Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transporting fluid. The apparatus includes a hollow body having a neck defining a first aperture extending into the body. A spout insert is configured to fit inside the neck. A handle is coupled to the container. A cover is configured to close the aperture. In another embodiment the handle and cover are integrally formed as a single piece. Another embodiment provides the handle, the cover and the spout are integrally formed as a single piece. In another embodiment, the cover includes an auxiliary lid to cover a second aperture extending into the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a An application claiming the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) U.S. Application 60/490,398, filed Jul. 25, 2003, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following U.S. patent applications are cited by reference: 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 is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD 
   The present inventions relate generally to the field of paint containers. More specifically, the present inventions relate to a container for the distribution, sale and use of paint. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is known to provide a paint container. However, such known paint containers do not realize certain advantageous features and/or combinations of features. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present inventions relate to a system for containing paint. The system comprises a body between a cover and a base. The system also comprises a handle configured for attachment to the body and selectively configurable between a first position and a second position. 
   There is provided a paint container comprising a body including a bottom, at least one sidewall, a top having an opening extending therethrough to an interior of the body defined by the top, bottom and sidewall. A spout is movable from the retracted position wherein at least a portion of the spout is within the interior of the body to an extended position wherein at least an upper edge of the spout is outside the interior of the body. In another embodiment, the spout pivots about the hinge to move between the retracted and extended position. 
   There is also provided an apparatus for transporting fluid. The apparatus includes a hollow body having a neck defining a first aperture extending into the body. A spout insert is configured to fit inside the neck. A handle is coupled to the container. A cover is configured to close the aperture. In another embodiment the handle and cover are integrally formed as a single piece. Another embodiment provides the handle, the cover and the spout are integrally formed as a single piece. In another embodiment, the cover includes an auxiliary lid to cover a second aperture extending into the body. 
   There is also provided the kit for transporting fluid. The kit comprises a container configured as a hollow body and having a neck defining an aperture extending into the body. A means for directing the fluid is inserted into the aperture. A means for holding is coupled to the container and a means for closing the aperture. 
   There is further provided a method for facilitating paint use. The paint is contained in the hollow body with the body having a neck defining an aperture and a spout insert positioned in the aperture. The method comprises the steps of providing a cover configured to close the aperture and coupled to the neck. Converting the cover to expose a paint receiving area defined by the cover. Pouring paint from the body into the paint receiving area. Another embodiment includes the steps of removing paint from the paint receiving area and using the cover to close the aperture. Another embodiment comprises the cover with a snap fastener configured to engage the neck and close the aperture. 
   It is important to note that the term “paint” as used in this disclosure is intended to be a broad term and not a term of limitation. The term “paint” as used in this disclosure may include, without limitation any decorative or functional surface treatment, liquid dispersion, finish, surface finish, varnish, pigment, colorant, other coating, etc. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the liquid paint is an acrylic latex coating such as the KILZ CASUAL COLORS exterior flat acrylic latex coating commercially available from Masterchem Industries, Inc. of Imperial, Mo. 
   It is also important to note that the terms “upright,” “prone,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “top,” “middle,” “bottom,” etc., as used in this disclosure with reference to the embodiments shown in the FIGURES are intended to be broad terms and not terms of limitation. It will be understood, however, that the paint container shown in the FIGURES may be positioned in any of a variety of orientations and the orientations illustrated in the FIGURES is not intended to be limiting. 
   It is also important to note that the terms “up,” “down,” “forward,” “aft,” etc. as used in this disclosure with reference to the embodiments shown in the FIGURES are intended to be broad terms and not terms of limitation. It will be understood, however, that the paint container and the handle shown in the FIGURES may be positioned in any of a variety of orientations and the orientations illustrated in the FIGURES are not intended to be limiting. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a system for containing paint according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a system for containing paint according to another exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 2  showing a handle in a storage position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a cap or lid of the paint container according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the lid of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the lid of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a top view of an alternative spout embodiment. 
       FIG. 7B  is cross-sectional view of the spout of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of an alternative spout embodiment. 
       FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the spout of  FIG. 8  in a disengaged position. 
       FIG. 8C  is a cross sectional view of the spout of  FIG. 8  in engaged position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system for containing paint (shown as a paint container  10 ) is shown according to a preferred embodiment. Container  10  includes a body  12  formed by a vertical side wall  14  extending between a horizontal cover  16  and a horizontal base  18 . A bail or handle  20  is attached to side wall  14  of body  12  by a locking system or mechanism  22 . Handle  20  is selectively configurable between a horizontal “down” or closed storage position  24  (see  FIG. 3 ) and a vertical “up” or open use position  26  (see  FIG. 2 ). A cap or lid  28  is shown in  FIG. 1  threadably attached to a neck  30  (see also  FIG. 3 ). A removable pour spout  32  is shown in  FIG. 1  as being insertable into neck  30  for removing paint from container  10  according to a preferred embodiment. 
   Referring further to  FIG. 1 , spout insert  32  includes an outer lip  36 . Insert  32  is secured to the body  12  by either an adhesive, friction fit, snap fit, welding, or any other method known in the art. Insert includes a spout  38 . In one embodiment spout  38  extends upward above the outer lip  36 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , paint container  10  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. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the container is configured to hold a volume of about one gallon of paint, 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 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. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , body  12  includes a recessed region  40 . Recessed region  40  may receive a label for indicia and/or information 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. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , cap  28  further includes finger recesses  42  to facilitate closing and opening of cap  28  as well as holding cap  28 . A top surface  34  of cap  28  includes a substantially planar surface portion to enable top surface  34  to rest on a support surface so that cap  28  in an inverted position may serve as a paint dish having a cavity or paint area  50  (see  FIGS. 4 through 6 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , cap  28  includes an inner wall or partition  44  vertically projecting from planar surface  34  from the interior of cap  28 . A gap  46  between partition  44  and an exterior rim  48  of cap  28  provides a cavity to receive the threads of neck  30  of body  12 . Female thread in rim  48  is configured to cooperate with the male threads of neck  30  to secure cap  28  to body  14 . When cap  28  is inverted and used as a paint dish or tray, partition  44  inhibits paint from access to the female threads of rim  48 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment, the container 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. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cap 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. The paint in the container can then be mixed utilizing a standard mixing apparatus where the top and bottom of the container are 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 geometries 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. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7B  a paint container  52  having a spout  54  selectively reconfigurable between a retracted storage or non-use position and an extended use position is shown according to an alternative embodiment. A spout  54  that is “flipped” or opened to the extended position is shown in  FIG. 7E . The spout  54  may be molded to the neck  56  or be provided as a separate insert according to alternative embodiments. The spout  54  is in a “down” position when the container rests on a base of the body. As the container is “tipped” to pour the paint out of the spout, the spout “flips” to the “up” position (e.g. by gravity and or by the force of the paint). The paint flows down the spout and over the neck (and threads of the neck). To return the spout  54  to the down position, the container is replaced to its original (upright) position and the spout automatically returns to the down position. According to an alternative embodiment, the spout may be manually replaced to the down position (e.g. by placement of the cap on the neck of the container). 
   Spout  54  includes a first side  58  that faces upward when the spout  54  is in a retracted or closed position. A second side  60  is opposite first side  58  and acts as the surface that paint flows over when paint is being poured from the body  62  of container  52 . Spout  54  includes a pair of side walls  64  that extends outward from second side  60  in a direction away from first side  58 . Side walls  64  act to retain and direct the flow of paint as being paint is being poured over spout  54 . The side walls  64  act to prevent or minimize paint from overflowing the sides of the spout as it is being poured from the container. The side walls  64  extend a sufficient height to prohibit paint from overflowing and soiling the threads  66  of the container as well as the container itself. 
   Spout  54  further includes a center region  68  having a concave shape as viewed from second side  60  and a convex shape as viewed from first side  58 . The concave shape of the center region  68  of spout  54  further aids in directing the flow of paint. In one embodiment, spout  54  includes an outer rim that operatively engages the upper edge of neck  56  of container  52 . A first sloping region  72  extends downward and away from rim  70 . Side walls  64  and center region  68  form the region or flapper  74  that guides the paint as it is being poured from the container. Flapper  74  is pivotally attached to sloping region  72  with a living hinge  76 . A tab  78  may be used to securely lock region  74  to insert rim  70 . Sloping region  72  also provides the benefit of a drain back guide in which any paint that drips into sloping region  72  is guided back into the container. In one embodiment, rim  70  includes a detent that engages tab  78  in the open position. Additionally, rim  70  may include a detent on a lower portion  80  of rim  70  that would engage the tab  78  when the spout is in the recessed or closed position. In an exemplary embodiment two tabs  78  are employed, however one or more tabs may be used. 
   In the recessed or closed position first surface  58  of spout  54  is located below the upper edge of neck  56  of the container. This permits a standard paint cover to be used without the need to accommodate the spout portion that would otherwise extend above the top edge of the neck. The spout  54  may extend beyond the outer edge of the neck. This helps to minimize dripping of paint on to the threads of the neck. Further, the front edge of the spout may extend beyond the outer periphery of the container thereby minimizing dripping of paint on to the outside of the container. 
   Flapper  74  an outer periphery  79  that is proximate but spaced from rim  70  defining a gap. Spout  54  may include a thin molded membrane covering that would cover the gap between the outer periphery  79  and rim  70  that would break open by lifting the flapper  74  about the living hinge. As a result of gravity and the force of paint being poured out of the container, flapper  74  will automatically move from the retracted to the extended position as it is being poured. Additionally, given the bias of the living hinge  76  and the viscosity of paint flapper  74  will automatically be returned to a retracted position when the container is tilted upright. The convex shape of the center region  68  of flapper  74  guides any paint that may enter into that region into the container through the gap between the outer periphery  81  of the flapper and the rim  70 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C  a spout  82  slides at an angle relative to an insert  84  that is secured to the neck of a paint container body. Spout  82  slides from a retracted position in which an upper edge  86  of spout does not extend beyond the outer periphery  88  of insert  84 . In one embodiment, upper edge  86  is also below the upper surface  90  of insert  84  when the spout  82  is in the retracted position. A cover or lid  92  may be secured to the container and or insert such that the spout  82  does not interfere with lid  92 . Spout  82  includes a groove or channel  94  that receives a rib or guide  96  that is secured to insert  84 . Spout  84  is movable from a retracted position to an extended position, by sliding spout  84  along rib or guide  96 . Spout  84  includes a lower engagement extension  98  that abuts a lower edge  100  of insert  84  to prohibit spout  84  from sliding out of the container all together. Further contact of extension  98  with the lower edge  100  of insert  84  provides a counter effect to the moment that may result as paint is poured over the spout. 
   It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the paint containers as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions 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 this disclosure. It should also be understood that the various elements described herein can be combined in combinations other than as illustrated, for example, the hinged spout can include the bead for indexing, more than one handle can be coupled to the body, and the covers can be configured as child-resistant. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions as set forth in the appended present application. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. 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 inventions as expressed in the present application. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto an their equivalents.