Patent Abstract:
A paint palette system for holding and dispersing paint wherein the a painter can pour paint into a low profile receptacle for later removal with a paintbrush or like tool, wherein a disposed and removable paint retaining fabric retains the paint in a drip-less and mess free fashion wherein paint can be transported and stored in an improved manner allowing for a faster and more efficient painting effort.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/685,281 filed Mar. 15, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a painters tool used for storing, holding and dispensing paints in an improved manner. In particular the invention relates to an improved low profile receptacle apparatus and system to carry paint from one location to another without spillage and to disperse paint to a brush or painting tool. 
         [0004]    Discussion of Prior Art 
         [0005]    A paint palette is a tool typically used by an artist and is used to provide a hand held platform typically made of wood or plastic on which the artist dabs acrylic paint for use when painting. 
         [0006]    Typically, this is used only for artist painting upon a canvas and designed for the use of thicker acrylic paint that can be applied in dabs. This system works well for an artist painting in acrylics but a typical artist palette would not be suitable for someone painting a house. 
         [0007]    While the artist palette will not generally work for a typical house painter it could offer a painter a useful way and tool to move paint from one location to another without spillage. 
         [0008]    Unfortunately, if a mixture of house paints were to be applied to a painters palette the results would lead to paint running and mixing together. Additionally the typical house paint would not easily remain on the palette if the palette were tilted. 
         [0009]    In general, the prior art for painter tools designed to provide a palette tool or like has attempted to create paint palettes by focusing on producing small paint cavities or keeping paint retained within a sponge or a similar material. 
         [0010]    Other prior art has utilized porous materials on which dabs of paint are placed, but still utilize a water retentive means such as a sponge material to keep the paint from drying out. None of these system allows for easy storing and are not designed to retain the paint between extended uses. 
         [0011]    Although these types of systems are adequate to maintain the paint dabs in a useable condition for short periods of time, they have a tendency to dry the paint from the top of the sponge, thereby necessitating the user to add water or oil to the palette in order to maintain the paint in a useable condition. 
         [0012]    Additionally, house paint is often stored between uses for extended periods of time and typically needs to be transported to the various locations about a house wherein an artist palette typically remains in an art room. 
         [0013]    Prior art has not shown us a useful means for transporting and storing or viewing paint colors while in storage. Additionally, Prior art has not provided a truly useful painters tool that allows a painter a truly powerful tools to speed up the painting process in a neat and effective way. 
         [0014]    Thus, there exists a need for a tool that can be used by painters comprising a paint palette system that can maintain paint in a moist and useable condition and also dispense paint to the paintbrush in a simple fashion while being easy to transport and store. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The paint palette system is a new system and tool long needed by painters and fills a need for both professional and non-professional painters. The invention provides an improved way to move paint around the house or up a ladder without spillage. 
         [0016]    The paint palette system allows the painter to focus on painting and not on accidental spills or worrying where the paint bucket is located or accidentally knocking over a paint can. Focus can be on painting. 
         [0017]    The paint palette system is so mess free that a child can paint without spilling paint. In testing the paint palette system the product was loaded with paint and thrown on a rooftop without any loss of paint or spillage. 
         [0018]    The paint palette tool system allows for easy storage and reuse of paint. The complete paint palette tool system can be easily stored for extended periods of time in commercially available seal type plastic bags. It can be easily stored and the paint color can be easily viewed when needed again. 
         [0019]    The paint palette tool system allows for the painter to worry less about mess and more about painting. The paint palette system allows for less trips to the paint can to reload the paintbrush. The paint palette system also saves the painter clean up and painting time. 
         [0020]    A painter can now climb a ladder to paint a roof or elevated area without handling full cans of paint. A painter can even take two or more colors to remote locations without worrying about multiple cans. 
         [0021]    The paint palette system offers a unique tool with many add-ons for holding a brush, squeegee or other tools and its novel design offers many improvements for painters and simplifies the painters&#39; life. 
         [0022]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the disclosed invention are provided including but not limited to an improved system or process wherein a house painter or like professional can paint in a more efficient and faster way. 
         [0023]    Other objects and advantages of the invention include providing an apparatus for paint containment and dispensing that is spill proof and easily transported, as well as an apparatus that is easily manageable, carried and sealed for an extended time. 
         [0024]    Additionally, the invention discloses an apparatus that can be easily held while transporting paint up and down a ladder and will retain paint even when tipped at an angle. The invention is also a low profile containment apparatus that allows it to be taken into very tight places and stored easily. 
         [0025]    Another new and unique advantage of the invention is that multiple colors can be used together without the paints mixing and it can also be set upon a high pitch roof and will not slide off or spill the contained paint. 
         [0026]    The apparatus can be tilted at a high degree and be turned upside down onto a drop cloth for an extended period of time to prevent air from drying the contained paint. 
         [0027]    When in use, the system will not drip paint on unprotected surfaces. When used outside the apparatus can be held at any angle away from the sun to shield the paint from drying while painting outdoors, It can also be used to shield the sun out of the painters&#39; eyes without spilling the contained paint. 
         [0028]    The invention retains paint and will not spill or drip even when turned upside down and will additionally keeps paint from being blown off the brush in windy conditions. This is due to less excess paint to remove from the brush. 
         [0029]    Because of the improved design of the invention the brush is loaded with paint in an improved fashion and the brush, roller, or other painting tools become easier to use and better disperses the paint. Less paint is wasted. 
         [0030]    Paint storage also becomes easier, due to the low profile. The whole palette system can be contained in a commercially available plastic bag allowing for extended storage times between uses and additionally the clear plastic allows for ease of viewing paint colors stored. 
         [0031]    Additionally, use of the apparatus minimizes the use of drop cloths because of its spill resistant design. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
         [0032]    Certain accessories may also be added to the invention as described and may include a strap across the base of the container so that a user may slide their hand between the strap and the container base. Other accessories may include a Squeegee, covering means and add-on attachments for managing a paint brush or other tools. 
         [0033]    The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a right end view, the opposite side bring a mirror image: 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is an end view taken from  FIG. 3 , the opposite side being a mirror image; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is an assembled perspective view; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]      FIG. 1  shows a top plan view of the basic embodiment of the paint palette tool system invention  10  wherein the main body of the invention comprises an open-top circular structure container  20  comprising an open receptacle  30  constructed of a semi-rigid plastic material. 
         [0044]    In the preferred embodiment the invention  10  has several fitting components including a semi-rigid outer structure comprising an open low profile structure designed for complementary receiving a snap-in removable liner  60  constructed of a thinner and lighter plastic material. 
         [0045]    Plastic liner  60  shall be designed to receive and have affixed within its interior a cut and formed bristle fabric  70  fitted within the interior cavity  80  of the liner  60  Shown in  FIG. 5 . In the preferred embodiment bristle fabric  70  is a formed cavity that is securely fitted and affixed to the interior side of removable liner  60  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of formed bristle fabric  70 . 
         [0046]    Formed bristle fabric  70  is a commercially available paint retaining material typically used on paint application devices and is a fabric like material comprising a short bristle filament or like material. 
         [0047]    The bristle fabric  70  may also be know as paint pad material may be a flocked material, acrylic canvas pad, open cell foam material, a memory foam, sponge, woven carpet or similar like materials. 
         [0048]    In the preferred embodiment the formed bristle fabric  70  may have an adhesive backing for quick assembly and attachment. In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  the bristle fabric is supplied in a die cut sheet form. A fitted circular section  78  is affixed to the interior of the bottom of the interior cavity  80  and a matching cut strip  75  is affixed to the interior of the outer edge of the liner  60 . 
         [0049]    Additionally, in a second embodiment, a pair of extended wall sections  82  may be added to the sidewall  50  and shaped accordingly to support a brush handle from sliding, shown in  FIG. 9 . Raised sidewall  82  placed at a ninety degree angle from liner snapping means  60 . 
         [0050]    Although the preferred embodiment allows for a liner component  60  fitted into the open top circular structure  20 . The invention  10  may be used without a liner  60  and bristle fabric  70  may be applied directly into the open receptacle  30 . The liner  60  allows for more functionality and easier cleaning. 
         [0051]    Said receptacle  30  shall be preferably constructed of a semi rigid plastic or like material comprising a substantially flat bottom base  40  with enclosing sidewalls  50  Shown is  FIG. 3 . Sidewalls  50  preferably formed in a concave shape or similar shape as best seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0052]    Sidewalls  50  shall be rigid and may be outwardly inclined or angular in shape with complementary design features for securely receiving and fitting liner  60 . Sidewall  50  may in some embodiments have a guide rigid  140  that may be used for additional add-on tools such as a paint squeegee  150 . 
         [0053]    The open receptacle  30  shall have a centrally mounted opening  90  in the central base of the bottom section in embodiments that require a liner  60  for ease in removing said liner  60 . In embodiments without the liner  60  a opening is not required. 
         [0054]    The flat bottom base  40  shall be constructed of a rigid material and may have on the exterior bottom side extruded design features to better grip a surface that may include extruded feet or gripping ridges. The bottom  40  may additionally be slightly depressed in reference to sidewalls  50 . 
         [0055]    Some embodiments of the invention may include formed attachment means for attaching brushes, tools, and other utility items that may be used by an amateur or commercial painter and feature attachment opening  100  shall be included on the invention  10  for future features, 
         [0056]    The invention  10  shall also have a handle means  110  extending across the length of the flat bottom base  40  and shall be affixed by a plurality of fastening support extrusions shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 8 . 
         [0057]    In one embodiment, handle  110  may be threaded thru a complementary receiving ring  130  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Handle adjustable options may include D-Ring, strap adjustment connectors or Velcro adjustment means. 
         [0058]    In other embodiments, handle  110  may not be adjustable and be affixed directly to the flat bottom base  40  and may be affixed by a glued, snaps, fastening commercially available hardware. Handle  110  may also be removable for replaceable as required. 
         [0059]    Handle  110  shall be constructed of a flexible material and may be made of a durable cloth fabric or like material. In other embodiments a flexible plastic or rubber like material may be used. Handle  110  may also include metal or plastic ends for secure attachment to handle receiving connections (Not Shown). 
         [0060]    Said handle  110  shall be designed to easily facilitate handling and transportation. Additionally, said handle may also act as a gripping component and keep the invention from sliding off a steep incline such as a roof or like surface. 
         [0061]    In use the invention  10  is utilized by pouring paint into the open receptacle  30  and then sliding the users hand between the strap handle  110  and flat bottom base  40 . The paint palette system  10  may then be used to dispense paint to a paint brush or like tool, The paint palette system may be used at any angle and has been tested while upside down without paint spillage. 
         [0062]    The paint palette system  10  in the preferred embodiment includes a small attached paint squeegee  150  that helps pull all the paint from the bristle fabric The squeegee  150  may also be used as a hard paint separator. 
         [0063]    In use the paint palette system  10  may have multiple colors of paint in the open receptacle  30  or liner  60  and the paint colors will not run together. In use it has also been discovered that multiple brushes can also be carried using the strap handle  110 . 
         [0064]    In between uses, the paint palette system  10  may be easily stored in a readily available 1½ gallon salable plastic bag (Not Shown) and may be easily stacked when multiple palette systems are used. 
         [0065]    Additionally, multiple liners  60  may be stored in plastic bags and may be interchangeably inserted into the open receptacle  30  in cases wherein many different paint colors are utilized and this offers the user a simpler way to view and use multiple colors 
         [0066]    In some embodiments a plastic divider means be inserted into the liner  60  and may be used to better separate paint colors or materials that may be utilized. The paint palette system may additionally be used for other materials besides paints where a hard divider is required to keep separate material apart such as glue and paint. 
         [0067]    Although applicant has described applicant&#39;s preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many other advantages of applicant&#39;s invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims. 
         [0068]    From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides for a novel and improved means for filter inspection and whereas the present invention has been described in a particular fashion, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein may be made within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1