Abstract:
A multipurpose attachment for cylindrical cans containing paints, varnishes and the like, which snap-fit engages to the top of the open cans and having uniformly thin, structurally rigid, and singularly molded construction that is disposable. The paint can liner protects the can&#39;s sealing channel into which the lid of a metal can mates, and provides an array of benefits suitable for either metal or plastic paint cans. In its preferred embodiment, primarily for gallon or similarly sized containers, the liner includes a pouring spout, an optional filter for use while pouring, a ribbed sloping surface for rolling excess paint from mini rollers, a horizontal shelf for resting either mini roller or paintbrush, and a linear edge for wiping excess paint from brushes.

Description:
[0001]    PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION 60/901,097 filed Feb. 12, 2007. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1,952,288 
                 March 1934 
                 Saxon 
                 221/23 
               
               
                 2,106,381 
                 January 1938 
                 Rough 
                 221/23 
               
               
                 2,145,748 
                 January 1939 
                 Bailey 
                 221/23 
               
               
                 2,471,189 
                 May 1949 
                 Bartels 
                 210/163.5 
               
               
                 2,627,367 
                 February 1953 
                 Bork 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 2,646,193 
                 July 1953 
                 Best 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 2,767,891 
                 May 1955 
                 Beadles 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 2,720,346 
                 October 1955 
                 Compton 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 2,765,966 
                 October 1956 
                 Davis 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 3,074,604 
                 January 1963 
                 Baroud 
                 222/569 
               
               
                 3,102,667 
                 September 1963 
                 Ullevig 
                 222/569 
               
               
                 3,221,955 
                 December 1965 
                 Banaszak 
                 222/569 
               
               
                 3,239,113 
                 March 1966 
                 Knize 
                 222/569 
               
               
                 3,309,000 
                 March 1967 
                 Haverstick 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 3,400,867 
                 September 1968 
                 Giannone 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 3,469,735 
                 September 1969 
                 Burt 
                 220/698 
               
               
                 3,693,829 
                 September 1972 
                 Price 
                 222/698 
               
               
                 3,695,488 
                 October 1972 
                 Olsson 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 3,853,249 
                 February 1974 
                 Weir, Jr. et al. 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 4,009,802 
                 March 1977 
                 Haydechok 
                 222/108 
               
               
                 4,203,537 
                 May 1980 
                 McAlister 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 4,225,064 
                 September 1980 
                 Westcott 
                 222/570 X 
               
               
                 4,240,568 
                 December 1980 
                 Pool 
                 222/570 X 
               
               
                 4,316,560 
                 February 1982 
                 Carter 
                 222/567 
               
               
                 4,583,666 
                 April 1986 
                 Buck 
                 222/109 
               
               
                 4,907,714 
                 February 1989 
                 Gatz 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 4,949,884 
                 August 1990 
                 Dahl 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 5,012,960 
                 May 1991 
                 Arnold 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 5,161,689 
                 November 1992 
                 Balson 
                 206/509 
               
               
                 5,195,662 
                 March 1993 
                 Neff 
                 222/108 
               
               
                 5,213,239 
                 May 1993 
                 Macaluso 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 5,234,133 
                 August 1993 
                 Kensey 
                 222/189.07 
               
               
                 5,392,969 
                 February 1995 
                 Usery 
                 222/570 
               
               
                 5,626,258 
                 May 1197 
                 Maiorino 
                 220/695 
               
               
                 5,779,093 
                 July 1998 
                 Poole et al. 
                 220/698 
               
               
                 5,921,448 
                 July 1999 
                 Stewart 
                 222/490 
               
               
                 6,135,310 
                 October 2000 
                 Svehaug 
                 220/700 
               
               
                 6,264,072 
                 July 2001 
                 Johannes 
                 222/460 
               
               
                 6,253,951 
                 July 2001 
                 Pruckler 
                 220/733 
               
               
                 6,539,991 
                 April 2003 
                 Ackerman 
                 141/331 
               
               
                 6,702,144 
                 March 2004 
                 Lyon 
                 220/700 
               
               
                 7,134,574 
                 November 2006 
                 Braunstein et al. 
                 222/108 
               
               
                 Pub 0236443 
                 April 2004 
                 Gringer et al. 
                 222/570 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 56286 
                 June 1939 
                 Denmark 
                 222/571 
               
               
                 16400 
                 June 1907 
                 Fed. Rep. of Germany 
                 222/571 
               
               
                 195828 
                 November 1936 
                 Switzerland 
                 222/571 
               
               
                 245336 
                 July 1947 
                 Switzerland 
                 222/571 
               
               
                 7794 
                 February 1986 
                 United Kingdom 
                 222/571 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field, Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    Liquid paint products applied by brushing, rolling or spraying commonly found in paint stores, shopping marts and home-improvement centers, are hereinafter referred to simply as “paint.” It is well known that paint contained in cylindrical metal cans, both gallon and quart sized, are sealed air-tight with a press-on metal lid having a downwardly projected annular flange at its perimeter that mates with a corresponding annular sealing channel at its rim. In order for the can to seal effectively, the flange must fit tightly within the channel. As long as the sealing channel remains clean, the container can be effectively resealed by lightly tapping the lid back onto the can, thereby causing the flange to fully re-engage within the sealing channel. However, experience shows that while the can is open, paint usually finds its way into the sealing channel regardless of how careful the painter tries to be. Attempting to wipe paint from this channel proves both difficult and time-consuming. Even after an attempted cleaning, sufficient residue usually remains to cause deficiencies in the resealing process. And when the frustrated painter forcefully hammers the lid back on, paint residue within the sealing channel usually prevents an airtight seal from forming. Besides ending up with an ineffectively sealed container, if the residue is fresh, paint will likely spray in all directions making more of an unwanted mess. To make matters even worse, without an airtight seal the paint&#39;s shelf life will become shortened. And because of its adhesive properties, any residue remaining within the sealing channel will cause the lid to become more difficult to remove upon the next project. 
         [0003]    In a typical painting project, a full can of paint usually requires stirring prior to application. Furthermore, with paint rollers often used even for small jobs, paint must often be poured into a roller pan for applying and rolling out excess paint. And for those jobs requiring a paintbrush, the brush is usually dipped into the can with the excess paint being wiped off on the can&#39;s inner edge. All of these common painting tasks likely results in a portion of paint ending up in the metal can&#39;s sealing channel. For decades attempts have been made to solve this well documented problem by proposing a variety of paint can attachments. These designs can be divided into two general categories: those that cover only a portion of the can&#39;s rim and therefore are more capable of adapting to minor dimensional variations found in paint cans from differing manufacturers; and those that completely cover the can&#39;s sealing channel which, by their nature provide better protection yet have limitations regarding adaptability. 
         [0004]    Attachments that cover only a portion of the paint can&#39;s sealing channel include those described in: U.S. Pat. No. 1,952,288 to Saxon, U.S. Pat. No. 2,106,381 to Rough, U.S. Pat. No. 2,145,748 to Bailey; U.S. Pat. No. 2,471,189 to Bartels; U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,346 to Compton; U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,966 to Davis; U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,604 to Baroud; U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,667 to Ullevig; U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,867 to Giannone; U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,488 to Olsson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,802 to Haydechok; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,662 to Neff. The designers of these attachments perhaps assumed that a viable product would be one that is capable of adapting to paint cans having minor dimensional variations. While these devices assist in pouring liquid from the container, they suffer the disadvantage of leaving the exposed sealing channel unprotected and susceptible to paint intrusion. 
         [0005]    In recent years, paint shelves in the larger retail outlets have undergone a trend in standardization where paint departments display row upon row of a wide variety of paint products from only a few manufacturers. Unlike the past, most if not all gallon-sized and quart sized paint cans within a particular store are from the same manufacturer and are dimensionally identical. This trend towards standardization within high volume outlets has paved the way for a viable paint can attachment specific to a particular paint manufacturer. U.S. Pat. No. 2,627,367 to Bork, U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,193 to Best, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,000 to Haverstick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,955 to Banaszak, U.S. Pat. No. 3,63,829 to Price, U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,249 to Weir, U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,064 to Wescott, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,568 to Pool, U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,560 to Carter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,666 to Buck, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,884 to Dahl, U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,960 to Arnold, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,239 to Macaluso, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,969 to Usery, U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,879 to Kovathana, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,258 to Maiorino, U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,093 to Poole et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,448 to Stewart, U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,310 to Svehaug, U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,951 to Pruckler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,072 to Johannes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,991 to Ackerman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,144 to Lyon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,574 to Braunstein, U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,090 to Jackson, and U.S. Pub 0236443 to Gringer all describe attachments that enclose the can&#39;s entire perimeter, having the advantage of leaving no portion of the can&#39;s sealing channel unprotected. Some of these attachments such as Kovathana, by nature of their design and flexibility of material, teach a device capable of adapting to cans having minor dimensional variations. 
         [0006]    All of the aforementioned patents relate to attachment device that protects, to some degree, the sealing channel of a typical metal paint can and provides a type of pouring spout. However, none other than Pool, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,568, provide means to filter paint while being poured. And most of these designs fail to address the need for resting a paintbrush during a paint project. If a wet paintbrush is simply laid across the can&#39;s rim, paint will likely drip from the bristles down the outside of the can. As taught by Pool, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,568, Neff, U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,662, and Maiorino, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,258, an exposed straight edge is provided for wiping excess paint from the brush and an internal shelf for resting the wet bristles of a brush laid across the top. Thus paint from the wet brush will drip back into the can rather than down the can&#39;s side. 
         [0007]    Metal cans, having an inwardly facing annular ridge with its smooth rounded beaded edge, not only offers an ideal surface for providing a liquid-tight seal, but provides an effective means to lock the attachment device to the can. U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,560 to Carter, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,239 to Macaluso teach attachments having a conically-shaped side-wall that presses against the inwardly facing annular ridge within a typical metal paint can&#39;s rim. However, both designs fail to introduce means for locking the conical attachment to metal paint cans making them unsuitable for pouring. 
         [0008]    No paint can attachment previously set forth offers a method to apply and roll out a smaller roller directly from the paint can. As evident by their growing demand, many paint projects can be completed using a “touch-up” roller. In recent years, painters are choosing the newer  1 ″ diameter mini rollers, also dubbed “weenie” rollers because of their resemblance to hotdogs. Besides being as effective as the older style  2 ″ diameter rollers, mini rollers are increasing in popularity because they are less expensive, able to access smaller areas and easier to clean for reuse. Because of their small diameter and availability in shorter lengths, mini rollers are capable of being dipped directly into a gallon-sized paint can similar to dipping a paintbrush. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present disclosure provides an effective and easy method for rolling out these smaller rollers directly over the paint can, thus eliminating the need for pouring paint into a separate pan. For a number of reasons this novel method will save the painter time and cost. Furthermore, an additional roller pan will no longer be required, paint lost drying in such a pan will be saved, and time spent in extra cleanup will be eliminated. 
         [0010]    Most importantly, the present disclosure addresses the need for an inexpensive disposable paint can attachment that provides a variety of benefits for smaller projects. The Paint Can Liner, which can be tailored to a specific major paint manufacturer, has the potential of becoming a useful disposable paint accessory much like vacuum-formed plastic liners for roller trays. In its complete form the present disclosure provides a combination of useful benefits that go well beyond those presented in prior designs. For this reason, the Paint Can Liner would prove useful for plastic paint cans in addition to those made of metal. And even though the liner&#39;s attachment configuration would be modified, the procedure to attach the Paint Can Liner would be identical for both metal and plastic cans: the user simply places the attachment over the can and presses down around the mounting ring, snapping it into place. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure is directed to a “Paint Can Liner” or simply “liner”, in the form of a thin-walled, single-piece molded paint can attachment for the top of primarily cylindrically shaped gallon-sized containers commonly used for containing paint, varnish and the like, having features and advantages that go well beyond those presented in prior art. The liner forms an annular mounting ring that attaches to and covers the entire circumference of the open can&#39;s exposed rim. The sealing channel at the top of a metal paint can would be protected, and even though a sealing channel is absent in plastic paint cans, other embodiments set forth in the present disclosure would be beneficial for either plastic or metal paint can. 
         [0012]    The present disclosure with all its preferred embodiments set forth, includes a pouring spout extending up from half the liner&#39;s annular mounting ring. A channel, separating the spout from the mounting ring, directs paint dripping down the spout&#39;s backside to flow back into the can. An optional filter is incorporated within the spout for filtering paint while pouring. Additionally, the spout includes an inclined planar ribbed surface for rolling out small touch-up rollers. A horizontal shelf extends outwardly at the base of the spout, for resting either a small roller or a paintbrush. And the outer portion of the resting shelf provides a straight edge suitable for wiping excess paint from a paintbrush. 
         [0013]    Because the Paint Can Liner is capable of being molded as a single unit and, by its design, is suitable to thin-wall molding, the attachment can be inexpensively manufactured by acting upon an initially flat sheet of plastically deformable material, such as the process of vacuum-formed thermoplastics. Thus the liner can be marketed as a disposable product, with the intended disposal after a single use, similar to disposable plastic liners used with paint-roller pans. Furthermore, the thin-wall design permits nested stacking to facilitate compact packaging for shipment and provides minimization of shelf space at point-of-sale. 
         [0014]    Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a Paint Can Liner is provided that: 1) is adaptable and useful for either metal or plastic cylindrical paint cans; 2) applies a snap-on press fit to the annular ridge of an opened cylindrical paint can thereby securing the liner to the can; 3) provides a liquid-tight seal with the can&#39;s annular ridge, thereby preventing paint from seeping under the liner while being poured; 4) provides a protective covering for preventing paint from flowing or splashing into a metal can&#39;s sealing channel; 5) provides a pouring spout; 6) directs paint dripping down the backside of the spout to flow back into the can rather than down the can&#39;s side; 7) directs paint splattered on the liner&#39;s perimeter to flow back into the can rather than down the can&#39;s side; 8) provides an integrated filter for filtering paint while being poured; 9) includes a tear-out section within its pouring spout for rapidly pouring paint when filtration is not required; 10) provides an integrated ribbed or knobbed surface suitable for rolling out excess paint from a small touch-up roller, thereby permitting the roller to be used directly from the can and eliminating the need for a separate roller pan; 11) provides an integrated straight edge for wiping excess paint from a paintbrush; 12) includes an integrated shelf for resting either a wet paintbrush or a 1″ diameter touch-up roller; 13) provides an easy and mess-free method for removal of the liner from the can after use; 14) is suitable for thin-wall manufacturing by molding vacuum-formed thermoplastic sheets, commonly used for making disposable products, thereby providing a relatively inexpensive paint accessory capable of being disposed after use; 15) is configured so that a plurality of liners may be nested when stacked for compact shipment, storage and shelf space; and 16) optimizes it&#39;s structural strength by the shape and interconnectedness of its molded features. 
         [0015]    All principal embodiments, their preferred configurations as well as means for providing the features and advantages of the present disclosure, will become apparent from the following descriptions and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS 
         [0016]    The features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed descriptions when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating the Paint Can Liner in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure adapted for use with a typical cylindrical metal paint can; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an isometric underside view illustrating the thin-wall construction of the Paint Can Liner of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of  FIG. 1  with the spout tear-out section removed and exposing the spout pour-through opening; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the Paint Can Liner of  FIG. 1  illustrating Section A-A orientation of the sectional view in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view illustrating the planar ribbed surface and the compound concave curvature within the pouring spout&#39;s interior side-wall; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the Paint Can Liner with all of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure adapted to a typical cylindrical metal paint can; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section detail view illustrating the mounting ring adapted to the rim of a typical cylindrical metal paint can; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section detail view illustrating the mounting ring adapted to the rim of a typical cylindrical plastic paint can; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  are isometric views illustrating alternate embodiments of the Paint Can Liner of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Depicted in  FIG. 1  which is a fundamental embodiment common to all variations of the present disclosure, is the annular mounting ring  1  that affixes to the top of an open cylindrical paint can (not shown) either of plastic or metal. Since the sealing configuration for metal cans differs from those made of plastic, the mounting configuration likewise differs. For a Paint Can Liner specific to metal paint cans, the mounting ring  1  includes an annular top-wall  4  extending down into interior  2  and exterior  3  side-walls. An inwardly facing annular mounting groove  6  formed within the interior side-wall  2  permits the mounting ring  1  to become locked as well as sealed to the paint can. 
         [0027]    The mounting mechanism is more clearly visualized by referring to the cross-sectional view,  FIG. 7 , which details the mounting portion applied to a metal paint can  30 . In its preferred configuration, the mounting groove  6  is bounded by an annular mounting ridge  5  directly below and by the top-wall  4  directly above. All of these described features within the mounting ring  1  combine to provide means for securing the liner to a typical metal paint can  30  and for protecting the can&#39;s sealing channel  33  from paint intrusion. 
         [0028]    As depicted in  FIG. 7 , a beaded interior ridge  31  common to all metal paint cans  30  is formed by bending the inner edge of the can&#39;s sealing channel  33  into a tight and uniform radius, thereby forming an ideal surface for the liner&#39;s attachment. As depicted in  FIG. 1  and the other isometric views, the liner&#39;s top-wall  4  spans the entire circumference of the can&#39;s sealing channel  33 . And as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the top-wall  4  spans the entire width of the can&#39;s sealing channel  33 , with the channel&#39;s innermost perimeter being the beaded interior ridge  31  and its outermost perimeter being the can&#39;s outer seam  32 . 
         [0029]    As the mounting ring  1  is pushed downward onto the open container  30 , the liner&#39;s interior side-wall  2  begins exerting a radially outward pressure on the can&#39;s interior ridge  31  due to the interior side-wall&#39;s  2  diameter becoming greater than that of the interior ridge  31 . With the Paint Can Liner being made of a semi-resilient material, the interior side-wall  2  is able to compress sufficiently to permit its widest portion, that being annular ridge  5 , to slide past the can&#39;s interior ridge  31  and to give way to the liner&#39;s mounting groove  6  which then mates with the can&#39;s interior ridge  31  in a snap-fit engagement. Thus, as the mounting groove  6  engages with the ridge  31 , a tactile snap will be felt by the user, providing useful feedback that the liner has been properly lodged into place. 
         [0030]    In its preferred form as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the interior side-wall  2  extends below the exterior side-wall  3  and tapers conically inward so that the diameter at its base is less than that of the can&#39;s opening, and the diameter at its top is greater than that of the can&#39;s opening. This configuration enables the liner to center itself on the open paint can simply by setting the device down over the can&#39;s opening. With the liner positioned as such over the can, the user then gently presses down on the top of the resting mounting ring  1  until a tactile snap is felt around its perimeter indicating that the device has been locked into place. Alignment, attachment and sealing of the mounting ring  1  is simplified in the present disclosure in that only the mounting groove  6  requires engaging with the metal can  30  as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Neither the top wall  4  or the exterior side-wall  3  of the mounting ring  1  require mating with the metal can  30  in order for the mounting groove  6  to adequately lock onto and seal against the can&#39;s annular lip  31 . With this improved attachment configuration, the mounting ring  1  is fully capable of protecting the can&#39;s sealing channel  33  while stirring or pouring paint. Having neither gripping nor sealing functions, the exterior side-wall  3  and top wall  4  provide protection against splatters or drips along with structural reinforcement to the mounting ring  1 . 
         [0031]    And as depicted in sectional views  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the annular top-wall  4 , in a preferred configuration, slopes inwardly around its entire perimeter thereby directing paint, which may inadvertently be splashed on top of the mounting ring  1 , to flow back into the paint can rather than down its side. In order to facilitate removal of the liner from the paint can, a pull-tab  23 , in one possible form, projects upward from the annular top-wall  4 . Thus, the user is able to pull the mounting ring  1  off the paint can by gripping the pull-tab  23  and pulling upward. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , plastic paint cans  30   a  typically lack a sealing channel but rely on an exterior sealing ridge  31   a  that engages with a corresponding plastic lid (not shown). For Paint Can Liners specific to plastic paint cans  30   a , the annular mounting ring  1   a  includes an annular ridge  4   a  extending down to form interior  2   a  and exterior  3   a  side-walls. An outwardly facing annular mounting groove  6   a  formed at the lower portion of exterior side-wall  2   a  engages with the exterior sealing ridge  31   a  in a snap-fit configuration, thereby enabling the mounting ring  1   a  to become locked as well as sealed to the plastic paint can  30   a . In its preferred configuration, the mounting groove  6   a  is bounded between the exterior side-wall  3   a  directly above and an annular mounting skirt  5   a  directly below. The maximum diameter of mounting skirt  5   a  at its base is greater than the can&#39;s sealing ridge  31   a , while the minimum diameter of the mounting skirt  5   a  directly below mounting groove  6   a  is less than the diameter of the can&#39;s exterior sealing ridge  31   a . Being made from a resilient material, when the mounting ring  1   a  is pushed downwardly onto a plastic can  30   a , the mounting skirt  5   a  expands sufficiently to slide over the can&#39;s sealing ridge  31   a , thereby allowing the mounting groove  31   a  to engage with and seal against the exterior sealing ridge  31   a . All these features combine to provide means for securing the liner to a typical plastic paint can  30   a  and provide a foundation for forming all of the other embodiments of the present disclosure as depicted in  FIG. 1 , e.g. the pouring spout  8 , the resting shelf  30 , the paint filter  11 , and the ribbed surface  18  for rolling out excess paint from a mini roller (not shown). 
         [0033]    Referring next to the Paint Can Liner as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the present disclosure introduces a paint can attachment incorporating a collection of benefits within a singularly molded accessory. A multipurpose pouring spout portion  8  occupies up to half the interior of the mounting ring  1 . The pouring spout  8  is formed by an arcuate exterior spout-wall  9  projecting upward from the annular interior side-wall  2  that is enclosed by a downwardly sloping interior spout-wall  10 . A particularly novel embodiment of the spout  8  is the capability of paint filtration, made possible by the hollow cavity  19  within spout  8  formed using thin-wall construction as depicted in  FIG. 2 . When poured, paint collects within the hollow cavity  19  and flows through an array of small openings  11  in the interior spout-wall  10  thereby providing filtration for older paint containing clumps. 
         [0034]    Paint, when poured, is channeled towards the spout&#39;s pouring lip  14 . Best visualized in  FIG. 5 , section view A-A of  FIG. 4 , the compound curvature  16  of interior spout-wall  10 , being mostly planar at its base, becomes increasingly concave towards pouring lip  14 . Poured paint is further channeled towards the spout&#39;s pouring lip  14  by a pair of ridges  15  formed along each side of the spout  8 . When paint filtration is unnecessary, a tear-out section  12  near the pouring lip  14 , can be torn-off enabling the contents to be poured more quickly through the resulting pour-through opening  24  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . In its preferred form, a pull-tab  13  is provided within the tear-out section  12  in order to facilitate its removal. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , any paint having dripped down the backside of the spout  8  is redirected back into the can by a channel  25  formed between the exterior spout-wall  9  and the interior side-wall  2 . 
         [0035]    Best visualized in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an array of ridges or bumps  17 , as suggested in  FIG. 1 , outwardly protrude from the interior spout-wall  10 , thereby creating a generally inclined planar ribbed surface  18  at their collective apexes within the concave compound surface  16  of the interior spout-wall  10 . The ribbed surface  18  provides the capability for a small paint roller (not shown) to be applied directly from the paint can. In those instances when a large paint roller is unnecessary, rather than having to pour paint from the can into a separate roller pan for applying and rolling out paint, a small paint roller would be dipped directly into the can and rolled out over the ribbed surface  18  included within the spout  8 . The same array of small openings  11 , which provide filtration during pouring, also serve to drain excess paint back into the can when a paint roller is used. 
         [0036]    A laterally horizontal resting shelf  20  extends outward from the base of the interior spout-wall  10  and connects with the interior side-wall  2  at its extremities. Either the roller of a small paint roller or the bristles of a paintbrush (neither shown) can be rested on the resting shelf  20  with their respective handles laid across the liner&#39;s annular top-wall  4 . A downwardly projected flange  21  extends from the outer edge of shelf  20 , thereby providing an ideal edge for wiping a paintbrush in addition to reinforcing the liner. An array of small openings  22  within the shelf  20  permit excess paint from either brush or roller (not shown) to drain back into the can. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  depict three possible adaptations of the present disclosure containing various combinations of the embodiments of the present disclosure, perhaps more suitable for smaller quart-sized paint cans. Users not intending on pouring paint and planning on using a paintbrush may want a paint can attachment, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , that protects the paint can&#39;s sealing channel  30  and provides a place to wipe and rest a wet paintbrush (not shown). In this adaptation of the present disclosure, the mounting ring  1  includes the resting shelf  20   a  with an array of small openings  22   a  permitting excess paint from either brush or roller (not shown) to drain back into the can. In this adaptation, openings  22   a  also enable paint to pass upward through shelf  20   a  while being poured from the can. Those painters who intend to pour paint from the can may want an attachment as depicted in  FIG. 8 . A simplified pouring spout  8   a  extends up from interior side-wall  2  similar to pouring spout  8  shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the smaller spout  8   a  provides no filtration feature or paint-roller applicator feature like that shown in  FIG. 1  but does permit greater access into the open paint can.  FIG. 9  depicts an adaptation of the present disclosure containing a combination of simplified spout  8   a  and a resting shelf  30   a . Thus,  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  demonstrate how different embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with the fundamental embodiment, the mounting ring  1 , to provide a useful consumer paint can accessory. The Paint Can Liner, even though described in depth for adaptation to a typical metal paint can, can be adapted to a typical cylindrical plastic container. And even though there is no sealing channel to protect, all of the other useful embodiments could be similarly applied to projects having paint products in plastic rather than metal paint cans. 
         [0038]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0039]    Thus, there has been provided in accordance with the disclosure, a paint can attachment that fully satisfies the aims and advantages set forth above. While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. 
         [0040]    Other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.