Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PAINT CONTAINER
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001]This invention relates to the field of containers, and more particularly
to
containers that hold paintable liquids for use in painting, construction, and
related
activities.
2. Description of Related Art
[00021 Buildings and physical structures such as fences and bridges generally
require
painting when newly constructed, as well as periodic repainting, to maintain a
fresh,
clean, and attractive appearance. Two types of painting instruments are
commonly
used, rollers and brushes. Paint rollers are generally appropriate for
painting large open
surface areas such as walls and doors, while paint brushes are typically used
for
smaller and finer areas such as window frames, trim, fences, baseboards, deck
edges,
and wall and ceiling intersections.
(0003] When painting it is necessary to have a container to hold the paint
being applied.
In particular, when using a brush a painter will typically hold the brush with
one hand
and the container with the other hand. In many paint projects the painter will
move
about extensively, including climbing scaffolding and ladders, to brush paint
in the
various places where detail work is required. Painter mobility for extended
periods is
particularly the case in large or professional paint jobs. Accordingly, it is
desirable to
have a paint container that is comfortable to hold, particularly for long
periods, and that
is not too heavy.
[0004]For each brush application the paint brush is usually first dipped in
the paint so
that it is completely immersed. When removed the brush is usually soaked and
dripping
with excess paint. The painting does not usually proceed with the brush in
this condition
since there is a risk that too much paint will be applied to the surface being
painted.
Also, when moving the brush to the paint surface there is a chance that random
drops
of excess paint will drip onto the floor, making a mess. Accordingly, the
brush is usually
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wiped or dabbed to reduce the excess, and to produce a desired paint profile
on the
brush that is suitable for the particular surface being painted.
[0005] Brush wiping generally involves scraping or moving a broad side of the
brush
against an edge, and is an effective means of removing most of the paint from
the
portion of the brush being wiped. The movement usually begins at or near the
top of the
brush, where the bristles join the brush handle, and proceeds down the
bristles towards
their unattached or free end. The movement is stopped at whatever point it is
desired to
leave paint on the brush. It is desirable if the edge used for wiping is at
least as wide as
the brush being wiped, since that reduces the likelihood that repeated wiping
strokes
will be needed.
[0006] A typical profile produced by wiping is a line of paint along the
bottom edge or
free end of the brush. Further variations are possible in that the paint may
be left only
along a portion of the bottom edge, or even just a corner, rather than along
the whole
edge. The brush wiping profile is useful for fine work where care must be
taken to avoid
getting paint on a surface adjacent to the surface being painted. This may
include, for
example, painting the part of a window frame adjacent to the glass windowpane.
[0007] Brush dabbing involves laying all or a portion of a broad side of the
soaked brush
against a dabbing surface so that the excess drips off or is removed by
adhesion. The
brush may be "tapped" lightly to accelerate the process. The dabbing movement
is
continued until the desired amount of paint is left on the side of the brush
being
dabbed. For efficiency purposes, to reduce the need for overlapping and extra
dabbing
strokes, it is desirable for the dabbing surface to be at least as wide as the
brush being
dabbed. The resulting paint profile on the brush is a relatively uniform coat
having a
desired thickness, without any dripping excess. Dabbed brushes are well suited
for
painting broad areas that are not finely detailed and that are too narrow to
be served by
rollers, such as baseboards, for example.
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[0008]The above described container and brush application features are helpful
in
improving painting efficiency. However, many of the devices and containers in
current
use or that have been proposed lack or inadequately address these desired
features.
[0009]For example, the containers in which paint is commonly sold present a
number
of problems. Large paint cans that hold one gallon (about 3.79 litres) are too
large and
heavy, at about 71/2 inches high, 61/2 inches in diameter, and 10-12 lbs. in
weight, to be
conveniently carried for any length of time. Further, the only available
surface for wiping
and dabbing is the narrow and curved rim of the can, which is far from
optimal.
[0010]Further problems are also caused by the wire handle that is usually
provided for
these cans. The handle extends in a semicircle over the top of the can, and
can
therefore obstruct the opening and interfere with easy insertion of the paint
brush into
the can. To avoid this, the painter will sometimes shift weight to displace
the handle,
which can cause wrist strain. The painter may put less paint in the can, to
reduce the
weight and therefore the wrist strain. However, this approach forces the
painter to reach
deeper into the can, which both slows the process and often results in paint
from the
rim getting on the painter's arm. The wire handle itself can dig into the
painter's hand,
which is obviously uncomfortable.
[0011]Some paint containers have become available which replace the wire
handle
with an alternative type of semicircular handle. However, in this design the
container is
held from the bottom, and the painter is required to put down the brush and
use both
hands to put down or pick up the container. This is not only inconvenient, but
can result
in a loss of balance when working on a ladder.
[0012]The smaller size retail paint cans are generally more manageable, being
about 5
inches in height, 43% inches in diameter, and weighing about 4 lbs. Unlike the
larger
cans it is possible to hold the small cans directly in one hand without a
handle.
However, the diameter of the cans is still large enough to be uncomfortable
for many
people to hold. Further, even stronger or larger people who are initially
comfortable may
experience some hand strain after holding a can of this diameter for extended
periods.
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In addition, the cylindrical shape of the can provides a poor gripping surface
and is
susceptible to slipping, particularly when wet. Dropping such a can could not
only create
a mess but also present a risk of injury.
[0013]Another aspect of the small cans is that the open top is only about 31/4
inches in
diameter. The small cans therefore could not be used with paint brushes that
are four
inches in width, and would be awkward and inconvenient when used with the
popular
three inch brush size. In addition, the only surface available for wiping and
dabbing is
the rim, which is not only narrow like the rim of the large cans, but has an
even more
pronounced curvature due to its smaller diameter.
[0014]As a result of the above problems with retail paint cans, it is common
for painters
to make their own ad hoc paint containers out of everyday items such as, for
example,
old margarine containers or cut-off plastic juice bottles. These containers
however
continue to suffer from many of the same problems such as being uncomfortable
to
hold, having inadequate wiping and dabbing surfaces, and low paint capacity in
some
cases.
[0015]Some attempts have been made in the past to provide a convenient paint
container. For example, U.S. Design Pat. No. 401,704 to Clark discloses a
paint
dispenser with a brush wipe and rest, and an indented handle. However, the
brush wipe
is a bar across the top opening, which partly obstructs the opening and
compels the
painter to take care not to hit the bar when inserting the brush. The brush
wipe also
cannot function as a dabbing surface. In addition, the handle appears
difficult to grip
comfortably because it is positioned at the bottom of the container, and
because it
forces part of the user's thumb to press against an unindented portion.
[0016]Another example is Shea, U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,816, which discloses a
painter's
aid to hold paint, a paint brush rest, and a stepped wiping surface. One
problem with
Shea is that the gripping surface is a smooth, relatively large diameter
cylinder similar
to the retail paint cans described above. Therefore, the device will likely be
uncomfortable to hold and prone to slippage. Another problem is that the
brushed
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wiping surface is substantially within the body of the container. Attempts to
wipe the
brush may therefore result in the brush picking up more paint if the bristle
tips make
contact with the paint. There is also no dabbing surface provided. As shown in
FIG. 15,
the platform 22 is used as a brush rest. Dabbing on the platform 22 would
cause it to be
covered in paint, which is contrary to its use as a brush rest.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0017]According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
container for
holding paintable liquid, the container comprising:
a base;
a continuous wall extending up from the base and forming a top opening;
a gripping means formed in the wall and being sized, shaped, and positioned to
permit a user to grip said gripping means to hold said container;
a dipping section adjacent to said gripping means, said dipping section being
sized, shaped, and positioned to permit a brush to be inserted into said
dipping section
through said top opening to contact said liquid; and
an inclined tongue portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the wall
adjacent to said dipping section and terminating in a leading edge having a
reinforced
lip, the tongue portion being sized, shaped and positioned to permit the brush
to be
dabbed thereon to remove excess liquid from said brush, and to permit said
excess
liquid to drain into said dipping section, the leading edge being sized and
shaped to
provide a wiping surface for the brush.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018]The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from
the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in
which:
[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint container consistent with an
embodiment
of the present invention;
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[0020]FIG. 2 is a see through view of FIG. 1;
[0021]FIG. 3A is a top view of the paint container of FIG. 1;
[0022]FIG. 3B is a side view of the paint container of FIG. 1;
[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of three paint containers of FIG. 1
arranged in a
stack;
[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the paint container of FIG. 1 showing a
user's
hand gripping the gripping means and a paint brush inserted in the dipping
section;
[0025]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the paint container of FIG. 1 showing a
paint
brush being wiped on the leading edge of the tongue portion;
[0026]FIG. 6B is a view of the paint brush of FIG. 6A after it has been wiped;
(0027] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the paint container of FIG. 1 showing
a paint
brush being dabbed on the tongue portion;
[0028]FIG. 7B is a view of the paint brush of FIG. 7A after it has been
dabbed;
[0029]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a paint container having a
lip and ribs,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030]FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the paint container of FIG. 8;
[0031]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an interior space of a paint container
having a
stop, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0032]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of three paint containers of FIG. 10
arranged in a
stack, with hidden elements shown in dashed line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033]Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment(s) of the present
invention,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference
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numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiment(s) is/are
described
below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
[0034]The paint container of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and is
generally
indicated with reference numeral 10. For additional clarity, a "transparent"
version of the
drawing of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. It can be seen that paint container 10
comprises a
base 12 and a continuous wall 14 extending up from the base and forming a top
opening 16. It can be appreciated that this structure defines an interior
space or
contained volume 18 inside container 10 between base 12, wall 14, and top
opening
16.
[0035]The paint container 10 further broadly comprises a gripping means 20, a
dipping
section 22, and a tongue portion 24. For convenient reference, the container
may be
considered to have a first end or back 26 and a second end or front 28. As
will be
described in greater detail below, gripping means 20 begins at back 26 and
extends
into the container. As shown in the top view of FIG. 3A, dipping section 22 is
a portion
of interior space 18 adjacent to front 28 or tongue portion 24. The tongue
portion 24
extends outwardly and upwardly from the front or second end 28 of the wall 14,
adjacent to dipping section 22.
[0036]The paint container 10 of the present invention is configured to hold a
paintable
liquid or paint 30, and to enable the paint to be dispensed onto a paint brush
32 for
application on a surface by a painter. As discussed in greater detail below,
container 10
also includes features that enable the user to hold the container in one hand,
and to
adjust the amount and distribution of paint on the brush.
[0037]In one embodiment of the present invention wall 14 is perpendicular to
the base,
and accordingly extends up to top opening 16 in a substantially vertical
orientation.
However, it is preferred that wall 14 taper outwardly as the wall extends up
from the
base. In this way the width, length, and cross-sectional dimensions of top
opening 16 at
the top of container 10 will be larger than the corresponding dimensions of
base 12 at
the bottom of container 10. The present invention comprehends any degree of
outward
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taper, but adequate results may be achieved with an outward taper that is
relatively
small. For example, an outward taper of 0.103 inches for a vertical rise of 1
inch has
been found to be adequate.
[0038] Extending wall 14 with an outward taper is preferred because the
outward taper
enhances the ability of container 10 to be stackable. More particularly, wall
14 and other
features such as gripping means 20 are preferably sized, shaped, and
positioned to
permit at least one of the containers 10 to be stacked inside another of the
containers
10.
[0039]The stackable feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4,
which
shows a group of three containers 10 arranged inside one another in a single
stack. It
can be appreciated that the stack arrangement greatly reduces the total space
occupied by the constituent containers, in comparison to the space that the
containers
would otherwise occupy if they were separated and laid out side by side.
Stackability of
container 10 is accordingly a desired feature because it reduces the space
required to
transport and store multiple containers, and also reduces the shelf space
needed to
display the containers in a retail environment.
[0040]The gripping means 20 is preferably formed in wall 14, and is generally
sized,
shaped, and positioned to permit a user to grip, handle, or hold container 10.
As will be
discussed in greater detail below, gripping means 20 comprises several
elements of
container 10.
[0041]The preferred embodiment of gripping means 20 includes at least one
recess 34
in wall 14. For additional clarity, FIG. 2 shows dotted lines 36 to indicate
the path that
wall 14 would have taken if not for recess 34. It can be seen that wall 14
first breaks its
path by following a side tapered section 38. In the embodiment shown recess 34
joins
side tapered section 38 at a termination gripping point 40, and then extends
towards
the back 26 of the container to gripping back edge 42a.
[0042]In FIG. 2, corresponding gripping back edge 42b on the other side of the
container is shown, as well as corresponding gripping forward edges 43a and
43b
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which are situated at the bottom of termination gripping point 40. It is
preferred for the
distance between 43a and 43b to be slightly less than the distance between 42a
and
42b. In this way the gripping means converges slightly along its length, which
generally
provides a more secure and comfortable grip.
[0043]It can be appreciated that other embodiments of recess 34 and side
tapered
section 38 are possible. For example, the transition between the sections may
be more
gradual, so that termination gripping point 40 is less distinct and recess 34
and side
tapered section 38 may be less distinguishable as separate elements. However,
regardless of the particular embodiment, it can be appreciated that recess 34
represents a break or narrowing in wall 14 of container 10 so that a smaller
and more
comfortable gripping surface is available to the user. A smaller gripping
surface will be
more likely to reduce the chance of the user experiencing hand strain when
gripping
container 10, and will generally be more comfortable.
[0044]It is also preferable that recess 34 include termination gripping point
40 to
provide a convenient point at which the user's thumb and fingers can receive
support
and rest against. The resting feature is a result of the user's digits
naturally pressing or
resting against the surface of adjacent side tapered section 38.
[0045]While the present invention contemplates a gripping means comprising a
single
recess 34, more than one recess is also possible. An embodiment having two
recesses
34 is preferred because a user's hand will grip the gripping means in two
places. In
particular, where the gripping means comprises first and second recesses 34 in
wall 14,
the first recess will preferably be spaced sufficiently apart from the second
recess so as
to permit the container 10 to be gripped by the placement of a thumb of the
user's hand
in the first recess and at least one finger of the user's hand in the second
recess.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows this embodiment with a user's hand illustrated, the user's
thumb
gripping one recess 34 and the other fingers gripping the other recess. In a
further grip
variation, instead of all four fingers gripping recess 34, upper or index
finger 35 may be
raised above recess 34 and pressed against wall 14, in particular at an upper
portion 15
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of wall 14. In that case, the user's bottom three fingers would move up recess
34, so
that the user's middle finger would be positioned at or near the top of recess
34.
[0047]Also as shown in the drawing, it is preferable for the user's palm to
fit snugly
against and have substantial contact with back 26 of container 10. For this
reason, back
26 preferably has a curved profile, as shown in the figures.
[0048]The gripping means 20 will preferably also include ridges 44 to
facilitate gripping
of gripping means 20 by the user. The ridges 44 may be grooves embedded in the
surface of recess 34, but other forms of ridges, or other grip enhancement
features, are
also contemplated. For example, pieces of material having grip enhancement
properties may be glued or otherwise attached to a smooth surface such as
recess 34
to provide similar benefits. The ridges 44 may also be formed on side tapered
section
38, since the user's digits will preferably also rest against that surface.
[0049]As seen most clearly in the side view FIG. 3B, recess 34 extends upward
from
base 12 to an upper transition level 46. From there a portion of wall 14
designated as
upper tapered section 48 expands upwardly and outwardly until it reaches the
outer part
of container 10. This configuration is preferred because, as shown in FIG. 5,
upper
tapered section 48 provides a comfortable resting or support surface for the
user's
digits in an upward direction similar to the support and rest provided by side
tapered
section 38 in a forward direction. This preferred embodiment may alternatively
be
characterized as wall 14 having a wall height, with at least one recess 34
extending
upwards from base 12 for a distance less than the wall height. It can be
appreciated
however that other embodiments are also comprehended, such as for example,
extending recess 34 all the way up from base 12 to top opening 16.
[0050] It is to be appreciated that different users will choose to grip
container 10 in
different ways according to personal preference. However, it is believed that
substantially every user will place their palm, thumb, and fingers against or
in contact
with back 26 and the two recesses 34. Accordingly, gripping means 20 may be
considered to include at least these elements. Further, gripping means 20 also
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comprehends side tapered section 38, upper tapered section 48, and upper wall
portion
15, since as noted some users will grip or maintain finger contact with
container 10 at
these places as well.
[0051]It is also preferred that recess 34 extend up from base 12, regardless
of the
eventual height of recess 34. This is because container 10 will not generally
be
stackable if there is any outward divergence at the bottom of the container.
Accordingly,
it is less preferred for there to be an outward tapered section at the bottom
of the
container, with recess 34 commencing some distance above base 12. Of course,
if the
stackable feature were not important in a particular application then such an
embodiment might be more acceptable or preferred.
[0052]The dipping section 22 is preferably sized, shaped, and positioned to
permit a
brush to be inserted into dipping section 22 through top opening 16, to
contact paint 30
contained inside.
[0053]As noted, dipping section 22 comprises a portion of the interior space
or
contained volume 18 of container 10. In particular, dipping section 22 may be
viewed as
the portion of the contained volume that is not bounded by back 26 and
recesses 34.
More particularly, and as shown in the top view of container 10 in FIG. 3A,
dipping
section 22 extends between termination gripping points 40 and the front 28 of
the
container.
[0054]The dipping section 22 may be viewed as including side tapered section
38
followed by a longer section having a uniform width "w" adjacent to the front
28 of the
container. In FIG. 3A, the dipping section is shown having the uniform width
"w"
between an intersection point 50, where side tapered section 38 meets wall 14,
and the
front 28 of the container 10. If desired, dipping section 22 may alternatively
be
considered as comprising the uniform width section only. With reference to
FIG. 3A, it is
preferable that the distance from 40 to 50 be relatively short compared to the
distance
between 50 and 28.
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[0055]The function of dipping section 22 is to provide a suitable interior
space for a
brush to be dipped. The present invention comprehends that a brush may be
inserted
from anywhere along top opening 16 into contained volume 18, including that
portion
bounded by back 26 and recesses 34. However, it is expected that users will
generally
prefer to dip the brush in dipping section 22 because it is wider than that
back portion,
and accordingly easier to dip into, and also because it is closer to tongue
portion 24.
[0056]It is also appreciated that brushes are available in many sizes, from
tiny artist
brushes to, most commonly, the three and four inch brushes used for painting
building
interiors and the like. To enhance the general flexibility and usefulness of
container 10,
and in particular with respect to use in building and large scale painting
applications, it
is comprehended that container 10 be preferably configured to accommodate at
least
three inch brushes, and preferably four inch brushes as well. As will be
discussed in
more detail below, this entails making tongue portion 24 have a width of at
least three
or four inches.
[0057]It is preferred that dipping section 22 have a dipping section width and
the
tongue portion have a tongue portion width, and that the dipping section width
be
substantially equal to the tongue portion width. The "dipping section width"
is not meant
to include side tapered section 38, regardless of whether side tapered section
38 is
formally viewed as part of the dipping section. In FIG. 3A it can be seen that
the dipping
section and the tongue portion have the same width "w". It is also
comprehended that
the dipping section width will be substantially equal to the tongue portion
width if its
average width, not including any side tapered section 38, is within the range
of 85% to
115% of the tongue portion width. Therefore, rather than the dipping section
have a
completely uniform width, it may be designed to diverge or converge slightly,
as long as
the average width, not including a side tapered section 38, is within the
above specified
range. However, it is most preferred for the dipping section width to be equal
to the
tongue portion width, as shown in the drawings.
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[0058] It is preferred for the width of the two sections to be close or
preferably equal
because such a configuration enhances dipping efficiency. Specifically, it
enables a
user to dip the brush into the dipping section, and then move the brush
directly onto the
tongue portion without having to re-orient the brush. This saves time and
reduces or
eliminates the need for the painter's wrist to turn or twist, as would be
needed if the
brush had to be re-oriented. It can be appreciated that painting is a very
repetitive task,
and that re-orientation of a brush, when repeated hundreds if not thousands of
times,
can lead to muscle strain and soreness, and even debilitating injury in some
cases.
Accordingly, it is preferred that the dipping section have the same width, or
be within a
close range, of the width of the tongue portion.
[0059]As can be seen in the figures, tongue portion 24 is inclined, and
extends
upwardly and outwardly from wall 14 adjacent to dipping section 22. The tongue
portion
is also preferably sized, shaped, and positioned to permit a brush to be
dabbed thereon
to remove excess paint from the brush, and also to permit the excess paint to
drain into
the dipping section.
[0060]The tongue is inclined so that paint on the tongue's surface will be
able to move
by force of gravity back into the container. This feature of the invention is
desirable
because it helps keep the tongue relatively clean, so that it can be re-used
effectively
for dabbing purposes. The angle at which the tongue extends upwardly can vary
as
long as it is sufficient to permit paint to drain into the dipping section.
However, the
angle should also not be too high because that could make the tongue awkward
to work
with, particularly for dabbing brushes. It has been found that an inclination
angle of
approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal allows for both draining of
excess paint
and good workability, and accordingly this angle is preferred.
[0061] It can be seen from the figures that the preferred embodiment of the
tongue
portion is a rectangle. There is a leading edge 52, a bottom edge 54 where
tongue 24
joins wall 14 at front 28, and sides 56. Collectively, edges 52 and 54 and
sides 56 may
be said to define a broad planar surface suitable for dabbing a paint brush.
It can be
appreciated that other embodiments are also possible, as long as the tongue
functions
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,
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to provide a surface for dabbing and an edge for wiping, and is inclined to
permit paint
to drain into the dipping section.
[0062]The leading edge 52 is preferably sized and shaped to provide at least
one
distinct edge or point suitable for wiping a paint brush. If the brush is
positioned so that
the side of the brush to be wiped is pressed against leading edge 52, and with
the
brush handle down and the bristles pointed up, as the brush is moved in a
downward
direction excess paint will be wiped off and be transferred to the surface of
the tongue,
from where it can drain into the dipping section. The user can increase the
amount of
paint drained by increasing pressure on the brush as it is being wiped. Brush
wiping
may also be performed along bottom edge 54, particularly as the brush is being
removed from dipping section 22. However, in cases where container 10 is
filled near
capacity and the paint level is near that of bottom edge 54, it may be more
convenient
to wipe the opposing side of the brush along leading edge 52.
[0063]As noted, tongue portion 24 is also preferably sized and shaped to have
a broad
planar surface suitable for dabbing. In order to accommodate brushes of three
or four
inches in width, the tongue portion should be suitably wider, preferably about
31/2 inches
or 4% inches respectively. The tongue portion should also have a length that
is
sufficiently long relative to the length of the brush being dabbed so that the
full length of
the brush can be dabbed without needing too many dabbing strokes.
[0064] It can be seen from the figures that sides 56 of tongue portion 24 are
bounded
by attached vertical portions or edge barriers 58. The edge barriers are
useful in that
they prevent excess paint on the tongue portion, particularly paint that is
near the edge
of sides 56, from spilling off the side. In the preferred embodiment shown,
edge barriers
58 comprise an extension of wall 14. It can be appreciated that other
embodiments of
the edge barriers may also be used, as long as they function to block spilling
of paint off
sides 56. It can also be appreciated that the tongue portion could be made
without edge
barriers. However, this configuration would not be preferred, since it could
result in paint
spilling off of the sides.
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[0065]The preferred embodiment of paint container 10 of the present invention
may
now be described in greater detail. As a starting point, it is worth noting
that small size
retail paint containers generally contain about 900 ml of paint, and that this
amount of
paint weighs approximately in the range of 4 lbs. The amount of paint in 900
ml, or
more broadly 800-1000 ml, is sufficiently large for most applications so that
the
container should last for a reasonable amount of time before replenishment is
required.
The 4 lb. weight will be familiar to most people since it is the common retail
size. It can
be appreciated that people who find 4 lbs. too heavy can simply avoid filling
the
container to capacity, and instead use as much paint as they can comfortably
hold.
Similarly, it can be appreciated that the container of the present invention
can be made
in other embodiments that are scaled up or down in size, to hold more or less
paint and
be accordingly heavier or lighter, as desired.
[0066]It is also preferable for the paint container to be flexible enough to
accommodate
a wide variety of paint jobs, and accordingly to accommodate paint brushes
having
widths of at least 3 inches, and preferably 4 inches. It has been found that
designing
the container to have a tongue portion width of 4.5 inches is adequate to
service a 4
inch paint brush. It can be appreciated again that the present invention can
be designed
with larger or smaller tongue portions, as appropriate for individual
situations.
[0067] It has been found that a paint container having the following
additional
dimensions provides adequate results. The container of the preferred
embodiment has
a height, from base 12 to top opening 16, of about 6.5 inches, and a thickness
"t" of
wall 14 of about 1.65 mm.
[0068]With reference to FIG. 3A, at the base or bottom of the container the
length "x"
from back 26 to termination gripping point 40 is 2 inches, and the length "m"
from back
26 to front 28 is about 3.43 inches. At the top of the container, the length
from back 26
to front 28 is about 4.03 inches.
[0069]At front 28 of the container, the width at the base or bottom is 3.93
inches, the
width at the top of wall 14 where it meets tongue bottom edge 54 is about
4.375 inches,
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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and the width at tongue leading edge 52 is 4.6 inches. It can be appreciated
therefore
that in the preferred embodiment there is an outward taper of about 0.67
inches from
base 12 to the top of the container, which represents an outward increment of
about
0.103 inches for every 1 inch in vertical height.
[0070]The length of the tongue portion from bottom edge 54 to leading edge 52
is 1.25
inches, and the tongue is inclined upwards at 45 degrees from the horizontal.
This
results in a total length along the top of the container from back 26 to
tongue leading
edge 52 of about 5.05 inches.
[0071]The width of the gripping means along the back 26, between 42a to 42b,
is
about 2.76 inches. This narrows down by about 1/8 of an inch to the far end,
between
43a and 43b, to approximately 2.65 inches.
[0072]An aspect of the preferred embodiment is that since the area bounded by
recesses 34 of gripping means 20 is narrower than the dipping section, the
center of
gravity ("COG") of container 10 will frequently be located in the dipping
section. This
may cause a rotational torque about the gripping means which will have the
effect of
tilting container 10 forward. As will be discussed below, this forward tilt
can be
beneficial to the user of paint container 10. However, the forward tilt should
not be too
large or it could be uncomfortable to the user.
[0073]FIG. 3A shows a dotted line 60 drawn through the center of container 10.
The
user's hands will grip the container at about termination gripping point 40.
This is
represented as a dotted line 62, with a center point 64. The CoG is shown in
the
dipping section, at a distance "d" from point 64. In the circumstances shown,
a
rotational torque or moment will be produced about the gripping means equal to
the
weight of the container and its contents multiplied by the distance "d". The
effect of the
torque will be to tilt the container forward, in the sense that tongue portion
24 will be
urged downward, and base 12 at back 26 will be urged upward. This torque
factor is
represented by curved arrow 66 in FIG. 5.
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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[0074] It has been found that in general, designing container 10 so that the
length "x" of
the gripping means is preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 45%,
and most
preferably at least 50% of the length "m" of base 12 will provide a reasonably
low torque
value that will be comfortable to most users. It can be appreciated that if
the container
is made larger, for example, to hold more paint, the torque will increase
because the
weight of a full container through the CoG will increase. This would suggest
extending
the length of the gripping means towards or past 50% would be desirable.
Conversely,
for a smaller container a shorter grip means may be adequate.
[0075]More broadly, where the container has a center of gravity positioned
between the
recesses 34 of gripping means 20 and the tongue portion, so that a torque is
created
about the gripping means when the container is held by a user at the gripping
means,
the container is preferably sized and shaped to limit the torque to no more
than one
foot-pound, more preferably 0.8 foot-pounds, and most preferably 0.6 foot-
pounds,
when the container is full of paintable liquid.
[0076]It can now also be appreciated that if the recessed grip means is made
narrower
or wider it will change the distribution of volume of the container, which
will have an
effect on the resulting torque. In particular, if the recessed grip means
between 42a and
42b, and between 43a and 43b, is made narrower, the CoG will move farther
away,
towards front 28, which will increase "d". On the other hand, the overall
capacity of the
container may decline because the volume of the gripping means is smaller, so
that the
weight at the CoG may be somewhat less. Therefore, according to the present
invention, the distribution of volume within the container is optimized to a
predetermined
agreeable level of torque, which may in turn help to determine the appropriate
width of
the recessed grip means.
[0077]Similarly, if the container is scaled larger the weight at the CoG will
increase,
which will increase the torque. It may then be preferable to reduce the length
of the
dipping section while increasing the height of the container, so that the
torque will
remain within the preferred range and not be too high so as to be
uncomfortable to a
user. It is preferable for the container of the present invention to remain
within the
, CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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preferred torque range regardless of the size or volume capacity of the
particular
embodiment of the container.
[0078]The paint container 10 of the present invention is preferably made from
plastic
due to that material's light weight and strength, low cost, compatibility with
paintable
liquids, and ease of manufacturing. In particular, "co-polymer polypropylene"
plastic has
been found to provide adequate results, as it is relatively strong, durable,
and low cost.
This embodiment of container 10 can be made using standard plastic
manufacturing
techniques such as injection moulding. It can be appreciated that other
materials, such
as stainless steel, aluminium and other metals, may also be used if they have
some or
all of the functional benefits of plastic. In some cases a higher cost
material might be
preferred if it offers certain benefits, such as being more durable or easier
to clean than
plastic, for example.
[0079]As discussed above, tongue portion 24 includes leading edge 52 for brush
wiping, and a broad planar surface for brush dabbing. It is to be appreciated
that these
functions are best or optimally provided to a user of container 10 when
leading edge 52
forms a straight, clean line or edge throughout it's length "w", and
similarly, when the
broad planar surface of tongue portion 24 maintains a flat and uniform profile
throughout its area. Several factors however may cause some distortion or
interruption
to the ideal contour of these elements.
[0080]The plastic injection moulding process that would most commonly be used
to
produce container 10 involves liquefying a plastic raw material and forcing it
into a
mould cavity at high temperature and pressure. Upon cooling and hardening, the
resulting plastic object, container 10, is ejected from the mould. In modern
high speed
machines this process may be repeated several times a minute. As a by-product
or
artifact of this process, it sometimes develops that long, thin edges in the
plastic object
being produced, such as tongue leading edge 52 of container 10, emerge from
the
mould with a noticeable and undesirable curve, bend, or "crown".
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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[0081]Another factor that may lead to deformation of tongue portion 24 relates
to the
general manner in which painting and construction tools are handled and stored
in the
course of daily trade. Whether deliberately or carelessly, container 10 is
subject to
being thrown or knocked about, and/or packed or stored underneath much heavier
objects. For example, at the end of the day or upon completion of a paint job
container
may be thrown into a garage, shed, or back of a truck, where it may be
squeezed or
crushed under the weight of much heavier equipment such as ladders,
workbenches,
mechanical tools, and the like. Further, container 10 may be left bearing this
weight for
extended periods of time, possibly even for as long as months or years in some
cases.
In this way, leading edge 52 and the broad surface area of tongue portion 24
may
become bent, chipped, or broken, so that the utility of container 10 is
compromised.
[0082]These risks to the structural integrity of tongue portion 24 may be
addressed by
providing additional reinforcement and support to container 10. According to
some
embodiments of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, container 10 may
be
constructed with a lip 70 and one or more ribs 72. As indicated, three ribs 72
may be
used in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0083]The lip and ribs reinforce and buttress tongue portion 24 and leading
edge 52, so
that these latter two elements have increased mechanical strength. More
particularly, it
has been found that lip 70 substantially reduces or eliminates the risk of
crowning of
leading edge 52 that may occur during production of container 10 by plastic
injection
moulding. Further, the combination of lip 70 and ribs 72 act to strengthen
tongue
portion 24 so that it is less likely to be chipped, bent, deformed, or warped
when subject
to rough handling or pressure from a heavy load.
[0084]Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, as indicated lip 70 adds a measurable
degree of
thickness and solidity to tongue leading edge 52. More particularly, lip 70
comprises an
upper surface 74 that extends leading edge 52 in the horizontal plane, and a
vertical
surface 76 that extends leading edge 52 in the vertical plane. According to
some
embodiments of the invention, lip 70 having an upper surface thickness "h" of
2.6 mm
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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and a vertical surface thickness "v" of 3 mm is preferred. These dimensions
have been
found to be adequate in substantially reducing or eliminating the risk of
crowning of
leading edge 52 by the injection moulding production process.
[0085]As noted above, the thickness of wall 14 of container 10, shown as "t"
in FIG. 8,
is preferably 1.65 mm. In order to provide additional reinforcement and
rigidity to tongue
portion 24, it is preferable that upper surface thickness "h" and vertical
surface
thickness "v" each be somewhat thicker than wall thickness "t", or at least no
less than
the same as wall thickness "t". As noted, at 2.6 mm and 3 mm respectively,
surface
thicknesses "h" and "v" are both larger than wall thickness "t" in the
preferred
embodiment. Both dimensions "h" and "v" may be made larger if greater
protection is
desired, and/or if a version of container 10 is made that is substantially
larger than the
preferred embodiment.
[0086] Ribs 72 are shown in perspective view in FIGS. 8 and 9. As indicated,
each rib
72 is in the form of a four-sided plane, with three of the sides attaching to
three
surfaces of container 10, specifically a bottom surface 78 of lip 70, an
outside surface
of tongue portion 24, and the top of wall 14 on the front side 28 of the
container. It is to
be appreciated that since each rib 72 is anchored to a surface on either side
of tongue
portion 24, ribs 72 provide effective support and reinforcement for tongue
portion 24.
[0087]The three ribs 72 are spaced approximately equidistant from one another
and
from edge barriers 58 of container 10. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention,
this distance is about 1.12 inches (28.5 mm). Further, as shown in FIG. 9 by
distance
"p", in the preferred embodiment each rib 72 has a vertical projection on
container 10 of
about 1.3 inches (28.2 mm).
[0088]The thickness of each rib 72 is preferably about 1 ¨ 1.5 mm. More
particularly, in
injection moulding plastic technology it is often preferable for elements to
taper along
their length. As a result, according to some embodiments ribs 72 may be about
1.44
mm thick at their base, or where they attach to wall 14, and taper to a
thickness of
about 1.41 mm where they attach to bottom surface 78 of lip 70. Unlike lip 70,
it is
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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preferable that ribs 72 be thinner than thickness "t" of wall 14, as ribs that
are thicker
than "t" may lead to a downward sag of tongue portion 24.
[0089]It is to be appreciated that lip 70 and ribs 72 do not interfere with
the brush
dabbing and wiping utility of tongue portion 24. Neither element covers any
part of the
inner, broad surface area of tongue portion 24 that is used for dabbing. With
respect to
brush wiping, the brush may be wiped against the inner or outer edge of lip 70
by
adjusting the brush handle orientation upwards or downwards, respectively.
Wiping may
also be performed across upper lip surface 74, which while thicker than either
edge, is
still very narrow relative to the side of a brush and accordingly still
provides an effective
edge for wiping.
[0090]As discussed above, container 10 is configured to be stackable. However,
when
items such as container 10 are stacked, there is a risk that one or more of
them may
become stuck or otherwise difficult to dislodge from the stack. This is
undesirable in a
retail environment, since it could lead to frustrated customers and lost
sales.
[0091]This problem may occur due to the presence of excess friction between
adjacent
containers, particularly if a container has been jammed into the stack with a
greater
force than necessary. Such action may be inadvertent, and might occur, for
example,
by a production worker hurriedly packing boxes for shipping, or by a retail
clerk seeking
to fit more items into a single stack to maximize shelf space.
[0092]Another factor that may cause adjacent stacked containers to stick
relates to the
design of container 10. As described above, gripping means 20 is effectively
formed
from a "hollowed-out space" defined by recess 34, side tapered section 38, and
upper
tapered section 48 on opposing sides of the container. Also as noted, upper
wall portion
15 is a part of wall 14 that is between the top of upper tapered section 48
and top
opening 16. In the figures wall portion 15 is shown as a dashed arrow to
represent its
fixed or specific height at its highest point, which is about 1.3 inches in
the preferred
embodiment. As a result of this configuration, and as shown in FIG. 4, when
adjacent
containers 10 are placed on top of one another in a stack, the top of wall
portion 15 of
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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the lower container may overlap with the bottom of wall portion 15 of the
adjacent upper
container. In such a case the hollowed-out space in the upper container may
become
enclosed on all sides and form a type of vacuum effect that acts to resist
separation of
the two adjacent containers.
[0093]It may be noted that in practice the overall resistance would be
approximately
double this value, since in the preferred embodiment there are two such
hollowed-out
spaces. It is also to be appreciated that any such vacuum effect resistance
would be
generally cumulative or additional to any separation resistance that may
already be
present due to excess friction between the containers.
[0094]According to some embodiments of the invention, and as shown in the
preferred
embodiment of FIG. 10, the problem of stuck or difficult to remove containers
in a stack
may be substantially reduced or eliminated by including a stop, block, or
spacer 80 in
container 10. Stop 80 in a lower container prevents or blocks another, upper
container
inserted into interior space 18 from descending any further than a minimum
separation
distance or height "s" above base 12 of the lower container. As will be
explained in
greater detail below, in the preferred embodiment "s" is 1.5 inches (38.1 mm).
[0095]Stop 80 may be conveniently implemented, according to some embodiments,
by
positioning a rigid element in interior space 18 so that its upper surface is
at a distance
"s" above base 12. As shown in FIG. 10, stop 80 may be a rectangular tab or
panel that
is attached to the juncture of base 12 and wall 14, at the back 26 of
container 10. For a
height "s" of 1.5 inches, stop 80 extends outward from wall 14 by about 5 mm.
While
this is a relatively short length, it has been found to be adequate since stop
80 only
needs to catch an edge of base 12 to effectively block further penetration of
the upper
container. The thickness of stop 80 at its base, where it attaches to base 12,
may be
about 1.4 mm, with a taper to about 0.8 mm at the top, or distance "s" above
base 12.
Stop 80 may be made longer and/or wider if a more robust element is desired.
[0096]Stop 80 may be attached to wall 14 at any point but is preferably
attached to
back 26, since placement at front 28 would put it in dipping section 22 where
it could
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
1
- 23 -
interfere with a brush being dipped by a user. More than one stop 80 may be
used in
container 10, but it has been found that a single stop 80 is adequate.
[0097]It is to be appreciated that since stop 80 physically limits the
distance that an
upper container can penetrate into a lower container, the stacked containers
cannot be
forced, pushed, or jammed together any closer than the minimum separation
distance
"s", regardless of whether the person doing the pushing is acting deliberately
or
inadvertently.
[0098] Further, it may be noted that when the containers are positioned at the
minimum
separation distance "s", there will be maximum contact between adjacent walls
14 and
a corresponding maximum amount of stickiness due to friction. Accordingly,
when
designing stop 80, the distance "s" may be selected to be large enough so that
the
expected maximum amount of frictional contact at that separation distance is
generally
acceptable, i.e. one that allows the adjacent containers to be separated
relatively easily
and without too much difficulty.
[0099]Stop 80 is also configured to substantially remove the risk of
separation
resistance due to trapped air in the hollowed-out space of gripping means 20.
This may
be accomplished by sizing the separation distance "s" to be at least slightly
larger than
the distance represented by wall portion 15. When configured in this way,
adjacent
stacked containers will be separated by a distance greater than wall portion
15, the wall
portions 15 of the two containers will not overlap, and there will always be
an opening
permitting air to enter the hollowed-out space of the upper container.
Accordingly, air
will not be trapped in the upper container, and that source of separation
resistance is
eliminated.
[00100]
Figure 11 illustrates this aspect of the invention by showing a stack of
three containers 10, with hidden elements represented by dashed lines. It may
be seen
that base 12 of the middle container rests on stop 80 of the bottom container,
and base
12 of the top container rests on stop 80 of the middle container. Since the
height of
each stop 80 is separation distance "s", or 1.5 inches, which is greater than
wall portion
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
- 24 -
distance 15 of 1.3 inches, wall portions 15 of the top and middle containers
are each
above top opening 16 of their corresponding lower containers. As shown, there
is an
opening into the hollowed-out spaces of the top and middle containers, just
below wall
portions 15, so air cannot be trapped and form a vacuum effect in these
containers.
[00101] Yet another consideration in the design of stackable container 10
is to
ensure that ribs 72 of the upper container do not contact or interfere with
any part of the
lower container. This may be achieved by selecting separation distance "s" to
be at
least slightly larger than vertical projection distance "p". In the preferred
embodiment "s"
is 1.5 inches, which is larger than "p" of 1.3 inches. As a result, as shown
in FIG. 11,
ribs 72 of the upper container (shown by dashed lines) do not contact the
middle
container.
[00102] Having a stop 80 to prevent adjacent containers in a stack from
sticking is
particularly useful for containers having a ratio of height to top opening
length or width
that is greater than one, because in such configurations the adjacent
containers have a
relatively large amount of frictional contact. As noted, the preferred
embodiment of
container 10 has a height of 6.5 inches, a length at top opening 16 of 5.05
inches, and
width "w" of 4.6 inches. Accordingly, for container 10 the ratio of height to
top opening
length is 6.5/5.05 = 1.29, and height to top opening width is 6.5/4.6 = 1.41,
both of
which are greater than one.
[00103] It is to be appreciated that injection moulding production
technology may
be employed to enhance a variety of aspects of container 10. For example, the
mould
may be adapted to provide a course texture on all or part of gripping means
20. A
course texture is beneficial because it enables a user to maintain a more
secure grip on
container 10, particularly when the user's hand or the container is wet.
Preferably the
course texture would be applied to all parts of the hollowed-out space, i.e.
recesses 34,
side tapered sections 38, and upper tapered sections 48.
[00104] Another enhancement is to adapt the mould to round off any sharp
edges,
both on the outside of the container and in interior space 18. This has the
benefit of
1 " , CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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making interior space 18 easier to clean, and also provides a generally more
attractive
look and feel to container 10.
[00105] The operation of the present invention can now be described.
The user
will begin by selecting a paintable liquid appropriate for the project. While
painting a
building using latex or oil based paint is most common, other paintable
liquids such as
varnish or stain, such as might be used with furniture or wooden fences, may
also be
used with the present invention.
[00106] The user will pour a designated amount of paint into the
paint container.
The user can choose to pour to the maximum capacity of the container, or a
lesser
amount if less is needed or if the weight of a full container is too high.
Full capacity
preferably means up to a level slightly below the bottom edge 54 of the
tongue, for
example about 1/4 inch or % inch, and not to the very top of the container 10.
This level
is preferred because paint higher than bottom edge 54 will overlap the tongue
portion
and interfere with the use of the tongue for dabbing. Further, paint at the
bottom edge
54 will overlap the tongue portion when the container is tilted forward. Also,
it is
preferable for there to be an unfilled but walled space above the maximum
paint level
so that there will always be some protection against paint spilling out of the
container
inadvertently as the user moves about. Such a space is available in the
present
invention due to wall 14 extending as high as leading edge 52.
[00107] When the container is filled with the desired amount of
paint, the user can
pick it up in one hand, as shown in FIG. 5, and should find that it can be
held
comfortably. This is because the weight should not be excessively heavy, the
gripping
means is formed in a hollowed out space that more closely fits the user's hand
and
does not require the user's hand to stretch excessively, and further because
ridges and
possibly a course texture in the gripping means provides additional grip
security. As
well, any forward torque should not be excessive, being preferably no more
than 1 foot-
pound and more preferably less than that. As a result, the user should be able
to
comfortably move about the paint site for extended periods while holding the
paint
container 10 in one hand. This may also result in the user experiencing a
reduced or
1 ' . CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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substantially eliminated level of strain in the hand or arm holding the paint
container, in
comparison with the strain that might be experienced from holding a large or
small paint
can or a container of the prior art.
[00108] When the user begins painting, the first step will be to
dip the brush in the
paint container. This procedure may be efficiently and easily done due to the
design of
the present invention. The paint container has an unobstructed top, unlike
some of the
prior art, so the user does not have to slow down to check for an obstruction
with each
dip of the brush. The container is sized to have a reasonable capacity, so
that an
adequate amount of painting can be done with the container at full or even
partial
capacity. There may be a slight forward tilt due to the torque operating on
the gripping
means. This may be beneficial in that it is easier to insert a brush into an
opening that is
tilted forward rather than one that is rigidly vertical. In addition, the
tilted position may
make the contents of the container easier to view by the user. The dipping is
also
rendered more efficient by the fact that the brush does not have to be re-
oriented when
it is removed from the container.
[00109] After the brush is dipped, excess paint may be removed and
a preferred
paint profile achieved by wiping or dabbing the paint brush. As shown in FIG.
6A, the
brush bristles may be wiped or scraped against leading edge 52 of the tongue.
The
excess paint goes onto the tongue and is free to drain into dipping section
22. A sample
profile of a wiped brush is shown in FIG. 6B, which shows a brush with a thin
line of
paint 30 along the bottom edge of the bristles.
[00110] If the user needs to dab the brush, the side of the brush
may be dabbed
against the dabbing surface of the tongue 24, as shown in FIG. 7A. It can also
be
appreciated that the dabbing motion can begin in the same motion by which the
dipped
brush is removed from the dipping section. For example, the brush can be
dragged past
the tongue as it is being removed so that all of the side of the brush will be
dabbed. A
sample profile of a dabbed brush is shown in FIG. 7B, which shows paint 30 on
almost
the full height of the bristles. The thickness of the paint will be determined
by the user
according to the degree of dabbing applied.
CA 02783086 2012-07-09
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[00111] It can be appreciated that through a combination of wiping and
dabbing of
the paint brush, an experienced painter can optimize the use of paint, save
time in
brush preparation, and more effectively paint the surfaces requiring
application by
brush.
[00112] When the user has completed the paint brushing job, the paint
container
may be washed and re-used at a later time. Alternatively, since it is
preferably made of
plastic, it may be discarded and recycled. Due to the expected low cost of the
container,
it should be relatively convenient to purchase additional containers for other
paint jobs
or for use with different colours of paint.
[00113] Although selected embodiment(s) of the present invention has/have
been
shown and described, it is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to
the described embodiment(s). Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may
be
made to this/these embodiment(s) without departing from the principles and
spirit of the
invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents
thereof.
