Abstract:
A system for mixing paint and for holding a container of paint having a cover engaging a body is disclosed. The system comprises a rotary mixer comprising a holder configured for receiving the container. The system also comprises a clamp comprising an arm configured to pivot from a first position to a second position and a plate configured for positioning between a first linear position and a second linear position. The plate in the second linear position maintains the engagement of the cover of the container to the body by compression to inhibit leakage of the paint. A method of mixing paint with a rotary mixer is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The following U.S. patent applications are cited by reference and incorporated by reference herein: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/255,564 titled “CONTAINER” filed Sep. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/132,682 titled “CONTAINER” filed Apr. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/006,985 titled “PAINT CONTAINER” filed Dec. 5, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of a system for holding a paint container and more particularly to a compression adapter for use with an orbital or rotary shaker.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Paint shakers are used to mix paint prior to sale of the paint and/or prior to use to ensure a homogenous mixture of the paint components that may have separated. Additionally, paint shakers are used to thoroughly mix a tint or colorant to the paint to add and/or change the color of the paint.  
           [0004]    One apparatus used for shaking paint employs a top plate and a bottom plate that is moved toward and compresses the paint container between the plates. The plates then move in unison in an up and down direction to thoroughly mix the paint. When a color additive is added to the container by first removing the lid, the compression of the two plates ensures that the paint container lid or cap remains secured to the container body. In this way, no paint can be spilled from the container as the container is moved up and down. The plates move up and down relative to one another along a vector that is perpendicular to both of the plates. The top plate is moved up sufficient to allow the paint container to be removed. Typically, the container is loaded into the shaker between the top and bottom plates in a direction that is parallel to the two planes defined by the top and bottom plates.  
           [0005]    A second type of apparatus is an orbital or rotary shaker that moves the container in an orbital or rotary path to mix the paint. In this type of shaker, the container is not moved up and down but rather in an orbital or rotary path. In the rotary type shaker, the paint container is typically loaded into a bucket or holder that has a top opening and a cavity to receive the paint container. In contrast to the compression mixers discussed above, the bucket or holder holds the container in place. Since the paint container is not shaken in an up down direction, the paint container need not be clamped in the up/down direction. This type of shaker allows for easy insertion and removal of the paint container by simply placing the paint container within the open end of the bucket or holder. If the cap or lid of the paint container is not securely fixed to the body of the paint container, it is possible that paint will leak out of the cap during the rotary motion of the container.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to combine the benefit of the rotary motion of the rotary shaker with the benefit of a compression clamp to ensure that the paint container does not leak during the rotary motion. It would further be desirable to provide a compression clamp that is easy to use by a retail store operator. It would also be desirable to provide a compression clamp that allows for insertion of the paint container into the bucket or holder from above. It would still further be desirable to provide a compression clamp that can be manually applied. It would still further be desirable to provide a system for holding a paint container having one or more of these or other advantageous features.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a system for mixing paint and for holding a container of paint having a cover engaging a body. The system comprises a rotary mixer comprising a holder configured for receiving the container. The system also comprises a clamp comprising an arm configured to pivot from a first position to a second position and a plate configured for positioning between a first linear position and a second linear position. The plate in the second linear position maintains the engagement of the cover of the container to the body by compression to inhibit leakage of the paint.  
           [0008]    The present invention also relates to a system for mixing paint. The system comprises a rotary mixer having a holder for receiving a container of paint. The system also comprises an adapter comprising an arm configured to pivot from a first position to a second position. The system also comprises a plate configured for positioning between a first position and a second position to compress the paint container and inhibit leaking of paint from the container.  
           [0009]    The present invention also relates to a system for mixing paint in a container having a cover secured to a body. The system comprises a holder having a base support. The system also comprises a clamp having a plate configured to apply pressure to the cover of the container, the plate being substantially parallel to the base support in a first position, and being movable to a second position not parallel to the base support in a second position. The system also comprises a motor configured to move the holder in a rotary path.  
           [0010]    The present invention also relates to a method of mixing paint with a rotary mixer having a holder comprising a retractable arm and a locking plate. The method comprises pivoting the arm to a retracted position. The method also comprises inserting a container of paint having a lid and a body into the holder. The method also comprises pivoting the arm to an advanced position. The method also comprises compressing the locking plate to secure the lid of the paint container to the body. Compressing the locking plate inhibits paint from leaking from the container during mixing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a system for holding a paint container according to a preferred embodiment.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 2A through 2E are perspective views of the a system for holding the paint container of FIG. 1 shown locking a paint container according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clamp assembly of a paint shaker according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 3 showing a clamp in an unlocked position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 3 showing the clamp in an intermediate position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4C is a sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 showing the clamp in a locked position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    A system for holding a paint container is shown as a system  10  in FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment. System  10  includes a container  20  for storing a liquid such as paint. System  10  also includes a mixer or shaker  30  having a receptacle bucket or holder  32  for receiving container  20 . An adapter or clamp assembly  60  of holder  32  is configured to stabilize and maintain the position of container  20  during shaking and mixing action provided by a motor  120  (shown schematically in FIG. 1).  
         [0018]    Motor  120  includes a registration mechanism  36  (shown as a protrusion  38 ) for registering and aligning the position of holder  32  relative to motor  120 . As shown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, protrusion  38  of motor  120  is configured for insertion into a cavity of a base  34  of holder  32 . The registration mechanism may also include a mounting interface (such as a pin) according to an alternative embodiment. (According to an alternative embodiment, the holder may be attached to the motor by a fastener such as a clamp, bolt, etc.) According to another alternative embodiment, a registration mechanism of the holder may include a protrusion of the holder for insertion into a cavity of a base of a body  24  of container  20  (see FIG. 1).  
         [0019]    The loading and retention of container  20  in holder  32  is shown in FIGS. 2A through 2E according to an exemplary embodiment. Container  20  is “dropped” or loaded into holder  32  from an overhead position along a vector  122  using a bail or handle  28  according to a preferred embodiment (see FIG. 1).  
         [0020]    The pivoting of clamp assembly  60  through an opened or retracted position  52  and a closed or advanced “use” position  56  is shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C. A substantially “U”-shaped swing arm  62  of clamp assembly  60  is attached to a side wall of holder  30  by a hinge or pin  124  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    Clamp assembly  60  is shown in FIG. 2A in retracted position  52  (e.g. after loading of container  20  in holder  30 ). A compression jaw or pressure plate  64  is drawn over a cap or lid  22  of container  20  as clamp assembly  60  is moved to a partially retracted position  54  as shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2C shows clamp assembly  60  in advanced position  56 , a locking mechanism  70  in an uncompressed or unlocked position  72 , and plate  64  spaced above lid  22  of container  20 . A gap  132  is provided between plate  64  and lid  22  when locking mechanism  70  is in unlocked position  72  as shown in FIG. 2C (see also FIG. 4A).  
         [0022]    Plate  64  is moved from unlocked position  72  to a temporary or intermediate position  74  in which plate  64  “floats” or is driven downwardly to engage lid  22  and substantially eliminate gap  132  as shown in FIG. 2D (see also FIG. 4B). The turning of a handle assembly  80  moves locking mechanism  70  vertically relative to arm  62  from unlocked position  72  (see FIGS. 2D and 4A) to a compressed or locked position  76  (see FIGS. 2E and 4C) according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0023]    In intermediate position  74 , a protrusion or bump  68  of plate  64  makes initial contact with a center  26  of lid  22 . In locked position  76 , plate  64  applies a downward vertical force to lid  22  (including a peripheral edge  126  of lid  22 ) to inhibit leakage of the contents of container  20  as shown in FIG. 4C. Bump  68  deflects lid  22  (which may include a convex or concave crown according to alternative embodiments) when clamp assembly  60  is in locked position  76  as shown in FIG. 4C according to a preferred embodiment. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, center  26  of lid  22  is off-center from the center of base  34  of holder  30  (e.g. situated away from a central vertical axis of the body of the holder).  
         [0024]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protrusion has a height of about three-sixteenths of an inch, and a height of about two-sixteenths of an inch according to an alternative embodiment. According to a preferred embodiment, the center of the lid is compressed or deflected downwardly about four-sixteenths of an inch, and the periphery of the lid is compressed or deflected about two-sixteenths of an inch, when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.  
         [0025]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the plate applies an absolute pressure of about 30 pounds to the lid. According to a preferred embodiment, the protrusion of the plate applies a force of about 0 to 800 psi to the lid when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, preferably less than about 200, more preferably about 60 to 90 psi, more preferably less than about 60 psi. According to an alternative embodiment in which the optional protrusion of the plate is omitted, the plate applies a force of about less than about 5 psi to the periphery of the plate, more preferably less than about 4 psi, more preferably about 2.5 to 4 psi, more preferably about 2.5 to 3 psi. According to an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism may include a stop action mechanism to limit the compression of the lid and the container, and to limit potential crushing of the lid and the container.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIGS. 1 through 2E, container  20  is shown having lid  22  threadably connected to body  24 . Container  20  “nests” or fits within holder  32 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container has a perimeter that is “D”-shaped, a cross-section that is substantially “D”-shaped, and a substantially flat bottom that is substantially “D”-shaped. The holder has a perimeter that corresponds to the perimeter of the container according to a particularly preferred embodiment (shown as a “D”-shape in FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment). According to a particularly preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, container  22  has a volume of about one gallon, and may have other volumes (e.g. one quart) according to other alternative embodiments. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the lid of the container has an area of about 12.4 square inches. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container when filled with paint has a weight of about 8.5 to 12 pounds. The container  20  may include a pour spout  134  according to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C.  
         [0027]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container is of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/255,564 titled “CONTAINER” filed Sep. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/132,682 titled “CONTAINER” filed Apr. 25, 2002, which is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/006,985 titled “PAINT CONTAINER” filed Dec. 5, 2001, which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 3, clamp assembly  60  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Clamp assembly  60  acts as a vice to compress lid  22  between plate  64  and base  34  of holder  32 . Clamp assembly  60  comprises locking mechanism  70  and a clamping mechanism  66 . Clamping mechanism  66  includes plate  64 , which moves in a linear direction among unlocked position  72 , intermediate position  74  and locked position  76  along vector  122 . Plate  64  may be driven or moved (e.g. manually) between unlocked position  72  and intermediate position  74  during loading and unloading of container  20  in holder  32  (see FIG. 2D).  
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, locking mechanism  70  includes a handle assembly  80  for pivoting locking mechanism  70  between unlocked position  72  and locked position  76 . A follower or handle  82  of handle assembly  80  pivots about a cam or pin  84 , which may be “indexed” or notched according to any preferred or alternative embodiment. The turning of handle  82  causes a latching mechanism  100  to turn a latch  102  toward a reciprocating through shaft  90  (see FIGS. 2D and 2E).  
         [0030]    Latch  102  includes a ramped or beveled end  104  (see FIG. 3) to engage a plunger  112  having a detent (shown as a ball bearing  114 ) and a spring  116 . When locking mechanism  70  is in locked position  76 , a groove  106  of latch  102  engages bearing  114 , which maintains the position of latch  102  relative to shaft  90 . A locator or stop tab  108  of latch  102  inhibits movement of locking mechanism  70  beyond locked position  76 . Latching mechanism  100  also includes a “thumb assist” tab  110  for moving in conjunction with the turning of handle  82 .  
         [0031]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the plunger is a type  316  ball-nose spring plunger having a steel or stainless steel body and a nylon or steel ball, commercially available from McMaster-Carr Supply Company of Chicago, Ill.  
         [0032]    It is important to note that the term “paint” is intended to be a broad term and not a term of limitation. Paint, as used in this disclosure, may include, without limitation finishes, surface finishes, varnishes, pigments, colorants, other coatings, etc.  
         [0033]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the system for holding paint container as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.