Abstract:
A paint storage and usage system including a container and a cap. The container has at least one internal ledge for removing excess paint. The cap includes a handle and a paint brush. The cap is affixed to the container by a threaded ring which engages threads on the container and compresses the cap against the top of the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/057,357 filed on Sep. 17, 2014 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for storing paint and more particularly to an apparatus for storing and applying paint for touch-ups. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    It is not uncommon for a painted surface to require touch-ups due to stains, scratches, repairs, etc. Such touchups are not always small or minor. For example, hotels are subject to quality inspections and frequently must touch up and repair scratches and stains on the paint of numerous hotel rooms. In general, touching up a painted surface requires procuring the correct color of paint, opening the paint can, pouring it into an appropriate container, carrying the container to the appropriate area and applying the paint with a brush. Afterwards, the brush must be cleaned and the excess paint returned to the can or disposed of. The process can be time consuming and messy. 
         [0004]    Alternatively, there are products which reduce the number of steps required to touch up painted surfaces. One such product, sold under the name Qwikie, comprises a container in which paint is stored. A small brush is attached to the lid of the container. The brush of this tool is small, limiting touch ups to a small area. Furthermore, the lid of the container is generally dome-shaped and does not serve as a good hand-held painting tool. 
         [0005]    Other products utilize a paint roller connected to a handheld paint storage apparatus. Such devices have several disadvantages including the inability to control the amount of paint on the roller, no way to prevent dripping, dried out rollers, the need to clean and/or replace the rollers, small rollers which only allow for small touchups, small amount of paint stored in the apparatus, and a container shape which does not stand on its own and must thus be laid on its side leading to potential paint leaks. Some examples of such products are the Paint Buddy sold by Rubbermaid; the Shur-Line Touchup painter; and the Paint Touchup Tool Roller &amp; Bottle by Woolie. 
         [0006]    The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and an improved paint storage and touch up apparatus is hereinafter disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for the storage of excess paint. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for the storage of excess paint and the application of paint touch ups. 
         [0009]    In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method of touching up painted surfaces. 
         [0010]    These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a photo of one embodiment the apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is an elevational view of the container of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is an elevational side view of the handle/cap of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the handle/cap of the apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of the gasket of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is an isometric view of the lower side of the gasket of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the gasket shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is an elevational side view of the container and handle/cap of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  is an elevational front view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 D- 5 D of  FIG. 5C . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a photo of the apparatus of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    With respect to  FIG. 1  there is shown the apparatus of the present invention, shown generally as  10 . The apparatus is generally comprised of a container  20 , a handle  40 , a closing ring or band  80 , and a brush B (see  FIG. 5B ). As will be explained more fully hereafter, closing ring  80  is an internally threaded ring which holds handle  40  and container  20  together during storage. 
         [0026]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the container  20  is comprised of a cylindrical wall  21  having an upper end  22 , a bottom wall  23 , an inner surface  24 , and an outer surface  25 . Inner surface  24  has at least one inwardly extending ledge  26  proximal upper end  22 . It will be understood that the number of ledges  26  can vary between embodiments and may include a single annular ledge  26  along the entire inner surface  24 . In a preferred embodiment, container  20  has two inwardly extending ledges  26  disposed opposite one another. Outer surface  25  has first external threads  27  proximal upper end  22  and second external threads  28  proximal bottom wall  23 . The purpose of ledges  26  and threads  27 ,  28  will be explained hereafter. In a preferred embodiment, outer surface  25  includes a maximum fill line F delineating the maximum amount of paint to be stored in container  20 . 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIGS. 3A-3C , there is shown the handle/cap seal assembly  40  of the invention, also referred to as handle  40 . Handle  40  comprises elongate body  41  having a first end  42  and a second end  43 . Body  41  is tapered in at least one dimension toward first end  42  to form grip portion  44 . Disposed proximal second end  43  is a cap  45 . In a preferred embodiment, annular rim  46  extends axially from cap  45  toward second end  43 . Annular rim  46  has an annular, radially outwardly extending lip  47 . The axial recess  48  formed between cap  45  and lip  47  is sized to receive a gasket  50  as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5D . 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, handle  40  and rim  45  are monolithically formed, but it will be understood that they can be separate pieces affixed to one another by means well known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIGS. 4A-4C  there is shown gasket  50 . In a preferred embodiment, gasket  50  will be formed of silicone, though it could be formed of any material appropriate for forming a seal. As best seen in  FIG. 4C , gasket  50  has an annular body  51  of a first thickness T 1  and an annular, outwardly extending lip  53  having a second, smaller thickness T 2 . 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIGS. 5A-5D , there is shown handle  40  disposed within container  20 . It is best seen in  FIGS. 5B and 5D  that rim  45  of handle  40  overlies the upper end  22  of container  20 . Gasket  50 , in recess  48 , engages upper end  22  to form an air tight seal of container  20 . Brush B is shown secured to the second end  43  of handle  40  by ferrule  60 . As shown ferrule  60  grips both the second end  43  of handle  40  and the bristles of brush B. It will be understood that brush B can be secured to handle  40  by any means well known to those skilled in the art. The position of maximum fill line F is shown in  FIG. 5B  to illustrate that the maximum fill line is beneath ferrule  60 , thus ensuring the brush B is within the paint, but the ferrule  60  and handle  40  remain above the paint, even when container  20  is filled to the maximum fill line F. 
         [0031]    As set forth above, closing ring  80  is an internally threaded ring which holds handle  40  and container  20  together during storage (see  FIG. 1 ). Closing ring  80  is threaded internally and engages with first external threads  27  to force gasket  50  into contact with upper end  22  of container  20  and to prevent handle  40  from being pulled from container  20  without first removing closing ring  80 . During use, closing ring  80  can be threaded to second external threads  28  (see  FIG. 6 ). Second external threads  80  thus provide a convenient storage location for closing ring  80  and ensure it is not misplaced during use. 
         [0032]    The apparatus of the present invention has several advantages over the prior art paint touch up devices. After finishing a painting project, excess paint is poured into container  20  to a level no higher than maximum fill line F. Handle/cap seal  40 , with brush B attached is placed in container  20 . Closing ring  80  is placed over handle  40  and threaded to first external threads  27  to hold handle  40  in place and form a seal until the paint is needed. When the paint is needed again, closing ring  80  is unthreaded from the first external threads  27  and, if desired, threaded to second external threads  28  of container  20  for storage/safekeeping while painting. If needed, the paint is stirred using brush B. Handle  40  is then used to ensure paint is on brush B. Excess paint is removed by sliding brush B along ledges  26  of container  20 . The paint can then be applied by brush B as needed. The cap seal and, in particular annular rim  46 , also provide a drip guard to protect the painter&#39;s hand. Should paint run down the brush toward the handle during use, the cap and the annular rim prevent the paint from reaching the user&#39;s hands. After use, brush B is returned to container  20  and container  20  is resealed using closing ring  80 . The paint in container  20  need not be transferred to another container prior to touch ups. Ledges  26  within container  20  provide a means for removing excess paint from brush B, without dripping any paint outside the container  20 . Closing ring  80 , and preferably gasket  50 , ensures the paint stays in the container and prevents drying out of the brush. The brush B is reusable and there is no need to clean the brush B between touchups. 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that while the description above and the drawings set forth the preferred embodiment of the invention, alternative embodiments may be within the scope of the invention. The apparatus of the present invention can be used with materials other than paint. For example, rather than brush B, a spackle knife can be attached to handle  40  and putty/spackle or the like can be stored in container  20 . 
         [0034]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.