Abstract:
A method and apparatus are described for the improved application, transportation, and storage of surface coating materials including: paints, stains, cleaners, and preservatives; the present method employs a carrying and storage container in conjunction with a sealing lid; with the lid in place liquid coating materials and wet tools can be stored for extended periods of time between coating application jobs without the need to empty the container or wash out the tools; both magnetic means and selective enclosure are taught by the present invention for effective wet tool storage, whereby eliminating washing up saves time and coating products, as well as conserving wash up supplies.

Description:
RELATED PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a divisional application based on Application US 20120037634 A1 
         [0002]    Publication number US 20120037634 A1 Publication type Application 
         [0003]    Application number U.S. Ser. No. 13/135,382 Publication date Feb. 16, 2012 
         [0004]    Filing date Jun. 30, 2011 Priority date Aug. 16, 2010 Also published as CN102423992A 
         [0005]    U.S. Provisional patent ID No. 61/401,612 filed on date Aug. 16, 2010 is referenced for a priority date. 
         [0006]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D643,983 S1, published on Aug. 23, 2011 is a related design patent to the present invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to the field of surface coating application and storage. The methods and apparatus in this field frequently employ: buckets, paint trays and other hand-carried containers for liquids and tools. In particular, the present invention provides improvements for the carrying, applying and storage of paint along with associated preparation and application tools. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    The standard horizontal paint roller tray, and application methods using one, have remained in wide use despite many inventions directed at improving the worker&#39;s access to surface coating material and at providing a roller paint distributing or spreading surface in convenient proximity to a stable paint-holding reservoir. Various covers have been made for paint trays allowing material storage. Putting the tray in a plastic bag along with tools is a known method for between job storage of tools and supplies. 
         [0009]    Some of the impetus for the present invention comes from the various shortcomings of the standard horizontal roller pan. 
         [0010]    The problems with the standard pan include: lack of stability when used on a ladder; small paint capacity; and lack of portability. The instability experienced while a horizontal roller tray is carried has been demonstrated over the years and is known to all those skilled in the art of roller painting. Using a roller tool and a brush on the same job generally requires multiple paint containers, leading to clutter and lack of portability. A significant need exists for a more ergonomic alternative to the prevalent prior art. Washing of tools is a time-consuming task that requires large amounts of water or other solvents and wastes material. These problems are addressed by the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0011]    From the year 1953, U.S. Pat. No. 2,659,917 by Drum teaches an improved surface for distributing paint on a roller for a horizontal paint tray. Drum provides a textured drainable surface where excess paint can be removed from the roller. 
         [0012]    Currently it is common practice for people who paint with a roller to use a porous paint screen in a bucket, or to use a standard roller tray. Various specialty buckets are available which offer substantially vertical roller paint distributing elements. Several patents for such devises are listed below as well as other relevant prior art. 
         [0013]    From 1961, U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,767, A. Tretwald, et al. teach a bucket with a flat vertical section on the inside to distribute paint on a paint roller. 
         [0014]    From 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,970 by Engh, teaches a paint container with a substantially vertical paint distributing surface. Engh teaches the use of a shoulder strap, a bail handle and a means of attaching the container to the front of a ladder. The Engh tray may be used in a horizontal or vertical position. 
         [0015]    From 1969, U.S. Pat. No. 3,425,012, Gottinger teaches the use of a magnet for securing a paintbrush to the side of a metal paint can. 
         [0016]    From 1970, U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,285, Vaughn uses magnetic means for holding a paintbrush. 
         [0017]    In U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,092 (1976), Pogwizd shows a harness and provisions for holding a brush and a paint scraper. Pogwizd also teaches the use of a pivoting lid. 
         [0018]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,046 (1978), Puntillo uses a magnet to suspend a paintbrush over a paint can. 
         [0019]    From 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,601, Dishman discloses the use of elastic bands to attach a paint container to the side of a ladder. 
         [0020]    From 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,891, Viggio discloses a paint and brush holder that incorporates a rear handle and, in front, a horizontal brush-grooming ledge. 
         [0021]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,749 (1991), Owens describes a paint-holding container where two of the vertical sides provide means of distributing paint on a paint roller. 
         [0022]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,843, Gunderson describes an invention which uses the lid of a paint container in a relocated vertical position to distribute paint on a roller. 
         [0023]    In U.S. Pat. No. DES.321,070, Lewicki shows the ornamental design for a paint tray holder with paint roller support. 
         [0024]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,411, Owens teaches the use of a vertical roller surface in conjunction with a paint splatter shield. 
         [0025]    In Fischer, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,348, the inventors describe an insert for a five-gallon bucket which includes a textured paint roller surface. 
         [0026]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,042, King provides a holder for a wet paintbrush that is worn on the user&#39;s belt. 
         [0027]    From 1992, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,733 Marino, et al describe a brush holder incorporating a plurality of magnets. 
         [0028]    In the 1990s a vertical roller paint tray with a rear-sided outward then downward protruding flange was sold in the country of Argentina. This container also incorporated a slanted open top, tallest in back, and a flexible cord handle, as well as horizontal striations in the rear wall. This container had rectangular plan-form shape, most narrow front to back with square corners; it was proportioned to work with a standard full-size paint roller. 
         [0029]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,704, Kerr teaches a magnetic brush holder incorporating a horizontal shelf. 
         [0030]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,943, Ludy discloses a handle for a paint can that facilitates suspending the can from a ladder. 
         [0031]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,439, Davies discloses a paint tray that can function with the roller paint-distributing surface oriented either horizontally or vertically. Davies also teaches the use of a roller-holding clip or notch. 
         [0032]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,910 Pilney discloses a paint container which can hang from the rungs of a ladder. His invention incorporates vertical roller paint-spreading surfaces, and a sealing lid is provided. 
         [0033]    Ippolito, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,279, describes a stackable paint roller pan that has an enlarged one-quart capacity and an adjustable one-hand carrying handle. 
         [0034]    Weber, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,916, describes a paint roller bucket which includes a steeply inclined roller paint distributing surface as well as a pivoting bail handle and a pour spout. 
         [0035]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,751, Misiukowiec et al describe a paint pan which can hang on the rung of a ladder and has a vertical roller paint distributing surface. The invention provides a lid, and is designed to function also in a substantially horizontal position. 
         [0036]    King, U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,098, discloses a belt- or strap-supported holder for a wet paint brush or roller. 
         [0037]    Moffitt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,087, presents a paint bucket for a mini-roller which includes a central wedge-like structure comprising two nearly vertical roller paint distributing surfaces. 
         [0038]    Scholl, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,261, describes a paint holder and delivery device which includes a removable, but non-disposable, liner. 
         [0039]    From 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,346, Crilly describes a paint carrier which incorporates a non-magnetic brush holder on the inside of the paint-holding container. 
         [0040]    Lundy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,196, describes a paint bucket which incorporates a brush-holding recess and a porous, inclined roller paint-distributing grid. 
         [0041]    Ahl, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,253, describe a ladder-supported paint-holding tray with notches for supporting a paint roller. 
         [0042]    Rovas, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,043, teaches a paint tray with a specialized bail handle that enables the container to hang from the rungs of a ladder and also to be used flat on a horizontal surface. 
         [0043]    Kohns, U.S. Pat. No. D477,702 S, discloses the ornamental design for a paint bucket with a bail handle and a substantially vertical roller paint distributing textured surface. 
         [0044]    Malvasio, U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,963, describes a paint cup and brush holder incorporating a handle and pour spout. It is molded to provide for relatively compact stackability. 
         [0045]    Butschat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,345 B1, describes a paint container system which can be worn on the user&#39;s belt and includes a means of holding a wet brush within the container. 
         [0046]    Eisenbelsz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,392 B1, describes a detachable handle mechanism for carrying a conventional paint roller tray pan. 
         [0047]    Fellman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,730 B1, describes an insert for a standard paint bucket, which provides a substantially vertical roller paint distributing surface. 
         [0048]    Byrne, U.S. Pat. No. D546,514 S, describes the ornamental design for a paint bucket that includes a substantially vertical roller paint distributing surface. 
         [0049]    Bergman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,829 B2, describes a hand-held vessel for holding paint which incorporates an adjustable handle as well as a brush-holding magnet. 
         [0050]    Martelly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,136 B1, teaches the use of an apron and a paint container in combination. 
         [0051]    Kent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,225 B1, describes a clip with a brush-holding magnet for use on the side of a paint container. 
         [0052]    Ford, U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,440 B1, describes a paint bucket which has a hinging lid and a flexible strap. 
       OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0053]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide painters with convenient and ergonomic method and means of transporting, storing, and applying surface coating materials. 
         [0054]    A primary object of the invention is to provide a secure sealing lid, which can be equipped with a notch that allows the handle of a paint roller tool to protrude from the container while the paint-wet portion of the roller tool is protected from drying out within the container. 
         [0055]    A further object of the invention is to provide a moveable flap, which can be used to seal the notch hole in the lid when no paint roller tool handle is in place. 
         [0056]    A primary object of the invention is to provide temporary means of supporting a paintbrush or similar tool within the container, such that its handle is above the level of the liquid paint. It is a further object of the present method and apparatus to store a brush inside while the sealing lid is in place, forming a containing assembly. 
         [0057]    A further object of the present invention is to provide magnetic means of holding a paintbrush or multiple brushes in a secure position within the container, which enables them to drain excess paint back into the container. 
         [0058]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a bi-functional means of simultaneously securing tools on either side of a magnet located within a wall of the container. 
         [0059]    A further object is providing specific means for carrying a plurality of paint-spreading, repair and clean-up tools. The present invention is intended to facilitate effective dispensing, storage and applying of paint and other coating materials. 
         [0060]    An object of the invention is to provide an outward- then downward-turning flange that encircles the top opening of the container; the flange with its holes and lobes can receive, store and transport a plurality of tools and supplies. 
         [0061]    An object of the invention is to provide specialized holes and magnetized receptacles for receiving tools and supplies. The tools for which receptacles are provided can include, but are not limited to: paint rollers, paint brushes, paint scrapers, cleaning cloths, putty knives, screwdrivers, standard pencils, carpenter&#39;s pencils and tape measures. 
         [0062]    An object of the invention is to provide a cloth-holding receptacle, or a plurality thereof, that can be comprised in the tool-holding flange, thereby providing convenient means of storing a cloth for clean-up purposes. 
         [0063]    A further object of the invention is to provide for compact, jam-proof stackability, for storage and transportation of multiple containers. 
         [0064]    Another object of the invention is to provide a novel easily-detachable shoulder strap which stays in place on the operator with or without a container attached. 
         [0065]    Such a strap enables the operator to have hands free while using the invention to carry supplies and tools. This feature can be found helpful when working on a ladder. 
         [0066]    A further object of the invention is to provide a container and tool holder which can be enclosed or stored entirely within a standard five-gallon paint bucket and lid. 
         [0067]    A further object of the invention is to provide an outward and downward-turning flange around the top of the container, said flange being suitable for holding a plurality of tools. 
         [0068]    Another object of the invention is to provide an angle on the open top of the container to allow easier access to its contents. 
         [0069]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a replaceable liner for the container, where the liner can extend over and around the top sealing lip of the container, enabling the sealing lid to function approximately normally with or without a liner in place. 
         [0070]    An additional object is to provide means of holding a porous paint spreader screen within the container which can provide stable means of effectively distributing paint on a roller; and where the screen will not interfere with installation of a sealing lid. 
         [0071]    A further object of the invention is to provide multiple means of supporting the invention while in use, comprising means of resting on horizontal surfaces and means of hanging from ladders, knobs, shelves, ledges, cabinet doors, chair backs, etc. 
         [0072]    An additional object of the invention is to provide retractable legs that provide additional stability for the invention when it is resting on a horizontal surface, but which can be folded away when the container is suspended from a ladder, carried, or the like. 
         [0073]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a multi-position bail handle, which engages a stop and produces an ergonomic two-element handhold in conjunction with the invention&#39;s back flange. 
         [0074]    An additional object of the invention is to provide a tool-holding slot in proximity to a magnet; the combination can securely hold a paint-scraping tool or putty knife. 
         [0075]    An additional object of the invention is to provide means of holding painter&#39;s putty or the like. 
         [0076]    An additional object of the invention is to provide means of holding a clip-on tool such as a tape measure, or a clip-on tool pouch capable of holding additional tools or accessories. 
         [0077]    Another objective is to create an apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture by being molded from plastic. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0078]    The present invention of a Method and Apparatus for the Application and Storage of Surface Coating Materials provides convenient and ergonomic method and means of carrying and using a liquid such as paint and/or a plurality of tools within a work or hobby environment. An embodiment is disclosed that can hold a quantity of paint as well as a variety of tools, which may be used in conjunction with the paint. A versatile handle can be provided, enabling the container to be comfortably carried and used with various different hand positions. An optional detachable shoulder strap is disclosed, which allows the user to transport the container while having have both hands free for other needs. The container can be configured to hang securely on the side of a ladder as well as rest stably on a horizontal surface. A special rear flange can provide means of supporting the container on a cupboard door, chair, drawer, or doorknob. The apparatus of the present invention has proven itself to be useful in various activities that require a small collection of tools and materials, as well as in the primary tasks of painting and paint preparation. The method of the present invention has proven to be a superior way to apply and store surface coating materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0079]      FIG. 1 . Front prospective view of an operator&#39;s hand holding the container of the present invention. 
           [0080]      FIG. 2 . Front prospective view of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention showing various associated tools and tool stowage locations. 
           [0081]      FIG. 3 . Top view of a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention showing tool stowage flange, grid support web, etc., with the handle and grip in a forward position. 
           [0082]      FIG. 4 . Front prospective view shown depicting insertion of a paint-spreading screen. 
           [0083]      FIG. 5 . Painter using a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a preferred carrying strap configuration. 
           [0084]      FIG. 6 . Preferred embodiment of the carrying strap loop. 
           [0085]      FIG. 7 . Perspective view showing the container element of the present invention suspended with a hook from a ladder rung. 
           [0086]      FIG. 8 . Perspective view showing the container element of the present invention suspended on a chair back. 
           [0087]      FIG. 9 . Front perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention with elevated lid and vertical handle position; a notch-sealing flap in lid is shown in closed position. 
           [0088]      FIG. 10 . Rear quarter perspective view showing the lid elevated and also alternately, the lid in a rearward stowed position, bail handle forwards; the notch-sealing flap attached to the lid shown in open position. 
           [0089]      FIG. 11 . A front perspective view of the main components of the apparatus of the present invention, with the lid in the closed position and a paint roller tool in storage position; the notch-sealing flap in the lid is shown open, to accommodate the roller tool handle shaft. 
           [0090]      FIG. 12 . A bottom perspective view of the container and lid, showing the lid elevated and the handle forward. 
           [0091]      FIG. 13 . A bottom perspective view, showing an embodiment of the container with pivoting legs in retracted and extended positions. 
           [0092]      FIG. 14 . A lower perspective view showing the preferred non-parallel axes of diagonal leg pivots. 
           [0093]      FIG. 15 . A three-view drawing showing the locations of the various sectional views used in the figures, the container and lid are shown with the lid closed, forming a containing assembly. 
           [0094]      FIG. 16 . A cross sectional view taken on a vertical plane A-A in  FIG. 15 , shown with the lid elevated. 
           [0095]      FIG. 17 . A cross sectional view taken on a horizontal plane B-B in  FIG. 15 , shown with the paint spreading screen in place. 
           [0096]      FIG. 18 . A detail cross sectional view of the container, liner and lid, taken on a vertical plane C-C in  FIG. 15 , shown with the lid elevated, liner in place; the figure shows a cross section of the liner going over and around the brush grooming lip; this section is taken on the same plane as  FIG. 16 . 
           [0097]      FIG. 19 . A detail cross sectional view of the lid, flap and container taken on a vertical plane D-D in  FIG. 15 , shown with the lid closed and the lid flap closed, this view is taken on the vertical mid-plane defining the container&#39;s possible symmetry. 
           [0098]      FIG. 20 . A front detail cross sectional view of a magnet within a side wall of the container, taken on a vertical plane E-E in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0099]      FIG. 21 . A side detail cross sectional view of a magnet within a side wall of the container, taken on a vertical plane F-F in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0100]      FIG. 22   a.  A series of cross sectional views of elastic collar stops with different numbers of periods of waviness ‘N’. 
           [0101]      FIG. 22   b.  A perspective view of a pencil prior to insertion in an elastic tool stop collar (N=5). 
           [0102]      FIG. 23 . A perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a tape roll holder. 
           [0103]      FIG. 24 . A flow chart showing the method of the present invention for applying and storing surface coating materials 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0104]    Exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with reference to the several drawing figures. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the various features and elements disclosed herein may be assembled in a multitude of alternative combinations and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0105]    This description of exemplary preferred embodiments is provided as specific examples of embodiments within a group of variations, and it will be understood that this description and disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the invention except as specifically announced in the claims. 
         [0106]    Description of the Apparatus of the Present Invention: 
         [0107]    The present invention provides an improved apparatus for applying and storing surface coating materials, whereby surface coating material may be efficiently stored and applied to diverse surfaces over a period of time without having to remove the coating material from the container or having to wash application tools, thereby saving time and materials. 
         [0108]    The transportable container  100  shown in  FIG. 1  can have an open top  180 ; the container  100  can hold a quantity of surface coating material  1110  ( FIG. 16 ) and at least one application tool  1210  ( FIG. 2 ). The application tool  1210  can have a handle section  1510  and a wettable section  1630 , which is intended to be dipped into surface coating material  1110 . Application tools  1210  include, but are not limited to: paint roller tools  60 , paintbrushes  20 , sponge tools, faux finish rag tools  90 , spatulas  30 , and paint spreading tools. 
         [0109]    The transportable container  100  has an interior and an exterior, and a bottom part  170  that can support the container  100  in a stable manner when the container  100  sits normally on a flat and level surface. The open top  180  can be inclined to the horizontal at an angle of up to approximately 45 degrees, whereby easier access is provided to the surface coating material  1110  inside. 
         [0110]    The present invention provides a lid  200  ( FIG. 9 ), which can fit over the open top  180  of the transportable container  100 . The lid  200  can be configured to temporarily attach to the exterior of the container in a stowage location  202  ( FIG. 2 ), the stowage location  202  being different from the position occupied by the lid when forming a containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ), whereby the lid  200  can be easily kept with the container  100  and it is immediately available to seal up the container  100 , also when stowed  202  the lid  200  can be less likely to get misplaced or lost. The lid  200  can have extensions  230  configured to fit within receiving elements  115  on the exterior of the transportable container  100  when the lid  200  is installed in its stowage location  202  ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0111]    When the lid  200  is fitted a containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ) is formed by the joined combination of the container  100  and the lid  200 . The containing assembly  1620  can be substantially vapor tight, thereby preventing drying out of any enclosed surface coating material  1110  when the assembly is stored in a suitable location  1710  for a period of time  1810 . The application tool  1210  can have a handle section  61 ,  1510 , an intermediate shaft section  62  and a wettable section  65 ,  1630 . 
         [0112]    The lid  200  can have a notch  206  of a predetermined size allowing through passage of the shaft section  62  of the application tool  1210  and providing a substantially vapor tight seal therewith. The wettable section  65 ,  1630  of the application tool  1210  can then be enclosed within the containing assembly  1620  and protected from drying out while the handle section  61 ,  1510  of the application tool  1210  is exterior to the containing assembly  1620 . A moveable cover  300  can be provided for the notch  206 , which can block the slot  206  in the lid when no tool handle shaft  62  is in the slot  206 . The moveable cover  300  can provide a substantially vapor tight sealing of the containing assembly  1620 , whereby surface coating material  1110  may be stored inside the containing assembly  1620  and be protected from drying out for periods of time  1810  when no tool handle shaft  62  is occupying the notch  206 . The moveable cover  300  can be captive and pivot about a predetermined axis  320 . Alternatively the moveable cover  300  can be captive and attached to the containing assembly  1620  by a flexible element. 
         [0113]    The present invention can provide securing means for supporting an application tool  1210  ( FIG. 2 ) in a manner which allows the wettable section  1630  of the tool  1210  to be enclosed within the substantially vapor tight containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ). The securing means additionally positioning the handle section  1510  of the application tool  1210  such that the handle section  1510  is clear of any surface coating material  1110 ,  1410  ( FIG. 16 ) that is within the containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ) when the assembly is sitting normally. The securing means can be magnetic means of temporarily attaching the application tool to the containing assembly  1620 . 
         [0114]    The magnetic means can comprise an individual magnetic element  500 , which can be configured and placed in a region where magnetically attractable objects may be held on both the interior  510  and the exterior  520  of the container  100  by the same magnet  500 , so that wet paintbrushes  20  can be held inside the container  510  and dry scraping tools  30  on the outside  520  at the same time. 
         [0115]    The present invention can also provide a lineal flexible element  910  ( FIG. 23 ), which is tied to the container  100 . The lineal element can terminate in a magnetically attractable section  920  that can be detachably attached to a magnetic portion  500  of the transportable container  100 . The lineal flexible element  910  can have some slack when the magnetically attractable end  911  is attached to the magnet  500  on the container  100 . This combination can allow a roll of tape  40  to be transported by putting the attractable end  911  of the lineal element  910  through the tape roll  40  and attaching the attractable end to the magnet  500 . 
         [0116]    The present invention provides transporting means allowing for convenient movement of the container  100  from location to location  1220 ,  1710  by a person  50  ( FIG. 5 ). The transporting means can comprise a detachable strap assembly  700  configured to temporarily attach the container  100  to a person  50 , allowing the person  50  to carry the transportable container  100  without gripping it in their hands, whereby the person  50  may have hands free to use application tools, support themselves, or perform other actions. The strap assembly  700  ( FIG. 6 ) can adjustably engage a person&#39;s neck, or shoulders, or waist, or torso, or a combination thereof, whereby depending on the nature of the job the container  100  may be attached to the person  50  in a variety of different ways. 
         [0117]    The present invention can also provide means of temporarily attaching the transportable container  100  to a supporting element, including: ladders  66 , scaffolding, chairs  68 , doors, fences, knobs, hooks, and lanyards ( FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 ); thereby allowing the container  100  to be positioned and stabilized in a convenient position when in use. The means of temporarily attaching the transportable container  100  to the supporting element can comprise: hooks  80 , clips  82 , and flange extensions  110 , 111  of predetermined shape. 
         [0118]    The present invention can also provide a liner  800  ( FIG. 18 ) installed  1010  in the container  100 ,  1120  prior to putting the surface coating material  1110  into the container  100 , the liner  800  being of predetermined thickness, and being configured to allow substantially normal operation of the lid  200  and permitting formation of a containing assembly  1620  with a liner  800  installed. The liner  800  may be optionally used and removed  2110  to facilitate color change or clean out. The liner  800  can be constructed of thin flexible plastic material of a thickness between approximately 0.002″ and 0.012″. The thickness being sufficiently thick to resist puncture in normal use, yet sufficiently thin to fit between the container and the lid when a containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ) is formed, thereby allowing optional use of a liner  800  with the lid  200 ,  1610  and the container  100 ,  1120  combination. 
         [0119]    The present invention can also provide a screen or grid  70  ( FIG. 4 ), which can be substantially planar. The grid  70  can engage the container  100  and be securely yet removably positioned proximal to a substantially planar area on the interior of the container  100 . The grid  70  can fit within the containing assembly  1620  along with application tools  1210  in their secured positions. Using the grid  70 , surface coating material  1110  can be easily distributed on or removed from application tools  1210 . The grid  70  can be stored inside the containing assembly  1620  along with the wettable sections  1630  of application tools  1210  and any remaining coating material  1410 . 
         [0120]    The present invention can also provide a plurality of extendable legs  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640  ( FIG. 13 ) attached to the bottom part  170  of the transportable container  100 . The extended legs  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640  can give the container  100  extra stability when it is resting on a substantially flat and level surface. Each of the extendable legs  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640  can pivot about a separate substantially vertical axis ( FIG. 14 ), whereby the legs  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640  can have good structural integrity in the vertical direction and yet pivot and fold up easily in a substantially horizontal plane. 
         [0121]    The present invention can also provide a plurality of tool receiving extensions  116 ,  137 ;  144 ,  151  around the exterior of the container, whereby additional tools may be transported and used in conjunction with the container  100  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0122]    The present invention can also provide a tool stop toroid  850  ( FIG. 22 ), which can be constructed of elastic material and be of predetermined size and shape, such that the tool stop  850  securely engages the shaft portion  854  of a tool. The tool stop  850  can be of sufficient size and shape to engage the tool receiving extensions  116 ,  144  on the transportable container  100 , whereby a tool stop  850  around a tool  854  can prevent the tool  854  from sliding past the tool receiving extensions or through receiving holes  116 ,  144  on the container  100 . 
         [0123]    The present invention can also provide multifunctional magnetic means  500 ,  530 ,  550  ( FIGS. 20, 21 ) for supporting an application tool  1210  in a manner that provides easy access to its handle section  1510  and allows the wettable section  1630  of the application tool  1210  to drain back into the interior  101  of the transportable container  100  when the container  100  is sitting normally. The multifunctional means can additionally provide temporary magnetic securing of magnetically attractable items on the exterior of the container  520 , so that a wet application tool can be temporarily secured inside the container  510  and a dry article temporarily attached to the outside  520  by the same magnetic means  500 ,  550  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0124]    A wall section  130  ( FIG. 20 ) containing multifunctional magnet means  500 ,  550  can form part of the transportable container  100 . The multifunctional magnet means  500 ,  550  can comprise at least one magnet  500  incorporated into the wall section  130  of the container  100 . The magnet  500  can be positioned in the wall section  130  so that magnetically attractable objects  21 ,  31 ,  920  ( FIGS. 2, 23 ) may come in close proximity to the magnet  500  without being impeded by other material in the wall section  130 , whereby being closer to the magnet  500  provides stronger magnetic attraction for the tool  31  or other item  920 , and yet the magnet  500  is not exposed. 
         [0125]    The present invention allows leftover paint and a wet tool, or a plurality thereof, to be sealed up and stored in a containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ) for a period of time  1810  ( FIG. 24 ) ranging from a few minutes to several months without washing the tool  1210  or container  1120 . 
         [0126]    A preferred embodiment of a portion of the present invention, as disclosed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , can comprise a container unit  100  with a flange  103  around an open top  180 . The flange  103  can have a plurality of tool receiving holes, pockets and slots  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  116 ,  144 ,  151 ,  155 . Special ‘T’ shaped slots  115  can be provided to receive corresponding tabs  230  on the lid  201 . 
         [0127]    A preferred embodiment of the present apparatus comprises: a container  100 , a lid assembly  200 , and means of securing coating application tools. 
         [0128]    Some additional elements may be added to the above embodiment in order to provide additional functionality: a pivoting handle assembly  400 , a paint spreading grid or screen  70 , a carrying strap  700 , a removable liner  800 , and a tool storage collar stop  850 . 
         [0129]    In a preferred embodiment, the container  100  of the present invention can be laterally symmetrical about a vertical plane passing through the middle of the container, this provides for complete ambidextrous functionality and can contribute to providing an ergonomic conceptual simplicity. 
         [0130]    The container  100  can be capable of holding a quantity of liquid in a reservoir area  101  and/or a plurality of tools on a flange  103 . The container can have a rear substantially planar wall  160  that is oriented in a near vertical position when the container is sitting on its bottom and resting normally on a horizontal surface. 
         [0131]    The container  100  can have an open top side  180  which is at least partially surrounded by a substantially horizontal flange  103  protruding outward from near the top edge of the open top side  180 . The flange  103  can contain holes  113 ,  114 ,  116 ,  119 ,  144  and/or recesses  155  for receiving putty and holding a tool or a plurality of tools. Portions of the tool flange  103  may be substantially vertical, like the side flange  133  and the rear flange  111 . The side vertical flange  133  can be configured to hold a tape measure or similar clip-on item, including among other possibilities, a tool-holding pouch. 
         [0132]    In an exemplary preferred embodiment of the container, the top opening  180  can slope downward towards the front at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the horizontal. 
         [0133]    In a preferred embodiment the container  100  can comprise a lip  108  extending vertically upward around the periphery of the open top  180  when the container  100  is resting on a horizontal surface. The lip  108  can be capable of receiving a substantially sealing lid assembly  200 . In contrast to the prior art for clip-on lids, the lip of the present invention may be vertical while the open top is inclined at approximately 30 degrees from horizontal. Thus removal of the lid occurs in a vertical direction  970 , rather than perpendicular to the surface of the open top and lid as is found in the prior art. 
         [0134]    The container  100  can be molded from a semi-flexible plastic such as high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, and formed with four substantially planar walls: a rear wall  160 , two side walls  130 ; a front wall  140 ; as well as a bottom  170  and an angled open top  180 . An outwardly protruding flange  103  can be provided around the periphery of the open top  180 . A vertical, upwardly protruding lip  108  can also be provided around the periphery of the open top  180 . The lip  108  can be configured to receive a sealing or semi-sealing lid assembly  200  with suitably shaped extensions  204 ,  203 . 
         [0135]    Radiused corners  128  of approximately ½ inch radius can be provided where the side walls  130  meet the rear wall  160 . When viewed from the top ( FIG. 3 ), the reservoir portion  101  of the container unit  100  can have a trapezoidal shape where the side walls  130  are of equal length and the rear wall  160  is longer than the front wall  140 . The side walls  130  will therefore be non-parallel. This feature can provide for more compact storage within a round storage space as may be found within a standard five-gallon paint pail. A optional object of the present invention is to constrain the dimensions of the container such that the complete apparatus can be stored entirely within a closed standard five-gallon paint pail. 
         [0136]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present invention provides a painter with convenient means of transporting and accessing a supply of paint and associated tools such as: a paint roller tool  60 ; a paint brush  20 ; a scraper tool  30 ; a pencil  11 ; and a wiping cloth  90 . A paint roller tool  60  can be hooked on the rear lip  108  of the container  100 . A paint brush  20  can be held by a magnet  500  attracted to the brush&#39;s metal band  21  near a location  510  on the interior of the container  100 . By rotating the handle of the attached paintbrush rearward, a lid  200  can be used to seal the brush entirely within a containing assembly  1620  ( FIG. 11 ). The magnet  500  can be located in a pocket  550  in the side wall  130  of the container  100  ( FIGS. 20, 21 ). A putty knife or paint-scraping tool can be held by the combination of a magnet  500  on its outside edge  520  and an oblong hole  137  in a tool-holding flange  103  ( FIG. 2 ). A vertical portion  133  of the tool-holding flange  103  can be provided proximal to the outer side of tool hole  137 . The vertical portion  133  proximal to hole  137  provides a handy element to clip on a tape measure or a clip-on tool-holding pouch. 
         [0137]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 16 , the interior surface of the rear wall  161  can be provided with a textured surface  162 . A detail view of the texture pattern is shown in  FIG. 16 . The texture can be in the form of a pattern of approximately horizontal ledges  168  that extend approximately 0.025 inch into the reservoir area, then have an approximately vertical downward section of about 0.8 inch  169 , then another approximately horizontal ledge  168 . A radiused fillet  167  of approximately 0.025 inch radius can be provided in the concave corner where a ledge  168  meets a face  169 . This radius can make the textured pattern easier to clean while maintaining traction on the roller. The net horizontal offset per ledge including the fillet can be approximately 0.025 inches. 
         [0138]    When seen from the front, the ledges  168  can form a series of laterally symmetrical curves that have outer sections that form an upwardly convex curve of approximately 2.5 inch radius, said curves meeting along the invention centerline in a slightly rounded vertex  165 , with an upwardly concave radius of about ½ inch. This pattern of ledges can provide extra traction for the roller as it is rolled on the container&#39;s substantially planar rear wall. This pattern is provided as a backup measure. For optimal performance, a separate paint spreading screen or grid  70  is provided by the invention. 
         [0139]    The paint-spreading screen  70  of the present invention provides a combination of improvements over the prior art. In a preferred embodiment the paint-spreading screen  70  is a substantially planar assembly without any hooks on its top side  71 . Hooks on the top edge are the norm in the prior art. Hooks are a versatile means of securing a screen in a variety of buckets, but the hooks tend to interfere with installing a sealing lid  200  on the container  100 . The lid  200  can be useful for temporary storage of paint and painting equipment  60 ,  20 ,  30 . 
         [0140]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the paint spreading screen (or grid) is engaged to fit securely in place within the container  100  by means of two slots  176  ( FIG. 17 ) formed into both side walls  130  of the container in their respective lower portions. The slots  176  can be formed by the combination of inwardly protruding webs  175  on the side walls and the interior surface of the rear-side corner wall  128 . The slots  176  can engage the side beams  72  in their lower portion  73  and the spreading screen assembly  70  is positioned in place as shown in the cross sectional view of  FIG. 17 ; the position being nearly parallel to and slightly offset from the rear wall  160  of the container  100 . Depending on the qualities of the liquid being rolled and the roller nap, an appropriate offset could be ⅛ inch at the bottom  75  and somewhat less at the top  71  of the screen  70 . 
         [0141]    To position the screen  70  in an effective and secure position it can be desirable to provide the lower portions on the screen side beams  73  with a slight curvature  74 , which is concave to the side facing rearwards. This curvature  74  can easily be adjusted by hand bending of metal side beams  72 . The top  71  and bottom  75  edges of the screen benefit from deburring, but do not generally require supporting beams. 
         [0142]    A pivoting bail type handle assembly  400  with special stop elements  117  ( FIG. 3 ) can be provided by the present invention. The handle can be configured to pivot from a hole  122  in the container  100  vertical side flange  133 , along a pivot axis  415 . The handle can have a suitable bail  405  length such that the handle grip  410  will swing clear of the lower end of the cloth-holding flange  152  when swung forwards and down for stowage. At the other extreme of its swing travel the bail portion  405  of the handle assembly  400  can be configured to engage stop elements  117  on the container&#39;s outward side flanges  132 . 
         [0143]    By engaging the stops  117 , the grip element  410  of the handle assembly  400  is positioned in a location approximately three inches above the corner defined by intersection of the horizontal rear flange  110  and the vertical rear flange  111 . In this position, the combination of the handle grip  410 , the bail  405  and the two rear flanges  110 ,  111  can form an ergonomic hand hold for gripping the invention, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0144]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be provided with a pivoting handle assembly  400  formed partially of a rigid material such as wire  405 , and with a resilient enlarged diameter gripping portion  410  in its central section. The central bend in the handle bail element  405  and a cutout  411  in the resilient grip element  410  form can an opening  406  configured to provide convenient means of securely attaching a detachable connector  82  to the handle near its middle. The detachable connector  82  ( FIG. 7 ) may be integrally joined to a flexible element  81  and to a ladder hook  80 , which enables suspending the container  100  from a ladder rung  67  or other structural member. Alternately, the connector  82  may be joined to a hoisting element such as a cord or rope for securing or elevating the container. 
         [0145]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention can be molded from a semi-flexible thermoplastic such as polypropylene and polyethylene. To reduce manufacturing costs and facilitate injection molding, it can be desirable to taper the walls  130 ,  140 , &amp;  160  inward as one moves downward from the open top  180 . An inward taper of 2 degrees on each wall has been employed in several embodiments. On the inner face  161  of the rear wall  160  the faces  169  ( FIG. 16 , detail) of the pattern can be angled to avoid undercut pulls in the molding process. To assure this, the length of the ledge portion  168  of the pattern can be less than the tangent of the overall wall taper or draft angle times the height of the substantially vertical face  169  between ledges  168 . Since the sine of 2 degrees is approximately 0.035, the ledges  168  would need to be less than 0.028 inches wide if separated by a face height  169  of 0.8 inch (0.035″×0.8″&gt;0.028″). 
         [0146]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom  170  of the container  100  reservoir area  101  can be divided into three areas: a front gently sloping plane  171 ; this plane drains rearward into a recessed cylindrical well  172 , which can be sized to fit a paint roller element  65 ; and also a small rear flat area  174  which can drain forward into the roller well  172 . 
         [0147]    The bottom  170  ( FIG. 12 ) can be provided with various downwardly extended stiffening webs  173 . The webs  173  can beneficially radiate outward from a central boss point  190  where plastic can be injected into the container mold. A downward tapering flange web  177  can extend down from around the periphery of the bottom  170 . In an embodiment with legs, cutouts  178  can be provided in the bottom flange  177  for legs  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640  to protrude, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         [0148]    In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1, 9, 11 and 17 , the front wall of the container can be formed of two outwardly convex cylindrical surfaces  141  that meet in a near-vertical central indentation  145 . The indentation  145  can provide for additional strength as well as clearance for using the cloth holder  151 . The curvature of the surfaces  141  can help to provide a compact shape for the invention, allowing it to be placed within a five-gallon pail for transportation. 
         [0149]    In a preferred embodiment one of the tool-holding areas  151  ( FIG. 2 ) is configured to retain a cleaning cloth  90 . The form of the cloth holder  151  can be a curved and approximately ‘V’ shaped hole in a downwardly turned portion  150  of the invention&#39;s tool-holding flange  103 . In the lower part of the ‘V’ notch  153  the sides of the holder can beneficially become parallel or nearly so, to prevent the cloth  90  from working upward and falling out. 
         [0150]    In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the tool-holding flange  103  can have receiving pockets  155  configured to hold a quantity of painter&#39;s putty, the putty holding areas can be formed by a pair of shallow recesses  155  located symmetrically on the front flange  150  of the container. For extra strength and rigidity, supporting webs  154  can be provided between the container front wall  140  and the front flange  150 . 
         [0151]    As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  a magnet  500  can be enclosed within a magnet pocket  550  located in each side wall  130  of the container  100 . Two tapered, downwardly pointing, free-hanging, extensions or ears  530  can be provided proximal to, or within, each magnet pocket  550  to hold the magnet  500  firmly in place after the magnet  500  has been inserted from below along the magnet insertion trough  125  and popped into place within the magnet pocket  550 . The outer wall of the magnet pocket  550  can be formed by a thin plastic extension  120  of the container  100  body; extension  120  can have an outer face  520 . The free-hanging nature of the ears allows them to flex as a magnet  500  is inserted and also flex as an injection molded plastic part ejects from the mold. 
         [0152]    As shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 , a lid assembly  200  for the container  100  can be provided in a preferred embodiment. The lid assembly  200  can be equipped with a notch  206  in the back edge  233  of lid element  201 . Edge  233  can be configured to engage the rear side of the open top  180 . The top of the rear wall  160  of the container can have a small downwardly extending notch  106  that aligns with the lid notch  206  when the lid  201  is closed in place. The lid  201  can additionally be provided with two tabs  230  on the back edge  233 . In addition to providing lifting tabs for removing the lid, the tabs  230  can be configured to slip into slots  115  in the horizontal portion  110  of the container rear flange. The tabs  230  can have narrowed areas  231  proximal to where they join to the lid  201 . The narrow areas  231  can snap into place when the snugly-fitting tabs  230  are fully inserted into the slots  115  in the rear flange  110 . The lid assembly  200  is given the identifying number  202  when in its rear stowed position, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The lid assembly  200  can be configured to engage an angled open top  180  on the container  100 ; the angled open top  180  can be fitted with a vertical upwardly extending lip  108  around the periphery of the open top  180 . The lid assembly  200  can engage the container lip  108  in a vertical direction  970 . 
         [0153]    The lid assembly  200  can comprise a substantially vertically downward extending pair of lips: an outer lip  203 , and an inner lip  204 ; these lips can be configured to mate with the upwardly extending lip  108  on the container  100  thus forming a substantially vapor-tight seal between the container  100  and the lid  201 . 
         [0154]    The slot  207  between the inner lip  204  and outer lip  203  of the lid  201  may beneficially comprise a wider gap at the base of the slot  208  and have a narrower gap at the entrance to the slot  209 ; the gap width near the entrance  209  can beneficially provide a snug fit on the container flange  108 . 
         [0155]    The container flange  108  may have parallel and vertical wall sides formed with considerable precision, so as to fit well in the slot  207  of the lid element  201 . For a snug fit, the gap at the entrance to the slot  209  can be slightly smaller than the thickness of the container flange  108 ; 0.002″ to 0.005″ of interference fit may be found sufficient to assure a snug seal. The gap at the base of the slot may beneficially be wider than the width of the container flange  108  plus twice the thickness of a removable liner  800 . With this dimensional form the lid lips  203 ,  204  can flex and allow said container lip  108  with a liner  800  installed to be inserted all the way into the base  208  of the lid lip slot  207 . 
         [0156]    Because of this widening of the gap towards its base  208 , the mold surfaces forming the slot  207  may experience an undercut or reverse draft situation. To allow the lid  201  element part to eject from the mold it can be beneficial to put compensatingly large amounts of positive draft on the face  210  of the inner lip opposite to the slot face. The outer face  211  of the outer lid lip  203  can be formed by a second section of mold that joins to the first section containing the lid slot  207  forming plug. As the two mold sections separate, the lid part  201  can stay with the lid slot plug until the outer face  211  of the outer lip has cleared its second mold section. Once clear of this second mold section the outer lip  203  can flex and come off of the lid slot forming plug incorporated in the first mold section. 
         [0157]    The lid element  201  may beneficially be molded from a semi-flexible thermo-plastic such as polyethylene. The plastic used for the lid  201  may beneficially be softer or more flexible than the plastic used to mold the container element  100 . 
         [0158]    A typical wall thickness of approximately 0.090 inches can be used in preferred embodiments of both container and lid. 
         [0159]    As shown in  FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 , the lid assembly  200  can be fitted with a moveable flap  300 , said flap  300  being configured to movably cover a notch  206  in the lid when no roller tool shaft  62  is in place. This would maintain a substantially vapor-tight seal when the lid is closed without a roller tool  60  filling the hole formed by the container notch  106  and the lid notch  206 . The flap  300  can beneficially be joined to the lid  201  by means of a pivot  321  with an axis  320  as shown by sectional view in  FIG. 19 . The flap element  300  can alternatively be molded as part of the lid  201  with a flexure attachment between flap  300  and lid  201 . 
         [0160]    When pivoted away from the notch  206  as seen in  FIG. 10  the protruding portion of the flap  310 , which is configured to fill the notch  206 , can be provided with a recess  250  in the top of the lid. The recess can have a main semi-circular section  251  and a deeper inverted tee-shaped section  252 . These recesses  251 ,  252  can provide clearance for the flap protrusion  310  to stow without flexing the material of the flap element  300 . The flap element  300  can require some flexing when going from the closed position  301  to completely open position  302 . 
         [0161]    The lid  201 , when closing, can utilize protruding tabs  225 , which have ridges or extensions that can engage contours at  138  along the edge of the hole  137  in the tool flange  103  around the container body  100 . This can provide a ‘snap into place’ function. These protruding tabs  225  can extend downward from the lid  201  when it is closed in the normal resting position of the container. The tabs  225  can engage an outwardly extending ridge  138  formed by the inner edge  138  of the elongated scraper-holding hole  137  in the container&#39;s side tool-holding flange  132 ,  103 . 
         [0162]    The lid  201  can be provided with a plurality of tabs extending outward from the edges of the lid. Two of the tabs  230  can be configured to insert into and be held securely in correspondingly shaped holes  115  in a horizontal flange  110  extending rearwards from the main container  100  body. The tabs  230  and slots  115  can beneficially be configured to assure that the lid will lie closely along side of the rear planar wall  160  on the exterior of the container  100  when the lid assembly  200  is in a rearward stowed position  202  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0163]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a paint-spreading grid or screen  70  inserts to fit within a container  100 , where the grid  70  can be a substantially planar element, without suspension hooks. The grid  70  can be held securely within the container  100  in a position nearly proximal to a rear planar wall  160  by slots  176  comprised into the interior of the container  100 . The spreader grid element  70  can beneficially have rigid beam elements  72  on either side of a porous central element  76   
         [0164]    The beams  72  can be configured to engage the slots  176  in the interior of the container. Slots  176  may beneficially be formed by the following combination: on one edge of the slot by flanges or webs  175  that extend approximately ½ inch inwards from the interior faces of the side walls  130  of the container  100 ; and on the other edge of the slot  176  by the interior surface of radiused corners  128  of the container  100 . 
         [0165]    The flanges or webs  175  can beneficially additionally perform the function of preventing jamming or locking together when multiple containers  100  are stacked for storage (without grids  70  in place). To effectively achieve this stack-defining function the flanges  175  can terminate in a substantially horizontal top edge  185  located some distance above the bottom of the container, per preferred example: if the lowest extent  179  of the bottom perimeter flange  177  is located 3.4 inches below the top edge  185  of the web  175 , the stacking interval will be 3.4 inches. When stacked, the web flange  175  of a lower container will engage the bottom edge  179  of a container stacked above. 
         [0166]    In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 4 , it can be beneficial to provide a slight curvature  74  to the side beams  72  of the grid, with the concave side proximal to the nearby rear wall  160 . This feature can help to position the grid more securely and place the top edge  71  of the grid element closer to the nearby rear wall  160 . To allow for drainage of paint through the grid, it is beneficial to provide for some gap between the grid and the nearby rear wall  160 , approximately 1/16 to 3/16 inch being found sufficient in a preferred embodiment. 
         [0167]    In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 20 &amp; 21 , magnets  500  are contained within the side walls  130  of the container  100 . The magnets  500  are close to the surface of the container on both the inside  510  and the outside  520  and can therefore be capable of independently holding magnetically attractable tools  20 ,  30  both on the inside  510  and on the outside  520  of the container  100 , near a magnet  500 . 
         [0168]    In a position approximately above a magnet  500  an additional supporting element can be provided in the form of an oblong hole  137  in the side flange  132  running along the side of the open top  180  of the container. The perimeter of this hole  137  can provide additional support for a tool  30  attracted to and held by the magnet  500  to the proximal exterior face  520 . 
         [0169]    In a preferred embodiment, the magnet-equipped side walls  130  of the container can be formed by two substantially parallel elements that are offset laterally  135  from one another by a distance of approximately 0.15 inch. This offset distance can correspond to the approximate thickness of the magnets  500  contained within the walls  130  of the container  100 . The offset  135  may provide for easier molding of magnet-holding pockets  550  within a plastic container part. The offset  135  can also contribute structural integrity to the side walls  130 . 
         [0170]    The magnet pockets  550  can comprise means of securely holding the magnets in position. The form of the magnet holding means can comprise molded plastic pockets  550  within the side walls  130 ; the pockets  550  being substantially open on the bottom side. The pockets can be additionally equipped each with two downwardly extending, tapered, semi-flexible plastic ‘ears’ or extensions  530  that will hold a magnet  500  firmly in place after the magnet  500  is snapped Into position from below. The taper of the ears  530  helps to ensure that the ears  530  can separate from the mold section that forms them, by means of bending and flexing of the ears  530 . 
         [0171]    The magnet  500  can be positioned within the side walls  130  such that a relatively thin layer of non-magnetic plastic covers the magnet on both sides  510  and  520 . The thickness of the covering layer may taper and can be in the range of approximately 0.015 inch to 0.030 inch. This is in order to provide sufficient structural integrity while providing for a sufficiently short distance between the magnet  500  and a magnetically attracted tool  20 ,  30 . A short distance can assure an adequate holding force between a tool  20 ,  30  and a magnet  500 . 
         [0172]    To effectively hold tools, the magnets  500  can be embedded within the side walls  130  of the container  100  in a location approximately one third of the way from the front top lip  108  of the container  100  to the bottom  170 , and approximately one quarter of the way from the front wall  140  to the rear wall  160 . 
         [0173]    In a preferred embodiment bi-functional magnets  500  can be utilized to simultaneously hold a paint brush  20  as well as a scraping tool  30  with the same magnet  500 . In the exemplary preferred embodiment, a magnet  500  is inserted into a close-tolerance receiving structure  550  located in the side wall  130  of the container. 
         [0174]    The offset  135  in the side wall  130  can allow the magnet  500  to have close proximity to both a paintbrush  20  on the inside  510  of the container and a scraper tool  30  on the outside  520 . The offset  135  can make for easier injection molding of the magnet pockets in the container  100 . For example: in this preferred embodiment an approximately 0.025″ interior plastic wall between the side of the magnet and the metal band  21  around a paintbrush  20  allows a 0.75 inch diameter magnet  500  to firmly hold a brush  20 . On the outside  520  of the magnet enclosure, an approximately 0.025″ thick plastic skirt  120  helps to hold and enclose the magnet, defining the magnetic flux gap spacing for gripping of a scraper tool blade  31 . 
         [0175]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a carrying strap  700  can be provided by the present invention. The carrying strap  700  can be formed as a complete loop, said loop form assuring that a user  50  of the invention may securely wear the strap separately, without a container  100  attached, and not have the danger of the strap  760  slipping off the shoulders because of loose ends. The loop form of the strap can enable a user to easily attach and detach the container from the strap element  700  by hooking the strap loop&#39;s lower portion  750  under a suitably shaped extension of the container  100  formed by a outward flange  110  joined to a downward flange  111 , both flanges being near the top of the substantially planar rear wall  160  of the container  100 . Additionally the substantially horizontal portion  110  of the rear flange can be provided with indentations  112  in its outer edge  104  near the corner where it meets the downward portion  111  of the flange. These indentations  112  can help to prevent the lower strap section  750  from slipping off the vertical flange  111 , yet allow easy removal of the container  100  from the strap  700  when required. It can be beneficial to provide the strap loop with means of length adjustment  710 ,  720 . 
         [0176]    An outward extension  121  of the rear flange  111  can be provided. This extension  121  can form an enclosed area  112  which is capable of holding a strap  700  in place near a rear corner of the container  100 . A narrow portion  124  of the area  112  can be narrow enough to grip a strap  700  as it is inserted into or removed from the enclosed area  112 . The extension  121  can have a semi-flexible nature allowing it to flex as a strap  700  is inserted through the narrow gap  124 . A hole  123  can be provided in the extension  121 . By joining a hole  123  with a hole  119  with a length of cord or wire, the narrow portion  124  is effectively closed, preventing the strap  700  from being able to come out of the enclosed area  112 . 
         [0177]    The carrying strap  700  can comprise a pair of clips  730  or snap hooks, which can be attached to the lower portion of the strap  750  in positions that enable the clips  730  (or snap hooks) to be detachably fastened to appropriate points on the container body, such as a pair of holes  119  in the rear horizontal flange  110 . 
         [0178]    As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a preferred embodiment can be provided with a set of retractable legs. Four legs  610 ,  620 ,  630  and  640  can be provided, each one pivoting about a point  611 ,  621 ,  631  and  641  located near each Of the four corners of an approximately rectangular or trapezoidal bottom  170  on the container  100 . The pivot axes  615 ,  625 ,  635  and  645  of the respective legs  610 ,  620 ,  630  and  640  can beneficially be angled in a manner providing additional stability. By making the pivot axes of the various legs converge together as the axes are extended downward additional stability may be achieved due to this non-parallel angling of the pivot axes. The ends of the legs like  613  that are distal from the container body will be lower when extended, relative to their vertical position when retracted, as shown in  FIG. 14  by the arrows  616  and  636 . 
         [0179]    It is desirable to have the portions of the legs like  613  distal from their respective pivot axes flush or slightly above flush with the lowest portion  179  of the downwardly extending flange  177  that partially surrounds the bottom  170  of the container. When the legs are extended, it is desirable to have their distal portions like  613  below flush with the plane defined by the bottom  179  of the surrounding flange  177 . The lower position of the distal ends  613  of the legs when extended helps to overcome any flex or slop in the leg pivots that might otherwise cause the container  100  to rock or wobble when resting on a flat horizontal surface. 
         [0180]    The angling of the pivot axes may be achieved by angling the lower edge of a circular flange  612  that surrounds a pivot axis  611  on the container  100 . The angle between the pivot axis and the vertical axis  970  of the container  100  can be called A 1 . The vertical axis of the container can be perpendicular to the plane defined by the bottom edge  179  of the container  100 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , due to the angling of the axes the length L 1  will be greater than the length L 2 . We have the formula: 
         [0000]        L 1− L 2= L 3*SINE(2* A 1)
 
         [0000]    which shows the convergence distance of two diagonally opposed axes  615 ,  635 . The convergence of the axes causes a lowering of the leg ends  613  when extended. The lowering is shown by the arrows at  616  and  636  in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0181]    In a preferred embodiment, a removable liner  800  for the container  100  can be provided. The liner  800  can be formed to fit closely within the container  100 , including fitting closely within any interior slots  176  designed to receive a paint spreading grid  70 . This helps to assure that the grid  70  will still fit in place with a liner  800  installed.  FIG. 18  shows the front upper portion of a liner  800  in cross section as the liner fits closely over the container  100  front lips  108  and  143 . The liner  800  can comprise an upper portion that is configured to fit closely over a top lip of the container in such a manner that the liner extends over the top of the lip  810  and then downward by area  820  over the outside surface of the lip  108 , thus allowing the downward extending lips of a sealing lid  203  and  204  to effectively engage the container top lip  108  with or without a liner  800  in place. A preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide a resilient stop unit  850  for a substantially cylindrical tool such as a pencil  11 , pen or the like, as shown in  FIGS. 22 a  and 22 b   . The stop unit  850  can be formed from a somewhat elastic material and can have a flexible hole  853  sized to fit snugly around the cylindrical portion of a tool  854  and an outer extent  870  somewhat larger than the size of the flexible tool hole  853 . 
         [0182]    The tool stop unit  850  can prevent a tool  854  from passing completely through a storage receptacle consisting of a through-hole, like  114 ,  116 , or  144 , in a substantially planar support element as may be found on the tool-holding flange  103  of the present container invention. 
         [0183]    The stop collar can have a wavy form with the shape defined in polar coordinates, by the equation as a function of polar angle P 1 : 
         [0000]        R 1= B 1+ C 1*SINE( N*P 1)=interior edge shape 
         [0000]        R 2= B 2+ C 2*SINE( N*P 1)=outline edge shape 
         [0184]    The integer N can be varied to provide a varying number of lobes as shown in  FIG. 22   a.  When N=2, the resulting shape  862  can have an oval cross section. When N=3, the section  863  can be triangular. When N=8, the shape  868  is an eight-pointed star, and so on. The waviness can provide for superior grip on a tool body as compared to a simple round hole. 
         [0185]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide a tape roll holder  900 . The tape roll holder  900  can be configured to hold a roll of tape  40 , such as masking tape, or a plurality of such tape rolls. The tape roll holder can comprise: a lineal flexible element  910  with a first and a second end (such as a length of nylon cord); a magnetically attractable element  920  (such as a ferrous fob) attached to the first end  911  of said flexible element; means of attaching the second end  912  of said flexible element to the container  100 , such as a loop; and a magnet attached to the container  500 . 
         [0186]    The magnet can be capable of holding the fob  920 , and the magnet can be located at a distance from the second end attachment point  903  that is less than the length of the flexible element  910 . 
         [0187]    To use the tape holder  900 , the fob  912  end of the flexible element  910  can be passed though the central hole  41  of a tape roll  40 , and then the fob  920  can be attached to the magnet  500 . To remove the tape, the fob  920  can be manually detached from the magnet  500  and the tape roll  40  removed from the container  100  assembly. 
         [0188]    Description of the Method of the Present Invention: 
         [0189]      FIG. 24  shows a flow chart depicting a method  1001  for applying and storing surface coating materials, whereby a quantity of surface coating material  1110  may be sequentially applied to various surfaces  1310 ,  2010  over a period of time  1810  without having to remove the coating material  1110  from the container  1120  or having to wash the application tools  1210 , thereby saving time and materials, utilizing this method  1001  the handle portions  1510  of application tools  1210  remain clean of coating material  1110  during transport  1700  and storage  1800 . 
         [0190]    Action  1010  comprises the option of installing a liner  800  in a container  1120 . 
         [0191]    Action  1100  comprises putting a quantity of surface coating material  1110  into a container  1120 . A liner  800  can be installed  1010  in said container prior to putting the surface coating material into the container, the liner being of a predetermined thickness, and the liner being configured to allow substantially normal operation of the lid and permitting formation of a containing assembly  1620  with a liner  800  installed, whereby the liner  800  may be optionally used and removed to facilitate color change or cleanout. The liner  800  can be constructed of thin flexible plastic material of a predetermined thickness of approximately 0.002″ to 0.010″, whereby the liner  800  is sufficiently thick to resist puncture in normal use, yet sufficiently thin to fit between the container  1120  and the lid  1610  when the containing assembly  1620  is formed, this allows optional use of a liner  800  with the lid  1610  and the container  1120 . 
         [0192]    Action  1200  comprises transporting the container  1120 , a quantity of surface coating material  20 ,  1110  and an application tool  1210  to a location  1220 . The application tool may be selected from the group consisting of: paint roller tools  60 , and paintbrushes  20 , and sponge tools, and faux finish rag tools, and spatulas  30 , and spreading tools. Additionally a plurality of tools can be transported by tool-holding means on the container  1120 . The container  1120  can be transported to the location  1220  by means of a detachable strap assembly  700 , whereby a person  50  may transport materials and equipment with hands free. 
         [0193]    Action  1300  comprises applying some of the surface coating material  1110  to a first surface  1310  at location  1220  with the application tool  1210 . The container can be utilized at location  1220  while the container  1120  is attached to a person  50  by means of a detachable strap assembly  700 , whereby the person may have hands free to use application tools or for other purposes. The container  1120  can be temporarily attached to a supporting element such as: a ladder  66 , scaffolding, a door, a fence, a knob, a hook, a lanyard; thereby positioning and stabilizing the container  1120 ,  100  in a convenient position for use. 
         [0194]    Action  1400  comprises having remaining surface coating material  1410  within the container  1120   
         [0195]    Action  1500  comprises securing the application tool  1210  to the container  1120 , with the handle section  1510  of the application tool  1210  supported clear of the remaining surface coating material  1410 . Securing the application tool  1210  to the container  1120  can be done by magnetic means. 
         [0196]    Action  1600  comprises fitting a lid  1610  to the container  1120  forming a containing assembly  1620 , thereby enclosing the remaining surface coating material  1410  and the application tool&#39;s wet part  1630 , while the application tool&#39;s handle section is clear of the remaining surface coating material  1410 . 
         [0197]    The lid  1610  is separate from the application tool  1210 . The lid  1610  can engage the container  1120  by moving downward in a substantially vertical direction, at least one downward lip on the lid  1610  making sliding contact with an upwardly protruding lip on the container  1120 . More specifically, in the preferred embodiment: an inner lip  204  and an outer lip  203  on the lid  201 ,  1610  can engage either side of an upwardly protruding lip  108  on the container  100 ,  1120 , the upwardly protruding lip  108  can have the form of a generic cylinder, the defining sweeping direction of the generic cylinder being substantially vertical, whereby the lid  200 ,  1610  slides off and on along the defining direction and a container part may be ejected from a zero draft section of a mold along the defining axis regardless of the angle formed by the top  180  of the container  100 ,  1120 . 
         [0198]    The application tool  1210  can be selected from a group consisting of: paint rolling tools  60  and tools having a substantially cylindrical shaft section; the application tool  1210  having a handle  1510 , an intermediate shaft section of a first predetermined size and a wettable section  1630 ; 
         [0199]    Action  1600  can further comprise: placing the application tool  1210  in a notch  206  of a second predetermined size provided in the lid  201 ,  1610 , while fitting the lid  201 ,  1610 ; the first predetermined size and the second predetermined size allowing the intermediate shaft section to fit closely in the slot; and allowing the handle  1510  of the application tool to protrude from the containing assembly while the wettable section of the tool is enclosed within the containing assembly  1620 ; the first predetermined size and the second predetermined size resulting in a fit that provides a substantially vapor tight seal for the containing assembly  1620 ; whereby the wettable section  1630  of the application tool  1210  is prevented from drying out during storage  1800  and the tool handle  1510  is not in contact with the contained coating material  1410 . The notch  206  can be provided with a moveable cover  300 , whereby the containing assembly  1620  can be sealed against evaporation of contents more effectively when no tool shaft or handle is in the notch  206 . The moveable cover  300  can be captive and pivot about a predetermined axis  320  on the containing assembly. Alternatively, the moveable cover  300  can be captive and attached to the containing assembly  1620  by a flexible element. 
         [0200]    Action  1600  can additionally comprise temporarily attaching the lid  200 ,  1610  to the container exterior in a stowage location  202 , the stowage location  202  being different from the position occupied by the lid  200 ,  1610  when forming the containing assembly  1620 , whereby the lid  200  when so stowed  202 , is immediately available to seal up the container and whereby the lid  200 ,  1610  is less likely to get lost. Additionally, adding a quantity of thinning liquid to the container  1120  prior to installing the lid  1610  can reduce drying out of the remaining portion of surface coating material  1410  during storage  1800 , as an example, water can be used as a thinning liquid with latex paint. 
         [0201]    Action  1700  comprises transporting the containing assembly  1620  to a suitable storage location  1710 . Transporting the containing assembly to a suitable storage location can additionally comprise placing the containing assembly into the interior of a standard 5 gallon paint pail. 
         [0202]    Action  1800  comprises storing the containing assembly  1620  and contents  1410 ,  1630  for a period of time  1810 . If the surface coating material  1410  is latex paint, and the storage location  1710  is free of strong drafts and has room temperature conditions (averaging approximately 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) the period of storage time  1810  between uses of the application tool  1210  can range from a few minutes to a period of approximately six months. 
         [0203]    Action  1900  comprises removing the lid  1610  from the container  1120 . 
         [0204]    Action  2000  comprises applying some of the remaining surface coating material  1410  to a different surface  2010  with the application tool  1210 . 
         [0205]    In the foregoing discussion we make the preferred embodiments exemplary of the possible features and elements of the present invention. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that other embodiments employing the features disclosed herein will also fall within the scope of the present invention