Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02744313 2011-06-23
A PAINT CONTAINER COVER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No.
61/358,033
filed June 24, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The specification relates generally to painting accessories, and
specifically to a
paint container cover.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When the lid of a paint can is removed and a brush is dipped into the
paint can so
that the paint therein can be applied to a surface (e.g. a wall), oftentimes
painting is
interrupted for a period of time (e.g. at night, for lunch, for the weekend)
such that the
brush must be cleaned for storage and the lid replaced to protect the paint
left in the paint
can from air so that the paint does not dry out. Further, the original lid
sold with the paint
can is not always effective once the paint can is opened for the first time as
paint builds
up in the track to which the lid attaches.
SUMMARY
[0004] An aspect of the specification provides a paint container cover
comprising: a lid
portion enabled for removable attachment to a top of a paint container; at
least one
sealable opening in the lid portion for receiving a handle of a paint brush
extending from
the paint container such that the handle can extend from the top of the paint
container
through the sealable opening, the sealable opening enabled to prevent air from
entering
the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto and the handle is
extending
through the sealable opening.
[0005] The lid portion can further comprise a lip along an inner circumference
of the lid
portion for engaging an outer edge of the top of the paint container. The lid
portion can
further comprise an inner lip extending from a paint container side of the lid
portion for
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engaging an inner circumference of an opening in the paint container such that
a top rim
of the paint container be engaged between the lip and the second lip creating
a seal along
the top of the paint container.
[0006] The lid portion can further comprise a lip extending from a paint
container side of
the lid portion for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in the paint
container.
[0007] The lid portion cam further comprises a flexible material such that the
lid portion
can be removed from the top of the paint container by flexibly deforming the
lid portion.
[0008] The sealable opening can be enabled to substantially seal against the
handle.
[0009] The sealable opening can comprise a flexible slit that substantially
seals air from
the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto and substantially
seals against
the handle when the handle extends there through.
[0010] The sealable opening can comprise at least one of a flexible slit, a
flexible hole,
starburst shaped slits, an I-shaped slit, a T shaped slit and a plus-sign
shaped slit.
[0011] The sealable opening can comprise a bag that encloses a portion of the
handle
extending through the sealable opening.
[00121 The sealable opening can comprises at least one of a stretchable
membrane and a
stretchable pocket, each of the stretchable membrane and the stretchable
pocket
stretching over the handle extending through the sealable opening.
[0013] The paint container cover of claim 1, can further comprise a removable
plug
insertable into an aperture in the lid portion, the sealable opening in the
removable plug.
[0014] The paint container cover can further comprise a cap portion for
capping the
sealable opening.
[0015] The paint container cover can further comprise an aperture in the lid
portion, the
aperture comprising a diameter of a pouring hole of a paint container. The
paint container
cover can further comprise a removable plug insertable into the aperture. The
removable
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plug can comprise a flexible material such that the removable plug can be
removed from
the aperture by deforming the removable plug.
[0016] The paint container cover can further comprise at least one track for
engaging a
bottom portion of a second paint container such that the second paint
container can be
stacked on the paint container when the lid portion is attached thereto.
[0017] The paint container cover can further comprise a tab, the tab
comprising at least
one of a hole and a hook, the tab extending from the lid portion such that the
lid portion
can be hung on a further hook.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Implementations are described with reference to the following figures,
in which:
[0019] Fig. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a paint container cover, a cap
for a
flexible slit being in a closed position, according to non-limiting exemplary
implementations;
[0020] Fig. 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of a paint container cover,
according to
non-limiting exemplary implementations;
[0021] Fig. 3 depicts a top side view of a paint container cover, according to
non-limiting
exemplary implementations;
[0022] Fig. 4 depicts a cross-section of the paint container cover of Fig. 3
through line A-
A, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;
[0023] Fig. 5 depicts a bottom side view of a paint container cover, according
to non-
limiting exemplary implementations;
[0024] Fig. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a paint container cover, a cap
for a
flexible slit being in an open position, according to non-limiting exemplary
implementations; and
[0025] Fig. 7 depicts a left side view of a paint container cover, according
to non-limiting
exemplary implementations;
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[0026] Fig. 8 depicts a right side view of a paint container cover, according
to non-
limiting exemplary implementations;
[00271 Fig. 9 depicts a front side view of a paint container cover, according
to non-
limiting exemplary implementations;
[00281 Fig. 10 depicts a bottom side view of a paint container cover,
according to non-
limiting exemplary implementations;
[00291 Fig. 11 depicts the paint container cover of Fig. 1 in use on a paint
can, according
to non-limiting exemplary implementations;
[00301 Fig. 12 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush
extending
through an opening and a sealable portion sealing against the handle,
according to non-
limiting exemplary implementations;
[00311 Fig. 13 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush
extending
through an opening and bag sealing the handle from air, according to non-
limiting
exemplary implementations;
[00321 Fig. 14 depicts a paint container cover comprising a flexible membrane
in use for
long term storage of a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary
implementations;
100331 Fig. 15 depicts a paint container cover comprising a flexible pocket in
use for
long term storage of a paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary
implementations;
100341 Fig. 16 depicts a paint container cover with a handle of a paint brush
extending
through an opening and a flexible membrane and/or flexible pocket sealing the
handle
from air, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;
[00351 Fig. 17 depicts a perspective view of a paint container cover showing a
paint
brush handle extending through a sealable opening, according to non-limiting
exemplary
implementations
[0036] Fig. 18 depicts a perspective view of a lid portion of a paint
container cover
comprising a first aperture for a first plug having a sealable opening and a
second
aperture for pouring there through and for accepting a removable plug for
sealing the
second aperture, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations;
[0037] Fig. 19 depict a plug for insertion into the first aperture of the lid
portion of Fig.
18, according to non limiting exemplary implementations;
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[0038) Fig. 20 depict a paint container cover, including the lid portion of
Fig. 18, the
plug of Fig. 19 and the plug of Fig. 21, according to non limiting exemplary
implementations;
100391 Fig. 21 depict a plug for insertion into the second aperture of the lid
portion of
Fig. 18, according to non limiting exemplary implementations;
[00401 Fig. 22 depicts a perspective view of a paint spout removably attached
to a of a
paint container cover, a cap on a sealable opening being in open position,
according to
non-limiting exemplary implementations; and
100411 Fig 23 depicts a schematic cross-section of a paint container cover
attached to a
paint can, according to non-limiting exemplary implementations.
CA 02744313 2011-06-23
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0042] Figs. 1-11 depict a paint container cover 100, according to non-
limiting
embodiments. Paint container cover 100 generally comprises a lid portion 101,
enabled
for removable attachment to a top of a paint can. As depicted in Figs. 2, 5
and 6, paint
container cover 100 further comprises at least one sealable opening 103 in lid
portion 101
for receiving a handle of a paint brush extending from the paint can such that
the handle
can extend from a top of the paint can through sealable opening 103, sealable
opening
103 enabled to prevent air from entering the paint can when lid portion 101 is
attached
thereto and the handle is extending through sealable opening 103. For example,
as
depicted in Fig. 11, lid portion 101 can be attached to a top of a paint can
1101, to seal
paint can 1101 in place of a lid that is sold with the paint can 1101, such as
a metal lid.
[0043] As depicted in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 lid portion 101 can comprise a lip 105
along an
inner circumference of lid portion 101 for engaging an outer edge of a top of
a paint can.
It is appreciated that a paint can generally comprise an outer circumferential
ridge around
an edge of the top of the paint can. Hence, lip 105 can comprise a
complimentary
circumferential ridge, and/or hook apparatus enabled to hook under the outer
circumferential ridge.
[0044] In some non-limiting implementations, as depicted, lid portion 101
further
comprises an inner lip 107 extending from a paint can side (i.e. a bottom
side) of lid
portion 101 for engaging an inner circumference of an opening in a paint can
such that a
top rim of the paint can be engaged between lip 105 and second lip 107
creating a seal
along top of paint can. It is appreciated that inner lip 107 extends partially
into the
opening of the paint can and can reside snugly against the sides of the
opening.
[0045] In some implementations, lid portion 101 comprises one of lip 105 or
inner lip
107, while in other implementations, lid portion 101 comprises both lip 105
and inner lip
107.
[0046] It is appreciated that in some implementations, lid portion 101 further
comprises a
wall 109 enabled to extend down a wall of the paint can, lip 105 extending
perpendicular
from an inner side of wall 109. Wall 109 is further depicted in Figs. 7-10 in
respective
side views of paint container cover 100.
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[00471 Lid portion 101 generally comprises a material that is flexible enough
for lid
portion 101 to engage the top of the paint can, creating a seal along the edge
of the paint
can, which can then be easily removed by bending lid portion 101. Lid portion
101 can be
enabled to snap tightly over a paint can and engage the outer lip of the paint
can,
generally forming a seal (e.g. a vacuum seal) by hugging both the outer and
inner edges
of the paint can. For example, Fig. 23 depicts a schematic cross-section of
lid portion 101
attached to a paint can 2301, according to non-limiting exemplary
implementations. It is
appreciated that not all elements of paint container cover 100 are depicted in
Fig. 23: for
example sealable opening 103 is not depicted, however it is appreciated that
sealable
opening 103 is nonetheless present in lid portion 101. In any event, it is
appreciated from
Fig 23 that second lip 107 hugs and/or is snug against an inner edge 2303 of
an opening
of paint can 2301, while wall 109 is snug against an outer edge 2305 of paint
can 2301,
and lip 105 engages a top rim 2307 of paint can 2301, hence sealing lid
portion 101 to
paint can 2301.
[00481 The material of lid portion 101 is flexible enough so that lid portion
101 can be
flexed to then remove portion 101 from the paint can, generally unhooking lip
105 from
the outer circumferential ridge of the paint can. Hence, lid portion 101
comprises a
flexible material such that lid portion 101 can be removed from the top of
paint can by
flexibly deforming lid portion.
[00491 It is further appreciated that in some implementations lid portion 101
is generally
circular in shape (e.g. similar to the top of a paint can) and can comprises a
diameter that
enables lid portion 101 to be attached to a one gallon paint can. In other
implementations,
however, lid portion 101 can comprise a diameter that enabled lid portion 101
to be
attached to paint cans (or any other suitable containers) of other sizes and
volumes,
including but not limited to a one pint paint can, a one quart paint can a 5
quart paint can,
or any other type of paint container. Hence, a diameter of lid portion 101 can
range from
approximately 3 inches to approximately 7 inches. For particular non-limiting
implementations where lid portion 101 is enabled for attachment to the top of
a one
gallon paint can, a diameter of lid portion 101 can be approximately 6.83
inches, with a
width of wall 109 of lid portion being approximately 0.06 inches. In some of
these
implementations, lip 105 can be approximately 0.2 inches in width and
approximately
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0.05 to 0.1 inches in depth, and is generally ridge shaped to hook under the
out
circumferential ridge of the paint can. Furthermore, inner lip 109 can be U-
shaped in
cross-section, as depicted in Fig. 4, and can be approximately 0.218 inches in
depth (e.g.
inner lip 109 can extend approximately 0.218 inches into the opening of the
paint can),
though the depth of inner lip 109 can range from approximately 0.1 inches to
approximately 0.5 inches. However all dimensions provided herein are generally
understood to be non-limiting and any suitable dimensions are within the scope
of present
implementations.
100501 Sealable opening 103 is generally enabled to substantially prevent air
getting into
paint can around a handle of a paint brush extending there through. Sealable
opening 103
can comprise any suitable sealing apparatus. For example, in implementations
depicted in
Fig. 2, 5, and 6, sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit that
substantially seals air
from a paint can when lid portion 101 is attached thereto and further
substantially seals
against a handle of a paint brush when the handle extends there through. For
example, as
depicted in schematic cross-section in Fig. 12, sealable opening 103 can
comprise a
flexible slit 120 that comprises a slit in a flexible material that can
stretch and/or flex
around a handle 122 of a paint brush 124, as handle 122 extends from paint can
1101.
Hence, paint container cover 100 enables a painter to leave a paint brush in a
paint can
for a substantial period of time without the concern of the brush or the paint
in the paint
can drying out. It is appreciated that Fig. 12 is schematic in nature, and not
all elements
of paint container cover 100 are depicted therein, and neither is Fig. 12 to
scale. Rather it
is appreciated that Fig. 12 shows the functionality of implementations of
sealable opening
103. For example, in Fig. 12, sealable opening 103 is depicted as centred in
lid portion
103, whereas in implementations depicted in Figs. 1-11, sealable opening 103
is off-
centre in lid portion 101. Indeed, it is appreciated that the location of
sealable opening
103 is generally non-limiting and can be in any suitable position/location in
lid portion
101.
[00511 In any event, In some implementations, sealable opening 103 can provide
enough
tension and/or strength on handle 122 such that handle 122 can be moved up or
down in
paint can 1101 so that a position of paint brush 124 in paint 126 in paint can
1101 can be
controlled, such as adjusted up and down to accommodate different levels of
paint 126 in
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paint can 1101. Hence, in these implementations, the material that forms
sealable opening
103 (e.g. flexible slit 120, or any other suitable sealable opening) in these
implementations enables sealable opening 103 to conform/contour to the brush
handle
with enough tension and/or strength and/or integrity to hold handle 122 in a
given vertical
position: when there is a lot of paint 126 in paint can 1101, a painter can
adjust brush 124
up and down to suit the different levels keeping the bristles wet and always
submerged in
paint 126.
[0052] While in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, sealable opening 103 comprises an I-shaped
flexible
slit, in other implementations sealable opening 103 can include but is not
limited to, a
flexible hole, starburst shaped slits, a T shaped slit, a single slit, a plus-
sign shaped slit or
the like. In depicted implementations where the flexible slit comprises an I-
shaped slit,
cross-slits can be on the order of between approximately 0.0625 inches and
approximately 2 inches, and preferably between approximately 0.0625 and
approximately
1 inch. Slits of larger length (e.g 2 inches) can enable a plurality of paint
brush handles to
extend there through.
[0053] It is appreciated that sealable opening 103 is substantially thinner
than lid portion
101 and can be 0.02 inches thick when manufactured from santoprene, however
any
suitable thickness is within the scope of present implementations. The
thickness of
sealable opening 103 can, for example, range from approximately 0.01 inches to
approximately 0.5 inches, with a thicker sealable opening 103 enabled to
accommodate
larger brush handles and as such sealable opening 103 is commensurately larger
to
accommodate the larger brush handles and the thicker sealable opening 103
provides
greater integrity when the larger brush handle is extending there through.
[0054] In implementations where sealable opening 103 comprise a flexible hole,
the
flexible hole can comprise a size that can accommodate a paint brush handle
passing
there through, the flexible hole substantially sealing around the paint brush
handle. In
some implementations, the flexible hole can be the same size or smaller than
the paint
brush handle.
[0055] Attention is now directed to Fig. 13, which is substantially similar to
Fig. 12, with
like elements having like numbers, however with an "a" appended thereto. For
example,
paint container cover 100a is substantially similar to paint container cover
100, however
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sealable opening 103a comprises a bag 1320 that encloses a portion of handle
122a
extending through sealable opening 103a. Bag 1320 can be of any suitable
length,
diameter and thickness for enclosing handle 122a and can comprise any suitable
material.
It is appreciated that bag 1320 otherwise can lie limp on lid portion 101a
when not in use,
and further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101 a when lid
portion 101 a is
attached thereto.
[0056] Attention is now directed to Fig. 14, which is substantially similar to
Fig. 12, with
like elements having like numbers, however with a "b" appended thereto, though
a brush
is omitted from Fig. 14. For example, paint container cover 100b is
substantially similar
to paint container cover 100, however sealable opening 103b comprises
stretchable
membrane 1420 that stretches over a handle extending through sealable opening
103b, as
depicted in Fig. 16, described below. Stretchable membrane 1420 can comprise
any
suitable material that can stretch over a handle of a paint brush as it
extends through
sealable opening 103b. Stretchable membrane 1420 can be of any suitable
diameter and
thickness, and can comprise any suitable material, for stretching over a
handle as it
extends through sealable opening 103b. It is appreciated that stretchable
membrane 1420
further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101b when lid portion
101b is
attached thereto.
[0057] Attention is now directed to Fig. 15, which is substantially similar to
Fig. 12, with
like elements having like numbers, however with a "c" appended thereto,
however a
brush is omitted from Fig. 15. For example, paint container cover 100c is
substantially
similar to paint container cover 100, however sealable opening 103c comprises
stretchable pocket 1520 that stretches over a handle extending through
sealable opening
103c, as depicted in Fig. 16, described below. Stretchable pocket 1520 can
comprise any
suitable material that can stretch over a handle of a paint brush as it
extends through
sealable opening 103b. Stretchable pocket 1520 can be of any suitable diameter
and
thickness, and can comprise any suitable material, for stretching over a
handle as it
extends through sealable opening 103c. It is appreciated that stretchable
pocket 1520
further seals against air from entering into paint can 1101c when lid portion
lOlc is
attached thereto.
CA 02744313 2011-06-23
[0058] Attention is now directed to Fig. 16 which depicts paint container
cover 100b of
Fig. 14 and/or paint container cover 100c of Fig. 15, which are substantially
similar
however paint container cover 100b comprises stretchable membrane 1420 and
paint
container cover 100c comprises stretchable pocket 1520. In operation, however
both
paint container cover 100b and paint container cover 100c are similar as each
of
stretchable membrane 1420 and stretchable pocket 1520 stretches over handle
122 of
paint brush 124 extending through sealable opening 103b or 103c, respectively,
thereby
enabling handle 122 to extend from paint can 1101b (or 1101 c) while
preventing air from
entering paint can 1101 b (or 1101 c).
[0059] In other implementations, sealable openings 103, 103a, 103b, 103c can
comprise
a flexible nipple and/or a flexible groove.
[0060] Attention is now directed to Fig. 17 which depicts a perspective view
of a paint
container cover 100d, substantially similar to paint container cover 100 with
a handle
122d extending through sealable opening 103d in lid portion 101d. The flexible
slit in
sealable opening 103d seals against handle 122d.
[0061] In some implementations, lid portion 103 can comprise one or more
sealable
openings 103, 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (generically referred to as sealable
opening 103)
each sealable opening enable to receive a corresponding paint brush handle
there through,
including but not limited to standard sized paint brush handles. In
implementations where
sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit, such as flexible slit 120, the
flexible slit
can comprise a predetermined length in lid portion 101.
[0062] Paint brush handles can range from 0.25 inches to 2 inches in width,
though the
width of the brush handle is not to be considered particularly limiting.
Correspondingly
the predetermined length of the flexible slit, such as flexible slit 120 in
present non-
limiting implementations, can range from approximately .0625 inches to
approximately 6
inches, and preferably between 0.25 inches and 2 inches, though the
predetermined
length of flexible slit 120 is not to be considered particularly limiting and
any suitable
length is within the scope of present implementations. In particular non-
limiting
implementations, the predetermined length of flexible slit 120 can be
approximately 1
inch. Furthermore, it is appreciated that the predetermined length of flexible
slit 120 can
be provided for a given size of paint brush handle. For example, when a
manufacturer of
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paint brushes releases a new paint brush with a handle of a new given width, a
paint
container cover in present implementations can be provided that accommodates
the new
given width by changing the predetermined length of flexible slit 120. In some
implementations, sealable opening 103 and/or flexible slit 120 is enabled to
permit
passage of a standard dimension paint brush handle there through and seal
against it.
[0063] Furthermore, sealable opening 103 of present implementations can be
enabled to
receive more than one paint brush handle there through, for example a smaller
handle of a
smaller brush for detailed trimming and a larger handle of a larger brush for
general
trimming. In other implementations, paint container cover 100 can include more
than one
sealable opening 103 for accommodating different numbers of brush handles, for
example two sealable openings for two different brush handles in a one-to-one
relationship (e.g. two flexible slits, or one flexible slit and one flexible
pocket, or any
other suitable combination of sealable openings).
[0064] Sealable opening 103 can comprise any suitable material, such as
santoprene or
the like or any suitable rubber-like and/or balloon-like material and/or
stretchable
material and/or flexible material or the like. In some implementations,
sealable opening
103 can be integrated into lid portion 101. However, in implementations
depicted in Figs
18, 19 and 20, a paint container cover 100e can comprise a lid portion 101e,
similar to lid
portion 101, which comprises an aperture 1810. A removable plug 1910
comprising
sealable opening 103e can be molded separately from lid portion l0le and
inserted into
aperture 1910 in lid portion 101 e during production and/or in the field. In
some
implementations plug 1910 can comprise a cap portion 1920 for capping sealable
opening
103e. In depicted implementation cap portion 1920 is hinged and attached to
the portion
of plug 1910 that is insertable into aperture 1810, however in other
implementations cap
portion 1920 can be a separate element from plug 1910. Aperture 1801 can be of
any
suitable size and can be enabled to receive a plug 1910 with a plurality of
sealable
openings 103e, (e.g. aperture 1801 could be made larger) resulting in the
ability to hold
more brushes.
[0065] In any event, in implementations where sealable opening 103e is in plug
1910.
sealable opening 103e is modular and can be replaced in lid portion 101e if
sealable
opening 103e wears out and/or when a different size sealable opening is
desired (e.g. to
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accommodate a different size brush handle): for example plug 1910 can be
removed from
aperture 1810and a new plug that includes a different size sealable opening
can be
inserted into aperture 1810. In depicted implementations, aperture 1810 and
plug 1910
are paint drop shaped, but in other implementations, aperture 1810 and plug
1910 can be
in any suitable shape, such as circular, square, rectangular, triangular or
the like.
Furthermore, aperture 1810 and/or plug 1910 can be any suitable size that
accommodates
a given size or type of sealable opening, as described above.
[0066] Returning to Fig. 1, as depicted paint container cover 100 can also
comprise a cap
180 that caps sealable opening 103 (regardless of whether sealable opening 103
is in a
plug or integrated into lid portion 103). In either implementation, a cap/lid,
(which can be
hinged or separate from plug 1910 and/or lid portion 101, the cap can be
closed on
sealable portion 103, 103e to place paint container cover 100, 100e into a
long term
storage position as in Fig. 1 or opened as in Fig. 6. For example, when a
painter is using
a paint can as a cut can (wherein cutting refers to the edging a painter does
with a brush
where a roller can't access) the painter can seal the paint can using paint
can cover 100
(or any implementation of paint container cover 100-100e described above),
open cap
180 or the like exposing sealable opening 103 (as in Fig. 6), to enable a
paint brush
handle which protrudes above the top of the paint can to passes through
sealable opening
103 (as in Fig. 12) with lid portion 101 fastened to the top of the paint can,
hence sealing
the paint can. Sealable opening 103 wraps tightly around the brush handle
blocking air
from getting into the paint can and drying up the paint and paint brush. For
example, as
described above, when sealable opening 103 comprises a flexible slit, the
flexible slit is
of a suitable thickness of a suitable material that provides the desired
flexibility such that
when the paint brush handle protrudes through the flexible slit, the flexible
slit
substantially seals against the paint brush handle. When a painting job is
completed,
however paint can cover 100 can be attached to the paint can with cap 180
capping
sealable opening 103e to provide long term storage for the paint in the paint
can, as
depicted in Fig. 1.
[0067] in other implementations, paint container cover 100 (or any other
implementation
of paint container cover 100-100e, described above) has no cap as sealable
opening 103
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substantially prevents air from passing there through and hence seals the
paint can on its
own. For example, a flexible slit substantially prevents air from passing
there through.
[0068] Returning to Figs. 18 and 20, in some implementations lid portion 101 e
further
comprises a second aperture 1830 to pour paint there through, and further
enabled to
receive a removable plug 2030 insertable into aperture 1830. While in Figs 18
and 20
second aperture 1830 is depicted generally flush to the surface of lid portion
101e, in
other implementations, second aperture 1930 can be raised by a given height
from the
surface of lid portion 101, for example in a range from approximately 0.0625
inches to
approximately 6 inches, so that when plug 2030 is removed there from, there is
already a
directional pouring structure (e.g. a built in spout) provided at lid portion
101e. For
example, such a raised area could have a similar diameter to depicted second
aperture
1830, with generally straight walls; alternatively, the walls could be sloped
inward or
outward to provide more direction and/or airflow when pouring paint there
through. In
some implementations, second aperture 1830 can be raised by approximately 0.25
inches.
It is further appreciated that even when second aperture 1830 is raised, a
spout can be
inserted therein, for example as depicted in Fig. 22 described below.
[0069] Plug 2030, as further depicted in perspective in Fig. 21A and in cross-
section in
Fig. 21B through line B-B of Fig. 21A, can comprise a flexible material such
that plug
2030 can be removed from aperture 1830 by deforming plug 2030. As depicted,
plug
2030 further comprises raised and/or recessed ornamental features (e.g. a
paint drop or
any other suitable feature) that can enable to grip plug 2030 to remove plug
2030 from
aperture 1830. Plug 2030 can be made from any suitable material, including but
not
limited to santoprene.
[0070] Aperture 1830 and plug 2030 can be any suitable shape; in depicted
implementations, aperture 1830 and plug 2030 are circular.
[0071] Furthermore, it is appreciated that aperture 1830 can comprises a
diameter of a
pouring hole of a paint container, for example a pouring hole of a 5 gallon
paint
container. As depicted in Fig. 22, plug 2030 can be removed and a spout 2250
can be
attached to aperture 1830 to enable paint to be poured from a paint can 2260
through
spout 2250. In Fig. 22 it is appreciated that spout 2250 can be capped with an
optional
cap (not depicted), the cap being removed from spout 2250 before pouring paint
there
14
CA 02744313 2011-06-23
through. In particular non-limiting implementations, aperture 1830 is enabled
to receive a
strainer spout, which is the subject of another patent application filed by
the applicant on
the same day as the present application and entitled "MODULAR PAINT SPOUT",
enabled to strain paint when poured there through. In further non-limiting
implementations, aperture 1830 has a diameter similar to that of a pouring
hole of a plug-
style 5 gallon paint container. Spout 2250 snaps into place when inserted into
aperture
1830. Use of paint container cover 100e in combination with spout 2250 or the
like
enables a pour and strain option available for one-gallon paint cans.
[0072] In some implementations, when paint is poured from the paint can via
aperture
1830 (with or without spout 2250), plug 1910 can be removed to provide air
flow into the
paint can during pouring from aperture 1830.
[0073] Returning to Fig. 1, paint container cover 100 also comprises an
optional plug 185
in a corresponding aperture, similar to plug 1910.
[0074] Returning to Fig. 20, in depicted implementations, paint container
cover 100e
comprises indicator 2050 adjacent plug 1910 and indicator 2060 adjacent plug
230, each
of indicators 2050, 2060 for indicating a function of a respective plug 1920,
2030. For
example, indicator 2050 comprises a picture of a brush for indicating that
plug 1920
comprises sealable opening 103e; and indicator 2060 comprises a picture of a
spout for
indicating that plug 1920 can be removed and used for pouring paint there
through,
and/or replaced with spout 2250.
[0075] Returning again to Fig. 1, paint container cover 100 can further
comprise at least
one optional track 190 on a top side of lid portion 101 for engaging a bottom
portion of a
second paint can such that the second paint can be stacked on lid portion 101
when
attached to a first paint can. Track 190 (which can also be referred to as a
"Stack Track")
can comprise an outer circumferential ridge 191, that extends from a top side
of lid
portion 101, to enable the stacking of both metal and plastic paint cans
(including but not
limited to one gallon paint cans) on top of paint container cover 100. Ridge
191 is
generally complimentary to an outer ridge found on the bottom of a paint can
(including
but not limited to a one gallon paint can). Track 190 can further comprise an
interior
circumferential ridge 191 complimentary to an interior of the ridge found on
the bottom
CA 02744313 2011-06-23
of a paint can (including but not limited to a one gallon paint can). It is
appreciated that
the bottom of a paint can fits between ridges 191, 192.
[00761 With reference to Fig. 3, paint container cover 100 can further
comprise at least
one tab 195 which can extend radially from lid portion 101 such that lid
portion 101 can
be hung on a hook. At least one tab further enables paint container cover 100
to be more
easily removed from a paint can.
[00771 While paint container cover 100 has been described with reference for
attachment
to paint cans, including one gallon paint can, paint container cover 100 can
be attached to
any other suitable container of any suitable sizes and/or volume.
[00781 Paint container cover 100 enables a painter to leave a brush in a paint
can without
having to clean the brush, for example when a painting job is interrupted.;
rather, the
brush can be left in the paint can and paint container cover 100 can be used
to seal the
paint can with the brush handle sticking through sealable opening 103.
[00791 Further, paint container cover 100 provides a better seal than the
original metal lid
of the paint can due to the flexibility of paint container cover 100, the seal
provided by
paint container cover 100 at both the opening of the paint can and the outer
edge of the
paint can. Further paint container cover is not affected by build up of dried
paint in the
track that attaches the metal lid to the paint can; the dried paint
detrimentally affects the
seal of the metal lid to the paint can, however. As in some implementations,
paint
container cover 100 is modular, with an aperture for accepting a spout and/or
a strainer
spout, paint container cover 100 can further enable pouring and/or straining
paint from a
paint can. As paint container cover 100 is easily attachable and removable, no
tool (e.g. a
screwdriver) is needed to remove paint container cover 100 from the paint can.
Paint
container cover 100 hence offers painters many advantages for painting, and
both short
and long term storage of paint cans.
[00801 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more
alternative
implementations and modifications possible for implementing the
implementations, and
that the above implementations and examples are only illustrations of one or
more
implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims
appended
hereto.
16
