Abstract:
A paint storage kit is provided for storing and dispensing paint in a manner that minimizes mess and loss of paint. The paint storage kit includes a larger storage container, a funnel, and a smaller touch-up container. The storage container includes a removable, flexible pour spout that reversibly connects with the opening of the storage container and facilitates clean transfer of paint into the touch-up container(s) or alternate location. The touch-up container includes a plastic tube, storage cap, and applicator pad. Paint is transferred to the storage container where it stored. The paint can then be transferred to one or more touch-up containers. The touch-up containers can apply small amounts of paint directly via an applicator pad affixed to the top of the touch-up container.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/655,495, filed Jun. 5, 2012. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices for storing and dispensing paint. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Paint is a common material used in residential, commercial and industrial settings. In particular, residential homeowners commonly purchase cans of paint for do-it-yourself projects. However, the transfer of paint from the native paint cans is difficult and messy, as is the return of unused paint to the can and subsequent usage. Paint comes in a standard metal can with a large lid that is poorly suited for pouring. Use of standard painting tools results in wasted paint and a messy process. Thus, there is a need in the art for a more effective means of storing and dispensing paint. In particular, there is a need for more specialized containers that can more effectively store and transfer paint. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A paint storage kit embodies a method of storing and applying paint via a dedicated container system. The kit is comprised of one or more larger primary storage containers, one or more secondary or touch-up containers, and a funnel. The containers are substantially air-tight during storage phases. The large storage containers include a flexible pour spout attached to the opening of each container to facilitate clean transfer of stored paint into the smaller touch-up containers. The paint transfer occurs in conjunction with a dedicated funnel. The system is initially implemented as a method of cleanup and storage after a first-time paint application from store-bought cans, whereby leftover paint from the can and/or paint tray can be emptied into a large container, or plurality of large containers, for indefinite storage. Alternatively, the newly stored paint could be distributed into one smaller touch-up containers, or plurality of said containers, for the purpose of applying small amounts of paint in the event there is a desire to revisit the painted area. For such touch-up applications, an applicator pad can be optionally attached to the top of the touch-up container, providing a hand-held painting functionality to the container. The applicator pad can be durable or disposable. In the disposable embodiment, the applicator pad is removed after use and replaced with a screw-cap for storage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the primary storage container and the paint funnel. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates the paint funnel engaged with the primary storage container. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates paint being poured into the storage container via the funnel. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates the storage container sealed with a cap. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the storage container with a flexible pour spout attached to the opening. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates the storage container with the flexible pour spout bent and engaged with the spout cap. 
         FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate the storage container transferring paint to the touch-up container via the flexible pour spout. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates an applicator pad being affixed to the opening of the touch-up container. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the touch-up container being used to apply small amounts of paint via the applicator pad. 
         FIGS. 6A-C  illustrate the replacement of the applicator pad with a cap that seals the touch-up container. 
         FIGS. 7A-C  illustrate different views of the paint funnel. 
         FIG. 8  depicts the components of the present invention, including the paint storage container, paint funnel, touch-up container and applicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a paint storage kit that that provides more effective apparatus and method for handling and storing paint. This method is defined by a two-step approach that allows the user to systematically store and then re-use new or leftover paint at his/her discretion with the aid of a dedicated kit comprising large storage containers having a pour spout, smaller touch-up containers, and a paint funnel. The touch-up containers optionally include an applicator pad to allow smaller amounts of paint to be applied directly from the touch-up container. The kit is advantageous for the common situation in which the paint it utilized over an extended time frame and/or repeated applications. Because the transfer and storage of paint becomes cleaner, easier and more efficient with the kit of the present invention, the user is able to re-apply stored paint over a prolonged period of time. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the paint storage container  110  and paint funnel  120  being prepared for initial paint storage. Paint funnel  120  includes a stem  121  and is described more fully in the discussion of  FIG. 7 . The storage container includes a handle  109  and opening  111 . The large storage container  110  is placed on a level surface and the cap is removed to expose the container opening  111 . The storage container  110  is configured to receive the paint funnel  120  as indicated by arrow  100 . The paint funnel stem  121  is inserted into the opening  111  of the storage container and rests on region of the storage container around the opening  111  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate perspective views of an initial paint transfer into the paint storage container  210 .  FIG. 2A  shows the paint funnel  220  inserted into, and resting on, storage container  210 . The paint funnel  220  rests atop the large container  210  in a stable manner that facilitates the pouring of paint into the funnel without undesired shaking or movement of the funnel which can result in spilled paint.  FIG. 2B  illustrates transfer of paint from a standard store-bought can  226  to the large storage container  210 . The paint funnel comprises funnel chamber  222 , convex side  223 , and concave side  224 . To initiate this transfer, a user raises the store-bought can  226  above the convex side  223  of the paint funnel  220  and tilts it downward to pour the paint  227  into the funnel chamber  222 . The shape of convex side  223  facilitates easier paint transfer because the convex shape contours to the shape of the paint can and allows the paint can to be closer to the funnel chamber  222  during paint transfer. The paint  227  flows through the funnel stem  121  (not shown) and into the storage container  210 . As described further in the discussion of  FIG. 7 , the paint funnel is particularly configured to accept large amounts of viscous fluid which is transferred through the funnel stem at a sufficient flow rate. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the large storage container  310  before attachment of the flexible pour spout  330 . The pour spout comprises a stem  331  and a spout plug  332 . Motion arrow  301  indicates the attachment of the pour spout  330  to the large container opening  311 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the paint storage system in a transfer-enabled configuration. In this instance, the flexible pour spout stem  331  stands upright and open to air or other elements and the storage container  310  can be used to transfer paint via pour spout  331  to any desired location (e.g. paint tray or touch-up container as described below).  FIG. 3C  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the paint storage system in a sealed configuration for storage. In this instance, the flexible pour spout stem  331  is bent downward and mated with the spout plug  332 . The plug  332  is configured to fit tightly into the spout&#39;s orifice, thereby sealing the spout&#39;s opening for storage. The seal of the spout  330  by the plug  332  prevents the loss of paint from the storage container  310  and also creates an air seal that minimizes the degradation of contamination of the paint by the surrounding air and particulates (e.g. dirt, insects, etc) during storage. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates the process of transferring paint from the large storage container  410  to the smaller touch-up container  440  for carrying out a secondary, smaller application of paint as is commonly done in touch-up applications wherein small amounts of paint are applied to various surfaces. The large storage container  410  is shown with attached flexible pour spout  430  in a transfer-enabled position, whereby the upright pour spout may be directed via motion arrow  402  toward the smaller touch-up container&#39;s opening  441 . This process is aided by grasping the large storage container handle  409 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of secondary paint transfer from the large storage container  410  to the smaller touch-up container  440 . The flexible pour spout  430  is now attached to the smaller touch-up container  440  via its opening  441  to provide a seal path for transferring the paint without unwanted spilling. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a frontal view of the smaller touch-up container  440  before the attachment of a touch-up applicator  445 . The touch-up applicator  445  comprises a base  444  that is configured to seal the opening  441  of the touch-up container and an applicator pad  446 . The applicator base  444  can be made of a hard plastic material that is configured to seal the opening  441  via a screw-in or snap in mechanism, depending on the type of opening. Motion arrow  403  indicates the placement of the applicator  445  onto touch-up container opening  441 . The applicator pad  446  can be comprised of a hard circular ring attached to a dense yet porous foam or sponge that allows the passage of small amounts of paint at a slow, controlled rate. The applicator pad  446  may be a disposable component (as described below in connection with  FIG. 6 ) or a durable component. In the disposable embodiment, the applicator pad  446  is affixed to the base  444  via an adhesive. Once the disposable applicator pad  446  is also comprises a disposable adhesive pad  446  used up, it can be peeled off from the base  444  and replaced. Once the applicator  445  is attached, the touch-up container is now prepared for touch-up painting applications. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a frontal view of a touch-up container  540  sealed by applicator pad  545 . The touch-up container is now prepared to dispense paint at the discretion of the user.  FIG. 5B  illustrates the utilization of the touch-up container  540  for a touch-up application. The touch-up container  540  is sufficiently squeezed by the user in order to dispense the paint  527  onto the wall  575  via the applicator pad  545 . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a close-up view of the removal of the disposable applicator pad  646  from the touch-up applicator  645 . The used adhesive pad  646  is peeled off of the applicator pad  645  and is to be disposed of as necessary. An alternate embodiment of the invention features a durable applicator pad that can be cleaned and reused.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate the placement of a screw-on cap  649  to seal the touch-up container  640  for storage.  FIG. 6B  shows this placement as it occurs via motion arrow  604 , whereby the screw-on cap  649  is twisted onto the touch-up container&#39;s opening  641 .  FIG. 6C  shows a completely sealed touch-up container  640 , which prevents loss of paint from the container and also prevents the contamination or degradation of the paint by the air and outside particulates. As such, the touch-up container  640  can be storage until the next usage. 
       FIGS. 7A-C  illustrate different views of the paint funnel  720 .  FIG. 7A  depicts the funnel in perspective view, highlighting the two opposing curved sides, i.e. convex side  723  and concave side  724 . This shape minimizes paint spillage during paint transfer from a store-bought can because convex side  723  matches the contour of the paint can and allows the paint can to get closer to and mate with the paint funnel. On the opposing side of the paint funnel, convex side  724  curves away from the funnel chamber  722  and convex side  723  that curves into the funnel chamber  722 . This shape minimizes the spilling of paint during transfer by creating a funnel chamber  722  that is suited to the pouring of paint from a paint can. The top edge convex side  723 , curves or arcs downward to form a recess as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
       FIG. 7B  depicts the funnel from the back, with the curved recess  723  facing toward the viewer. This further facilitates the fit between the paint can and the paint funnel. The recess provides both a space for resting and pivoting for the paint can during pouring, which further increases the ease of paint transfer and minimizes spillage. As the paint collects in funnel chamber  722 , it flows through the stem  721  and into the storage container.  FIG. 7C  depicts the funnel in a profile view, such that the transition area  725 , between the stem  121  and the wall of the funnel chamber  722 , is shown. The transition area  725  provides a balance between greater paint capacity and faster flow as compared to a highly angled surface (such as with concave side  724 ) or a side having a ninety-degree angle. This action helps to relieve the stem  121  from a continuously large stream of paint during transfer, thereby preventing a bottleneck in flow while maintaining a high throughput. 
       FIG. 8  depicts all of the components of the present invention, including the paint storage container  810 , pour spout  830 , touch-up container with applicator  840  and paint funnel  820 . 
     While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. For example, the relative dimensions of the device may be altered while keeping within the spirit and teachings of the invention. It is therefore desired to be secured, in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.