Paint can liner

Abstract

A multipurpose attachment for cylindrical cans containing paints, varnishes and the like, which snap-fit engages to the top of the open cans and having uniformly thin, structurally rigid, and singularly molded construction that is disposable. The paint can liner protects the can's sealing channel into which the lid of a metal can mates, and provides an array of benefits suitable for either metal or plastic paint cans. In its preferred embodiment, primarily for gallon or similarly sized containers, the liner includes a pouring spout, an optional filter for use while pouring, a ribbed sloping surface for rolling excess paint from mini rollers, a horizontal shelf for resting either mini roller or paintbrush, and a linear edge for wiping excess paint from brushes.

Description

[0001]PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION 60 / 901,097 filed Feb. 12, 2007.U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS1,952,288March 1934Saxon221 / 232,106,381January 1938Rough221 / 232,145,748January 1939Bailey221 / 232,471,189May 1949Bartels210 / 163.52,627,367February 1953Bork222 / 5702,646,193July 1953Best222 / 5702,767,891May 1955Beadles222 / 5702,720,346October 1955Compton222 / 5702,765,966October 1956Davis222 / 5703,074,604January 1963Baroud222 / 5693,102,667September 1963Ullevig222 / 5693,221,955December 1965Banaszak222 / 5693,239,113March 1966Knize222 / 5693,309,000March 1967Haverstick222 / 5703,400,867September 1968Giannone222 / 5703,469,735September 1969Burt220 / 6983,693,829September 1972Price222 / 6983,695,488October 1972Olsson222 / 5703,853,249February 1974Weir, Jr. et al.222 / 5704,009,802March 1977Haydechok222 / 1084,203,537May 1980McAlister222 / 5704,225,064September 1980Westcott222 / 570 X4,240,568December 1980Pool222 / 570 X4,316,560February 1982Carter222 / 5674,583,666April 1986Buck222 / 1094,907,714February 1989Gatz222 / 5704,949,884August 1...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present disclosure provides an effective and easy method for rolling out these smaller rollers directly over the paint can, thus eliminating the need for pouring paint into a separate pan. For a number of reasons this novel method will save the painter time and cost. Furthermore, an additional roller pan will no longer be required, paint lost drying in such a pan will be saved, and time spent in extra cleanup will be eliminated.

[0010]Most importantly, the present disclosure addresses the need for an inexpensive disposable paint can attachment that provides a variety of benefits for smaller projects. The Paint Can Liner, which can be tailored to a specific major paint manufacturer, has the potential of becoming a useful disposable paint accessory much like vacuum-formed plastic liners for roller trays. In its complete form the present disclosure provides a combination of useful benefits that go well beyond those presented in prior designs. For this reason, the Paint Can Liner would prove useful for plastic paint cans in addition to those made of metal. And even though the liner's attachment configuration would be modified, the procedure to attach the Paint Can Liner would be identical for both metal and plastic cans: the user simply places the attachment over the can and presses down around the mounting ring, snapping it into place.

[0013]Because the Paint Can Liner is capable of being molded as a single unit and, by its design, is suitable to thin-wall molding, the attachment can be inexpensively manufactured by acting upon an initially flat sheet of plastically deformable material, such as the process of vacuum-formed thermoplastics. Thus the liner can be marketed as a disposable product, with the intended disposal after a single use, similar to disposable plastic liners used with paint-roller pans. Furthermore, the thin-wall design permits nested stacking to facilitate compact packaging for shipment and provides minimization of shelf space at point-of-sale.

[0014]Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a Paint Can Liner is provided that: 1) is adaptable and useful for either metal or plastic cylindrical paint cans; 2) applies a snap-on press fit to the annular ridge of an opened cylindrical paint can thereby securing the liner to the can; 3) provides a liquid-tight seal with the can's annular ridge, thereby preventing paint from seeping under the liner while being poured; 4) provides a protective covering for preventing paint from flowing or splashing into a metal can's sealing channel; 5) provides a pouring spout; 6) directs paint dripping down the backside of the spout to flow back into the can rather than down the can's side; 7) directs paint splattered on the liner's perimeter to flow back into the can rather than down the can's side; 8) provides an integrated filter for filtering paint while being poured; 9) includes a tear-out section within its pouring spout for rapidly pouring paint when filtration is not required; 10) provides an integrated ribbed or knobbed surface suitable for rolling out excess paint from a small touch-up roller, thereby permitting the roller to be used directly from the can and eliminating the need for a separate roller pan; 11) provides an integrated straight edge for wiping excess paint from a paintbrush; 12) includes an integrated shelf for resting either a wet paintbrush or a 1″ diameter touch-up roller; 13) provides an easy and mess-free method for removal of the liner from the can after use; 14) is suitable for thin-wall manufacturing by molding vacuum-formed thermoplastic sheets, commonly used for making disposable products, thereby providing a relatively inexpensive paint accessory capable of being disposed after use; 15) is configured so that a plurality of liners may be nested when stacked for compact shipment, storage and shelf space; and 16) optimizes it's structural strength by the shape and interconnectedness of its molded features.

Problems solved by technology

For a number of reasons this novel method will save the painter time and cost.

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