Patent Publication Number: US-6702144-B1

Title: Can apron

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to aprons for cans and more specifically to aprons which protect the rims of cans and provide a resting place for brushes or stirrers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Paints, stains, varnishes and similar liquids are available in cans of various sizes. Common to many of these cans is a rim with a downwardly indented sealing groove that provides for an air-tight seal when mated with a can cover with a corresponding flange. A tight seal between the can rim and the can cover is desirable. When, for example, painting is performed from a paint can which includes the indented sealing groove, the painter typically wipes excess paint from the paint brush on the inside of the paint can rim and excess paint, in this example, is deposited within the indented sealing rim. Paint buildup in the indented sealing groove can prevent the desired seal and may result in splattering paint, in this example, when the can is covered. 
     Brushes of various sizes and shapes are also commonly used in the application of the liquid contained in the can. Brushes are usually designed to retain the liquid for application to a surface after being submerged in liquid. While the retention of the liquid is a desirable property for the intended use of the brushes, it makes temporary storage of the brush while not in use difficult until the brush has been cleaned of captured liquid. Temporary brush storage is needed for the user so that breaks in the application of the liquid are available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A can apron comprising an indented groove cover including an outer flange and a inner flange connected by a lateral surface, the indented groove cover constructed of flexible material providing for the snap-on fitting of the can apron, a magnet, a magnet cover piece, and a means for attaching the magnet cover piece to the indented groove cover. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a can apron according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a can apron in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a can apron and brush holder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a can apron in use on a can; 
     FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of a can apron; and 
     FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a can apron with a spout. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a can apron according to one embodiment of the present invention. Can apron  101  may comprise an indented groove cover  102  and a magnet  103  covered by a magnet cover piece  104 . Indented groove cover  102  may be of sufficient width to cover a can rim with a downwardly indented sealing groove. Downwardly indented sealing grooves may provide an tight seal between a can rim and a can cover when a can cover has a flange that is insertable into the sealing groove. In some embodiments, indented groove cover  102  may be circular, but other shapes such as square, rectangular, or oval are also included within the present invention. A detachment tab  105  may also be included. In some embodiments, detachment tab  105  may protrude horizontally from indented groove cover  102 . Detachment tab  105  may be of sufficient size and thickness to permit easy detachment of the indented groove cover  102  from a can when the detachment tab  105  is operated vertically. FIG. 1 depicts a rounded detachment tab  105 , but other shapes may be used in other embodiments. A can apron  101  may be constructed of flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, permitting a snap-on fit to a can. Other embodiments may use metal or metallic materials for construction of can apron  101 . 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a can apron  101  in accordance with the present invention. Can apron  101  may comprise an outer flange  201  that may be positioned just exterior to a can when the can apron  101  is being used. Outer flange  201  may be attached to a lateral surface  202  that may also serve to cover the rim of a can when the can apron  101  is being used. Lateral surface  202  may connect to an inner flange  203  that may be positioned inward from the inner surface of the can. Outer flange  201  and inner flange  203  may be spaced such that they fit snugly against the exterior and interior sides of the can, respectively, providing for a snap-on fit of the can apron  101  to the can. In some embodiments of the present invention, outer flange  201  and inner flange  203  may be located between vertical surfaces formed by an indented groove in a can rim. In some embodiments of the present invention, can apron  101  may be circular, but other shapes are also contemplated, such as square, rectangular, or oval. The invention may also include a vertical spacer  204  located normal to the lateral surface  202  of can apron  101 . Vertical spacer  204  may be attached to a magnet cover piece  205  that extends outwardly from vertical spacer  204 . Magnet  206  may be inserted in the space created by the parallel magnet cover piece  205  and lateral surface  202 . The space created by vertical spacer  204  may provide clearance for attaching the magnet cover piece  205  so that a magnet  206  may be held snugly in place between the magnet cover piece  205  and the lateral surface  202 . In some embodiments, detachment tab  207  may be attached laterally to outer flange  202 . The detachment tab  207  may be located at any position around outer flange  202  and in any position in relation to magnet  206 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a can apron and brush holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Can apron  101  may comprise an outer flange  201  and inner flange  203  connected by lateral surface  202  that may cover an indented groove rim when the can apron  101  is in use. Can apron  101  may include magnet  206  held between lateral surface  202  and magnet cover piece  205 . 
     FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a can apron in use on a can. Can apron  101  may be placed on a can  401 . Can  401  may be any of a number of various sizes, including, but not limited to half-pint, pint, liter, gallon, and five gallon sizes, and can apron  101  may be sized appropriately to fit can  401  sizes. In use, the application of pressure to the top of the can apron  101  may cause can apron  101  to snap onto the top of can  401 , but other methods of fastening may be used, such as adhesive or latching mechanisms. Can  401  may have a variety of rim features, such as downwardly indented grooves or ridges that tend to retain liquid materials. Other embodiments may have rim features that vary in liquid retention characteristics. 
     FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of a can apron. Can apron  501  may comprise indented groove cover  502  to which is affixed an inwardly protruding lateral surface  503 . This inwardly protruding lateral surface  503  may vary in size and shape, and may be used to remove excess liquid from a brush in some embodiments. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a can apron with a spout. Can apron  601  may comprise a magnet cover piece  602  and a spout  603 . Spout  603  may be angled upward from the plane of the can apron  601 , and may be curved to direct the flow of liquid in a specific direction. Spout  603  is of an open, curved design in this embodiment, but other embodiments may utilize other spout designs such as closed spouts, rectangular or square spouts, or other shapes that direct the flow of liquid in a specific direction. Detachment tab  604  is located behind spout  603  in this embodiment, but may be in other locations on can apron  601  in other embodiments.