Abstract:
An apparatus that is generally directed to a paint bucket cover, and specifically to a sealable paint bucket cover comprising structures to securely hold painting tools such as rollers or brushes within the container when the cover is in place, is provided. When not being accessed, paint containers need to be sealed to keep the contents from spilling, or the paint from drying out. Frequently, however, it desirable to be able to cover a paint container while painting tools are still in the bucket. The cover includes a panel comprised of at least a first surface and a paint tool holder, and a band for releasably connecting the cover to the paint container while creating a substantially air-tight configuration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed generally to a paint container cover and specifically to a sealable paint container cover comprising structures to securely hold painting tools such as rollers or brushes within the container when the cover is in place on the paint container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Containers for storing paint have been in use for many years. When not being accessed, these containers need to be sealed to keep the contents from spilling, or the paint from drying out. The original container lid that is supplied when the container is shipped can be difficult to open and close, and may require tools to attach and remove the lid. Paint container lids are also problematic when the lid or the receiving rim of the container becomes covered in paint causing the lid to become stuck. This can be very inconvenient and time consuming when the container must be accessed sporadically, but repeatedly. It is also common that painters must leave a painting job partially done, whether for a break or at the end of the work day. Under these circumstances, the painter must cover the paint container and clean the painting tools so that they are paint free in order to prevent the paint from drying in the brush, roller or paint sprayer rendering them unusable. Covering paint containers and cleaning tools in this conventional manner is time consuming, messy, and inconvenient for the painter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts, and in which: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1   a  is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention in an open state. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1   b  is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention in a closed state. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the cover of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  showing it installed on a paint container. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3   a  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the invention showing two paint brush holders. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3   b  is a schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3   a  in an open state showing a secured paint brush. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the cover of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  showing the alternate embodiment installed on a paint container with a secured paint roller and brushes. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a cinchable sleeve and aperture for receiving a paint roller. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a panel configured for receiving a paint roller. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a panel configured for receiving a paint roller. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a panel configured for receiving a paint roller. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a panel configured for receiving a paint roller. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10   a  is a of a further embodiment of the invention showing a securable flap allowing access to the interior space of an enclosed paint container, including a sealable aperture configured to accommodate painting tools and a seam joining the aperture to the distal edge of the band. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10   b  is an alternate drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 17   a  showing the flap and seam sealed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10   c  is an alternate drawing of the embodiment of  FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b  showing the seam sealed and the flap partially open. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11   a  is a drawing of a further embodiment of the invention showing a snap fastening mechanism in a closed position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11   b  is a drawing showing the alternate view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11   a  with the snap fastening mechanism in an open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12   a  is a drawing of a further embodiment of the invention showing a flap and aperture that extend to the distal edge of the band in a closed position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12   b  is a drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 12   a  showing a flap and aperture that extend to the distal edge of the band in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12   c  is a drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 12   a  showing a flap and aperture that extend to the distal edge of the band in a partially closed position as it would appear if components of a painting tool (not shown) were present. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13   a  is a drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 12   a  attached to a paint bucket in a closed position without a protruding painting tool. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13   b  is a drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 12   a  attached to a paint bucket in an open position with a protruding painting tool. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13   c  is a drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 12   a  attached to a paint bucket in a partially closed position with a protruding painting tool. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    In describing the components of the paint bucket cover and alternative versions or embodiments of some of these components, the same reference number may be used for elements that are the same as, or similar to, elements described in other versions or embodiments. 
         [0027]    The cover  10  of the present invention can be attached to any paint container  100  having a size and shape corresponding to the cover  10 . For the purposes of the present description, the cover is shown as a generally circular cover for a cylindrical 5-gallon paint container  100 , but the novel features described herein can correspond to a cover  10  of any reasonable size and shape. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b,  a cover according to the present invention is illustrated generally at  10 . The cover  10  comprises a panel  20 , which in turn comprises a first surface  22 . The panel  20  has a continuous edge  24 . In this exemplary embodiment, the first surface  22  further comprises at least one tool holder  30 . Connected to the continuous edge  24 , is a band  40  having a distal edge  42 . The cover  10  and the band  40  are sized to cover the opening and envelop the rim respectively of the paint container  100  to be sealed. In this embodiment, the band  40  is flexible, and connected to the band  40  is a fastening mechanism  50  for cinching the band  40  into a substantially air-tight configuration on the paint container  100 . Alternatively, the band  40  or the continuous edge  24  may be elastic and inherently capable of providing a flexible, substantially air-tight seal on the paint container  100  without the need of a fastening mechanism  50  for cinching. Further, the band  40  may be inelastic and rigid, and configured to fixably mate with the rim or sides of the paint container  100 . With reference to  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , there is also shown an additional embodiment of the fastening mechanism  50  comprising a female snap attachment  52  and at least one, and preferably several, male snap locations  55  spaced and registered so that the band  40  can be secured to paint containers  100  of various sizes. Preferably the one or more male snap locations  55  will be placed to use the natural elasticity of the band  40 , for cinching the cover  10  so that it is firmly affixed to the paint container  100  in a substantially air tight configuration. 
         [0029]    In  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b,  the tool holder  30  is shown as an aperture in the first surface  22  that is sized to receive the handle of a standard paint roller  110 , which may include any standard fittings and roller accessories known in the art such as extension rods or metal dowel-like rods that connect a roller handle  110  and a roller cage. The aperture is configured to maintain a substantially air-tight seal when in the closed state as in  FIG. 1   b,  while being flexible to accommodate the roller handle  110 . Preferably, the aperture is lined with a rubber or rubber-like material to resiliently grip the roller handle  110 , but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternate means are available to create a seal for mateably engaging with a painting tool that may be employed without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening mechanism  50  is depicted as a buckle and strap assembly connected to the band  40 . It will be appreciated that many alternate fastening assemblies known in the art may be used so that when the fastening mechanism  50  is in a closed and secured position, band  40  is pulled tightly around the circumference of the paint container  100  in a cinched configuration. For example, the band  40  may be configured to accept a flexible cord that is releasable engaged by a lockable clasp as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Also, as described above and shown in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , the fastening mechanism  50  may include snaps. 
         [0030]    Optionally,  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  also depict a slit  60  that extends from the tool holder  30  to the distal edge  42  of the band  40  to assist in the installation and removal of the cover  10  from the paint container  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the slit is depicted with a zipper as a sealing mechanism for the slit  60 , but it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternate means of providing a substantially air-tight seal such as hook and loop fasteners or snaps may be used. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cover  10  installed on a paint container  100 , with a roller handle  110  being supported, whereby the paint container  100  is substantially sealed in an air-tight manner and the roller is suspended in the substantially air-tight environment or immersed in the paint, thereby alleviating the need to immediately clean the roller in order to pause during painting. To remove the cover  10 , a painter would undo the fastening mechanism  50  and open the slit  60  in order to free the roller handle  110  and release the cover  10  from its mating engagement with the paint container  100 . To re-install, a painter would reverse the process. 
         [0032]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , wherein the first surface  22  is configured with multiple tool holders  30   a - c.  In this case, tool holders  30   b  and  30   c  are configured to slideably receive paint brush handles  120 , providing sufficient grip to support the weight of the brush. Preferably the tool holders  30   b,c  may be comprised of apertures in the first surface  22  that are filled with a flexible gripping material having a second void or one or more slits. This flexible gripping material may be rubber or a rubber like substance, but variations known in the art may also be used. The flexible gripping material is allows for the insertion of a brush handle  120  into the aperture and corresponding slit, thereby enveloping the brush handle  120  once inserted and keeping air out of the paint container  100 . When a brush handle  120  is not inserted into a tool holder  30   b,c,  the slit or other aperture structure of the tool holder  30   b,c  remains in a closed configuration to keep air out.  FIG. 4  shows the cover  10  in use with a paint container  100 , supporting a roller handle  110  in tool holder  30   a,  and two brush handles  120  in tool holders  30   b,c.    
         [0033]    In  FIG. 5  there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tool holder  30  is configured as a sleeve  32  that mates with the first surface  22 . The distal end of the sleeve  32  has an aperture that communicates through the sleeve  32  with the interior of the paint container  100  when the cover  10  is installed, and is sized to receive the handles of standard painting tools such as that of a paint roller  110 . Proximate the distal end of the sleeve  32  and connected to it there there is shown a draw string  34  and a lockable tie  36  that cooperate to cinch the sleeve  32  around the handle of a painting tool. Also shown is an alternate fastening mechanism  50  that operates similarly to the combination of the draw string  34  and the lockable tie  36 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other means of encouraging and maintaining a desired seal may optionally be used without derogating from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a further embodiment of the invention where the panel  20  comprises the first surface  22  mated with one or more sheets  26  to create a dome-shaped protrusion sized to accommodate a painting tool such as a paint roller when it is placed in the paint container  100  with the cover  10  attached. In this embodiment, the tool holder  30  is comprised of a restriction in the dome-shaped protrusion that accommodates the painting tool inside the paint container  100  and restrains the painting tool from excessive movement and maintains its orientation with in the paint container  100 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7-9  show further embodiments of the invention similar to that depicted in  FIG. 6 . In each case, one or more sheets  26  are connected to the first surface  22  to create a dome-shaped protrusion sized to accommodate a painting tool. These, and the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , are particularly advantageous when the painting tool, such as a paint roller, is attached to a painters screen or grid inside the paint container  100 . In such circumstances, the cover  10  allows for greater tolerance for where the roller handle  110  is positioned and therefore does not require fine precision during the installation of the cover  10 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other arrangements and orientations of the first surface  22  and one or more sheets  26  may be adopted that are also within the scope of this invention. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 10   a - c  depict a further embodiment of the current invention wherein one or more of the first surface  22  or sheets  26  may contain an aperture  200  that may be releasably sealed by a flap  300  sized and oriented so that when closed, the cover  10  maintains its substantially air-tight connection to the paint container  100 . Preferably, the aperture  200  is also sized to accommodate painting tools such as components of mechanical paint sprayers that are inconvenient to assemble and disassemble when a user wishes to temporarily suspend use, but are too large to be accommodated within the volume created by the combination of the paint container  100  and the cover  10 . The peripheral edge of the flap  300  and the opposing surface of the first surface  22  or sheets  26  proximate the aperture are advantageously equipped with compatible means for securing the flap to the cover  10 . In this instance, the means for securing the flap  300  and the cover  10  is corresponding hook and loop strips  250 , but it will be appreciated by those in the art that there are alternate means for releasably fastening the flap  300  to the cover  10 , including but not limited to zippers, releasable adhesive surfaces, or snaps.  FIG. 10   b  depicts the flap  300  in a closed position creating a substantial seal, while  FIG. 10   c  depicts the flap  300  in a partially open state. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 10   a - c  also depict one variation of the embodiment wherein the first surface  22  or the sheets  26  where the aperture  200  exists, further contains a seam  275  joining the aperture  200  to the distal edge  42  of the band  40 . Preferably, the edges of the seam  275  are configured to be releasably secured to each other. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, this can be accomplished by various well known means such as, for example, proportioning the seam edges to overlap thereby providing opposing surfaces for hook and loop strips, or inserting a zippered edge, all versions of which are intended to fall within the scope of this invention. The optional presence of a sealable seam  275  allows a user to connect the cover  10  to a paint container  100  while components of a large paint tool such as a mechanical sprayer are inserted in the paint container  100  without having to thread the components through the aperture  200 , thereby avoiding the potential for spills and a mess. To install the cover  10  in these circumstances, the user simply secures the band  40  to the upper edge of the paint container  100  with the seam  275  proximate to where the painting tool is protruding from the paint container  100  and the aperture  200  accommodating the painting tool handle, secures the opposing edges of the seam  275  from the band  40  to the aperture  200 , and substantially seals the flap  300  around the protruding components of the large painting tool. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 12   a - c  and  13   a - c  depict a further embodiment of the invention whereby the aperture  200  and the flap  300  each extend to the distal edge  42  of the band  40 . Specifically referring to  FIGS. 12   b  and  12   c , it can be seen that in this embodiment it is advantageous to provide a hook and loop surface  250  on one of the first surface  22  or sheets  26  adjacent the aperture  200 , such that the hook and loop surface  250  is proportioned to accommodate bulging of the flap  300  as it bends to accommodate a protruding painting tool, while still engaging with the corresponding hook or loop surface  250  on the underside of the flap  300 . An exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 12   b  where the hook or loop surfaces  250  connected to the one of the first surface  22  or sheets  26  and band  40  are substantially L-shaped and reverse-L-shaped adjacent to the aperture  200 , but it will be appreciated that many other configurations are suitable to accomplish this and are intended to be within the scope of this invention. The hook or loop surface  250  may extend over the exterior surface and to the distal edge  42  of the band  40  in this or any other embodiment containing a seam  275  or a fastening mechanism  50  comprising mating hook and loop surfaces  250 .  FIGS. 13   a - c  respectively depict the embodiment of  FIGS. 12   a - c  connected to a paint container  100  with the flap  300  in a closed position with no paint tool, in an open position with a paint tool  400  protruding through the aperture  200 , and in a closed position with a protruding paint tool  400  and the flap  300  deformed to accommodate the paint tool  400  while allowing the mating hook and loop surfaces  250  to engage, creating a substantially air-tight configuration on the paint container  100 . 
         [0039]    Preferably, the panel  20  and band  40  are made from one or more segments of flexible, air-impermeable plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride that may be connected by any known means such as stitching, heat bonding or gluing. Alternatively, one or more portions of the panel  20  or the band  40  may be formed from rigid materials, such as vinyl or polypropylene, and may be formed by any convention means such as injection molding, vacu-forming or thermoforming. Preferences for materials or manufacturing process set forth herein, however, do not limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    Optionally, the invention may include additional accessory modules attached to the cover  10 . These accessory modules may include items such as brush holsters, rag storage, and screwdriver holders, and may further be themselves fixably attached or detachable. It will also be appreciated that the panel  20  of the present invention represents a convenient surface for graphic materials, instructions and advertising content. 
         [0041]    The combination of elements of the present invention comes together to store painting tools in a substantially air-tight manner within a paint container  100 . In all the embodiments disclosed, to use the cover  10  of the present invention, a paint container  100  is covered with the cover  10  having elements as previously described. Once the cover  10  is in place covering the container opening, the band  40  is cinched into a substantially air-tight configuration by closing the fastening mechanism  50  and thus holding the band  40  tightly against the paint container  100 . After the cover  10  is sealed in place, a handle of at least one painting tool such as a paint brush handle  120  or paint roller handle  110  may be engaged with or restrained by the at least one tool holder  30 . The tool holder  30  snugly grips, restrains or envelopes the tool handle to hold it in place and to further contribute to the air-tightness of the cover  10 . 
         [0042]    It will be understood that the specification is illustrative of the present invention and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Specific examples set forth in the description are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. While the foregoing provides certain non-limiting example embodiments, it should be understood that combinations, subsets, and variations of the foregoing are contemplated. The monopoly sought is defined by the claims. 
         [0043]    In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claim.