Patent Publication Number: US-2007108084-A1

Title: Paint storage and touch-up container

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a plastic storage container for architectural paints which has a convenient pop-off top removable for performing touch-up painting. Containers used to store an architectural paint generally have a body with a removable attached lid for closing off the body. The body typically houses a handle or secures a pail-like handle for grasping. The lids generally are secured to the container by threads and prevent paint from leaking, spilling and drying. Some containers have specially designed spouts engineered into the container opening for substantially dripless dispensing. Others, considering the possibility of dried paint gathering on and binding up the threads, have taken special measures to insure easier removal of the lid. These include special handles attached to or molded into the lid giving the user some mechanical advantage to overcome thread binding. Still, some stacking construction measures have been taken to allow these containers to be stacked, one on top of the other.  
      One disadvantage of the conventional plastic paint container is that its design fails to consider how a user actually uses the container. In particular, users often forego using a paint tray in place of simply using the plastic paint container to paint quick touch-up jobs. This poses a problem that vexes users of the conventional plastic paint container. It is not unusual for paint to drip onto the threads or the interface between the lid and the container. Over time, the paint collects and the lid becomes increasingly difficult to remove or attach. Thus, the conventional plastic paint container does not have special provisions to accommodate use for quick touch-up jobs.  
      Another convenience conventional plastic paint containers fail to realize is a stable stacking construction. Conventional containers typically have a receptacle rib and cover recess construction for stacking. Even so, these containers exhibit poor stability when only a few are stacked on top of each other. Densities nearing 13 pounds per gallon for a typical architectural paint, warrant consideration for an alternative stacking construction. Still, conventional plastic paint containers typically do not allow the user to have ready access to information regarding the color-coding or a sampling of the paint contained within the container. Some have used a permanent marker to scribe such information on the side of the container, yet this data may not accurately describe the next batch of paint stored in the container. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative plastic paint container that is specifically designed for storing paint, one that provides a convenient opening, in addition to the conventional lid, to perform quick touch-up paint jobs, a stable stacking construction, a sleeve to store paint data, and, a built-in color sample space.  
      Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved plastic paint storage container, adapted for quick touch-up painting jobs and stacking.  
      A further object of the present invention is to replace an existing plastic paint container, having a stacking construction prone to instability and a lid susceptible to binding, with a plastic paint container having a stable stacking construction and clean unbound threads.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container having a stacking construction that is stable and remains stable when the containers are filled with an architectural paint and stacked one on top of the other.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a stacking construction wherein the weight of the stacked containers is supported by the outer periphery of the container.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the bottom of the container is fitted with a recess to accommodate the lid when stacked.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the interlocking of the lid with the recess in the bottom of the container creates a stable and rigid stacking construction.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the lid is fitted with a pop-off top.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the pop-off top has a gasket to seal off an aperture in the lid.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein removing the pop-off top from the lid permits a paint applicator access to the body of paint within the container for performing touch-up work.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the lid need not be removed from the top of the container to perform touch-up painting.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the pop-off top has a ledge, rim, flange, finger grip or knob for grasping and removing the pop-off top from the aperture in the lid.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the pop-off top has a divot, positioned on the top of the pop-off top, which serves as a built-in color sample space.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the handle is formed into the body of the paint container.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the handle is contoured to fit fingers.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the handle provides a no-slip surface for gripping.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the container is sized to accommodate either ¼, ⅓, ½, ¾ and 1 gallon of paint.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the container is spill and rust proof.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a plastic paint container wherein the container is an air tight storage container for paint.  
      One or more of these and/or other objectives will become apparent from the following specification and claims.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The improved plastic container of the present invention stores paint while also providing convenient access to the paint for touch-up painting. The container includes a paint container body for storing the paint. A lid is removably connected to the paint container body. There is an aperture in the lid and a pop-off top is removably positioned over the aperture in the lid. A finger grip is operatively connected to the pop-off top to assist in removing the pop-off top to provide access to the paint for touch-up painting.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, the paint container body comprises a top and a bottom adapted for stacking.  
      According to another feature of the present invention the bottom further comprises a recess positioned at the center of the bottom. The recess is shaped and sized to accommodate the lid.  
      According to another feature of the present invention the bottom is connected to the paint container body that defines an interior volume. The paint container body comprises a handle fitted with a rubber finger grip for grasping.  
      According to another feature of the present invention the paint container body further comprises a shoulder connected to the paint container body at the top of the paint container body and a raised collar that is connected to the shoulder. The shoulder and raised collar provide an opening for accessing the interior volume of the paint container.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, the lid is operatively secured to the raised collar to close off the raised collar.  
      According to another feature of the present invention the lid comprises an aperture having an annular edge. The aperture is positioned at the center of the lid for accessing the interior volume of the paint container.  
      According to another feature of the present invention the pop-off top comprises a gasket to seat against the edge for sealing off the aperture, the pop-off top further comprises a divot positioned at the center of the pop-off top, the divot providing a color sample space for the paint.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, a sample of the paint is disposed within the color sample space.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, the paint container body contains an architectural paint.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, the body further comprises a sleeve operatively attached for storing paint data.  
      According to another feature of the present invention, the paint applicator is placed through the second opening and has access to the paint for touch-up painting.  
      According to another feature of the present invention is a method for using the paint storage container that is adapted for touch-up painting. The paint storage container has a paint container body for storing the paint. A lid is removably connected to the paint container body. There is an aperture in the lid and a pop-off top removably positioned over the aperture in the lid. Finger grips are operatively connected to the pop-off top to assist in removing the pop-off top to thereby provide access to the paint for touch-up painting. The paint storage container can be used by removing the lid from the paint container body; filling the paint container body with an architectural paint; closing off the paint container body with the lid; removing the pop-off top from the aperture positioned in the center of the lid for accessing the paint; reaching through the aperture in the lid with a paint applicator for touch-up painting; and, closing off the aperture in the lid with the pop-off top. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the paint container.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the disassembled paint container, including the pop-off top, lid and paint container body.  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the paint container.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the pop-off top.  
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the paint container.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the painter container being stacked, one on top of another.  
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the paint container taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      As seen in  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  refers generally to a paint container having a paint container body  12 . Connected to the bottom  42  of the paint container body  12  is a base  48  having a recess  50 . Connected to the top  44  of the paint container body  12  is a shoulder  14 . A handle  16  having fingered contours  24  shaped to fit the fingers for grasping forms a part of the body  12 . Preferably, the handle  16  forms a hollow channel  40  forming part of the paint container body  12 . A lid  18  is removably connected above the shoulder  14  to a raised collar  32 , shown in  FIG. 2 . A pop-off top  20  is removably connected to the an aperture  30  in the lid  18 , shown in  FIG. 2 . The pop-off top  20  has a finger grip  22  operatively connected for grasping. Positioned on the top surface of the pop-off top  20  is divot providing a color sample space  26 . The color sample space  26  provides a spot for the user to store a sample of the paint being stored in the container  10 . The sample could be a paint sample or a sticker indicating the properties of the paint.  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lid  18  is removably secured to the paint container  12  by twist threads  34 . The twist threads  34  are circumferentially spaced along the exterior of the raised collar  32  and on the interior of the lid  18 . The lid  18  is threaded onto the raised collar  32  to close off the interior volume  38 . The lid  18  seals against the raised collar  34  to prevent the paint within the interior volume  38  from spilling, leaking and drying. An aperture  30  is positioned in the lid  18  having an annular edge  28 . A pop-off top  20  is sized and shaped to close of the aperture  30  in the lid  18 . A finger grip  22 , operatively connected to the top of the pop-off top  20 , provides the user with a place for grasping and removing the pop-off top  20  from the aperture  30  in the lid  18 . It is preferred that the finger grip  22  be used to remove the pop-off top  20 , however, the finger grip  22  could also be a ledge, rim, flange or knob-for grasping and removing the pop-off top  22  from the aperture  30  in the lid  18 . The pop-off top  20  houses a compliant gasket  46 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The gasket  46  seats against the annular edge  28  to seal off the aperture  30 . The seal formed between the annular edge  28  and the gasket  46  prevents the paint from leaking, spilling and drying. The gasket  46  is a compliant material preferred for use in matingly engaging a rigid surface. Similarly, the handle  16  is preferably fitted with a no-slip semi-compliant material for grasping and forming to the fingers.  
       FIGS. 3 and 5  illustrate the top and bottom views of the paint container  10 , respectively. The top view illustrates best the shoulder  14  of the paint container  10 . The shoulder  14  of the paint container  10  forms a footing to support the base  48  of the next paint container  10 , when the containers  10  are stacked one on top of the other. The base  48  is similarly shaped and sized to rest flush against the shoulder  14  of the next container in stacking formation.  FIG. 3  further illustrates the diameter size of the recess  50  with respect to the lid  18  diameter, the recess  50  diameter being slightly larger than the lid  18  diameter to prevent the containers  10  from shifting when one container  10  is stacked on top of another container  10 . Thus, if the containers  10  are stacked one on top of the other as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the combination of the wide stance of the shoulder  14  supporting the base  48  of the next container  10  and the lid  18  interlocking with the recess  50  of the next container  10 , creates a firm and stable stacking construction. The stacking construction illustrated in  FIG. 6  allows the user to stack the containers  10  when filled with architectural paint, one on top of the other without compromising the stability of the stacked containers  10 . The stackability of the containers  10  is independent of the volume capacity for each container  10 . Thus, a one-half gallon container  10  could be stacked on top of a gallon container  10  or a quarter gallon on top of a two-thirds gallon container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Additionally, each container is configured with a paint data sleeve  52  attached to the body  12  of the paint container  10 . The paint data sleeve  52  is preferably used to store information on the type and makeup of the paint being stored in each container  10 , or otherwise identify the paint.  
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the paint container taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  best illustrates the surface mating that occurs between the lid  18  and the raised collar  32  when the lid  18  closes off the body of the container  12 .  FIG. 7  also illustrates the surface mating that occurs between the pop-off top  20  and the annular edge  28  forming the aperture  30  when the pop-off top closes off the aperture  30  in the lid  18 . In particular, the threads  34  are circumferentially arranged on the exterior of the raised collar  32  and the interior of the lid  18  allowing the lid  18  to be removably connected, yet seal off the paint container body  12  to prevent the paint from spilling, leaking and drying. Similarly, the pop-off top houses a gasket  46  that seats against the annular edge  28  to seal off the aperture  30  in the lid  18 .  FIG. 7  also shows the paint container body  12  having a broad shoulder  14  connected to the raised collar  32  and the wide stance of the base  48  being connected at the bottom  42  of the paint container body  12 .  
      In operation according to one method of the present invention, the paint container body is for storing the paint. A lid is removably connected to the paint container body. There is an aperture in the lid and a pop-off top removably positioned over the aperture in the lid. To close off the aperture in the lid a finger grip is operatively connected to the pop-off top to assist in removing the pop-off top so that a user has access to the paint for touch-up painting. The paint container is used to perform touch-up painting by removing the lid from the paint container body which is filled with an architectural paint. By closing off the paint container body with the lid and removing the pop-off top from the aperture positioned in the center of the lid a user can reach through the aperture in the lid with a paint applicator for touch-up painting. The aperture in the lid can be closed after touch-up painting with the pop-off top.  
      In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts, the types of materials used, as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.  
      For example, the present invention contemplates that the container may be constructed of materials other than plastic. The container may be sized and shaped differently, and use varying dimensions and materials to best accommodate manufacturing. The lid may be secured to the container and close off the opening in the body container using other means than a threaded lid. The handle may form a part of the body of the container, be secured to the body for grasping and lifting, be pivotally mounted and/or concealable within the structure of the body. The pop-off top may be secured to and seal off the aperture in the lid by means other than a gasket. The pop-off top may be larger and not necessarily form a circle centered in the lid. The pop-off top may be attached to the lid functioning more as a flip up lid, rather than being completely detachable from the lid. The stacking design may be sized and shaped to best accommodate manufacturing, yet form a sturdy and firm stacking construction.