Patent Publication Number: US-6213338-B1

Title: Brush scraper for paint cans

Description:
This appln claims benefit of Ser. No. 60,122,867 filed Mar. 5, 1999. 
    
    
     This invention relates to scraping excess paint from paint brushes and more specifically to a brush scraping apparatus including embodiments for attachment to an open paint can and alternative embodiment that may be formed integrally with a paint can when manufactured or later installed by the user after the can has been opened for use. 
     Using a brush and a can of paint to paint any surface is a routine practice. The painter typically applies paint to the brush by dipping the bristles of the brush in the paint can. Usually, there is excess paint on the brush after it is taken out of the paint can. Painters usually scrape the excess paint from the brush before applying the paint to the surface that he or she is painting. In many cases, painters will pour about half of the can of paint into a second can. The allows the painter to scrape the paint from the brush on the rim of either can to remove excess paint from the brush. 
     The inside upper edge or rim of the paint can is normally the most convenient place to scrape excess paint from the brush and it is the rim of the can that most painters normally use to scrape off excess paint before applying the paint brush to the surface that he or she is painting. Scraping the paint brush against the rim removes most of the excess paint from the brush, but is creates a mess and the inevitable dripping of paint outside the paint can. The mess clogs the lid rim of the paint can and prevents easy resealing of the paint can. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use on a typical paint can. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present cut along the line  4 — 4  seen in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention cut along the line  5 — 5  seen in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the brush scraper are illustrated can be used in conjunction with a typical one gallon paint can or can also be used in conjunction with a typical paint pot. 
     In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-5, the brush scraper  10  includes a circular cap  20  having an inner lip  22  and outer lip  24 . Inner lip  22  and outer lip  24  are disposed downwardly. Inner lip  22  and outer lip  24  are disposed so that they cooperatively frictionally fasten brush scraper  10  to a paint can C or paint pot. The frictional attachment of inner lip  22  and outer lip  24  to circular channel  11  of Paint Can C is best seen in FIG.  5 . Circular cap  20  and inner and outer lips  22  and  24 , cooperatively seal lid rim  11  of paint can C so that paint cannot collect in lid rim  11 . An arcuate flange  21  extends upwardly from circular cap  20  and supports scraper element  30  vertically above the top of paint can C. The spacing of scraper element  30  eliminates the need for pouring paint from a full paint can to provide room to scrape excess paint from brush B. 
     Scraper element  30  comprises a pair of flanges  32  and  33  extending from arcuate flange  21  and a horizontally disposed flange  34  extending substantially horizontally between flanges  32  and  33 . There is a space between flange  34  and proximate side  26  of paint can C. As discussed above, the spacing of scraper element  30  eliminates the need for pouring paint from a full paint can to provide room to scrape excess paint from brush B. 
     Pourer  40  is arcuate in shape and extends upwardly from circular cap  20  and is located at the distal side  29  of paint can C. Pourer  40 , best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is shaped to channel paint out of paint can C and to minimize any spillage. For ease of manufacturing, pourer  40  is typically forms an integral part of arcuate flange  21 . 
     Tab  50  is used to allow a painter to remove brush scraper  10  from a paint can C or a paint pot or because of the hole disposed therethrough, to hand the brush scraper  10  from a hanger, hook or nail when not in use. 
     It is well know in the industry that paint scrapers are readily made from plastic or similar materials. It is also well known in the industry that paint cans or pots may come in one gallon, one pint, one quart or five gallon containers. In addition, paint is typically sold in one pint, one quart, one gallon or five gallon cans. Typically, a paint can or paint pot is cylindrically shaped.