Patent Publication Number: US-8967421-B2

Title: Container securing base and tray

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/560,754 filed Nov. 16, 2011 and 61/620,602 filed Apr. 5, 2012, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a tray for use with containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to trays and totes for holding tools and a container. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Paints, primers, stains, solvents, water-proofing compounds, sealers, and the like, are generally sold in containers ranging in size from a pint to ten or more gallons. The containers holding these liquids generally have an opening at the top, from which the contents (such as paint) may be removed. For example, in order to utilize paint within a paint container, paint may be poured from a container into a paint tray or a worker may dip a brush or roller into the paint within the container. 
     Accessing and applying any of these liquids can create unintended messes, for example, dripping caused by dripping from the brush (or roller), splatters when removing the liquid from the container, and the liquid running down the sides of the container. In order to avoid these unintended messes, a drop cloth may be placed under the container and in the area where the liquid is being applied. However, whenever the worker needs to change locations, for example to apply paint on a different wall or in a different room, the container is moved separate of the drop cloth. Thus a worker must move the container, risking accidental messes, and then move (and re-position) the drop cloth at the new location. This process is not only cumbersome and inefficient, but also poses additional opportunities for creating unintended messes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a tray or tote for a liquid container having a container securing portion and a tray or tote portion. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the container securing portion has an outer and inner securing portion which define a groove and which function together to secure a container, such as a paint container, to the container securing portion. The tray or tote portion is disposed around, and extends outwardly from, the container securing portion. Additionally, the tray or tote portion includes a raised outer edge. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tray or tote also includes a container release component which is disposed adjacent to the outer securing portion of the container securing portion and aides in releasing a container secured within the container securing portion. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tray or tote portion may include a plurality of compartments defined by one or more tray compartment separators. Additionally, the tray floor of the tray or tote portion may be sloped, such that it slopes downward towards the outer edge. In some embodiments, the outer edge of the tray or tote portion may also include or define a grip region. Additionally, a handle may be provided. 
     According to further embodiments, the tray or tote may include one or more securing brackets which act to exert an inward force on outer can securing portion. The securing bracket may be spring loaded and may rotate about a pivot pin when a downward force is exerted on an outward portion of the securing bracket by a container release component. 
     According to still further embodiments, the tray or tote may include one or more compartments for storing tools. In yet still further embodiments, the tray may include a plurality of means to secure containers having different sized bases. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a base for a container is provided. The base comprises a container securing portion having an outer securing portion and an inner securing portion, the outer and inner securing portions defining a groove, the container securing portion coupling a container to the container securing portion; a surrounding portion extending outwardly from the container securing portion, the surrounding portion disposed around the container securing portion; and a container release component disposed adjacent the outer securing portion of the container securing portion. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a base for a container is provided. The base comprises means for securing a container to the base; a surrounding portion extending outwardly from the securing means, the surrounding portion disposed around the securing means; and means for releasing the container from the base positioned adjacent the securing means. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a base for a container is provided. The base comprises a container receiving portion having a first cylindrical sleeve configured to secure a first container having a first diameter and a second cylindrical sleeve positioned concentrically with the first cylindrical sleeve, the second cylindrical sleeve configured to secure a second container having a second diameter different than the first diameter. and a surrounding portion extending outwardly from the container securing portion, the surrounding portion disposed around the container securing portion. 
     In even further embodiments, container securing portion and tray portion may comprise separate, connectable, portions of tray. In some such embodiments, tray portion may define one or more connection apertures, within tray floor, which allows tray connecting extensions to pass therethough. According to such embodiments, tray portion also defines a container securing portion aperture, within tray floor, which allows a container to pass therethrough. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is another cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary container securing portion of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is another cross-sectional view of an exemplary container securing portion of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3C  is yet another cross-sectional view of an exemplary container securing portion of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3D  is even yet another cross-sectional view of an exemplary container securing portion of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure shown with a lower portion and rim of a container secured therein; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary container securing portion of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure having a separate container securing portion which is connectable to a tray portion; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a tray portion of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tray according to the instant disclosure having a separate tray portion which is connectable to a container securing portion; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tote according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a container base and tote according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a container base and tote according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a container base, tote, and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a container base, tote, and tray according to the instant disclosure; 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of container base and tray  100  is depicted. Although depicted as comprising a square, it should be understood that container base and tray  100  may comprise any shape, including but not limited to a rectangle, an oval, a circle, and any other polygonal shape. Additionally, although discussed herein generally as being used with a liquid or paint container, it should be understood that the embodiments of container base and tray  100  disclosed herein may also be used with a container having contents of any physical state including solids (such as concrete mix), plasma, and various other liquids. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , container base and tray  100  includes container securing portion  102  and a surrounding portion, such as tray portion  104  as shown in  FIG. 1  or tote portion  304  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Container base and tray  100  also has bottom  106  which, according to some embodiments, may be textured, providing an increased coefficient of friction between bottom  106  and the surface contacting bottom  106  (as compared to the coefficient of friction between a surface contacting bottom  106  with no texture). When in use, the increased coefficient of friction aides in preventing movement of container base and tray  100  along the surface contacting bottom  106 . 
     Tray portion  104  of container base and tray  100  may be comprised of plastic, fabric, or metal, or an alloy thereof, or may be comprised of a combination of any of plastic, fabric, or metal. Tray portion  104  includes tray floor  124  and edge  120 . According to some embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, edge  120  may be raised, for example, by as little as ¼ inch or by as much as 3 or more inches, or any amount therebetween. Additionally, in some embodiments of container base and tray  100 , edge  120  may include grip region  128 . Grip region  128  may comprise a handle area defined by edge  128 , for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Other embodiments of grip region  128  may comprise a handle-like structure being affixed to, or coupled to, edge  120 . In embodiments of container base and tray  100  which do not include a raised edge  120 , grip region  128  may be attached to, or defined by, tray floor  124  of tray portion  104  (such embodiments are not depicted herein). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , tray floor  124  of tray portion  104  may be sloped ( FIG. 2A ) or may be substantially flat ( FIG. 2B ). For example, as depicted in  FIG. 2A , tray floor  124  may be sloped such that tray floor  124  is raised adjacent to container securing portion  102  (as compared to edge  120  of tray portion  104 ). In other embodiments of the present disclosure, for example as shown in  FIG. 2B , tray floor  124  may be substantially flat. Further, tray floor  124  may also include embodiments having both a sloped region or area, and a region which is substantially flat. 
     It should also be understood that tray floor  124  of tray portion  104  may comprise any thickness, and may consist of regions or areas having varying thicknesses. For example, tray floor  124  may be relatively thin and non-rigid, for example, such as with a plastic trash bag or the like. Such an embodiment, as with a trash bag, will generally not retain its shape when picked up and moved from one work location to another work location. According to other configurations of container base and tray  100 , tray floor  124  may comprise a thickness (and/or rigidity) capable of substantially retaining (or sustaining) the shape of container base and tray  100  when picked up and moved from one work location to another. 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 2A and 2B , similar to bottom  106 , tray floor  124  may also include a textured surface. For example, tray floor  124  may include a texture providing an increased coefficient of friction between tray floor  124  and one or more work tools, such as a paint brush or stir stick, placed in contact with tray floor  124 . The increased coefficient of friction aides in preventing a work tool, which is placed in contact with tray floor  124 , from sliding. For example, a worker may place a portion of a stir stick (e.g., an end previously dipped into paint) in contact with tray floor  124 , and place the other end (e.g., the end used as the handle) along a raised edge  120  of tray portion  104 . Tray floor  124  having texture aides in preventing the stir stick from sliding along tray floor  124 , thereby decreasing the risk of the handle of the stir stick falling onto tray floor  124  and potentially causing the handle to get paint on it. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2B , exemplary embodiments of container base and tray  100  are depicted in which tray portion  104  includes one or more moulds  140 ,  140 ′. As with other components of tray portion  104 , moulds  140 ,  140 ′ may be comprised of plastic, metal, or alloys thereof and/or mixtures thereof. With reference to the exemplary embodiment of mould  140 , a raised structure is shown capable of holding one or more work tools, such as paint brushes, rollers, paint sticks, paper towel rolls, or the like. The exemplary embodiment of mould  140 ′ shown in  FIG. 2B  defines a structure capable of securing a paint tray, for example, in place on tray floor  124 . For example, mould  140 ′ may define a disposable paint roller insert holder, capable of having a disposable paint roller inserted thereon and holding the insert in place when paint is applied to a roller. Further, mould  140 ′ may comprise brackets which hold a base (for a paint roller insert) in place when paint is applied to a roller. It should be understood that moulds  140 ,  140 ′ may take any of a number of forms and shapes. Also, according to the instant disclosure, moulds  140  may be defined by container base and tray  100  or attached to container base and tray  100 , for example, at tray floor  124 . 
     Returning briefly to  FIG. 1 , tray portion  104  may also comprise one or more compartment  122  (denoted as  122 A,  122 B,  122 C, and  122 D in  FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , compartments  122  may define distinct areas of tray floor  124 . Each individual compartment  122  may be separated from the other compartments  122  by one or more compartment separators  126  (denoted as  126 A,  126 B,  126 C, and  126 D in  FIG. 1 ), which may be a raised portion of tray floor  124  or may comprise a separate structure. Embodiments of container base and tray  100  are also possible in which each individual compartment  122  of tray portion  104  may comprise differing characteristics. For example, compartments  122  may include varying slopes, thickness, and texture of tray floor  124 . 
     As explained above, container base and tray  100  includes container securing portion  102 . Although illustrated as a substantially round shape, it should be understood that container securing portion  102  may comprise any shape suitable for securing a liquid container having a square, rectangular, round, oval, or polygonal shape, thereto. As with tray portion  104 , container securing portion  102  may be comprised of plastic, metal, or an alloy thereof, or a combination of plastic and metal. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , container securing portion  102  includes inner container securing portion  110 , outer container securing portion  112 , and groove  114 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , inner container securing portion  110  may comprise any of a number of shapes. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , inner container securing portion  110  (when not in use) may have a rounded top surface  111  (that extends above the upper most portion of outer container securing portion  112 ). Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the upper region  109  of inner container securing portion  110  may be wider than the lower region  107  of inner container securing portion  110 . In use, upper region  109  of the configuration of inner container securing portion  110  shown in  FIG. 3A  applies force F 5  ( FIG. 3D ) along the bottom and rim of a liquid container. Other embodiments of container base and tray  100 , such as shown in  FIG. 3B , may include top surface  111  of inner container securing portion  110  being substantially the same height as outer container securing portion  112  and the width of upper and lower regions  109 ,  107 , of inner container securing portion  110  being substantially the same in width throughout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , outer container securing portion  112  may also take various forms. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , upper region  113  of outer container securing portion  112  may be closer to inner container securing portion  110  than lower region  115  (width at upper region  113  may also be greater than lower region  115 ). Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3C , configurations of outer container securing portion  112  in which upper region  113  and lower region  115  are substantially the same distance away from the inner container securing portion  110  are also possible. 
     Further, as shown specifically in  FIG. 3B , outer container securing portion  112  may include securing component  150 . Securing component  150  may include a band or ring-like structure which acts to enhance the securing of securing portion  102  to the container. According to configurations of container base and tray  100 , securing component  150  may be comprised of one or more of rubber, metal, fabric, or an alloy of any or some of these materials. Further, securing component  150  may comprise a portion of, or be disposed within, outer container securing portion  112 . For example, according to embodiments of container base and tray  100 , similar to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3B , securing component  150  may be disposed within outer container securing portion  112 . In use, securing component  150  functions to pull outer container securing portion  112  closer to inner container securing portion  110 . Thus, when a container is placed within container securing portion  102 , securing component  150  aides in firmly securing outer container securing portion  112  to the side wall and/or rim of the container. 
     Other configurations of container base and tray  100 , such as depicted in  FIG. 4 , may also include a securing bracket  200 . According to such embodiments, inward portion  202  of securing bracket  200  may comprise part of (or be disposed within) outer container securing portion  112  of container securing portion  102 . 
     In use, inward portion  202  of securing bracket  200  applies inward force F 2  to outer container securing portion  112 , causing outer container securing portion  112  to be pushed against the side wall and/or rim of a container disposed within container securing portion  102 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , securing bracket  200  may comprise pivot pin  204 , about which securing bracket  200  rotates. Outward portion  206  of securing bracket  200  may be contacted by spring  208  or other resilient member along a portion of bottom surface  207  whereby spring  208  exerts upward force F 3  on bottom surface  207 . Upward force F 3  on outward portion  206  causes securing bracket  200  to rotate about pivot pin  204  such that inward portion  202  applies inward force F 2  to outer container securing portion  112 . 
     Remaining with  FIG. 4 , release  116 ′ (described in more detail below) may be pushed downward, thereby applying downward force F 4  to upper surface  209  of outward portion  206 . If downward force F 4  on outward portion  206  is greater than upward force F 3  on outward portion  206 , spring  208  will be compressed and securing bracket  200  will rotate about pivot pin  204 . Rotation of securing bracket  200  relieves (or at least reduces) inward force F 2  on outer container securing portion  112 , allowing the container to be removed from within container securing portion  102 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3D , an exemplary embodiment of container securing portion  102  having a container secured therein is shown. As shown, the bottom rim R of the container rests on upper surface  214  of groove  114  of container securing portion  102 . As is further shown, the weight of the bottom rim R of the container displaces the upper surface  214  of groove  114  downward in direction D 1 . As should be understood, the amount of displacement of upper surface  214  of groove  114  is dependent on the weight of the container, and the rigidity of the material comprising groove  114  (e.g., the heavier the weight of container and the lower the rigidity of the material comprising groove  114  will, in general, lead to greater displacement of upper surface  214  of groove  114 ). Further, as can be seen in  FIG. 3D , in some configurations of container base and tray  100 , displacement of groove  114  in direction D 1  may create resultant forces F 5  acting on inner container securing portion  110 , and resultant forces F 6  acting on outer container securing portion  112 . Thus, in at least some embodiments of container base and tray  100 , the weight of a container and/or the rigidity of the material comprising groove  114 , can lead to displacement of upper surface  214  of groove  114  and thereby enhance the strength with which container base and tray  100  secures a container thereto. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 2A and 4 , some embodiments of container base and tray  100  may include one or more releases  116 ,  116 ′. As shown in  FIG. 2A , release  116  may comprise a raised portion of tray floor  124 , such as a moulded portion of, or a piece added to, tray floor  124 . In some configurations of container base and tray  100 , such as shown in  FIG. 2A , release  116  is disposed adjacent to outer container securing portion  112  and may be positioned at a portion of tray floor  124  which is raised (for example, if tray floor  124  is sloped). 
     In other configurations of container base and tray  100 , for example as shown in  FIG. 4 , release  116 ′ may include a button which protrudes from tray floor  124 . As illustrated, release  116 ′ may contact upper surface  209  of outward portion  206  of securing bracket  200 . Outward portion  206  of securing bracket  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is acted upon by upward force F 3  from spring  208 . A worker however, may overcome upward force F 3  by pressing (applying a downward force) on release  116 ′, which in turn applies downward force F 4  to upper surface  209  of outward portion  206  of securing bracket  200 . As explained above, when downward force F 4  acting on outward portion  209  is greater than upward force F 3  acting on outward portion  209 , securing bracket  200  rotates about pivot pin  204 . Rotation of securing bracket  200  about pivot pin  204  creates a reduction in force F 2  (generated by securing bracket  200 ) acting on (or within) outer container securing portion  112 . The reduction in force F 2  enables outer container securing portion  112  to more easily displace in direction D 2  during removal of the liquid container. It should be understood that outer container securing portion  112  may either move in direction D 2  with inward portion  202  of securing bracket  200  or as bottom rim R of container is removed from container securing portion  102 . 
     In addition to embodiments of container base and tray  100  having one or more releases  116 , some embodiments of container base and tray  100  may not comprise a release  116 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 3A , container base and tray  100  does not include a release  116 . In such embodiments, outer container securing portion  112  (and/or inner container securing portion  110 ) may be comprised of material having elasticity or otherwise be biased into an initial shape such that when the liquid container is removed, one or both of outer container securing portion  112  and inner container securing portion  110  are displaced away from the side wall and rim of the container, allowing the container to be removed. Additionally, such embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 3A , may include tray floor  124  being raised adjacent to outer container securing portion  112 . In some embodiments, such as depicted in  FIG. 3A , an area of tray floor  124  adjacent to outer container securing portion  112  may be pressed downward, thereby causing outer container securing portion  112  to be displaced in direction D 3 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in some configurations of container base and tray  100 , container securing portion  102  and tray portion  104  may be separate, connectable, components of container base and tray  100 . In such embodiments tray portion  104  may include container aperture  132 . Container aperture  132  is, in general, large enough to allow the container (secured to container securing portion  102 ) to pass through. Container aperture  132  may also be large enough to allow at least a portion of container securing portion  102  to pass therethrough, such as shown in  FIG. 5A . Additionally, tray portion  104  may also include one or more connection apertures  134  which allow one or more connection extensions  130  to pass therethrough, thereby further securing tray portion  104  to container securing portion  102  such that container base and tray  100  can be moved by a worker (as described herein) while container securing portion  102  and tray portion  104  remain connected. 
     In use, a container is secured to container securing portion  102  of container base and tray  100  in any of the manners described above. Container securing portion  102  is secured to the container such that a worker may move the container, for example by way of lifting on the handle of the container (e.g., lifting a gallon of paint by the paint container handle), from a first work location to a second work location (e.g., a first room in a house to a second room in the house). According to the instant disclosure, container base and tray  100  remains securely attached to the lower portion of the container during the worker&#39;s transfer of the container, such that when the container is moved container base and tray  100  also moves. 
     In an exemplary use of container base and tray  100 , a worker may hold a paint container (by holding the handle of the container) having container base and tray  100  secured thereto, while applying paint to a wall, for example. Container base and tray  100  thereby allows the worker to keep the paint container and container base and tray  100  close to the worker during painting, and allows the worker to keep one hand free for painting. Additionally, embodiments of container base and tray  100  including one or more of the various moulds  140  described herein allows a worker to easily switch between tools, such as paint brushes, without requiring the user to put the paint container down. 
     Further, configurations of container base and tray  100  also secure a container (for example, a large container of paint) to container securing portion  102 , such that if a worker moves (e.g., pushes or pulls) container base and tray  100 , for example using gripping region  128 , the container is stabilized (reducing the risk of spilling or tipping the container). As such, a user may utilize container base and tray  100  in either an indoor or outdoor environment, and with a small or large container (such as a ten gallon, or more, drum of paint). A worker may then move a large container of paint, for example, by pulling container base and tray  100  while container base and tray  100  stabilizes the container preventing it from tipping or spilling. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 6-12 , in some embodiments, the container base and tray  100  is a container base and paint tote  300  including tote portion  304 . Tote portion  304  includes one or more compartments  322  to hold tools such as paint brush  318 , paint roller  319 , and the like. With reference to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary embodiment of container base and paint tote  300  is depicted. Although depicted as comprising a rectangle, it should be understood that container base and paint tote  300  may comprise any shape, including but not limited to a square, an oval, a circle, and any other polygonal shape. 
     Container  306  is positioned in container securing portion  302 . In one embodiment, container  306  is a paint can, although other suitable containers  306  having contents of any physical state including solids (such as concrete mix), stains, coatings, and other suitable liquids. Although illustrated as a substantially round shape, it should be understood that container securing portion  302  may comprise any shape suitable for securing a liquid container having a square, rectangular, round, oval, or polygonal shape, thereto. Container securing portion  302  may be comprised of plastic, metal, or an alloy thereof, or a combination of plastic and metal. 
     In one embodiment, container securing portion  302  includes means for securing container  306  to container base and paint tote  300 . Exemplary means for securing container  306  to container base and paint tote  300  include inner container securing portion  110 , outer container securing portion  112 , groove  114 , securing component  150 , and securing bracket  200 , In an exemplary embodiment, the container securing portion  302  has an outer and inner securing portion which define a groove and which function together to secure container  306 , such as a paint container, to the container securing portion  302 . In one embodiment, container  306  is secured in the groove through friction with the outer and inner securing portions. In another embodiment, container base and paint tote  300  includes a container release component which is disposed adjacent to the outer securing portion of the container securing portion  302  and aides in releasing container  306  secured within the container securing portion  302 . In still another embodiment, container base and paint tote  300  may include one or more securing brackets which act to exert an inward force on outer container securing portion. The securing bracket may be spring loaded and may rotate about a pivot pin when a downward force is exerted on an outward portion of the securing bracket by a container release component. Other exemplary means may include a securing component, which may include a band or ring-like structure which acts to enhance the securing of container securing portion  302  to container  306 , or a securing bracket. 
     Securing container  306  to container base and paint tote  300  allows a user to move and position container base and paint tote  300  using only a handle on container  306 . Additionally, securing container  306  to container base and paint tote  300  provides a wider and more stable base for container  306 , making it more difficult to tip over and spill its contents. 
     Tote portion  304  includes tray floor  324  and edge  320 . Edge  320  is similar to edge  120  and may be raised, for example, by as little as ¼ inch or by as much as 3 or more inches, or any amount therebetween. At least one edge  320  may include grip  328 . Separate grips  328  may be found at opposite ends of container base and paint tote  300 . Although depicted as a substantially rectangular opening, grip  328  may comprise any shape, including oval or having curved fingerhold regions. Grip  328  may be a recess or externally secured, affixed, or coupled to at least one edge  320  rather than be an opening in edge  320 . 
     Container base and paint tote  300  also has bottom  307 , similar to bottom  106 , which, according to some embodiments, may be textured, providing an increased coefficient of friction between bottom  307  and the surface contacting bottom  307  (as compared to the coefficient of friction between a surface contacting bottom  307  with no texture). When in use, the increased coefficient of friction aides in preventing movement of container base and paint tote  300  along the surface contacting bottom  307 . 
     Tote portion  304  of container base and paint tote  300  may be comprised of plastic, fabric, or metal, or an alloy thereof, or may be comprised of a combination of any of plastic, fabric, or metal. Other suitable materials, including but not limited to fiberglass, resins, and polymeric materials, may also be used. 
     Tote portion  304  includes one or more compartments  322  separated by a plurality of compartment separators  326 , which may be a raised portion of tray floor  324  or may comprise a separate structure. Embodiments of container base and paint tote  300  are also possible in which each individual compartment  322  of tote portion  304  may comprise differing characteristics. For example, compartments  322  may include varying slopes, thickness, and compartment separators  326  may include different heights and thicknesses. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , tray or tote portion  304  includes six compartments  322 . More or fewer compartments may be formed in tray or tote portion  304 . In  FIG. 6 , four of the compartments are smaller,  322 A, and two are larger,  322 B. In one embodiment, the smaller compartments  322 A are configured to support a paint brush  318  and the larger compartments are configured to support a paint roller  319 . In other embodiments, compartments  322  may configured to support one or more work tools, such as paint brushes, rollers, paint sticks, paper towel rolls, or the like. In still other embodiments, tray portion  104  or tote portion  304  may include a roller tray, such as roller tray  330  in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , another exemplary embodiment of container base and paint tote  300 ′ is depicted. Container base and paint tote  300 ′ is similar to container base and paint tote  300  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Container base and paint tote  300 ′ further includes handle  329 . As illustrated, handle  329  is attached to projections  327 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , projections  327  are formed as part of edge  320 , but projections  327  may also be attached to edge  320  or bottom  306  in other embodiments. Projections  327  are sized to allow container  306  to be positioned in container securing portion  302  under handle  329 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 8 , a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6  is illustrated. Container securing portion  302  of container base and paint tote  300  is surrounded by a plurality of compartment separators  326 . Compartment separators  326  and edge  320  cooperate to form smaller compartments  322 A and larger compartments  322 B. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 9 , a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a container base and tote  360  is illustrated. The embodiment in  FIG. 9  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 . Container base and tote  360  includes a plurality of compartment separators  326  and edge  320  cooperating to form smaller compartments  322 A and larger compartments  322 B. Container securing portion  302  includes a plurality of sized means  362  for securing containers to container base and tote  360 . As illustrated, container base and tote  360  includes three different sized means  362 , labelled  362 A,  362 B, and  362 C, but more or fewer different sized means may be used. 
     Exemplary means  362  include an outer and inner securing portion which define a groove and which function together to secure container  306 , such as a paint container, to the container securing portion  302 . In another embodiment, a container release component is disposed adjacent to the outer securing portion of the container securing portion  302  and aides in releasing container  306  secured by means  362 . In still another embodiment, means  362  may include one or more securing brackets which act to exert an inward force on outer container securing portion. The securing bracket may be spring loaded and may rotate about a pivot pin when a downward force is exerted on an outward portion of the securing bracket by a container release component. Other exemplary means may include a securing component, which may include a band or ring-like structure which acts to enhance the securing of container securing portion  302  to container  306 , or a securing bracket. 
     In one embodiment, first means  362 A is sized to accept a first sized container  306 . Second means  362 B is formed concentrically to first means  362 A and is configured to accept a smaller container base than first means  362 A. Second means  362 B is positioned below first means  362 A to allow a first container  306  to be secured to first means  362 A. Similarly, third means  362 B is formed concentrically to first means  362 A and  362 B and is configured to accept a smaller container base than second means  362 B. Third means  362 C is positioned below first means  362 A and second means  362 B to allow a container to be secured to second means  362 B. 
     In another embodiment, means  362 A,  362 B, and  362 C are cylindrical sleeves. The interior surface of first means  362 A is sized to secure a first sized container  306 . Second means  362 B is sized such that the exterior surface of second means  362 B fits within the interior of first means  362 A and the interior surface of second means  362 B is sized to secure a second sized container  306 , smaller than first sized container. Similarly, third means  362 C is sized such that the exterior surface of third means  362 C fits within the interior of second means  362 B and the interior surface of second means  362 C is sized to secure a third sized container  306 , smaller than the first sized container and second sized container. When a first sized container is to be placed in container securing portion  302 , second means  362 B and third means  362 C are removed. Similarly, when a second sized container is to be placed in container securing portion  302 , third means  362 C is removed. In one embodiment, the cylindrical sleeves are fastened to each other when in place. In another embodiment, the cylindrical sleeves are held in place by friction between the inner and outer surfaces of adjacent cylinders. Other suitable means for securing container  306  to container securing portion  302  may also be used. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, one or more of means  362 A,  3628 , and  362 C includes a container securing portion  110 . In still another exemplary embodiment, one or more of means  362 A,  362 B, and  362 C forms outer container securing portion  112  and are positioned on container base and tray  100 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 10 , another exemplary embodiment of container base, tote and tray  370  is depicted. Container base, tote, and tray  370  is similar to container base and paint tote  300 ′. Container base, tote, and tray  370  includes handle  329 . As illustrated, handle  329  is attached to projections  327 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , projections  327  are formed as part of edge  320 , but projections  327  may also be attached to edge  320  or bottom  306  in other embodiments. Projections  327  are sized to allow container  306  to be positioned in container securing portion  302  under handle  329 . 
     Container base, tote, and tray  370  also include roller tray  330 . In one embodiment, roller tray  330  is configured to accept a paint roller, such as paint roller  319 . The bottom of roller tray  330  may be sloped, such that it slopes towards an edge away from container securing portion  302 . Roller tray  330  may also include a plurality of ridges  332  to assist in removing excess paint from a paint roller  319 . Ridges  332  may be angled, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , or ridges  332  may be straight, V-shaped, or other suitable shapes. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 11 , a top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 10  is illustrated. Container securing portion  302  of container base, tote and tray  370  is surrounded by a plurality of compartment separators  326 . Compartment separators  326  and edge  320  cooperate to form smaller compartments  322 A and larger compartments  322 B. Compartment separators  326  and edge  320  also cooperate to form roller tray  330 . In one embodiment, container securing portion  302  includes means for securing container  306  to container base and paint tote  300 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 12 , a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a container base, tote, and tray  370 ′ is illustrated. The embodiment in  FIG. 12  is similar to that of  FIG. 11 . Container base, tote, and tray  370 ′ includes a plurality of compartment separators  326  and edge  320  cooperating to form smaller compartments  322 A, larger compartments  322 B, and roller tray  330 . Similar to  FIG. 9 , container securing portion  302  includes a plurality of sized means  362  for securing containers to container base, tote, and tray  370 ′. As illustrated, container base, tote, and tray  370 ′ includes three different sized means  362 , labelled  362 A,  3628 , and  362 C, but more or fewer different sized means may be used. Exemplary means  362  are as disclosed above for container base and tote  360  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     In one embodiment, first means  362 A is sized to accept a first sized container  306 . Second means  362 B is formed concentrically to first means  362 A and is configured to accept a smaller container base than first means  362 A. In one exemplary embodiment, second means  362 B is positioned below first means  362 A to allow a container  306  to be secured as disclosed above for  FIG. 9 . In another exemplary embodiment, second means  362 B is a cylindrical sleeve positioned inside first means  362 A to allow a container  306  to be secured as disclosed above for  FIG. 9 . Other suitable means for securing container  306  to container securing portion  302  may also be used. 
     While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.