# Patent

## Title
Container

## Abstract

A paint container includes a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall. A handle is pivotally attached to the body proximate the top. A finger recess is disposed in the bottom and an access recess is positioned between the bottom and at least one side wall. A user may insert one or more fingers through the access recess and into the finger recess to grasp the body when the body is resting on a flat surface.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/006,985, filed Dec. 5, 2001, entitled Paint Container, which is incorporated herein by reference; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/157,524, filed Mar. 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 478,820 entitled Container, which is also incorporated herein by reference.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more specifically a container for the distribution, sale, and use of paint.
Typically, paint for application to a house or building for both interior and exterior applications is sold in a cylindrical one gallon metal container. The metal container includes a round base and a cylindrical side wall attached to and extending from the base. The side wall terminates in an upper rim or chime having a u-shaped channel that frictionally receives and engages a plug or lid having a downwardly extending u-shaped annular ring that is frictionally engaged by the walls of the u-shaped channel.
The lid of a conventional paint container is removed by prying the annular ring out of the channel. This is accomplished by using a lever between an outer upper edge of the cylinder and the outer edge of the lid. In order to ensure that the lid does not fall off of the container, the interference/friction fit between the annular ring of the lid and the u-shaped channel of the container is sufficient to require the use of tools to remove the lid. Accordingly, a lever such as a screwdriver is used to pry the lid off of the upper rim by using the edge of the side wall as a fulcrum to apply sufficient force to the outer edge of the lid to remove the annular ring form the u-shaped channel. Depending on the amount of friction that must be overcome, a user usually has to apply pressure at a number of points about the circumference of the lid and container. The repeated insertion of the lever may result in damage to the lid or the coating on the inner surface of the metal lid that is intended to prevent rust or contamination of the paint.
The paint may be poured from the container into a tray or other smaller container to be used by the painter to apply the paint to the intended surface either by brush, pad, roller or other mechanical or electrical system. Almost any time paint is poured, paint drips down the outside of the cylindrical wall and covers any identifying label. If the drips are significant, the paint may streak down the outer edge of the cylindrical wall and drip to the supporting surface that the paint container has been placed on. In any event, a certain amount of paint will be trapped within the u-shaped annular ring of the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall.
When the lid is placed back onto the top of the container, the downwardly extending u-shaped ring on the lid will be soiled by the paint in the annular receiving area of the cylindrical wall. This creates a potential problem the next time the lid is removed and placed on a supporting surface. The paint on the annular surface may soil the surface upon which the paint lid rests or the hands of the user when they replace the lid again after use. If latex paint is in the container then the latex may dry in the channel and act as an adhesive between the lid and container making subsequent removal of the lid more difficult. The dried paint in the channel may prevent an air tight seal as result of paint buildup preventing the lid from being fully seated within the channel. Further, paint trapped in the channel may be splattered about the room when the lid is replaced and the trapped paint will likely spill over the edge and streak down the side of the container.
Additionally, if the can itself is used as the container from which a brush is dipped by the painter, a significant amount of paint will accumulate in the channel as the brush is removed and excess paint is wiped against the edge of the can. Further, the inner annular edge of the container channel makes it difficult to uniformly wipe paint off of the brush. This results in an uneven application of paint on the brush and on the surface to be painted.
Further the cylindrical container provides other disadvantages in the shipping, display and handling of the container by the end user. First, since the containers are round, the area between the cans represents wasted space when the container are shipped from the factory to the retail outlet. This wasted space must be paid for in terms of shipping costs. Similarly, shelf space at the retail outlet is wasted by the area between the cans. Since the cans are cylindrical, the label must also be cylindrical and therefore does not present the ideal display surface for the consumer at the retail outlet. As the consumer typically walks down the isle, the customer views the container at an angle which reveals only a portion of the label. Many display shelves also permit more than one can to be stacked in a front to back fashion. The cylindrical shape also limits the number of rows of cans that may be stacked on a display shelf.
The handle of the typical paint container is a thin curved wire member comprised of a 0.105 gauge material that digs into the user's hand under the weight of the paint and the container. It is difficult to carry more than one paint container in each hand utilizing the curved wire. Additionally, the curved wire handle requires handle pivot or “ear” supports to be added to the outer surface of the cylindrical can. These pivot supports add assembly and material costs to the container. The pivot supports further affect how the containers must be packed for shipping and for display. Since the pivot supports extend outward from the container, additional space between products or placement such that the pivot supports are in the “dead” space zone between the containers is required.
The cylindrical paint can does not provide a surface to support a paint brush. In order to balance a paint brush on the open container, the brush must be supported by two points on the outer lip. This is most easily accomplished with the bristles balanced at one point and the ferrule or handle balanced at another point. As discussed above, paint often collects in the channel of the container resulting in the ferrule or handle being soiled. Alternatively, if the channel does not contain paint, the placement of the bristles on the edge of the container will likely result in paint dripping into the channel and/or on to the edge of the container, which will likely soil the ferrule or handle if the ferrule or handle is subsequently placed on the soiled region.
Paint that falls into the channel also presents a problem when the lid is being secured to the container after use. The paint in the channel is forced out of the channel as the annular ring of the lid is being located into the channel. Unless the lid is covered, the paint in the channel will splatter about the room as the lid is securely attached to the container. This result is due to the fact that the lid must be fully seated within the channel and a significant force is required. Typically a rubber mallet is used and the lid is struck a number of times with significant force.
Another problem with the existing paint container is that if the paint is shaken in the container with the lid securely attached, the underside of the lid will become covered with paint and becomes difficult to handle when it is removed from the container.
From the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a paint container that would minimize shipping costs and permit a maximum number of containers to be stacked on a retail outlet shelf per linear foot of display. It would be further desirable to provide a product and method for displaying a paint product that allows for non-curved labeling. It would be desirable to provide a container that must be positioned correctly on the shelf, and is not easily rotated to a position that makes it difficult for a consumer to see the label. Another feature that would be desirable is a container system that facilitates stacking the containers one in front of the other.
It would also be desirable to provide a container having a paint reclamation pouring mechanism in order to maintain a clean work area. It would also be desirable to provide a paint container that eliminates the need for handle supports or ears on the cylinder. It would also be desirable to provide a handle that is easy for the user to use and does not cut into the user's hand. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a container with a lid that also serves as a paint container. It would still further be desirable to provide a lid that may be attached securely onto the container without the need for tools. It would also be desirable to provide a container with a spout that provides for a brush to be inserted into the container and includes a non-curved edge to provide for even wiping of the brush. It would also be desirable to provide a container that does not permanently dent when dropped or hit. It would also be desirable to provide secure surfaces for a container having one or more of the foregoing features to be employed in shaker equipment, to mix and or shake the paint. It would be desirable to provide a paint container with the foregoing features alone or in any combination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment relates to a paint container. The paint container includes a top, a bottom, and at least one side wall. A handle is pivotally attached to the body proximate the top. A finger recess is disposed in the bottom and an access recess is positioned between the bottom and at least one side wall. A user may insert one or more fingers through the access recess and into the finger recess to grasp the body when the body is resting on a flat surface.
Another embodiment relates to a pour spout for a paint container. The pour spout includes an outer wall, and an inner wall defining a reclamation channel between the inner wall and the outer wall. A flange extends from the inner wall having a wiping edge configured to remove paint from a paint brush.
A further embodiment relates to a paint container having a body with a top and a bottom surface. A handle is pivotally coupled to the body, the handle having an extended use position and a retracted rest position. A cap is configured to seal an aperture in the body, the cap extending upwardly from the top, the cap having a surface portion parallel to the bottom support surface defining an apex height. The handle in the rest position has a handle surface at the apex height and no portion of the body extends upwardly to a position greater than the apex height.
A still further embodiment relates to a method of mixing paint in a paint container. The method includes the steps of providing a plastic paint container having a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are parallel. Further steps include providing paint in the plastic paint container, providing a paint mixing machine having a support surface and a compression surface, and placing the bottom surface onto the support surface. Further steps include securing the paint container between the support surface and the compression surface and mixing the paint by agitating the container with the paint mixing machine.
In another embodiment, a container includes body having a first side with a substantially flat portion, and an opposing curved side. A pour spout is proximate the curved side and a handle is pivotally attached to the body, having a resting position adjacent the first side.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint container.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the paint container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the paint container.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the paint container.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the paint container.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the paint container.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the paint container taken generally along lines 7—7 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is bottom perspective view of the paint container.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the paint container.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the paint container without the cap.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, a paint container 10 includes a body 12, a handle 14, a cap or cover 16, and a pour spout insert 18. Referring to FIGS. 1–6, body 12 has a general D-shape configuration and includes a bottom 20, a front wall 22, a back wall 24, and a pair of opposing side walls 26, 28. Additionally, body 12 includes a top 30 having a land region 32 and a neck 34 with external threads 36 to secure the cap 16. In one embodiment, container 10 is formed from a plastic material that may be injection molded, blow molded, or injection blow molded. The container may be formed from any other method known in the art.
Body 12, includes a recessed region 38 that extends across the front wall 22, the side walls 26, 28 and a portion of the curved back wall 24. The recessed region 38 may receive a label that could be applied during the forming operation such as in the mold, or a label may be affixed to the container after the container has been formed.
Body 12 further includes a first hand or top recess 40 located on the top edge of the container between the front wall 12 and the top 30. Top recess 40 enables a user to easily access the handle 14 when the handle 14 is in a first or rest position adjacent the top 30. A user can easily raise the handle 14 by simply sliding his or her hand within the recess under handle 14. The top recess 40 may be fully covered by the handle 14 on the top of the container as illustrated in FIG. 3, or the recess may be accessible from the top of the container when the handle is in the rest position. This would allow a user to reach under the handle from either the front of the container or from the top of the container.
A second hand or bottom recess 42 is located on the bottom edge of the container between the front wall 12 and the bottom 20. The bottom or access recess 42 allows a user to reach under the bottom 20 of the container 10 while the container is resting on a supporting surface. The bottom recess 42 further facilitates pouring paint from the container. The bottom recess 42 is connected to a finger recess 44 via channel 46 on the bottom 20 of the container. The finger recess 44 allows a user to insert his or her fingers into the recess 44 to provide support for pouring paint from the container in combination with handle 14. Additionally, the height of the bottom recess 42 and channel 46 as measured from a supporting surface may be sufficient to allow a user to insert his or her fingers in the finger recess 44 while the container is on the support surface. This would aid in pulling a container off of the support surface or off of a lower container where the containers were stacked.
Land 32 includes a pair of recess openings 48 to receive a pair of tabs 50 on handle 14. Of course land 32 could include tabs that would be received in apertures located in the handle 14. The tabs and apertures allow the handle 14 to pivot about the land from the rest position to a carrying position or intermediate pouring position. Other mechanical fastening structures that are know in the art may also be employed. Additionally, a snap in feature that releasably locks the handle 14 in the rest or in use position may be helpful to ensure the handle does not move. The snap or lock feature may be accomplished by irregular geometry of the handle tabs and land apertures, or any other known means for securing a handle in specific position relative to the container.
The bottom 20 further includes additional recesses 52, 54 to provide structural rigidity to the container. The recesses 52 and finger recess 44 extend into the container. The geometry of the recesses 52 should be such that a user can still access the paint on the inside of the container with a brush. The spaces between the recesses 44 and 52 should be sufficient to allow a user to access the paint between the resulting raised areas with a brush. The recesses may also be constructed to permit a top to bottom nesting feature with an adjacent stacked container. The bottom 20 also includes an outer periphery 56 that defines a plane that is parallel with the top of the cap 16 and top of the handle 14 for use in a compression type mixing apparatus. The portions 58 between the recesses 44, 52 and 54 are in the same plane as the periphery 56 to provide additional support for the container.
Handle 14 includes a top surface 60, a front surface 62, a rear surface 64, and a pair of opposing side surfaces 66, 68. When the handle 14 is in the rest position, the front and side surfaces 62, 66 and 68 are flush with the upper portion of the body. The handle may include a soft raised portion 69 that may be molded into the top surface 60 of the handle 14. The handle 14 includes a lower contour 70 that substantially follows the contour of the land 32 and upper portion of the body 12.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, cap 14 includes an outer wall 72 with inner threads 74 that allow the cap 14 to be threaded onto threads 36 of neck 34. Cap 14 further includes an inner wall 76 extending from cap top 78 a distance greater than the distance that the outer wall 72 extends from the cap top 78. Outer wall 72 includes a compression surface 80 that engages the top portion of neck 34 to seal the cap to the container. As the cap 14 is threaded onto the neck 34, the inner wall 76 extends into the neck area of the container. Cap 14 further includes finger recesses 81 to facilitate closing and opening of the cap as well as holding the cap when the cap is being used as a paint dish. The top surface of cap 80 includes a substantially planar surface portion to enable the top to rest on a support surface to serve as a paint dish. Alternatively, the top of the cap includes geometry that enables the cap to rest on a support surface in a stable manner. This geometry could include a raised peripheral region. Finger recesses 81 form a land area 83 that facilitates use of the cap as a paint dish, since the land area allows for easy handling of the cap. Other embodiments of the cap could also be employed. For example, the cap could include more than two finger recesses or could include a knurled outer surface to help facilitate tightening the cap onto the body or removing the cap from the body. Further the cap could be ergonomically designed to conform to the palm of a user's hand when the cap is being used as a paint dish.
The use of an inner wall 76 and outer wall 80 allows the cap to be used as a paint dish without the paint soiling the threads of the container, or dripping paint on to the outside of the body when the cap is secured to the body after it has been used as a container. Since the inner wall 76 extends beyond the outer wall, any paint that drips out of the cap when the cap is secured to the container will drip directly into the container. Additionally, any paint that drips into the channel 82 between the inner wall 76 and outer wall 72 will drip into the container between inner wall 76 and the spout insert 18.
The spout insert 18 includes an outer lip 84 that rests on the top rim 86 of the neck 34 of the body 12. Insert 18 is secured to the body 12 by either an adhesive, friction fit, welding, or any other method known in the art. Insert includes an outer wall 88 and an inner wall 90 that includes a spout 92. In one embodiment spout 92 extends upward above the outer lip 84 of the outer wall 88. Spout 92 includes a “v” shaped recess with a circular recess 93 at the bottom portion of the “v”. Insert 18 includes an angled floor 94 connecting the inner wall 90 ad outer wall 88. Floor 94 is angled downward from the rear wall 92 of the body and “v” region of the spout 92 toward the front wall 26 of the body 12. Other spout configurations may also be employed. For example the shape of the spout recess could be a shape other than a “v” shape. The recess could be “U” shaped or rectangular. Alternatively, the spout could not include a recess portion at all but rather the spout could extend toward a single apex, where the apex is the highest of the spout and the paint is guided to pour over the apex.
A channel 96 is formed between the inner wall 90, and outer wall 88. The angled floor 94 includes an opening 96 to connect the channel 96 with the interior of the container, to permit paint that drips over spout 92 to be reclaimed into the container via opening 96.
Insert 18 also includes a raised wipe portion 98 terminating in a straight edge 100. The raised wipe portion 98 extends from the inner wall 90 into the opening 102 defined by the inner wall 98 and the straight edge 100 of the wiper portion 98. The angle of the wipe potion 98 allows for reclamation of paint back into the container if the paint drips onto the top portion 99 of the wipe portion 98. In one embodiment the opening 102 has a diameter of three and one half inches, allowing for easy insertion of a three inch brush. The straight edge has a width of at least three inches to permit the brush to be wiped along straight edge 100 without curving the bristles. It is possible to replace the straight edge with a comb or undulated edge feature. It is also contemplated that a comb feature could be releasably attached to the raised wipe portion to provide another type of wiping edge geometry if desired. The geometry of the opening 102 may be modified to allow for a larger or smaller brush width to enter the interior of the container to apply paint to a brush. For example the opening could be four inches or greater to allow for a four inch brush to be inserted.
The “D” shape of the container allows for a convenient curved rear surface over which the paint is poured, and a substantially straight rear surface to allow for a label having a flat surface to be applied. The flat surface permits easier viewing of the label on the store shelf for the consumer. If the front of the container with the flat surface is facing the isle, the consumer can easily pick up the container by using both the handle 14 and the bottom finger recess 44 through recess 42 and channel 46 as discussed above. The curved rear surface guides the paint toward the spout 92 aiding in the removal of the last portion of paint in the container.
The cap 16 is easily removed both in the retail outlet for easy tinting and at home or on the job site without requiring additional tools. Once the tinting coloring has been added the cap is screwed back on to the body of the container such that the top of the cap and the top surface of the handle are in the same plane. Since the top surface of the handle and cap are in a plane parallel to the button supporting surface, the paint in the container can then be mixed utilizing a standard mixing apparatus where the top and bottom of the container is trapped and compressed between two surfaces and subsequently shaken. The surface area of the handle and cap provide a stable surface for this type of compression apparatus. The container may employ other geometry to ensure that the container may be securely located in a compression type mixer. The mixer itself could employ a top member that matches the profile of the top of the container including the handle and cap. The container, cap and/or handle could include raised features to permit the top member of the mixer to effectively clamp onto the container for mixing.
The geometry of the body facilitates access to the paint, once the level of paint drops. Since the recess 42, channel 44 and finger recess 46 protrude into the interior of the container a greater amount than recesses 52 and 54, a greater amount of paint will be in the region directly below the opening 102 to facilitate removal of the paint from the bottom of the container. Additionally, curved portion of the back wall 24 focuses the last amount of paint in a single area proximate the spout 92, when the paint is being poured from the container.
The container may also include features to promote stacking of the container. For example, the container may include four small bumps on the bottom periphery that would act as feet and interlocking features with structure on the top of the container. For example, the top of the container could include four small indents that would receive the bumps, or the bumps could be restrained from moving in a lateral direction by four offset guides. Of course there could be more or less than four locating features. Additionally, any locating feature could be arranged such that there is no impediment form sliding an upper stacked container off of a lower stacked container, by having the rear portion of the guides open. The raised portion or bumps could also be located on the top of the container and the recess or guides be located on the bottom of the container. The bumps could also be flexible such that they would be resiliently deflected when the container is clamped in a paint mixer that clamps the container on the top and bottom.
Further modifications may be made in the design, arrangement and combination of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims For example a top member including one or more of the features discussed above such as the spout, reclamation structure, paint brush support, cap support, and others may be integrally formed with the body member or may be fastened to the container as a separate component. Additionally, the container may include transparent areas to allow the user to see the contents of the container. Further the cap attachment may include a transparent area to indicate whether the cap is securely attached to the container to prevent paint from accidentally being spilled. Although the container has been referred to as a paint container other liquids may be stored and poured as well. While some of the features have a unique application to the storage and application of paint, other features may be used for other liquids as well. Additionally, the label that is applied to the container may include a blank white portion to permit the user or manufacture to dab or paint an sample of the paint in the container to clearly show what color is contained within the container and how it will appear when painted on a white background. It is also noted that the features described in the specification and shown in the Figures either alone or in combination may also be combined with individual or multiple features disclosed in the priority applications noted above. These and other modifications may be made in the design, arrangement and combination of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A paint container, comprising:
a container body,
a spout insert having an outer wall and an inner wall defining a reclamation channel therebetween, the inner wall having a spout portion, the reclamation channel having an opening into the container body; and
a flange extending from the inner wall opposite the spout portion, the flange having a straight wiping edge configured to remove paint from a paint brush;
wherein the flange is proximate the opening and extends away from the opening at an upward angle, the straight wiping edge being perpendicular to a pouring axis extending through the center of the spout including a front edge of the spout, the flange having a lower edge terminating in the reclamation channel.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the opening is a curved slot.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the inner wall has a v-shaped slot having a lower apex.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the wiping edge is at least three inches across.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising:
a volume of paint disposed within the body.

6. A paint container comprising:
a body having a top and a bottom support surface;
a handle pivotally coupled to the body, the handle having an extended use position and a retracted rest position;
a cap configured to seal an aperture in the body, the cap extending upwardly from the top, wherein the cap has a surface portion parallel to the bottom support surface defining an apex height;
wherein the handle in the retracted rest position has a handle surface at the apex height;
wherein the handle has a front surface and a side surface that are flush with a front surface and a side surface of the body when the handle is in the rest position; and
wherein no portion of the body extends upwardly to a position equal to or greater than the apex height, a portion of the cap and handle being in contact with the bottom support surface of a second container.

7. The paint container of claim 6, wherein the handle surface and the cap surface portion are coplanar.

8. The paint container of claim 6, wherein the cap has an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall having a sealing surface with internal threads.

9. The paint container of claim 6, further comprising:
a volume of paint disposed within the body.