Patent Abstract:
A container is provided which includes a closed compartment which is formed by a stay wet tray and a cover. The stay wet tray covers a cavity formed in a base. The base includes projecting portions and recesses for supporting and shaping artists&#39; brushes and the stay wet tray facilitates storage of wet palettes, partially completed art work and paper. The cover includes projecting portions which prevent unwanted curling and drying of sheets of paper which are placed on the stay wet tray. A flange around the base adjacent to the cover provides holes for storing brushes.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application(s) application Ser. No. 29/095,872 filed on Oct. 30, 1998 U.S. Pat. No. D,420,180. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to a container for holding artists&#39; materials which includes a stay wet base and a cover assembly. The invention functions as a wet storage apparatus enabling extended use of the artist&#39;s materials. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The prior art includes numerous examples of devices for storage of artists&#39; materials included among which are the devices shown in the following U.S. patents. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,972 to Israel discloses a wet palette including a flat base with a peripheral curved wall having an overhang. A wet pad is disposed on the base and beneath the overhang. Pigment containers are held in the overhang along a peripheral area and fit into openings in the pad. One or more water permeable sheets overly the pad, and overhang and surround the pigment containers to provide an area for mixing pigments. A flexible sleeve can enclose the palette to prevent dehydration when not in use. The palette does not have a sealed cover, does not provide a lid for a brush tub and has no prongs for limiting paper movement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,908 to Fitzpatrick et al. discloses a package for dispensing individual wet sheets from a stack. The container has a restricted opening to engage sheets withdrawn from the stack and permits the leading surface of the next sheet to pass through when manually removing the preceding sheet. The container has a resealable cover forming a moisture proof seal. There is no palette holding pigment containers, no wet pad underlying a sheet for mixing pigments and there is no cover provided for the brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,466 to Hoffman et al. discloses a moisture impermeable package for retaining pre-moistened wet wipers. A pivotable lid permits opening of the container which includes a plastic web engaging channels and ledges around the opening. Ribs on the lid engage the plastic web and ledges to provide a moisture proof primary seal. Portions of the web can be opened without removing other portions over the channels, with the ribs of the lid and web providing a secondary seal. This is not a palette for pigment containers, there is no wet pad under a sheet for mixing pigments, and no cover for a brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,666 to Maxwell discloses a container for storing palettes having air drying paints in an air tight manner. The palettes are placed on the bottom of the container with vertical projections from the lid holding the palettes in place. The lid has flanges fitting into channels in the container to provide a moisture proof seal. A wet sponge is secured to the lid to provide moisture to prevent drying of the paints during storage. There is no separate sealed enclosure for a wet pad and permeable palette and no lid for a brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,816 to Spruyt discloses a moisture impervious package enclosing layers of wet paper. A lid is hinged to the body and includes a moisture impervious sheet over the opening of the container. The sheet adheres to the upper surface of the container body and frame to provide a moisture impervious top wall. There is no palette for pigment containers, no wet pad under a sheet for mixing pigments, no separate sealed cover, no vertical prongs to hold the paper, and there is no brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,224 to Fuhri discloses a carrying case for art supplies including an upper section with a plurality of compartments and a cover to close the compartments. The upper section is hinged to a lower section which is open to carry supplies. The cover of the upper section also closes the lower section when the case is closed. There is no moisture proofing provided, no palette or wet pad under a sheet, no prongs to hold paper sheets, and no sealed cover for a brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,007 to Nakamura et al. discloses a resealable package containing layers of wet absorbent sheets with liquid barrier layers therebetween which prevent liquid migration through the stack of sheets. The container is liquid and gas impermeable. There is no palette or wet pad under a sheet for mixing pigments, no prongs for holding sheets, and no sealed cover for a brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,925 to Lennen et al. discloses a container for preserving collectible articles. A front and back panel and spacing sheet provide a cavity for receiving the article. A channel along an edge is formed with a protruding tab to permit circulation of any moisture. A drying agent is added to remove moisture. The container is not sealed against moisture, there is no wet pad or overlying sheet, no pigments on a palette, no separate sealed cover, no prongs for holding paper, and no sealed cover for a brush tub. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,974 to Donald et al. describes an enclosure for storing paper palettes with wet mixed paint, a lid for sealing the enclosure and an oxygen scavenging material in an air permeable package attached within the enclosure. The added material absorbs oxygen to prevent paints from drying. The enclosure is made of a neutral color plastic to reflect light evenly to prevent tinting of the paint. A removable tray is included for storing brushes and supplies. The lid has vertical spikes cooperating with flanges on the bottom to hold the palette in place. Vertical ribs prevent lateral movement of the tray. There is no wet pad under a sheet for mixing paints and no separate sealed cover forming a lid for a brush tub. 
     Among these inventions however, none provide a sealed cover enclosing a stay wet tray which supports an absorbent layer for the purpose of preventing dehydration of pigments and which also provides a lid for a brush tub. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A brush tub is provided which includes a stay wet tray. The stay wet tray is a multifunctional unit which operates as a container for holding coated or artists&#39; paper, as a palette, as a wet tray and as a cover. The stay wet tray covers a brush tub base and seals onto the brush tub base for use as a stay wet palette storage apparatus. An absorbent layer is supported by the stay wet tray. Artist&#39;s paper is stored on the absorbent layer. Ribs extend downwards from the cover to limit movement of the paper. The stay wet tray which holds the artists&#39; paper acts as a lid for the brush tub base and prevents spilling of artist&#39;s liquids stored therein. The base includes recesses for supporting brushes and an upper flange around the base has apertures for storing the brushes. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a brush tub which is both simple in structure and operation to perform the task of storing coated or artists&#39; paper, pigments and brushes in an effective manner. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which is durable and relatively economical to manufacture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which can be used to store coated or artists&#39; paper while restricting the tendency of the coated or artists&#39; paper to curl and become distorted. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which includes an absorbent layer in a sealed container for storage of coated paper in a stay wet condition. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which provides brush storage space for safe storage of artists&#39; brushes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which provides airtight paint cups and an air tight paint thinner cup. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which keeps both oil paints and acrylic paints fresh for extended periods of time. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which is relatively light in weight. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which is easy to carry. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which includes surfaces for shaping artists brushes. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub with a cover having an integrally formed handle portion for easy opening. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which includes integrally formed paint compartments for use as a palette. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a brush tub which incorporates an easily manufactured integrally formed sealing lip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a brush tub according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken along the Line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the brush tub base taken along the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the brush tub base; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a base wall and panel portion taken along the line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the stay wet tray shown removed from the brush tub of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 — 10  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the stay-wet tray taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 — 10  in FIG. 8 with FIG. 12 drawn to an enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the stay-wet cover of the brush tub of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the stay-wet cover of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  15 — 15  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  16 — 16  of FIG. 13, and 
     FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a cover wall taken along the line  16 — 16  of FIG. 13 with FIG. 17 drawn to an enlarged scale. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modification and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 shows the brush tub  10  of the present invention in a preferred embodiment. The brush tub  10  includes a brush tub base  12 , a stay-wet tray  14  and a stay-wet cover  16 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the brush tub base  12  is an integrally formed, generally rectangular container which is defined by a pair of relatively longer side walls  18 , 20 , a pair of relatively shorter end walls  22 , 24 , a first bottom panel  26  and a second bottom panel  28 . The first and second bottom panels  26 , 28  are separated by an integrally formed upwardly projecting divider  30  which divides the internal cavity  32  of the brush tub base  12  into a first portion  34  and a second portion  36 . 
     The divider  30  is formed by a first generally vertical divider panel  38 , a second generally vertical divider panel  40  and a generally horizontal panel  42  which connects the upper edges  44 , 46  of the first and second divider panels  38 , 40 . As is best shown in FIG. 5, the divider panels  38 , 40  are connected to the longer side walls  18 , 20  thereby forming the first and second cavity portions  34 , 36  of the brush tub base  12 . 
     The first cavity portion  34  includes a plurality of brush support cavity portions  48 , 50 , 52  which are formed by a pair of vertical walls  54 , 56  which project upwardly from bottom panels  26  and a horizontal panel  58  which connects upper edges  60 , 62  of the vertical walls  54 , 56  and by tapering wall portions  64 , 66 , 68 , 70 ,  72 , 74  which project downwardly from the horizontal wall portions  58 . The tapering wall portions  64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74  define brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  each of which have a relatively wider portion  76 , 78 , 80  and a relatively narrower portion  82 , 84 , 86 . As is shown in FIG. 6 the relatively wider portions  76 , 80  are proximate to the wall  56  while the wider portion  78  is proximate to the wall  54 . 
     As is best shown in FIG. 3, the tapering wall portions  64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74  forming the brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  have upper edges  88 ,  90 , 92 , 94 , 96 , 98  connected to the horizontal wall  58  which are relatively widely spaced apart thereby forming relatively wider portions of the brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  and lower edges  100 , 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110  of the tapered wall portions  64 , 66 , 68 ,  70 , 72 , 74  which are spaced relatively closer together than the corresponding upper edges thereby forming relatively narrower portions of the brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52 . The lower edges  100 , 102 , 104 , 106 , 108 , 110  of the tapering wall portions  64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74  are connected to bottom panels  112 , 114 , 116  which define the bottom of each of the brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     The brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  are thus tapered when viewed as in FIG.  3  and also tapered when viewed as in FIG.  6 . 
     In addition, as is best shown in FIG. 4, bottom panel  114 , slants downward toward side wall  54  while bottom panels  112 ,  116  slant downward toward side wall  56 . 
     During use, the tapered configurations of the brush support cavities  48 , 50 , 52  facilitate the engagement of the bristles of artists brushes, the shaping of the bristles and the easy removal of the bristles when the brushes are ready for use. 
     The bottom panel of cavity  36  includes a plurality of integrally formed upwardly projecting walls  118 ,  120 , 122 , 124 ,  126 , 128 , 130 , 132 , 134 , 136  which are graduated in height with the relatively shortest wall  136  disposed proximate to the end wall  24  and the tallest wall  118  disposed proximate to the divider panel  30 . As is best shown in FIG. 6, each of the projecting walls  118 , 120 ,  122 , 124 , 126 , 128 , 130 , 132 , 134 , 136  are connected to the side wall  18  and the side wall  20 . 
     The graduated configuration of the walls  118 , 120 , 122 , 124 ,  126 , 128 , 130 , 132 , 134 , 136  facilitates use of the walls in striking off or shaping the ends of artists&#39; brushes prior to use. The tapered brush cavities  48 , 50 , 52  facilitate the storage of artists&#39; brushes either in a standing or in an inclined configuration. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the upper edge  138  of the brush tub base  12  is connected to an integrally formed flange  140  which includes a horizontal portion  142  and a vertical portion  144 . As shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal portion  142  includes a plurality of circular holes  146 , 148 , 150 , 152 , 154 , 156 , 158 , 160 , 162 , 164 , 166 , 168 , 170 , 172 , 174   176  which are graduated in size. Each of the circular holes is defined by an integrally formed collar  178  which projects downwardly from the horizonal flange portion  142  as is best shown in FIG.  5 . 
     The collars  178  facilitate the uses of the plurality of circular holes  146 , 148 , 150 , 152 , 154 , 156 , 158 , 160 , 162 , 164 , 166 , 168 , 170 , 172 , 174 , 176  for the storage of the artists&#39; brushes or containers of pigment or paint. 
     As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, side and end walls  18 , 20 , 22 , 24  are inclined with respect to the vertical thereby forming a tapered opening at the top of the brush tub base  12 . The corners  180 , 182 , 184 , 186  between sidewalls  18 , 20  and the end walls  22 , 24  are rounded as is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The function of the tapered configuration of the side and end walls  18 , 20 , 22 , 24  will be explained presently. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the stay-wet tray  14  includes an integrally formed bottom panel  188 , a pair of relatively longer spaced apart side panels  190 , 192  and a pair of relatively shorter spaced apart end panels  194 , 196 . The side panels  190 , 192  and end panels  194 , 196  connected to the bottom panel  188  thereby forming a generally rectangular tray with rounded corners  198 , 200 , 202 ,  204 . The side and end panels  190 , 192 , 194 , 196  are disposed tapering toward the bottom panel  188  with the side and end panels and bottom panel  188  proportioned to closely fit the opening  206  in the brush tray base  12  as is shown in FIG. 3. A projecting lip  208  is formed on an intermediate portion  210  of the side and end panels  190 , 192 , 194 , 196 . The projecting lip  208  projects in a slightly downward direction as is shown in FIG.  12 . When the stay-wet tray  14  is inserted into the brush tub base  12 , the outer edge  212  of the projecting lip  208  rests on the horizontal portion  142  of the flange  140 . The tapered side and end walls  190 , 192 , 194 , 196  of the stay-wet tray  14  in combination with the projecting lip  208  forms an effective seal between the stay wet tray  14  and the brush tub base  12 . 
     An effective angle of downward projection for the lip  208  has been found to be in the order of ten (10) degrees as defined by the angle identified by the reference numeral  214  in FIG.  12 . This angle facilitates a slight flexure of the lip  208  when the stay-wet tray  14  is inserted into the brush tub base  10  thereby facilitating an effective seal. 
     As is best shown in FIGS. 13-17, the stay-wet cover  16  includes an integrally formed top panel  216 , a pair of relatively longer side walls  218 , 220  a pair of relatively shorter end walls  222 , 224 , a handle  225  and a sealing lip  226  which is spaced apart from and is generally parallel to the side and end walls  218 , 220 ,  222 , 224 . The space  228  defined by the side and end walls  218 ,  220 , 222 , 224  and the sealing lip  226  closely fits the side and end walls  190 , 192 , 194 , 196  of the stay-wet tray  14  thereby providing an effective seal between the stay-wet cover  16  and the stay wet tray  14 . The lower edge  230  of the sealing lip  226  has a projecting flange  232  which projects in an outward direction. As is best shown in FIGS.  15 , 16  and  17 , the bottom surface  234  of the sealing lip  226  projects beyond the lower edge  236  of the side and end walls  218 , 220 , 222 , 224 . The bottom surface  234  of the sealing lip is tapered inwardly forming an angle with the horizontal as is defined by the angle designated by the reference numeral  238  in FIG. 17. A preferred value for this angle has been found to be in the order of thirty-five (35) degrees. 
     The tapered bottom surface  234  of the sealing lip  226  facilitates the engagement of the stay-wet cover  16  on the upper edge  239  of the stay-wet tray  14 , as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Downward manual pressure on the top panel  216  in the direction shown by the arrow  240  in FIG. 3 allows the side and end walls  190 , 192 , 194 , 196  of the stay-wet tray  14  to enter the space  228  thereby providing an effective seal between the stay-wet tray  14  and the stay-wet cover  16 . 
     As is shown in FIG. 17, the lower portion  242  of the sealing lip  226  is thicker than the upper portion  244  thereby enabling the sealing lip  226  to flex and enhancing the sealing capability of the stay-wet cover  16 . 
     The stay-wet cover  16  includes a plurality of integrally formed wall portions or ribs  246 , 248 , 250 , 252 , 254 , 256 , 258 , 260 ,  262 , 264 , 266 , 268 , 270 , 272 , 274 , 275  which project from the top panel  216  as is shown in FIG.  14 . As shown in FIG. 15, the lower edge  276  of the side and end walls  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  projects slightly beyond the lower edges  278  of the wall portions  246 , 248 , 250 , 252 ,  254 , 256 , 258 , 260 , 262 , 264 , 266 , 268 , 270 , 272 , 274 , 275 . As is shown in FIG. 14, the above plurality of the wall portions in combination with the side and end walls  218 , 220 , 222 , 224  and the top panel  216  form a plurality of compartments  280 , 282 , 284 , 286 , 288 , 290 , 292 ,  294 , 296 , 298 . 
     During use, the stay-wet cover  16  may be removed from the stay-wet tray  14 , inverted, and the above plurality of compartments may be used for storage of various liquids used in painting such as paints, solvents and thinners. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, during use a moistened foam or sponge sheet  300  may be placed on the bottom panel  188  of the stay-wet tray  14  and an acrylic film sheet  302  be placed on the foam sheet  300 . Sheets of paper  304  may be placed on the acrylic film sheet  302  for the purpose of storage. When the stay-wet cover  16  is installed on the stay-wet tray  14 , the stay-wet enclosure  306  formed by the stay-wet cover  16  and the stay-wet tray  14  prevents drying of sheets coated with acrylic paints, oil paints or other media. The walls  246 , 248 , 250 , 252 , 254 , 256 , 258 , 260 , 262 , 264 , 266 ,  268 , 270 , 272  of the stay-wet cover take up a significant portion of the space within the stay-wet enclosure  306  and the lower edges  278  of these walls prevent unwanted curling of sheets of paper  304  stored in the stay-wet enclosure  306  and maintain the sheets of paper  304  in flat uncurled condition while preventing unwanted drying of media coating sheets of paper. 
     The apparatus  10  may be used with or without the foam and acrylic sheets  300 , 302  in accordance with the artists&#39; media being used. The foam and acrylic sheets  300 , 302  are typically used for storage of watercolor media and typically not used for storage of oil media. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations of the invention are intended to be covered in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1