Artist Palette And Carrying Case

Abstract

There is disclosed a combination artist's palette and carrying case therefor. The palette includes a generally planar body portion and a peripheral edge portion with at least one side of the body portion being adapted to receive materials thereon for use by the associated artist. A case for the palette is provided, the case having a bottom wall and a side wall and is dimensioned such that the palette fits within the peripheral side wall of the case whereby the case is adapted to receive the palette for use, storage and transportation. Resilient sealing gasket means movable relative to the case also is provided. The gasket means is positionable between the case and the palette and biasing means are provided on the case to cause the palette to compress the gasket and provide a substantially airtight chamber between the palette and the case. In a second embodiment the gasket is rigidly affixed to the edge portion of the palette. in a third embodiment there is provided a disposable liner having a configuration complementary to the configuration of the palette with the peripheral edge of the liner operating as the gasket means. Also, there is provided an artist's tool conditioning structure that may be stored within the case and can be detachably secured to the side of the case for use by the artist.

Description

This invention relates generally to an artist's palette and carrying case therefor and is an improvement over the artist's palette and case disclosed in applicant's prior U. S. Pat. No. 3,352,616, issued Nov. 14, 1967.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a unique combination artist's palette, carrying case, cover and artist's tool conditioning structure that are cooperable in a manner whereby the case provides storage for all such parts and for all the artist's tools, and also provides for the convenient and organized placement of the artist's tools and the palette for ready accessibility for use by the artist.

Heretofore artists have customarily utilized in their work, paint cases or boxes provide with a handle in which they may carry from place to place their palettes, tubes of paint, brushes, and various other implements peculiar to their profession, such as palette knives, etc. In classroom situations, and when painting outdoors or on location, the painter is often faced with an inevitable loss of materials, since the present palette cases do not provide adequate means for protecting and preserving the paint or other materials that have been placed on the palette for use, and which materials have not been entirely used during the particular work period. This problem also exists when painting in the artist's home or studio.

Generally, in these situation, it is necessary to remove the materials from the surface of the palette before returning the palette to the box for storage. These partially used paints, which are normally spread over a large portion of the surface of the palette, represent a loss to the artist, and, because they are relatively expensive materials, and difficult to remove when dry, it is both economical and tim saving to protect them from drying out or otherwise deteriorating due to exposure.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved artist's palette and case therefor in which the palette is adapted to be carried by the case in a manner that provides a substantially airtight chamber, whereby the paint remaining on the surface of the palette need not be removed prior to storing the palette in the case, and wherein the paint so remaining on the surface will be effectively prevented from drying out.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved combination reversible palette and palette case that will effectively provide a hermetic compartment for one surface of the palette, and wherein the opposite surface of the palette is readily accessible for use by the artist, thereby doubling the effective surface area and utility of the palette.

In applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,616 there is disclosed a combination artist's palette, gasket, case and cover therefor. In such prior patent the gasket means is rigidly disposed within the case and is not removable therefrom. This presents one disadvantageous feature in that it is necessary to invert the palette to place the paint retaining side in the airtight chamber. The present invention is an improvement thereover in that the gasket means is removable from the case and it is possible to obtain a substantially airtight chamber between the cover and the palette or between the palette and the case and in certain instances two chambers may be provided whereby paint on either side of the palette may be stored in a substantially airtight chamber.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in combination with the palette, cover and case referred to above, unique resilient sealing gasket means cooperable with the case, palette and cover in which the gasket means may be disposed between the cover and the palette or between the palette and the case thereby to provide substantially airtight chambers so that the artist's material remaining on the palette is retarded from drying out. This capability of establishing an airtight compartment within the case is particularly helpful when the artist is painting on location and must delay the cleanup of brushes, mixing cups, etc., for extended periods of time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in structure of the character heretofore described, an improved palette having resilient sealing gasket means fixedly secured to both sides of the peripheral edge thereof, whereby two substantially airtight compartments may be obtained at the same time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, for use in combination with the aforementioned palette, case and cover, a disposable plastic liner which the artist can use in conjunction with the palette, the liner being formed of a mating configuration to the palette whereby the palette provides a rigid structure therebelow and wherein the peripheral edge of the liner serves as a sealing gasket between the cover and the palette or between the palette and the case.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide, for use with the structure heretofore described, a cover that is capable of being completely removed from the case and thereafter stored in the case below the palette.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an artist's tool conditioning structure that includes means for facilitating the cleaning of the working end of the artist's tool such as the paint brushes or palette knives, without resorting to messy hand-wiping of such tools, and wherein such tool conditioning structure may be stored within the case when not in use and may be detachably secured to the side of the case for use as a thinning cup attachment by the artist when the artist is painting.

Still another object of this invention is to provide, in a case of the character described, means whereby the paint tubes are positionable on the case in such a manner that during the painting process they are readily available and convenient for use by the artist in dispensing pigment upon the palette.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the case and palette and the artist's tool conditioning structure, whereby the above outlined and additional operating advantages thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood with reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the combination case, cover and palette with portions of the cover and palette being cut away in order to illustrate the structure of the case therebelow and wherein the artist's tool conditioning structure is shown in the mounted condition on one side of the case;

FIG. 2 is an end view, with parts broken away, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, illustrating one arrangement of the cover, gasket, palette and case;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1, illustrating two arrangements of the cover and palette relative to the case;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the cover, case and palette arrangement of FIG. 1, with part of the case broken away for better illustration of the brush receiving structure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cover, gasket, palette and carrying case and illustrates the manner in which various associated artists tools and equipment and the tool conditioning structure may be stored within the carrying case;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the gasket shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of palette forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pad of disposable paper sheets adapted for use with the palette illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wood panel insert that may be used in association with the palette illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a second embodiment of palette and gasket means forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view of the case of FIG. 1, illustrating in greater detail the biasing means carried by the case for holding the palette and cover in position thereon, the biasing means being shown in the open position;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of the biasing means taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 10, the biasing means being shown in the closed position;

FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of a third type of palette on which is mounted a disposable liner of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a sectional elevational view of the cover;

FIG. 14A and 14B are partial elevational views of the disposable liner;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the case and illustrates partial views of the palette of FIG. 12 mounted in two positions therein;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a plurality of the disposable liners stored between the palette and case;

FIG. 17 is a partial view illustrating a plurality of the disposable liners in stacked relationship;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, showing a disposable liner between the palette and the cover;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18, showing the palette and liner in an inverted position with the biasing means in position;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIGS. 16, 18 and 19, showing the cover in a storage position within the case with the palette and liner exposed for use by the artist and wherein the biasing means is in position to assist in retention of the liner on the palette.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the artist's tool conditioning structure forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the artist's tool conditioning structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 22--22 in FIG. 21;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are sectional views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 23--23 and illustrate the tool conditioning structure in two operable positions thereof;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 21 and shows an associated brush disposed therein;

FIG. 25 is an end view of the artist's tool conditioning structure illustrated in FIG. 21 when mounted on the associated case; and

FIG. 26 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 22, further illustrating operation of the tool conditioning structure when used to clean the bristles of an associated paint brush.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, wherein a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in greater detail, there is seen an improved combination artist's palette designated generally as 30, a carrying case 40, a cover for the case designated generally as 60 and a gasket 70 adapted to be disposed in various positions relative to the case, the cover and the palette.

The embodiment of the palette 30 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 comprises a generally dish-shaped member having a generally rectangular main body portion 31, an upstanding side section or wall 32 and an outwardly extending peripheral edge portion or flange 33 disposed parallel to the main body portion 31.

The dish-shaped configuration of the palette allows the body portion 31 thereof to be used on either side thereof and with all type of art mediums, such as oil paints, acrylic polymers, transparent water colors and other similar materials. These mediums, as distinguished by their liquid or flow consistency are best suited for use on a particular side of the palette 30. Thus, for example, the paste or non-running art mediums, such as oil paints and the acrylics, are more easily worked by the artist during painting and may easily be removed from the palette when the palette is arranged with the main body portion 31 in an elevated condition as illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 5, while the wet or runny art mediums, such as water colors and color inks, are more easily worked and contained when the palette is disposed to provide the dish-shaped arrangement shown in FIG. 6.

As noted heretofore, one of the primary objects of the invention is to extend the useable time and workable time of the various art mediums used by the artist by retarding the normal drying out process of the mediums when not in use. Some of these art mediums, such as the oil and acrylic paints, can neither be restored to use nor easily removed after they have dried out. Thus, in classroom situations or when painting outdoors or on location, the laying out of the palette and the colors and the after painting cleanup is a time consuming and wasteful process in that those materials placed on the palette may not thereafter successfully be restored.

To provide a hermetic or substantially airtight chamber in which the palette side or sides having the paint or other materials thereof may be stored while the reverse side thereof is available for use by the artist, or, alternately, where it is desired to store the palette with paint materials on both sides thereof, there has been developed the case 40, cover 60 and gasket 70 for use therewith.

With reference still to FIGS. 1 through 6, the case 40 includes a generally rectangular bottom wall 41 and an upstanding peripheral side wall 42; the upper portion of the side wall 42 being formed to provide a ledge 43 disposed parallel to the bottom wall 41 and extending outwardly therefrom. An open compartment 44 is formed between the bottom wall 41 and the ledge 43. The side wall 42 terminates as an upstanding continuous lip 45 surrounding the ledge 43.

The palette 30 and side wall of the case 40 are dimensioned such that the palette 30 may be disposed within the case with the peripheral edge portion 33 of the palette 30 disposed in continuous juxtaposition with the ledge 43.

In the preferred embodiment of the case 40 as illustrated in the drawings, one section of the ledge 43 is extended laterally as indicated at 46. The laterally extending section 46 is provided with a plurality of apertures 47 of different sizes therethrough. Some of the apertures are intended to accommodate the bottom end of a standard tube of paint such as 51 while other of the apertures 47 are adapted to receive the handle-end of a paint brush 49 when the artist is painting. Preferably, the apertures 47 along the sides of the case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are provided for paint brushes, with the larger of such openings being disposed away from the palette area whereby the shorter brushes which have handles of a thinner diameter are disposed toward the front. Each of the apertures 47 is provided with a vertically extending wall 48 which is smaller in cross section at the bottom thereof than at the top thereof. This allows the entire case 40 to be picked up and moved to another location without the paint tubes or brushes dropping through the apertures 47.

A pair of longitudinally extending dividing walls 50 is disposed within the case 40 and serve to divide the compartment 44 into a plurality of chambers designed to hold different tools. Thus as illustrated in FIG. 5 one chamber A receives the brushes for storage, the middle chamber B receives the paint tubes, while the third chamber C is adapted to receive the artist's tool conditioning structure 100 to be described more fully hereinafter. There also is room in the chamber C for the storage of mixing cups or the like.

To facilitate removal of the palette from within the case, a finger notch 54 is provided in one part of the lip 45 of the side wall 43, the finger notch 54 extending from the top end of the lip down to the ledge 43.

A handle 52 for carrying the case 40 also is provided, the handle being secured by a bracket 53 to the lip 45 via a plurality of rivets (not shown) Rather than securing the handle by the bracket 53, the handle may be integrally molded with the case 40.

Disposed above the palette 30 in FIG. 5 is a generally rectangular semirigid plastic frame 70 that serves as a resilient sealing gasket in the manner shortly to be described. The gasket 70 has a raised continuous bead 71 on one side thereof disposed approximately midway between the edges thereof.

A cover 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the cover being cooperable with the gasket 70. The cover 60 includes a generally rectangular body portion 61, a continuous side wall 62 and an outwardly extending peripheral flange 63. The peripheral flange 63 is complementary to the gasket 70, to the edge portion 33 of the palette 30, and to the ledge 43 of the case 40, whereby these parts may be placed in continuous juxtaposition with each other and will fit within the confines of the lip 5 of the case.

To secure the various parts in position in and on the case, a plurality of biasing means in the form of spring clamps 80 is provided, the details of which are best illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Each spring clamp 80 includes a U-shaped cam and hinge member 81 (FIG. 11) the bight portion 82 of which overlies the top edge of the lip 45. The hinge and cam member 81 includes a hinge leg 83 that extends toward the ledge 43 and passes through a slot 55 formed in the ledge 43 adjacent to the lip 45. The lower end of the leg 83 has a generally rectangular slot 84 therein which cooperates with a compression clip 85 by receiving the curved hinge portion 86 thereof through the slot 84.

The compression clip 85 includes an outwardly curved and bent over portion 87 which terminates as a U-shaped flange 88, the return leg of which is designated as 89. The distance between the bight portion 82 and the bent over portion 87 is less than the distance between the return leg 89 and the bent over portion 87 when the compression clip is in a relaxed or open condition. Thus, when the clip 85 is rotated to the closed or biasing position thereof illustrated in FIG. 11, the leg 89 will at all times engage the bight portion 82 of the hinge and cam member 81. As a result, when the compression clip 85 is rotated to the closed position the bight 82 acts as a cam on leg 89 and forces same upwardly to prevent the clip from rotating outwardly. At the same time, due to the relationship of the parts, a downward compressive force will always be exerted on whatever member is disposed between the ledge 43 and the leg 89.

The configuration of the compression clip 85 and the manner in which it is mounted relative to the ledge 43 permits a number of different mounting arrangements of the palette 30, gasket 70 and cover 60 relative to the case and in each instance the clip 80 insures that the parts are held securely in place. Moreover, the downward force exerted by the return leg 89 on the flange 63 or edge portion 33 over the gasket 70 causes compression of the gasket 70 so as to provide an airtight seal between the case and the member or members disposed above it.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, it will be appreciated that a number of different storage and use arrangements of the case, palette, gasket and cover are possible. Thus, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the palette 30 is shown with the body portion 31 in the elevated position and the peripheral edge portion 33 thereof in direct and continuous contact with the ledge 43 of the case. This position allows the artist to use the palette in the elevated condition whereby the body portion 31 is readily accessible for use with the pastelike materials such as the oils and acrylics.

If the artist desires to temporarily discontinue painting for lunch or other recess, or to transport the case to another location, the gasket 70 may be placed over the peripheral edge portion 33 of the palette and thereafter the cover 60 placed in position as shown. When this step has been completed the compression clip 85 is rotated from the open position illustrated in FIG. 10 to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 11. The compressive force of the four clips 85 on the peripheral flange 63 of the cover causes the flange to firmly abut and compress the resilient sealing gasket 70, thereby providing a seal between the flange 63 and the outer edge portion 33 of the palette 30 whereby a substantially airtight compartment is provided between the cover and the palette.

As a second arrangement, the left hand side of FIG. 3 shows the palette 30 in the dished position while the right hand portion of FIG. 3 illustrates the cover 60 in a storage position within the case while the palette is disposed over the cover and within the lip 45.

It will also be understood that the gasket 70 may be disposed directly on the ledge 43 with the palette placed thereover whereby a substantially airtight compartment is formed between the palette 30 and the cover 40. This latter arrangement would be desirable where the artist is switching from one material to another such as may be the case when going between classrooms wherein it is desired to save the first material and prevent from drying out.

In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a pad 34 of disposable vellum paper sheets, the pad 34 having a double adhesive tape on the bottom thereof. It will be observed from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the pad 34 is adapted to be disposed on the body portion 31 of the palette 30 and within the side wall 32 thereof with the side wall 32 preventing lateral movement of the pad 34 relative to the palette 30. In this case, the artist may merely lay out his paint or other materials directly on the paper pad and to avoid a messy cleanup process merely tear off the single sheet of paper and dispose of same. In FIG. 8, in lieu of the paper pad illustrated in FIG. 7 there is illustrated a wood board 35 which also is positionable on the body portion 31 within the side wall 32 of the palette 30.

In the preferred embodiment of palette, case, cover and gasket illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the case is preferably molded as a one-piece member from a plastic material such as A.B.S. The palette may be of a melamine-type molded plastic or may be comprised of a porcelain finish over drawn steel. If desired, a melamine laminate to provide a wood-type surface appearance may be molded to the elevated side of the body portion. The cover similarly may be formed of a molded plastic A.B.S. or a melamine-type plastic. The gasket 70 may be formed of a semirigid plastic such as polypropelene. The gasket is preferably about 0.035 inch thick at the center, with an arched under surface about 0.030 inch high and tapering to the outer edges. The bead 71 is 0.050 inch wide and 0.030 inch above the body of the gasket.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be observed that in order to allow the palette to be inverted and stored within the case in either position, and also to allow the cover to be inverted and stored within the case, the included or internal angle between the side wall 32 of the palette and the body portion 31 thereof is greater than the included or internal angle between the side wall 62 and body portion 61 of the cover, which angle in turn is greater than the included or internal angle between the side wall 42 and the bottom wall 41 of the case 40. For example, the included angle for the palette may be approximately 125.degree., the included angle for the cover approximately 120.degree. and the included angle for the case being 115.degree..

Finally, in the embodiment illustrated, it will be observed that although the body portions of the palette and cover are generally rectangular, the sides thereof are slightly curved. This will prevent the palette from sliding toward the tube area 46 of the ledge 43 when the palette is in an elevated position.

A second embodiment of palette and gasket arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment the palette 130 includes a body portion 131, side wall 132 and peripheral edge portion 133. Here, however, instead of the gasket being provided as a separate semirigid frame 70, a gasket 135 is provided in the form of a vinyl material that is adhesively secured to the peripheral edge portion 133 of the palette. In this case, the vinyl gasket includes leg portions 136 and 137 which cover both sides of the edge portion 133. Each leg 136 and 137 has a plurality of raised ridges 138 thereon comparable to the bead 71, but slightly narrower on the order of 0.030 inch. With this embodiment, it is possible to obtain two substantially airtight compartments when the cover 60 is placed over the palette 30 and the biasing means 80 are operated to the closed positions thereof. This particular embodiment is best employed when the palette is comprised of a drawn steel member having a porcelain finish thereover, but also may be employed with the melamine type molded plastic palette as well.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 20, a third embodiment of palette and gasket arrangement is illustrated. In this embodiment the cover 60 and the case 40 are identical to those previously described, but a slightly different palette structure 230 is employed. A disposable liner 90 (FIGS. 14A, 14B) comprising a body portion 91, upstanding side wall 92 and a peripheral edge portion 93 complementary to the respective parts of the palette 230 is provided.

The edge portion 93 of the liner includes a pair of continuous hollow ridges 94 formed therein, the ridges 94 operating as the gasket means 70 in the embodiment heretofore described. The liner 90 preferably is formed of a high impact plastic such as polystyrene and is between 0.010 and 0.015 inch thick; preferably 0.010 for flexibility and ease of stacking. Each ridge is about 0.13 inch wide at the top and about 0.050 inch high.

To accommodate the liner in a nesting relationship the modified palette 230 is provided, the modification taking place in the side wall 232. In the palette 30 the body portion 31 and the side wall 32 and outer edge portion 33 were all of the same thickness; however, in order to allow the liner 90 to fit in good nesting relationship with palette 230 on both sides thereof or in the elevated or dished positions, the side wall 232 of the palette 230 is approximately 0.050 inch thinner than the body portion 231. This allows the apex of the exterior angle between the side wall 232 and the body portion 231 to be disposed 0.030 inch inwardly with respect to the apex of the interior angle, whereby the liner 90 fits in good nesting relationship on either side of the palette 230 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The disposable liners 90 provide a very utilitarian structure together with the case, palette and cover heretofore described. The liners provide a convenient and relatively inexpensive work surface which the artist may discard rather than clean the palette. A plurality of the liners 90 may be provided in a stacked relationship as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 7 and stored between the palette 230 and the case 40.

The ridges 94 of the liner 90 serve as a gasket to provide a seal between the liners and the case or the liners and the cover, depending on the position of the respective parts. Thus, in FIG. 18 the palette 230 is disposed with the body portion 231 in the dished position, the liner 90 therein and the cover 60 on top of the liner. In this arrangement the ridges 94 are disposed between the peripheral edge portion 233 of the palette 230 and the flange 63 of the cover 60 thereby providing an airtight chamber therebetween. If desired liners 90 may be disposed both above and below the palette 230 whereby the sealing ridges 94 of each operate to provide two airtight chambers.

A preferred arrangement for the liner 90, disposed below the palette 230, is to have the dished side of the liner 90 oriented away from the dished side of the palette 230, similar to the manner in which the extra liners 90 are illustrated in FIG. 16. So positioned, neither the liner above or below the palette need be inverted or exposed to the equipment within the compartments of the case 60. In this arrangement, three substantially airtight chambers are established.

In FIG. 19 the palette 230 is disposed in an elevated position with the liner 90 thereover and the biasing means 80 or compression clip 85 in the closed position thereof.

In FIG. 20 the cover 60 shown in the storage position thereof while the body portion 231 of the palette 230 is in the elevated position. Also in FIG. 20 the biasing means 80 are in the closed position and engage the ridges 94 of the liner 90. In this case the biasing means 80 cooperate with the ridges 94 to insure that the liner 90 does not have relative to the underlying palette 230.

As previously noted, one of the stated objects of the invention is to provide the unique artist's tool conditioning structure 100 which is cooperable with the case 40 and which also may be used independently thereof. The tool conditioning structure 100 is best illustrated in FIGS. 21 through 26 wherein it is seen to comprise the generally rectangular open receptacle including a bottom wall 101, side walls 102 and 103, a front end wall 104 and a rear end wall 105. A dividing wall 106 is disposed in the receptacle 100 and extends between the side walls 102 and 103 thereof; thereby dividing the receptacle into two open compartments. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the dividing wall 106 is disposed toward the front wall 104.

The dividing wall 106 has a vertically extending slot 107 formed therein. The slot 107 operates to receive the working end of an associated artist's tool such as the bristle end of a paint brush or the flat of a palette knife. The sides of the slot 107 are beveled as at 108 to provide knife-like edges in the slot; the top edge of the dividing wall 106 also is beveled as at 109. The sharp edges so formed aid in cleaning the associated tools.

The receptacle 100 preferably is made of plastic or other semirigid material so that the walls and bottom thereof are slightly flexible when pressure is applied thereto. In using the tool conditioning structure, it will be understood that inward pressure on the side walls 102 and 103 at the junctures thereof with the dividing wall 106 causes constriction of the slot 107 with a resultant application of compressive force on the end of the associated tool disposed in the slot. When the working end of the tool is moved longitudinally through the constricted slot 107 the beveled knife-like edges 108 thereof operate to scrape off and squeeze out waste or excess materials on the working end of the tool. This allows the artist to strip and scrape excess paint from a brush without hand-wiping the brush.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the slot 107 extends the full height of the dividing wall 106. This makes it easier to apply pressure along the full length of the slot as the bottom wall 101 then acts as a hinge. To facilitate application of pressure on the side walls 102 and 103, a pair of oppositely disposed finger tabs 110 are integrally formed with the side walls 102 and 103 at the areas adjacent to the junctures of the dividing wall 106 with the side walls 102 and 103.

To further facilitate cleaning of the brush or other tool, the bottom wall 101 of the receptacle is provided with a plurality of upstanding ridges 111 which are disposed parallel to and between the dividing wall 106 and the end wall 105. By running the bristle end of the brush across the ridges 111, the ridges 111 operate to spread apart the bristles and loosen and expose the pigment within the bristles, thereby further facilitating cleaning of the brush. This is particularly useful in removing paint near the ferrule of the brush.

Finally, the rear wall 105 of the receptacle 100 is provided with a plurality of serrations 112 which are adapted to receive the handle end of the paint brush or other tool while the working end thereof is disposed within the receptacle as illustrated in FIG. 24. Because the serrations 112 are V-shaped they accommodate handles of various diameters. The serrations prevent the handle end of the brush or other tool from rolling and sliding off of the receptacle 100 when the receptacle 100 is used to retain the brushes in a moist condition with a thinner carried therewithin.

The tool conditioning structure or receptacle 100 is particularly adapted for use with the case 40 heretofore described. In this connection the wall 103 of the receptacle 100 is provided with a pair of mounting clips 113 which include a U-shaped portion 114 adapted to overlie the upstanding lip 45 of the associated case 40. When it is desired to use the receptacle 100 for paint thinning, it is clipped to the lip 45 of the case 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 25. It will be appreciated that the open extent of the U-shaped portion 114 is somewhat less than the thickness of the lip 45 whereby the receptacle 100 is firmly mounted on the case but is easily detachable therefrom. Also, when the receptacle 100 is clipped to the lip 45, the flanges 63 and/or 33 also cooperate to secure the clips 113 to the ledge 43 in a very positive manner. When not in use, the receptacle is stored in one of the compartments of the case 40 as illustrated in FIG. 5; the height of the receptacle 100 being less than the distance between the bottom wall 41 and the ledge 43 of the case.

The tool conditioning attachment 100 is thus very versatile and aids the artist in a number of ways. The receptacle may be used for soaking brushes by depositing a thinning agent therewithin. It is particularly adapted for removing excess paint from the bristle end of the brush via the application of pressure to the side walls resulting in constriction of the slot 107. This permits ready cleaning of the brushes without messy hand-wiping. In addition, and for thorough brush cleaning, the receptacle's relatively small size permits the artist to take the entire receptacle and remove to a source of running water and there run the bristle end of the brushes across the ridges 111. The dividing wall 106 also functions to prevent excessive intermixing of the excess pigment removed from the brush with any thinner that may be disposed in the receptacle. Finally, the sharp forward edges provided on the sides of the slot 107 and on the top of the dividing wall assure maximum removal of the paint from the bristles.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided an improved combination artist's palette and case therefor. The case constructed in accordance with the disclosure provides the artist with a highly utilitarian device in which the brushes, paint tubes, mixing cups and other tools conveniently may be stored, and in use may be disposed in positions in which they are readily available and accessible in a convenient and organized manner. Because the palette is mounted within the case the palette is disposed above the surface on which the case may rest whereby the palette also is readily accessible to the artist.

The removable gasket provided in the various embodiments adds great flexibility to the number of arrangements for providing airtight chambers to prevent the drying out of paint or other materials on the palette. The cover and palette can be clamped into position so that paint can be stored on the palette for an extended period of time without inverting the palette. Further, the disposable liners cooperate with the palette to provide a convenient work surface and also function as the gasket member. The cover is designed to be completely removable from the case but can be stored under the palette and out of the way but is yet easily available. When the cover is over the palette any paint thereon is protected and it is not exposed for inadvertent soiling of clothing and the like. The ability to place the cover both over and under the palette is further enhanced by the fact that such placement can be accomplished without having to move the paint tubes, brushes or thinning and mixing cups that may be mounted on the case. Finally, the tool conditioning structure provides a unique tool for the artist which enables the artist to clean various implements without touching the working ends thereof and soiling clothing or hands.

While there has been described what is presently thought to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A combination artist's palette and carrying case therefor comprising a palette including a generally planar body portion and a peripheral edge portion, said body portion serving to receive an artist's work materials thereon, a case adapted to receive said palette for use, storage and transportation, said case including a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall, said palette and said case being dimensioned such that such palette fits within the peripheral side wall of said case, a liner comprising a semirigid paint and water impervious material and including body and edge portions of a configuration substantially identical to the configuration of the respective body and edge portions of said palette whereby said liner may be removably disposed in nesting relationship with said palette whereby said liner is supported by said palette so as to provide a rigid and disposable work surface for the artist, said peripheral edge portion of said liner being formed of a semirigid material to provide resilient sealing gasket means integral with said liner, whereby upon placement of said palette and said liner in said case with said liner disposed between said palette and said case, said gasket means and said palette and said case are adapted to be in continuous juxtaposition with said palette, aid gasket means and said case cooperating to form a chamber therebetween, and means carried by said case for biasing said palette into sealing relationship with said gasket means and thereby rendering said chamber substantially airtight, whereby upon placement of said palette in said case the airtight condition achieved thereby is effective to retard the drying out and deterioration of any materials remaining on said liner.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said resilient sealing gasket means comprises at least one raised continuous ridge formed in said peripheral edge portion of said liner.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2, wherein said liner is formed of a plastic material and is between about 0.010 and 0.015 inch thick and said raised ridge is disposed about 0.060 inch above the peripheral edge of the liner.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1, and further including a plurality of said liners stacked in nesting relationship.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said palette includes an upstanding side wall between said body portion thereof and said peripheral edge portion thereof, and said liner includes a complementary upstanding side wall between the body portion thereof and the peripheral edge portion thereof, and wherein the bottom wall of said palette is about 0.050 inches thicker than said side wall thereof and the apex of the interior angle between the palette side wall and the palette body portion is disposed 0.030 inches outwardly with respect to the apex of the exterior angle of said side wall and said body portion.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said liner is formed of a high-impact plastic material and is between about 0.010 and 0.015 inch thick.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1, and further including a cover for said case, said cover having an outwardly extending peripheral flange complementary to the peripheral edge portion of said palette and the peripheral edge portion of said liner, whereby upon placement of said cover over said liner and said palette and below said biasing means a second substantially airtight chamber is provided between said cover and said gasket means of said liner and said palette.