a vessel or vessel
liner 14, hereinafter liner, and a lid 52. In this embodiment, the
frame 12 supports and retains the liner 14, and the liner 14 holds
the fluid or materials. It should be noted that in some embodiments
of the invention the liner 14 may be used without the frame 12. The
frame 12 may utilize a handle 16, side grips 18, or any other
reasonable gripping means. The frame has a front wall 20 and a rear
wall 22, both of which may be utilized for gripping the frame with
your fingers. The frame also includes a bottom wall 24, side walls
21, and rim support area 26. The liner 14 has a bottom wall 30,
side walls 32, a rim portion 34, and may include a lid sealing
feature 36, a waste gutter 38, and a brush holder 40, or brush
retention cavity. In the first general embodiment, the liners are
held into the frame by gravity, friction, locking tabs 60, or any
other reasonable locking method that allows for quick and easy
release of the liner 14 from the frame 12.
[0007] FIG. 1 also shows an opening 17 in the frame 12. This
opening 17 will allow the user to see the side walls 32 of the
liner 14. This is especially useful for determining the volume of
material left in the liner. The more transparent the plastic used
in the liner, the more easily it will be for the user to visualize
the level of material remaining in the liner. The frame 12 may
contain any number of openings 17, of various shapes and sizes. The
openings also reduce the weight of the frame, making it more
ergonomic, and easier for the user to carry for long lengths of
time. It should be noted that the frame 12 may consist of little
more than a skeletal framework sufficient to hold the liner 14.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a handle 16 attached or formed into the rear
portion of the frame 12. While the handle 16 may be formed from the
same material as the frame 12, it will likely incorporate some form
of gripping means. The gripping surface 28 of the handle may
contain multiple ribs 42, as shown, or any other reasonable
configuration, such as inserts or coatings manufactured from
elastomeric or rubberized grip material. To improve the grip and
ergonomic comfort, the handle may also include one or more raised
protrusions 44. The handle may also incorporate a trigger type
finger grip feature 46, which improves the gripping effectiveness
by allowing one or more fingers to interlock into the handle.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows the frame bottom 24 and finger support ribs 50.
These ribs may be made of various thicknesses and configurations
designed to support, grip, and comfort the fingers as they support
the bottom of the frame.
[0010] FIGS. 4-7 show at least four distinct and ergonomic hand
grips a user may use. As shown in FIG. 4, the user can insert one
or more fingers through the trigger style finger grip feature 46 as
they grasp the handle 16 like a user might hold a typical frying
pan. As shown in FIG. 5, the user can insert one or more fingers
through the trigger grip feature 46 as they grasp the rear wall 22
of the frame with their remaining fingers. This grip could be
called a modified side grip. As shown in FIG. 6, the user can
insert one or more fingers, particularly the user's thumb, into the
trigger feature 46 as their remaining fingers wrap under and
support the bottom wall 24 of the frame. As FIG. 7 shows, the user
may also grasp either the front wall 20 or rear wall 22 of the
frame using a side grip. In this figure the user is shown grasping
the rear wall 22.
[0011] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a liner 14. It should be
noted that this is just one embodiment of the liner. Here, the
liner 14 has a lid sealing feature 36, waste gutter 38, and a brush
retaining cavity 40. In some embodiments the liner will be more
heavily made, and may be cleaned and used again and again. In other
embodiments, the liner will be more lightly made, and meant to be
disposed after a certain number of uses. The liner material will be
thin walled in most embodiments of the invention, usually less than
0.200''.
[0012] The liner material may be clear or semi-transparent so to
make it easier for the user to meter, mix, and identify the
contents in the liner. Other liners may be colored plastic to help
organize a project. The liners can be made from any number of
suitable plastics used in thermoforming or injection molding
processes, such as PETE, PP, PETG, HIPS, PS, PPE, HDPE, LDPE,
Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, ABS, Nylon, and any suitable blend of
polymer or co-extrusion of polymer. In yet another embodiment, the
liner will be made from a biodegradable plastic. Finally, it should
be noted that in some embodiments the liner will be sized to
accommodate the retention of a small paint can inside the cavity,
such as a common 1 qt. or 1/2 pt. paint can.
[0013] FIG. 8 also shows a number of graduations 70. These
graduations 70 may be printed, applied, or molded into the liner
14.
[0014] FIG. 8 also shows a lid 52 that is designed to fit the
hand-held vessel. In this embodiment, the lid 52 has a
predetermined recess 54 sized to accommodate a typical 1 qt. paint
can, making this particular embodiment useful as a spill guard for
small paint cans. The lid 52 has a sealing feature 56 molded into
the perimeter which mates with the sealing feature 36 in the
hand-held vessel, or liner 14. Furthermore, the lid has a special
lifting tab 62 to make it easier for the user to remove the lid 52.
The lid also may be formed with text for purposes of recording the
material being stored, where it was used, the date, etc. Various
embodiments of the liner 14 or hand-held vessel will obviously
require lids of various sizes and configurations.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 9, the invention includes one or more
scraping edges 64 located along the inside perimeter of the liner
14. In other embodiments, the scraping edges 64 may only be formed
along a predetermined portion of the inside perimeter of the liner
14.
[0016] FIG. 14 shows another alternative embodiment of the
invention. Here the liner 14 contains one or more cavity separators
68. This type of liner is especially useful when applying two
different fluids. A typical example is when the user needs to apply
more than one color of paint at one time. This particular
embodiment may or may not utilize a brush retention cavity, lid
sealing area 36, or waste gutter 38.
[0017] FIG. 15 shows another alternative embodiment of the
invention. Here the liner 14 does not include a brush retention
cavity, but does include a perimeter waste gutter 38. It should be
noted that, in some other embodiments, the waste gutter will not be
located all along the perimeter of the vessel or liner. In some
instances, the gutter will be located only along an edge that is
substantially used for wiping a paint brush. This particular
embodiment may or may not utilize a lid sealing area 36.
[0018] FIG. 16 shows another alternative embodiment of the
invention. Here the liner 14 is configured to hold a larger amount
of paint, as well as to be used with other painting implements and
applicators, such as pads and mini-rollers. In this embodiment, the
liner 14 has side walls 32, a bottom wall 30, perimeter lid sealing
area 36, fluid transfer area 35, and front dam feature 37. The
fluid transfer area 35 is where the user transfers and distributes
a fluid to the painting implement, such as a mini-roller or
painting pad. To help transfer the fluid to the implement, the
fluid transfer area 35 may include a textured surface or a
plurality of ridges 33. The user may load up the implement by
either dipping it directly into the reservoir, or by first pouring
the fluid into the fluid transfer area 35 by means of tipping the
vessel until an amount of fluid flows from the vessel onto the
fluid transfer area 35. The fluid transfer area dam 37 prevents the
fluid or material inside the vessel from spilling.
[0019] FIG. 17 shows another alternative embodiment of the
invention. In one particular embodiment the liner 14 is retained by
the frame 12. In another particular embodiment the liner and frame
are a contiguous vessel.
[0020] In FIG. 18, the frame and liner are a contiguous hand-held
vessel 13. The frame in this embodiment does not include a
plurality of cut out areas or openings. In this embodiment the
invention may be used as a hand-held vessel with or without use of
a separate liner. Furthermore, this embodiment may or may not
utilize a lid sealing area, waste gutter, or lid.
[0021] In FIG. 19, the frame and liner are a contiguous vessel 13.
The frame in this embodiment does not include a plurality of cut
out areas or openings. In this embodiment the invention may be used
as a hand-held vessel with or without use of a separate liner.
Furthermore, this embodiment may or may not utilize a lid sealing
area 36, or waste gutter 38. This embodiment is shown with a brush
retention cavity 40.
[0022] In FIG. 20, the frame and liner are a contiguous vessel 13.
The frame in this embodiment does not include a plurality of cut
out areas or openings. In this embodiment the invention may be used
as a hand-held vessel with or without use of a separate liner. This
embodiment is shown with a lid sealing area 36. Furthermore, this
embodiment may or may not utilize a waste gutter or brush retention
cavity or lid.
[0023] In FIG. 21, the frame and liner are a contiguous vessel 13.
The frame in this embodiment does not include a plurality of cut
out areas or openings. In this embodiment the invention may be used
as a hand-held vessel with or without use of a separate liner. This
embodiment is shown with a lid sealing area 36, and waste gutter
38. Furthermore, this embodiment may or may not utilize a brush
retention cavity or lid.
[0024] In summary, the general embodiments of the present invention
provides a lightweight and ergonomic hand-held vessel, which, in
certain embodiments, further provides an ergonomic, multi-position
hand grip, waste gutter, sealing lid, paint brush holder, multiple
liner and vessel configurations, and a sturdy, conveniently sized
vessel for holding a volume of paint and other materials. Each
embodiment of this invention may be manufactured using known
methods and techniques and from a variety of materials, such as
plastics, polymers, thermoplastic elastomers, or other suitably
rigid and/or flexible materials all of which are known in the art
of manufacturing.
[0025] While the present invention is considered as illustrative of
the principles of the invention, and while the embodiments have
been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the
applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended
claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will
readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the
invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the
specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *