Abstract:
A system for containing paint is disclosed. 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. The system also comprises a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a protrusion configured for insertion into a recess of the body. The locking mechanism also comprises a tab of the handle configured for selective insertion into a track of the body. The locking mechanism is configured to inhibit movement of the handle in at least two planes when the handle is in the first position. A method of using a container for paint is also disclosed. A system for containing paint comprising means for locking the handle to the body is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/485,674 filed Jul. 9, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   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 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of a paint container and more particularly to a system for containing paint having a locking mechanism for inhibiting movement of a handle in at least two planes. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is generally known to provide a container for paint. Such known containers are typically a cylindrical one gallon metal container. The metal container includes a round base and a cylindrical side wall attached to and extending from the base. 
   The handle of such known containers is a thin curved wire member comprised of a 0.105 gauge material. However, such handle digs into a user&#39;s hand under the weight of the paint and the container, and makes such known metal containers difficult to carry. Further, the curved wire handle requires handle pivot or “ear” supports to be added to the outer surface of the cylindrical can, which add assembly and material costs to the container. In addition, the handle may be inadvertently removed from the pivot supports. Furthermore, the pivot supports affect how such known containers must be packed for shipping and for display. Since the pivot supports extend outward from such known containers, additional space between containers (or placement such that the pivot supports are in the “dead” space zone between the containers) is required. 
   It would be desirable to provide a paint container that is easy to hold using a handle. It would further be desirable to provide a paint container having a handle that is easy to install. It would further be desirable to provide a paint container having a handle that is securely locked to the container in the use and the storage positions. It would also be desirable to provide a container well-suited for packaging and shipping. It would still further be desirable to provide a paint container having one or more of these or other advantageous features. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates 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. The system also comprises a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a protrusion configured for insertion into a recess of the body. The locking mechanism also comprises a tab of the handle configured for selective insertion into a track of the body. The locking mechanism is configured to inhibit movement of the handle in at least two planes when the handle is in the first position. 
   The present invention also relates to a method of using a container for paint. The container comprises a body having a side wall between a cover and a base. The container also comprises a handle configured for attachment to the side wall. The container also comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion of the handle each configured for insertion into at least one recess of the side wall. The container also comprises a tab of the handle configured for selective insertion into a track of the body. The method comprises positioning the handle in an installation position. The method also comprises biasing the first protrusion away from the second protrusion. The method also comprises inserting the first protrusion in the recess of the side wall to inhibit movement of the handle between a forward position and a rearward position relative to the base. 
   The present invention also relates to a system for containing paint. The system comprises a body. The system also comprises a handle configured for attachment to the body and selectively configurable between a first position and a second position. The system also comprises means for locking the handle to the body. The means for locking is configured to inhibit movement of the handle in at least two planes when the handle is in the first position. 
   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. 
   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 is 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 a preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 1  showing a handle in a storage position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 1  showing the handle in a use position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 1  showing the handle in the use position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 1  according to a preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary sectional view of a locking mechanism of the system for containing paint of  FIG. 1  showing the handle in the use position according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   

   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  28  and a horizontal base  16 . A bail or handle  18  is attached to side wall  14  of body  12  by a locking system or mechanism  30 . Handle  18  is selectively configurable between a horizontal “down” or closed storage position  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) and a vertical “up” or open use position  22  (see  FIG. 3 ). A cap or lid  24  is shown in  FIG. 2  threadably attached to a neck  26  having a pour spout  56  (see  FIG. 1 ) which may be selectively inserted into neck  26  for removing paint from container  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , locking mechanism  30  includes a first butt or male portion  32   a  and a second male portion  32   b , each respectively terminating from an end of handle  18 . Locking mechanism  30  also includes a first female portion  40   a  and a second female portion  40   b , each respectively in side wall  14  of body  12 . Male portions  32   a  and  32   b  each comprise a cylindrical member or first protrusion  34   a  and a second protrusion  34   b . A distance  50  extends between first protrusion  34   a  and second protrusion  34   b  of the respective ends of handle  18  (see  FIG. 1 ). Male portions  32   a  and  32   b  each also comprise a wedge-shaped “ear” or a first tab  36   a  and a second tab  36   b , each respectively extending from the respective ends of handle  18  (see  FIG. 4 ). Protrusion  34   a  and a corresponding protrusion  34   b  may have a cutout  38  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  according to an alternative embodiment. The protrusion also may have a “+” or cross shape according to another alternative embodiment. 
   Referring further to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , female portions  40   a  and  40   b  of locking mechanism  30  comprise a cylindrical shaped cavity or first recess  42   a  and a second recess  42   b , each respectively in side wall  14 . Recess  42   a  and recess  42   b  each may have a “+” or cross shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion according to an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
   A first horizontal land  44   a  and a second horizontal land  44   b  are each respectively offset from side wall  14  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . A track or first groove  46   a  and a track or second groove  46   b  each respectively extend into horizontal land  44   a  and horizontal land  44   b  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . A first vertical land  48   a  and a second vertical land  48   b  are each respectively offset from side wall  14  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . A first recess  42   a  and a second recess  42   b  each respectively extend into vertical land  48   a  and vertical land  48   b  according to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , horizontal land  44   a  and horizontal land  44   b  are each respectively generally perpendicular to vertical land  48   a  and vertical land  48   b . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , handle  18  in storage position  20  rests against a portion  64  of horizontal land  44   a . The horizontal and vertical lands may be in any part of the body, including the side wall or the cover according to any preferred or alternative embodiment. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , horizontal land  44   b  is contiguous with side wall  14  and vertical land  48   b , and vertical land  48   b  is contiguous with cover  28 . 
   A non-circular cross-section of protrusion  34   a  and protrusion  34   b  each respectively provide an interference fit with recess  42   a  and recess  42   b  (respectively) as handle  18  is pivoted between storage position  20  and use position  22  (see  FIG. 5 ). The interference fit between protrusion  34   a  in recess  42   a  and tab  36   a  in groove  46   a  each respectively assists in maintaining or retaining handle  18  in any position (e.g. an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully opened position). The interference fit acts to both hold the handle at a given position as well as resist movement relative to the body. 
   Handle  18  may be pivoted (e.g. manually by a user) between storage position  20  and use position  22 . In use position  22 , protrusion  34   a  is inserted in recess  42   a , and tab  36   a  is in groove  46   a  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Tab  36   a  travels in groove  46   a  as handle  18  is pivoted between storage position  20  and use position  22 . 
   In use position  22 , the top surface of protrusion  34   a  engages the outer wall of recess  42   a  to support the weight of container  10  (see  FIG. 6 ). Protrusion  34   a  inhibits handle  18  from fore and aft movement along a vector  52  in a plane parallel to base  16 . Tab  36   a  in groove  46   a  inhibits protrusion  34   a  from being removed from recess  42   a  (e.g. due to helical or twisting motion of handle  18  in use position  22  when container  10  is carried by a user)—thus inhibiting handle  18  from being moved in an inward and outward direction in a plane parallel to side wall  14  along a vector  54 . Length  62  of protrusion  34   a  and protrusion  34   b  each respectively in recess  42   a  and recess  42   b  also inhibit handle  18  from being moved in the inward and outward direction in a plane parallel to side wall  14  along vector  54 . 
   According to alternative embodiments, other mechanical fastening structures may also be employed for the locking mechanism. Additionally, a snap in feature that releasably locks the handle in the rest or in the use position may be helpful to ensure the handle does not move. The snap or lock feature may be accomplished by irregular geometry of the handle tabs and land apertures, or any other known means for securing a handle in specific position relative to the container. 
   According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , side wall  14  includes an inward recess  58  providing a display area for indicia (e.g. label). According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , handle  18  is “flush” or even with side wall  14  (i.e. does not extend beyond the outer periphery of body  12 ) which may assist in storage and shipping of container  10 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , a region  66  of body  12  is “label free,” intended in part to inhibit paint from spilling onto the label in the area proximate to spout  56 . 
   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. 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. 
   Referring further to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , to install handle  18  on side wall  14 , handle  18  is placed in storage position  20 . Protrusion  34   a  is inserted into recess  42   a . Protrusion  34   b  is biased away from protrusion  34   a  beyond vertical land  48   b . Protrusion  34   b  is then inserted in recess  42   b . According to a preferred embodiment, protrusion  34   a  may be biased toward protrusion  34   b  when handle  18  is in storage position  20  (e.g. due to an elastic or resilient property of the material or shape of the handle). Tab  36   b  is outside of groove  46   b  (and tab  36   a  is outside of groove  46   a ) when handle  18  is in storage position  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
   To remove handle  18  from side wall  14 , handle  18  is moved to storage position  20 . Protrusion  34   a  is biased away from protrusion  34   b  (e.g. manually by a user). A length  62  of protrusion  34   a  is removed from recess  42   a . Protrusion  34   a  is offset from recess  42   a  (e.g. by twisting or pivoting handle  18 ). Protrusion  34   b  is then removed from recess  42   b.    
   It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the 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. 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.