U.S. patent application number 12/269542 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for protective cover for paint can.
Invention is credited to Thomas M. Sulick, JR..
Application Number | 20100116834 12/269542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42164269 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100116834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sulick, JR.; Thomas M. |
May 13, 2010 |
Protective Cover For Paint Can
Abstract
Protective covers for cans of paint or wood stain having a
circular cap with an inner and an outer lip, wherein the inner and
outer lips are downwardly disposed to cooperatively and
frictionally engage a lid rim of a paint or wood stain can, and a
circular flange extending upwardly from the circular cap and
extending circumferentially around the lid rim of the can, wherein
the circular flange curves inwardly toward the center of the can to
define an opening through which the contents of the can may be
accessed, and wherein a portion of the outer edge of the flange
extends a shorter distance upward from the cap than the rest of the
flange to provide a recessed edge against which excess liquid may
be scraped from a paint brush and drain back into the can.
Inventors: |
Sulick, JR.; Thomas M.;
(Phillipsburg, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOX ROTHSCHILD LLP;PRINCETON PIKE CORPORATE CENTER
997 LENOX DRIVE, BLDG. #3
LAWRENCEVILLE
NJ
08648
US
|
Family ID: |
42164269 |
Appl. No.: |
12/269542 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/697 ;
220/700 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B44D 3/123 20130101;
B44D 3/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/697 ;
220/700 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a can with contents comprising paint or
wood stain, said cover comprising: a circular cap having an inner
and an outer lip, said inner and outer lips being downwardly
disposed to cooperatively and frictionally engage a lid rim of a
paint or wood stain can; and a circular flange extending upwardly
from the circular cap and extending circumferentially around said
lid rim of the can, said circular flange curving inwardly toward
the center of said can to define an opening through which the
contents of the can may be accessed; wherein a portion of the outer
edge of said flange extends a shorter distance upward from said cap
than the rest of said flange to provide a recessed edge against
which excess liquid may be scraped from a paint brush and drain
back into said can.
2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein said recessed edge of
said flange is essentially parallel to the plane defined by said
circular cap.
3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein said recessed edge of
said flange forms an acute angle with the plane defined by said
circular cap.
4. The protective cover of claim 3, wherein said acute angle of
said flange is sufficiently shallow to permit the flange to define
an inwardly curving spiral around the top surface of said circular
cap.
5. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein a plurality of recessed
edges are provided comprising a first recessed edge essentially
parallel to the plane defined by said circular cap and a second
recessed edge forming an acute angle with the plane defined by said
circular cap
6. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein said recessed edge is
dimensioned to receive the width and thickness of a paint
brush.
7. The protective cover of claim 6, comprising a plurality of
recessed edges with different width dimensions that are dimensioned
to accommodate a variety of brush width sizes.
8. The protective cover of claim 6, consisting of a single recess
with a width dimension large enough to accommodate essentially any
brush having a common width.
9. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein said circular cap or
inwardly curving upward flange comprise a plurality of apertures
positioned to permit any excess paint or wood stain falling to the
exterior of said flange to drain back into the can.
10. The protective cover of claim 1, further comprising a pouring
spout integral with said circular cap and said upward flange.
11. The protective cover of claim 1, further comprising a means for
holding a paint brush above the opening in the can, wherein said
brush holding means is affixed to said circular cap.
12. The protective cover of claim 11, wherein said brush holding
means is adapted to secure the brush above the contents of said can
to permit paint or wood stain on the brush to drip back into said
can contents.
13. The protective cover of claim 11, wherein said brush holding
means is adapted to secure the brush so that the bristles are
immersed in the can contents to prevent the brush from drying
out.
14. The protective cover of claim 11, wherein said brush holding
means is adapted to raise and lower the brush, so that the bristles
can be raised out of or lowered into the can contents.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to scraping excess paint from paint
brushes and more specifically to a brush scraping apparatus
including embodiments for attachment to an open paint can installed
by the user after the can has been opened for use.
[0002] Using a brush and a can of paint to paint any surface is a
routine practice. The painter typically applies paint to the brush
by dipping the bristles of the brush in the paint can. Painting has
typically been a very messy job. Usually, there is excess paint on
the brush after it is taken out of the paint can. Painters usually
scrape the excess paint from the brush before applying the paint to
the surface that he or she is painting. In many cases, painters
will pour about half of the can of paint into a second can. This
allows the painter to scrape the paint from the brush on the rim of
either can to remove excess paint from the brush.
[0003] The inside upper edge or rim of the paint can is normally
the most convenient place to scrape excess paint from the brush and
it is the rim of the can that most painters normally use to scrape
off excess paint before applying the paint brush to the surface
that he or she is painting. The design of the conventional paint
can is not designed to allow the painter to unload excess paint off
the brush properly. Wiping the brush on the side of the paint can
cause several problems. This action causes paint to flow into the
rim channel and over the side of the paint can. The paint often
ends up on the carpet or other surface where the can is placed.
Once the rim of the can has been contaminated with paint, it is
very difficult to seal the can properly. The paint in the rim also
acts like cement making the subsequent opening of the can very
difficult.
[0004] Another problem arises when the painter puts the lid back on
the can with the rim section full of paint. When the painter
strikes the lid to seal the can, the paint in the rim is projected
outward and can cause substantial damage to the surrounding area.
The paint is often projected onto the painter, and can cause
physical damage if expelled into the eyes.
[0005] There remains a need for a protective device for paint lids
that is simple to manufacture and provides a surface against which
brushes may be scraped in a manner that permits excess paint to
drip back into the can.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This need is met by the present invention. The present
invention provides a protective cap for a paint or wood stain can
having an inwardly curving upper flange with recessed portions
against which paint brushes can be scraped with excess paint or
wood stain flowing back into the can. The protective cap is
effective yet very simple to mold from inexpensive polymers to
provide a product that cleans up easily for re-use.
[0007] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a
protective cover for a paint or wood stain can is provided in the
form of a circular cap having an inner and an outer lip, with the
inner and outer lips being downwardly disposed to cooperatively and
frictionally engage a lid rim of a paint or wood stain can. A
circular flange extends upwardly from the circular cap around the
lid rim of the can and curves inwardly toward the center of the can
to define an opening through which the contents of the can may be
accessed. A portion of the outer edge of the flange extends a
shorter distance upward from the cap than the rest of the flange to
provide a recessed edge against which excess liquid may be scraped
from a paint brush and drain back into the can. The circular cap
can be prepared in a variety of diameters to accommodate the
standard sizes of cans available for paint and wood stain.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
recessed edge of the flange is essentially parallel to the plane of
the circular cap. This provides an optimal surface for wiping from
a brush excess liquids with the viscosity of oil-based and latex
paints.
[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the recessed edge of the flange forms an acute angle with the plane
of the circular cap. In one aspect of this embodiment, the acute
angle of the flange is sufficiently shallow to permit the flange to
define an inwardly curving spiral around the surface of the
circular cap. This provides an optimal surface for wiping from a
brush excess liquid with the viscosity of a wood stain.
[0010] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, two
recessed edges are provided, a first recessed edge essentially
parallel to the plane of the circular cap and a second recessed
edge forming an acute angle with the plane of the circular cap.
This allows the protective cover to be suitable for use with both
paints and wood stains.
[0011] In another embodiment the present invention provides
protective covers with recessed edges dimensioned to receive the
width and thickness of a paint brush. A plurality of recessed edges
with different width dimensions may be provided to accommodate a
variety of brush sizes, or a single recess may be provided with a
width dimension large enough to accommodate essentially any brush
having a common width. Such recesses define side edges against
which the brush may also be wiped.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
apertures are provided in the circular cap or the inwardly curving
upward flange. The apertures permit any excess paint or wood stain
falling to the exterior of the flange to drain back into the
can.
[0013] According to another embodiment, the cap is provided with a
pouring spout integral with the upward flange. This permits the can
contents to be dispensed neatly without contaminating the rim of
the can with paint or wood stain. For example, the paint or wood
stain may be dispensed by means of the spout into a tray for
application with a paint roller.
[0014] According to another embodiment, the circular cap may be
provided with means to hold a paint brush above the opening in the
can. The means can be adapted to secure the brush above the
contents to permit paint or wood stain on the brush to drip back
into the can, or the means can be adapted to secure the brush so
that the bristles are immersed in the can contents to prevent the
brush from drying out.
[0015] The present invention thus provides a washable and reusable
product for keeping excess paint and wood stain off of cans and
brushes to prolong brush life and maintain a neater job. Other
features of the present invention will be pointed out in the
following description referencing the drawings and claims, which
disclose the principles of the invention and the best modes which
are presently contemplated for carrying them out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a protective cover
according to one embodiment of the present invention in relation to
a paint can;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the protective cover depicted in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective cover depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2, viewed from the opposite side;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of the protective cover depicted in
FIGS. 1-3; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is perspective view of a protective cover according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The embodiments of the protective cover of the present
invention are illustrated in combination with a one gallon
cylindrical paint can. However, the protective covers of the
present invention can be manufactured for use in combination with
essentially any size can of paint or wood stain. In addition to one
gallon cans, paints and wood stains are also commonly sold in one
pint and one quart cans, as well as in five gallon bucket.
Equivalent metric-size containers of products are also manufactured
and sold.
[0022] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, protective cover 10
includes circular cap 20 having an inner lip and an outer lip that
are disposed downwardly so that they cooperatively frictionally
fasten protective cover 10 to circular channel 11 of paint can PC.
The inner and outer lips of circular cap 20 co-operatively seal
circular channel 11 of paint can PC so that excess paint cannot
collect and dry in circular channel 11. One purpose of the
protective cover of the present invention is to prevent excess
paint from accumulating and drying in circular channel 11. The
accumulation of dried paint in circular channel 11 prevents proper
reattachment of the paint can lid. This allows evaporation from the
paint can interior so that the remaining paint dries out. The dried
paint cannot be subsequently used and is wasted.
[0023] An arcuate flange 21 extends upwardly from circular cap 20
and inwardly toward the center C of paint can PC to define an
opening 22 through which the contents of paint can PC may be
accessed. A portion 24 of the outer edge 26 of flange extends a
shorter distance upward from the circular cap 20 than the rest of
the flange 32 to provide a recessed edge 34 against which excess
liquid may be scraped from a paint brush and drain back into paint
can PC.
[0024] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, recessed edge 34a of
flange 21 is essentially parallel to the plane defined by circular
cap 20. This provides an optimal surface for wiping from a brush
excess liquids with the viscosity of oil-based and latex paints.
According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, recessed edge 34c
of flange 21 forms an acute angle AA with the plane defined by
circular cap 20. As seen in FIG. 2, acute angle AA of flange 21 is
sufficiently shallow to permit flange 21 to define an inwardly
curving spiral 25 around the circumference of circular cap 20. This
provides an optimal surface for wiping from a brush excess liquid
with the viscosity of a wood stain.
[0025] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, two recessed edges
34a and 34c are provided, a first recessed edge 34a essentially
parallel to the plane defined by circular cap 20 and a second
recessed edge 34c forming an acute angle with the plane defined by
circular cap 20. This allows the protective cover to be suitable
for use with both paints and wood stains.
[0026] Recessed edge 34a of protective cover 10 is dimensioned to
receive the width and thickness of a paint brush. A plurality of
recessed edges with different width dimensions can be provided to
accommodate a variety of brush sizes. In the alternative, a single
recess can be provided with a width dimension large enough to
accommodate essentially any brush having a common width. Such
recesses define side edges against which the brush may also be
wiped.
[0027] As seen in FIGS. 1-4, apertures 40a, 40b, 40c, etc., are
provided in circular cap 20 and flange 21. The apertures permit
excess paint falling to the exterior 42 of flange 21 to drain back
into paint can PC.
[0028] The protective cover of the present invention can also be
provided with a pouring spout integral with the circular cap and
flange. This permits the can contents to be dispensed neatly
without contaminating the rim of the can with paint.
[0029] As seen in FIG. 5, cover 10 is provided with means 60 that
is molded separately and assembled to hold paint brush 70 above the
opening 12 of paint can PC. In particular, posts 61 and 62
frictionally engage the neck 72 of brush 70 so that the bristles 74
extend over the opening 12 parallel to the surface of the paint in
the can.
[0030] In alternative embodiments, one or two longer posts are used
that bend 90 degrees and extend over the center of the can, with a
first post portion parallel to the can opening and a second post
portion perpendicular to the can opening. When one post is used,
the paint brush is affixed to the post by a clamp. When two posts
are used, clamps or other means may be employed so the two posts
co-operatively secure the brush to the posts. The second portion or
portions of the post or posts may telescope to raise and lower the
paint brush bristles into and out of the paint in paint can PC.
[0031] Alternative means of affixing the paint brush to the post or
posts may be provided, such as a hook formed on the end of either
or both post. The hook is insertable through the aperture typically
provided in brush handles to hang the brush therefrom so that it
may be raised and lowered by the telescoping post or posts.
[0032] This embodiment thus serves to secure a paint brush above
the paint can opening to permit excess paint on the paint brush
bristles to drip back into paint can PC, or the post or posts can
be telescoped so that the paint brush bristles are immersed into
the paint in the paint can to prevent the paint brush bristles from
drying out.
[0033] Can cover 10 can be formed by injection molding from
thermoplastic polymers by conventional means. The brush attachment
means may be separately molded, and the recesses and apertures in
the cap cover can be integrally molded or die cut after
molding.
[0034] The polymers are selected and the molding compositions
preferably formulated to ensure that paint or wood stain can be
easily removed from can covers molded therefrom. Such molding
formulations are well known to those of ordinary skill in the
injection molding art and require no further description here. The
can cover can be readily molded from recycled plastics, including
plastics into which waste paint has been recycled.
[0035] The description of the preferred embodiments should be taken
as illustrating, instead of limiting, the present invention as
defined by the claims. As will be readily appreciated, numerous
combinations of all features set forth above can be used without
departing from the invention set forth in the claims. Such
variations are not regarded as a departure from the spirit and
scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of the following claims
* * * * *