Abstract:
A paint pan and integrated paint utensil cleaner for the removal of excess paint from paint tools used in commercial and residential painting procedures. The paint tray and integrated cleaner includes a vessel for the retention of paint as well as a compression paint utensil cleaner. The compression based paint utensil cleaner compresses excess paint from the paint utensil and directs the excess paint back into the vessel for storage. The paint pan also includes two flanges or foot rests for securing the paint pan to a flat surface during the cleaning operation. A variety of diameters and configurations of paint pan can be accommodated by the proposed invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to painting tools and apparatus and, more particularly, to deep seat paint pans and accessories for their practical use. The improved paint pan and utensil cleaner configured to provide for a utility enhancing construction and cleaning function that are integral to the physical body of the paint pan, and limits the need for external cleaning accessories. The paint pan is envisioned as a deep reservoir paint pan provided with physical dimensions of a standard paint pan. The envisioned improved paint pan paint and utensil cleaner incorporates an integral paint utensil cleaner designed to remove excess paint from paint rollers and covers used with paint pan pans. This can be accomplished by using the integral paint re paint pan to compress and strain excess paint from a paint roller or paint brush. The envisioned improved paint pan also incorporates stabilizing flanges that allow a user of the device to secure the pan to a surface with compressive force so as to effectuate the cleaning operation. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    It is currently known in the art to provide for paint pan configured for use with rollers or paint brushes. It is also known in the art to provide traditional paint scraping tools for removing paint from paint applicators. 
         [0003]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,411 to Cupp et al. discloses a paint tray having a well in one end; a ramp in an opposite end; the ramp having a wiping lip; and a pair of left and right passages extending downwardly from the wiping lip adjacent the left and right side walls. A roller is journaled in the well of the tray with a stub shaft extending axially beyond each roller face. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No 4,547,926 to Kern discloses a paint roller tray that has a closed bottom and sides which terminate in an upper periphery. The paint tray includes a cover and divisions for the securing of paint rollers. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,139 to Goetz discloses a paint tray for application of paint to tools used in fine detailing. The paint tray as described includes two troughs, one disposed on either side. Each trough is in fluid communication with a well in the opposite end of the tray. As such, the paint tray of Goetz provides for improved paint tray stability. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,044 Kilian et al describes a deep-seat paint tray having a cover with a lip positioned on the periphery of the side for engaging the lip of the deep-seat paint roller pan. 
         [0007]    The deep-seat paint roller pan has a depth on the shallow end exceeding the diameter of the paint roller handle. This configuration provides a means for positioning a paint roller within the tray prior to sealing the cover to the tray. 
         [0008]    In each of these prior art references, the paint pans and covers provided fail to solve the problem of excess paint of a roller. What is needed is a paint pan that provides a painter with the ability to clean the paint applicator at the work-site with minimal use of water or solvents. Furthermore, what is needed is an integrated solution that allows for less paint to be used in the painting. Lastly, what is needed is a solution that allows for the entire paint cleaning process to involve the minimal amount of additional and expensive accessories and specialized hardware. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a deep-seat paint pan and paint applicator cleaning apparatus designed and configured to recover excess paint from a standard paint roller and cover. 
         [0010]    The deep-seat pan is configured to include a paint pan tray made formed of resilient or plastic materials. The envisioned apparatus has elongated walls joined to form a deep pan and reservoir for paint. The envisioned apparatus is configured with a utensil cleaner apparatus configured as an opening located within one of the walls of the paint pan. This configured opening is delineated by circular or semicircular geometry with a diameter that is appropriate to permit passage of a paint roller. The opening can be configured to taper as it travels through wall, resulting in steadily decreasing diameter. Additionally, the smaller diameter opening can be located at a lower position relative to the larger diameter opening. Additionally, the material body of the pan is formed such that the utensil cleaner apparatus is integral to the paint pan, and is not formed of a separate piece. The configured opening is provided and designed so that usage is limited to one direction and to limit the amount of paint that might be spilt on the outside the pan. The notch is further configured to have an integral spout or depression that allows for the paint to flow unobstructed into the reservoir of the paint pan. The cleaning apparatus can be located on either the front or back portion of the paint tray. Conversely, a stability mechanism is located on the opposite side of the paint tray as the cleaning utensil. 
         [0011]    The material body of the paint pan is configured to have material extensions that aid in the stability of the paint pan during cleaning procedures. Specifically, tabs of the resilient material extend outward from the paint pan. These tabs can be used to secure the paint pan with a heavy object, including the foot of an individual, while the paint roller is being cleaned. 
         [0012]    The present invention solves the problems and overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of prior art paint pans by providing a paint pan with a integrated utensil cleaning apparatus configured to remove excess paint from a paint roller and cover. This function is accomplished with use of a material design that provides compressive force to the paint utensil that forces excess paint into the opening and is in turn channeled back into the paint pan. Through this apparatus, a user is able to easily insert a standard paint roller and cover into the larger diameter opening and push the brush through the scraper apparatus to achieve a clean paint utensil after painting. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the present invention achieves its tasks by providing an integral force restriction mechanism. Integral to the sides and bottom of the provided paint pan, integral flanges extend and allow a user to place a heavy object to restrict the movement of the pan during the scraping process. 
         [0014]    The present invention also overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a deep-seat paint roller pan with roller cleaner. The primary object of the present invention is to provide a paint roller cleaning apparatus designed to remove excess paint from a roller and deposit it within the deep-seat paint pan. Through the integrated compressive paint cleaner apparatus, a paint pan is provided that can more efficiently remove excess paint and other extraneous material prior to use or storage. 
         [0015]    The proposed invention is more environmentally and fiscally sustainable since it lowers the volume of paint wasted in the painting process and limits the amount necessity for single use paint roller covers. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint roller apparatus that will scrape excess paint and particulate matter off of a paint roller cover prior to chemical or water washing. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stable platform for cleaning or scraping the paint roller. Additional objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the present invention is detailed. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a deep-seat paint pan and integrated cleaning apparatus. 
         [0018]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0019]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description to follow. Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the paint pan and integral utensil cleaner with the provided roller notch and integral stabilizer flanges according to the present invention formed and formed of a continuous piece of material; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the paint pan and integral utensil cleaner; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the paint pan and integrated utensil cleaner according to the present invention in which the notch stabilizer flanges are visible and shown to be integral to the pan; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the notched portion of the paint pan and roller tool in which the diameter of the first opening and the second opening are different; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the paint pan and integrated utensil cleaner wherein the diameter of the opening in one face of the paint pan is larger than the corresponding diameter. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the paint pan and integrated utensil cleaner wherein the paint roller is depicted and its proposed method of operation is indicated. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6 . is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the paint pan and integrated utensil cleaner wherein the utensil cleaner is located significantly within the body of the wall of the paint pan. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7 . is a top view of the secondary cleaner apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like references numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views,  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a paint pan having an integrated utensil cleaner according to the present invention. 
         [0030]    Specifically shown in  FIG. 1 , is a paint pan  20  with integral cleaner  22 . The tray has an optional ramp  24  for the application of paint to rollers. The tray also has two flanges  26  to provide stability to the tray by evenly distributing paint weight. The paint pan further has a well or trough  28  for the collection of excess paint. 
         [0031]    The tray  20  includes two side walls  102 , a front wall  100  and a rear wall  104 , as well as a bottom wall  28  that defines the interior volume of the tray. The ramp  24  extends from the front wall  100  and gradually declines toward the rear wall  104  and the bottom wall  28 . The paint pan  20  is itself constructed of any high impact plastic or other resilient material. Specifically, it is envisioned that the paint pan be formed by injection molding press or other type of single integral construction methods. For example the paint pan  20  may be formed out of single piece of high-impact plastic sheeting. Alternatively, the paint pan  20  can be formed out metal or synthetic materials such as tin, aluminum, steel, iron, carbon fiber, plastic or synthetic plasticized fibers. Additionally, the paint pan provided in  FIG. 1  is illustrative of the general proportions of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but does not limit the dimensions of the invention described herein. The invention as envisioned, is not limited to any particular shape or form, baring those necessary to provide the functionality recited herein. The integral utensil cleaning apparatus  22  is located within the front wall  100  of the paint pan  20 . 
         [0032]    Depending on the preferred shape of the apparatus, the integral utensil is located in an upper portion and central portion of the front wall  100 . The location of the utensil cleaning apparatus is in no way limited to the positions depicted in any of the foregoing figures. 
         [0033]    It is further envisioned that the paint pan  20  has integrated flanges  26  in communication with the bottom wall, rear wall  104  or front wall  100  of the paint pan. The flanges depicted in  FIG. 1  are in communication with the front wall  100  of the paint pan. The flanges  26  can be formed as a single continuous structure with a single material body coextensive with the bottom wall. In the alternative, the flanges can be constructed as separate material pieces and secured or fastened as attachments adhered to any of the prescribed walls of the paint pan  20 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the improved paint pan with integral cleaning utensil has a substantially rectangular shape defining the interior volume. The front wall  100  has an exterior face  202  and an interior face  204 . The interior face  204  is directed towards the rear wall  104  and is optionally physically connected to the ramp  24  and the side walls  102 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the ramp  24  can optionally posses a plurality of corrugated ribs  208 . The ribs  208  are integrally molded in the structure of the ramp  24 . Those skilled in the art would readily understand that the ribs  208  can be integrally molded into the ramp material or formed by another mechanism that allows for attachment of ribs  208  to the surface of the ramp  24 . 
         [0035]    The corrugated ribs  208  provide a further advantage for applying paint to rollers. By rolling the paint rollers along the incline and corrugated ribs  208 , paint is evenly distributed along the application surface of the paint pan. Applying paint to the paint roller involves using the corrugated ribs  208  to temporarily retain excess paint on the ramp so that subsequent passes up and down the ramp with the paint roller will facilitate paint loading without the need for dipping the paint roller back into the reservoir. 
         [0036]    The interior of the pan  20  has a reservoir  30  that allows excess paint to drain off the ramp  24  and become collected within the reservoir  30 . The reservoir  30  is formed by the enclosed volume of the bottom wall  28 , the back wall  104  and the ramp  24 . The reservoir of the paint pan is configured to be the width of the entire paint pan  20 . The reservoir  30  is suitable in shape and configuration for containing a sufficient amount of paint necessary to apply to a paint roller or brush. Furthermore, the reservoir  30  is configured to accommodate a paint roller pan or brush inserted and submerged completely within the reservoir  30 . 
         [0037]    As seen on  FIG. 3 , the front face  202  of the paint pan  20  has an integral cleaner  22  introduced into the front wall  100 . This integral cleaner  22  is formed as a passage between the inner face and the outer face, through the material of the front wall  100 . The dimensions of the passage include the thickness of the wall material. The specific dimensions of the opening and passage through the wall material operates as an integral utensil cleaning apparatus of the improved paint pan. The integral utensil cleaning apparatus  22  provides means for scraping excess paint from the roller by means of a variety of integral internal mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment of the paint pan  20  described, the outer face  202  of the front wall  100  has the integral cleaner  22  positioned at the top part of the front wall  100 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the integral cleaner  22  is a semi-circular shaped opening passing through the width of the wall material with an opening both in the interior face and exterior face of the front wall.  FIG. 3  depicts the width (A) of the opening as being equal to the diameter of a virtual circle bisected by the top edge of the front wall. Furthermore, the depth of the integral cleaner is equal to the radii of that virtual circle. In the preferred embodiment, the integral cleaner  22  is situated at the top of the front wall and the depth of integral cleaner extends into the body of the front wall. It is conceived that the width A is suitably sized so as to accommodate a painting utensil. In the preferred embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 3 , the dimensions of integral cleaner  22  are configured to allow a paint roller frame and cover to be inserted into the depression. In a further embodiment, the integral cleaner  22  width A and its corresponding radii, are configured to be smaller than the diameter of a paint roller frame with a paint application cover installed. In this configuration, the edges of the paint pan delineating the integral cleaner perform like scrapers that force out excessive paint when the roller and applicator are inserted through the integral cleaner  22 . For example, a paint roller can be cleaned of paint by use of this apparatus by repeatedly scraping a paint filled portion of the roller pan cover or frame along the opening formed in the wall by the integral cleaner  22 . Optionally, a lip (not shown) can be coextensively formed of the same resilient material as the wall, and therefore be included as a portion of the integral cleaner. This lip would serve as an additional cleaning surface and provide further leverage while scraping the material. 
         [0038]    As further seen in  FIG. 3 , the stability of the device is improved by inclusion of extendable flanges  26  along the lower portion of the paint tray  20 . The flanges  26  are configured so that they extended beyond the footprint of the bottom wall  28  of the pan  20 . The flanges are configured to be integral to the bottom of the paint pan, and to act as stabilizers to prevent overturning of the paint pan. Additionally, but not shown, the flanges have a top and bottom surface. Both surfaces are configured to prevent the arrest movement of the pan relative to the surface the pan is placed upon. The bottom surface possesses movement arresting textures to prevent movement against slippage or movement. Additionally, the top surface also incorporates arresting textures to present a surface configured to restrict the motion of a stabilizing weight that may be placed upon the flanges. 
         [0039]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is envisioned. In the illustrated embodiment, for clarity purposes only, the utensil cleaning apparatus  22  is depicted without the remainder of the included elements. In the alternate embodiment of the integral cleaner  22 , the inner face  220  of the front wall posses an inner face opening  420  that is larger than the paint roller frame. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is important to note that the width A and the corresponding depth do not have a correlative relationship. The width A of the opening in the depicted embodiment is not the diameter of an imagined circle, while the depth of the opening is not the corresponding radii of said same virtual circle. In this embodiment, the integral cleaner opening has a geometry that is more angular and provides steeper sides to the utensil cleaning apparatus. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the outer face opening  422  of the integral cleaner is of a reduced size relative to the inner face opening  420 . As a result of this configuration, the dimensions of the material depression decrease towards the outer face  220  of the front wall. As such, the material between the inner and outer openings has an introduced slope when viewed via cross section. It is envisioned that a paint roller and its attached cover, would be inserted into the integral paint cleaner  22  through the inner face opening  420 . In this configuration, paint, once it has been compressed out of the painting utensil will flow towards the interior of the paint pan. Additionally, an optional channel  402  can be situated within the body of the utensil cleaning apparatus. Furthermore, a part of the inner face depression closest to the bottom wall optionally posses an angled notch (not shown). The angled notch is designed to direct excess paint onto the ramp with minimal clogging of the paint. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5A  provides a cross-sectional view of the integral cleaning apparatus  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the inner face opening diameter A, is larger than the outer face diameter A′. Additionally, as depicted in  FIG. 5A , the decrease in diameter between the openings provides for a slope (S) that becomes inherent in the integral cleaning apparatus  22 . This slope S, allows for the natural draining of excess paint both prior and during the cleaning procedure. It is further envisioned that the diameter of the outer face could be smaller than the paint roller diameter. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5B , the front wall is composed out of flexibly deformable material. Upon insertion of a paint roller P along line I, the outer face opening  222  will dilate under pressure and deformably expand to accommodate the proximate dimensions of the paint roller. Due to the natural resiliency of the material used, the outer face opening will exert compressive pressure on the paint roller as it is forced through. This compressive force will extract paint from the paint roller and the slope S will ensure that the extracted paint remains inside the paint pan  22 . In this proposed embodiment, the inner face opening has a diameter that is larger than a paint roller with attached cover. However the outer face opening has a diameter that is less that of the roller frame and cover. As a result, during the cleaning procedure, sufficient force is necessary to insert the roller frame and cover though the small diameter opening. Due to the resiliency and malleability of the material, it is envisioned that the outer opening will dilate the outer face opening under sufficient force. In this way, the envisioned roller paint pan can accommodate several different diameter paint roller tools with a single paint roller pan. It is also envisioned that a plurality of openings could be placed in any reasonable arrangement in the front wall. In this way, multiple roller tools could be accommodated by a single pan. 
         [0041]    As seen in  FIG. 6 , in a still further embodiment of the paint pan and integral cleaning apparatus  22  described, the angled notch ( 601 ) can extend from the inner face to through the width of the front wall and to a position prior to the outer face of the front wall. In this way, the angled notch can collect excess paint from the entire apparatus and direct it towards the ramp. It is further envisioned that position of the openings on the front face  220  are positioned within the body of the front wall. Through this arrangement, it is further foreseen that the diameter of the outer face opening  222  is still smaller than the diameter of the inner space opening  220 . 
         [0042]    As seen in  FIG. 6 , the embodiment provides the inner and outer openings have been located substantially within the inner and outer faces of the front wall. Through this configuration, the top portion of the front wall posses only a guide channel  404  for the handle of the paint roller as opposed to a larger diameter opening. The handle channel  404  is designed to allow a user to guide the paint pan roller and/or cover completely through the apparatus. In the depicted embodiment, a substantial portion of the circumference of the paint pan frame and/or cover can be scraped and compressed by the integral cleaning apparatus  22 . 
         [0043]    While it is foreseen that the illustrated embodiments provide for the most efficient formation and usage of an integral cleaning apparatus, it is envisioned that still further embodiments could be provided depending on particular materials and uses. In a still further embodiment, it is envisioned that the paint cleaning apparatus posses an outer and inner face opening diameter that are of equal size. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a user operates the apparatus by inserting a paint roller with a used paint roller cover into the depression in into the inner face of the front wall. The user can then optionally secure the pan to a surface by the application of weights or force. It is envisioned that tool boxes, weighted bags and the operator&#39;s hands and feet may be employed as a weighting mechanism. Once the paint pan is sufficiently secured, the cleaning operation can be initiated. The user forces the paint roller frame and/or cover through the openings disposed in the faces of the front wall. Through the compressive action of the constricted narrowing opening, paint is forced out of the paint roller cover and/or frame. The excess paint is directed by the sloping material depression and angled notch and is optionally channeled so as to ensure that the paint is funneled on the ramp. Furthermore, the present invention accomplished this without encountering the resistance of paint already forced out of the paint roller. 
         [0045]    With regards to  FIG. 7 , it is optionally envisioned that the paint pan may incorporate a smaller opening providing the means of cleaning standard paint brushes. In this embodiment, a secondary vertical opening  701  is located any of the outer and inner faces of the front, side or rear walls. The opening is covered by a flap  702  of material coextensive with the structural material of the paint pan. It is envisioned that the paint pan material is sufficiently resilient that when a standard dimensioned paint brush is inserted into the opening, the opening is plastically deformed to allow passage while the resilience of the sides  704  of the opening constrict the sides of the paint brush. Through this action, paint can also be removed from a paint brush. It is further envisioned that a flap of material is extended beyond one end of the opening to cover the opening. This flap is formed of the same material as the paint pan and is configured to be flexibly deformed by the applied pressure of the paint brush. When pressure is not applied, the flap acts as a suitable barrier to the leakage of paint from the vertical opening. 
         [0046]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.